![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Dr.-Ori-Tzvieli.jpg)
Dr. Ori Tzvieli during a Jan. 22, 2021 online press conference. Source: Screenshot of CCHealth Services YouTube video
Farnitano retiring next month; Tzvieli will also hold title and role of county’s Director of Public Health
The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors today appointed Dr. Ori Tzvieli as the county’s new Health Officer.
Dr. Tzvieli has helped to lead the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two years as a deputy health officer.
He fills a vacancy left by Dr. Chris Farnitano, who has stepped down from the role in preparation for retirement after more than 30 years caring for Contra Costa County residents.
“Dr. Farnitano will be missed. We are glad Dr. Tzvieli is ready to step into a role that is so crucial for the health and safety of our county residents during the pandemic,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Karen Mitchoff. “Over the past two years, both of them have contributed to one of the finest local responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in California.”
Each county in California appoints a health officer who has broad authority under state Health & Safety Code and are responsible for protecting the health of residents within their jurisdictions.
“Dr. Tzvieli has helped to lead our county’s emergency response since the beginning. We are fortunate to have someone with his experience and community knowledge ready to step up,” Contra Costa Health Director Anna Roth said. “I am very confident that he will help to continue our strong efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Contra Costa County.”
Dr. Tzvieli joined Contra Costa Health (CCH) as a family medicine resident at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC) in 2000, launching a career in the county’s healthcare delivery system that has led to several leadership roles, including Medical Staff President, Ambulatory Care Medical Director, Public Health Medical Director and now Director of Public Health, serving under Director Roth.
During his time with CCH, Dr. Tzvieli has championed collaborative efforts to address opioid addiction and cared for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents as medical director of the Health Care for the Homeless program.
Dr. Farnitano will formally retire in March after a celebrated career at CCH. He became Contra Costa County Health Officer in July 2018, after previously serving as Ambulatory Care Medical Director at CCRMC and Family Medicine Department Chair, among other roles.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreAlysa Liu is only athlete from Contra Costa County to compete in this year’s games
2020 World Junior Championships, bronze (individual); 2019 Junior Grand Prix Final, silver (individual)
“The Simon Biles of Figure Skating”
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Alyisa-Liu-Intl-Figure-Skating-Dec-2019-cover.jpg)
Alyisa Liu on the cover of International Figure Skating December 2019 issue. Source: alysaliu.figureskatersonline.com
By Allen D. Payton
Two-time U.S. Champion figure skater Alysa Liu of Richmond, California is competing in her first Olympics in women’s singles at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, this month. She is one of four athletes from the Bay Area, there, including Karen Chen of Fremont, also competing on the Women’s Figure Skating team, Nina OBrien of San Fransico competing in Alpine Skiing, and Vicent Zhou of Palo Alto competing in Men’s Singles Figure Skating. But Liu is the only athlete from Contra Costa County to participate in this year’s Olympic Games.
The 5-foot, 2-inch 16-year-old was born on August 8, 2005 in Clovis, CA and began skating at age 5. She now trains in Colorado Springs with Christy Krall, Drew Meekins and Viktor Pfeifer, and represents the St. Moritz Ice Skating Club in Oakland, joining their list of champions which includes Kristi Yamaguchi and Rudy Galindo. Her new coaches as of November include Christy Krall, Drew Meekins, Viktor Pfeifer, Eddie Shipstad, and Philip DiGuglielmo. Liu was previously coached by Laura Lipetsky, Massimo Scali and Jeremy Abbott at the Oakland Ice Center.
According to her own website, “at the age of 13, Alysa became the youngest lady to win the U.S. Championships. She also became the youngest female skater to land a triple Axel at the U.S. Championships and the third woman to do so at the event. In August 2019, she became the first U.S. lady to land a quadruple jump (quad Lutz) in competition. In January 2020, she won her second U.S. title. Two months later, she competed in her first World Junior Championships and won the bronze medal. In 2021, she won the pewter medal at the 2021 U.S. Championships.
In the fall of 2021, Liu made her senior international debut and won the ISU Challenger event’s Lombardia Trophy and Nebelhorn Trophy, which the later event served as an Olympic qualifying event. With her win, the U.S. women gained the third spot for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Liu also debuted on the senior Grand Prix circuit, finishing 4th and 5th.
In January 2022, Liu was named to the 2022 Olympic team despite being unable to compete in free skate at the U.S. Championships due to a positive COVID-19 test.
She’s been competing in skating competitions for the past six years and also taking first place in 2016 at the U.S. Championships, Intermediate and Pacific Coast Sectional, Intermediate. Liu also placed second at the 2016 Central Pacific Regional, Intermediate competition.
Liu has been referred to as the “Simon Biles of Figure Skating” according to a January 20, 2022 report by the Today Show. She has been the subject of over 40 news articles, including by Forbes, NBC Sports, People, Time, USA Today, Sports Illustrated and the December 2019 cover of International Figure Skating magazine.
According to a Jan. 31, 2022 USA Today report, she “successfully petitioned her way onto the Olympic team after a strong first season on the senior international circuit”…and “probably has the best chance of any U.S. women of sneaking onto the podium, which the Russians are expected to sweep.” See video interview of Alysa.
According to an Oct. 28, 2021 article by People, “she attended ‘online school all of high school because my training schedule was just too hard to deal with regular school. So I did online school and I graduated high school in June.”
Four Siblings, Including Triplets
According to her profile on the Team USA website, Liu has a younger sister named Selina (age 14), and triplet siblings named Julia, Joshua and Justin (age 12). Liu is an active member of the Youth Court in Oakland, California, helping underage children with a criminal record. She has two cats named Kathie and Cranberry and enjoys watching movies, going to the beach and dancing. When she’s not skating, Alysa also enjoys reading, crafts, watching YouTube, playing video games, going to the park, riding her bike and playing tag with her younger siblings.
According to a Feb. 5, 2022, San Francisco Chronicle report, “Oakland immigration attorney Arthur Liu, fathered Alysa and her four siblings…through surrogate mothers.” After Alysa was born, her grandmother came to live with them and helped him raise her and her siblings until 1996 when she returned to China.
According to Antioch City Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, Liu’s mother lives in Antioch, and the councilwoman met both Liu and her mother at her mother’s Antioch home, thanks to the connection made by Contra Costa Community College District Governing Board Trustee Andy Li, who introduced them. Ogorchock took photos with Liu, as well.
Liu is sponsored by Edea Skates, John Wilson Blades – makers of figure skating blades since 1696, and Toyota. Alysa makes a brief appearance in an Olympic-themed Toyota TV commercial which debuted on Friday, Feb. 4.
For more photos of Liu see her page on the US Figure Skating Fanzone website.
Read MoreRetiring Health Officer, staff never showed percentage of COVID cases that originated at those businesses, but still issued order in September
Average daily number of new cases have likely peaked, countywide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have also in decline
With 80% of all county residents now fully vaccinated, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, lifted its health order requiring certain businesses, including restaurants, gyms, bars and theaters, to verify the vaccination status or recent negative test results of customers. So, there is no longer a need to show your papers at those businesses. (For details see the Rescinding Order)
Although neither former county Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano nor county health staff could ever provide documentation showing the percentage of COVID cases in the county from patrons of restaurants, bars, gyms or theaters, he issued an order as of Sept. 22, 2021 requiring those businesses to verify that indoor customers were fully vaccinated, or had tested negative for COVID-19 within the previous three days. His order also included a requirement for workers in indoor areas of those businesses to show proof of full vaccination or test weekly. (See related article)
Farnitano is retiring from his position, next month and Contra Costa County Director of Public Health Dr. Ori Tzvieli is now serving as acting county health officer, as part of the transition.
Testing data show COVID-19 transmission, fueled by the highly contagious omicron variant, remains high in Contra Costa, but that the average daily number of new cases have likely peaked, and countywide hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have also begun to decline.
“We believe now is the right time to loosen a requirement that made a lot of sense last summer, when a different variant of COVID-19 was dominant and there was less community immunity,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, acting Contra Costa County Health Officer. “But by no means are we back to normal. There are still many more cases of COVID-19 in our community now than there were in mid-December, so we need to continue to take precautions when we go out.”
The best protection against COVID-19 infections, and serious illness from infections, is to be fully vaccinated and up to date with a booster dose whenever eligible.
“We deeply appreciate everyone who has chosen to vaccinate. You have made yourselves, your loved ones, and the entire community safer,” Contra Costa Health Director Anna Roth said. “If you are eligible and you have not gotten your booster, it is really important that you get one. People who get boosted are significantly safer from serious COVID-19.”
County data show that the daily COVID-19 case rate for Contra Costa residents who received booster doses is more than three times lower than that of unvaccinated people, and about nine times more effective at preventing hospitalization due to the virus.
On Thursday, Contra Costa reached a new milestone, with 80% of all county residents now fully vaccinated. So far, 48.4% of eligible residents have received booster doses.
The verification order, which took effect last September, applied to businesses where people remove face coverings to eat or drink indoors, such as restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, and to gyms and other indoor fitness facilities, including yoga and dance studios, where patrons breathe more heavily due to exercise.
The order required these businesses to verify that indoor customers were fully vaccinated, or had tested negative for COVID-19 within the past three days. It also included a requirement for workers in indoor areas of these businesses to show proof of full vaccination or test weekly.
Though the county requirement may be lifted, private businesses may choose to implement their own verification requirements to better protect customers and staff, and CCHS encourages them to consider doing so as a safest practice during the pandemic.
Other state and countywide health orders remain in effect, including workplace vaccine verification requirements for healthcare workers, first responders and congregate care workers, and a requirement for most people to wear face coverings in most indoor public spaces.
Current state health orders still require proof of vaccination or a recent, negative test result in certain situations, including when visiting hospitals or long-term care facilities, or attending indoor “mega events” of 500 or more people.
Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for updates regarding Contra Costa County health orders and the county’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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The issue dates back four years and more; board to hold special closed door meeting Wednesday to discuss lawsuits by the three staff members; judge to rule by Friday on release of report
The Contra Costa Community College District is fighting in court to prevent the release of an investigations report of complaints made by three employees in leadership of the District. Current members, Executive Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Eugene Huff, Chief Human Resources Officer Diogenes “Dio” Shipp and former Chief Financial Officer Jonah Nicholas made California Public Records Act (CPRA) requests for the release of “Any and all investigation reports delivered to the District concerning complaints made by” them.
Huff and Shipp are currently on paid administrative leave and Nicholas now works for the Chabot Las Positas Community College District in Alameda County.
A “Notice of Intention to Produce Records and Court Documents” was sent Monday to former Governing Board Trustee Greg Enholm from Executive Vice Chancellor for Education and Technology Mojdeh Mehdizadeh. In it she wrote, “the District vigorously opposed the release of the requested records, namely the Investigation Report (‘Report’) prepared by Jessica Armijo, citing a variety of legal privileges including” the “right to privacy” of those mentioned in the Report. However, the letter continues, “In his Jan. 28, 2022 ruling…Judge Jerry Baskin found that none of the purported exemptions apply to the Report.”
The judge further “ordered the Report be submitted for an in-camera review for February 1, 2022” (today), the notice reads.
Mehdizadeh also informed Enholm that the release of the Report “would result in a public disclosure of records containing information related to your role as a Governing Board member”. She suggested if he also objected to the release of the information that he could use a “reverse-CPRA action” for judicial relief and obtain a court order preventing the disclosure.
However, Enholm said he doesn’t care if any information about him or the Report is released.
According to the notice, the District is required to provide a copy of the Report of the investigations by Wednesday, Feb. 2 and “the Court intends to issue its final ruling”, this Friday, February 4 11:15 am.
A special closed session board meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. during which the trustees will discuss litigation with their legal counsel. The cases are Huff et al. v. Contra Costa Community College District, CIV N21-1890 and Huff et al. v. Contra Costa Community College District, CIV C21-02408.
In addition, the board will again discuss the “Public employee discipline/dismissal/release/complaint (Government Code Section 54957)” of Chancellor Bryan Reece.
Huff Explains
“Because we are in litigation, I’m probably not going to answer all your questions,” Huff said when reached for comment. “But I’m happy to provide you with the facts.”
“We have the same attorney and we filed two lawsuits against the District,” he continued. “One is the writ Judge Baskin heard, last Friday, which resulted in our favor.” Regarding the other lawsuit, “we filed a claim against the district about employment discrimination and retaliation.”
The lawsuit filed in court is a public document, Huff pointed out.
“Dio, additionally, has stand-alone claims,” he added.
“We were contract administrators at the time,” Huff stated. Their contracts were not renewed. “We filed for documents related to complaints filed in 2020.”
Dio was put on paid administrative leave in June. Huff was placed on administrative leave in August.
Asked if there was a date certain to the end of his paid leave, Huff replied, “It’s unusual to have a person on paid administrative leave indefinitely. But my current contract runs through June 2022. So, maybe they’re going to just wait it out.”
Read MoreWill celebrate Inaugural Asian and Pacific Islander Lunar New Year, honor City of Antioch’s Sesquicentennial
By Daniel Borsuk
An ordinance concerning Contra Costa County’s affordable housing status and other proposed ordinances designed to boost election campaign funding for Supervisors and Non-supervisor candidates along with an Inaugural celebration recognizing the Asian and Pacific Islander New Year will be some of the Agenda Items the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will either take action on or pay tribute to at a meeting on Tuesday, February 1.
The Supervisors will meet remotely, starting at 9:00 a.m. Proceedings will be televised on Comcast Cable twenty-seven, ATT/U-Verse Channel 99 and WAVE Channel 32 and can be seen live online at www.contracosta.ca.gov.
Public Hearing on Inclusionary Housing Ordinance
Supervisors will hold a hearing to determine if the county’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance is “Consistent with the State’s definition of low-income household and qualifying income units and exempt community care facilities from the County’s Affordable Housing Requirements,” according to the report from the Contra Costa County Conservation and Development.
In effect since 2006, the proposed ordinance would align the County’s Ordinance with changes in the state’s definition of extended low, very low-, low- and moderate-income households and their respective qualifying income limits.
The proposed ordinance would exempt Community Care Facilities from the County’s Affordable Housing Requirements.
Election Campaign Ordinance
Supervisors will consider an Election Campaign Ordinance for Supervisorial and Non-supervisoral candidates increasing individual donations from $1,675 to $2,500. The County’s Election Campaign Ordinance was first adopted in 1984 and was last revised in 2005.
The Election Campaign Ordinance also applies to other County Elected Positions such as Recorder-elections, Treasurer, Assessor, District Attorney, and Sheriff-Coroner.
A few weeks ago, when Supervisors first reviewed this ordinance, they had briefly studied the idea of raising donations to $5,000, the state limit, but decided to not go that route.
Inaugural Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration
The Board of Supervisors will conduct their inaugural Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration with Susan Kim, executive director of the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, and Professor Kent Wong, Director of the University of California Los Angeles Labor Center, as speakers. The multi-cultural ceremony will feature dance, music, food, and unique customs of many of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities represented in Contra Costa County including Nepalese, Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Tai, and Indian communities.
“We want to recognize one of the most important celebrations for our Asian and Pacific Islander communities and dismiss monolithic stereotypes by featuring the diversity in our Asian communities,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff. “Contra Costa County will make history on the first day of this year’s Lunar New Year, February 1st, with the inaugural event as we honor and celebrate the many different Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and traditions. As an important and integral part of our County family, we celebrate the new year with you, and wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year!”
The Asian and Pacific Islander New Year Celebration will be shown at www.contracostaca.gov/6068 or www.contracostatv.org. The community can watch on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) Channels; COMCAST Cable 27.
Rodeo Senior Housing Project
Supervisors will hold a hearing on a proposal to permit Conservation and Development Director John Kopchick to sign a Development and Loan Agreement between the County and La Loma Rodeo EAU LLC for the sale of county owned property at 710 Willow Ave. in Rodeo.
The Rodeo development calls for the construction of a PA 67-unit affordable unit senior housing project with community space. The developers will receive from the county a $4,450,000 loan from the Housing Succession Low Moderate-Income Funds for construction of the building. The County would sell the County-owned property to La Loma Rodeo for $980,000.
Will honor City of Antioch’s Sesquicentennial – 150th Anniversary
District 3 Supervisor Dianne Burgis who represents portions of Antioch, will present her resolution for adoption that recognizes the City of Antioch’s Sesquicentennial or 150th Anniversary of Incorporation. Antioch was founded as Smith’s Landing in 1849 when the twin Smith brothers purchased land from John Marsh, owner of Rancho Los Medano, who had constructed a landing on the San Joaquin River. Following the death of Reverend Joseph Horton Smith in 1850, the residents, under the leadership of Rev. William Wiggins Smith, gathered during the July 4, 1851 picnic and renamed the town Antioch after the biblical city in Syria where the followers of Christ were first called Christians. The City of Antioch was incorporated on February 6, 1872, becoming Contra Costa County’s original city. (See related article)
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East County residents interested in running for office this year, will have the opportunity to learn from County Elections staff, Fair Political Practices Commission, local elected officials and campaign professionals during a campaign school Wednesday night, Jan. 2.
Date: 02/02/2022
Time: 6:00 – 9:00pm
Location: Antioch Community Center at Prewett Family Park, 4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch
Program:
Welcome: Helen Nolan, Assistant Registrar
Moderator: Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis
Presentations:
- Filing for Office Speakers: 6:10 – 6:30pm
- Contra Costa Elections Supervisor, Rosa Mena
- Brentwood City Clerk, Margaret Wimberly
- Campaign Financial Disclosures Speakers: 6:35– 7:00pm
- Contra Costa Elections Specialist, Olga Hernandez
- NetFile, Tom Diebert
- FPPC, Chloe Hackert (Via Zoom)
- Changes for Future Elections: 7:05 – 7:15
- Contra Costa County Assistant Registrar, Helen Nolan
- Bay Area Trust in Elections: 7:15 -7:25
- Contra Costa County Deputy Clerk-Recorder-Registrar, Tommy Gong
Break: 7:25 – 7:35
- Communicating the Message Speakers: 7:40 – 8:15pm
- Consultant, Allen Payton, Del Rey Advertising & Marketing Agency
- Voters Edge, Shawn Gilbert
- Social Media, Jenna Valle-Riestra (Via Zoom)
- Encouraging Future Leaders Speakers: 8:20 – 8:55pm
- Contra Costa College Governing Board Trustee, District 5, Fernando Sandoval
- Contra Costa County Office of Education, District 5, Annette Lewis
- City of Pittsburg City Council Vice Mayor, Shanelle Scales
- City of Brentwood Councilwoman, Susannah Meyer
We would like to make sure that we are clear about a couple of details of the event:
- The purpose of the event is for residents to learn about the specifics of how to run for office, there will not be any campaigning or candidacy promotion at this event.
- This is the final of three events that we have held (Lafayette, Richmond, and Antioch) and all events are the same format and information with a few different panelists.
While everything points to the latest trends in Coronavirus transmission rates being in decline, we understand that the Omicron strain of the virus is still a big factor, and our county continues to have specific rules in place with regard to indoor venues and events. We want to make sure that all of our participants and panelists understand all of the current rules in place, and that we provide all options for everyone to participate fully.
Please note that as of December 29, 2021, the current mask mandate requires all people in Contra Costa, regardless of vaccination status to mask in public indoor settings. (For our panelists, you will be requested to keep your mask on while speaking). We will also be taking precautions with the seating to assure that our panelists and participants are socially distanced.
Please self-monitor and if you have any of the following symptoms, please do not attend this event in person:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
While we feel that we are providing a safe in-person event given all the protocols in place, we understand that some people may not feel comfortable attending in-person. If you are not comfortable attending this event in-person, please join us via Zoom:
Topic: Antioch Candidate Workshop
Time: Feb 2, 2022 06:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87938930334?pwd=cklnZXFwN3V6R1dUdm1ZVkNhVFlsQT09
Meeting ID: 879 3893 0334
Passcode: 550253
One tap mobile
+16699009128,,87938930334#,,,,*550253# US (San Jose)
Thank you for your understanding and patience as we continue to navigate the pandemic and attempt to make this event as accessible as possible. https://us02web.zoom.us/account/report
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact either one of us prior to the event:
Dawn Kruger, Civic Outreach/Engagement Specialist
925-335-7805
Karen Tedford, Civic Engagement Aide
925-335-7863
Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department
We will see you soon!
Read MoreLast seen in Antioch, fliers posted throughout community
By Oakley Police Department
The Oakley Police Department received a call of a missing person, under suspicious circumstances, on January 27, 2022. The missing person is identified as Alexis Gabe, 24, of Oakley. She was last seen on Benttree Way in Antioch.
Gabe is described as an Asian female, 5’7”, 170 pounds and last known to be wearing a white tank top, silver/black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and green/white shoes.
Oakley Police patrol personnel and detectives began immediate efforts to locate Gabe. The Oakley Police Department has been in contact with Gabe’s family and have spoken to key people who were last known to be with her. The efforts to locate Gabe are continuing as detectives analyze evidence and patrol personnel continue to field tips and conduct physical searches for Gabe.
Posters of Gabe have been posted throughout East County over the past two days.
Please report any credible sightings of Gabe, or any information that will lead to her discovery by calling the Oakley Police Department at 925-625-8060.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreApproaching critical phase – but few people seem interested, participating
The BART redistricting process is reaching a critical phase, with just one more virtual meeting for public outreach, scheduled for 6 pm on Wednesday, February 2nd. Few people seem interested in participating in the process in spite of the significant impact redistricting has on who will run for office and be elected over the next 10 years. Only two people offered public comments at the last BART meeting on redistricting, including the publisher of the Herald, Allen Payton.
Join the virtual meeting on 2/2/22 at 6pm on Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82168419186
Webinar ID: 821 6841 9186
Or Telephone US: +1 669 900 6833 (Toll Free) or 888 475 4499
BART election districts are redrawn every 10 years following the U.S. Census. The primary purpose of redistricting is to ensure population equality among districts.
Once the public outreach has concluded, the BART Board of Directors will continue to discuss the process and advance the work at upcoming Board meetings, including a special meeting of the Board of Directors. Meetings and agendas will be announced in advance. Sign up for Board meeting notices here.
BART has provided the following draft maps and census population and race/ethnicity data:
BART Board Districts Map Plan A
BART Board Districts Map Plan B
BART Board Districts Map Plan C
Census population and race/ethnicity data by District (Current, Plan A, Plan B, Plan C)
BART has rolled out mapping tools to enable public input for redistricting.
BART interactive mapping tool for redistricting: This tool gives residents the ability to create and share a Community of Interest and/or draft Board Member districts. Map submissions will appear in the gallery on the main landing page, enabling residents to view public input for redistricting.
BART Districts and Demographic Data: This web mapping tool is for visualizing BART districts and demographic data.
In addition to the interactive mapping tool, BART is providing a Community Input Map to allow residents to identify and provide supplemental information regarding their Community of Interest. This feature can be used on a mobile device and is offered in English and Spanish (Español), providing residents with an app that can be used to submit community information in their language of choice.
Learn more about BART Redistricting at bart.gov/redistricting.
This process is guided by traditional redistricting principles as well as the U.S. Constitution, the California Constitution, the federal Voting Rights Act, the BART District Act, and the Fair and Inclusive Redistricting for Municipalities and Political Subdivisions (FAIR MAPS) Act.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreBy Daniel Borsuk
A housing boom in the single family and multi-family residential construction sectors will jump start Contra Costa County’s economy in the post-COVID 19 era, economist Dr. Christopher Thornberg told the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors during their retreat on Tuesday.
“Housing, housing, housing is the wave of the future for Contra Costa County,” Dr. Thornberg of Beacon Economics said during a two-hour remote presentation entitled “The Post-Covid New World Order: It’s a seller’s market for now.”
In 2021, Contra Costa County outpaced other Bay Area counties especially San Francisco and Alameda counties in issuing single family and multi-family residential permits, the economist said. Housing construction serves as an economic sparkplug for the local economy – stores and services, especially public schools.
From this increased economic activity, the county will draw increased sales tax revenue particularly from the newly voter approved Measure X sales tax measure. County officials estimate Measure X will pump in $170 million of additional revenue for county health and social programs for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Contra Costa County had issued 1,687 permits in 2021 for single family residential units, an increase of 466 permits from 2019 and 1,336 permits for multi-family residential units, an increase of 580 units from 2019, based on statistics that Dr. Thornberg showed.
In the meantime, San Francisco City and County issued only 86 single-family housing permits in 2021, an increase of only nine permits from 2020, and 2,075 multi-family residential unit permits in 2021, a decrease of 552 permits, from 2020.
Residential construction in Alameda County was down in both categories. Single family was declined 41 permits with 1,241 permits issued overall in 2021. Multi-family residential construction was also down 126 units to 2,953 units multi-family residential unit permits overall.
“Offices are going to take a beating in the suburbs,” the economist forecast. More people are working from home, and it appears this remote trend is here to stay for a while, he said.
In San Francisco’s Financial District, where it is nearly deserted because of the pandemic, there are office buildings that are practically empty of workers, Thornberg said. He said it would be very costly to convert unused office buildings into residential buildings in the city.
79.8 Percent Fully Vaccinated
Meanwhile, Contra Costa County Health Services Director Anna Roth reported that 79.8 percent of the county’s population is fully vaccinated.
“Mask-wearing has become a priority and wearing cloth masks are not that protective,” said Roth
Even then there has been a surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the county Deputy Health Officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli said with 281 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 or the Omicron variant.
Supervisors also learned the county on average administers 12,000 COVID-19 tests daily.
Nino Recommends Postponing $59 Million of American Rescue Plan Funds
Supervisors also, on the recommendation of County Administrator Monica Nino, voted 5-0 to postpone the acceptance of $59 million of the second-year allocation of American Rescue Plan funds “until the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts on Contra Costa County is better understood in January 2023,” she stated.
In the meantime, some $53 million in year two American Rescue Plan funds be accept by the county.
Nino had cited bureaucratic red-tape issues both at the state and federal levels for temporarily halting portions of the federal funds used for rental assistance, employment assistance and other federal government subsidy programs developed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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