1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
MAY 20, 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.
COURTESY ZOOM PARTICIPATION
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
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
9) PRESENTATIONS
10) ADOPTION OF AGENDA
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, 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)
Mario Giuliani, City Manager, stated that Item 13.D would be pulled from the Consent Calendar to correct a typo.
2 11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Jeffrey Tover and Vickie Marchand - Mr. Tover and Ms. Marchand introduced a new group titled The Benicia Art Gallery Alliance 'BAGA'.
2. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman discussed the East E Street parking lot that has been closed recently and asked for an update.
3. Maryann Butler, Resource Conservation District - Ms. Butler gave an update on the work they have done in the schools this year and concerns regarding funding challenges.
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.A MINUTES FROM THE MAY 6, 2025 REGULAR MEETING
May 6, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
14.B REQUEST TO FLY THE RAINBOW FLAG IN RECOGNITION OF
LGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH
Staff Report - Request to Fly Rainbow Pride Flag in Recognition of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
1. Outdoor Flag Display Policy
14.C REQUEST TO FLY THE JUNETEENTH LIBERATION FLAG
Staff Report - Request to Fly Juneteenth Liberation Flag
1. Outdoor Flag Display Policy
14.D PUBLIC REVIEW OF ANNUAL REPORT OF MILITARY
EQUIPMENT USE BY THE BENICIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Staff Report - AB481 2024 Annual Report
1. AB481 Annual Report - 2024
2. Ordinance 22-8 - Military Equipment Use Policy
Mario Giuliani, City Manager, noted that there was a typo on page 4 that needed to be corrected to 2024.
Public Comment:
None
3 On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the review of the AB481 Annual Report – 2024, 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.E FY 2024/25 THIRD QUARTER BUDGET REPORT
Staff Report - FY25 Q3 Budget Report
14.F SECOND AMENDMENT TO PLACEWORKS ON-CALL PLANNING
MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF TASK
ORDER #4
Staff Report - PlaceWorks Second Amendment to Agreement
1. Resolution - PlaceWorks Second Amendment to Master Services Agreement
2. PlaceWorks Second Amendment to Master Services Agreement
3. PlaceWorks Task Order #4 - Placeworks EIR
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 51 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE MASTER
SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PLACEWORKS FOR ON-CALL PLANNING SERVICES FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2027, APPROVING TASK ORDER #4, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE THE MASTER SERVICES AMENDMENT AND TASK ORDER #4 ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
14.G LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT FISCAL YEAR 2025- 2026
Staff Report - FY25-26 Landscape and Lighting Assessment
1. Resolution - Intent to Initiate Proceedings
2. Resolution - Preliminary Approval of Engineer's Report
3. Resolution - Setting the Public Hearing Date on June 17, 2025
4. Preliminary LLAD Eng Rpt FY 25-26
5. Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District Diagram RESOLUTION NO. 25- 52 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA DESCRIBING IMPROVEMENTS AND DIRECTING
PREPARATION OF ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE CITY OF BENICIA LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT, FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 RESOLUTION NO. 24- 53 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA OF INTENTION TO ORDER THE LEVY AND
COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS PURSUANT TO THE LANDSCAPING AND
4 LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 AND THEREFORE SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON JUNE 18, 2024, TO CONSIDER THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 CITY OF
BENICIA LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 54 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA OF INTENTION TO ORDER THE LEVY AND
COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS PURSUANT TO THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 AND THEREFORE SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING ON JUNE 17, 2025, TO CONSIDER THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 CITY OF
BENICIA LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT
14.H APPROVAL OF A PARCEL MAP FOR SUBDIVISION TO CREATE TWO LOTS ON A 61.743 ACRE PARCEL LOCATED AT 2650 AND
2850 BAYSHORE ROAD AND ACCEPT PUBLIC STORM DRAIN
EASEMENT DEDICATION
Staff Report - Approval of Parcel Map 2650 and 2850 Bayshore Road RESOLUTION NO. 25- 55 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING A PARCEL MAP FOR SUBDIVISION TO CREATE TWO LOTS ON A 61.743 ACRE PARCEL LOCATED AT 2650 AND 2850 BAYSHORE ROAD AND ACCEPTING STORM DRAIN EASEMENT
DEDICATION
1. Resolution - Approval of Parcel Map 2650 and 2850 Bayshore Road
2. Parcel Map - 2650 and 2850 Bayshore Road
14.I APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH EV CHARGING SOLUTIONS,
INC. FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS
Staff Report - Approval of Agreement with EVCS
Council discussed support for the proposed project, the location correction (Hilcrest to Rose Drive), and the senior center, the need to strengthen the terms and conditions, the need for clarity on who is paying for the electricity, changing the payment terms to 30 days after each month, strengthening the exit clause without penalties if the chargers are underutilized or are underperforming (possibly a 2-year review), and striking the first sentence in Section 10a.
Public Comment:
1. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman discussed the issue of the cost of vandalism.
2. Jeffrey Tover - Mr. Tover inquired about the quality and dependability of the proposed charging stations.
3. Constance Beutel - Ms. Beutel discussed support for the proposed charging stations.
5 After a discussion, Council approved continuing this item until proposed changes are made:
• Cleaning up language on vandalism
• Staying with a 10 year term
• Payment within 30 days of the month
• Moving the senior center site due to upcoming project • Correct Hilcrest to Rose Drive
• Clarify that if they have to remove a station, they will return the site to the same condition
• Incorporating language regarding a service level agreement
1. Resolution -Approval of Agreement with EVCS
2. Agreement with EVCS
On motion of Mayor Young, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council approved continuing this item until the proposed changes are made to the contract, 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.J 2025 HOUSING ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION
Staff Report - Housing Element Implementation 2025
14.K APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA
Council pulled items 13.D and 13.I for discussion.
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved Council pulled items 14.B, E, I, 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 FY 2025/26 AND FY 2026/27 BUDGET STUDY SESSION - STAFFING,
GENERAL FUND DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS, AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT CHANGES
Jeff Tschudi, Finance Director, Roxana Moradi, Budget Manager, and Colette Schow, Economic Development Manager, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
6 Council and Staff discussed the need to focus on Fiscal Year 2026, knowing there are multiple changes coming (Valero closure, etc.), the tourism program, economic development, and staffing vacancies.
Public Comment:
1. Mike Caplin - Mr. Caplin spoke in support of the proposed tourism contract.
2. Leah Shellhorn - Ms. Shellhorn spoke in support of the proposed tourism contract.
3. Mary Hand - Ms. Hand spoke in support of the proposed tourism contract.
4. Vicky Marchand - Ms. Marchand spoke in support of the proposed tourism contract.
5. Christina Strawbridge - Mrs. Strawbridge spoke in support of the proposed tourism contract.
6. Marilyn Bardet - Ms. Bardet discussed support for the tourism contract and concern regarding the City's logo.
7. Betty Lucas - Ms. Lucas spoke in support of the proposed tourism contract.
8. Wendy Phillips - Ms. Phillips spoke in support of the proposed tourism contract.
9. Jeffrey Tover - Mr. Tover spoke in support of the proposed tourism contract.
10. Steven Gollub - Mr. Gollub spoke in support of the proposed tourism contract.
11. Will Tarbox - Mr. Tarbox discussed options for the Valero property.
12. Penny Stell - Mrs. Stell spoke in support of the proposed tourism contract.
Council discussed the budget.
Staff Report - FY26 & FY27 Budget Study Session 2
1. Resolution - 25-21 and Budget Development Policy
15.B APPOINTMENT OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO AD HOC
"ACT" TASK FORCE GROUPS IN RESPONSE TO POTENTIAL
BENICIA VALERO REFINARY CLOSURE
Staff Report - ACT Task Force Groups
Mario Giuliani, City Manager, reviewed the staff report.
Mayor Young discussed his proposed appointments.
Council Members discussed their appointments.
Public Comment:
1. Marilyn Bardet - Ms. Bardet discussed the need for a 5th task force to discuss cleanup.
2. Steven Gollub - Mr. Gollub discussed the BAAQMD settlement funds.
3. Michael Hayes - Mr. Hayes discussed the possible Valero closure.
7 On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved by motion, the nomination of the respective members of the City Council to the proposed Ad Hoc Task Force Groups, 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) COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS
16.A COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Committee Reports
17) ADJOURNMENT (9:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 9:59 p.m.
City Clerk