Chief Sappal being sworn in. (DAVE MATHERS/Courtesy)
City Hall was packed with Martinez residents and members of the police force for a busy agenda at Wednesday’s Regular City Council meeting.
Kicking off the meeting, Manjit Sappal was formally sworn in as the new Martinez Police Chief. Sappal had formerly served as Captain for the Richmond Police Department. He was sworn in by City Clerk Gary Hernandez.
In attendance were Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus, Assistant Chief Allwyn Brown, Richmond Mayor Chief of Staff Terrance Cheung, Chief Allan Cantando from Antioch PD, Chief John Moore from Pleasant Hill PD, and Phil Kader from Contra Costa Probation, along with Sappal’s family, friends, and many Martinez officers and former Richmond PD colleagues showing their support.
Chief Magnus worked with Sappal for ten years on the Richmond police force. “I’ve had the chance to promote him a couple to times,” Magnus said.
“I think Manjit will be a very visionary police chief, he understands the future and what is happening in our profession. He’s an exceptionally smart guy, a very caring person. And he’s a person that understands how important that connection between police and community really is. I think you got a great guy, and he’s going to serve Martinez very well.”
Magnus said one of Chief Sappal’s strengths would be his ability to relate to people on a personal level.
“Everybody says they do community policing, it’s almost become a cliche at this point, but Manjit understands what that looks like,” Magnus commented. “He’s been a district captain and really forged those strong, committed relationships down on the neighborhood level. He got people to work together on a whole host of projects.
“Whether you have a big city or a small town, it comes down to relationships, neighborhoods. And he gets that. He’s going to get everyone involved in community policing.”
After being sworn in, the new chief made a few comments to the gathered audience.
Sappal commended the Martinez Police Department for their welcoming atmosphere. “It’s been a truly remarkable journey. The men and women of the Martinez police department have been just tremendous. When you have a group of people that get along so well, that means it reflects in the community,” said Sappal.
Sappal added, “It really makes me proud to be your chief, and I’m really looking forward as we progress into the future to build on that.”
Seth Kozlowski and Lenore Delfino, two members of the Martinez Grange, were honored for their community service fundraising towards a new K-9 on the police force. Captain Eric Ghisletta spoke to acknowledge Seth and Lenore, ages 12 and 16 respectively, who led the fundraising.
The efforts began when Seth Kozlowski then-acting chief Ghisletta on the prospect of donating the proceeds from his pig towards a new K-9 unit. However, the proceeds from the pig alone weren’t enough. They collected cash contributions from the community; GoFundMe accounts set up by citizens and businesses, and other various donors who came together throughout Martinez.
The final efforts from the Grange manifested in a $13,221 check towards the purchase and training of a new K-9. Seth and Lenore were given Recognition of Gratitude Plaques for their efforts.
When asked what motivated the project, Kozlowski said it came from a desire to do something that hasn’t been recognized as much as it should.
Mayor Rob Schroder proclaimed September 21st – 27th as Falls Prevention Awareness week in the City of Martinez. During this week, they call upon all citizens and groups to promote falls awareness and prevention. Mayor Schroder acknowledged that falls are the leading cause of injury and death among seniors.
September 20th – 26th was proclaimed as Childhood Cancer Awareness week in Martinez.
October 1st was proclaimed Joltin’ Joe Day 2015. Mike, Sue, and their son Joe DiMaggio were in attendance. Mike’s grandfather was Joe DiMaggio’s brother. Members of the Sons of Italy, the Carpenters Local 152 led by Rick Aldridge, Dave Scola, Bob Cellini, and Don Salts were present and were all given the proclamation.
“I’d like to thank all of the city employees for stepping up. It’s one of the reasons why this is one of the greatest communities to live in on the United States,” said Aldridge.
Councilmember Lara DeLaney presented the members of the restoration project with customized shirts, and reminded everyone about the Joltin’ Joe Re-Christening event taking place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 1st at the Cobra Experience Museum in Martinez, 777 Arnold Drive, Suite 200.
As a result of Measure H from 2008, Hidden Lakes Park Soccer Field is set to be renovated from living turf to synthetic turf, accompanied by a host of other changes. Chris Chisam, Landscape Architect from Siegfried, presented the benefits of the shift to synthetic turf.
Chisam noted that changing to a composite shock pad should theoretically provide a safer playing field by reducing the amount of concussions. The field should also provide 1.5 million gallons of water saved; enough for 11 households. The field can also be used for more hours throughout the winter.
He acknowledged concerns in the media of a link between synthetic turf rubber or alternate rubbers and cancer. He noted that no studies had shown any link between the two.
Next steps for the field are to fine-tune the layout, approve what type of infill and grass will be used, and what colors the field will have.
Councilmember Avila Farias discussed saturating the community with synthetic fields and environmental concerns. City Engineer Tim Tucker said they would look at offsetting environmental concerns by planting trees and investigating other sustainable endeavors throughout the soccer field and the rest of Martinez.
In the public comments section, many citizens spoke up, homemade dog posters in hand, about their desire for a dog park in Martinez. Citizens claimed there was currently no safe and fenced location for residents to bring their pets. The council ended the meeting by saying they would take another look into the dog park proposal.
Local business owners and residents also brought up concerns about the homeless population in Martinez. One business owner noted that because Martinez is the county seat, many homeless in the city travel throughout the downtown area to visit Loaves and Fishes. She urged the city to work with the soup kitchen on preventing this from happening during the daytime.
PG&E representatives were present for Pipeline Pathways Project mitigation option. PG&E has been working with the city and citizens on the removal of trees blocking emergency access to natural gas lines. The company provided a host of mitigation options for the council to approval. All councilmembers approved option one, in which PG&E will provide a power supply for the soon to be built Downtown Martinez Ice Rink.
PG&E will provide a grant that will fund permanent power for the location of the ice rink, costing anywhere from $60,000-$80,000. The council remarked that this option provides a more permanent benefit than the other cash or tree replanting options, and that and replanting would be something the city would do on its own volition.
The council also directed city staff continue working with the Hometown Hero Committee, Chiodo Art Development, and the Martinez Historical Society and others on the Joe DiMaggio statue and the city’s Italian-American heritage and specifically the geographic locations of the statues.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the potential feasibility of the Ferry Point site for the primary iconic recognition structure/bronze of Joe DiMaggio.
A meeting in Martinez with city staff, Councilmember DeLaney and East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) staff and CAD was held regarding the viability of erecting a sculpture at Ferry Point, near the west edge of the marina.
Also discussed was consideration of an additional sculpture piece, “The Son of an Italian Fisherman,” which would depict Joe along with his father (and potentially his brothers, two of which were also notable baseball players) and his father’s fishing boat, located in the same vicinity, in proximity to the existing bronze plaque, which commemorates the Italian Fishing Families in Martinez. The juxtaposition of the sculptures would show where Joe DiMaggio came from and what he ultimately became.
Another additional location to recognize DiMaggio with a smaller bronze statute is Main Street Plaza next to Starbucks in downtown Martinez. A third location yet to be determined, would be a building to house a Joe DiMaggio and Italian Heritage Museum. The concept is to create a walking tour linking all three sites in the future.
City staff will work with CAD to provide a Letter of Intent to move forward, subject to Hometown Hero’s providing the necessary funding, either through a grant and private funds.