On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council will have a packed meeting with plenty to talk about from tattoo parlors being allowed downtown to investing in a Winter Market, increased cannabis funding while issuing awards for its 2026/27 Economic Development Program
Images provided in EXHIBIT A of Brentwood City Council Agenda
Winter Markets
If the Winter Market Ad Hoc Committee’s recommendation is approved and the Winter Market is established as an Economic Development Priority Project, $60,000 would be allocated from the Economic Development Grant Fund.
The recommendation detailed above also includes components such as:
- Holiday vendor marketplace (smaller scale for 2026 due to less than 6 month lead time)
- Seasonal décor and lighting
- Live entertainment and performances
- Holiday music and singing groups
- Food vendors and downtown dining participation
- Craft stations and children’s activities
- Family games and interactive activities
- Photo opportunities
- Community gathering spaces
- Downtown business participation and promotions
Additionally, staff presented the ad hoc committee with a la carte options for consideration. The costs associated with these items were not known at the time it was presented to the ad hoc committee. Further research has been completed and estimated costs for a la carte options are presented below (these costs would be in addition to the $60,000 cost estimate provided above):
- Family Fun Zone – Downtown Activation — $2,500
- Snow Hill/Snow Play Area – $6,000 – $9,000
- Tree Lighting Integration – $1,000
- Deck the Park Integration – $500
Alternative Options
At the June 9 ad hoc meeting, staff also provided additional information and an option for the ad hoc to consider. Based on discussions at City Council and with the ad hoc committee, City staff put together an “Original Market Concept” with cost estimates and timelines for consideration. Staff reached out to obtain estimates to “Utilize Consultants” on costs to perform a study and create a plan for a Winter Market in Downtown Brentwood. These options took into consideration an 18-day Winter Market with the following:
- Daily operations
- Holiday vendor marketplace
- Seasonal entertainment
- Family activities
- Downtown business integration
- Expanded décor and lighting
- Snow play features and attractions
- Food and beverage offerings
- Weekend programming
- Entertainment and performances
Tattoo Parlors in the Downtown
The council will discuss the Downtown Specific Plan that was put in place in November 2005 – which has been amended just four times, including June 2014 which identified prohibited uses, such as tattoo parlors.
The item was originally brought forward in January 2025 by Vice Mayor Pierson and councilmember Oerlemans to discuss consideration for an amendment to the specific plan—allowing tattoo parlors. The item returns for consideration. In May, the council voted 3-2 with Mayor Susanna Meyer and Councilmember Jovita Mendoza voting against directing staff to amended the Downtown Specific Plan to allow tattoo parlors as a permitted use.
The proposed amendments to the Brentwood Municipal Code and the DSP reflect City Council direction from the May 27, 2025, City Council meeting. The proposed amendments include several text changes, summarized as follows:
- Clarifications to the administrative approval process to include tattoo parlors as uses that qualify;
- Minor non-substantive technical changes to section numbers, punctuation, etc.;
- Removing “similar uses subject to the approval of the zoning administrator” throughout the list of permitted uses in each district zone to further limit discretion;
- Adding tattoo parlors as permitted uses in several district zones and correspondingly removing them as prohibited uses; and
- Leaving tattoo parlors as prohibited uses in the remaining district zones, as they are not commercial zones.
According to the staff report, one issue not discussed by the City Council, but that staff identified as important, is determining which district zones to permit tattoo parlors in every district. Rather, staff recommends that they be limited to the Downtown Core, Downtown General, Downtown Boulevard, and Western Gateway Neighborhood district zones. This would preserve the Brentwood Civic Center, Civic Core, and Residential Neighborhood district zones (which are predominantly civic, cultural, or residential areas) as currently written, with tattoo parlors prohibited.
Cannabis Fines
Under Prop 64, it allows adults to plant, cultivate, harvest, dry, or process not more than six cannabis plants and possession cannabis produced by the plants.
If anything more, the City’s current administrative citation fines are $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second violation, and $500 for the third violation.
In accordance with State Law, the proposed ordinances provide the tools that allow the City to issue citations of up to $1,000 per plant, per day for specified violations involving qualifying unlicensed commercial cannabis activity, up to an aggregate amount of $10,000 per day.
Administrative citations can also be issued for violations of building, plumbing, electrical, or other similar structural health and safety requirements provided those violations result from or facilitate qualifying unlicensed commercial cannabis activity and are subject to the same $10,000 per day aggregate cap for immediate penalties.
The proposed ordinances also maintain the City’s prohibition on cannabis facilities and commercial cannabis activities to the fullest extent permitted by state law, while recognizing lawful personal cultivation, medicinal cannabis delivery, transportation on public roads, and other activities protected by state law.
Proposed Funding Awards for the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Economic Development Program
If approved the total fiscal impact is anticipated to be $124,900. The FY 2026/27 Economic Development Grant Fund has a total of $204,863 available for competitive grant funding.
According to the city, 19 applications were received (See applications), totaling $310,910 in grant requests. The City has $204,863 available to fund competitive grants for Fiscal Year 2026-27. However, if the Winter Market Priority Project funding of $60,000 is approved on a separate item on tonight’s agenda, the total available for competitive grant funding would be $144,86 – applications were due April 30, 2026.
Of the $124,900 in grants awarded, the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce received 3 awards totaling $24,000. Its 4th application, a $13,500 request for Hometown Heroes not receiving any funding. Meanwhile, the Downtown Brentwood Coalition received $51,000 for its Oktoberfest ($44,000) and Santa in the Park ($7,000).
| ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT/EVENT |
FUNDING APPROVED FY 2025/26 |
FUNDING REQUESTED FY 2026/27 |
LUD RECOMMENDED FY 2026/27 FUNDING |
| East Bay Business Expo | $14,000 | $14,000 | $7,000 |
| Annual Father’s Day
Tournament & Festival |
$6,000 | $25,000 | $6,000 |
| Brentwood Turkey Trot | $10,000 | $32,810 | $0 |
| “On-Going Chill Events” – Community Impact Through Inclusive Events & Education Support | $4,000 | $6,000 | $4,000 |
| Delta Quilters Guild 2025 Quilt Show | $3,800 | $3,400 | $3,400 |
| Dia De Los Muertos | $18,000 | $28,000 | $21,000 |
| La Gran Fiesta | $10,000 | $13,500 | $13,000 |
| Novacon | $3,000 | $10,000 | $1,500 |
| Oktoberfest 2025 | $44,000 | $44,000 | $44,000 |
| Hometown Heroes | N/A | $10,000 | $0 |
| Small Biz Development Center | N/A | $10,000 | $0 |
| Santa In the Park – (working title) | N/A | $15,000 | $7,000 |
| Community Wellness Education and Personal Nutrition Support | N/A | $14,000 | $0 |
| Artisan Peacock Market Series (2026–2027) | N/A | $5,000 | $4,000 |
| Brentwood Disaster Resilience Festival | N/A | $30,000 | $0 |
| Muktangan Durga Puja & Navrang Festival (5th Anniversary) | N/A | $20,000 | $0 |
| Muktangan Holi Festival (Rang, Roli & Reason 2027) | N/A | $3,000 | $0 |
| Ventri Brentwood – Hyperlocal Commerce & Events Growth Initiative | N/A | $15,000 | $10,000 |
| Grocery Delivery Program – Hope House | N/A | $15,000 | $0 |
If you go
Brentwood City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers
150 City Park Way, Brentwood, CA 94513
Agenda – click here
