City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: Message from the City Manager, Library Awarded AmeriCorps Grant, Peninsula Restroom Maintenance, Support Water Conservation, Parks Input Workshop, National Preparedness Month Tips, Fire Department Open House, and much more!
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Message from the City Manager |
September 19, 2022
Dear Community Members,
At our upcoming City Council meeting this Tuesday, we have several items of interest. One of those items will be a report by our Public Works Director, Kyle Ochenduszko, on the state of our community's water conservations efforts. At our last meeting, Council approved $200,000 in matching funds towards the Solano County Water Agency (SCWA) efforts to conserve water. The funds will match, dollar-for-dollar, up to certain thresholds, a number of ways to improve your water conservation, including:
- Pool Covers
- Rain Barrels
- Rain Sensors
- Hot Water Recirculating and Laundry-to-Landscape Systems
- Efficient Washing Machines
- Turf Replacement
- Smart Irrigation Controllers
Another important item is our response to the 2021-2022 Grand Jury Report regarding “Effective Emergency Response Needs City and County Support”. I would encourage you to read this report and our response. Benicia has been fighting for seven years to try and get an effective countywide radio system, similar to most counties in the State. We have found nothing but roadblocks along the way, and ultimately, Benicia (and later Vallejo) were forced to join the Contra Costa/Alameda County system (EBRCSA). Several years ago, Benicia, in partnership with every other police chief and fire chief in the County began pushing for a Joint Powers Authority to be established to create and maintain a robust and effective countywide radio system. Fortunately, I believe with the new leadership at the County level (including the new County Administrator, Bill Emlen, a former city manager himself, who understands the critical importance of regional collaboration), plus the attention the Grand Jury has placed on this issue, and with the support of our electeds, we have a real opportunity to make progress on this issue. I encourage you to closely follow this issue as it is critical to the safety of this community and everyone in the County. See the Grand Jury report, letter, and response in Item 12.E on the City Council Agenda here.
The November 8, 2022 election is coming up. Be sure to sign up for voter registration, pre-registeration, or check registration status here. Check if you are registered to vote and if so, in what county. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can use the online registration application to pre-register to vote at registertovote.ca.gov.
Erik Upson
City Manager
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Benicia Public Library Awarded AmeriCorps Grant |
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Would you like to be a paid volunteer? Benicia Public Library has been awarded two 10-hour/week AmeriCorps positions to help the library provide pandemic recovery services and build capacity in their literacy programs.
The Benicia Public Library is looking for service-oriented, creative, “people person” individuals with good communication skills, social media expertise, outreach experience, solid computer skills, and a strong desire to make a difference in our community. The two positions will work alongside literacy staff and volunteers to increase program reach and effectiveness by assisting with the recruitment and training of new tutors, promoting services to new learners, establishing local partnerships, and leading community engagement activities.
The position is paid a modest stipend twice a month (equivalent to approximately $12/hr) and receives an education award of $1700 at the completion of one year of service (minimum 450 hours). Education awards can be used to pay for a range of educational expenses, such as repaying qualified student loans or future tuition payments and can be transferred to family members. Members who serve multiple service years can earn up to two awards.
Benicia Public Library's literacy program has been in place for more than 30 years! We provide no-cost education services for adults who want help with their reading, writing, digital literacy, and speaking skills, and offers English as a Second Language classes, GED tutoring and more. The program is funded in part by Benicia Unified School District. Learn more at www.benicialibrary.org/literacy.
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Successful Benicia Peninsula Restrooms Maintenance |
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The public restrooms at the end of the peninsula were closed recently to perform maintenance on the floors. The existing vinyl flooring in the women’s restroom was removed, the floors in both restrooms were thoroughly cleaned and carefully prepared, then they were painted with a durable coating that is expected to last several years. The newly painted floors significantly improve the appearance of the restrooms and will assist staff in keeping the restrooms neat and clean for public use. |
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Support Water Conservation |
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Do you want to show off your water conservation efforts? Stop by City Hall at 250 East L Street to pick up a free water conservation lawn sign. There are 5 different messages to choose from!
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Parks Community Input Workshop |
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The Parks and Community Services Department is holding a community input meeting for the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan on Wednesday, September 21st. Community members will have the opportunity to view maps of proposed improvements, and receive updates on the development of the Master Plan. The meeting will be held at the Benicia Community Center, located at 370 East L Street, starting at 6pm. For more information, please visit www.lovebeniciaparks.com.
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National Preparedness Month - Emergency Kit |
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September is National Preparedness Month! Make sure your family can stay safe and be prepared for disasters. Build an emergency kit so that you can be ready to go at a moment's notice. Remember to include:
- Non-perishable food and water that can last several days for each member of your family.
- Flashlights, radios & extra batteries.
- First aid kit.
- Prescription medications, glasses, contacts, medical devices, such as CPAPs.
- Appropriately sized clothes and shoes for children.
- Infant formula (if applicable).
- Phone chargers and backup phone batteries.
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.
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Pets are our family too! They also need an emergency go-bag. Make sure to include:
- A selfie with them in case you get separated.
- Food & water
- Medicine & grooming items.
- Collar with an ID & a leash.
- Pet crate (emergency shelters require crated pets)
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Benicia Fire Department Open House |
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The Benicia Fire Department Open House is on Saturday, October 15, 2022 from 11am-3pm at Fire Station 11, 150 Military West. This is a free event and open to all.
There will be fire station tours, fire extinguisher demonstrations, fire prevention information, Hands-Only CPR training, face painting, a jump house, food, and all kinds of emergency response vehicles and equipment for kids to tour.
Thanks to Benicia Fire Department's partners, Medic Ambulance Service, U.S. Coast Guard Station Vallejo, Jump Jump & AWAY, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, The Bombshell Group, Inc., and California Highway Patrol, for helping host the event.
Hope to see you there!
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City Employee Spotlight - Beniamin Ilcau |
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Ben Ilcau, 29, was born and raised in Concord, CA. His family emigrated from Romania in the 80’s and he is the only one of his siblings to be born in the U.S. His parents came here with very little resources, and worked hard to build their own business in order to provide a better future for their children. Ben has always enjoyed being active by playing any and all sports, hiking, and mountain biking.
In high school, Ben’s family moved to Pleasant Hill where Ben graduated from College Park High School. While attending College Park, Ben played on the varsity soccer team and discovered his creative outlet through photography, which was inspired by his grandfather in Romania.
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After graduating high school, he took Fire Science classes and obtained his EMT Certification from Los Medanos College. Ben worked as an EMT for American Medical Response in Contra Costa County, where he discovered his passion for EMS and serving the community. He then received his Paramedic License from Las Positas College and worked as a paramedic for AMR. Ben continued on to work as a Firefighter/Paramedic for the city of Berkeley before joining the Benicia Fire Department.
Ben is currently a resident of Benicia and lives here with his wife, who is a second grade teacher. Ben is excited to join the Benicia Fire Department and looking forward to serving his home community.
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Save the Date
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Sep 19 - Community Sustainability Commission, 6:00 p.m. at the Benicia City Hall Council Chambers. See the Full Agenda for more information.
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Sep 19 - Art Gallery Committee, 6:30 p.m. at the Benicia Public Library, Dona Benicia Room. See the Full Agenda for more information.
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Sep 20 - City Council, 6:00 p.m. at the Benicia City Hall Council Chambers. See the Full Agenda for more information.
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Sep 22 - Historic Preservation Review Commission, at Benicia City Hall Council Chambers. See the Full Agenda for more information.
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City of Benicia This Week is published each Monday morning. Previous editions are available here. We also communicate on Nextdoor.com and AlertSolano.com. Sign up now!
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