Greetings from the City Manager

Dear Resident,

The City of Pinole is committed to maintaining the quality of life our community expects. We appreciate the hundreds of residents who participated in our Spring 2024 community survey to identify fiscal priorities and City needs - thank you!

I wanted to take a moment to update you on how that feedback is being used to inform the City's efforts to maintain fiscal sustainability and address your needs. After receiving the survey results, the Pinole City Council voted unanimously to place Measure I on the November 5, 2024 ballot for voter consideration.

If authorized by voters, Measure I would establish a voter-approved, half cent Pinole sales tax designed to improve the City's long-term fiscal sustainability. All funds generated by Measure I will be spent on maintaining core City services such as 911 public safety response and maintaining local streets and roads.

Pinole's annual deficit is projected to be at least $1.6 Million in the next fiscal year alone, giving the City no choice but to make severe cuts in funding to fire and police protection, 911 emergency response times, pothole repairs, park maintenance, and other essential city services without an additional source of locally controlled funding.

lf enacted by voters, all Measure I funding is subject to the City's responsible fiscal accountability practices, including public transparency on how taxpayer funds are spent. This includes online budget and expenditure reports and annual independent audits available for public review.

The City looks forward to keeping you informed. Please take a moment to review the Frequently Asked Questions, found at the end of this email. For a full text of Measure I, visit www.Pinole.gov.

Upcoming Events

YOU'RE INVITED TO THE COMMUNITY FORUM

Get informed about your community and join us for a Community Forum on Tuesday, October 8, 5-7pm at the Senior Center (2500 Charles Avenue). You will have an opportunity to meet the new City Manager, Kelcey Young, who will do a presentation on the following topics:

• Get to know the City Manager
• Police Chief recruitment update
• Local Measure I
• Upcoming municipal election

After the presentation, there will be a Q&A session where you can get your questions answered. Attendees will have the opportunity to tell the City Manager what they are looking for in a Police Chief. Representatives from City departments will be present to provide information on the latest programs and initiatives in Pinole. Light snack and refreshments will be served.

We encourage you to email your questions ahead of time to fepps@pinole.gov

CITY PUBLIC MEETINGS

Planning Commission Special Meeting - Mon, Oct. 7, 7pm - Zoom/City Hall

TAPS Meeting - Wed, Oct. 9, 6pm - Zoom/City Hall

City Council Meeting - Tues, Oct. 15, 5pm - Zoom/City Hall

Community Services Commission Meeting - Wed, Oct. 24, 5-7pm - Zoom/City Hall

Planning Commission Meeting - Mon, Oct. 28, 7pm - Zoom/City Hall

City Council Meeting - Tues, Nov. 5, 5pm - Zoom/City Hall - CANCELLED

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

Dumpster Day - Sat. Oct. 5, 7-11am - Pinole Valley Park Parking Lot

Community Forum - Tues. Oct. 8, 5-7pm - Senior Center

Senior Food distribution - Tues, Oct. 8, 10-11am - Senior Center

Swabbing Event & Blood Donation - Sun. Oct. 13, 10am-2pm - Fire Station 74

Food Distribution – Mon. Oct. 14, 9-10am - Senior Center

Halloween Movie Night - Fri. Oct. 18, 6:15pm - Fernandez Park

Holiday Craft Fair - Sat. Nov. 16, 10am-3pm - Senior Center

**Please note that the City of Pinole and its facilities will be closed in observance of Veterans Day on Monday, November 11.

BIKE THE BRIDGES

On Saturday, October 5, the Pinole Police Department will be supporting the Bike the Bridges Ride benefiting the Special Olympics Northern California. A 1000 riders will pedal their way over the Carquinez and Benicia bridges along five routes (25 miles, 50K, Half Century, 100K, and Century) while raising awareness and support for the Special Olympics. PD staff will be staffing rest stops and also be along the routes in SAG (support and gear) vehicles providing assistance to the riders.

The 15th Anniversary ride sees the start/finish and post-ride festival (BBQ, brewfest, and live music) return to Waterfront Park in Martinez. There is still time to register to ride and for the non-riders, brewfest tickets are available.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Acting Chief Matt Avery at 510-724-8962. There are several volunteer opportunities at the start/finish, rest stops, and as a SAG driver.

News & Updates

A happy National Night Out attendee is all smiles in front of a festive selection of vendor booths.

THOUSANDS KICKED OFF THE SPOOKY SEASON AT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

Pinole's annual National Night Out at Fernandez Park was a tremendous success, marking one of the biggest events in the City of Pinole. Orchestrated by the Pinole Police Department, the Halloween-themed celebration kicked off the spooky season with activities for all ages. Highlights included child-friendly axe throwing, a haunted house, a ghost train, and Halloween games with prizes. Attendees enjoyed food trucks, live music, and a lively costume contest, while trick-or-treaters collected candy from various vendor booths. With thousands in attendance and support from the Pinole Valley High School Interact Club and several City departments, the event showcased a true City-wide effort, bringing the community together in festive fun.

A group of princesses from Love Apparent pose for pictures.

Event-goers of all ages checking out the Halloween-themed games and activities.

The Pinole Police Department gathers for a pre-event huddle.

The City of Pinole booth hands out candy to trick-or-treaters.

The spooky train makes its rounds through Fernandez Park.

AN UPDATE ON PHONE OUTAGES

After a serious phone outage caused by copper thieves cutting phone lines in June/July 2024, the City of Pinole continues to experience phone line outages in some departments. Currently, we still have downed lines for Community Services and at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. If you are reaching out for a specific staff members, please look on the website for their email address or call the Senior Center (510) 724-9800 or the Wastewater Treatment Plant (510) 724-8963 to speak with a person directly. The City's Main Line (510) 724-9000 is fully functioning and customers can reach all City departments through the main line. The City is working to modernize its telecommunications by implementing voice over internet protocol phone (VOIP) systems using a phased approach. City Hall and the Police Department have switched over to the new system. The remaining locations are scheduled to switch over to the new system on October 18. The City had previously set up a series of temporary forwards to address the widespread outage of analog lines. 

For emergencies, dial 911. 

The Beat of Pinole

Watch Mayor Maureen Toms, City of Pinole in this month's episode of The Beat of Pinole as she talks about local Measure I, the upcoming Blood Donation event at Station 74 and more. Special guest appearance by City Manager Kelcey Young, who gives an update on the current status of Police Chief recruitment. Produced by Pinole Community Television.

Construction Notice

UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURE NOTIFICATION 

Closure Location:
San Pablo Avenue West Bound (from Pinole Shores Drive to Del Monte Drive)
Pinole, CA

Summary of Road Closure:

Due to necessary road restoration repairs, San Pablo Avenue West Bound between Pinole Shores Drive to Del Monte Drive will be closed to all traffic from October 7, 2024, to October 8, 2024.

Closure Details:

• Dates of Closure:
  From October 7, 2024, 7:00 PM to October 8, 2024, 5:00 AM
  (Note: Provide specific hours if the road is only closed at certain times.)
• Affected Area:
  The closure will affect San Pablo Avenue West Bound between Pinole Shores Drive to Del Monte Drive.
• Reason for Closure:
  Road restoration for gas line repair conducted on a prohibition road.

Traffic Detours & Alternate Routes:

• Detour Routes:
  Traffic heading west on San Pablo Ave should use Pinole Shores Drive to Del Monte Drive as an alternate route.
• Public Transportation Impact:
  Bus routes C3 and J (JR will be routed. Affected Passengers can use stops on San Pablo Avenue at Del Monte Drive

Safety Instructions:

• Please adhere to traffic signs, cones, and barriers for your safety and to avoid further delays.
• Please follow all posted detour signs and traffic cones.
• Be mindful of construction crews and equipment on-site.
• Be cautious of construction vehicles and workers in the area.
• Emergency vehicles will have access through designated routes.

Contact Information:

For more information or if you have concerns, please contact:

• City of Pinole Public Works
• Phone: (510) 724-9010
• Email: pwpermits@pinole.gov
• Website: https://www.pinole.gov/departments/public-works/

Additional Notes:

• Expect minor delays in the surrounding areas due to ongoing construction work.

A Greener Pinole

A trio of dedicated volunteers who cleaned up a whopping 253+ lbs at Coastal Cleanup Day.

Entire families showed up to show their love for the coast and their community.

City Manager Kelcey Young rolling an old tire that she pulled out of the mud.

COASTAL CLEANUP DAY LEAVES PINOLE SHORES SPARKLING

This year’s Coastal Cleanup was a big success! 103 volunteers cleared 612 lbs of trash, plus 2 tires, wood, and even a shopping cart from Pinole’s beautiful shoreline! That’s over 317.5 gallons of waste removed, making our coast a cleaner and healthier place for all. Several volunteers focused on collecting microtrash, like cigarette butts and small debris. Volunteers reported much less trash than in years past.

A big thank you goes to the City of Pinole Public Works Department, who kept the event running  smoothly. We also thank the Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed for their environmental efforts at Coastal Cleanup and all year long. City Manager Kelcey Young brought a competitive spirit by challenging participants: the first 15 people to pick up more trash than her would win a coffee. Kelcey did an incredible job, picking up 60 lbs of trash, but the true stars of the day were a trio of volunteers who cleaned up a whopping 253+ lbs from along the coast.

Reminders

TINY TOTS FALL REGISTRATION

A few spots remain in our afternoon Pre-K classes at Pinole Tiny Tots! Fall session is held from August 26th to November 15th. Children will enjoy learning through arts & crafts, music, and story time. A few spots remain in our Tuesday & Thursday Early Learning class. Fall session is held from August 26^th to November 15^th. Please visit https://www.pinole.gov/city_government/tiny_tots or email tinytots@pinole.gov for further details.

Senior Food Program

The City of Pinole Senior Center will be partnering with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County to offer the Senior Food Program. Low-income senior citizens ages 55+ will be able to receive free groceries, including healthy pantry staples, eggs, cheese, and assorted meats twice a month. The program at the Senior Center (2500 Charles Avenue) is available for Pinole senior residents only. This program will take place every second and fourth Tuesday of the month. The next distribution will be on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 10:00 am - 11:00 am.

Individuals interested in the program must complete the Senior Food Program Application. Applications will be available at the Senior Center and can also be found on the Pinole Senior Center website. For questions, contact, mpicazo@pinole.gov.

JOIN OUR TEAM

The City of Pinole Community Services Department is hiring a Recreation Coordinator and Rental Custodian Attendants. Become a member of our team – Visit our website to apply today!

COMMISSION VACANCIES

​PINOLE residents are encouraged to become involved with their community and serve in an advisory capacity on a board or committee. The City of Pinole has the following vacancies:

​Community Services Commission:  One (1) vacancy, two-year term

Community Services Commission

Applications due to City Clerk: Open until Filled

The Pinole Community Services Commission is a seven-member panel that seek to enhance quality of life for the citizens of Pinole through responsive and interactive community services. A critical aspect of the Commission is their community advocacy. They provide feedback for a number of organizations and projects. The Committee meetings take place on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:00 pm.

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!

City employees from the Community Development Department at their booth.