1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 7, 2025
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.
1) CALL TO ORDER (6:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young called the meeting to order at 6:09 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 MAYOR'S OFFICE HOURS
7) PROCLAMATIONS
8) APPOINTMENTS
8.A A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS OF
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO STANDING, AND
OUTSIDE AGENCY COMMITTEES
1. Resolution - Mayor's Appointments - Council Members - Standing and Outside Agencies
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 1 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS OF
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCILTO STANDING, AND OUTSIDE AGENCY
COMMITTEES
2 Public Comment:
None
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-1, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
8.B A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
CHRISTOPHER DUNLAP TO THE ARTS AND CULTURE
COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2025
1. Resolution - Christopher Dunlap - Arts and Culture Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 2 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
CHRISTOPHER DUNLAP TO THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2025
8.C A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
JEFFREY TOVER TO THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
1. Resolution - Jeffrey Tover - Arts and Culture Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 3 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
JEFFREY TOVER TO THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION FOR A
FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
8.D A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
TERESA ALLEN-PICCOLO TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
1. Resolution - Teresa Allen-Piccolo - Community Services Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 4 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
TERESA ALLEN-PICCOLOTO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
3 8.E A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
RACHEL BHAGWAT TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
1. Resolution - Rachel Bhagwat- Community Services Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 5 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
RACHEL BHAGWAT TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
8.F A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
MARGARET KOLK TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
1. Resolution - Margaret Kolk- Community Services Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 6 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
MARGARET KOLK TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
8.G A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
ELIZABETH O'BRIEN TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
1. Resolution - Elizabeth O'Brien - Community Services Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 7 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
ELIZABETH O’BRIEN TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
8.H A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF AN
PETERSON TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR
A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
1. Resolution - An Peterson - Community Services Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 8 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF AN PETERSON TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR A FULLTERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
4 8.I A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
ROBERT SACHS TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
1. Resolution - Robert Sachs - Community Services Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 9 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
ROBERT SACHSTO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR A
FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
8.J A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
ANDRE STEWART TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
1. Resolution - Andre Stewart - Community Services Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 10 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
ANDRE STEWART TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
8.K A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
NANDI LOGGINS-GLOVER TO THE COMMUNITY
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL-TERM ENDING
1. Resolution - Nandi Loggins-Glover - Community Sustainability Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 11 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
NANDI LOGGINS-GLOVERTO THE COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY
COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2027
8.L A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
STEPHANIE SATCHOULK TO THE COMMUNITY
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL-TERM ENDING
JULY 31, 2026
1. Resolution - Stephanie Satchoulk - Community Sustainability Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 12 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
STEPHANIE SATCHOULKTO THE COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY
COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
5 8.M A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF CHRIS
CHWALA TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW
COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2025
1. Resolution - Chris Chwala - Historic Preservation Review Commission RESOLUTION NO. 25- 13 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF CHRIS
CHWALATO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEW COMMISSION FOR A PARTIAL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2025
8.N A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
MICHAEL BERNICO TO THE LOCAL TAX OVERSIGHT BOARD
FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
1. Resolution - Michael Bernico - Local Tax Oversight Board RESOLUTION NO. 25- 14 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
MICHAEL BERNICOTO THE LOCAL TAX OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR A
FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
8.O A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
NICOLE LAGRANDEUR TO THE LOCAL TAX OVERSIGHT
BOARD FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
1. Resolution - Nicole LaGrandeur - Local Tax Oversight Board RESOLUTION NO. 25- 15 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
NICOLE LAGRANDEURTO THE LOCAL TAX OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
8.P A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
CARLA NORTHRUP TO THE LOCAL TAX OVERSIGHT BOARD
FOR A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
1. Resolution - Carla Northrup - Local Tax Oversight Board RESOLUTION NO. 25- 16 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
CARLA NORTHRUPTO THE LOCAL TAX OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR A
FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2026
6 8.Q A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR'S APPOINTMENT OF
SCOTT WAGNER TO THE LOCAL TAX OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR
A FULL-TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028
1. Resolution - Scott Wagner - Local Tax Oversight Board RESOLUTION NO. 25- 17 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
SCOTT WAGNERTO THE LOCAL TAX OVERSIGHT BOARD FOR A FULLTERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028 On motion of Mayor Young, Council approved the adoption of Resolutions 25-2 through 25-17, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
9) PRESENTATIONS
9.A PENSION LIABILITY UPDATE
10) ADOPTION OF AGENDA
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the Adoption of the Agenda, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman discussed a see-click-fix request that an anonymous person submitted, as well as other traffic concerns. 14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.A APPROVAL OF AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF BENICIA
AND BENICIA PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION,
BENICIA SUPERVISORS AND PROFESSIONALS' ASSOCIATION,
BENICIA POLICE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION, BENICIA
7 DISPATCHERS' ASSOCIATION, AND UNREPRESENTED
MANAGEMENT GROUPS
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 18 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF
BENICIA AND BENICIA PUBLIC SERVICE EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION, BENICIA SUPERVISORS AND PROFESSIONALS’ ASSOCIATION, BENICIA POLICE OFFICER’S ASSOCIATION, BENICIA DISPATCHERS’
ASSOCIATION, AND UNREPRESENTED MANAGEMENT GROUPS
Public Comment:
1. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman inquired about the contract negotiations team and whether citizens could be on the team.
Council and Staff discussed the issue of accumulated leave for employees.
Staff Report - Agreements
1. Resolution - Approval of Agreements
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-18, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
14.B AMENDMENT TO CITY MANAGER'S CONTRACT
Staff Report - Amendment to City Manager Agreement
1. Resolution - Amendment to City Manager Agreement
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 19 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING AMENDMENT TO THE CITY MANAGER’S
CONTRACT
14.C SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF A PROPOSED
AMENDMENT TO BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 16
(SUBDIVISIONS)
Staff Report - Title 16 Amendment
1. Ordinance Amending Title 16 Subdivisions
ORDINANCE NO. 25- 1 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA AMENDING TITLE 16 (SUBDIVISIONS) OF THE BENICIA
MUNICIPAL CODE
8 14.D APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the Consent Calendar, as amended, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
15) BUSINESS ITEMS
15.A APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH NEW IMAGE LANDSCAPE
COMPANY FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE OF MEDIANS,
RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND CITY FACILITIES
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 20 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH NEW IMAGE
LANDSCAPE COMPANY FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE OF MEDIANS,
RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND CITY FACILITIES AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
Mario Giuliani, City Manager, and Danielle Bonham, Public Works Director, reviewed the staff reports.
Council and Staff discussed how the contractor's schedule would be managed, the need for a priority list, and how see-click-fix tickets would be handled.
Public Comment:
None
Staff Report - Agreement - Landscape Maintenance of Medians, Right-of-Ways and City Facilities
1. Resolution - Approval of Agreement for Landscape Maintenance of Medians, Rightof-Ways and City Facilities
2. Agreement - New Image Landscape Company
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-20, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
15.B BUDGET DEVELOPMENT POLICY
9 RESOLUTION NO. 25-21 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE BUDGET DEVLOPMENT POLICY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 (FY26) AND FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 (FY27) Roxanna Moradi, Budget Manager, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed how projects would be prioritized, staffing, vacancy factor, vehicle replacement policy, the BAAQMD funds, the City's current hiring freeze, public safety, and reducing services.
Public Comment:
1. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman discussed the need to change the fundamental way the City views the budget.
2. Citizen - the citizen discussed the issue of priority-based budgeting, and the need to look at other opportunities such as using volunteers.
Council and Staff discussed reducing staff by four, and whether to move forward with the reduction now or after the subcommittee reviews all departments. Council majority approved amending the resolution to reflect reducing full time equivalent (FTE) authorized positions to 218 for FY26 and FY27.
Staff Report - FY26 and 27 Budget Development Policy
1. Resolution - Budget Development Policy
2. FY26 and FY27 Budget Development Policy
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Mayor Young, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-21, as amended, reducing the full-time equivalent (FTE) authorized positions to 218 by the time the next budget is passed, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
16) ADJOURNMENT (8:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m.
City Clerk