Council Directs Staff to Move Forward on Marina Waterfront Deal

The Martinez City Council emerged from a two-hour closed session Wednesday evening with a clear signal: negotiations over the future of the Martinez Marina and waterfront are advancing. Mayor Brianne Zorn reported that the council provided direction to staff and that the city would be "moving forward" on an exclusive negotiation agreement with two firms — Tucker Sadler Architects and Safe Harbor Marinas.

• Martinez Marina waterfront negotiations advance after council gives staff guidance on exclusive deal terms with Tucker Sadler Architects and Safe Harbor Marinas

• Two-hour closed session produced no public details beyond the mayor's brief report-out, consistent with state real property negotiation confidentiality rules

• No public comment was received on the closed session item, either in chambers or virtually

Waterfront's Future Takes Shape Behind Closed Doors

The city's most significant pending real property negotiation moved forward March 18 when the full five-member council convened at 5:08 p.m. for a closed session focused exclusively on the Martinez Marina and waterfront property.

Why it matters: The Marina and waterfront represent one of Martinez's most prominent public assets. The outcome of these negotiations — covering price, terms and an exclusive negotiation agreement — will determine how the property is developed and managed, with potential ripple effects across the local economy, waterfront access and community character.

Where things stand: The session was held pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, which governs conferences with real property negotiators and shields substantive details from public disclosure during active talks. Mayor Brianne Zorn identified the two negotiating parties at the outset: Tucker Sadler Architects, a design firm, and Safe Harbor Marinas, a marina management and investment company. City negotiators met with both firms to discuss the exclusive negotiation agreement's price and terms.

"Council provided guidance to staff and we" — the mayor's brief but telling report-out after the session — indicated the council reached enough consensus to keep the process moving. No dissent or division was disclosed.

What's next: With the council's direction in hand, city staff will continue negotiations with Tucker Sadler Architects and Safe Harbor Marinas. Because the discussions remain confidential under state law, residents should watch for future public sessions where any resulting agreement would require council approval in open session. The regular meeting reopened at 7:15 p.m.

Council members present: Mayor Brianne Zorn, Vice Mayor Satinder Malhi, Councilmember Debbie McKillop, Councilmember Jay Howard (virtual), and Councilmember Greg Young (virtual).