Pinole Confronts Homelessness, Bridge Rebuild and Ballot Battle Over Mayor's Office

The Pinole City Council's April 7 meeting delivered a sweeping look at the city's most pressing challenges — from a street outreach program posting sharply improved results for unhoused residents to early planning for a $32 million bridge replacement and a contentious ballot measure that drew organized opposition and zero public support. Across nearly four hours, council members also moved to update decades-old traffic calming rules, celebrated a statewide environmental honor, and signaled support for state housing legislation.

• CORE homeless outreach program reports 52% jump in stable housing exits in first six months; 68% of those served are first-time homeless

• Four residents urge "no" on Measure D, the June 2026 ballot measure to create a directly elected mayor — no one speaks in favor

• $32M San Pablo Avenue Bridge replacement advances with $27M in federal funds secured and design set to begin in July

• Staff proposes loosening traffic calming criteria to bring speed humps, roundabouts and other devices to more residential streets

• Council backs SB 1216, a state bill to reward cities that build housing, highlighting Pinole's early pro-housing designation

• Stormwater compliance surges from 80% to 99.8% after mapping corrections at the city's wastewater treatment plant

Outreach Program Shows Pinole's Homeless Crisis Is Closer to Home Than Many Think

The basics: The Coordinated Outreach, Referral and Engagement (CORE) program is a housing-focused street outreach initiative operating seven days a week, 7 a.m. to midnight, accessible through the 211 hotline. The program presented its first six-month performance report to the council.

Why it matters: The data paint a portrait of homelessness in Pinole that defies common assumptions — 84% of the people CORE contacted have roots in the community, 68% are experiencing homelessness for the first time, and 42% of the women served are domestic violence survivors.

Where things stand: In the first half of fiscal year 2025-26, all CORE teams contacted 44 unduplicated individuals in Pinole, with the dedicated Quad City team specifically serving 26 participants through 46 contacts. The headline number: 35% exited to stable housing, a 52% increase over 2024. Low income and job loss were the leading causes of homelessness, and 75% of participants had a disabling condition.

"We don't just give out survival supplies and food and hygiene, but we really are working to move folks from outside to inside through engagement, trust building, support with shelter placement, housing placement, transportation, abatement supports," said Jenny Robbins, CORE Director of Community Response.

CORE partners closely with the Pinole Police Department, calling into dispatch daily and serving as an alternative response for non-criminal calls. Police Chief Melissa Klawuhn introduced the presentation. Program Director Shelby Ferguson detailed the demographic breakdown and a success story: a chronically homeless individual first engaged in 2017 was placed into permanent supportive housing in December 2025 and remains housed.

Robbins also pointed to a potential model for early intervention — El Cerrito's $25,000 annual housing security flex fund, which covers emergency hotel stays and first-and-last-month deposits.

"If we have a family with their kids who are living in their car and their unit's going to be coming up in the next couple of weeks, we can put them into a hotel so the kids aren't having to live in a car," she said.

The other side: Councilmember Norma Martinez-Rubin asked about the limited service capacity — Pinole and Hercules currently share one-third of a CORE team. Public commenters Rafael Menis and Anthony Vossbrink pressed on data methodology, field worker qualifications, and how panhandling and inter-city movement are tracked.

Councilmember Cameron Sasai raised a broader alarm:

"I'm very concerned about HR1 cuts, cuts to Medicaid. The mayor mentioned the economy and how that may affect folks in the coming years."

What's next: No formal action was taken, but council members signaled support for potential expansion. The data on first-time homelessness and domestic violence survivors may intensify pressure to consider a local housing security fund and expanded team hours.

Residents Line Up Against Measure D — and No One Lines Up For It

Why it matters: Measure D, on the June 2, 2026 ballot, proposes changing Pinole's governance from a rotating-mayor system — where the council appoints a mayor from among its members — to a directly elected mayor. Four speakers testified against the measure during public comment. None spoke in favor.

Where things stand: The opposition was pointed and personal. Debbie Long accused Mayor Pro Tem Devin Murphy of seeking a "power grab," saying he has not quantified how an elected mayor would improve city services. William Horton called it "an unnecessary waste of $55,000" that will not enhance police, fire, parks or streets, and questioned whether an elected mayor would face term limits — all while the city carries a $3 million-plus deficit.

Jennifer Horn delivered the most detailed critique, noting that no respondent in a recent voter survey mentioned governance structure as a priority, that three council members voted to place the measure on the ballot despite unanimous public opposition, and that supporters submitted no arguments in favor on the ballot itself.

Peter Murray compared the current dynamics to what he described as 2008-era "chaos" tactics.

Decisions: The council took no action — this was a public comment period only. The measure goes before Pinole voters on June 2, 2026.

$32M Bridge Replacement Nears Design Phase as Public Works Reports Sweeping Progress

Why it matters: The San Pablo Avenue Bridge, more than 80 years old and carrying a Caltrans structural deficiency designation, is Pinole's largest infrastructure project in decades — and it hit a major milestone.

Where things stand: Public Works Director Heba El-Guindy reported the bridge is completing its final NEPA environmental assessment, with soil sampling conducted on April 12.

"The design phase will commence in July. It's expected to take about a year and a half, followed by the construction commencing in January of 2028," she said.

Funding includes $3.287 million for preliminary engineering and design, plus $27 million in Highway Bridge Program funds toward an estimated $32 million construction cost.

The broader Public Works report was a catalog of progress across the city's infrastructure portfolio:

• Tennant Avenue Bay Trail gap closure: $1.02 million in OBAG funds and $745,000 in STMP secured, with applications pending for an additional $2 million in federal and state grants.

• ADA pedestrian signal upgrades: Push-button upgrades will reach 18 of 22 signals citywide by May or June for $173,000.

• Pinole Valley Park restrooms: Prefabricated all-gender ADA restrooms are set for installation in May 2026.

• Police Department roof: A $519,000 replacement is completing this month.

• Wastewater treatment plant: Two remaining blowers will be replaced by October, and lab upgrades exceeding $150,000 are underway.

• Stormwater compliance: The standout number — compliance surged from 80% to 99.8% after staff worked with a consulting firm to correct the stormwater map and conduct additional assessments. "We corrected areas where it skewed the calculations not in the city's favor," El-Guindysaid, with a second round of assessments scheduled for May before the June reporting deadline.

Public commenters Rafael Menis and Anthony Vossbrink raised concerns about HVAC conditions at city facilities, dog park maintenance, non-functioning water fountains, and closed restrooms. Mayor Pro Tem Devin Murphy urged staff to improve public communications about project progress:

"I would love to see the staff work, the comm staff work with the Public Works Department to really think about how to integrate these projects into our communication strategy."

Decisions: The report was accepted 5-0 (For: Tave, Murphy, Sasai, Martinez-Rubin, Toms; Against: none; Absent: none).

Traffic Calming Overhaul Would Open More Streets to Speed Humps and Roundabouts

The basics: Pinole's traffic calming policy dates to 2008 and uses an unusual 67% speed exceedance criterion — meaning two-thirds of drivers must be speeding before the city can act. The proposed update replaces that with the industry-standard 85th-percentile speed measure.

Why it matters: The changes would make substantially more residential streets eligible for speed humps, chicanes, roundabouts, diagonal diverters, and other calming devices — particularly near schools and senior housing. The city's capital improvement program allocates $200,000 annually for traffic calming, though this year's funds were redirected to the pavement rehabilitation project for flat-top speed humps on Pinole Valley Road.

Where things stand: Public Works Director Heba El-Guindy outlined four key changes: lowering the vehicle-per-day threshold from 1,500 to cover local streets and minor collectors; replacing the speed exceedance criterion; relaxing the one-lane-per-direction restriction; and adding new criteria for abutting land uses, visibility conditions, and collision history.

Councilmember Cameron Sasai flagged a new state law that strengthens the case for action near schools:

"It's AB 382 Berman, which authorizes local authorities to reduce school zone speed limits to 20 miles per hour rather than 25."

Councilmember Norma Martinez-Rubin asked about a pending request for traffic calming on Henry Avenue; staff noted a 2016 speed survey did not support calming but further review is underway. Public commenter Anthony Vossbrink called for more aggressive traffic enforcement and argued citations could generate revenue.

What's next: Council directed staff to bring the track-change document back on the consent calendar for formal approval. The updated policy will feed into the broader Active Transportation Plan coming to council.

Clean California Designation Brings Statewide Recognition — but Caltrans Won't Let Pinole Put the Sign Where It Wants

Why it matters: Pinole earned the Clean California Community designation in September 2025, one of the first 30 communities statewide. The designation brings personalized signage, priority access to state cleanup kits, and Keep California Beautiful membership — and potentially an edge on future Caltrans grant applications.

Where things stand: Sustainability Project Manager Kapil Amin presented the sign to the council, but noted Caltrans confirmed it cannot be placed on highway on/off ramps. Staff suggested alternatives including the San Pablo/Oak Ridge intersection and Bayfront Park. Council members piled on with additional ideas: the Henry Avenue creek trail entrance, Pinole Valley Road near Collins Elementary, the Tennant/Pinole Valley Road split, and near the BNSF bridge.

Councilmember Maureen Toms reported a longer-running frustration with Caltrans:

"About a year and a half ago, we submitted a letter to Caltrans and copied our state legislators and got a — I would say we were blown off by staff, to put it mildly."

She was referring to requests for permanent trash fencing along freeway ramps over creek areas. Mayor Anthony Tave directed staff to revive those cleanup efforts. The Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed were recognized for their role in earning the designation.

Minor Items

• SB 1216 support: Council voted 4-0 (Mayor Pro Tem Murphy absent) to direct staff to prepare a resolution and letter supporting SB 1216 (Cabaldon), a bill creating a housing leadership designation for cities that build homes. Councilmember Sasai moved the item, noting Pinole's status as one of the first cities in California to earn the state's pro-housing designation.

• Dolores Huerta Day proclamation: Approved 4-0 (Murphy absent); the proclamation will be presented at the April 10 meeting.

• Anti-trafficking stickers: Council voted 4-0 (Murphy absent) to direct staff to research QR code stickers for city restrooms to support the Safety for the Bay anti-human-trafficking campaign, inspired by a Contra Costa Mayors Conference presentation ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Councilmember Martinez-Rubin moved the item.

• Proclamations: April designated as Parkinson's Awareness Month, Autism Acceptance Month, and Arab American Heritage Month; National Pet Day also recognized.

• Consent calendar: Items 9A, B, D, E, F and G approved 5-0. Item 9C was continued to a future date.

• Closed session: No reportable action from conference with labor negotiators or other closed session matters.

• Sustainability staffing questioned: Public commenter Richard Cossel questioned the cost of the city's sustainability project manager position — approximately $130,000 — calling it unusual for a city of Pinole's size given budget constraints.

• Council committee reports: Councilmember Toms reported on the East Bay Wildfire Government Coalition's upcoming discussions on Berkeley's Zone Zero policy and EBRICS board authorization for federal funding to acquire mobile radio sites for emergency communications. Sasai reported ABAG approved the Bay Area 2050+ regional plan and a $2.3 million Wildcat Creek restoration contract, and raised the Richmond Ferry's proposed 6% fare increase. Martinez-Rubin reported on the Water Education for Latino Leaders conference, noting that 10% of California's water goes to urbanites versus 70-80% to agriculture, yet urbanites pay higher rates.