Election Section

The San Pablo City Council meets Wednesday at noon to consider building plans from the Lytton Band of Pomos for the 2,500-slot machine casino they plan to build at the site of the current Casino San Pablo card room. 

Councilmembers and other city officials have embraced the casino as an economic lifesaver for the ailing community, while others—including East Bay Assemblymember Loni Hancock—are strongly opposed. 

Mayor Joseph Gomes and City Manager Brock Arner are strong supporters. At a forum called by Hancock last month, Arner said that if the casino isn’t approved, “the City of San Pablo will fold.” 

Tribal chair Margie Mejia promised that the tribe would submit plans for a scaled-back operation from the one presented at January meeting, though still including the 2,500 slots promised in the new tribal compact endorsed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and still pending approval by state legislators. 

The Wednesday meeting begins at noon in Maple Hall at San Pablo City Hall, 13831 San Pablo Ave., Building 4. 

—Richard BrennemanÃ