California Business Minute™

The California Redevelopment Association, CRA provides legislative
advocacy, professional development and public education.  In support
of its members it responds to legislative proposals and administrative
regulations.

For further information, contact us www.calredevelop.org or at 916-448-8760

Hi, I am Tim Johnson and welcome to the California Business Minute.
The city of San Pablo (Pop. 29,750) an East Bay community is examining what can best be
characterized as a series of large capital improvement projects for a community of its size. 
While the activities seem to be contradictory to the current economic conditions, things haven’t
always been economically and financially stable for the city.

In the early 1990s, the city of San Pablo faced dismal financial conditions. A 1992 referendum
ushered in Casino San Pablo in 1992, which began as a card room and later purchase by the
Lytton Band of Pomo Indians that led to the development of a casino led to an agreement between
the city and the tribe that has help buoy the financial well being of the city, as an example through
the agreement it poured more than $10 million into city coffers last year.

The city is examining a variety of proposals to enhance the quality of life. One such proposal the
city is considering, is spending $26 million for the construction of a community center; nearly
$14 million for the renovation of existing community facilities; spending $11.8 million for a new
corporation yard and $11 million for the conversion of dilapidated mobile home parks into a
mixed-use development

And again while seemingly contradictory, the city manager is recommending the reduction in the
utility user’s tax from 5 to 4 percent saving rate payers $318,000 over the next fiscal year.

The city manager recommends that there should be a new slogan for the city … 'San Pablo —
The City That Does' or, alternatively, 'San Pablo — The City That Can.'

I am Tim Johnson and this has been the California Business Minute.

For further information see www.ci.san-pablo.ca.us