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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Benicia City Council Meeting: July 21, 2026

City Council & Boards — Tuesday, July 21, 2026
BodyBenicia, California
SessionCity Council & Boards
DateTuesday, July 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:34:34

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:00

And I'm going to adjourn the closed session and call the regular meeting to order.

0:04

And before we proceed with the roll call.

0:08

I'd like to announce that Vice Mayor Massenski is we believe participating remotely, pursuant to government code section 54953.

Unassigned speaker

0:17

Vice

Speaker 1

0:17

Mayor Massenski's teleconference location has been properly noticed on the agenda and is open to the public.

0:24

Members of the public may observe and participate from either the council chambers or the noticed

Speaker 2

0:28

remote

Speaker 1

0:29

location.

0:30

Trevor, are you with

Unassigned speaker

0:32

us?

Speaker 1

0:34

Maybe not.

0:37

It appears he's not.

0:38

So we are going to proceed.

0:41

Okay.

Speaker 3

0:44

Council members birdseye.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Largus Pada?

0:47

Here.

0:47

Massetski.

0:49

Scott.

Speaker 1

0:50

Here.

Speaker 3

0:50

And Mayor.

Speaker 1

0:51

Here.

0:52

Please join me in the pledge.

1:05

Under God.

1:14

A plaque stating the fundamental rights of each member of the public is posted at the entrance of the meeting room for section 4.04.03 of the City of Venetian's open government ordinance.

1:25

Under announcements, I have mayor's office hours on the first and third Wednesday, the first and third Monday of each month.

1:33

And if that time is not convenient for you, you can make an appointment through the city manager's office.

1:41

We have no proclamations, we have no appointments, we have no presentations.

Unassigned speaker

1:44

So

Speaker 1

1:45

we're going to move directly into the adoption of the agenda.

1:48

Mr.

1:48

Giuliani, do we have any changes to the agenda?

1:51

No changes, ma'am.

1:52

All right.

1:52

Do we have a motion and a second to adopt?

Speaker 4

1:55

So moved.

Speaker 1

1:56

Second.

1:56

Got a motion and a second.

1:57

Ms.

1:58

Wolf, please call the roll.

Speaker 3

2:00

Council members birds eye.

2:02

Yes.

2:02

Largus botta?

2:03

Yes.

2:04

Scott.

Speaker 1

2:04

Yes.

Speaker 3

2:05

And Mayor Young.

Speaker 1

2:06

Yes.

2:06

And that takes us to public comment.

2:09

And this is an opportunity for someone to make a comment on any item not on the agenda.

2:14

And we would ask only that you limit

Speaker 5

2:16

your

Speaker 1

2:17

talks to something that's within

Unassigned speaker

2:19

the

Speaker 1

2:19

purview of the city to act upon.

2:22

And I've got three cards here.

2:24

And Miss Rubbish ran right up to the front.

2:27

And we will uh hear you first.

2:33

Oh, sorry.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning Ordinance Amendments██████████████████████████████████████38%
Procedural███████████████15%
Fiscal Sustainability████████8%
Business License Tax████████8%
Animal Welfare██████6%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Public Safety████4%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Benicia City Council Meeting: July 21, 2026

The Benicia City Council met on July 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public comments, consent calendar approvals, and major business items focused on placing four ballot measures for the November 3, 2026 general election. The council approved measures for a limited city charter, a real property transfer tax, and a business license tax modernization, while a set of zoning amendments for commercial recreation and outdoor food service was referred back to staff for further analysis.

Consent Calendar

  • 14A: Minutes from the July 7, 2026 special and regular meetings.
  • 14B: Award of construction contract for the Affordable Housing East 4th & L Frontage Improvement Project ($332,996 to N G Builder Company) and approval of CEQA Notice of Exemption.
  • 14C: Second amendment to agreement with Larry Walker Associates, Inc. for stormwater permit compliance regulatory support (not-to-exceed $370,307).
  • 14D: Acceptance of Military West Pedestrian Bridge as complete.
  • 14E: Acceptance of 2025 Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation and Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements Project as complete.
  • 14F: Acceptance of Water Treatment Plant Miscellaneous Mechanical Improvement Project as complete.
  • 14G: FY 2025/26 Third Quarter Investment Report.
  • 14J: Waiver of reading of all ordinances.\nItems 14H and 14I were pulled from the consent calendar for separate discussion and votes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Christina Strawbridge (Benicia Main Street) promoted Waterfront Weekend, reporting $26,471 in cash raised for Fourth of July fireworks, a $5,000 pledge from Republic Services, and $787 from can distribution. She suggested exploring a drone show for future July 4 celebrations.
  • Marilyn Bardet expressed concern about cumulative impacts of major development projects (Rose Estates, Valero, Arsenal, Gateway) and urged integrated planning rather than relying solely on separate EIRs. She noted the scoping comment deadline for the Rose Estates EIR is upcoming.
  • Myra Nissen reported recurring tidal flooding at Portside Village (East E and East Fifth) when tide levels exceed six feet, asking for city assistance or a buyout.
  • Clay Merrill (PG&E Government Affairs) reintroduced himself and offered to meet with council members.
  • Sohei Takar (Fairfield Youth Commission, age 14) urged the council to revive a Benicia Youth Commission, noting it would have minimal cost and could involve youth in city governance. He provided contact information and offered free research assistance.
  • Kathy Carriage requested more public input before the city resubmits its grant application to the Air District, and announced a Democratic candidate forum on August 11.

Discussion Items

  • 15A – Ballot Measures Y and Z (Limited City Charter and Real Property Transfer Tax): Deputy City Manager Sarah Shockey presented the two measures, emphasizing they are linked (a charter is needed to impose a real property transfer tax). Councilmember Scott proposed altering Measure Y's ballot language to clarify the charter's single purpose. After debate, the council agreed to language: “Shall the City of Benicia adopt a limited city charter that has a single purpose: allow the real property transfer tax in Measure Z to take effect if voters approve both Measures Y and Z, while everything else about how the city is governed stays the same.” Measure Y passed unanimously; Measure Z passed 4–1 (Councilmember Largaespada dissented).
  • 15B – Measure X (Business License Tax Modernization): City Manager Giuliani presented the measure, which would eliminate taxes for businesses with $100,000 or less in annual receipts and set tiered rates. Mayor Young offered alternate wording to highlight exemptions and marine terminal rates, but staff noted structural issues. Council agreed to keep staff wording but increased the first-year revenue estimate from $592,000 to $1,612,000 to reflect potential marine terminal revenue. The resolution was approved unanimously.
  • 15C – Resolution for Registrar of Voters Services: City Clerk Wolfe presented the procedural item; approved unanimously.
  • 15D – Resolution Calling for November 3, 2026 General Election: Approved unanimously.
  • 15E – Zoning Amendments for Commercial Recreation and Outdoor Food Service: Assistant City Manager Suzanne Thorson and Senior Planner Dave Feinstein proposed two amendments: (1) conditionally permitting indoor commercial recreation (sports training, archery, shooting galleries) in single‑tenant buildings on 26 acres along Goodyear Road and Gateway Plaza Drive in the Limited Industrial zone; (2) allowing outdoor food service in Mixed‑Use Infill zones. The Planning Commission had recommended allowing multi‑tenant buildings, but staff recommended single‑tenant only. Councilmembers Macenski and Scott argued that sports training facilities should be a by‑right use, not conditional, to reduce barriers for small businesses. Councilmember Scott also raised safety concerns about shooting galleries. Mayor Young suggested staff investigate banning live ammunition at shooting galleries. A motion to approve the ordinance failed 2–3 (Birdseye and Largaespada yes; Macenski, Scott, Young no). A subsequent motion to refer the item back to staff for further analysis passed unanimously. Council also directed staff to examine regulations around shooting galleries, particularly live ammunition use.

Key Outcomes

| Item | Action | Vote | |------|--------|------| | Consent Calendar (14A–G, 14J) | Approved | Unanimous | | 14H – Animal Control Services Agreement | Approved after discussion on off‑leash enforcement | Unanimous | | 14I – Sidewalk Vendor Ordinance (second reading) | Approved | 4–1 (Mayor Young dissenting) | | 15A – Measure Y (Limited Charter) | Approved with modified ballot language | Unanimous | | 15A – Measure Z (Real Property Transfer Tax) | Approved | 4–1 (Largaespada dissenting) | | 15B – Measure X (Business License Tax) | Approved; revenue estimate set at $1,612,000 | Unanimous | | 15C – Registrar of Voters Resolution | Approved | Unanimous | | 15D – Election Calling Resolution | Approved | Unanimous | | 15E – Zoning Amendments | Motion to approve failed; item referred back to staff | 2–3 (failed); referral unanimous |

Meeting Transcript

And I'm going to adjourn the closed session and call the regular meeting to order. And before we proceed with the roll call. I'd like to announce that Vice Mayor Massenski is we believe participating remotely, pursuant to government code section 54953. Vice Mayor Massenski's teleconference location has been properly noticed on the agenda and is open to the public. Members of the public may observe and participate from either the council chambers or the noticed remote location. Trevor, are you with us? Maybe not. It appears he's not. So we are going to proceed. Okay. Council members birdseye. Here. Largus Pada? Here. Massetski. Scott. Here. And Mayor. Here. Please join me in the pledge. Under God. A plaque stating the fundamental rights of each member of the public is posted at the entrance of the meeting room for section 4.04.03 of the City of Venetian's open government ordinance. Under announcements, I have mayor's office hours on the first and third Wednesday, the first and third Monday of each month. And if that time is not convenient for you, you can make an appointment through the city manager's office. We have no proclamations, we have no appointments, we have no presentations. So we're going to move directly into the adoption of the agenda. Mr. Giuliani, do we have any changes to the agenda? No changes, ma'am. All right. Do we have a motion and a second to adopt? So moved. Second. Got a motion and a second. Ms. Wolf, please call the roll. Council members birds eye. Yes. Largus botta? Yes. Scott. Yes. And Mayor Young. Yes. And that takes us to public comment.

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