LIVE BLOG: March 1 Suisun City Council Meeting

LIVE BLOG OF HIGHLIGHTS:

7:10 p.m.:

Resident George Guynn, Jr. speaks at public comment:

Price of gas is going up again, wouldn’t be surprised if it goes to $5 per gallon soon. Encourages the city not to spend money it doesn't have to and don’t go for things city can’t finance.

“I think when redevelopment goes away it’ll be a better thing for the city," he said.

Thanks mayor for reducing the membership fees at last council meeting.

Mayor Sanchez: In response to a Lawler Ranch residnet's concerns, agrees Lawler Ranch cement has been protruding in paces where the sidewalks have been protruding, and he will get code enforcement to look into the RVs and boats.

7:30 p.m:

Community Development Director April Wooden on ABAG’s regional housing numbers:

“Theoretically there could be too few houses assigned to us.”

Wants city to provide support for a consultant to help create a  Solano Coutny subregion for Solano County in conjunction with other government agencies to assign housing numbers for the Association of Bay Area Governments.

Councilman Mike Hudson says he cannot support the consultant, who he feels is a lobbyist, to lobby ABAG, which he said is a nongovernmental organization.

“It’s not an elected position, it’s not a represented position,” he said.

Hudson worries the subregion will add another layer of complexity to the regional housing number process.

“As far as I know they use a wheel to determine the numbers…I just can’t support this thank you.”

Mayor Pete Sanchez:

 Sanchez says there is no mandate to build housing ABAG assigns. Says ABAG has a carrot this time around: Transportation money. He said he wants that money to get Suisun City’s transportation needs met, which is why he reluctantly supports the formation and support of the subregion.

Councilwoman Jane Day:

She is cautious about transportation money, because she worries city might be stuck in the position of maintaining the upkeep of new transportation projects like the Jepson Parkway.

7:42 p.m.:

Public comment:

Charles Kingeter says there is a piece of legislation brewing that will make the issue moot. Thinks June or Decmber would be a better time to make the vote. Right now it would be a waste of funds.

Councilman Mike Hudson:

Subregion gives us a bigger voice, problem is once you give the consultant a position they will want a secretary.

Other issue is low-income housing. One the one hand there has to be housing for low-income people, on the other hand the way ABAG conducts its numbers is cause for concern.

Public comment, Resident Richard Giddens:

“This does look like a deal with strings attached…What they want is a nice community like this one to build low rent housing.”

Thinks Hudson has the right idea.

Councilman Mike Segala:

In 2002, local government leaders thought the regional housing allocation numbers were too rigid.

There are some cities that want to build higher-density housing. With this process now, the subregion could transfer some housing allocations that don’t fit Suisun City to another part of Solano County. Says he will support the subregion.

Mike Hudson:

Says ABAG numbers are nonbinding.

“We’re spending $2,500 on nothing.”

8:01 p.m.:

Kayak rental services contract renewal:

Mayor Pete Sanchez:

Asks city staff if there is anything short of a structure at the waterfront that the Kayak rental business could set up.

“Something that wouldn’t be a permanent thing,” he said.

Someplace where residents and visitors would know where they could rent kayaks.

Councilman Sam Derting:

Says he can’t support because o the issue of treating businesses equally. But if one business is allowed to put a structure down at the waterfront, then other business would want to have similar treatment.

Councilman Mike Hudson:

Sam’s got a good point, he says, but he thinks that Patricia Abbatiello, the Kayak business owner, has a business that adds to the city.

Councilman Mike Segala:

Says there are issues with a regional agency that regulates waterfront development, but says he will be in support of Patricia Abbatiello’s request.

Patricia Abatiello speaks on the issue:

The farther from the waterfront she is, the worse business that she does.

“I understand totally when you speak to the issue, Sam, when we do something for you we have to do it for somebody else. Well, somebody else hasn’t been here yet.”

Says she loves what she does and enjoys her time on the marina and likes talking to people about Suisun City.

“I know with more visibility, with more people passing by and talking to me and giving out my brochures, very few people aren’t coming back.”

When she packs up and leaves there is no sign that there is a kayak rental business for the waterfront. She would appreciate some kind of semi-permanent structure.

Council vote:

Council discusses the terms of the deal.

Mayor Sanchez says council should move along with the approval of the agreement for Kayak Rental Services. The item is approved 4-0, with Jane Day excused for conflict of interest.

8:16 p.m:

Issue of state Community Development Block Grant for loan program for small businesses:

City staff report:

Highlights: $500,000 grant. One full-time job must be created for every $35,000 lent. It has to meet federal housing objectives, such as the prevention or elimination of slums and blight or a benefit to a targeted income group.

Mike Hudson:

What does targeted income group mean? He asks.

City staff answers that it is low-to-moderate income groups.

Can you use the money to pay people? Hudson asks. City staff says working capital can be considered money to pay people.

Resident George Guynn, Jr. public comment:

Says it’s a bad idea for government to get into the loan business. A half a million dollars is not a lot for small businesses to use, plus the city would be competing against the private sector.

“I really hope you guys would stick to city business,” he said.

Resident Richard Giddens, Public Comment:

Agrees with George. Thinks the city needs to cut spending and taxes.

Public hearing closed.

Jane Day makes a motion to approve, and Sam Derting makes a second. Motion carries 5-0.

8:18 p.m.:

Council reports highlights:

Sam Derting announces that he and Mike Segala will pay the Farifield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce membership for Suisun City because they think it is an important membership.

END LIVE BLOG