Benicia Community Services Commission Meeting Summary - March 11, 2026

The Benicia Community Services Commission convened on March 11, 2026, at 6:03 PM in the Benicia City Hall Council Chambers. The primary focus of the meeting was to receive mid-year compliance presentations from five community grant recipients covering the period from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Draft Minutes (January 14, 2026): Unanimously approved by the commission.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dan Smith, representing Benicia Friends of the Playground: Stated that swings in City Park have been absent for years (large swings for 7 years, toddler swings for almost 5 years). Reported that the group raised $7,000 in 2025 and purchased a swing set that is currently in storage at the city courtyard. He advocated for the commission to serve as a conduit for public input on City Park planning and expressed a desire to modernize the Playground of Dreams while retaining its wooden character.

Discussion Items: Community Grant Mid-Year Compliance Presentations

9A. Carquinez Village

• Presenters: Jennifer Hanley (Executive Director) and Jane King (Board President)
• Overview: Serves 190 members (77% Benicia residents), average age 79. Supported by 75 volunteers and two part-time staff. Received 297 service requests, fulfilling 280 (94% fulfillment rate). Transportation to medical appointments is the most requested service (58%).
• Funding: The city grant of $84,137 represents approximately one-third of the organization’s annual budget. Valero was not a significant funding source.
• Key Initiatives: A scholarship program supports 30 members (16% of total membership) facing financial hardship. The new “Care Plus” program will support older adults recovering from illness or hospitalization. Upcoming events include a town hall and a fundraiser on April 26, 2026.

9B. Food is Free Solano

• Presenter: Heather Perini (Executive Director)
• Overview: Conducted 29 food distribution events in Benicia, serving 1,840 households and 4,862 individuals. Rescued 9,048 pounds of food from Benicia, preventing an estimated 4.5 tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. 70% of clients are Benicia residents; 45% of total clientele are older adults.
• Funding: The city grant of $41,024.50 is approximately 10–15% of the total annual budget but supports roughly 80% of the organization’s Benicia-specific operations. Valero provided one grant in six years.
• Key Initiatives: A Summer Food Program helps families with children during the school break. A gleaning program is being organized by a local Girl Scout earning her Gold Award.

9C. Community Action Council (CAC)

• Presenters: Viola Robertson (Executive Director) and Diane Louis (Assistant)
• Overview: Delivers 60 hot meals daily (5 days a week) to seniors, serving nearly 4,000 meals in the six-month period. The weekly food bank saw a 25% increase in need during a SNAP disruption. The drivers act as a wellness check for clients who often have no other daily human contact.
• Funding: The city grant covers approximately 70% of the operating budget. An annual $70,000 contribution from Valero was lost two years ago.
• Key Initiatives: The organization raises supplementary funds by preparing and selling dinners.

9D. St. Vincent de Paul Society

• Presenter: Representative of the organization
• Overview: The “Keeping Benicians Housed” program provides holistic support including rental and utility assistance, food delivery, and financial literacy. Assisted seven households directly with grant funds in the first six months, often partnering with Families in Transition and PGE. Shared a success story of reuniting a family that had been separated for six months due to a housing loss.
• Funding: The city grant is approximately 10% of the annual budget. Valero provided $10,000 (6% of the budget) in the past year, but that funding has been discontinued.
• Key Initiatives: Follows up with clients at 1, 6, and 12 months. Collaborates extensively with Kaiser, Sutter Health, the Chamber of Commerce, and other local agencies.

9E. Families in Transition (FIT)

• Presenter: Representative of the organization
• Overview: Focuses on preventing homelessness for Benicia families through financial assistance for rent, mortgages, and utilities. Assisted over 40 families in the reporting period. The organization operates with zero overhead costs charged against the city grant, paying landlords and utility companies directly.
• Funding: The city grant represents approximately 80% of the annual budget. Valero provided intermittent support historically but none in the last 3–4 years.
• Key Initiatives: Emphasizes cost-effective homelessness prevention to keep families stably housed and avoid visible homelessness.

Key Outcomes & Announcements

• Grantee Funding for Next Fiscal Year: Director Dunlevy announced at the end of the presentations that all five grantee organizations have been fully funded by the city for the next fiscal year (2026–2027).
• City Council Update: Commissioner Kolk volunteered to present a summary of the meeting’s highlights during the public comment segment at the next City Council meeting.
• Future Meeting: The next regular Community Services Commission meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2026.