[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6229745,"mediaKeyId","3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450","parentId",3446761,"title","Council Receives Annual AB 2561 Vacancy Report; City Reports 14 Vacancies at End of 2024","audioSeconds",104,"startMs",2990000,"endMs",3094000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450&start=2990&end=3094","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450/thumbnail_2990000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6229745/Pinole-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Council-Receives-Annual-AB-2561-Vacancy-Report-City-Reports-14-Vacancies-at-End-of-2024","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229745-96d2b1ade6d2b86d00d5b072ef3b6e4d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193539&Signature=cQWGXLFdFr2OeBSXWqlZgx4KlIq4t8~WUcqyh5ZAAgRd-jxKvNWLy9i8jea1ab45y5WhQ6pIy4WFj9u7gJRDNPewVpqe8iKyvpEHJBn2P9pHJOB~gqFOJbMRs7BK4Wf7LSUKD193lipRWSpSYSmXZqAm7pwgL6eYnMpO1Hd1UQpOFwobwr5EPGPSNZUWZZMz6gNKo5~rREQieZvw9~S-jWAFiz7UbIYQYtZpKxMkBl987kBsc5ceJA660cryNrQALWTVMNJhDZUkFo-y-daLLiBkPx~bbDk1iuT6IBHCDKgpUx5e1cQw7LEUh~qXwgFhAd~u8cSDHehhO0oBI-QQjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pinole City, CA","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","Pinole — City Human Resources presented the Assembly Bill 2561 annual vacancy and recruitment report at the May 20 meeting, outlining the city’s staffing levels, vacancy rate and retention efforts.

\"Assembly Bill 2,561 requires public agencies to hold at least one public hearing per fiscal year and to discuss vacancies and recruitment efforts,\" HR analyst Charlene Davis told the Council. Davis said that, as of Dec. 31, 2024, the city had 104.25 full‑ and part‑time budgeted positions and 14 total vacancies, for an overall vacancy rate of about 14.43 percent.

Davis reviewed common reasons positions become vacant—promotions, transfers, retirements and resignations—and described recruitment and retention tools the city is using, including flexible schedules, wellness events, an employee-assistance program and a mentorship pilot program. She said the city’s retention rate has improved and cited a retention figure in the 80–87 percent range during questions; staff indicated Contra Costa County’s retention rate was comparable.

Council members asked for context and additional details, including retention trends over prior years and the budgetary impact of vacancies. City staff said they can provide year-over-year retention data and estimated vacancy-cost figures in follow-up materials. Public testimony included remarks by the Pinole Police Employees Association urging competitive pay and retention incentives for sworn officers; that speaker supplied internal tenure breakdowns for officers and sergeants.

The AB 2561 presentation was informational; no council action was required.

Speakers included HR staff Charlene Davis and council members who questioned staffing impacts and next steps.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Human Resources presented the annual report required by Assembly Bill 2561, showing the City of Pinole had 104.25 budgeted positions and 14 vacancies (14.43% overall) at the end of calendar year 2024; staff highlighted recruitment tools and said the city’s retention rate improved to about 80–87%.","taxTitle","Pinole City, Contra Costa County, California","taxId",71884,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6229752,"Council Introduces Ordinance Adopting Updated State Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps for Pinole",199,3544000,3743000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450&start=3544&end=3743","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450/thumbnail_3544000.jpg","/articles/6229752/Pinole-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Council-Introduces-Ordinance-Adopting-Updated-State-Fire-Hazard-Severity-Zone-Maps-for-Pinole","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229752-b3b8253c000746dba4aaa1069595188a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193539&Signature=kDRTxvBfVQUDOVMI4fOG8ir3dsfwnltaJixpXMUJflEtLphuOyAgbt1icKSDAWQFnzOXrpaG7~ibvuWXlGZ2rJCKHxaqBRWc2yNJgSULgNGnzT7GvKv4t9Ea-BIXYTldSySIQA5yBCJs0v3KMNwmSqpBnHWsEImyXZLcdX7CY5kkTnctXK9hai64yUE3sGDAwSorDhc~p~QTmHJQ-YyX6Na~IEm2L-SM49Ug5KkEjOVQbgM2iiw4DmyuJgdmqm8SpQgXS0p6KuKOTKtV7Kr14-BgBjQUKHiPLKM-Xs-D5wmDkvRWLlicWXJfS5ZuAiAj8GKcl6ScRUjKW4EdEK0~aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pinole — The City Council on May 20 introduced an ordinance to adopt updated fire hazard severity zone maps developed by the California Department of Forestry (Cal Fire) under the state’s FRAP mapping program.

City staff said the new FRAP maps, published in February 2025, represent the first significant statewide update since 2009 and reflect new wildfire-behavior modeling that considers topography, vegetation and climate data. The updated maps divide areas into moderate, high and very-high fire-hazard severity zones. For Pinole, staff said much of the city is now designated as moderate severity under the revised model.

The city’s fire-protection contractor, Con Fire, reviewed the updated designations and staff recommended adopting the maps by ordinance to remain consistent with state and regional wildfire resilience planning. City staff emphasized that adopting the FRAP maps is primarily an administrative step: it does not automatically change zoning or immediately impose additional local building standards for moderate-designated areas. Enhanced building-code requirements and stricter defensible-space rules are options in high‑ or very‑high zones and are not mandatory in moderate zones, the staff report said.

Council members asked whether designations would affect insurance premiums, how frequently the maps are updated and what residents should do about defensible‑space and preparedness. Staff said the FRAP update is driven by Cal Fire’s modeling and not the city; maps are updated as Cal Fire undertakes new statewide modeling. Staff pointed the public to Con Fire’s website for an interactive slider showing before-and-after maps and said the city will assess local implications for building and defensible-space guidance and public education.

During the meeting the council voted to waive first reading and introduce the ordinance for adoption; staff will return with implementation details and any recommended local measures that may be prudent for affected neighborhoods.

Speakers included fire and planning staff and council members who discussed the maps’ implications for preparedness and outreach.","Pinole’s City Council introduced an ordinance on May 20 to adopt California Department of Forestry (Cal Fire) fire hazard severity zone maps (FRAP). Staff said most of the city’s newly mapped areas are categorized as 'moderate' and that adopting the maps preserves consistency with state fire-management planning.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6229756,"Pinole Adopts City Annex to Contra Costa Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to Preserve FEMA Grant Eligibility",262,3195000,3457000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450&start=3195&end=3457","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450/thumbnail_3195000.jpg","/articles/6229756/Pinole-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Pinole-Adopts-City-Annex-to-Contra-Costa-Local-Hazard-Mitigation-Plan-to-Preserve-FEMA-Grant-Eligibility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229756-2bbb53518ddb190421c31dd94c046828/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193539&Signature=FVSkMr9MAT0LfsezlFKXvsuDwkyngIMbu62AS8-CEDCMtY0gIUYkMR3O2qUawFTc-wEGEO3w0ZBQehtLA5sR2PYrchmm4kFmO2JxtIbPm1pqhJysMdJG0ajW-ybLlH08RR5jUx-v3ephIRoteyVT2pOJ5yLVL22nzHvFcS09Bg8UaECOIvOnQ~uIIopBDp1UMZpEejhXRzrSD5TDJC-wDvT98l3aU2YgRHyvkl32LT8Y47dxptRlAL6pqdMpz6NWrFbmn79HEHDtVUEgISB4aVFsWqUWa84EQfkYYaysjEfgrr4eJcsqbUt3bOLmZUjM2ApiJx33~gK68v4-NLF4Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pinole — The City Council voted May 20 to adopt the City of Pinole Annex to the 2024 Contra Costa County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, a move staff said is needed to maintain eligibility for federal mitigation grant programs.

\"The local hazard mitigation plan is a vital tool for identifying our risk and natural disasters,\" city staff said during the public hearing. The annex documents Pinole’s hazard profile—earthquake, urban and river-based flooding, landslide, sea-level rise, wildfire and severe-weather threats—and outlines mitigation strategies and priorities tailored to the city.

City staff explained the two-volume structure of the county-wide plan: Volume 1 is a county-level assessment and mitigation strategy; Volume 2 contains jurisdiction annexes with local data and priorities. Adopting the annex does not itself obligate the city to a specific project, staff said, but it is a prerequisite to apply for FEMA hazard-mitigation assistance, the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and Flood Mitigation Assistance. The city would also perform periodic annual check-ins and participate in the five-year update cycle required by state and federal emergency-management agencies.

The staff presentation noted public outreach in 2024 that included events such as community festivals, a fire‑station open house and presentations to regional groups. Adopting the annex also supports the city’s ability to coordinate with regional partners on mitigation and resiliency planning.

The council adopted the resolution by roll-call vote. Staff said the plan is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under standard planning-study exemptions and that adopting the annex has no immediate fiscal impact; it preserves eligibility for future mitigation funding.

City staff will follow up in the coming months with the required implementation steps: participation in the countywide steering committee, annual progress checks and tracking opportunities to apply for competitive mitigation grants.

Speakers included city planning and emergency-management staff who presented the annex, and council members who noted the outreach and the plan’s role in enabling grant applications.","The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution incorporating the City of Pinole annex into the updated 2024 Contra Costa County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, a required step to remain eligible for FEMA hazard mitigation funding programs such as HMGP, BRIC and FMA.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6229761,"Contra Costa CORE Team Reports Rise in Pinole Unhoused; Council Asked to Fund Local Response",661,2515000,3176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450&start=2515&end=3176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450/thumbnail_2515000.jpg","/articles/6229761/Pinole-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Contra-Costa-CORE-Team-Reports-Rise-in-Pinole-Unhoused-Council-Asked-to-Fund-Local-Response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229761-9a0d3a57aaa264e823e816c45d996940/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193539&Signature=V5-tDw5XsucOhin9DNqONH0Ah0uZG8XhuX-tGWJdnJCEGl17WmXhFPt5AfAk-KOxtuokpriz8KIqGTNCuh-rrVJ4fvNK9Qs37vqb1D7qDY~Z-iwSm9CdypYn9xmDGkdDo9wT9Rw~gWB9VjOXTmFpKondaNPXejn4XZ62PrHIt-y3lWf1G0BZ0ZjkPkowsMJEW~2vdxTR051aSMRtWTDNoDgEo1-9DCQz~MaaN5o0~2QCOf2pwLEYvU9gY8O7wmpvkiHC1H0678KsDgx-6qWRKqNcU8WN8ofYRjMgRNZvUOhph9xpBGvGYE3UN1eI7vfSnQPkYfaH9dt98bbI~WCjPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pinole — Contra Costa Health’s Coordinated Outreach, Referral and Engagement program (CORE) told the City Council on May 20 that homelessness in Pinole is rising and that housing costs are the primary driver.

\"Unsheltered homelessness is driven by housing costs,\" Jenny Robbins, chief of programs at Contra Costa Health, said during the presentation. Robbins told the council that countywide vacancy rates and rising rents have pushed more people into unsheltered situations and that CORE’s outreach teams focus on housing-focused street outreach, shelter placement and linkages to health and behavioral-health services.

Fedy Al Hayek, CORE’s program director, presented data specific to Pinole: CORE reported 55 unique unhoused individuals served in the city during calendar year 2024 and 116 contacts; 30 people reported losing housing in Pinole in 2024, up from 15 the year before. A single-night point-in-time (PIT) count recorded seven people in Pinole in January 2024, Robbins said. CORE also reported that 20 individuals (about 41% of those who exited CORE) moved into stable housing after CORE engagement, and that 90% of those who exited remained housed at six months.

CORE described services available to Pinole residents, including day-to-day outreach, placement into regional shelters (Brookside Shelter, Concord shelters, Delta Landing), warming-center placements, transportation to appointments, connections to health care and mental-health specialists who sometimes accompany outreach teams. CORE staff described partnerships with local agencies, non-profits and city departments that support encampment resolution, benefits access and housing navigation.

Council members asked about outreach timelines for people newly at risk of homelessness, data disaggregation (race, age, veteran status), how to increase public awareness of CORE’s 2‑1‑1 dispatch pathway, and how many shelter placements CORE must decline because of limited bed capacity. CORE said shelter beds are at or near capacity and that CORE prioritizes placements based on highest need; bed availability changes daily. Robbins said counties and cities are seeing more people who are newly unhoused and urged early engagement and prevention forms of assistance where possible.

A public commenter, Rafael Menes, supported a consent-item proposal to direct local housing-successor funds to CORE services in Pinole and urged the council to adopt that consent item to back on-the-ground outreach.

Council members requested further, disaggregated data and regular reports on CORE activity in Pinole. CORE staff said they can supply monthly or quarterly aggregate reports and tailored demographics on request. CORE also noted that it will coordinate outreach with libraries and other community locations where unhoused residents seek services.

City staff noted the council would consider a funding request later on the agenda and that CORE and the city will continue to coordinate a local approach to outreach and referrals.

Speakers included Jenny Robbins and Fedy Al Hayek (CORE), Contra Costa Health director who introduced the presentation, and multiple council members who asked questions about operations and data.","County CORE outreach leaders told the Pinole City Council that CORE served 55 unhoused individuals in Pinole in 2024 and that 30 people lost housing in the city last year. CORE staff urged partnership funding; a public commenter recommended using housing successor funds to support CORE operations in Pinole.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6229767,"Pinole Library to Close for Renovations Feb.–Nov. 2026; Staff Outline Services and Outreach Plans",684,1648000,2332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450&start=1648&end=2332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3446761-b875b3db0426a7393069922656a3a450/thumbnail_1648000.jpg","/articles/6229767/Pinole-City/Contra-Costa-County/California/Pinole-Library-to-Close-for-Renovations-FebNov-2026-Staff-Outline-Services-and-Outreach-Plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6229767-499f6d33623b39d3b6cbd30eda8a972e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193539&Signature=I-wGCqTjo-D5drWzIAOuAajb2qsTOT3B6Z4BzNghaZpIQCRA0KbFFpEhAgityTtfhVNPNqYhwuly5GQfffoBSjauVkSmppk2XZWGHQRQOU8tQI4~ydCik8RxEmoRl2pq5eFLyd2iLuXnEeJHWIRdtx183Etma6e~Hmm2dCIdtclGPW7LCHkBFB6y7Ru-BsA3c01H3NdLbpCvMOw18CeylRJpm0hdkDPxOVEpS7tbzfhhRFlS708W5BamJczpcrpk4cPWmxfOOtJLZcvXhXCDSLGU--6PJepsem9cH28frQhjAK1~AUQnVbWQdU3e40Ul1ejlUBJsLOzzMULuT4F4Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pinole — The Pinole Library will temporarily close for major building upgrades from February 2026 through November 2026, Pinole’s senior community library manager told the City Council on May 20.

\"We are scheduled at this time to close down February 2026 through November 2026,\" Marleah Holmes, senior community library manager, said during a presentation on the library’s 2024–25 activities and 2025 goals. The upgrades include a new HVAC system, a new roof, electrical and lighting updates, and Americans with Disabilities Act improvements to the parking lot.

The closure is part of a planned capital project to modernize the facility. Holmes said staff intend to maintain services during the shutdown by boosting outreach to nearby county branches and expanding off-site options, particularly in North Richmond where the library operates a locker pickup site. She also listed operational goals for 2025—before the closure—including increasing library cardholders, expanding school visits, maintaining monthly family programs, expanding adult programming and boosting outreach in North Richmond.

Library staff reviewed current services that will be affected and those that will remain available countywide. The Pinole branch currently offers 12 public computers (including two for children), free Wi‑Fi, scanning services (free countywide), a meeting room that community groups can reserve, printing services (first 10 black-and-white prints free; 15¢ thereafter, 50¢ for color), a seed library run by the Pinole Garden Club and partnerships for programs such as free student meals and beginner guitar lessons. Holmes said the library served 2,820 free meals in 2024 through a partnership with West Contra Costa Unified School District.

Council members asked about interim service locations, meeting-room reservations and Friends of the Library activities. Holmes said a temporary branch location has not been selected and that library staff will provide notice as plans firm up. She described the meeting-room reservation process—requests are checked against the library calendar, programs have priority, public meetings are typically free and closed meetings are subject to a $40 hourly fee—and said the room can be reserved up to two months in advance for up to eight hours. Holmes also said the Friends of the Pinole Library run book sales and support programming and are seeking new members.

Public commenters asked whether the city will continue to fund library maintenance during the closure and whether the city had been setting aside funds to increase hours and cover maintenance. Holmes did not answer those finance-specific questions directly at the presentation; city staff offered to follow up with specifics about the city’s maintenance fund and the closure’s financial arrangements.

The presentations and council questions established next steps: staff will provide more detailed notices and outreach about interim services and publish information on where residents can obtain library services during the closure. The presentation also highlighted the library’s community programming and encouraged residents to get library cards and take advantage of countywide services.

For more information, the library’s manager advised residents to contact the Pinole Library during open hours or check the Contra Costa County Library website for resources and branch locations.

Pinole City Council members present included Mayor Cameron Sasai; Mayor Pro Tem Tave; Councilmembers Martinez Rubin, Murphy and Toms. The library presentation was given during the May 20 meeting and drew multiple council questions and public comments.","Library manager Marleah Holmes told the City Council that Pinole Library is scheduled to shut for roughly nine months beginning February 2026 for a new HVAC, roof, electrical and ADA parking updates, and staff outlined plans to sustain services and outreach during the closure.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council Receives Annual AB 2561 Vacancy Report; City Reports 14 Vacancies at End of 2024

Council Introduces Ordinance Adopting Updated State Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps for Pinole

Pinole Adopts City Annex to Contra Costa Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to Preserve FEMA Grant Eligibility

Contra Costa CORE Team Reports Rise in Pinole Unhoused; Council Asked to Fund Local Response

Pinole Library to Close for Renovations Feb.–Nov. 2026; Staff Outline Services and Outreach Plans