Brentwood · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Brentwood public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Youth Scholarship Fundraising & Grants
Commissioners are exploring new fundraisers — like restaurant-sponsored nights — to keep enough money in the Youth Commission Scholarship account.
Youth Commission Event Planning and Ad Hoc Committees
Three new committees are proposed — for a Hackathon, a fundraising essay competition, and a monthly program recognizing local high school clubs.
Youth Commission Event Planning and Community Engagement
The Commission is planning a full slate of community events: the S.T.E.M. Fair, the April 2027 Multicultural Fair, Deck the Park, and the Craft Night Before Christmas, plus a new budget for the 2027 Career Fair.
2nd Street Parking Lot Lease Restatement
The city is negotiating the price and payment terms for a property located at 2nd Street and Central Boulevard with Klingbeil Capital Management.
Federal immigration enforcement on city property
Roughly a dozen residents, many with the East County Rapid Response Coalition, described families afraid to go to work, school, or the store, and asked the city to act. The council directed staff to draft an ordinance barring ICE staging on city property and to build know-your-rights education with community groups.
"In God We Trust" display in council chambers
The proposal returned after a divided August vote and drew passionate testimony on both sides, plus an audience disruption that forced a recess. The council voted 4-1 to take no further action.
Solid Waste Fleet Electrification
The city was set to accept completion of its fleet electrification project by Schneider Electric, part of the shift toward electric city vehicles and charging infrastructure.
City Manager separation agreement
The city's top administrator, G. Harold Duffey, has a separation and general release agreement with the city, and the council was scheduled to hear a public report on it. Leadership transitions at the top can affect how city services are run day to day.
City of Brentwood Racial Equity Action Plan (REAP)
The committee is reviewing a comprehensive equity plan designed to guide diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion efforts within the City of Brentwood's workforce. This initiative aims to shape internal municipal practices and foster a more inclusive organizational culture.
Oak Meadow Park Field Lighting and Safety
The city received 12 bids in September to convert sports field lighting to LED at Oak Meadow Park and Balfour Guthrie Park, and the contract award is being finalized — resolving Chair Lind's lighting concern.
Public Art Guidelines & Funding Scope
The commission reviewed and advanced updates to the city's public art guidelines. These changes expand what counts as art and clarify how public art funds can be spent.
Liberty High School Public Art and Design Academy 2027 Project Proposal
High school art students presented five colorful mural concepts for the Brentwood Family Aquatic Center. Commissioners loved the work but want the students to adjust their designs to fit around hallway doors and windows before making a final choice.
Celebration Center Educational Expansion
Celebration Center is expanding its private educational facility by adding four modular classrooms to accommodate growing enrollment without increasing overall student capacity.
E-bike Ordinance
Brentwood is drafting a new e-bike ordinance to crack down on reckless riding on downtown sidewalks and local trails. Expect new rules covering speed limits, rider ages, and mandatory helmets to keep everyone safe.
Downtown Body Art and Tattoo Regulations
The city updated the Downtown Specific Plan to establish clear rules for tattoo and body art shops, capping total licenses at two downtown locations.
Accessible Public Transportation and Tri MyRide
Tri Delta Transit reviewed fixed-route services, paratransit, and the successful rollout of the Tri MyRide microtransit service in Brentwood.
Senior Financial Scams and Public Safety
Police reported an increase in scams targeting seniors, including contractor fraud, grandparent scams, and romance cons, emphasizing the importance of slowing down and verifying requests.
ADA Accessibility Compliance in Downtown Commercial Areas
A local business owner testified that city-approved parking configurations block wheelchair and pedestrian access to her commercial property.
Public Employee Discipline and Personnel Matters
The city council is addressing sensitive personnel matters, including potential employee discipline or dismissal and a possible open hearing on specific charges against a public employee. These proceedings directly impact municipal staffing, internal operations, and public accountability.
Gas Utility Litigation Consultation
The council will confer with legal counsel regarding two potential cases of significant exposure to litigation, which could involve city liability or future legal costs.
Downtown Specific Plan Review and Economic Assistance
The city continues its partnership with the Downtown Brentwood Coalition by approving a two-year funding extension to keep downtown vibrant, host community events, and support small businesses.
City Manager Performance Evaluation
The city council reviewed the performance of the City Manager in a closed session to ensure alignment with municipal goals and objectives.
Future Data Center Regulations and General Plan Update
Commissioners requested staff research potential data center moratoriums and discussed the need to update the city's aging general plan.
Land Sale for Fire Station
Brentwood is selling off a city-owned plot on Lone Tree Way to make way for the brand-new Fire Station 90. This move gets the ball rolling on emergency upgrades the growing area seriously needs.
New Youth Programs and Hackathon Proposal
Commissioners proposed new future initiatives including financial grants for middle school clubs, monthly healthcare and CPR workshops, and a city-wide youth hackathon.
Agricultural Mitigation Fund Allocation Process
The city is working to create a transparent, structured application process for distributing Agricultural Mitigation Funds. Residents and officials discussed how to make the application timeline fair, avoid double-dipping, and encourage partnerships.
Harvest Time MOU Flexibility
The city considered updating its agreement with Harvest Time in Brentwood to give them more flexibility in using existing funds for marketing and program management. This ensures they can effectively promote local agritourism without changing the total budget.
Playground Replacements
The commission reviewed and approved the conceptual design for the Walnut Park playground replacement, featuring modern equipment, shade structures, and pour-in-place rubber surfacing.
Anticipated Litigation Review
The council consulted with attorneys behind closed doors regarding potential legal exposure.
Lone Oak Road Traffic and Infrastructure
Residents and council members debated how to handle speeding and traffic on Lone Oak Road without destroying the street's rural charm or hitting homeowners with massive bills. The council ultimately rejected a $5.1 million widening project and assessment district, opting instead for minor traffic calming tools.
Public Art Utility Box Project
The city is moving forward with painting 11 utility boxes across Brentwood with local artwork to enhance streetscapes and support local artists, funded by the public art acquisition fund.
Private Automated License Plate Readers in Public Rights-of-Way
Residents and council members debated the installation of private Flock safety cameras by HOAs on public streets, raising data privacy, surveillance, and permitting concerns.
2026 Winter Market Economic Development Priority
The city is moving forward with an inaugural two-day winter market in December 2026 to create holiday traditions and drive economic activity downtown.
Expansion of Adaptive Recreation and Senior Services
The city and its nonprofit partners are expanding programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities, including job training, sensory-friendly movie nights, and upgraded facilities at the senior center.
La Quinta and Hawthorn Suites Hotel Time Extension
The hotel project near the Streets of Brentwood got an 18-month extension after facing delays from losing its civil engineer and dealing with tight construction financing.
Economic Development Grant Program Priority Projects Funding
The city is distributing over $200,000 in business license tax revenue to local groups, events, and nonprofits. Committee members scrutinized which events actually bring shoppers into Brentwood businesses versus those that serve social or community functions.
2026-27 Art Priority List & Gateway Projects
The city is updating its public art priority list to include new facilities like the aquatic complex and sports centers while removing completed sites.
Objective Design Standards for Residential and Mixed-Use Development
The city is adopting strict new design standards to comply with state housing laws while ensuring future housing fits Brentwood's visual identity. Residents weighed in on architectural rules, fire safety buffers, and tree roots.
Residential Health and Noise Impacts from Commercial Loading Dock
Residents expressed concerns about late-night noise and alcohol sales associated with commercial developments near residential neighborhoods.
New Youth Commissioner Appointments
Six new youth commissioners were selected from 21 applicants to join the commission starting in the new term.
Water Utility Rate Adjustments
The city adopted state-mandated water planning documents confirming adequate potable and recycled water supplies and outlining staged responses for potential droughts.
Social Nuisance and Unruly Gatherings Ordinance
The council debated whether calling a new ordinance "unruly" could lead to subjective policing or bias, ultimately renaming it the "social nuisance ordinance" to protect marginalized groups while giving police clearer enforcement tools against ongoing criminal behavior.
FY 2026-28 Strategic Plan Framework & Priority Projects
City leaders are shaping Brentwood's multi-year roadmap across six core areas, balancing growth, infrastructure, and community quality of life as development moves into its next phase.
Annual Youth Career Fair Coordination
The commission is organizing a career fair for March 31 to help local students connect with job opportunities, job shadowing, and career pathways.
Downtown Commercial Development ('The Grove at Brentwood')
Transforming a long-vacant, four-acre dirt lot at Walnut Boulevard and Oak Street into a vibrant boutique commercial center with shops, dining, a community theater, and family gathering spaces. Residents and business leaders strongly supported the project for boosting the local economy and walkability.
City Attorney Appointment
Brentwood's City Council has officially hired Thomas Lloyd Smith as the new City Attorney. He's been filling in since February and the council is happy with his performance, even with some past issues from his previous job.
City Attorney Hiring
Brentwood's city council just hired a new top lawyer, Thomas Lloyd Smith, for a cool $305k. He's stepping in after serving as interim and the last attorney bailed. They also got some other stuff done, like updating rules and making sure everyone's treated fairly.
Solid Waste Collection & Green Waste Frequency
The city is rolling out mandatory green cart food scrap collection and public outreach to comply with state climate laws.
Crime Reduction Report
Crime is down in Brentwood! The police department's latest report shows a solid 20% drop in overall crime last year, and even bigger improvements in violent and property crimes. Looks like our streets are getting safer.
Citywide Sidewalk and Concrete Maintenance
The city awarded a contract to repair sidewalk hazards, curbs, and gutters to improve pedestrian safety and reduce trip-and-fall liabilities.