HomeMy WebLinkAbout*January 20, 2026 Special City Council Meeting PacketJanuary 20, 2026 Dublin City Council Special Meeting Agenda 1
COUNCILMEMBERS Peter W. Snyder Council Chamber
Dr. Sherry Hu, Mayor Dublin Civic Center
Jean Josey, Vice Mayor 100 Civic Plaza
Michael McCorriston, Councilmember Dublin, CA 94568
Kashef Qaadri, Councilmember www.dublin.ca.gov
John Morada, Councilmember
Special Meeting of the
DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 Location: Peter W. Snyder
Council Chamber
100 Civic Plaza
Dublin, CA 94568
Notice is hereby given that a Special Meeting of the City of Dublin City Council will be held on
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Additional Meeting Procedures
This City Council meeting will be broadcast live on Comcast T.V. channel 28
beginning at 5:00 p.m. This meeting will also be livestreamed at tv28live.org and
on the City’s website at: https://dublin.ca.gov/watchmeetings
For the convenience of the City and as a courtesy to the public, members of the
public who wish to offer comments electronically have the option of giving public
comment via Zoom, subject to the following procedures:
- Fill out an online speaker slip available at www.dublin.ca.gov. The speaker slip
will be made available at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Upon
submission, you will receive Zoom link information from the City Clerk.
Speakers slips will be accepted until the staff presentation ends, or until the
public comment period on non-agenda items is closed.
- Once connected to the Zoom platform using the Zoom link information from
the City Clerk, the public speaker will be added to the Zoom webinar as an
attendee and muted. The speaker will be able to observe the meeting from the
Zoom platform.
- When the agenda item upon which the individual would like to comment is
addressed, the City Clerk will announce the speaker in the meeting when it is
their time to give public comment. The speaker will then be unmuted to give
public comment via Zoom.
1
January 20, 2026 Dublin City Council Special Meeting Agenda 2
- Technical difficulties may occur that make the option unavailable, and, in
such event, the meeting will continue despite the inability to provide the
option.
1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. STUDY SESSION
2.1 Study Session: Landscaping and Lighting Assessment Districts 1983-1 and 1999-1 and
Potential Proposition 218 Proceedings
The City Council will receive a presentation from Francisco & Associates and Staff on the
City’s two Landscaping and Lighting Assessment Districts (LLADs) specific to public street
lighting: Districts 1983- 1 and 1999-1. The presentation will specifically address potential
solutions to an ongoing operating deficit in LLAD 1983-1, which is currently drawing from
reserves that are anticipated to run out in Fiscal Year 2027 -28. Francisco & Associates has
conducted a benefit study in both LLADs and will present options for the City Council to
consider that will address the funding shortfall and ensure compliance with Proposition
218, which imposes strict limitations and voter consent requirements on property-related
fees and assessments.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the presentation and provide direction.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Street Lighting Assessment Diagrams for 1983-1 and 1999-1
3. NEW BUSINESS
3.1 Urgency Interim Ordinance Prohibiting the Establishment, Expansion, or Relocation of
Firearms Retailing and Shooting Range Uses (PLPA-004331-2026)
The City Council will consider adopting an urgency interim ordinance prohibiting the
establishment, expansion, or relocation of firearms retailing and shooting range uses
within the City.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Waive the reading and Adopt an Urgency Interim Ordinance Prohibiting the Establishment,
Expansion, or Relocation of Firearms Retailing and Shooting Range Uses.
Staff Report
Attachment 1 - Urgency Interim Ordinance Prohibiting the Establishment, Expansion, or
Relocation of Firearms Retailing and Shooting Range Uses
Item 3.1 - PowerPoint Presentation
4. ADJOURNMENT
Upcoming City Council Schedule: Regular City Council Meeting, February 3, 2026
This AGENDA is posted in accordance with Government Code Section 54954.2(a)
If requested, pursuant to Government Code Section 54953.2, this agenda shall be made
available in appropriate alternative formats to persons with a disability, as required by Section
202 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Section 12132) (ADA), and the
2
January 20, 2026 Dublin City Council Special Meeting Agenda 3
federal rules and regulations adopted in implementation thereof. To make a request for
disability-related modification or accommodation, please contact the City Clerk’s Office (925)
833-6650 in advance of the meeting. Upon receiving a request, the City will swiftly resolve
requests for reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, consistent with the
federal ADA, and resolve any doubt in favor of accessibility.
Agenda materials that become available in advance of the meeting, and after publishing of the
agenda, will be available at Civic Center, 100 Civic Plaza, and will be posted on the City’s website
at www.dublin.ca.gov/ccmeetings.
AFFIDAVIT OF NOTICING AND POSTING:
I, Marsha Moore, City Clerk for the City of Dublin, declare that a copy of this agenda / notice
was posted in the kiosk in front of the Civic Center, on the City’s website, and that the City of
Dublin City Councilmembers and the Media were provided notice on January 16, 2026.
ATTEST:
________________________________________
Marsha Moore, MMC, City Clerk
3
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
Page 1 of 3
Agenda Item 2.1
DATE: January 20, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Colleen Tribby, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Study Session: Landscaping and Lighting Assessment Districts 1983-1
and 1999-1 and Potential Proposition 218 Proceedings
Prepared by: Brad Olson, Management Analyst II
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will receive a presentation from Francisco & Associates and Staff on the
City’s two Landscaping and Lighting Assessment Districts (LLADs) specific to public street
lighting: Districts 1983-1 and 1999-1. The presentation will specifically address potential
solutions to an ongoing operating deficit in LLAD 1983-1, which is currently drawing from
reserves that are anticipated to run out in Fiscal Year 2027-28. Francisco & Associates has
conducted a benefit study in both LLADs and will present options for the City Council to
consider that will address the funding shortfall and ensure compliance with Proposition 218,
which imposes strict limitations and voter consent requirements on property-related fees and
assessments.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the presentation and provide direction.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
All costs associated with this project are funded through the operating budgets of the
applicable Landscape and Lighting Assessment Districts. The agreement with Francisco &
Associates, Inc. is for a not-to-exceed amount of $175,000.
DESCRIPTION:
Background
The Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972 provides the legal framework for cities to create
special assessment districts to fund public improvements like landscaping and street lighting.
These districts allow local governments to levy special assessments to p ay for the installation,
operation, and maintenance of such improvements.
4
Page 2 of 3
In 1996, California voters approved the “Right to Vote on Taxes Act” (Proposition 218). Among
other things, Proposition 218 created new procedural and substantive requirements
surrounding agencies’ ability to impose new or increased taxes, as well as property-related
fees and assessments. Proposition 218 requires approval by a majority of property owners
participating in a mail-in ballot process in order to enact new or increased assessments.
Per Proposition 218, to increase an assessment or establish a new assessment, a local
agency must prepare an Engineer’s Report describing the improvements and services to be
funded through the proposed assessment. Prior to completing the Engineer’s Report, a
comprehensive benefit analysis must be conducted, which separates the general benefits the
improvements and services provide to the public at large from the special benefits conferred to
properties that will be subject to the assessment. The general benefits to the public at large
cannot be funded by the proposed assessment and must be paid for using an alternative
funding source.
Public Street Lighting in Dublin
The City of Dublin has two Landscaping and Lighting Assessment Districts (LLADs) specific to
public street lighting: Districts 1983-1 and 1999-1. Attachment 1 shows the boundaries of these
two districts.
LLAD 1983-1 was created to replace the Alameda County Lighting Service Area shortly after
the City of Dublin incorporated in 1983. It funds public street lighting in most of the City and
encompasses approximately 12,000 parcels. Assessments levied in the district were based
upon estimated annual operating, ma intenance, and replacement costs, with no provision to
increase the levy beyond a cap which was reached in 2007.
LLAD 1999-1 encompasses approximately 7,000 parcels and funds public street lighting in
portions of the City including Dublin Ranch, Fallon Village, Tassajara Hills, and the Clifton Park
development in western Dublin. LLAD 1999-1 has an annual escalator that has allowed it to
keep pace with costs.
Operating, maintenance, and replacement costs for public street lighting increase over time
due to inflation and other economic factors. Recently, the rising cost of electricity has
significantly contributed to the funding needs of the City’s two public street lighting districts. For
example, electricity costs in LLAD 1983-1 increased from about $190,000 in Fiscal Year 2022-
23 to over $300,000 in Fiscal Year 2024 -25. Similarly, electricity costs in LLAD 1999-1
increased from about $180,000 in Fiscal Year 2022-23 to over $275,000 in Fiscal Year 2024-
25. Electricity costs are expected to continue to increase in future years, though at a lower
percentage than in the last few fiscal years.
From 2007 to today, the annual assessment levied in LLAD 1983-1 has been $19.34 per
residential unit and $106.37 per acre for commercial uses. For Fiscal Year 2025-26, LLAD
1983-1 estimated revenues are $327,670 and expenses are $439,545, resulting in the use of
$111,875 in reserves. Since there is no authorized annual escalator for assessments, LLAD
1983-1 will continue drawing from the reserve fund balance in future years to cover costs,
including the costs associated with Proposition 218 Engineering Services. LLAD 1983-1 is
5
Page 3 of 3
projected to run out of reserves in Fiscal Year 2027-28. Absent any voter-approved increase to
the assessments, the General Fund will need to cover the increasing annual difference
between revenue and expenses (estimated at approximately $150,000 in year one).
Study Session
On May 20, 2025, the City Council directed Staff to study the feasibility of increasing the
special assessment amounts for LLAD 1983-1, and on November 4, 2025, the City Council
approved an agreement with Francisco and Associated for this work. Since then, Francisco
and Associates has assisted Staff with evaluating viable and cost-effective options to address
the LLAD funding shortfall, including increasing the assessment and potentially consolidating
LLADs 1983-1 and 1999-1. As part of this effort, Francisco and Associates has performed a
benefit analysis as required by Proposition 218, which may serve as the basis for proposed
assessments.
At this Study Session, the City Council will receive a presentation regarding the findings of the
benefit analysis and provide direction.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
None.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The City Council Special Meeting Agenda was posted.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Street Lighting Assessment Diagrams for 1983-1 and 1999-1
6
City of DublinStreet Lighting Maintenance District No. 1983-1Assessment Diagram
¯3,250 0 3,250 6,5001,625
Feet
Legend
!
!
!
!LLAD 1983-1 Boundary
City Limit
Parcel Lines
Parcels within LLAD 1983-1
Dublin Blvd
Sa
n
R
a
m
o
n
R
d
Ta
s
s
a
j
a
r
a
R
d
Attachment 1
7
City of DublinStreet Lighting District No. 1999-1Assessment Diagram
¯
0 2,000 4,0001,000
Feet
0 200 400 600100Feet
Dublin Blvd
Central Pkwy
Fallon Rd
Fallon Rd
Gleason Dr
Poitano Pkwy
Legend
!
!!
!!LLAD 1999-1 Boundary
City Limit
Parcel Lines
Parcels within LLAD 1999-1
Mountain
Galway Ct
Inspiration Cir
Clifden Ct
RisePl
Tract 7067 Tract 8102
8
STAFF REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
Page 1 of 2
Agenda Item 3.1
DATE: January 20, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Colleen Tribby, City Manager
SUBJECT:
Urgency Interim Ordinance Prohibiting the Establishment, Expansion, or
Relocation of Firearms Retailing and Shooting Range Uses (PLPA-004331-
2026)
Prepared by: Amy Million, Community Development Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City Council will consider adopting an urgency interim ordinance prohibiting the
establishment, expansion, or relocation of firearms retailing and shooting range uses within the
City.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Waive the reading and adopt an Urgency Interim Ordinance Prohibiting the Establishment,
Expansion, or Relocation of Firearms Retailing and Shooting Range Uses.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
None.
DESCRIPTION:
Background
Under the Dublin Municipal Code, firearms retailers and shooting ranges are generally allowed
in commercial districts. Firearms retail uses are classified as Retail uses within the City and
are currently permitted by right in zoning districts where retail uses are allowed. Similarly,
shooting range uses are classified as Recreational Facility (Indoor) or Recreational Facility
(Outdoor) and are allowed in commercial and industrial zones with either a Zoning Clearance
or a Minor Use Permit for indoor facilities and a conditional use permit for outdoor facilities.
The determination on whether a Zoning Clearance or Minor Use Permit is required is based on
the proposed operation compliance with development standards such as hours of operation
and parking.
Staff is bringing this policy discussion forward in response to a recent inquiry received at the
9
Page 2 of 2
public planning counter regarding the establishm ent of a firearms dealership with an indoor
shooting range adjacent to a planned school under construction in Downtown Dublin. Retail
uses are primarily concentrated along the Dublin Boulevard corridor. Federal and state law
prohibit the possession of firearms within 1,000 feet of a school. While those state and federal
laws do not prohibit such facilities within 1,000 feet of a school, the inquiry nonetheless raised
questions about whether the City’s existing regulatory framework needed further study, and it
led to Staff’s recommendation.
Analysis
The proposed urgency interim ordinance establishes a citywide moratorium on the
establishment of new firearms retail sales and indoor shooting ranges. During the interim
period, no new firearms dealerships or shooting ranges, expansions, or relocations will be
approved. This ensures that potentially incompatible uses are not allowed by right or permitted
while the City completes a comprehensive review of land use and regulatory frameworks
governing such uses.
Approval of an urgency interim ordinance requires a four -fifths vote of the City
Councilmembers present. Given the recent public inquiry to locate such a facility in the City,
Staff believes timely action is warranted. If adopted, the ordinance would initially be effective
for 45 days and could be extended to allow Staff time to prepare and implement necessary
amendments to the Municipal Code. During the 45-day period, Staff will study the issue in
more detail and then return to the City Council seeking policy direction and likely an extension
of the interim ordinance.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
Adoption of the attached ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(c)(3), because it can be seen with
certainty that there is no possibility of a significant adverse impact on the environment.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
None.
NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH:
The City Council agenda was posted in accordance with applicable noticing requirements.
ATTACHMENTS:
1) Urgency Interim Ordinance Prohibiting the Establishment, Expansion, or Relocation of
Firearms Retailing and Shooting Range Uses
10
Attachment 1
ORDINANCE NO. XX - 26
AN URGENCY INTERIM ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN
PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT, EXPANSION, OR RELOCATION OF FIREARMS
RETAILING AND SHOOTING RANGE USES
(PLPA-004331-2026)
The Dublin City Council does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. RECITALS
A. The City Council finds that firearm-related injuries and deaths have a significant adverse
impact on public health, safety, and welfare nationally, statewide, and locally; and
B. The City Council is considering and studying zoning amendments that would regulate
the approval, siting, or operation of firearms retailers and shooting ranges in order to
address land use compatibility concerns and protect the public health, safety, and
welfare; and
C. The City Council finds that firearms retailers and shooting ranges increase access and
visibility to firearms in the surrounding area and may raise land use compatibility
concerns when located near sensitive land uses such as schools, parks, lib raries,
childcare facilities, and residential neighborhoods; and
D. The City Council further finds that interim regulation is necessary to prevent the approval
of firearms retailers and shooting ranges that could undermine or prejudice the zoning
amendments under study during the study period; and
E. Under the Dublin Municipal Code, firearms retailers are considered a Retail use and
shooting ranges are considered a Recreation Facility use, and in some zoning districts,
may be permitted by right, subject to compliance with applicable regulations and
permits; and
F. The City has received inquiries regarding the potential establishment of a firearms
retailer and/or indoor shooting range in proximity to a planned or existing school within
the City, prompting concern—similarly expressed in state and federal law (see 18 U.S.C.
§ 922(q) and Cal. Penal Code, § 626.9)—that existing zoning regulations may not
adequately address the compatibility of such uses with surrounding sensitive land uses;
and
G. The City Council desires to study potential amendments to the Dublin Municipal Code
and Downtown Dublin Specific Plan to address the siting and regulation of firearms
retailers and shooting ranges, including whether such uses should be further regulated
through additional zoning standards or requirements or prohibited; and
H. The City Council finds that, during the period in which such zoning and specific plan
amendments are being considered and studied, the approval of firearms retailers and
shooting ranges prior to completion of that study could result in land use conflicts that
would be difficult to remedy after the fact; and
I. Government Code section 65858 authorizes a city council, as an urgency measure and
without following the procedures otherwise required for adoption of a zoning ordinance,
to adopt an interim ordinance prohibiting uses that may be in conflict with a
11
Ord. No. XX-26, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/2026 Page 2 of 4
contemplated zoning proposal, including zoning amendments under study, in order to
protect the public health, safety, and welfare; and
J. Government Code sections 36934 and 36937(b) authorize adoption of urgency
ordinances at a regular or special meeting, provided the ordinance contains findings of
urgency and is adopted by a four-fifths vote of the City Council; and
K. The City Council finds and declares that there is a current and immediate threat to the
public health, safety, and welfare if firearms retailers and/or shooting ranges are
established or expanded during the pendency of the zoning amendments under study,
prior to the adoption of permanent regulations.
SECTION 2. FINDINGS
A. The City Council finds and declares that this Ordinance is necessary as an urgency
measure for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, within
the meaning of Government Code sections 36937(b) and 65858, because approval of
firearms retailers and/or shooting ranges during the pendency of the City’s zoning study
would pose a current and immediate threat to the public health, safety, and welfare by
allowing potentially incompatible land uses near sensitive receptors.
B. The City Council further finds that the approval of permits, licenses, or other entitlements
by the City required to comply with a zoning ordinance to establish or operate firearms
retailers and/or shooting ranges during the study period would result in a current and
immediate threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, within the meaning of
Government Code section 65858(c), because such approvals would allow uses that
may conflict with zoning amendments under study.
C. The City Council finds that adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(c)(3), because
it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the ordinance will have a
significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 3. INTERIM PROHIBITION ON ESTABLISHMENT, EXPANSION, AND
RELOCATION OF FIREARMS RETAILING AND SHOOTING RANGES USES
A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Dublin Municipal Code to the contrary, the
establishment, expansion, or relocation of firearms retailing and shooting range uses
within the City of Dublin are hereby prohibited during the effective period of this
ordinance.
B. For purposes of this Ordinance, “firearm” shall have the same meaning as set forth in
California Penal Code section 16520.
C. This Ordinance is intended as an interim, prohibitory zoning measure to prevent the
approval of firearms retailing and shooting range uses that may conflict with zoning
amendments under study by the City Council.
SECTION 4. INTERIM NATURE OF ORDINANCE
This Ordinance is adopted pursuant to Government Code section 65858 as an interim urgency
ordinance prohibiting the establishment, expansion, or relocation of firearms retailing and
12
Ord. No. XX-26, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/2026 Page 3 of 4
shooting ranges uses during the period in which the City is studying zoning and specific plan
amendments related to firearms retailing and shooting ranges.
SECTION 5. DURATION
This Urgency Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption and shall remain in effect
for forty-five (45) days from the date of adoption, unless extended in accorda nce with
Government Code section 65858.
SECTION 6. SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is for any reason held
to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaini ng
portions of the Ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this ordinance
and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase thereof irrespective of the fact that
any one or more portions may be declared invalid.
SECTION 7. NON-CONDIFICATION
This Ordinance is an interim urgency ordinance and shall not be codified in the Dublin
Municipal Code.
SECTION 8. EFFECTIVE DATE AND ADOPTION
This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by a four-fifths vote of the City
Council.
SECTION 9. POSTING
The City Clerk of the City of Dublin shall cause this Ordinance to be published and posted in
the manner required by law.
{Signatures on the following page}
13
Ord. No. XX-26, Item X.X, Adopted XX/XX/2026 Page 4 of 4
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY the City Council of the City of Dublin, on
this 20th day of January, 2026, by the following votes:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
City Clerk
14
Urgency Interim Ordinance
Prohibiting the Establishment,
Expansion, or Relocation of
Firearms Retailing and Shooting
Range Uses
City Council
January 20, 2026
15
Background
•Retail firearms sales are permitted by right in commercial zoning
districts; indoor shooting ranges may be approved with a Zoning
Clearance or Minor Use Permit, while outdoor ranges require a
Conditional Use Permit.
•A recent inquiry proposed a firearms dealership with an indoor shooting
range adjacent to a school under construction in Downtown Dublin.
•Although state and federal law restrict firearm possession within 1,000
feet of schools, they do not prohibit such facilities, prompting Staff to
review the City’s regulations.
16
Proposed Urgency Interim Ordinance
•Staff recommends adoption of an urgency interim ordinance
establishing a citywide moratorium on new firearms retail
sales, indoor shooting ranges, and related expansions or
relocations.
•The moratorium would prevent new approvals while the City
conducts a comprehensive regulatory review.
•Adoption requires a four-fifths vote of the City Council and
would be effective for 45 days, with potential extensions.
17
Environmental Review
•Exempt per CEQA Guidelines section 15061(c)(3)
•No possibility of a significant adverse impact on the environment
18
Recommendation
•Waive the reading and Adopt an
Prohibiting the Establishment, Expansion, or Relocation of Firearms
Retailing and Shooting Range Uses
19