Tourism video would give aerial view of city, shot by drones

What would “A Great Day by the Bay” in Benicia look like from the air?

Benicia City Council has the chance Tuesday to give Economic Development Manager Mario Giuliani thoughts about what a film designed to attract tourists to the city should portray.

Giuliani’s office already has contracted with Rotor Optics to record Benicia scenes “from sun-up to sundown, from the marina to the bridge,” he wrote in a March 31 report to City Manager Brad Kilger.

Filming is expected to start April 25, depending on weather, and editing should be complete by mid-June, Giuliani wrote. Cost should be $2,925 for filming and editing, and Giuliani wrote that money in his contract services account already has been earmarked for the services.

He wrote that the videographers were hired to produce the video “in our ongoing effort to keep our tourism promotion materials fresh and innovative,” and that aerial footage would be captured by a camera-equipped, remotely-controlled drone operated by Rotor Optics employees.

“The video will capture scenes from the Marina, B Street, Foot of First, First to G Street, west to Ninth Street and K Street to Southampton Bay,” Giuliani wrote.

Once the film is finished and set to music, it will be used on the “Visit Benicia” and “Benicia Business” websites, as well as the city’s own website, he wrote. It also will be used on the city’s Facebook page and to represent the city on the League of California Cities website.

Giuliani wrote that he wanted to make sure the Council and members of the public were aware of the filming, especially since a drone would be used to capture the footage. He said he didn’t want residents to worry if they see the device hovering around the city later this month.

“Because of the unique nature of this video shoot, staff felt it desirable to highlight this endeavor as part of our energetic effort to promote Benicia,” Giuliani wrote.

In other matters the Council will hear Tuesday, the Community Development Department will seek authorization to apply for a $40,000 Certified Local Government Grant to underwrite an update of the Downtown Historic Conservation Plan, adopted in 1991.

The city’s Historic Preservation Review Commission, which has pointed out inconsistencies between the plan and other city documents and difficulties in resolving conflicts and inconsistencies with other applicable documents, has sought an update since 2011. In addition, the Council has looked to update the Historic Overlay chapter of the Benicia Zoning Ordinance for some time.

Should the city be awarded the grant, it would be required to produce about a $16,000 match, which could be done with staff time.

The Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 250 East L St.

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