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City Council · Wed Oct 1, 2025

City Council · Regular meeting

Key decisions

PassedRail restoration project

The council voted to approve the Martinez Terminal Rail Restoration Project as written.

Motion 1Passed

Motion 2Passed

Yes
Zorn, Howard, Young, Malhi, McKillop
Context

Why Rail service to the Martinez Terminal was decommissioned in the late 1990s or early 2000s, and the project would restore rail access to the site, which has operated since 1973.

Proposed Hear from anyone who wants to speak on the Martinez Terminal Rail Restoration Project and its final environmental study (its Final Environmental Impact Report), then decide whether to accept that study and the findings that go with it, and whether to approve the project.

Motion 1
Young, seconded by Howard
Motion 2
Malhi, seconded by McKillop

PassedNuisance and graffiti rules

The council voted to hear from anyone who wants to speak, skip reading it aloud, and take the first of two votes on rewriting the city's rules on nuisances (Chapter 1.3), city fines (Chapter 1.15), graffiti (Chapter 8.28), property nuisances (Section 8.36.030), vacant buildings (Chapter 8.38) and vacant property (Section 8.40.040), and on deleting the old graffiti rules (Chapter 1.16).

Yes
Zorn, Howard, Young, Malhi, McKillop
Context

Why Residents have repeatedly told the council about ongoing code violations, property nuisances, vacant commercial buildings, and fire-damaged properties, so the council asked staff for better tools to enforce the rules.

Motion
Malhi, seconded by Zorn

Also approved, in one vote3 items

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

PassedJacqueline Lopez-Aguilar claim

The council voted to turn down the claim filed by Jacqueline Lopez-Aguilar (GL-21686-MZ).

Context

The agenda does not say what the claim is about.

PassedJohn and Sylvia Todor claim

The council voted to turn down the claim filed by John and Sylvia Todor (GL-21695-MZ).

Context

The agenda does not say what the claim is about.

PassedAlbatross Sea Scouts medallion

The council voted to tell staff to speed up handling of a design review application to put an Albatross Sea Scouts medallion on the city gateway signs on the east side of Alhambra Avenue just north of the freeway exit from westbound SR-4 and in the landscaped median between Marina Vista and Escobar Streets.

Context

Why The Albatross Sea Scouts have taught boating and life skills to local youth since 1932, and staff wants to speed approval of a medallion honoring them on the city's gateway signs.

Reports and discussion, no vote

No voteSports Academy mural

The council was asked to approve mural design option “B”, extending the mural onto part of the east-facing wall of the Universal Sports Academy Complex at 330 Ferry Street and adding credit for sponsors, and let the city manager sign an addition to the written agreement between the City of Martinez, the artist Tim Hon and the non-profit Joe DiMaggio Hometown Hero Project, in a form the city attorney approves.

Context

Why The mural celebrates Martinez and beautifies downtown with depictions of prominent figures, places, landscapes, and local attractions.

No voteIndustrial safety rules

The council was asked to hear a presentation from Contra Costa Health on the county's rules for the safety of industrial plants (its Industrial Safety Ordinance, or “ISO”) and tell staff what it wants for a Martinez version.

Context

Why Serious industrial accidents in the 1990s and a 2019 explosion and fire in Crockett led the county and Richmond to put in place, and later expand, industrial safety rules, prompting Martinez to consider its own version.

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