Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
February 24, 2026
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VALLEJO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 24, 2026
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
555 Santa Clara Street, Vallejo, California
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Sorce, Vice Mayor Matulac, Councilmembers Bregenzer, Gordon, Lediju (arrived at 7:13 p.m.), Matias (arrived at 7:14 p.m.), and Palmares
Absent: None
Staff present: City Manager Murray, Chief Assistant City Attorney Risner and City Clerk Abrahamson
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Chief Assistant City Attorney Risner reported the following:
• Closed Session Item 3A – Council provided direction to its labor negotiators.
There is no further action to report.
• Closed Session Item 3B – Council provided direction to its real property negotiators. Mayor Sorce and Councilmember Gordon recused themselves from this item
• Closed Session Item 3C and 3D – Council provided direction staff.
5. PRESENTATIONS AND COMMENDATIONS
Action: Youth Services Coordinator Grace-Barksdale introduced Youth Delegation members to Washington D.C.
A. INTRODUCTION OF VALLEJO YOUTH DELEGATION TO WASHINGTON D.C.
6. FIRST COMMUNITY FORUM
Speakers: Fabrice, Linda Fuentes Rosner, David Marsteller Jr. and Carla Holloway, Ian Michel, Yaretzi Ponci, and Rodney Levias.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS
Speakers: Daniel Boone (8D) and George Lance.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Action: moved by Vice Mayor Matulac and carried unanimously, unless otherwise noted, approval of the Agenda and the Consent Calendar with the removal of Items 8D and 8E from the Consent Calendar making them Items 8.1. and 8.2., Mayor Sorce abstaining from Consent Items 8F and 8G (abstention was cast as an aye vote Docusign Envelope ID: FE5F9AA1-436D-472F-ABD7-5BDAEA53D073 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes
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pursuant to Vallejo Municipal Code Section 2.002.680(c)), and continuing Action Calendar Item 9C to a future meeting
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Recommendation: Approval of minutes for the special and regular meetings of January 27 and February 10 and the special meetings of February 3 and 6, 2026
Contact: Dawn G. Abrahamson, MMC, City Clerk (707) 648-4527 [email protected]
Action: approved minutes.
B. WAIVE READING AND AUTHORIZIING 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 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. PAYMENT OF CLAIMS: DECEMBER 2025
Recommendation: Ratify the payment of claims for the period of December 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Contact: Nalungo Conley, Acting Finance Director (707) 648-4301 [email protected]
Action: ratified payment of claims for December 1-31, 2025.
D. ADOPT A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING STAFF TO PROCEED WITH THE
REMOVAL OF THE POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL (PCB)
CONTAMINATED DEBRIS LOCATED AT THE FORMER BUILDING 571
SITE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TOXIC SUBSTANCE
CONTROL PREVAILING REMEDIATION STANDARDS FOR RESIDENTIAL USE
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution authorizing staff to proceed with the removal of the Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) contaminated debris located at the former Building 571 site to Department of Toxic Substance Control’s (DTSC) prevailing remediation standards for residential use.
Contact: Oscar Alcantar, Interim Public Work Director, 707-648-4433 [email protected]
Action: item was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Matias.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers.
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Action: moved by Councilmember Matias and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 26-015 N.C. Staff was directed staff to engage the Department of Defense and the Roosevelt Group to pursue Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) funding opportunities.
E. ADOPT A RESOUTION AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE $11,500,000 OF MEASURE P FUNDING FOR: 1) THE BAY TRAIL/VINE TRAIL MAINTENANCE - $50,000; 2) FY 2026-27 PAVING PROGRAM (CONSTRUCTION) - $11,000,000; AND 3) CITYWIDE POTHOLE REPAIR SERVICES - $500,000 (STEP 2 OF 2)
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to appropriate $11,500,000 of Measure P funding for: 1) The Bay Trail/Vine Trail Maintenance - $50,000; 2) FY 2026-27 Paving Program (Construction) - $11,000,000; and 3)
Citywide Pothole Repair Services - $500,000 (Step 2 of 2).
Contact: Oscar Alcantar, Interim Public Works Director (707) 648-4433 [email protected]
Action: item was removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of Councilmember Matias.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers.
Action: moved by Vice Mayor Matulac and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 26-016 N.C.
F. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
FOR EMERZIAN LAW GROUP PC
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution approving a legal services agreement for Emerzian Law Group PC to provide investigative services relating to a personnel complaint.
Contact: Stephanie Sifuentes, Human Resources Director (707) 649-4852 [email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 26-017 N.C. (Abstained: Mayor Sorce – abstention was cast as an aye vote pursuant to Vallejo Municipal Code Section
2.02.680 (c).
G. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR COLIBRI LAW AND POLICY, INC.
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution approving a legal services agreement for Colibri Law and Policy, Inc. to provide special counsel services to City Council.
Contact: Stephanie Sifuentes, Human Resources Director (707) 649-4852 [email protected]
Action: adopted Resolution No. 26-018 N.C. (Abstained: Mayor Sorce – abstention was cast as an aye vote pursuant to Vallejo Municipal Code Section
2.02.680 (c).
9. ACTION CALENDAR
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A. ADOPT A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
VALLEJO AWARDING AND APPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT WITH MOUNTAIN CASCADE, INC. FOR THE DEMOLITION
AND REPLACEMENT OF SKYVIEW TANK FOR A NOT-TO-EXCEED
AMOUNT OF $16,823,596, REJECTING ALL OTHER BIDS, AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE SAME
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution of the City Council of the City of Vallejo awarding the construction contract for the Skyview Tank Replacement Project to Mountain Cascade, Inc. the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, in the amount of $16,823,596, rejecting all other bids and authorizing the City Manager to execute the construction contract and related documents.
Contact: Beth Schoenberger, Water Director
[email protected] (707) 648-5439
Water Director Schoenberger and Water Operations Manager Cansdale outlined the recommendation, provided background information, reviewed existing conditions and engineering recommendations, provided a project overview and an overview of the tank inspection, and concluded the presentation by outlining the bid process.
Speakers: George Lance.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
Councilmember Matias announced he would be recusing himself from voting on this item.
Action: moved by Vice Mayor Matulac and carried to adopt Resolution No. 26- 019 N.C. (Abstained Due to Conflict of Interest: Matias)
B. ADOPT A RESOLUTION MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO THE
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE & LANDMARKS COMMISSION AND THE
PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING STEERING COMMITTEE
Recommendation: Adopt a resolution making the following appointments:
• Architectural Heritage & Landmarks Commission (AHLC) — 5 vacancies
• Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee (PBSC) — 7 member and 3 alternate vacancies
Contact: Dawn G. Abrahamson, MMC, City Clerk (707) 648-4527 [email protected]
By acclimation the City Council appointed applicants to the AHLC and PBSC..
Speaker: George Lance.
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Action: moved by Vice Mayor Matulac and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution No. 26-020 N.C., a resolution making the following appointments:
AHLC: Ann Adams, Tanya Hall and Brendan Riley for terms to commence from date of appointment and expire December 31, 2029.
PBSC: terms to commence from date of appointment and expire June 30, 2027.
Lynda Daniels (primary) and Corrine Quinn (secondary) – NAACP organization.
Patricia Hunter (primary) and Dr. Annetta Clark (secondary) – National Coalition of 100 Black Women organization
C. PRESENTATION OF THE CITY OF VALLEJO'S STATE AND FEDERAL
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY FIRMS AND RECEIVE DIRECTION ON
UPDATING THE CITY'S LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Recommendation: Receive the presentation and provide direction to staff on whether to schedule a future agenda item or special meeting to update the City’s State and Federal Legislative Platform and legislative priorities.
Contact: Sidney Wilson, Administrative Analyst (707) 648-4576 [email protected]
Action: item was continued to a future meeting.
D. NOTICE OF INTENT TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET, MID-YEAR STEP 1 (STEP 1 OF 2)
Recommendation:
Provide notice of intent to amend the City's Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Adopted Budget and provide direction regarding mid-year budget adjustments.
Contact: Nalungo Conley, Assistant City Manager/Acting Finance Director [email protected]
Assistant City Manager/Acting Finance Director Conley provided a general fund overview, discussed General Fund revenue and expenditures and staffing changes, and outlined next steps.
Speakers: Sherianne Grimm, Louis Michael and Melvin Cowan.
The meeting recessed at 9:10 p.m. and reconvened at 9:23 p.m.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
Action: moved by Vice Mayor Matulac and failed to provide notice of intent to amend the City’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 adopted budget (Ayes: Gordon, Matulac and Palmares; Noes: Sorce, Bregenzer, Lediju and Matias).
Action: moved by Councilmember Matias and carried unanimously to direct the City Manager and his office to prepare and present a savings plan addressing the City’s structural deficit at the March 10 regular Council meeting.
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The plan should identify measures to address the anticipated $20 million budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and indicate how current mid-year requests would align with that plan. Council acknowledged that the full budget development process cannot be completed within two weeks but expects sufficient information to allow the Council to confidently evaluate and make decisions regarding the pending mid-year requests.
10. INFORMATION CALENDAR
A. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS QUARTERLY UPDATE
Recommendation: This is an informational item only. There is no action associated with this item
Contact: Kristin Pollot, Planning & Development Services Director [email protected]
Brad Paul, Interim Economic Development Director
[email protected]
Assistant City Manager Haen provided introductory comments.
Interim Economic Development Director Paul provided an overview of the department, 2025-year end accomplishments, staffing update, current development projects, an overview of the Commissions the department supports, and recognized partners the Department works in collaboration with and department priorities.
Planning & Development Services Director Pollot provided an overview of the department, highlighted 2025-year end accomplishments, reviewed department staffing levels, and highlighted the Departments 2026 workplan.
Speakers: George Lance.
Staff responded to questions from Councilmembers. Councilmembers provided comment.
11. CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager Murray provided a general operational update and regional coordination efforts report.
12. CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
Chief Assistant City Attorney Risner provided an overview of the second quarter report.
A. QUARTERLY REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026, SECOND QUARTER (OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2025)
Recommendation: Receive report. There is no staff report or action associated with this item
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Contact: Veronica A.F. Nebb, City Attorney
[email protected]
13. COMMUNITY FORUM
Speakers: George Lance, Cassandra James, Tina Arriola, Anna Bergman, and Tinisch Hollins.
14. REQUEST & ACTIONS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS OR SPECIAL PROJECTS
Councilmember Matias
Referral for the Vallejo Planning Commission to undertake a focused review of the General Plan with respect to the city’s designated business corridors and mixed-use areas. Specifically, the following business corridors and mixed-use areas:
- Sonoma Boulevard
- Downtown and Waterfront District
-Mare Island District
-Neighborhood Corridors including Tennessee Street, Springs Road and others
The goal is to identify opportunities to streamline the development entitlement process and increase allowable density in commercial and corridor zones and prepare a formal set of recommendations with input from the Economic Development Commission within 75 days for consideration by the Vallejo City Council. (Passed unanimously by Council)
Councilmember Matias
Referral to the Economic Development Commission for a discussion on set of recommendations that would form a program that would attract construction, advanced manufacturing, software/film and wholesale business to the City of Vallejo. The Economic Development Commission will prepare and share a set of recommendations within 75 days for consideration by the Vallejo City Council. (Passed unanimously by Council)
Councilmember Palmares
Requested establishment of a staff Neighborhood Impact Task Force (Passed unanimously by Council)
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 11:48 p.m.
________________________________
ANDREA SORCE, MAYOR
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ATTEST:
_________________________________
DAWN G. ABRAHAMSON, CITY CLERK
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