1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 20, 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
Present: Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Strawbridge, Mayor Young
Absent: Vice Mayor Campbell
Excused: None
4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5) REFERENCE TO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC
6) ANNOUNCEMENTS
6.A - MAYOR'S OFFICE HOURS
6.B - OPENINGS ON BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
7) PROCLAMATIONS
7.A - PROCLAMATION - BENICIA ARBOR DAY - OCTOBER 8, 2022 (Parks and Community Services)
Proclamation - Arbor Day - October 8, 2022
7.B - PROCLAMATION - HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH -
SEPTEMBER 2022 (City Manager)
Proclamation - Hispanic Heritage Month - September 2022
2 7.C - PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL SERVICE DOGS MONTH -
SEPTEMBER 2022 (City Manager)
Proclamation - National Service Dogs Month - September 2022 8) ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Erik Upson, City Manager, stated that Staff was pulling Vice Mayor Campbell's two-step item from the agenda, as he is out of town. It would be discussed at a future meeting when Vice Mayor Campbell is present.
On motion of Council Member Largaespada, seconded by Council Member Macenski, Council approved the Adoption of the Agenda, as amended, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Strawbridge, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
9) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
10) WRITTEN COMMENT
11) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Council Member Macenski - Council Member Macenski stated that he had a very positive experience in the Community Development Department while pulling a permit. He also discussed how the new BUSD Superintendent was very interested in continuing a good relationship with the City.
12) CONSENT CALENDAR
12.A - APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 6, 2022 SPECIAL AND REGUALR MEETING (City Clerk)
Meeting Minutes - September 6, 2022
12.B - SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE BENICIA MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF
SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF
ASSOCIATED LICENSING AND RENEWAL FEES (Community
Development Director)
Staff Report - Short Term Rentals
1. Ordinance - Amending Title 17 Short-Term Rentals
2. Resolution - Establishing License Application Fees
3 ORDINANCE NO. 22- 7 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA AMENDING BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
17.12.030 (DEFINITIONS), 17.16.050 (USE CLASSIFICATIONS), 17.24.020 (RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS), AND ADDING A NEW SECTION UNDER CHAPTER 17.70 (GENERAL REGULATIONS), 17.70.450 (SHORT-TERM
RENTALS)
RESOLUTION NO. 22- 113 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA, CALIFORIA, APPROVING LICENSE APPLICATION
AND RENEWAL FEES RELATED TO SHORT-TERM RENTALS
12.C - AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE (City Attorney)
Staff Report - Amendments to the City's Conflict of Interest Code
1. Resolution - Amending the City’s Conflict of Interest Code RESOLUTION NO. 22- 114 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA AMENDING THE CITY’S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
12.D - APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
CITY OF BENICIA AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES
(Human Resources)
Staff Report - Amendment to Senior Management Agreement
1. Resolution Senior Management Employees Agreement Amendment RESOLUTION NO. 22- 118 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO THE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENICIA AND THE SENIOR
MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES
Mayor Young pulled this item to discuss concern regarding the longevity agreements for the police and fire chief positions.
Council Member Macenski discussed the need to retain and keep talent within the City and the need to compensate people fairly.
Public Comment:
None
Erik Upson, City Manager, reviewed the staff report. The increase to both positions would be 10%.
4 Council Member Strawbridge discussed previous police chiefs that were recruited to other cities, and the need to retain and compensate staff fairly.
On motion of Council Member Macenski, seconded by Council Member Largaespada, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 21-118, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Strawbridge, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
12.E - RESPONSE TO 2021-2022 GRAND JURY REPORT EFFECTIVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE NEEDS CITY AND COUNTY SUPPORT?
(Fire Chief)
Staff Report - Response to 2021-2022 Grand Jury Report
1. Cover Letter Conveying the Grand Jury Report to the City of Benicia
2. Report on Emergency Communications by the 2021-2022 Solano County Civil Grand Jury
3. Proposed Response Letter from the City
12.F - ACCEPTANCE OF GENERAL FUND GRANT FUNDS FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE KYLE HYLAND FOUNDATION City Manager)
Staff Report - Grant Acceptance for Kyle Hyland Grant
1. Resolution Authorizing Resolution for Acceptance of General Grant Funds RESOLUTION NO. 22- 115 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF GENERAL
FUND GRANT FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE KYLE HYLAND
FOUNDATION
12.G - ACCEPTING THE NAPA SOLANO AREA AGENCY ON AGING
GRANT AND AUTHORIZING BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO
INCREASE THE FRC BUDGET TO EXPEND GRANT FUNDS TO
ASSIST AT-RISK SENIORS (Police Chief)
Staff Report - NSAAA Grant and FRC Budget Amendment
1. Resolution FRC Budget Amendment
2. NSAAA Agreement
RESOLUTION NO. 22- 116 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA ACCEPTING A GRANT FROM THE NAPA SOLANO
AREA AGENCY ON AGING AND AUTHORIZING BUDGET AMENDMENTS
FOR THE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER BUDGET TO EXPEND GRANT
FUNDS TO ASSIST AT-RISK SENIORS
5 12.H -APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH LARRY
WALKER ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR REGULATORY SUPPORT FOR
STORMWATER PERMIT COMPLIANCE (Public Works Director)
Staff Report - Approval of Amendment to Agreement with Larry Walker Associates, Inc.
1. Resolution - Approval of Amendment to Agreement with Larry Walker Associates, Inc.
2. Amendment to Agreement - Larry Walker Associates, Inc.
3. Scope of Work City of Benicia Phase II Stormwater Permit General Support and Program Oversight
RESOLUTION NO. 22- 117 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH LARRY WALKER ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR REGULATORY SUPPORT
FOR STORMWATER PERMIT COMPLIANCE, AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT ON BEHALF OF THE
CITY
12.I - FY 2021-22 THIRD QUARTER INVESTMENT REPORT (Finance Director)
Staff Report - FY 2021-22 Third Quarter Investment Report
1. FY 2021-22 Third Quarter Investment Report - Quarter Ending March 31, 2022
12.J - APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA (City
Attorney)
Council pulled Item 12.D for discussion.
On motion of Council Member Largaespada, seconded by Council Member Macenski, Council approved the adoption of the Consent Calendar, as amended, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Strawbridge, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
13) BUSINESS ITEMS
13.A - WATER CONSERVATION UPDATE (Public Works Director) Staff Report - Water Conservation Update
Kyle Ochenduszco, Public Works Director, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
6 Mayor Young and Staff discussed what the metrics are that Staff looks at to get to Stage
3. Council Member Largaespada and Staff discussed the City's current water supply and water meter accuracy.
Public comment:
None
Council Member Strawbridge discussed the tour of the water treatment plant and how capable City Staff is.
13.B - QUARTERLY POLICY ISSUE REQUESTS FROM COUNCIL (City Manager)
Staff Report - Quarterly Policy Issue Requests from Council Erik Upson, City Manager, introduced the agenda item.
Vacant Storefront Windows:
Council Member Largaespada discussed his request regarding vacant window storefronts.
Council Member Strawbridge discussed how to encourage businesses to get their business open.
Council Member Macenski discussed the need to link this with the Economic Development Board and the Arts Community.
Mayor Young discussed support for putting public art in the windows of vacant buildings. He also discussed the issue of a vacancy tax.
Council Member Largaespada clarified that his request was specifically for vacant storefronts.
Public Comment:
None
All Purpose Field:
Council Member Strawbridge discussed her request for an all-purpose year round soccer field.
Council Member Macenski discussed how the City's sports fields are overutilized, and the need for an evaluation of revisioning underutilized parks facilities.
Council Member Largaespada discussed the need to evaluate all the parks facilities at one time to see how we can transition all our assets in town.
7 Mayor Young discussed the possible cost of the project, whether the City could raise the money in a public/private partnership, whether Council Member Strawbridge had contacted Valero regarding the idea (no), and concern regarding separating the idea of the soccer field from the Parks Master Plan.
Council Member Strawbridge discussed how other projects involved public/private partnerships (Fitzgerald Field, Skate Park, etc.).
Council Member Macenski discussed support for a project like this. The concept is how to adaptively reuse some of our parks.
Council Member Largaespada agreed this should be separated from the Parks Master Plan. He hoped the City could look into reuse some of our existing parks.
Public Comment:
1. Michael Munn - Mr. Munn spoke in support of the proposed 2-step request.
2. Terry Scott - Mr. Scott discussed the need to make the field a dedicated soccer field rather than a multi-use field.
3. Kathy Kerridge - Ms. Kerridge discussed the need to include this in the Parks Master Plan.
1. City Council Rules of Procedure
2. Two-Step Request - Vacant Storefront Windows - Councilmember Largaespada
3. Two-Step Request - All-Purpose Year Round Sports Field - Councilmember Strawbridge
4. Two-Step Request - LGBTQ Diversity Public Art Project - Vice Mayor Campbell On motion of Council Member Strawbridge, seconded by Council Member Largaespada, Council approved the first step in the two-step process for addressing vacant storefront windows, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Strawbridge, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
On motion of Council Member Strawbridge, seconded by Council Member Largaespada, Council approved the first step in the two-step process for looking into an all-purpose field, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Strawbridge, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
14) COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS:
14.A - COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS (City Manager)
8 Committee Reports
15) ADJOURNMENT (8:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
City Clerk