Martinez Celebrates 150 Years, Adopts Landmark Governance Overhaul

The Martinez City Council turned its April 1 meeting into a milestone — launching the city's sesquicentennial year with proclamations from five levels of government while quietly completing the most significant governance modernization in over 15 years. The council also accepted $290,000 in donations from its industrial neighbor, Martinez Refining Company, for a gateway archway and pool improvements — a move one resident called "hush money."

• Council adopts 47-page governance handbook with a 10 p.m. meeting curfew, media coordination rules, and modernized remote participation policies, replacing a document largely unchanged since 2010

• Martinez Refining Company donates $290,000 for a lit Marina Vista Archway and Rankin Aquatic Center water play feature; a public commenter calls it environmental appeasement

• Five levels of government honor Martinez's 150th anniversary, including a Congressional Record entry preserved in the Library of Congress

• August 29th waterfront festival takes shape with Bay Area Craft Beer Festival partnership and plans to activate the entire waterfront and downtown

• Interim finance manager hired at $95/hour after consent calendar amendment bumps pay to attract a qualified retired annuitant from the City of Richmond

• Amtrak station hazmat incident results in arrest of suspect with drug-manufacturing chemicals; downtown security officer will stay after all

A New Rulebook for City Hall

The Martinez City Council unanimously adopted a new 47-page City Council Handbook, replacing an 18-page policies-and-procedures document that had gone largely unchanged for more than 15 years. The overhaul was developed by an ad hoc subcommittee of Mayor Brianne Zorn and Councilmember Debbie McKillop, with extensive staff support from Assistant City Manager Lauren Segayan and City Clerk Kat Galileo.

Why it matters: The handbook establishes the operational foundation for how Martinez's council conducts business, communicates with the public, fills vacancies, manages meeting length, and navigates state law — changes that will shape governance for years to come.

Where things stand: Key provisions include a 10 p.m. meeting curfew with a 9:45 p.m. mayoral check-in; a formal communications policy requiring council members to coordinate media responses with the City Manager and public information officer; modernized remote participation rules reflecting AB 2449's flexibility for advance-notice remote attendance with quorum requirements; a transparent agenda-item request process; codified vacancy-filling procedures; and adoption of Rosenberg's Rules of Order. A redesigned color agenda format launches May 6.

"That was going on 15-plus years ago and really was in need of a refresh, something that could be modern, that could speak to things that impact today's councils and today's staffs and today's communities," said City Manager Michael Chandler.

Segayan framed the handbook as a proactive guardrail:

"Good governance means that we get things done right. We've all seen stories of dysfunction. And this document is really aimed at preventing that before it even starts."

Zorn said the handbook's development revealed how far practice had drifted from policy:

"As we went into it, we realized that there were so many policies that were in the existing document that just was not reflected in how we actually did business."

She highlighted a new approach to meeting-length management: staff now project estimated durations for each agenda item in advance.

"If the meeting looks like it's going to be three or four hours, then we've clearly put too much stuff on the agenda," she said.

McKillop called the meeting curfew a matter of public access:

"Being here an unreasonable hour when no one can even think clearly anymore — it's a disservice to the community to have meetings that go that long."

Vice Mayor Satinder Malhi praised the document as an onboarding tool, noting, "I can't help but think how helpful something like this would have been when we were first onboarded, when we first came on board onto the council."

The City Attorney noted that state legislative changes generally follow a predictable Jan. 1 effective date, facilitating annual handbook reviews. Zorn closed by highlighting the organizational chart included in the document:

"There is an org chart in this document and all of us report to the residents of the City of Martinez. And that's my favorite part of the document."

Decisions: Approved unanimously, 5-0 (For: Zorn, Malhi, Howard, Young, McKillop).

What's next: The new color agenda format debuts May 6. Staff will review the handbook annually as state laws change.

$290K From the Refinery: Gateway Archway and Pool Upgrades Approved, but Not Without Pushback

The council unanimously accepted two donations from Martinez Refining Company (MRC): $250,000 for a lit Marina Vista Archway at the city's entrance and $40,000 for a new water play feature at Rankin Aquatic Center.

Why it matters: The donations fund two high-visibility community improvements — a gateway marker for residents and visitors arriving from I-680, and a refreshed play structure at the city's aging pool complex. But the item surfaced unresolved tension about the city's relationship with its largest industrial neighbor.

Where things stand: MRC representative Dominic Aliano presented the donations, thanking City Manager Michael Chandler for helping identify the projects. Assistant City Manager Lauren Segayan reported the archway design is already underway with contractor Ad Art and expected within months, while three design options for the pool play structure are being developed within the donation budget, with installation targeted for December or January after design review by the Parks, Recreation, Marina and Arts Commission.

Mayor Brianne Zorn expressed enthusiasm:

"I am very excited for this improvement to Rankin Pool. It has one of the highlights of our community amenities. And it was one of the first amenities that was funded as part of Measure H."

Councilmember Jay Howard and Councilmember Debbie McKillop both expressed support. Vice Mayor Satinder Malhi praised the archway's potential as a regional welcome point.

The other side: Public commenter Joseph delivered a pointed critique, raising environmental and air quality concerns about the refinery and characterizing the donations as a pattern of corporate appeasement.

"A little money here and there. A little money here and there. We keep on accepting it. To me personally, it sounds like hush, hush money to keep us hushed," he said, referencing a past refinery fire.

Former Councilmember Noralea Gipner requested that the city also beautify Marina Vista Road itself — from I-680 to the new archway — with new trees, landscaping, and road fixes, including an area that regularly floods.

Decisions: Approved unanimously, 5-0 (For: Zorn, Malhi, Howard, Young, McKillop). Motion by Howard, seconded by McKillop.

What's next: Archway design and fabrication are underway; the pool play structure goes to Parks, Recreation, Marina and Arts Commission (PRMAC) next month for design review.

Martinez Kicks Off Its 150th — With a Calendar to Match

The April 1 meeting doubled as the official launch of Martinez's sesquicentennial year, drawing proclamations and resolutions from Contra Costa County, the California State Legislature, the U.S. Congress, the Contra Costa Community College District, and the East Bay Regional Park District.

Why it matters: The celebration is more than ceremonial — the city is building an ambitious events calendar designed to draw regional visitors, activate the waterfront and downtown, and rally community pride around a milestone few small cities reach.

Where things stand: Supervisor Shanelle Scales Preston presented a county proclamation. Kayla Turnage of Assemblymember Avila Farias's office and Angela Yoori Pak from Senator Grayson's office delivered a joint state resolution. Representatives from the offices of Rep. Mark DeSaulnier and Rep. John Garamendi submitted a Congressional Record entry. As congressional staff explained:

"This is something that goes into the Library of Congress forever and ever. So another 150 years from now, if someone is doing research on the City of Martinez, they can look it up."

Diana Honig of the Contra Costa Community College District and Colin Coffey and John Mercurio of the East Bay Regional Park District also presented recognitions.

Staff member Eve Kearney unveiled the full events calendar: monthly community hikes, an expanded all-day July 4th celebration featuring the parade, Martinez Sturgeon semi-pro baseball, a fun fest, kite show, and fireworks, and a marquee Aug. 29 waterfront Sesquicentennial Festival in partnership with the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival. A youth fishing derby rounds out the roster.

August 29th Festival Takes Shape

During a later committee update, Kearney provided planning details for the Aug. 29 festival, which aims to activate the entire waterfront — from the marina to Waterfront Park — and the downtown corridor. The partnership with the Bay Area Craft Beer Festival expands the event's budget and reach.

Vice Mayor Satinder Malhi urged cross-promotion with Amtrak to draw visitors from across Northern California:

"If there is a way that we can cross-promote this event with our friends at Amtrak to encourage folks from other parts of the Bay Area and Northern California to make sure that we can get this event on their radar."

Mayor Brianne Zorn emphasized keeping the festival family-friendly with limited vendor presence and prioritized local businesses. Council members discussed inviting notable Martinez alumni — including the Van Gundy brothers and NFL coach Norv Turner — and incorporating a regatta and a drone photo of attendees forming "150."

$15K Public Art Call Seeks Utility Box Designs — None Yet

Management Analyst Kerry Rivers presented the Sesquicentennial Utility Box Art Project, a $15,000 initiative to wrap five large traffic signal cabinets in artist-designed vinyl art at locations throughout Martinez, expanding a 2019–20 pilot that wrapped seven boxes at four sites.

Why it matters: The project turns everyday infrastructure into public art and uniquely invites children of all ages to submit designs.

Where things stand: The call for artists was released March 2, but no submissions had been received as of April 1. Applications are due April 30 via email or hard copy. A Public Art Review Committee will forward proposals to PRMAC, public voting runs June through July, council considers final acceptance in August, and installations happen September through October.

Mayor Brianne Zorn confirmed children can participate and noted that donations from the public could expand the program beyond five boxes.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar (items 6–11) approved unanimously, 5-0, including: waiver of resolution/ordinance readings; approval of March 18 meeting minutes; adoption of Ordinance No. 1486 amending condominium conversion regulations; appointment of Andrea Miller as interim finance manager at $95/hour (amended up from $82 to attract a former City of Richmond finance director while permanent recruitment continues); check registers for March 6–19; and a $183,488 appropriation from the Water Debt Service Fund for a required IRS arbitrage rebate payment on the city's 2020A Water Revenue Bonds.

• Downtown security officer will stay. The Police Chief Andrew White reported the assigned officer who was previously expected to leave will remain, maintaining downtown coverage continuity.

• Amtrak station hazmat response. The White reported a Monday incident in which a person suspected of possessing drug-manufacturing chemicals was contacted at the Amtrak station. "Hazmat was called out, an arrest was made, and the items safely disposed of," the chief said. Part of the station area was temporarily closed.

• Barb Smaker promoted the Martinez Sturgeon semi-pro baseball team's need for host families for players during the May–August season.

• Luis of Del Cielo Brewing announced a special "Hoptinez" beer label for the 150th anniversary, with a release event the following evening.

• Jenny Bear of Blue Bear Mercantile and Made highlighted sesquicentennial merchandise from local artists and a forthcoming Chamber of Martinez referral page for member businesses carrying Martinez gear.

• Kelly suggested using empty kiosks at Susannah Park for historical photos, sesquicentennial event advertising, or downtown store promotions.

• Joseph urged the city to clean up creeks and waterways and power wash downtown ahead of celebrations.

• Hidden Valley Sports Courts options will be presented at the April 15 budget and CIP update, City Manager Chandler confirmed in response to a question from Vice Mayor Malhi.