Pinole Chamber of Commerce
Pinole Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1
Pinole, CA 94564
United States
ph: (510) 724-4484
fax: (510)724-4408
pinolech
Message from Ivette
The Community Corner Project
2301 San Pablo Ave.
Phase Two - The Sign - UpdateMay 2011
June 2011
July 2011
The Community Corner Project
Community and Business Working TogetherThe "ugly green fence" is gone, HOORAY!
The most prominent corner in Old Town Pinole is now a bit more pleasing to the eye and an eyesore has been transformed into an asset.
As I and other volunteers worked on this project prior to the June 4 Community Service Day, (alongside Mayor Swearingen and Project "supervisor" Crag Parker), residents walked by and asked what we were doing, cars drove by and honked their horns and gave us a thumbs up as they yelled, "Yea, Finally, and Way To Go!"
The overwhelming sentiment was and has been that this was long overdue.I do admit that when we initially thought of doing this, I had no idea how much work was involved and how many moving pieces there were to contend with.
But, the Chamber of Commerce, with the support and hard work of many (including city staff and Council members) has taken a big first step in the beautification of Old Town Pinole.
The corner was not the only part of Old Town that benefited from the Chamber's initiative, the areas adjacent to the lot, such as the parking lot where the Farmers Market takes place, and the areas surrounding the now vacant Pinole Bank Building have been cleaned up by the Chamber.
This project is what the Chamber hopes will be a the catalyst for making Old Town more visually appealing. The beautification of Old Town is a task the newly formed Old Town/Downtown Merchants Association will tackle.The Community Corner as I have dubbed it, is only in Phase One of a Two Phase process.
Phase Two - The Sign
February 13, 2012
On January 23, 2012, the Pinole Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve the Pinole Chamber of Commerce sign application.
The structure will be built by the Pinole Artisans following Tim Banuelos' design.
The back of the sign is an "information kiosk". There will display cases containing information for each of the orgnanizations participating.
The Chamber hopes to install the Community Corner Sign in the Spring-Summer of 2012.Nothing says community like the expression of support we experienced before, after and during the planning and development of this Chamber led project.
Truly a beautiful thing to behold.
NEXT
Phase II
The development of a Welcome sign.
Installation of the sign(s).
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
President - Dina Rosales
Policy Commitee - Report - September 2010
The Chamber at Work for You
Rental Inspection Ordinance Letter to Council
Josh Genser, Chair
The Policy Committee of the Pinole Chamber of Commerce has recently addressed two issues: Pinole's Rental Inspection Ordinance and Pinole's Proposed New General Plan.
Owners of two motels in Pinole contacted the Chamber with concerns over the fees for the Rental Inspection Ordinance. Surprised that the Ordinance even covered hotels and motels, and sharing the owners' concerns over the amount of the fees being charged, the Policy Committee convened a meeting attended by the motel owners, City staff, City Councilmembers and others interested in the Ordinance. Later, the City Council held a study session on the issue at which the Chamber addressed the Council. Finally, the City Council, at a meeting at which the Chamber again addressed the Council, amended the Ordinance to exempt hotels and motels from the Ordinance, although it did require that the hotels and motels provide to the City copies of reports of inspections by other agencies.
The City's new General Plan will soon go before the Planning Commission, meaning it is getting closer to adoption. Because it is in some sense the constitution of the City, the General Plan can have profound consequences for business and economic development in Pinole. The Policy Committee convened a meeting with City staff to permit Chamber members and other businesses in the City to hear about the new Genera Plan and to ask questions about it. The meeting was sparsely attended, indicating either that the community is well-informed and reasonably satisfied with the proposed General Plan, or some level of apathy. We hope for the former but fear the latter. If you have any concerns about the General Plan, even if you don't know anything about it, you will still have many opportunities to comment upon it before the Planning Commission and the City Council, and, of course, the City staff would always welcome your input.
The purpose of the Policy Committee is to inform Pinole businesses about local government and issues that might affect business, to provide a forum for concerned local businesses, and to advocate on behalf of the business community. If you have any concerns, please let the Chamber know about it, and watch this space for announcements about meetings or issues that concern others.
May 8, 2009
The Pinole Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the creation of a Policy committee. Josh Genser of Genser & Watkins LLC has been selected as the Chair of the Policy Committee.
The Policy Commitee is intended to be a conduit between the City of Pinole and Pinole's business community for communications regarding proposed legislation and other acts by the City which could have an impact on business in Pinole.
Commitee Members are:
Josh Genser, Chair
Alex Gomez
Geoff Torretta
Tom Welsh
Ivette Ricco
Pinole Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1
Pinole, CA 94564
United States
ph: (510) 724-4484
fax: (510)724-4408
pinolech
