Council Bans Bikes on Sidewalks, Sends Back Trash Can Rules

Rio Vista's City Council tackled quality-of-life enforcement head-on Sept. 15, unanimously introducing a new ordinance banning bicycles and e-bikes from sidewalks while sending a contentious trash container placement ordinance back for revisions after council members said it was unworkable for older neighborhoods. The council also locked in a $498,868 FAA grant for airport improvements and previewed the Measure O sales tax data that will frame a high-stakes November ballot question.

• New sidewalk ban on bikes and e-bikes introduced unanimously, with children 10 and under exempt and first violations drawing a warning rather than a fine

• Trash can ordinance deferred after council members said 1940s–1960s-era homes lack front gates to hide containers; staff directed to allow side-yard placement and extend retrieval to 24 hours

• $498,868 FAA grant accepted for airport terminal parking lot and restroom renovation, with only ~$25,000 in city match

• Sidewalk study reveals 4,831 defects across 29 miles; 85% repairable by concrete shaving at 83% cost savings vs. full replacement

• Measure O sales tax renewal previewed ahead of November vote: $1.47M collected last year, nearly all funding fire department staffing

• Mayor flags state water legislation that could cut Lake Berryessa supply by one-third, threatening Solano County development

Bikes Off the Sidewalk: Council Takes On E-Bike Safety

Following a May presentation on the growing number of e-bikes on Rio Vista sidewalks, the council unanimously introduced an ordinance repealing and reenacting Chapter 10.24 of the Municipal Code — the city's first comprehensive regulation of bicycles, e-bikes, and motorized scooters in years.

The basics: The existing ordinance required bicycle licensing, a provision preempted by the California Vehicle Code. The new ordinance eliminates that outdated requirement and replaces it with a citywide ban on riding any bicycle or e-bike on a sidewalk, with three exceptions: children age 10 and under, ADA-compliant mobility devices, and sidewalks at least 9 feet wide.

Where things stand: The City Attorney presented the ordinance, explaining that the ban covers regular bicycles alongside e-bikes. "The draft ordinance entirely repeals the existing ordinance and reenacts it with provisions that are consistent with state law," the City Attorney said, noting the Vehicle Code preempts local bike licensing and registration.

Councilmember Sarah Donnelly questioned why conventional bicycles needed to be included. The City Attorney cited data showing regular bikes can also cause significant injury to pedestrians. Councilmember Walt Stanish asked about e-bike registration requirements — also preempted by state law — and who gets fined when a minor violates the ordinance. A police representative explained the enforcement chain: "Parents can be cited for allowing underage riders, and juveniles go to informal juvenile court."

The council amended the draft in two ways before voting. First, the sidewalk exception age was lowered from 12 to 10, narrowing the group of young riders allowed on sidewalks. Second, the enforcement section was revised to require a warning for a first violation before escalating to fines — a recognition that many families may not initially know the rules have changed.

Councilmember Donnelly emphasized community education: "I would really say that we need to engage the schools themselves. They're the ones that see them parked out front. They know the kids who are riding them, using them for transportation."

Decisions: The council voted 5-0 to introduce the ordinance and waive the first reading (For: Okamura, Dolk, Donnelly, Duke, Stanish; Against: none). A second reading is required for final adoption.

What's next: The ordinance returns for a second reading at a future meeting. Council members stressed the importance of outreach through schools and social media before enforcement begins.

Where Do You Put Your Trash Cans? Older Homes Trip Up New Ordinance

Ordinance 007-2026, which would update Municipal Code rules on where residents store their waste collection containers, was pulled from the consent calendar by three council members — and quickly became the meeting's liveliest policy debate.

Why it matters: The ordinance as drafted requires containers to be stored out of public view when not set out for collection. But many homes built in the 1940s through 1960s lack front gates, enclosed side yards, or garages — making the standard effectively impossible to meet.

Where things stand: Councilmember Donnelly described residents in multifamily buildings lining trash cans on the sidewalk despite having side-yard space. But Vice Mayor Rick Dolk offered the other side of the coin, saying he walked neighborhoods and heard directly from homeowners. "When you get into some of the older homes that were built in the '40s, '50s and '60s, there's a lot of homes that don't have front gates," Vice Mayor Dolk said, describing residents who brought him outside to ask where they could possibly store their bins out of view.

The other side: Councilmember Stanish went further, opposing the ordinance entirely: "I think that this might be just going a little too far. Maybe if we can talk with our neighbors if there's a continual problem. I don't think that we want the trash can police coming out and knocking on somebody's door."

Councilmember Lisa Duke reminded the council that during a prior discussion, members had agreed to extend the retrieval window from 12 to 24 hours after collection — a change that was not reflected in the current draft.

Mayor Edwin Okamura acknowledged the enforcement concerns but argued the ordinance still serves a purpose for egregious cases, supporting the idea of reasonable language rather than no ordinance at all.

Decisions: The City Attorney proposed adding a clause permitting containers stored in the side setback, even if partially visible. Council directed staff to incorporate both the side-setback allowance and the 24-hour retrieval window, then bring the ordinance back for a second reading. No vote was taken.

Nearly 5,000 Sidewalk Defects Found — and a Cheaper Fix

Ernesto Martinez of Precision Concrete Cutting presented the results of a citywide sidewalk assessment completed in July, covering 29 miles and identifying 4,831 defects and six sidewalk gaps.

Why it matters: Roughly 85% of those defects — 4,091 locations — are candidates for concrete shaving rather than full removal and replacement. The shaving approach saves an estimated 83% on repair costs, uses no water, eliminates approximately 150 truckloads to landfill, and preserves urban tree canopy, whose roots are often the cause of the uplift.

Martinez broke down the economics: "Repairing a slab for an offset two to three times at $100 is way cheaper than replacing it the first time for around $1,500 and then it flags again in a year and a half, then you got to replace it again."

Vice Mayor Dolk asked whether shaving addresses root causes; Martinez explained the process can be repeated multiple times per slab. Councilmember Stanish asked about ADA ramp compliance and cracked sidewalks.

City Manager Kristina Miller clarified an important point for residents: "The residents are responsible in almost every area within the city for maintenance of sidewalks." She said the city will notify property owners through its insurance pool partnership with the Northern California City Self Insured Fund, offering a low-cost repair option or a deadline to complete the work independently. The 4,831 defects will be managed in phases.

Council Accepts $499K FAA Grant on Tight Deadline

The council unanimously adopted a resolution accepting $498,868 in FAA Airport Infrastructure Grant funding for the Rio Vista Municipal Airport. The grant covers 95% of eligible costs for terminal parking lot rehabilitation and restroom renovation, with the city's 5% match — approximately $25,000 — coming from the airport fund.

Vice Mayor Dolk presented the staff recommendation, noting the grant covers only public-access areas (not behind the secure fence line), the project went through a competitive bid process, and unused funds must be returned to the FAA. The project is exempt from CEQA under Class 1 (existing facilities). The acceptance deadline was Sept. 16 — one day after the meeting.

Decisions: Passed 5-0 (For: Okamura, Dolk, Donnelly, Duke, Stanish).

Measure O Preview: $1.47M for Fire, and a November Reckoning

City Manager Miller introduced an informational presentation on the Measure O sales tax, which is up for voter extension in November. She emphasized this is an extension of an existing tax, not a new or increased levy — and warned of the consequences if it fails.

"Should we want to continue with having second engine coverage within the fire department, Measure O must pass. There's no other way for us to cut costs within the city enough to not have to affect the second engine coverage," City Manager Miller said.

Finance Director Jen Lee presented the numbers: $1,476,202 collected in FY 25-26, with 99% allocated to public safety personnel costs — primarily fire department staffing — and 1% to public works.

What's next: The city will hold community presentations Sept. 17 at Liberty Summit and Sept. 23 at City Hall, with recordings posted online. A dedicated web page with an FAQ and email contact has been established. The existing Measure K Oversight Committee will likely be renamed as a Sales Tax Oversight Committee to also cover Measure O.

Council Reports: Water Worries and Board of Supervisors Advocacy

Multiple council members reported attending a Solano County Board of Supervisors meeting to advocate on behalf of Rio Vista, with Councilmember Duke noting she gave public comment on Collinsville shipbuilding legislation.

Mayor Okamura flagged a broader regional concern: state legislation on unimpaired water flows from Lake Berryessa. "That could impact the amount of water that Suisun City and some of the others that depend on Berryessa's water for their development and for business. Could be impaired significantly, as in cut by one-third," the Mayor said. He sits on the Solano County Water Agency and the Delta Protection Commission, which monitors Delta tunnels issues.

Councilmember Stanish shared a personal health disclosure, encouraging men to perform self-checks for breast cancer after finding a benign lump himself.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar approved 5-0: Includes fire and police dispatch agreement extensions with Solano County Sheriff through June 2027 (Resolutions 2026-059 and 2026-060), a $40,939 woodchipper purchase (Resolution 2026-061), and routine financial reports.

• Measure K Oversight Committee: Chandra Drury appointed unanimously 5-0. Airport Advisory Commission vacancy deferred for approximately two more weeks of broader outreach via social media and airport postings after Councilmember Duke said the opening was not adequately publicized.

• Western Railway Museum Day proclaimed: Tony Provine, who won "Mayor for a Day" through a museum auction, read a proclamation recognizing the museum's preservation of electric railroading history at Rio Vista Junction since 1960.

• Air Quality Summit: Willa Groover of Sustainable Solano announced an Oct. 17 summit at the Joseph Nelson Center in Suisun City, noting Rio Vista is in the 86th percentile for asthma hospitalizations. Highway 12 truck traffic was identified as the top air pollution concern. The first 50 non-government attendees who stay all day receive $50.

• Measure K street project nearly complete — City Manager Miller called it the largest road maintenance project in Rio Vista's history.

• Airport as community destination: Councilmember Stanish proposed the airport commission explore making the municipal airport accessible to families year-round. The City Attorney and Vice Mayor Dolk cautioned that FAA restrictions on federally funded property make non-aviation uses difficult. The item was referred to the airport commission.

• California Forever: No new updates; city manager reported no recent meetings.

• Closed session: Direction given to staff on price and terms for the 933 Airport Road real property negotiation. Nothing to report on the litigation item.

• Economic development manager recruitment closes Sept. 20.