Brentwood, CA – City Council – Dec 9, 2025

Agenda Text

A packed agenda on housing, infrastructure, and police accountability drew residents to Brentwood City Hall Monday night. The council pushed forward on affordable housing policy, wastewater expansion funding, and a new downtown event concept—while family members of a woman killed in a police encounter pressed officials for answers they could not yet provide.

• Emotional public comment demands transparency in the death of 72-year-old Yolanda Ramirez; council says it has not seen body-cam footage.

• Affordable housing ordinance advances, raising inclusionary requirement to 18% across income tiers.

• $80,000 senior health partnership with Contra Costa Health Plan unveiled.

• Wastewater plant expansion funding approved; pyrolysis system chosen to meet state organics mandate.

• Council greenlights staff work and funding for a 2026 Winter Market in downtown.

• Clean audit opinion and finance awards highlight city's fiscal position.

Ramirez Family Confronts Council Over Police Killing

The evening's most charged moments came during public comment, when relatives and advocates demanded accountability for the Sept. 26 death of Yolanda Ramirez, a 72-year-old resident who was killed in an encounter with Brentwood police.

State of play: Family members and legal advocates urged the council to release body-camera and dash-camera footage, place involved officers on administrative leave, and take direct action on police oversight. Speakers noted it had been 74 days since the incident with no public disclosure of video evidence.

Mayor Susannah Meyer opened the public comment period by acknowledging community pain—but drew a clear line around what the council could say or do.

"We want you to know that we are listening and you are being heard and we realize that you're looking for more information and for action. Please know that there are processes in place that must be followed and the council is committed to seeing those through," Mayor Meyer said.

Staff asked whether any council member had viewed the body-cam footage. The answer: no.

Becky Ramirez Alcantar, daughter of the deceased, spoke about her mother's death and demanded the release of video evidence and accountability for officers at the scene. Rudy Ramirez, the victim's husband, questioned whether the city was safer after his wife was killed and criticized the officers' judgment.

Maria Dominguez, representing the California La Raza Lawyers Association, called on the council to agendize public safety matters and exercise its oversight authority. "It's been 74 days," she said, urging equitable accountability.

The other side: City officials did not dispute the family's grief or desire for transparency, but emphasized that the District Attorney's investigation and other legal constraints prevent the council from taking unilateral action or releasing evidence.

What's next: The District Attorney's office controls the timeline for any release of footage or investigative findings. Advocates signaled they will continue pressing for action at future meetings.

Affordable Housing Ordinance Moves Forward

The council took its first formal vote on a sweeping update to Brentwood's Affordable Housing Program, raising the city's inclusionary requirement to 18%—split among moderate, low, and very low income tiers.

Why it matters: The new framework aligns Brentwood's local policy with state Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals and aims to boost the supply of affordable units as new residential projects come online.

Under the ordinance, developers must set aside 9% of units for moderate-income households, 5% for low-income, and 4% for very low-income. The council added purpose language clarifying that the city will continue to offer concessions and incentives to developers who participate.

Decisions: The ordinance was introduced on first reading and passed unanimously (5-0). A second reading is required before the measure takes effect.

In a related action later in the meeting, the council directed staff to conduct a comprehensive review of the Affordable Housing Program—including definitions, equity language, waitlist management, and ADU-related policies. That review passed 5-0.

What's next: Staff will return with findings from the program review; the inclusionary ordinance will require a second reading for final adoption.

Wastewater Plant Expansion: Cost, Compliance, and PFAS

Staff walked the council through years of cost escalation on the city's wastewater treatment plant expansion and laid out the strategy to meet California's SB 1383 organics diversion mandate while addressing emerging concerns about PFAS contamination.

State of play: The Phase 2 expansion has seen significant budget growth due to supply chain disruptions, regulatory changes, and new state requirements. Staff recommended installing a pyrolysis system—a thermal process that converts biosolids into inert material—over alternatives like composting or incineration.

The pyrolysis approach offers lower long-term operating costs and provides a hedge against future PFAS regulations, which are expected to tighten restrictions on land application of biosolids.

Decisions: The council approved funding increases and contractor authorizations for Phase 2, passing the measure 5-0.

What's next: Construction and system integration will continue; staff will monitor state guidance on PFAS and adjust as needed.

Council Greenlights 2026 Winter Market

Brentwood is moving ahead with plans for a Winter Market in downtown, aimed at boosting local commerce and drawing regional visitors.

Why it matters: Economic development staff pitched the market as a chance to animate downtown during the slower winter season and build on the success of existing community events.

The council authorized staff time and funding to scope the event and formed an ad hoc committee to include council members and community stakeholders.

Decisions: Approved 5-0.

What's next: The ad hoc will develop a concept and report back with recommendations for the 2026 event.

Audit, Senior Health, and Pavement Updates

Clean audit, fiscal awards: The city's independent auditors issued an unmodified ("clean") opinion on Brentwood's financial statements. Staff highlighted a modest general fund surplus, which was transferred to stabilization reserves and pension obligations. The city also received multiple finance awards.

CalAIM senior programming: Staff and Contra Costa Health Plan presented a new partnership at the Senior Activity Center, bringing $80,000 over two years to expand preventative health programming for older residents.

Pavement management: Engineering staff reported that the citywide Pavement Condition Index (PCI) has declined from 82 to 78, reflecting deferred maintenance. Staff outlined a mix of preventive, light rehabilitation, and reconstruction strategies to stabilize and improve road conditions.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar adopted 4-0-1 (Council Member Faye Maloney absent during roll call due to connection issues); included updates to the city's proclamations list and guidelines.

• Proclamation presented for National Friends of Libraries Week.

• Building code ordinance adopted on second reading, updating local amendments to the 2025 California Building Standards Code (5-0).

• Police union side letter approved, aligning holiday pay reporting with CalPERS special compensation requirements (5-0).

• City Attorney contract amendment approved, adding management incentive pay retroactive to July 1, 2024 (5-0).

• Landscape maintenance contract extended two years with Terracare Associates; total authorization updated with contingency (5-0).

• Adjournment in honor of community leaders Rod Lynn and John Elam (4-0-1; Maloney absent during roll call).

What to Watch

The Ramirez case is likely to remain a flashpoint at future meetings until the District Attorney's investigation concludes and the city can respond to calls for video release and accountability. On housing, the inclusionary ordinance will return for a second reading, and the broader program review could reshape how Brentwood manages its affordable housing pipeline. The Winter Market ad hoc will begin meeting, and infrastructure watchers should track the wastewater project as PFAS regulations evolve statewide.