Benicia News: Hazardous waste landfill, Valero, subsidized Lyft rides top City Council agenda tonight

A few items on tonight’s City Council agenda caught our attention. The meeting is today, at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. See the full agenda here, including how to attend virtually.

Panoche: Tonight, City Council will hear a presentation from former Mayor Jerry Hayes about the IT Panoche Hazardous Waste Facility. It’s an old dump on the north side of Lake Herman Road that received more than a million tons of toxic liquids and sludges between 1968 and 1986, and the material was never removed. Hayes was mayor when it was physically closed and capped, or sealed over. He has expressed concern about the proximity of the waste to the undeveloped land about a half-mile downslope where Seeno now proposes to build thousands of new homes in a project called Rose Estates. 

Lyft: Currently, residents of Benicia can take a subsidized Lyft anywhere in town thanks to public subsidies in partnership with the Solano Transportation Authority. The subsidy might change soon because increased ridership has resulted in higher program costs. Councilors will consider reducing the number of discounted rides allowed a month from 60 to 20 and increasing rider cost by a dollar.  

→ For cheap Lyft rides, enter 5Benicia as a Lyft Pass in the Payment section of settings in the Lyft app. Riders pay $5 of Lyft fare plus the difference in fare over $20.

→ Low-income customers can get a reduced rate of $3 a ride. Seniors 65+ and veterans can get $4 rides. To register for reduced rates, contact (800) 535-6883. 

Post-refinery economy: Councilors will also share updates from the ad hoc task force on paths for Benicia’s economic transition and the future of the Valero-owned lands.

Number of the week

67%

The increase in California’s COVID-19 cases between July 17 and August 7th, according to the California Department of Public Health. Updated vaccines haven’t been released yet, but Your Local California Epidemiologist Matt Willis suggests that if you’re at higher risk for serious illness, now is a good time to get vaccinated.

What we’re reading

Federal, state officials have met with potential investors about shuttered refineries, including Valero. No bites yet, but officials remain keen on refining capacity in the state [Politico].

Despite public meetings, billionaire-backed California Forever never submitted applications for a proposed shipbuilding site before defense corporation partner bailed. Local legislators say they've still seen no plans [California Post]

School district reassigns Matthew Turner Elementary School teacher married to man accused of child sex abuse [SFGate]

When it comes to El Niño flood risks, timing may be everything, say experts as conditions grow for what could be one of the strongest such weather events in recent history [Mercury News]

And the City clears up confusion about road closures, publishes roadworks schedule for Rose and Cambridge Drives 

This week

Today, at 6:00 pm, City Hall: City Council will be briefed on the IT Panoche hazardous waste landfill located off Lake Herman Road and hear updates on paths for Benicia’s economic transition and the future of the Valero refinery. Also on the agenda are proposed changes to the city’s subsidized Lyft program.