Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Benicia City Council met on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered the adoption of most consent calendar items, detailed deliberation on city council rules, acceptance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), approval of the 2027 Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation project list, and the approval of a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) for the Benicia Senior Affordable Housing project.
This item prompted significant deliberation. Vice Mayor Trevor Macenski advocated for reverting the public comment time limit from three minutes to five minutes. Councilmember Kari Birdseye stated three minutes is the standard among other California cities she surveyed. Mayor Young noted he often allows speakers to exceed the official limit. Vice Mayor Macenski also requested staff investigate procedural updates including instant electronic voting, clerk-managed speaker timers, policies for late-running meetings, and procedures for substitute motions. City Attorney Lori Grundman confirmed the time limit is codified in the municipal code. Outcome: Staff was directed to return with a comprehensive proposal for council consideration. No immediate changes were adopted.
Finance Director Jeff Shute presented the report. Auditor Rich Gonzalez (Clifton Larson Allen) issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the city's financial statements. One material weakness was identified (accrued dental liability), which management had proactively corrected prior to the audit's release. All three material weaknesses from the prior fiscal year were successfully resolved. Roxana Morati detailed the financial position. The total net position increased by 6.4% to $231.8 million. General fund revenues were $65.6 million and expenditures were $54.8 million. An unassigned fund balance of $7.5 million was allocated to various reserves per policy. The city's deferred maintenance backlog is $64.3 million. The council accepted the report by a 5-0 vote.
Public Works staff presented the proposed street list utilizing Measure F ($4M/yr), SB 1 ($760k/yr), and franchise fees ($200k/yr). The city has a PCI of 52 and $64.3 million in deferred maintenance. A 24-zone approach was outlined, with Zones 2 and 20 scheduled for the 2027 program. Downtown improvements were a central focus, including bike lanes, parking lot paving, and pedestrian upgrades. Public Testimony:
Amy Thornton presented the DDA with developer Eden Housing. The project is a scattered-site, 100% affordable development (90+ units) for residents aged 55 and older, located at the Scout property and Senior Center/Library parking lot. Building heights were reduced to a maximum of three stories based on community feedback. A one-for-one replacement of existing public parking was confirmed. Public Testimony: Brett (online commenter) expressed strong support for the project but requested consideration for assisted living and memory care services, calling the current plan short-sighted for lacking a continuum of care. Eden Housing confirmed these services are not within the current scope. Councilmember Largaespada commended the strong terms of the agreement. The council adopted the resolution 5-0, authorizing the City Manager to execute the DDA.
I'm going to call the meeting of the Benicia City Council to order. Um, Ms. Asano, please call the roll. Councilmember Birdseye. Here. Councilmember Larga Spada. Councilmember Masenski. Here. Councilmember Scott. Here. And Mayor Young. Here. Please join me in the pledge. A plaque stating the fundamental rights of the public is posted at the entrance to the meeting room for section four point zero four point zero three of the City of Banish's open government ordinance. I have uh office hours on the first and third Mondays of each month in my office just outside these doors. We have no proclamations, we have no appointments, we have no presentations. So we'll move straight to the adoption of the agenda. Mr. Giuliani, are there any changes to the agenda? No changes. All right, do we have a motion, a second to adopt the agenda? I'll move the agenda. Second. Mrs. Osano, please call a roll. Councilmember Birdseye. Yes. Councilmember Larga Spada. Yes. Councilmember Massensky. Yes. Councilmember Scott. Yes. Mayor Young. Yes. That takes us to the opportunity for public comments. And this is an opportunity for people to make comments on any item that is not on the agenda. And we would ask only that you just a second, we'll get to you. And we'd ask only that you uh limit your remarks to subjects that are within the jurisdiction of the city to actually take action on. So there is one person who was interested, at least. So please, or two people, please uh come forward. Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Um I felt compelled to circle back after our uh discussion at last week's meeting before final decisions are made regarding business licenses. Uh my name is Mary Williams. I'm the owner of the Little Art Shop, Art Gallery, and studio in Benesha, as well as a board member of the Benicia Art Gallery Alliance. I stood here over a year ago, and my concern during that February 18th discussion of business license fees, particularly for artists, was the resolution for suspension through January 31st, 27.