■ City says formal farewell to departing police chief

Shortly after issuing a proclamation that praised outgoing Benicia police Chief Andrew Bidou for his service, the City Council approved the purchase of three new utility vehicles that will replace three of his department’s high-mileage Crown Victoria patrol cars.

Bidou made his request Aug. 20, asking the Council to authorize the purchase because each of the Ford police interceptors have more than 100,000 miles on its odometer. The panel unanimously agreed with the request at its Tuesday meeting.

“Police vehicles are used seven days a week and 24 hours a day, and must be maintained in top condition,” Bidou wrote in his request to the Council.

Money for the purchase, which will be made through a state contract with Folsom Lake Ford, was approved during the adoption of the current budget, he told the panel in his request.

The money will come from the city’s Internal Services Fund Vehicle Replacement Account. Bidou estimated cost of the buy at $98,543, which is below the $130,000 the Council approved when it adopted the current budget.

“The majority of the remaining funds in this account will be used to outfit the vehicles with emergency equipment,” Bidou said.

The Council recognized Bidou’s service earlier that night in a proclamation that outlined his career that began as a police officer in Newark, where he rose through the ranks until he was hired in 2008 as Benicia’s deputy police chief, succeeding Sandra Spagnoli as chief in 2011.

“During his career with the city of Benicia, Chief Bidou has strengthened the department, implemented new strategies and reinforced the relationship between the police department and various segments of the Benicia community,” the proclamation acknowledged.

Bidou is leaving Benicia to become chief of the Vallejo Police Department, and that department’s chief, Joseph Kreins, has been hired to lead the Benicia Police Department on an interim basis until Bidou’s permanent successor is hired.

“I care about everybody here,” Bidou said after the proclamation was read. “It’s my home town, and I’m proud of it.”

In other matters, the Council delayed hearing any information about a proposal to license Exelon Energy Company to perform a windpower study on city-owned property north of Lake Herman Road.

Though the company has proposed a five-year plan to conduct meteorological and environmental tests to see whether wind turbines could be built on the property, City Manager Brad Kilger asked the Council to delay hearing the item until city employees can give the project further review.

The Council adopted a resolution that continues the declaration of emergency that had been issued after last month’s magnitude 6.0 South Napa earthquake that affected several sites in Vallejo and damaged at least one building in Benicia.