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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03191996 - C46 • I I C.43, C.44,C.45 -* and C.46 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on March 19, 1996 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Rogers, Bishop, DeSaulnier, Torlakson and Smith NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None SUBJECT: Correspondence C.43 LETTER dated February 29, 1996, from Skip Thomson, Chairman, Board of Supervisors, Solano County, 580 Texas Street, Fairfield, CA 94533, requesting confirmation that Solano County officials will be notified in the event of a hazardous materials release or any potential release which will impact Solano County residents. ****REFERRED TO OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES, DIRECTOR AND HEALTH SERVICES, DIRECTOR C.44 LETTER dated February 28, 1995, from Guillermo Rodriquez, Jr., Executive Director, and Alicia Lara, Director, Latino Issues Forum, 785 Market Street, Third Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103, transmitting a copy of "Medi-Cal Managed Care: A Discussion about Health Care Options and Consumer Principles", and requesting the Board's support of same. ****REFERRED TO HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR C.45 LETTER dated March 4, 1996, from Wayman Yee, M.B.A., Management Auditor, Audit Services Unit, State of California, Health and Welfare Agency, Department of Community Services and Development, 700 North 10th Street, Room 258, Sacramento, CA 95814, advising of the result of a desk review of an audit report on contracts administered by the Community Services Department. ****REFERRED TO COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, DIRECTOR AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR C.46 LETTER dated February 27, 1996, from Diana Patrick, P.O. Box 1086, Martinez, CA 94553, on issues pertinent to Shell Refinery. ****REFERRED TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the recommendations as noted (* are approved. I hereby certify thct thio is a true and correct copy of an cctior,tckce cn�cnterod on the minutes of the Board of supervisors on the daj@ sho n. c.c. Office of Emergency Services, Director ATTESTED: AA-, 14 ( U Health Services, Director PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board Community Services, Director of Supervisorsd County AdmialstraW County Administrator By ,Deputy Community Development, Director Correspondents K PO Box 1086 RECEIVED, , Martinez CA 94553 February 27, 1996 MAR - i 1996 is PERVISOR SMITH Jeff Smith, Chair Board of Supervisors Contra Costa County 651 Pine Street Martinez CA 94553 Dear Chairman Smith, The recent explosion at the Shell hydrogen plant owned by Air Products Inc. raises the question of liability. Is Shell parceling off highly dangerous functions? If so, does Shell reduce responsible should great harm occur? What-functions has Shell sold and how dangerous are they? I'm told that Shell moved most gasoline loading, a hazardous activity, from their own wharf to the privately owned Wickland Martinez terminal. A new gasoline line was or will be installed from Shell to Wickland. How many gasoline tankers are (or will be) loaded at each wharf weekly? Gasoline tankers loaded at Wickland must pass under five bridges to reach the ocean instead of the three bridges from Shell's own wharf. Is it true that Shell closed their Wilmington refinery and is supplying the Southern California market with gasoline manufactured in Martinez and shipped by tanker to Los Angeles? How many gasoline ships are loaded at each terminal weekly. Is Shell's liability reduced by Wickland loading gasoline? The Benicia/Martinez railroad bridge has an exceptionally narrow opening for tankers to navigate into or from the Wickland dock. A few years ago a Shell tanker carrying gasoline to Wickland hit that bridge and pierced its hull. Fortunately the point of impact was between gasoline holds so sparks created from the boat hull rubbing against the steel bridge were not a problem. How many ships have hit the �.1D. r J. Smith, Chair Page 2 railroad bridge? Are the tankers carrying Shell's gasoline double hulled? Shell's Clean Fuels Project includes a new residual coking operation that converts petrochemical hazardous waste into useable products. The Clean Fuels EIR indicates that up to 50% more hazardous material will be on site after project completion. Would a new refinery owner be entitled to construct this new business? If so, would Shell's liability be terminated? If Shell does sell their Martinez refinery will they be relieved of liability? What if they sell the refinery and purchase gasoline from the next owner? I'm concerned that we will be facing even greater risk as Shell reduces responsibility. I would appreciate a timely answer to these questions. cerely, Diana L. Patrick copies to: George Miller, MC Gary Yancey, DA Mike Menesini, Mayor Nancy Fanden Kathy Radke Ralph Sattler, CSE Denny Larsen, CBE Contra Costa Times Martinez Gazette