Pinole Advances Wage Theft Ordinance on Divided Vote, Adopts Bike-Ped Plan

The Pinole City Council packed its April 21 meeting with policy action — advancing a wage theft ordinance on a contentious 3-2 vote, unanimously adopting an Active Transportation Plan to unlock federal safety grants, and creating two new subcommittees to explore commercial cannabis districts and oversee $93.7 million in capital projects. Residents, meanwhile, turned out in force to blast Measure D, the elected mayor proposal heading to the June 2 ballot.

• Wage theft ordinance advances 3-2 after debate over whether Pinole needs a local enforcement tool or is duplicating state services

• Active Transportation Plan adopted unanimously to meet federal and state grant deadlines, with a July special meeting to address stakeholder concerns

• Five residents urge "no" on Measure D, calling the elected mayor proposal a $57,000 waste that concentrates power

• Cannabis and infrastructure subcommittees created to shape potential commercial cannabis districts and prioritize 50 capital improvement projects

• Planning Commission pitches mixed-use vision for the long-vacant 13-acre Appian 80 site, floating an ethnic grocery anchor and commercial vacancy fee

Wage Theft Fight Splits Council

The basics: City Attorney Eric Casher presented two models used by other California cities to combat wage theft: one ties labor law compliance to business license issuance, the other to building permits and certificates of occupancy. Cities including Milpitas, South San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose, Mountain View, and San Francisco have adopted variations.

Why it matters: As Pinole prepares for new construction to meet state-mandated housing goals, the ordinance would require businesses and developers to certify labor law compliance before receiving final building permits — a first for the city.

Where things stand: The debate exposed a clear philosophical divide. Councilmember Cameron Sasai championed the measure, citing statewide data.

"Wage theft is prevalent in California. I've read data statewide that 41% of workers have experienced wage theft and experience noncompliance with labor laws," he said.

Sasai argued the ordinance aligns with Pinole's existing citywide project labor agreement and pro-labor values.

The other side: Councilmember Maureen Toms pushed back, arguing the proposal layers bureaucracy onto city staff without evidence of a local problem.

"This just adds another layer to what our staff would be responsible for when a state agency that does the very same thing already exists. We don't need to duplicate services that are already available," she said.

Councilmember Norma Martinez-Rubin asked whether Pinole has a prevailing wage ordinance (it does not, though state law requires prevailing wages on public projects) and pressed for data before moving forward.

"Let us table this. And in the process of anyone applying for a business license, if the questions are there already about acknowledging or attesting to providing wages," she said, suggesting a lighter-touch alternative.

Public commenter Richard called the ordinance a solution in search of a problem, warning it could create an administrative nightmare and be exploited as leverage against employers.

Decisions: The motion to direct Casher to draft an ordinance tied to final building permits and certificates of occupancy passed 3-2 (For: Sasai, Murphy, Tave; Against: Martinez-Rubin, Toms). Council also directed staff to invite the state Department of Industrial Relations to present and to add labor rights resources to the city website.

What's next: Casher will return with draft ordinance language for council review at a future meeting.

Bike-Ped Plan Adopted to Unlock Grant Funding

Why it matters: The Active Transportation Plan is a prerequisite for federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) and state ATP grant applications with May and June deadlines — funding that could pay for protected bikeways on Pinole's most dangerous corridors.

Where things stand: Public Works Director Heba Elgindi presented the plan, developed over a year with community engagement including pop-up events, a workshop, 102 online survey responses, and four meetings of a Community Engagement Committee that included representatives from CCTA, Contra Costa County Health, East Bay Parks, and West County Unified School District.

The plan recommends Class 4 protected bike facilities on San Pablo Avenue, Pinole Valley Road, Appian Way, and Fitzgerald Drive; sidewalk gap closures; intersection safety improvements including HAWK signals and rectangular rapid flashing beacons; and non-infrastructure measures like bike-share programs and traffic safety education.

Councilmember Cameron Sasai emphasized personal stakes:

"Any corridor that has more than a 25 mile per hour speed limit to be protected in bikeways, cars are just going way too fast," he said, referencing a personal collision on Appian Way.

The other side: Dani Lanis, advocacy manager for Bike East Bay, requested conditional approval, calling the plan insufficient as a five-to-ten-year infrastructure guide and asking for a six-month revision period. He cited a similar pause in Pleasant Hill that produced a better outcome. Public commenter Rafael Menis praised the plan's prioritization of walkway and bikeway gaps in disadvantaged communities but questioned the feasibility of its 50% mode-share target and flagged the absence of an environmental justice reference.

Acting City Manager Garrett Evans recommended adoption to protect grant eligibility, with amendments to follow.

Decisions: Adopted unanimously (For: 5, Against: 0) with direction to schedule a special meeting in July to revisit the plan and incorporate stakeholder feedback.

What's next: Staff will pursue SS4A and state ATP grant applications ahead of upcoming deadlines, with plan amendments expected after the July special meeting.

Residents Rally Against Measure D Ahead of June 2 Vote

Five public speakers used the citizens-to-be-heard period to urge a "no" vote on Measure D, which would restructure Pinole's governance from a five-member council with a rotating mayor to a four-member council plus a directly elected mayor.

Why it matters: The measure would fundamentally reshape Pinole's century-old governance structure, with critics arguing it concentrates power in one person and costs $57,000 to place on the ballot at a time when the city faces deficit spending.

Public commenter Jennifer Horn questioned the fiscal logic:

"Three council members tripled the travel budget and spent $57,000 on this measure," she said.

Horn also noted that the ballot measure provides no guardrails on a future elected mayor's salary. Public commenter William Horton warned the measure would worsen the deficit, arguing the rotating mayoral system is democratic and effective.

Public commenter Debbie Long cited the Contra Costa Young Democrats' policy platform, which she alleged advocates limiting public comment periods and disadvantaging older residents. She linked Mayor Pro Tem Devin Murphy and Councilmember Cameron Sasai to the organization.

No council members responded to the comments, consistent with protocol for the citizens-to-be-heard segment.

Planning Commission Envisions Mixed-Use Hub at Vacant Safeway Site

Why it matters: The 13-acre Appian 80 Shopping Center at 1401 Terra Hills Drive — the former Safeway site — has sat largely vacant for years, frustrating residents and costing the city sales tax revenue. The Planning Commission's aspirational resolution signals the city may use regulatory tools to push development forward.

Where things stand: Planning Commission Chair Gabe Sandoval presented the commission's vision.

"The biggest thing that we would like to see on this site as a commission would be mixed-use development. So we think that whatever sort of development happens at this site, that it should include housing," he said, citing Santana Row and Bay Street Emeryville as models.

Key recommendations include an ethnic grocery anchor such as H Mart or Tokyo Central to serve Pinole's diverse community, ground-floor retail with outdoor dining, multimodal transportation, and a commercial land vacancy fee for large parcels to incentivize development.

Planning Manager Dave Hanham noted the property owner, Balboa Properties, has been "close to the vest" and declined to share development plans despite invitations to commission meetings. Councilmember Norma Martinez-Rubin disclosed she spoke with Allison Warner of Balboa Retail Partners, who was aware of the presentation and is working through easement agreements and environmental concerns.

Councilmember Cameron Sasai expressed strong interest in the vacancy fee concept.

"I'm very interested in the commercial land vacancy fee," he said.

No formal council action was taken; this was an informational presentation.

Cannabis and Infrastructure Subcommittees Take Shape

Cannabis Districts Under Study

Council created a two-member ad hoc subcommittee to study commercial cannabis — including zoning buffers, permit types, restorative justice provisions, revenue opportunities, and community workshops. Councilmember Cameron Sasai and Councilmember Norma Martinez-Rubin volunteered and were appointed unanimously (For: 5, Against: 0). Pinole currently prohibits all commercial cannabis; the subcommittee follows council direction from a March 24, 2026 special meeting.

$93.7M Capital Portfolio Gets Oversight

Acting City Manager Garrett Evans described Pinole's five-year Capital Improvement Program as encompassing 50 projects at an estimated $93.7 million, including facility, park, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and street improvements plus five infrastructure assessments. Mayor Anthony Tave and Councilmember Maureen Toms were appointed to a new subcommittee to prioritize projects and pursue grant funding in coordination with neighboring agencies. Approved unanimously (For: 5, Against: 0).

Council Reports: MCE Rate Cut, Wildfire Regs, Free Transit Rides

Mayor Pro Tem Devin Murphy reported the MCE Clean Energy board approved a 14% reduction in electricity generation rates, aligning MCE rates with PG&E.

"We also approved a temporary bill credit throughout 2026 to help offset rising costs along with an additional $10 million investment in our MCE Cares credit program," he said, urging residents to apply.

Murphy also highlighted the U.S. Senate's Road to Housing Act heading to the House, which would create performance-based housing funding and new tools for local development and rehabilitation.

Councilmember Maureen Toms flagged Zone Zero defensible-space regulations expected to be adopted by the Board of Forestry, impacting a small area along Pinole's ridgeline. She also noted Pinole's wastewater flows are consistently higher than neighboring Hercules due to aging infrastructure and groundwater infiltration.

Councilmember Norma Martinez-Rubin reported the WESTCAT board extended General Manager Rob Thompson's contract and approved free summer youth rides and free weekend rides for all passengers, targeting a mid-May start through the end of July.

Minor Items

• John Robinson appointed to the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee for a two-year term (5-0), restoring quorum after three vacancies.

• Opioid settlement funds presentation agendized for a future meeting to explore effective spending approaches used by other jurisdictions (5-0).

• SB 707 meeting disruption policy adopted unanimously (5-0) ahead of the July 1 state deadline, ensuring the city can legally continue meetings during internet or telephone outages.

• Consent calendar approved: Items 9A–D and 9G–H passed 5-0; Item 9I (SB 1216 letter of support) passed 5-0 with an amendment noting the bill was pulled by its author and expressing support for the concept and a two-year reintroduction. Item 9E (park grant) passed 4-0-1, with Mayor Tave abstaining. Item 9F was pulled by staff.

• Pinole Community Players representatives Greg Klein and Ben Bush requested directional signage and city banner access for the community theater near Fernandez Park, citing 40 years of operations and 20,000 youth served.

• Public commenter Anthony V. Brink requested LED light poles, security cameras, and new signage at Bayfront/Ohlone Park, as well as improved library signage.

• Earth Day proclamation presented; Pinole Valley High School Earth Team students recommended climate literacy curriculum, reduced plastic packaging, and collaboration with Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed.

• Closed session on real property negotiations produced no reportable action.