GET CONNECTED WITH THE CITY OF PINOLE MOBILE APP

The City of Pinole's new mobile app connects people to key information. Learn about upcoming events, community programs, the latest City news, and more. Easily contact your council members, City staff, report an issue, or submit a crime tip. You can even watch council meetings and Pinole Community Television (PCTV) live through the app.

Building a safe & resilient Pinole is council's #1 strategic plan goal. Get the most important information when it matters most. Through the app you can receive crucial alerts for Pinole from trusted sources all in one place:

• National Weather Service
• Community Warning System
• Bay Area Air Quality Management District
• Public Safety 

We encourage all residents to download the City of Pinole app today and get better connected within our community.

Upcoming Events

CITY PUBLIC MEETINGS

Planning Commission Meeting - Mon, April 22, 7pm - Zoom/City Hall

Community Services Commission - Wed, April 24, 5pm - Zoom/City Hall

Special City Council Meeting (Budget Workshop) - Tues, April 30, 5pm - Zoom/City Hall

City Council Meeting - Tues, May 7, 5pm - Zoom/City Hall

TAPS Meeting - Wed, May 8, 6pm - Zoom/City Hall

Planning  Commission - Mon, May 13, 7pm - Zoom/City Hall

City Council Meeting - Tues, May 21, 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.

CITY-SPONSORED EVENTS

Station 74 Open House - Sat, May 11, 10am-2pm - Station 74, 3700 Pinole Valley Rd

Food Distribution - Mon, May 13, 2024 9-10am - Senior Center

Coffee with the City - Wed. May 8, 8-10am - Bear Claw Bakery

Community Clean-up - Sat, May 18, 10am-12pm - Upper Watershed

Community Service Day - Sat, May 18, 10am-12pm - Pinole Youth Center

Pinole Pride & Juneteenth Celebration - Sun, June 9, 12-3pm - Fernandez Park

COUNTDOWN TO EARTH DAY

Join us THIS SATURDAY at Fernandez Park for an unforgettable Earth Day celebration! We will kick off the day with a walking pledge to protect the planet. A variety of eco-centric activities will be available at the finish line, including eco-tech demonstrations, education, community arts, crafts, and more. Stop by and vote for your favorite Student eARTh Day Contest entry and complete the Earth Day Challenge for the chance to win an awesome eco-swag bag! www.ci.pinole.ca.us/residents/earth_day 

Inside the Council Chambers

The Pinole City Council recognized April as Parkinson's Awareness Month with a special proclamation. A proclamation for Arbor Day and Earth Day was also awarded. The council helped celebrate the Retirement of Dr. Nicole Barnett, who had an integral role in the opening of Kaiser Permanente's Pinole Medical Offices. 

Temporary outdoor dining spaces, known as "parklets," came about as a result of COVID-19. Last year, council issued a temporary use permit to existing Pinole parklets through June 2024. Council directed staff to interview businesses about their opinion on the possibility of permanent outdoor dining regulations. Planning Manager David Hanham reported that he interviewed approximately 20 businesses who all expressed interest in having the option of creating an outdoor dining area. Some of the businesses said they would want to make sure the permit process would be easy and that there are minimal fees.

City staff has put together a draft document outlining parklet guidelines that would be later presented to council for approval. Some council members commented that aesthetics, safety, and maintenance would all need to be addressed in the final draft of parklet guidelines. 

The full meeting agenda packet, details, and documents, including presentations and video can be found on our website.

News & Updates

Anthony C., City of Pinole Payroll Specialist, takes a close look at the budget. 

WORKING TOWARD A STRUCTURALLY BALANCED BUDGET

The City is in the midst of budget season, where the City carefully plans for the upcoming fiscal year. The budget planning process consists of several phases. Right now, the City Manager and Finance Director are reviewing each department's Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 budget, looking closely at projects and programs that are included in the proposed budget. The City follows a Structurally Balanced Baseline Budget Policy which provides guidelines aimed to prevent the General Fund ongoing expenditures from exceeding its ongoing revenues. The General Fund is supplied mostly by various taxes collected in Pinole. During the Finance Subcommittee Meeting today, Finance Director Guillory reported that the baseline FY 2024-25 budget is currently over by $1.3 million dollars, which will require staff to reduce operating budgets by 6% in order to ensure a structurally balanced budget. She also reported that while the City's finances are stable, City revenues are growing at a slower rate than City expenditures. Additional revenue options are being considered to secure the financial longevity of the City, of which Pinole residents may expect to see on the November 2024 ballot.

We invite you to participate in the budget development process! Join us at the upcoming FY 2024-25 Budget Workshop on Tuesday, April 30, at 5pm to inform City Council about where you think City dollars should be spent. Your input will help ensure that the budget reflects the priorities of its residents. Attendees can participate in person at City Hall or via Zoom. 

SAVE MONEY ON HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS THROUGH THE CITY’S NEW ENERGY ENHANCEMENT REBATE PROGRAM

The City of Pinole has launched the Pinole Energy Enhancement Rebate (PEER) Program, a new incentive program for residents looking to make energy efficiency and all-electric upgrades to their homes. This program offers a range of rebates to help cover costs for single-family, multifamily, and fixed/low-income households. These incentives offer an incredible opportunity for Pinole residents to improve their home energy performance and save on utility bills.

The City of Pinole has allocated first come, first serve and limited rebates that can be stacked on existing BayREN, MCE and Weatherization programs. Take advantage of rebates that can significantly reduce the cost of your next home improvement project! Review the comprehensive rebate schedule/conditions at the Official Pinole Energy Enhancement Rebate Program Website.

Some examples of projects covered through the PEER Program include:

• Duct replacement (up to $2,700)

• Attic insulation (up to $1,700)

• High-efficiency split central A/C (up to $4,400)

• High-efficiency heat pump (up to $4,900)

• Induction electric range or cooktop (up to $800)

• Heat pump clothes dryer (up to $700)

• Electrical panel upgrade (up to $1,000)  

• Roof repair/replacement per Project (multi-family property; up to $5,000 per property)

The PEER Program will run for a limited time from January through the end of June 2024, or until funding runs out. 

This program is being administered by Contra Costa County’s Department of Conservation and Development, on behalf of the City of Pinole. Apply through the Pinole Energy Enhancement Rebate Program webpage. 

AN UPDATE ON SONIC INTERNET IN PINOLE

At this time, Sonic is working with Caltrans to make a connection through the I-80 overpass on Appian Way with an overhead crossing. After this project has been completed, Sonic has informed us that they will be closer to powering up and providing service on the South side of I-80. During Public Works' last quarterly meeting with the telecommunication agencies, it was noted that there are no plans to expand the services to Pinole Valley at this time. However, it was recommended that residents in the area should contact Sonic to express their interests of having the service in the area. Residents may contact Sonic at (855) 757-6111 or visit https://www.sonic.com/communities/residents.

WALK AND ROLL PINOLE POP-UP AT PINOLE EARTH WALK

Please stop by the Walk and Roll Pinole pop-up booth at the City’s Earth Day event: Earth Walk. Earth Walk will be held this Saturday at Fernandez Park from 9am -12 pm. Walk and Roll Pinole is a City initiative to gather input and feedback to inform the City’s developing Active Transportation Plan (ATP).

The pop-up will share concepts and designs of the ATP recommendations for public to provide interactive feedback on. The ATP will help create a safe transportation network for residents and visitors to walk, bike, and scoot. An ATP provides co-benefits such as health benefits for active transporters and a healthier planet from reduced driving. Visit the project website to learn more: www.walkandrollpinole.com. Thanks in advance!

A Greener Pinole

Dedicated volunteers of all ages listen in during a brief orientation before cleaning up Pinole Creek. 

PINOLE VOLUNTEERS CLEAN UP THE UPPER WATERSHED

25 volunteers collected 47.5 pounds and 31 gallons of trash in addition to 5 mattresses and 20 bags of trash including hoses, a toilet, and construction debris in the Upper Watershed during the community clean-up on March 16.

The City supports organizers of community cleanup events by providing cleanup supplies and a method of disposal for the trash and recycling that is collected. If you are interested in organizing a community clean-up in your neighborhood, please visit our website for more information. 

Earth Team and Friends of Pinole Creek Watershed will will be leading clean-up efforts along the Pinole Creek during the Pinole Earth Walk this Saturday, April 20 at 9am. All are welcome to participate. 

VIEW PINOLE’S FIRST EVER CLIMATE ACTION AND ADAPTATION PLAN THIS FRIDAY

After two years of outreach and engagement, the City of Pinole is proud to release the public review draft of its first ever Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) this Friday, April 19. The draft CAAP will detail measures to get Pinole to zero carbon emissions by the year 2045 using trackable actions in various sectors such as building decarbonization, renewable energy sourcing, clean transportation, water conservation, climate resilience and more. The CAAP will also focus on equity to ensure disadvantaged communities are provided the same advantage of mitigating and becoming resilient to the impacts of climate change. Please review the draft CAAP and provide comments to continue to refine the CAAP into its final shape so it is implementable, actionable, and a reflection of you. 

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