Council Greenlights $25M San Marco Bond, Residents Demand Data Center Moratorium

Pittsburg's City Council covered a lot of ground Monday night — approving utility rate increases, authorizing a novel $25 million bond sale, and updating federal housing voucher rules — but it was a proposed ordinance governing barbecues and fire pits in city parks that drew the sharpest pushback. Meanwhile, two residents used public comment to escalate calls for a moratorium on data center development, a fight that continues to shadow City Hall.

• $25M bond sale for San Marco district creates infrastructure repair fund — without raising taxes

• Council balks at requiring permits for families to bring portable grills to parks; ordinance sent to subcommittee

• Island Energy rate hikes of 3–10% approved after departure of largest Mare Island customer

• Housing Authority adopts updated Section 8 plan implementing federal HOTMA changes

• Residents demand data center moratorium and ban, reject community advisory committee as insufficient

The basics: Staff proposed a new Chapter 9.19 of the Pittsburg Municipal Code to regulate open fires, fire pits, barbecue pits, and bonfires on city property — the regulatory framework needed before the city can activate new wood-burning fire pits at Central Harbor Park. Bonfires would be banned outright. Fire pit hours would run 3–9 p.m. through a reservation system. No fires would be allowed during red flag warnings, spare-the-air alerts, or high winds. Fines would range from $100 to $500.