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City Council · Wed Jul 17, 2024

City Council · Regular meeting

Reports and discussion, no vote

No voteRecycling education program

The council was asked to let the city manager sign an agreement with New Leaf Collaborative and the Martinez Unified School District for recycling program education services for the budget year from July 2024 to June 2025.

Context

Why The agreement continues the Recycling Ambassador education and outreach program that New Leaf Collaborative runs at the Martinez Unified School District's four elementary schools.

No votePolice hiring incentives

The council was asked to let the city keep a hiring incentive program for police officers that pays bonuses for referrals, helps with moving costs and pays back academy costs.

Context

Why The police department is short-staffed, with four vacant, full-time officer positions to fill and two more on long-term injury leave, and the program has already helped with recruiting officers before.

The agenda does not say how much the bonuses or the help are worth.

No voteRailroad Spur Restorationenvironmental review work

The council was asked to let the city manager sign Amendment No. 1 to its contract with Michael Baker International for environmental review services on the TransMontaigne Railroad Spur Restoration Project, adding $69,738, for a total of up to $339,333.

Context

Why State environmental review law requires studying a project's effects, and Michael Baker International is doing that review for the TransMontaigne Railroad Spur Restoration Project, needing more money to finish it.

No voteSewer service charge

The council was asked to take the final vote, as the board of Contra Costa County Sanitation District No. 6, on setting its annual sewer service charge for the budget year from July 2024 to June 2025.

Context

Why It places the sewer service charges on the county tax roll for collection.

No voteGrowth management plangeneral plan element

The council was asked to hear from anyone who wants to speak, then vote on changes to the growth management plan of the General Plan.

Context

Why State law under Measure J requires the city to update its growth management plan, and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority requires proof of that update before releasing certain transportation funds to the city.

No voteOld Train Depot property

The council was asked to hear from anyone who wants to speak and decide that the property at 401 Marina Vista Avenue (Old Train Depot), Assessor's Parcel Number 373-270-003, is not covered by the California Surplus Land Act.

Context

Why The city plans to select a developer to bring the Old Train Depot back into use for food, retail, or cultural purposes, and must determine its obligations under the Surplus Land Act before selling or leasing it.

No voteBuilding code updates

The council was asked to hear from anyone who wants to speak, skip reading it aloud, and take the first of two votes on a law changing Title 15 building rules: changing which accessory structures don't need a permit (15.04.035A); following the 2022 California Energy Code (15.11.010); setting flood-zone rules for houses (15.30.050A.3.a.i); and allowing more flexible outdoor security lighting for commercial buildings (15.44.080M).

Context

Why The state updates its building standards every three years, and the current 2022 cycle took effect statewide on January 1, 2023, requiring the city to update its own building code sections to match.

No voteDiversity Commissiondiversity and culture

The council was asked to hear from anyone who wants to speak, skip reading it aloud in full, and take the first of two votes on a new city law creating a Diversity and Cultural Commission (Chapter 2.42).

Context

Why A study session and follow-up report gathered input from the community and the City Council on forming a new commission to focus on community initiatives that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

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