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Industrial Safety Ordinance Development Plan

In December of last year, the Benicia City Council created a subcommittee of Vice Mayor Scott and Councilmember Birdseye, supported by Fire Chief Josh Chadwick, to develop an Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO) for Benicia. This draft ordinance aims to reduce the risk of hazardous chemical releases, improve accident prevention, enhance air monitoring, and promote transparency between the community and industry.

The third draft of the ordinance is the culmination of a comprehensive, year-long public engagement process that included residents, stakeholders, and subject matter experts. Click on a tile to the right to learn more about the public engagement process. At the April 1, 2025 City Council meeting, Council unanimously approved the ISO and associated documents. The Ordinance shall take effect 120 days after April 1, 2025 except for except for the incident notification requirements of section 8.55.110, which are currently effective.

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City Council Subcommittee Members


Projected Timeline

Subject to change

January 2024

  • Develop list of key stakeholders
  • Develop list of subject matter experts (SMEs)
  • Begin reaching out to stakeholders and SMEs

February 2024

  • Develop public-facing website
  • Begin conducting initial stakeholder outreach meetings
  • Begin discussions with subject matter experts

March 2024

  • Initial progress report to City Council (March 5)
  • Continue stakeholder and SME meetings
  • Launch online survey
  • In-person community meeting

April 2024

  • Virtual community meeting
  • Compile feedback data
  • Begin drafting ordinance

May 2024

  • Compile survey results
  • Share feedback data analysis with key stakeholder groups and community
  • Continue drafting ordinance

June 2024

  • Continue to compile draft ordinance
  • Continue to solicit assistance and feedback from SMEs

July 2024

  • Complete 1st draft of ordinance
  • Invite public feedback on 1st draft of ordinance

August 2024

  • Continue to accept feedback on 1st draft of ordinance
  • Evaluate 1st draft ordinance feedback

September 2024

  • Evaluate 1st draft ordinance feedback

October 2024

  • Analyze and incorporate 1st draft ordinance feedback

November 2024

  • Release 2nd draft ordinance for public feedback
  • Evaluate 2nd draft ordinance feedback

December 2024

  • 2nd draft ordinance public feedback continues
  • Evaluate 2nd draft ordinance feedback

January 2025

  • Evaluate 2nd draft ordinance feedback

February 2025

  • Update Presentation at City Council

March 2025

  • First Reading at City Council

April 2025

  • Draft fee study & second reading at City Council

June 2025

  • Fee study presentation at City Council
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