Davis City Council Special and Regular Meeting - May 19, 2026

The meeting consisted of a special ceremonial session recognizing youth and community service award recipients, followed by a regular meeting covering consent calendar, public comments, water management plans, fee studies, and mid-cycle budget updates.

Ceremonial Presentations

• The council presented six Golden Heart Awards (three in community service, three in personal challenge) to Davis-area high school students, honoring their volunteer work and resilience. Recipients included Kyle, Vera Lu, Liliana Teague (community service) and Carson Schiller, Saren Tadeos, Vivian Uyama (personal challenge).
• The council also presented two Tong Hai Win Awards: Sharon Schumacher (individual, over 30 years of volunteer leadership) and Un Cafecito (community organization, supporting Latino families through education and mentorship). Each recipient or representative spoke.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent calendar with the exception of item G (Treasurer's Report) by voice vote (all ayes).
• Item G was subsequently taken up separately: after brief discussion and public comment, it was approved by voice vote (all ayes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident reported black mold in her apartment complex and said she would bring water test results to the council, expressing concern for other tenants.
• Nimwan, a self-described granddaughter of the lost Chinese Empire, provided documents criticizing the Confucius Institute and CCP propaganda, and performed a song, expressing opposition to the Chinese Communist Party.
• Alan Miller criticized the council's earlier resolution against anti-Muslim bigotry and anti-semitism, stating it did not help and that a sign celebrating Hamas was displayed in Central Park. He announced a campaign to publicize Davis as "the biggest little Jew hating city in the world."
• Beth Bourne accused Councilmember Glare Pertita (likely Gloria Partida) and her NGO Davis Phoenix Coalition of fraud, including unauthorized use of city resources for events and political signs in public rights-of-way, arguing the council member is allowed to break rules others cannot.
• Dorda Jensen supported Beth Bourne's comments, citing a U.S. Transportation Secretary letter against political messaging in crosswalks, and questioned why the council would allow rainbow crosswalks for Pride but potentially deny patriotic crosswalks for July 4th.
• During the water plan hearing, a speaker suggested incorporating price elasticity analysis into the water shortage contingency plan to understand how rate changes affect consumption.
• Another speaker discussed the imbalance between surface water and well water usage during summer months (up to 40% from wells) and proposed using Willow Slough water to dilute wastewater for treatment plant efficiency.
• During the fee study hearing, a speaker asked about transient occupancy tax exemption for stays over 30 days and claimed hotels force guests to move out to avoid exemption. (Mayor noted this was not on the agenda.)
• Another speaker urged the council to bring development impact fees into compliance with new state law requiring calculation by square footage rather than per unit, to avoid increasing costs for smaller, more affordable housing.

Discussion Items

Water Shortage Contingency Plan and Urban Water Management Plan

• Staff presented the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan, required every five years. Key points included: historical water production and projected demand, a 21% decrease in water use from 2013 baseline by 2024, water loss meeting 2028 standard (21.9 gallons per connection per day vs. 31.1 standard), and the city's water use objective. The Climate and Environmental Justice Commission recommended approval.
• Council members asked about tiered pricing (constrained by Prop 218), water loss comparisons with other jurisdictions, and the effectiveness of the Aquahawk program (over 9,500 subscribers, sending 200-500 courtesy notices every two weeks, leading to leak repairs).
• The council held a public hearing and adopted both resolutions.

Parks and Community Services Fee Study and Proposed Fee Changes (Parts A & B)

• Part A: Matrix Consulting presented the fee study, showing overall cost recovery at 50% ($745,000 revenue vs. $1.5 million cost). Specific categories: aquatics 40% recovery, senior center rentals 102%, facilities/parks 60%, and special events very low (large event permit fee $138 vs. cost ~$7,000). The study recommended using a benefit pyramid to set fees.
• Part B: Finance Director presented proposed citywide fee changes exceeding CPI, including increases for fire hydrant use/loss fees (e.g., from $520 to up to $6,000 for inspection), new backflow test fees, road closure inspection fees, stormwater quality inspection fees, and police extra duty costs. Parks fees included adjustments for facility rentals and permits.
• Council members discussed the impact of fee increases on utilization, the differentiation between for-profit and nonprofit events, and the need for marketing to increase facility use.
• The council approved both parts together.

Mid-Cycle Budget Update

• City Manager Dunstan outlined a framework for refining the adopted two-year budget (FY26-27) based on new data. He announced upcoming organizational restructuring due to retirements, including consolidating public works departments and reimagining community services. Other actions: clearing civic gym for RFQ to generate revenue, restructuring underperforming leases, and overhauling outdated fee schedules.
• Finance Director Preciado presented general fund summary: revised ending fund balance reserve at 13.7% ($13.3M), improved from originally adopted 11.1% ($10.9M). Revenues projected at $95.08M (slightly down from $95.16M) due to lower cannabis tax ($500,000 reduction). Expenditures reduced by $600,000 to $97.8M, with $1.4M in proposed reductions (e.g., eliminating positions, reducing professional services) and $500,000 one-time savings from unutilized purchase orders. Proposed amendments include $450,000 for police MOU costs, $150,000 for LED streetlight replacements, and other items.
• Council members expressed appreciation and discussed long-term fiscal challenges, including pavement deferred maintenance ($25M over 10 years, needing $5-6M additional annually), parks subsidy (parcel tax covers only 15-16% of costs), and the need for future revenue measures. A subcommittee will continue work. No action taken; item will return on June 2 for possible adoption.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent calendar (unanimous).
• Approved Item G (Treasurer's Report) (unanimous).
• Adopted Water Shortage Contingency Plan and 2025 Urban Water Management Plan (unanimous).
• Approved Parks and Community Services Fee Study and Proposed Fee Changes (unanimous).
• Received mid-cycle budget update; no vote taken; discussion to continue on June 2.