Board approves contract “after secret negotiations were held during BART Directors’ campaign elections” he said.
“…giving space to someone who can’t pronounce our past GM’s name or spell eBART correctly and someone who makes false claim after false claim is a disservice to the public and spreads lies.” – BART Director Li
“These agreements offer BART budgetary stability as we plan our recovery from COVID-19.” – Board V.P. Foley who voted in support.
“The contract extensions come seven months before the contracts are due to expire, locking in employee costs at pre-pandemic levels…at the level that it was when we were carrying 410,000 riders each week day and now we carry about 50 (thousand).” – BART Director Allen
By Allen Payton
In an attempt to get them to reconsider the proposed labor contract with employee unions, State Senator Steve Glazer challenged the BART Board during their meeting on Thursday, Dec. 3. He asked why they were considering the contract long before it’s set to expire, and more is known about the impacts of COVID-19 next year. In response, he was called a liar by one director.
Nevertheless, the BART Board voted 7-2 in favor of the contract, with Directors Debora Allen from Contra Costa County and Liz Ames from Alameda County casting the votes against. Board Vice President Mark Foley who represents other portions of Contra Costa County voted in favor of the contract extension.
Glazer issued a statement earlier this week about BART’s announcement “on Thanksgiving eve…(about) a tentative labor contract with their represented groups, after secret negotiations were held during BART Directors’ campaign elections.”
“Along with other specific contract changes, this tentative agreement is premature and a big mistake and will likely harm BART riders, commuters and taxpayers through fare hikes and service erosion,” his statement continued.
Glazer read most of the statement during the Thursday meeting, but offering additional comment.
“I want to be clear what I have to say reflects my views of accountability and trust that the public expects from all of us,” he said. “I think we all agree that BART is in a financial meltdown due to the pandemic and it’s not clear to me that you have a clear plan for recovery. The district’s own financial analysis projects a shortfall of tens of millions of dollars by next summer amidst the steepest decline in ridership in your agency’s history. My view, the district needs all the flexibility it can to avoid a financial disaster. Yet, BART is tying its hands with this agreement.”
“In the first half of 2021 BART will have a clearer idea about the COVID-19 vaccine availability, ridership improvements, any potential financial bailout assistance from the federal government, and the results of your early retirement incentives that have already been offered to existing employees,” Glazer explained. “All of these potential outcomes will provide important budgetary insight that should shape any new contract terms. But instead of waiting for that information, you are now rushing to approve a contract, negotiated behind closed doors, with no public notice and it will prevent you from making any kind of targeted salary reductions if your revenues do not recover. This will likely lead to service reductions and fare increases which will hurt the very people you are here to serve.”
His statement issued on Monday adds, “BART is leaving few options but to lay off employees and curtail the number of trains, which would further depress ridership and deepen the agency’s financial crisis.
“So, I come here with a question,” Glazer continued during the meeting. “The current labor contract with your representative employee groups doesn’t expire until July 1st, 2021. So, why did the district make an early agreement with so many economic unknowns?”
“It’s my understanding that BART has not even done a salary survey of other transit districts and public agencies to determine if the current salaries called for in this agreement are needed to recruit and retain qualified employees, basic data needed to inform any effective negotiation,” he said. “I question whether the failure to conduct a salary survey is keeping with board policy and procedures.”
“Now, the public was never told when your negotiations started. I’m told these negotiations were initiated by the Board in September and October. If true, that means that directors were negotiating with BART unions on their salaries and benefits on one hand, while asking the same unions for campaign contributions with the other hand. This is an outrageous injection of politics in a hugely consequential employer-employee agreement. And by setting the terms of the agreement at three years rather than four years based on past contract durations, the future contract will be negotiated during another election year.”
“You know that, Board members, before you came to this board for the most of you, had worked for a long time to ensure the contract negotiations would not be immersed in politics and election year circumstances. So, that four-year duration was done purposely. You unravel that in this proposed contract before you.
“In this agreement, for the most part, you’ve abandoned any of the work rule changes that were central to the 2013 contract negotiations. Where have those work rules been laid out, publicly disclosed and discussed, so that we can understand why they’ve been abandoned in this agreement.”
“You know, when the strike happened in 2013, BART management was clear that the work rules were probably more important than the salaries and benefits being negotiated. It had that kind of consequence and impact on the agency. But there’s a complete void of understanding or knowledge about what efforts were made to negotiate those work rules.”
It reversed important e-BART reforms that were instituted by former General Manager Grace Crunican. Again, BART, the board members, and the management (were) very involved in establishing those eBART reforms which you’re throwing out in this proposed contract.”
So, it’s not surprising to me, that you are moving forward with due haste to approve these negotiations and rush this contract through with very little public review, and I think that it’s because the details and the consequences are uncomfortable.
“I would hope that you will reconsider what you are doing, today and take a more deliberate and cautious approach to these negotiations as you consider the full impact of the pandemic on our economy. It would be best for your financial well-being and more importantly for BART riders throughout the Bay Area.”
“In conclusion, let me just say that the foundation of your service as board members is to ensure that this transportation system is able to function during good times and bad times. This contract continues the limitation against training management to run the trains during a work stoppage. So, all of BART riders, many of them low-income people who can’t afford to stay home, will be prevented from getting to work under this contract provision. We’re talking about teachers and nurses, social workers, grocery clerks and other essential workers, who will all be left stranded if your trains stop running because you created this self-inflicted problem.”
“This strike protection provision is an abdication of your sacred duty and will limit future boards from helping the commuters when matters cannot be worked out at the bargaining table. And listen, we all would strongly hope that all matters can be worked out at the bargaining table.”
In his issued statement, Glazer included, “BART’s management doesn’t want the public to see what they are doing because they know that BART riders and other Bay Area residents would not support this agreement if they understood its details and its consequences.”
The BART Directors then took up the issue of the labor union contract.
General Manager Robert Powers responded to Glazer, saying, “I was the one…negotiating these tentative agreements with our labor partners. There were no elected officials in those discussions. I was supported primarily by our chief labor negotiations officer as well as our AGM of Operations. I wanted to be…crystal clear that it was me leading these negotiations under the authorization granted to me by the BART Board.”
During public comments, Sal Cruz, president of AFSCME Local 3093 said, “Our work has accelerated during this pandemic at great risk to our employees, as we position ourselves for the recovery we know will come. Proper positioning will be critical for the survival of all transit and for the Bay Area economy that is now linked to BART. Thank you for your leadership during these challenging times. Every transit agency in the country is in the same position as you are, now. The decision before you, today, is not an easy one. But it allows us to focus on rebuilding o ur system, continuing to provide safe transportation for our essential workers and preparing for the return of our riders. The workforce is behind you, the riders are behind you and the Bay Area is behind you.”
Li Calls Out Glazer
BART Director Janice Li, who represents District 8 which includes portions of San Francisco, spoke next calling out Glazer for lying, mispronouncing the past general manager and misspelling eBART (it was spelled “e-Bart” in his statement from earlier in the week.
“I am proud to vote yes on this action, today. A yes vote, today is a yes vote for BART, is a yes for our riders and a very, very important yes for our workers,” she said. “Voting no makes BART an enemy to our workers and our riders.”
“There has been a lot of talk about this decision coming forward as too early or as a result of private meetings. I just want to be very clear that this claim is factually not true,” she stated. “First, I’m a member of the board’s labor negotiations review committee. We have been meeting since May of this year, then again in July, then again in August. These meetings are open to the public. They are publicly noticed and at subsequent board meetings we always give updates during board reports.”
“Second, we have held multiple closed session meetings regarding labor relations in recent months, and once again they have always been noticed as part of our board agenda,” Li continued. “Third, people who are saying that this is too early are saying that because the financial situation ahead is so unclear and that the board should wait until more is known. The truth is that things will inevitably change. But our staff has been doing excellent work in scenario planning and being transparent about all the potential futures, both good and bad. Furthermore, this contract is not one in the same as our budget revisions. In fact, this does not mean layoffs can’t or won’t happen. So, saying that by voting, yes it ties our hands or limits our options is incorrect.”
“And fourth, respectfully, I strongly refute the false claims made by Senator Glazer. Honestly, giving space to someone who can’t pronounce our past GM’s name or spell eBART correctly and someone who makes false claim after false claim is a disservice to the public and spreads lies. The idea that this was timed with elections is wrong and I will speak for myself, I was not up for election, re-election and I have not raised a cent for re-election, this year and I was not even endorsed by unions when I first ran in 2018.”
“So, what we actually have before us is a result of an incredible collaboration between BART management and labor unions and at the end of the day, who benefits?” she asked. “It’s our riders.”
She then thanked “the entire BART team for rebuilding trust with our labor unions and of course I want to thank our labor union partners for being collaborative at an incredibly difficult time.”
“As a board member I’m incredibly grateful that this decision is coming to us sooner rather than later so we can get back to focusing on running a safe system for our essential workers and implement a successful recovery plan during and through the pandemic that has raged every public transit agency, every public institution and every aspect of our lives. Let’s vote yes on this, today and if you remember our new slogan from the board workshop, earlier this year which, I know feels like years ago, ‘Let’s Go,’” she concluded.
Allen Offers Arguments Against Contract
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BART-Director-Debora-Allen-12-03-20-300x226.png)
BART Director Debora Allen speaks during the board meeting on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. Video screenshot.
Director Allen spoke against the contracts and supported what Glazer said.
“First, I want to touch on the private meetings because that seems to be a contentious little dialogue. I believe that is absolutely how these contracts come to be,” she said. “It is unfortunate the board discussion about these agreements doesn’t happen in public session. I believe we shouldn’t be discussing the contract extensions in closed door sessions where board members may say things that they would not say in public. In addition, I really do believe not enough of our own closed board discussion has occurred prior to this day of ratification.”
“There’s so much operational uncertainty, right now for BART and I’m not comfortable that the financial projections and plan give us the data we need for this decision,” Allen continued. “It’s really hard to say whether these are fair contracts. But despite having received $377 million in federal CARES Act subsidies already, this year, BART projects another $210 million deficit over the next 18 months and that is the case after we slashed the capital and pension funding allocations from the Fiscal Year ‘21 budget, along with the load shedding to the capital budget that has occurred throughout this year.”
“From my view we should be receiving regular updates of projected deficits for three years…and that information should be part of any decision by this board to extend labor contracts for three years out. They go together. Labor is 80% of our budget,” she stated.
“So, now we are all hopeful that another $377 million will come to us from D.C. and we’re hopeful that the retirement incentive will induce enough people to retire from exactly the right positions that we can afford to eliminate which we know is not really a reasonable assumption. We already know that some people are retiring from positions that we are going to have to turn around and refill,” Allen said. “We shouldn’t be budgeting to hopeful or aspiration. This is what we did back in June when we passed the budget, and it didn’t work out. We really projected far more revenue than we have. But, if even if those other things come true…it will likely only fund another three-quarters to one year of operating deficits. And it won’t do anything to make up for the lack of capital funding and pension funding that we put aside in ’21 and are likely to do, again in Fiscal Year ’22.”
“The contract extensions come seven months before the contracts are due to expire, locking in employee costs at pre-pandemic levels even as revenue projects remain wildly uncertain well into the next couple of years,” she explained. “Costs will be locked in at the level that it was when we were carrying 410,000 riders each weekday and now, we carry about 50 (thousand).”
Foley Speaks in Support
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Board-VP-Mark-Foley-12-03-20-300x171.png)
Board Vice President Mark Foley speaks on the matter during the meeting on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. Video screenshot.
Foley shared his thoughts in support of the contract.
“There was a lot of hard work that went in to making this happen. I am fully in support of this prudent approach to labor negotiations during the pandemic,” he said. “These agreements offer BART budgetary stability as we plan our recovery from COVID-19. A wage freeze, next year, coupled with two years, of at most, very modest increases, increases that are directly tied to returning ridership and BART’s financial recovery, is a responsible course of action to take.”
“More importantly, you know these contracts provide language to allow us to reopen negotiations, a necessary safety net during these challenging times,” Foley continued. “These proactive steps are being taken to hopefully avoid further service cuts, like closing stations, eliminating weekend service or laying off employees, employees that will be needed when we ramp up service.”
“And to those employees I say thank you. You are BART’s most important asset,” he stated. “We wouldn’t have been successful if not for the collaboration of your union leadership and union partners.”
“And lastly, I’d like to thank the district secretary’s office for bringing this item, publishing this agenda to the board, two days early rather than publishing it during the Thanksgiving holiday. This gave us additional transparency around this action. I urge my fellow board members to vote in support of these tentative agreements and I fully support this motion,” Foley concluded.
Other board members spoke, mainly in favor of the contract extension and they then voted 7-2 to approve.
Read MoreNot waiting until local hospitals are near crisis to act
By Contra Costa Health Services
Yesterday, Governor Newsom announced that all sectors other than retail and essential operations would be closed in regions of the State where less than 15 percent of ICU beds are available under a new Regional Stay-At-Home Order. Although health officials throughout the Bay Area are glad to see the State take action in light of the rapidly escalating surge in hospitalizations statewide, many believe even more aggressive action is necessary in the Bay Area to slow the surge and prevent our local hospitals from being overwhelmed. (See related article)
Rather than waiting until Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed availability reaches critical levels and delaying closures that are inevitable, the Health Officers for the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara as well as the City of Berkeley are jointly announcing that they will implement the State’s Regional Stay Home Order now.
“It takes several weeks for new restrictions to slow rising hospitalizations and waiting until only 15 percent of a region’s ICU beds are available is just too late,” said San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragon. “Many heavily impacted parts of our region already have less than 15 percent of ICU beds available, and the time to act is now.”
“We are seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations here in Contra Costa County and across our region,” said Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Christopher Farnitano. “The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in our county has doubled in just the past couple of weeks, and we are at risk of exceeding our hospital capacity later this month if current trends continue.”
“We cannot wait until after we have driven off the cliff to pull the emergency break,” said Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody. “We understand that the closures under the State order will have a profound impact on our local businesses. However, if we act quickly, we can both save lives and reduce the amount of time these restrictions have to stay in place, allowing businesses and activities to reopen much sooner.”
“Rising hospitalization rates across the region threaten not only our community members with severe COVID-19, but anyone who may need care because of a heart attack, stroke, accident, or other critical health need,” said Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss. “By acting together now we will have the greatest impact on the surge and save more lives.”
“Each of us can fight the spread,” said Dr. Lisa B. Hernandez, the City of Berkeley Health Officer. “Keep your family safe by avoiding even small gatherings outside of your household and not traveling. We don’t want holiday gatherings and travel to create a spike of cases on top of the surge we’re already seeing.”
“Although Marin has fared better than some other counties in our region over the last few weeks, we know it is only a matter of time before rising case and hospitalization put pressure on our hospitals too,” said Marin County Health Officer Dr. Matthew Willis. “We must act now, and must act together to ensure all hospitals in the Bay Area have the capacity they need to care for our residents.”
Consistent with the State framework, the six jurisdictions are working to ensure that all sectors have at least 48-hour notice of these closures. Most of the Bay Area Health Officers will implement the State’s Regional Stay At Home Order as of Sunday December 6, 2020. In Alameda County, it is scheduled to take effect on Monday, December 7, 2020, and Marin County’s order will take effect Tuesday, December 8. The new restrictions will remain in place until January 4, 2021.
The sector closures and restrictions on activity under the State’s Regional Stay Home Order are described here.
Read More
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Pastor-Che-Ahn-speaks-at-Harvest-Rock-Church-2019-Feb-28-2020.jpg)
Pastor Ché Ahn speaks at Harvest Rock Church in Pasadena, California in 2019 (left) and on Feb. 28, 2020. Photos: Harvest Rock Church Facebook page.
“This order frees up churches in all of California to have indoor services, again.” – Liberty Counsel
By Allen Payton
In the lawsuit by Pasadena-based Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry against Governor Gavin Newsom over his ban on all worship services and Bible studies in California, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, yesterday, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020, in favor of the church. The decision vacates the September 2 order by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and directs that court to the Supreme Court’s recent 5-4 decision in favor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn in their lawsuit against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The U.S. Supreme Court granted cert and vacated the lower court orders involving the emergency petition of Harvest Rock Church and Harvest International Ministry. The Court stated in its order:
“The application for injunctive relief, presented to Justice Kagan and by her referred to the Court, is treated as a petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment, and the petition is granted. The September 2 order of the United States District Court for the Central District of California is vacated, and the case is remanded to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit with instructions to remand to the District Court for further consideration in light of Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo, 592 U. S. ___ (2020).”
Tuesday, Liberty Counsel filed the final reply brief to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding its request for an injunction pending appeal in the churches’ federal lawsuit against California Governor Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional worship ban and discriminatory treatment. The emergency petition also requested the extraordinary relief that the Court alternatively consider it as a petition for writ of cert before judgment. Today, the Supreme Court granted the petition, vacated the lower court orders, and remanded the case for further consideration in light of its ruling last week that granted an injunction pending appeal for churches and synagogues in New York.
According to the complaint by the church and ministry, referred to as the plaintiffs, “On July 17, 2020, Plaintiffs filed their complaint against Defendant California Governor Gavin Newsom. (“Complaint,” Dkt. No. 1.) The Complaint alleges six causes of action: (1) Violation of Free Exercise Clause of First Amendment to U.S. Constitution; (2) Violation of First Amendment Freedom of Assembly Clause; (3) Violation of Free Speech Clause of First Amendment to U.S. Constitution; (4) Violation of Establishment Clause of First Amendment to U.S. Constitution; (5) Violation of Equal Protection Clause of Fourteenth Amendment to U.S. Constitution; and (6) Violation of the Guarantee Clause of the U.S. Constitution.”
Then, “On July 18, 2020, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction.”
According to Liberty Counsel, the firm representing the church and ministry, they then appealed the case to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s unconstitutional orders. The governor’s orders prohibit all indoor worship, including home Bible studies and fellowship with anyone who does not live in the home. Yet, Gov. Newsom continues to encourage mass gatherings of protestors throughout the state.
Following the argument on August 12, Judge Jesus G. Bernal orally denied the request for a preliminary injunction. However, he waited until September 2 to release the written order. The appeal was filed, but it could not be effective until a written order was issued.
Once the order had been issued, the appeal was able to proceed. Liberty Counsel also filed for an injunction pending appeal. That is what the Supreme Court granted.
Background
On August 13, the Pasadena Assistant Prosecutor in the Criminal Division sent Harvest Rock Church and Pastor Che’ Ahn a letter demanding that all, indoor, in-person worship services cease. The letter threatens daily criminal charges and fines to Pastor Ahn, the church, staff, and parishioners. The letter states that each criminal charge is punishable by up to one year in prison.”
The lawsuit challenges both the total ban on indoor, in-person worship (including in private homes) in the counties on the “County Monitoring List,” and the ban on singing and chanting in the remaining counties. In addition to in-person worship at Harvest Rock Church, the church also has many “Life Groups,” which are home Bible studies and fellowship groups. These too are prohibited under Gov. Newsom’s July 6 (no singing and chanting) and July 13 (no worship) orders. Yet while he discriminates against churches, home Bible studies and fellowship meetings, the governor continues to encourage thousands of protestors to gather throughout the state. Like Gov. Newsom, Pasadena has allowed hundreds and thousands of protestors. Neither the Pasadena Public Health Department nor the Pasadena Prosecutor have attempted to stop the protests in which people are crowded together, many of them not wearing masks.
In Governor Newsom’s response to the motion for the temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction, he argues that churches are not “essential.” Regarding feeding, counseling and housing people in the same building where worship services occur, Newsom argues that only the worship services should be prohibited while the other non-religious services should be allowed.
Concerning home Bible studies, Newsom argues that he has authority to prohibit home fellowship groups. As to protests, Newsom publicly encourages them, saying “God bless you. Keep doing it.”
The restrictions against places of worship in California are more severe than those in New York. Governor Gavin Newsom’s orders ban all indoor, in-person worship for 99.1 percent of Californians.
Harvest Rock Church has multiple campuses in California, including in Pasadena, Los Angeles, Irvine and Corona. Harvest International Ministries (HIM) has 162 member churches throughout the state. Irreparable harm is being suffered every day as the churches remain subject to the unconstitutional restrictions, coupled with daily criminal threats, fines, and closure.
The Code Enforcement Division for the City of Pasadena and the Criminal Prosecutor have threatened criminal charges, fines, and closure for being open for worship against the governor’s orders and local health orders. The letters threaten up to one year in prison, daily criminal charges and $1,000 fines against the pastors, staff, and parishioners.
The discrimination has become more obvious and severe in Gov. Newsom’s new “Blueprint” issued on August 28, 2020, which established a system of four Tiers. The “Blueprint” discriminates against religious meetings in churches and places of worship in every Tier. The chart attached to the petition makes this discrimination very clear. For example, the consequence of the sea of purple in the “color-coded executive edict” is that indoor worship services are completely prohibited for 99.1 percent of Californians, including most of Harvest Rock and HIM churches. However, warehouses, big box centers, shopping malls, liquors stores, family entertainment and destination centers, gyms, fitness centers, and museums receive preferential treatment with either no capacity limits or no numerical limits.
Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court provides great relief for churches and places of worship. The handwriting is now on the wall. The final days of Governor Gavin Newsom’s ‘color-coded executive edicts’ banning worship are numbered and coming to an end. It is past time to end these unconstitutional restrictions on places of worship.”
This order frees up churches in all of California to have indoor services, again.
Read More
The Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation (CCRHF) in partnership with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation has granted $1.6 Million to 44 local, community-based organizations in their first wave of grant funding. The Foundation also received a generous grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, as well as individual donations from the community.
Following the shelter-in-place order in mid-March, CCRHF launched a COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund. As of August 2020, 44 local non-profit organizations have received grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Grants were provided in five areas of need: food supply and distribution, shelter and emergency housing, financial assistance, public health interventions and other emerging needs including support for essential workers.
“The grantees moved quickly to disperse the funds into the community providing immediate assistance to those affected by COVID-19,” said CCRHF Board Chair, Bette Felton. “In addition to the five areas of need, we also focused on finding organizations that worked with marginalized communities, as well as those that could provide service to residential facilities for elders and people with disabilities.”
Hunger became an immediate concern for many residents unable to work, and local food banks noticed the change.
“Funds from the Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund came at a critical juncture for the Food Bank,” said Kim Castaneda, Development Director of Food Bank of Contra Costa/Solano. “In early April, the number of individuals collecting food skyrocketed, food prices went up, shortages were common, and we lost all of our corporate volunteer groups. This timely infusion of funds helped us overcome these challenges and ensured we had enough food to meet the community need.”
Based on survey data from the grant recipients, nearly 190,000 Contra Costa County residents received food support. Additionally, over 2,500 received financial aid, and close to 70,000 were helped with other needs emerging from the pandemic. Shelter and emergency housing were also supported through the grants.
“The CCRHF grant helped us provide free emergency shelter to 26 babies and young children,” said Kimberly Baptista, Development Director for Bay Area Crisis Nursery. “The grant also made it possible for us to provide over 100 families in the Bay Area with food, diapers, formula, toiletries, and clothes during this challenging time.”
To support the fundraising efforts of the Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation or for additional information about the Foundation, the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund and a list of all organizations that received grants, visit www.CCRHF.org.
About Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation:
Established in 2003, the Contra Costa Regional Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works with the Contra Costa Health Serv
Read More![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Newsom-Regional-Map-screenshot.png)
Screenshot of Gov. Newsom’s press conference announcing the Regional Stay-At-Home order on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020.
Hair salons, barber shops, personal services, bars, wineries will be closed temporarily
All non-essential travel temporarily restricted statewide
By Allen Payton
Governor Gavin Newsom announced, during a press conference, Thursday a more restrictive Stay-At-Home order on a regional basis in the state based on hospital intensive care unit (ICU) bed space when it falls below 15 percent. In the nine Bay Area counties, including Contra Costa, the new restrictions are expected in mid-to-late December. The restrictions in the other four regions, Northern California, Greater Sacramento, the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California, are expected to go into effect sooner.
Regions where the ICU capacity falls below 15% will be placed into this Stay-At-Home order for three weeks.
Newsom said “California is pulling an emergency break” and his order directs Californians to “stop gathering with those outside your household” and “Keep it outside and keep your mask on.”
Sectors that will be temporarily closed when a region is placed into the Stay-At-Home include bars, wineries, personal services, hair salons and barber shops. Sectors that will remain open include schools that have received a waiver, critical infrastructure, retail (20% capacity to reduce exposure), and restaurants for take-out and delivery.
All non-essential travel is temporarily restricted statewide, as well, Newsom said.
“The bottom line is if we don’t act now our hospital system will be overwhelmed,” Newsom said. “If we don’t act now, we will continue to see a death rate climb.”
However, the governor encouraged residents to get outdoors and exercise to offset “the mental distress we’re under.”
“This is not a permanent state,” Newsom said to reassure residents. “We had predicted the final surge in the pandemic. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. We are a few months away from truly seeing real progress with the vaccine. We do not anticipate having to do this, once again. But we really all need to step up…and we need to do everything we can to stem the tide, to bend the curve, to give us the time…to get those vaccines in the hands of all Californians across the state.”
Read More![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/The-Atchison-Pittsburg-rendering.jpg)
Artist’s rendering of The Atchison multifamily housing project planned for Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. Courtesy of Integrated Community Development.
By Allen Payton
Alliant Capital announced on Tuesday the closing of their investment in The Atchison in Pittsburg, and the new development of over 200 affordable housing units. The $40 million project is part of a $90 million mixed use transit oriented development near the BART station, the first for the city. Alliant will work on the project with the not for profit Corporation for Better Housing and Integrated Community Development.
The 202-unit multifamily, Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) project will be built on the site of the former Ford dealer at 2575 Railroad Avenue, less than half-a-mile from the Pittsburg BART Station. It is part of the city’s Railroad Avenue Specific Plan adopted by the city council in 2009.
“With the Atchison project, the City of Pittsburg is continuing to see the community’s vision of the Railroad Avenue corridor and the area around the Pittsburg Center BART Station come to life,” said Mayor Jelani Killings during a virtual ground breaking ceremony earlier this year. “This project addresses the need in Pittsburg for high quality and amenity-driven transit-oriented development, and shows that during these uncertain times, Pittsburg is a community that is working, building, and looking toward the future.”
The overall project also includes developer funded improvements to the Delta De Anza Regional Trail that runs along the south side of the property.
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Delta_Deanza_Trail-Pittsburg.gif)
Delta De Anza Trail (red line) and location of The Atchison adjacent. From East Bay Regional Park District.
“Integrated Community Development (ICD) is the Administrative General Partner of the partnership that owns the Atchison,” explained Managing Member Ben Lingo, about the company’s role. “ICD is the developer of the project and works closely with the Corporation for Better Housing, the development’s not for profit general partner.”
About The Atchison
The Atchison is the new construction of 202 apartment units. The projected construction timeline spans a 22-month period, culminating in October 2022.
When completed, The Atchison will consist of 20 efficiency units, 122 one-bedroom/one bath units, and 60 two-bedroom/one bath units. Of those, 100 units will be set aside for households whose income is at or below 50% of the area median income (“AMI”) and 100 units will be set aside for households whose income is at or below 70% of AMI. The overall average income for the project will be 60% of AMI. Two units will be used for on-site property managers.
The Atchison will help to provide new affordable housing opportunities within a pedestrian oriented neighborhood with access to transportation, job centers, retail, schools, and community services. The development will include 202 residential units and approximately 13,000 square feet of ground floor commercial and retail space. The development offers the residents a robust amenity package including a pool with a sunning deck, fire pits, outdoor BBQ areas, playgrounds, community business center, fitness center, lounge area and pool side clubhouse. The Atchison offers market rate amenities with mixed income rents.
About Alliant Capital
The Alliant Company is a leading LIHTC firm focused on providing tax credit syndication for the development and financing of affordable multifamily rental housing. Founded in 1997 to assist in America’s critical need for affordable housing, today Alliant is among the nation’s top syndicators and has an unparalleled track record of success. With a dedicated team of experienced commercial real estate, asset management, legal and tax professionals, Alliant provides the highest level of fully integrated real estate and investment support services. We deliver rock-solid expertise with an innovative perspective.
About Corporation for Better Housing
Founded in 1995, Corporation for Better Housing (CBH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We believe community action changes lives, embodies the spirit of hope, and makes neighborhoods a better place to live. It’s our goal to provide the tools necessary, for these ideas to flourish long after construction is complete. We are committed to providing services free of charge to all our residents. Regardless of the nature of the development, Corporation for Better Housing remains dedicated to its residents, the public, and the communities it serves.
In our goal to eradicate the “poor and unsafe living conditions” that exist in underprivileged communities today, we pride ourselves on our “boots on the ground” approach. Our management teams are fully integrated into our development process during the construction stages and remain heavily involved in the completion of every development. We are committed to being proactive (and flexible), with the challenges that come with affordable housing.
The development of quality affordable housing has enabled Corporation for Better Housing to forge lasting and fruitful partnerships with many recognized leaders in the affordable housing industry. Alliant has syndicated deals for Corporation for Better Housing and continues to be an invaluable asset to our development team.
About Integrated Community Development
Integrated Community Development is a diversified firm that specializes in all aspects of real estate development including Land Acquisition, Environmental Law, Entitlement, Design, Finance, Construction, Asset Management, and Property Management.
Read MoreDo you live in Contra Costa County Supervisorial District 3? It includes Bethel Island, Blackhawk, Byron, Diablo, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, Antioch, Brentwood, and Oakley. If so, we have an opening on the Arts and Cultural Commission of Contra Costa County for which you can apply!
The Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County is dedicated to advancing the arts in a way that promotes communication, education, appreciation and collaboration throughout Contra Costa County so that we may grow creatively as a community that preserves and celebrates our diverse cultural expression.
The commission has 10 seats; five from each of the County’s Supervisorial Districts, four at-large and one alternate.
District Specific Seats:
Are recommended by the applicable District Supervisor and then approved by the Board of Supervisors.
What does a Commissioner do?
- Support the functions of the Commission.
- Give all meetings and other Commission activities a priority on his/her calendar.
- Serve on and chair Commission committees and events.
- Keep current with all facts and information upon which the Commission must base its collective opinions and decisions.
- Participate in strategic planning and implementation of arts programming.
- Be an ambassador and proponent of the arts and the Commission in Contra Costa County and engage people from all cultural and ethnic groups in the arts and in the work of the Commission.
Please apply today! Learn more at www.ac5.org
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“Rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have been increasing dramatically in Contra Costa and across the nation in the past few years” – Contra Costa County Health Officer, Dr. Chris Farnitano
By Contra Costa Health Services
Essential Access Health’s Condom Access Project is expanding its free home mailer condom distribution program for teens to Contra Costa County in partnership with Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS). The program is being launched locally to address high STD rates among youth in the region.
Although teen pregnancy rates in the state have declined steadily over the past decade, STD rates among California’s youth ages 15-19 are increasing, and Contra Costa County is no exception.
Contra Costa ranked 14th among California counties in gonorrhea rates in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), including more than 2,000 local cases that year in people aged 15 to 24.
CDC data shows that Contra Costa also ranked 20th among California counties in chlamydia rates and 24th in rates of syphilis in newly released 2018 data.
To combat rising STD rates, the Condom Access Project (CAP) allows teens and young adults in Contra Costa to sign up for free, confidential delivery of condoms to their homes as often as once a month. The service, already provided in eight other counties, including Alameda and San Francisco, has delivered more than 753,000 free condoms to date.
“We know that education and confidential access to condoms reduces the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy among young people who choose to have sex,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County’s Health Officer. “Rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have been increasing dramatically in Contra Costa and across the nation in the past few years. Programs like CAP are critical for keeping teens and young adults in our community healthy and safe by removing barriers to accessing protection, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit California, our state faced a surge in STD rates. Cases have continued to climb – with communities of color and youth being disproportionately impacted,” said Sergio Morales, Senior Director of Programs at Essential Access Health. “Condom use is one of the most effective interventions for stopping the spread of STDS, and removing cost and other barriers to access is an essential tool in the prevention toolbox and a step in the right direction for improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes among Contra Costa County youth.”
In October of last year, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released their 2018 Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) surveillance data revealing that rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis have increased nationwide, with Black and Latino youth disproportionately impacted. Over 1.8 million cases of chlamydia were reported, which represents the greatest number of cases for any condition ever reported to the CDC, and a 19% increase since 2014.
The coronavirus public health crisis has also negatively impacted already rising rates. Clinic closures, testing shortages, and patient discomfort with in-person visits have led to spikes in STD rates, despite recommendations for safe physical distancing. As a result, the need to ensure remote condom access and linkages to STD prevention and treatment services is more critical than before.
According to the latest data from the California Department of Public Health, which echo CDC findings, teens and young adults have the highest rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia of all age groups in California.
- In 2018, 41,758 cases of chlamydia and 7,000 cases of gonorrhea were reported in males and females 15-19 years of age in California, representing 18% of all chlamydia cases and nearly 9% of all gonorrhea cases in the state.
- In 2018, there were over 3,400 cases of chlamydia, and more than 2000 cases of gonorrhea reported in males and females 15-24 years of age in Contra Costa County
If left undetected and treated, STDs can lead to long-term adverse health outcomes, including infertility and increased likelihood of contracting HIV.
The Condom Access Project launched in 2012 on Essential Access Health’s youth-friendly sexual health website TeenSource.org and is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the California Department of Public Health. Condoms distributed through CAP are intended for personal use between consenting individuals and are not permitted for resale.
California law currently allows youth to consent to accessing sensitive health information and services, including condoms, without parental consent. However, open and informative parent-teen communication around sexual health leads to teens making healthier decisions about sexual onset and behavior.
Essential Access Health’s TalkWithYourKids.org, TeenSource’s companion site for parents, gives parents information on how to communicate with their teens about healthy decision-making when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health.
Research shows that condoms are an effective method for preventing transmission of STDs and pregnancy, and that making contraceptives, including condoms, available to youth does not increase sexual activity or risk taking.
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By Rick Beavin, Desert Pacific Medicare President, Humana
In a year filled with unforeseen challenges and important decisions, people with Medicare have through Monday, Dec. 7 to select their Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan coverage for 2021. To ensure you have the right Medicare plan for you in place come January 1 of next year, it’s important to focus on these three key topics:
Navigating plan options during COVID-19 – Traditionally, the annual Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan open enrollment period offers opportunities for in-person educational events and one-on-one meetings with licensed sales agents. This year, you can safely access the resources you need to choose the best plan for you, online or by phone. The Medicare Plan Finder is a great place to start.
Doctors in network, prescription drugs covered? As you connect with a licensed sales agent or research information online, remember to confirm which doctors and hospitals are in a plan’s network. If you have a preferred physician or health care facility, a licensed health insurance agent can help you see if a specific doctor or hospital is in a plan’s network and taking new patients.
Although Original Medicare does not cover most prescription drugs, many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, or you can sign up for a Part D Prescription Drug Plan separately. A licensed sales agent can look up the medications you would like covered and help you estimate what the cost of each drug would be on a plan.
New, innovative benefits – Beyond vision, hearing and dental coverage, if you aim to become healthier, look for fitness program benefits as many Medicare Advantage plans include them. If you are comfortable using technology, access to virtual doctor visits is broadly available and enables you to seek care through your phone or computer, without having to leave home. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits to help address the COVID-19 pandemic including offering home-delivered meals for members with a COVID diagnosis.
As we approach the Dec. 7 Medicare annual enrollment deadline, remember you’re not alone. Key resources are available including licensed sales agents and websites such as medicare.gov and www.humana.com/medicare. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (or TTY: 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or call Humana at 1-800-213-5286 (TTY: 711) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time seven days a week.
Rick Beavin is Desert Pacific Medicare President at Humana in California.
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By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District
Bay Point Regional Shoreline reopened to the public Friday, November 20, 2020, after being closed for 14 months to restore habitat and construct public access improvements. The project, officially known as the Bay Point Regional Shoreline Habitat
Restoration and Public Access Project, includes additional parking, bathrooms, picnic areas, drinking fountains, elevated walking and hiking trails, and a kayak launch.
Bay Point Regional Shoreline provides access to open space and marsh habitat in an area surrounded by residential, military, and industrial development. The nearly 150-acre park is at the approximate midpoint of the San Francisco Bay Estuary and the Sacramento/San Joaquin River Delta. The East Bay Regional Park District acquired the park property in 1996.
The Park District celebrated the reopening of Bay Point Regional Shoreline with a live virtual program on Friday, November 20, at 10:00 a.m. with a naturalist-lead virtual tour, behind the scenes video, and featured speakers, including Park District General Manager Robert Doyle, Board President Ellen Corbett, Board Member Colin Coffey who represents the area, Board Member Beverley Lane who has long-advocated for more recreational opportunities in East Contra Costa County, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Assemblymember Tim Grayson and Pittsburg Council Member Shanelle Scales-Preston. Virtual program available at https://youtu.be/bHT7GGzXpNM?t=44.
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Robert-Doyle-speaks-at-Bay-Point-RS-reopening-11-20-20.png)
Park District General Manager Robert Doyle speaks at the virtual re-opening ceremony on Nov. 20, 2020. Video screenshot.
“Parks like Bay Point Regional Shoreline are essential for the community’s physical and mental health, now more than ever,” said Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “COVID has shown us just how important parks are for recreation, respite, and rejuvenation.”
“More than 4,000 residents live within a half-mile of the improved shoreline park. The project significantly expands access to nature for the neighboring community, which has historically had limited access to parks and open space,” added Doyle.
The project restored tidal emergent marshes and transitional uplands, preserving natural habitat for endangered species like the California black rail and salt marsh harvest mouse.
“The improvements at Bay Point Regional Shoreline, both to public access and habitat, provide eastern Contra Costa County residents and the neighboring community with better opportunities to experience nature nearby for enjoyment, learning, and health,” said Park District Board Director Colin Coffey. “Access to parks and nature close to home are more important than ever due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
![](http://contracostaherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BPRS-ribbon-cutting-11-20-20-1024x342.jpg)
East Bay Regional Park District Board Member Colin Coffey prepares to cut the ribbon, with Pittsburg City Councilwoman Shanelle Scales-Preston, District Board President Ellen Corbett, District General Manager Robert Doyle, and Board Member Beverley Lane, to officially re-open the park. Photos by EBRPD.
Climate change impacts were also taken into account by the project. New trails, visitor improvements, and interpretive signage were all elevated to withstand future sea levels and environmental restoration designed to provide quality habitat even at anticipated 2080 sea levels.
“The Park District is excited to highlight Bay Point Regional Shoreline as one of the Park District’s climate-resilient parks, with habitat restoration and recreational amenities designed and built to withstand climate change impacts, including extreme weather and sea level rise,” said Park District Board President Ellen Corbett. “We are working to adapt to climate change and protect our parks and trails from coastal flooding due to sea level rise”
Funding for the park was from the Shell Oil spill mitigation fund.
The Park is now open to the public from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. For more information about Bay Point Regional Shoreline, visit EBRPD – Bay Point (ebparks.org).
The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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