City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: City Receives Crown Communities Award, Stipulated Order between Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Valero Benicia Refinery, Love Downtown Businesses, Love Poetry Contest, SB 9 Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act, New Tanks Installed at Water Treatment Plant, City Employee Spotlight, COVID Assistance

Message from the City Manager
January 31, 2022

Dear Benicia Community,
I have some great news to share! The City of Benicia was recently awarded the Crown Communities Award from the highly respected national publication American City & County. This award went to only five communities in the entire country this year. We were recognized for our COVID-19 response. While the article below goes into more detail, I did want to take a moment to thank the Community, our Mayor and Council and our City staff. It would not have happened without all three groups stepping up.

I think what’s so special about this is that we, a very small city, recognized the challenges very early and decided, unequivocally, that supporting the health of our community members as well as our economy must be our top priority. And if that meant running programs, funding projects, and filling staffing roles that we had never done, and truly never even imagined, we would do that. Creating these programs, arranging the funding, and staffing this work (while still carrying out our regular responsibilities) was incredibly challenging. But staff was up to the challenge and embraced it. So many employees came to me with such pride in what they had accomplished…saying that this is exactly why they had decided to pursue a career in public service.

Our Mayor and Council supported, encouraged, and funded all of these programs. And they provided me the direction and flexibility to enable us to accomplish what we did. Without that, we would never have been able to make this happen. I would personally like to thank Mayor Young, Councilmember Macenski, Councilmember Largaespada, Councilmember Strawbridge, and Councilmember Campbell for their leadership during these difficult times and their willingness to place their trust in us. I would also like to thank former Mayor Patterson and former City Manger Lorie Tinfow who were at the helm when this all first began and helped to launch the first community assistance programs.

Finally, I would like to thank the community. The community members who stepped up to fill roles in our critical, early vaccination clinics. Volunteers who willingly took on the unknown risks associated with this work. Remember, at the time, we knew much less than we know now…and that uncertainty can be frightening. Yet we had more volunteers from this amazing community than we had jobs for them. Businesses stepped up, helping supply the clinics, providing lunch to the volunteers and funding aid to those businesses in our community that were struggling.

While this recognition is not by any means something we expected, it is certainly validating as to the exceptional nature of this community and its amazing staff.

One other item in closing. Tuesday night Council will be having a preliminary discussion regarding the future of the Sky Valley Open Space and the possibility of extending it’s current protection under Measure K with a ‘renewal’ of the commitment to maintain our urban growth boundary as currently set. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. and is available to watch or participate here: https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas.

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

Erik Upson
City Manager
City News
City Receives Crown Communities Award
The City of Benicia is pleased to announce that it has received the 2021 Crown Communities Award from American City & County. One of five government organizations in the United States receiving the prestigious award this year, the City of Benicia received recognition for its COVID-19 response.
 
In the early days of the pandemic, the City of Benicia responded to the impact of COVID-19 on its residents and businesses in a variety of ways. Three of the most prominent were highlighted in the award application; the COVID-19 Citizen’s Assistance Program, the BOOST Business Grants Program and the Vaccines for Seniors to Teens effort to provide COVID-19 vaccines to those eligible from seniors to teens. The city’s response brought together every City of Benicia department and many community organizations and volunteers.
 
The COVID-19 Citizen’s Assistance Program offered just over $300,000 in mortgage, rent, utilities, food and gas assistance to more than 180 Benicia households from city funds and donations. Phase 3 of the program recently launched.
 
The six rounds of the BOOST (Business-Open-Opportunity-Support-Thrive) Business Grants Program awarded nearly $400,000 in funding authorized by the Benicia City Council to assist those businesses most vulnerable to continue operations and local employment through payroll, rent, utility or equipment assistance. Nearly 100 businesses received grants in addition to the more than $42,000 in funding for the Shop Benicia Bonus eGift Card promotion.
 
The City of Benicia was able to host early COVID-19 vaccine clinics for the most vulnerable populations, seniors, beginning on February 2, 2021. 1,500 area residents 75 years and older received their vaccines with the help of city staff and community partners like Solano Public Health, Kaiser Permanente, Medic Ambulance, SolTrans, Benicia Unified School District, Valero Benicia Refinery, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Soroptimist International of Benicia, Carquinez Village and many volunteers. Additional clinics were held when vaccines became available to 50-year-olds and again when they became available to those as young as 16 years old. Solano Public Health is now holding mass vaccination clinics at Solano County Fairgrounds and other locations.
 
“I am proud and thankful of our staff and our community who played a role in our response to COVID-19,” said city manager Erik Upson. “Our staff, and elected and appointed officials, along with community organizations and volunteers, came together to make this happen. In the midst of this devastating pandemic, we all stepped up and gave our very best to help make this community safer and stronger.”
 
Each year, American City & County gives its Crown Communities Awards to municipal and county governments that have substantially implemented innovative, impactful projects over the preceding 18 months. The projects are diverse in nearly all aspects, and they represent a wide array of local government disciplines. Competition among the nominees is typically tough each year, and this year was no different in terms of the competition between projects. Winning entries are featured on the American City & County website. The article on the City of Benicia award is available at https://www.americancityandcounty.com/2022/01/27/crown-communities-award-winner-benicia-calif-s-forward-thinking-pandemic-response/.
Stipulated Order between Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Valero Benicia Refinery
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) issued a news release on Tuesday, January 24, 2022, regarding the Stipulated Order between BAAQMD and Valero Benicia Refinery (Valero). The Stipulated Order is a result of a 2019 inspection by BAAQMD, which found that Valero had unreported emissions which exceeded Air District regulations. 
 
“The City of Benicia takes the air quality and the health of our citizens very seriously. We are deeply troubled to learn of Valero’s 2019 actions that led to this order. BAAQMD’s announcement makes clear that not adhering to Air District regulations will not be tolerated. We are most appreciative of the staff of BAAQMD that performed the inspection and have worked these past years to fight for public safety and good air quality. I am hopeful that from this Stipulated Order, agreed to by both BAAQMD and Valero, positive reforms and investments can be made to better secure our public health,” said Mayor Steve Young.
 
The City of Benicia continues to work on its own accord with BAAQMD to install a community air monitoring station on city-owned property. The license agreement for the air monitoring station is being finalized and should be ready to be approved by the Benicia City Council in February.
 
Paul Adler, Director of Community Relations and Government Affairs, Valero Benicia Refinery, issued a statement to the City of Benicia noting, “The Valero Benicia Refinery discovered its hydrogen unit vent had trace contaminants. Valero took immediate steps to address the issue and has been working cooperatively with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) to develop a project as part of its long-term corrective action. To this end, Valero and BAAQMD have agreed to a Stipulated Order of Abatement which is subject to a BAAQMD Hearing Board approval at a future date.”
 
The City of Benicia has been advised that BAAQMD will host a Community Briefing at a later date to discuss the Air District’s enforcement action against Valero to ensure public access to the key facts of the case and understanding of the Hearing Board process, and to answer all questions about this issue. Members of the public are encouraged to provide written and oral comment on this issue to the Hearing Board. Once the hearing is scheduled, a link will be posted on the Air District’s Hearing Board website at https://www.baaqmd.gov/about-the-air-district/hearing-board/agendas-reports-orders.
 
The public can also sign up for Hearing Board updates at https://www.baaqmd.gov/contact-us/sign-up-for-information 
 
The City of Benicia will work BAAQMD and Valero to share information as it becomes available related to the BAAQMD inspection report and the steps Valero will take to abate future release of harmful emissions.

For questions related to the Stipulated Order, interested parties may call the BAAQMD Public Information Line at 415.749.4900 and they will direct you to the proper person.
Love Downtown Businesses
The City's Office of Economic Development encourages support of Benicia businesses every day. During the month of February, people who send “love letters” to downtown businesses in Benicia will be entered in a drawing to win $100 Downtown Dollars from Benicia Main Street.

For each letter sent, an entry will be earned in the contest. Love letters can be sent as traditional mail, email, and social media post or direct message. To receive an entry, an email of a picture or screenshot of the “love letter” must be sent to info@beniciamainstreet.org.
Arts Benicia Moves to Commanding Officer's Quarters
Combining history and arts, the Office of Economic Development is pleased to announce that Arts Benicia is the new occupant of the City-owned, historic Commanding Officer's Quarters, at 1 Commandant's Lane in the Benicia Arsenal.

With the move complete, their newest exhibition Art of a Community opens Thursday, February 3. The exhibition will be their first opportunity to showcase the beauty and historic nature of the Commanding Officer's Quarters, with galleries on two floors, in adjoining rooms with tall ceilings, fine wood detailing, and floor to ceiling windows.

If you've always wanted to see the interior of the Commanding Officer's Quarters, visit Arts Benicia during one of their interesting exhibitions. They're open Thursday - Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m.
Love Poetry Contest
Benicia Public Library's annual Love Poetry Contest is nearing deadline. Here are details, if you'd like to enter:

Please note that the 2022 guidelines are different from those of previous years.  
Each contestant may submit up to TWO original unpublished* love poems *Entries must never have been published, self-published, published on any website or broadcast in any form (recorded live readings excepted), nor accepted for publication, nor currently entered in any other competition before February 1, 2022. Entries must not have won a prize in any previous competition.
  • Each poem must be no more than one page in length (8.5 x 11 inch paper, single sided).
  • Poems may be double or single spaced.
  • Use a 12 point font.
  • Poems must have no more than 38 lines. Titles and blank lines between stanzas are not included in the line count.
  • Poems must have a title.
  • Poems must be primarily in English.

Emailed submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 1, 2022 and must include:
  • An email message with your name, mailing address, phone number, and the title of each poem submitted.
  • Each of your poems must be submitted as an attachment to your message
  • Your name or other identification should not appear on the poem(s).

Email submissions to 2022BLPContest@gmail.com. An entry fee of $5 per poem has been required in the past to help support the Joel Fallon Poetry Scholarship Fund. 2021 was a hard year for many, so no entry fee is required this year. However, your contribution of $5 per poem OR MORE, if you are able, would be greatly appreciated. Make checks or money orders payable to Benicia Literary Arts, P.O. Box 1903, Benicia, CA 94510.

Learn about the winning poems at Benicia's Everlovin' Love Poetry Awards Celebration. Details to come at https://www.benicialibrary.org/poet/events 

Prizes:
  • 1st Prize: $100 plus Poet's name inscribed on loving cup displayed at the Benicia Historical Museum
  • 2nd Prize: $60
  • 3rd Prize: $40

Prize Winning Poems and Honorable Mentions may be published in local media, in future anthologies published by Benicia Literary Arts, contest celebration materials, and recordings posted on the websites or Facebook pages of the Benicia Public Library and Benicia Literary Arts. Permission for such use is given by each poet in submitting work to this contest.

The Love Poetry Contest is sponsored by the Benicia Public Library, Benicia Literary Arts, and the Benicia Historical Museum.
SB 9 Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME) Act
In response to the State’s housing affordability challenges the State legislature has approved new bills to encourage housing production. Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) was passed in September 2021 and went into effect across California on January 1, 2022. 
 
What is SB 9?
SB 9 is a state bill that requires cities to allow one additional residential unit on parcels zoned for single-family dwelling units, with some exemptions.
 
What does SB 9 allow property owners to do?
SB 9 creates two main pathways to add an additional unit to single-family lots. These pathways can be used individually or in combination:

  1. Add a Dwelling Unit: Allows the construction of two dwelling units on a single lot – this includes splitting an existing house into two units or constructing a separate unit.
  2. Lot Split: Allows subdivision of one existing lot into two separate lots within a single-family residential zone. The resulting two lots may each be developed with two housing units of at least 800 square feet each.
New Tanks Installed at Water Treatment Plant
Last week, after eight months of design, negotiation, contracting, shipping delays, and COVID staffing delays, three replacement chemical tanks were installed at the water treatment plant. These new tanks and their connection piping are replacing infrastructure past its useful life.

Each of the new tanks have a capacity of 12,200, 10,500, and 8,500 gallons respectively, and can be remotely monitored from the water treatment plant's control center. The tanks are placed in a special containment area that prevents accidental and emergency spills. The new tanks will hold Aluminum Sulfate and Sodium Hydroxide, along with a spare tank for emergency operations. All are critical components of the water treatment process.
City Employee Spotlight
Paul Espinosa is a valued member of the Public Works Maintenance Division assigned to the wastewater field crew. 

Paul grew up in Monterey and later moved to Sacramento ending up in Solano County when he took the position of Field Utilities and Streets Journeyman in 2019. Paul is a union plumber by trade, so it was an easy transition coming to the City. He is also part of the standby team and was on the crew that worked a water main break all night on Christmas Eve. Coincidentally, Paul also worked all night on Christmas Eve in 2020 on a raw water line leak. Paul enjoys operating heavy equipment and the varied activities that often present itself while on standby. Standby activities vary from water leaks to backed up sewer mains to roadway obstructions.
 
Paul enjoys spending time with his girlfriend when he’s not working and likes to tinker and make modifications to his cars. Paul is also a movie buff and likes anything with vampires, horror movies, and crime movies. 
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:
Save the Date
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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