City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: Road Closures This Week, Lifeguard Recognition, Community Air Monitoring Site Selection Meeting, Library Re-opening Timeline, City Employee Spotlight, COVID Assistance
Message from the City Manager
June 28, 2021

Hello Everyone,
I join many of you when I express my sadness that we can not help host the 3rd/4th of July celebrations this year, however, at the time we had to make the final go/no-go decision for that event we were still in the ‘Red Tier’ and there was no guidance from the state. We had to make the best decision we could in that delicate situation, erring on the side of public safety. Subsequent events (such as the Peddler’s Fair) have received approval after the new state guidelines were put in place eliminating the tiers. 

We intend to have some amazing events later this summer and fall and a fantastic tree lighting event this winter! Until then, there is still time to enter the Spirit of Benicia competition through tomorrow (June 29). Pick up a Spirit of Benicia sign at the Community Center or Benicia Main Street, then decorate your residence or business for Independence Day and you could be one of 100 people to win a $100 Shop Benicia eGift card in a random drawing on Wednesday, June 30.
 
On another note, we continue moving forward with the City’s equity agenda, and I am pleased to share some recent progress. At the last Council meeting, Mayor Steve Young read the City proclamation declaring June 19, 2021 Juneteenth Freedom Day in Benicia, which was celebrated with a banner in City Park and a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall. 

To quote Dan Millman's book The Way of the Peaceful Warrior, "the secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." Our approach to the equity work in Benicia is thoughtful, strategic, and inclusive. Our Equity Manager, Dr. Maliika Chambers, uses the acronym VIBE – Values, Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity – to qualify the key components of our strategy, and how we plan to ensure that Benicia is an equitable community where people feel welcomed, valued, included, and have a sense of belonging. Her perspective is described in more detail in this month’s issue of Benicia Magazine, in the article titled VIBE: A Recipe for Building Community.

Thank you for your interest in the City of Benicia This Week!

Erik Upson
City Manager
City News
Road Closures This Week
The City's Public Works Street Maintenance team will close West 7th Street south of Cheryl Drive to Military West on Tuesday, June 29 to fill potholes and crack seal to add life to the road. On Wednesday, June 30, they will close Southampton Road south of Devonshire Drive to Military West for patch-paving, pothole filling and crack sealing. Drivers are encouraged to plan another route.

Call 707.746.4240 with questions or comments.
Lifeguard Recognition
On Friday, June 25, City Manager Erik Upson attended the weekly lifeguard training to commend four lifeguards at the James Lemos Swim Center for their exceptional actions in response to a critical incident at the swim center. In April, a man swimming laps in the Olympic Pool had a sudden and devasting medical event. Ultimately, despite their efforts, the individual did not survive.

A portion of the Erik Upson’s letter to the lifeguards reads:

“Ultimately, despite their efforts, the individual did not survive. As anyone reading this letter can see, the actions of the staff were exceptional. The work they and the entire Parks and Community Service staff have done to create this level of professionalism and training deserves to be called out as nothing less than a model of excellence. This community should feel very confident in the staff protecting them at our pool.

I am very proud of your actions and believe that you have lived up to my vision for our staff to be the very best at what they do and provide the highest level of service to the community. So, it is my pleasure to commend the following staff and thank you on behalf of the community:

• Lifeguard Braden Begbie
• Lifeguard Giovanna Zampa
• Lifeguard Jon Schloer
• Assistant Pool Coordinator Frances Evans

I would also like to give thanks to the entire Parks and Community Services staff responsible for putting in place such an exceptional team as well as proactively providing the level of training and equipment that made this response possible."
Community Air Monitoring Site Selection Meeting
Bay Area Air Quality Management District invites community members to attend a virtual community meeting to learn about air quality monitoring and help shape the future of community air monitoring in the Benicia area:

Wednesday, June 30
6 - 8 p.m.

In a joint effort with the City of Benicia, the Air District identified candidate locations in Benicia for a new community air monitoring station. At this meeting, Air District staff will share the sites under consideration and information about how the sites were selected. Community members and stakeholders will have the opportunity to inform final site selection.

Click here for the Workshop Agenda, Workshop Presentation, FAQs, Benicia Air Monitoring Map and a videolink to watch the meeting live.

Contact Brian Butler at bbutler@baaqmd.gov or call 415.749.8734 with questions.
Library Re-opening Timeline
Benicia Public Library’s staff have been overjoyed to welcome the public back indoors since June 2, for the first time in 15 months. The initial schedule of MWF, 12 - 5 p.m. will expand in July, after the 4th of July holiday. The updated schedule will be Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12 - 7 p.m. and Fridays, 12 - 6 p.m., with curbside pickup by appointment on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
 
With the expanded hours will come expanded capacity. Up to 50 patrons will be allowed inside for up to two hours at a time. Computer use and availability will also expand. There will be some seating reinstalled, and daily newspapers will once again be available for in-library reading.

Until such time as State guidelines change, the library will still require masks for all staff members and the public during open hours.

The bookdrop will also be open 24/7 beginning on Saturday, July 3.
 
In August, library staff plan for a return to a mostly as-normal schedule, with full hours restored (M-Th, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; F-Sun., 12 - 6 p.m.). Furniture will all be put back in place, and no limit on capacity (other that limits set by the Fire Marshall) will be enforced. Again, depending on State guidelines in August, masks may or may not be required due to large juvenile patronage.
 
Depending on guidelines for gatherings, the Library will determine when to reinstitute indoor programming such as the popular story times for children, as well as book clubs, public meetings, and more.
 
The Library’s gradual expansion of hours, capacity, and services mirrors that of many other public libraries throughout the nation. Developing science has shown a very low risk of infection through surface contact, but staff are still asking patrons to sanitize their hands on their way in to reduce the risk of spread of disease of all kinds.
 
Benicia Public Library strives to be the heart of the community, and your patience as they re-open is greatly appreciated!
City Employee Spotlight
Guy Wade started working for the City of Benicia Parks & Community Services Department as a part time employee on December 19, 2013. Guy works on weekends and on holidays, opening and closing parks, cleaning restrooms, and emptying trash cans throughout the city. Working weekends and holidays can be challenging but Guy has been doing it faithfully now for many years.

Guy has lived in Benicia since 1998. He retired from the Information Technology field and now enjoys working part-time helping to make Benicia a beautiful place for all to enjoy.

In his off hours, Guy enjoys riding his bicycle and spoiling his two cats. If you see him around town, be sure to say hello, and let him know how much you appreciate the work he does for our city.
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


Recent City of Benicia Press Releases are available on the City of Benicia website under Main/Announcements.
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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