Davis City Council Meeting – November 18, 2025

The City Council met on November 18, 2025, starting at 6:34 p.m., to address a full agenda including the adoption of the 2025 California Building Standards Code, renewal of the Downtown Business Improvement District (DBID) assessment, and a comprehensive update on homelessness services. Key decisions included approving the building code update (5-0), renewing the DBID assessment (4-0 with one recusal), and directing staff to explore alternative locations for the daytime respite center while continuing operations at the current L Street site through March 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Item 3C – Cannabis Audit Services: Pulled by Councilmember Deos due to concerns about costs for small businesses. Staff will return in December with a revised compliance structure.
• Item 3D – Lease Amendment with Davis Community Meals and Housing: Pulled and reordered to follow Item 6. Approved 5-0.
• All other consent items (3A, 3B, 3E, 3F) approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Several residents shared personal experiences of homelessness and safety concerns at the L Street respite center. Speakers expressed both support for continued services and strong opposition to the current location, citing neighborhood impacts, drug use, and after-hours disturbances.
• Multiple commenters raised concerns about an adult woman approaching children near schools to ask about gender identity and genitalia. They requested a local ordinance to prevent such harassment.
• A resident raised concerns about bicyclists and scooter riders running stop signs, urging police enforcement.
• Others spoke in favor of keeping the respite center at L Street, highlighting its value for showers, laundry, and a safe space.
• A UC Davis student stood in support of transgender rights and against harassment at schools.
• Several members of the public urged the council to consider alternative locations such as the Civic Center Gym or adjacent to Paul’s Place.
• A speaker requested the city explore a resolution to divest from Musk holdings, citing labor and human rights concerns.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 – 2025 California Building Standards Code: Staff presented the triennial update effective January 1, 2026. One public commenter expressed concern about increased home construction costs ($28,000–$40,000 per home). The council approved the ordinance 5-0.
• Item 5 – DBID Annual Assessment Renewal: The 2026–2027 assessment is estimated at $241,000, a 12% decrease due to business closures. The council approved the report, resolution to levy, and pass-through agreement with the Davis Downtown Business Association 4-0 (Councilmember Chapman recused).
• Item 6 – Homelessness System of Care Update: Extensive deliberation on the fate of the daytime respite center at 809 11th Street (L Street). Council discussed:
  • Respite vs. navigation center definitions: Council consensus to focus on basic respite services (showers, laundry, safe space) rather than full case management.
  • Staff proposals: Operate in-house with 2 new FTEs (cost $317,000 annually) or contract with one of three applicants (The Gathering Inn, Volunteers of America, Yolo County Children’s Alliance – proposals $30,000–$39,000/month).
  • Cost concerns: Current homeless outreach team (3 FTEs, $468,537/year) and respite center operations ($501,516/year) total ~$970,000.
  • Data and metrics: Councilmembers expressed need for better outcome data, though basic usage numbers exist (e.g., 223 guests since Oct 28, 2025).
  • Location: Councilmembers Partida, Deos, and Neville favored exploring alternatives (especially Civic Center Gym); Councilmembers Chapman and Vaitla preferred staying at L Street with improved community engagement.

Key Outcomes

• Item 6 – Homelessness Update: Motion passed 5-0 to:

  • Keep the respite center operational at the L Street location through at least March 2026.
  • Continue temporary staffing at the respite center (current two Downtown Streets Team employees) through March while exploring long-term staffing options.
  • Move the three current homeless outreach coordinators to be based at the respite center, effective immediately, and continue rotating one for coverage.
  • Direct staff to conduct a thorough analysis of alternative locations (including the Civic Center Gym) and provide cost estimates for making them respite-ready by the first meeting in February 2026.
  • Develop a comprehensive community engagement plan with L Street neighbors, including a written agreement outlining expectations, impact mitigation, and after-hours response.
  • Return to council in March 2026 (mid-year budget) with final recommendations on staffing and location.

• Item 3C – Cannabis Audit: Staff directed to return in December with an alternative audit structure to reduce costs for small businesses.

• Item 7 – Long Range Calendar: Council agreed to place a MAPA (Mitchell Park Area) item on consent for a future meeting, deferring to February 2026. Council also indicated interest in a symbolic resolution supporting divestment from Musk holdings; city manager to bring back a draft.

• Public Safety: Council acknowledged concerns about school harassment and directed staff to review existing legal mechanisms; Police Chief may report back.