01/30/2024 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 6
MINUTES OF THE DAVIS CITY COUNCIL
Meeting of January 30, 2024
The City Council of the City of Davis met in regular meeting session beginning at 6:40 p.m. in the Community Chambers, 23 Russell Boulevard, Davis, California. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Josh Chapman.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Present: Will Arnold, Donna Neville, Gloria Partida, Bapu Vaitla, Josh Chapman
Councilmembers Absent: None
Other Officers Present: City Manager Michael Webb, City Attorney Inder Khalsa, City Clerk Zoe Mirabile
Approval of
Agenda
W. Arnold moved, seconded by D. Neville, to approve the agenda.
Motion passed unanimously.
City Manager
Announce-
ments
M. Webb: March 20—30th Annual Environmental Recognition Awards nominations due. Video Series “What Do You Do?” debuts on social me- dia, series will introduce public to city staff, services and programs.
City Council
Announce-
ments and Li-
aison Reports
J. Chapman: Kickoff event for Yolo High Wheelers, new Pioneer League franchise baseball team at UCD.
Public Com-
ments
• Greg Crawford, Daniel Kepin, Isadore, and Amina, ASUCD External Affairs Commission: Request Council discuss bus stop location up- grades and accessibility issues. Need to add benches, lighting, and shading. Add more bus stops throughout city.
• Tristan Meyer, ASUCD External Affairs Commission: Lack of lighting, especially on side streets and downtown. Dangerous at night espe- cially for bikes when yard waste is on the street. Safety issue. • Alan Hirsch: F St. and Covell Blvd. bus stop does not have any shade from trees. Need downtown tree plan.
• Alan Miller: Transit funding should be used efficiently to move people where they are now, not to incentivize and subsidize development. • Connor Gorman: Individual privacy concerns have been raised dur- ing surveillance technology discussions. Police agencies don’t prior- itize privacy for the public.
Consent Cal-
endar
Amendment 2 to On-Call Professional Services Agreement Task Order 27 for Construction Management and Inspection Services, and Task Or- 01/30/2024 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 6
der 29 for Construction Management and Inspection Services for En- croachment Permits, Development Projects, and Review of Capital Im- provement Project Plans
Approve Resolution No. 24-010 - Authorizing the City Manager to Exe- cute Amendment 2 to Task Order No. 27 and Task Order 29 Under the Professional Services Agreement with WSP, Inc., for Capital Improve- ment Program Construction Management and Inspection Services
Public Art Donation / Fiat Lux-Karim Abou Najm Remembrance Approve Resolution No. 24-011 - Authorizing the City Manager to Ap- prove the Donation and Placement of Fiat Lux, Public Art Remembering Karim Abou Najm and Amend the Fiscal Year 2023/24 Budget
Second Reading: Ordinance Amending the Title of Chapter 33, “Sewers and Sewage Disposal,” and Article 33.04.050 “Schedule of Charges” of Chapter 33, “Sewers and Sewage Disposal,” of the Davis Municipal Code, Related to Wastewater Regulations and Utility Rates, and Making a Determination of Exemption Under CEQA Pursuant to Sections 15061(b)(3), 15378(a) and 15378(b)(4)
Adopt Ordinance No. 2654 (Introduced 01/16/2024)
Commission/Committee Minutes:
1. Bicycling, Transportation, and Street Safety Commission Meetings of September 14, October 12, and December 14, 2023
2. Unitrans Advisory Committee Meetings of April 27 and October 26, 2023
Informational
B. Vaitla moved, seconded by G. Partida, to approve the consent calen- dar. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Hear-
ing: Annexa-
tion of WWTP
Properties
Northeast of
the Mace
Boulevard
Curve – Gen-
eral Plan
Amendment
and Prezoning
Associate Planner Thomas McNairn : The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is approximately 420 acres, current land use in Yolo County is zoned public/quasi-public. The city currently pays $15,000 in property taxes annually for the site. If site is not annexed, the city stands to pay a potential increase five times the current amount. Annexation of site will allow the city to claim solid waste diversion rates under SB 1383, Cali- fornia’s Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the project.
Mayor Chapman opened the public hearing.
• Alan Hirsch: Why wasn’t this done years ago?
• Dillan Horton: Question the potential cost of the tax liability.
Mayor Chapman closed the public hearing.
01/30/2024 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 6
B. Vaitla moved, seconded by D. Neville, as follows:
1. Determine that the proposed General Plan Amendment and Prezone associated with the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP Properties) are categorically exempt from environmental review un- der the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15319 (Annexations of Existing Facilities and Lots for Exempt Facilities)
2. Approve Resolution No. 24-012 - Amending the General Plan to Des- ignate the Three Parcels Comprising the City’s WWTP to Pub- lic/Semi-Public (PSP) Upon Annexation to the City and Finding the Project Exempt From CEQA
3. Introduce Ordinance Prezoning the Three Properties Comprising the City’s WWTP (APNS #042-140-009, -011, AND -013) to PSP Upon Annexation to the City
4. Approve Resolution No. 24-013 - Application Seeking a Change in Organization for Annexation of the WWTP and Authorizing the City Manager to File This Resolution of Application with Yolo Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)
Motion passed unanimously.
Consider Rec-
ommenda-
tions Related
to Commis-
sions
Assistant City Manager Kelly Stachowicz: Provided an overview of the Council Subcommittee on Commissions (Chapman & Vaitla) work in- cluding review of commission scopes and structures. Outlined the goal of aligning commission work to Council decision making and goals.
Summarized the extensive process of reviewing authorizing resolutions, meeting with commission chairs and staff liaisons, consider ing council needs, and considering changes in policies and plans.
B. Vaitla and J. Chapman : Focused on what’s working, what could be improved, and how can commissions best serve as advisory bodies to council. Motivation to empower commissions to gather community input for General Plan update. Regarding proposed Community Health Com- mission idea, interested in having conversations with county.
Public comment:
• Alan Hirsch , John Reuter, Colin Walsh, Alan Torrin , and Tracie DeWit: Oppose merging Tree Commission and Natural Resources Commission.
• Alan Miller, John Johnston, Elaine Roberts Musser, and Roberta Mill- stein: Oppose commission restructuring and merging any commis- sions.
• Shavoni, Local Affairs ASUCD: Important to include environmental- ism and environmental justice in commission structure.
• Patrick Huber and Francesca Wright: Support aligning and restruc- turing commissions around the General Plan update.
01/30/2024 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 6
• Dillan Horton and Ruth Santer: Need more time for outreach to com- munity and consultation with commissions.
• Jerry Gary Darling: How will existing workloads be managed under proposed structure? Question capacity. Should focus on Safety Ele- ment of General Plan.
• Lorenzo Kristoff and Alan Pryor : Should defer decision and solicit more feedback from current and past commissioners on how to im- prove commissions.
• Connor Gorman, Kevin Baker, and Mary Loeybal : Oppose merging Human Relations Commission and Civic Arts Commission.
• Barbara King: Process lacks transparency.
W. Arnold moved, seconded by G. Partida, as follows:
1. Approve consolidating and better defining roles of commissions, es- pecially in view of the upcoming General Plan update:
a. Create a Circulation and Active Mobility Commission by merging the Unitrans Ad visory Committee and the Bicycle, Transporta- tion, and Street Safety Commission.
b. Create a Fiscal Commission by merging the Finance and Budget Commission and the Utilities Commission.
c. Create a Climate and Environmental Justice Commission by merging the Natural Resources Commission and the Tree Com- mission.
d. Take initial steps to incorporate the Historic Resource Manage- ment Commission into the Planning Commission.
2. Task the subcommittee with continuing work on reviewing and revis- ing the authorizing resolutions of each Commission, including for the post-General Plan update period, bringing information back to the full Council for final review and approvals.
3. Task the subcommittee to explore the creation of a “Community Health Commission,” with a strong focus on mental health, especially among vulnerable populations (aging adults, children, youth). The subcommittee, as part of this approach, would also consider renam- ing the Social Services Commission to “Affordable Housing Commis- sion” and changing its focus of work to all issues around housing availability, affordability, and security. The non-housing responsibili- ties currently held by the commission would be re allocated to other commissions, especially the proposed Community Health Commis- sion. The subcommittee will return to the full Council with options for further consideration.
B. Vaitla Friendly Amendment: Bring back options to look at the creation of an Equity and Culture Commission by merging the Human Relations Commission and the Civic Arts Commission. Not accepted by mover and second.
01/30/2024 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 6
D. Neville Friendly Amendment: Regarding exploration of a Community Health Commission, add a transition plan. Accepted by mover and sec- ond.
D. Neville Friendly Amendment: Further, regarding Community Health Commission, task subcommittee to consult with Yolo County and other relevant bodies to determine whether community health commission is desirable. Accepted by mover and second.
Motion passed unanimously.
B. Vaitla moved, seconded by W. Arnold, to task the subcommittee to come back with recommendations on structure and function of the Hu- man Relations Commission and the Civic Arts Commission , including possible alternative models. Motion passed unanimously.
W. Arnold moved, seconded by B. Vaitla, to assign commissions to take lead roles in community engagement around state -mandated General Plan elements, as follows:
State-mandated
General Plan Element Lead Commission(s)
Circulation Circulation and Active Mobility
Environmental Justice (EJ) Equity and Culture; Climate & EJ Conservation Climate & EJ; Open Space & Habitat
Open Space Open Space & Habitat
Land Use Planning
Housing Social Services
Motion passed unanimously.
AB 1234 Re-
porting
None
Long Range
Calendar
City Manager Mike Webb: Next meeting is February 6. February 9 — Council goals discussion. March 5—Bus stop red curb ordinance. Need to reschedule April 16 meeting as some councilmembers will be attend- ing cap to cap conference. Potential dates are April 9 or 23.
Public comment:
• Alan Hirsch: Need to spend money on transit to address climate change. Oppose I-80 widening.
• Alan Miller: Should discuss public comment procedures. Consider increase in allotted time and allowing slides.
01/30/2024 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 6
• John Johnston: Request city statement of preferred alternative to I- 80 freeway widening.
• Connor Gorman: Support allowing public commenters to present slides. Council should reconsider policy.
M. Webb: February 20 item relates to proposed communication regard- ing state transportation projects.
Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
Zoe Mirabile
City Clerk