Greetings from the City Manager

Dear Pinole, 

This is my first spring here in Pinole, and I am amazed to see how early it comes and how beautiful it is! I am also so impressed by all the community engagement we see here including but definitely not limited to creek clean ups and community garden projects. I feel so fortunate to be a part of such a beautiful and vibrant community! I’m excited to share some important updates with you as we continue to work toward building a stronger, more vibrant community. 

First, thank you to all of our voters for approving Measure I! We’re already working on how to use these funds to support critical services such as public safety and park maintenance—areas that have been identified as top priorities by you, our residents. If sales tax performance meets expectations, we anticipate up to $500,000 in additional funding for projects starting in 2026. We are currently identifying community priorities to incorporate into our budget planning, so your feedback will be essential. As we continue to seek additional funding sources, we’re committed to ensuring that every dollar works for our city. 

Next, I’m excited to invite you to the Pinole Valley Park East Soccer Field Grand Re-Opening this Saturday, February 22nd, from 9 AM to 12 PM at Pinole Valley Park. It’s going to be a great event, and I encourage you to join us to celebrate this exciting improvement for our community. 

Lastly, please take a moment to sign up for emergency alerts through the City of Pinole Mobile App. This will ensure you receive critical updates when they matter most. 

Thank you for your continued engagement and support as we work together to create a brighter future for Pinole. I look forward to seeing you at the Grand Re-Opening and hearing your thoughts on how we can make our city even better! 

We Want to Hear From You!

Measure I Survey

The City of Pinole is seeking your input on how to best use the funds from Measure I, which voters generously approved. These funds will help maintain key services like public safety and park maintenance, and, if sales tax performance is strong, may provide up to $500,000 for additional projects starting in 2026. We need your feedback to prioritize these community projects and ensure they align with your needs. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and help guide our planning process. Your voice matters—thank you for participating!

DOES PINOLE NEED MORE VEGAN & VEGETARIAN MENU OPTIONS?

The City of Pinole is supporting Anna Smith, fellow Pinole citizen and Executive Director of Quinan Street Project, in her quest to learn the temperature of having more vegan and vegetarian menu options at Pinole businesses. Increased availability of vegan and vegetarian options bring health, environmental and economic benefits. The survey will help gauge the community’s desire and respond accordingly. This survey will additionally help the City learn if there are any dietary gaps that it can help address. Please take this 3-minute survey to share your appetite for more plant-based. Thank you in advance!  

SHAPE THE FUTURE OF TRANSPORTATION IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is updating the Countywide Transportation Plan, and they need your input!

What’s the Plan?
This is an opportunity to help design a safer, more sustainable, and better-connected transportation system for everyone in Contra Costa County. Whether it’s improving roads, enhancing public transit, or making biking and walking safer, your ideas are essential.

How You Can Help:
Take a brief survey and share your thoughts on how to improve transportation in our community.

Take the Survey Today: Countywide Transportation Plan - Survey Complete the survey and enter to win a $100 gift card!

Let’s work together to create a better future for transportation in Contra Costa County. Share your vision today!

Upcoming Events

CITY PUBLIC MEETINGS

Planning Commission Meeting - Mon, Feb. 24, 7pm - Zoom/City Hall

Community Services Commission Meeting - Mon, Feb. 27, 5pm - Zoom/City Hall (CANCELED)

Measure I Workshop - Sat., March 1, 9:00am - 11:00am Pinole Senior Center

City Council Meeting - Tues, March 4, 5pm - Zoom/City Hall

Planning Commission Meeting - Mon, March 10, 7pm - Zoom/City Hall

TAPS Meeting - Wed, March. 12, 6pm - Zoom/City Hall

City Council Meeting - Tues, March 18, 5pm - Zoom/City Hall

Planning Commission Meeting - Mon, March 24, 7pm- 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.

CITY-SPONSORED EVENTS

Pinole Valley Park East Soccer Field Grand Re-Opening - Sat, Feb. 22, 9am-12pm - Pinole Valley Park

Senior Food Distribution – Mon, Feb. 25, 10-11am - Senior Center

Food Distribution – Mon, March. 10, 9-10am - Senior Center

Coffee with the City - Wed, March 12, 8-10am - Noah's Bagel

News & Updates

City Council Approved the Pinole Accessible Living Program

City Council Approved the Pinole Accessible Living Program, or "PAL Program" which will provide educational workshops and permit fee waivers for qualifying home modifications that improve accessibility, safety, and comfort for extremely low, very low, low, and moderate-income households, as well as for seniors and individuals with disabilities.  

FACILITY RENTALS NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Looking for the ultimate venue for your next meeting, event, or celebration? Look no further! Our Youth Center and Senior Center are now open for bookings and ready to host your special occasion. Whether it's a corporate gathering, birthday party, or community event, our spaces are perfect for making memories.

Don't wait—secure your spot today! Visit www.pinolerec.com to reserve your space or reach out to us at rentals@pinole.gov for more information. Let's make your event unforgettable!

A Greener Pinole

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH A PLASTIC WISE PINOLE

As of January 1, 2025, single-use plastic bags and foodware are banned at Pinole businesses. Businesses will have a transition period to adapt to new requirements and so enforcement will not begin until July 1, 2025. During this transition period, businesses can sign up for free technical assistance offered by the City here. Technical assistance will include cost-effective solutions,  inventory conversion, reusables integration, distributor connections, and more. Waivers and extensions of time will be granted to qualifying businesses. Remember to place compostable foodware from Pinole food businesses in your green compost bin and paper bags in your blue recycling bin. Please visit the constantly growing single-use plastic ordinance webpage with the latest resources and updates such as a future directory of participating businesses where customer-brought reusable cups are accepted. Here is a breakdown of new regulations:

• Customer-brought bags will be accepted at all retail businesses
• A mandatory 15 cent fee will be charged for compliant bags at retail businesses only
• Food businesses may charge for bags and foodware at their own discretion
• Foodware and accessories must be unbleached, unbundled, PFAS-free, and compostable (compostable plastics not allowed)
• Foil to wrap and form food is permitted
• Senate Bill 270 businesses, such as grocery stores, are pre-empt by State regulation and are not required to comply with these new requirements

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!

Reminders

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.

HOW TO REPORT POTHOLES

Report potholes by calling (510) 724-9010 or submit a request online. Please be prepared to describe the location of the pothole. Over the past month, our Public Works team patched 39 potholes (and counting) in Pinole!

PINOLE VALLEY PARK SOCCER FIELD RE-GRAND OPENING 

Join us for the Grand Reopening of the Pinole Valley Park East Soccer Field (3799 Pinole Valley Road) on Saturday, February 22nd, from 9 AM to 12 PM! Thanks to a generous donation from the West Contra Costa Youth Soccer League (WCCYSL) and a fantastic partnership with the city, the field has been transformed and is ready to shine.

Come out and celebrate this exciting upgrade with a jam-packed day of soccer activities, delicious food, and family-friendly fun. Bring the whole family for a day of celebration you won’t want to miss.

WEIGH IN ON HOW TO IMPROVE WESTCAT BUS ROUTES AND SCHEDULES IN PINOLE

The “WestCAT Evolution” project is a comprehensive redesign of the transit system to make it more efficient, reliable, and better suited to our community’s needs. This study will evaluate current routes and services to identify opportunities for improvement, ensuring that the system meets the needs of today’s riders while attracting new users. The goal is to create a clear plan for making WestCAT an effective, convenient option for everyone, so it can continue to serve the community well and adapt to future changes. Whether you ride or not, please provide your feedback via a SURVEY or attend a workshop.

Open House-Pinole
Wednesday, March 5th, 2025
6:00–8:00 PM
Pinole Library - Meeting Room
2935 Pinole Valley Road, Pinole, CA 94564

Open House - Hercules
Saturday, March 8, 2025
11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Ohlone Community Center
190 Turquoise Drive Hercules, CA 94547

NEW EVENNING COMMUNITY CLASSES

We are excited to introduce new community exercise classes at the Senior Center (2500 Charles Avenue), starting February 18th! Join us for a variety of fun and energizing classes, including Turbo Kick, Zumba, Zumba Toning, Floor Exercise, and Fitness Games. Register online now at www.pinolerec.com.

TINY TOTS REGISTRATION - SPRING SESSION

Join our Spring Session from March 3rd to May 30th, 2025, at Tiny Tots - where learning and play will go hand in hand. Your little ones will have a blast exploring their creativity through arts & crafts, dancing to fun tunes, and enjoying exciting story time adventures. It’s the perfect way for children to learn, grow, and make new friends in a fun, engaging environment. We’ve got space available in our afternoon Pre-K class, so don’t miss out! Visit www.pinole.gov/tinytots or email tinytots@pinole.gov.

INSTRUCTOR CALL OUT

We are now looking for instructors interested in teaching classes. Do you have a passion for teaching? Do you have talents or a skill you would like to share with the community? If your answer is yes, please email us at recreation@pinole.gov for more information.

CALLING ALL FOOD VENDORS

We invite you to be a part of our 2025 events lineup! Are you passionate about sharing your delicious creations with the community? Showcase your culinary creations at one of our upcoming events. Visit www.pinole.gov/foodvendor to complete the food vendor interest form.

FACILITY RENTALS

Looking for the ultimate venue for your next meeting, event, or celebration? Look no further than our facilities which are now open for bookings and ready to host your special occasion. Whether it's a corporate gathering, birthday party, or community event, our spaces are perfect for making memories. Don't wait—secure your spot today! Click the button below to reserve your space  www.pinolerec.com or reach out to us at rentals@pinole.gov for more information. Let's make your event unforgettable!

SENIOR CENTER LUNCH PROGRAM

Enjoy a delicious meal and make new friends with our in-person dining experience offered Wednesdays - Fridays in the Senior Center Main Hall. Call 510-418-0313 to place order. Meals are $8 for Senior Center Members and $10 for Non-Members.

SENIOR CENTER VOLUNTEERS

Do you have a passion of serving the community? Do you enjoy being a part of a team? We are looking for volunteers to help the lunch program at the Senior Center in the following areas:

Food Prep / Server 9AM - 1PM

Dish Wash 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM and 11:30 AM & 1:30 PM

Ticket Check-in 12PM - 1PM

Stop by the Front Desk for a volunteer application to get started!

FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION

The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County will be providing free bags of fresh produce. The next drive-thru distribution is Monday, March 10, 2025, from 9 AM to 10 AM (or as supplies last) at the Pinole Senior Center, 2500 Charles Avenue where you will receive one bag per household, If you have any questions, email recreation@pinole.gov or call us at (510) 724-9800.

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!