Residents Demand Rio Vista Oppose Secret State Legislation Favoring California Forever

Public commenters dominated a brisk Rio Vista City Council meeting, pressing elected officials to formally oppose what they described as a secretive state legislative effort that could strip local land use authority to benefit the California Forever development project. The council also approved a 4% garbage rate increase over one member's objection that it exceeds inflation.

• Residents urge city to formally oppose California Forever special legislation they say is being drafted in secret to bypass local land use controls
• Garbage collection rates rise 4% in a 4-1 vote, over objection that the hike exceeds the 3.5% CPI inflation rate
• Trilogy neighbors raise alarm over a red-tagged vacant "cat house" property unresolved for 11 months
• Council signals future action on a draft opposition letter targeting the governor and state legislators

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Residents Mobilize Against California Forever Legislation

A coordinated push by residents took center stage at Rio Vista's July 22 meeting, as multiple speakers urged the council to take a formal stand against what they described as a behind-the-scenes effort by California Forever lobbyists to rewrite state land use and environmental law through the budget trailer bill process — a legislative vehicle typically used for technical budget adjustments, not sweeping policy changes.

Why it matters: If enacted, the special legislation could override Rio Vista's and Solano County's authority to regulate development within their borders, potentially clearing the way for California Forever's massive proposed project on farmland east of the city. Solano County voters have an existing orderly growth initiative designed to protect agricultural land from premature urbanization.

Where things stand: Al Medvitz, a public commenter, submitted a draft letter to the council addressed to Gov. Newsom, Senate Pro Tem, Assembly Speaker, Sen. Cabaldon, and Assemblywoman Williams. He told the council the budget trailer bill mechanism was being weaponized: "It's being used in this case to try and make big changes, huge changes to environmental and land use legislation that would have a huge impact depriving the city council, the counties, whatever, of their authority to make decisions about local land use."

Medvitz warned the process was deliberately opaque: "The bill isn't drafted yet, but that's the whole point. It's being done in secret behind closed doors and only will be released presumably three days before the required deadline to pass the legislation."

The other side: No one spoke in defense of the proposed legislation or California Forever's position. Sarah Sorokin, a public commenter speaking online, reinforced the opposition, detailing potential impacts to water supply, the Bay Delta ecosystem, agricultural land, traffic, and data center construction. "We have a voter-approved orderly growth initiative in our county and California Forever purchased and sued our farmers out of land knowing it is protected farmland," she said. "It really would be an injustice to Rio Vista and county residents for California Forever to be allowed to bypass the democratic process."

Sorokin also pressed on infrastructure questions: "We in Rio Vista deserve to know how data centers allowed by the Suisun expansion plan would impact our water and electricity supply, what remains of the special central Valley vernal pool ecosystem and level of noise pollution."

What's next: Councilmember Sarah Donnelly indicated during the future agenda items discussion that the Medvitz letter would be reviewed for next steps, signaling the council may formalize a position at an upcoming meeting. Under the standing California Forever agenda item (Item 8.01), staff reported no new updates were available — a contrast that underscored the gap between the intensity of public concern and the pace of official city action.

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Garbage Rates Rise 4% Over Inflation Objection

The council's only action item of the evening — a resolution establishing maximum garbage collection and disposal rates for Rio Vista Sanitation Service (DBA Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery) — passed 4-1, raising both residential and commercial rates by 4%.

Why it matters: The increase exceeds the current CPI inflation rate of 3.5%, directly affecting every household and business in Rio Vista that receives refuse service. The 4% figure represents the maximum allowed under the city's franchise agreement with the hauler.

Where things stand: Councilmember Donnelly questioned why the rate hike outpaced inflation: "The increase is going up to 4%. The cost of inflation year ending fixed June only 3.5. Should we not be tying it to the cost of inflation? Because when increases like this happen — I know half a percent — but it means a lot because occupancy incomes, they have to plan for this."

Councilmember Lisa Duke explained that the Refuse Rate Index differs from the standard CPI because it incorporates sector-specific costs, including vehicle maintenance, equipment, and regulatory compliance.

Decisions: The resolution passed 4-1 (For: Mayor Edwin Okamura, Vice Mayor Rick Dolk, Councilmember Donnelly, Councilmember Duke; Against: Councilmember Walt Stanish). Donnelly, despite raising the inflation concern, voted in favor, noting the 4% cap in the franchise agreement provides a ceiling on future increases.

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Trilogy Neighbors Sound Alarm Over Red-Tagged Vacant Property

Two residents from the Trilogy community pressed the council on a vacant property at 520 Diamond Hills Drive that has been red-tagged for 11 months with no resolution — and where a recent late-night incident raised new safety questions.

Jim Hodges, a public commenter and 12-year resident at the neighboring address, described a property that has not had a human occupant for a decade. Last August, Solano County Animal Control removed cats from the home — some dead and stored in the refrigerator and freezer — and the building was red-tagged as unsafe. Hodges reported that someone recently arrived at 9 p.m. pounding on the door and drilling out a lock, claiming to have been sent by someone at the city.

Tom Watson, a public commenter who lives four houses away, corroborated the concerns and raised health issues about individuals entering the contaminated property without proper personal protective equipment. As a former Mare Island Naval Shipyard employee, Watson said the presence of feces and black mold made unprotected entry dangerous.

Mayor Okamura acknowledged the comments and indicated the council would take note.

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Minor Items

• Park & Recreation Month: Mayor Okamura read a proclamation recognizing July 2026 as Park and Recreation Month, citing benefits for physical and mental health, economic prosperity, and ecological beauty. Commissioner Watkins accepted the proclamation on behalf of the Parks and Recreation Commission.
• Moment of silence: The mayor announced the passing of Airport Advisory Commissioner Donna Dietrich, who began serving in May 2025, and led a moment of silence.
• Consent calendar approved: Items included July 7 meeting minutes, the June 2026 revenue and expenditure report, budget vs. actual report, checks register, a monthly planning and code enforcement report, and Ordinance 005-2026 requiring 24-hour advance posting of no-parking/tow-away signs before special events.
• Hog August Bites: Chris Armbrust of Rear Vision announced the 12th annual Hog August Bites event on Aug. 22, expecting more than 5,000 attendees, and urged the city to release branding style guidelines so community projects on hold for two to three years can proceed.
• Brand Ranch update: David Hardy of the Brand Ranch team reported the development agreement's planning commission date has slipped to potentially the end of August.
• Infrastructure projects: The acting city manager reported the Delta Way sewer rehabilitation project is underway, community center windows are approximately three-quarters installed, shade sails are being installed at Southport Park, Drone Park, and the dog park, and an airport parking lot project is upcoming.
• Rates & Utilities Committee: Vice Mayor Rick Dolk reported the Municipal Rates and Utilities Committee has not been meeting and is awaiting CCTV survey results, expecting to reconvene in early 2027.
• Deferred reports: Measure K Oversight Committee and Public Safety Commission quarterly reports were deferred to the Aug. 4 meeting.
• Chamber of Commerce: Councilmember Duke reported the Chamber of Commerce board is in transition without a president but remains focused on its mission.