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City Council · Wed Aug 19, 2026

City Council · Regular meeting

Minutes not posted yet. Who voted comes with them.

Voted on together, in one vote

The council approves or turns down everything in this group with a single vote.

Police health coverage costs

The council was asked to set the city's share of health coverage costs at the same amount for current workers and for retirees under the state's public employees medical and hospital care act, in two separate decisions, one covering the Martinez Police Officers' Association and one covering Police Sworn Management.

Context

Why CalPERS requires the city to set out for coming years the amount it pays toward medical coverage for sworn employees and retirees.

Entertainment zone rules

The council was asked to take the final vote on city law No. 1489 on Entertainment Zone rules, and approve the Downtown Entertainment Zone Management Plan.

Context

Why The plan sets the rules for the city's first Entertainment Zone, letting people carry drinks bought from nearby restaurants and bars outside during an approved special event.

Escobar Street and Main StreetPine Street section

The council was asked to set September 16, 2026 as the night anyone can speak on giving up the public's right to a section of Pine Street between Escobar Street and Main Street, keeping shared rights for the utility lines already in place, including the city's water and storm drain systems.

Context

Why Contra Costa County asked the city in 2023 to give up this street section to build a pedestrian plaza by its new Administration building; the section has been closed to traffic since 2024.

List of checks

The council was asked to approve the list of checks the city wrote from July 17 through August 6, 2026.

Context

The agenda does not say what the checks were for.

Universal Sports mural

The council was asked to accept the withdrawal of the second mural design change to extend the mural on the east-facing wall of the Universal Sports Academy Complex at 330 Ferry Street.

Context

Why The second design change was meant to build on community interest in a public painting activity and support the city's Sesquicentennial celebration.

Marin Clean Energy report

The council was asked to look at the Marin County Civil Grand Jury report titled “MCE, Marin Clean Energy: A Series of Missteps Highlight Need for Governance Changes” and let the mayor send the city's answer through a motion written into the meeting record.

Context

Why As a member agency, the city was asked to respond to the report's recommendations, supporting continued review of MCE's governance but disagreeing with recommendations that would weaken elected officials' representation.

Downtown parking permits

The council was asked to hear the report on the Downtown Employee Parking Permit Program, let the program keep going, and tell the city manager or a person the city manager picks to open it to County employees assigned to qualifying privately owned buildings the County leases.

Context

Why The review found no sign that the program lowered overall parking meter revenue or reduced general parking availability downtown.

Discussed one at a time

The council discusses each of these on its own, then votes on it.

Alhambra Creek wingwall repair

The council was asked to approve after the fact the city manager's declaration of a local emergency to fix the Alhambra Creek wingwall on Alhambra Avenue, near 4951 Alhambra Avenue; set aside $300,000 of Measure J funds and $100,000 of NPDES funds for Project No. C3018; and let the city manager sign a contract with McNabb Construction Inc. for up to $325,000 under section 14.04.090 and the Purchasing Policy's emergency bidding rules.

Context

Why The wingwall had become dislocated and needed replacement right away, and Pacific Gas and Electric lowered the gas line's pressure to 5 psi and will abandon it by the end of August so repair can proceed safely.

The agenda does not say what the NPDES funds are.

Trash and recycling deal

The council was asked to tell staff which way to go on a modern, low-cost and environmentally responsible trash and recycling deal, by choosing either to bargain only with the current hauler, Republic Services, or to invite companies to offer to do the city's trash and recycling work.

Context

Why The city's trash and recycling agreements expire at the end of 2027, and past attempts to reach a new long-term deal with the current hauler, Republic Services, did not succeed, so the city must choose a path forward.

Mayor and council election

The council was asked to choose what to do under state law for the offices of Mayor and City Councilmember, District 4, by either naming the nominated candidates to those offices instead of holding an election, or ordering that the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election be held for them.

Context

Why Only one candidate qualified for each of the offices of Mayor and City Councilmember, District 4, so state law lets the council appoint them instead of holding an election for those seats.

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