Davis City Council Meeting - January 30, 2024

The meeting began at 6:41 p.m. and covered consent calendar items, public comments on transit and commission changes, and two major discussion items: the annexation of wastewater treatment plant properties and a comprehensive restructuring of city commissions. The council approved the annexation unanimously and adopted a framework for commission consolidation, with additional direction for the subcommittee to refine certain aspects.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (5-0), including: Amendment 2 to professional services agreements for construction management; a resolution accepting the donation and placement of the public artwork "Fiat Lux" in remembrance of Karim Abou Najm and amending the FY 2023/24 budget; second reading of an ordinance amending wastewater regulations and utility rates; and minutes from various commission meetings.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bus stop improvements: Multiple speakers (Greg Crawford, Daniel Hica, Isidore, Tristan Meyer, Amina) urged the city to install red curb zones, benches, lighting, and shade at Unitrans bus stops to improve accessibility, safety, and comfort. They emphasized the need for student and disability community input.
• Commission restructuring opposition: Several current and former commissioners (Alan Hirsch, John Ruder, Colin Walsh, Elaine Roberts Musser, Robin Mohammed, Ruth Santer, Kept Baker, Mary Loibel, Roberta Milstein, Alan Pryor, and others) opposed the proposed mergers, citing insufficient consultation, loss of expertise, and a perceived reduction in democratic participation. Many requested a deferral for broader commission input.
• Support for restructuring: Patrick Huber (Open Space and Habitat Commission chair) expressed support for organizing commissions around the general plan update and suggested adding sustainability goals.
• Environmental justice concerns: Shavani (ASUCD) urged that the proposed Climate and Environmental Justice Commission explicitly include both environmentalism and environmental justice in its title and work.
• Tree Commission defense: Torrin (Tree Davis) requested the vote be deferred to allow stakeholder input, noting the importance of the urban forest under climate stress.
• General plan engagement: John Johnston (Natural Resources Commission) cautioned against relying solely on commissions for general plan outreach and recommended further study.
• Other comments: Alan Hirsch challenged the council to provide evidence that I-80 widening would yield net transit benefits; another speaker criticized declining public participation opportunities; and John advised against forming subcommittees for peripheral development projects.

Discussion Items

Item 4: Annexation of Wastewater Treatment Plant Properties

• Staff (Thomas McNairn, Associate Planner) presented the proposal to annex three parcels (APNs 042-140-009, -011, -013) totaling approximately 420 acres from Yolo County into the city. The annexation would save the city an estimated five times the current annual property tax of $15,000 (which would increase due to a reassessment triggered by the $80 million plant upgrade) and align with SB 1383 waste diversion requirements by allowing the city to claim its own solid waste.
• Public comment: Alan Hirsch asked why the annexation was not done earlier; Dylan requested clarification on the tax savings.
• Councilmember Neville explained the SB 1383 compliance context.
• Vote: The council unanimously approved (5-0) all four staff recommendations: CEQA exemption, General Plan amendment resolution, pre-zoning ordinance, and resolution of application to LAFCO.

Item 5: Consider Recommendations Related to Commissions

• The Council Subcommittee on Commissions (Mayor Chapman, Vice Mayor Vaitla) and City Manager Kelly Stachowiak presented a framework to consolidate 14 advisory bodies into fewer commissions aligned with the upcoming General Plan update:
  • 2A: Create a Circulation and Active Mobility Commission (merge Bicycle, Transportation, and Street Safety Commission with Unitrans Advisory Committee).
  • 2B: Create a Fiscal Commission (merge Finance and Budget Commission with Utilities Commission).
  • 2C: Create a Climate and Environmental Justice Commission (merge Natural Resources Commission with Tree Commission).
  • 2D: Create an Equity and Culture Commission (merge Human Relations Commission with Civic Arts Commission).
  • 2E: Merge the Historic Resource Management Commission into the Planning Commission.
• Item 3: Assign commissions to lead community engagement for specific General Plan elements (e.g., Circulation to the new Circulation commission, Environmental Justice to Equity & Culture and Climate & EJ, etc.).
• Item 4: Task the subcommittee with revising authorizing resolutions and developing a transition plan.
• Item 5: Task the subcommittee to explore a Community Health Commission (with focus on mental health) and consider renaming the Social Services Commission to Affordable Housing Commission.
• Council debate: Councilmember Partida supported the framework but opposed the HRC/Civic Arts merger (2D) and had concerns about the utilities merger. Councilmember Arnold also opposed 2D and suggested alternative models for HRC and Civic Arts. Councilmember Neville proposed that the subcommittee circle back with affected commissions before finalizing authorizing resolutions. Vice Mayor Vaitla emphasized that commissions should be empowered as leaders in the general plan visioning process. Mayor Chapman clarified that commissions are advisory and not the primary vehicle for broad public engagement.
• Votes:
  • Motion (Arnold, seconded by Partida) to approve recommendations 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, plus items 3, 4 (as amended to include a transition plan), and 5 (as amended to require consultation with the county and other relevant bodies on the Community Health Commission). Passed 5-0.
  • Separate motion (Vaitla, seconded by Arnold) to task the subcommittee with bringing back options for the structure and functioning of the Human Relations Commission and Civic Arts Commission (addressing 2D). Passed 5-0.
  • Item 3 (assigning commissions to lead General Plan elements) was taken up separately and approved 5-0.

Item 6: AB 1234 Reporting and Long Range Calendar

• Councilmembers reported meetings attended at city expense.
• City Manager Mike Webb noted upcoming items: bus stop red curb ordinance (likely March 5), council retreat on February 9, and a possible rescheduling of the April 16 meeting.
• Public comments: Alan Hirsch challenged the council to provide evidence of net transit benefits from the I-80 project; another speaker criticized reductions in public participation (shorter comment times, no slides); John advised against forming subcommittees for peripheral projects to avoid perception of bias.
• No formal action taken; calendar noted.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved 5-0.
• Wastewater Treatment Plant Annexation: Approved 5-0, including all staff recommendations.
• Commissions Restructuring: Council approved the framework for mergers (excluding 2D) and directed the subcommittee to draft authorizing resolutions, develop a transition plan, and consult with the county on a potential Community Health Commission. The subcommittee will also return with options for the Human Relations and Civic Arts commissions.
• General Plan Element Assignments: Approved 5-0, tasking specific commissions with lead roles in community engagement for state-mandated elements.
• Long Range Calendar: Noted; no additional decisions.