1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 15, 2022
6:00 P.M.
Videoconferencing Meeting: Complete proceedings of which are recorded on tape. These are action minutes; a full video is available online at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) ADVISORY NOTICE
1) CALL SPECIAL MEETING TO ORDER (5:30 P.M.)
Mayor Young called the Special Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. 2) CONVENE OPEN SESSION
3) ROLL CALL
All Council Members were present.
4) REFERENCE TO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC
5) ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
5.A - CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Property: (900 East 2nd Street)
Agency negotiator: (Mario Giuliani)
Negotiating parties: (Bay Area Air Quality Management District) Under negotiation: (Price, and terms of payment)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting to Closed Session at 5:31p.m. 6) RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
Mayor Young reconvened the Open Session at 6:02 p.m.
7) ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CLOSED SESSION, IF ANY
Ben Stock, City Attorney, stated that Council met on one item and no reportable actions were taken.
8) ADJOURNMENT OF SPECIAL MEETING AND CALL REGULAR MEETING TO ORDER (6:00 P.M.)
2 Mayor Young adjourned the Special Meeting and called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
9) ROLL CALL
All Council Members were present.
10) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
11) REFERENCE TO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC
12) ANNOUNCEMENTS
12.A - MAYOR'S OFFICE HOURS
12.B - OPENINGS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
13) PROCLAMATIONS
13.A - TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
WEEK FEBRUARY 21-25, 2022
Proclamation - Teen Dating Violence and Prevention Week
13.B - BLACK HISTORY MONTH FEBRUARY 2022
Proclamation - Black History Month February 2022
14) APPOINTMENTS
15) PRESENTATIONS
15.A - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT (Deputy City
Manager)
15.B - ECO AWARDS (Public Works Director)
16) ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
On motion of Council Member Largaespada, seconded by Council Member Macenski, Council approved the Adoption of the Agenda, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Strawbridge, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
17) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
3 18) WRITTEN COMMENT
19) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. David Lindsay - Mr. Lindsay discussed the Benicia Community Air Monitoring Program (BCAMP) that is now up and running.
2. Marilyn Bardet - Ms. Bardet complimented Valley Fine Foods for their sustainable practices, as well as the possible relocation of the Avant Garden. 20) CONSENT CALENDAR
20.A - APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FROM JANUARY 18, 2022, JANUARY 24, 2022, JANUARY 25, 2022 AND FEBRUARY 1, 2022 SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS (City Clerk)
January 18 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes
January 24 2022 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
January 25 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes
February 1 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes
20.B - APPROVE ADDITION OF A PROCURMENT SERVICES AND
PROGRAM SPECIALIST POSITION FOR THE FINANCE
DEPARTMENT, SALARY SCHEDULES, AND NECESSARY BUDGET
AMENDMENTS (Finance Director)
Staff Report - Addition of a Procurement Services and Program Specialist for the Finance Department
1. Resolution - Addition of a Procurement Services and Program Specialist for the Finance Department
RESOLUTION NO. 22- 17 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING A POSITION ALLOCATION CHANGE FOR
THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PROCUREMENT SERVICES AND
PROGRAM SPECIALIST, APPROVAL OF SALARY SCHEDULES, AND
APPROVAL OF A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO INCREASE GENERAL FUND
APPROPRIATIONS
20.C - APPROVAL OF THE NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO
MAKE A PAYMENT RELATED TO THE CITY OWNED MARINA
(Finance Director)
Staff Report - Budget Amendment for Marina Budget
1. Resolution - Budget Amendment for Marina Budget
RESOLUTION NO. 22- 18 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE NECESSARY BUDGET AMENDMENTS
4 TO FUND PAYMENTS DUE TO BENICIA HARBOR CORPORATION AS THE
CITY OWNED MARINA OPERATOR
20.D - BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR PROPOSITION 68 PER CAPITA
FUNDING (Parks and Community Services Director)
Staff Report - Budget Amendments for Proposition 68 Per Capita Funding
1. Resolution - Budget Amendments for Proposition 68 Per Capita Funding
2. Prop 68 Development Project Scope - Cost Estimate Form
3. Prop 68 Grant Contract
RESOLUTIONNO. 22- 19 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVINGBUDGETAMENDMENTS
TOUSEFULLAMOUNT OF ALLOCATION OFPROPOSITION68 PER CAPITA
FUNDING
20.E - BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO ESTABLISH GENERAL LEDGER
ACCOUNTS FOR REVENUE AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH
THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE TREES AND VIEWS CHAPTER OF
THE BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE (Parks and Community Services Director)
Staff Report - Budget Amendment for Trees and Views Ordinance
1. Resolution - Budget Amendments to Establish General Ledger Accounts for Trees and Views Ordinance
RESOLUTION NO. 22- 20 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE CREATION OF A BUDGET LINE ITEM
TO ALLOW FOR THE POSTING OF REVENUE AND EXPENSES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE PAYMENT OF COST OF CORRECTION OF CITY
HEDGES OR TREES UNREASONABLY OBSTRUCTING A VIEW
20.F - APPROVAL OF THREE ON-CALL AGREEMENTS FOR MASTER
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR WATER AND
WASTEWATER PROJECTS (Public Works Director)
Staff Report - On-Call Engineering Contracts for Utilities
1. Resolution - On-Call Agreements for Master Professional Engineering Services for Water and Wastewater Projects
2. Coastland Civil Engineering, LLP Agreement
3. Harris & Associates, Inc. Agreement
4. Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. Agreement
Council Member Macenski recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest.
Public Comment:
None
5 On motion of Council Member Largaespada, seconded by Council Member Strawbridge, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 22-21, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Strawbridge, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
20.G - APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA (City
Attorney)
Council pulled Item 20.F for discussion.
Vice Mayor Campbell disclosed exparte communications.
On motion of Council Member Largaespada, seconded by Council Member Strawbridge, Council approved the adoption of the Consent Calendar, as amended, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Vice Mayor Campbell, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Strawbridge, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
21) BUSINESS ITEMS
21.A - PARKS, TRAILS & OPEN SPACE MASTER PLAN UPDATE
Staff Report - Parks Trails Open Space Master Plan Update
1. Demographics and Trends Report
2. Parks Site Assessment Memo Including List of Parks Map and Primary Takeaways with Photos
3. Existing Conditions Mapping Memo
4. Public Input Executive Summary
5. Statistically Valid Survey Findings Report
Mike Dotson, Parks & Community Services Director, Doug Grove, RHA, Neelay Bhatt, PROS Consulting, John Gibbs, WRT, and Esther Campbell, ETC Institute, reviewed the Staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council Member Largaespada and Staff discussed the City's aging population, adding historical assets to the City's parks system, and ensuring the family's involved in sports in town are heard.
Mayor Young and Staff discussed the Housing Element update, trails and pickle ball that may need to be higher on the priority list for the aging population, field conditions, soccer fields, and the erosion of trails.
6 Council Member Macenski and Staff discussed the 'greatness' of the fields and facilities, and possibly having a sports community subcommittee to work on policy framework.
Vice Mayor Campbell and Staff discussed putting the soccer community on dedicated sections of the Community Park, and possibly integrating public art into the parks.
Mayor Young and Staff discussed distribution of youth with the athletic fields, soccer being the highest number of youth participants, Old-Timer's baseball being the lowest participation, and the need to use such numbers when renovating fields, and the issue of converting some fields/space to soccer fields.
Mr. Dotson discussed the issue of making the most use of all the field space, the cost of installing an artificial turf field (approximately $2 million), and looking at efficient ways to expand the spaces we currently have.
Council Member Strawbridge and Staff discussed the SRA State Recreational Area hazards that have been identified, and whether the State has been notified of the hazards, the City staffing of the SRA's, and kids skateboarding downtown and the need to provide somewhere below Southampton for them to skate.
Mayor Young and Staff discussed the survey results vs. comments from people who show up to meetings to speak, and the issue of performing arts ranking high.
Public Comments:
1. Yann Jouvenot - Mr. Jouvenot discussed concern regarding the lack of mention of the need for dedicated soccer fields in Benicia, and concern regarding the safety of the fields the soccer community must use.
2. Felice Apadula - Mr. Apadula discussed the substandard sports fields, the need to fundraise for improvements, and the need to put the survey out to a broader audience.
3. Ally - Ally discussed the need for more seating and shade structures at the skate park and dog park, as well as more bathroom facilities in the area.
4. Annette Balter - Ms. Balter discussed the need for dedicated soccer fields in Benicia, concern regarding the hazardous conditions of the current fields, and the need to re-run the survey numbers to a broader audience.
5. Ender Rodriguez - Mr. Rodriguez discussed concern regarding the poor condition of the sports fields.
6. Constance Beutel - Ms. Beutel discussed concern regarding dogs off-leash in public parks.
7. Rob Trost - Mr. Trost discussed the survey process, the demographics, and concern regarding unrepresented citizens in the youth sports.
8. Bob Berman - Mr. Berman discussed the high rating the trails received in the survey and support for placing emphasis on historic resources.
7 Written Comments Read Into the Record:
1. Maggie Kolk - Ms. Kolk submitted written comments in support of continuing Avant Garden in some capacity.
Mr. Dotson encouraged the community to get involved and participate in the process.
Staff will look into ways of identifying and prioritizing ways to look at synthetic soccer fields.
21.B - UPDATE ON FACE COVERINGS MANDATE AND
CONTINUATION OF VIRTUAL MEETINGS
Staff Report - Update on Face Coverings Mandate and Continuation of Virtual Meetings
1. Resolution No. 21-88
Erik Upson, City Manager, reviewed the staff report.
Council Member Largaespada reviewed five slides he submitted relating to Covid 19 cases in Benicia.
Vice Mayor Campbell reviewed a slide he submitted relating to the current Covid 19 cases in Benicia.
Public Comment:
1. Bryan Boe - Mr. Boe spoke in support of ending the mask mandate.
2. Julie Routson-Thomas - Ms. Routson-Thomas spoke in support of keeping the mask mandate in place and continuing virtual meetings.
3. Citizen - the citizen spoke in support of ending the mask mandate.
4. Jeremy - Jeremy spoke in support of keeping the mask mandate in place.
5. J. Roberson - Mr. Roberson discussed the issue of masks.
6. Janet - Janet spoke in support of ending the mask mandate.
7. Richard Fleming - Mr. Fleming spoke in support of continuing the mask mandate.
8. Tina Thorn - Ms. Thorn spoke in support of ending the mask mandate.
9. Mr. Baird - Mr. Baird spoke in support of ending the mask mandate.
10. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman spoke in support of continuing the mask mandate.
11. Citizen - the citizen spoke in support of ending the mask mandate.
12. Jared - Jared discussed mask wearing practices.
13. Stephen Golub - Mr. Golub spoke in support of continuing the mask mandate.
14. Lea Mojito - Ms. Mojito spoke in support of ending the mask mandate.
15. Mary Amey - Ms. Amey spoke in support of continuing the mask mandate.
16. Sterling Rouston-Thomas - Mr. Rouston-Thomas spoke in support of continuing the mask mandate and continuing virtual meetings.
17. Ally - Ally spoke in favor of ending mask mandates.
18. Aimee Kincaid - Ms. Kincaid spoke in support of ending the mask mandate.
19. Roger Straw - Mr. Straw submitted comments in support of continuing the mask mandate.
8 Written Comments Read Into the Record:
1. Amber Clemons - Ms. Clemons submitted comments in support of ending the mask mandate.
2. Roger Straw - Mr. Straw submitted comments in support of continuing the mask mandate.
3. Chris Ferrucci - Mr. Ferrucci submitted comments in support of ending the mask mandate.
Vice Mayor Campbell discussed the mask mandate and mask effectiveness and social distancing.
Council Member Macenski discussed what led up to the mask mandate and spoke in support for ending the mask mandate.
Council Member Strawbridge discussed the issue of mask enforcement, and support for ending the mask mandate.
Mayor Young discussed support for ending the mask mandate.
Council Member Largaespada made a motion to rescind Resolution 21-88, ending the mask mandate effective immediately, which was seconded by Council Member Strawbridge. The motion passed with a 4/1 vote.
On motion of Council Member Largaespada, seconded by Council Member Strawbridge, Council approved rescinding Resolution 21-88, and ending the mask mandate effective immediately, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Strawbridge, Mayor Young
Noes: Vice Mayor Campbell
22) COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS:
22.A - COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Committee Reports
23) ADJOURNMENT OF REGULAR MEETING (9:30 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 11:50 p.m.
City Clerk