DRAFT
1 MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING – CITY COUNCIL
AUGUST 18, 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.
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
Present: Mayor Young, Council Member Scott, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Birdseye
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
7) PROCLAMATIONS
8) APPOINTMENTS
9) PRESENTATIONS
9.A IT PANOCHE HAZARDOUS WASTE LAND DISPOSAL FACILITY
BRIEFING BY FORMER MAYOR JERRY HAYES
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
DRAFT
2 Noes: (None)
11) OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS
12) WRITTEN COMMENT
13) PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Marilyn Bardet - Ms. Bardet discussed the former toxic waste dump and refinery waste.
2. Dan Smith - Mr. Smith discussed concerns regarding delays in replacing the swings at the Playground of Dreams.
14) CONSENT CALENDAR
14.A MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 4, 2025 REGULAR MEETING
August 4, 2026 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
14.B NOTICE OF INTENT TO VACATE A PORTION OF RIGHT-OF-WAY AT 650 EAST N STREET AND SETTING A PUBLIC HEARING FOR
SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
Staff Report - Notice of Intent to Vacate Right-of-Way at 650 East N Street
1. Resolution - Notice of Intent to Vacate Right-of-Way 650 East N Street
2. Planning Commission Staff Report and Resolution
3. Proposed Area of Vacation
RESOLUTION NO. 26- 84 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA DECLARING THE CITY’S INTENTION TO VACATE A PORTION OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY AT 650 EAST N STREET AND SETTING THE PUBLIC HEARING DATE FOR SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
14.C AUTHORIZATION FOR THE SOLANO TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORITY TO CLAIM TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT
ACT FUNDS FOR THE FY 2026/27 BENICIA LYFT PROGRAM AND
APPROVAL OF PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS
Staff Report - Benicia Lyft Program TDA Funding and Program Modifications RESOLUTION NO. 26- 85 - RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF BENICIA AUTHORIZING THE SOLANO TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORITY, ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF BENICIA, TO FILE AN
APPLICATION WITH THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION
COMMISSION FOR ALLOCATION OF TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT ACT FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 IN THE AMOUNT OF $160,000 FOR DRAFT
3 THE BENICIA LYFT PROGRAM AND APPROVING PROGRAM
MODIFICATIONS
Council discussed two possible changes to the recommendation: keep the cost at $3.00 for low income people and consider adding a hardship application for people who live and work in Benicia.
Public Comment:
1. Lori Grundman - Ms. Grundman asked for clarification on what the proposed changes are.
Council approved the proposed resolution with the amendments to maintain the $3 and $4 rates the same for people living and working in Benicia and reducing each rider from 60 to 20 rides per month, unless a hardship waiver is submitted and approved.
1. Resolution - Authorization for STA to Claim TDA Funds for the Benicia Lyft Program and Program Modifications
2. Benicia Lyft Program Mid-Year Report
On motion of Council Member Scott, seconded by Mayor Young, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 26-85, as amended, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
14.D APPROVAL TO WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES
INTRODUCED OR ADOPTED PURSUANT TO THIS AGENDA
Council pulled item 14.C for discussion.
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)
15) BUSINESS ITEMS
15.A INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE BENICIA MUNICIPAL
CODE TO UPDATE FINANCE DIRECTOR REFERENCES, CLARIFY
PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING AUTHORITY, AND MAKE
RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE CLEANUP AMENDMENTS
DRAFT
4 Staff Report - BMC Finance Updates
CITY OF BENICIA ORDINANCE NO. 26- - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA AMENDING CHAPTERS IN TITLE 1 (GENERAL PROVISIONS), TITLE 2 (ADMINISTRATION), TITLE 3 (FINANCE AND PROCUREMENT), TITLE 5 (BUSINESS TAXES, LICENSES, AND REGULATIONS), TITLE 6 (ANIMAL CONTROL REGULATIONS), AND TITLE 8 (HEALTH AND SAFETY) TO REVISE DEFINITIONS AND
PROCUREMENT THRESHOLDS
Jeff Tschudi, Administrative Services Director, reviewed the staff report.
Staff and Council discussed the proposed ordinance.
Public Comment:
None
Ordinance - Amending Finance Director Title & Procurement Thresholds On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Mayor Young, 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, Council Member Scott, Mayor Young
Noes: (None)
15.B APPROVING THE FY26/27 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
RESOLUTION NO. 26- 86 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BENICIA APPROVING THE FY26/27 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM
Neil Leary, Deputy Director of Public Works, City Engineer, reviewed the staff report and a PowerPoint presentation.
Council and Staff discussed clarifying questions.
Public Comment:
None
Staff Report - Approving FY26-27 CIP Program
1. Resolution - Approving FY26-27 CIP Program
DRAFT
5 On motion of Council Member Birdseye, seconded by Mayor Young, Council approved the adoption of Resolution 26-86, as presented, on a roll call by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Birdseye, Council Member Largaespada, 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 (7:00 P.M.)
Mayor Young adjourned the meeting at 7:24 p.m. in memory of Pierre Bidou and William Tarbox.
City Clerk