1 MINUTES OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 14, 2023
5:00 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.
1) ACCESSING THE MEETING
2) CALL SPECIAL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Young called the meeting to order at 5:00
3) CONVENE OPEN SESSION
4) ROLL CALL
All Council Members were present.
Council Member Macenski attended via Zoom due to illness. 5) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
6) REFERENCE TO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC
7) ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Vice Mayor Scott, Council approved the Adoption of the Agenda, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Campbell, Council Member Macenski, Vice Mayor Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
8) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
9) WRITTEN COMMENT
10) PUBLIC COMMENT
None
11) BUSINESS ITEM
2 11.A - STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE WORKSHOP
Staff Report - Strategic Plan Update Workshop
Sarah Shawky, Deputy City Manager, introduced the agenda item.
Annie Rose Favreau, Senior Manager, Moss Adams, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Value Statement:
Council discussed the need to add a bullet point for achieving the objectives that were set forth, the sense of measurement in value statements, strengthening transparency and community involvement, the need for an ongoing dialogue, the need for a statement of economic sustainability, and the need to make sure people understand this will be Council's plan for the next 5 years.
Vision Statement:
Council discussed concern regarding the loss of the term 'sustainability', the need to make it known that we need to 'make sustainable growth but keep the small-town feel, the need for something bold, using the words 'ambitious, strong financial foundation'.
Mission Statement:
Council discussed the need for a broader statement regarding the citizens, community, and city thriving, the need to include the City's excellent services, sustaining the City's services, strengthening the statement regarding striving for excellence and engaging the community, the need to define sound infrastructure, and the need to acknowledge that the need to improve the City's infrastructure.
Strategic Goals:
Council discussed the issue of affordable housing, having something that shows the City is an inclusive city, economic development, the need for discussion recognizing to help with business growth in processing their applications, the need for planning for the future (a long-term vision), and the need to make it clear this is for the future and not just this point in time.
Mayor Young wondered if there was a way to create more refined survey so we can get a broader cross section of the community.
Public Comment:
None
11.B - ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE BENICIA GENERAL PLAN (Community Development Director) RESOLUTION NO. 23-135 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA AMENDING THE 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT OF THE
BENICIA GENERAL PLAN
3 RESOLUTION NO. 23- 136 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA TO COMPLY WITH STATE HOUSING LAWS
Suzanne Thorsen, Community Development Director, introduced the staff report.
Amy Sinsheimer, Senior Associate, Placeworks, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed what the impacts would be if this item were postponed tonight, the sights that have already been rezoned and could be used for development, the 'builder's remedy', the public comment process on the draft plans (only three citizens commented), racially concentrated areas of influence, Southampton open space deed restrictions, and the demographic information for the various sections of the City, Public Comment:
1. Richie Cruz - Mr. Cruz discussed the need for labor standards to be built into the housing element.
2. Steve Goetz - Mr. Goetz discussed the letter he submitted to Council and concern regarding the proposed housing element.
3. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman discussed the 75 additional housing units on the West side of the city.
4. Michael Hayes - Mr. Hayes discussed the issue of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA).
5. Jordan Racher - Mr. Racher discussed various sites where low-income and affordable housing developments could go,
6. Aaron Barrall - Mr. Barrall discussed concern with the proposed housing plan.
Council and Staff discussed the issue of discretionary review standards, planning for the future, whether there is buildable land in Waters End, how the City chose not to develop various sites in the past, the need to make compromises with development, and how the housing element aligns with the City's General Plan goals.
Mayor Young discussed the need for additional work to be done in identifying the location for the 75 affordable housing units, the city needs to look at the Hastings and Southampton Road site and Blake Court, and a third site in Southampton off of Hastings.
Staff Report - Adoption - Amendments - Housing Element - Benicia General Plan
1. Resolution - Amendments - 2023-2031 Housing Element - Benicia General Plan
2. Resolution - Regulations to Certify Compliance - State Housing Laws - OBAG-3 Grant
3. Planning Commission Staff Report (without attachments), November 2, 2023,
4. Resolution No. 23-9 (PC) (without exhibits)
5. HCD Review Letter, April 4, 2023,
6. HCD Review Letter, October 24, 2023,
7. Benicia Housing Element Adoption Draft November 2023 (Clean)
4 8. Benicia Housing Element Adoption Draft November 2023 (Mark-Up) On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Council Member Campbell, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 23-135, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Campbell, Council Member Macenski, Vice Mayor Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Council Member Campbell, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 23-136, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Campbell, Council Member Macenski, Vice Mayor Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
12) ADJOURNMENT (9:30 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m.
City Clerk