City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: Holiday Closure, Public Works Staff Christmas Response, 2023-2031 Housing Element, Adding an ADU is Easier Than Ever, We're Hiring, Benicia COVID-19 Citizen Emergency Assistance Program-Phase 3, COVID-19 Vaccine Info from Solano Public Health, COVID Assistance
Message from the City Manager
January 17, 2022

Dear Community,
Last week, you all got to see some of the amazing work that has been accomplished by your City staff and our Mayor and City Council. In that edition, I mentioned that this week we would be highlighting some of our initiatives we are working on for 2022. I hope you see, in both the work completed and the impending work, our commitment to a vision of greatness; to be the very best at what we do, serving our community. I fully recognize the amount of work ahead of us, but I am confident that with our amazing staff and the firm commitment of our Mayor and Council we can reach that vision. Many of the projects below are what we would consider ‘routine’ work; decisions made at the staff level to move us forward as an organization. Some of the bigger initiatives come directly from Council, and many of those from the Council’s annual Priority Goal Setting Workshop. This year, that workshop will be taking place on Saturday, April 23. At this important all-day workshop, Council will be reviewing the work completed or in-progress from the previous year’s workshop and making a determination on what priorities to set for the coming year. Some of the ‘big ticket’ items on that agenda will be roads and other infrastructure, staffing, housing and budget.

Here are some of the initiatives we are working on in 2022:

Community Development Department
  • Adoption and Implementation of the Eastern Gateway Study.
  • This will include working with interested community members and property owners to understand the application of the new mixed use zones, fielding interest in potential site development and land uses, and seeking funds to support further planning for infrastructure including bicycle and pedestrian circulation.
  • Housing Element and Safety Element (ongoing)
  • The City will be conducting a number of community meetings concerning the topics of housing and climate change adaptation, in support of State-mandated updates to the Housing and Safety Elements of the Benicia General Plan. 
  • A joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission is scheduled for January 25 at 6 p.m. This meeting will focus on the topic of housing; the agenda may be viewed at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas
  • Two regional housing element meetings are also planned, which will be focused on the topics of regional housing needs assessment and a regional assessment of fair housing. Information about the meetings will be available at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/housingelement (Click here to view the flyer and links to register to view the meeting.)
  • We will continue implementation of our Benicia Permit Center, including continued automation of minor permits and coordination with other community services, and enhanced “how to” information on our Building Safety Division’s webpage www.ci.benicia.ca.us/building.
  • Short Term Rental Ordinance & Program (ongoing).
  • In Spring 2022 we will introduce draft zoning regulations for short term rental uses and permitting. The ordinance will address community priorities expressed through public meetings in summer 2021. More information about short term rentals in Benicia can be found at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/strpermit
  • Building Code Update. 
  • The City will prepare for implementation of new State of California building codes, which take effect on January 1, 2023. This effort will include a review of local amendments to the Building Code (Chapter 15 of the Benicia Municipal Code) and outreach to the community and design and construction professionals, to inform and prepare them for the upcoming change. 

Benicia Fire Department
  • Apply for and strive to obtain a SAFER grant to continue staffing levels required to maintain the truck company.
  • Acquire a training center within City limits to allow for training within the City's response zone. This will better protect the City and save on overtime staffing costs associated with training outside of City limits.
  • Acquire a Pierce fire engine to maintain the National Fire Protection Agency service life recommendations of the apparatus fleet.
  • Complete the Defensible Space Program and Site-Specific Assessment Project by analyzing the City's open spaces and adjacent properties, delineating a variety of methods to address vegetation management needs and reducing fires in the open spaces, and creating a Vegetation Management Plan that incorporates input from the public.
  • Complete the backup generator project at the Community Center and begin using it on standby in case of a power outage or rolling blackout.

Parks and Community Services
  • Complete update to Parks, Trails and Open Space Master Plan.
  • Bid Fitzgerald Field bleacher project.
  • Initiate process for the Parks, Lighting and Landscape District citywide assessment.
  • Pursue grant opportunities to fund capital projects.
  • Continue to expand volunteer opportunities for the community.

Benicia City Library
  • Begin digitization of the Benicia Herald to enable future access and searchability online
  • Public Art Projects
  • Complete Inori art installation
  • Prioritize future projects based on impact and feasibility
  • Identify potential community partnership and grant opportunities
  • New services for children
  • Installation of Children’s Homework Help databases
  • Implementation of “shelf talkers” for Kid-to-Kid book reviews
  • Extended collaboration with BUSD
  • New programming including hybrid online/in-person events
  • Strategic Visioning: Engage community stakeholders in conversations to create a shared vision of library services that anticipates and meets the unique needs of Benicia residents.
 
Finance Department
  • New Budget Module implementation with OpenGov, to improve public transparency with our City budget
  • Cannabis tax receipts measures, process, and auditing
  • Labor Costing Module implementation with GovInvest to improve financial forecasting to enhance service delivery resourcing
  • Implementation and assessment of Munis Investment management software
  • Mid-Year Budget review
  • New Five-Year financial forecast
  • Cost Allocation Plan implementation to improve General Fund cost recovery; improving resources available for service delivery
  • Multiple process improvements related to purchasing contract management and real property management
 
Benicia Police Department
  • Continue to foster community-oriented policing
  • Research drone technology to further enhance public safety in partnership with the Fire Department
  • Virtual reality training system to upgrade officers’ training in de-escalation and use of force
  • Implementation of Next Generation 911 to create a faster, more resilient system that allows voice, photos, videos and text messages to flow seamlessly from the public to the 911 network.
  • Reimplementation of Citizens Police Academy and Youth Police Academy to give the community an in-depth look into the Benicia Police Department

Public Works Department
  • Departmental Reorganization and Salary Update
  • Reorganize staff to better reflect current and future operations
  • Adjust salaries to attract and retain talented staff
  • Increased Deferred Maintenance Project Delivery - Utilities
  • Engage consultants to increase project delivery capacity for small and medium sized maintenance projects
  • 2022 Streets Maintenance Project (Microsurfacing)
  • Continue to execute the City’s pavement management plan - $1.2 million
  • Capital Improvement Program Project Delivery
  • Continue to execute the adopted 5-Year CIP
  • Develop new standard plans and details
  • Support development by updating the City’s 30-year-old standard plans and details

City Manager’s Office
  • COVID-19 resiliency –protect the community with access to vaccines and boosters, and support the most vulnerable and affected residents through the COVID-19 Citizen’s Assistance Program
  • Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Complete the equity assessment, implementation plan, and anti-bias training
  • Climate Action. Establish a green business initiatives program for Benicia to help local businesses become more energy efficient and conserve water, which reduces our overall greenhouse gas emissions
  • 2022 parking study which will help identify more parking strategies for the City’s downtown
  • Establish two streateries downtown

Divisions within the City Manager's Office:

Sustainability Division
  • Obtain Green Business Certification for the Community Center
  • Update the City’s Climate Action Plan
  • Obtain funding to install new electric vehicle charge stations
  • Complete emissions estimate for 2021
  • Work with businesses to find funding to reduce energy and water use saving them money and reducing carbon emissions
  • Locate funding to develop pilot electric vehicle use for City operations
  • Promote organics and foodware composting and recycling
  • Overhaul the City’s Sustainability webpage and increase links to current actions and events. Includes increasing public education and awareness on sustainability
  • Work with Republic Services to increase recycling and reduce the amount of solid waste generated by the City

Information Technology Division
  • Update the City’s antiquated document management system (DMS) to a modern system allowing for public sharing of files and tighter security
  • Continue to improve upon the City’s network security, adding new layers of protection for virtual private network (VPN) users and Microsoft Office applications
  • Complete the Customer Request System project and develop a smartphone application to allow residents to report issues or request services
  • Replace the City’s Enterprise Virtualization platform, including all servers, five-year-old hardware, and software
  • Update the City’s Commission Room technology with a new Zoom Room solution, integrated speakers, smartboard, and emergency status monitors              

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Manager
  • Establish the Committee United for Racial Equity as an accountability partner for positive change
  • Draft City of Benicia Equity Statement and commitment to advancing the mission of equity, diversity, and inclusion in policy and practice
  • Conduct equity assessment and develop action plan
  • Complete and submit Equity Indicators Report to Council
  • Partner with City Departments to ensure equitable approaches and inclusive practices are reflected in planning, hiring, advancement, training and retention
  • Implement anti-bias training and support for City staff
  • Engage with local, county, and state agencies to raise awareness and share best practices for integrating EDI in administration efforts

Human Resources Division
  • Expand our recruitment and new hire onboarding process to include workshops and trainings with a goal of a stronger employee experience, higher employee engagement, and better recruitment and retainment of talent
  • Updating our Personnel Rules and Employee Handbook
  • Completing a city-wide compensation study, to include classification work for some positions
  • Develop and facilitate in-house supervisor leadership academy

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

Erik Upson
City Manager
City News
Holiday Closure
Benicia city offices, Benicia Public Library and Benicia Community Center will be closed on Monday, January 17 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Requests for emergency water and sewer service may be made at the Benicia Police Department, 200 East L Street, or by calling 707.745.3411.

Click here for a calendar of holidays observed and Alternate Friday closures.
Public Works Staff Christmas Response
While many Benicia residents were in their homes with family on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Public Works staff was responding to multiple water leaks on Morning Glory Drive.

At 6:45 on Christmas Eve morning, City staff was called to a water leak that required temporary shutoff to the entire street. Once the line was repaired, disinfected, tested, and returned to service, the water main developed another leak requiring another shutoff and repair. This continued and multiple times before a decision was made to fully replace a large section of the water main.

The three staff members on the job worked for a total of 27 hours straight to repair and disinfect the water main. By 8:00 Christmas morning, all leaks were fixed and water was restored to the affected residents. A fresh crew came out by 9:00 that same morning to finish backfilling the excavation and clean the road job site.

At the City’s first opportunity to pick up fresh asphalt, a week later, the team finished the job completely by re-paving the portions of the roadway that were removed for repairing the water main, along with some extra portions of the roadway that were left badly damaged by the series of water leaks. In total, the team put down 22 tons of new asphalt to complete the response to this issue!

Water service along Morning Glory Drive is now fully restored. Thanks to the residents for their patience. A special thanks go to John Gant, Paul Espinosa, Sean Flaherty, Zackary Penrod, Ben Hirsch, Robert Roe, and Edgar Briceno for leaving their families on a holiday to serve the City.
2023-2031 Housing Element
What is a Housing Element?
The Housing Element is one of seven required elements of the City’s General Plan, which serves as the blueprint for how the City will grow and address changing needs for development. A Housing Element, which is required by state law to be updated every eight years, is how local jurisdictions plan to meet the housing needs of the community and have a conversation about local housing challenges and solutions.
 
Benicia’s 2023-2031 Housing Element
The City must plan for 750 new housing units in the 2023-2031 Housing Element cycle. Though not required to build or finance new housing, the City must plan for it and identify locations of available sites for housing development or redevelopment. The City will also consider updates to the policies and programs included in the current Housing Element, with a draft plan to be available for public review by May 2022.
 
How to Participate
The City Council, Planning Commission, housing stakeholders and the community will be engaged in the process to guide the plan, which is scheduled to be adopted by January 2023. The City invites you to participate, with the first round of virtual public meetings scheduled for the following times: 

Joint City Council & Planning Commission Housing Study Session
Tuesday, January 25 at 6 p.m.

Solano County Regional Housing Element Workshops
Wednesday, January 26, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Thursday, January 27, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Adding an ADU is Easier Than Ever
Most Benicia residents can imagine many ways to use an additional unit on their property: as a rental unit, or home for an elderly relative, a caregiver, or an older son or daughter living at home. The City of Benicia Community Development Department are excited to let residents know that the City of Benicia has made it easier than ever to add one of these units to a residential property.

An accessory dwelling unit (ADU), sometimes called a “second unit” or “in-law unit”, is a self-contained living unit on the same property as a primary residential building. These units generally include a living and sleeping area, kitchen, and bathroom. They can be built from scratch or in many cases prefabricated and ordered. You can also create an ADU by converting a garage or existing space in a home.

To get started, visit the City’s webpage on ADUs at https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/adu and call the Planning line 707.746.4320 to go over the permitting process for an ADU on your property.
We're Hiring
Ready to reenter the workforce or take on a new challenge? The City of Benicia Human Resources Division is accepting applications for the following positions:

  • Benicia Recreation Positions (Part Time)
  • Field Utilities and Streets Apprentice/Journeyman 
  • Planning Manager
  • Police Officer - Academy/Non-Lateral
  • Police Officer - Lateral (Currently Working)
  • Project Manager 
  • Public Safety Dispatcher 
  • Public Works Maintenance Superintendent 
  • Reserve Officer (Volunteer)
  • Senior Civil Engineer NEW
  • Senior Human Resources Analyst/HR Analyst I/II
 
To apply for any of these positions, the application and supplemental forms may be found online, then click the job title. Employment applications may also be obtained from, and must be returned to, Human Resources at 250 East L Street, Benicia. Sign up with Job Interest Cards to be notified of future position openings when they occur.
City Employee Spotlight
Jeremy Karagan started his career with the City of Benicia as an Information Technology Assistant in February 2020. He played a significant role in keeping the City up and running during the pandemic's start. In May 2021, Jeremy was promoted to the position of IT Analyst to support the Finance Department in a significant upgrade to their financial systems. He holds a BA in Information Technology and a Master's degree in Data Analytics and Project Management from Colorado State University. Jeremy's work within the City's IT Help Desk and financial systems have been invaluable to moving the city into modern technology systems.
 
Jeremy excels in organizational skills and enjoys working closely with the Finance Department and City's end-users. Jeremy said his favorite parts of his job "include working with staff to find solutions to problems both within the City and for our residents. I also enjoy helping and meeting with staff departments to make their work environments better and more productive. I have really come to value my IT team members and appreciate their dedication to the job at hand."
 
Jeremy and his husband Mack have lived in Solano County for nine years. They have been together for eighteen years and married for six years. Jeremy and Mack have two Boxers, Truman and Wilmer, and Dan, their orange Tabby cat. Fun fact: Jeremy's husband Mack is an Episcopal priest and is the rector of Church of the Epiphany in Vacaville. Jeremy enjoys traveling to his favorite country Mexico and has visited over twelve more countries. Jeremy enjoys gardening, both outside and his houseplant collection, beach and hiking adventures with the dogs, and exploring new wine regions in California.
Benicia COVID-19 Citizen Emergency Assistance Program-Phase 3
The Benicia Police Department’s Family Resource Center has launched Phase 3 of the COVID-29 Citizen Assistance Program for Benicia families or individuals struggling to pay rent/mortgage, utilities food or gas. Limited funding is available on a first come, first serve basis. Applications will be accepted through May 31, 2022.

Download the simple two-page Application, then email it to klara@ci.benicia.ca.us, or mail it to the Family Resource Center at Benicia Police Department, 200 East L Street.

After completed application is reviewed and applicant is eligible for assistance, they will be directly contacted by the Family Resource Center staff for next step. If eligible, the following will be required:

  • Copy of Driver’s License or CA ID Card
  • Unemployment proof-EDD award letter, denying or terminating benefits
  • Employer letter confirming loss of job, lay off, reduced hours due to Covid19
  • Past due utility bills
  • Landlord/Bank/Property Owner copy of lease, verification form & W-9
  • Employment layoff letter
  • If self-employed, your statement letter

Assistance will be paid directly to the vendors. Questions may be directed to Kendall Lara at klara@ci.benicia.ca.us or 707.746.4352.
COVID-19 Vaccine Info from Solano Public Health
The Solano County Department of Health and Social Services, Public Health division, in accordance with state and national guidance, is expanding COVID-19 vaccine booster eligibility to individuals 12 to 15 years of age in Solano County.
 
The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup — following an amendment to the Emergency Use Authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration — recommended expanding eligibility for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster dose to youth between the ages of 12 and 15 that have completed their primary vaccination series for COVID-19 at least five months ago.
 
“With the surge of COVID-19 cases after the holiday season, we urge community members to get vaccinated and receive their booster shot, if eligible” said Bela T. Matyas, M.D., M.P.H., Solano County Public Health Officer. “Vaccination remains the most effective method for fighting the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, especially with the spread of the Omicron and Delta variants in our community.”
 
Parents and guardians who are interested in getting their eligible children vaccinated can access the Pfizer booster shots at the mass vaccine clinic at Solano County Fairgrounds, located at 900 Fairgrounds Drive in Vallejo. Clinic operations have been expanded to include every Friday and Saturday between now and January 29, 2022. Visit the Public Health vaccine website for clinic details and updates on future vaccine clinics in and around Solano County at https://www.SolanoCounty.com/COVIDvaccine or reach out to your healthcare provider.
 
WHERE TO GET VACCINATED FOR COVID-19 DOSES, FLU SHOTS AND BOOSTERS:

Solano County Fairgrounds Mass Vaccine Clinic
Solano County is administering the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine to individuals age 5 or older, booster shots for everyone age 12 or older, as well as regular doses and flu shots. The mass vaccination clinic operates Friday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Clinics are walk-in and appointment based. To make an appointment, eligible residents can sign up at www.bit.ly/solanomassvax. Those requiring registration assistance should call 800.672.0150.
 
Pop-Up Clinics
For additional vaccine clinics throughout the County, visit https://www.SolanoCounty.com/COVIDvaccine. 

COVID-19 INFORMATION:
  • Homebound individuals interested in requesting an in-home vaccination appointment are encouraged to call the COVID-19 vaccine line at 707.784.8655 for scheduling assistance.
  • Residents without transportation to and from vaccine sites hosted by Solano County are urged to call the COVID-19 vaccine line at 707.784.8655 and arrange for a free ride through Uber.
  • For vaccine clinics available throughout the State, visit https://MyTurn.Ca.Gov
  • For recent local COVID-19 health information, including the number of COVID-19 cases in Solano County as reflected on the COVID-19 dashboard, visit www.SolanoCounty.com/COVID19
  • Public Health Facebook page, https://www.Facebook.com/SolanoCountyPH and @SolanoCountyPH
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.
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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