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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Davis City Council Meeting: April 21, 2026 – Willowgrove Workshop, Animal Services JPA, Bike Safety

City Council & Planning Commission — Tuesday, April 21, 2026

BodyDavis, California

SessionCity Council & Planning Commission

DateTuesday, April 21, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 3:30:48

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

1:08

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the April 21st regular meeting of the Davis City Council.

1:15

All of my colleagues are here in chambers.

1:18

And our first item of business is to approve the agenda for this evening.

1:22

Is there a motion to approve the agenda?

1:25

Second.

1:25

Moved by Councilmember Dio, seconded by Councilmember Vitla.

1:29

And before I call for the vote, I understand you had a comment you wanted to make, Councilmember Dios.

1:35

Would it be okay if we adjourned in the name of Lincoln Sabine this evening?

1:40

Yeah, this evening.

1:41

Would that be fine?

1:42

Absolutely.

1:43

Thank you for bringing that up.

1:45

Then I will call for the vote on the agenda.

1:48

Everyone in favor of approval of the agenda, say aye.

1:51

Aye.

1:52

Any no's any abstentions hearing none.

1:54

The agenda is approved.

1:55

Very good.

1:56

I will turn to our acting city manager, Kelly Stackwitz, for any brief announcements.

2:02

Thank you, and good evening.

2:03

So we are excited to be able to announce and remind the public of our general plan workshop that will be focusing on land use.

2:11

This will be taking place on April 30th at the Vets Memorial Center.

2:15

It's from six to eight in the evening.

2:18

And we hope that anybody who is interested in land use issues and how that affects uh pretty much every aspect of of how uh Davis life goes will please come and make sure that their voices are heard.

2:33

Uh that we also have a an important fundraiser for our senior center.

2:37

It's the annual jewelry sale.

2:39

Um that's uh May 1st and 2nd, and it's at the senior center.

2:43

Um it's uh both of those days from 9 a.m.

2:46

to 1 p.m.

2:48

So if anybody's interested in how to support the senior center and maybe picking up some jewelry as well, then this is uh an event for you.

2:56

And then finally, we have our 16th annual Lupalooza on May 3rd.

3:02

Uh this will be in the morning, and this is the bike loop around Davis.

3:07

There's activity stations, almost a dozen of them spread throughout uh Alpha Lupalooza um event, and you can it's a great way to get out and go all the way around town, explore different green belts, different parks.

3:22

I remember when my kids did this when they were little, and I think we visited every playground along the route.

3:28

Uh but a fun time for for everybody.

3:31

So with that, I will conclude announcements.

3:34

Great, thank you very much.

3:35

Um so now turning to my colleagues.

3:37

Are there any um announcements from our various interjurisdictional assignments?

3:43

Very good.

3:44

Seeing none.

3:45

Is there any in indication of intent to pull items from the consent calendar?

3:49

Very good.

3:50

Seeing none, we will move to public comment.

3:53

So this is general public comment.

3:55

It's an opportunity to address us on matters that are not on this evening's agenda, but that are within our subject matter jurisdiction.

4:02

And you have two minutes to address us.

4:06

Hi, I'm Alan Hirsch.

4:08

I'm on the farmers market every Saturday.

4:10

I give out the love your neighbor signs and the other my new sign, which is love is the only force that can turn an enemy into a friend.

4:18

I think we're going to need a special helping of that next Tuesday.

4:22

This looks to be a very difficult meeting.

4:25

So I'm hoping that we all can hold our common goal of making Davis a safe and well thing in place.

4:31

And now we all struggle even though we disagree.

4:34

And I have now giving out l heart stickers.

4:37

Yeah, and doing this farmers market.

4:39

These are special ones.

4:40

He say beloved Davis.

4:41

And this echoes Martin Luther King's calling out the South as a beloved community, even as he struggled with the hate and the apartheid there.

4:50

He reminded that we have a common goal.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Affordable Housing██████████████████████22%

Animal Welfare██████████████14%

Procedural█████████████13%

Transportation Safety█████████████13%

Community Engagement███████████11%

Parks and Recreation█████5%

Fiscal Sustainability████4%

General Plan Update████4%

Public Engagement███3%

Summary of Proceedings

Davis City Council Meeting – April 21, 2026

The Davis City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Key topics included a workshop on the Willowgrove development project, a presentation on the Yolo County Animal Services Joint Powers Authority (JPA) governance model, a public hearing on weed abatement, and extensive public comments focused on bicycle safety following the recent death of UC Davis student Lincoln Sabini. The consent calendar was approved unanimously, and the council provided directional feedback on Willowgrove without taking final action.

Consent Calendar

Approved unanimously, including grant applications (ATP Cycle 8 for Richards I-80 bicycle/pedestrian improvements; SACOG 2026 Federal Funding for Anderson Road rehabilitation), the AB 1600 Development Impact Fee Report, the 2026 Thong Hy Huynh Award recipient recommendations (Sharon Shoemaker in 18+ category; ¿Un Cafecito? in Community Organization category), and commission minutes.

Public Comments & Testimony

Bicycle Safety (Lincoln Sabini) : Over a dozen speakers, including friends, family, and community members, urged the council to prioritize physically protected bike infrastructure. Many described Sianni as a “strong” and “sturdy” person; speakers noted he was killed on a straight section of Hutchinson Drive while in a painted bike lane. Speakers advocated for “Lincoln’s Loop” — a protected bike/pedestrian corridor in West Davis/West Campus area — and for safer crossings at Covell Boulevard near Harper Junior High. A petition with nearly 3,000 signatures was referenced. The council acknowledged the loss and adjourned in Sabini’s honor.
8th Street Bike Lane Commemoration: Catherine Brinkley presented a petition with 135 signatures urging the city to recognize 8th Street as America’s first bike lane during Bike Month (May). Several speakers supported this.
Willowgrove Project: Multiple residents expressed strong support for the 1,250-unit development, emphasizing the need for family-friendly housing to sustain school enrollment and provide affordable options. Speakers highlighted the 250 affordable units (20% of total), inclusive playground, and commitment to intellectual/developmental disability housing. A few Wildhorse residents requested buffer enhancements (wider buffer, meandering fence, single-story homes along the edge). One speaker opposed the ultra-dense alternative.
Animal Services JPA: One speaker opposed forming an operational JPA.
Other: One speaker discussed Israeli independence and anti-Zionist Jews; another responded with a plea for inclusive dialogue.

Discussion Items

Item 4 – Weed Abatement Public Hearing (Fire Marshal Sandholdt): No property owners protested. The council unanimously approved the staff recommendation.
Item 5 – Yolo County Animal Services JPA Governance Model (Alex Tengolics, Yolo County): Tengolics presented four JPA models (contract, JPA-contract, self-sufficient JPA, nonprofit partnership). Current cost per capita in Yolo County is about $22, in line with statewide averages. A request-for-information from nonprofits found no immediate capacity to provide services at scale. The county’s planning JPA could transition to an operational JPA that contracts with the county. Council members sought more information on cost allocation methodology, potential savings, and transition costs. The council did not take a formal position but expressed interest in further analysis; a JPA meeting is set for May 20.
Item 6 – Willowgrove Project Workshop (Community Development staff, applicant team): The project proposes 1,250 residential units (mix of low, medium, high density), 250 affordable rental units (20% of total, with units for IDD individuals), 288 condos (targeted at ~$484,000–$649,000), a 20.8-acre regional park ($20.8M investment, including inclusive playground, lighted softball fields, gym), 3 miles of bike/ped trails, and a small retail area. The Development Agreement includes $1.8M for affordable homeownership assistance, $3.5M for public safety, and $1.5M for Channel A improvements. The Pacific Companies CEO explained financing through vertical integration and private gap funds, avoiding city subsidies. Council members praised the subcommittee’s negotiations and expressed broad support; no final action was taken. Follow-up hearing set for May 5.

Key Outcomes

Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
Weed Abatement approved unanimously with no protests.
Animal Services JPA: No formal decision; council requested more financial detail and directed staff to coordinate with Yolo County and the JPA planning body.
Willowgrove Project: Council provided feedback supporting the project. The development team committed to refine the bike crossing at Harper Junior High (crosswalk at signalized intersection was presented as an alternative to a grade-separated tunnel). Council asked for additional details on traffic volumes and crossing design. The project is scheduled for a public hearing on May 5, 2026, with potential Measure J/RD ballot placement in November 2026.
Long Range Calendar: A special meeting was announced for April 28, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss Human Relations Commission recommendations regarding Muslim, Arab, Palestinian, and ally communities.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the April 21st regular meeting of the Davis City Council. All of my colleagues are here in chambers. And our first item of business is to approve the agenda for this evening. Is there a motion to approve the agenda? Second. Moved by Councilmember Dio, seconded by Councilmember Vitla. And before I call for the vote, I understand you had a comment you wanted to make, Councilmember Dios. Would it be okay if we adjourned in the name of Lincoln Sabine this evening? Yeah, this evening. Would that be fine? Absolutely. Thank you for bringing that up. Then I will call for the vote on the agenda. Everyone in favor of approval of the agenda, say aye. Aye. Any no's any abstentions hearing none. The agenda is approved. Very good. I will turn to our acting city manager, Kelly Stackwitz, for any brief announcements. Thank you, and good evening. So we are excited to be able to announce and remind the public of our general plan workshop that will be focusing on land use. This will be taking place on April 30th at the Vets Memorial Center. It's from six to eight in the evening. And we hope that anybody who is interested in land use issues and how that affects uh pretty much every aspect of of how uh Davis life goes will please come and make sure that their voices are heard. Uh that we also have a an important fundraiser for our senior center. It's the annual jewelry sale. Um that's uh May 1st and 2nd, and it's at the senior center. Um it's uh both of those days from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. So if anybody's interested in how to support the senior center and maybe picking up some jewelry as well, then this is uh an event for you. And then finally, we have our 16th annual Lupalooza on May 3rd. Uh this will be in the morning, and this is the bike loop around Davis. There's activity stations, almost a dozen of them spread throughout uh Alpha Lupalooza um event, and you can it's a great way to get out and go all the way around town, explore different green belts, different parks. I remember when my kids did this when they were little, and I think we visited every playground along the route. Uh but a fun time for for everybody. So with that, I will conclude announcements. Great, thank you very much. Um so now turning to my colleagues. Are there any um announcements from our various interjurisdictional assignments? Very good. Seeing none. Is there any in indication of intent to pull items from the consent calendar? Very good. Seeing none, we will move to public comment. So this is general public comment. It's an opportunity to address us on matters that are not on this evening's agenda, but that are within our subject matter jurisdiction. And you have two minutes to address us. Hi, I'm Alan Hirsch. I'm on the farmers market every Saturday. I give out the love your neighbor signs and the other my new sign, which is love is the only force that can turn an enemy into a friend.

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