DIXON, CA (MPG) - During Public Comment at the May 20 meeting of the Dixon City Council, Solano County Resource Conservation District (RCD) Executive Director Chris Rose shared about the free education programs the agency offers to local youth.

Due to a recent funding change in the county, Rose said the Resource Conservation District is looking for new potential funding partners to help support these programs. He asked for time to provide a full presentation at a future meeting. 

A Dixon resident requested that the city consider installing speedbumps on Rutgers Way. She said that families live there, including her grandchildren, and she often sees vehicles speeding in the area. 

One resident expressed concern about Item 9.7 on the consent calendar, a contract with Stantec, Inc. to provide environmental review services. The review would guide the development of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) associated with the Southeast Dixon Master Plan project for the potential development of property south of Dixon city limits. The $714,302 contract cost will be covered by the developer through a funding agreement with the city. He argued that since the developer will be investing so much money into the review process, it’s “setting the stage for this to be almost impossible to reject.” 

Councilmember Kevin Johnson pulled an item from the consent calendar, Item 9.8, which was a resolution supporting the potential construction of a new shipbuilding facility in Solano County. Johnson wanted to clarify for the public that there was no financial obligation to the city at this time, and any future development plans would come to council for consideration. 

A resident said while new shipyards would bring more jobs to the area, he was concerned about whether existing infrastructure could support the plan. 

The council voted unanimously to approve the resolution. 

The council then considered the annual contract to provide legal notice publication services in a local newspaper for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The city received one bid, from the current contractor, the Dixon Independent Voice. This year’s bid included a price increase from $20 to $27 per column inch. Publisher Paul Scholl spoke to the council and said the increase aligns the rate with the standard cost in the region. 

The council voted unanimously to approve the contract with Dixon Independent Voice for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. 

Finance Director Kate Zawadzki asked for council direction on the process for collection of delinquent business license fees. A new business licensing system was implemented in the fall, and the renewal bills are now sent through email each December. Zawadzki said that in addition to five emails notices, delinquent accounts also received two letters in the mail and staff attempted to reach the business owners by phone. 

For the past several years, delinquent business license accounts have been sent to collection agencies, with the city recovering 75% of any funds collected. Prior to this process, code enforcement officers from Dixon Police Department would visit the businesses in an attempt to reach the delinquent owners, but this was largely unsuccessful because generally only employees were onsite.  

Zawadzki asked whether the council wanted to continue sending the accounts to collection or possibly impose harsher fines and penalties for non-compliance, such as a $500 fine per day as allowed by City Code. 

Councilmember Hendershot asked whether the funds are generally recovered successfully through the collection process. Zawadzki said that typically they are not recovered, but then it affects the business owners’ credit. 

Councilmember Johnson suggested that since this was the first year with the new system, the councilmembers could attempt to reach out to the delinquent accounts. But City Manager Jim Lindley advised that elected officials shouldn’t take on the role of debt collectors. 

Councilmember Hendershot motioned approval to send the accounts to collection without any added penalties or fines, and the council voted unanimously to approve. 

During final public comments, a resident shared that a local woman Nancy Wells had been injured in a hit-and-run accident and was in the hospital.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Nancy Wells. She is a wonderful person in our community and we wish her a speedy recovery,” said Mayor Steven Bird.

Councilmember Ernest said a “well known gentleman around town” and prior Fire Chief Bill Fairfield passed away recently and a memorial service will be held next month.

The next Dixon City Council meeting is scheduled for June 3.