Date: April 28, 2026
Subject: RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (EDD
ACTIVITIES) AND RECOMMEND TO UNFREEZE THE SECRETARY AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT
THE DEPARTMENT WORKPLAN AND ED STRATEGIC PLAN (EDSP)
budget cycles without being funded. It will now be in our department request for Measure P funds in May 2026.
5. Commercial Broker. This proposal includes $200,000 over two years for a commercial broker that will advertise and market vacant city properties for sale or lease. It was included in our mid-year request and fiscal budget requests for the last 2 budget cycles without being funded. It will now be included in the department request for Measure P funds in May 2026. Staff will explore brokers that can attract more developers and potential buyers by creating compelling stories about each building, its potential uses and the unique assets that Vallejo has to offer.
Recent changes to staffing: Throughout 2025, implementing the 5 pilot programs was the responsibility of the ED consultant, ACM and Administrative Analyst II who drafted the Pop-Up Events RFP, managed scoring and interviews, put together our Pop-Up Events advisory group and was preparing to do the same for the other pilot projects.
Last month, during a review of our work plans, the Senior Community Development Analyst offered to staff the Shop Local pilot given her experience with local businesses and role as staff liaison to local business groups.
One of the Program Managers offered to help develop and refine our communications and marketing plans, and support increased business attraction efforts. Now the small EDD team and the City PIO are collaborating to advance this work, including putting together a series of articles for Vallejo Weekly, social media and influencers that promote new and existing businesses, and the opportunities and assets Vallejo has to offer.
The Mare Island Program Manager works solely on Mare Island, managing Mare Island contracts, working on Mare Island projects and supporting the City Manager's Office and the City Attorney’s office in negotiations with key stakeholders including the Navy, State Lands, Mare Island Company and Island Energy. This knowledge of Mare Island’s regulatory history will play an important role in business attraction efforts on the Island.
The lack of staff from the two frozen positions has put a hold on advancing important EDSP initiatives and even maintaining minimum services to the community.
Supporting business. The Interim EDD Director has visited local businesses, introduced himself and asked what the city can do to support them. Most businesses have requested assistance in attracting more customers and countering negative social media about Vallejo. Face-to-face communication is integral in building personal relationships and trust with local business owners.
While many of our staff don’t live here, they visit local businesses regularly, introduce themselves, and buy something: lunch, a book, coffee cup, or anything else they need to enhance these relationships. This helps activate downtown and other areas of the city, supports local merchants, and creates a greater sense of safety with more ‘eyes on the street’.
Regional approach to retaining/attracting businesses. Solano County recently lost Budweiser, Valero and others. A weak pipeline of new projects is financially stressing Mare Island Drydock and Harbinger Homes (Factory_OS). Taken together, this elevates the need to attract new businesses and not only retain but expand existing ones.
With the federal government’s newfound interest in shipbuilding (SHIPS for America Act), staff has been working with Solano EDC, Cal-Poly Maritime, Working Waterfront Coalition, GoBIZ and others to secure federal support for a regional Maritime Prosperity Zone that includes Mare Island, Benicia, Pittsburg, Stockton
Date: April 28, 2026
Subject: RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (EDD
ACTIVITIES) AND RECOMMEND TO UNFREEZE THE SECRETARY AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT
THE DEPARTMENT WORKPLAN AND ED STRATEGIC PLAN (EDSP)
and Collinsville, a regional shipbuilding ecosystem that builds components for vessels at multiple facilities and assembles them in a central location (Mare Island now, Collinsville later), much like modern automaking today.
The city hired the Roosevelt Group to develop a Strategic Plan for Maritime Revitalization for Vallejo. It was just released on April 16, 2026. [link here to TRG report].
Recently, the Interim EDD Director attended a conference in Monterey for manufacturers, suppliers, advocates, regulators and workforce developers involved with Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). Over the next decade, these sectors will have a major impact on transportation, logistics and emergency response. The conference was sponsored by DART, a Monterey area non-profit dedicated to advancing AAM/UAS for quality job growth and community vitality. Their website landing page says Catalyzing a Resilient Low-Altitude Innovation Economy and Uplifting Communities (https://mbdart.org).
In addition, there appears to be a strong overlap between the supply chain, workforce, power and space needs of the AAM and Shipbuilding sectors.
How could this benefit Vallejo? DART members (e.g. Joby Aviation, Archer) are looking for places to scale production, places with access to reliable, affordable power/water/broadband and close to highways, rail, waterways and airports with relatively affordable real estate. Most of the members have not considered Vallejo/Mare Island prior. Now some are. Josh Metz, Director of DART, expressed interest in taking a tour of Vallejo, helping connect us with AAM companies, and helping our workforce development partners train residents for good paying AAM jobs [https://mbdart.org/programs/workforce-development/].
Streamlining development and permitting. To encourage greater collaboration among city departments, we invited the Planning Director and Planning Manager to join us once a month at our weekly staff meetings to discuss ways to streamline approvals and target enforcement actions against vacant, blighted properties. We also attend one of their monthly meetings and meet regularly with Public Works staff.
Avoiding displacement. As the economy improves, Vallejo will benefit from increased tax revenue, more disposable income to support local businesses, and greater access to good-paying jobs for Vallejo residents.
But economic growth will create higher rents, higher home prices and a higher cost of living. The city can help residents avoid displacement by enacting housing preservation legislation (tenants' right to counsel, short-term rentals) and working with local schools (VCUSD, Solano CC, Touro, Cal-Poly Maritime), to create pipelines for residents to access better-paying jobs that allow them to absorb higher housing costs over time.
While our Pop-Up Events pilot and EDC’s plans to install more banners and string lights downtown will help create a greater sense of vibrancy and safety in Vallejo’s core, we must also use what we learn from this to activate neighborhood shopping areas outside the downtown area, including Sonoma Blvd, Tennessee St and Springs Road. We look forward to working with the Chamber, Visit Vallejo, Vallejo Main Street, the EDC and City Council members to take our successful programs citywide.
In the past few weeks, staff have met with people interested in opening two new grocery stores and an advanced manufacturing plant in Vallejo, talked with representatives of a foreign ship builder looking to expand on Mare Island, and talked with an AAM company looking for places to manufacture its aircraft and drones.
Finally, the Interim EDD Director engaged with a filmmaker considering moving out of LA and toured the downtown and the waterfront. The most effective antidote to the negative social media Vallejo is subjected to appear to be these in-person tours of our city.
FISCAL IMPACT
Date: April 28, 2026
Subject: RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (EDD
ACTIVITIES) AND RECOMMEND TO UNFREEZE THE SECRETARY AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM MANAGER IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT
THE DEPARTMENT WORKPLAN AND ED STRATEGIC PLAN (EDSP)
Funding to unfreeze EDD’s authorized ED Program Manager position $233,380 and Secretary position $115,759 (fully loaded costs) in FY 2026-27 would come from the city’s general funds and begin to provide EDD with the staffing level it needs to move the needle on EDSP progress. In addition, staff has submitted a request for Measure P funds for a total of $508,000 to pay for the Long-Range Property Management Plan ($200,000), Commercial Broker ($200,000), Shop Local program ($70,312) and Pop-Up Events ($37,688).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not a project pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not an action which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378.
ATTACHMENTS
None
CONTACT
Brad Paul, Interim Economic Development Director
[email protected]
ACTION ITEM 9.E.
DATE: April 28, 2026
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Kristin Pollot, AICP, Planning and Development Services Director Hector Rojas, Long Range Planning Manager
SUBJECT: PROVIDE DIRECTION ON WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH PREPARATION OF A
SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction on whether to proceed with preparation of a Short-Term Rental Ordinance.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
Short-term rentals (STRs) are currently unregulated in Vallejo, resulting in limited oversight of land use compatibility, neighborhood impacts, and tax compliance. Establishing a regulatory framework would allow the City to address community concerns while also capturing potential revenue through improved Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) compliance.
The City Council has previously expressed interest in regulating STRs. This item responds to that prior request for consideration and provides an opportunity for Council to consider whether to move forward with ordinance development at this time.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
On October 12, 2021, the City Council considered requests by Mayor Robert McConnell and Councilmember Rozanna Verder Aliga to explore the preparation of a short-term rental (STR) ordinance.
At that time, staff noted that STR regulations were anticipated to be addressed as part of a Phase II Zoning Code Update. This effort was not completed due to staffing limitations and competing priorities.
This item returns to Council in response to renewed interest in STR regulation, including interest in potential revenue generation as part of broader discussions regarding the City’s fiscal condition.
Short-Term Rental Overview
A short-term rental is generally defined as the rental of a dwelling unit, in whole or in part, for lodging purposes for a period of 30 consecutive days or fewer. These rentals are commonly facilitated through online platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO.
STRs are typically categorized into two primary types:
• Hosted STRs: The property owner or primary resident remains on-site during the guest’s stay, and one or more rooms within the dwelling unit are rented.
• Un-hosted STRs: The entire dwelling unit is rented to guests, and no owner or primary resident is present during the stay. These rentals may occur occasionally or on a full-time basis as a commercial use.
Date: April 28, 2026
Subject: PROVIDE DIRECTION ON WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH PREPARATION OF A
SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE
STRs can provide several potential benefits, including supplemental income for property owners, increased visitor accommodation options, and additional TOT revenue to the City. However, STRs may also result in neighborhood impacts, including noise, parking constraints, and changes in neighborhood character. In addition, unregulated STR activity may contribute to the conversion of housing units from long-term residential use to visitor accommodations.
As a result, many jurisdictions have adopted regulations to balance the economic benefits of STRs with the need to preserve neighborhood quality and housing availability.
Existing Conditions in Vallejo
STRs are not explicitly regulated in the Vallejo Municipal Code (VMC). As a result:
• STR operators are not subject to a formal registration or permitting requirement; • There is no systematic mechanism to ensure collection of TOT; • There are no STR-specific operational standards addressing occupancy, parking, or noise; and • Enforcement is primarily complaint-driven and not supported by a formal compliance program.
Short-Term Rental Market Data
Based on short-term rental market data for the period of March 2025 through March 2026 from AllTheRooms, Vallejo had an average of approximately 194 active STR listings during this period, with monthly supply fluctuating between approximately 170 and 210 listings. During this period, the average daily rate was approximately $246 and the average occupancy rate was approximately 29 percent.
Based on this data, the average annual revenue per STR unit is estimated at approximately $26,000. Applying this estimate across the average number of listings results in an estimated total STR market revenue to the owners of the units being rented of approximately $5.0 million annually.
Pursuant to VMC Chapter 3.19, transient occupancies are subject to a TOT of 11 percent of the rent charged.
Based on the estimated revenue above, this could equate to approximately $550,000 annually in potential TOT revenue, assuming full compliance. Actual revenues would depend on factors including market conditions, operator participation, and the effectiveness of registration and enforcement mechanisms.
Regulatory Approaches
Many jurisdictions in Solano County and the broader Bay Area have adopted STR regulations. Common regulatory approaches include:
• Permit and registration systems
• Primary residence requirements
• Limits on rental days per year
• Operational standards (occupancy, parking, noise)
• Local contact requirements for complaint response
• Use of third-party compliance and monitoring tools
Short-Term Rental Regulations in Solano County
Staff conducted outreach to jurisdictions within Solano County to better understand how STRs are currently addressed. Approaches vary, generally falling into two categories: jurisdictions that permit STRs subject to regulations, and jurisdictions where STRs are not expressly addressed in the municipal code and are therefor
Date: April 28, 2026
Subject: PROVIDE DIRECTION ON WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH PREPARATION OF A
SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE
prohibited.
Within Solano County, the City of Benicia and the County of Solano (in unincorporated areas) have adopted formal regulatory frameworks for STRs. Benicia allows both hosted and limited un-hosted STRs subject to a licensing program, operational standards, and restrictions such as primary residence requirements and caps on un-hosted rental activity. Similarly, Solano County permits “vacation house rentals” with approval of a land use permit and imposes operational requirements related to occupancy, parking, safety, and ongoing compliance.
In contrast, the other Solano jurisdictions do not have adopted STR ordinances. Based on staff outreach, these jurisdictions interpret existing zoning regulations as prohibiting STRs within residential districts, either because the use is not listed as permitted or because it is categorized under lodging uses that are not allowed in residential zones. Vacaville treats STRs as a form of ‘lodging,’ which is not permitted in residential zoning districts under its zoning framework. Other jurisdictions, including Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, and Suisun City, do not appear to have adopted specific short-term rental regulations based on staff’s review of their municipal codes. In the absence of explicit provisions, short-term rentals are typically not permitted in residential zoning districts.
Implementation and Resource Considerations
Development of an STR ordinance will require staff resources for policy development, stakeholder outreach, and coordination with other departments, including Finance and Code Enforcement. Given current workload constraints, staff may need to seek outside assistance to support this effort.
In addition, implementation of an STR program may require ongoing use of compliance and monitoring tools.
Third-party platforms, such as Granicus (Host Compliance) and Deckard Technologies (Rentalscape), can assist with identifying listings, monitoring activity, and supporting enforcement. Annual costs for such services are estimated to be in the range of approximately $10,000 to $15,000.
Next Steps
If directed by City Council to proceed, staff would return with a proposed approach for ordinance development, which may include preparation of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for consultant services, followed by ordinance development, community engagement, and subsequent consideration by the Planning Commission and City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with providing direction to staff. Future costs associated with ordinance development and implementation would depend on the approach directed by Council, including whether consultant services are utilized. Implementation of an STR program may result in ongoing administrative and enforcement costs, which may be partially offset by increased TOT revenue. Based on available market data, potential TOT revenue could be on the order of approximately $550,000 annually.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378.
ATTACHMENTS
None
Date: April 28, 2026
Subject: PROVIDE DIRECTION ON WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH PREPARATION OF A
SHORT-TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE
CONTACT
Kristin Pollot, AICP, Planning & Development Services Director, (707) 648-4326 [email protected]
INFORMATIONAL ITEM 10.A.
DATE: April 28, 2026
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Jason Ta, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Public Safety Update
RECOMMENDATION
Receive a general update on public safety and have a discussion on current initiatives the Police Department is undertaking.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION
Following the end of the continued existence of a state of local emergency related to public safety staffing, the City Council requested that staff bring forward a periodic update on public safety.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
On July 25, 2023, the City Council unanimously voted to approve a Proclamation of Emergency due to the critical staffing levels at the City of Vallejo Police Department. On December 16, 2025, the City Council voted to no longer renew the continued state of local emergency. Below is an update on current items being discussed in relation to public safety:
• Current Staffing– 114 budgeted sworn officer positions, 79 active sworn officers, 35 vacant positions. o 79 Sworn (77 Active/ 2 Inactive)
o 39 on patrol
o 3 on FTO
o 7 Recruits in different academies
• Strategies Underway to Increase Staffing – In addition to its regular attraction and retention efforts, the Police Department is working to implement new strategies to further attract and retain officers. The Police Department has entered an agreement with Allstar recruiting to increase the department's visibility towards applicants. The Police Department has also implemented a recruitment, retention, and referral program, which the City Council approved on July 22, 2025. Moreover, HR has two parttime extra-help recruiters that are actively recruiting VPD employees. • Current reporting structure – City Council presentations, Surveillance Advisory Board (SAB), Police Oversight and Accountability Commission (POAC), Chief’s Advisory Board (CAB), Public Safety Council Subcommittee (PSCS), Ad-hoc Police Reform Council Subcommittee, and various other community engagement efforts.
• Most Recent Operations Crime Reporting – Operations Bureau Report. • Most Recent Average Response Times (ART) – Significant improvement is all Priority categories. • Most Recent Solano Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Services Statistical Update – The Solano SO began providing supplemental law enforcement services on January 21, 2026. The supplemental services have provided improvements to police service delivery during the hours of operation on
Date: April 28, 2026
Subject: Public Safety Update
Wednesday through Saturday from 2pm-12am (midnight). Personnel from the Solano Sheriff’s Office will be present at the 4/28/2026 City Council meeting to answer questions and address the current supplemental public safety services to Vallejo.
• Programs and Initiatives– The Police Department has prioritized a number of programs and initiatives that continue to improve public safety in the City of Vallejo. These include:
o Vallejo VISION – gun violence reduction initiative
o Sex Trafficking Reduction Initiative
o VPD’s Enhanced Response to Domestic Violence
o Problem Oriented Policing Team (POP)
o 2026 Vallejo PD Community Academy
o Revitalized volunteer program
o Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch Programs
o Traffic Safety
o Public Safety Partnership (PSP) – USDOJ BJA
o Police Reform Settlement Agreement Progress
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate financial impact associated with this item. Any potential impact will be brought back to City Council with related costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378.
ATTACHMENTS
None
CONTACT
Jason Ta, Chief of Police
(707) 648-4540
[email protected]
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
April 28, 2026 – City Council Agenda
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Veronica A. F. Nebb, City Attorney / VN
Randy J. Risner, Chief Assistant City Attorney / RJR
SUBJECT: Quarterly Report for FY 2025/2026, Third Quarter (January - March 2026)
The following list of projects, work, and statistics represents an overview of the work performed at the City Attorney’s Office during the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2025/2026. Some projects and items have been omitted due to their sensitive nature. If Councilmembers or officials have any questions, please feel free to contact the City Attorney privately, as many of the below items are attorney-client privileged and, therefore, not appropriate for public discussion.
I. Litigation:
a. Number of Pitchess Motions served on the City this FY Quarter: 1 b. Number of Pitchess Motions served on the City this FY: 9 c. Summons & Complaints (New cases this FY Quarter): 10 (see below) File Name Case # Served Date City’s Counsel
Affonso v. City of Vallejo, et al. 26CV000067 03/09/2026 Katelyn Knight, ACA Beale v. Vallejo Flood & Wastewater, et al. CU26-01275 03/09/2026 Kristoffer Jacob, ACA Bennison, et al. v. City of Vallejo, et al. CU26-00059 02/26/2026 Katelyn Knight, ACA Hicks v. City of Vallejo, et al. CU26-02218 03/11/2026 Hampton Jackson, ACA Hotaki, et al. v. City of Vallejo CU25-09788 01/14/2026 Kristoffer Jacob, ACA Kroll v. City of Vallejo, et al. CU25-10022 01/14/2026 Katelyn Knight, ACA Mackey v. City of Vallejo, et al. CL25-01569 01/05/2026 Katelyn Knight, ACA Mendoza v. Solano County, et al. CU25-04216 01/26/2026 Katelyn Knight, ACA
Mayor and Members of the City Council
Re: City Attorney’s Third Quarterly Report for FY 2025/2026 April 28, 2026 - City Council Agenda
II. Funds Recovered from Third Parties Q3 – FY 25/26: $1,372.50 (see details below)
Funds Recovered from Third Parties FY 25/26
to date: $92,396.80
Moncrease v. City of Vallejo, et al CU26-00923 03/13/2026 Katelyn Knight, ACA Taki, et al. v. City of Vallejo CU25-08261 01/14/2026 Kristoffer Jacob, ACA d. Case Resolutions this FY Quarter: 4 (see below)
File Name Case # Resolved City’s Counsel
Bagos v. City of Vallejo, et al. 2:20-cv-00185-KJM-AC 02/19/2026 Katelyn Knight, ACA Informed CA Foundation v. City of Vallejo FCS057109 02/19/2026 Katelyn Knight, ACA McCormick, et al. v. City of Vallejo, et al. 2:25-cv-01468-JDP 01/07/2026 Katelyn Knight, ACA State Farm Insurance v. City of Vallejo CU25-07646 03/11/2026 Katelyn Knight, ACA
e. Summons & Complaints (New) Q3 – FY 25/26: 10
Summons & Complaints FY 25/26 to date 22
f. Total Active Litigation Cases as of FY end: 60 (Lit – 48 and NLP – 12)