The Contra Costa County Supervisors were presented Tuesday a proposed $3.69 billion budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 that sparked dialogue among supervisors of potentially developing a new tax source in order to support the county’s growing service needs, especially in the areas of health, medical, employment and human services.
The proposed 2019-2020 budget consists of $1.7 billion in county imposed general fund revenue that is approximately the same level of local tax revenue budgeted for the current 2018-2019 fiscal year. State and federal funds make up the other $2 billion in budget revenue.
Supervisors voted 4-0 to instruct county administrator David Twa to present the budget for adoption at its May 7 meeting. Vice chair Candace Andersen of Danville was absent at the time of the vote.
“After several years of relative stability, we now enter a period of needing to adjust our county budget to meet challenges due to uncertainties to countywide revenue streams (especially in the Health Services and the Employment & Human Services departments), compounded by sharply rising wage and benefit costs,” County Administrator Twa wrote in his 2019-2020 budget presentation. CCCo Budget Presentation 19-20 Draft
In the 2019-2020 fiscal year county officials plan to wrap up labor negotiations with the Physicians and Dentists Organization that represents workers in the Health and Human Services and at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Clinics, the District Attorney Investigators Association, the Deputy Services Association and the In-Home Supportive Services Association.
Even in a good economy, Contra Costa County employees find themselves underpaid on average 5 percent to 8 percent of what their counterparts earn at similar jobs in the Bay Area. Supervisors listened to a number of speakers representing the county’s health care system, Contra Costa CARES, that the county needs to boost salaries of its healthcare workers 8 percent if it expects to retain employees.
For next fiscal year, county medical director Anna Roth proposed that the supervisors approve a 3 percent cost of living adjustment, designate $135 million in county general funds, count on $1.6 billion in revenues, but expect expenses of $1.8 billion. The department plans to expand the West County Behavioral Health Center next year, she said.
“We’ve got some work to do,” said District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill upon noticing a projected a combined general fund deficit from health services and human services of at least $30 million.
Noting how other Bay Area counties like San Francisco, Alameda, and San Mateo can adequately pay county workers because of additional tax revenues streaming in from property and sales tax sources, board chair John Gioia of Richmond said, “Other counties have robust tax revenue resources. We don’t have that.”
“You say we need more money,” said District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg. “We have to be creative.”
Employment and Human Services Director Kathy Gallagher said to balance her department’s budget for 2019-2020 she will have to eliminate 67 positions. For next fiscal year, EHS will have 1,904 fulltime positions in order to operate its diverse operations such as Adult Protection Services that has undergone some criticism for alleged financial abuse of its clients.
Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston has proposed a $7 million increase for salaries and benefits for his 685 sworn officers and 350 non-sworn personnel. For next fiscal year, the sheriff plans to hire three additional sworn officers. Planning for a proposed 128 bed mental health facility for the West County Detention Center in Richmond is back on track after being sidelined for rising construction costs, mostly related to steel tariffs.
With $44 million proposed for the District Attorney’s Office, District Attorney Diana Becton plans to increase staffing in the human trafficking unit by $1 million. The DA Office has 222.5 positions on the payroll of which 102 are attorneys, 33 are investigators, 17 are victim/witness experts, and 70.5 are administrative support.
A $3.7 million project at Buchanan Air Field is one of the big tasks on drawing boards for the Public Works Department next fiscal year, department director Brian Balbas said, but the biggest challenge is retaining staff. With a $254 million budget and 545 employees, Balbas said his department is hampered by a high turnover rate of more than 20 percent when workers find better paying jobs at other counties or in the private sector. “The focus for 2019/2020 will be in recruitment and retention,” he told supervisors.
Public Defender Robin Lipesky said in addition to handling 6,900 misdemeanor cases, 3,747 felony cases, and 450 bail hearings, her department handled 600 Stand Together Contra Costa legal consultations, a new duty of her department. Citing a decline in the county’s juvenile population and a decline in the juvenile hall population, the department plans to cut 22 juvenile justice positions, she said.
Supervisors Salary Ordinance Approved
On a 3-2 vote, with supervisors Candace Andersen of Danville and Diane Burgis of Brentwood casting the dissenting votes, supervisors approved an ordinance that will raise their salaries at an established percentage, 65 percent of the annual salary of the Office of Superior Court Judge, effective January 1, 2021.
Effective June 30, each supervisor will earn a monthly base salary of $9,736.75, equivalent to an annual salary of $116,841.
From July 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019 supervisors will each earn an annual salary equal to 60 percent of the annual salary for the Office of Superior Court Judge as prescribed by the state legislature. Supervisors will receive another salary boost effective January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020 at a base of 63 percent of a Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge. A third and final salary hike equal to 65 percent of the annual salary for the Office of Superior Court Judge in Contra Costa County would go into effect after January 1, 2021.
In addition to the pay increases, each supervisor will receive reimbursement for “reasonable expenses incurred in the conduct of such office” and “eligibility for an eighty-five-dollar monthly contribution to the county’s deferred compensation plan in the same manner as other exempt management employees.”
Each supervisor will also receive an automobile allowance of $600 per month and, in addition to the automobile allowance, mileage at the rate per mile allowed by the Internal Revenue Service as a deductible expense, for all miles driven by the supervisor on county business outside that supervisor’s district.
Supervisors OK Revised WCCTAC Transit Mitigation Fee
In other business, supervisors unanimously approved revised property transportation mitigation fees developers in unincorporated parts of the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee area of El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, and San Pablo that have been in place since 1997.
No one spoke either in favor of or in protest against the fees that are assessed to go towards construction of transportation projects.
Since the inception of the WCCTAC transit mitigation fees in 1997, $11.6 million has been raised to help alleviate transportation impacts from residential, commercial or industrial development, said John Cunningham of the Contra Costa County Conservation and Development Department.
Revenues from the transit mitigation fee cover 19 percent of the construction costs of transit projects in the WCCTAC area. Some of those projects include $9,672 towards a $50,903 San Pablo Avenue complete streets project, $156 for the I-580/Harbour Way Interchange pedestrian and bicycle access improvements, $10,175 for the Hercules Regional Intermodal Transportation Center, and $20,749 for capital improvements to the I-80 Express Bus Service.
Accessory dwelling units are exempt from the revised transit mitigation fees that will go into effect July 1, 2020 and will increase or decrease every July 1 thereafter based by the annual percentage change in the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index for the San Francisco Bay Area for the 12 month period ending with the February index of the same year in which the increase or decrease will take effect
The new WCCTAC transit mitigation fees are multi-family residential, $5,439 per dwelling unit; senior housing, $1,469 per dwelling unit; hotel, $3,481 per hotel unit; retail/service, $6.59 per square foot; office, $8.12 per square foot; industrial, $5.56 per square foot; storage facility, 0.76 per square foot; and other, $7 per square foot.
Red Cross Community Services Award Recipients
As a consent items, supervisors adopted resolutions honoring Bryan Canty of Antioch as recipient of the 2019 Red Cross Good Samaritan Award, Samantha Barhouse, also of Antioch, as recipient of the 2019 Red Cross Disaster Service Award, and the San Damiano Retreat Center of Danville, as the recipient of the 2019 Red Cross Community Service Award.
Read MoreBy Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
On Monday, April 15, 2019, at about 1:38 AM, Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a report of an alarm at a jewelry store on the 3200 block of Danville Boulevard in Alamo.
Deputy Sheriffs arrived minutes after being dispatched to find the store’s front window broken. The suspects entered the business stealing miscellaneous goods and items.
The suspects are believed to have fled north on Danville Boulevard then east on Stone Valley Road toward Interstate 680.
The Crime Lab responded to the location to process the scene.
Detectives say there were four male suspects. Their vehicle is described as a newer four-door Honda Civic with after-market rims and tinted windows. Please see attached images.
Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441 or (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read MoreFaces a sentence of over 100 years to life in state prison.
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney
On April 15, a Contra Costa County jury found defendant Abel Peña-Catalan of Pittsburg guilty of 14 felonies, including the molestation of two underage victims and the attempted rape of one of the victims. The criminal conduct by Peña-Catalan also included forcible oral copulation against Jane Doe #1 who was under the age of 18. The District Attorney’s Office does not disclose the age or victim’s name in a sexual assault case to protect the confidentiality of the victims.
Fortunately, a witness encouraged the victims to report the sexual abuse to authorities. In turn, the victims disclosed the molestation to a mandated reporting agency and an investigation ensued. Overall, the Pittsburg Police Department and Alameda County Sheriff’s Office were involved in the investigations for both victims. Peña-Catalan at one time, lived in Alameda County where the abuse started against one of the victims. He then continued his violent and threatening assaults in Pittsburg against the minors.
“Crimes against children often involve secrecy and deception. In this case, the defendant repeatedly threatened these victims and committed horrible sexual assaults against them. The Jane Does in this case were incredibly brave for ensuring the defendant is held accountable for his crimes,” DDA Weiss said.
Peña-Catalan now faces a sentence of over 100 years to life in state prison. Sentencing will occur on May 10, 2019 in front of the Honorable Christopher Bowen – Department 40 of the Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez. Contra Costa County Deputy District Attorney Diana Weiss prosecuted the case on behalf of the People. The case originated in the Office’s Sexual Assault Unit.
The felony counts against Peña-Catalan for his verdict:
- Count 1, Attempted Forcible Rape-Child Victim Over 14 Years
- Count 2, Attempted Forcible Rape-Child Victim Over 14 Years
- Count 3, Forcible Oral Copulation-Minor Victim Over 14 Years
- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 4, Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Count 5, Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Count 6, Lewd Act Upon a Child
- Count 7, Lewd Act Upon a Child
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- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 8, Lewd Act Upon a Child
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- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 9, Lewd Act Upon a Child
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- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 10, Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child
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- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 11, Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child
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- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 12, Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child
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- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 13, Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child
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- Enhancement 1, Special Allegation, Sex Crimes – Aggravated Circumstances
- Count 14, Forcible Lewd Act Upon a Child
Case information: People v. Abel Pena-Catalan, Docket Number 05-180571-2
Read MoreHad five prior DUI convictions
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney
On April 12, 2019, 48-year-old Sacramento resident Fred Lowe was sentenced to 135 years to life in state prison by the Honorable John W. Kennedy. Lowe was convicted of seven felonies by a Contra Costa County jury, including the murder of four victims from a collision caused by Lowe in November 2017. Lowe was driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash and he had five prior DUI convictions. (See related article).
The four deceased victims are Joseph Horn, his father Daryl, Baden Biddle and his father Troy Biddle. Joe Horn’s older brother Jared was the driver of the Nissan Rogue and was only slightly injured. The Biddle Family were relatives of the Horn’s visiting from out of state over the Thanksgiving weekend.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), drunk driving remains the number one killer on the roadways in the United States. Tragically, almost 11,000 people are killed each year in drunk driving crashes. Two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime.
“MADD commends Prosecutor Derek Butts and the court system for ensuring justice in this case,” said MADD National Board Member Carol Leister who attended the sentencing hearing. “The Horn and Biddle family suffered the ultimate consequences of drunk driving and MADD will always be here for them and other families who’ve been impacted by this 100 percent preventable crime.”
Case information: People v. Fred Douglas Lowe, Docket Number 05-181540-6
Read MoreBy Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County District Attorney
On April 12, 2019 Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Clare Maier sentenced Corell Olajuwon Hackett to 16 years and eight months in state prison for sex trafficking two young women from 2016 to 2018. The 21-year-old Richmond resident received concurrent sentences for criminal convictions in several other criminal cases as well. Judge Maier also imposed criminal court protective orders barring Hackett from having contact with any of the victims for a period of 10 years and ordered him to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Human Trafficking Unit Supervisor Dana Filkowski praised the work of police investigators in this complex case, particularly the Richmond Police Department Bravo Team working to suppress trafficking along the 23rd Street corridor of Richmond and Richmond Police Department Family Violence Detectives Bureau.
“The fact that an exploiter is also in a dating or intimate relationship with the victim is no defense to human trafficking,” said Deputy District Attorney Filkowski. “In fact, love and affection are often tools of manipulation and control used to keep the victim engaged in prostitution to benefit the trafficker and deter the victim from cooperating with law enforcement.”
Filkowski also emphasized that under the law, a minor’s consent is never a defense to sex trafficking.
In 2016, 17-year-old Jane Doe 2 gave birth to defendant’s baby. Within weeks of the birth, defendant pressured her to go out and make money for him by working as a prostitute. She disclosed to a Richmond Detective working out of the Family Justice Center that Hackett took her from Richmond to San Francisco so that she could prostitute on five separate occasions and that she gave him all the money she earned. Not long thereafter, Hackett began a relationship with Jane Doe 1. He started trafficking this victim when she was 17-years-old by putting her on the “blade” in Richmond – the area around 23rd St. known for street prostitution.
The defendant was arrested in the fall of 2018 for a domestic violence incident against Jane Doe 1. Investigators later learned that defendant was using the recorded jail phone to continue to have contact with Jane Doe 1, in violation of the court order. In more than 100 separate phone calls between November 2018 and February 2019, Hackett used threats, coercion, menace and manipulation of Jane Doe 1’s love for him to keep the 18-year-old Jane Doe prostituting so that she could put money on his jail account.
The 16-year, 8-month prison sentence was handed down by Judge Maier after Hackett pleaded guilty to the following charges from the four dockets:
- Human Trafficking of a Minor for a Sex Act
- Dissuading a Witness by Force or Threat
- Human Trafficking to Commit Another Crime
- Conspiracy to Dissuade Witnesses
- Contempt of Court
- Contempt of Court
- Contempt of Court
- Contempt of Court
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident
- Robbery
- Grand Theft from Person
- Domestic Violence
The sex trafficking and domestic violence cases (Dockets 02-329276-0 & 02-328628-3) were prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski. The robbery and hit & run cases (dockets 05-180928-8 and 05-182443-2) were prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Christina Stevens and Deputy District Attorney Sarah Barkley.
If you or someone you know are being pressured to engage in prostitution to benefit or help support another person, help is only a phone call away. Contact Community Violence Solutions at 800-670-7273 to speak to a confidential counselor. Or visit the Contra Costa Family Justice Centers in Richmond or Concord to talk to a Navigator about a variety of services and support available right here in Contra Costa County. The Family Justice Centers are a family-friendly one-stop center serving victims of all human trafficking, domestic violence and other types of interpersonal violence. No appointment is needed, and the centers are located at 256 24th Street in Richmond or 2151 Salvio St., Suite 201 in Concord.
To learn more about human trafficking in Contra Costa County, contact the Contra Costa Human Trafficking Coalition at www.contracostacoalition.org.
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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
This afternoon at about 12:26, Deputy Sheriffs were dispatched to a medical call with police needed at Anuta Park in Bay Point. A man was reported unconscious and not breathing.
Deputies and the fire department arrived and immediately began life saving measures. The man was later pronounced deceased. The victim is not being identified at this time.
Detectives from the Homicide Unit and the crime lab responded to the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Office of the Sheriff at (925) 646-2441 or (925) 313-2600. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
Read MoreArrested for domestic violence by El Cerrito Police Friday night
By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
The investigation into yesterday’s in custody death is ongoing. Per the in custody fatal incident protocol, the investigation is being conducted by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Sheriff.
The inmate is identified as 36-year old Maria Barraza of El Cerrito. She was arrested by the El Cerrito Police Department for domestic violence and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility at about 10:39 PM on April 12, 2019.
The next morning at about 3:31 A.M., Deputy Sheriffs responded to the women’s holding area in Intake and found that a female inmate, later identified as Barraza, had apparently hanged herself inside the bathroom
Medical staff at the jail responded immediately and began life saving measures. The fire department and an ambulance also responded. Barraza was pronounced deceased at the scene.
An autopsy is planned for tomorrow, Monday, April 15.
Read MoreOn Saturday, April 12, 2019 at 7:08 PM officers were sent to The Jungle (located in the Willows Shopping Center) for a report of a fight involving “5-10 young males and females”. Our Dispatch center then started receiving additional calls that pepper spray had also been used during the fight.
When we arrived, we learned that all of the involved parties in the fight had already left the scene. Approximately 25-30 customers (infants/minors and adults) came out after being exposed to the pepper spray, with some vomiting and complaining of difficulty breathing. Contra Costa Fire was immediately dispatched to check on the customers. Everyone affected at the scene was treated and released by medical personnel.
At this time we are still reviewing surveillance footage and talking to the patrons that were on scene. We do not have any suspect information to release at this time.
If you have any additional information about this altercation please contact our Dispatch Center at (925) 671-3241, or our anonymous tip line at (925) 603-5836.
Read MoreIdentified by caller as their father, stabbed family members with knife
On April 11, 2019 at approximately 2:34 AM, Richmond officers were dispatched to 930 Wilson Ave., on a report of a home invasion. The caller reported that suspect was their dad who had broken a window and entered the residence. The suspect was armed with a knife and trying to stab the family. The caller reported that the family was trapped inside the residence and was unable to exit.
Richmond officers arrived on scene and the shooting occurred after officers confronted the armed suspect at the rear patio door. Officers interrupted the suspect’s physical assault on a family member, then fired when the armed suspect ignored commands and advanced on them. The suspect was later pronounced deceased on scene.
Officers rescued an adult female suffering from a laceration to her stomach and a male juvenile suffering from a laceration to his face. No other family members were harmed during the incident. The family was taken to a local hospital where they are currently being treated for non-life threating injuries.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office as well as the Richmond Police Department are actively working this on-going investigation, according to the Contra Costa County Fatal Incident protocol. There was an active Domestic Violence restraining order against the decedent, who has prior DV contacts.
Read MoreWest county will be opening its first warming center which will provide a space for unsheltered residents to have a warm space at night. The center will Be located at GRIP – Greater Richmond Interfaith Program.
While it isn’t a permanent solution to the great work that needs to be done to alleviate homelessness, it helps. If you know someone who needs help call 211.
Richmond has also started the Richmond-San Pablo CORE homeless outreach team to provide on the ground services to the unsheltered, including helping people get access to the warming center.
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