In a press release today, City Manager Lorie Tinfow recommended a stay-at-home Easter.
FROM THE PRESS RELEASE:
“The City of Benicia encourages those celebrating religious observances in April, like Easter this Sunday, to keep up the good work by celebrating at home. Use of Benicia parks for family outings is discouraged as social distancing is difficult to maintain with active children. Parks may close without notice if improper social distancing is observed.
Benicia City Manager Lorie Tinfow
“’We’re beginning to see good results in Solano County, the Bay Area, and California due to the commitment of residents to shelter at home and use proper social distancing protocols,’ said City Manager Lorie Tinfow.
“‘We’ve seen fun Easter inspiration online like Easter Twister, egg hunt obstacle courses, and virtual Easter dinners using videoconferencing. We encourage residents to make this year memorable by celebrating in fun and interesting ways that help keep everyone safe.’
“Benicia Parks and Community Services shares Easter inspiration with ideas and activities on their Virtual Recreation Center page at ci.benicia.ca.us/virtualrec. Benicia Public Library offers movies for free using Kanopy; check out the link at benicia.kanopy.com/.”
Tuesday, March 31, City Manager Lorie Tinfow announced that City buildings and facilities will remain closed to the public through Friday, May 1, 2020, in recognition of the continuing need to minimize exposure of City staff and the public to the COVID-19 virus. Staff will continue to be available to answer questions and provide resources and referrals, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact information is available on each department’s page on the City’s website, www.ci.benicia.ca.us, or call the Community Services phone line at 707-746-4285, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 p.m.
The City of Benicia has extended city buildings and facilities to remain closed through Friday, May 1.
The Phenix Dog Park has been closed effective today, due to the high number of people using the park without observing appropriate social distancing protocols. At this time, all other parks remain open, however, playgrounds are closed. Parks and other facilities may close without notice in order to ensure proper social distancing. While outdoor exercise is encouraged, large groups congregating is prohibited.
“Our residents may be going stir-crazy at this point, but we all know the importance of sheltering-at-home to limit exposure to COVID-19,” said City Manager Lorie Tinfow. “If you see a group of people congregating, go somewhere else for your fresh air. We want to keep our parks open for our residents but will be forced to close them if social distancing requirements are not met.”
Benicia Unified School District announced the extension of all school closures through May 1, 2020
The Food and Nutrition Services Department will be serving free student meals for all of our students.
Parents or students may drive or walk up to any of the locations listed below to pick-up breakfast and lunch for their students. Each student will receive a lunch for the day and a breakfast for the next day. They will be put together in a grab-and-go bag for your convenience.
Student Meal Pick-Up Procedures:
New Extended Date: Monday March 30 through Friday May 1 (served Monday through Friday)
Locations:
Robert Semple Elementary School2015 E 3rd St, Benicia, CA 94510
*Entrance of the Staff Parking Lot
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
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: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
91 Riverview Terrance Complex*Look for the Benicia USD Van
New Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM, (starting March 30)
If you have not signed up for these student meals, please reply to this email: tcourtney@beniciaunified.org and let us know if your child(ren) will pick up a free student meal and which Pick-Up Location will be used. Please include the student name(s), so we can anticipate how many student meals to prepare.
Order Staying Evictions in the City of Benicia
Lorie Tinfow, Benicia City Manager
On Sunday, March 22, 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.
Moratorium on utility disconnections and late fees; Due dates for business tax payments extended
Effective March 17, the City of Benicia implemented a moratorium on utility service disconnections and late fees for non-payment due to the COVID-19 emergency and the current closure of City Hall offices. The deadlines for business license tax and transient occupancy tax payments are also extended.
The utility-related changes will apply to both residential and commercial water and sewer customers and tax deadline extensions will apply to all businesses, until June 15, 2020.
“We know that the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 emergency and the current shelter-at-home order has created a financial strain on our residents and businesses,” said City Manager Lorie Tinfow. “We are extending due dates to relieve some of the stress in dealing with the current situation.”
To further support customers who may be impacted by the pandemic, the City will offer its most flexible payment plan to customers who indicate either an impact or hardship as a result of COVID-19. Simply fill out the Payment Arrangement Agreement found online at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/UtilityBilling and email it to utilitybilling@ci.benicia.ca.us.
Although the City’s offices are closed to the public, customers may still make payments in many ways:
– Calling 1-866-344-1979
– Paying online at www.ci.benicia.ca.us/UtilityBilling
– Using the drop box located in front of City Hall, 250 East L Street. (Do not leave cash in this depository.) If you have questions about starting or stopping water services or other service- related issues, please go to www.ci.benicia.ca.us/UtilityBilling and fill out the appropriate form, then email it to utilitybilling@ci.benicia.ca.us.
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 https://www.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 https://www.norcalsbdc.org/coping-covid-19-webinars-northern-california-sbdc-network. 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:
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: https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/
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.
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.
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.
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 This Week is published weekly. Previous editions are available here.
We also communicate on Nextdoor.com and AlertSolano.org. Sign up now!
See what’s happening on our other social sites: FacebookTwitter
By Roger Straw, April 8, 2020
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