■ Divided commission can’t agree on length of hiatus; members call for better communication with Council

Benicia Community Sustainability Commission took no action on its grants program Monday night after Chairperson Constance Beutel realized she didn’t have the votes to suspend new applications for a year.

Beutel had asked the panel to consider the delay to give commissioners a chance to refine the application process further.

But discussion of that topic and others Monday night revealed the panel’s foremost concern is better communication with the City Council, which didn’t follow the commission’s most recent set of recommendations for grant funding.

At its June 17 meeting, the Council chose to fund a water-saving boiler project submitted by Valero Benicia Refinery in exchange for the refinery relinquishing any claim it might have had on more than $1 million in Valero-Good Neighbor Steering Committee settlement agreement money.

That pact allowed funding a month later of more applicants who had sought CSC favor, but some members of the commission have remained upset that the panel’s recommendations weren’t followed exactly.

“The Council took everybody at their word,” Vice Chairperson Kathy Kerridge said, suggesting the next time the CSC presents grant recommendations, it add a few explanatory paragraphs explaining members’ thoughts.

“I don’t know how you advise a body that doesn’t want to communicate with you,” Commissioner Bruce Barrow said.

Commissioner Sharon Maher suggested seeking projects that provide the best return, particularly in reduction of water and energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as meeting the city’s Climate Action Plan goals.

But, “It doesn’t matter if the Council isn’t on board,” Barrow replied.

Beutel suggested the pause would give the CSC time to develop better guidelines for applicants for the remaining $479,000 the panel can distribute.

But Barrow said a year’s postponement could delay a program that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions for that period. Maher agreed, saying the commission could redefine its relationship with the Council, but “I’m not sure waiting a year is a good idea.”

Commissioner Tony Shannon said he might be willing to consider a shorter delay, but he, too, said a year was too long.

No vote was taken, but Beutel said a CSC work group could make suggestions about improving grant criteria.

Frustration with the Council motivated commissioners to set improved communication with that panel as its top priority in the coming year.

Second on the list is commissioners’ concern that 25 percent of the city’s purchased water appears not to reach customers.

In past city meetings, Benicia employees have said the water isn’t missing, but isn’t being measured and metered correctly.

Funding a new Climate Action Plan coordinator also was named a 2015 priority. Alex Porteshawver has the post until June 30, 2015, when CSC grant funding expires.

Barrow suggested the additional sales tax approved by Benicia voters could pay for the next two-year contract, but Management Analyst Gina Eleccion said money from the tax is earmarked for the next two years.

The CSC’s fourth priority is to have a one-day event highlighting electric cars, public transit, bicycles and other transportation options, as well as solar panel installation.

In other business:

• The commission’s work group that reviews city ordinances will begin looking at city regulation of beekeeping.

• Interim Community Development Director Dan Marks told the panel City Manager Brad Kilger is still studying how the CSC can raise money or seek grants and retain the money for its specialized uses.

• Benicia Arts and Culture Commission, represented by Patty Gavin and Library Director Diane Smikahl, told the panel that a public art display made with recycled and repurposed items to illustrate the ecological elements of wind, water and land, will be completed this year, and may be in place at the Benicia Community Center shortly after the first of the year.