1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBERT 4, 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 Regular 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
7.A PROCLAMATION - RUBY BRIDGES WALK TO SCHOOL DAY
Proclamation - Ruby Bridges Walk to School 2025
8) APPOINTMENTS
8.A MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS OF THREE (3) BENICIA RESIDENTS
TO THE SOLTRANS PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A
TWO-YEAR TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2027
1. Resolution - Mayor's Appointment - Dan Smith - SolTrans Public Advisory Committee
2. Resolution - Mayor's Appointment - Ginger Burnett - SolTrans Public Advisory Committee
2 3. Resolution - Mayor's Appointment - Rachel Bhagwat - SolTrans Public Advisory Committee
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 124 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
DAN SMITH TO THE SOLTRANS PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2027
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 125 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
GINGER BURNETT TO THE SOLTRANS PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2027
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 126 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF
RACHEL BHAGWAT TO THE SOLTRANS PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2027
Public Comment:
None
On motion of Mayor Young, seconded by Vice Mayor Macenski, Council approved Resolutions 25-124, 25-125, and 25-126, 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)
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 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)
11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Dan Smith - Mr. Smith discussed the 'Playground of Dreams' in the City Park.
3 2. Mayor Young - Mayor Young discussed the BAAD settlement funds. 14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.A MINUTES FROM THE OCTOBER 7 AND 14, 2025 SPECIAL
MEETINGS
October 7, 2028 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
October 14, 2025 Special City Council Closed Session Meeting Minutes October 14, 2025 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
14.B 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 Birdseye, Council approved the adoption of the Consent Calendar, 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)
Public Comment:
None
15) BUSINESS ITEMS
15.A CONFIRMING THE DISTRICT DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT AS
PROPOSED IN THE ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE PARKS,
LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT,
ORDERING THE IMPROVEMENTS AND FORMATION OF THE
DISTRICT, AND ORDERING THE LEVY OF THE ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/27
Staff Report - PLLAD Ballot Results
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 127 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING THE DISTRICT DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT AS PROPOSED IN THE ENGINEER’S REPORT FOR THE
PARKS, LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT, ORDERING
THE IMPROVEMENTS AND FORMATION OF THE DISTRICT, AND
ORDERING THE LEVY OF THE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/27
Sharon Denney, Senior Management Analyst, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
4 Public Comment:
None
Council discussed this being the next step in the process, and the appeal period.
1. Resolution - PLLAD Ballot Results
2. Ballot Certification Letter City Clerk
3. Benicia Parks LLAD Final Engineer's Report FY26-27
4. District Diagram
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-127, 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)
15.B FIRST READING AN INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
ADOPTING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE AND
RELATED AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 15 OF THE BENICIA
MUNICIPAL CODE (BMC)
ORDINANCE NO.25- - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA AMENDING CHAPTERS 15.01 THROUGH
15.27,15.30,15.33, 15.35,15.40,15.53,15.55,15.60,15.70 AND 15.73 OF TITLE 15 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF THE BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE TITLE 24 AS MANDATED BY THE STATE BUILDING STANDARDS COMMISSION WHICH INCLUDES: THE CALIFORNIA
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE VOLUMES 1 & 2 INCLUDING APPENDICES B, G, H, I, J, AND Q AS AMENDED; THE
CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE INCLUDING APPENDICES AA, AB, BB, BF, BG, BH, BO AND CJ; THE CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN
INTERFACE CODE, THE ELECTRICAL CODE; THE CALIFORNIA
MECHANICAL CODE; THE CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE INCLUDING APPENDICES A, B, D, E, I, J, K, L, AND R AS AMENDED; THE CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE; THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE; THE CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE; THE CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE INCLUDING APPENDIX A, CHAPTERS A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, APPENDICES B, D, E, AND RESOURCE A AS AMENDED; THE CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE; THE 2024
INTERNATIONAL POOL AND SPA CODE; 2024 INTERNATIONAL
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE. AND MAKING OTHER
MODIFICATIONS TO TITLE 15
5 Suzanne Thorsen, Development Services Director, Assistant City Manager, and Josh Chadwick, Fire Chief, reviewed the staff report.
Public Comment:
None
Council and Staff discussed 'zone zero', the permitting and approval process and timing, extensions and exemptions, and state law requirements.
Staff Report - Amending Title 15 of the Benicia Municipal Code
1. Ordinance - Amending Title 15 of the Benicia Municipal Code
2. Mark Up of Ordinance
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, 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, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
15.C FIRST READING AND INTRODUCTION OF THE 2025
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE AND CHAPTER AMENDMENTS TO
TITLE 8 OF THE BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE
1. Ordinance - Adopting 2025 California Fire Code and Amendments Staff Report - First Reading and Introduction of the 2025 California Fire Code Chapter Amendments
2. California Fire Code Update Ordinance - with Redline Markup ORDINANCE NO. 25- - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA AMENDING CHAPTER 8.28 (FIRE PREVENTION AND LIFE SAFETY CODE) OF TITLE 8 (HEALTH AND SAFETY) OF THE BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE TO REPEAL CHAPTER 8.28 IN ITS ENTIRETY AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE The staff report and discussion on this item was combined with agenda item 15.B. See above for comments.
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, 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, Vice Mayor Macenski, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
6 15.D APPROVAL OF THE DEDICATION OF 2,320 FEET OF THE BAY
AREA RIDGE TRAIL
Staff Report - Dedication of Bay Area Ridge Trail
1. Resolution - Dedication of Bay Area Ridge Trail
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 128 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE DEDICATION OF 2,320 FEET OF
BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL IN BENICIA
Derek Lindsley, Senior Engineer, reviewed the staff report and Kyvan Elep, Bay Area Ridge Trail, reviewed a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed the improvements for Columbus Parkway, and how future development might affect the trail.
Public Comment:
1. Bob Berman - Mr. Berman spoke in support of the proposed dedication.
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-128, 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)
15.E ESTABLISH A PENSION RESERVE FUNDING POLICY
Staff Report - Pension Reserve Funding Policy
RESOLUTION NO. 25 - 129 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE CITY OF BENICIA PENSION
RESERVE FUNDING POLICY
Jeff Tschudi, Finance Director, and Dan Matusiewicz, TrueComp, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed the proposed Pension Reserve Funding Policy.
Public Comment:
1. Greg Gendron - Mr. Gendron discussed the proposed item.
1. Resolution - Pension Reserve Funding Policy
2. PARS Section 115 Trust Statment
3. 2019 Staff Report - PARS Section 115 Trust Authorization
4. 2022 Staff Report - General Fund - Fund Balance Reserve Policy
7 On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-129, 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)
16) ADJOURNMENT (9:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 8:46 p.m.
City Clerk