1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
JULY 7, 2026
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 6:11 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
9.A CALTRANS DISTRICT 4 (BAY AREA) UPCOMING
CONSTRUCTION PROJECT - SURFACE REPLACEMENT ON THE
WESTBOUND I-80 SECTION OF THE AL ZAMPA BRIDGE
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
2 Noes: (None)
11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Michael Hayes - Mr. Hayes discussed concern regarding incorrect billing and overcharges from Republic Services.
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.A MINUTES FROM THE JUNE 16, 2026 AND JUNE 23, 2026 REGULAR
MEETINGS
June 16, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
June 23, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
14.B ADOPTION OF WORK PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-27
Staff Report - City Council Work Plan 2026-27
1. FY 26-27 Work Plan
14.C 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)
15) BUSINESS ITEMS
15.A INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 12.54 TO TITLE 12
(STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES) OF THE BENICIA
MUNICIPAL CODE (BMC) AND AMENDING BMC SECTION
5.28.040 TO TITLE 5 (BUSINESS, TAXES, LICENSES AND
REGULATIONS) TO REGULATE SIDEWALK VENDORS
CITY OF BENICIA ORDINANCE NO. 26- - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA, CA, ADOPTING A NEW CHAPTER
12.54 TO TITLE 12 (STREETS, SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC PLACES) OF THE
BENICIA MUNICIPAL CODE (BMC), AND AMENDING BMC SECTION
3 5.28.040 TO TITLE 5 (BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES AND REGULATIONS) TO
REGULATE SIDEWALK VENDORS
Ben Stock, City Attorney, reviewed the staff report.
Council and Staff discussed clarifying questions. Council requested Staff explore exemptions for youth/charitable causes (Girl Scouts, youth groups, etc.), the issue of nonprepared food exemptions, and food permits.
Public Comment:
1. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman discussed the need for some rules on the books that allows the City to regulate the vendors.
After a discussion, Council majority preferred to approve the ordinance as presented.
Staff Report - Benicia Sidewalk Vending
1. Draft Ordinance - Adding a New Chapter 12.54 to Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places)
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
Noes: Mayor Young
15.B BUSINESS LICENSE TAX MODERNIZATION - CONSIDERATION
OF PROPOSED BUSINESS LICENSE TAX MODELS, A PROPOSED
MARINE TERMINAL BUSINESS LICENSE TAX, AND DIRECTION
TO PREPARE A BALLOT MEASURE FOR THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026,
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
Staff Report - Business License Tax
Mario Giuliani, City Manager, and Eric Myers, HdL, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed clarifying questions.
Public Comment:
1. Gene Pedrotti – Mr. Pedrotti discussed the proposed ordinance.
2. Brett Nelson – Mr. Nelson discussed the port activity and Amports.
After a discussion, Vice Mayor Macenski made a motion to go with Model B, $1,500 cap, $100,000 exemption, approving the Marine Terminal at 3%, with a 10% increase on
4 Model B, and a final tax cap of 25. The motion was seconded by Council Member Birdseye. The motion passed with a 5/0 vote.
Mr. Giuliani clarified Council did not wish to have a Marine Terminal cap, which was confirmed by Mayor Young.
On motion of Vice Mayor Macenski, seconded by Council Member Birdseye, Council approved direction to Staff to go with Model B, $1,500 cap, $100,000 exemption, approving the Marine Terminal at 3%, with a 10% increase on Model B, and a final tax cap of 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) ADJOURNMENT (8:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
City Clerk