Contra Costa Herald

Keller Canyon Landfill. Photo courtesy of Comanco.

Matter to be heard at next Tuesday’s Board meeting

Supervisor Federal Glover has directed Contra Costa County Staff at next Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting to provide the Board with an update concerning the allegations of malfeasance by Tetra Tech EC Inc. at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The allegations concern possible radioactive materials being deposited at landfills across the state including possible contaminated material that might have been sent to the Keller Canyon Landfill.
“I am very concerned about these allegations and want a full report from staff on this issue,” Glover stated.  Healso said that he expects County staff to follow up with further review of the issue after the Board meeting next Tuesday.

“I want staff to thoroughly investigate these allegations and determine whether or not the Keller Landfill was sent contaminated material,” Glover continued. “I want to make sure the residents of Contra Costa County are protected and that this matter is fully addressed.”

He said that the matter will be heard in front of the Board of Supervisors during its regularly scheduled session starting at 9:30 AM on May 1, 2018 in the Board Chambers at 651 Pine St., Martinez.

Screenshot from video of Antonio Cacatian being pulled over by Richmond Police before fatally shooting himself on Dec. 18, 2017. Courtesy of KBCW TV.

Was under investigation for claims of sexual contact with a juvenile in Las Vegas

Antonio Cacatian

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

Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announces that a Coroner’s Jury has reached a finding in the December 18, 2017 death of 49-year-old Antonio Malinao Cacatian of Richmond. The finding of the jury is that the death was a suicide.

According to the Washington Post, Cacatian was a San Francisco police officer and “The Las Vegas Police Department was investigating claims that Cacatian had inappropriate sexual contact with a juvenile in the Nevada city…” Richmond Police pulled him over in the Hilltop Mall parking lot, where he then fatally shot himself. (See Post article, here).

The Coroner’s Jury reached the verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.

A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in fatal incidents involving police officers, is a public hearing, during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: accident, suicide, natural Causes, or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.

Extend moving contract by $3.5 million without any questions

By Daniel Borsuk

Contra Costa County supervisors moved closer to adopting in June a commercial marijuana ordinance on Tuesday, and unanimously increased a three-year moving contract without raising a single question.

The officials approved a $3.5 million contract extension for Metropolitan Van and Storage to provide moving services countywide through the end of its three-year contract that expires on May 31, 2019.  The supervisors’ approval boosts the overall payment limit to Metropolitan from $4 million to $7.5 million.

Placed on the agenda as a consent item, none of the five supervisors had asked to have Item No. 31 pulled from the agenda for discussion and action at a meeting where the elected officials were clearly more focused on a progress report from the county Conservation and Development Department on a draft cannabis ordinance, an agenda item that drew 53 speakers.

When asked about the moving contract agenda item, board chairperson Karen Mitchoff said she was unaware of the Metropolitan contract item being on the consent agenda.

“I am informed about what consent items are to be pulled for discussion by my staff,” Mitchoff said. “This item was not brought to my attention by staff.”

County Administrator David Twa said he had reviewed the Metropolitan contract increase and found no irregularities.

The county needs to add $3.5 million to the Metropolitan Van and Storage contract in order to complete the three-year contract that expires in May 2019, newly appointed Public Works Directors Brian Balbas said.

While admitting the spending of the initial $4 million “came as a bit of a surprise” to him, Balbas said about 50 percent of the 2,266 invoices Metropolitan Moving submitted for 1,429 jobs came from, three major county departments – Assessors Department, Employment and Human Services Department and Health Department.

In addition to moving furniture and other material, Balbas said Metropolitan Moving also takes down and erects cubicles in county department offices.

When asked if the extra $3.5 million will cover the next 12 months of the contract, Balbas responded, “I sure hope so.”

Supervisors Aim for June 26 Marijuana Ordinance Adoption

Supervisors set the stage to adopt a cannabis zoning ordinance on June 26 after listening to long list of speakers, mostly opponents to the legalization of recreational marijuana.  On July 10, supervisors are scheduled to consider adopting health and tax measure ordinances that will go before the voters, perhaps in November.

After nearly two hours of public testimony coming mostly from residents in Supervisor Candace Andersen’s District 2, a district widely opposed to the sale and cultivation of recreational marijuana, the supervisor commented, “In a perfect world, I’m for a moratorium.”  The supervisor hinted she might vote against the county ordinance because of the overwhelming opposition from her constituency, even though the county Department of Conservation and Development has spent hundreds of manhours and attended 27 community meetings around the county to inform the public about the county’s proposed marijuana ordinance.

District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, who had earlier observed most of the proposed cannabis zoning is located in his district along Highway 4, remarked, “We need to make sure the safety measures are put in place and that won’t occur unless a tax is passed by the voters.  Until that happens this ordinance will not be enforced.”

When Dr. Phillip Drum, a marijuana legalization opponent, listed butane explosions and a number of other reasons why supervisors should stop developing a marijuana ordinance even though 61% of Contra Costans approved Proposition 64 in 2016, Board Chair Mitchoff pointed out the Contra Costa ordinance will prohibit the use of butane to extract oil from marijuana plants.

The proposed ordinance will feature zones for commercial cultivation, retail storefront, delivery only, manufacturing/processing, distribution and testing.

For personal cultivation, the county is proposing six or less plants for indoor, private cultivation and not more than three plants that are more than five feet in height for outdoor cultivation.

On Tuesday, April 17 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors heard budget proposals from the County Administrator and a number of County Departments on the proposed budget.

Contra Costa County Administrator, David Twa, has proposed a $3.5 Billion ($1.6 Billion General Fund) Budget for FY 2018-19 that is balanced and will provide critical services to the residents of Contra Costa County. Twa said that “the proposed spending plan includes funding increases to community service providers, allows the County to continue building its financial reserves, provides funding for new capital projects including a new Emergency Operations Center, and supports the county workforce of over 9,500 Employees.”

Chair of the County Board, Karen Mitchoff, said that “while the County is well positioned going into the next fiscal year, there continues to be storm clouds on the horizon.” She pointed out that “State and Federal funding combined with the County’s limited discretionary revenues will continue to fall short of the rising costs necessary to provide critical services to County residents.”

While the Budget includes $13 million in additional funding for Public Works projects as a result of the Gas Tax passed last year by the Legislature, (SB 1) there is a proposed repeal effort that may be on the November election ballot. Chair Mitchoff said that “If repealed, this would substantially reduce the ability of the County to meet necessary road and bridge repair projects.”

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to adopt the Budget for 2018-19 during its regularly scheduled session on May 8, 2018 in the Board Chambers at 651 Pine St., Martinez.

Is raising the bridge toll for transportation projects a good idea? What do you know about the five State propositions that will be on your ballot on June 5? Let the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley help you. The League will present pros and cons of a Bay Area regional measure and the five State ballot measures on Saturday, May 5 from 3:00-4:30 pm. The meeting will be held in the Cedar Room of the Lafayette Community Center at 500 St. Mary’s Road.

Instead of reading through the often, dry language in the ballot pamphlet, people attending will see and hear a dynamic presentation of the pros and cons. League members Kay James and Janet Thomas will synthesize the material in the voter’s pamphlet and take opposing viewpoints, with one presenting the pros listed in the ballot material and the other presenting the cons.

Bay Area voters will be asked to provide answers to some weighty policy questions, such as Regional Measure 3, which asks whether to raise bridge tolls in the Bay Area to pay for highway, transit and ferry improvements. State Proposition 68 would exempt road repair revenues from California’s annual spending limits. Other questions voters will be asked by the State include funding $4.1 billion in bonds for parks, natural resources protection, climate adaptation, water quality and flood protection; excluding new rain-capture systems from homeowners’ reassessment on their property taxes; requiring a 2/3 vote of the Legislature on cap-and-trade issues; and deciding when ballot measures approved by voters will take effect.

How to use Voter’s Edge, a nonpartisan online guide to federal, state, and local elections, will also be demonstrated. Using this online tool, voters can access their own ballot, get information about candidates and who supports them, and read neutral summaries of ballot measures with lists of their supporters and opponents.

The Saturday, May 5 meeting is free to the public and parking is available on site. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information: League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley at info@LWVDV.org.

Two of the four will be chosen and announced at annual dinner in September

The following four teachers have been named as the 2018-2019 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year (TOY) Finalists: Shanna Gagnon, San Ramon Valley Unified School District; Kelly Perkins, Mt. Diablo Unified School District; Rosie Reid, Mt. Diablo Unified School District; and Andrea Salas, Martinez Unified School District. Two of these four finalists will be chosen in late September and will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program.

For the entire listing of the 22 Contra Costa County TOYs, class of 2018-2019, please see below.

Shanna Gagnon. Photo by SRVUSD

With a slight detour towards her teaching career, Shanna Gagnon started in the business world right after college. Though she was quite successful in her corporate work, as an accountant and later as a buyer, she felt it lacked purpose. Fortunately, for the six-year history/iQuest teacher and her students, she found her purpose in teaching. For the past five years she has been teaching at California High School, in San Ramon. Before coming to California High, she taught history for two years with the Martinez and the Acalanes School districts.

Kelly Perkins, a life skills and remedial math and language arts instructor, chose teaching special education classes because

Kelly Perkins. Photo by MDUSD

she enjoys guiding her students to become independent thinkers and learners. For the past 10 years, Perkins has been a special day class teacher at Ygnacio Valley High School, in Concord. In addition, her 27-year teaching career includes special education instruction for two elementary schools, as well as continuing to serve as an adjunct professor for the Education Specialist Program at St. Mary’s College, in Moraga, since 1988.

Rosanne “Rosie” Reid. Photo by MDUSD

Rosanne “Rosie” Reid was certainly destined to teach English, with her enormous appetite to read books from an early age. Reid was the best customer when the book mobile would come to town, and she would always walk away with a new tower of books to take on. For the past two years, Reid has taught English/ELD at Northgate High School, in Walnut Creek. Her 16 years of instruction includes teaching high school English courses at Piedmont High School, in Piedmont and John O’Connell High School, in San Francisco.

Andrea Salas grew up with an absolute love for her time in school, so much so, she “held class” for her fellow neighborhood

Andrea Salas (right) with County Superintendent Karen Sakata. Photo by CCCOE.

kids on her front lawn, during the summers. Following college, Salas began her teaching career with Teach for America, where the Los Angeles native brought her education love and skills up north to the Oakland Unified School District’s classrooms for five years. Next, she began teaching mathematics, statistics and computer science at Alhambra High School, in Martinez, and has been there for the past 19 years.

The county’s TOY program is directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE). With such a high caliber of teaching professionals to draw from, the CCCOE’s TOY program uses a three-stage selection process, with a point and percentage system to determine the final candidates as follows:

I Application Screening:

On April 13, a committee of 10 judges, representing the county’s education, business, and public-sector partners carefully reviewed the TOY representative applications submitted by the school districts. This committee independently read and rated each application. After the application screening and scoring were completed, four teachers will be selected to advance to the next two phases as finalists.

II Classroom Observation and Interview:

April 24-May 25, a small committee of education specialists and business partners will observe the four finalists interacting with their students. Immediately following, the committee will interview the candidates, discussing topics such as their teaching philosophy and techniques.

III Speech Presentation:

On July 24, the four TOY finalists will each give a three- to five-minute speech to another panel of a dozen educators, business, and public-sector representatives who will judge the finalists on their speech and presentation skills.

On the evening of September 27, 2018, all 22 TOYs, accompanied by their families, friends, and co-workers (an audience of close to 500) will be honored at the annual Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Dinner Celebration, held at the Hilton Concord. Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata, who serves as master of ceremonies, will introduce all 22 TOYs to the attendees. This will be followed by the four finalists giving their three- to five-minute speeches (same speeches given in July) to the filled banquet room. Finally, the night will come to a dramatic conclusion with the announcement of the two 2018-2019 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.

Contra Costa County’s school districts 2018-19 Teachers of the Year

Currently, there are approximately 8,401 teachers educating more than 176,000 students in Contra Costa County’s public schools. To recognize their efforts and bring much-deserved honor to the teaching profession, the participating school districts in the county recently named their Teachers of the Year (TOY) representatives. (See list below.) The upcoming school year’s 22 TOYs represent 17 (of 18) Contra Costa County school districts, the Contra Costa Community College District, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE). Most of these representatives, those who teach grades K thru 12, are eligible to compete in the Contra Costa County TOY competition. The two top teachers in the county TOY program will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program this coming fall.

The county’s TOY program is directed by the CCCOE. With such a high caliber of teaching professionals to draw from, (21 teachers eligible), the CCCOE’s TOY program uses a three-stage selection process, with a point and percentage system to determine the final candidates as follows:

2018-2019 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Representatives:

• Lynn Alamillo, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Bella Vista Elementary
• Glen Barker, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Northgate High School
• Joanne Chen, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Mira Vista School
• Shanna Gagnon, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, California High School
• Cherie Giannotti, John Swett Unified School District, Carquinez Middle School
• Elizabeth Gonzalez, Liberty Union High School District, Heritage High School
• Bonnie Ha, Walnut Creek School District, Buena Vista Elementary School
• Katie Halberg, Brentwood Union School District, Mary Casey Black Elementary School
• Carol Levin, Orinda Union School District, Glorietta Elementary School
• Cecil Nasworthy, CC Community College District, Los Medanos College
• Barry Penning, Byron Union School District, Discovery Bay Elementary School
• Kelly Perkins, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Ygnacio Valley High School
• Erik Radkiewicz, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Pinole Valley High School
• Rosie Reid, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Northgate High School
• Michael Ruibal, Pittsburg Unified School District, Black Diamond High School
• Andrea Salas, Martinez Unified School District, Alhambra High School
• George Seymour, Oakley Union Elementary School District, O’Hara Park Middle School
• Michelle Stark, Antioch Unified School District, Deer Valley High School
• Karlene Steelman, Moraga School District, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School
• Katherine Walton, Acalanes Union High School District, Acalanes High School
• Scott Westphal, Lafayette School District, Burton Valley Elementary School
• Melissa Anne Wunschel, Knightsen Elementary School District, Knightsen Elementary

Note regarding eligible participants:

• Seventeen of the eighteen Contra Costa County school districts represented, and the CCCOE are participating in this year’s TOY program.
• Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for his/her outstanding body of work with their designated college. The colleges rotate each year between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa. (These instructors do not compete in the State Teacher of the Year competition.) This year is Los Medaonos College’s turn.
• Due to the larger number of students and teachers in their districts, West Contra Costa USD, Mt. Diablo USD, and San Ramon Valley USD are allowed to submit two TOY candidates

“We are extremely proud of these tremendous educators,” said Karen Sakata, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools. “They were thoughtfully chosen to represent their schools and districts, and truly represent what is best about public education.”

Follow Contra Costa County’s Teacher of the Year program on Twitter: #cocotoy

Contra Costa County Public Works will perform roadwork on Mountain View Boulevard just east of Palmer Road between April 23rd and May 10th, weather permitting, to replace an existing storm drain culvert. 

Traffic will be controlled with flaggers between the hours of 9:00am – 4:00pm.  Construction signs will be placed in advance of the construction activities.  Delays should be expected. 

Also charged with attempted lewd acts with a child and online enticement of a child

Andrew Lund from the Glen Cove Elementary School website.

On Friday April 20, 2018, Andrew Lund, a 36-year-old Vallejo elementary school teacher, was formally charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office with possession of child pornography, arranging to meet a minor for sex, enticing a minor online, sending harmful material to a minor and attempted lewd acts with a child.

Between April 7, 2018 and April 17, 2018, Lund communicated with an undercover police officer, believing he was talking with a 14-year-old girl. Lund sent harmful material to the undercover officer, with the intent that it be seen by a minor and made arrangements to meet the minor in Concord, California for sex.

On April 19, 2018, a search warrant was executed at Lund’s residence in Vallejo. Investigators seized electronics from his home, and after an initial review, determined at least one item contained child pornography. Lund was arrested during the service of the search warrant. Lund as booked at the Contra Costa County Detention Facility in Martinez and he is being held on $3 million bail.

Investigators immediately notified the administration at Glen Cove Elementary School. Additional electronic devices were seized from Lund’s classroom and office at the school pursuant to a search warrant. Lund currently serves as a teacher supervisor for the school and teaches two classes a day to fifth graders.

Lund will make his initial appearance in front of the Honorable Christopher Bowen on Monday April 23, 2018 at 8:45 a.m. in Martinez. Lund remains in the custody of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy District Attorney Jay Melaas is the lead prosecutor on behalf of the People in this case.

Lund has previously taught in Wisconsin, Glenn County (California), Shasta County, San Diego County and Solano County.

This investigation in ongoing and includes determining if Lund acted inappropriately towards any current or former students. Anyone with information can contact Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe at 925-957-2263 or by e-mail at dholcombe@contracostada.org. Information regarding Lund’s employment with the Vallejo City Unified School District can contact their administrative offices at 707-556-8921.

The investigation was conducted by a multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County Probation Department and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force. Substantial assistance was provided by the Vallejo Police Department.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org for further information.

Case information: People v. Lund, Dockett Number 01-185460-3

East Bay Regional Park District Ward 7 Director Colin Coffey, Park Supervisor Rex Caufield, and East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy Board Member Keith Haydon visit the Roddy Ranch Golf Course on April 5th, 2018.

Purchase brings future Deer Valley Regional Park to 3,254 total acres

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, EBRPD

Oakland, CA – On April 3, 2018, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors unanimously approved acquisition of the Roddy Ranch Golf Course. The 230-acre property is being acquired in partnership with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, which is providing funding for the majority of the purchase price. The total acquisition cost is $1,955,000 with the Conservancy providing $1,935,000 and the District $20,000, which covers the original purchase option. The District is also providing $205,000 for the purchase of on-site, non-land property. All District funds are coming from Measure WW, approved by voters in 2008.

The 230-acre golf course property, along with the previously acquired Roddy Ranch properties, are part of the envisioned Deer Valley Regional Park. Deer Valley Regional Park was included in the District’s 2013 master plan to protect habitat and expand recreational opportunities in East Contra Costa County. The purchase brings the future Deer Valley Regional Park to 3,254 total acres.

“The golf course property is the final step in acquiring Roddy Ranch, previously planned for development, and securing it as permanent open space for the community’s enjoyment,” said East Bay Regional Park District Director Colin Coffey. “Acquisition of the former golf course property is a unique opportunity to enhance public access in East Contra Costa County.”

“The property also includes existing infrastructure and utility services which will help accelerate development of the future Deer Valley Regional Park,” added Coffey.

The total purchase includes a 140-space parking area, three vault toilets, three retention ponds, and existing water and electrical service.

“Assembling the Roddy Ranch properties and bringing them to public use was a decades-long effort,” said East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “Thank you to the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, which is such an important and valuable partner in protecting and preserving open space in East Contra Costa County.”

“Thank you also to Donna and Jack Roddy for preserving this beautiful area and being good stewards of their property for so long,” added Doyle.

The 18-hole golf course announced its closing on August 11, 2016 after 16 years of operation. Many of the golf course greens and fairways have reverted to a more natural state. The golf course property and surrounding former Roddy Ranch properties, will continue to be grazed to manage vegetation and reduce fire risks.

Park planning is expected to take several years and requires substantial environmental evaluation and community engagement. However, assembling a majority of the Roddy Ranch and other recently acquired properties as one new contiguous Park District property represents a giant leap forward toward bringing Deer Valley Regional Park to fruition.

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.