Pittsburg Council Tees Up 45-Day Data Center Pause as Opposition Mounts
City Council • PittsburgOctober 19, 2026
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Pittsburg's City Council voted 4-0 on Oct. 19, 2026, to schedule a special meeting on a 45-day moratorium covering future data center development. The pause would not touch the already-approved first phase of the Avayo project, and dozens of residents spent more than an hour calling that limit a fatal flaw. The council also awarded a $333,625 storm drain contract and agreed to take up SB 580 immigration protections at a future meeting.
- 4-0 vote sets up a special meeting on a 45-day data center moratorium; Mayor Dionne Adams recused herself.
- Phase 1 of the Avayo project stays approved, and the pause reaches only Phases 2-3 and new proposals.
- Opponents demand 90 days or more, a ban and a seat at the table, citing a petition with more than 28,000 signatures.
- SB 580 discussion goes on a future agenda as advocates push for an ordinance before the Jan. 1 state deadline.
- Buchanan Park storm drain contract awarded at $333,625, well under the $670,000 budget.
- Donor-funded soft interview room for crime victims draws praise, along with questions about data sharing.
A Pause That Stops Short of Phase 1
The basics: Avayo's proposed data center covers about 350,000 square feet and would draw up to 99 megawatts. It sits on the only parcels in the city with data center zoning or a general plan designation for that use. Phase 1 holds a vested tentative map, meaning its entitlements are locked in.
Why it matters: The moratorium can shape what comes next, but it cannot undo what is already entitled. That gap is now the central fault line between the council and its critics.
Where things stand: Mayor Dionne Adams stepped aside before the item began, citing a Fair Political Practices Commission complaint tied to her employment with PG&E. "Because some members of the public perceive I may have a conflict of interest, in the best interest of PPC and the city, I will not participate in the item," said Mayor Adams. Vice Mayor Angelica Lopez presided.
City Manager Darin Gale laid out the project's status. "Phase 1 of this project is approved, and Phase 2 and Phase 3 are not, but it's part of the larger project," said City Manager Gale. He described the Advisory Committee on Data Centers as a 19-member body he selected. It is not a formal commission, and its meetings are not public. The committee has met three times, for about 2.5 hours on average, and has toured the site and heard from Avayo. A final report is still to come.
Power is a live issue. "But we are working with them as though they're going to receive power through the Pittsburg Power Company," said City Manager Gale.
The proposal: Councilmember Juan Banales outlined a 45-day plan. It would formally pause Phases 2-3 and new proposals and let the advisory committee finish its work. Any Phase 1 power agreements with Pittsburg Power Company would come back to the council, and the city would build a policy framework for where data centers belong and what standards apply. "It does not affect Phase 1, which again is already approved," said Councilmember Banales. He also condemned personal attacks and threats aimed at officials.
The 45-day window reflects the limit on an urgency ordinance under state law.
The other side of leverage: Councilmember Jelani Killings backed the pause so the committee could finish its work. He warned that refusing a city power deal has limits. "If we were to not move forward with that, then there is the opportunity for the developer just to go through PG&E and bypass the city," said Councilmember Killings.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Councilmember Banales moved to agendize the moratorium at a special meeting this week, if four councilmembers are available. The motion passed. For: 4 (Banales, Killings, Lopez, Kobata). Against: 0. Recused: 1 (Adams). The Avayo project keeps its Phase 1 path. Residents near the site gain a formal pause on expansion but no change to the approved first phase. The city keeps its role as a potential power supplier.
What's next: A special meeting on the moratorium ordinance, plus the advisory committee's final report.
Opponents Call 45 Days a "Sham"
Why it matters: The opposition is organized, election-linked and growing. Speakers cited a petition with more than 28,000 signatures and pushed the council well beyond what it put on the table.
Where things stand: Speaker after speaker argued that excluding Phase 1 guts the moratorium. "This 45-day moratorium that you are pretending to bring is a sham because Phase 1 is already approved," said Tamilarasi Chandra, public commenter.
Others focused on health and the environment. Cynthia Cardinale, public commenter, pointed to a data center in Sterling, Virginia. "A massive data center ran emergency diesel generators for nearly 24 hours, pumping toxic fumes and deafening noise into a neighborhood community," she said. Speakers also raised concerns about noise, water and wildlife.
Process and equity complaints: David Manley, public commenter, called the advisory committee "yes-men and women" and asked the council to revisit the city's values. A commenter identified as Leticia said public records showed no direct notice to Rancho Medanos Junior High families. She asked for documentation, including the languages used, and others flagged limited outreach in Spanish.
Alternatives on the table: Marifer Miranda, public commenter, backed a 90-day moratorium and urged a community-serving use for the land. Other speakers floated mixed-use recreation space, a hospital or a true technology park. Two speakers urged the council to breach the contract. Some tied the city's deficit to the land sale.
Carolyn Bourne, public commenter, thanked the council for the moratorium. She suggested 90 days, pointed to San Jose's data center framework and urged a pause on contract negotiations.
An outside voice: Frank Figueroa, Mayor of Coachella, spoke in a personal capacity. He described how his city reversed course on a data center agreement and moved to permanently ban large-scale data centers. "We listened, we paused, we walked the agreement back," said Figueroa.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Councilmembers largely did not respond to comments during this segment. Some remarks turned uncivil. Mayor Adams had asked earlier in the meeting for warnings about disruptions.
SB 580 Heads to a Future Agenda
The basics: Under SB 580, local agencies must adopt the attorney general's guidance on limiting immigration enforcement, or their own policy, by Jan. 1.
Why it matters: Advocates want more than a minimal policy. They are pushing for rules that cover every department, contractors and vendors, including the Peregrine data platform.
Where things stand: Early in the meeting, Cardinale urged police not to cooperate with ICE on Election Day. A city official said state law and city policy already prohibit that cooperation.
During general public comment, Anna Hernandez, public commenter, said the law "strengthens guidelines for how state and local agencies interact with immigration authorities and how they protect information." Jessica Rojas, public commenter, asked for a public forum and an ordinance covering contractors. Lynn Doherty, public commenter, said records showed DHS had viewed city cameras. "I wanna propose that we not use the least restrictive response and have a public hearing," said Doherty.
Surveillance concerns came from other directions as well. Chandra criticized the city's software investment in Peregrine, which she described as costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. She cited predictive "heat map" zones and the risk of federal data access. Andrew Garcia, public commenter, targeted Flock, Axon and other cameras. "I would like to request that these cameras should be taken down for our privacy," said Garcia. He said police officers should do that work instead.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Vice Mayor Lopez requested a future SB 580 discussion item, and it passed. The tally was not announced. Immigrant residents and advocates now have a scheduled venue to press their case before the deadline.
Buchanan Park Storm Drain Contract Comes in Low
Why it matters: A sinkhole in spring 2026 exposed failing pipes under a heavily used park. Replacing them reduces the risk of more sinkholes and flooding.
Where things stand: Staff inspected about 500 linear feet of dual 18-inch pipes and found that relining was not feasible. The city received 23 bids, ranging from $333,625 to $724,000. Kratis Incorporated submitted the low bid. "This project has a current budget of $670,000, primarily funded from the Kirk Creek Drainage Fund," said John Samuelson, Director of Public Works/City Engineer. Anticipated spending is $428,000, including a 10% contingency, and leftover money returns to the general fund.
Councilmember Killings asked how staff vetted the low bidder as responsive and responsible. Samuelson pointed to the tight clustering of bids and to reference calls. "So we feel very comfortable that they did provide a responsive and responsible bid," he said.
The other side: The line runs through a memorial grove. Staff said they modified the alignment and that an arborist will inspect any root removal. Mark Lindy, public commenter, asked for an outside arborist. Teresa Martin, public commenter, urged a restored wetlands rather than a pipe replacement alone. Other speakers asked for tree replacement and better outreach.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council adopted the resolution awarding Project 2705. The tally was not announced.
Donor-Funded Interview Room Raises Data Questions
Where things stand: The police department is set to move into a "soft interview room" at the end of October. The room is reserved for victims of sexual assault and other violent crimes. It was funded by Phyllis's Garden, a foundation started by survivors of the Golden State Killer. Detective Erica Baker brought the idea back from a training. "Phyllis's Garden Foundation provides all the funding to the police department to create a soft interview room," said Chief Taylor, Police Chief.
The room is meant to spare victims a stark setting. Victims should not "feel like they're in a cold interrogation room," said Councilmember Arlene Kobata. Vice Mayor Lopez spoke of a child survivor. "I thank you on behalf of that little 4-year-old girl," said Vice Mayor Lopez.
The other side: Martin supported the room but asked about erasure rights and data security. "I see it as a problem that those terrifying stories that people are relating about the worst times in their lives being sucked into Peregrine for perpetuity," said Martin. Chandra warned that shared recordings could reach federal agents, including in cases involving U visa applicants.
What's next: No action was taken. Mayor Adams said the city would look at ways to address the technology concerns.
Minor Items
- Consent calendar approved despite objections, including Martin's criticism of a roughly $107,534 contract for 60 hours of work.
- Tree replacement push: Lindy asked the city to plant four trees for every tree removed.
- Development Title Update of the city's zoning code heads to public workshops, with adoption expected in early 2027.
- Proclamation: Kapangan Taste of Pampanga Philippines received a Think Pittsburg recognition.
- Budget and small business: Cardinale cited $5M and $7M deficits, and dance studio owner Sharon Sobel objected to new city ballet classes at the Marina Center.
Looking Ahead
The data center moratorium goes to a special meeting this week, if four councilmembers are available. SB 580 returns on a future agenda. The next regular council meeting is Nov. 2, 2026.