Davis City Council Meeting – December 17, 2024: Budget Priorities, Swearing-In, and Subcommittee Formation

The Davis City Council met on December 17, 2024, to certify the November 5 general election results, swear in three councilmembers, and discuss initial budget priorities for fiscal years 2026–2027, including the allocation of new Measure Q sales tax revenue. The council also formed two subcommittees: one on pavement management and one on strategic budget planning.

Consent Calendar

• Approved resolutions authorizing agreements with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for the new Measure Q transactions and use tax, including audit services.
• Authorized staff to pursue a comprehensive study of the Playfields batting cages facility, including community engagement and financial feasibility.
• Approved a task order for the H Street Storm Drain Pump Station (SDS#3) replacement project.
• Approved the list of commissions to review the Village Farms Davis and Shriners projects.
• Adopted on second reading an ordinance amending the tree ordinance to revise administrative processes and establish a Tree Permit Appeal Board (CEQA exempt).
• Received and filed commission minutes from the Climate and Environmental Justice Commission, Human Relations Commission, Open Space and Habitat Commission, and Transportation Commission.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Elaine Roberts Musser commended the Utilities Commission's work on the H Street pump station project but criticized the council for merging the Utilities Commission into the Finance and Budget Commission, stating that utility ratepayer expertise was lost.
• Interfaith Housing Justice Davis presented a $2,886 check to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund from their housing forum proceeds and urged the council to allocate $1 million annually to the trust fund, emphasizing the need for transformative investment.
• Heather Caswell (Davis Community Vision Alliance) requested funding for a full-time downtown police officer and $50,000 for public safety web videos to empower businesses, citing threats from a mentally ill repeat offender.
• Alan Lorax (voicemail) objected to the tree ordinance revisions, arguing they remove community participation and give the city manager and consultants unchecked power to remove trees without appeal to council.
• Ellen Kaloric (speaking for herself) recommended $1 million annually for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to fund down payment assistance and emergency rental assistance.
• Martha Teter urged prioritizing homelessness and affordable housing, supporting the Downtown Streets Team and case management services.
• Patrick (resident) supported a full-time downtown police officer and prioritizing road maintenance, green belts, and unfunded liabilities.
• Alan Miller (poem) criticized the rapid increase in sales tax and expressed concern that new revenue would not go to basic services like pavement repair.
• Georgina Valencia asked for a down payment assistance program funded by Measure Q.
• Ron (resident) prioritized street fixing, criticized a proposed new downtown firehouse, and advocated for staff to leverage state housing grants.
• Brett (Davis Downtown Business Association) requested restoration of a downtown bicycle police officer and consideration of expanding respite center hours to weekends.
• Elaine Roberts Musser urged the Fiscal Commission to be involved from the beginning in budget development and called for a long-term forecast before new spending commitments.
• Connor Gorman (voicemail) supported restoring reserves and pavement funding, and if leftover, prioritizing affordable housing and renter resources.

Discussion Items

1. Election Certification and Swearing-In (Item 1)

• Council unanimously approved a resolution certifying the results of the November 5, 2024 general municipal election for council seats in Districts 2, 3, and 5 and Measure Q (essential services tax).
• Linda Deos (District 2) was sworn in by her wife, Donna Neville (District 3) by her husband, and Josh Chapman (District 5) by his sons. Outgoing Councilmember Will Arnold was recognized.
• Public comments congratulated the new council and thanked Arnold.

2. Proclamation for Senator Bill Dodd (Item 2)

• Senator Dodd was unable to attend due to a family emergency. The council read a proclamation honoring his service, including his advocacy for climate resilience (SB 256, 2023) and the creation of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, as well as his recognition of local nonprofits and small businesses.

3. Initial Budget Priorities for FY26 and FY27 (Item 6)

• City Manager Mike Webb, Assistant City Manager Kelly Stachowicz, and Finance Director Elena Adair presented an overview:
  • Measure Q, a 1-cent general sales tax passed in November, will generate an estimated $11 million annually, with revenues starting July 2025 (sales tax rate effective April 2025).
  • The general fund reserve is currently at about 7.5% ($6.3 million), well below the policy target of 10–15% ($9.5–$14 million). Staff requested direction on how quickly to restore the reserve.
  • The city has an unfunded OPEB liability of $42 million (52% funded). Staff presented options to fund at 50%, 75%, or 100% of the annual required contribution.
  • Other needs include: pavement management (ideal annual investment ~$9 million, currently ~$6.5 million), ERP system replacement, urban forestry, health insurance and YC Parmia insurance cost increases, deferred capital projects (Veterans Memorial Theater, Arlington Roundabout, traffic safety), fleet replacement, employee contract negotiations, general plan update, climate action plan, homeless services (including Downtown Streets Team renewal), affordable housing, and facility maintenance.
• Councilmember discussion:
  • Neville emphasized restoring the general fund reserve and OPEB funding as top priorities; supported a pavement subcommittee and a separate subcommittee for broader budget priorities; advocated for transparency reports on how Measure Q funds are used.
  • Partida supported a three-year reserve restoration plan to allow flexibility for other community needs; supported OPEB funding at 50–75%; noted that ERP, deferred maintenance, and fleet replacement are critical; supported a pavement subcommittee and a second subcommittee for strategic planning.
  • Vaitla proposed a detailed priority list: restore reserve to 15% over three years (max annual contribution $2.25M), $2M/year to affordable housing fund, $1M/year to climate fund, fund OPEB at 50–100%, ERP ($300K/year), restore deferred CIPs and pavement management. Supported pavement and strategic budget subcommittees.
  • Deos (new councilmember) emphasized fiscal responsibility, preferring one-to-two-year reserve restoration, but open to compromise; supported OPEB funding at 100% if possible; highlighted need for visible community projects to show Measure Q impact; volunteered for pavement subcommittee.
  • Mayor Chapman supported a two-to-three-year reserve restoration; supported OPEB at 50–75%; emphasized that many department needs are not yet listed; called for transparency and suggested district-based community meetings.
• Council voted unanimously to:
  • Appoint a Pavement Management Subcommittee (Councilmembers Partida and Deos).
  • Appoint a Budget Strategic Planning Subcommittee (Councilmembers Vaitla and Neville).
• Staff will return with further details, including options for reserve restoration over two or three years.

4. AB 1234 Reports and Long-Range Calendar (Item 7)

• No meetings attended at city expense were reported.
• The next regular council meetings are January 7 and January 21, 2025.
• Councilmember Deos requested an update on city facilities assessments (Kitchell Report); staff confirmed an existing report and plans to update it.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimously approved the consent calendar.
• Unanimously approved the election certification resolution.
• Unanimously formed a Pavement Management Subcommittee (Partida and Deos) and a Budget Strategic Planning Subcommittee (Vaitla and Neville) to refine budget priorities and funding strategies.
• Council provided initial direction on general fund reserve restoration (preference for a two-to-three-year plan, with final decision deferred) and expressed support for funding OPEB, pavement management, ERP, affordable housing, climate action, and deferred capital projects, pending further subcommittee work.
• Staff will incorporate council feedback into the FY26-27 budget development process, with a proposed budget expected in spring 2025.