This is a video clip of the presentation by Benicia’s Contract Attorney Brad Hogin at the City Council meeting of March 15. This clip runs for about 26 minutes. (On the City’s longer and unindexed video, it begins at minute 1:04:27 and runs to 1:30:42. Note that the video archive of the entire meeting can be found on the City of Benicia website at ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas.)
Category Archives: Benicia City Council
ABC7 VIDEO: Benicia City Council Considers Valero Refinery’s Plan to Ship Crude Oil by Rail
Repost from ABC7 / KGO News, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose
Benicia City Council Considers Valero Refinery’s Plan to Ship Crude Oil by Rail
By Katie Marzullo, March 16, 2016 11:37AM
BENICIA, Calif. (KGO) — Benicia considered a controversial topic Tuesday night, transporting crude oil by train. Opponents say it’s an environmental catastrophe waiting to happen, but supporters say it’s safe.
Tuesday is the city council’s first pass at hearing Valero’s proposal to move crude oil by rail. The planning commission rejected it last month and Valero appealed. It’s an hours-long process to reintroduce all of the reports council members were still asking questions late into Tuesday night.
The Valero refinery in Benicia already brings crude oil into the facility by pipeline and ship and it wants to add rail. Members of Benicians For a Safe and Healthy Community have been opposed since the beginning.
“Air emission impacts, traffic impacts, as well as the risk of catastrophic explosion here in Benicia that could destroy the economy and estroy the culture of this community for generations to come,” said Andres Sotos, a member of Benicians For a Safe and Healthy Community.
The city might not have a choice. Staff and consultants point to federal laws that don’t allow cities to regulate railroads. But others say Benicia has every right to reject Valero’s proposal.
“I’ve never seen a city, and I’ve been on the city council. I’ve never seen a city give up their permitting power and I think it’s the wrong direction for the city to take,” said Benicia resident Jan Cox Golovich.
Last month, the planning commission unanimously rejected Valero’s plan. Now it’s fate is in the hands of the city council. Valero is optimistic.
“We believe it can be done safely and we’re looking forward to making that case to the city council in our appeal,” said Valero director of health and safety Chris Howe.
Valero wants to move 70,000 barrels of crude oil by rail and rely less on shipping. Public comment on the issue is scheduled for April 4.
Benicia City Council public comment will be on April 4, 6, 18 and 19
By Roger Straw, February 9, 2016
[Editor: UPDATE – Note additional hearing date of Monday, April 18. This new date is IN ADDITION TO the previously scheduled hearings. – RS]
[Editor: UPDATE – Note additional hearing date of Monday, April 18. This new date is IN ADDITION TO the previously scheduled hearings. – RS]
Benicia announces City Council dates for hearings on Valero Crude by Rail appeal
Hearings will begin on March 15 and continue for public comment on April 4, 6, 18 and 19
The Benicia City Council Agenda for March 15 included staff recommendations on Valero’s appeal of the Benicia Planning Commission’s unanimous February 11 decision to deny Valero Crude By Rail.
Staff is recommending that Council begin the hearings on March 15 and continue for public comment on Monday, April 4, Wednesday, April 6, and Tuesday, April 19 if needed. Note that these dates for public hearings are NOT CONSECUTIVE EVENINGS as was the case in previous hearings.
Staff recommended the Council hear city staff and representatives of Valero on March 15, and then ask questions. UPDATE ON MARCH 11 – The Planning Commission has been granted 15 minutes to present its case at the March 15 City Council meeting. Chair Don Dean will represent the Commission.
Other documents released today include the following:
- Valero CBR Appeal: Staff Report
- Appeal Draft Resolution FEIR
- Exhibit A-1 Statement of Overriding Considerations
- Exhibit B MMRP
- Appeal Draft Resolution Use Permit
- Valero appeal of PC denial 2-29-2016
- PC Resolution No. 16-1
- CBR PC Staff Report No Attachment 12
- February 8-11 2016 Draft Minutes
- Public Comment February 12- March 8 2016
Written public comments are encouraged now! Send your thoughts to the City Council by email directed to Amy Million, Principal Planner, Benicia Community Development Department:amillion@ci.benicia.ca.us. You may also send your letter Amy Million by mail to 250 East L Street, Benicia, CA 94510, or by Fax: (707) 747-1637.
And mark your calendar now, so you don’t forget. Please plan to attend on Tuesday, March 15 for the presentations, and again on Monday, April 4, Wednesday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 19. All meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. in City Hall Council Chamber, 250 East, L Street, Benicia.
Chair of Benicia Planning Commission to speak at March 15 City Council meeting
By Roger Straw, February 12, 2016
Commission votes to send a representative, will get 15 minutes
At its meeting on March 10, the Benicia Planning Commission was granted 15 minutes to present its case at the March 15 City Council meeting. Chair Don Dean will represent the Commission.
This would seem to be an adjustment in the agenda.
Previously, the public notice on the March 15 hearing stated that “Staff presentations and Valero presentations will take place on March 15, 2015.” An email from the City confirmed that “The City and Valero will present at the Council’s March 15 meeting.” The City’s website says “The City Council will open the hearing on the appeal on March 15, 2016 for Staff and Applicant presentations. ”
The appearance to the public was that staff, in full support of Valero’s proposal and in opposition to the Planning Commission’s denial of the project, was engineering a pro-Valero opening night at City Council, giving voice ONLY to itself and Valero. This may not have been the case.
The Planning Commission had not taken formal action to name a representative to speak at the hearings until last night. So it may have been due to an abundance of procedural caution that the City failed to name the Commission as a presenter on the 15th.
At any rate, it is a welcome bit of news that Chair Dean will be allowed to speak on that first night of hearings. It is only right that the Commission’s views get a hearing as Council members’ deliberate.