The Suisun City Council convened on March 12, 2024, to address updates to its procedures regarding council conduct and norms. During the meeting, council members voted to shift councilmember comments to the end of meetings, a change that drew significant feedback from residents concerned about the council’s behavior.
City Attorney Patrick Enright presented updates to the council’s social media policies, emphasizing that public officials must utilize work hours and city resources strictly for city-related activities. He also discussed modifications to the city’s policy on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) for elected officials, noting that the state has prohibited NDAs relating to legislation for state government, with exceptions for trade secrets and other confidential business information.
“These are standard provisions, and recently the California Legislature had to deal with this same issue,” Enright explained. He indicated that any council members entering into NDAs must disclose this to their colleagues at the following meeting, and the agreements themselves would be subject to the Public Records Act.
During the session, Mayor Alma Hernandez voiced concerns about limiting individual council members’ ability to speak from their own offices rather than representing the council as a whole. She expressed trepidation about requiring members to secure approval from both her and the city manager before making public statements. Enright remained firm, stating, “I have no qualms deleting that.”
The council also took up discussions about the procedures for calling votes and deferring decisions. Hernandez reminded attendees that items could be continued to subsequent meetings if needed. She clarified that the city has not signed any NDAs with California Forever or other developers, as negotiations take place in closed sessions.
In a notable disclosure, Hernandez mentioned that she signed an NDA with Saronic, a shipbuilding firm interested in Solano County, which had provided her with a tour of its Texas facility. Saronic is also looking to collaborate with California Forever if the Solano Shipyard proposal receives approval. Hernandez reiterated that the council operates under the stipulations of the Brown Act, which prohibits discussions ahead of meetings.
Councilmember Princess Washington requested the matter of NDAs be returned to the council for clarity, expressing her desire to combat misinformation regarding the issue. She questioned the necessity of NDAs when closed sessions are available, prompting Enright to clarify that NDAs protect trade secrets, while closed sessions involve all five council members.
City Manager Bret Prebula reported that the city is developing a food vendor ordinance aimed at curbing illegal food sales. He noted that all cities in Solano County are collaborating to create consistent regulations for enforcement.
Resident Andrew Russo criticized the California Forever project, labeling it a “major boondoggle” not subject to a public vote. He warned that using NDAs to conceal negotiations could expose politicians to legal risks under state law. Hernandez requested that Prebula include regular updates on California Forever in his comments at each council meeting.
In response to community questions, Councilmember Amit Pal encouraged residents to communicate via email rather than social media. He expressed appreciation for community engagement and addressed a comment on social media regarding transforming Suisun City into “Little India.” Pal acknowledged the diversity in the community and highlighted the contributions of Indian business owners.
Councilmember Parise Shepphard raised concerns about increasing encounters with unhoused individuals in the Heritage Park area, urging the community to remain vigilant and document incidents online. She emphasized the need for public awareness and safety.
Hernandez also noted that the Maritime Prosperity Zone proposal by California Forever has gained momentum, receiving support from Congressman John Garamendi. Additionally, the city accepted a grant from the Yoca Dehe Wintun Nation to enhance its Fire Department, specifically to update an outdated pager system.
Fire Chief Brad Lopez acknowledged the importance of the grant, which was awarded during an event attended by representatives of the Yoca Dehe Wintun Nation. Hernandez expressed gratitude for the support, underscoring the collaborative efforts in enhancing city services.
