11/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 1 of 7
MINUTES OF THE DAVIS CITY COUNCIL
Meeting of November 18, 2025
The City Council of the City of Davis met in regular meeting session beginning at 6:35 p.m. in the Community Chambers, 23 Russell Boulevard, Davis, California. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bapu Vaitla.
Roll Call: Councilmembers Present: Josh Chapman, Linda Deos, Donna Neville, Glo- ria Partida, Bapu Vaitla
Councilmembers Absent: None
Other Officers Present: City Manager Daryel Dunston, City Attorney Inder Khalsa, City Clerk Zoe Mirabile
Approval of
Agenda
J. Chapman moved, seconded by L. Deos, to approve the agenda.
Motion passed unanimously.
City Manager
Announce-
ments
City Manager Daryel Dunston: November 27-28—city offices closed for Thanksgiving holiday. December 4—Winter Wonderland and Candlelight Parade downtown.
City Council
Announce-
ments and Li-
aison Reports
None
Public Com-
ments
• Marisella Cruz: Traumatic personal situation affected individual, chil- dren, and sibling.
• Wendy Friar: City needs to support most vulnerable community mem- bers, especially during winter weather events.
• Tom Schrader: City needs to enforce rules for bicyclists and scooters speeding through stop signs, especially around schools. • Damien Harding, Melissa Nolan, Andrew, Hwuang Ho: Safety con- cern. Adult woman has approached children as they arrive or leave school campuses, asking them about their genitalia and sexual pref- erences. Harassment of minors, filming and questioning minors with- out parental consent. Ask Council to adopt ordinance to prohibit har- assment surrounding schools during drop off or pick up hours. • Eileen Samitz: Respite Center has been located at L Street site for 5 years, was not intended to be permanent. Support alternative location near Paul’s Place.
• Beth Bourne: Stays on public sidewalk near schools. Have signs dis- playing information. Oppose gender studies.
• Ning Wan: Oppose Village Farms project.
11/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 2 of 7
• Alan Miller: Incidents at UC Davis, messages from masked individu- als espousing violence against Jews. City should get UC Davis to acknowledge issue and condemn actions.
• Liam and Sailon: Davis has been supportive of trans community .
However, there are individuals that want to create a division in the community and use children as bait to spread misinformation. Should consider efforts to reduce intimidation tactics.
• Vernon McZieke: Respite Center employee. Center is a safe space, has a lot of potential and needs investment. Connected with busi- nesses across the street, working to build bridges.
• Deborah Jorey, Michael Shearer, Dean Johansson, unnamed individ- uals: Support continuation of Respite Center operations. • Connor Gorman: Support divesting from Elon Musk companies and investments. Support workers’ rights and strikes at UCD.
Consent Cal-
endar
On-Call Professional Services Agreement Task Order for 2025/26 Pave- ment Rehabilitation Design, Bid, and Construction Support Services Approve Resolution No. 25-160 – Authorizing the City Manager to Exe- cute Task Order 1 with Kimley -Horn for Services Related to 2025/26 Pavement Rehabilitation
On Call Professional Services Agreement Task Order for Aquifer Stor- age Recovery (ASR) Pilot, Phase 2
Approve Resolution No. 25-161 – Authorizing the City Manager to Exe- cute Amendment No. 1 to Task Order 45 with West Yost for Servic es Related to ASR Pilot, Phase 2
Treasurer’s Reports for the Quarter Covering the Period Between July 1, 2025 and September 30, 2025
Accept the Quarterly Treasurer’s Report
Commission Minutes:
1. Open Space and Habitat Commission Meeting of October 6, 2025
2. Police Accountability Commission Meeting of October 6, 2025
3. Recreation and Park Commission Meetings of July 16 and Septem- ber 17, 2025
4. Transportation Commission Meeting of October 13, 2025 Informational
J. Chapman moved, seconded by D. Neville, to approve the consent cal- endar as listed above. Motion passed unanimously.
Removed
from Consent
Calendar:
Item removed by L. Deos.
Interim Finance Director – Budget & Operations Alexis Eastwood : Due to concern expressed by small business owner, staff proposes it em be 11/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 3 of 7
Professional
Services
Agreement
for Audit and
Compliance
Review Ser-
vices for Can-
nabis Busi-
nesses
brought back in December to allow for additional review and analysis of potential options. Council consensus.
Public Hear-
ing: Adoption
of the 2025
California
Building
Standards
Code
Chief Building Official Carson Green : California Codes updated every three years. Local code amendments related to climatic, geological, and topographic conditions required to be consistent with state building , safety, fire protection, and energy standards.
Mayor Vaitla opened the public hearing.
• David Taormino: Oppose changes to single family residence require- ments—will add $28,000 -$40,000 to cost of new home . Should not adopt ordinances until staff discusses economic impacts with devel- opers. Increase will add to costs that are already prohibitive. • Alan Hirsch: Prices are not necessarily related to costs. Developers do not have to increase home prices if they absorb costs.
Mayor Vaitla closed the public hearing.
D. Neville moved, seconded by J. Chapman, as follows:
1. Adopt Ordinance No. 2679 – Repealing and Re-Enacting Article 8.01 of Chapter 8 of the Davis Municipal Code, and Adopt By Reference Certain Parts, Including Related Appendices, as Identified, of the Cal- ifornia Code of Regulations Title 24, 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code (Introduced 10/21/2025)
2. Adopt Ordinance No. 2680 – Repealing and Re -Enacting Article
13.01 of Chapter 13 of the Davis Municipal Code, and Adopting by Reference Certain Parts, Including Related Appendices, as Identi- fied, of the California Code of Regulations Title 24, 2022 edition of the California Fire Code (Introduced 10/21/2025)
Motion passed unanimously.
City Council recessed at 7:32 p.m. and reconvened at 7:38 p.m.
Public Hear-
ing: Down-
town Busi-
ness Im-
provement
J. Chapman: Recused from item due to business interest downtown and membership in DBID; left the room.
Economic Development Director Katie Yancey: Overview of assessment proceedings.
11/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 4 of 7
District
(DBID) An-
nual Assess-
ment Re-
newal
Davis Downtown Business Association Executive Director Brett Lee:
Presented annual report of activities, committees, budget, and marketing and promotions.
Mayor Vaitla opened the public hearing.
• Alan Hirsch: Need to draw more people downtown. Davis Farmers Market should be held accountable for activities; need audit and citi- zens commission to review what happens at market.
• Marisella Cruz: Should be fewer restrictions on activities downtown to encourage participation. Allow people to play live music/instru- ments.
• Michael Shearer: Oppose. Nonprofit received assessment notifica- tion. Businesses are already struggling , should not levy more taxes on businesses. N eed to enhance downtown by supporting busi- nesses.
Mayor Vaitla closed the public hearing.
D. Neville moved, seconded by L. Deos, as follows:
1. Accept the 2025 -2026 Davis Downtown Annual DBID (Downtown Business Improvement District) Report and Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget
2. Approve Resolution No. 25-162 – Confirming Resolution Approving the 2025-2026 Downtown Business Improvement District Report and Levying an Annual Assessment Known as the Downtown Business Improvement District Annual Assessment Fee for the Core Area Ben- efit Zone and Periphery Core Benefit Zone Pursuant to the Parking and Business Improvement Area Law of 1989 for the Downtown Busi- ness Improvement District for Fiscal Year 2026-2027
3. Approve Resolution No. 25-163 – Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Downtown Business Improvement District Administration Agreement for the Core Area and Periphery Benefit Zones and to Make Minor Amendments to the Agreement
Motion passed by the following vote:
AYES: Deos, Neville, Partida, Vaitla
NOES: None
ABSENT: Chapman (recuse)
J. Chapman returned to the dais.
Homeless-
ness System
of Care Up-
date
Social Services and Housing Director Dana Bailey : Provided update on City costs associated with addressing homelessness and housing inse- 11/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 5 of 7
curity in Davis; Davis Homeless Outreach program, Davis Daytime Res- pite Center; and current landscape and trends related to funding at the federal, state and county level.
Public comments:
• Daniel: Respite Center should be run by worker cooperative. • Marisella Cruz: Outreach team is not needed, funds should be spent on mental health and substance abuse services instead.
• Jenna Bella-Hyde, Yolo County Children’s Alliance: Submitted pro- posal to run Center. Trauma informed approach, years of experience, and local network.
• Patrick Curzon: Should focus on basic services at Respite, comple- ment and not compete with other nonprofits. Extend hours of opera- tion.
• John O’Neil: Concern over staff proposal to provide services in - house. Should allocate funding to expand Paul’s Place.
• Wendy, Andrew Farstein, Oliver, and unnamed individual : Support Respite services.
• Shoshanna Zatz, Heart of Davis: Support outside contractor to oper- ate Center, choose organization that is already a CalAIM provider and embedded in community. If Respite stays at existing location, needs considerable infrastructure improvements. Consider Civic Center Gym location as alternative location.
• Antoinette O’Neil: Should temporarily shut down Respite, allow Paul’s Place and Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter to use funding to provide services. Conduct further analysis.
• Alan Miller, Marilou Menda, Tim Hoban, unnamed individuals : Res- pite should be relocated.
• Heather Wong -Shultke, Erin, Ben Glazing , Lewis Grifith : Respite should not be located next to houses and families. Safety concern for children.
City Council recessed at 9:01 p.m. and recessed at 9:07 p.m.
• Lawrence Wold: Support option for city employees to operate Res- pite.
• Jennifer Naplanauf and Mark Stover: Need measurable outcomes as well as neighborhood impacts. Respite location needs to have written covenant with neighborhood. Consider deferring decision until more staff analysis and outreach.
• Cindy Stover: Consider Civic Center Gym for Respite location. • Rhonda Reed, Old East Davis Neighborhood Association: Need to address neighborhood concerns. Analyze data to understand what services need to be provided.
• Ellen Kolorick: Support proposal for in-house city employees to oper- ate Center. Need improvements to site.
11/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 6 of 7
• Gayna Lamb-bang: Retain Respite services and expand hours. Con- sider Civic Gym for additional services and overnight housing. • Connor Gorman: Need at least one central respite location. Expand hours.
• Martha Teeter: Support continued operations. Need more tha n two city staff positions to run Center, should be at least three.
City Council recessed at 9:43 p.m. and reconvened at 9:50 p.m.
By consensus, direct staff to focus on providing basic respite services.
Continue to invite and allow other organizations to come onsite to provide services/referrals.
By consensus, direct staff to look at provision of services at Respite Cen- ter during expanded hours evenings and weekends and conduct a ny necessary conversations with bargaining units related to potential change in working conditions for homeless outreach team employees .
Return to Council with cost estimates.
D. Neville moved, seconded by B. Vaitla, as follows:
1. Direct staff to conduct further analysis of potential alternative loca- tions to site a respite center including but not limited to Civic Center Gym.
2. Return to Council in February with cost estimates to make locations respite ready and a plan to address relat ionship with surrounding neighborhood.
B. Vaitla proposed a friendly amendment to direct staff to:
1. Conduct continuing community engagement with neighborhood.
2. Return to Council with a draft agreement that specifies expectations, means of collecting information on impacts to neighborhood on an ongoing basis; and potential options and resources needed to miti- gate impacts.
Accepted by mover.
B. Vaitla proposed a friendly amendment as follows:
1. Continue utilizing two temporary part time employee positions to op- erate Respite Center with provision of basic respite services.
2. Site existing homeless outreach team employees at Respite Center.
3. Additional discussion regarding potential full time employee positions and Respite Center budget will occur in March 2026 during citywide budget discussions.
Accepted by mover.
Motion passed unanimously.
11/18/2025 City Council Minutes Page 7 of 7
Removed
from Consent
Calendar:
Second
Amendment
to Lease with
Davis Com-
munity Meals
and Housing
Item removed by G. Partida and D. Neville in order to take action after discussion of homelessness system.
D. Neville moved, seconded by L. Deos, to a pprove Resolution No. 25- 164 – Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Second Amendment to the Lease Agreement Allowing Continued Operational Use of a City - Owned Duplex 809 11th Street/1101 H Street as Transitional Affordable Housing. Motion passed unanimously.
AB 1234 Re-
porting
None
Long Range
Calendar
D. Dunston: December 16 —Review process to transition mayor/vice mayor and appoint for 2026. Council consensus.
Human Relations Commission Discrimination Recommendations tenta- tively scheduled December 9. By consensus, direct staff to schedule as consent calendar item in January/February.
D. Neville: Public comment ers asked for ordinance prohibiting certain behaviors at school sites. Potential options?
I. Khalsa: Will confer with staff and report back to Council.
D. Dunston: Request from community members to draft resolution to di- vest from Musk businesses. Council consensus.
Public comment:
• Alan Miller: Apologize for actions that resulted in Mayor cleaning up after public commenters.
Adjournment Meeting was adjourned at 11:32 p.m.
Zoe Mirabile
City Clerk