Benicia declares local state of emergency
BENICIA >> In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, City Manager Lorie Tinfow declared a local emergency in the city of Benicia on Sunday, City Hall announced.
“We have no diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in Benicia. Issuing a proclamation of local emergency follows actions already taken by the County of Solano and the State of California and positions the City of Benicia for possible reimbursement from the State and Federal agencies for costs incurred during this public health emergency,” Tinfow said in a press release from her office. “Doing so also allows for greater management flexibility in issues associated with City employees as disaster service workers.”
Tinfow serves as the city’s director of emergency services.
On Monday, Mayor Elizabeth
Patterson said in an email that the emergency proclamation will be added to the City Council’s Tuesday meeting for ratification.
She said social distancing will be incorporated for the council, staff, and public during the meeting.
“Please review the agenda and note that we are NOT taking up the business items in order to keep the meeting short,” Patterson said in the same email. “If you have any concerns or comments about consent items, best to provide those in writing and we will address.”
The Vallejo City Council is expected to adopt a similar resolution declaring a local state of emergency in the city on Monday.
Such declarations allow local cities to access federal and state funding and supplies.
Patterson also noted that she is suspending her open office hours, usually held on Mondays, until further notice.
The Benicia City Council will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, inside the Benicia City Hall Council Chambers, 250 East L St.
jglidden@timesheraldonline.com @glid24 on Twitter