(The last of the Herald’s articles focusing on the big Benicia stories of 2016 will be focusing on the biggest one of all.) Valero Benicia Refinery’s three-year battle to have its crude oil delivered by train rather than by boat came to an end in 2016. The year saw perhaps the biggest wave of developments […]
Council considered pot regulation, police radios Tuesday
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the Benicia City Council heard arguments regarding a new marijuana ordinance in light of the passage of California Proposition 64, and the purchase of an $850,000 contract with the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority (EBRCSA, or “E-Bricksa”) for a new police and fire radio communication system, among other items. […]
Council to consider six-figure contract approvals, interim marijuana ordinance Tuesday
At its regular meeting Tuesday, Dec. 20, the City Council will consider approval of a $214,626 contract with Elizalde Construction, Inc. for Measure C First Street sidewalk replacement; an $800,000 Safe Routes to School project; an $850,000 agreement for Benicia Police and Fire Departments to join an East Bay radio communications system; and a 45-day […]
New city councilmembers sworn in at Tuesday’s meeting
At the second part of its two-part meeting Tuesday, the city council swore in its newly-elected members, heard brief acceptance speeches and approved its meeting calendar for 2017. Mayor Elizabeth Patterson also announced that the meeting would be adjourned in memory of Benicia artist and musician Travis Hough, who perished in the recent Ghost Ship […]
Incoming, outgoing elected official reception preceded two-part council meeting Tuesday
The city council hosted a reception Tuesday to allow the public an opportunity to meet and greet incoming and outgoing elected officials. The regularly scheduled city council meeting, held in two parts, immediately followed the reception. The 7 p.m. meeting began with a dedication by Mayor Elizabeth Patterson to the victims of the recent […]
Christina Strawbridge to run again in 2018
Christina Strawbridge announced her intention Sunday to try again for a seat on the city council in 2018, after finishing in third place to Steve Young and Tom Campbell in November. If Vice Mayor Mark Hughes had won his bid for mayor this year, then Strawbridge would have won his current seat on the council, having […]
Council hears climate reports, adopts plans Tuesday
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the City Council heard an annual report from the Benicia Public Library, approved a license agreement for Prop SF to operate a private ferry service out of the Alvarez 9th Street Park launch, and adopted a negative declaration for the city’s water re-use project, among other items. Library Director Diane […]
Grant Cooke: Benicia’s future at stake in local election
In August, I wrote a column about Benicia’s future, the New Economy and why Elizabeth Patterson, Steve Young, and Tom Campbell were the best choices to led our city as mayor and councilmembers respectively. At the time, I was disheartened by the majority of council members’ lack of political will to put a halt to […]
Awards presented at city council Tuesday; Park Road improvement project also discussed
At its regular meeting Tuesday, the city council presented a number of awards and heard an update on the application for a grant to fund the Park Road improvement project, among other items. Mayor Elizabeth Patterson presented three Eco-awards on behalf of Republic Services, Benicia’s waste management company, and Community Development Director Christina Ratcliffe reported […]
Candidate Spotlight: Mark Hughes eyes mayoral seat
It was 11 years ago when Mark Hughes— a Pacific Gas & Electric executive and member of Benicia’s Parks, Recreation and Cemetery Commission— was elected to the City Council. He was re-elected in 2009 and 2014, the latter year in which he received enough votes to become the city’s vice mayor. Now he is […]