City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: City Council Meetings Now Hybrid, East E Street Lot Closure and Pavement Project, Housing Element Study Session, City Employee Spotlight, Solano County Expands COVID-19 Second Booster Eligibility, COVID Assistance
Message from the City Manager
April 4, 2022

Hello Everyone,

Tomorrow evening, after more than two years of virtual meetings, our City Council and staff return to in person meetings in the Council Chambers. When our City Council convenes on Tuesday night at 6 pm attendees will enter a chamber with a much needed Audio Visual Systems refresh.

Several of the components responsible for making up the entire system were outdated and showed signs of needing upgrades. This was reflected in the audio and video quality broadcast to our viewers via our local government channel and live webstream. In addition, the acoustics within the chamber itself needed replacement, as audio from the dias was not projecting well to the audience. This led to the IT Division seeking solutions to improve our Audio Visual systems. 

Additionally, we understood that the new system would be required to effectively support a hybrid environment where we would continue to accommodate remote guests. This increased the complexity of the upgrade. We began the process of bidding out the project to AV vendors from within Northern CA, ultimately choosing a local Benicia company, Signal Solutions. We have been very pleased thus far with the work that Signal Solutions has performed. To date, everything looks very professional with much-improved quality. We will bring the project to fruition on Tuesday, April 5th. 

All indications appear that the project has been a success, with improvement reflected in all system areas, notably what the public will experience when they watch our Council and Planning Commission meetings on the local channel or webstream. We understand there will be some initial challenges with any new upgrade of this magnitude. Still, we are confident that we have made a valuable investment that will have a long-term benefit for the City of Benicia.

I look forward to seeing many of you in person on Tuesday night and for many others to continue to participate via Zoom from the comfort of your own home.

Thank you for your interest in the City of Benicia This Week! If you enjoy reading this weekly message, please share and encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to subscribe or text jointhisweek to 22828 (messaging and data rates may apply).

Mario Giuliani
Deputy City Manager
City News
East E Street Lot Closure & Pavement Project
Effective March 29, 2022, the E Street Lot is closed for use as a result of a legal settlement from surrounding residents regarding dust caused by traffic from the lot. Moving forward, the full E Street Lot will only be open for Farmers Market nights and 10 special event days during the year. To help alleviate the loss of the lot, the City Council has approved funding to pave a temporary lot (approximately 21 spaces) that will be open for daily use once completed.

We know for many neighbors the closure of the E Street Lot is a disappointment, but we look forward to making this temporary lot improvement available as soon as possible. To learn more and to view a copy of the settlement agreement, visit www.ci.benicia.ca.us/EStreet.

Housing Element Study Session on April 7 
The City of Benicia is considering potential locations for housing 
Join us at the Planning Commission Housing Element Study Session to learn about locations being considered for zoning changes that would allow additional housing in Benicia. Your feedback is important in this process as we work to meet the State-mandated housing needs for the community by identifying suitable Housing Opportunity sites and appropriate housing densities. To learn more about the Housing Element, visit www.ci.benicia.ca.us/housingelement. 

The Planning Commission meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, with participation in person at Benicia City Hall or remotely via Zoom. Not able to attend? The meeting will be recorded and available online for future viewing via the project webpage at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/housingelement. 
 
Planning Commission Study Session 
April 7, 2022 at 7 p.m. 
City Employee Spotlight
Firefighter/Paramedic, Sam Purdy, was born and raised right here in Benicia. He was homeschooled but played water polo with the Benicia High School team. He earned his Eagle Scout after being a Boy Scout with Benicia Scouting. During high school, Sam was also a Fire Explorer with both the Benicia Fire Department and the Vallejo Fire Department. Captains Doug Segulyev and Dave Calkins were his leads at Benicia during that time. It’s come full circle - they now get to work alongside Firefighter/Paramedic Purdy as coworkers.

Sam graduated high school with the class of 2012 but completed school a semester early because of the flexibility homeschool allowed. He made good use of that extra semester and took an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course at Solano Community College. Sam always knew he wanted to be a firefighter. Completion of EMT training is one of the first steps in that direction. He was hired by Falcon Ambulance as an EMT in 2012. While he was working on the ambulance, he also attended Solano Community College Fire Academy. In 2014, he started working as a volunteer firefighter at the Cordelia Fire Protection District. In between working on the ambulance and volunteer firefighting, he attended Napa Valley College for paramedic school and received 2 associate’s degrees: one in Fire Science and one in Paramedic. He continued his college education and received a bachelor's degree in Fire & Emergency Services Administration in December of 2020. Firefighter/Paramedic Purdy was a perfect fit for the Benicia Fire Department and was hired on April 1, 2020. He has been an outstanding member of the team and provides exemplary customer service to every resident he meets.

Sam and his wife, Jackie, were married in Benicia at the Jefferson Street Mansion in 2018. In 2021, they welcomed their baby girl, Scarlett. She just celebrated her first birthday and loves taking walks around Benicia and waving “hi” to her Daddy at the fire station when she and her mom pass by. Scarlett has passed the walking stage and is now running. Benicia parks are her favorite places to get her wiggles out.
 
Sam and Jackie bought a home on the east end of Benicia and are currently renovating the place themselves from top to bottom. Sam spends pretty much all his time off work at the new house getting it ready for his family to live in. Sam’s favorite part of living and working in Benicia is taking pride in the service he provides to his very own community and of course, sweet visits from his family while he is on duty.
Solano County Public Health Expands Eligibility for COVID-19 Second Booster
The Solano County Department of Health and Social Services, Public Health Division, in accordance with state and national guidance, is expanding COVID-19 second booster doses for everyone ages 50 and up as well as those ages 12 and older with immunocompromising health conditions.
 
The minimum interval between the first and second boosters is four months. Booster doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is approved for individuals 12 years of age and older with moderate and severe immunosuppression. Individuals 18 years and older with moderate and severe immunosuppression are also eligible for the Moderna vaccine. Individuals with moderate and severe immunosuppression may wish to consult with their healthcare providers as they make their decision concerning the receipt of a second booster dose of these vaccines. The more layers of protection, the better.
 
WHERE TO GET VACCINATED FOR COVID-19 DOSES AND BOOSTERS
Solano Town Center Mall
Solano County Public Health, along with our community partners, will offer COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses at the fixed vaccination site at Solano Town Center Mall starting Thursday, March 31. Eligible residents can call (800) 672-0150 to schedule an appointment at the Solano Town Center Mall. Walk-ins are welcome as well.
 
Eligible individuals who are interested in getting vaccinated can access the booster shots at the fixed vaccination site at the Solano Town Center Mall, located at 1451 Travis Blvd. in Fairfield. Clinic operations are from Tuesday through Thursday from 11:00am-6:00pm, Friday from 11:00am-5:30pm, and Saturday from 10:00am-4:00pm.
 
Pop-Up Clinics
For additional vaccine clinics throughout Solano County, visit www.solanocounty.com/covidvaccine
 
COVID-19 INFORMATION
n 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.
n 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.
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
  • Apr 5 - City Council meeting, 6 p.m. via livestream. Watch live at https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas. See the Full Agenda for more information.
  • Apr 7 - Special Planning Commission meeting, 7:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers and via livestream. See the Agenda for more information.
  • Apr 7 - Special Arts and Culture Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m., Benicia Public Library, Dona Benicia Room. See the Agenda for more information.
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