At its regular meeting Tuesday, Dec. 20, the City Council will consider approval of a $214,626 contract with Elizalde Construction, Inc. for Measure C First Street sidewalk replacement; an $800,000 Safe Routes to School project; an $850,000 agreement for Benicia Police and Fire Departments to join an East Bay radio communications system; and a 45-day interim marijuana ordinance, among other items.

Public hearing: interim marijuana ordinance
Business Item 15.A on the Tuesday meeting agenda reads, in part: Public hearing to consider adoption of a 45-day interim ordinance prohibiting cultivation and commercial delivery or transportation of medical or non-medical marijuana.
The item description reads as follows: “Existing city regulations address medical marijuana and essentially prohibit commercial dispensaries and public use. With the passage of Proposition 64 that provides for recreational use of marijuana, it is appropriate to amend the city’s regulations for marijuana to address non-medical use of marijuana. Adoption of the interim urgency ordinance will allow time to consider appropriate regulations for non-medical or recreational marijuana.”
A four-fifths vote is required to adopt the ordinance.

Measure C sidewalk replacement project
On Nov. 4, a request for proposal was sent to seven Bay Area concrete construction firms. The job includes removal, replacement and installation of existing brick pattern sidewalk and concrete ADA curb ramps. On Nov. 30, two bids were received, with the lowest responsive bid of $214,626.00 submitted by Elizalde Construction, Inc. of Benicia.

Safe Routes to School agreement
A Safe Routes to School project would construct over $800,000 worth of traffic and pedestrian safety improvements at five schools in Benicia and two schools in Vallejo. City Council approval of the Funding and Management Agreement between the Solano Transportation Authority and the Cities of Benicia and Vallejo will confirm staff roles and responsibilities for delivering the project and allow completion in Fiscal Year 2017/2018.

Police and fire radio communications system
City of Benicia staff reports that the current radio system utilized by the Police and Fire Departments, owned by the city, is outdated, unreliable, and presents safety concerns and is likely to fail in the event of a significant natural disaster. The report further states that a modern radio system would likely cost in the area of $10 to $15 million. The City has an opportunity to join the East Bay Regional Communications Authority (EBRCSA), an effective multi-jurisdictional radio system that would advance the City’s radio capabilities, at a cost of approximately $850,000.
Staff is recommending earmarking surplus Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Measure C funds for the City’s matching contribution.

Openings on boards and commissions
Currently, there are 12 openings on city boards and commissions, whose role it is to advise the City Council on items of concern. In some instances, such as the Planning Commission or the Historic Preservation Review Commission, the group has decision-making authority. In those cases, unless a decision is appealed, it becomes a direction to the council for action. Current openings include two full terms on the Planning Commission.
Any citizen interested in serving on a city board or commission is encouraged to file an application with the City Clerk’s office. Applications can be found on the city’s website under City Government-Boards and Commissions. The deadline for submitting an application is Monday, Jan. 16.

Councilmember committee reports
Councilmembers serve on various internal and external committees on behalf of the city. Current agendas, minutes and meeting schedules from these committees are included in the current meeting agenda packet, as available. Oral reports by the Council Members are made only by exception.
Sixteen committee reports are included in the current meeting agenda.

Change in meeting time
Staff proposes adjusting the regular scheduled start time of the City Council meeting on Jan. 3 to 5:30 p.m., in order to accommodate an Open Government and Brown Act Training Workshop with the City Council; a Closed Session shall immediately follow the conclusion of the workshop.

More information
Staff reports and supporting documents regarding the above items are available via a link in the online agenda at the city of Benicia website at ci.benicia.ca.us, under the Agendas tab, or by request at 250 East L St., 746-4210.

Sharing is caring!