1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
JULY 15, 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.
Vice Mayor Macenski attended remotely due to illness.
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
Mario Giuliani, City Manager, stated that Item 14.C would be pulled for a typo correction.
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:
2 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. Anthony Mitchell - Mr. Mitchell discussed his company's interest in working with the City on energy solutions, with no budget impact to the City.
2. Hugh Marquez - Mr. Marquez discussed an event called 'The Wall that Heals’ and invited the City to participate.
3. Citizen - the citizen discussed concerns regarding the City's adopted 25-26 budget.
4. Council Member Scott - Council Member Scott discussed the issue of emergency notification systems.
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.B APPROVAL OF THE 2025 UPDATE OF THE BENICIA SEWER
SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN
Staff Report - 2025 Update of the Benicia Sewer System Management Plan
1. Resolution - 2025 Update of the Benicia Sewer System Management Plan RESOLUTION NO. 25-95 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE 2025 UPDATE OF THE CITY'S SEWER
SYSTEM MANAGEMENT PLAN, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
AND THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
14.A MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 10, 2025 AND JULY 1, 2025 SPECIAL
AND REGULAR MEETINGS
June 10, 2025 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2025 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
July 1, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
14.C APPROVAL OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH
UNITED GLOBAL LOGISTIC HOLDING CORPORATION FOR
CITYWIDE CUSTODIAL SERVICES
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 96 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING A FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT
3 WITH UNITED GLOBAL LOGISTIC HOLDING CORPORATION FOR
CITYWIDE CUSTODIAL SERVICES AND A BUDGET AMENDMENT
Staff acknowledged a typo in the resolution. The dollar amount of $458,780 needed to be changed to $748,212 due to an additional increase in the scope of services.
Public Comment:
None
Council and Staff discussed the layoffs that took place, the savings from the layoffs, and the vendor responsibilities.
Staff Report - United Global First Amendment to Agreement
1. Resolution - United Global First Amendment to Agreement
2. United Global First Amendment to Agreement for Custodial Services
3. Custodial Services Original Agreement United Global
On motion of Council Member Scott, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-96, 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)
14.D APPROVAL OF PUBLICLY AVAILABLE SALARY SCHEDULES
Staff Report - Salary Schedules
1. Resolution - Approval of Salary Schedules
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 97 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA ADOPTING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE PAY SCHEDULES IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF CALIFORNIA CODE OF
REGULATIONS, TITLE 2, SECTION 570.5, WHICH INCLUDES REVISED
SALARY SCHEDULES FOR THE CITY OF BENICIA JOB CLASSIFICATIONS
14.E APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA
Item 14.C was pulled to correct a typo in the Resolution.
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, 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
4 Noes: (None)
15) BUSINESS ITEMS
15.A INTENTION TO BEGIN BALLOT PROCEEDINGS AND APPROVE
PRELIMINARY ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE FORMATION OF
THE BENICIA CITYWIDE PARKS, LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/27; AND
IMPLEMENT ASSESSMENT BALLOT PROCEDURES UNDER
PROPOSITION 218 AND ASSEMBLY BILL 2257
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 98 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA ESTABLISHING ASSESSMENT SETTING PROCEDURES
FOR THE PARKS, LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT UNDER PROPOSITION 218 AND GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 53750 THROUGH 53759.2
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 99 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA DECLARING THE INTENTION TO ORDER THE
FORMATION OF THE PARKS, LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT, APPROVING THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEER'S REPORT,
PROVIDING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, AND DIRECTING THE
MAILING OF ASSESSMENT BALLOTS
Mario Giuliani, City Manager, and Danielle Bonham, Public Works Director, and Edric Kwan, SCI Consulting Group, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Staff and Council discussed how the annual levy is reviewed, sunset clause, how the rates were formulated, why artificial turf is needed, lower fees for condominiums, the timeline/deadline, concern regarding the lack of specificity, why there are different tiers, and concern regarding not seeing the engineers report until tonight.
Public Comment:
1. Dana Jones - Mrs. Jones discussed how challenging it is for the soccer league to find space to play on. If something isn't done, they will continue to lose athletes to other clubs.
2. John McGuire - Mr. McGuire discussed concern regarding using artificial turf and lack of clarity on the numbers presented.
3. Marty Jones - Mr. Jones spoke in support of the proposed PLAAD.
4. Brandon Marshall - Mr. Marshall spoken in support of the proposed PLAAD.
5. Steven Goetz - Mr. Goetz spoke in support of the PLAAD, but was concerned it would not pass, as there is not enough information available to support it.
6. Greg Gartrell - Mr. Gartrell discussed bringing this back in a year with more information available.
7. Joshua Smith - Mr. Smith discussed support for the PLAAD, and support for artificial turf fields.
5 8. Noelia Morales - Ms. Morales discussed the need for artificial turf and better fields for the kids to play on.
9. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman would like to see a sunset clause in the PLAAD.
If there isn't a sunset clause, she would like a super majority vote on all future increases.
10. Jean - Jean discussed support for the PLAAD, but only if there is a sunset clause.
11. Bob Nicholson - Mr. Nicholson spoke in support of the proposed PLAAD but would like more time to get more information.
12. Toni Foster - Ms. Foster discussed support for the PLAAD but had concerns regarding artificial turf.
Staff and Council discussed the issue of artificial turf, concern regarding the engineer's report, the need for transparency and community input, the need for more information, support for the PLAAD, and whether to continue this item so another public meeting could be held. Council majority approved moving forward with the resolution.
Staff Report - Initiate Ballot Proceedings and Approve Eng Report Citywide PLLAD
1. Resolution - Citywide PLLAD Approval Assess. Setting Proc. Prop 218
2. Resolution - Citywide PLLAD Approval of Prelim Approve ER
3. PLLAD Prelim Engineer's Report FY26-27 and Notice of Public Hearing
4. Proposed Citywide Parks Landscape and Lighting Assessment District Diagram On motion of Mayor Young, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council denied the substitute motion to defer the item for 4-6 weeks (second meeting in August) to get more details on costs and project specifics, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Largaespada, Council approved the adoption of Resolutions 25-98 and 25-99, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott
Noes: Mayor Young
15.B APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH BC DESIGN HAUS FOR
TOURISM MARKETING SERVICES
Staff Report - Agreement with BC Design Haus for Tourism Marketing Services RESOLUTION NO. 25- 100 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BC DESIGN HAUS FOR TOURISM MARKETING SERVICES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025- 2026
6 Colette Schow, Economic Development Manager, and Bernadette Capulong, BC Design Haus, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed how to maximize the City's investment, media outreach, what is included in the contract, marketing strategy, consolidating event calendars, whether staff could handle the proposed work in-house, and whether any of the work would be done outside of the country.
Public Comment:
1. Mike Caplin - Mr. Caplin spoke in favor of the proposed contract.
2. Christina Strawbridge - Mrs. Strawbridge spoke in support of the proposed contract.
3. Citizen - the citizen discussed the proposed contract.
Council and Staff discussed the proposed contract.
1. Resolution - Agreement with BC Design Haus for Tourism Marketing Services
2. Agreement with BC Design Haus
3. BC Design Haus Proposal to 2025 Tourism Marketing RFP
4. 2007 Economic Development Strategy
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-100, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young Noes: Council Member Largaespada, Vice Mayor Macenski
15.C DIRECTION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS GRANT
PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025-2026 AND 2026-2027
Staff Report - Economic Development Business Grant Program Colette Schow, Economic Development Manager, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed combining options two and three, consideration of adding the Benicia Industrial Park into the grant program.
Public Comment:
None
Council and Staff discussed the issue of mixed use development and permit fee waivers/streamlining, etc., having an ordinance that would grandfather in existing businesses on the ground floor that are not retail until their lease is up, and then have them move to the second floor or another location, adding more benches downtown,
7 having a loan program, concerns regarding investing in facade improvements on buildings that have seismic/unreinforced masonry issues, putting together a package of incentives for developers, downtown economic zone, and the need to develop policies first.
1. May 20, 2025 City Council Budget Presentation
15.D COMMERCIAL REGULATION STREAMLINING AMENDMENTS
Staff Report - Commercial Streamlining Amendments
Public Comment:
None
Continued to 8/5/25
1. Draft Ordinance amending the BMC
2. Draft Resolution amending the DMUMP
3. Planning Commission Staff Report June 26 2025
4. Planning Commission Resolution No. 25-2 with Exhibits
5. Draft Planning Commission Meeting Minutes June 26 2025
6. Zoning Map
On motion of Mayor Young, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved continuing this item to a date certain of 8/5/25, 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) CITY COUNCIL TASK FORCE GROUPS: ADVOCACY, COLLABORATION
AND TRANSITION (ACT)
16.A AD HOC "ACT" TASK FORCE GROUPS UPDATES
Ad Hoc "ACT" Task Force Groups Updates
17) COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS:
17.A COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Committee Reports
18) ADJOURNMENT (8:30 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 10:42 p.m.
8 City Clerk