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City of Benicia This Week
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In this edition: Bike Box on Military West, Eastern Gateway, Free COVID-19 Tests, COVID Assistance
Message from the City Manager
January 24, 2022

Dear Community Members,
 
I’d like to start off by saying, sadly, our staff had to respond to a tragic suicide at the bottom of First Street in the parking lot the other day. The general challenges of depression and other issues that often lead to suicide have only been exacerbated by the pandemic we are currently going through. Almost worse is the constant up and down, where just when we feel like the end is in sight, we hit another challenge. As I’ve previously said, resiliency is a key character trait we all need to work on through these difficult times. But for some, it just seems unbearable. That is where we, as community, can make a difference. I found this quote today in The Daily Stoic, "Seneca reminds us that every person we meet is an opportunity to practice kindness. Imagine if we took even half of those opportunities. What kind of cumulative difference would that end up making? An oceanic amount. Because kindness, big and small, ripples through the world and into eternity." Taking the time to be patient, empathetic, and giving in the face of adversity. Understanding that those who are being difficult or angry might have underlying issues where we might be able to help with a kind word and a bit of forgiveness. As neighbors, reaching out to those around you, considering coming together as a group even, to help those who are struggling. Consider random acts of kindness, or perhaps volunteering as a way you can help.
 
If you see someone struggling, there are resources out there. The Solano County Behavioral Health webpage has some great resources for mental health assistance, crisis stabilization, substance abuse help, and suicide prevention:  Solano County - Mental Health Services. Regarding suicide prevention specifically, or access to the new County Mobile Crisis Services, please see here:  Solano County - Suicide Prevention. There is even a crisis text line where you can text “Home” to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S., 24/7. Also, there is the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
 
Knowing our teens are especially vulnerable, I would point out we also have our very own Kyle Hyland Foundation for Teen Support (https://kylehyland.com/). On that note, this last Tuesday, City Council, in partnership with the Kyle Hyland Foundation, proclaimed January 24th – 30th Cultural Diversity Awareness Week (link to Proclamation).  The sense of belonging and community that everyone should feel, is a critical component of people’s emotional well-being. While being inclusive and opening your heart to those around you who may be different than you can not only profoundly impact that one individual’s life, it also serves to make us stronger as a community in every sense. The Kyle Hyland Foundation has an entire week of events dedicated to cultural diversity awareness. Please see here, https://kylehyland.com/calendar/ for more details.
 
I would also like to take a moment to point out that Tuesday, January 25th, is a very important joint Planning Commission/City Council virtual meeting beginning at 6:00 P.M. This meeting will be a critically important meeting, the first of several, discussing the housing element update. The impact of the decisions around this will be very important for the community to understand and I encourage you to tune in. You can find the link to the agenda and other information here:  Agendas and Minutes - Benicia, California

Finally, I would like to announce that I have named Interim Public Works Director Kyle Ochenduszko the permanent Public Works Director, effective January 21st. We are very fortunate to have the ability to promote Kyle to this critical position, and I know he will serve this community with great distinction.

Thank you for your interest in the City of Benicia This Week!

Erik Upson
City Manager
City News
Bike Box on Military West
The City of Benicia Public Works Department announces work on the FY20-21 Citywide Street Resurfacing Project is substantially complete with the installation of pavement striping, which is the final phase of a paving project. The project rehabilitated portions of 45 city streets mostly on the east side, and in the Southampton and southwest areas of Benicia using a grind and overlay process, also known as “mill and fill.” The final phase included the installation of a second “bike box” at the intersection of Military West and West 7th Street. A bike box is a designated area at a signalized intersection that provides bicyclists with a safe and visible way to get ahead of queuing traffic during the red signal phase. These bike boxes are the first bike boxes to be installed in Solano County.
Eastern Gateway
This month, the City Council adopted new mixed-use development regulations for Benicia’s Eastern Gateway, a 13.5-acre area around the intersection of Military East and East Fifth. These regulations will go into effect on February 17, 2022. Over the last two years staff has facilitated a community-driven visioning process for this underutilized commercial corridor with the goal of attracting new housing development and creating a more pedestrian-friendly area with neighborhood-serving businesses. Another priority in this planning process was creating housing opportunities for households of all types and incomes, to include senior and artist housing. 
  
The realization of Benicia’s vision for the Eastern Gateway area will be incremental and paced out over time. Nevertheless, the City is excited to work with property owners and others to realize the community’s vision for this area. The City will continue to communicate with neighbors regarding new development as specific development proposals are submitted to the City. 
  
To learn more about the Eastern Gateway project visit www.ci.benicia.ca.us/easterngateway or contact Danielle Crider at dcrider@ci.benicia.ca.us or (707) 746-4324. 
Free COVID-19 Tests
The federal government has launched its website to sign up for free Covid-19 tests, allowing people to order a maximum of four tests shipped directly to their household.
 
If you would like to request tests, select the below link to complete the application process via the below link. The process is simple, quick, and you just need to enter your name, address, and an email if you would like to track the status. https://special.usps.com/testkits
 
More Information about the program can be found here: https://www.vox.com/recode/22890296/covidtests-biden-free-rapid-test-website
City Employee Spotlight
Trigere Broussard joined the City's Finance Department as an Account Clerk II within the last few months. She has been an excellent addition to the team with her organizational skills and warm, helpful attitude. She is the first person to greet residents as they enter City Hall. She provides great customer service and gets residents the help they need as quickly as possible.

For the past two years, Trigere has worn many hats. She was the referral coordinator and front desk coordinator for MarinHealth Cardiovascular Medicine. Within that organization, she handled checking patients in and out, scheduling appointments, scanning and filing documents, obtaining authorizations for HMO plans, & other miscellaneous duties. As the referral Coordinator, she processed referrals, created charts, and scheduled new patients based on the type of diagnosis and cardiologist that would best fit the patient's need. Prior to that, she worked for 3 years at the front desk for Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation IHH as a Patient Services Representative.
 
Family is very important to Trigere. She has been married for 13 years to her husband, Gregory. They have 4 beautiful children, 3 boys and a girl; Myka 14, Arian 13, Gregory 8, and lastly Maverick 3. She enjoys attending their football and basketball games and cheer competitions on the weekends. If they are not at games or competitions, they have a game night or movie night. If Trigere gets some rare alone time, she enjoys catching up on much needed sleep, watching movies, having a nice glass of wine with friends, or going on a date night with her husband.  
COVID Assistance
Find resources and information for seniors, local food access, basic needs and rental assistance, mental health, stress and coping, and more courtesy of Solano County Public Health. Benicia residents in need of help during these difficult times may find assistance through these local resources:

Press Releases

Recent City of Benicia Press Releases are available on the City of Benicia website under Main/Announcements.
Save the Date
  • Jan 24 - City Council Special Meeting, 5:30 p.m. via livestream. Watch live at https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas. See the Full Agenda for more information.
  • Jan 24 - Community Sustainability Commission meeting, 6 p.m. via livestream. See the Full Agenda for more information.
  • Jan 25 - Joint City Council / Special Planning Commission meeting, 6 p.m. via livestream. Watch live at https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas. See the Full Agenda for more information.
  • Jan 26 - Economic Development Board meeting, 5:30 p.m. via livestream. See the Full Agenda for more information.
  • Jan 27 - Historic Preservation Review Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m. via livestream. See the Full Agenda for more information.
Modified service due to COVID-19
City Hall is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you require entrance to City Hall offices outside of these hours, please make arrangements with staff from the department that you will be visiting.

All visitors shall be required to enter City Hall from East L street through the door located on the left (East) side of the building closest to the Post Office. Please check in with the staff person at the designated Welcome Window.

You will be required to wear a face covering over both your nose and mouth for the duration of your visit to City Hall. Please maintain 6 feet of social distancing between other visitors and staff. Do not visit City Hall if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Appointments can always be rescheduled.
City of Benicia This Week is published each Monday morning. Previous editions are available here. We also communicate on Nextdoor.com and AlertSolano.com. Sign up now!