Greetings from the City Manager

Dear Wonderful Pinole Residents,

As the final month of 2025 sparkles into view, Pinole is wrapping up the year in a glow of holiday magic and heartfelt community spirit. December brings twinkling lights, festive gatherings, and the perfect chance to celebrate everything that makes our city shine.

Glow Pinole is back! Registration opens December 1. Deck your home or business in holiday cheer and enter one of our fun categories. All entries will be featured on an interactive map for neighbors to explore, vote, and enjoy. Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration is on Saturday, December 6 | 3:00–6:30 PM at Community Corner. Bring the family, wear your festive best, and let’s light up Pinole together!

A Personal Note of Gratitude:

As this is my final monthly greeting, I want to share that I will be stepping down as your City Manager on November 28, 2025, to pursue new career opportunities.

Serving Pinole has been an honor. From the warmth of our residents to the passion of our teams, every day here has reminded me why local government matters. I am deeply proud of what we’ve built together: stronger neighborhoods, joyful events, and a city that truly feels like home.

I am immensely grateful for your trust, your ideas, and your unwavering support. Pinole isn’t just a place, it’s also family, and I will carry that spirit very close to my heart.

A nationwide search for a permanent City Manager is underway, and I know our future is bright.

Thank you, Pinole, for letting me be part of your story. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a brilliant new year ahead.

We Want to Hear From You

HOUSING COMMUNITY INPUT SURVEY

We'd like to hear your thoughts so our housing policies reflect your priorities. Complete this ten minute survey for a chance to win a $25 Pinole Perks gift card! By filling out the survey and providing your contact information, you’ll be entered into a random drawing for one of four Pinole Perks gift cards, redeemable at participating local businesses in Pinole.

Upcoming Events

CITY PUBLIC MEETINGS

City Council Meeting - Tues, Dec. 2, 5pm -  Zoom/City Hall

Planning Commission Meeting  - Mon, Dec. 8, 7pm - Zoom/City Hall

TAPS Committee Meeting - Wed, Dec. 10, 6-7:30pm - Zoom/City Hall

City Council Meeting - Tues, Dec. 16, 5pm - Zoom/City Hall

The public may attend and participate in-person in the City Hall Council Chamber or via Zoom. Agendas, minutes, and other detailed information regarding how to attend and participate in Pinole’s public meetings can be found on the website.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Road Repair & Rehabilitation Townhall - Thurs, Nov. 20, 5:30pm - POSTPONED

Turkey Trot - Thurs, Nov. 27, 8:00am - Fernandez Park to Hercules and back

Holiday Tree Lighting Event - Sat, Dec. 6, 3-6:30pm - Fernandez Park

Holiday Breakfast - Sat, Dec. 13, 9-11:00am - Pinole Senior Center

HOLIDAY CLOSURE

City Hall will be closed on Thursday, 11/27/25 and Friday, 11/28/25 

In observance of Thanksgiving Holiday

A turkey standing outside City Hall's lobby doors. 

Inside the Council Chambers

Council members Norma Martinez-Rubin and Maureen Toms and Mayor Pro Tempore Anthony Tave posing with Tina after awarding the Family Court Awareness Month proclamation.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM COUNCIL

Pinole City Council presented Tina (owner of Tina's Place restaurant) with the Family Court Awareness Month proclamation, encouraging the community's efforts to prevent harm in the hands of family members and protect and honor the lives of our children. 

Bayfront Park to be Renamed Rookoš Park

The Pinole City Council approved the renaming of Bayfront Park to Rookoš Park (pronounced rookoosh). Rookoš is the Chochenyo word for tule, a marsh plant that is found in abundance at Pinole shores and has cultural significance to the Nations of Lisjan (sometimes referred to as the Ohlone) and important environmental benefits. The agenda item originated from a Memorial Application submitted through a student-led initiative supported by the City Council Committee on Memorials, Tribal representatives of the Nations of Lisjan, and the broader school community. The decision recognizes the cultural and historical significance of the Ohlone and reflects ongoing efforts to promote Indigenous awareness, equity, and education in Pinole. Council approval authorizes staff to proceed with installing new park signage, adding an educational interpretive board about tule. A future unveiling ceremony will be coordinated in partnership with Pinole Valley High School’s Native American Student Union, Forensic Speech & Debate Club, and Tribal members. The project will be funded through Measure S parks operations.

View the full meeting video and presentations.

SHINING A LIGHT ON PINOLE'S AMAZING BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Sourdough & Co – The freshest and highest quality of deli sandwiches

Join us in welcoming Sourdough & Co. to Pinole, opened this September 2025 on Fitzgerald Drive. Renowned for bread baked fresh daily and served warm, every sandwich is layered with top-tier deli meats, artisan cheeses, crisp produce, and their signature house spread. Choose classic sourdough, honey wheat, marble rye, or gluten-free wraps for a meal that’s anything but ordinary. Step into a relaxed, old-time deli atmosphere where quality and flavor come first. Whether it’s a quick lunch or dinner for the family, Sourdough & Co. is poised to become Pinole’s new favorite stop.

📍 Visit: 1588 Fitzgerald Dr, Pinole, CA 94564

BeginCPR – Pinole’s Family CPR Hub since 2015

For over 10 years 🎉, BeginCPR has been Pinole’s trusted, family-owned lifeline for life-saving skills. What sets this local gem apart? A rock-solid commitment to clarity, confidence, and real-world readiness, delivered with small-town warmth. As authorized providers of both American Red Cross and American Heart Association CPR & First Aid curricula, BeginCPR offers gold-standard certification classes plus free or low-cost non-certification workshops open to everyone, schools, scout troops, churches, and neighbors who simply want to be prepared. Led by hands-on instructors who’ve trained thousands, BeginCPR turns “what-ifs” into “I’ve-got-this” moments, one heartbeat at a time. Join the next class and discover how BeginCPR keep our community safe, strong, and ready.

📍 Visit: 1890 San Pablo Ave # A, Pinole, CA 94564

🌟 BE OUR NEXT BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT!

We’re excited to launch Pinole’s Business Spotlight—a new way to highlight and celebrate the incredible businesses that make our community unique.

Each edition of the Pinole Pulse will feature:

• One new business bringing fresh energy to town, and
• One long-standing business we know and love

Sharing something exciting—like a grand opening, special offer, or anniversary? We’d be proud to spotlight your story in the Pinole Pulse!

Interested in being featured?

Submit your interest to be considered for an upcoming spotlight. To qualify, businesses must:

• Hold a valid City of Pinole business license
• Have no open code enforcement cases

Let’s celebrate Pinole’s vibrant business community—one spotlight at a time!

News & Updates

A student comes up to shake hands with Pinole Police Officer Frank Delao after giving an inspiring speech on "What it Means to Be a Veteran."

The St. Joseph School Choir sang "This Land is My Land" in Fernandez Park during the Veterans Day Celebration. 

An audience filled with veterans, their loved ones, and community members. 

HONORING OUR VETERANS IN PINOLE

Our community united in Fernandez Park for a heartfelt Veterans Day Celebration that honored service, sacrifice, and shared gratitude. The St. Joseph School choir and Pinole Valley High School Marching Band delivered beautiful performances, joined by the full student body in recognizing our veterans. The Girl Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Boy Scouts from Troop 82 conducted poignant flag ceremonies, including the retirement of a flag that had flown since the Vietnam War. Mayor Sasai and Supervisor Gioia offered their appreciation at the podium, followed by inspiring remarks from Officer Delao on the meaning of military service. We extend our deepest thanks to all City staff who made this event possible, and above all, to our veterans—past and present—for your dedication and courage. The full celebration will be available to watch on Pinole Community TV in the coming weeks.

Boy Scout Troop 82 performs a flag ceremony at the Veterans Day Celebration.

The Pinole Valley High School Band gave a commanding performance at the Veterans Day Celebration last week.

A Senior Center volunteer holding a bag of groceries. 

FOOD DONATION AND RECOVERY RESOURCES

The app “Too Good To Go: End Food Waste” connects people with cafes, restaurants, bakeries and/or stores in their local area which have perfectly good food left over to save and enjoy at half of the price or less. This app is the world's largest marketplace for surplus food. It helps users rescue good food from going to waste, offering great value at local stores and eateries. Available to download via your app store on your phone, and check out their website as well: https://www.toogoodtogo.com/en-us

RecycleMore has a list of the major food recovery organizations in West Contra Costa County on their website: https://recyclemore.com/business/edible-food-recovery/ . This page is targeted at businesses looking to donate excess edible food, but the organizations listed also distribute food to the public.

If you are looking for food, visit the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano's website and click on Find Food to search for food distribution centers near you. 

A sizzling batch of lumpia in the fryer. 

KEEP FATS, OILS, AND GREASE OUT OF THE DRAIN

The holidays call for lots of cooking -- please remember that fats, oils, and grease should never be poured down the drain. While it may seem harmless, these materials cool and harden inside pipes, sticking to sewer walls and creating blockages that can lead to sewage backups in homes or overflows into streets and waterways. To prevent costly and harmful clogs, try these simple disposal methods: use paper towels or napkins to absorb small amounts and throw them in the trash—or place greasy paper towels in the compost bin, which is an acceptable option; let grease solidify in the pan before scraping it into the garbage; mix grease with absorbent materials like coffee grounds or kitty litter; or keep a designated grease container under your sink for easy collection. By properly disposing of fats, oils, and grease, you help protect the sewer system, support the Pinole-Hercules Wastewater Treatment Plant, and safeguard the health of San Pablo Bay. Remember—never dump cooking grease, bacon fat, lard, frying or sauté oil, dairy products, creamy soups or sauces, gravy, or greasy food scraps down the sink or toilet. For more information and helpful resources, visit our website.

PINOLE DESIGNATED "CHARGING SMART SILVER" FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE READINESS

The City of Pinole has been awarded a Charging Smart Silver designation, recognizing our commitment to expanding electric vehicle (EV) readiness and supporting clean energy goals in our community. Working with the Charging Smart technical assistance team, the City has adopted nationally recognized best practices that make it faster and more affordable for residents, businesses, and nonprofits to install EV charging infrastructure. Pinole earned this designation by adopting zoning that supports EV chargers in parking areas across the city, completing an analysis of the municipal fleet to explore future electrification opportunities, and advancing policies that encourage long-term EV growth. Charging Smart is a national program led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and partner organizations, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office. This recognition reflects Pinole’s ongoing efforts to support sustainability, improve local air quality, and prepare for a cleaner transportation future. Interested community members can learn more about the Charging Smart program at ChargingSmart.org.

NOTICE TO MERCHANTS -- LICENSE RENEWAL TIME

Attention Business Owners – 2025 Pinole Business Licenses will expire on December 31, 2025. Business license taxes for 2026 are due on December 31, 2025 and become delinquent on February 1, 2026, at which time unpaid taxes are subject to a 50% penalty. There is no change to the business license tax rate for calendar year 2026. The tax for the basic business license is $168.00 per year (not including the $4.00 AB 1379 state mandated fee).

Business license renewal forms are being mailed out November 26, 2025. Renewal forms are mailed to you as a courtesy; we make every effort to make sure that a renewal form is mailed to each active business. If you do not receive a renewal form, it is the business owner’s responsibility to pay the business license tax by January 31, 2026. Please remit your payment to:

City of Pinole
Attn: Business License Dept
2131 Pear St
Pinole, CA 94564

For your convenience, information is available on our website at www.pinole.gov. Select doing business then licenses, permits & inspections where you will also find information on how to process your renewal online.

If you are no longer conducting business, please check the Inactive box in the upper right hand corner of the courtesy renewal form, sign it and return it to us. This will prevent any unnecessary collection activity.

A Greener Pinole

Over a dozen volunteers met behind Sprouts to pull 214 pounds of trash out of Pinole Creek. Photo courtesy of Friends of Pinole Creek.

PINOLE CREEK CLEANUPS CONTINUE INTO FALL AND WINTER

The Friends of Pinole Creek thanks everyone who came out to help clean up Pinole Creek at the last cleanup event on November 15. After recent rains washed debris into the streambed, volunteers made a tremendous impact by removing 215 gallons of trash, along with items such as a shopping cart, folding chair, and blankets. In total, 214 pounds of trash and recycling were collected by 17 dedicated volunteers, including countless pieces of styrofoam in addition to the usual fast-food litter.

Reminders

HOW TO SUBMIT A SERVICE REQUEST

Report potholes, streetlights, wastewater, tree trimming, public parks and facilities, or other issues on City-owned property to Public Works. You can submit a Service Request on our website or through the mobile app:

How to submit a request through the website:

1. From the homepage, click on “Report a Problem”
2. Click on the “Service Request Form” tab
3. Fill out the form, and click “Submit”

How to submit a request through the City of Pinole app:

1. Click on “Contact us”
2. Click on “Report an Issue”
3. Click on “Report a Public Property Issue”
4. Fill out the form, and click “Submit”

Submitting work requests in this way is the best way for work requests to get addressed in a timely manner. Thank you for your cooperation and partnership to keep our city in tip top shape!

DOWNLOAD THE CITY OF PINOLE APP

In Pinole, the City of Pinole mobile app is a convenient way to stay connected to what's happening in the City of Pinole. In the event of a disaster or emergency, you can receive critical notifications and information from the City, the National Weather Service, and the Community Warning System. We encourage you to download the app today!

SIGN UP FOR COMMUNITY WARNING SYSTEM ALERTS

The Community Warning System (CWS) is the all-hazard public warning notification system for Contra Costa County. CWS alerts you through phone calls, text messages, email, the sounding of sirens, this website, and social media, when a potentially life or health-threatening hazard requires you to take action. You can also receive alerts from the CWS through the City of Pinole mobile app.

LIMITED-TIME REBATES: RELAUNCH OF THE PINOLE ENERGY ENHANCEMENT REBATE PROGRAM

The City of Pinole is excited to announce the relaunch of the Pinole Energy Enhancement Rebate Program (PEER)! Recent changes in regional rebates mean we've restructured the program to keep offering you substantial savings on energy-efficient home upgrades. Get up to $3,000 in rebates on improvements like heat pump water heaters, HVAC systems, induction stovetops, insulation, and more. These upgrades help you lower energy costs, improve home comfort, and contribute to a more sustainable community. Plus, you can stack PEER rebates with local, state, and federal programs to save even more! But hurry—rebates are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ready to save? Visit the PROJECT WEBSITE for full details. Let’s work together to make your home more energy-efficient and our community greener!

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING EVENT

Dash into this holiday season by attending the Holiday Tree Lighting Event! On Saturday, December 6 from 3pm-6:30pm, enjoy jolly festivities of children's activities, food trucks, a community Shop & Stroll, and a Tree Lighting Ceremony. All event activities will be held at Community Corner (San Pablo Avenue & Tennent Avenue). For questions, please contact recreation@pinole.gov. 

HOLIDAY BREAKFAST

Have a magical morning with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the annual holiday breakfast! Enjoy a delicious breakfast featuring pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee, and orange juice on Saturday, December 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Senior Center. Tickets are $10 for residents and $12 for non-residents and can be purchased in person at the Senior Center or online at www.pinolerec.com.  For questions, contact (510) 724-9800 or email recreation@pinole.gov.  

GLOW PINOLE

Deck the halls this holiday season by decorating your Pinole home or business and joining Glow Pinole, a holiday decorating contest! Participants may choose one category to enter, and each entry will be featured on an interactive holiday map for the community to view, vote on, and enjoy. Registration opens December 1, and all homes and businesses must be registered by December 14 at www.pinolerec.com. 

FALL CAMPS (Ages 3-12)

Enjoy Fall Camps for ages 3 -5 at Tiny Tots and 6-12 at the Youth Center from November 24-26. Bask in a 3-day autumn adventure filled with days of creativity, games, and outdoor play. Secure your spot at www.pinolerec.com. For camp questions, please email recreation@pinole.gov or contact (510) 724-9800. 

WINTER CAMPS (3-12)

Registration is now open for Winter Break Camps for children ages 3–5 at Tiny Tots and 6–12 at the Youth Center. Kids will enjoy a week full of frosty fun, creative crafts, exciting games, and festive activities. Each day brings new adventures that spark imagination and celebrate the joy of the season. Camps are offered in two sessions: Session 1 on December 22, 23, and 26, and Session 2 on December 29, 30, and January 2. Don’t miss out, register today at www.pinolerec.com. For questions, please email recreation@pinole.gov or contact (510) 724-9800. 

FAMILY YOGA

Bring the family together for movement and mindfulness by joining Yoga Classes this fall. Certified instructors blend play, focus, and balance in a fun environment.  Now offering family classes for all to enjoy! Don’t miss the fun, sign up today at www.pinolerec.com.

FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County will be providing free bags of fresh produce, on bag per household. The next drive-thru distribution is Monday, December 8, from 9 – 10am (or as long as supplies last) at the Pinole Senior Center. If you have any questions, email recreation@pinole.gov or call us at (510) 724-9800.

SENIOR FOOD PROGRAM

The Senior Center partners with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County to offer the Senior Food Program. Low-income senior citizens ages 55+ to receive free groceries, including healthy staples, eggs, cheese, and assorted meats twice a month. The program is available for Pinole senior residents only. This program takes place every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The next distribution will be on Tuesday, November 25, from 10 - 11am. Individuals interested in the program must complete the Senior Food Program Application. Applications are available at the Senior Center and can also be found on the Pinole Senior Center website: www.pinole.gov/seniors. Please note, the Senior Food Program is switching to the choice method, where you will now need to bring your own bag with you, and you will select the items you want.

PARK AND FACILITY RENTALS

Looking for a place to host your special event? Reserve a park, field, or facility for your special occasion! To book your rental, visit www.pinolerec.com.

JOIN OUR TEAM

The City of Pinole Community Services Department is now hiring part-time positions. Become a member of our team – Visit our website to apply today!

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT

Sand and Sandbags are now available again! They are located in the public parking lot at the end of Prune and Pear Streets (at St. Joseph’s School). Please only fill bags up to 2/3rds with sand for maximum effectiveness. Please leave the area clean and usable for others. We would also kindly like to ask to only use the sand and bags for your private use, as supplies are limited. Thank you!