Benicia Industrial Safety Citizen Oversight Commission Meeting – March 18, 2026

The Benicia Industrial Safety Citizen Oversight Commission met at Benicia City Hall on March 18, 2026, at 4:00 PM. The meeting included presentations on the Bay Area Air District's Local Community Benefits Fund (up to $60 million total), the City of Benicia's grant application concepts, the Contra Costa Community Warning System, and an update on air quality monitoring. Commissioners discussed grant strategy, community notification upgrades, public education, and ordinance oversight. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:02 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the December 17, 2025 meeting via roll call (5 ayes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke in person or via Zoom.

Discussion Items

7.A Bay Area Air District Presentation – Local Community Benefits Fund

• Emmy Wang, Community Investments Officer, presented the grant opportunity funded by penalty dollars from Valero air quality violations. The eligible communities include the City of Benicia and surrounding areas (map shown). The fund totals approximately $60 million, divided into three grant types:
  • Seed Grant: $100,000–$200,000 (1–5 awards), for nonprofits only.
  • Opportunity Grant: $500,000–$5 million (1–5 awards), requires at least one co-applicant, with regranting allowed.
  • Catalyst Grant: $10–$40 million (1–3 awards), only for projects within Benicia. Due to the refinery closure, the co-applicant requirement is relaxed, and a single applicant may apply.
• Application deadlines: Catalyst grant due May 1, 2026; Seed and Opportunity grants due May 29, 2026.
• The Air District is recruiting community reviewers (stipend of $750) with an April 10 deadline.
• Commissioners asked about administrative cost caps (15%), project evaluation, and the opportunity for multiple applications per category. The city may submit one catalyst and one opportunity application.
• Chair Lindsay noted that BCAMP (Benicia Community Air Monitoring Program) is partnering with the city to apply for an Opportunity grant for air monitoring.

7.B City of Benicia – Bay Area Air District Grant Application

• Deputy City Manager Sarah Shawky and City Engineer Neil Leary presented the city's strategy: apply for a $40 million catalyst grant and a $5 million opportunity grant.
• The catalyst proposal includes $25 million for ongoing city services aligned with grant pillars (air pollution reduction, public health, just transition) and $15 million for new projects. Proposed projects included:
  • General Plan update and zoning modernization ($5 million estimate)
  • Economic development and reuse strategy
  • Port electrification planning
  • ADA transition plan
  • Electric vehicle charging and vehicle replacement
  • Energy efficiency upgrades (windows, generators, HVAC)
  • Numerous pedestrian and bicycle improvements (curb ramps, sidewalks, bike lanes, intersection improvements, shore access)
  • Marina breakwater rehab ($5 million)
  • Fire station equipment (SCBA compressor, gas-to-electric tool conversions, and Industrial Safety Ordinance program administration)
• Staff noted a microgrid/solar project is being considered for the opportunity grant.
• Commissioners emphasized priorities: bike/ped safety (especially West 7th Street), general plan/economic transition, air pollution reduction, and workforce development. Feedback included support for complete streets, incentives for building electrification, and the need for robust community engagement.
• Public engagement meetings for nonprofits will be held April 15 (this commission) and April 27 (Sustainability Commission), with a deadline to sign up by April 3.

7.C Contra Costa Community Warning System (CWS)

• Tony Semenza, Executive Director of Contra Costa CAER, presented the CWS, originally built after a 1990s oleum release at General Chemical. The system includes sirens (43 in Contra Costa), WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts), EAS, and an opt-in text/email/voice system.
• Incident levels: Level 0 (notification only), Level 1 (information), Level 2 (protective action for sensitive groups), Level 3 (shelter-in-place/sirens). Sirens are currently tone-only; Semenza noted that voice-capable systems (like long-range acoustical devices) are now available.
• Challenges include opt-in registration (~60% of county), cell tower bleed for WEA, and the difficulty of evacuations. The Martinez Refining Company fire (Feb 2025) illustrated the need to activate sirens early.
• Della (City staff) explained Benicia's procedures: 7 existing sirens (not PA), use of Alert Solano (Everbridge), multi-departmental communications team, and county health services determines protective actions. The city has level 1–3 designations.
• Commissioners discussed siren audibility limitations (especially for those with hearing impairments or in energy-efficient homes) and the need for an integrated notification system.

7.D Ad-Hoc Committee on Air Quality Monitoring Update

• Chair David Lindsay presented the committee's work. The Benicia Industrial Safety Ordinance requires an integrated air monitoring program with a common website and public alerts.
• Existing monitoring sites (Valero fence line, BCAMP, Air District) are independent. Proposed new point monitoring stations at Hastings Fire Station, Robert Semple Elementary School, and the downtown fire station.
• The committee recommends optical tenting technology (developed by UCLA, used at a Southern California refinery) for two light-source locations: one near the solar farm at Rose and East Second, one on a water tank in the hills. This system uses reflected light beams to measure pollutants in a 360-degree radius.
• Cost estimate is ~$2.6 million for equipment, installation, and three years of operation and maintenance. BCAMP (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) will lead an Opportunity grant application with the city as partner.
• Discussion included the need for an integrated app, coordination with South Coast AQMD, and the ability to measure both acute and chronic pollutants (BTEX, NOx, SO2, H2S, ozone, metals, particulates).

9.A Air Quality Monitoring Program – No action taken; updates covered in 7.D.

9.B Industrial Safety Community Notifications

• Secretary Brian Robinson presented research on upgrading the city's 7 sirens (installed 2001). He compared systems from ATI, American Signal, and Federal Signal, focusing on voice-capable sirens for outdoor alerts. Estimated cost: $500,000 to $1.5 million for 9–12 units.
• Commissioners discussed the option of mobile notification vehicles (e.g., fleet with PA systems), as used in Malibu. Robust discussion on integration with Alert Solano, air monitoring, and the need for public education.
• It was decided that Secretary Robinson will work directly with city staff to include siren upgrades in the catalyst grant application (due May 1). The commission authorized this approach.

9.C Public Education and Outreach – No action item; Della will present current city communication efforts at the next regular meeting.

9.D Ordinance Oversight – Della reported no significant industrial safety events since December 2025. Valero's refinery shutdown has caused continuous flaring and odors, with occasional sulfur dioxide exceedances; shutdown expected by April 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes approved unanimously from December 17, 2025.
• Grant application strategy: The city will apply for a $40 million catalyst grant and a $5 million opportunity grant. BCAMP will lead an opportunity grant for air monitoring (~$2.6 million). Commissioners provided priority input.
• Community notification upgrade: Secretary Robinson will collaborate with staff to incorporate siren/voice system improvements into the catalyst grant application. Mobile notification options will be considered.
• Public education presentation: Della to present current city communications at a future meeting.
• Next meeting: Special meeting on April 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM to provide a platform for nonprofits and businesses to present their grant ideas.