1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 3, 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.
Council Member Macenski arrived at 7:01 p.m.
4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5) REFERENCE TO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC
6) ANNOUNCEMENTS
6.A MAYOR'S OFFICE HOURS
7) PROCLAMATIONS
7.A LGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH - JUNE 2025
Proclamation - LGBTQ Pride 2025
8) APPOINTMENTS
8.A CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS; SUBCOMMITTEE'S
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MAYOR FOR BOARDS,
COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES
9) PRESENTATIONS
2 10) ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Suzanne Thorsen, Assistant City Manager, noted that Item 15.E would be moved up to go prior to Item 15.C on the agenda.
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, 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, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Constance Beutel - Ms. Beutel complimented the City on the new Welcome to Benicia sign.
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.A APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA
Public Comment:
None
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council approved the Consent Calendar, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
15) BUSINESS ITEMS
15.A INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF A PROPOSED
AMENDMENT TO BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE ADDING
CHAPTER 8.56 (FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES) TO TITLE 8
(HEALTH AND SAFETY)
ORDINANCE NO. 25- - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 8.56 (FIRE HAZARD
SEVERITY ZONES) TO TITLE 8 (HEALTH AND SAFETY) OF THE BENICIA
MUNICIPAL CODE
3 Josh Chadwick, Fire Chief, reviewed the staff report.
Council and Staff discussed the rules for what residents can/can't do while clearing the open spaces behind their homes, and how to identify street names that are in the zones.
Public Comment:
None
Staff Report - Fire Hazard Severity Zones
1. Proposed Ordinance - Fire Hazard Severity Zones
2. Public Comments Received
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council approved the Introduction and First Reading of the above Ordinance, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
15.B INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING SECTION 12.16.240 (DRIVEWAY SPECIFICATIONS)
TO TITLE 12 (STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES) OF
THE BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE
ORDINANCE NO. 25- - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA AMENDING SECTION 12.16.240 (DRIVEWAY
SPECIFICATIONS) OF CHAPTER 12.16 (REPAIR AND CONSTRUCTION OF SIDEWALKS AND ALLEYS) OF TITLE 12 (STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND
PUBLIC PLACES) OF THE BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE
Derek Linsley, Senior Civil Engineer, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Hearing Opened
Public Comment:
None
Public Hearing Closed
Staff Report - Amending Section 12.16.240 - Driveway Specifications
1. Draft Ordinance - Amending Section 12.16.240 - Driveway Specifications On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council approved the Introduction and First Reading of the above Ordinance, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
4 Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
15.C FY 2025/26 AND FY 2026/27 PROPOSED BUDGET
Jeff Tschudi, Finance Director, and Roxana Moradi, Budget Manager, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed concern regarding the growth in the professional and technical services budget, grants, benefits, salary, possibly changing the tourism budget to give the money to Benicia Main Street rather than a PR agency, the drop in 'other revenue', the possible loss of Valero's revenue, All Fund expense and All Fund revenue, election costs, Police/Fire benefit increases, water projects, and downtown grants.
Public Comment:
1. Constance Beutel - Ms. Beutel spoke in support of continued funding for Benicia Main Street.
2. Penny Stell - Ms. Stell spoke in support of the tourism and marketing program.
3. Mary Hand - Ms. Hand spoke in support of the tourism and marketing program.
4. Vicky Marchand - Ms. Marchand spoke in support of the tourism and marketing program.
5. Leah Shellhorn - Ms. Shellhorn spoke in support of funding Benicia Main Street.
6. Mike Caplin - Mr. Caplin spoke in support of the tourism and marketing program.
7. Mary Frances Kelly Poh - Ms. Kelly Poh spoke in support of the tourism and marketing program.
8. Christina Strawbridge - Mrs. Strawbridge spoke in support of the tourism and marketing program and the importance of the Benicia Industrial Park, and the possibility of Benicia Main Street assisting with tourism marketing.
9. Randy Young - Mr. Young discussed how important the Benicia Industrial Park is, and the Benicia Chamber of Commerce's willingness to help.
10. Marilyn Bardet - Ms. Bardet spoke in support of the tourism and marketing program.
11. Wendi Phillips - Ms. Phillips spoke in support of the tourism and marketing program.
12. Betty Lucas - Ms. Lucas spoke in support of the tourism and marketing program.
13. Vicky Dennis - Ms. Dennis spoke in support of the tourism and marketing program.
Council and Staff discussed having the tourism and marketing contract item as a separate agenda item in the future, the importance of the Benicia Industrial Park, taking proposals from local companies for the tourism and marketing contract, have the grant program be flexible and include the industrial park and other types of businesses, and the budget policy practice.
Staff Report - FY26 & FY27 Proposed Budget
5 1. FY26 & FY27 Proposed Budget - Book
2. Resolution - 25-21 and Budget Development Policy
15.D APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT FOR PRIORITY BASED
BUDGETING IMPLEMENATION SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF
BENICIA
Staff Report - Priority Based Budgeting
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 57 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT
WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES FOR PRIORITY BASED BUDGETING
IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES
Mario Giuliani, City Manager, and Chris Fabian, Tyler Technologies, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed the proposed contract, whether there were versions less expensive available, and why the proposed contract was the best option for the City.
Public Comment:
1. John Takeuchi - Mr. Takeuchi spoke in support of the proposed contract.
Council and Staff discussed the benefits of Priority Based Budgeting.
Public Comment Reopened:
None
1. Resolution - Priority Based Budgeting
2. Contract Amendment - Priority Based Budgeting Module for Tyler Technologies On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Mayor Young, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-57, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: Council Member Largaespada
15.E COMPLIANCE WITH NEW LEGAL OBLIGATIONS RE: PUBLIC
HEARING ON CITY VACANCIES AND RECRUITMENT AND
RETENTION EFFORTS (ASSEMBLY BILL 2561/GOVERNMENT
CODE SECTION 3502.3)
Kim Imboden, Human Resources Manager, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
6 Council and Staff discussed the issue of employee satisfaction surveys and input, employee retention trends, vacancy rates, remote work practices, using local comparable markets for positions, exit interview feedback, and a request for a report on the remote positions in the City.
Public Comment:
None
Staff Report - AB2561 Annual Report on Vacancies and Recruitment Efforts
1. AB2561 Legislative Text
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the acceptance of the 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)
16) ADJOURNMENT (9:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m.
City Clerk