1 00:50:01,040 --> 00:50:10,200 Local session, so my apologies. So here we go. If we could have roll call, please. Council member, car. 2 00:50:10,780 --> 00:50:13,660 Here. Council member Penduro, are you online? 3 00:50:17,190 --> 00:50:20,390 We'll come back to that. Council member Santu. 4 00:50:21,150 --> 00:50:23,950 Council member Tonison. Council member Williams. 5 00:50:24,750 --> 00:50:25,970 Vice Mayor Bertoni. 6 00:50:30,430 --> 00:50:31,190 Here. 7 00:50:31,190 --> 00:50:38,850 education tonight will be presented by Pastor Vernon Burroughs of Community United Methodist Church. 8 00:50:42,180 --> 00:50:42,660 Hi, Pastor. 9 00:50:47,010 --> 00:50:48,310 Good evening, everyone. 10 00:50:49,550 --> 00:50:52,450 Let us power hits in the moment of prayer. 11 00:50:54,740 --> 00:50:57,900 Gracious and sovereign God. 12 00:50:58,960 --> 00:51:06,120 We pause in this moment to acknowledge your presence, first of all, and to seek your guidance. 13 00:51:06,120 --> 00:51:15,400 As these members gather to serve this community, grant them wisdom, to make decisions 14 00:51:15,400 --> 00:51:25,160 that promote the common good, courage to pursue justice even when it is difficult, and 15 00:51:25,160 --> 00:51:33,960 compassion for every person whose life will be affected by their work, and in times when 16 00:51:33,960 --> 00:51:43,200 nation and communities often feel divided, help us remember that we are neighbors, teach us 17 00:51:43,200 --> 00:51:50,600 to listen with respect, speak with grace, and work together in the spirit of unity. 18 00:51:52,160 --> 00:52:01,760 And made a voices of this room reflect not only different perspectives, but also a share 19 00:52:01,760 --> 00:52:07,080 commitment to the well-being of this city, and all who called it 20 00:52:07,080 --> 00:52:13,080 home, give these council members clarity of mine, fairness of 21 00:52:13,080 --> 00:52:19,540 heart, and integrity in every decision they make, and let their 22 00:52:19,540 --> 00:52:23,480 work tonight bring hope where there is discouragement. 23 00:52:23,480 --> 00:52:26,860 solutions where there are challenges. 24 00:52:30,370 --> 00:52:57,030 And justice, where there is a need. A lot we ask a special blessing upon the first responders, police officers, our fire department, and even those that own the battlefield, that you will throw your arms or protection around them, and protect them from hurt, harm or danger seen and unseen. 25 00:52:57,030 --> 00:53:05,290 Blessed is city, is leaders, is families, and all who live and work here, and made an outcome 26 00:53:05,290 --> 00:53:13,150 of this meeting strengthen the bonds of the community, and move us toward a future marked 27 00:53:13,150 --> 00:53:23,290 by peace, opportunity, and mutual respect, and we offer this prayer in Jesus' name, 28 00:53:25,740 --> 00:53:35,740 thank you pastor and now I would like to ask Adam Clerk to lead us please in the 29 00:53:35,740 --> 00:53:40,540 pledge of allegiance. Please join me in saluting our flag. 30 00:54:02,310 --> 00:54:03,130 Thank you very much 31 00:54:03,130 --> 00:54:10,430 Madam Clerk and now we're going to go to Council reports and I'd like to start with 32 00:54:10,430 --> 00:54:15,290 Councilwoman Panduro, who is coming to us online. 33 00:54:16,170 --> 00:54:16,990 Oh, she's not here? 34 00:54:18,130 --> 00:54:18,690 She's not. 35 00:54:18,710 --> 00:54:19,570 Oh, I'm sorry. 36 00:54:19,810 --> 00:54:20,330 I'm sorry. 37 00:54:20,650 --> 00:54:20,910 Okay. 38 00:54:21,310 --> 00:54:27,170 Then we'll start with Councilwoman, right here next to me, man, beer sand dude. 39 00:54:27,730 --> 00:54:28,230 Thank you, Mayor. 40 00:54:28,470 --> 00:54:29,370 Good evening, everybody. 41 00:54:30,130 --> 00:54:34,330 Just a couple of things to touch on about a week ago, the pleasure of attending the installation 42 00:54:34,330 --> 00:54:39,390 ceremony for the 2627 officers of the Filipino-American community, a fair field, 43 00:54:39,390 --> 00:54:45,610 It's a soon and back of all, special shout out to the chief, the officiated, they're swearing 44 00:54:45,610 --> 00:54:50,590 in for the board, so congratulations to President Rob Bossa and the entire board for the 45 00:54:50,590 --> 00:54:51,170 upcoming year. 46 00:54:51,770 --> 00:54:57,410 The second thing, this past weekend, the chance and opportunity to attend the conference, the 47 00:54:57,410 --> 00:54:58,990 civic well policymaker conference. 48 00:54:59,810 --> 00:55:05,710 It's really focused around housing, sustainability, energy, and the conversation was about 49 00:55:05,710 --> 00:55:07,770 For example, how do you develop in prior-pronarias, 50 00:55:07,930 --> 00:55:09,110 what kind of development do you do? 51 00:55:09,570 --> 00:55:11,490 We talked a lot about energy and how you get your energy 52 00:55:11,490 --> 00:55:14,390 the difference between investor on utilities 53 00:55:14,390 --> 00:55:16,790 or municipal loan utilities or more like Fairfield 54 00:55:16,790 --> 00:55:19,570 or Sloan Accounting where we have a CCA community 55 00:55:19,570 --> 00:55:20,330 choice aggregator. 56 00:55:21,130 --> 00:55:22,990 And as many of you may know, if you look at your energy bill, 57 00:55:23,090 --> 00:55:24,730 we get our power from MCE. 58 00:55:25,090 --> 00:55:27,930 We're in clean energy and they help us fall in line 59 00:55:27,930 --> 00:55:30,130 with achieving some of our climate action goals 60 00:55:30,130 --> 00:55:32,150 and trying to get slightly cleaner power. 61 00:55:32,770 --> 00:55:35,150 So they do some great work for us in Fairfield all across, 62 00:55:35,150 --> 00:55:37,250 and across the Bay Area, they cover four counties. 63 00:55:39,030 --> 00:55:41,690 But energy is very, as I learned, more and more this week, 64 00:55:41,710 --> 00:55:45,010 and energy is quite a tricky topic, especially 65 00:55:45,010 --> 00:55:46,870 when you're looking at how California does it, 66 00:55:47,210 --> 00:55:48,470 and then maybe states like Texas. 67 00:55:50,010 --> 00:55:51,530 So that was a very informative conference, 68 00:55:52,430 --> 00:55:53,570 and I had a chance to meet, for example, 69 00:55:53,650 --> 00:55:54,850 some of the board members from Smud, 70 00:55:55,450 --> 00:55:56,990 and the great work for their doing with providing 71 00:55:56,990 --> 00:55:57,650 power to Sacramento. 72 00:55:58,970 --> 00:56:00,850 And this was in line with my responsibilities. 73 00:56:01,090 --> 00:56:04,450 One of the committees I serve on is the board for MCE. 74 00:56:04,450 --> 00:56:10,510 So this was in line with that responsibility, and then the subcoming week looking forward to attending the state of the base. 75 00:56:11,370 --> 00:56:20,570 The more somber event I believe, the former Councilman Vatsons funeral, Memorial Service on Friday, and then the, the, what's some Saturday to pat, the, what's up there? 76 00:56:21,150 --> 00:56:30,150 Yeah, Saturday has a lot of stuff, and I'm sure my colleagues will touch on it too, but it's a lot of surf night, the chocolate and vine event, and I don't have a dog. 77 00:56:30,150 --> 00:56:33,870 So I'm going to go try to play with some dogs at the dog park event on Saturday morning. 78 00:56:35,230 --> 00:56:35,730 That's about it. 79 00:56:35,750 --> 00:56:36,590 That's about it, man. 80 00:56:36,630 --> 00:56:37,670 Thank you so much. 81 00:56:38,330 --> 00:56:39,050 Thank you. 82 00:56:39,550 --> 00:56:41,210 Madam Vice Mayor, please. 83 00:56:41,490 --> 00:56:42,310 Thank you, Madam Mayor. 84 00:56:42,390 --> 00:56:45,430 Thank you, everyone, for coming out this evening. 85 00:56:46,950 --> 00:56:54,710 And for those of you who are watching from home, it's always super important to have you in the room with us because this is your meeting. 86 00:56:55,230 --> 00:56:57,510 So thank you for taking the time to be here. 87 00:56:57,510 --> 00:57:01,030 I just have a few announcements. 88 00:57:01,030 --> 00:57:10,890 I want to announce that our next clergy action network fairfield can meeting is on Tuesday, March 89 00:57:10,890 --> 00:57:12,230 24th. 90 00:57:12,510 --> 00:57:21,790 We have these meetings the fourth Tuesday of every month and we have them at 3 to 430 at 91 00:57:21,790 --> 00:57:25,650 the Fairfield Community Center in the Vista Conference Room. 92 00:57:25,650 --> 00:57:34,310 So the next meeting is on March 24th to 430 PM, where we will be discussing among other things, 93 00:57:34,970 --> 00:57:44,950 the National Day of Prayer, which can be hosting on Thursday, May 7th from 12 to 1 PM right here in Council Chambers. 94 00:57:44,950 --> 00:58:02,930 Can is also going to be discussing our Juneteenth celebration, which can we'll be hosting on the day, on Friday, June 19 from 4 to 7, and we will be down at the Solano County Law on Juneteenth. 95 00:58:03,170 --> 00:58:09,430 So please bring your family and friends and come hang out and celebrate Juneteenth with us. 96 00:58:09,430 --> 00:58:18,930 And we also will have a special guest from the Fairfield PAL organization to discuss 97 00:58:18,930 --> 00:58:24,890 volunteer opportunities that will be Heather Sanderson, and she'll be at the PAL meeting 98 00:58:24,890 --> 00:58:26,890 on the 24th of this month. 99 00:58:27,590 --> 00:58:29,570 So that's our PAL business. 100 00:58:30,490 --> 00:58:38,150 I also, I'm sorry, are can kind of schedule for the upcoming meeting, and I also want 101 00:58:38,150 --> 00:58:48,260 to say that we, I'm going to be hosting the public table. This is a neighborhood town hall 102 00:58:48,260 --> 00:58:56,600 meeting series. This is to go into each of the districts in this city and talk to residents 103 00:58:56,600 --> 00:59:04,740 about what they want to talk about. Okay, so the first one is set for March 28th and that will 104 00:59:04,740 --> 00:59:11,620 held at the Cordelia Library. The district two meeting will be at famous creations in their 105 00:59:11,620 --> 00:59:18,780 meeting room downtown. The third is and that's April 18th my son's birthday, but I'll be at 106 00:59:18,780 --> 00:59:25,440 the meeting. On then district three meeting is on May the 9th. These are all Saturdays from 10 a.m. 107 00:59:25,700 --> 00:59:33,460 to noon. All Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. That will be May 9th at Mancass neighborhood center. 108 00:59:33,460 --> 00:59:44,760 District 4 will be at the Dunnel Peacock Ranch that we all are very familiar with, that's going to be on May 30th. 109 00:59:44,780 --> 00:59:56,400 District 5 will be at Bethel Community Church, June 27th, and then District 6 will be on July 11th at the Lake Club at one Lake. 110 00:59:56,420 --> 00:59:59,860 All of this information you can find on my website. 111 01:00:01,960 --> 01:00:23,820 So please go there and I'll be posting this and everything in other venues as well. So looking forward to hearing from residents in the city about what's good, what needs to be fixed and how we can get it done together. The public table. That's what the meetings all about. 112 01:00:23,820 --> 01:00:33,380 And then finally, I attended the crab feed at Rancho Solano last Saturday evening, and I 113 01:00:33,380 --> 01:00:34,700 have to give it up. 114 01:00:34,720 --> 01:00:42,820 The meal was absolutely delicious, you know, I very seldom meet other people's crab. 115 01:00:43,340 --> 01:00:52,700 So it was delicious, the crab cakes fantastic, so great job at Rancho Solano golf club for 116 01:00:52,700 --> 01:01:00,760 the crab feed. One thing that I did notice about the club is that it looks like it's 117 01:01:00,760 --> 01:01:08,200 a need of repair. It looks like that along with Paradise Valley. It looks, you know, for 118 01:01:08,200 --> 01:01:22,680 such a beautiful venue. In such a beautiful location, I think it's kind of a shame that the 119 01:01:22,680 --> 01:01:31,780 So Madam Mayor, I was going to ask you if it would be proper or appropriate to schedule, 120 01:01:31,920 --> 01:01:39,280 you know, to agendize a report from the Golf Advisory Board for a report on what is going 121 01:01:39,280 --> 01:01:45,360 on and what needs to be done to get these facilities and tip-top shape, which is what they 122 01:01:45,360 --> 01:01:46,060 should be. 123 01:01:46,060 --> 01:01:55,900 Absolutely. We will agenda something in the golf advisory board can bring to us a report on that. 124 01:01:56,460 --> 01:01:58,880 Awesome. You go with that, Christina? Excellent. 125 01:01:59,820 --> 01:02:02,420 Okay. Thank you. That's my report. Thank you. 126 01:02:02,420 --> 01:02:04,040 Thank you. Councilman Doug. 127 01:02:17,390 --> 01:02:23,170 Coming up in April. It's a free event and the raffles and prizes you register on even 128 01:02:23,170 --> 01:02:30,130 right online. There's also going to be a clean slate day that's where people you may know 129 01:02:30,130 --> 01:02:36,690 or need to get their records cleaned up if they have any problems that's put on by the 130 01:02:37,530 --> 01:02:44,390 public defender's office. The Vacaville homeless round table will be on March 18th. It's 131 01:02:44,390 --> 01:02:49,750 going to be at the William Carroll Health and Social Service Conference Room in Montavista. They 132 01:02:49,750 --> 01:02:51,770 need some support real bad. 133 01:02:53,510 --> 01:02:57,970 Also the City of Fairfield Homeless Service Division is hosting the next Homeless Roundtable 134 01:02:57,970 --> 01:03:03,950 on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 in Willow Hall, it's just right over here. 135 01:03:04,710 --> 01:03:05,670 It's 10 to 1. 136 01:03:05,750 --> 01:03:12,610 If you'd like an invitation, please email Samantha Burroughs at sbrowsatfairfield.ca.gov. 137 01:03:12,730 --> 01:03:15,730 They also have pretty good sandwiches if you register. 138 01:03:15,730 --> 01:03:21,850 The City of Fairfield's Homeless Service Division is hosting the next Homeless Outreach Partnership 139 01:03:21,850 --> 01:03:22,410 Event. 140 01:03:23,130 --> 01:03:30,530 Hope Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Liberty Church, if you are interested in tabling and provide 141 01:03:30,530 --> 01:03:37,990 resources to that event, please reach out to hsdatfairfield.ca.gov. 142 01:03:38,430 --> 01:03:43,470 Applications are also on website at fairfield.ca.gov Homeless. 143 01:03:44,810 --> 01:03:52,430 The next GPA, CAPS LONTO meeting is going to be on March 26th, that's at 6.30, it's at 144 01:03:53,090 --> 01:03:59,590 the old library, the county events center, and the GPA is also accepting applications 145 01:04:00,730 --> 01:04:03,690 for the lived experience advisory board. 146 01:04:04,390 --> 01:04:09,530 I put some of these on the back table, and you can also go to, if you have any questions 147 01:04:09,530 --> 01:04:19,630 to C-A-L-I-C-H-B-C-S-H.ca.gov, and you can get your applications for that. 148 01:04:20,230 --> 01:04:24,970 And then there's also a request for proposals, direct client assistance providers. 149 01:04:25,330 --> 01:04:28,930 If you are a provider, there's some money for that to be had. 150 01:04:28,950 --> 01:04:36,090 There's like $90,000 available for services for to help out our client folks, and these 151 01:04:36,090 --> 01:04:37,430 are also on the back table. 152 01:04:38,490 --> 01:04:39,370 Thank you, Mayor. 153 01:04:39,550 --> 01:04:40,250 That's my report. 154 01:04:40,810 --> 01:04:43,030 Thank you, Councilman Doug, Councilman Tonison. 155 01:04:43,210 --> 01:04:44,150 Nothing for me, Mayor. 156 01:04:44,510 --> 01:04:44,770 All right. 157 01:04:44,970 --> 01:04:46,030 And Councilwoman Williams. 158 01:04:47,310 --> 01:04:48,430 Thank you. 159 01:04:49,570 --> 01:04:55,510 I wanted to talk about a few really great events I attended, and then one coming up. 160 01:04:55,950 --> 01:04:59,430 So, Festival of Colors was Sunday. 161 01:05:00,730 --> 01:05:03,210 That's the annual Holy Celebration. 162 01:05:03,270 --> 01:05:04,690 It was at Cordelia Park. 163 01:05:05,090 --> 01:05:06,230 Amazing food. 164 01:05:06,230 --> 01:05:10,050 dance and really great conversations. 165 01:05:11,350 --> 01:05:19,570 Also, the first anniversary Indian Mart ribbon cutting was a week ago, 166 01:05:19,610 --> 01:05:22,490 995 Oliver Road. 167 01:05:23,750 --> 01:05:27,350 They have really great hair products, teas, food. 168 01:05:27,830 --> 01:05:31,150 It is a wonderful place to shop, please go and visit. 169 01:05:32,630 --> 01:05:41,790 On the educational side, I attended the North Bay Women's Health event and there was a conversation 170 01:05:41,790 --> 01:05:45,030 about colorectal cancer awareness. 171 01:05:45,270 --> 01:05:52,670 Actually, it's colorectal cancer awareness month is this month and it was really great 172 01:05:52,670 --> 01:06:03,170 information about how to early prevention, early detection and how that we should, you know, 173 01:06:03,230 --> 01:06:13,290 all get checked. And how this is a cancer that is attacking younger folks. People are now 174 01:06:13,290 --> 01:06:20,350 in their 20s and 30s. It's not, you know, a senior type of a thing. It was a surprise to learn 175 01:06:20,350 --> 01:06:23,090 how young and they don't know why that is. 176 01:06:23,170 --> 01:06:25,670 They don't know if it's environmental or what we're eating. 177 01:06:28,230 --> 01:06:32,470 But if everyone saw my voice can just do 178 01:06:32,470 --> 01:06:34,690 just a simple Google search on prevention 179 01:06:34,690 --> 01:06:37,190 and just learning a little bit about it. 180 01:06:37,770 --> 01:06:42,690 And finally, I would like to announce a lunch time meeting 181 01:06:42,690 --> 01:06:47,670 with me, Councilwoman Capitrice Williams, March 30th. 182 01:06:47,670 --> 01:06:51,350 That is a Monday from 12 to 2 PM. 183 01:06:51,810 --> 01:06:55,970 It's during lunchtime at Cordelia Library in the meeting room, 184 01:06:56,530 --> 01:06:58,670 50, 50 business into drive. 185 01:06:59,130 --> 01:07:02,750 Usually I go to local restaurants 186 01:07:02,750 --> 01:07:05,530 and green valley in Cordelia, and I see so many people there. 187 01:07:05,890 --> 01:07:07,350 And I was thinking, you know what? 188 01:07:07,350 --> 01:07:11,230 Why don't we all just go to the library, bring our lunches, 189 01:07:11,630 --> 01:07:14,630 and just conversate about anything literally 190 01:07:14,630 --> 01:07:15,970 if it's not in close session? 191 01:07:15,970 --> 01:07:17,630 I'll talk to you about anything. 192 01:07:18,250 --> 01:07:22,570 So I would love to have that conversation March 30th. 193 01:07:22,830 --> 01:07:23,570 Thank you. 194 01:07:26,590 --> 01:07:28,030 Thank you, Councilwoman. 195 01:07:28,990 --> 01:07:29,350 So I have- 196 01:07:32,840 --> 01:07:45,540 First, I just wanted to reiterate that former Councilman Jack Batson's memorial is from 2-330 at Rockville Presbyterian Church. 197 01:07:46,780 --> 01:07:53,600 And that is, I mean, make sure I get this right, 4-1-7-7, Susan Valley Road. 198 01:07:53,600 --> 01:08:04,660 And obviously everybody's welcome to send him off and give condolences to his lovely wife. 199 01:08:06,240 --> 01:08:08,820 I went, got everything went together. 200 01:08:09,180 --> 01:08:12,900 Believe it was last weekend now, there was a great event. 201 01:08:12,960 --> 01:08:21,920 It happened to be in Vaccaville, but it was to benefit the Sacramento Valley veterans cemetery. 202 01:08:21,920 --> 01:08:34,340 And what it was was a small businesses from all over went there and they sold their goods and that helped make money for the cemetery. 203 01:08:35,240 --> 01:08:42,140 And I knew business. I was invited to go there. This is one of the reasons I went. It's a Fairfield business. 204 01:08:42,140 --> 01:08:49,760 And the name of it is B. Period Marin, Candle Company. 205 01:08:51,100 --> 01:08:56,640 And let me tell you, they're all organic and non-smoking. 206 01:08:56,640 --> 01:09:00,480 You know, no smoke coming out of it. Lovely. Lovely candles. 207 01:09:00,680 --> 01:09:02,240 And you can find around Facebook. 208 01:09:03,160 --> 01:09:06,880 And she is here in Fearfield. So it was a great event. 209 01:09:07,040 --> 01:09:10,900 It was jam packed. I don't know how much they're raised, 210 01:09:10,900 --> 01:09:14,160 that it looked good, and I bought stuff. 211 01:09:14,760 --> 01:09:17,000 I spent all my allowance for the week there. 212 01:09:18,260 --> 01:09:21,900 I wanted to also bring up a couple of things 213 01:09:21,900 --> 01:09:25,980 that citizens should know about. 214 01:09:26,620 --> 01:09:32,320 And that is that right now, the Fairfield Sussan sewer district 215 01:09:33,060 --> 01:09:36,200 has put out a prop to 18, which is the legal, 216 01:09:37,480 --> 01:09:40,240 by law you have to do this if you want to raise rates. 217 01:09:40,240 --> 01:09:46,460 The sewer district, which is made up of the City Council of Fairfield, and Susan City, 218 01:09:47,400 --> 01:09:56,220 wants to raise rates over five years from $51.62 for residences to $78.20. 219 01:09:57,880 --> 01:10:04,140 And right now is the time that if you oppose it, you need to let the sewer district know 220 01:10:04,140 --> 01:10:16,660 and the way that you do that is go to ffsusune, sewer.ca.gov and it'll take you to where you can 221 01:10:16,660 --> 01:10:27,860 write, say you support it, you don't, but there are 33,000 folks who are hooked up and you 222 01:10:27,860 --> 01:10:33,920 who are in Fairfield and Susan City, mostly a huge majority from Fairfield, of course. 223 01:10:35,720 --> 01:10:42,520 And so half of those would have to object to this for it to stop. 224 01:10:42,880 --> 01:10:50,480 You can also go to the meeting and tell us that you don't want, you don't want it, or you do. 225 01:10:50,860 --> 01:10:52,420 So I wanted to let you know about that. 226 01:10:52,420 --> 01:11:00,920 And then the next thing also has to do with what is become a very controversial topic 227 01:11:01,420 --> 01:11:08,260 in our area between fearful and vacavel, as you may know, if you've driven it both ways, 228 01:11:09,100 --> 01:11:11,760 we have a toll road there now. 229 01:11:12,580 --> 01:11:17,540 And you use your transponder to move into that lane, 230 01:11:17,540 --> 01:11:27,940 And your charge to drive and the more traffic, the more expensive it is, now you don't have to get in those lanes at all. 231 01:11:29,240 --> 01:11:31,180 And so that's one good thing. 232 01:11:32,840 --> 01:11:36,640 But I really thought it against this for a number of reasons. 233 01:11:36,920 --> 01:11:46,500 Number one, I wanted to let people know that we are the only county in the Bay Area to have this toll on the weekends. 234 01:11:46,500 --> 01:11:54,560 In other words, the state decided we'd be good guinea pigs, and I opposed this for very many reasons, 235 01:11:54,960 --> 01:12:01,280 but mostly because the people in Salana County, we are the poorest county in the 90 area counties. 236 01:12:02,260 --> 01:12:03,040 Be area. 237 01:12:04,440 --> 01:12:08,280 Our people commute more and longer than other areas. 238 01:12:08,820 --> 01:12:13,060 We already pay more tolls than anybody else if you're going in. 239 01:12:13,060 --> 01:12:19,480 I'm like Marin County versus zest, you know, it's very expensive and we have the equity 240 01:12:19,480 --> 01:12:29,300 here is way out of line, so but I was outvoted, I was the sole vote no, but that's okay 241 01:12:29,300 --> 01:12:38,000 but we are having another public hearing on it, so people can come, you can also just send emails 242 01:12:38,000 --> 01:12:45,220 to all of us, and there are bugs being worked out too, because there were a lot of complaints 243 01:12:45,220 --> 01:12:50,560 that people not getting into that toll road were being charged. In other words, the lay and 244 01:12:50,560 --> 01:12:58,700 over, and I got complaints that the state wasn't paying attention when they would. So the bottom 245 01:12:58,700 --> 01:13:05,740 line is some of those things are getting worked out, but I wanted to let you know, and I will, 246 01:13:05,740 --> 01:13:09,900 Well, let everybody know the actual date that we're going to have that public hearing. 247 01:13:10,540 --> 01:13:16,960 The state will be there, and it's important that they hear it, not just by me alone. 248 01:13:17,260 --> 01:13:24,420 But if you don't want to do that's okay too, I have gotten a lot of response in the county 249 01:13:24,420 --> 01:13:25,640 about this. 250 01:13:25,660 --> 01:13:31,260 And I think we need to do better when we're talking about equity. 251 01:13:31,260 --> 01:13:37,360 people like to talk about it, but when you go to put it in practice, not so much. 252 01:13:38,240 --> 01:13:43,160 So just want to let you know of those things, and that's it. 253 01:13:43,480 --> 01:13:46,720 And so I'll turn to Mr. City Manager and see what he has to report. 254 01:13:47,040 --> 01:13:48,400 No report this evening, Mayor. 255 01:13:48,900 --> 01:13:52,780 I took all his time, and then to Mr. City Attorney. 256 01:13:53,540 --> 01:13:54,480 Thank you, Madam Mayor. 257 01:13:54,520 --> 01:14:00,460 I want to report out from close session earlier this evening on item F4, which was conference 258 01:14:00,460 --> 01:14:05,900 with legal counsel on anticipated litigation regarding where view and legal analysis of citizen 259 01:14:05,900 --> 01:14:09,180 request for refunds during landscape lighting and maintenance districts. 260 01:14:09,760 --> 01:14:17,480 The City Council has directed staff to put this matter on the agenda by a 7-0 vote on April 261 01:14:17,480 --> 01:14:23,860 21st, 26, that will be a public meeting to discuss the same matter and that will be 262 01:14:23,860 --> 01:14:29,500 agendized for April 21st, 2026 at a regular meeting of the Fairfield City Council. 263 01:14:29,500 --> 01:14:33,300 Thank you. Thank you, Mr. City Attorney and Madam Clerk. 264 01:14:34,140 --> 01:14:36,880 Thank you, Mayor. I do have a statement to make actually. 265 01:14:38,080 --> 01:14:42,380 So I have been the elected clerk for 12 years now. 266 01:14:42,940 --> 01:14:46,500 In 2014, I was appointed to fulfill the remaining years, 267 01:14:47,380 --> 01:14:48,940 left on the prior clerk's term. 268 01:14:49,260 --> 01:14:53,360 She was elected to a four year term, but then resigned after one year. 269 01:14:54,200 --> 01:14:57,980 Then I was elected in 2016, 2020 and 2024. 270 01:14:57,980 --> 01:14:58,860 and my 271 01:15:03,040 --> 01:15:28,980 So, since I have run unopposed every time, I'm strongly suggesting that it's time to make the city clerk an appointed position, instead of an elected position, the majority of cities in California have appointed city clerks, the appointed trend is, many municipalities are shifting from elected to appointed clerk positions. 272 01:15:28,980 --> 01:15:32,260 to save on election costs for one thing, 273 01:15:32,700 --> 01:15:35,720 ensure professional qualified candidates are selected. 274 01:15:37,280 --> 01:15:39,960 We're a general law city, and traditionally, 275 01:15:40,740 --> 01:15:42,820 it was designed to have elected clerks, 276 01:15:43,700 --> 01:15:46,720 but it's kind of like considered old school now. 277 01:15:47,140 --> 01:15:48,780 The most cities are transitioning 278 01:15:48,780 --> 01:15:52,420 to appointed rules through a vote of the electorate. 279 01:15:52,740 --> 01:15:53,600 And that's the issue. 280 01:15:53,980 --> 01:15:55,900 It does have to go before the voters. 281 01:15:55,900 --> 01:16:15,100 So it will have to go on the November ballot, 2026 because my term is up in 2028 and it cannot be on the ballot the year that the term is up so I just wanted to bring that to everyone's attention and I don't know if it needs to be agendized or 282 01:16:17,520 --> 01:16:20,660 Yeah, we will have to agenda, is it? 283 01:16:21,120 --> 01:16:24,720 Okay, I'll work with the City Manager on timing. 284 01:16:25,360 --> 01:16:27,780 Okay, I just wanted to let everyone know that. 285 01:16:27,860 --> 01:16:32,840 I mean, it's almost three years away, but we do have to put it 286 01:16:32,840 --> 01:16:33,860 on the November short. 287 01:16:34,880 --> 01:16:38,540 Thank you, Madam Clerk, and I want to say thank you. 288 01:16:38,820 --> 01:16:40,480 And you're not going anywhere for a while. 289 01:16:41,300 --> 01:16:44,820 But for your public service, thank you. 290 01:16:44,920 --> 01:16:45,160 You're welcome. 291 01:16:45,400 --> 01:16:45,620 Thank you. 292 01:16:45,620 --> 01:16:58,200 have been fantastic. Thank you. Thank you. All righty then. And so now Madam Clerk, we're going to turn to presentations if you would. 293 01:17:00,550 --> 01:17:12,850 Yes, Proclamation and poem declaring women's history month presented by Vice Mayor Bertani to the daughters of the American Revolution. 294 01:17:12,850 --> 01:17:22,930 the Chief Solano chapter, you can see they're all in period costum. So we'll have to get a photo at the end, maybe up in front here. 295 01:17:23,770 --> 01:17:30,690 And then, poet laureate Michael Wiley will read his original poem entitled Camille Signature, 296 01:17:30,930 --> 01:17:34,270 after the Vice Mayor reads the Proclamation. Thank you. 297 01:17:34,590 --> 01:17:39,870 Okay, thank you. Good evening again, everyone. You look fabulous. By the way. 298 01:17:42,630 --> 01:17:50,470 Don't look too close okay so here is the proclamation should we wait to have them come 299 01:17:50,470 --> 01:17:55,710 up or come up now would you like to come up now so everybody can see you yeah 300 01:18:02,110 --> 01:18:02,830 and just 301 01:18:02,830 --> 01:18:13,210 come on around here and who wants to hold the proclamation while I read it all right beautiful 302 01:18:13,210 --> 01:18:20,970 beautiful clothes, just absolutely gorgeous. Okay, National Women's History Month, March 303 01:18:20,970 --> 01:18:31,130 2026, whereas in 1978 women's history day began in Sonoma County, California, and 304 01:18:31,130 --> 01:18:37,350 championed by Gertalarner and the National Women's History Alliance led to its 305 01:18:37,350 --> 01:18:45,130 recognition as a national week in 1980 and ultimately, as national women's history month 306 01:18:45,130 --> 01:18:52,890 in the United States in 1987, after which the observance spread internationally. 307 01:18:54,690 --> 01:19:01,090 Whereas national women's history month is celebrated annually in March, and the 26th 308 01:19:01,090 --> 01:19:09,970 team is leading the change, women shaping a sustainable future, expands our understanding 309 01:19:09,970 --> 01:19:18,990 of sustainability beyond just environmental concerns, and whereas in this pivotal movement 310 01:19:18,990 --> 01:19:28,670 of history, we are called upon to confront a range of overlapping global challenges, including 311 01:19:28,670 --> 01:19:38,550 climate change, economic insecurity, health care disparities, and threats to democratic participation. 312 01:19:40,330 --> 01:19:47,630 Whereas these issues are deeply intertwined and women, particularly from marginalized communities, 313 01:19:48,210 --> 01:19:56,370 often experience their impacts more acutely. Whereas the theme encompasses financial sustainability, 314 01:19:56,370 --> 01:20:05,230 community, resilience, leadership, succession, and intergenerational equity, whether developing 315 01:20:05,230 --> 01:20:13,450 green technologies, advancing economic justice, strengthening educational systems, or building 316 01:20:13,450 --> 01:20:21,990 civic power, women are designing blueprints for sustainable transformation. 317 01:20:21,990 --> 01:20:35,470 Whereas this theme affirms that shaping a sustainable future means fostering systems that support both people and our planet. 318 01:20:36,950 --> 01:20:45,510 Now therefore, Katherine Catmoi, Mayor of the City of Fairfield, hereby proclaims the month of March as National Women's History Month, 319 01:20:45,510 --> 01:21:03,970 And the mayor calls upon the citizens of Fairfield to recognize and celebrate the countless contributions of women to our community and to our world and to honor their strength, courage, and wisdom. 320 01:21:04,570 --> 01:21:05,190 Congratulations. 321 01:21:06,010 --> 01:21:06,890 You're very welcome. 322 01:21:07,830 --> 01:21:07,970 Thank you. 323 01:21:08,310 --> 01:21:08,590 You're welcome. 324 01:21:11,040 --> 01:21:14,040 Just anything you'd like to share. 325 01:21:14,040 --> 01:21:21,700 The daughters of the American Revolution, especially this chapter, but nationally, is we are about 326 01:21:21,700 --> 01:21:24,220 historic preservation, education, and service. 327 01:21:24,680 --> 01:21:28,760 And that is what our goal is, and that is what our chapter school is, and that is how we get involved. 328 01:21:29,520 --> 01:21:35,340 So we are open for presentations for elementary schools that are studying American history, and 329 01:21:35,340 --> 01:21:36,520 other ways to serve. 330 01:21:36,520 --> 01:21:37,500 We're looking for that. 331 01:21:37,980 --> 01:21:40,640 Use citizen awards, things like that. 332 01:21:40,640 --> 01:21:44,020 We're just happy to recognize the youth of our society. 333 01:21:44,460 --> 01:21:45,460 Thank you. 334 01:21:48,290 --> 01:21:48,850 Thank you. 335 01:21:48,950 --> 01:21:51,850 And now we'll have our poet Laureate read the poem. 336 01:22:01,220 --> 01:22:02,200 All right, good evening. 337 01:22:02,940 --> 01:22:07,420 Mayor Moe, council members, members of the public. 338 01:22:07,920 --> 01:22:09,360 Just before I start reading the poem, 339 01:22:09,540 --> 01:22:10,680 just a little bit of background. 340 01:22:11,620 --> 01:22:14,180 This poem does start as titled Camille Signature 341 01:22:14,180 --> 01:22:16,860 and that is after the sculptor, Kimmel Kledel. 342 01:22:17,780 --> 01:22:19,140 After unfamiliar with Kimmel Kledel, 343 01:22:19,240 --> 01:22:21,680 she was a French sculptor, she worked in the studio 344 01:22:21,680 --> 01:22:27,920 of Rodamp, and while she was celebrated in her own right, it was largely posthumously. 345 01:22:30,000 --> 01:22:43,140 Within the studio, we're contributing to the many studies of hands-in-feet, which, of course, are hallmarks of roadendous sculpture, and often that work did not carry her name. 346 01:22:43,920 --> 01:22:58,920 So this is communal signature. Clay yields to the pressure of the loop tool, rise of wrist to the slope of fingers, or the curve of heels arch towards played toes. 347 01:22:58,920 --> 01:23:08,700 forms molded for casting. It's here where intention travels tendon, where hands and feet 348 01:23:08,700 --> 01:23:17,600 reach that her studies are formed. Study in chalk, dust-like powdered marble, her numbered 349 01:23:17,600 --> 01:23:26,640 models articulate gravity in new forms. Study in steel, as her scalpel chisels its incision 350 01:23:26,640 --> 01:23:28,680 in remedy of broken figure. 351 01:23:29,960 --> 01:23:38,020 Study in breath cast outward over microphone, the solidarity of a crowd bravely rallied, study 352 01:23:38,020 --> 01:23:45,280 in her stride striking pavement in full propulsion as if newly released from stone. 353 01:23:46,520 --> 01:23:53,620 Study in carbon fiber, metal frame, socket fitted, alignment set on cast limb. 354 01:23:53,620 --> 01:24:03,360 This monument of accumulated gestures at its base, her bronze feet polished by countless 355 01:24:03,360 --> 01:24:04,880 passing poems. 356 01:24:23,260 --> 01:24:24,320 Where's your hat? 357 01:24:24,840 --> 01:24:25,380 Where's your hat? 358 01:24:25,920 --> 01:24:26,140 Where's your hat? 359 01:24:26,560 --> 01:24:27,760 You can be in the future. 360 01:24:28,800 --> 01:24:29,140 Okay. 361 01:24:29,260 --> 01:24:31,240 Yes, Ena said she would take the photo. 362 01:24:33,080 --> 01:24:34,940 I'm a little bit tired. 363 01:24:34,940 --> 01:24:37,020 I'm a little bit tired. 364 01:24:38,420 --> 01:24:38,560 I'm a little bit tired. 365 01:24:38,900 --> 01:24:39,340 I'm a little bit tired. 366 01:24:39,340 --> 01:24:40,660 Can you please forgive me? 367 01:24:42,240 --> 01:24:42,740 You're a little bit tired. 368 01:24:42,980 --> 01:24:43,260 That's great. 369 01:24:44,460 --> 01:24:46,360 So we had to have a few more. 370 01:24:48,320 --> 01:24:49,020 I love this. 371 01:24:49,040 --> 01:24:49,560 These two. 372 01:24:50,820 --> 01:24:53,280 Madame, my smile, I'm gonna get you to meet his happy son. 373 01:24:53,720 --> 01:24:54,440 I think so. 374 01:24:54,600 --> 01:24:55,160 I think so. 375 01:24:55,160 --> 01:24:55,700 I don't know what to work. 376 01:24:55,880 --> 01:24:56,960 I want to go home. 377 01:24:57,520 --> 01:24:58,780 Oh, that's a lot of work. 378 01:24:59,280 --> 01:25:00,160 I don't know. 379 01:25:00,160 --> 01:25:00,840 I don't know what to do. 380 01:25:49,280 --> 01:25:50,560 Thank you, Ena, 381 01:26:04,190 --> 01:26:08,770 and now our second proclamation, proclamation declaring education and sharing 382 01:26:08,770 --> 01:26:14,550 day presented by Mayor Moe to rabbi's backloss of Shabbat of Salon O'Counney. 383 01:26:27,010 --> 01:26:28,510 Good evening, rabbi. 384 01:26:29,810 --> 01:26:31,230 How are you? 385 01:26:31,290 --> 01:26:32,350 Good, thank God. 386 01:26:32,530 --> 01:26:33,290 Thank God. 387 01:26:33,830 --> 01:26:34,530 Last year we go. 388 01:26:34,530 --> 01:26:41,630 one of this, and I'm going to go ahead and read the proclamation, and this is for education 389 01:26:41,630 --> 01:26:50,430 and sharing day, whereas the basis for the continuity of any society is education, and in 390 01:26:50,430 --> 01:26:55,670 Fairfield, California, the education of our youth is a priority. 391 01:26:56,730 --> 01:27:01,070 In order to achieve its highest goals, the education must not only be a part of knowledge, 392 01:27:01,070 --> 01:27:04,990 but also teach the students how to live. 393 01:27:05,650 --> 01:27:08,170 Forming and strengthening their moral character 394 01:27:08,170 --> 01:27:11,830 to make a better life for themselves as individuals 395 01:27:11,830 --> 01:27:15,590 and for society as a whole, in parting moral 396 01:27:15,590 --> 01:27:18,510 and ethical values that have been the bedrock of society 397 01:27:18,510 --> 01:27:21,230 since the dawn of civilization. 398 01:27:22,370 --> 01:27:27,350 Including the values known as the seven Noah, say it to me. 399 01:27:28,190 --> 01:27:29,030 That's difficult for me. 400 01:27:29,030 --> 01:27:34,950 I know a hide laws. I got a no a hide laws. I know no a hide laws. A global spiritual 401 01:27:34,950 --> 01:27:41,230 leader in leading advocate for the advancement of education. Are you going to say this for 402 01:27:41,230 --> 01:27:47,830 me too? The Rebbe, Rabbi Minachim M. Schnereson of righteous memory. I'll learn to spell it later 403 01:27:47,830 --> 01:27:55,450 too, but I love when you say it. Stress that a moral and ethical education empowers every individual 404 01:27:55,450 --> 01:28:00,570 to develop their full potential in making the world a better place. 405 01:28:01,510 --> 01:28:07,870 Such an education can foster unity among diverse peoples by inspiring greater acts of 406 01:28:07,870 --> 01:28:14,810 goodness and kindness, and viewed with awareness that even a single positive deed has the power 407 01:28:14,810 --> 01:28:19,730 to change the world and help us in an era of global peace. 408 01:28:21,300 --> 01:28:31,160 Whereas March 29th, 2026, will mark 124 years since the rebase birth, and this year marks 409 01:28:31,160 --> 01:28:38,480 the 76th anniversary of his leadership of the Shabbad Lubavich movement. 410 01:28:39,440 --> 01:28:45,400 Habad is an acronym of three Hebrew words for wisdom, understanding and knowledge. 411 01:28:45,400 --> 01:28:52,960 The name of Lubavitch comes from the city that served as the movement's headquarters for more than a century. 412 01:28:53,520 --> 01:28:55,280 It means the city of love. 413 01:28:55,980 --> 01:29:02,400 Of all the ethical values that inform our civilization, none is more important than love. 414 01:29:02,860 --> 01:29:08,540 Love of wisdom, love of a refello man, and love of our creator. 415 01:29:08,540 --> 01:29:20,120 These values have guided the Hapad Lubaic movement throughout its history and are the essence of education at its best. 416 01:29:20,840 --> 01:29:25,920 We should be certain to pass on the precious heritage to all young Americans. 417 01:29:27,020 --> 01:29:37,240 Whereas education and sharing day is observed each year on the Rabbi's birthday in recognition of his outstanding and lasting contributions 418 01:29:37,240 --> 01:29:43,500 toward the improvement of education, morality, and acts of charity around the world. 419 01:29:43,880 --> 01:29:51,740 It is a data pause, reflect, and ensure our youth of the foundation necessary to lead 420 01:29:51,740 --> 01:29:57,200 lives rich in purpose and fulfillment through service and good work. 421 01:29:57,820 --> 01:29:58,000 Now. 422 01:30:00,050 --> 01:30:09,490 Act, Moe, Mayor of Fairfield, do hereby proclaim March 29, 2020, 2006, to be education and sharing 423 01:30:09,490 --> 01:30:16,390 day in the city of Fairfield, and call upon government officials, educators, volunteers, 424 01:30:16,890 --> 01:30:23,970 and citizens to reach out to those within your communities, to work together to create a better 425 01:30:23,970 --> 01:30:30,490 brighter and more promising future for all, and Rabbi, please. 426 01:30:31,090 --> 01:30:31,970 Thank you. 427 01:30:32,630 --> 01:30:33,050 Thank you. 428 01:30:33,210 --> 01:30:34,390 I have a minute or two. 429 01:30:35,050 --> 01:30:35,590 Oh, you're. 430 01:30:40,020 --> 01:30:40,820 Thank you, Kat. 431 01:30:41,180 --> 01:30:42,100 Thank you, Mayor Moe. 432 01:30:43,500 --> 01:30:45,240 My name is Rabbi Hayem Zachlos. 433 01:30:46,220 --> 01:30:51,360 And I live here in Solano County for 16 years with my wife and nine children. 434 01:30:52,540 --> 01:31:00,920 I want to thank the mayor and the city council for recognizing Sunday March 29th as education and 435 01:31:00,920 --> 01:31:03,680 sharing day here in the city of Fairfield. 436 01:31:05,240 --> 01:31:10,060 As mentioned in the proclamation, education and sharing day highlights the idea that education 437 01:31:10,060 --> 01:31:17,260 should not only focus on knowledge and academic achievements, but also on developing character, 438 01:31:17,260 --> 01:31:25,060 kindness and responsibility towards others. Education is often seen as giving children 439 01:31:25,060 --> 01:31:29,860 the knowledge and skills they need to build a career and succeed in the world. 440 01:31:31,890 --> 01:31:32,470 But education 441 01:31:32,470 --> 01:31:39,970 must not stop there. A good education must also help shape the kind of people they become. 442 01:31:41,710 --> 01:31:47,110 A education should not only teach young people how to make a living but how to live. 443 01:31:47,110 --> 01:31:53,150 How to be kind, responsible, and honest, and how to look out for one another. 444 01:31:54,390 --> 01:32:01,470 When students are taught that even a small, positive encounter, an action can influence 445 01:32:01,470 --> 01:32:07,190 the people around them, it changes how they see themselves and their role in the world. 446 01:32:08,310 --> 01:32:14,870 They begin to understand that their choices matter, and that they have the ability to make 447 01:32:14,870 --> 01:32:19,150 meaningful difference in their environments and in their communities. 448 01:32:20,830 --> 01:32:26,130 Education and sharing they invites us to take a moment to reflect on that responsibility, 449 01:32:27,090 --> 01:32:33,150 and to encourage acts of kindness, generosity, and care for others. 450 01:32:34,430 --> 01:32:41,170 To help bring that idea into everyday life, I brought a small gift with me today 451 01:32:41,170 --> 01:32:50,550 for each of you, it's called an ark, which stands for acts of routine kindness. It also 452 01:32:50,550 --> 01:32:59,290 looks a little like the ark, an ark that saved Noah and his family when the world had lost 453 01:32:59,290 --> 01:33:08,810 its moral compass. The idea is very simple. Keep this ark in your home or your office, place 454 01:33:08,810 --> 01:33:14,850 small coin into it regularly, and I'll start with that myself here today. 455 01:33:16,310 --> 01:33:19,210 It's not about the amount, it's about the habit. 456 01:33:19,770 --> 01:33:26,950 It helps exercise what I like to call the giving muscle, reminding us that even a small 457 01:33:26,950 --> 01:33:32,350 act of kindness done consistently, shape the kind of people we become. 458 01:33:32,350 --> 01:33:39,950 And perhaps ideas like this can also serve as simple ways to encourage students in our 459 01:33:39,950 --> 01:33:47,770 schools to practice small acts of generosity and kindness, helping them develop the habits 460 01:33:47,770 --> 01:33:51,970 of caring for others and a sense of responsibility for our society. 461 01:33:53,430 --> 01:33:59,250 Because when young people learn not only the knowledge they need to succeed but also the values 462 01:33:59,250 --> 01:34:08,110 That shape their character, they grow into individuals who strengthen their communities and help build a kinder and more caring world. 463 01:34:08,610 --> 01:34:09,210 Thank you. 464 01:34:21,080 --> 01:34:21,700 Over here. 465 01:34:22,480 --> 01:34:23,000 Thank you. 466 01:34:24,640 --> 01:34:25,140 Thank you. 467 01:34:26,100 --> 01:34:27,880 And the rabbis also. 468 01:34:28,140 --> 01:34:30,740 Oh, you're the photographer on top of being the clerk. 469 01:34:30,860 --> 01:34:31,580 On top of being. 470 01:34:32,460 --> 01:34:32,760 Okay. 471 01:34:47,920 --> 01:34:49,160 I'd like to talk to you. 472 01:34:49,760 --> 01:34:50,800 I'd like 473 01:34:55,340 --> 01:34:55,620 to talk to you. 474 01:34:55,620 --> 01:34:56,240 Thank you. 475 01:34:57,640 --> 01:34:58,620 Thank you, Rabbi. 476 01:34:58,620 --> 01:35:00,260 If I need to just share. 477 01:35:21,000 --> 01:35:21,020 Yes. 478 01:35:21,020 --> 01:35:21,680 Thank you, Rabbi. 479 01:35:21,780 --> 01:35:22,880 I filled mine up. 480 01:35:23,000 --> 01:35:24,400 Was it last year? 481 01:35:24,780 --> 01:35:27,800 I gave it to have my daughter give it to the homeless. 482 01:35:29,320 --> 01:35:29,760 So, yeah. 483 01:35:29,940 --> 01:35:30,700 Thank you very much. 484 01:35:32,520 --> 01:35:32,800 All right. 485 01:35:35,200 --> 01:35:39,760 So, now we're going to turn to public comments, Madam Clerk? 486 01:35:40,080 --> 01:35:40,360 Yes. 487 01:35:40,400 --> 01:35:41,140 Public comments. 488 01:35:41,340 --> 01:35:45,280 Persons wishing to address the city council on subjects not on the agenda. 489 01:35:45,780 --> 01:35:48,980 But within the jurisdiction of the council may do so at this time. 490 01:35:48,980 --> 01:35:54,240 The Council cannot discuss or take action on matters, not on the agenda for this meeting, 491 01:35:54,660 --> 01:35:59,040 but Council members may briefly respond to statements made or questions raised by the 492 01:35:59,040 --> 01:36:05,040 public, ask for clarification from staff, refer the matter to staff, request staff to report 493 01:36:05,040 --> 01:36:09,560 back to the Council at a subsequent meeting, or replace the matter on a future agenda. 494 01:36:10,060 --> 01:36:14,660 If you're online to speak on an agenda item, please use the raise or hand feature or press 495 01:36:14,660 --> 01:36:20,500 are nine on your phone. Speakers are limited to three minutes per item as determined by the mayor. 496 01:36:20,900 --> 01:36:25,960 And I do have two speaker cards. First is E.J. Johnson. 497 01:36:28,140 --> 01:36:28,980 Hi, E.J. 498 01:36:36,890 --> 01:36:43,670 It's a 20-26 season with a hugely successful opening of rent. We welcome full houses, standing 499 01:36:43,670 --> 01:36:49,370 evations, and the kind of electric energy that reminds us exactly why live theater matters. 500 01:36:49,370 --> 01:36:53,390 It was a powerful and joyful way to begin the era of downtown theater. 501 01:36:54,370 --> 01:36:55,970 And we're just getting started. 502 01:36:56,470 --> 01:37:02,010 This season we're excited to welcome an incredible lineup of performances and partners on stage, 503 01:37:02,450 --> 01:37:08,470 including Flocke Seagirls, Supersonic, House of Floyd, The Salana Wins, and Vowena. 504 01:37:09,090 --> 01:37:13,590 We are also thrilled that Drew Harrison will be bringing his John Lennon tribute to Fairfield, 505 01:37:14,250 --> 01:37:17,750 featuring our very own award-winning, Occupilicure, but missed. 506 01:37:17,750 --> 01:37:23,690 Speaking of mist, we're incredibly proud to share that recently placed second in their 507 01:37:23,690 --> 01:37:27,490 last competition, and they'll be heading to semi-finals in Redwood. 508 01:37:30,000 --> 01:37:35,520 And you are presenting fair field with such talent and heart. We are also excited to be pertinent with 509 01:37:35,520 --> 01:37:41,720 glass shelf ranch on a new public art exhibit that will open in four weeks. Another way we are 510 01:37:41,720 --> 01:37:47,280 working to activate the space and invite communities to the arts. Additionally, the theater's recent 511 01:37:47,280 --> 01:37:52,520 lighting upgrade is now complete and has made a meaningful difference in the building, enhancing 512 01:37:52,520 --> 01:37:58,240 not only aesthetic experience, but improving safety and energy efficiency. We are very grateful 513 01:37:58,240 --> 01:38:00,020 through the city to that investment. 514 01:38:00,760 --> 01:38:03,840 And finally, the downtown theater and police activities league 515 01:38:03,840 --> 01:38:07,720 are thrilled to announce that we are hosting a 1980s prom 516 01:38:07,720 --> 01:38:11,380 in the courtyard this May, a fun community centered event 517 01:38:11,380 --> 01:38:13,740 we can't wait to share more about soon. 518 01:38:13,980 --> 01:38:16,300 Thank you so much for your continued support of the arts 519 01:38:16,300 --> 01:38:19,340 and we are proud to be a part of what makes this community vibrant. 520 01:38:19,740 --> 01:38:20,540 Thank you so much. 521 01:38:20,660 --> 01:38:21,900 Thank you so much. 522 01:38:22,700 --> 01:38:25,920 My daughter who used to do a lot of work with the theater 523 01:38:25,920 --> 01:38:31,560 not so she will be going with her best friend to see rent. She did not invite me, but I'll go 524 01:38:31,560 --> 01:38:36,860 a different time. Thank you. Next is Monica Brown. 525 01:38:53,830 --> 01:38:57,030 Good evening, Supervisor Brown. I see you have your 526 01:38:57,030 --> 01:39:05,730 green on. Yes, happy St. Patty's day. I'm speaking today as an individual. I read in the newspaper that 527 01:39:05,730 --> 01:39:12,090 there's going to be a continued investigation and you guys have already spent $56,000 528 01:39:12,090 --> 01:39:14,530 and did not like what you heard back. 529 01:39:14,970 --> 01:39:19,290 And then you voted to have a cap of 25,000 to continue. 530 01:39:20,270 --> 01:39:23,150 And the article in the paper indicated 531 01:39:23,150 --> 01:39:26,370 that the special council found no evidence 532 01:39:26,370 --> 01:39:29,410 that the mayor resided outside the city limits. 533 01:39:30,210 --> 01:39:32,690 I would hope that city manager indicated 534 01:39:32,690 --> 01:39:35,870 that with everything going on in the world 535 01:39:35,870 --> 01:39:39,390 and gas prices going up, that there might be an issue 536 01:39:39,390 --> 01:39:43,230 about maybe the city doesn't need measure P to be passed. 537 01:39:44,070 --> 01:39:48,230 So I just wanted to let you know what's out there in the world and not really happy. 538 01:39:48,490 --> 01:39:52,350 I wish I could when I get something I don't like to turn it down. 539 01:39:52,870 --> 01:39:55,570 But I don't like that fact that you guys did that. 540 01:39:55,570 --> 01:39:56,670 I don't think that is right. 541 01:39:57,270 --> 01:39:58,230 Thank you. 542 01:39:58,730 --> 01:39:59,610 Thank you, supervisor. 543 01:40:00,030 --> 01:40:01,650 I'll just make one correction. 544 01:40:02,390 --> 01:40:06,570 26,000 has been spent and then another 25,000 could be spent. 545 01:40:06,890 --> 01:40:07,610 But with a cap. 546 01:40:09,370 --> 01:40:14,990 Okay, I just, no, you don't need to apologize, I just want to make sure that the record was straight. 547 01:40:15,230 --> 01:40:15,800 But thank you. 548 01:40:16,450 --> 01:40:19,670 Did anyone else wish to speak on public comment? 549 01:40:20,770 --> 01:40:22,770 There are no hands raised online, Mayor. 550 01:40:23,510 --> 01:40:28,370 Okay, and so what we'll do is move on to housing authority. 551 01:40:31,720 --> 01:40:35,000 Convening the joint meeting of the City Council and Housing Authority, 552 01:40:35,000 --> 01:40:45,500 The holding of a joint meeting of the City Council and Housing Authority entitles the council members to receive additional compensation of $35 for attending this joint meeting. 553 01:40:46,440 --> 01:40:50,120 And the one item is on consent, but I'll read the statement. 554 01:40:50,300 --> 01:41:01,840 All matters listed on the Housing Authority consent calendar are to be approved with one motion, unless a member of the Housing Authority or the public request that separate action be taken on a specific item. 555 01:41:03,340 --> 01:41:06,820 And I don't normally read the items since it's on consent. 556 01:41:07,480 --> 01:41:07,760 Sure. 557 01:41:09,140 --> 01:41:13,840 First of all, do we have any public comment at all on the consent cover? 558 01:41:14,300 --> 01:41:14,780 I do not. 559 01:41:14,940 --> 01:41:16,700 Did anyone wish to speak on this item? 560 01:41:18,660 --> 01:41:18,960 No. 561 01:41:19,140 --> 01:41:19,300 No. 562 01:41:25,280 --> 01:41:29,620 Then I will entertain a motion to approve the consent cover. 563 01:41:29,800 --> 01:41:30,460 I was in authority. 564 01:41:30,460 --> 01:41:30,520 We 565 01:41:33,040 --> 01:41:36,460 need a roll call. 566 01:41:37,100 --> 01:41:37,420 Yes. 567 01:41:37,420 --> 01:41:38,320 Oh no we go. 568 01:41:38,420 --> 01:41:39,340 I can't think in poor degrees. 569 01:41:39,360 --> 01:41:40,660 I thought we did too. 570 01:41:41,600 --> 01:41:41,780 Okay. 571 01:41:42,120 --> 01:41:43,120 All in favor. 572 01:41:43,500 --> 01:41:44,140 All right. 573 01:41:44,600 --> 01:41:44,920 All right. 574 01:41:45,140 --> 01:41:46,600 That was unanimous. 575 01:41:47,720 --> 01:41:48,280 All right. 576 01:41:48,840 --> 01:41:55,440 We're going to reconvene the meeting of the city council and turn to the consent calendar for the city council. 577 01:41:55,500 --> 01:41:55,820 Okay. 578 01:41:55,920 --> 01:41:56,940 The regular consent. 579 01:41:57,200 --> 01:42:02,680 All matters listed on the consent calendar are to be approved with one motion unless a member of the city council. 580 01:42:02,680 --> 01:42:06,840 or the public request that separate action be taken on a specific item. 581 01:42:07,400 --> 01:42:09,100 I do not have any speaker cards. 582 01:42:09,240 --> 01:42:13,140 Did anyone wish to speak on the regular consent? 583 01:42:14,160 --> 01:42:14,180 No. 584 01:42:15,420 --> 01:42:15,820 All right. 585 01:42:16,540 --> 01:42:18,160 Anything need to be pulled here? 586 01:42:18,300 --> 01:42:18,640 Colleagues? 587 01:42:19,500 --> 01:42:19,600 Nope. 588 01:42:20,260 --> 01:42:20,420 Okay. 589 01:42:20,560 --> 01:42:23,460 Then I'll entertain a motion to prove the consent calendar, please. 590 01:42:24,440 --> 01:42:25,040 So moved. 591 01:42:25,820 --> 01:42:26,940 I'll second that. 592 01:42:27,320 --> 01:42:27,880 All in favor. 593 01:42:28,300 --> 01:42:28,660 Hi. 594 01:42:28,980 --> 01:42:29,340 Hi. 595 01:42:30,020 --> 01:42:31,180 That was unanimous. 596 01:42:31,180 --> 01:42:36,000 And now we're rolling right into new business. 597 01:42:37,740 --> 01:42:39,920 Okay, item, oh, new business. 598 01:42:40,580 --> 01:42:41,180 Oh, one. 599 01:42:41,460 --> 01:42:45,600 Presentation of draft, 2026 build fee, study update. 600 01:42:46,240 --> 01:42:50,820 Presentation and discussion regarding the proposed 2026 building fee update. 601 01:42:51,140 --> 01:42:54,180 And our presenter is Jeff Thomas, chief building official. 602 01:42:55,180 --> 01:42:59,740 Good evening Madam Mayor, Madam Vice Mayor, Members of Council. 603 01:43:00,460 --> 01:43:04,740 I'm Jeff Thomas here at Chief Bill in official and I am here to present a findings of 604 01:43:04,740 --> 01:43:08,180 a recent fee study for the building safety division. 605 01:43:09,420 --> 01:43:14,460 So obviously we've heard tonight, fee increases are not a popular topic. 606 01:43:14,780 --> 01:43:18,700 However, there is some good news that we came out, we found out of this study. 607 01:43:20,140 --> 01:43:22,400 So why is this not working? 608 01:43:27,210 --> 01:43:27,950 Okay, 609 01:43:34,140 --> 01:43:40,240 so we started, once we started getting findings from our consultant, we began outreach 610 01:43:40,240 --> 01:43:46,360 to the community, specifically the development community. I purposely purposely reached out 611 01:43:46,360 --> 01:43:53,300 to the BIA to start with over a month ago, and that's the Bay Area Building Industry Association. 612 01:43:53,680 --> 01:43:59,100 A majority of both residential and commercial home builders are members of that 613 01:43:59,100 --> 01:44:04,480 association, so they provided a broad outreach for us, as well as reaching out to all of 614 01:44:04,480 --> 01:44:09,640 our current residential home builders and several of our commercial development developers 615 01:44:09,640 --> 01:44:14,680 that have or may soon have developments submitted to us. 616 01:44:15,820 --> 01:44:20,920 The overall sentiment was very positive from the development community. 617 01:44:22,200 --> 01:44:27,060 Most of them stated that, you know, fee increases by the building division don't generally 618 01:44:27,060 --> 01:44:32,880 move the needle on development in a negative way, things that typically do or development fees 619 01:44:32,880 --> 01:44:38,980 just overall construction costs, and financing available as we all know the financing 620 01:44:38,980 --> 01:44:45,360 is become very difficult for a lot of developers to maintain reasonable costs. The biggest 621 01:44:45,360 --> 01:44:51,280 issue that was noted to me during those inquiries and discussions with them is they wanted 622 01:44:51,280 --> 01:44:54,180 to ensure that our service levels were maintained, 623 01:44:55,060 --> 01:44:56,960 and that if these small fee increases, 624 01:44:56,960 --> 01:44:57,140 Thank you so much for watching, and I'll see you in the next one. 625 01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:08,720 For us to maintain or hopefully even improve our services that they were actually very beneficial and for the fee increases. 626 01:45:09,280 --> 01:45:16,020 Some of them actually had an indicated they might come and speak positively about it, but as you see, nobody's here. So I think that's also a good sign. 627 01:45:16,680 --> 01:45:17,920 Are they pulling your leg? 628 01:45:18,300 --> 01:45:27,680 No, I don't think so. No. I form very good relationships with a lot of our developers, and I think between that and the service levels that we've been able to provide. 629 01:45:27,680 --> 01:45:31,960 they appreciate how quickly we're able to respond to their concerns. 630 01:45:34,200 --> 01:45:40,000 So, before I get into the fee study, I want to, you know, backtrack a little bit. 631 01:45:40,300 --> 01:45:46,760 Building safety division, the city of Fairfield, has been ensuring safe homes and businesses in the city since 1947. 632 01:45:46,760 --> 01:45:52,940 and proudly. These permit fees help recover our costs for administration of plan review, 633 01:45:53,620 --> 01:45:58,800 inspection, and code enforcement services within the city to ensure safe built environment. 634 01:46:00,760 --> 01:46:06,220 Proper implementation of these codes and safe structures, reduce hazards, and lower property 635 01:46:06,220 --> 01:46:12,620 insurance rates. Currently the city of Fairfield is rated by the ISO, which is the National 636 01:46:12,620 --> 01:46:16,360 insurance services office as a two, one being the best. 637 01:46:16,880 --> 01:46:22,860 We used to be a three, about six years ago, and so we have improved our services through 638 01:46:22,860 --> 01:46:27,180 not only our implementation of the codes, but the qualified staffing that we have in 639 01:46:27,180 --> 01:46:28,480 maintain within the city. 640 01:46:31,800 --> 01:46:36,980 Again, proper application of the building standards codes, saved lives, and limit damage. 641 01:46:37,600 --> 01:46:43,360 Unfortunately, codes for the most part are promulgated through disaster, whether man-made or 642 01:46:43,360 --> 01:46:46,560 natural, just a curious point. 643 01:46:46,740 --> 01:46:49,820 The first known building codes were adopted, 644 01:46:50,180 --> 01:46:53,840 and I think it was somewhere around 17,000 B.C. 645 01:46:54,160 --> 01:46:57,480 By Hummerati, I think that's saying his name, right? 646 01:46:58,420 --> 01:47:01,220 He was the one that, back then, it was kind of an I for nine. 647 01:47:01,420 --> 01:47:05,240 He built somebody's house, and it fell down, then, you know. 648 01:47:06,280 --> 01:47:08,240 So, that's the first known building codes. 649 01:47:08,600 --> 01:47:12,300 But, unfortunately, they come out of damage. 650 01:47:12,300 --> 01:47:14,140 So, okay, onto the fee study. 651 01:47:15,080 --> 01:47:18,720 So, overview, currently, the division has approximately 652 01:47:18,720 --> 01:47:21,060 200 flat rate and base rate fees. 653 01:47:21,880 --> 01:47:26,300 Through this fee study, we found that most of these project fees 654 01:47:26,300 --> 01:47:30,440 were too high, mostly because it was determined 655 01:47:30,440 --> 01:47:33,160 that our hourly rate fee structure was too high. 656 01:47:34,300 --> 01:47:37,860 The previous fee structure that we have adopted, 657 01:47:39,500 --> 01:47:51,680 had a CPI increase or on it annually and because of the high CPI rates that the state has seen over the last several years, 658 01:47:52,040 --> 01:47:59,040 those rates created are hourly rate to be beyond what it actually cost the city to operate hourly. 659 01:48:00,060 --> 01:48:03,900 And so most of those fees will go down and I'll show you some of those in a moment. 660 01:48:03,900 --> 01:48:15,280 However, the study also found that the reverse was true for large projects that those fees for those large projects were not adequately covering our service costs. 661 01:48:16,620 --> 01:48:29,660 So, under our current fee schedule, if this proposal is not adopted, then our fees will increase roughly about 5 to 5.8% depending on the fee type comes to life first. 662 01:48:29,660 --> 01:48:37,640 under the proposed fee study that we will maintain our, you know, flat rate and 663 01:48:37,640 --> 01:48:43,500 mate and base rate fees, but the fee study structures it in such a way that 664 01:48:43,500 --> 01:48:46,640 it more accurately reflects our cost of services. 665 01:48:48,880 --> 01:48:50,780 And reliance those services 666 01:48:50,780 --> 01:48:55,020 for the projects with the higher service level needs that currently we aren't 667 01:48:55,860 --> 01:49:02,760 So with the net with our proposed fee schedule or with our current fee schedule right now, which 668 01:49:02,760 --> 01:49:07,420 would go up about five to five point eight percent, the net increase in this proposed 669 01:49:07,420 --> 01:49:14,880 fee study would further increase those fees about 12 to 12.7 percent for new footprint residential 670 01:49:14,880 --> 01:49:21,580 commercial and other valuation based permits. However, it is reducing our hourly rates anywhere 671 01:49:21,580 --> 01:49:25,580 from 5% to 18% reduction in our hour of the rates. 672 01:49:26,240 --> 01:49:30,200 The net overall average fee increase for those fat, flat, 673 01:49:30,420 --> 01:49:33,660 and base rate fees is only 3% as opposed to it. 674 01:49:33,660 --> 01:49:37,520 It would be 5% plus if we maintain the current fee structure. 675 01:49:38,240 --> 01:49:42,920 So basically what that means is a majority of our community who does 676 01:49:42,920 --> 01:49:46,180 solors, water heater replacements, just the mom and pot 677 01:49:46,180 --> 01:49:49,340 home owners are actually going to see a fee reduction 678 01:49:49,340 --> 01:49:51,220 in almost every single permit category. 679 01:49:54,490 --> 01:49:56,710 So an example of some of these proposed fee changes, 680 01:49:57,530 --> 01:50:00,950 as you can see, I'll just hit, say, on bathroom remodels, 681 01:50:01,250 --> 01:50:05,530 as an example, currently the fee is $392.50. 682 01:50:06,630 --> 01:50:09,790 The proposed fee schedule is going to drop that to $245, 683 01:50:09,970 --> 01:50:13,630 which is a 60% fee in decrease for those items. 684 01:50:14,050 --> 01:50:18,170 Same with swimming pools, same, it's a 58% decrease 685 01:50:18,170 --> 01:50:19,010 for swimming pools. 686 01:50:19,010 --> 01:50:24,030 Now, some of this fee study is re-aligned, some of our costs for commercial projects. 687 01:50:24,190 --> 01:50:27,110 Some of them are going down, but I wanted to highlight a couple that are going up. 688 01:50:27,270 --> 01:50:30,950 We see a lot of kitchen hoods for restaurants that come in. 689 01:50:31,130 --> 01:50:36,930 It was determined that the service levels for those that we must provide for the installation 690 01:50:36,930 --> 01:50:40,210 and fire safety hazards that those hoods involve. 691 01:50:40,650 --> 01:50:44,470 We had a kinder's that caught fire and burnt down not long ago because, unfortunately, 692 01:50:44,570 --> 01:50:48,550 they didn't maintain their service hoods and their equipment that would protect them 693 01:50:48,550 --> 01:50:54,010 So it is a very high-intensive inspection process and it was determined that we weren't adequately maintaining. 694 01:50:54,530 --> 01:51:05,150 So again, this proposal is re-aligning our service levels to where those types of projects should be adequately paying for them. 695 01:51:05,890 --> 01:51:14,890 And then put together a couple of cost comparisons to just show how we align with other local jurisdictions in the area. 696 01:51:14,890 --> 01:51:25,310 The very bottom fee, the fair field existing fee is what a current $2,500 square foot residential home would cost right now, about $6,500. 697 01:51:26,930 --> 01:51:33,610 Under the current fee schedule in July that would go up to $6,800. 698 01:51:35,270 --> 01:51:38,530 And under the proposed fee schedule it goes to $7,800. 699 01:51:38,530 --> 01:51:41,250 or excuse me, $7,600. 700 01:51:43,290 --> 01:51:46,510 Vacabill is the only jurisdiction that is lower than us 701 01:51:46,510 --> 01:51:50,130 in the region, and as you can see, most of these jurisdictions 702 01:51:50,130 --> 01:51:55,870 are anywhere from 50 to 100% plus more than we are. 703 01:51:56,370 --> 01:51:58,910 Could you miss touch on why, if you can, 704 01:51:59,050 --> 01:52:00,610 about what the discrepancy of the Vacabill 705 01:52:00,610 --> 01:52:02,050 in the rest of the region is on the slide? 706 01:52:02,610 --> 01:52:04,490 You don't have reached out to Vacabill and was- 707 01:52:04,490 --> 01:52:07,150 Excuse me, could you please go through me? 708 01:52:07,390 --> 01:52:07,830 Thank you. 709 01:52:08,730 --> 01:52:28,670 So then I'll go on to the last slide here, which is a commercial project comparison, and again so currently this is for a 10,000 square foot commercial building type M, which is like a retail sales place type 5 construction, which is wood frame construction. 710 01:52:30,000 --> 01:52:36,740 These for such a project would be roughly about $16,000 under the current fee or the proposed fee schedule. 711 01:52:37,020 --> 01:52:43,620 It would be about $18,800. But again, other than back villas, you can see every other jurisdiction 712 01:52:43,620 --> 01:52:48,380 that areas permit costs are nearly double or almost triple compared to Berkeley. 713 01:52:50,220 --> 01:52:54,740 And so with that, there's any questions. I'm happy to take questions. 714 01:52:54,740 --> 01:52:55,300 Thank you. 715 01:52:55,500 --> 01:52:55,700 Go ahead. 716 01:52:56,040 --> 01:52:56,380 Count some. 717 01:52:56,440 --> 01:52:56,560 Yeah. 718 01:52:58,500 --> 01:53:06,080 So, I reached out to the City of Acquivile to try to understand why their permit fees are 719 01:53:06,080 --> 01:53:06,780 so low. 720 01:53:07,140 --> 01:53:15,240 In just looking at their fee structure, their number of staffing, their population, it appears 721 01:53:15,240 --> 01:53:19,040 that they are being subsidized quite a bit by the general fund. 722 01:53:20,160 --> 01:53:24,160 And so while I'm not able to verify, I wasn't able to verify that and I can certainly, 723 01:53:24,160 --> 01:53:28,780 And you know, dig into that more and bring that back to you, you know, when we bring this 724 01:53:28,780 --> 01:53:29,020 forward. 725 01:53:29,740 --> 01:53:34,780 But it seems like they're, you know, inadequately recovering their costs. 726 01:53:37,100 --> 01:53:42,140 Great question, Councilman Thomas, and so Jeff, are there inflators built into these? 727 01:53:43,160 --> 01:53:44,160 There are. 728 01:53:44,660 --> 01:53:50,540 And so we will, when the resolution is put together that will have inflators, and unfortunately 729 01:53:50,540 --> 01:53:55,440 that is one of the large reasons why building safety is in this predicament. 730 01:53:55,440 --> 01:53:58,060 where the last couple of years we haven't. 731 01:53:58,320 --> 01:54:04,060 So one of the biggest factors when the under the original fee structure was with valuation 732 01:54:04,060 --> 01:54:09,780 based construction, we have a fee table that, you know, basically if your valuation is 733 01:54:09,780 --> 01:54:13,140 between, you know, X and Y, here's your permit fee. 734 01:54:13,580 --> 01:54:19,260 And then there's like an aggregator over that certain amount that goes up like $5, $7 per 735 01:54:19,260 --> 01:54:20,060 every thousand. 736 01:54:20,960 --> 01:54:23,380 Those aggregators weren't being adjusted. 737 01:54:23,380 --> 01:54:31,420 And because that's why we're seeing that 17% increase between that table and the current proposed one 738 01:54:31,420 --> 01:54:37,900 is because the previous consultant didn't build that increase into those multipliers. 739 01:54:38,560 --> 01:54:43,180 And so it's unfortunately, I mean, so for the last several years, development, large development 740 01:54:43,180 --> 01:54:46,200 kind of getting a break, so to speak. 741 01:54:46,840 --> 01:54:51,480 So that's good. We're addressing it. Thank you. Great presentation. Thank you. 742 01:54:51,480 --> 01:54:53,580 Any other questions or concerns? 743 01:54:55,420 --> 01:54:59,800 So then I would like to bring it back to Council for Direction on how to care for 744 01:54:59,800 --> 01:55:00,180 questions. 745 01:55:00,340 --> 01:55:01,180 Oh, I'm sorry, Madam Mayor. 746 01:55:01,360 --> 01:55:02,460 Ah, that's all right. 747 01:55:02,820 --> 01:55:03,680 I'm not a problem. 748 01:55:03,780 --> 01:55:05,780 First of all, very good presentation. 749 01:55:06,920 --> 01:55:08,400 I appreciate it. 750 01:55:09,640 --> 01:55:15,520 My question is this actually, you can probably answer if not the city attorney. 751 01:55:15,520 --> 01:55:25,960 So, the law on these fees are that they must reflect the actual cost of doing the work. 752 01:55:26,560 --> 01:55:26,920 Yes, typically. 753 01:55:27,560 --> 01:55:34,640 So, there is some legal interpretation, I guess, with respect to whether a jurisdiction 754 01:55:34,640 --> 01:55:41,040 charges too much, or it doesn't charge enough, there's a fine balance in there, right? 755 01:55:41,040 --> 01:55:45,300 You don't want the general fund subsidizing development, but you don't certainly want 756 01:55:45,300 --> 01:55:48,920 overcharge the community for development and that money to go into the general fund. 757 01:55:49,240 --> 01:55:55,280 So it is a fine balance and we believe that what the consultants come up with, certainly 758 01:55:55,280 --> 01:55:59,480 with what our service costs have been over the last several years with just increase in 759 01:55:59,480 --> 01:56:06,740 technology, increase in state, unfunded mandates, wooey, wild end urban interface is one that 760 01:56:06,740 --> 01:56:12,120 has been in the code since 2007, however it hasn't impacted Fairfield since January. 761 01:56:12,120 --> 01:56:19,700 So, it is a new nuance that, again, another service that we have to provide that we don't have resources for currently. 762 01:56:20,360 --> 01:56:27,800 Thank you. Mr. City Attorney, can you speak to the legality of the fees? Is it like a water? 763 01:56:28,200 --> 01:56:35,020 With the water, you can't charge more than what it actually costs to deliver. Is it the same with these fees? 764 01:56:35,020 --> 01:56:39,580 There are, yeah, you can't just like try to make money off of these. 765 01:56:39,780 --> 01:56:51,600 But I'll defer to the consultant, but I will mention that through this process, someone from the city attorney's office has been working to review these fees and will continue to review them before they're brought for final approval. 766 01:56:52,080 --> 01:57:03,400 Just to make sure that they're lining up with, you know, all necessary state laws and regulations, but it's not, I don't want to say that you can't, you know, that it has to be exactly for services. 767 01:57:03,400 --> 01:57:11,380 there is some wiggle room and, you know, it's a little suggestive, but, you know, even an 768 01:57:11,380 --> 01:57:12,040 eye on it, basically. 769 01:57:12,780 --> 01:57:14,620 So it's different than like the water. 770 01:57:15,520 --> 01:57:19,120 Actually, you know, it's a fairly good analogy, but there are different regulations. 771 01:57:19,460 --> 01:57:24,500 And I'm going to say, I'm not like, as I'm sitting here, like, up to speed, on the buildings 772 01:57:24,500 --> 01:57:27,860 fees we have this element from our office, I think, is working with you, right? 773 01:57:28,120 --> 01:57:28,360 Yeah. 774 01:57:28,360 --> 01:57:31,200 I mean, I do know from past legislation, 775 01:57:31,820 --> 01:57:33,860 there was even the California Supreme Court. 776 01:57:33,860 --> 01:57:35,260 I think it was 2008. 777 01:57:35,740 --> 01:57:42,400 I'm blanking on the name of the law of the law. 778 01:57:42,820 --> 01:57:47,480 But it was determined that, through that California 779 01:57:47,480 --> 01:57:51,440 Supreme Court ruling, that this particular jurisdiction 780 01:57:51,440 --> 01:57:56,840 was overcharging fees, it's not like an impact fee 781 01:57:56,840 --> 01:58:01,240 where that is determined that you're overcharging impact fees. 782 01:58:01,800 --> 01:58:04,800 Impact fees that are overcharged have to be refunded. 783 01:58:05,260 --> 01:58:07,960 Fees for service that are overcharged based on this ruling, 784 01:58:07,960 --> 01:58:11,380 it just requires a jurisdiction to reduce their fees 785 01:58:11,380 --> 01:58:14,140 to a point where that surplus has then been used. 786 01:58:15,380 --> 01:58:16,600 That makes sense, thank you. 787 01:58:16,800 --> 01:58:20,060 And then this would be a question maybe 788 01:58:20,060 --> 01:58:21,540 through everyone's answer. 789 01:58:22,520 --> 01:58:24,780 Even the audience, you guys are in on this. 790 01:58:24,840 --> 01:58:25,640 So come on down. 791 01:58:25,640 --> 01:58:34,320 The question is, the big discrepancies between vacuval and fair filled, does that and will 792 01:58:34,320 --> 01:58:44,440 that cause any reticence to build here versus going to vacuval and putting in homes? 793 01:58:45,900 --> 01:58:49,060 Well, if I can, I think I can speak to that to some degree. 794 01:58:50,720 --> 01:58:54,320 I think short answer is no, based on the feedback that I got from the developers. 795 01:58:55,680 --> 01:59:01,220 I believe that our service levels exceed that, that they receive in back of Bill, and I think 796 01:59:01,220 --> 01:59:03,960 there's a lot of reasons for that beyond our fee structure. 797 01:59:05,300 --> 01:59:13,300 But in addition to that, what Fairfield provides and where our service levels are and just 798 01:59:13,300 --> 01:59:17,100 our community, I think draws the developers here. 799 01:59:18,400 --> 01:59:24,000 And certainly a few thousand dollars is not pennies, but when you're looking at the cost 800 01:59:24,000 --> 01:59:29,860 build a home in whether it's back a bill or fair field, roughly 400 plus thousand dollars 801 01:59:29,860 --> 01:59:34,840 for a single family dwelling, a couple thousand dollar permit fee difference for increased 802 01:59:34,840 --> 01:59:35,740 service levels. 803 01:59:36,960 --> 01:59:42,480 The developers are happy to pay that and I think one of those reasons why is in fair field 804 01:59:42,480 --> 01:59:43,720 they know what they're going to get. 805 01:59:44,660 --> 01:59:51,280 So that's what Amazon is priceless because they know that at this they're going to get that. 806 01:59:51,280 --> 01:59:59,220 And even going through our challenges with our implementation of our new system that we went through, we worked with our development. 807 02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:06,260 And courtesy inspections, we insured that we didn't slow things down. And I think they really appreciate that. 808 02:00:06,700 --> 02:00:20,420 I think you're right. I speak to them. And I appreciate everything that you and your crew do every day. So thank you. And did you have something Mr. Student? 809 02:00:20,420 --> 02:00:25,420 Yeah, I was just going to add, yeah, I appreciated everything that Jeff said there. 810 02:00:25,780 --> 02:00:25,860 Yeah. 811 02:00:26,700 --> 02:00:34,540 I believe it's been a few months now, but I do believe there was information put out by 812 02:00:34,540 --> 02:00:35,320 the city of Vacabill. 813 02:00:35,700 --> 02:00:38,880 They're looking at all of their user fees as well. 814 02:00:39,600 --> 02:00:44,480 So, you know, this being one of those user fees that we, I mean, we updated what three 815 02:00:44,480 --> 02:00:46,560 years ago, five years ago. 816 02:00:47,460 --> 02:00:48,980 I think it's been a while for them. 817 02:00:48,980 --> 02:00:52,780 And I think this was one of those areas that they're looking at as city of back of El 818 02:00:52,780 --> 02:00:58,180 as well is dealing with a deficit and a recognition that they're not covering their 819 02:00:58,180 --> 02:00:58,760 full costs. 820 02:01:00,140 --> 02:01:01,400 Yes, thank you very much. 821 02:01:02,020 --> 02:01:03,740 So no other questions, right? 822 02:01:04,020 --> 02:01:04,280 All right. 823 02:01:04,980 --> 02:01:07,480 Then I guess that's what we're doing, not voting. 824 02:01:07,620 --> 02:01:13,020 Yeah, just direction on whether to bring forward the fees as proposed or modify them in 825 02:01:13,020 --> 02:01:13,260 any way. 826 02:01:14,320 --> 02:01:19,440 It looks like we have films up across to go ahead and bring them back the way. 827 02:01:19,540 --> 02:01:21,460 Okay. Well, we will see you on April 7th. 828 02:01:21,620 --> 02:01:23,300 We will see you there. Thank you. 829 02:01:23,420 --> 02:01:24,420 Thank you, Madam Mayor. 830 02:01:24,480 --> 02:01:24,900 All right. 831 02:01:25,580 --> 02:01:26,740 Council members. Thank you. 832 02:01:26,780 --> 02:01:27,660 Thank you. 833 02:01:28,800 --> 02:01:33,980 Unless there's anything else I'm going to go ahead and close the meeting and we'll see you next time. 834 02:01:34,540 --> 02:01:35,040 Thank you.