Davis City Council Meeting Summary - February 18, 2025

The Davis City Council met on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, starting at 6:30 PM. The meeting included consent calendar approvals, public comments on antisemitism and other topics, presentations from Yolo County Housing and the Parks and Community Services Department, and discussions on future agenda items. Councilmember Deos was absent, resulting in 4-0 votes on all actions.

Consent Calendar

• Items A-H were approved unanimously (4-0). Key items included: a task order for the Elevated Tank Replacement Project; a contingency increase for the F Street Parking Structure Elevator Modernization; an agreement with PG&E for electric vehicle fleet electrification; acquisition of the "Tablet Command" incident management system for fire dispatch; purchase of a stationary ventilation training prop; acquisition of a self-contained breathing apparatus fill station; on-call transportation planning and engineering services agreements with five firms; and a second reading of an ordinance designating a new stop intersection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dr. Sarah Marsh Crowder (Bike City Theatre Company) expressed thanks for city arts support, noting the company’s reliance on city grants and collaboration with the Arts Department.
• Amir Cole (HRC member) criticized a fellow HRC member for promoting a book by Ahed Tamimi, citing a 2023 post in which Tamimi made violent antisemitic statements. Cole argued that promoting such a person should disqualify someone from serving on the Human Relations Commission.
• Dan Ovadi (resident) reported an ongoing antisemitic booth at the Davis Farmers Market, displaying swastikas, blood libel, and conspiracy theories. He noted a new HRC subcommittee on hate but said improvement is lacking.
• Daphne Ramiel (Jewish community member) expressed heartbreak over the return of the Bibas family hostages in body bags and described feeling targeted and dehumanized by groups and individuals, including those on the HRC. She called for recognition of antisemitism without requiring proof.
• Ellen Miller (Davis Corral singer) spoke about the Davis Corral and Youth Choir, then addressed public comments on antisemitism, arguing that the farmers market booth is a clownish free speech exercise and that shutting down such speech is dangerous, citing Germany. She also requested that elevator modernization include a urinal (time expired).
• Unnamed speaker (public comment) cited a 2017 sermon at the Islamic Center of Davis by Imam Amar Shahin that contained violent antisemitic statements and noted the Imam's tribute to Yahya Sinwar and support for the UC Davis encampment. The speaker urged the council to be aware of this.
• Voicemail from Connor Woman (comment on item 4) supported the Yolo County Housing strategic plan but advocated for directly publicly funded and democratically controlled social housing, while also supporting voucher programs as a complement.
• Voicemail from General Roman (comment on item 3C) supported electrification of the city fleet but expressed concern about PG&E dominance and rate increases. He also announced a UC worker strike on February 26-27.

Discussion Items

• Item 4: Yolo County Housing Draft 5-Year Strategic Plan – Executive Director Ian Evans presented an overview of Yolo County Housing programs (seasonal migrant centers, public housing, housing choice vouchers, etc.) and the three pillars of the draft plan: People, Housing, Administration. Goals include increasing homeownership opportunities by 50% by 2029 and increasing affordable housing units by 15% over five years. Council members asked about partnerships, funding challenges (federal tax credit market, Prop One timing), and the need for workforce housing. Council expressed interest in collaboration, particularly on down payment assistance and community navigators.
• Item 5: Community Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan (Parks & Community Services) – Director Deanne Machado presented findings from an extensive community engagement campaign (843 survey responses). Key findings: residents prioritize maintenance of existing parks over new construction; top facility needs are shade structures, lighting, and restrooms; there is strong demand for teen, senior, and working family programs. A detailed park inventory identified $14.7 million in repair and replacement needs over 10 years (including $3-4 million for aquatics). The strategic plan outlines five goals: enhancing accessibility and engagement, sustainable funding, sustainability/climate resiliency, technology/innovation, and workforce development. Council praised the data-driven approach and expressed support for an inclusive playground at Playfields Park. Councilmember Partida raised concerns about going cashless and excluding those without technology. Councilmember Vaitla noted the unmet capital need is $7.2 million after accounting for existing funds.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved 4-0.
• Item 4: Council received the presentation and provided feedback. No formal vote was required; council members expressed interest in future collaboration.
• Item 5: Council approved a motion (4-0) to adopt the 2024 Community Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan, authorize the City Manager to proceed with design and grant applications for an inclusive playground at Playfields Park, and direct staff to use the plan to prioritize budget actions, capital projects, and programming.
• Item 6A: AB 1234 reporting acknowledged.
• Item 6B: Council placed several items on the long-range calendar: a special city-county-university meeting on February 25; a CAP update on March 4 (with request to coordinate with general plan circulation element); a homelessness strategic plan follow-up on March 18; an update on extremely low-income housing survey (requested by Councilmember Partida); and a feasibility study on municipal utility and Greenfield ordinance, tentatively set for April 1 (requested by Mayor Vaitla).