Council Directs $366K to Traffic Safety as Tenants Demand Rent Control

Pittsburg's City Council approved a federal block grant plan that prioritizes finishing a stalled neighborhood traffic safety project, while tenants from a corporate-owned apartment complex lined up to describe rents nearly doubling and cockroach-infested units. The meeting also launched the city's first-ever Restaurant Week and honored seven scholarship recipients heading to college.

• Council unanimously approves CDBG plan sending $366,000 to complete Lynshade roundabout project as federal funding shrinks for the second year

• Wood Grove tenants demand 3% rent cap after corporate landlord Reliant Group raises rents from roughly $1,000 to over $2,000

• Pittsburg launches its first Restaurant Week as local dining draws visitors from across the Bay Area

• Seven students receive Obama Foundation-backed scholarships to universities and community colleges

• Measure J renewal kicks off, putting $2.6 billion in countywide transportation funding on a two-year clock

• Captain Gaylor named city's 11th police chief, with public swearing-in set for May 21

Federal Dollars Shrink, Council Bets on Infrastructure

The council unanimously adopted the FY 2026-27 Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan, directing the majority of the city's $625,897 federal allocation to complete a traffic safety project in a low-income neighborhood — a choice that came at the expense of larger grants to economic development nonprofits.

The basics: CDBG is a federal program administered by HUD that provides annual grants to cities for community development, housing, and public services. Pittsburg's allocation is divided by formula: 15% to public services, 65% to economic development and non-public services, and 20% to administration.

Why it matters: Federal CDBG funding dropped $26,000 from the prior year to $625,897, forcing a trade-off between completing critical infrastructure and sustaining nonprofit organizations that serve residents directly.

Where things stand: The Life Enrichment subcommittee recommended directing $366,000 of the economic development allocation to finish the Lynshade Safety Improvement Project — roundabouts and median islands designed to address traffic hazards. Three economic development organizations — CocoCays, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, and Opportunity Junction — were reduced to the HUD-required minimum of $10,000 each. Six public service nonprofits, including Dentists on Wheels, La Clinica de la Raza, Loaves and Fishes, St. Vincent de Paul, Bay Compassion, and Monument Crisis Center, will split $93,885 equally at $15,647 each.

Administrative Analyst Ishani Rasanayagam explained the subcommittee's reasoning: "The Life Enrichment Subcommittee understood the need to complete this project. So they recommend to the city council that a bulk of the 65% of the funding that is allocated to the economic development category be allocated to the Lynshade Safety Improvement Project."

Public Works Director John Samuelson confirmed the money would close the gap: "With this recommended funding, we'll be able to actually finish the project. We'll be able to construct two additional roundabouts and some median islands, which will solve a lot of the traffic issues at this area."

The other side: Councilmember Jelani Killings backed the infrastructure-first approach, saying he wanted to "be supportive of the thought if we want to maximize what goes into economic development, public infrastructure, what it looks like we did here." But Vice Mayor Angelica Lopez sounded a warning about what's being lost: "I think it's a shame that we've come to a point where CDBG funds have actually decreased instead of increased. More than ever, nonprofits are struggling out there, and our community's only growing, and our issues are growing as a community."

Decisions: The resolution passed 4-0 (Councilmember Juan Banales absent and excused).

What's next: The Lynshade project will move to construction. The broader question — how to sustain nonprofit services as federal funding continues to erode — remains unresolved and likely to resurface in future budget discussions.

Tenants Confront Council on Skyrocketing Rents

A group of Wood Grove Apartments residents, organized by community group ACE, turned public comment into an urgent appeal for rent control in a city that currently has none. One after another, tenants described rents nearly doubling under corporate landlord Reliant Group — and maintenance conditions they said are making them sick.

Why it matters: Pittsburg does not have rent control. The testimony put a human face on the housing cost crisis in East Contra Costa County and may signal the beginning of an organized push for tenant protections.

Where things stand: Tonika Moffitt, an ACE member, told the council her rent rose from $1,500 to $2,088 over three years, forcing impossible choices. "I'm left choosing between buying groceries, school supplies, and caring for my premature babies," she said, calling on the council to enact a 3% annual rent cap.

Evilia Perez, speaking through a translator, described her rent nearly doubling from $1,009 to $2,088 in a single increase. She is a single mother dealing with cockroach infestations; she said management fumigates only individual units rather than entire buildings, so pests return almost immediately. Senelia, also translated, described the same rent jump and said the stress has caused high blood pressure. Myra Jimenez told the council her landlord refuses to replace decade-old carpet despite her asthma, even after professional recommendations.

Every speaker named Reliant Group as the corporate landlord and called for a 3% cap on annual increases. Vice Mayor Lopez directed staff to follow up with the ACE members on their concerns.

What's next: No policy action was taken. But the organized nature of the testimony — multiple tenants from the same complex, represented by a community group, with a specific policy ask — suggests this issue will return. Staff was directed to connect with the tenants on code enforcement and follow-up.

Pittsburg High Students Press Council on Housing, Safety, and Equity

Students from Pittsburg High School's ethnic studies class brought researched questions to public comment, pressing city leaders on issues from housing affordability to small business support.

Cortana Diaz asked why housing costs in Pittsburg had increased 80% between 2015 and 2025. Jack Esseltine cited a 26% drop in homelessness in Contra Costa County in 2025 and asked whether the trend was continuing. Vien Tran referenced the Lumpy's Diner incident and $300,000 in taxpayer funds allocated to the Lighthouse Cafe, asking how the city supports small and local businesses equally. Sebastian Gonzalez and Caleb Palak asked about small business programs and public safety improvements, respectively, while Carlson Jimenez questioned the accessibility and affordability of recreational programs.

The city manager committed to providing written responses through the students' teacher. Vice Mayor Lopez directed staff to share contact information with the class.

Restaurant Week and the Dining Scene That's Putting Pittsburg on the Map

Mayor Dionne Adams read a proclamation declaring May 18–24 as Pittsburg's first-ever Restaurant Week, an initiative designed to drive foot traffic to local eateries with participation incentives from the city and the Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Adams highlighted the city's growing culinary visibility: "We're seeing people talk about Pittsburg who have never talked about Pittsburg before. We're seeing folks outside of our community making plans to come here for lunch and for dinner and for breakfast. And that is economic activity for us."

The mayor thanked local influencer Kiara Caronto — known as "Mosti" on social media — a Pittsburg native who has been showcasing the city's restaurants to a large following.

Measure J: $2.6 Billion in Transit Funding on the Clock

Councilmember Killings reported attending a two-day Contra Costa Transportation Authority board workshop on renewing Measure J, the countywide half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2004 that provides approximately $2.6 billion for transportation projects. It expires in 2034, and the CCTA is beginning a two-year process to develop a new transportation expenditure plan and seek voter approval.

"Measure J, which is a countywide half-cent sales tax that was approved by voters in 2004, provides about $2.6 billion for countywide and local transportation projects and programs," Councilmember Killings explained. Past projects funded by the tax include the State Route 4 widening, the fourth bore at the Caldecott Tunnel, Richmond ferry service, and the BART extension through Antioch.

The key challenge: getting 19 cities to agree on project priorities and return-to-source funding allocations. Pittsburg is represented on TRANSPAC, the East County regional planning committee, by Councilmember Banales. Mayor Adams added context from a recent trip to Washington, D.C., emphasizing the federal-to-local funding pipeline.

What's next: The two-year renewal process is underway. The outcome will shape billions in future transportation investment across East County, including transit, road maintenance, and potential new projects.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved unanimously (4-0, Banales absent) without items pulled for discussion.

• Treasurer and clerk pay review: Council voted 4-0 to place a review of compensation for the city treasurer and city clerk on a future finance subcommittee agenda, at Vice Mayor Lopez's request. She noted the request was not intended to signal support for or opposition to changes. The item will appear on the next council agenda for formal direction.

• My Brother's Keeper scholarships: Seven Pittsburg High graduates received scholarships funded by a $25,000 Barack Obama Foundation community capacity grant, with $5,000 divided among recipients heading to UC Davis, Cal State East Bay, San Francisco State University, Las Medanos College, and Diablo Valley College. The city selected winners from 147 applicants through a blind review process.

• National Public Works Week proclaimed for May 17–23. The city manager praised the team's emergency response during recent wind events, noting they are on the job "before any of us have our first cup of coffee."

• New police chief: Captain Gaylor was named Pittsburg's 11th police chief, succeeding retired Chief Albanese. The public swearing-in is May 21 at 3 p.m. at the California Theater.

• Transit-oriented development near BART: The Community Economic Development subcommittee reported that Bay Area Economics is completing a market study on city-owned parcels along Bliss Avenue near Pittsburg Center BART. Two prior RFPs failed to attract qualifying developers; staff is considering density increases, parking standard relaxation, and horizontal mixed-use zoning before issuing a new RFP.

• Free youth bus passes: Tri Delta Transit will provide free youth passes in June and July, funded through District 5 Supervisor Chanel Scales-Preston and Supervisor Diane Burgess.

• Resident Rosemary Randazzo complained that police towed her legally registered vehicles despite her moving them as instructed, costing $940, and alleged belligerent officer behavior.

• Monserrat Becerra from People Who Care Children Association requested city help replacing faded signage outside their building, which she said makes it difficult for families to find their youth programs.

• Upcoming events: Special Olympics torch run May 20; Buchanan Swim Center opening; 20th anniversary Old Town car show May 28; Pittsburg PD annual car show May 30.