By Keri Luiz
Assistant Editor

The Economic Development Board on Wednesday will be the latest city panel to hear interim Public Works Director Melissa Morton’s explanation of the state of the city’s water and sewer rates.

Morton, who discussed the matter with the Benicia Finance Committee on Aug. 10, will outline for the EDB the state of the city’s infrastructure, which in many cases dates back to the early 1900s, and explain how replacement parts are becoming scarce because the system is so outdated.

The city must also regularly comply with stricter regulations imposed by state and federal environmental agencies, Morton told the Finance Committee last week, and must look to replenish its depleted Water Fund, which is currently “operating at a deficit.”

In other business:

• The EDB will acknowledge new and renewed or changed Benicia businesses: Fabulous Finds, The Steffen Collection, Premiera and Nest.

• Chuck Eason, director of the Solano Small Business Development Center, will discuss programs and services offered by the SBDC.

• The board will receive a survey of board and commission members as a part of a review of all city boards and commissions mandated by the City Council earlier this summer.

“At the June 26th City Council meeting, the Council discussed conducting a comprehensive review of all the city’s boards and commissions,” city Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani wrote in a report to the EDB.

The survey was developed to gather information regarding the current functions and roles of city boards and commissions, he wrote.

• Staff will provide an update on the status of the Business Improvement District, a mechanism by which city businesses would levy assessments on themselves to fund projects that would benefit all in the district.

• The board may elect to hear updates on the FAQ Working Group for the Arsenal, with a group meeting at the end of August, date to be determined; receive a review of last week’s Tourism Committee meeting; hear of commercial and industrial vacancies; and review the July 2012 tracking sheet from Wolf Communications, the city’s tourism consultant.

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