Benicia Industrial Safety Citizen Oversight Commission Meeting - September 16, 2026

The Benicia Industrial Safety Citizen Oversight Commission met on September 16, 2026, at 4:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers with remote participation via Zoom. The meeting included the adoption of previous minutes, introduction of a new commissioner, election of officers, updates on air district grants, incident notifications, and the formation of an ad hoc committee for public outreach. The meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The Commission unanimously approved the minutes of the June 17, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public were present in person or online, and no public comments were received.

Discussion Items

• Open Government Training: Commissioners discussed the annual training requirement. Staff confirmed that most commissioners have submitted their training certifications except for Commissioner Fentress and Commissioner Manetti, who were reminded to complete it.
• Commissioner Introduction: New Commissioner Cynthia Pappas introduced herself, noting her 20+ year career at PG&E as a hazardous materials subject matter expert, her certification in hazardous materials management from UC Berkeley, a Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt, and past service on the Solano County Civil Grand Jury.
• Election of Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary: The Commission elected David Lindsay as Chair, Commissioner Nelson as Vice Chair, and Commissioner Manetti as Secretary for one-year terms (Chair and Vice Chair from December 2026 through December 2027; Secretary from September 2026 through December 2027). All votes were unanimous.
• Bay Area Air District Local Community Benefits Fund: Chief Chadwick reported that the Air District Board approved a $30 million catalyst grant for the city on September 2, supporting clean energy, clean mobility, just transition, and community health. For the opportunity and seed grants, the community equity health and justice committee did not recommend funding for the Benicia Community Air Monitoring Program (B Camp) five-million-dollar opportunity grant (final board vote on October 7), but did recommend $199,420 in seed grant funding to upgrade existing air monitor capabilities. Commissioners expressed concern about the opportunity grant denial and discussed seeking alternative funding and improving monitoring given the refinery closure and ongoing industrial risks.
• Air Quality Monitoring Program: Commissioners discussed the need for continued monitoring post-refinery closure due to chemical transfers, eventual decommissioning, and regional refinery pollution. Staff noted the city has a grant-writing firm (Townsend) that sends monthly grant opportunities. The ad hoc committee on public outreach was later formed.
• Industrial Safety Community Notifications: Chief Chadwick reported that only one incident required notification since the last meeting: a Mercaptan odor event on August 29-30 from contractors cleaning a tank at the refinery. The fire department responded, air monitors showed no hazardous readings, and community notifications were issued. Commissioners asked to receive text notifications directly; staff agreed to sign up commissioners for the non-emergency notification system.
• Public Education and Outreach: The Commission discussed creating an ad hoc committee to develop outreach initiatives such as newsletter articles and a farmers market booth. Chief Chadwick noted no budget for hiring experts but suggested using existing city channels (newsletter, farmers market). The Commission approved a motion to form the ad hoc committee.
• Ordinance Oversight: Chief Chadwick reported that the city is calculating costs to invoice Valero for the fire department response to the Mercaptan incident, per the industrial safety ordinance. The Air District will also issue a public nuisance violation to Valero.

Key Outcomes

• The Commission unanimously approved the June 17, 2026 meeting minutes.
• David Lindsay was re-elected Chair, Commissioner Nelson elected Vice Chair, and Commissioner Manetti elected Secretary, all for one-year terms.
• An ad hoc committee for public education and outreach was created with volunteers Chair Lindsay, Commissioner Anderson, and Commissioner Pappas. The committee is tasked with planning outreach initiatives (newsletter blurbs, farmers market booth) through September 2027.
• Staff will enroll commissioners in the non-emergency community notification system for incident alerts.
• The Commission noted the $30 million catalyst grant award and will monitor the October 7 Air District board vote on the B Camp opportunity and seed grants.