At the second part of its two-part meeting Tuesday, the city council swore in its newly-elected members, heard brief acceptance speeches and approved its meeting calendar for 2017. Mayor Elizabeth Patterson also announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Benicia artist and musician Travis Hough, who perished in the recent Ghost Ship fire in Oakland.
Former Vice Mayor Mark Hughes had the honor of swearing in City Clerk Lisa Wolfe, who ran uncontested for re-election to her position in November. Wolfe in turn took the microphone and swore in the new councilmembers and newly re-elected mayor.
Wolfe offered words of thanks to the voters in the community who have consistently voted for her as city clerk over the past 14 years and added that she is looking forward to her coming four-year term of office.
Newly elected councilmember Steve Young, who was also formally nominated and elected at the meeting as Mayor Pro Tem, spoke a few words about the dedicated service of outgoing councilmember Christina Strawbridge before going on to thank voters for electing him. Young credited his team of campaign volunteers for their large part in making his win possible. He also offered his thanks and appreciation for all of the candidates for running a positive campaign, focused not on personalities but on issues of concern to residents.
Newly re-elected council member Tom Campbell also thanked voters, then reviewed some of his past accomplishments on the council before addressing his priorities for the coming term.
While walking the precincts during his campaign, Campbell said, he was expecting to hear a lot of comments about some of the major issues of the past year, specifically Valero Benicia Refinery’s crude-by-rail plan and the city’s recent water and sewer rate increases. Instead, Campbell said he heard mostly about the condition of the city’s roads and sidewalks.
Campbell stated that he perceives a councilmember’s purpose as seeking to “guide the city in the direction the residents want us to go.” Specifically, he feels the council must take great care to respect the promises the council made regarding how Measure C funds would be spent – to make sure the city’s roads and sidewalks are maintained in good repair.
Mayor Patterson acknowledged and thanked all of the candidates for running a positive campaign. She credited the community for encouraging and participating in that effort, praising community members for their high standards.
“That is why I consider it such a privilege to be able to serve,” she said.
Patterson extended thanks to the many people who worked and supported her during her campaign, with special thanks to her daughter who came to stay with her, offering logistical as well as personal support during that period.
“You worked hard to for my re-election to fulfill the Benicia promise,” Patterson continued, which she described in a seven-point plan of action, a kind of general priority list that will presumably direct her efforts during the coming four-year term, once a new city manager is hired and other current staffing needs are met. Patterson expressed hope that the council would support those efforts. The plan points are as follows:
1. To have a signed agreement to move forward on affordable high speed internet (fiber optics) for the Benicia Business and Industrial Park, in order to remain competitive;
2. To make sure the bus hub project is completed as agreed and designed;
3. To sponsor an affordable housing and homeless summit (already underway);
4. To revitalize volunteerism, particularly with BERT (the Benicia Emergency Response Team) and firefighter volunteers, and expand public participation workshops;
5. To establish a working group for the performing arts center campus;
6. To hold a third annual Clean Tech Expo; and
7. To continue and build upon public participation in government.
These programs, she noted, are in addition to continuing the work ahead on the two-year budget; labor negotiations; making sure the city provides the services promised to voters when they were asked to approve Measure C, including potholes and other “deplorable” road conditions, as stated by Campbell; water and energy conservation efforts; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Musical presentation and conclusion
In keeping with the theme of the second part of Tuesday’s meeting, confirming new members and hearing words from them regarding their election, special guests Annabelle Marie (violin) and Peppino D’Agostino (guitar) made a musical presentation in honor of the new council.
The final business item on the latter Tuesday meeting was the approval of the council’s meeting schedule for 2017. Economic Development Director Mario Giuliani presented the calendar, noting that council meetings generally occur on first and third Tuesdays, with additional, fourth-Tuesday sessions written into the calendar to accommodate any further needs that may arise, and the exceptions for July and August which accommodate council member vacation needs, participation in National Night Out, and observation of the Independence Day holiday in July.
The meeting was adjourned in honor of Oakland fire victim Travis Hough.

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