Contra Costa Herald

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) will host a pair of town halls to engage in a “Conversation on Race” on Tuesday, April 23rd and Saturday, April 27th. These town halls are the latest in a series of discussions on race hosted by Congressman DeSaulnier and are intended to facilitate more understanding, healing, and progress to help us move forward as a nation.

“A Conversation on Race” Town Halls
Tuesday, April 23rd

Special Guest: Congresswoman Karen Bass (CA-37), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and first African American woman Speaker of the California Assembly

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Diablo Valley College Cafeteria

321 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

RSVP: https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp

Saturday, April 27th

Hosted With: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13)

12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Black Repertory Group Theater

3201 Adeline Street, Berkeley, CA 94703

RSVP: https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp

These events are open to the public, press, and photographers.

Please RSVP at https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or by calling 925-933-2660. To request ADA accommodations or for more information, please contact Congressman DeSaulnier’s Walnut Creek or Richmond office.

Congressman DeSaulnier launched his first town hall of this series on February 3, 2018 and information on it can be found here.

Discovery Bay Chase bank branch. Photo by KTVU Fox2

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

At approximately 9:50am, the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff responded to a report of an armed robbery at a bank on the 14800 block of State Route 4 in Discovery Bay.

A witness at the location reported she saw two men run into the bank and run out shortly after, carrying what was thought to be a handgun and a backpack.

Deputy Sheriffs arrived at the location and confirmed that an armed robbery had occurred. The two suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.

They were last seen running to a vehicle and leaving the area north on Bixler Road. The suspects are outstanding.

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.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors presented a resolution to District Attorney Diana Becton (center) and nine persons for their work in defending crime victims’ issues and their rights at Tuesday’s supervisors meeting. The event marks the District Attorney Office’s commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, April 7-13. This year’s awardees are Juliann Marlang for Special Courage, Sarah Alpert for Making a Difference, United Parcel Service driver Jesse Gregory for Above and Beyond, Sandra Guiterrez-Banales for Victim Advocate, Laura Muro for Support Staff, Senior Inspector Rick Rivera for DA Investigators, Deputy District Attorney Alison Chandler for Attorney, Detective Joseph Nunemaker for Law Enforcement and Nancy Kenoyer for Probation Officer. Vigils were held on Thursday, at the Family Justice Center, in Concord and Pittsburg City Hall. On Saturday, April 13 at 5:30 p.m. the Survivors Speak National Healing Vigil will be held at the Sojourner Truth Church, 2621 Shane Drive, Richmond. This year’s theme – Honoring Our Past, Creating Hope for the Future – encourages commemoration, honor, and respect toward the crime victim advocates, allied professionals, and selfless volunteers who have worked for increased rights for crime victims. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Mitchoff gets heat over Pleasant Hill Library closure during construction of new library

By Daniel Borsuk

At their meeting on Tuesday, Contra Costa County Supervisors approved on a 4-1 vote the ordinance that ties their base salaries to 60 percent of the salaries of superior court judges. Supervisor Candace Andersen cast the dissenting vote. The pay raise goes into effect for the period between July 2, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2019; then increases to 63 percent of judges’ salaries for 2020 and finally to 65 percent of judges’ salaries thereafter.

Supervisors will receive the same periodic increases as are as granted by the legislature to the judges as recommended by the Ad Hoc Citizen’s Committee.

Supervisors waived the reading of the ordinance and fixed their April 16 meeting for adoption of the ordinance. Two weeks ago, supervisors had voted 3-1 with Andersen opposing and Supervisor Diane Burgis absent due to recuperation from heart surgery.

In casting a negative vote again this week, Andersen said, “I still have my reservations. We still earn Bay Area salary, but this isn’t a full-time job. It’s more than a full-time job. I can leave my house at 8 a.m. and not return until 10 p.m.”

Consider Exempting Transportation Impact Fees for Accessory Dwelling Units

Supervisors can be expected to adopt a policy aimed at exempting the imposition of public transit fees on homeowners wanting to build accessory dwelling units to homes as a jab of slowing down the Bay Area’s runaway rising housing costs.

Supervisors on Tuesday instructed county Conservation & Development Department (CDD) officials to draft a policy that would halt the levying of transit impact fees on ADU applications in unincorporated Contra Costa County, a move that could lift a financial burden off the shoulders of homeowners wanting to add living units onto their homes. ADU transit impact fees are imposed taxes for public transit improvement or road construction to mitigate increased public transit patronage and automobile trips stemming from ADU construction.

Based on county data, since 2017, there’ve been 130 ADU’s approved, 42 interior conversions and 88 new footprint additions approved.   County records also show 130 ADU permits were issued via administrative means such as variance or deviation from the standards. Total ADU tax revenues data collected during that two-year period was unavailable.

“Ultimately, however, the reduction and or elimination of traffic impact fees would unavoidably create a funding gap.” warned CDD Director John Kopchik in a memo to supervisors. “That gap cannot be filled using the fee program’s revenue and must be backfilled with other sources.”

So far there has been political posturing locally and out of Sacramento concerning the status of ADU transit fees, but housing affordability advocates have maintained ADU transit fee are part of the reason for the Bay Area’s housing unaffordability crisis.

Leading the charge on the ADU fee exemption conversation at the county level has been board chair John Gioia of Richmond who has been tuned into the ADU and tax exemption discussions at West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee level.

Gioia said by exempting the transit fees it would remove financial barrier on homeowners wanting to add onto their homes. In West County, the additional costs a homeowner pays on average per ADU is $10,000 the supervisor said.

Supervisor Candace Andersen of Danville praised the ADU transit fee exemption fee proposal saying” It’s a great way for families to stay together.”

CDD staff is expected to present a draft ordinance on the ADU tax exemption proposal sometime either in June or July.

Mitchoff Gets Heat Over Library Closure

The upcoming closure of the Pleasant Hill Public Library drew protests from upset community residents, some of whom accused Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill of playing into the hands of real estate interests by closing down the library too soon.

Besides the construction of a new library, the county in conjunction with the city of Pleasant Hill are making way for the construction of a housing development on county owned property long vacant nearby the library.

The outdated library will be demolished in late spring or early summer to clear the site for a new library that will eventually feature a café, a used book store and shelf space for 70,000 books. The new library will be completed in 2021 and according to Pleasant Hill residents like Dick Offerman that won’t help middle school students who rely on the library to study.

Mitchoff took issue with Offerman’s statement that the library’s closure would negatively impact middle school students.

“I’ve visited the library when middle school students are there and many of them are playing video games rather than studying,” she said.

Pat Morgan also of Pleasant Hill criticized supervisor Mitchoff for not doing enough in keeping the old library open.

“It’s unacceptable. This demonstrates real estate money interest. Greed. It’s shameful, “she said.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors presented a resolution recognizing the services of the Delta Veterans Group, a nonprofit organization founded by veteran J.R. Wilson. Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood presented the resolution to Wilson at Tuesday’s supervisors’ meeting in Martinez. Since 2012, the Delta Veterans Group has sponsored its annual Stand Down event at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) in Antioch. At the event veterans can receive full medical treatments, court and legal services, DMV, chaplain services, housing, addiction and mental health counseling, employment and many other community services. Veterans are also provided clothing, meals, sleeping tents, and a safe place to stand down. The next Stand Down event will be held in September at the Contra Costa Event Park. Photo by Daniel Borsuk

Consent Items Approved

Supervisors approved the Sheriff-Coroner’s request to purchase Automated License Plate Reader cameras in the Discovery Bay area for an amount not to exceed $283,000. The ALPR camera capabilities are not only for the detection of stolen vehicles, but also as an investigative tool for persons and property crimes.

They also approved and authorized the Sheriff-Coroner to execute a contract with the State of California, 23rd District Agricultural Association (Contra Costa County Fair Board), including all indemnification of the State of California, to pay the county an amount not to exceed $35,000 to provide law enforcement services at the County Fair for the period of May 15-19, 2019.

Approve the collection loss write-offs in the public housing program in the amount of $106,729.09 for the quarter ending March 31, 2019, which is up nearly double from the $50,381.06 in collection losses for the same quarter in 2018. The Bayo Vista housing development in Rodeo led with the most loss write-offs with $73,470.36 followed by the Vista del Camino housing development in San Pablo with $10,501.

Supervisors also approved new Housing Choice Voucher payment standards for the Housing Authority that goes into effect April 15. Studio to three-bedroom sized unit payments standards have been reduced between $19 to $101 while the four to seven-bedroom sized payment standards are being increased between $121 and $175.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office, in commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 7-13, 2019, is raising awareness about crime victims’ issues and rights and introducing the community to the important resources and services available. On Tuesday the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors presented a proclamation in recognition of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The DA’s Office then hosted a recognition ceremony to honor the awardees of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The awardees for this year’s recognition are as follows:

• Special Courage: Juliann Marlang
• Making a Difference: Sarah Alpert
• Above and Beyond: Jesse Gregory
• Victim Advocate: Sandra Guiterrez-Banales
• Support Staff: Laura Muro
• DA Investigations: Senior Inspector Rick Rivera
• Attorney: Deputy District Attorney Alison Chandler
• Law Enforcement: Detective Joseph Nunemaker
• Probation Officer: Nancy Kenoyer

During the week, the District Attorney’s Office is honoring champions in advocating for expanded support and services to communities affected by crime.

• Thursday, April 11, 6:30 p.m. vigils in two locations: 2151 Salvio Street, Concord (Family Justice Center) and 65 Civic Ave, Pittsburg (Pittsburg City Hall)
• Saturday, April 13, 5:30 p.m. Survivors Speak National Healing Vigil, 2621 Shane Drive, Richmond (Sojourner Truth Church)

This year’s theme – Honoring Our Past. Creating Hope for the Future. – encourages commemoration, honor, and respect toward the crime victim advocates, allied professionals, and selfless volunteers who have courageously worked for increased rights for crime victims. The theme also invites us to look toward a future of inclusive, accessible, and innovative resources and services for survivors.

For additional information about this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and how to assist victims in your community, please contact our office at 925-957-8650 or visit www.contracostada.org.

For additional ideas on how to support victims of crime, visit OVC’s website at www.ovc.gov.

By Pittsburg Police Department

Late Thursday evening, shortly after 9 P.M., Pittsburg officers responded to a residence on Hermosa Avenue in regards to a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found a man outside suffering from stab wounds to his upper body. The man was transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where he later died due to multiple stab wounds to the upper body.

The Pittsburg Police Department Investigations Division and CSI Team responded to the scene and took over the investigation. Detectives quickly contacted witnesses to the incident and obtained a description of the suspect and a car that was seen driving away from the location. The car, a white four-door sedan, was later determined to have fled the area towards State Route 4. Detective utilized the city of Pittsburg’s surveillance camera system, along with the recently installed county-wide Freeway Security Network, to locate the sedan as it traveled eastbound on State Route 4. With the use of this surveillance system, detectives were able to obtain a license plate for the car.

Detectives later authored an Arrest and Search Warrant for a residence located in the town of Knightsen. The Pittsburg Police Department tactical team conducted the service of the warrant early this morning and took the suspect, identified as Jimmy Lee Biles, Jr. (48 years old), into custody. It is unknown at this time the relationship between Biles, Jr. and the victim.

This case remains an active investigation and no additional details are available at this time. The name of the victim is being withheld pending notifications. This is the City of Pittsburg’s third homicide of the year.

The Pittsburg Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance and asks anyone with additional information to please contact the Pittsburg Police Department Tip-Line at 925-252-4040.

The California Geological Survey (CGS) has released five official Seismic Hazard Zones maps affecting communities in Contra Costa and San Mateo counties. The maps identify areas with potential for earthquake-induced landslides and liquefaction, and come with certain requirements for landowners and local governments.

There are three maps covering parts of Contra Costa County, including all or portions of the communities of Antioch, Concord, Brentwood, Oakley, Pittsburg, and Bay Point.

There are two new maps impacting San Mateo County, including all or portions of the communities of Woodside, San Carlos, Belmont, Burlingame, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, Millbrae, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, Portola Valley, and Pacifica.

Earthquakes of magnitude 5.5 or greater can trigger landslides or liquefaction, a phenomenon in which soil temporarily acts like quicksand and loses its ability to support structures. While shaking does most of the damage in a large earthquake, both liquefaction and landslides caused significant damage during the 1989 Loma Prieta quake. The Seismic Hazards Mapping Act mandating the regulatory maps was passed the year after Loma Prieta.

The maps establish Earthquake Zones of Required Investigation. Now that these maps are official after a 6-month public comment period, the local building department must require — before permits are issued — that licensed geologists and engineers investigate sites proposed for development within a zone for evidence of liquefaction or landslide potential. If such evidence is found, design modifications must be made in the planning stage. Examples of these modifications include deep foundations in liquefaction zones or slope stabilization in landslide zones.

Property sellers and real estate agents must inform potential buyers if property they’re selling is in a Seismic Hazard Zone, as is the case when property is in a designated flood zone.

List of Official Maps and Reports released April 4, 2019

• Antioch North quadrangle, showing Seismic Hazard Zones only – Related: Seismic Hazard Zone Report 125

• Antioch South quadrangle, showing Seismic Hazard Zones only – Related: Seismic Hazard Zone Report 126

• Honker Bay quadrangle, showing Seismic Hazard Zones only – Related: Seismic Hazard Zone Report 127

• Montara Mountain quadrangle, showing Earthquake Fault Zones and Seismic Hazard Zones – Related: Seismic Hazard Zone Report 128

• Woodside quadrangle, showing Earthquake Fault Zones and Seismic Hazard Zones – Related: Seismic Hazard Zone Report 129

The index maps below show the general areas in Contra Costa and San Mateo counties affected by this release.

The maps are available as GeoPDF files, which can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader; a GeoPDF file consists of multiple layers and gives the user greater flexibility in viewing and displaying the maps. The maps are also available as digital Geographic Information System (GIS) files. GIS files for both AP Earthquake Fault Zones and Seismic Hazard Zones released by CGS are considered Official Maps. To obtain these maps, reports and GIS data, visit the Regulatory Maps and Reports section of the CGS Information Warehouse. To view individual parcels affected by Seismic Hazard Zones and/or Earthquake Fault Zones, visit our Earthquake Hazards Zone Application (“EQ Zapp”).

By Pittsburg Police Department

On Monday afternoon, April 1, 2019, Pittsburg officers responded to a residence on Beechwood Court in regards to a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found an adult female suffering from stab wounds to her upper body. The woman was identified as Kirstiene Catapusan (28 years old). Catapusan was later transported to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek where she died due to multiple stab wounds to the upper body.

During the investigation, it was learned that Catapusan and her cousin, identified as suspect Henry Brodie, III (29 years old), engaged in an argument inside the residence. During the argument, Brodie became enraged with Catapusan and stabbed her several times with a large knife he retrieved from the house. Family members at the residence intervened, detained Brodie and called 911. Officers arrived at the house and placed Brodie under arrested, later transporting him to the police department. During the investigation Brodie was interviewed by detective and admitted to his actions, stabbing Catapusan several times during the argument. He was later booked and transport to the Martinez Detention Facility.

Today, detectives met with the District Attorney’s Office to review the case for charges against Brodie. The District Attorney’s Office filed Murder charges against Brodie. Brodie remains in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility on a $2,000,000 bail. This is the city of Pittsburg’s second homicide of the year.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking residents who may be interested in serving on its 19-member Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC).

The JJCC is a multi-agency advisory body charged with creating and maintaining the County’s comprehensive Juvenile Probation Consolidated Annual Plan and coordinating county-based juvenile delinquency prevention initiatives. The state-mandated Juvenile Probation Consolidated Annual Plan is designed to improve services for Contra Costa County’s juvenile justice population by assessing existing practices and resources, identifying system needs and gaps, and prioritizing and recommending solutions.

The Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council will be composed of the following 19 members:

Nine (9) ex-officio voting members:

Chief Probation Officer, as Chair

District Attorney’s Office representative

Public Defender’s Office representative

Sheriff’s Office representative

Board of Supervisors’ representative

Employment and Human Services Department representative

Alcohol and Other Drugs Division representative

Behavioral Health Division representative

Public Health Division representative

Ten (10) additional voting members selected and appointed by the Board of Supervisors:

10. City Police Department representative
11. County Office of Education representative

12–15.  Four (4) At-Large Members, residing or working within Contra Costa County;

16–17.  Two (2) Community-Based Organization representatives;

18–19.  Two (2) At-Large Youth, age 14 to 21 years old, residing or working in Contra

Costa County

The Board is now seeking applications for five (5) of the seats identified above:

• Three (3) individuals to serve in the At-Large Seats #13, #14 and #15;
• Two (2) youth, age 14 to 21 years old, to serve in the At-Large Youth Seats, #18 and #19

Appointments to the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council will be for a term of two years. The JJCC is expected to meet on a regular basis, at intervals to be established by the JJCC. Members will serve without compensation, stipends, or reimbursement of expenses. The community-based representatives should reflect the geographic, ethnic, and racial diversity of the County and should include youth or those providing restorative justice, faith-based, or mentoring services, to justice-involved, homeless, or foster-care involved youth.

Applicants will be interviewed by the Board of Supervisors’ Public Protection Committee:  Supervisors John Gioia, District I, and Federal Glover, District V. The nominations for the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council will then be forwarded to the full Board of Supervisors for action.

Below is a timeline of the recruitment process for the five vacancies:

• April 1, 2019: First Day of the Application Period
• May 24, 2019: Final Day of the Application Period, due by 5:00 p.m.
• June 3, 2019: Public Protection Committee Meeting: Interviews
• June 18, 2019: Board of Supervisors Consideration of Nominees

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 335-1900 or by visiting the County webpage at http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/3418/. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Room 106, County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553. Applications can also be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us.

Public Protection Committee Chair and Board Chair, Supervisor John Gioia, commented on the process, “We value diversity, inclusion and racial equity in Contra Costa County, and we welcome interest from residents all across our County who want to serve the community in the cause of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention.”

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District

To celebrate the East Bay Regional Park District’s 85th Anniversary, the Park District has planned a number of special events and programs, including FREE Park Fridays, FREE Concerts in the Parks, and a FREE multicultural festival. The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest park district in the nation with 25 million visits annually and over 122,000 acres preserved for habitat and outdoor recreation.

For 85 years, the East Bay Regional Park District has preserved and protected open space in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, and provided public access to regional parks, shorelines, and trails for hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, and nature discovery.

Today the East Bay Regional Park District is the largest of its kind in the nation with 73 regional parks over 122,000 plus acres, and over 25 million annual visits per year – more than the A’s, Giants, Warriors, 49ers, and Raiders combined.

Free Park Fridays:

Park entry and other fees will be waived every Friday in 2019 from April to December to celebrate the Park District’s 85th Anniversary. Park entrance and fees for day use parking, swimming, dogs, horse trailers, boat launching, and fishing permits will all be waived. Fee waiver does not apply to special event permits/reservations, camping and associated fees, or state fees such as fishing licenses and watercraft inspections. Fee waiver also does not apply to District concessions. Park entrance is subject to available occupancy.

Free Events/Concerts in the Parks:

Family-friendly music events with food and beverages available for purchase. Bands and performers to be announced later.

• Lake Chabot Concerts in the Park – Saturday, June 22 (Castro Valley)
• Crown Beach Concerts at the Cove – Friday, July 12 (Alameda)
• Crown Beach Concerts at the Cove – Alameda, Friday, August 9 (Alameda)
• Contra Loma Concert in the Park – Friday, August 23 (Antioch)
• Crown Beach Concerts at the Cove – Friday, September 13 (Alameda)
• John Sutter Gateway Bridgeyard Festival – Saturday, September 28 (Oakland)

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful public parks and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of San Francisco Bay, established in 1934. The system comprises 121,000 acres in 73 parks including over1,250 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature learning.

By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

The investigation into a woman’s body found in Bay Point on Sunday is continuing. (See related article.)

The person is identified as 27-year-old Chanin Andersen, a transient from Southern California. An autopsy was conducted this morning, Tuesday, April 2. The cause of death is pending the results of toxicology tests. During the autopsy, no signs of trauma or foul play were found.

Detectives continue to investigate this as a suspicious found body case.

On Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 12:29, Muir Station Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report from several callers of a suspicious circumstance regarding a woman who was found down on the ground.

Deputies arrived and located a woman lying on the sidewalk on Suisun Avenue near North Broadway Avenue in Bay Point. Andersen was pronounced deceased at the scene. Detectives from the Office of the Sheriff homicide unit and Crime Lab responded.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600. For any tips, call 866-846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message or email: tips@so.cccounty.us.