Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
July 22, 2025
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VALLEJO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JULY 22, 2025
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, California
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Vice Mayor Bregenzer, Councilmembers Gordon, Lediju, Matias, Matulac (participating virtually from Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Crystal 3, 2500 E 2nd Street, Reno, NV 89595), and Palmares
Absent: Mayor Sorce
Staff present: Acting City Manager/Police Chief Ta, City Attorney Nebb and City Clerk Abrahamson
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – None. Closed Session scheduled at 5 pm was cancelled.
5. PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENDATIONS – None.
6. FIRST COMMUNITY FORUM
Speakers: Julia Glenn, Jean Drolet, Pastor Anthony Summers, Melvin Cowan, Anne Carr, Karol Heppe, and Sunil Khatri
7. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
Speakers: Daniel Boone and Karol Heppe (Consent I)
8. CONSENT CALENDAR AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: Moved by Vice Mayor Bregenzer and carried unanimously by members present, unless otherwise noted, to approve the Agenda and Consent Calendar with the following modifications:
• Removal of Item 8I from the Consent Calendar and placement as Item 8.1. • Recusal of Councilmember Lediju from Item 8G due to a conflict of interest related to retroactive payments for Developing Organizing Visions for Everyone, Inc. for the period of September 23, 2023 – May 24, 2024, as she was a boardmember until December 2024.
• Recusal of Councilmember Palmares from Item 8G due to a conflict of interest related to retroactive payments for Fighting Back Partnership, as he is a current boardmember.
(Absent: Sorce)
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Docusign Envelope ID: 504DD7E8-7BDF-4EA7-AC5E-DE03CDF187AC Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
July 22, 2025
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Recommendation: Approve the minutes from the special joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission of July 7, the special meetings of June 17 and July 1 and the special and regular meetings of June 24 and July 8, 2025 Contact: Dawn G. Abrahamson, MMC, City Clerk (707) 648-4527 [email protected]
Action: approved minutes.
B. WAIVE FULL READING AND AUTHORIZING INTRODUCTIONS AND/OR
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES BY TITLE ONLY
Recommendation: Waive reading and authorize introductions and/or adoption of any and all ordinances on this agenda, if any, by title only. This is a standard procedural action so the City Council does not have to read an ordinance in its entirity.
Contact: Dawn G. Abrahamson, MMC, City Clerk (707) 648-4527 [email protected]
Action: waived reading and authorized introductions and/or adoption of any and all ordinances on this agenda, if any, by title only. This is a standard procedural action so the City Council does not have to read an ordinance in its entirity.
C. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS: MAY 2025
Recommendation: Ratify the payment of claims for the period of May 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025.
Contact: Rekha Nayar, Finance Director (707) 648-4592
[email protected]
Action: ratified payment of claims for period of May 1-31, 2025.
D. ACCEPT THE LAKE DALWIGK PARK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
(PW9443) PERFORMED BY GRADETECH, INC., AS COMPLETE, AND
AUTHORIZE THE CITY CLERK TO FILE A NOTICE OF COMPLETION WITH
THE SOLANO COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE
Recommendation: Accept the Lake Dalwigk Park Improvements Project (PW9443) performed by GradeTech, Inc., of Livermore, California, as complete, and authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the Solano County Recorder's Office.
Contact: Oscar Alcantar, Interim Public Works Director, (707) 648-4433 [email protected]
Action: accepted the Lake Dalwigk Park Improvements Project (PW9443) performed by GradeTech, Inc., of Livermore, California, as complete, and authorized the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the Solano County Recorder's Office.
E. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH HEALTHY VALLEJO COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, INC., FOR ON-
CALL ILLEGAL DUMPING AND LITTER/DEBRIS REMOVAL SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $250,000 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAME
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution approving a Services Agreement with Healthy Vallejo Community Support Services, Inc., for on-call illegal dumping Docusign Envelope ID: 504DD7E8-7BDF-4EA7-AC5E-DE03CDF187AC Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
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and litter/debris removal services in an amount not to exceed $250,000 and authorizing the City Manager to execute same.
Contact: Oscar Alcantar, Interim Public Works Director (707) 648- 4433
[email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 25-123 N.C.
F. ADOPT TWO RESOLUTIONS TO PROVIDE FOR ANIMAL SERVICES WITHIN CITY LIMITS: (1) APPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF VALLEJO AND THE HUMANE
SOCIETY OF THE NORTH BAY (5-YEAR NOT TO EXCEED OF $2,022,031); AND (2) APPROVING THE MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF VALLEJO AND SOLANO COUNTY (ANNUAL COST
$844,697)
Recommendation: Adopt (1) A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vallejo Approving the Professional Services Agreement between the City and Humane Society of the North Bay; and (2) A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vallejo Approving the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Vallejo and the County of Solano For Animal Control Services and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Same.
Contact: Jason Ackley, Assistant to the City Manager
[email protected]
Action: 1) adopted Resolution No. 25-124 N.C. and 2) Resolution No. 25-125 N.C.
G. ADOPT A RESOLUTION RETROACTIVELY APPROVING FOUR SEPARATE BSCC PROP 47 GRANT PROGRAM MEMORANDUMS OF AGREEMENT
RELATING TO PROJECT H.O.M.E. AS FOLLOWS: 1) BROKEN BY
VIOLENCE, 2) DEVELOPING ORGANIZING VISIONS FOR EVERYONE, INC., 3) ON THE MOVE , 4) FIGHTING BACK PARTNERSHIP AND
APPROVAL OF A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE MEMORANDUM OF
AGREEMENT WITH FIGHTING BACK PARTNERSHIP AND AUTHORIZING
THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SAME
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution to:
1. Retroactively approve four separate BSCC Prop 47 Grant Program Memorandums of Agreement relating to Project H.O.M.E.;
2. Retroactively approving the then-City Manager's execution of said Memorandums of Understanding;
3. Approve a First Amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement with Fighting Back Partnership (City contract 23-PD-197) increasing the not- to-exceed agreement by $8,323 to a total of $191,649; and
4. Authorize the City Manager to execute said First Amendment Contact: Jason Ta, Chief of Police
[email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 25-126 N.C. (Abstained Due to Conflicts of Interest: Lediju and Palmares; Absent: Sorce)
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H. AUTHORIZE THE COUNCIL BY MOTION TO APPROVE A PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF VALLEJO’S POET
LAUREATE PROGRAM AND DECLARING JULY 26, 2025 AS A DECADE OF POETIC UNITY DAY.
Recommendation: Authorize the Vallejo City Council to approve a proclamation by motion recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Vallejo Poet Laureate Program and declaring July 26, 2025 as A DECADE OF POETIC UNITY DAY.
Contact: Erik Rzomp, Executive Assistant to Mayor Sorce (707) 648-4733 [email protected]
Action: authorized the Vallejo City Council to approve a proclamation recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Vallejo Poet Laureate Program and declaring July 26, 2025 as a Decade of Poetic Unity Day.
I. ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VALLEJO TO AMEND FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET TO
APPROPRIATE EXPENDITURE OF $2,000,000 FOR RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION (STEP 2 OF 2)
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution amending the FY 2025/2026 Budget in the amount of $2,000,000 for Recruitment and Retention.
Contact: Stephanie Sifuentes, Human Resources Director (707) 649-4852 [email protected]
Action: item was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Matias.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
Action: Moved by Vice Mayor Bregenzer and carried unanimously by members present to adopt Resolution No. 25-127 N.C. (Absent: Sorce)
9. ACTION CALENDAR
A. HOLD A CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION
ACCEPTING THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025-26 THROUGH 2029-30
Recommendation: Hold a continued public hearing and adopt a Resolution approving the five-year Capital Improvement Program for fiscal years 2025-26 through 2029-30.
Contact: Oscar Alcantar, Interim Public Works Director (707) 648-4433 [email protected]
Beth Schoenberger, Water Director (707) 648-5439
[email protected]
Interim Public Works Director Alcantar provided an overview of the purpose of the CIP, prioritization criteria, FY 25/26 new appropriations for streets/pavement maintenance and rehabilitation, public building repairs including PD headquarters and dispatch, and Marina dredging and provided an update on current state of city streets.
Docusign Envelope ID: 504DD7E8-7BDF-4EA7-AC5E-DE03CDF187AC Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
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Water Director Schoenberger provided a summary of FY 25/26 CIP water projects and discussed funding and strategic delivery.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment,
Action: Moved by Vice Mayor Bregenzer, with an amendment to the motion offered by Councilmember Matias and accepted, to adopt Resolution No. 25- 128 N.C. and directing staff to brief Council on the Police Headquarters project and interim housing of the dispatchers, including solutions and a timeline within 30 days, and to incorporate this information into the presentation. Motion carried unanimously by members present. Absent: Sorce.
B. ADOPT A RESOLUTION: 1) FINDING THE CAPE SEAL 2025 PROJECT (MP2025) (RESURFACING RESIDENTIAL STREETS WITH CAPE SEAL)
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301(C); 2) APPROVING THE PROJECT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE PROJECT; AND 3) AWARDING A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO GHILOTTI BROS., INC., OF SAN
RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,689,824.98 AND
REJECTING ALL OTHER BIDS, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE SAME
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1) Finding the Cape Seal 2025 Project (MP2025) (resurfacing residential streets with Cape Seal) categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c); 2) Approving the plans and specifications for the Project; and 3) Awarding a construction contract to Ghilotti Bros., Inc., of San Rafael of California in the amount of $3, 689,824.98, rejecting all other bids, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the contract.
Contact: Oscar Alcantar, Interim Public Works Director, (707) 648-4433 [email protected]
Interim Public Works Director Alcantar provided an overview of the staff report and outlined the recommendation.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
Action: moved by Vice Mayor Bregenzer and carried unanimously by members present to adopt Resolution No. 25-129 N.C. (Absent: Sorce)
C. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (EDC) 2025 WORK PLAN AND PROVIDING A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AMEND THE FY 2025/2026 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $7,967.00 FOR THE COMPLETION OF WORK PLAN ITEMS CONTAINED IN THE PREVIOUS EDC WORKPLAN (Step 1 of 2)
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Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Vallejo approving the EDC 2025 Work Plan and Providing Notice of Intent to Amend the FY 2025/2026 Budget to Increase the EDC Budget by $7,967.00.
Contact: Gillian Haen, Assistant City Manager (707) 648-4163 [email protected]
Assistant City Manager Haen provided introductory comments.
Economic Development Program Manager Iraheta reviewed the purpose and duties of the Commission, provided background information, outlined the 2022 Work Plan accomplishments, the development of the 2025 Work Plan and the key focus of the Plan, shared how the Plan is strategic aligned with multiple strategic documents and concluded the presentation discussing the details of the proposed budget for 25/26.
Speakers: Anne Carr
Staff and EDC Chair Loufas and Vice Chair Garcia responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
Action: moved by Vice Mayor Bregenzer and carried unanimously by members present to adopt Resolution No. 25-130 N.C. with the following additions to the Work Plan (Absent: Sorce):
• Provide quarterly updates to commission and advisement • Commission to provide quarterly reports to the City Council on the Work Plan
• Neighborhoods of Focus include Sonoma Boulevard, Kings Market, Springs Road, Broadway Street, Downtown, Waterfront and Discovery Kingdom
• Hold joint meetings with the Commission on Culture & the Arts to collaborate on World Class Art Event
• Explore ways and recommendations for the City of Vallejo to best leverage AI and emerging technology and improve city processes to better serve Vallejo businesses and recommend policy and programs to the City Council
D. CONSIDER MAKING A FINDING TO CONTINUE THE STATE OF LOCAL
EMERGENCY RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY STAFFING
Recommendation: Consider making a finding reaffirming that the conditions exist to continue the proclamation of a local emergency.
Contact: Jason Ta, Chief of Police (707) 648-4540
[email protected]
Action: moved by Vice Mayor Bregenzer to make a finding reaffirming that the conditions exist to continue the proclamation of a local emergency.
An alternate motion by Councilmember Matias and carried unanimously by members present, to reaffirm that conditions exist to continue the proclamation of a local emergency and to direct the Chief of Police to present an Adult & Docusign Envelope ID: 504DD7E8-7BDF-4EA7-AC5E-DE03CDF187AC Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
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Senior Volunteer & Community On Patrol Program to the Council at the time the extension of a state of local emergency is due, 60 days from tonight’s action. (Absent: Sorce)
The meeting recessed at 10:05 p.m. and reconvened at 10:17 p.m.
E. ADOPT (1) A RESOLUTION TO AMEND FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE $1,150,000 FOR PUBLIC SAFETY MEASURES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE (STEP 2 OF 2); AND (2) A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH LIVE VIEW TECHNOLOGIES, INC. TO LEASE OR
PURCHASE MOBILE SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEMS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $500,000.00, FINDING THAT SUCH PURCHASE OR LEASE IS (A) IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY PURSUANT TO VALLEJO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 3.20.090 A. 12; AND (B) CONSTITUTES AN
EMERGENCY EXEMPTION PURSUANT VALLEJO MUNICIPAL CODE
SECTION 2.27.030 E.
Recommendation:
Adopt (1) A Resolution to Amend Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget To Appropriate $1,150,000 For Public Safety Measures to Reduce Violence (Step 2 of 2); and (2) A Resolution Approving An Agreement With Live View Technologies, Inc. to Lease or Purchase Mobile Security Camera Systems in an amount Not To Exceed $500,000.00, Finding That Such Purchase or Lease is (A) in the Best Interest of the City Pursuant to Vallejo Municipal Code Section
3.20.090 A. 12; and (B) Constitutes an Emergency Exemption Pursuant Vallejo Municipal Code Section 2.27.030 E.
Contact: Jason Ta, Chief of Police
[email protected]
Action: Moved by Vice Mayor Bregenzer and carried unanimously by members present to:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 25-131 N.C. amending the Fiscal Year 2025– 2026 Budget to appropriate $1,150,000 for Public Safety Measures to reduce violence (Step 2 of 2); and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 25-132 N.C. approving an agreement with Live View Technologies, Inc. to lease or purchase Mobile Security Camera Systems in an amount not to exceed $500,000, finding that such purchase or lease is:
o (A) in the best interest of the City pursuant to Vallejo Municipal Code Section 3.20.090(A)(12); and
o (B) constitutes an emergency exemption pursuant to Vallejo Municipal Code Section 2.27.030(E);
and authorizing the City Manager to act on this unless findings are raised by the Surveillance Advisory Board following its meeting on July 24, 2025. (Absent: Councilmember Sorce)
F. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION ON CITY COUNCIL REFERRALS AND
CURRENT TWO-STEP PROCESS FOR AGENDIZING
Recommendation: Discuss and provide direction to staff on the following:
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1. Current List of City Council referrals from January 1 to June 30, 2025
2. Current Two-Step Process for agendizing
Contact: Andrew Murray, City Manager (707) 648-4576
[email protected]
Dawn G. Abrahamson, MMC, City Clerk (707) 648-4527
[email protected]
City Clerk Abrahamson provided background on the current referral process, reviewed the requests and status from January 1 to July 8, discussed the 12 referrals awaiting Council direction on whether to scope, and presented options for Council to consider for changing the 2-step process.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
Speakers: Daniel Boone and Anne Carr.
Another question and answer period followed. Councilmembers provided additional comments.
Council provided the following direction to staff on the Referral Process:
To improve transparency, tracking, and Council decision-making on referral requests, the following multi-step process is being implemented:
1. Referral Tracking Tool
• The City Manager will develop a real-time tracking tool listing all referral requests. This tool will be publicly accessible via the City’s website or My Vallejo and updated regularly.
2. Referral Submission Form
• A standardized form will be developed for Councilmembers to complete at the time a referral is made or shortly thereafter.
• Completed forms will be submitted to the City Clerk for tracking and inclusion in the centralized referral log.
3. New Referral Process on Council Agenda
• A new subheading titled "Requests & Actions for Future Agenda Items or Special Projects" will be added to the Council agenda before "Report of the Presiding Officer."
• This provides a clear and consistent space for Councilmembers to make referral requests.
4. Two-Step Approval Process
STEP 1: Council Initiation & Prioritization – under Requests & Actions for Future Agenda Items or Special Projects
• When a referral is made and the form submitted, the Council will vote on:
o Whether the referral should move forward,
o Its priority, and
o A timeline for staff to return with a project scope.
• This step requires a majority vote of the Council.
STEP 2: Review of Scope & Final Approval
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• At the Council-directed timeline, staff will return with a detailed scope of work, including estimated timeframes, staffing requirements, and fiscal impacts.
• The Council will then vote to either approve or reject moving forward with implementation.
• Final direction to staff again requires a majority vote.
5. Public Engagement
• Where feasible, the tracking tool will include public comment data or a tally of public interest related to each referral request to inform Council of community priorities.
Action: Moved by Vice Mayor Bregenzer and carried unanimously by members present (Absent: Councilmember Sorce), Council directed staff to return with a scope for the following five public safety priority referral items at the September 9 regular Council meeting. Each scope will include:
• Time estimate to complete the work,
• Staffing lift and dependencies, and
• Fiscal impact.
Priority Items:
1. Creation of a Prostitution Ordinance
2. Creation of a Red Light Abatement Act Ordinance
3. Reduction of school zone speed limits from 25 mph to 15 mph, combined with implementation of AB 43 to reduce speeds in designated business districts
4. Development of an Individual Gun Violence Restraining Order (IGVRO) policy
At the September 9 meeting, Council may also choose to determine and add additional outstanding referral requests to the list of priorities.
10. INFORMATION CALENDAR
A. BROADWAY PROJECT MONTHLY UPDATE
Recommendation: Receive an update on the Broadway Project.
Contact: Gillian Haen, Assistant City Manager (707) 648-4576 [email protected]
Assistant City Manager Haen and Assistant to the City Manager Peterson provided background information, reviewed the project timeline, provided an update on the lease and other items related to the project.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
11. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Acting City Manager/Police Chief Ta reported on several events held on July 19 – Unity in the Community 2025 at the Vallejo Waterfront Park and the Crest Side Neighborhood Clean-Up, and concluded with information on a conceptual golf plan for Blue Rock Springs by the Lewis Group.
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12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – none.
13. COMMUNITY FORUM
Speakers: Daniel Boone
.
14. REPORT OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmembers provided reports on community events and meetings attended and shared future agenda item requests.
15. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:30 a.m.
________________________________
ANDREA SORCE, MAYOR
ATTEST:
_________________________________
DAWN G. ABRAHAMSON, CITY CLERK
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