1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
DECEMBER 16, 2025
6:00 P.M.
City Council Chambers, City Hall, 250 East L Street, complete proceedings of which are recorded on. 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 6:02 p.m.
2) CONVENE OPEN SESSION
3) ROLL CALL
Present: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Absent: Vice Mayor Macenski
4) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5) REFERENCE TO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF THE PUBLIC
6) ANNOUNCEMENTS
6.A MAYOR'S OFFICE HOURS
6.B MADDY ACT NOTICE - DECEMBER 2025
Maddy Act Notice - December 2025
7) PROCLAMATIONS
8) APPOINTMENTS
8.A A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BENICIA CONFIRMING MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS OF
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO THE CITY COUNCIL
APPOINTMENTS SUBCOMMITTEE, STANDING, AD HOC, AND
OUTSIDE AGENCY COMMITTEES
2 Resolution - 2026 Mayor's Appointments - Appointments Subcommittee, Standing, Ad Hoc, and Outside Agencies
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 134 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA CONFIRMING MAYOR'S APPOINTMENTS OF
MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO THE CITY COUNCIL
APPOINTMENTS SUBCOMMITTEE, STANDING, AD HOC, AND OUTSIDE
AGENCY COMMITTEES
Public Comment:
None
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-134, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
Absent: Vice Mayor Macenski
9) PRESENTATIONS
10) ADOPTION OF AGENDA
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Council Member Scott, 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 Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
Absent: Vice Mayor Macenski
11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
None
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
Council pulled Items 14.B and 14.C for discussion.
Mayor Young recused himself from voting on item 14.G due to a conflict of interest.
3 14.A MINUTES FROM THE DECEMBER 2, 2025 SPECIAL AND
REGULAR MEETING
December 2, 2025 Special City Council Meeting Minutes
December 2, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
14.B RATIFYING THE EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT DECLARATION
FOR THE I-80/WATT COURT WATER LINE REPAIR AND
APPROVING A BUDGET AMENDMENT
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 135 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA RATIFYING THE EMERGENCY PROCUREMENT DECLARATION FOR THE I-80/WATT COURT WATER LINE REPAIR
AUTHORIZING A BUDGET AMENDMENT AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
Council and Staff discussed Staff's quick response to the crisis, and the possibility of a tie-in with the City of Vallejo.
Public Comment:
None
Staff Report - Declaring Emergency Procurement
1. Resolution Declaring Emergency Procurement
On motion of Council Member Scott, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-135, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
Absent: Vice Mayor Macenski
14.C ADOPTION OF THE 2026 CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CALENDAR
Council and Staff discussed the issue of National Night Out and whether it needed to be held in October.
Public Comment:
None
Staff Report - City Council Regular Meeting Calendar - 2026
1. 2026 City Council Regular Meeting Calendar
4 On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council approved the adoption of the 2026 City Council Regular Meeting 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)
Absent: Vice Mayor Macenski
14.D CERTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT FOR CALPERS RETIRED
ANNUITANT FOR EXCEPTION OF 180-DAY RULE UNDER
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS 7522.56 AND 21221(h)
Staff Report - CalPERS 180 day Exception
1. Resolution - CalPERS 180 Day Wait Period Exception
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 136 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF BENICIA CERTIFYING THE NATURE OF THE
EMPLOYMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF KIMBERLY IMBODEN AS A
RETIRED ANNUITANT SERVING AS INTERIM HUMAN RESOURCES
MANAGER, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026
14.E FY 2025/26 FIRST QUARTER INVESTMENT REPORT
Staff Report - FY 2025-26 First Quarter Investment
1. FY2025-26 First Quarter Investment Report
2. LAIF Statement
3. CAMP Statement
4. 115 Trust Statement
14.F ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL AND FIVE-YEAR ASSEMBLY BILL 1600 REPORT
Staff Report - AB1600 Report
1. Resolution - Adoption of the AB1600 Report
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 137 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA ADOPTING THE AB1600 REPORT
14.G HOUSING ELEMENT IMPLEMENTATION AMENDMENTS
Staff Report - Second Reading Housing Element Implementation Amendments
1. Proposed Ordinance Amending the Benicia Municipal Code ORDINANCE NO. 25- 12 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA AMENDING TITLE 16 (SUBDIVISIONS) AND TITLE 17
5 (ZONING) OF THE BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT THE
GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT
On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Council Member Scott, Council approved the adoption of Ordinance 25-12, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, and Council Member Scott
Noes: (None)
Absent: Vice Mayor Macenski
Abstain: Mayor Young
14.H APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA
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, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
Absent: Council Member Macenski
15) BUSINESS ITEMS
15.A DISCUSSION ITEM - PORT OF BENICIA FACILITIES AND
INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION PLAN - STATUS UPDATE
ON DELIVERABLE 1 (INFRASTRUCTURE ASSESSMENT) AND
DELIVERABLE 2 (PORT DEMAND, CAPACITY, AND
CIRCULATION/TRANSPORTATION ANALYSIS)
Staff Report - Port of Benicia Facilities and Infrastructure Modernization Plan Status Update
Sarah Shawky, Deputy City Manager, and Michael Vanderbeek, GHD, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed when the City and Amports should reach out to agencies regarding the expected road improvements, demand and capacity, the waterfront property, the scope of the study, the three different piers, electrification of the pier, reevaluating the Amports lease to include road maintenance, environmental review, and limiting truck traffic.
Public Comment:
1. Marilyn Bardet - Ms. Bardet asked for clarification on the CEQA reviews.
6 2. Citizen - the citizen inquired about a county wide study/report on the planning process for the port.
1. Port of Benicia Deliverable 1 - Infrastructure Assessment
2. Port of Benicia Deliverable 2 - Port Demand, Capacity and Circulation Transportation Analysis
15.B DISCUSSION ITEM - PRESENTATION OF VALERO REUSE SCAN Suzanne Thorsen, Assistant City Manager, Development Services Director, and Dina Belzer, Strategic Economics, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed the presentation.
Public Comment:
1. Marilyn Bardet - Ms. Bardet discussed the presentation.
Staff Report - Valero Reuse Scan
15.C APPROVAL FOR USE OF AMPORTS, INC. SETTLEMENT FUNDS
FOR SP DEPOT
RESOLUTION NO. 25- 138 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING USE OF AMPORTS, INC.
SETTLEMENT FUNDS FOR THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD DEPOT Danielle Bonham, Public Works Director, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff clarified what the ask was for this item.
Public Comment:
1. Christina Strawbridge - Mrs. Strawbridge spoke in support of the proposed action.
2. Tom Campbell - Mr. Campbell spoke in support of the proposed action and suggested installing a ramp and ADA accessible bathroom in the freight room.
3. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman asked for clarification on the funding.
4. Belinda Smith - Ms. Smith spoke in support of the proposed action.
5. Marilyn Bardet - Ms. Bardet spoke in support of the proposed action. She suggested implementing a surcharge for historic preservation.
Mario Giuliani, City Manager, clarified the proposed action for this item. The proposed action is listed in the resolution.
Council Member Largaespada asked that Staff double-check that the decking and other materials are mandated requirements.
Staff Report - Approval of Use of Amports Settlement Funds for SP Depot
7 1. Resolution - Approval of Use of Amports Settlement Funds for SP Depot On motion of Council Member Scott, seconded by Mayor Young, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 25-138, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
Absent: Vice Mayor Macenski
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 9:11 p.m.
City Clerk