City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: Staff Recommends Scenario 3 for Revised Draft Utility Rate Study; COVID-19 in Solano County; COVID-19 Rapid Testing Sites; $5 Benicia Rides Brought to You by SolTrans and Lyft; Inaugural Solano Water Institute for Teachers; Get and Spend the Free Shop Benicia Summer Bonus Card Before Labor Day; City Employee Spotlight; Recall Election Information; COVID Assistance
Message from the City Manager
August 16, 2021

Hello Everyone,

I want to thank all of the amazing volunteers who made the Peddlers Fair such an amazing success. From the very beginning, the organizers worked closely with the City of Benicia to ensure they followed all appropriate guidelines and restrictions (and in fact went over and above in their efforts to make this an outstanding and safe event). It was touch-and-go in the beginning as the restrictions remained in place up until just before the deadline to decide whether or not the event was a ‘go’ or ‘no-go’. Fortunately, the State and County restrictions were modified in time to properly plan for the event, allowing it to move forward. We continue to hear people’s disappointment that we allowed this event, but not the 3rd and 4th of July gathering. Unfortunately, as I have stated, at the time we had to decide (allowing for purchasing fireworks and planning such a large-scale event) we were unable to move forward. We are already talking about how we can make up for that with an amazing Tree-Lighting event this December!
 
Throughout this pandemic we, as a City, have been doing our best to balance community safety with a myriad of other, very real, concerns. We seek to always do our best in this very difficult situation we find ourselves in. On that note, at the Council Meeting on August 17th, we will be having a discussion on the status of Council meetings (continuing on Zoom, the transition to hybrid, etc.,) as well as the City’s approach to addressing vaccines and masking for staff. Council will also be considering whether or not to take up an item at a special Council Meeting the following week looking at citywide masking rules. These items are being brought forward because they are items of great community concern. And of course, they can be highly emotional issues. As always, I ask that we show our true Benicia sense of community in addressing these issues with respect, empathy, and thoughtfulness!

Thank you for your interest in the City of Benicia This Week! If you enjoy reading this weekly message, please share and encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to subscribe or text jointhisweek to 22828 (messaging and data rates may apply).

Erik Upson
City Manager
City News
Staff Recommends Scenario 3 for Revised Draft Utility Rate Study
At the August 17, 2021 City Council Meeting, staff will be asking direction from the City Council on the draft utilities rate study. Of the four possible funding scenarios for each utility, staff is recommending City Council select Water Scenario 3 and Wastewater Scenario 3 and is further recommending that Council consider a public hearing date in November.

Both Water and Wastewater Scenario 3 include fully funding operations and maintenance activities, saving appropriate amounts for reserves, while presenting a focused, critical list of capital improvement projects. If adopted, water bills could increase approximately 6.5% each year for the next five years. Similarly, if adopted, wastewater bills could increase 3% each year over the same period.

It’s not too late to participate! Comments on the revised draft utility rate study and staff’s recommendation are requested now. Submit written comments to the City Clerk at lwolfe@ci.benicia.ca.us. Comments can also be submitted “in person” at the next City Council Meeting on August 17, 2021, where the City Council will hold a public meeting to discuss the revised draft rate study and provide direction to staff. More information about this public meeting is available here:
COVID-19 in Solano County
According to Solano County Public Health, the Delta variant is currently the predominant strain in Solano County’s overall COVID-19 cases. Its shared proportion will continue to increase over the next weeks.

The good news is that as more people protect themselves, the less COVID will be circulating in our county, which means fewer breakthroughs, fewer severe cases of COVID, fewer hospitalizations, and fewer deaths. People who are vaccinated are much less likely to get sick or be hospitalized than those who are unvaccinated. People who protect themselves with vaccines and masks increase their own odds of staying healthy and help our whole community stay healthier.

Solano County Public Health and the state monitor the spread of the Delta variant in Solano County. Solano County Public Health (SCPH) will continue to align with state recommendations. SCPH is following emerging data and science, and will adjust the approach as needed.

The media coverage on breakthrough infections in people who are vaccinated makes understanding COVID more complicated. See the following excerpt from the California Department of Public Health's article about Post-Vaccine COVID-19 cases: “For the week of August 7, the average daily COVID-19 case rate among unvaccinated Californians is 51 per 100,000 and the average daily COVID-19 case rate among fully vaccinated Californians is much lower at 8.2 per 100,000.”

Vaccinating as many people as possible, as soon as possible, is our best defense against COVID-19, the Delta variant, and the harm it can do to our communities. Vaccines are widely available, safe, and effective and offer protection against COVID-19, including variants.

Thankfully, the value of vaccination remains constant.
COVID-19 Rapid Testing Sites
The California Department of Public Health's Testing Task Force is looking to partner with organizations interested in setting up on-site Antigen (rapid) testing for their employees, guests, and/or their community. 

The State helps organizations conduct Antigen testing by offering antigen test kits, a patient registration / reporting platform, use of the State’s CLIA waiver (if needed), and hands-on training. Testing through the State is free to organizations, and the State is committed to provide the support necessary to begin as soon as possible.

To get started, organizations can learn more about their testing options and submit an application to become a testing partner here. Reach out with any questions to testing.taskforce@cdph.ca.gov.
$5 Benicia Rides Brought to You by SolTrans and Lyft
Solano County Transit (SolTrans) with The City of Benicia and Solano Transportation Authority are partnering with Lyft to expand the First/Last Mile Program (operated by Lyft) to include all Benicia City limits beginning August 15, 2021. Lyft rides within Benicia will cost riders $5 and SolTrans will cover the difference. The goal of the $5 Benicia Lyft program is to help reduce traffic and parking congestion along the First Street corridor.

The $5 Benicia Lyft Program will cost $5 for all Lyft rides that originate and/or terminate within Benicia City limits with code “5BENICIA”. Residents and visitors are encouraged to use this program rather than driving down to First Street and parking in the surrounding neighborhoods, although the program is valid for trips anywhere within Benicia City limits. The $5 Benicia program operates all days from 6:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. with a fixed price of $5 up to a $20 limit. The $5 Benicia Lyft Program joins other Lyft programs within Benicia that riders must qualify for, for more information regarding those programs please call Solano Mobility at 800-535-6886.

“Parking in and around the First Street area is limited, the $5 Benicia Lyft Program will help improve the traffic congestion and parking surrounding the downtown area by providing an affordable, reliable, and efficient alternative to driving and parking,” say SolTrans and STA Board Member, City of Benicia Mayor Steven Young.

The First and Last Mile Program and Benicia Lyft Program is funded by support from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) Transportation Funds for Clean Air Program (TFCA) and Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District’s (YSAQMD) Clean Air Program (CAP).
Inaugural Solano Water Institute for Teachers
The Solano Resource Conservation District (Solano RCD) hosted the first three-day Solano Water Institute for Teachers last week at various sites throughout Solano County and at Lake Berryessa. The new teacher workshop provided 27 Solano County educators with knowledge, skills, and tools to help them effectively teach watershed science and land preservation from a locally relevant perspective. The Solano Water Institute featured presentations from nine local and state experts on water resources, open spaces, and climate change with conversations integrating Project WET, an award-winning environmental education curriculum created by the Water Education Foundation.

“These place-based learning experiences give teachers knowledge on the impacts of drought and climate change in our area,” explained Marianne Butler, education director for Solano Resource Conservation District. “We hope that the local presenters inspired teachers and encouraged them enough to empower their students to help protect our natural resources in Solano County.”

The training began on Wednesday, August 4 at Rush Ranch Open Space near Suisun City. Educators learned about the importance and challenges of managing the Suisun Marsh and other open spaces from both Suisun Resource Conservation District’s John Takekawa and Solano Land Trust’s Jasmine Westbrook-Barsukov. Teachers also learned from Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Leonard regarding Solano County Office of Education’s Explorers Quest program - an outdoor treasure hunt that offers students and their families the adventure of discovering native plants and animals in Solano County.

The second day of the workshop was spent boating on Lake Berryessa as part of an educational tour helping teachers experience first-hand the significance Lake Berryessa holds for them and their students: “It’s extremely important that students know Lake Berryessa is their drinking water,” explained Jennifer Onufer, Supervising Park Ranger with the United States Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) at Lake Berryessa. “While they can also recreate and play here, it is first and foremost a precious drinking water source that they can help protect.”

Onufer’s statement came during an expert question and answer session held at the BOR Visitor Center halfway through the tour. The panel discussion also featured Education Specialist Kathy Schulz from the California Department of Water Resources, Water Quality Supervisor Marc Bautista from the City of Benicia, and Senior Engineer Alex Rabidoux with the Solano County Water Agency. Rabidoux also gave a full hour presentation on the State Water Project, Central Valley Project, and the Solano Project which includes Lake Berryessa and the Putah South Canal.

Solano County Parks Supervisor Chris Drake closed out Thursday with an overview of the opportunities within County Parks and ongoing efforts to increase park access. Friday’s training was held at the City of Fairfield’s Dunnell Nature Park and Education Center where teachers were trained by California Project WET Coordinator Brian Brown to facilitate Project WET activities using the content they learned during the workshop.

Teachers who completed the workshop and participate in an October follow up meeting are eligible for a $200 stipend and can receive 21 hours of continuing education credit. The date for the 2022 Solano Water Institute is yet to be determined.

The 2021 Solano Water Institute for Teachers was funded by the Solano County Orderly Growth Committee, the California Department of Water Resources, the Water Education Foundation, and the School Water Education Program including the cities of Vacaville, Dixon, Fairfield, Suisun City, Vallejo and Benicia, Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District, and Solano Irrigation District. The workshop is hosted by Solano RCD with support from Brian Brown, Project WET Coordinator for California. For more information, please visit solanorcd.org or email education@solanorcd.org. 
Get and Spend the Free Shop Benicia Summer Bonus Card Before Labor Day
The City of Benicia Office of Economic Development reminds that time is running out to get a free Shop Benicia Summer Bonus eGift Card with the purchase of a Shop Benicia eGift card.
 
Shoppers may purchase a Shop Benicia eGift Card anytime at VisitBenicia.org/ShopBenicia. As an added bonus, the City is contributing $25,000 for free Summer Bonus eGift cards. The bonuses are substantial:
  • Buy a $25 Shop Benicia eGift card, get a $10 Shop Benicia Summer Bonus eGift card
  • Buy a $50 Shop Benicia eGift card, get a $25 Shop Benicia Summer Bonus eGift card
  • Buy a $100 Shop Benicia eGift card, get a $50 Shop Benicia Summer Bonus eGift card
Maximum of $300 in Summer Bonus eGift cards per shopper!
 
Shopping or dining downtown? Get a Shop Benicia eGift card online and get a bonus Summer Bonus eGift card to spend immediately. Or buy a Shop Benicia eGift card for friends, family, coworkers, teachers or clients and get a Shop Benicia Summer Bonus eGift card to give or keep. The Shop Benicia Summer Bonus eGift card program is designed to reward people for supporting recovering retailers and restaurants in Benicia, while providing a convenient shopping and dining experience. The eGift cards and Bonus eGift cards may be used at any of the 60 participating Benicia restaurants, bars, retail stores, art galleries, salons & spas, and hotels. Find a list of participating businesses, updated as they come online, as well as purchase eGift cards at VisitBenicia.org/ShopBenicia.
 
Once purchased, the eGift cards will appear on the purchaser’s mobile device, or may be printed at home, and are used just like a physical gift card for in-store or online purchases. Purchased Shop Benicia eGift cards never expire, however, the Shop Benicia Summer Bonus eGift cards rewarded by the City expire at midnight on Labor Day, September 6, 2021. So don’t miss out. Summer Bonus eGift Cards will be awarded while the $25,000 funding lasts or until September 6, whichever comes first.
 
Participation is free for local Benicia businesses to participate at VisitBenicia.org/ShopBenicia. The signup process takes only a few minutes, and includes custom-branded Shop Benicia eGift cards, which can be sold on their company website, Facebook pages, or through the Shop Benicia page.
City Employee Spotlight
If you ever visit or call the Benicia Parks & Community Services Department, the first person you will interact with is Debbi Bray, Administrative Clerk. Debbi started with the department in 2012 and quickly became the face of the department. She’s always willing to assist customers and her fellow employees with a big smile and compassionate ear. 

Debbi has lived in Benicia almost her entire life. She went to Robert Semple, Benicia Middle School and graduated from Benicia High.  She and her husband of 43 years have 2 children and 8 grandchildren. Before joining the City she worked for Edgewater Plumbing of Benicia for 19.5 years. Debbi loves dogs and has bred and raised 4 generations of yellow labs over the years (48 puppies). She also enjoys going on motorcycle rides with her husband. Her favorite trip was a 3 week ride to Yellowstone and back. No plans or itinerary and wonderful people everywhere! She is very proud of all her grandchildren and thrilled her oldest is living his dream of joining law enforcement. He is a Deputy Sheriff for Humboldt County.

Some of her co-workers shared a few words about Debbi:

“Debbi is the pinnacle of customer service. She will do everything she can to answer your question, help you with an issue, or be sure that you are well cared for – even when the business item has nothing to do with our Department – and she does it with a smile on her face." - Wendy Stratton-Monahan, Management Analyst II.

“Debbi is “Benicia” she knows everyone in town & is the spirit of our department, always greeting customers with a smile on her face treating every customer like family." - Lindsay Zarcone, Recreation Supervisor

The Benicia Parks & Community Services Department feels very fortunate to have Debbi as a part of its team and knows the Benicia community is receiving top notch customer service. 
Recall Election Information
The California Gubernatorial Recall Election will occur on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. Ballot boxes will be available to drop off your ballot in the City Hall lobby, 250 East L Street, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning August 12. A second ballot box will be available at Raley's, 890 Southampton Road, from 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. (earlier on election day).

In addition, voter's may vote by mail, drop ballots off curbside at polling locations on election day or vote in-person at polling locations.

To find if you're registered to vote, visit the Solano County Registrar of Voters website. Click here for information on the election, where and when to vote, etc.
COVID Assistance
Find resources and information for seniors, local food access, basic needs and rental assistance, mental health, stress and coping, and more courtesy of Solano County Public Health. Benicia residents in need of help during these difficult times may find assistance through these local resources:
Press Releases

Press Release - Staff Recommends Scenario 3 for Revised Draft Utility Rate Study

Recent City of Benicia Press Releases are available on the City of Benicia website under Main/Announcements.
Save the Date
  • Aug 17 - City Council meeting, 6 p.m. via livestream. Watch live at https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas. See the Full Agenda for more information.
  • Aug 18 - Economic Development Board, 5:30 p.m. via livestream. See the Full Agenda for more information.
Modified service due to COVID-19
City Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you require entrance to City Hall offices outside of these hours, please make arrangements with staff from the department that you will be visiting.

All visitors shall be required to enter City Hall from East L street through the door located on the left (East) side of the building closest to the Post Office. Please check in with the staff person at the designated Welcome Window.

You will be required to wear a face covering over both your nose and mouth for the duration of your visit to City Hall. Please maintain 6 feet of social distancing between other visitors and staff. Do not visit City Hall if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Appointments can always be rescheduled.
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