Category Archives: Benicia CA

Benicia CA, Benicia Parks and Community Services Department

City of Benicia announces Community Services Phone Line – staff will make referrals for seniors during the COVID-19 emergency

City of Benicia Press Release, March 24, 2020

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 UPDATE ON COVID-19
FOR MARCH 23, 2020
Community Services Phone Line Announced

Benicia, CA (March 24, 2020) — City Manager Lorie Tinfow announces the new Community Services phone line through the Parks and Community Services Department. Staff are available to answer questions and provide resources and referrals for calls received on the Community Services phone line, (707) 746- 4285, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For seniors, staff are available to make referrals to recognized local and Solano County non-profit organizations that have set up special services for seniors during the COVID-19 emergency.

Community member are encouraged to call (707) 746-4285 or email pcs@ci.benicia.ca.us with questions. Staff will be standing by to make referrals to the appropriate city departments or organization.

In other Parks & Community Services news, the new Virtual Recreation Center is available at ci.benicia.ca.us/virtualrec. As a resource to stay healthy, happy and connected, the site has ideas and links for indoor and outdoor activities. The site also shares nutrition information and links for kids, seniors, and community assistance. If you have a great resource that should be included, email details to pcs@ci.benicia.ca.us.

In support of the Governor’s shelter-at-home order and to encourage social distancing, most Benicia Parks and Community Services facilities are closed. They include the bocce ball and tennis courts at Civic Center Park, the Skate Park, all playgrounds, all park restrooms except City Park and the First Street Pier, the James Lemos Swim Center, the Clock Tower, the Benicia Community Center, the Benicia Senior Center and the City Gym.

Addition closure and cancellation information is available at ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus, along with up-to-date information on the City’s response to COVID-19.

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Benicia CA, Coronavirus, Covid 19

Benicia stays all evictions and closes all local playgrounds

City of Benicia Coronavirus UPDATES

March 23, 2020

City Manager Lorie Tinfow signed an order staying evictions for non-payment of rent in the City of Benicia in response to the COVID-19 Emergency. A press release informing the public was issued.

Governor Newsom ordered a “soft closure” of state parks by closing parking lots but not limiting access to state parks.

The City of Benicia closed all playgrounds and the skate park at Community Park.

Benicia CA, Benicia City Manager, Coronavirus, Covid 19

Benicia City Manager order: no evictions during COVID-19 crisis through May 31

The City of Benicia issued the following press release ordering a stay of evictions during the coronavirus emergency.  The order prohibits residential AND commercial evictions.  See also the 4-page Emergency_Eviction_Moratorium_Order.pdf.

Monday, March 23, 2020

 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 UPDATE ON COVID-19
FOR MARCH 23, 2020
Order Staying Evictions in the City of Benicia

Benicia, CA (March 23, 2020) — On Sunday, March 22, 2020, City Manager Lorie Tinfow, in her authority as Director of Emergency Services, signed an order staying evictions for non-payment of rent in the City of Benicia in accordance with California Emergency Services Act and Benicia Municipal Code in response to the COVID-19 emergency.

The order does not relieve tenants of liability for unpaid rent but puts a moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent due to the impact of COVID-19 and includes provisions for eviction notices and no-fault evictions. Under the order, tenants have a responsibility to let their landlord know that they are unable to pay some or all of their rent due to COVID-19. Payment is then due within 60 days of May 31, 2020, or when the order expires whichever is later.

The order staying evictions will remain in effect until May 31, 2020 or until superseded by a resolution of the Benicia City Council.

For up-to-date information about the City of Benicia’s response to COVID-19, please go to https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus.

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Attachment: City of Benicia Order Staying Evictions

Benicia CA, Coronavirus, Covid 19

City of Benicia COVID-19 Update 03.22.20 – Business Resources and Support

See March 23 update: COVID-19 in Solano County – sudden uptick in cases, now at 21

And on March 24:

And on March 25: Covid-19 in Solano – 7 more on Wed March 25

Original March 22 post: Business Resources & Support:

The City of Benicia issued the following press release on Business Resources and Support during the coronavirus emergency:

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 UPDATE ON COVID-19
FOR MARCH 22, 2020
Business Resources and Support

Benicia, CA (March 22, 2020) — During the unprecedented and unexpected business closures and shelter-at-home orders, many Benicia business owners find themselves in dire need of help to weather the COVID-19 emergency. The City of Benicia’s Economic Development division is sharing business support information and resources.

“In the past week, our business community and their employees have grappled with changing guidelines and ever more stringent restrictions. We know that this has caused great uncertainty and anxiety,” said Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani. “The City’s Economic Development staff are focused to assist our businesses to learn about and apply for the programs developed by our State and Federal partners to support employers and employees during this emergency.”

Rapid Response Services for Businesses
Solano Small Business Development Center is standing by to help businesses facing potential layoffs or business closures. Start by filling out the client intake form at jotform.com/build/200757157479162 or reach out to Pamela Clemmons at 707.307.3986.

Aid with Loan Applications
The Northern CA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network produced multiple webinars last week to help small businesses weather the current storm and to specifically provide help with completing the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan application. The webinars are available at norcalsbdc.org/coping-covid-19-webinars-northern-california-sbdcnetwork. There is a place for businesses to enter their contact information so that they will be sent invitations and links to all upcoming webinars that will occur over the next few weeks.

SBDC and SBA Assistance Links
The SBDC and the SBA are there to help businesses with no-cost advising and assist with apply for SBA Economic Injury loans:
• One-on-One (no-cost) SBDC Advising at solanosbdc.org
• Download the COVID-19 Small Business Survival Guide at norcalsbdc.org/sites/default/files/Covid-19-survivalguide_sbdc_updated32020.pdf
• SBA Disaster Loans at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Additional Links
• Information on State and Federal support, financing and FAQs at
norcalsbdc.org/covid-19
• Small Business Resource List attached
• State Go-Biz resources and assistance at business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019

Essential Business Definition
A key question many have been asking is about the Governor’s stay-at-home order and what is an essential business. This link provides helpful information to determine what is deemed an essential business: covid19.ca.gov/stayhome-except-for-essential-needs

Moratorium on Disconnections/Deferral of Fees/Extended Deadlines
The City has implemented a moratorium on utility service disconnections and late fees for non-payment for water and sewer service due to the COVID-19 emergency and the current closure of City Hall offices. Details are available at ci.benicia.ca.us/utilitybilling. The deadlines for business license tax renewals and transient occupancy tax payments have also been extended to June 15, 2020. The City is developing an emergency ordinance to prevent commercial and residential evictions.

For business questions or assistance, contact Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani at mgiuliani@ci.benicia.ca.us or call 707.746.4289.

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