Benicia City Council Meeting - July 7, 2026

The Benicia City Council met on July 7, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting featured a presentation from Caltrans on a planned weekend closure of the westbound I-80 Al Zampa Bridge, approval of the consent calendar, adoption of an ordinance regulating sidewalk vendors (with a 4-1 vote), and extensive discussion and direction on modernizing the business license tax, including setting a cap, annual increase, and a new marine terminal tax for a potential November 2026 ballot measure.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from June 16 and June 23, 2026 regular meetings.
• Adopted the City Council Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
• Approved waiver of reading of all ordinances introduced or adopted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mr. Hayes (in-person) complained about overcharges by Republic Services for garbage service, stating he was billed $85 per quarter for a 20-gallon can instead of the correct $69 rate. He urged the city to alert other customers.
• Vice Mayor Macenski shared a positive community story about canoes being returned restored to a local pond.
• Ms. Grunman (in-person, on sidewalk vending) expressed concerns about safety of hot food carts near children during the July 4th events but generally did not oppose vendors.
• Gene Padradi (in-person, on business license tax) questioned the complexity of the proposed models and suggested a simpler employee-based model; he noted ACE Org’s tax would increase from $900 to about $1,500, which he found reasonable.
• Online commenter (on business license tax) raised concerns about the private AM Ports port and the need to renegotiate the lease to generate more city revenue.

Discussion Items

• Caltrans Presentation: Caltrans representatives presented plans for a full weekend closure of the westbound Al Zampa Bridge from Friday, August 21, 2026 at 10 PM to Monday, August 24, 2026 at 3 AM for surface replacement. Council members requested additional signage directing traffic away from Benicia to avoid backups. A public comment confirmed the bike/pedestrian path would also be closed.
• Sidewalk Vending Ordinance (Item 15.A): City Attorney Stock introduced an ordinance to create a permitting process for sidewalk vendors, setting operational requirements, health department oversight, and enforcement through administrative fines. Council debate covered exemptions for youth/charity vendors, the 200-foot bathroom requirement for stationary food vendors, prohibition on stationary vendors in residential zones, and the complexity of enforcement. Councilmember Largaespada and Birdseye supported the ordinance, while Mayor Young opposed, arguing it was unenforceable and burdensome. Vice Mayor Macenski suggested exemptions for charitable sales. The motion passed 4-1 with Mayor Young dissenting.
• Business License Tax Modernization (Item 15.B): City Manager Giuliani and consultant Eric Myers presented two models (A: $4,000 cap; B: $1,500 cap) with a $100,000 gross receipts exemption, and a proposed marine terminal business license tax at 1%, 2%, or 3% (no cap). Council discussed competitiveness, classification, implementation, and revenue projections. After public comment, consensus emerged on Model B with a $1,500 initial cap, 10% annual increase to a permanent $25,000 cap, including annual CPI adjustments, and a marine terminal tax rate of 3% with no separate cap. Staff was directed to prepare ballot language for the November 3, 2026 general election.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (5-0).
• Sidewalk Vending Ordinance (first reading): Approved 4-1 (Councilmember Young opposed). Staff will return to set a fee schedule.
• Business License Tax Direction (unanimous): Council selected Model B ($1,500 cap), with a 10% annual increase, permanent cap of $25,000, CPI adjustments, and a 3% marine terminal tax (no separate cap). Staff to prepare ordinance and ballot measure for July 21, 2026 council meeting.
• Caltrans Presentation: Noted; city will assist in public outreach.