Council Hires New City Manager, Confronts Road Funding Cliff

Concord's City Council moved on several fronts Tuesday night, unanimously installing a new city manager to lead the city through a pivotal stretch, while staff laid bare an uncomfortable truth: the money that rebuilt the city's roads is running out. The council also adopted a traffic safety plan to chase up to $20 million in federal grants and celebrated a $2 million state check for one of the city's oldest buildings.

• Jerome Wilverding appointed city manager effective June 22, bringing experience managing a $2.9 billion county budget to a city facing major development and fiscal decisions
• $58.8M capital budget previewed with a warning: pavement gains will reverse as Measure V financing winds down; reaching the citywide target would cost $50M per year for a decade
• $19.1M police headquarters repair for a 30-year-old roof and HVAC system will crowd out parks, medians, and some paving projects
• Traffic safety action plan adopted 5-0, unlocking eligibility for $15–20M in federal Safe Streets grants; 60% of Concord's traffic deaths and severe injuries involve pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists
• $2M state grant delivered for the 1844 Don Fernando Pacheco Adobe, the first successful funding effort after at least three prior failures
• Steelworkers union president warns of safety risks at the Marathon refinery, where workers have been on strike for more than two weeks
• Community Youth Center opens, already serving 2,600 kids with $1.5M in city ARPA funds and $5M from Contra Costa County

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Wilverding Tapped to Lead Concord Through Growth and Fiscal Pressure

Why it matters: Concord's next city manager will oversee the Naval Weapons Station reuse — a once-in-a-generation development — while navigating a tightening budget for roads, facilities, and public safety.

Where things stand: The council unanimously appointed Jerome (Jay) Wilverding, a former San Joaquin County administrator, as city manager following a nationwide search. Jasmine Loy, Director of Human Resources, presented the terms: a $346,931 annual salary maintaining parity with the outgoing manager, standard executive benefits including 40 days of general leave, and a $10,000 relocation reimbursement. Wilverding has committed to moving within city limits. He starts June 22.

Wilverding told the council he sees Concord as a city on the cusp. "I firmly believe the city of Concord is East Bay's next great opportunity. And I'm looking forward to becoming an important part of that," said Jerome Wilverding, incoming City Manager. He cited affordability, transit connectivity, Todo Santos Plaza, and the Naval Weapons Station reuse project as reasons he pursued the job.

"Why this job? Because I wanted to work for a council that's collaborative, engaging, innovative, supportive, and has a vision for their organization and their community," he added.

All five council members were eager to make the motion. Councilmember Pablo Benavente ultimately moved, Councilmember Laura Hoffmeister seconded, and the vote was 5-0 (For: 5 — Benavente, Hoffmeister, Obringer, Aliano, Nakamura; Against: 0; Absent: 0).

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$58.8M Capital Budget Exposes a Road Funding Cliff

The basics: The council held a study session — no formal vote — on a proposed two-year capital budget totaling $58.8 million and an accompanying five-year Capital Improvement Plan. Formal adoption is scheduled for June 9.

Why it matters: Concord's roads have improved dramatically thanks to $105.9 million in Measure V-funded paving, but staff warned those gains are about to reverse. Reaching the citywide Pavement Condition Index (PCI) target of 70 would cost roughly $50 million per year for a decade — far beyond current funding levels.

Where things stand: Carlton Thompson, City Engineer, and Bruce Davis, CIP Manager, walked the council through the spending plan. Measure V provides 25% of the capital budget; SB1 gas tax revenue, Measure J, and enterprise funds make up roughly another half. But as Measure V financing winds down, road funding is dropping.

"We don't have enough revenue, enough funding to be able to fund projects across the city like we have for the past two budget cycles. We're in a constrained environment in terms of roadway funding," said Carlton Thompson, City Engineer.

The City Manager reinforced the warning bluntly: "Without more money for roadways, your PCIs will not keep going up."

Police HQ Repair Crowds the Budget

A major driver of tradeoffs is the Police Department headquarters roof and HVAC replacement, estimated at $19.1 million. The building is 30 years old and also houses the Emergency Operations Center and 911 dispatch. Seven individual repair projects are being consolidated into a single design-build contract. The city secured $1 million in federal funding from Rep. DeSaulnier for EOC repairs, but approximately $7 million must still be financed.

New Patch Crew, Zone-by-Zone Paving

One bright spot: a new in-house patch paving crew, funded by Measure V, will begin operations in July and is expected to double residential patch paving output. The crew will rotate weekly across neighborhoods based on PCI-driven need. Residential paving will follow a five-zone sequential rotation starting with Zone 3, coordinated with utilities to minimize street cuts after fresh paving.

Council Reacts

Vice Mayor Dominic Aliano was direct about the trajectory: "It's not going to go up. It's going to go down. Based on the current budget and the funding and the needs and us having a discussion of what we're going to do financially moving forward, it's not going to improve."

Councilmember Carlyn Obringer acknowledged the constraints but praised staff: "Do I see everything that I want done in here? No, but I think that it's very fair and creative and I just really appreciate the efforts of staff."

Council members also questioned sidewalk gap closures near Rocketship school (grant-funded, construction expected summer 2027), sewer work coordination with recently paved streets, Ellis Lake pond maintenance, downtown parking technology, the Kirker Pass safety project, and the senior center solar and energy storage project.

What's next: Formal adoption is scheduled for June 9.

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Council Adopts Traffic Safety Plan, Eyes $15–20M Federal Grant

Why it matters: Adopting the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan (CSAP) is a prerequisite for applying for the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) implementation grant — worth $15–20 million — with an application deadline of May 26.

Where things stand: Abhishek Parikh, Deputy Director of Public Works and Transportation, presented the data-driven plan. An analysis of 1,804 injury collisions over five years found 164 people killed or severely injured (KSI), with 60% involving vulnerable road users — pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The top five high-injury corridors — Clayton Road, Monument Boulevard, Willow Pass Road, Concord Boulevard, and Treat Boulevard — carry 43% of citywide KSIs. Driver behavior — speeding, red-light running, and DUI — accounts for 78% of collisions.

"60% KSI for peds, bikes and motorcycle. There is a disproportionate share of KSIs within the VRUs," said Abhishek Parikh, Deputy Director of Public Works and Transportation, referring to vulnerable road users.

Community surveys with 651 responses confirmed the data: speeding and red-light running are top concerns, 74% of respondents were affected by a traffic incident, and 71% are concerned about school zone safety.

Countermeasures and Technology

The plan uses 91 FHWA-approved countermeasures organized in three tiers: Tier 1 corridor improvements eligible for SS4A funding (speed management, lead pedestrian intervals, passive pedestrian detection, and CV2X vehicle-to-infrastructure technology with near-miss analytics); Tier 2 corridor-specific spot improvements; and Tier 3 rapid-deployment quick wins. Parikh identified enforcement timing as critical: "Friday and Saturday night is going to yield the most amount of improvement to traffic safety. Those two nights are causing the highest number of collisions."

Council Discussion

Council discussion touched on driver education for new technologies like HAWK signals (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk beacons), sun-angle crash correlation on east-west corridors, signal visibility on Port Chicago Highway, jaywalking law impacts on pedestrian collisions, and future red-light camera authorization.

Decisions: The plan, which commits to reducing KSIs 50% by 2040 and eliminating them by 2050, was adopted 5-0. Councilmember Benavente moved, Vice Mayor Aliano seconded (For: 5 — Benavente, Hoffmeister, Obringer, Aliano, Nakamura; Against: 0; Absent: 0).

What's next: Staff will submit the SS4A grant application by the May 26 deadline.

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$2M State Check Arrives for 1844 Adobe Restoration

Why it matters: The Don Fernando Pacheco Adobe, built in 1844, is on the National Register of Historic Places and sits adjacent to Hillcrest Park in a neighborhood that council members say has been historically underinvested. This is the first successful state funding effort after at least three prior failed attempts through federal and state channels.

Where things stand: Assemblymember Anna Marie Avila Farias (D) presented a $2 million state check for the restoration, funded through Prop 4. "I think we all thought that this one probably had the least likeliness to get funded, given all the struggles that you all have endured over the years to successfully preserve and fund this project," she told the council, describing the grant as culturally significant — "buildings that really tie to the California history, that embodies really the Mexican American history for so many of us, generational and ancestral."

Councilmember Carlyn Obringer, who championed the project alongside Vice Mayor Dominic Aliano, underscored the neighborhood equity dimension: "The area of town where the Adobe is located — it is an area that traditionally has not been invested in the way it should have been. It's an older part of town."

Vice Mayor Aliano credited the assemblymember directly: "Since I've been here, there has been no state legislator that has gone to Sacramento and brought, whether it's Prop 4 funding or other types of funding, to Concord."

Public commenter Natalie added context, noting that the Martinez Adobe at the John Muir House is frozen due to DOGE-related federal funding cuts, making Concord's adobe preservation even more significant.

What's next: Geotechnical investigations are underway and an architect with historical preservation expertise will be brought on. The $23,000 raised through the mayor's bowling and golf fundraisers will be incorporated into the project budget.

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Steelworkers Sound Alarm on Marathon Refinery Strike

Why it matters: Workers at the Marathon refinery in Concord have been on the picket line for more than two weeks, and the union says the company is attempting to run a hazardous facility without its experienced workforce — a concern that extends beyond the plant gates to surrounding neighborhoods.

Where things stand: Nick Perkowski, President of United Steelworkers Local 5, addressed the council during public comment, describing conditions at the refinery on Arnold Industrial Boulevard and Solano Way.

"It's a very hazardous place to work. And if you don't know what you're doing, it's a very dangerous place to work. So we are all outside of the plant right now and the company is trying to run it themselves," Perkowski said.

He accused Marathon of regressive and bad-faith bargaining, saying the union is fighting for safety provisions in their contract. He described the personal toll on workers and their families who don't know when they'll return to work or receive their next paycheck. Mayor Laura Nakamura asked about a strike fund.

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Community Youth Center Opens, Already Serving 2,600 Kids

Why it matters: The Community Youth Center (CYC) fills a long-identified gap for youth programming in the Monument community and underserved neighborhoods, funded by $1.5 million in city ARPA funds and $5 million from Contra Costa County's Measure X.

Vice Mayor Dominic Aliano reported on the grand opening, describing it as one of the largest youth centers in Northern California. Currently serving 2,600 kids and gaining 50 per month, the center offers boxing, wrestling, gymnastics, swimming, basketball, dance, tutoring, and career development. Membership is $35. Former State Senator Steve Glazer contributed $2 million in state funding. Aliano credited founder Ken Hoffman, who started the program as a small boxing gym in 1995. Councilmember Laura Hoffmeister added that John Muir Health has partnered with the center for health services and that educational and career exposure programs are also offered.

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Minor Items

• Consent calendar (Items 5A–5D) approved 5-0 with no items pulled.
• City Clerk announced recruitment for two youth positions on the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission, with a deadline of June 12, 2026.
• Jay Bettekore promoted the 35th Bay Area Kid Fest at the Concord Pavilion on Memorial Day weekend, featuring rides, performers, a family dance party, and a Memorial Day tribute. Monument Crisis Center will collect cans for admission discounts.
• Joe Zumbo of Central San promoted Bike to Work Day energizer stations and Central San's 80th anniversary event on June 13.
• Smitty of Bike Concord announced a Bike Kitchen open house for Bike to Work Day (May 14) and an afternoon energizer station at Lisa Lane on the Iron Horse Trail.
• Morgan Cooper voiced opposition to a proposed Starbucks on Bailey Road in Clayton, citing traffic concerns; the Clerk clarified Starbucks has chosen not to pursue the location.
• Natalie urged the council to reinstate the former Human Relations Board, arguing the Community Services Commission has not filled the gap for residents needing housing and social services help. She also advocated for reinstating Zoom access for meetings as an ADA accommodation.
• Council members reported on a Convoy of Hope event and the upcoming Music and Market season.