1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 25, 2023
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 Birdseye, Council Member Macenski, Vice Mayor Scott, Mayor Young
Absent: Council Member 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 - CURRENT AND UPCOMING OPENINGS ON BOARDS AND
COMMISSIONS
Current and Upcoming Openings - Boards and Commissions
7) PROCLAMATIONS
8) APPOINTMENTS
9) PRESENTATIONS
2 10) ADOPTION OF AGENDA
On motion of Council Member Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the Adoption of the Agenda, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Macenski, Vice Mayor Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Claudia Claverie - Ms. Claverie discussed concern regarding recent thefts at Raley's and concern regarding the need for additional police officers,
2. Council Member Macenski - Council Member Macenski discussed the success of the Benicia High School Annual Car Show this past weekend and the need to expand the car show in the future.
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.A - MINUTES FROM THE APRIL 4, 2023 SPECIAL AND REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (City Clerk)
April 4, 2023 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
April 4, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
14.B - RATIFYING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER’S DECLARATION
OF A CONTRACTING EMERGENCY AND APPROVING PAYMENT
FOR EMERGENCY RAW WATER TRANSMISSION LINE
INCIDENT (Public Works Director)
Staff Report - Emergency Declaration RWTL Incident
1. Resolution Ratification of Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency RESOLUTION NO. 23- 36 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA RATIFYING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER’S
DECLARATION OF A CONTRACTING EMERGENCY AND APPROVING
PAYMENTS FOR THE EMERGENCY RAW WATER TRANSMISSION LINE
INCIDENT
14.C - APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA (City
Attorney)
3 On motion of Council Member Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the Consent Calendar, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Macenski, Vice Mayor Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
15) BUSINESS ITEMS
15.A - FY2024 AND FY2025 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT STUDY SESSION (Interim Finance Director)
Staff Report - Budget Study Session
Mario Giuliani, Interim City Manager, introduced the agenda item.
Jeff Tschudi, Interim Finance Director, reviewed the staff report.
Council and Staff discussed the issue of a selective hiring freeze, increasing salaries for certain positions, past budgets that were adopted, revenue sources, and the City's lack of sales tax opportunities without big box companies in town.
Mr. Tschudi continued with the staff report and Staff's recommendations to Council.
Mayor Young and Staff discussed increased revenue by 6.8% increase, the Marina Breakwater fund, projected deficits, holding off on updating the City's General Plan (only working on the mandatory updates), library savings, holiday celebrations, the Park Road Project, and the City Cemetery.
Council Member Birdseye and Staff discussed the issue of fire hydrant maintenance, the issue of guarantied shelter beds, reduction in parks amenities, and the emergency contingency for building.
Vice Mayor Scott and Staff discussed the vacancy factor, concern regarding the cuts to the Human Services Board (HSB), and public/private partnerships.
Council Member Macenski and Staff discussed the reduction in irrigated water, identifying core vs. non-core services, and reducing staff.
Public Comment:
1. Mitch Kessler - Mr. Kessler discussed concern regarding revenue and property taxes.
2. Claudia Claverie - Ms. Claverie discussed the need to have the community participate in contributing towards the deficit (whether it is time or money).
3. Lionel Largaespada - Mr. Largaespada discussed the need to figure out what the root cause is for the deficit and gave several recommendations to Council.
4 4. Stephen Golub - Mr. Golub discussed concern regarding the deficit.
5. Bob Nicolson - Mr. Nicolson discussed concern regarding the deficit.
Council and Staff discussed Mr. Largaespada's comments (copy on file), employer issued cell phones, contract management, and maintaining the BMS field.
Mayor Young asked if there was a consensus for abandoning the Park Road Project. Mr.
Giuliani recommended Council wait until Staff can bring this project back with more information.
Council Member Birdseye supported Mr. Giuliani's recommendation regarding the Park Road Project.
Council Members Scott and Young discussed concern regarding cutting the community grants.
Council Member Birdseye discussed using the public/private partnerships to assist the groups that receive the community grants.
16) ADJOURNMENT (8:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m.