Reader Writes: Code Enforcement in Benicia

BENICIA, CA – The following article is from Benicia resident George Oakes:

After the shock of the "Ghostship" warehouse fire in Oakland and some time to reflect has passed it occurred to me that Benicia is facing many of these same issues.

Our artist community, like those in Oakland, face economic hardships, escalating rents and a strong desire to be an artist. The recent Great Recession impacted lives across America and provided incentives to find low cost residential sources and allowed us to look the other way based on our concern for our fellow man to such a degree that our tried and true building and fire codes have been bypassed to allow people to survive, not thrive, but survive.

I have traveled around the world and can attest to the fact that our building and fire codes are the envy of many. Developing, publishing and enforcing these codes has allowed building to service fires, earthquakes and other problems.

I have personally seen building without rebar collapse during a typhoon, seen fires destroy building that would have survived with a sprinkler system. I managed the Building Code Enforcement Division while service with the US Navy overseas. We used American building an fire codes there and managed to these standards.

We cannot let short sighted goals or economic conditions overcome our need for safety. But Benicia is a complaint driven City. Code Enforcement investigates possible code violations based on complaints. The Benicia Fire Department has been in to inspect our office space.

But do they inspect all buildings and all spaces within a building on a scheduled basis? What are the results of these inspections? Are owners required to mitigate and or eliminate unsafe conditions? Are building permits affordable and easy to obtain and are inspections completed in buildings with permits to ensure code compliance? What is such an inspection uncovers additional problems, how are these issued managed? Regardless, the reality is that we have buildings and spaces that are not in compliance with building and fire codes. How can Benicia best manage this issue?

I am suggesting a period of amnesty for building owners and users to bring their spaces up to code, including the illegal residential usage in our commercial and industrial spaces. Our work-live spaces should be on a fixed and routine inspection cycle to include housekeeping and safety issues. I would start with a public outreach to owners and occupants seeking their opt-in for this effort. In addition, I would establish a firm and recurring inspection of all spaces over a period of time. How often and by whom remain an unknown for now, but an effort needs to be made to manage this area of our City.

Failure to do so will surely incur liabilities for Benicia if we experience a Ghostship like event.

Budget estimates need to be prepared, funding sources sought, but no delay can be brokered. Isn't public safety one of the primary jobs of local government? If the Ghostship fire confirms anything it is that this issue is pervasive and impact nearly every town and city in our country.

Can't we train veterans to fill this urgent need? Can we develop, establish, or expand existing training centers to make sure inspectors are prepared to conduct inspections and issue tracking Action Items that are managed until resolved. I do not want to be the one to call someones family to tell them we failed in our obligation to ensure safety within our borders.

Please work with me and our Council to bring visibility to this safety issue. Please keep the conversation going, we can find a solution to this critical need.