1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 18, 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 6:02 p.m.
2) CONVENE OPEN SESSION
3) ROLL CALL
All Council Members were present.
Council Member Birdseye attended remotely via Zoom.
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
9) PRESENTATIONS
9.A ECO AWARDS PRESENTATION
10) ADOPTION OF AGENDA
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council approved the Adoption of the Agenda, 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)
2 Mario Giuliani, City Manager, stated that Items 15.A and 15.B would be swapped, so that Item 15.B would be heard first.
11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Shoshana Nurik- Ms. Nurik requested the City make the City Park more accessible, specifically a path to the gazebo.
2. Citizens - the two students from BHS talked about their school project to aid immigrants.
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
Council pulled 14.B and 14.C for discussion.
14.A MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 18, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING February 18 2025 City Council Meeting Minutes
14.B ADOPTION OF INVESTMENT POLICY
Staff Report Adopt Investment Policy
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 35 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE CITY OF BENICIA INVESTMENT POLICY
Council and Staff discussed the changes being made to comply with State law, the amount of commercial paper holdings the City has, and reporting periods.
Public Comment:
None
1. Resolution adopting the Investment Policy
2. Investment Policy (Tracked Changes Version)
On motion of Council Member Scott, seconded by Vice Mayor Macenski, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-35, 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)
3 14.C APPROVE ADDITIONAL SERVICE REQUEST TO EXTEND
CONTRACT FOR DESIGN OF THE LIBRARY BASEMENT
Staff Report - Extend Contract For Design of the Library Basement RESOLUTION NO. 25- 36 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING ADDITIONAL SERVICE REQUEST TO
EXTEND CONTRACT FOR DESIGN OF THE LIBRARY BASEMENT
Public Comment:
1. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman asked for clarification on funding for the Library Basement Project.
1. Resolution - Contract - Noll & Tam - Design of the Library Basement
2. Amendment to Professional Services Agreement
On motion of Council Member Scott, seconded by Vice Mayor Macenski, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-36, 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)
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 Scott, Council approved the adoption of 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 2024 GENERAL PLAN AND HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL
PROGRESS REPORT
Staff Report - 2024 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report Vivien Togonon, Associate Planner, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
4 Council and Staff discussed the progress report, updates on current applications/projects, the Eastern Gateway, sea-level rise, SLA process, the public housing grants, income verification for low-income housing rental units and purchase units, and accessory dwelling units.
Public Comment:
None
Attachment 1 - 2024 General Plan Housing Element Annual Progress Report with Appendices A & B
On motion of Mayor Young, seconded by Vice Mayor Macenski, Council approved the acceptance of the 2024 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report, 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 ACCEPT THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
Staff Report ACFR Acceptance
Jeff Tschudi, Finance Director, introduced the item, and Rich Gonzalez, CLA, and Patricia McKeever, Accounting Manager, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed the issue of material weaknesses, AI, grant management, CLA's module that could help track grants, the identified findings/material weaknesses, federal disaster grant, efficiencies and time savings, auditing standards for how long a city can use an auditing firm, the issue of leases, finance staffing, and upcoming reports on improvements.
Public Comment:
None
1. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report - Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024
2. Single Audit Report - Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024
3. Corrective Action Plan for the Fiscal - Year Ended June 30, 2024
4. Summary Schedule of Prior Audit Findings - Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024 On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council approved by minute order, the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, on a roll call by the following vote:
5 Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
16) COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS:
16.A COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Committee Reports
17) ADJOURNMENT (7:30 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m.
City Clerk