City Manager's Message for November 5, 2026

Hello Vallejo,

November has arrived with cooler temperatures, welcome rainfall, and shorter days that make it unmistakably feel like fall. While the weather may have kept some of us reaching for umbrellas, it certainly did not dampen civic engagement. City staff welcomed a steady stream of voters on Tuesday as residents exercised their right to vote in this year’s election.

Three City Council seats were before the voters in the November 3, 2026, General Municipal Election. Based on preliminary election results, Vice Mayor Diosdado “JR” Matulac, who ran unopposed, is expected to serve another term, while two new Councilmembers are anticipated to join the City Council in January 2027. Election results remain unofficial pending certification by the Solano County Registrar of Voters, which is expected on December 1, 2026. The City extends its appreciation to all candidates who participated in the democratic process and thanks Vallejo residents for exercising their right to vote and helping shape the future of our community through civic engagement.

Rain or shine, progress continues across Vallejo. The City’s Public Works Department and Caltrans remain hard at work on paving projects throughout the community. We recognize that traffic delays, lane closures, and detours can be frustrating, and we sincerely appreciate your patience as these important infrastructure improvements move forward. Our collective goal is to complete as much work as possible before heavier winter storms arrive, and we will continue to provide updates as projects progress.

Excitement is also building around a very anticipated development in our city. On Friday, November 6, Costco will officially celebrate the opening of its new Vallejo location and welcome its first customers. This milestone represents another significant investment in our community and is a project many residents have eagerly awaited. Construction is also nearing completion on the northern portion of Fairview Plaza, which will include Vallejo’s first Raising Cane’s restaurant. That location is currently expected to open during the first quarter of 2027.

As we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season, City boards, commissions, and the City Council will be working through full agendas while operating on an adjusted meeting schedule. The City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session on Friday, November 7, to discuss employment contracts, and will also convene on Tuesday, November 10, and November 17. With only four meetings remaining before the end of 2026, the Council has a significant amount of important business to address before the new year.

Next week, on Wednesday, November 11, our community will come together to honor the men and women who have served our nation as we observe Veterans Day. Local veterans’ organizations will host ceremonies at the Mare Island Naval Cemetery at 9:00 a.m. and at the Veterans Memorial behind City Hall at 11:00 a.m. I encourage all residents to attend one of these events and take a moment to recognize the sacrifice, service, and commitment of our veterans. Their contributions have helped shape our nation and safeguard the freedoms we enjoy today.

Please note that City Hall will be closed in observance of Veterans Day.

As always, thank you for staying informed, involved, and engaged in the future of Vallejo. Together, we continue building a stronger community for everyone.

With Appreciation
Harry Black
Vallejo’s City Manager