The council voted to hear from anyone who wants to speak on raising the top garbage rates the city lets Allied Waste Systems, Inc., doing business as Republic Services of Contra Costa County, charge under its city contracts, lifting the top rates for homes, businesses, industry and apartment buildings by 2.24% starting January 1, 2026 (Solid Waste Franchise Exhibit C, Schedule of Rates).
Yes
Zorn, Howard, Young, Malhi, McKillop
Context
Why The company's franchise agreements set garbage rates using a formula tied to a consumer price index, and its on-time 2026 rate request applied that index's latest data, which the city verified.
The council voted to hear from anyone who wants to speak, skip reading it aloud in full, and take the first of two votes on a local law that drops the 2022 California Building Standards Code and puts in its place the 2025 California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Parts 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 (with Parts 8 and 12) and 11 (CalGreen); and find it does not need a study under state environmental law.
Yes
Zorn, Howard, Young, Malhi, McKillop
Context
Why State law requires cities to put in place the newest three-year update of the state's building and safety rules, which take effect statewide on January 1, 2026.
The council voted to hear two finished reports Contra Costa Health ordered under the county's industrial safety law after the February 2025 fire at PBF's MRC Refinery: 1) a health risk screening by TRC Companies, Inc.; and 2) an independent investigation of what caused the February 1, 2025 leak and fire at Martinez Refining Company LLC, by JEM Advisors, LLC.
Context
Why Contra Costa Health orders these studies after a major chemical accident, like the February 2025 fire, to check for health risks and figure out what caused it.
The council was asked to skip reading it aloud in full and take the final vote on local law No. 1477, which changes the city's rules on filing a claim against the city before suing (Section 3.40.040, Claim Prerequisite to Suit, in Chapter 3.4, Claims Against the City of Martinez, of the city's rulebook).
Context
Why The city attorney advised that the city manager, not the city council, should handle claims, to streamline the process, reduce work for the council, protect confidential information, and manage claims efficiently.
The agenda does not say what the change to those rules is.