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City Council · Wed Sep 6, 2023

City Council · Regular meeting

Key decisions

PassedZoning law update

The council voted to take the first of two votes on the zoning law as staff described it, with an added rule letting city staff grant exceptions written into the law.

Yes
Brianne Zorn, Mark Ross, Jay Howard, Satinder S. Malhi, Debbie McKillop
Context

Proposed Hear speakers, then take the first of two votes on a law that adjusts massage parlor hours, replaces the district boundary rules, adds Agricultural District standards, adds housing rules for low-barrier shelters and supportive housing, and rezones several downtown parcels to mixed neighborhood and service commercial use; and more.

The minutes do not say what kind of exceptions city staff could grant.

Motion
Howard, seconded by McKillop

Reports and discussion, no vote

No voteChecks and wire transfers

The council was asked to approve the list of checks and wire transfers the city sent out in July and August.

No voteCreekbank settlement

The council was asked to let the city manager sign a settlement agreement with Martinez Regency Park Limited Partnership, under which the city will do about $320,000 of work stabilizing the creekbank, with Regency contributing $55,000.

Context

No voteWater treatment ozone project

The council was asked to accept the Water Treatment Plant Ozone System Improvements project (Project No. 7051) as finished according to the contract, and have the city clerk file the paperwork saying the work is done.

Context

Why It replaces the plant's air supply system with a new liquid oxygen ozone system and adds backup chlorination and fire safety upgrades to improve water quality and reliability.

No voteParking meter grant

The council was asked to let the city apply for a grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for the Parking Meter Update project, promise to pay any matching money needed, and promise to finish the project.

Context

Why The project would use grant money to update downtown parking, including new kiosk technology, adjusted rates, and better wayfinding, to reduce circling and congestion and improve safety.

No voteCrime lab services

The council was asked to let the city manager sign a two-year contract with Contra Costa County for crime lab services, for up to $180,252 per year.

Context

Why The county's crime lab gives Martinez police quick, detailed lab results needed to investigate and prosecute crimes, and the prior agreement expired on June 30, 2023.

No voteDonations and sponsorships

The council was asked to approve a policy setting rules for how the city accepts donations and sponsorships.

Context

Why The city has no formal policy for evaluating offers of donations and sponsorships, so this policy sets clear, consistent standards for accepting or declining them.

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