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Benicia CA, Budget, Meeting notices

Our Next Meeting – Tuesday, April 11

MEMBER MEETING
TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2023, 7:00 PM

ZOOM MEETING

___________________________________________________________________________

The Progressive Democrats of Benicia invite all interested Benicians to our April 11 meeting. We were really looking forward to seeing everyone in person, but due to COVID and illness we are switching back to Zoom.  We look forward to seeing everyone in the future when we are all well.  Please see use the Zoom details below to sign in to our meeting.

The focus of the meeting will be “Benicia’s Budget Crisis: The Problem and Potential Solutions.”  Our city budget’s multi-million dollar shortfall stretches far beyond this year, into the indefinite future.  It forces all of us to confront some tough funding decisions:

  • What City services are at risk?
  • Is there a tax increase in the future?
  • How can we increase the City’s revenues?
  • What other solutions are available?

“Benicia’s Budget Crisis” Panel

Mayor Steve Young, County Supervisor Monica Brown and Assistant City Manager Bret Prebula, who was Benicia’s Finance Director up until December 2022, will explain the nature and extent of this serious challenge and discuss potential approaches to generating revenue or cutting costs.  There will then be an opportunity for extended Q&A period.

Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether you are PDB members or Benicia residents.

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87967560168

Meeting ID: 879 6756 0168
One tap mobile: +16694449171

Don’t miss this important meeting!

See you on Zoom, Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00 PM! Please invite your friends and anyone who is interested in keeping Benicia thriving.

Benicia elections, Benicia Unified School District, Clean energy, Renewable energy

Meeting Reflections – March 14, 2023

MEETING REFLECTIONS
March 14, 2023

Our March meeting was held on  Tuesday, March 14, 2023 via Zoom.

Agenda:
  • Call to Order
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Acknowledgements/Announcements
  • BUSD-5th Dist. Candidate – Ali Mansouri
  • Jed Holtzman, RMI
  • Igor Tregub, CA Solar & Storage Assn.
  • Wrap-up

Announcements

  • Benicia Community Air Monitoring Program (BCAMP) Forum
    • March 27, 2023 at 7 pm – Air Quality, Monitoring & Human Health Risk
    • Register:  www.fenceline.org
    • Panel:
      • Dr. Marjaneh Moini, Oncologist; Physicians for Social Responsibility
      • Don Gamiles, President, Argos Scientific
      • Eric Stevenson, former mgr. BAAQMD; Argos
  • Solano Pride Center – Trans Day of Visibility Rally
    • Friday, March 31, 2023 at 4 pm at 675 Texas Street, Fairfield
  • BBQ in the Park for Solano County Democrats
    • May 20, 2023 at Allan Witt Park in Fairfield
    • Seeking art donations for the Silent Art and Dessert Auction
  • Poetry Reading from Yearning to Breathe Free at the Benicia Public Library, March 19, 2023 at 3 pm
  • City Council Meeting March 21, 2023 at 6 pm will honor Roger Straw. All are invited to attend.
  • March 25, 2023 City Council Annual Goal Setting Meeting 8:30 to 4:30 at Benicia Public Library . All are invited to attend.
  • March 28, 2023 6 pm – special City Council meeting focusing on the pedestrian bridge replacement options
  • City Council will hold several meetings about the budget April through June
  • NEXT MEETING: April 11, 2022 at 6:30 pm in person at the Library

Program

District 5 BUSD “Special Vacancy” Election

We heard from District 5 School Board candidate Dr. Ali Mansouri. He spoke about his background, why he is running, and answered questions from members and attendees.

The recorded video of this section of the meeting can be accessed here.  In addition, the recorded video of District 5 candidate Ariana Martinez from last month’s meeting can be accessed here.

As a reminder, only residents of District 5 are eligible to vote in the April 11 election.

Methane Gas in the Home: What You Need to Know

blue gas flames from a gas stoveGuest speaker Jed Holtzman from RMI (formerly the Rocky Mountain Institute) gave a presentation on how much our gas appliances contribute to air pollution, how new regulations proposed by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) could help address the issue, and how they may impact us.  The recorded video of this section of the meeting can be accessed here.

Home Electrification

Kathy Kerridge gave a brief presentation on converting home gas appliances to electric and recommended Green, Blue, and You with useful information for home conversion and upgrades.  The recorded video of this section of the meeting can be accessed here.

Why You May Want to Get Solar Nowtwo workers install rooftop solar panels

Our second guest speaker, Igor Tregub, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the CA Solar and Storage Association and Chair of the California Democratic Party Environmental Caucus, spoke about the recent changes made by the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) to how utilities will pay for power from rooftop solar, and provided a lot of useful information needed to make decisions about solar.  The recorded video of this section of the meeting can be accessed here.

To lock in the most favorable rates you must submit the following to your utility BY APRIL 14:

  • a complete and correct interconnection application to your utility;
  • a signed contract with a solar provider;
  • a single-line diagram;
  • a complete California Contractor’s State License Solar Energy System disclosure document;
  • a signed California Solar Consumer Protection Guide; and
    an oversizing attestation (if applicable).

Action: Letter Writing with Vote Forward

You are encouraged to all to sign up for letter writing for the upcoming Wisconsin Supreme Court election through Vote Forward. A member will host a letter writing party on Thursday March 23, 2023. Contact us for details.

Your Membership in PDB – One Last Reminder

If you haven’t yet, please renew your PDB membership by clicking this link to pay your annual $20 in membership dues. While you’re there, please consider making an additional donation to help fund PDB’s future activities.

>>  Yes – Renew my Membership!

http://progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org/pay-dues-donate/

Benicia elections, Benicia Unified School District, Gun Control, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi

Meeting Reflections – February 22, 2023

MEETING REFLECTIONS
FEBRUARY 22, 2023

 

Our February meeting was held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 via Zoom. The recorded video of the meeting can be accessed here.

Agenda:
  • Call to Order
  • Acknowledgements
  • U.S. Congressman John Garamendi
  • Special School Board Election discussion and candidate
  • Steering Committee Elections
  • Vote on letter regarding gun violence
  • Treasurer’s Report
  • Wrap-up
Program

John Garamendi, our new US Congressman, was our guest.  He brought a report on what is going on with the new House of Representatives as well as what the Democrats may be able to accomplish in the next two years. He then fielded a number of questions from members and attendees.

“Special Vacancy” BUSD Board of Trustees Election in District 5

District 5 in Benicia is having an election for school board on April 11, 2023.  Benicia Unified School District Board President Sheri Zada discussed the background behind the special election, and introduced the candidate the board originally selected, Ariana Martinez.

Candidate Ariana Martinez spoke about why she is running and answered questions from members and attendees.

Officer Elections

Officer elections were held (all positions are a two-year commitment).

Vote on Gun Violence Reduction Letter

Members voted to support a letter directed to Congressional Representatives regarding gun violence reduction. See the text of the letter below.

Announcements

  • Mayor Young made these announcements:
    • March 7, 2023 City Council meeting with a discussion of the water reuse plan
    • On March 21, 2023 at 6:00 pm the City will issue a proclamation in honor of Roger Straw, and all are invited to attend
    • On March 25, 2023 from 8 to 5 the City will hold a Goal Setting Workshop open to all
  • NEXT MEETING: March 14, 2022 at 7:00 pm

As a reminder, only dues-paying members are eligible to vote in the  essential club business that will occur throughout the year.  Your membership is your voice in these vital matters. If you have questions about your membership, please contact us.

For only $20, you can reactivate your membership by clicking this link to pay your annual dues. While you’re there, please consider making an additional donation to help fund PDB’s future activities. Not only will your generosity help us keep our forward momentum, it will also give you a voice in the club, allowing you to vote on important matters and help us execute essential club business.

>>  Yes – Renew my Membership!

http://progressivedemocratsofbenicia.org/pay-dues-donate/

[Note: As a reminder, the text below represents a letter PDB and other Democratic clubs in the county have been asked to sign. We will be voting as a club on whether or not we sign this letter. Be sure to renew your membership if you wish to vote on this matter.]

TEXT OF THE GUN VIOLENCE REDUCTION LETTER

Dear Congressmembers Garamendi and Thompson,

As you know, in the last month, there has been a spate of mass killings in California all of which involved some type of automatic weapon.

A time comes when a rational person simply says enough: this must change.

To its credit the 117th Congress last year passed HR 1808, the assault weapons ban.

We want to thank both of you for affirming publicly your support for this bill and voting for it on the floor.

We want to thank Congressman Garamendi for his ongoing support as a current co sponsor of HR 698 (Assault Weapons Regulation) and look forward to hearing the same from Congressman Thompson.

We want our children and grandchildren to be safe when they go to school, fellow citizens safe when they go to work and safe when we go about doing our daily tasks. We strongly support an automatic weapons ban and intend to make working and advocating for such a ban a priority in our organizations.

Thank you,
[The Progressive Democrats of Benicia]