Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

East County leaders meet at EC2 Summit to discuss plans for local job creation

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By John Crowder

On Friday, October 20, representatives of four cities and the County came together to discuss economic development for the East County region.  The annual EC2 (EC Squared, which stands for East County Economic Collaborative) Summit, the brainchild of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, is designed to promote job growth and economic opportunity in the region.  The event was held at the Antioch Community Center.

Moderated by Antioch Mayor Sean Wright, attendees heard from representatives from each of four cities; Antioch, Pittsburg, Brentwood, and Oakley, as well as a representative from the Contra Costa County Transportation Agency.

Presenters from each city highlighted resources and programs that are designed to stimulate economic activity.  Antioch’s presentation focused on the development of the waterfront, light industrial space, and the upcoming BART extension to the city.

The City of Pittsburg presentation highlighted a desire to move beyond heavy industry by shifting focus to manufacturing and their involvement in the Bay Area Manufacturing Initiative.  Also mentioned were marketing initiatives for the City, including the use of social media.

Oakley’s talk discussed how residential development is driving growth.  According to their presentation, they have over 5000 entitled residential lots, along with over 300 acres of industrial zoned land.  Emphasizing that as a city they are, “development friendly,” they noted a reduction in commercial impact fees of 40% and a streamlined project approval process.

The City of Brentwood touted their Economic Development Action Plan.  Some of their “game changers” include a business development center, full scale hospital, a Next Generation Technology Business Park, and a Farm to Fork program.

Contra Costa Transportation Authority Executive Director Randy Iwasaki discussed the East Bay as a “Corridor of Opportunity,” with a broad overview of how voter approved transportation initiative funds are being used.  The projects he mentioned included work on Highway 4, BART expansion to Antioch, and the Highway 160/Highway 4 Connector Ramps.  He also discussed future projects under consideration.

Antioch Mayor Sean Wright commented on the event, saying, “It was awesome to see all four cities and the County coming together to discuss strategies and work being done to bring jobs to East Contra Costa County.  Too many of our residents are spending too much of their lives commuting and we must double our efforts to bring those good paying jobs here to our region.”

His sentiments were echoed by Richard Pagano, CEO of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce.  He said the important question is, “How do we work regionally to bring jobs to the entire area? A job in Antioch helps Oakley, and vice-versa.  That’s the paradigm shift we’re trying to effect.”

The television broadcast of EC2 can be seen on the following channels in November: CCTV – Wednesday November 15 at 12 pm and Delta TV – Thursday November 16 at 10 am.

High-speed police pursuit on Hwy 4 Sunday night ends near Oakley where car was stolen Saturday night

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By Allen Payton

According to eyewitnesses about 10 or 12 police vehicles had another car stopped on Laurel Road near the Highway 4 offramp at about 8:15 p.m. Sunday night. It turned to be the end of a high-speed police pursuit of a stolen vehicle.

“It was a vehicle that got carjacked last night in Oakley,” said Oakley Police Sgt. Rick Grubaugh,

“Today he was driving through Pittsburg on Highway 4 eastbound,” he continued. “Pittsburg PD began pursuing it. The vehicle took the Laurel Road offramp and that’s where the vehicle pursuit ended, and we took the guy into custody.”

It was a high-speed pursuit on Hwy 4, Grubaugh confirmed.

Oakley PD was there near the Laurel Road offramp waiting for the driver, he explained.

The “30-year-old black male” is “from somewhere on the west end of the county” and “is fine and in custody,” Grubaugh added.

Community college board member Tim Farley receives national government relations award

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Tim Farley, from CCCCD

For work in his position at Saint Mary’s College

Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) Governing Board member Timothy J. Farley has received the national 2017 Edwin Crawford Award for Innovation.  Farley is being honored for his advocacy and leadership as director of Community and Government Relations at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga and elevating the college’s profile among California legislators and their staff.

“To be selected for this national honor is humbling,” said Farley.  “I have been fortunate to develop a network of elected official contacts during my career both as an elected official and staff member for several state legislators.  These relationships and understanding how to work within the legislative process have been the keys to my success.”

Farley’s recognition is one of two 2017 Service Awards in State Government Relations awarded by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, American Association of Community Colleges, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.  They are the only national awards in higher education/state relations, and he will be honored at a December 7, 2017, luncheon at the 2017 Higher Education Government Relations Conference in San Diego.

“On behalf of the District, we congratulate trustee Farley for being recognized as a national government relations leader,” noted CCCCD chancellor Fred Wood.  “He is great asset to our District and proud alumni of one of our colleges, Diablo Valley College.  This honor continues our wonderful community college legacy of providing the foundation for tomorrow’s community leaders.”

Elected to the college board in 2014, Farley represents Ward III and currently serves as board vice president. According to his bio on the college’s website, Farley “is responsible for monitoring all federal and state legislation as it pertains to higher education. Additionally, Tim handles concerns with the Town of Moraga and surrounding communities. Tim was part of the team that brought the 2010 United States Senate debate to Saint Mary’s College.”

He is also graduate of U.C. Davis where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Farley and his wife Eileen have two adult sons.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit association of educational institutions whose mission includes fostering public support of education and marketing their member institutions to prospective students.  For more information visit www.case.org.

About CCCCD

The Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The CCCCD serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. The District is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon.  The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez. For more information visit www.4cd.edu.

Concord police identify two of five suspects arrested in Monday’s shooting death near high school

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Photos courtesy of Concord PD.

Four face murder, other charges

From Concord Police Department Facebook Page

Concord Police provided an update to their investigation into the Monday murder of a teen near Olympic High School. (See related article)

On Wednesday, Nov. 8, Concord Police Detectives presented this murder case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office and the following charges were filed:

– Kristhiam Uceda, a 20-year old Concord resident, was charged with murder.

– Bryan Sermeno-Chachagua, an 18-year old Concord resident, was charged with hiding the gun after the shooting.

We are not identifying three suspects due to their ages:

– A 17-year old Concord male was charged with murder for driving the involved car.

– Another 17-year old Concord male was charged with hiding the gun after the shooting.

– No charges were filed at this time against a 5th male juvenile.

The Concord Police Department is not releasing further details at this time, due to the ongoing investigation. Inquiries can be referred to Lieutenant Mike Kindorf at (925) 671-3478.

BART Board to hear from public on Pittsburg, Antioch extension ride costs and parking fees, Nov 16 & Dec 7

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A two-car eBART train undergoes testing in the middle of Highway 4 between Hillcrest Avenue and A Street/Lone Tree Way on Friday evening, July 1, 2016 for the extension to Pittsburg and Antioch. Herald file photo by Allen Payton

BART Director Joel Keller. From BART.gov

By Joel Keller, District 2 Director, Bay Area Rapid Transit District

The BART Board will consider both BART to Antioch fares and BART to Antioch parking fees at a public hearing on November 16th meeting. On December 7th, the Board will be asked to approve the BART to Antioch fares and parking fees.

The proposal will extend BART’s distance-based fare structure for the Pittsburg Center Station and the Antioch station, resulting in a 15 cent increase at Pittsburg Center and an 80 cent increase at Antioch.

Sample BART to Antioch Fares:

Pittsburg/Bay Point to Embarcadero: $6.70

Pittsburg Center to Embarcadero: $6.85

Antioch to Embarcadero: $7.50

There will be 262 parking spaces on Bliss Avenue near Railroad Avenue serving the Pittsburg Center Station and 1012 parking spaces at the Antioch Station.

The parking fees are proposed to be effective upon commencement of operation of the Pittsburg Center and Antioch stations as follows:

Daily Fee Parking: $3.00 per day

Permit Fee Parking:

Monthly Reserved Permit: $105 per month

Single Day Reserved Permit: $6.00 per day

Airport/Long-Term Permit: $7.00 per day

Your opinion is valued and you can contact me directly at Joel.Keller@bart.gov or 510-915-7925 or you can let the entire Board know your thoughts by emailing BoardOfDirectors@BART.gov or calling 510-464-6095.

District 2 includes Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Pittsburg and portions of Concord and unincorporated Contra Costa County.

 

New carpool “Scoop” app pays you $2 for any trip to or from Contra Costa

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Between the 12-cent-per-gallon increase in the gas tax and being able to earn $2 credit each trip, there’s never been a better time to trade your solo commute for a shared ride. Whether you fill an empty seat in your car or catch a ride as a passenger, carpooling is a great way to save money.

Thanks to a partnership between 511 Contra Costa and Scoop, when you use the Scoop app to match with another commuter for your ride to work, you get a $2 credit. As long as your trip starts or ends in Contra Costa, each person in the carpool will receive a $2 credit. Passengers will see the credit automatically applied to their trip, while drivers can cash out the credits they earn.

If you commute to Concord, Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre or Dublin/Pleasanton BART using Scoop, you also get guaranteed parking! (Passengers: use the code CCTA05 to get an additional $5 in Scoop credit – the combined $7 in credit covers the cost of most first rides.)

As part of a carpool, you’ll have access to the HOV lanes and can use the I-680 and I-580 Express Lanes toll-free. (Note: If you’re crossing the Bay Bridge, the Scoop app will match you with two other commuters so you can use the HOV lanes.) If you’re driving to Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART, Concord BART or Dublin/Pleasanton BART Stations you’re also guaranteed parking if you arrive before 10am and parking is free.

It’s time to give sharing the ride to work a try.

Earning the $2 credit is easy:

1. Download the Scoop app

2. Enter your account information

3. Use the Scoop app to carpool

$5 SCOOP CREDIT: Enter the code CCTA05 in the Scoop app to get a $5 credit towards your first ride.

To download the Scoop app and get a $5 first-time rider credit, visit our Scoop Special Offer page.

Supervisors vote 5-0 to dissolve Los Medanos Healthcare District, send to LAFCo for final decision

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The Los Medanos Community Healthcare District building, formerly Los Medanos Hospital. Photo from the LMCHD Facebook page.

“The need for a healthcare district board of directors has come and gone.” – Supervisor Federal Glover

By Daniel Borsuk

The little heard of governmental entity dubbed the Contra Costa Local Agency Formational Commission (CCLAFCo) will consider either at its February or April 2018 meeting a resolution unanimously passed by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to dissolve the financially troubled Los Medanos Community Healthcare District (LMCHD).

Established in 1963 by the state legislature to sort out local governmental agency boundary issues and other inter-county government problems, every county in the state has a local agency formation commission.  The CCLAFCo consists of seven voting members, with two members representing the board of supervisors, two members representing city councils, two representing special district boards and one public member.

In this instance, Board of Supervisors Chair Federal Glover, who represents Pittsburg and Bay Point which are the two communities served by LMCHD, and District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen have already voted to dissolve the LMCHD and both serve on the CCLAFCo board and will have a second opportunity to vote on the issue when it comes before the commission.  District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood also serves as an alternate to the CCLAFCo only when either Glover or Andersen cannot attend a meeting.

On its face there seems to be a potential conflict of interest or perhaps not.

CCLAFCo Executive Administrator Lou Anne Texeira told the Herald that when this item comes up, the two supervisors can vote on the issue and will not have to recuse themselves as long as they have no financial stake in their action.

“There is no law or rule that bars them from voting on the matter again,” Texeira said.  “They do have the option to recuse themselves when the matter comes up for a vote if they so choose to do so.”

“All of this will be considered before LAFCo,” said Glover before the supervisors’ vote.  “The need for a healthcare district board of directors has come and gone.  I accept the staff’s recommendation.”

At Tuesday’s supervisors meeting, the decision to approve the County Administrator’s Office recommendation took less than 20 minutes.

LMCHD Executive Director Godfrey L. Wilson admitted he was caught off guard that the board of supervisors were considering dissolving the financially struggling healthcare district in this manner by placing the issue on the board’s agenda.

Recent financial data indicates the healthcare district that serves Pittsburg and Bay Point is not perking along well.  The district had healthcare grant programs, which are the district’s core operation of $268,569 or 25 percent of total revenues of $1,060,330.  At the same time, district financial records show general administration costs, including board member stipends represented 33 percent of the district’s expenses or $345,383.

When asked what way CCLAFCo may vote when the issues come before that panel next year, LMCHD Executive Director Wilson responded in an unoptimistic manner, “I think some people have already made up their minds on that issue.”

The county health department that has operated the Pittsburg Health Clinic at the 130,000-square foot building at 2311 Loveridge Road since 1998 will continue to operate the health clinic that is the most successful clinic in the county treating more than 100,000 patients a year.

The county has paid $100,000 a year in rent to the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development for use of the Loveridge Road property.  In addition, the county has paid the state $24 million for capital improvements to the building on Loveridge Road.

The county-run Pittsburg Health Center accounts for 65 percent of all clinic visits in East Contra Costa County.  The clinic provides primary adult care as well as pediatrics care, audiology, orthopedics, podiatry, and dental care services.

27th annual Contra Costa County Model UN attracts high school students from throughout Bay Area

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Students from throughout the Bay Area gathered at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill to participate in the Contra Costa High School Model United Nations on Nov. 3 and 4, 2017. Photos by Jonathan Lance, CCCBOE

Three of four winning teams were from Contra Costa: California  High of San Ramon, Miramonte High of  Orinda and Campolindo High of Moraga

Instead of taking part in their schools’ football games, dances, and other fun weekend activities, 360 Bay Area high school students (representing 70 countries) buckled down this past Friday, Nov. 3, 2017 and Saturday to discuss and provide workable solutions to many of our world’s biggest challenges, at the 27th annual Contra Costa County Model United Nations (UN) Conference, held at Diablo Valley College.

This academic event is produced and directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) and coordinated by Kevin Felix Chan, of Best Delegate, along with members of the Model United Nations Club at U.C. Davis. The two-day event enhances high school students’ understanding of the United Nations and its role in global issues. Participating students (delegates) each represent a nation and negotiate on that country’s behalf.

Students served as delegates representing different countries.

Bay Area high school teams participating in this year’s Contra Costa County Model UN were: Acalanes High (Lafayette), Athenian High (Danville), Berean Christian (Walnut Creek), California High (San Ramon), Campolindo High (Moraga), Carondelet High (Concord), De La Salle High (Concord), Deer Valley High (Antioch), Dougherty Valley High (San Ramon), Foothill High (Pleasanton), Liberty High (Brentwood), Lycée de Francais San Francisco (San Francisco), Miramonte High (Orinda), and Northgate High (Walnut Creek).

During the conference, delegates debated international issues in 10 committees, including Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), Security Council (UNSC), United Nations Women (UN Women), World Health Organization (WHO), and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Topics discussed will include Biological and Chemical Weapons, The Question of North Korea, Access to Clean Water and Sanitation, Children in Armed Conflict, and many more. For a complete list of committees and detailed topics, please visit this Web page.

This year, California High earned the Outstanding Large Delegation Crystal Gavel Award, with Foothill High following with Exceptional Large Delegation Plaque. Miramonte High received the Outstanding Small Delegation Crystal Gavel Award, and Campolindo High brought home the Exceptional Small Delegation Plaque. Numerous individual awards were earned, and will be listed on the Model UN Web page in the very near future.

Cal High’s Model UN team was awarded the Outstanding Large Delegation Crystal Gavel Award.

“We are pleased to see so many high school students throughout our county and the Bay Area take advantage of our Model UN program,” says Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata. “Model UN is an excellent opportunity for students to display all the hard work and preparation they have put in, as they successfully discuss, persuade, and work with fellow committee members on real-world problems and complex international relations. The skills they are currently refining with this program will be the same ones they’ll use in college and/or in their future careers.”

The student delegates had fund taking photos in front of the flag of the U.N.

This academic event also offers students an opportunity to gain substantive knowledge about the cultures and policies of the countries they represent. They can learn the mechanisms for peaceful resolution of disputes, while at the same time honing their interpersonal skills. They must practice writing and speaking skills in order to persuade delegates from other attending schools.

Kevin Chan reported that the 35 U.C. Davis Model UN Club volunteers who presided over the Committee Meetings were extremely impressed with their younger brothers and sisters who share a tremendous interest in international affairs.

Model UN differs from other CCCOE academic-event programs, such as Mock Trial, in that it is not so much a competition as it is an event. Participants are commended for outstanding committee work and certificates are awarded to committee rapporteurs. Individual delegate winners are recognized for their debate skills, leadership skills, knowledge of the issues, and presentation of key resolutions. The event closes with a ceremony that recognizes the outstanding delegates.

Concord Police make multiple arrests in Monday shooting death of teen

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From the Concord Police Facebook Page

Concord Police Officers have made several arrests in the below described homicide that occurred yesterday near Olympic High School in our downtown. The individuals arrested have been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Police are not seeking any additional suspects at this time. They are exploring all avenues to explain the motive in this case. There were multiple individuals in the suspect vehicle.

Further information was available at a press conference that was held today, Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 5:30 PM in front of the Concord Police Department at 1350 Galindo St in Concord. It can be viewed on the CPD Facebook page, here.

Original Post: We are currently investigating a shooting that occurred at 1:32 PM, near Olympic High School, at the corner of Salvio Street and Beach Street. Our investigation reveals that after school let out for the day, a passenger in an unknown black sedan, exited the suspect vehicle and approached a group of individuals off campus. The suspect shot at one of the individuals, as the others ran for safety. The victim ran onto the campus of Olympic High School where he was medically treated by staff, paramedics and police. There are no other injured people. The victim was transported to a local hospital and his condition is unknown at this time.

If you were a witness to the shooting and have not been contacted by a CPD officer, please contact the Concord Police Department at 925-671-3333.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Nov. Planning Workshop ideal time for Brentwood Council to discuss, take action on fire district funding

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By Bryan Scott

The Brentwood City Council has an opportunity coming up, an opportunity to take actions that will improve the safety of the over 60,000 current, and future, city residents.

East County is suffering from a dire public safety emergency due to the underfunding of the regional fire district, the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD).  The district once had as many as eight stations, but now there are only three, with nine firefighters on duty at any time.

This meager force serves a region of over 249 square-miles, with over 115,000 residents.

Brentwood is conducting a Strategic Planning Workshop/Special City Council Meeting on November 16 and 17 at the Community Center, 35 Oak Street.   Contact Diane Williams, Executive Assistant, City Manager’s Office, at dwilliams@brentwoodca.gov for the agenda and further details.

At this workshop the Council will be working on the city’s Strategic Plan.  The current Strategic Plan includes six Focus Areas, with 19 Goals under these focus areas.  Focus Areas include Infrastructure, Economic Development, Land Use Planning, Community and Neighborhood Services, Fiscal Stability and Operational Management, and Public Safety.

It is during the Public Safety discussions that the City Council can take action to improve the safety of all city residents by deciding to move forward with the investigation and acquisition of additional ambulance hours, through an addendum to the existing County ambulance contract.

The City’s General Plan, which sets the vision for Brentwood, specifies that all emergency calls receive a three-to-five-minute response.  Due to budget cuts and fire station closures the 90% response times provided by ECCPFD for Brentwood are about ten minutes, according to ECCFPD’s September Operations Report.

The global standards agency for the fire services industry is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  After considerable scientific research their NFPA 1710 Standard suggests response times of four or five minutes.

The City Council recognizes the problem.  Earlier this year a Council Fire and Medical Services Ad Hoc Committee recommended that the City spend over $1 million per year for three years to keep a fourth fire station open.  During March and April this Committee worked to move this proposal forward, getting ECCFPD Board approval for the action.

But bowing to a request from the firefighters’ union, and other political pressures, on April 25 the City Council reversed itself.  The issue died without a motion.

The previous Strategic Planning Workshop was held in September, 2015.  That session, too, was held over several days at the Community Center, and the first topic discussed was funding for the fire district.  The Council agreed to set aside $1 million to investigate the situation and do something.

While there has been extensive investigation in the intervening years, nothing has been done to alter the structural funding problem that puts ECCFPD at the lowest allocation rate of all fire districts in the County, even though East County is experiencing the greatest residential and commercial growth.

Residents of Brentwood and East County will have an opportunity to speak at the beginning of the Workshop.  Prior to the Workshop residents should contact their City Council, by phone, by email, or by letter, and tell them that Public Safety ought to be the number one priority of local government.

Yes, engaging with regional transportation partners is important, but is it more important than saving lives?

Yes, maintaining and operating parks, trails and recreation facilities is important, but is it as important as getting an ambulance to a heart attack victim, in time to save a life?

Brentwood residents should make their opinions heard.

The City Council needs to fund an increase in ambulance hours.

It’s what they were elected to do.

Scott is a Brentwood resident and Co-Chair of East County Voters for Equal Protection, a non-partisan citizens action committee striving to improve funding for the ECCFPD.  He can be reached at scott.bryan@comcast.net, or 925-418-4428.  The group’s Facebook page is  https://www.facebook.com/EastCountyVoters/.