Water rate increases and the potential demolition of a historical building are up on the dock for the Benicia City Council at tonight’s meeting.
First up for the council will be the water rate increases. The city of Benicia recommended the water and sewer rate increase after an 18-month dialogue and review by independent financial and engineering experts. Public health, safety and the insurance of Benicia’s water and sewer utilities remaining financially solvent were also cited as to why the water increase was recommended. With the rate increase, a fee to replace the existing water meters with Advanced Meter Infrastructure throughout the city would be included.
“The adopted increases will help the city continue to provide residents and customers with reliable and safe water and sewer services,” according to a staff report from the Public Works department. “The city’s water and sewer utilities rely almost entirely on customer revenues to provide these services. The rate increases were calculated to recover only the estimated revenue needed to cover actual costs of continued safe water and sewer service.”
Staff is recommending the council not change any direction regarding the water and sewer rates increase. A discussion on this item may give the council an opportunity to provide an alternate direction.
Another weighty item on the agenda is a discussion on the emergency demolition permit for the Foundry and Office Buildings at 678 East H St.
The historic buildings were once the hub of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and are considered the first industrial complex west of the Missippi River. However, the buildings have fallen into disarray in recent years, having frequently been the subject of vandalism. Since 2016, AMPORTS– the automobile import company which owns the property– has wanted to conduct an emergency demolition of the Foundry and office building. The company filed an application for the demolition that was contested by the Building Code Board of Appeals which denied AMPORTS denial in a split decision. The City Council was asked by Councilmember Tom Campbell to review the appeal decision. Staff was directed to return with a resolution of denial. In April, the council approved the resolution of denial. The council formed a meditation group in June to resolve the conflict. A few months later at its Sept 19. meeting, the council voted to reschedule a rehearing and direct City Attorney Heather McLaughlin to work with AMPORTS and get information the council said it needed.
In a staff report, Interim Community Development Director Shawna Brekke-Read said that AMPORTS had not provided a Historic Structure Report (HSR) or any additional information on efforts to secure or maintain the buildings.
“While the city is committed to gathering the information and preparing for the rehearing as soon as possible, it is unlikely that staff will have the HSR and/or the SRA in the time to conduct the rehearing as currently contemplated on Oct. 17, 2017,” Brekke-Read wrote. “If a continuance is necessary we will work with you to ensure a mutually convenient day for the rehearing.”
Staff is recommending that the council reschedule the rehearing to a future date.
In other business, the council will be voting to authorize the purchase of a police replacement vehicle.
The council will meet at 6:30 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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