City Council · Regular meeting
PassedBudget policy
The council voted to approve changes to the city's Budget Policy and cancel its earlier Reserve Policy.
Why It aims to strengthen budget discipline, keep the budget balanced, and improve financial transparency as part of the city's regular two-year policy review.
PassedFinancial report and reserves
The council voted to accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the budget year ended June 30, 2024, and approve moving money left over in the city's main day-to-day account into set-aside reserves.
Why State and federal law require the city's finances to be audited each year by outside accountants, producing this report so the public can understand and evaluate the city's financial condition.
PassedCity operating budget
The council voted to approve changes to the operating budget and the budget for work that builds or repairs things the city owns (the Capital Improvement Program Budget), for the budget year from July 2024 to June 2025.
Why The city's budget faces lower revenue and rising personnel, insurance, and pension costs, so staff reviewed seven months of this year's revenue and spending and propose changes to keep it balanced.
PassedUnpermitted dwelling units
The council voted to hold a hearing, skip reading it aloud, and take the first of two votes on a new law changing Martinez's rulebook: add Chapter 15.55 for unpermitted dwelling units; point Chapter 22.12 to it; move a lot-coverage definition from Chapters 22.04 and 22.34; update Chapter 22.43 on small extra homes for new state law and Chapter 15.55; add sign rules to Chapter 16.60; and make other small wording changes.
Why The city's housing plan requires a risk-free way for owners of unpermitted accessory dwelling units to meet health and safety standards without code enforcement, demolition, or displacement.
PassedMichael Ebert claim
The council voted to reject the claim filed against the city by Michael Ebert (GL-21170-MZ-2).
The agenda does not say what Michael Ebert's claim was about.
PassedKim Daley claim
The council voted to reject a claim for money filed against the city by Kim Daley (GL-21341-MZ).
PassedRunoff unit rate
The council voted to set the rate per Equivalent Runoff Unit (ERU) for the budget year from July 2025 to June 2026, and ask the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to set a yearly charge on each property for drainage upkeep and for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program.
Why This charge funds the city's Clean Water Program, which the federal Clean Water Act and the city's stormwater permit require it to run.
PassedHousing element report
The council voted to hear the Annual Progress Report on the status of the General Plan and housing plan for 2024, and have city staff send it to the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
Why California requires each city to have a long-term General Plan for its development, and this report tracks Martinez's progress on that plan and its housing plan for 2024.
PassedSidewalk repair program
The council voted to approve the updated Sidewalk Repair Cost-Sharing Reimbursement Program and cancel the city's earlier decision on it.
Why Sidewalk repair programs improve public safety, accessibility, and walkability by preventing hazards, and staff revised the program based on the council's guidance from its March 5, 2025 meeting.
The agenda does not say what changed in the Sidewalk Repair Cost-Sharing Reimbursement Program.