VALLEJO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 9, 2025
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, California
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:19 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Sorce, Councilmembers Gordon, Lediju, Matias, Matulac, and Palmares
Absent: Vice Mayor Bregenzer
Staff present: City Manager Murray, City Attorney Nebb and Deputy City Clerk Joya
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
The report out of Closed Session was given following the conclusion of Closed Session and is reflected in the meeting minutes.
5. PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENDATIONS – None
6. FIRST COMMUNITY FORUM
Speakers: Patricia Hunter and Tony Stewart (Vallejo NAACP), Eli Smith, Pastor Anthony Summers, Daniel Boone, Calvin Harrell, and David Haldane.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
Speaker: Daniel Boone (Item 8L)
8. CONSENT CALENDAR AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: moved by Councilmember Matulac and carried unanimously by members present, unless otherwise noted, approval of the Agenda and the Consent Calendar removing item 8L making it item 8.1, and reordering the Action Calendar with items in the following order: 9C, 9A, 9B, 9E, 9F, and 9D (Absent: Bregenzer).
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Recommendation: Approval of minutes for the special and regular meetings of November 4 and 18 and the November 24, 2025 special joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission
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
Docusign Envelope ID: 10D030CB-0B22-4EA6-BC17-8C998493F2D2 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 entirety.
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 entirety.
C. ADOPT A RESOLUTION: (1) ACCEPTING A $199,135 FISCAL YEAR 2025
LAW ENFORCEMENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACT GRANT,
(2) APPROVING ANY STANDARD GRANT AGREEMENT RELATING
THERETO THAT IS APPROVED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, (3) AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER’S EXECUTION OF ANY SUCH
AGREEMENT, AND (4) PROVIDING NOTICE OF INTENT TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025–2026 GENERAL FUND BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $199,135 (STEP 1 OF 2)
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution:
1. Accepting a $199,135 Fiscal Year 2025 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Grant (“LEMHWA Grant”);
2. Approving any standard grant agreement relating thereto that is approved by the City Attorney’s Office;
3. Authorizing the City Manager’s execution of any such agreement; and
4. As the first in a two-step process, providing notice of intent to amend Fiscal Year 2025-2026 General Fund budget to recognize revenue and appropriate expenditures in the amount of $199,135.
Contact: Jason Ta, Chief of Police
[email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 25-195 N.C.
D. ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITY'S FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO RECOGNIZE THE $999,729 BYRNE STATE CRISS INTERVENTION PROGRAM COHORT 2 GRANT AND
APPROPRIATE EXPENDITURES THEREFROM (STEP 2 OF 2)
Recommendation: As the second in a two-step process, adopt a Resolution amending the General Fund Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget to recognize $999,727 of revenue from the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program Cohort 2 Grant (“SCIP Grant”) and to appropriate corresponding expenditures.
Contact: Jason Ta, Chief of Police
[email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 25-196 N.C.
E. NOTICE OF INTENT TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 SOLID
WASTE FUND BUDGET TO RECOGNIZE REVENUE IN THE AMOUNT OF Docusign Envelope ID: 10D030CB-0B22-4EA6-BC17-8C998493F2D2 $120,000 FOR A COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF
RECOLOGY VALLEJO (STEP 1 OF 2)
Recommendation: Provide Notice of Intent to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Solid Waste Fund budget to recognize reimbursement from Recology Vallejo in the amount of $120,000 to cover costs of a comprehensive performance review of the City's franchise
Contact: Oscar Alcantar, Interim Public Works Director (707) 648-4433 [email protected]
Action: provided Notice of Intent to amend the Fiscal Year 2026 Solid Waste Fund Budget to Recognize Revenue in the amount of $120,000 for a Comprehensive Performance Evaluation of Recology Vallejo (Step 1 of 2).
F. ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VALLEJO TO APPROVE A SHORT FORM CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT
WITH S2SERM, LLC, FOR ON-CALL FENCING SERVICES FOR A NOT-TO- EXCEED AMOUNT OF $740,000 AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE THE SAME
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Vallejo to approve a Short Form Construction Contract with S2SERM, LLC, for on-call fencing maintenance, repair, fabrication, and installation services in accordance with City of Vallejo Standard Specifications, for a not-to-exceed amount of $740,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
Contact: Beth Schoenberger, Water Director (707) 648-5439 [email protected]
John Palesi, Water Operations Manager for Operations & Maintenance (707) 648-4302
[email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 25-197 N.C.
G. ADOPT A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE SALARY PLAN TO ADD ONE
BUILDING PLANS EXAMINER AND DELETE ONE PLAN CHECK
ENGINEER
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution to amend the City’s Salary Plan by adding one Building Plans Examiner position to the IBEW salary schedule and deleting one Plan Check Engineer effective December 13, 2025.
Contact: Stephanie Sifuentes, Human Resources Director (707) 649-4852 [email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 25-198 N.C.
H. ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VALLEJO AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET TO
APPROPRIATE $63,783 FOR A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
CONSULTANT SERVICES, TO CREATE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE HANDBOOK AND AS
NEEDED ON CALL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (STEP 2 OF 2) Recommendation:
Docusign Envelope ID: 10D030CB-0B22-4EA6-BC17-8C998493F2D2 Adopt a resolution amending the FY2025-26 budget to appropriate $63,783 for a Professional Services Agreement with Michael Baker International for Affordable Housing Consultant Services (Step 2 of 2)
Contact: Nalungo Conley, Assistant City Manager (707) 648-4301 [email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 25-199 N.C.
I. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATE THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED $160,000 FOR THE FIRST 5 EARLY LEARNING CENTER FROM GENERAL FUND
UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE BACK INTO THE YOUTH BUDGET MULTI- YEAR OPERATIONAL PROJECT #MY2222 (STEP 2 OF 2)
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget and appropriate the previously approved $160,000 for the First 5 Early Learning Center from General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance back into the Youth Budget Multi-Year Operational Project # MY2222 (Step 2 of 2) Contact: Andrew Murray, City Manager (707) 648-4085
[email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 25-200 N.C.
J. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE
GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF
VALLEJO AND KEMPER SPORTS MANAGEMENT LLC (SUCCESSOR TO
TOUCHSTONE GOLF, LLC) AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE SAME
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution approving a Third Amendment to the golf course professional services agreement between the City of Vallejo (City) and Kemper Sports Management, LLC for City golf course management services and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same.
Contact: Gilian Haen, Assistant City Manager (707) 648-4163 [email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 25-201 N.C.
K. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO: (1) AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $210,000 TO FUND PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES RELATED TO SECURING FEDERAL FUNDING TO EXPAND
MARITIME INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN VALLEJO (STEP 2 OF 2); AND (2) APPROVE A CONSULTANT SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH THE ROOSEVELT GROUP AND AUTHORIZE THE
CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE SAME
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution to: (1) amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget to execute a Professional Services Agreement in an amount not to exceed $210,000 (Step 2 of 2); and (2) approve a Consultant Services Agreement with the Roosevelt Group and authorize the City Manager to execute same.
Contact: Nalungo Conley, Assistant City Manager
[email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 25-202 N.C.
Docusign Envelope ID: 10D030CB-0B22-4EA6-BC17-8C998493F2D2 L. AUTHORIZE STAFF TO ENTER INTO A CONSULTANT SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH RAFTELIS FOR FACILITATION SERVICES FOR CITY
MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS
Recommendation: Authorize Staff to enter into a Consultant Services Agreement with Raftelis for facilitation services for City Manager and City Attorney performance evaluations.
Contact: Stephanie Sifuentes, Human Resources Director (707) 649-4852 [email protected]
Action: item was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Palmares.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers.
Action: moved by Councilmember Matulac and carried unanimously by members present to authorize staff to enter into a Consultant Services Agreement with Raftelis for facilitation services for City Manager and City Attorney performance evaluations (Absent: Bregenzer).
9. ACTION CALENDAR
Items on the Action Calendar were taken out of order and taken in the following order:
9C, 9A, 9B, 9E, 9F and 9D. The minutes reflect items as they appeared on the agenda.
A. HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPT A RESOLUTION FOR THE 2025
VALLEJO WATER QUALITY PUBLIC HEALTH GOALS REPORT AS
REQUIIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
Recommendation: Hold a public hearing and adopt the resolution receiving and acknowledging comments from the public on the “2025 Vallejo Water Quality Public Health Goals Report” dated July 1, 2025, as required by the California Health and Safety Code §116470(b), and referring any comments to the Water Department for consideration.
Contact: Beth Schoenberger, 707-648-5439
[email protected]
Water Director Schoenberger provided background, outlined the 2025 Public Health Goals Report, and provided an overview of needed recommendations to accept the Public Health Goals Report.
Mayor Sorce opened the public hearing
Council asked questions and provided comments. Staff responded.
There being no speakers, the public hearing was closed.
Docusign Envelope ID: 10D030CB-0B22-4EA6-BC17-8C998493F2D2 Another question and answer period followed. Councilmembers provided comment.
Action: moved by Councilmember Matulac and carried unanimously by members present to hold a public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 25-203 N.C. receiving and acknowledging comments from the public for the “2025 Vallejo Water Quality Public Health Goals Report” as required by the California Health and Safety Code (Absent: Bregenzer).
B. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING INCREASED ASSESSMENTS IN THE
VALLEJO TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AND THE
LEVYING AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE DISTRICT
AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER
14.50.090 OF THE VALLEJO MUNICIPAL CODE, VALLEJO TOURISM
BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Recommendation: To be able to increase the Vallejo Tourism Business Improvement District (VTBID) assessments, a public hearing must be held to receive public testimony and an amendment to the existing ordinance must be considered. Staff recommend that the City Council hold the public hearing, consider the comments therefrom and introduce the amendments to Chapter
14.50.090 of the Vallejo Municipal Code (First Reading).
Contact: Gillian Haen, Assistant City Manager, (707) 648-4163 [email protected]
Senior Community Development Analyst Taylor provided background and overview of Council action needed on this item.
Mayor Sorce opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the public hearing was closed.
Council asked questions and provided comments. Staff responded.
Action: moved by Councilmember Matulac and carried unanimously by members present to hold a public hearing regarding increased assessment in the Vallejo Tourism Business Improvement District and the levying and collection of assessments within the district and conduct first reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 14.50.090 of the Vallejo Municipal Code, Vallejo Tourism Business Improvement District (Absent: Bregenzer).
The meeting recessed at 9:57 p.m. and reconvened at 10:09 p.m.
C. AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR
OUTSIDE LEGAL SERVICES RELATING TO A PERSONNEL COMPLAINT Docusign Envelope ID: 10D030CB-0B22-4EA6-BC17-8C998493F2D2 Recommendation: Discuss and provide direction to staff on a firm to provide legal services to the City regarding certain allegations raised by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Contact: Andrew Murray, City Manager (707) 648-4576
[email protected]
Speakers: Eli Smith, Diana Lang, Daniel Boone, Alyssa Victory, David Haldane, Sam Houston, Cristal Gallegos, and Carol Heap
City Manager Murray provided background information and overview of the staff report.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
Mayor requested expansion of scope to include allegations brought by since receiving the ACLU letter to be added to the scope including Shawny William’s deposition.
Action moved by Mayor Sorce to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with outside legal services relating to the personnel complaint; to include all allegations that have come out in the interim and expand the scope to consider allegations received between receiving the ACLU letter and time of execution of agreement particularly with respect to Shawny William’s deposition.
Alternate Motion: On an alternate motion offered by Councilmember Lediju and carried by members present, authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Shaw Law Group for outside legal services relating to a personnel complaint as outlined in the scope as presented to Council this evening and included with the staff report (Noes: Sorce and Palmares; Absent:
Bregenzer).
D. INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VALLEJO AMENDING SECTION 2.27.060A OF THE VALLEJO
MUNICIPAL CODE CONCERNING MEETING DATES FOR THE
SURVEILLANCE ADVISORY BOARD (FIRST READING)
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council introduce the ordinance.
Contact: Randy J. Risner, Chief Assistant City Attorney [email protected]
Chief Assistant City Attorney Risner provided an overview of the staff report and outlined the recommendation
Action: moved by Councilmember Matulac and carried unanimously by members present to introduce an ordinance of the City Council of the City of Vallejo amending Section 2.27.060A of the Vallejo Municipal Code concerning Docusign Envelope ID: 10D030CB-0B22-4EA6-BC17-8C998493F2D2 meeting dates for the Surveillance Advisory Board (First Reading) (Absent:
Bregenzer and Palmares).
E. ADOPT A RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET AND APPROPRIATE $300,000 IN MEASURE P FUNDS TO
GREATER VALLEJO RECREATION DISTRICT (GVRD) FOR RECREATION
GRANT TO FUND SUBSIDIES OR OTHER MEASURES TO ENHANCE
COMMUNITY SAFETY (STEP 2 OF 2) AND RECEIVE A PRESENTATION
ON SCOPE OF GRANT AGREEMENT AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK TO
STAFF
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget and Appropriate $300,000 in Measure P Funds for the Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) for Recreation Grant to Fund Subsidies or Other Measures to Enhance Community Safety (Step 2 of 2) and Receive a Presentation on Scope of Grant Agreement and Provide Feedback to Staff Contact: Andrew Murray, City Manager (707)648-4576
[email protected]
Youth Coordinator Grace-Barksdale provided background information and outlined the goal to improve public safety to reduce violence by subsidizing cost to increase participation in recreational activities and access to safe spaces for Vallejo youth, and discussed proposed estimated allocation of funds.
Speakers: Anna Berkman
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment
Action: moved by Councilmember Matulac and carried by members present to adopt Resolution No. 25-204 N.C, a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 Budget and appropriate $300,000 in Measure P Funds for the Greater Vallejo Recreation District (GVRD) for Recreation Grant to fund subsidies or other Measures to enhance community safety (Step 2 of 2), and received a presentation on scope of Grant Agreement, and provided feedback to staff (Noes: Palmares; Absent: Bregenzer).
F. RECEIVE SCOPES FOR CITY COUNCIL REFERRALS AND PROVIDE
DIRECTION TO STAFF
Recommendation: Receive the scopes that City staff developed for City Council referrals and provide direction to staff.
Contact: Jason Ackley, Assistant to the City Manager
[email protected]; 707-648-4577
Speakers: Tony Stewart and Kevin Salonke.
Docusign Envelope ID: 10D030CB-0B22-4EA6-BC17-8C998493F2D2 Assistant to the City Manager Ackley provided an overview of the status of referrals and outlined next steps.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
Action: moved by Mayor Sorce and carried unanimously by members present to prioritize the following items from the Referral List (Absent: Bregenzer):
- Tenant protection
- CFD Mare Island update
- Economic Development department staffing
- Short-term rentals Ordinance
- Social nuisance Ordinance
- Measure P Commission requested agenda items
- Quarterly Public Works and Housing Reports (starting Q3=January through March)
And eliminating the following:
- International conflicts
- Sonoma Boulevard Ad-Hoc Committee
- CFD (previous item is superseded by merging into new CFD item)
10. INFORMATION CALENDAR – None.
11. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Murray provided updates on the following items:
- Broadway Project: Keys have been turned over to Shelter, Inc. Tenanting is scheduled to begin on Monday, December 15, with an expectation that the site will be approximately 90 percent tenanted by the end of the month. - Private Security: Private security guards went live on Monday, November 24.
The Vallejo Police Department plans to report to the City Council and the community in mid-January.
- Federal Maritime Funding: Staff met with the Roosevelt Group to explore support and next steps in pursuing Federal Maritime funding opportunities. - Army Reserve Property: Discussions are underway with the Army Reserve regarding on-site building demolition and an assessment of exterior cleanup needs.
12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT – None
Docusign Envelope ID: 10D030CB-0B22-4EA6-BC17-8C998493F2D2
13. COMMUNITY FORUM
Speakers: Cristal Gallegos (Vallejo Housing Justice Coalition), Melvin Cohen and Chris Platzer
14. REQUEST & ACTION FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS OR SPECIAL PROJECTS
Councilmember Gordon – Consider pausing requests for future agenda items.
Requested installing a safety light outside of City Hall.
Mayor Sorce – Requested staff to provide an update on the Warming Center.
15. REPORT OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmembers reported on various community events and meetings attended.
16. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:43 a.m.
________________________________
ANDREA SORCE, MAYOR
ATTEST:
_________________________________
ANGELINA JOYA, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Docusign Envelope ID: 10D030CB-0B22-4EA6-BC17-8C998493F2D2