Category Archives: Benicia City Council

Benicia City Council, Benicia elections, Benicia Mayor, Climate change, Meeting reflections

Meeting Reflections – Tuesday, June 14th at 7 pm

THE PDB MEMBERSHIP MEETING JUNE 14, 2022,  introducing candidate Terry Scott, and hearing from climate change heroes Jim Thompson and Jack Ruszel
Terry Scott, 2022 candidate for Benicia City Council

A featured speaker at our June 14 meeting was candidate for Benicia City Council Terry Scott.  Terry Scott shared about his life and qualifications, his vision for the City of Benicia and his perspective on current Benicia issues.  Scott is running for one of two City Council seats up for election this November.

This! Is What We Did (thisiswhatwedid.org)

We continued our discussions about climate change, focusing this month on actions that can be taken to help make a difference.  Jim Thompson of This! Is What We Did discussed ways in which each person can help to address the challenge of climate change.

Ruszel Woodworks (ruszelwoodworks.com)

Local business owner Jack Ruszel described the many ways his Benicia company, Ruszel Woodworks, has taken to reduce its carbon footprint.

We closed with a short film presentation by Third Act on how we can encourage banks to stop investing in fossil fuels:

Finally, June Actions were presented, giving our members and the public a few simple and effective steps we can take today to combat climate change. (download June Actions here)

Announcements

  • Alicia Brewster thanked PDB for it’s backing and financial support of the June 11 Benicia March For Our Lives.
  • Our chair announced that Michelle Pellegrin is PDB’s newest member.
  • Michelle Pellegrin announced a Welcome/Goodbye party for our incoming and outgoing U.S. Representatives, John Garamendi and Mike Thompson. We keep both of them in Solano County — they are just switching which parts of the county they represent. Note: Proof of vaccination is required to attend. All welcome this Sunday, June 19, 2-4pm, Benicia Veterans Memorial Hall. Purchase tickets here by June 18 at $25 each (or pick a sponsorship level).
  • A member invited everyone to attend Benicia’s 2022 Juneteenth Celebration, this Sunday, June 19, 11am-5pm at Benicia Veterans Memorial Hall, hosted by Benicia Black Lives Matter. More on BBLM website. or at facebook.com/BeniciaBLM
  • Our chair reminded everyone about the Benicia Library’s Book to Action program, From Just Us to Justice: A Community Equity Challenge, benicialibrary.org/book-to-action
  • Our chair mentioned campaign volunteer opportunities for City Council candidate and PDB member Kari Birdseye: Sign up for emails and sign up to volunteer at karibirdseyeforbenicia.com/how-can-I-help
  • Mayor Steve Young alerted us to upcoming issues and events:
    • Next Tuesday, June 21, Council will examine the situation as Benicia enters into stage 2 of water conservation
    • On July 5, Council will
      • consider placing on the November ballot a 3/4 cent sales tax measure for roads
      • consider placing renewal of Measure K on the November ballot, Open Space
      • consider updating our ordinance governing temporary signs, which includes political signs
    • On Sunday July 3, the City will celebrate the traditional (6:30pm?)Torchlight Parade and a first time Drone Show, which will start at dark.  Fireworks will fill our skies on Monday, July 4.
Benicia City Council, Benicia elections, Endorsements, Meeting reflections, Solano County Board of Supervisors, Solano County Sheriff

Meeting Reflections – May 10, 2022, Key political campaigns, Endorsements

MEETING REFLECTIONS
THE PDB MEMBERSHIP MEETING
MAY 10, 2022, 7:00 PM
The May 10th general meeting focused on key political campaigns.
KariBirdseyeForBenicia.com

First off, PDB member Kari Birdseye invited all to attend on Sunday, May 22 when she announces her candidacy for Benicia City Council. You are invited to attend the Kickoff Rally on Sunday, May 22, 2-4pm at Benicia’s City Park Gazebo.  Kari presented her views about her campaign and local issues specific to Benicia.  She encouraged volunteers to sign up at her website, karibirdseyeforbenicia.com/.

Election next month – June 7

We also heard from several June 7 election candidates, and voted whether to offer endorsements:
  • Democratic Suisun City Councilwoman Wanda Williams discussed her candidacy for Solano County District 3 Supervisor.
  • Solano County Sheriff candidate Daryl Snedeker discussed his reasons for running.  (Snedeker is No-Party-Preference)
  • Two Democratic candidates for the State Board of Equalization, Braden Murphy and Jose Alatmirano shared with us why we should vote for them in the primary.
Progressive Democrats of Benicia proudly ENDORSE:
Progressive Democrats of Benicia RECOMMEND:

Also at our May 10 meeting:

Benicia Mayor Steve Young talked about the Valero-supported PAC and the expected negative ad campaign anticipated this election year.  Because the “independent expenditures” of PACs are not limited by Benicia’s Voluntary Code of Fair Campaign Practices or state law, the Valero-supported PAC is not limited in the amounts it can spend. In contrast, expenditures by candidates and their campaigns are limited. Learn more about this important dynamic of local politics.

Announcements

Air monitoring, Air quality, Benicia City Council

Benicia staff report on air monitoring – to be discussed at January 5 Council meeting

Benicia Independent, by Roger Straw, December 30, 2020

The City of Benicia released its City Council agenda for January 5, including an important discussion of air monitoring in our refinery town.

Local environmental activists (including me) are hailing this effort on the part of City staff as a show of responsiveness to years of citizen requests for more and better access to real-time air quality information.

Your thoughts are being sought by Benicia elected officials and staff.  Please read the staff report, and plan to attend the zoom Council meeting on January 5.

Staff Report: STATUS UPDATE: Benicia Air Monitoring and Improvements to the City’s Community Emergency Notifications

Agenda: (including instructions for virtual attendance and how to comment) Benicia City Council virtual meeting January 5, AGENDA