The Benicia City Council will make a decision on the approval of the street projects to receive gas tax funding at its regular meeting tonight.
In April, Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 1. This bill aims to increase the per gallon fuel excise taxes, diesel fuel sales taxes and vehicle inspection registration fees. It also provides inflationary adjustments to tax rates in future years to provide additional funds to maintain local streets and roads. Beginning in January, State Controller Betty Yee will deposit will some of the money collected from SB1 into the newly created Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA). It has been projected Benicia will receive $155,000 in the fiscal year 2017-18 and $466,000 in the fiscal year 2018-19 of RMRA funding.
Among the potential projects are microsurfacing of various residential and industrial streets throughout the city. Staff will submit the list of projects to the California Transportation Commission and could be eligible to receive additional gas tax funding for roadway projects if the City Council approves.
As an alternative option for the council, it could change the list of projects. If this happens and the council does not approve the list of projects and funding, then Benicia could not partake in additional funding from SB1.
In a written report, Public Works Director Graham Wadsworth recommended the council adopt the resolution approving the list and funding of gas tax expenses per Senate Bill 1.
The council will also make a decision on Regina Sequeira’s claim against the city. Sequeira was walking her Chihuahua off its leash at the open space trail around Hastings and Solano streets when she encountered another dog owner. This dog owner was walking her three dogs off the leash. According to Sequeira, the largest dog in the pack attacked her dog and killed it. There was a police report taken and a dangerous dog hearing held. Police closed the case after additional review.
“I am hoping the council will address the fact there are known dangerous dogs and despite passing the new animal control ordinance, I am hoping they will consider putting restrictions on a dog known to be dangerous in interest of public safety and the safety of other dogs, people’s animal companions and in the general safety of children as well,” Sequeria told the Herald.
Sequeira says she is very much an animal advocate and if she is awarded the claim, she says she will use the money for the benefit of animals.
The council has been given the recommendation to deny Sequeira’s claim against the city and refer her to an insurance carrier. If the council decides not to follow the recommendation they could pay the claim against the city. The item is on the consent calendar portion of the agenda, which means it could be voted on along with a number of other items in one motion unless a councilmember requests for it to be pulled for additional discussion.
In other matters, the council will vote to amend a contract for additional design services for the Fitzgerald Field bleacher replacement project and move to adjust salary ranges for specific city positions and approve an agreement with the city’s senior managers.
The council will meet at 6:15 p.m. tonight in a closed session to discuss legal matters. The regular meeting will start at 7 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 250 East L St.

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