City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: Regional Stay Home Order Expected, Benicia Community Resources, Blood Drive Results, Utility Rate Increase, Beware of Third-party Processor for Utility Billing, Shop Benicia eGift Cards for the Holidays, We're Hiring, Opening on Valero Community Advisory Panel, CA Notify App

Message from the Interim City Manager
December 14, 2020

Hello Everyone,
Two wonderfully inspirational Benicia stories came out this week, revalidating my belief in what makes Benicia great. First, a story from the Police Department’s Facebook page where young Chance started a business selling ‘canine cookies’ and our K9 Apollo was one of his first customers. In addition to the inspirational story Chase himself presents, the comments and responses from the community reinforced that this is a special place. The story shined a light on the ingenuity, positivity and generosity that lives in all of us. Click here to read Chance's story of Facebook.
 
Secondly, a great story is from KGO channel 7 where a Benicia business is stepping up to fill a critical need in the response to COVID-19. They are well positioned to help the vaccine roll out quicker and more effectively to the region. As a City, we are committed to helping them and all of our business community not only survive through COVID-19, but thrive and come out stronger in the end. We thank the Mayor and Council for their support of this critical strategic priority, which has allowed us to roll out four waves of BOOST grants, with more major initiatives yet to come!
 
As we face a likely move to the Governor’s Stay Home order in the Bay Area Region, I would ask you to maintain a positive outlook, be resilient in the face of great challenges, be innovative and creative and look for ways you can support your community. I also want you to rest assured that we are closely monitoring the status of the vaccines and are in contact with the county to coordinate vaccination efforts when that time comes.

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

Erik Upson
Interim City Manager
City News
Regional Stay Home Order Expected
It is likely that the Bay Area Region may fall below the 15% ICU availability this week, perhaps as soon as today. Due to a surge in hospitalizations in the Bay Area Region (not Solano County), the entire region is affected. When the Regional Stay Home Order is triggered, we believe it will go into effect 24 hours after the announcement. Cell phone in the Bay Area Region will receive a message from the State of California (not AlertSolano.com) and Solano County Public Health will issue a press release, which we will share. Details on order, in addition to what will close and what will be open are available at https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#regional-stay-home-order.
 
The Bay Area Regional Stay Home Order will remain in effect for a minimum of three weeks. After which, it may end when the regions ICU availability is equal or greater than 15 %. This means that we must all do our part and encourage others to maintain social distance, wash our hands and wear a mask. Gatherings remain the largest cause of COVID-19 spread. Please consider stopping the spread when making holiday plans.
Benicia Community Resources
As the Regional Stay at Home Order looms for the Bay Area Region, residents may be in need of a little help as we shelter at home. The City of Benicia provides information on resources for residents on the Benicia Community Services Resource page. You'll find resources for seniors, food assistance and more. Take a look and if you need further assistance, please contact the Benicia Community Services Warmline at 707.746.4285 or email pcs@ci.benicia.ca.us.
Blood Drive Results
Vitalant Blood Donation company thanks all who participated in the December 8 & 9 Benicia Fire Bucket Brigade blood drive cosponsored by Benicia Fire Department and Benicia Amports. During the two-day drive, 61 donors registered and 55 were able to donated. Vitalant shares that they collected 70 lifesaving units of blood that has the potential to save as many as 210 lives, young and old, making these donors true lifesavers!

The next blood drive will likely occur in February. Stay tuned for details.
Utility Rate Increase
In 2016, the Benicia City Council voted to increase water and wastewater rates each year from 2016 – 2021. In 2018, the Council voted to eliminate the scheduled increase in wastewater, but not water rates. In 2020, Council voted to delay increasing water and wastewater rates until January 1, 2021 to help ease pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate increase scheduled for January 1, 2021 is the last scheduled increase.

The Public Works recently updated its Water and Wastewater Rates website at https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/watersewerrates. The website now contains:

  • List of the approved scheduled rate increases;
  • Breakdown of the water and wastewater budgets;
  • Comparison of the City’s rates to other neighboring jurisdictions;
  • Explanation of the meter replacement fee;
  • Financial accountability and operational transparency documents (the April 2020 utility update presentation and the condition assessments);
  • Rebates for water conservation; and
  • Assistance for those experiencing financial hardship.

The goal is to create a “one-stop-shop” for all questions about rates. If you have questions, please email PublicWorks@ci.Benicia.ca.us or call 707.746.4240.

If you are struggling due to your employment being affected by COVID-19, the City has the COVID-19 Citizens Assistance Program through the Family Resource Center which offers help paying expenses like utility bills.
Beware of Third-party Processor for Utility Billing
The City of Benicia encourages residents and businesses to not use a third-party processor when paying water and sewer utility bills. Third-party processors such as doxo, WaterZen and papergov cleverly present their websites to make it appear as if they are affiliated with the City of Benicia, but they are not. When using these sites, you’ll find that they may charge you their “payment delivery fee” with no guarantee that your payment will arrive on time, which may cause you to incur late fees.

Instead, please consider using one of these methods:
  • Send by U.S. Mail
  • Drop in the secure Utility Billing Drop Box in front of City Hall, 250 East L Street.
  • Drop off in the Finance Department at City Hall, Monday-(alternate) Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Pay online with NO processing fee at https://beniciaca.munisselfservice.com/. This is the City of Benicia’s online payment system. Once you are registered, you can view your account history, make a one-time payment, sign up for Auto-Pay and eBill, and change your payment method. You can make payments using your VISA, MasterCard or e-Check.

If you have questions about your bill, making a payment, logging into your account or setting up Auto-Pay or eBill, please contact the Finance Department at 707.746.4225.
Shop Benicia eGift Cards for the Holidays
Did you get your Shop Benicia eGift Card yet? The City of Benicia funded $10,000 for Bonus eGift Cards with the purchase of a Shop Benicia eGift Card. The Bonus eGift Card offer was so popular that the original $10,000 funding was exhausted in just one week! The City of Benicia replenished the offer with another $7,500 from one-time Economic Development account funds to continue encouraging shoppers to support small, independent businesses in Benicia. Those additional funds were nearly exhausted in the second week!

Shop Benicia eGift Cards and Bonus cards are adding more than $50,000 to our local economy waiting to be spent at Benicia restaurants, stores and salons & spas. Shop Benicia eGift Cards never expire but the Bonus cards expire on 02/28/21. They can be spent at any participating Benicia business. Shop Benicia eGift Cards make great holiday gifts that never expire. To purchase a card and see a list of participating businesses, visit www.VisitBenicia.org/ShopBenicia.

If you have questions about the program, are interested in making bulk purchases for your employees or clients, or want your business to participate, contact Teri Davena at tdavena@ci.benicia.ca.us or call 707.746.4202.
We're Hiring
Looking for a new job or a change in career? The City of Benicia Human Resources Department is accepting applications for the following positions:

  • Building Inspector I/II - Limited Duration (Part Time)
  • Development Services Technician I/II - Limited Duration (Part Time)
  • Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Manager - (Part Time - Limited Duration)
  • Management Analyst I/II
  • Police Officer - Academy/Non-Lateral
  • Police Officer - Lateral (Currently Working)
  • Reserve Officer (Volunteer)
  • Senior Administrative Clerk
  • Senior Civil Engineer
  • Senior Planner
  • Water Plant Superintendent

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.
Opening on Valero Community Advisory Panel
The Valero Benicia Refinery Community Advisory Panel (CAP) provides an on-going means of communication between the community and Valero Benicia Refinery. The CAP identifies and addresses issues of mutual concern such as air quality, air monitoring, and reliability of refinery operations. The CAP is a citizen forum that encourages dialogue and an exchange of information. CAP members provide feedback to Valero on refinery operations and must be residents of Benicia. The CAP is made up of:

  • Benicia City Council Member (1)
  • Benicia Chamber of Commerce Member (1)
  • Benicia Industrial Park Association Member (1)
  • Benicia Unified School District Member (1)
  • Good Neighbor Steering Committee Member (1)
  • Community-at-Large Members (2)

Technical experts are available to assist the CAP in its activities. Members should plan to devote approximately four (4) hours per quarter on CAP activities. CAP members serve in a voluntary capacity for a term of two (2) years.

Currently there is one opening for a Community-at-Large member. The term would begin in January 2021 and continue until January 2023. Community-at-large members are selected jointly by the City of Benicia and Valero. Interviews will take place in February.

Click here to view the application. Completed applications should be submitted to the City Manager's Office in person or mail to City of Benicia, 250 East L Street, Benicia, by 5 p.m. on Friday January 29, 2021. Completed applications may also be emailed to Sarah Grebe at sgrebe@ci.benicia.ca.us.
CA Notify App
The State of California has launched a new contact notification app called CA Notify. Once the app is on your phone, leave your Bluetooth on and you will be notified if you’re spend more than 15 minutes within 6-feet of someone who tests positive for COVID-19. You can opt in to the completely private app by activating it on your iPhone or downloading for Android. (Do not respond to a text message that appears to be from the State as it is most likely a phishing message looking for your personal info.) Additional details are available at https://canotify.ca.gov/.
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.
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!
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!