Steve Young, Benicia Mayor

05/29/2026

Business license tax overhaul, water supply to be discussed on Tuesday June 2

At Tuesday’s Council meeting, there will be discussions about whether and how to overhaul and update the City’s business tax. This was last updated in 2004, and has several portions that have generated discussion in the community and at Council.

As currently written and enforced, anyone performing any service for pay in the city, regardless of how small or minimal the payment, is expected to have a business license. This includes people, including teens, doing chores like dog walking or baby sitting, musicians who come to play at a local venue, and artists who often do not generate significant income of any scale.It also includes owners of small rental income properties.

On the upper end, there is a cap on how much a business can be charged for the license, no matter the size of the business or revenue generated. Valero ended up paying the same business license fee as a retail business on First Street. . One option under consideration is to raise or eliminate the upper limit on gross receipts,

Finally, while the possibility exists that the State will contract with Valero to operate a Marine Terminal for refined gas using some of their larger storage tanks, there will be consideration of whether a tax on the volume of gas moving through marine Terminal should be implemented.

Another important business item is a public hearing on the City’s Urban Water Management Plan, required 5o be completed every five years and looks at the City’s water supply over normal, dry and driest conditions. The report states we currently have sufficient supply for all those conditions.

Interested people are encouraged to attend and give public comment, either in person or on zoom . Meeting will be televised on BeniciaTV.

05/19/2026

Signature Development Company has submitted preliminary plans to the City about future development of the Valero site. Their preliminary plans can be seen here.

05/08/2026

BHS band currently a close second. You can vote every day

05/05/2026

A gathering with hometown hero Harold Bray in front of his statue . Thanks to the Benicia Communiity Foundation for their leadership in erecting this permanent monument to. Mr. Bray (99 Yrs. old)

Harold Bray remains the sole survivor of that wartime catastrophe.

05/01/2026

There has been substantial controversy over the use, and misuse, of E-bikes. There are a couple of bills in the Legislature that may address the safety issues.

New bills would require license plates for Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes and lower peak speeds for models that children under 16 can ride.

05/01/2026

There will be another busy Council meeting on Tuesday, May 5. Among the items to be discussed are a proposed agreement with Eden Housing concerning the construction of an affordable senior housing development at the Senior Center and adjacent Library parking lot, as well as a City owned site across from the Community Center. The proposal would involve at least 90 units and be 3-4 stories high. Also on the agenda is a presentation by Public Works on the long-awaited City Street Repairs project. Enough money has been collected through citizen initiated and approved Measure F to start this massive project. The third business item is the audit of City finances done by a third party. Here is the agenda link:

04/29/2026

Benicia parents charged with misdemeanor child abuse after E-bike accident. There are multiple efforts at the State to try and deal with E-bike and E-motos, including registration and license plate requirments.

Mounting accidents involving young riders are at the center of a widening debate over safety, responsibility, and e-bike laws.

04/16/2026

The Bay Area Air District is offering $5000 scholarships to seniors entering college and in need of financial help. it is competitive, but may be appropriate for some Benicia students interested in environmental issues. Applicatiions due May 29

03/07/2026

Dear Neighbor,

I’ve been hearing from a lot of Benicia residents about the flaring at the Valero refinery, and I understand why people are concerned. Many of you are asking the same question: how long is this going to last?

The Bay Area Air District has been notified by Valero that the flaring is related to a planned shutdown of refinery equipment. Air District inspectors are monitoring the situation closely and are coordinating with the Benicia Fire Department.
Based on the information provided to the Air District, flaring may continue for the next several weeks while the refinery brings equipment offline as part of this process. Valero must comply with their flare minimization plan and supply the Air District with a causal report at the conclusion of the flaring, which will be available on the Air District‘s website.

I know that doesn’t make it any easier when you can see or smell it. Please know that the Air District is watching the situation closely. If you experience odors, smoke, or other air quality concerns, I strongly encourage you to report them. Those reports help inspectors track what’s happening in real time and respond quickly if something changes.
You can report concerns at 800-334-ODOR or online at https://bit.ly/4bs8iw7.
I will continue to stay in contact with the Air District and share updates if anything changes
Sincerely,
Steve Young
Mayor
and Member, Bay Area Air District Board of Directors

02/18/2026

If you are interested in swapping out your wood fire insert or fireplace (or pellet stove) for a new electric heat pump, the Bay Area Air District has grants available to do so. First come. first served and no income limits.

Get up to $10,500 to swap a wood stove for a heat pump — apply by July 14.