Davis City Council Meeting: February 4, 2025 - Black History Month & Economic Development
Davis City Council Meeting: February 4, 2025
The Davis City Council met on February 4, 2025, starting with a ceremonial presentation for Black History and Black Futures Month, followed by announcements and public comments. The main discussion focused on developing an economic development strategic plan, resulting in the formation of two subcommittees and direction to explore a living wage standard.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (5-0) without discussion. Items included:
- Item 4A: Replacing restrooms in Community Park.
- Item 4E: Second reading of an ordinance establishing a framework for a down payment assistance plan.
- Item 4G: City sponsorship of a film screening on February 19, 2025, about Japanese American incarceration during World War II.
- Item 4D: Establishing an all-way stop at the intersection of 6th and C Streets.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alan Miller (Old East Davis Neighborhood Association) reported four accidents in one week at 5th and J, calling it an emergency and requesting Jersey barriers to restrict left turns at I, J, and K streets.
- Jerry Howitt (Stories on Stage Davis, Davis Arts Alliance) thanked the council for a grant that allowed resumption of in-person events and brought attendees from Sacramento and the Bay Area.
- Elaine Roberts Musser opposed the down payment assistance program (consent item 4E), citing unknown costs, lack of funding, city financial struggles, and existing programs. She urged the fiscal commission to review the plan.
- Alan Hirsch raised concerns about inadequate bus stop design (e.g., at F and Covell), dangerous e-bike interactions on shared trails, and tree ordinance changes that he said allow the city to use mitigation funds for tree removal rather than replacement.
- Joel Rappaport (Davis Independent Music Initiative, Davis Arts Alliance) thanked the council for grants supporting local music, noting that Davis now has zero dedicated music venues compared to seven in 1998.
- Mark Hushing (Transportation Commission member, speaking personally) encouraged mode shift and bike infrastructure investment, noting that he was recently hit by a car at the same intersection as 18 months prior, this time with his nine-year-old child.
- John Killer urged tight program guidelines for the down payment assistance plan, specifically to prevent subsidizing UC Davis student housing, arguing it is the university's responsibility.
- Catherine Keller shared concerns about program funding but also acknowledged benefits of first-time homebuyer assistance, and supported excluding students from eligibility.
- Todd Adelman opposed the all-way stop at 6th and C, suggesting daylighting (removing parked cars) instead of a stop sign.
- Recorded comments supported replacing Community Park restrooms and the film screening, and opposed the stop sign.
Discussion Items
Item 5: Economic Development Strategic Plan
Director Katie Yancy presented staff recommendations for a plan focused on job retention and creation, proposing a living wage standard (replacing the current high-wage standard) and four targeted industry clusters: business & entrepreneurship, retail/hospitality/tourism, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture/water/environmental technologies. Staff outlined potential business retention, attraction, and "economic gardening" programs. The city manager emphasized the need for council direction on timeline, scope, and subcommittees.
Council members discussed:
- Living wage standard: Broadly supported as a guiding objective; staff clarified it would be operationalized later through an ordinance.
- Industry sectors: Council expressed caution about committing to specific sectors without more analysis, noting the need to align with Davis's identity (e.g., sustainability, ag-tech) and avoid sectors requiring large land parcels (e.g., advanced transportation/logistics). Vice Mayor Neville noted that federal representatives view Davis as ag, food science, biomedical, and clean energy.
- Approach: Council unanimously preferred a hybrid approach—continuing ongoing programs (process streamlining, business outreach) while developing a comprehensive strategic plan. Mayor and council set a target of completing the plan by end of 2025.
- Subcommittees: Two subcommittees were formed:
- Business Retention & Expansion (Councilmembers Partida and Deos) to focus on existing business support, including the two-by-two meetings with DDBA and Chamber.
- Brand, Identity, and Future Growth (Councilmember Chapman and Vice Mayor Neville) to focus on attracting new businesses and developing a cohesive economic identity.
- Immediate directions: Staff were directed to proceed with:
- Refreshing the Chamber MOU to include a business walk and survey program.
- Continuing permit streamlining and ERP system updates.
- Exploring workforce development inclusion in the CDBG consolidated plan (coming in March).
- Developing small business preservation programs.
- Regional engagement: Council requested presentations from Valley Vision and Greater Sacramento Economic Council.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar approved 5-0, including the down payment assistance ordinance second reading, restroom replacement, film sponsorship, and all-way stop.
- Economic Development Strategic Plan: Council adopted a hybrid approach (plan development + concurrent implementation of certain programs), with a goal of completion by end of 2025.
- Subcommittees formed: Two ad hoc committees (Retention/Expansion and Brand/Growth) with two councilmembers each.
- Living wage standard: Staff directed to explore and operationalize a living wage objective as part of the strategic plan.
- Immediate actions: Staff to refresh Chamber MOU for business walk/survey, continue process streamlining, and prepare workforce development components for the CDBG consolidated plan.
- Public safety follow-up: Staff noted that Ryan Chapman (Public Works) will return with a final proposal for interim safety improvements at 5th and J after community outreach.
- Other: Council acknowledged attendance at League of Cities training and Chamber installation dinner; long-range calendar to be updated.
Meeting Transcript
Councilmember Partido, Councilmember Chapman. Thanks for moving. Is there any comment on the agenda? Okay. We'll move to a vote. All in favor? Aye. Nay, abstain. Uh, we have an agenda approved five-zero. And we'll start off with a ceremonial presentation recognizing February 2025 as Black History and Black Futures Month. Do we have Amy Higgins Boyd from the school district? Come on up. I'll just read a little bit and then we'll turn over the mic to you. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in United States history. In 1986, Congress passed a public law designating February as Black History Month and direct to the president to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Today and every day is a time to honor the deep-rooted heritage of the black community, while also looking forward to the possibilities and advancements that lie ahead. As we reflect on the history of our nation, we honor the legacies of those who fought with courage and resilience for change. So as we accept the proclamation, let us remember that honoring the past is not enough. We must take intentional steps to shape a future of belonging. I read every word of this proclamation, which I did. And it shows its commitment toward practices and support of black culture and belonging. On behalf of all those I see myself in in Davis and beyond, thank you for your commitment toward every one of us who calls Davis their community, whether they work here or live here. Thank you. Thank you so much. And we're we're gonna take a short break just to do photos, and we'll reconvene at 645. Thank you very much. Good way to buy me time. All right. I do have a few announcements for you. Uh thank you very much. Um Mayor Violet City Council. So uh first thing on the list is our polar pedal. So polar pedal challenge uh is happening this month in February. So uh it's back with the for our elementary students. Uh goal of the program, of course, is to encourage active transportation. Uh riding bikes, scooters, walking uh during the month of February. So only in California, can we do that, right? Um so in February. So the City of Davis and the school site Active for Me coordinators will provide incentives and treats at school sites uh to encourage these uh behaviors. More information, of course, is at our cityofdavis.org/slash polar pedal webpage. Uh and just want to give a shout out to our safe routes to schools program for offering and coordinating this effort uh and uh of course looking forward to all the engagement from the students, the schools uh and the parents uh for helping make these uh these choices a reality. Uh upcoming uh on the 17th, of course, is recognition of President's Day. We'll have our city offices uh closed. Emergency services, of course, will be unaffected by that. Uh that's on Monday, February 17th. And then uh last but certainly not least is February 19th. Uh coming up is the old county day of mem remembrance of executive order nine zero six six. Uh the City of Davis is co-sponsoring an event with many community groups uh for the YOLA County Day of Remembrance uh on the 19th at 6 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Theater. Two free films will be shown.
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