The council voted to hear from anyone who wants to speak, then: move the city's limit on how much building floor space a lot may have from its General Plan 2035 into the zoning law; and take the first of two votes on a new city law adding building exception rules, a program letting developers build more in exchange for public benefits, and updates to several zoning chapters on definitions, housing, and other topics.
The council voted to hear from anyone who wants to speak, then take the first of two votes on a new city law that: adds rules giving incentives to combine lots and rules to make building projects easier to phase in; changes parking rules to follow state laws (AB 894 and AB 2097) on shared parking and on lower parking minimums near public transit, and updates restaurant parking rules; and changes the definition of “Home Occupation”.
Yes
Ross, Malhi, Zorn
Absent
Howard, McKillop
Context
Why The council held a study session in June 2024 and backed incentives to combine lots and phase in projects, and the city must update parking rules to follow two state laws, AB 894 and AB 2097.
The council voted to announce plans to change the city's rules on which officials must report their money and property (its Conflict of Interest Code), set a date for anyone to speak on it, and have the city clerk post a copy of the plan and proposed rules.
Context
Why State law requires every city to have a Conflict of Interest Code so officials who help make decisions must report money and property those decisions could affect.
The agenda does not say what changes will be proposed to the Conflict of Interest Code, only that the city is announcing plans to consider some.
The council voted to accept the bid from Rapid Grading Services as the lowest qualified bidder, and let the city manager sign a contract and any changes to it to finish the 2024 Accessibility Project No. C1040, in line with the approved plans, for up to $203,761, which includes a 25% extra amount of $40,750 in case of surprises.
Context
Why The project will add ADA compliant ramps and a parking stall and repair curbs and gutters at several locations to improve accessibility.
The council voted to let the city manager sign a contract with Sanbell to design the 2025 Water Main Replacement Project C7065, for up to $225,000.
Context
Why A 2021 study found aging water pipes, many over 50 years old, with the worst problems, and the city identified 38 locations, including this one, that need replacing.
The council voted to let the city manager sign a change to its contract with RHAA, adding up to $26,775, for a total contract of up to $222,921, for more design and construction help on the Hidden Valley Park Sportcourts Project C5047.
Context
Why The city needs more design and construction support services for the Hidden Valley Park Sportcourts Project.
The council voted to change the part of its labor agreement with Local 324 (its Memorandum of Understanding) that sets overtime rates for prescheduled construction inspections.
Context
Why The city and Local 324 met to work out how to handle and pay for construction inspections scheduled outside regular work hours, since the contract did not yet cover it.
The agenda does not say what the new overtime rate is.
The council voted to change the part of its labor agreement with the Martinez Police Officers' Association (MPOA) (its Memorandum of Understanding) that sets the extra amount officers receive for working certain shifts.
Context
Why The police union and the city met in September 2024 to add a clear definition of shift pay rules and remove the daily pro-rated pay provision.
The agenda does not say what the new shift differential amount is.
The council voted to let the city manager sign a second change to its contract with MV Cheng & Associates for budgeting and accounting help through June 30, 2025, bringing the contract total to up to $115,000.
Context
Why The city has not yet started using ClearGov's human capital module or its transparency portal, and MV Cheng & Associates is already familiar with the budget process and that software.
The council voted to let the public works director sign agreements, and changes to them, with the California Department of Transportation covering shared projects and moving or exchanging funding.
Context
Why The city needs to sign these agreements with Caltrans to get reimbursed for state-funded road projects it has already been approved to receive funding for.