1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 19, 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 6:03 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 Council Member 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, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
2 12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
None
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.A COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS STREAMLINING AMENDMENTS
Staff Report - Commercial Streamlining Second Reading Adoption
1. Proposed Ordinance amending the Benicia Municipal Code ORDINANCE NO. 25-9 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA AMENDING CHAPTER 2.32 (PLANNING DEPARTMENT) OF TITLE 2 (ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL) AND ALL REFERENCES
WITHIN THE BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE AND PERSONNEL
CLASSIFICATION PLAN TO CHANGE THE NAME OF THE PLANNING
DEPARTMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND TO
CHANGE THE TITLE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR TO
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR, AND AMENDING CHAPTERS 17.12 (DEFINITIONS), 17.16 (USE CLASSIFICATIONS), 17.24 (RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS), 17.26 (MIXED USE DISTRICTS), 17.28 (COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS), 17.32 (INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS), 17.36 (OS OPEN SPACE DISTRICT), 17.40 (PS PUBLIC AND SEMIPUBLIC DISTRICT) AND 17.70 (GENERAL REGULATIONS) OF TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE BENICIA
MUNICIPAL CODE TO CLARIFY, UPDATE AND STREAMLINE
COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS
14.B APPROVAL OF 2025 STATE WATER PROJECT WATER
TRANSFER
Staff Report - Approval of 2025 State Water Project Water Transfer
1. Resolution - 2025 State Water Project Water Transfer
2. 2025 SWP Water Transfer Letter of Understanding
3. Solano County Water Agency Water Transfer and Exchange Policy RESOLUTION NO. 25-102 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE 2025 STATE WATER PROJECT
WATER TRANSFER LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE SALE OF
EXCESS UNTREATED WATER SUPPLY AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO SIGN LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
Council and Staff discussed how much water the City provided to Valero that could be transferred elsewhere, and how it would impact the Delta Plan.
3 Public Comment:
None
On motion of Council Member Scott, seconded by Mayor Young, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-102, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
14.C APPROVAL OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO TASK ORDER NO. 13
WITH STANTEC FOR THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT
MISCELLANEOUS MECHANICAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
AND AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT
Staff Report - Approval of Amendment to TO13 with Stantec for WTP Misc Mechanical Improvements
1. Resolution - WTP Miscellaneous Mechanical Improvement Project
2. First Amendment No. 1 to Task Order No. 13 - Stantec Consulting - Construction Management/Inspection
3. Task Order No. 13 - Stantec Consulting - Construction Management/Inspection
4. Master Professional Engineering Services Agreement - Stantec Consulting RESOLUTION NO. 25-103 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO TASK
ORDER NO. 13 WITH STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES, INC. FOR THE
WATER TRETAMENT PLANT MISCELLANEOUS MECHANICAL
IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY
14.D APPROVAL OF FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH
NEW IMAGE LANDSCAPE COMPANY FOR LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE OF MEDIANS, RIGHTS-OF-WAY AND CITY
FACILITIES
Staff Report - Amendment to Agreement with New Image Landscape Company
1. Resolution - First Amendment to Agreement - New Image Landscape Company for Landscape Maintenance of Medians, Rights-of-Way and City Facilities
2. Agreement - First Amendment to Agreement - New Image Landscape Company for Landscape Maintenance of Medians, Rights-of-Way and City Facilities
3. Original Agreement - New Image Landscape Company
On motion of Mayor Young, seconded by Council Member Macenski, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-104, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
4 Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
RESOLUTION NO. 25-104 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING A FIRST AMENDMENT TO 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
Public Comment:
1. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman asked for clarification on the proposed contract.
14.E APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA
Council Member Macenski stated he would be abstaining from any items not pulled on the Consent Calendar due to a conflict of interest on item 14.C.
Council pulled items 14.B and 14.D for discussion. Council Member Macenski could vote on items that are pulled from the Consent Calendar.
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Mayor Young, 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, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
15) BUSINESS ITEMS
15.A AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO VOTE "YES," SIGN AND
SUBMIT BALLOTS FOR CITYWIDE PARKS, LANDSCAPE AND
LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
Staff Report - Authorize CM to Sign Ballots for PLLAD
1. Resolution - Authorizing the City Manager to Vote "Yes," Sign, and Submit the PLLAD Ballots on Behalf of the City
2. Sample Ballot With Information Guide
RESOLUTION NO. 25-105 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO VOTE “YES,”
SIGN, AND SUBMIT THE BALLOTS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY FOR THE
PARCELS OWNED BY THE CITY THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THE
PROPOSED CITYWIDE PARKS, LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT
5 Mario Giuliani, City Manager, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Staff and Council discussed the proposed rates related to rental units, the language in the ballots regarding maximum annual increases, and what the funds could be used for.
Public Comment:
1. Dennis Lowry - Mr. Lowry discussed concern regarding the City being allowed to vote yes for all 58 city-owned parcels, as they do not pay property tax on those parcels.
2. Tony Morgado - Mr. Morgado discussed the lack of trust the citizens have in the City, and the need for more transparency and communication.
3. Michael Hayes - Mr. Hayes discussed support for a fixed revenue system for the parks, however he did not like that property tax information was used in the process.
4. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman discussed concern regarding the language on the ballots, and the need for a sunset clause.
5. Kathy Kerridge - Ms. Kerridge spoke in support of the proposed item.
Council and Staff discussed the fairness of the City voting yes on all 58 parcels, and how the Prop 218 process came about.
On motion of Council Member Macenski, seconded by Mayor Young, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-105, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
15.B STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HCD) PROHOUSING
DESIGNATION APPLICATION
Staff Report - Prohousing Designation App
1. Resolution with Exhibit A: Prohousing Designation Application
2. Public Comments Received through August 8, 2025
RESOLUTION NO. 25-106 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO AND PARTICIPATION
IN THE PROHOUSING DESIGNATION PROGRAM
Jason Hade, Planning Manager, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed what Benicia would gain or lose from proceeding with the proposed application, sending a message that Benicia wants to build housing, and how this designation fits with the City's General Plan.
Public Hearing Opened.
6 Public Comment:
1. Michael Hayes - Mr. Hayes discussed Prop 213.
2. Kathy Kerridge - Ms. Kerridge spoke in support of the proposed application.
Public Hearing Closed.
Council discussed Benicia being an inclusive city, who welcomes anyone who wants to live here.
On motion of Council Member Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-106, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member 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 (9:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
Deputy City Clerk