CITY OF FAIRFIELD
SPECIAL MEETING
AMENDED STUDY SESSION
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023; 6:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 1000 WEBSTER STREET,
FAIRFIELD, CA 94533 OR VIA ZOOM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Catherine "Cat" Moy called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
On roll call were Councilmembers Doug Carr, Doriss Panduro, Scott Tonnesen, K. Patrice Williams, Vice Mayor Pam Bertani, and Mayor Catherine "Cat" Moy. Councilmember Rick Vaccaro was absent.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
Mayor Moy requested item 3 to be brought first.
NEW BUSINESS
3. Mayor Moy opened the discussion to City Council regarding the Resolution 2023-148 of the City Council of the City of Fairfield Authorizing the Display of a Flag Commemorating the Juneteenth Holiday on June 19.
After much discussion Vice Mayor Bertani made a motion, and Councilmember Carr seconded the motion to amend the resolution to extend the display of the Juneteenth flag from June 19 —
30. (6-0)
PRESENTATIONS
1. Assistant Public Works Director Michael Hether presented the Water Master Plan Introduction.
Victoria Erickson spoke about outreach to areas outside the City limits and agricultural water sources.
Vice Mayor Bertani requests the City explore expanding outreach outside City limits.
Cliff Howard spoke about the water source for Green Valley and annexations.
2. Interim Director of Community Development Dave Feinstein and consultant Dyett & Bhatia presented on the General Plan - Continued Discussion of Land Use Alternatives.
Monica Brown spoke about potential homes in Nelson Hill, development at the old Walmart, and Suisun Valley.
Chris Angle would like to leave Suisun Valley the way it is.
Andrew Shaifer spoke about not developing Suisun Valley.
Winona Victory, spoke about planning guidance for farmers, California Department of Conservation grants, and restoring the fields near Rockville Park.
Joe Green-Heffern spoke about North Cordelia, Suisun Valley, and the need for more grocery stores in Cordelia.
Jim Leland spoke about the City looking into creating more hotels and restaurants outside of Suisun Valley to support tourism.
Wanda Williams spoke about not annexing Suisun Valley.
Dwayne Kromm spoke about Suisun Valley being a well -renowned wine industry.
Jim Dekloe spoke about not developing in Suisun Valley.
Lisa Howard asked what the City is studying, the purpose of spending tax dollars on this study, and what is being accomplished.
Robin Cox spoke about public health, the placement of homes near the freeways, and using locally grown food to support local businesses.
Marilyn Farley spoke about not having a staff report and understanding all the information presented in the presentation.
Jose McNeil spoke about following the Suisun Valley plan and how agricultural soil is rare.
Monica Panly spoke about the tourism aspect of Suisun Valley.
Bonnie Hamilton spoke about preserving Suisun Valley, clean soil, transportation, walkable communities, and clean energy.
John Takeuchi spoke about not developing in the purple section highlighted in the presentation and leaving Suisun Valley to the folks there.
Councilmember Tonnesen recommended studying areas 1, 2, 3, and 4, not including the purple and blue boundary.
Mayor Moy reminded her fellow Councilmembers that there is no rush to make a major decision tonight. She reminded the council to take as much time as needed and ask questions.
City Manager Gassaway asked City Council what the City's role in supporting agrotourism in Suisun Valley for wine tourism is.
Vice Mayor Bertani would like the City and the County to update the Strategic Plan for Suisun Valley.
Councilmember Carr asked if there was any other land to be used for wine production from Suisun Valley, and Mr. Gassaway stated that site 3 would be the best area for food and beverage production in Suisun Valley.
Councilmember Panduro agrees that the City needs to work with Solano County.
Councilmember Panduro asked for whom Suisun Valley was built and whom it benefited.
Councilmember Williams agrees that Suisun Valley is very special and that the City should be supportive of the County and, the vintners. She asked about the potential development of homes at Nelson Hill, and David Feinstein responded that the council needs to provide staff with direction to proceed with the study. If those homes were developed, there would be enough residents to add more grocery stores to the Cordelia area.
Mayor Moy stated that the council would not annex land or develop homes in Suisun Valley.
She requested that the City form a Suisun Valley Committee. Mayor Moy added that the City would not deviate from the Suisun Valley Strategic Plan. She agrees with her fellow councilmembers to partner with the County. Mayor Moy agrees with Councilmember Tonnesen to study sites 1, 2, 3, and 4.
On the Neighborhood Commercial Discussion slide, Councilmember Williams stated that site 3 would be a great area to add more commercial development, such as a grocery store. Mayor Moy recommended looking into placing a park at site 4.
Councilmember Williams requested more advance notice of the meeting and meeting materials, and Vice Mayor Bertani requested a staff report.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
City Clerk
Mayor