City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: Regional Stay Home Order Extended, COVID Vaccines Underway, Help Benicia Businesses, Give Help - Get Help, Volunteer Appreciation, I-80 Closures This Week
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Message from the Interim City Manager |
January 11, 2021
Hello Everyone,
I’d like to start with another appeal for our community to take actions to support our local businesses, many of which are struggling mightily. Local restaurants, after investing in outdoor dining solutions in the fall and early winter, suddenly found themselves completely shut down again to everything except delivery and take-out. Please consider increasing your efforts to allow our restaurants to serve you. Pass the word to friends and neighbors, and share on social media. I know the vaccine is rolling out slower than we hoped, but I still believe if we can push hard these next few months it may make the difference in survival or failure for many of our wonderful local businesses. For local retail stores, please remember they remain open at a more limited occupancy. For personal service businesses, such as salons, please consider buying gift certificates for yourself, friends and family or finding other ways to support these business owners, who are largely self-employed and often do not have the benefits and support that other employees are eligible to receive. Lastly, remember that our artists and art studios are still selling art and need your help.
In my continuing efforts to recognize Benicia volunteerism, you’ll see the Police Department’s volunteer program highlighted below. The exceptional men and women who volunteer with the Benicia Police Department will always have a special place in my heart. With such a small staff, our volunteers truly help elevate the Police Department towards its vision of greatness. While they are not currently training new volunteers, if it is something you are interested in becoming a part of, please email Patti Baron at pbaron@ci.benicia.ca.us to have your name placed on our active list of interested future volunteers. And a special thanks to Fire Department volunteer Richard Ryan for his amazing dedication to this community!
As was mentioned, one way to help the community is to support the various agencies listed below who are actively working to help our communities through this pandemic. This week we have added Food is Free, helping provide free food to those who are struggling to fulfill this basic need. Please considering volunteering, donating and sharing the links below.
Thank you for your interest in the City of Benicia This Week!
Erik Upson
Interim City Manager
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Regional Stay Home Order Extended |
The State's Regional Stay Home Order continues as COVID-19 cases rise after holiday gatherings. The 11 counties of the Bay Area Region were formally ordered by the State to shelter at home on December 17 after the region's ICU capacity dropped below 15%.
Item 6 of the order notes:
The Terms of this Order shall remain in place for at least three weeks from the date the order takes effect in a Region and shall continue until CDPH’s (California Department of Public Health) four-week projections of the Region’s total available adult ICU bed capacity is greater than or equal to 15%. Four-week adult ICU bed capacity projections will be made approximately twice a week, unless CDPH determines that public health conditions merit an alternate projection schedule. If after three weeks from the effective date of the Terms of this Order in a Region, CDPH’s four-week projections of the Region’s total available adult ICU bed capacity is greater than or equal to 15%, the Terms of this Order shall no longer apply to the Region.
Unfortunately, that was not the case for the Bay Area Region last week at the end of three weeks and the order was extended. Once the order is terminated, each county will be assigned a tier and be subject to those restrictions based on the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. It is likely that Solano County will return to the purple tier when the Regional Stay Home Order is lifted.
In addition, the State issued an updated Travel Advisory last week that encourages Californians to avoid non-essential travel to any part of California more than 120 miles from one's place of residence, or to other states or countries. Avoiding travel reduces the risk of virus transmission, including by reducing the risk that new sources of infection and, potentially, new virus strains will be introduced to California.
We can all do our part to get out of this quicker by washing hands frequently, wearing face coverings, maintaining social distancing, limiting outings to essential activities and not gathering.
Helpful Links
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Benicia firefighters have begun receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. As first responders, Benicia firefighters have continued to work throughout this pandemic and, on a daily basis, are being dispatched to emergency medical and other incidents involving actual and potential COVID exposures. Not only are the immunizations intended to keep staff safe, they are also intended as a critical tool in controlling the ongoing spread.
The vaccine supply is limited and is being distributed in a phased approach with the initial phase including individuals who risk direct exposure by working in health care, long-term care settings, and residents of skilled nursing facilities. Are you wondering when you can get vaccinated? See https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#When-can-I-get-vaccinated
The Benicia Fire Department’s initial allocation was for 15 doses which covers less than half of their staff. Therefore, Chief Chadwick developed the following schedule:
1. Firefighter Paramedics who have never tested positive (by seniority)
2. Engineers, lieutenants, and Captains who have maintained their county paramedic license and who have never tested positive (by seniority)
3. Remaining Engineers, Lieutenants, and Captains who have never tested positive (by seniority) 4. Division Chiefs
5. Anyone not included in 1-4 above (by seniority)
6. Fire Chief
Additionally, firefighters receiving these vaccines are doing so 100 percent voluntarily.
Remaining fire department and police department staff will soon be receiving their initial vaccines. Questions or comments may be directed to Chief Chadwick at jchadwick@ci.benicia.ca.us. |
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With the Regional Shelter at Home Order continuing, Benicia retail stores and restaurants can use your help now more than ever. If you have the means, please consider shopping and take-out dining locally.
If you are holding onto a Shop Benicia Bonus eGift card, they expire February 28. Why not spend them now?
Shop Benicia eGift Cards make great gifts and are good at more than 50 Benicia businesses and never expire. Why not give the gift of a day in Benicia as a Valentine's gift?
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There are several organizations in town that can use your donation to help them serve Benicians in need. Similarly, if you find yourself or your family members or friends in need, please reach out to any of these organizations or contact the City of Benicia Warmline at 707.746.4285 or pcs@ci.benicia.ca.us and we'll put you in touch with the services you need.
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Since 1995, the Benicia Police Department has been very fortunate to have 20 - 30 community members volunteer within the department each year. Volunteers (seen in this pre-COVID photo) work on a daily basis and provide assistance to officers and in-house personnel. They are considered valuable part of the BPD family.
Volunteer Categories
- The Senior Patrol volunteers are highly trained and work daily to provide a number of services that include; traffic control, emergency incident call outs, home vacation checks, routine community patrol, deliver paperwork to the courts, assist with special events and projects.
- The Chaplain Program consists of local pastors, youth ministers and church personnel who assist with various services including; assisting officers and citizens during traumatic incidents, provide comfort and help to the officers and personnel, and help with specific events and activities.
- The Cadet Program is for local youth ages 15 to 20 who may have an interest in law enforcement as a career. Cadets learn the educational aspects of law enforcement, assist with special events and participate in regional Cadet competitions.
- Clerical volunteers assist with data entry and specific projects.
When COVID-19 hit last March, to ensure the safety and health of the volunteers, they stayed home. Throughout the year, they have continually checked in, always offering to help out no matter the risk to their own health and safety. Their presence along with the valuable work they do has certainly been missed. In late September, after developing a strong set of COVID-19 safety protocols, and at the persistent urging of the volunteers, the department has allowed volunteers to return to perform limited patrol duties.
Benicia Police Department volunteers are extremely dedicated and care deeply for the police department, its personnel and for the community. They are helpful in assisting to ensure our community stays safe. BPD is truly fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers. Unfortunately, the Police Department is not recruiting or taking on new volunteers at this time.
Benicia Fire Department thanks volunteer Richard Ryan for his 30+ years of excellent fire inspection and fire plan review service. He donates his time nearly every day to review fire plans and consult with the fire inspector. He also attends weekly meetings with other City staff regarding projects. His efforts have saved the City of Benicia time and money. He is an valued addition to Fire Department team, and they are grateful for the generous donation of time.
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Save the Date
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Jan 11 - Human Services Board meeting, 6 p.m. via livestream. See the Full Agenda for more information.
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Jan 11 - City Council Special meeting, 6 p.m. via livestream. See the Full Agenda for more information.
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Jan 13 - Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m. via livestream. See the Full Agenda for more information.
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Jan 14 - Planning Commission meeting, 7 p.m. via livestream. See the Full Agenda for more information.
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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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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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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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See what's happening on our other social sites:
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