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Council approves $750,000 port planning grant award to GHD to study electrification
Summary
The council authorized budget amendments to accept a $750,000 ABAG/MTC planning grant for the Port of Benicia and approved GHD as the consultant to develop an electrification and modernization plan; staff said the grant funds planning, not construction, and Amports (lessee) will need to participate in implementation.
Deputy City Manager Sarah Schockey told the council the City of Benicia secured a $750,000 ABAG/MTC planning grant to study modernization and electrification options for the Port of Benicia, including steps to meet upcoming CARB regulations for onshore power connections.
Schockey said the city received three proposals (GHD, WSP and Burns & McDonnell) and unanimously selected GHD for the contract because of its proposed approach and technical detail. She stressed the award funds planning work only; implementation would rely on further grants and participation from the port lessee, Amports.
GHD representative Rodney Iwashita (online) said the firm rearranged tasks from the RFP and presented a realistic schedule for the 18-month program (completion targeted by April 2026 for the full scope) while acknowledging the inventory and infrastructure-assessment tasks may shift. Councilmember Campbell asked whether the scope would analyze lease-renewal or ownership options; staff replied those negotiations are separate and would not be addressed in open session under real-estate rules.
The council voted to approve the budget amendments and award the planning contract; staff said the work will inform future grant applications and capital improvement programming for port electrification and modernization.
