Tag Archives: benicia

Benicia CA, Benicia City Manager, City of Benicia, Keeping Watch on Earth News, Water Resource Tools

City of Benicia weekly newsletter

Benicia’s City Manager Lorie Tinfow publishes an email newsletter every Monday.   I found this one very interesting, especially the Water Resources Tools.  You can sign up to receive the newsletter here.  – R.S.

City of Benicia This Week

Highlights:  Water Resource Tools, Census Forms in the Mail

March 16, 2020

Hello Everyone,

On behalf of the City Council and City staff, I want to take a moment to reach out to everyone in our Benicia community with an important message about the current public health emergency. We understand that the emergence of COVID-19 has created some real challenges, as well as fear among members of the Benicia community and beyond. Our understanding of the future of the virus and its impacts continues to evolve on an almost a daily basis. A team of senior City staff that includes representatives from every department are meeting daily to stay on top of the changes, prepare our responses and keep the community as safe as possible. These activities are our primary focus right now.

There are many sources of information flooding us in the media and social media; some of this information is alarmist and false. To help everyone, we created a dedicated website with up-to-date vetted information regarding the City, State and National response to this virus as well as steps you can take to better protect yourself and your loved ones. You can rely on it for information to answer your questions: ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus. Please also take a look at the updates we’ve provided in press releases issued last week. You can find them under Press Releases below.

We understand how challenging this emergency has been for so many in our town and appreciate how fortunate we all are to live and work in a place that has such a profound sense of community and where we understand the importance of looking out for each other. Using the best practices for staying safe, we encourage you to check in on your neighbors and friends, especially those who might be more vulnerable. Provide support to them where you can. Think about those in need; do not horde, but rather share with others when possible.

We also remind you that if you find yourself in a place that you feel you cannot take care of yourself or feel you need help, please call us. Our emergency communications center is open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week and can be reached by calling 707.745.3411.

While these times are difficult, they also present an opportunity to show just what a caring and amazing community we are.

Wishing you good health!

Lorie Tinfow
City Manager
CityofBeniciaThisWeek@ci.benicia.ca.us

City News

Water Resources Tools:  Do you like data? Are you looking for trusted hydrologic and climate data sources? If so, here are some of the tools used by our Public Works Department to manage the City’s water resources.

Drought Information
The federal government brings data from many sources into the National Integrated Drought Information System. This portal serves as a one-stop-shop for near-term climate data and projections. These data are useful in projecting annual water demand in Benicia. Last week, 38% of California is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
https://www.drought.gov/drought/

Major Reservoir Levels
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) aggregates reservoir data in this portal. Current reservoir information is needed to understand water available for diversion and use. Six days ago, Oroville Reservoir (the major water storage facility in the State Water Project) is 64% full.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/resapp/RescondMain

Solano County Water Agency Weekly Operations Report
Our water wholesaler, the Solano County Water Agency, provides weekly reports on our local water sources. This link is a little technical in nature, but provides a critical snapshot of Benicia’s water sources: the Solano Project and the State Water Project. Lake Berryessa is about 92% full.
http://www.scwa2.com/about-us/weekly-operations-report

Census Forms in the Mail:

Census forms began arriving in our mailboxes this week. As a reminder, you are asked to respond by April 1. The easy questionnaire takes 10 minutes or less and may be completed securely online using the Census ID code you received in your envelope.

Your prompt response will —

  • Help direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
  • Help your community prepare to meet transportation and emergency readiness needs.
  • Determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives and your political representation at all levels of government.

More information on the Census can be found at Census.gov. Details on Solano County’s outreach program can be found by visiting the Solano Economic Development Corporation’s website.

Press Releases

Recent City of Benicia press releases are available on the City of Benicia website under Main/Announcements.

Press Releases

Save the Date

Mar 17 – City Council meeting, 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall. See the Full Agenda for more information.
Mar 20 – City Hall closed for Alternate Friday.

City of Benicia | edev@ci.benicia.ca.us | 707.746.4200 | ci.benicia.ca.us

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City of Benicia This Week is published weekly. Previous editions are available here.
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Benicia, Benicia Unified School District, Coronavirus, Covid 19

Benicia school breakfast and lunch during coronavirus – available for pick-up at two schools

The following letter was posted on the City of Benicia website.  Note that families will pick up between 11am and noon, receiving lunch for that day and breakfast for the next day.  – R.S.

March 15, 2020

Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s),

You are receiving this letter to inform that during the school closures, the Food and Nutrition Services Department will be serving free meals for all of our students.

Parents and students may drive or walk up to any of the two locations listed below to pick-up breakfast and lunch. If at all
possible please bring your students to receive those meals. Each student will receive a lunch for the day and a breakfast
for the next day. They will be all put together in a grab and go bag for your convenience. It’s food that’s in, while school
is out. Come one day or come every day it is your choice, but don’t miss this opportunity!

Meal Pick-Up Procedures:

● Start date: Tuesday March 17 through Friday March 27

● Locations:

Robert Semple Elementary
2015 E 3rd St, Benicia, CA 94510
*Entrance of the Staff Parking Lot

Benicia High School
1101 Military W, Benicia, CA 94510
*Turn into Plaza de Oro and keep right pass the gates until you see us

● Time: 11:00AM – 12:00PM

We are asking you to respond to this email: tcourtney@beniciaunified.org if you would like your child(ren) to participate in this program and which of the two serving schools they will pick up their meals. Please include their names, so we can
anticipate how many meals to prepare.

Sincerely,
Tania P. Courtney
Director of Nutrition & Food Services Department
Benicia Unified School District
1101 Military West, Benicia, CA 94510
Phone: (707) 748-2758
E-mail: tcourtney@beniciaunified.org

Benicia, Benicia City Manager, Coronavirus, Covid 19

Proclamation of Existence of a Local Emergency by the City Manager of Benicia

PROCLAMATION OF EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY BY THE CITY MANAGER OF BENICIA

[Download the PDF document here.]

WHEREAS, the California Emergency Services Act (California Government Code sections 8630, 8550, et. seq.) defines a local emergency as the existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of a city, caused by conditions such as an epidemic, which are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of a city, and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat; and

WHEREAS, Section 2.36.020 of the City of Benicia (“City”) Municipal Code defines emergency as the actual or threatened existence of conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within this City caused by conditions such as an epidemic, which are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of this City, requiring the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat; and

WHEREAS, Section 2.36.050(A) of the City’s Municipal Code designates the City Manager as the Director of Emergency Services for the City; and

WHEREAS, 2.26.050(A)(l) empowers the City Manager, as the Director of Emergency Services, to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency when the City Council is not in session so long as such proclamation is ratified by the City Council within seven (7) days; and

WHEREAS, in December 2019, reports began spreading worldwide of a flu-like virus first found in China, that was significantly more deadly than the flu generally, with the virus becoming known as the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”); and

WHEREAS, from January 2020 to March 2020, COVID-19 spread throughout the world, with over 100,000 confirmed cases of individuals contracting COVID-19, and over 3,000 confirmed cases of individuals dying from COVID-19; and

WHEREAS, on March 3, 2020, the County of Solano (“County”) ratified a proclamation of a Local Emergency due to the threat of COVID-19 in the County; and

WHEREAS, on or about March 4, 2020, as part of the State of California’s response to address the global COVID-19 outbreak, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the state prepare for broader spread of COVID-19 following one official COVID-19 death; and

WHEREAS, as of March 8, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) has confirmed 105,586 cases of COVID-19 internationally, with 3,171 cases resulting in death; and

WHEREAS, as of March 10, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has confirmed 647 cases of COVID-19 in the United States, with 25 cases resulting in death, with thirty-six (36) jurisdictions reporting cases, including California; and

WHEREAS, on March 13,2020, the President of the United States issued an emergency declaration relating to the widespread transmission of COVID-19.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Director of Emergency Services finds that:

A. The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has determined that the virus presents a serious public health threat, requiring coordination among State and local health departments to ensure readiness for potential health threats associated with the virus; and

B. The County has found that the conditions constituting a threat to community health, including a presumptive case of community infection, may be present in the County, warranting a proclamation of a County emergency; and

C. Conditions of disaster and extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen within the City caused by the threat of COVID-19 that will impact significant City and community operations, including critical public infrastructure and services, and which will require the provision of additional public safety and emergency services; and

D. As contemplated in the California Emergency Services Act contained in Government Code Section 8550 et seq., including Section 8558(c), a local emergency exists because of the existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the City caused by the aforesaid conditions, which are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel and facilities of the City, and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat; and the proclamation of a Local Emergency is necessary to enable the City and other local government entities to adequately plan, prepare and preposition resources to be able to effectively respond to the threat posed by COVID-19, and to warn City residents and visitors of the threat posed by COVID-19 and to enable them sufficient time to plan and prepare; and

E. In consequence of said conditions and pursuant to Government Code section 8630 and the City Municipal Code section 2.36.050, a local emergency now exists throughout the City of Benicia; and

F. At the time of this proclamation, the City Council is not in session.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, a local emergency is hereby declared on March 15, 2020, within the City of Benicia. During the local emergency, the powers and duties of the City Manager and the Disaster Council of the City shall be as defined in state and federal law, and the ordinances, resolutions, and approved plans of the City of Benicia in in order to mitigate the effects of said local emergency; and

This proclamation shall be transmitted to the City Council within seven (7) days for ratification, and this local emergency shall continue until terminated by further declaration of the undersigned, or by resolution of the City Council.

SIGNED AND SUBSCRIBED on this 15th day of March, 2020.
LORIE TINFOW
Director of Emergency Services
Press Release -City of Benicia COVID-19 Update 03.15.20.pdf

Benicia, Coronavirus, Covid 19

City of Benicia issues Proclamation of Local Emergency

Press Release -City of Benicia COVID-19 Update 03.15.20.pdf

PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF BENICIA
City Hall, 250 East L Street
Benicia, California 94510
Contact: Lorie Tinfow, City Manager
ltinfow@ci.benicia.ca.us

City of Benicia Declares Local Emergency in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Benicia, CA (March 15, 2020) — Today, City Manager Lorie Tinfow, in her authority as Director of Emergency Services, issued a proclamation of local emergency in the City of Benicia in accordance with California Emergency Services Act and Benicia Municipal Code in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City Council will ratify the declaration within seven days.

“We have no diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in Benicia. Issuing a proclamation of local emergency follows actions already taken by the County of Solano and the State of California and positions the City of Benicia for possible reimbursement from the State and Federal agencies for costs incurred during this public health emergency,” said Tinfow. “Doing so also allows for greater management flexibility in issues associated with City employees as disaster service workers.”

“I know I speak for the entire City Council when I express our concern for the safety and well-being of our community members during this uncertain time, especially those most vulnerable among us,” said Mayor Elizabeth Patterson. “Our excellent City staff are taking necessary actions to protect the community. Council will ratify the declaration and do what we can to assist City staff in protecting everyone.”

The local emergency will continue until terminated by the Benicia City Council. For up-to-date information about the City of Benicia’s response to COVID-19, please go to ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus.

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