Davis City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026: Proclamations, Budget, Sidewalk Ordinance
Davis City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026: Proclamations, Budget, Sidewalk Ordinance
The Davis City Council met on April 7, 2026, at 2:30 PM. The meeting included seven ceremonial proclamations recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunications Week (April 12–18), Earth Day (April 22), American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month, Arab American Heritage Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month, Donate Life Month, and Parkinson's Awareness Month. City Manager Mike Webb announced a $1 million congressional appropriation for bicycle and pedestrian improvements at the Amtrak station, the Andrew Marcus Golden Hearts Awards deadline of April 17, and picnic day safety reminders. The consent calendar was approved unanimously. General public comments addressed the proposed sanctuary city ordinance, the MAPA report, international issues, and community arts funding. Regular agenda items included a public hearing on FY 2026-27 CDBG and HOME allocations, a mid-year budget update, and the first reading of a sidewalk maintenance and inspection ordinance.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously, including the Social Services Commission work plan, the sanctuary city ordinance (item G), and other routine items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Robert Holland urged the council to reread the MAPA report with an open mind and avoid unfair blaming between groups.
- Alan Miller criticized the council for bringing national/international conflicts into chambers and offered a book on Israeli history.
- Jordan Elson (Third Space Art Collective) proposed the organization take over the Bicycle Hall of Fame building to create a community arts and mutual aid hub.
- Margaret Graham (Patty on the Bench) thanked the council for Arts and Cultural Affairs grants that funded a free St. Pat's in the Park concert with over 400 attendees.
- Recorded comments: Several speakers supported the sanctuary city ordinance, with one urging removal of a clause allowing cooperation to protect life or property, and another requesting additional provisions for legal defense and ICE preparedness. A speaker on CDBG funds suggested reimagining public safety to include accessibility, tree pruning, and ventilation upgrades.
Discussion Items
- CDBG and HOME Partnership Program Public Hearing: Staff presented the FY 2026-27 allocation recommendations, maintaining existing award levels. The city received $1,053,776 for 2025-26 ($730,000 CDBG, $323,000 HOME), with a $72,000 reduction from the prior year. Staff noted uncertainty due to HUD delays. Council approved the recommendation.
- Mid-Year Budget Update (FY 2025-26): Director Presciato reported general fund revenues are projected at $500,534 above budget, but expenditures increased by over $1 million, dropping the reserve from 11.5% to 8.9%. Key adjustments: Cannabis tax revenue decreased by $500,000 (from $1.7M to $1.2M) due to a dispensary closure and regional competition. Sales tax is projected $100,000 below budget. Property tax remains steady with 4.4% assessed value growth. The city faces a structural deficit; staff will bring a long-range forecast and options in May/June. Council formed a budget subcommittee (Councilmembers Neville and Partida) to work with staff.
- Sidewalk Inspection and Maintenance Ordinance (First Reading): The city established a five-year rotating sidewalk inspection program (SAFE). An ordinance placing responsibility for sidewalk repair on adjacent property owners (consistent with state law) was introduced. Key points: City-owned trees are not exempted; utility-caused damage is exempt. Enforcement will not begin until council adopts policies on implementation, including potential baseline repairs, relief for low-income and senior homeowners, payment plans, and community outreach. The ordinance was approved 5-0 on first reading, with a second reading scheduled for the next meeting. Staff will return with a timeline and policy options before July 1, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved unanimously.
- CDBG/HOME funding recommendations approved; staff authorized to submit the annual action plan upon HUD confirmation.
- Mid-year budget resolution approved, including reallocation of vacancy savings and funding for Russell Boulevard corridor improvements ($265,000) and maintenance projects ($275,000).
- First reading of sidewalk maintenance ordinance passed 5-0; second reading and potential policy discussions to follow.
- Budget subcommittee formed (Neville and Partida) to assist with the May/June budget cycle.
- Long-range calendar noted heavy upcoming agendas; council requested review of scheduling conflicts.
Meeting Transcript
All in favor of approval of the agenda say aye. Aye. Any no's abstentions. Hearing none, the agenda is approved unanimously. Excellent. So we're moving along to some ceremonial proclamations this evening. And as we always do, one of us will read the proclamation, and then you'll have an opportunity to come up here and address us if you like. And then after we've done all of the proclamations, we'll take a short break to move uh to some photos. So our first one is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, and that will be Councilmember Dios. And if we could have Jennifer Candelo come up, there you are. This is declaring April 12th through 18th, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Public Safety Telecommunications provide an essential service to the Davis community by answering emergency and non-emergency calls and coordinating the rapid response of law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel. These skilled professionals serve as the first point of contact during moments of crises, offering calm guidance to callers, while ensuring that first responders receive the information necessary to protect life and property. In addition to emergency response, telecommunicators assist with a range of public safety needs, including matters related to roadway safety, public utilities, and other services that contribute to the well-being of the community. Emergencies can occur at any moment, and these dedicated professionals remain ready to respond at all hours, providing continuous service to the community every day of the year. The Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International has designated a week each April to honor public safety telecommunicators and to recognize their critical contributions to protecting lives and supporting emergency responders. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that the City Council of Davis declares the week of April 12 through 18th, 2026 to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Davis, in honor of those whose diligence and professionalism help keep our community and the public safe. Thank you. Thank you. On behalf of the dispatch staff, we just want to say thank you. They are a small group, very, very dedicated and are honored every year for having a proclamation. They work extremely hard 24-7 just as patrol, just as firefighters and AMR paramedics. They are there with them every moment of those calls, and they are very proud to serve. So thank you very much. Our next one is for Earth Day, and that is also Councilmember Diaz. I didn't know I had two in a row. Thank you. When I could I please up to Chris Granger, there you are. Executive Director of Cole Davis. Come on up. So Earth Day, established in 1970, is now recognized annually to celebrate the beauty of our planet, recommit to actions to promote a healthy environment, and maintain a peaceful, just and sustainable world. The City of Davis adopted a climate action and adaptation plan on April 18th, 2023, in convergence with Earth Day, in order to chart an ambitious, actionable and measurable course for the community's path to carbon neutrality by 2040 in support of our city and our planet. And haven't those photos been cool from the moon? Those folks up there. Davis has a long history of demonstrating sustainable practices, community advocacy, and innovative policy approaches. Through leadership and participation in the Yellow County Regional Resilience Collaborative, Capitol Region Climate Readiness Collaborative, Sacramento Region City County Climate Working Group, and other regional planning and implementation efforts. Davis is committed to addressing regional climate resiliency and adaptation issues. To meet the goals of Earth Day in raising awareness, ensuring ensuring environmental equity, education, stewardship, and community sustainability, and to help guide local decision making. The City Council will provide leadership, employee the expertise and talent of our community, and engage the hearts and minds of our citizens throughout the year. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the Davis City Council, on behalf of the citizens of Davis, do hereby proclaim that the City of Davis recognizes Earth Day, April 22nd, 2026. Thank you. Cool Davis is deeply honored to receive the Earth Day proclamation on behalf of many in our community, organizations and individuals who work to make our local neighborhoods, buildings, and community institutions and the systems we live within so much more resilient and fossil-free. Usually in the past, this proclamation would happen alongside the community environmental awards, and there would be just a bunch of people here being awarded for their work. And we hope that we support coming back next year with that kind of event. Earth Day is April 22nd, a Wednesday. Cool Davis and Cool Cuisine and a number of other organizations are planning just a simple picnic in the park, and we hope that one of you might be able to come back and reprise this proclamation. This week's trip to the moon with the pictures of Earthrise, the unrelenting news of war in our name, and the resurgent and onslaught of dire climate impacts, most notably related to us from the United Nations in the last month. We're reminded of the urgency of action, but we must go together. And I will leave my last thoughts to Gary Snyder. For the children, the rising hills, the slopes of statistics lie before us, the steep climb of everything going up, up as we all go down.
openpublica.com