MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
MAY 24, 2022
6:00 P.M.
City Council Chambers, City Hall, 250 East L Street, complete proceedings of which are Recorded. These are action minutes; a full video is available online at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas.
ACCESSING THE MEETING
1) CALL TO ORDER (6:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2) CONVENE OPEN SESSION
3) ROLL CALL
All Council Members were present.
4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5) REFERENCE TO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC
6) ANNOUNCEMENTS
6.A - OPENINGS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
6.B - MAYOR'S OFFICE HOURS
7) PROCLAMATIONS
7.A - PROCLAMATION - JUNETEENTH - FREEDOM DAY - 2022
Proclamation - Juneteenth Freedom Day 2022
7.B - PROCLAMATION - LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH - 2022
Proclamation - LGBTQ Pride Month 2022
8) APPOINTMENTS
8.A - MAYORS APPOINTMENT; SOLANO COMMISSION FOR
WOMEN AND GIRLS
Paul, Dr. Miki, Redacted
9) PRESENTATIONS
9.A - BAYSHORE PORT FIRE (Fire Department)
Josh Chadwick, Fire Chief, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation and detailed what happened during the fire incident.
Mayor Young and Staff discussed the dock fire in 2001 where the pier and dock had to be rebuilt, whether the City could insist that the new structure is built using concrete, and whether there would be discussion on how the conveyer belt could be protected so this doesn't happen again.
Council Member Macenski thanked all the neighboring communities that helped with the fire, how many resources were deployed to the fire (approximately 200), and whether any of the hydrants were inadequate.
Council Member Largaespada and Staff discussed what could have happened if the wind had shifted, what plan is in place to protect the surrounding neighborhood, and any lessons learned from the incident.
Vice Mayor Campbell praised Staff for their response and efforts.
Council Member Strawbridge praised Staff for their efforts. 10) ADOPTION OF 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)
11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Constance Beutel - Ms. Beutel praised Staff for their recent work on Bridgeview Park.
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.A - MEETING MINUTES FROM THE MAY 13, 2022 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING (City Clerk)
May 13 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes
14.B - REQUEST TO FLY THE JUNETEENTH LIBERATION FLAG (City Manager)
Staff Report - Request to Fly Juneteenth Liberation Flag
1. Outdoor Flag Display Policy
14.C - REQUEST TO FLY THE RAINBOW PRIDE FLAG IN
RECOGNITION OF LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH (City Manager)
Staff Report - Request to Fly Rainbow Pride Flag
Vice Mayor Campbell pulled this item to discuss the possibility of rainbow crosswalks.
Ben Stock, City Attorney, reminded Council this item was not agendized and should not be discussed at this time.
Mayor Young suggested Vice Mayor Campbell bring this forward as a two-step process.
Public Comment:
None
1. Outdoor Flag Display Policy
On motion of Council Member Strawbridge, seconded by Council Member Largaespada, Council approved by motion, the request to fly the Rainbow Pride Flag in recognition of LGBTQ Pride Month, 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)
14.D - APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA (City
Attorney)
Council pulled item 14.C for discussion.
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)
15) BUSINESS ITEMS
15.A - RECEIVE PRESENTATON ON POLL RESULTS OF A PROPOSED
SALES TAX MEASURE FOR ROADS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
TO STAFF ON DESIRE TO PROCEED WITH PLACING A SALES
TAX MEASURE FOR THE NOVMEBER 2022 ELECTION (Deputy
City Manager)
Staff Report - Revenue Measure Poll Results
Sarah Terherst, Senior Management Analyst, and Mario Giuliani, Deputy City Manager, reviewed the staff report.
Curtus Below, FM3, reviewed the survey results and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council Member Largaespada and Staff discussed the accuracy and confidence in the results of the survey, and whether it was tested what the impact would be on residents with a higher tax.
Vice Mayor Campbell and Staff discussed FM3's past surveys, and whether the surveys recommendations were accurate, Vice Mayor Campbell's desire for more direct questions in the survey,
Mayor Young and Staff discussed how much money it would take to bring the City to a 70 PCI, what it would take to get to the PCI goal in 5-7 years, Vice Mayor Campbell and Staff discussed the issue of bonding the revenue from the measure. Vice Mayor Campbell discussed support for tying the money up in a dedicated account for streets/roads. He expressed support for Staff's recommendations.
Mayor Young and Staff discussed whether every road could be fixed by the 5–7-year mark. There is a workable realistic plan in place.
Council Member Largaespada and Staff discussed the following alternatives to raising taxes: have we analyzed what the economic impact would be on consumers and suppliers, 2) have we contact with our elected officials at the State level to find additional funding for streets and roads, 3) what is the status of inter-agency money, 4) whether low interest loans that are available have not been considered, 5) has staff done a scenario analysis on the State funds and Measure C funds combined with some savings to live within our means?, and 6) has there been any analysis on what the debt burden would be on that bond?
Council Member Strawbridge discussed the intent of Measure C; to keep the City's doors open and maintaining the quality of life in Benicia. She discussed support for the bond idea. She discussed the need to rebuild the trust of the citizens. She fully supported Staff's recommendations.
Council Member Macenski and Staff discussed a prior leakage study that was done, what brings people into the City and what makes people go out of the City to spend money.
They also discussed the Mello Roos tax districts and how it is unacceptable for our roads to continue to operate in the conditions they are in.
Public Comment:
1. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman discussed support for the proposed measure however, she would want it to be dedicated fully to roads/streets.
2. Terry Scott - Mr. Scott discussed support for the proposed action.
Ben Stock, City Attorney stated there was a Council majority to proceed with Staff's recommendations. He polled Council for a straw vote:
Straw Vote:
Vice Mayor Campbell supported Staff's recommendations.
Council Member Largaespada did not support Staff's recommendations.
Mayor Young supported Staff's recommendations.
Council Member Macenski supported Staff's recommendations.
Council Member Strawbridge supported Staff's recommendations. 16) ADJOURNMENT (7:30 PM)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m. in memory of victims of the tragic mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and the Buffalo, New York.