Jay Howard

This seat is on the ballot Tue Nov 3. The new council is seated Wed Dec 9.
What they campaigned on, and how it is going
Councilmember Howard's grade is held down by 5 of 12 promises with no step in the minutes (police retention pay, no ridgeline building, measured housing growth, and more).
Confidence high
Left: what they campaigned on. Right: the council's steps on each, from the start of their term to today. The number is how far each has come, out of 100.
Committed · 80Mar 6, 2024
Marina seawall repair
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Expands the AnchorQEA contract for design and permits to repair the Martinez Marina Seawall and Breakwater.
Committed · 80Mar 6, 2024
Marina Dock B repairs
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Loans money to the Marina Enterprise Fund to pay for emergency repairs to Dock B.
Early · 50May 1, 2024
Waterfront and marina grant
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Directs staff to apply for a federal grant to remake and improve the Martinez marina.
Done · 100Nov 6, 2024
Marina rules and enforcement
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Adopts a law changing the rules on using the Martinez Marina and their enforcement.
Committed · 80Nov 20, 2024
Marina management contract
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Contracts with F3 Marinas to manage the Martinez Marina.
Committed · 80Jan 15, 2025
Marina seawall repair
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Expands the Anchor QEA contract for design and permitting to repair the Martinez Marina seawall and breakwater.
Committed · 80May 7, 2025
Marina fund budget
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Approves Marina Enterprise Fund budget changes, including an extra loan from the city's main account.
Early · 50Jul 16, 2025
Martinez Marina revitalization
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Considers starting negotiation talks with Tucker Sadler on revitalizing the Martinez Marina.
Early · 50Dec 17, 2025
Waterfront revitalization deal
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Opens talks with only Tucker Sadler Architects on remaking the Martinez Waterfront and Marina.
Committed · 80Apr 15, 2026
Marina waterfront advisory
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Hires Lighthouse Public Affairs for development advice on the Marina and Waterfront Revitalization Project.
Done · 100Feb 7, 2024
Pavement rehab project
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Accepts the 2022-2023 Pavement Rehabilitation Project as finished.
Early · 50Feb 21, 2024
Measure D pavement program
They voted yes · passed · they seconded it
Why it counts Approves the Measure D Five-Year Pavement Preservation Program and has staff prepare construction plans and advertise for bids.
Done · 100Mar 20, 2024
Roadway safety plan
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Approves the City of Martinez Local Roadway Safety Plan.
Committed · not countedJun 5, 2024
Road maintenance project
They were absent · passed
Why it counts Contracts with MCK Services, Inc. for road maintenance Project No. C1076.
Committed · 80Sep 4, 2024
Safe Streets grant
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Signs a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant agreement for the Safe Routes to School/Transit Plan.
Committed · 80Sep 4, 2024
Smart Signals Project
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Signs a funding agreement to upgrade traffic signals in Martinez through the Smart Signals Project.
Early · 50Feb 19, 2025
Pavement project bids
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Approves plans and specifications and lets staff invite bids for the Measure D Pavement Preservation Project.
Done · 100Feb 19, 2025
Pavement preservation plan
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Approves the Measure D Five-Year Pavement Preservation Program for the coming budget year.
Committed · 80May 21, 2025
Road maintenance funding
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Sets the list of streets funded for repair under the state road maintenance law.
Committed · 80May 21, 2025
Downtown pavement project
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Contracts with MCK Services, Inc. for the Downtown Surface Seal and Pavement Rehabilitation Project.
Done · 100Jul 30, 2025
Alhambra Ave paving project
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Accepts the Alhambra Ave Downtown Paving Project as finished.
Done · 100Jul 30, 2025
Pavement rehab project
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Accepts the 2023-24 Pavement Rehabilitation Project as finished.
Committed · 80Jul 30, 2025
Zone 4 paving project
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Adds design and construction support to the Zone 4 paving maintenance and repair project contract.
Committed · 80Jul 30, 2025
Road safety plan
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Contracts with Advanced Mobility Group to develop a Citywide Vulnerable Road User Safety Plan.
Committed · 80Oct 22, 2025
Zone 4 paving project
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Sets aside Measure D money to design the Zone 4 Paving Maintenance & Rehabilitation Project.
Done · 100Oct 22, 2025
Surface Seal project
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Accepts the 2023-24 Surface Seal Project as finished.
Committed · 80Nov 19, 2025
Consultant contracts
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Sets up contracts with firms for traffic and transportation engineering and pavement management support.
Early · 50Jan 21, 2026
Transportation grant funds
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Asks the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the city's share of Transportation Development Act project money.
Early · not countedFeb 4, 2026
Zone 4 paving project
They were absent · passed
Why it counts Approves plans to resurface Zone 4 pavement and lets staff advertise the work for bids.
Done · not countedFeb 4, 2026
Measure D pavement plan
They were absent · passed
Why it counts Approves the Measure D five-year plan for keeping city pavement in repair.
Done · 100Mar 4, 2026
Downtown pavement project
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Accepts the Downtown Surface Seal and Pavement Rehabilitation Project as complete.
Committed · 80Jun 3, 2026
Pavement maintenance project
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Contracts with MCK Services, Inc. for the 2025-26 Pavement Maintenance and Rehabilitation Project.
Committed · 80Jun 3, 2026
State road fund street list
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Approves the SB 1 list of streets and a paving project for the coming budget year.
Committed · 80Jun 3, 2026
Pavement design contract
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Adds design work to the Zone 4 Pavement Maintenance & Rehabilitation Project contract.
Early · 50Jun 3, 2026
Railroad crossing grant
They voted yes · passed · they seconded it
Why it counts Backs an application to the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program for a bridge giving continuous access across the tracks.
Committed · 80Jun 21, 2023
CORE services agreement
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Expands CORE outreach services with Contra Costa County to full-time for one year.
Committed · not countedJun 5, 2024
CORE outreach agreement
They were absent · passed
Why it counts Signs an agreement with Contra Costa County for part-time CORE outreach services.
Committed · 80Dec 20, 2023
Chamber of Commerce funding
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Signs funding contracts with the Martinez Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Martinez & Co.
Committed · 80Jul 30, 2025
Chamber and Downtown Martinez funding
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Approves continued yearly funding the Chamber and DMC use for marketing, events and business help.
Done · not countedMar 18, 2026
Umbrella business license
They were absent · passed
Why it counts Approves an umbrella business license plan easing license burdens for small vendors and food trucks at community events.
Committed · 80Dec 20, 2023
Police hiring incentives
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Starts a police hiring incentive program with a referral bonus, moving help and academy repayment.
Committed · 80Dec 20, 2023
Police wage increases
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Approves a wage increase for Martinez Police Officers' Association members and police managers.
Committed · 80Jan 15, 2025
Dispatch radio console
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Sets aside law enforcement funds for a third police dispatch radio console.
Committed · 80Apr 2, 2025
Police equipment budget
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Sets aside already committed money for police equipment and supplies.
Committed · 80Dec 17, 2025
Police officers' labor deal
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Approves pay and terms of a new labor deal with the Martinez Police Officers' Association.
Committed · 80Jun 24, 2026
Police hiring incentives
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Keeps a police officer hiring incentive program paying referral bonuses, moving help and academy costs.
Committed · 80Dec 20, 2023
Chamber of Commerce funding
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Funds the Martinez Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Martinez & Co. with yearly and one-time money.
Done · not countedFeb 4, 2026
Escobar parking lot project
They were absent · passed
Why it counts Accepts the Escobar Parking Lot #4 Pavement Improvement Project, meant to keep downtown safe, clean and active.
Early · 50May 21, 2025
Surplus city properties
They voted yes · passed
Why it counts Sends notices to other public agencies under the state's Surplus Land Act for properties the housing plan names.
Early · 50Jul 16, 2025
Riverhouse Hotel housing
They voted yes · passed · they moved it
Why it counts Acknowledges that Contra Costa County will help finance the Riverhouse Hotel Affordable Housing Project.
In the news2 stories · newest first
- Source grade B, score 83 of 100
Martinez · Development · Council · Health
“Council Members Grill Medical Center CEO on Lack of Community Outreach for Major Construction Project”
“After providing a presentation on the $173 million project to the council, Medical Center CEO David Culberson was grilled by Councilmember Jay Howard about why there hadn’t been more communication with local officials and the public about the potential impacts of the work that is expected to continue through 2029 to meet California seismic requirements.”
As Martinez News and Views wrote itThe story
- Source grade C, score 67 of 100
Martinez · Election · Council · Development
Nakenya Allen discusses her second run for Martinez City Council District 1
“Allen, who is once again challenging incumbent Jay Howard, reflected on her first campaign four years ago and how she has spent the intervening years expanding her involvement in Martinez and throughout Contra Costa County.”
As ContraCosta.news wrote itThe story
Voting record
Each decision the official minutes record them voting on, and the motions they made, from the minutes of Dec 2022 to Sep 2026. A row opens its meeting.
2026113 decisions
2025124 decisions
2024113 decisions
202372 decisions
20226 decisions
No decision in this record matches the filter.
About, contacts and sources
One of the five votes on the council, elected by one district for four years.
- Office
- Councilmember, District 1
- Term ends
- Dec 2026
- History
- Elected November 2022
- Council office
- (925) 372-3505
- City Hall
- 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez, CA 94553