CITY OF BENICIA NEEDS TO KEEP ITS PROMISE TO THE VOTERS - USE MEASURE C FUNDS AS INTENDED

Elizabeth,

Thank you for taking the time to respond to our neighborhood's concerns.  We all realize the funding challenges facing the City.  However, you yourself stated that the City of Benicia committed to the voters that Measure C would be used for pot hole repair.  I challenge anyone to point out a street in Benicia that is as well-traveled as East O from East 5th to East 3rd that is in worse condition.

We are talking about two blocks.  Mr. Wadsworth, the City's Public Works Director, stated himself on 9/19/16 that the street has "failed".  While Southampton Road from Panorama to Hastings is an important artery and needs some repairs, it has not failed.  EAST O HAS FAILED.

NO POTHOLES LIKE THIS ON SOUTHAMPTON ROAD

We urge you and the City to keep your promise to voters to use the funds we voted in for the purpose for which they were intended.  To do otherwise would not be fulfilling of the City of Benicia's responsibility to our City's residents and voters.

We happily noted your commitment to get the discussion rolling within City Hall.  We are anxiously awaiting some results.  Getting a failed street fixed shouldn't be this difficult.

..Ross

On 9/21/2016 11:00 AM, Elizabeth Patterson wrote:

Some people also state all or most of Measure C - thanks to all who voted for our one cent sales tax - can be used for streets.  But that would break our promise of maintaing city services, public safety, parks (library) and fixing pot holes.  We are and will spend some of Measure C on streets, but there is not is not enough in the tax revenues to cover all the needs.  We knew that when we adopted the resolution and anyone who says the Measure C is enough to fix all our roads is wrong.

MAYOR PATTERSON PROMISES ACTION ON OUR CONCERNS

Ross,

First, I am wrong about the last meeting of the month to consider staff recommendations for the road maintenance work. Apparently it will be at an October meeting and I will try to send you a notice.


Right now I don't have all the information I need, but my educated guess is that the maintenance work for Southampton is to keep it from degrading to the point of having to completely reconstruct the road. And from my observation of the road conditions at East O and N and West I and Mills . . . and the list goes on, the road is so bad that it may have to be seriously reconstructed. Again, I am not the expert and these are the questions that we will have when the schedule of road repair is discussed.


I am copying the interim city manager who will be able to give you more firm dates for the council meeting at which we will discuss the situation and give direction to staff.


Take care,


Elizabeth

September 28, 2016 at 1:27 PM

STEVE YOUNG - CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE - RESPONDS

"now that I have looked at your blog and the pictures, it is hard to understand how the City would not make the repair/rebuilding of this street the highest priority. "

Steve suggests that we get together and show up at the next City Council meeting.  Good idea, but one would think that the City of Benicia wouldn't need a neighborhood revolt to get a street fixed in a timely manner.  After all, we have been waiting for ALMOST A DECADE (since 2008) to get this fixed!  Do you agree?

 --Ross

THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HAD TO STOP! DUE TO THE POTHOLES

I was driving down East O near the car wash today and following an SUV.  The SUV literally came to a stop to avoid being swallowed by a pothole.  Maybe he was shifting into 4 WHEEL DRIVE!

Sadly, I am not feeling very optimistic about getting any help from the City.  Perhaps I am wrong. Maybe the City will take our suggestion of diverting a small portion of the Measure C funds destined to repave Southampton Road, A ROAD THAT IS MUCH SMOOTHER THAN EAST O.

Call me a pessimist but cars don't have to stop on Southampton Road to avoid road hazards like in OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!