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City Council · Wed Jul 16, 2025

City Council · Regular meeting

Key decisions

PassedMartinez Marina revitalization

The council voted to hear a presentation from Tucker Sadler on a proposed vision for revitalizing the Martinez Marina and Waterfront; give staff feedback and guidance; and decide whether to let the city start talks with Tucker Sadler on an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA).

Yes
Zorn, Howard, Young, Malhi, McKillop
Context

Why The Marina was built in the 1960s and has exceeded its useful life, with deferred maintenance leading to needs that exceed the city's budget.

Motion
McKillop, seconded by Malhi

PassedBond tax rate

The council voted to approve the General Obligation Bond tax rate for the property tax roll for the budget year from July 2025 to June 2026, and send it to Contra Costa County.

Yes
Zorn, Howard, Young, Malhi, McKillop
Context

Why In 2008, voters approved Measure H, letting the city issue up to $30 million in bonds to improve parks, the library, and the swimming pool, with the bonds paid from property taxes collected by the county.

Motion
Howard, seconded by Young

PassedSewer service charges

The council voted to hear from anyone who wants to speak about Contra Costa County Sanitation District No. 6; approve its Annual Written Statement; confirm the district's diagram and charges; and set the district's sewer service charges for the budget year from July 2025 to June 2026.

Yes
Zorn, Howard, Young, Malhi, McKillop
Context

Why The city already set the sewer charge at $2,450 per year for 2023-24 through 2025-26, and this hearing confirms it for the new year.

Motion
Howard, seconded by Young

Also approved, in one vote8 items

Yes
Zorn, Howard, Young, Malhi, McKillop
Motion
Howard, seconded by McKillop

PassedRecycling education program

The council voted to let the city manager sign a contract with New Leaf Collaborative and the Martinez Unified School District for recycling program education services for the budget year from July 2025 to June 2026, in a form the City Attorney approves.

Context

Why The city has partnered with New Leaf Collaborative and the school district since 2014 on a Recycling Ambassador program teaching recycling at the district's four elementary schools.

PassedRiverhouse Hotel housing

The council voted to acknowledge that Contra Costa County will help finance the Riverhouse Hotel Affordable Housing Project at 700 Alhambra Avenue.

Context

Why Eden Housing is seeking tax-credit bond financing from Contra Costa County to fund the project, which will increase affordable housing units at the Riverhouse Hotel from 75 to 84.

PassedHomes in commercial areas

The council voted to take the final vote on city law No. 1474, changing the city's rules: add Chapter 22.75 to allow homes in commercial areas; update Chapters 22.12, 22.14, 22.15, and 22.16 to allow homes there too, in line with Chapter 22.75; add related definitions to Chapter 22.04, and update 'Major Transit Stop' rules in Chapters 22.04 and 22.36; clarify maximum size and height limits for accessory dwelling units in Chapter 22.43 and update its California Government Code references; clarify height exceptions for accessory structures in Chapter 22.45; and make other small related changes.

Context

PassedCity accounting services

The council voted to let the city manager sign a first change to its consulting contract with Krisch & Company for accounting services through June 30, 2026, with a total contract limit of up to $125,000.

Context

Why By November 2024 the Finance Department had filled its openings, but most new hires had under six months of experience; with the 2024 audit deadline and building the budget approaching, more support was needed.

Passed2024 accessibility project

The council voted to accept the 2024 Accessibility Project No. C1040 as finished, as the contract documents describe, and have the City Clerk file the paperwork recording the project's completion.

Context

Why The project added ADA accessibility improvements at several street locations across the city, with four change orders totaling $6,443.50, and finished in March 2025 at a final cost of $190,766.

PassedHidden Valley sports court

The council voted to accept the Hidden Valley Sports Court Project No. C5047 as finished under its contract, and have the City Clerk file the notice that officially closes out the contract.

Context

Why The project converted two tennis courts into eight pickleball courts, built a new tennis court, and resurfaced a basketball court, with nine change orders totaling $272,800.79 for added work.

PassedDowntown wayfinding signs

The council voted to accept the Economic Development Subcommittee's recommendation and approve the design for the Downtown Wayfinding Signage Program.

Context

Why The signs are meant to direct drivers to downtown destinations and public parking, cutting the vehicle idling and traffic congestion caused by people searching for parking, supporting the grant's emission-reduction goal.

PassedMorello Ave sidewalk project

The council voted to accept the Morello Avenue Sidewalk Gap Closure Project No. C2014 as finished under its contract, and have the City Clerk file the notice that officially closes out the contract.

Context

Why The Morello Avenue sidewalk project finished in March 2025 with no changes to the contract, and its final cost of $254,570.45 came in under the original budgeted amount.

Reports and discussion, no vote

Sanitation District board

The council was asked to meet as the board of directors of Contra Costa County Sanitation District No. 6, then go back to meeting as the City Council of the City of Martinez.

Context
Earlier meetingLater meeting