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