The council voted to hear comment; approve the Revised 2023-2031 housing plan and send it to HCD for certification; move four Fig Tree Lane parcels from Residential Low to Residential Medium in the General Plan 2035; skip full readings and take first votes on new laws creating the Community Services Overlay District, the Alhambra Avenue Overlay District, and rezoning 32 downtown parcels to match it; and update its environmental study.
Yes
Howard, Zorn, Malhi, McKillop
Abstained
Ross
Context
Why State law requires every California city to have a certified housing plan as one of the General Plan's seven required parts.
The council voted to let the city manager sign contracts with the Martinez Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Martinez & Co. for their budgeted yearly funding of $45,000 each and one-time funding of $55,000 each.
Yes
Howard, Ross, Zorn, Malhi, McKillop
Context
Why The Economic Development Subcommittee and the City Council both supported keeping this funding when they reviewed the request.
The council voted to approve moving money from the Cultural Impact Fund to the Old Train Depot project.
Motion 1Passed
Yes
Howard, Ross, Malhi, McKillop
No
Zorn
Motion 2Passed
Yes
Howard, Ross, Zorn, Malhi, McKillop
Context
Why The city and the Martinez Historical Society have had productive discussions, and the historical society has researched plans to rehabilitate, run, and finance the depot.
Proposed Let the city manager extend, by up to 120 days, from December 31, 2023 to April 29, 2024, the time to keep talking only with the Martinez Historical Society, and move $50,000 from the Cultural Impact Fund to the Old Train Depot building project (C4007).
The council voted to approve the City of Martinez Legislative Platform.
Yes
Howard, Ross, Zorn, Malhi, McKillop
Context
Why The City says a rise in State Legislature bills that could affect cities' local control led it to expand advocacy efforts guided by this platform's principles, policies, goals and strategies.
The council voted to take the first of two votes on new rules for trees, chickens and bees, with changes the council asked for.
Yes
Howard, Ross, Zorn, Malhi, McKillop
Context
Why The city and residents want beekeeping and keeping chickens to be orderly and regulated; apiaries are not currently allowed except in agricultural areas, and multiple Martinez properties are in violation of the rules.
Proposed Hear the public, skip reading it aloud, and take the first of two votes on: merge Chapter 8.08 and 8.12 on trees, change what counts as a Protected Tree, and set a tree replacement ratio, a list of recommended and discouraged trees, and a fee for not replacing one; change the definitions of apiary (a beehive place), chicken and coop in Chapter 22.04 and 22.12; and add Chapter 22.58 (Small Animals) for bees and chickens.
The council voted to let the mayor sign the eighth change to the lease with Eagle Marine, and treat this as excused from a full environmental study under state environmental review rules, for existing facilities (Class 1).
Context
Why State law (SB 1424), signed September 26, 2014, requires that leases on the property granted to the city be consistent with an approved land use plan, be for a fair rent, and be in the state's best interest.
The council voted to let the mayor sign the fifth change to the lease agreement with the Martinez Yacht Club, and treat this as excused from a full environmental study under state environmental review rules, for existing facilities (Class 1).
The council voted to name the new city park at 540 Pine Meadow Drive (parcel number 162-580-067) Pine Meadow Park.
Context
Why The city needs to name the new park under its facility-naming policy, following outreach through social media, websites, newsletters, mailers, and an online application website.
The council voted to let the city apply to Contra Costa County for the budget year 2024-25 Community Development Block Grant - Infrastructure and Public Facilities (CDBG-IPF), with the city putting in $35,000 to match it.
Context
Why Streets in this Martinez neighborhood, including Morello Heights Drive and Escondido Drive, do not have curb ramps for people with disabilities to cross streets and use sidewalks.
The council voted to let the city manager sign a contract with Allsteel/Sam Clar for up to $116,440 to buy office furniture, and treat the project as excused from a full environmental study under state environmental review rules, rule 15301(a).
Context
Why The City says the furniture is part of a project reconfiguring office space at City Hall to support a growing City workforce, in line with Council Goal #1, Recruitment and Retention.
The council voted to let the city manager start a hiring incentive program for police officers, including a referral bonus, moving cost help, and academy repayment.
Context
Why The police department has a staffing crisis, with only 31 of its 37 sworn officer positions filled, leaving seven vacancies.
The council voted to approve a public salary schedule, effective January 1, 2024, to follow the Public Employee Retirement Law, giving a 2.8% wage increase to members of the Martinez Police Officers' Association, and change the Management Compensation Plan to give a 2.8% wage increase to the Police Captain, Police Commander and Police Lieutenant.
Context
Why State rules require any public salary schedule to list every position's title and pay rate, be approved by the council, and be posted for public review for at least five years.