City of San Pablo  
Meeting Minutes  
City Council  
Monday, June 1, 2026  
6:00 PM  
City Council Chambers  
Members of the public may view this meeting  
online by using this URL  
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89046076519  
CALL TO ORDER  
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers.  
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Mayor Pabon-Alvarado led the Pledge of Allegiance.  
ROLL CALL  
5 -  
Present:  
Councilmember Arturo Cruz, Councilmember Patricia Ponce, Councilmember Abel  
Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado  
Staff Present:  
City Manager, Matt Rodriguez  
Assistant City Manager, Maria Ojeda  
City Attorney, Brian P. Hickey  
Police Chief, Brian Bubar  
Administrative Services Director, Arturo Castillo  
Human Resources/Risk Manager, Alicia Platt  
Economic Development and Housing Manager, Kieron Slaughter  
Senior Civil Engineer, Matt Brown  
Environmental Program Manager, Amanda Booth  
Sustainability Fellow, Natalie Sanchez  
City Clerk, Dorothy Gantt  
Deputy City Clerk, Casey Erlenheim  
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS  
No Public Comments were received for Oral Communications.  
CEREMONIAL MATTERS  
PRESENTATIONS  
1.  
26-206  
PRESENTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO  
REGARDING THE 2025-26 RICHMOND HIGH SCHOOL EARTH TEAM ZERO  
LITTER PROJECT IN SAN PABLO  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
No Public Comments were received.  
Presented.  
CITY MANAGER REMARKS  
City Manager Matt Rodriguez made the following announcements:  
1. Election Day is June 2, 2026; polls are open 7:00 AM–8:00 PM. San Pablo voters may use 24-hour ballot drop  
boxes at City Hall and Contra Costa College, 2600 Mission Bell Drive. Voter registration closed May 18, 2026.  
Voters are encouraged to vote in person or return ballots by 8:00 PM on Election Day. Mailed ballots must be  
postmarked no later than June 2, 2026, and voters mailing ballots on Election Day should obtain a hand-stamped  
postmark from a USPS employee inside the Post Office.  
2.The next Dumpster Day is Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 2600 Moraga Road from 7:00 AM until dumpsters are full  
or 12:00 noon, whichever occurs first.  
3. Community events are scheduled throughout the summer, including the annual Fourth of July multicultural event  
on July 4, 2026, at the San Pablo Community Center and National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from  
5:00–8:00 PM at the San Pablo Community Center, 2450 Road 20. Additional information is available on the City  
and Police Department websites.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
MINUTES  
2.  
26-258  
CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF  
MAY 18, 2026  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
Approved.  
LIABILITY CLAIMS  
26-265  
CONSIDER DENYING LIABILITY CLAIM OF STACY HEMPHILL (DOL  
04/20/26)  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
Denied.  
CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION  
4.  
26-245  
CONSIDER RECEIVING AND ACCEPTING THE INDEPENDENT CITIZENS’  
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE REPORTS FOR PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 2025  
FOR MEASURE  
S
(FORMERLY MEASURE Q) AND MEASURE  
K
TRANSACTION & USE SALES TAX  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
Received and Filed.  
5.  
26-261  
CONSIDER RATIFYING LETTER FROM SAN PABLO VICE-MAYOR XAVIER  
(ON BEHALF OF MAYOR PABON-ALVARADO) TRANSMITTED ON MAY 18,  
2026, TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR NEWSOM TO REQUEST SUPPORT  
FOR LOCAL FISCAL FLEXIBILITY AND VOTER AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO  
SECTION 7251.1 OF THE CALIFORNIA REVENUE AND TAXATION CODE  
PERTAINING TO TRANSACTIONS (SALES) AND USE TAX EXEMPTION  
Approved.  
6.  
26-262  
REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JULY 2026  
AS NATIONAL “PARKS MAKE LIFE BETTER!®” MONTH  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
Approved.  
7.  
26-249  
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY  
OF SAN PABLO (1) AUTHORIZING THE TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF  
JILL MERCURIO TO FILL THE VACANT POSITION OF PUBLIC WORKS  
DIRECTOR/CITY  
ENGINEER  
PURSUANT  
TO  
GOVERNMENT  
CODE  
SECTION 21221(H) AS OF MAY 1, 2026, AND DURING THE CITY’S  
RECRUITMENT FOR A FULL-TIME REPLACEMENT; (2) AUTHORIZING THE  
CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A RETIRED ANNUITANT EMPLOYMENT  
AGREEMENT  
WITH  
JILL  
MERCURIO  
PURSUANT  
TO  
APPLICABLE  
CALPERS POST-RETIREMENT WORK RESTRICTIONS; AND (3) RATIFYING  
STAFF’S PRIOR INITIATION OF A FORMAL RECRUITMENT TO FILL THE  
POSITION OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER ON  
A
PERMANENT BASIS AND DIRECTING STAFF TO CONTINUE SUCH  
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
Adopted.  
Enactment No: RES 2026-076  
8.  
26-250  
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY  
OF SAN PABLO (1) RATIFYING THE CITY’S APPLICATION FOR THE BAY  
AREA AIR DISTRICT’S BAY REPAIR GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF  
$1,335,000; (2) ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING GRANT FUNDING, IF  
AWARDED; AND (3) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL  
DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR CITY PARTICIPATION IN THIS GRANT  
PROGRAM  
CEQA: The McNeil Park project (previously called the SPARC project) has been  
determined to be categorically exempt from environmental review pursuant to  
Section 15304 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Section 15304 exempts “minor  
public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation  
which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry  
and agricultural purposes.” The Project would involve alteration of the site from  
an empty lot with demolition debris to  
a
park, including grading, new  
landscaping, and minor trenching and backfilling where the surface is restored.  
The Project would not remove any mature trees; the trees within and adjacent to  
the Project site would be preserved in place.  
Adopted.  
Enactment No: RES 2026-077  
9.  
26-253  
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY  
OF SAN PABLO (1) APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR APPROXIMATELY  
$4 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDS THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT  
OF NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY’S (CNRA) CALIFORNIA CLIMATE  
INVESTMENTS URBAN GREENING PROGRAM FOR THE SAN PABLO  
BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT (0202); (2) CERTIFYING COMPLIANCE  
WITH CERTAIN APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS; (3) ACCEPTING AND  
APPROPRIATING GRANT FUNDING, IF AWARDED; AND (4) AUTHORIZING  
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR  
CITY PARTICIPATION IN THIS GRANT PROGRAM  
CEQA: Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b)(3), the adoption of the  
subject resolution authorizing Public Works to submit a grant application is  
exempt from CEQA requirements. Under Guidelines section 15378, “project”  
does not include the creation of government funding mechanisms or other  
government fiscal activities, which do not involve any commitment to any specific  
project that may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the  
environment.  
Adopted.  
Enactment No: RES 2026-078  
10. 26-254  
CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE  
CITY OF SAN PABLO AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A  
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE JANUARY 20, 2015, PROPERTY TAX  
CONSULTING/AUDIT SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HDL COREN & CONE,  
A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
Adopted.  
Enactment No: RES 2026-079  
11. 26-255  
CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY  
OF SAN PABLO ADOPTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY ESTABLISHING  
AFFORDABLE CARE ACT (ACA) LOOK BACK MEASUREMENT METHOD  
AND AFFORDABILITY SAFE HARBORS FOR CERTAIN UNREPRESENTED  
EMPLOYEES  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
Adopted.  
Enactment No: RES 2026-080  
12. 26-259  
CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE  
CITY OF SAN PABLO AMENDING SECTION 2.08.070 OF THE SAN PABLO  
MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO THE DUTIES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS  
DIRECTOR  
CEQA: The proposed amendment is exempt from the California Environmental  
Quality Act (CEQA) in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3)  
because it can be seen with certainty that there is no potential for causing a  
significant effect on the environment.  
Waived Second Reading and Adopted.  
Enactment No: ORD 2026-006  
Approval of the Consent Agenda  
No Public Comments were received on the Consent Calendar.  
It was moved by Councilmember Cruz, seconded by Vice Mayor Xavier, and approved by vote of those  
present, to adopt all items in the Consent Calendar. The motion passed as follows:  
Aye: 5 - Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado  
* * * * END OF CONSENT CALENDAR * * * *  
PUBLIC HEARINGS  
13. 26-252  
CONDUCT  
A
PUBLIC  
HEARING  
PURSUANT  
TO  
CALIFORNIA  
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3 ON THE CITY OF SAN PABLO’S  
JOB VACANCIES, RECRUITMENT, AND RETENTION EFFORTS FOR THE  
2025 CALENDAR YEAR  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
The public hearing opened at 6:52 PM  
No Public Comments were received.  
The public hearing closed at 6:52 PM  
Received and Filed.  
Mayor Pabon called a Recess at 8:07 PM  
Reconvened at 8:13 PM  
ROLL CALL  
*Note that Ponce returned at 8:15 PM  
5 -  
Present:  
Councilmember Arturo Cruz, Councilmember Patricia Ponce, Councilmember Abel  
Pineda, Vice Mayor Rita Xavier, and Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado  
14. 26-242  
CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW THE PROPOSED FY 2026-27  
AND FY 2027-28 BIENNIAL (TWO-YEAR) OPERATING BUDGET AND  
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) BUDGET PER SAN PABLO  
MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 3.04.220, 3.04.240 AND 3.04.250  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
The public hearing opened at 8:44 PM  
No Public Comments were received.  
The public hearing closed at 8:44 PM  
Approved.  
It was moved by Councilmember Ponce, seconded by Councilmember Cruz, and approved by vote of  
those present, to: Direct the City Manager via minute order to prepare and finalize Resolutions for  
adoption of the FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 Biennial (Two-Year) Operating Budget and Capital  
Improvement Program Budget at the June 15, 2026 City Council Meeting for Consent Calendar approval  
action; and authorize the City Manager via minute order to pursue additional fiscal and revenue sources  
and operational efficiencies during FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28 periods. The motion passed as follows:  
5 - Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado  
Aye:  
ORDINANCES  
15. 26-174  
CONSIDER  
AN  
ORDINANCE  
REPEALING  
CHAPTER  
9.60 (“RENT  
REGISTRY”) OF THE CITY OF SAN PABLO MUNICIPAL CODE TERMINATING  
THE CITY’S RENT REGISTRY PROGRAM  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
No Public Comments were received.  
A
motion was made by Councilmember Pineda to: reject the staff recommendation to repeal the Rent  
Registry Program; retain the program; and direct staff to return with options to strengthen it, including  
enforcement mechanisms and penalties for noncompliance, integration with existing rental property  
registration processes, tenant and landlord rights notification requirements, and procedures to address  
rent increases that exceed legal limits through mediation or review  
The Motion failed for lack of second.  
It was then moved by Vice Mayor Xavier, seconded by Mayor Pabon-Alvarado to waive First Reading and  
Introduce the Ordinance. The Motion passed as follows:  
4 - Cruz, Ponce, Xavier, and Pabon-Alvarado  
1 - Pineda  
Aye:  
Noes:  
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/CONSIDERATION  
16. 26-257  
CONSIDER AUTHORIZING  
A
COMMEMORATIVE FLAG REQUEST FROM  
VICE MAYOR RITA XAVIER FOR THE CITY HALL FLAGPOLE LOCATION  
FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JUNE 2026 RECOGNIZING LESBIAN, GAY,  
BI-SEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND QUESTIONING COMMUNITY (LGBTQ)  
PRIDE MONTH  
CEQA: This proposed action is not a project as defined by CEQA.  
There were three Public Comments received on the Consent Calendar from the following: Anna Villalobos, Jamin  
Pursell and Genoveva Calloway.  
Approved.  
A motion was made by Vice Mayor Xavier, seconded by Councilmember Pineda, that this Action Item be  
Approved. The motion carried by the following vote:  
4 - Cruz, Ponce, Pineda, and Xavier  
1 - Pabon-Alvarado  
Aye:  
Noes:  
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS (IF ANY)  
17. 26-209  
MATERIALS SUBMITTED AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE AGENDA WILL BE  
APPENDED AFTER THE COUNCIL MEETING. THIS IS NOT AN ACTION ITEM  
BUT MERELY  
A
MECHANISM FOR MATERIALS SUBMITTED AFTER  
PUBLICATION OF THE AGENDA TO BE APPENDED TO THE PUBLISHED  
AGENDA AFTER THE COUNCIL MEETING.  
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENTS REPORTS  
(a)  
(b)  
(c)  
(d)  
(e)  
Councilmember Arturo Cruz  
Councilmember Patricia Ponce  
Councilmember Abel Pineda  
Vice Mayor Rita Xavier  
Mayor Elizabeth Pabon-Alvarado  
ADJOURNMENT  
Adjourned at 9:32 PM to the Special City Council Meeting of June 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM.  
Respectfully Submitted,  
____________________________  
Casey Erlenheim, Deputy City Clerk