Industrial Park Benicia City Council may decide Tuesday in a single vote to permit bees in residential areas, to restrict outdoor construction hours in neighborhoods and to hire a San Ramon firm to build a bus hub in the city’s Industrial Park.

The first two items would be adopted on second reading, and along with the bus hub contract are part of the Council’s consent calendar.

Items on that part of the agenda can be decided by a single vote without public comment, unless a member of the Council or the public requests the matter be pulled for additional discussion.

After hearing testimony from several citizens who asked the Council to overturn the current ban on beekeeping that restricts the practice to open space areas, the panel asked city employees to formulate an ordinance amendment.

After review by the Planning Commission, the amendment was approved unanimously by the Council on first reading July 7. A second vote is required before the amendment becomes law.

The Council also unanimously approved on introduction a change to allowable construction hours in residential and downtown mixed-use districts, as well as properties within 500 feet of those zones.

If the amendment is approved on second vote Tuesday, outdoor construction no longer will be allowed through 10 p.m. Instead, permitted hours would be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends.

Also Tuesday, the Council may award a $1,434,991 contact to Grade Tech of San Ramon to build a park-and-ride lot and bus hub at the intersection of Park Road and Industrial Way, as well as add a 24-inch water line along Park Road from Industrial Way to Sulfur Springs Creek.

Regional Measure 2 (bridge toll), Regional Traffic Impact Fee and Water Capacity Fund monies would pay for the project.

The San Ramon company was the low bidder among four applying for the contract.

Also on Tuesday’s agenda are a quarterly water update, presentation of ecology awards and consideration of a claim against the city by Richard Matle and Jillene Orr, who said a blocked storm drain caused water to damage their property.

The Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. in a closed session to consider legal matters. The regular meeting will start at 7 Tuesday night in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 250 East L St.

Sharing is caring!