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Who runs Martinez

Satinder S. Malhi

Vice Mayor, District 3 · Until Dec 2028 · Appointed January 2023, Elected November 2024

EmailCall the council office

What they campaigned on, and how it is going

> THE MARTINEZ WIRE ▌COUNCIL SCORECARD · SEP 2026B83 / 100
Grade B · score 83/100

Vice Mayor Malhi earns a B because 6 of 7 promises moved forward with their vote; only 1 has no step yet (open space protection).

Confidence medium

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.

How the grading works

The short version

We list what they promised as a candidate, then check every council decision since they took office. A promise scores higher the further it got with their yes vote: a law in force or finished work counts most, a study or plan counts less, nothing counts zero. Promises they repeated count a little more, and the grade is the average.

The formulaS = P×A + L + I − CGrade = Σ(w·S) ÷ Σw

S = P × A + L + I − Ceach promise · 0 to 100

Grade = Σ(w·S) ÷ ΣwA 90 · B 80 · C 70 · D 60 · F below 60

P
Progress done 100 · committed 80 · early 50 · raised 20
A
Alignment their yes votes ÷ the votes they cast
L
Lead +10 when they moved or seconded it
I
Initiative +10 when they raised it at council
C
Counter −25 for a standing yes vote against it
w
Emphasis 1, plus 0.5 for each further place they said it, at most 2
Vice Mayor Malhi's record7 promises257 decisions
PromisewPALICS
Workforce housing11001.00+1000100
Open space protection100.000000
Waterfront revitalization1801.00+100090
Local businesses11001.00+1000100
Pedestrian and bike safety11001.00+1000100
Crime and homelessness1801.00+100090
Safer streets11001.00+1000100
Σ(w·S) ÷ Σw580 ÷ 783

257 decisions read · 21 months · 27 steps · 0 against · 0 contested · 0 raised · confidence medium

How it is checked4 rules
  • Every decision of the term is read against every member's promises, without knowing whose they are.
  • Each step is read twice, separately; it counts only when both readings agree, at the lower level.
  • A recording counts only when its own caption names the speaker.
  • Which decisions move a promise, and how far, is our reading, one standard for every member.
Sources23 records
  1. Campaign promiseNov 2024Official candidate statement
  2. Action takenSep 2, 2026Minutes
  3. Action takenJun 24, 2026Minutes
  4. Action takenJun 3, 2026Minutes
  5. Action takenApr 15, 2026Minutes
  6. Action takenMar 18, 2026Minutes
  7. Action takenFeb 4, 2026Minutes
  8. Action takenJan 21, 2026Minutes
  9. Action takenDec 17, 2025Minutes
  10. Action takenDec 10, 2025Minutes
  11. Action takenNov 19, 2025Minutes
  12. Action takenJul 30, 2025Minutes
  13. Action takenJul 30, 2025Minutes
  14. Action takenJul 30, 2025Minutes
  15. Action takenJul 16, 2025Minutes
  16. Action takenJul 16, 2025Minutes
  17. Action takenJul 16, 2025Minutes
  18. Action takenJun 4, 2025Minutes
  19. Action takenMay 21, 2025Minutes
  20. Action takenMay 21, 2025Minutes
  21. Action takenApr 16, 2025Minutes
  22. Action takenMar 19, 2025Minutes
  23. Action takenJan 15, 2025Minutes

Workforce housing

Campaigned on

Address housing needs for workers so young people and others can afford to keep living and working in the city.

Vice Mayor Malhi campaigned on workforce housing and voted yes on , , and 4 more, each of which passed and moves it forward.

20252026

Steps forward · 7

  1. Early · our readingFunds a study from the Affordable Housing Fund to set the inclusionary housing in-lieu fee.

  2. Done · our readingAdopts a chapter on affordable homes and updates parking counts for homes.

  3. Early · our readingTakes a first vote on requiring a share of units in certain housing projects to be deed-restricted affordable housing.

  4. Done · our readingAdopts zoning rules for micro units to encourage housing that is affordable by design.

  5. Early · our readingDeclares city properties surplus land so the city can reach out to affordable housing developers and nonprofits.

  6. Early · our readingTakes a first vote on a law to encourage smaller, more affordable micro unit housing.

  7. Done · our readingUpdates a program letting affordable housing projects delay paying certain fees.

Related only · 16

  1. Our readingChanges the city's zoning rules on accessory dwelling units to match what the state housing department said.

  2. Our readingTakes the final vote on a city law changing rules on Senate Bill 9 land splits and building projects.

  3. Our readingTakes the final vote on a city law adding Tenant Anti-Harassment Protections.

  4. Our readingTakes a first vote on a law protecting tenants from harassment, with no step on worker housing.

  5. Our readingReviews the yearly housing plan report, with no step on worker housing.

  6. Our readingTakes a first vote on condominium conversion rules, with no step on worker housing.

  7. Our readingChanges the rules for second homes on a property, with no stated step on worker housing.

  8. Our readingAdds Mixed-Use Housing to the land-use map under a plan that includes homes for lower-income households.

  9. Our readingAcknowledges county financing for the Riverhouse Hotel Affordable Housing Project.

  10. Our readingAdopts a city law allowing homes in commercial areas.

  11. Our readingAdopts new design rules for multifamily and mixed-use buildings.

  12. Our readingTakes a first vote on a law allowing housing in commercial areas.

  13. Our readingTakes a first vote on design standards for multifamily and mixed-use housing.

  14. Our readingRezones named parcels into the Mixed-Use/Housing Overlay under the housing plan.

  15. Our readingAdopts an amnesty program for homes built without permits, without naming workers or affordability.

  16. Our readingTakes a first vote on a law for unpermitted dwelling units, without naming workers or affordability.

P 100 × A 1.00 + L 10 + I 0 − C 0 = S 100 · weight 1

Open space protection

Campaigned on

Protect the city's open spaces and keep its natural character intact.

Vice Mayor Malhi campaigned on open space protection; the official minutes from 663 show no decision that moves it forward.

Related only · 3

  1. Our readingLets the city manager sign agreements to create and maintain a native plant garden for pollinators.

  2. Our readingNames a canyon and its fire road for Barbara Woodburn, citing her open space preservation legacy.

  3. Our readingJoins the county's plan to prepare the shoreline for sea level rise.

P 0 × A 0.00 + L 0 + I 0 − C 0 = S 0 · weight 1

Waterfront revitalization

Campaigned on

Keep pushing forward with efforts to revitalize the waterfront.

Vice Mayor Malhi campaigned on waterfront revitalization and voted yes on , , and 2 more, each of which passed and moves it forward.

20252026

Steps forward · 5

  1. Early · our readingBacks a grant application for a bridge giving continuous access between Downtown Martinez and the waterfront.

  2. Committed · our readingContracts with Lighthouse Public Affairs to advise the next phase of the Marina and Waterfront Revitalization Project.

  3. Early · our readingOpens talks with only Tucker Sadler Architects on remaking the Martinez Waterfront and Marina.

  4. Early · our readingConsiders starting negotiation talks with Tucker Sadler on revitalizing the Marina and Waterfront.

  5. Committed · our readingExpands design and permitting work on repairing the Martinez Marina seawall and breakwater.

Related only · 7

  1. Our readingLooks at a grand jury report on developing a vibrant and sustainable waterfront and lets the city manager send an answer.

  2. Our readingApproves a loan to the Marina Enterprise Fund as part of the operating budget.

  3. Our readingAccepts the Fishing Pier Renovation Project as complete after added repairs.

  4. Our readingApproves loans to the Marina Enterprise Fund.

  5. Our readingApproves budget changes to the Marina Enterprise Fund for marina services and repairs.

  6. Our readingBuys bins from Forms + Surfaces, the bins the city picked for downtown and the marina.

  7. Our readingJoins the county's plan to prepare the shoreline for sea level rise.

P 80 × A 1.00 + L 10 + I 0 − C 0 = S 90 · weight 1

Local businesses

Campaigned on

Back businesses in the city and strengthen the local economy.

Vice Mayor Malhi campaigned on local businesses and voted yes on and , each of which passed and moves it forward.

20252026

Steps forward · 2

  1. Done · our readingApproves an umbrella business license plan reducing license costs for event vendors.

  2. Committed · our readingApproves continued yearly funding for the Chamber and DMC's business help.

Related only · 2

  1. Our readingCreates an Assistant Community and Economic Development Director job in place of two existing jobs.

  2. Our readingApproves a written decision with changes following merchant concerns about permit costs.

P 100 × A 1.00 + L 10 + I 0 − C 0 = S 100 · weight 1

Pedestrian and bike safety

Campaigned on

Make walking and cycling safer on city streets.

Vice Mayor Malhi campaigned on pedestrian and bike safety and voted yes on , , and 4 more, each of which passed and moves it forward.

20252026

Steps forward · 7

  1. Committed · our readingLets the city engineer put up all-way stop signs where Castro Street meets Green Street.

  2. Early · our readingApproves plans that add curb ramps meeting Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, ahead of bidding.

  3. Done · our readingAccepts the Alhambra Avenue repaving, which added ADA curb ramps and striping, as finished.

  4. Committed · our readingContracts for a Citywide Vulnerable Road User Safety Plan focused on pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

  5. Done · our readingAccepts as finished a project adding ADA accessibility improvements at street locations across the city.

  6. Done · our readingAccepts the Morello Avenue Sidewalk Gap Closure Project as finished.

  7. Done · our readingApproves the updated Sidewalk Repair Cost-Sharing Reimbursement Program to prevent hazards and improve public safety, accessibility and walkability.

Related only · 5

  1. Our readingAwards the Intermodal Elevator and Safety Improvements Project contract to the lowest qualified bidder.

  2. Our readingApproves the drawings and written requirements for the Intermodal Elevator and Security Improvements Project and lets staff advertise it.

  3. Our readingBacks a grant application to eliminate a railroad crossing, with no stated step for walking or cycling.

  4. Our readingAccepts a traffic survey and takes a first vote changing special speed limits, with no stated walking or cycling step.

  5. Our readingSigns traffic and transportation engineering contracts without naming walking or cycling safety.

P 100 × A 1.00 + L 10 + I 0 − C 0 = S 100 · weight 1

Crime and homelessness

Campaigned on

Work to prevent crime and reduce homelessness more effectively.

Vice Mayor Malhi campaigned on crime and homelessness and voted yes on , which passed and moves it forward.

20252026

Steps forward · 1

  1. Committed · our readingExtends the downtown security program contract with Los Angeles District Patrol.

Related only · 2

  1. Our readingAdopts changed graffiti and nuisance rules to give staff better tools to enforce the rules.

  2. Our readingTakes a first vote on rewriting graffiti and nuisance rules to give staff better enforcement tools.

P 80 × A 1.00 + L 10 + I 0 − C 0 = S 90 · weight 1

Safer streets

Campaigned on

Make streets safe for all users, with particular focus on the Center and Morello corridors.

Vice Mayor Malhi campaigned on safer streets and voted yes on , , and 2 more, each of which passed and moves it forward.

20252026

Steps forward · 5

  1. Committed · our readingApproves all-way stop signs at Castro Street and Green Street.

  2. Committed · our readingContracts for a citywide safety plan for pedestrians and bicyclists of all ages and abilities.

  3. Done · our readingAccepts the 2024 Accessibility Project, which added ADA improvements at several street locations.

  4. Done · our readingAccepts the Morello Avenue Sidewalk Gap Closure Project as finished.

  5. Done · our readingApproves an updated sidewalk repair program meant to prevent hazards and improve public safety, accessibility and walkability on city sidewalks.

Related only · 1

  1. Our readingTakes a first vote changing the city's special speed limits, with no stated step for the named corridors.

P 100 × A 1.00 + L 10 + I 0 − C 0 = S 100 · weight 1

In the news1 story · newest first

  1. Martinez · Development · Council · Health

    “Council Members Grill Medical Center CEO on Lack of Community Outreach for Major Construction Project”

    “Vice Mayor Satinder S. Malhi echoed Howard’s concerns.”

    As Martinez News and Views wrote itThe story

    Source grade B, score 83 of 100

Every story on The Wire

Voting record

Each decision the official minutes record them voting on, and the motions they made, from the minutes of Jan 2023 to Sep 2026. A row opens its meeting.

Show decisions

What
How the minutes record their vote
Year
2026113 decisions
2025144 decisions
2024113 decisions
202371 decisions
About, contacts and sources

One of the five votes on the council, elected by one district for four years.

Office
Vice Mayor, District 3
Term ends
Dec 2028
History
Appointed January 2023, Elected November 2024
Email
ssmalhi@cityofmartinez.org
Council office
(925) 372-3505
City Hall
525 Henrietta Street, Martinez, CA 94553

The city's council pageTerms on the city's board list