Contra Costa Herald

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

Contra Costa DA files Grand Jury Accusation against County Assessor Kramer for “willful or corrupt misconduct”

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Gus Kramer from the County Assessor’s webpage.

Kramer welcomes opportunity to face his accusers

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa District Attorney

Today, Wed., June 5, 2019 the Contra Costa County District Attorney Office’s filed a Grand Jury Accusation against Contra Costa County Assessor Gus Kramer for “willful or corrupt” misconduct while serving as the county’s elected assessor (Government Code §§ 3060 et seq). Contra Costa County’s Civil Grand Jury asserts that the defendant violated state law in creating a hostile work environment for multiple employees in the Assessor’s Office. Due to state law, our Office must accept, serve and file the accusation against the defendant. If a jury finds Mr. Kramer violated the law and if he is convicted, he will be removed from his position as the county’s elected assessor.

The Accusation alleges misconduct by Kramer which occurred from December 2013 through 2019. The Grand Jury Accusation alleges that Mr. Kramer made sexual comments towards female employees and his disparaging remarks targeted one of the victim’s ethnicity. The Civil Grand Jury found this alleged conduct was “hostile or abusive” against four employees. As a result, the Civil Grand Jury through its investigation found that this conduct by Mr. Kramer created a hostile work environment for his employees and is therefore a violation of the Fair Housing and Employment Act.

Due to the sensitive nature of the allegations and to protect the privacy of the victims we will not be releasing any of their names.

Earlier this morning Senior Deputy District Attorney Christopher Walpole presented the filing before Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Theresa Canepa in Department 35. Our Office was not involved and did not participate in the investigation by the Civil Grand Jury. The District Attorney requested a judicial hearing to determine if the Office will be recused from the remainder of this proceeding.

The foreperson for the 2018-2019 Grand Jury is Richard S. Nakano. State law lists the requirements for the Civil Grand Jury and District Attorney’s Office to process an accusation against a public official.

UPDATE: When reached for comment Kramer stated, “I welcome the opportunity to face my accusers after all these years of these behind doors accusations. When the facts come out, I have had not one, I have had not two, but I have had three independent investigations done by the county and I have been exonerated for sexual harassment, hostile work environment, and retaliation.”

“The sad part in all of this, the Grand Jury Foreman refused to hear my witnesses who would have refuted their claims. Worse he refused to give me the time I requested to present my side. They gave me two hours. I requested eight hours. The other side had more than 10 hours. Nor did he share all the information I provided him” he continued.” “The Grand Jury Foreman is guilty of obstruction of justice.”

When this is all over, the East Bay Times, the Board of Supervisors and their appointees on the Grand Jury are going to be ashamed of themselves for the unwarranted prosecution and persecution of the County Assessor,” Kramer stated. “The saddest part of this is corruption in government is alive and well on our Board of Supervisors.”

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Supervisors to study county sales tax proposal for November 2020 ballot

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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognized National Emergency Medical Service Week, May 19 through 25, by handing out resolution to Contra Costa County Fire Chief Lewis Broschard and EMS Director Pat Frost on Tuesday. The supervisors’ resolution recognizes the vital work of responders including medical technicians, paramedics, police, firefighters, emergency nurses, emergency physicians, emergency medical dispatchers, EMS educators, and EMS administrators for the roles they play in the EMS system. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Exclude Blackhawk, Bollinger Canyon from commercial cannabis ordinance; prevent rail service from returning to line through Richmond park

By Daniel Borsuk

The possibility Contra Costa County residents might be voting on a sales tax measure, perhaps in the November 2020 general election, gained traction Tuesday when Supervisor Karen Mitchoff convinced supervisors to have the Finance Committee study the feasibility of placing a tax measure before the voters, next year.

Supervisors voted 5-0 to assign the Finance Committee to examine the pros and cons of putting a sales tax proposition on the November 2020 ballot while also considering another agenda item — the pros and cons of placing a half-cent sales tax ballot measure to fund transportation projects laid out in the Contra Costa Transportation Authority’s Transportation Expenditure Plan.

As it turned out, supervisors rejected the idea of pushing ahead on a new transit tax proposition, thinking the timing might be off-track. Mitchoff reasoned another half-cent sales tax for transportation projects might not draw the necessary two-thirds majority voter approval particularly when voters remember passing the half-cent Measure J by a 71 percent voter approval in 2004. Measure J’s $2.5 billion will not be exhausted until 2034.

“I don’t believe our taxpayers will support a transit tax measure requiring a two-thirds voter approval” Mitchoff said. “We need to have a conversation on a countywide general sales tax.”

The supervisor from Pleasant Hill thinks a county sales tax that needs a 50 percent voter approval might be a better route to go, even though the revenue would have to be disbursed to diverse services like medical, social services, public defender, sheriff, public works, district attorney and other county services.

“You should focus on other services,” said Justin Decker of the International Federation of Professional Technical Engineers Local 21. “We’re against the transit proposal.”

County eligibility worker Kathy Beverly said the county is seriously understaffed with eligibility workers at 170 unfilled positions.

“County workers oppose a transit sales tax proposal,” she said.

SEIU Field Representative Ye Do cautioned supervisors that placing a transit tax on the ballot could backfire when there is a need to financially address social services. She cited how a single father of three children needed county assistance when he had to move three time under hardship conditions.

San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Alameda counties assess sales taxes in order to generate additional revenues to fill in funding gaps that property tax and state and federal resources fall short on funding county services, especially social and medical services. Alameda county draws $150 million in annual revenue from its sales tax.

“It’s very clear we need a sales tax for transportation, “said District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, who also serves as the county representative on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. “It’s a quality of life issue. It may not be optional. Just to get to work, to go home. These services are so crucial. I don’t know if we have any other bargaining chips.”

“This is a helpful issue,” said Vice Chair Candace Andersen of Danville. “What we need are more park and ride lots.”

Board Chair John Gioia, who has at previous board meetings promoted the county sales tax concept, remarked because of passage of Measure J, “Things have changed. When one sales tax measure for transportation passes, it makes the next sale tax measure much harder to pass.”

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors presented a resolution to Contra Costa County Director of Health Services Anna Roth recognizing May as Menth Health Month. During the month of May, county agencies have made a commitment to raise awareness and public education to replace misinformation and eliminate stigma concerning mental health and promote understanding that people living with mental health challenges can lead to productive lives. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Supervisors Exclude Blackhawk, Bollinger Canyon from Commercial Cannabis Ordinance

In other action, supervisors voted 5-0 to add Blackhawk and Bollinger Canyon to the list of areas to be excluded from the county’s commercial cannabis ordinance. The ordinance had prohibited commercial activities in Alamo, Bethel Island, Contra Costa Centre, Sandmound Slough, and Saranap.

Dan Clancy, owner of the Bollinger Canyon property that he had planned for cannabis cultivation and distribution purposes, pleaded with supervisors “give us a shot.”

But the site, which was a former Nike missile site, apparently fell through the cracks during the planning process, according to Ruben Hernandez of the Department of Conservation and Development and was meant to be excluded for any type of cannabis activity.

Supervisor Andersen, who represents the Bollinger Canyon area, said the Bollinger Canyon site was “a clerical error” during the planning review process.

Blackhawk Police Tax Election Set for August 28

Supervisors voted 5-0 to authorize an August 28 election in the County Service Area P-2 Zone A Blackhawk area even though there was opposition from the Blackhawk Country Club that did not want to be included in the police assessment district for the first time in the 35-year history of the police zone. The country club claims it does not need the police services provided by the county sheriff’s department because of the low crime activity emanating from the club. There have been two calls for police services in the past year.

The Blackhawk Police Department consists of one lieutenant and three deputies provided by the county Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, but according to Ron Banducci, chairman of the Blackhawk Police Advisory Committee and president of the Blackhawk Homeowners Association, unless voters pass the August tax measure the police department will have to cut one of the deputy positions.

“Although physically within the district, the Blackhawk Country Club has not historically been included in the parcel tax structure” Banducci told supervisors. “This means that for 35 years, the country club has been receiving services from the Blackhawk police, but has not provided financial support. The Blackhawk Police Advisory Committee believes it’s time for the country club to pay its fair share. The Blackhawk County Club is the largest country club in Contra Costa County. It’s not fair for our residents to be subsidizing police services for a county club which has annual revenues of over $20,000,000.”

Supervisors Oppose BNSF Railway Co. reactivating rail service through Richmond park  

Supervisors voted 5-0 in approving a resolution opposing the plans of BNSF Railway Co. to reactivate rail service through Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline Park and Ferry Point in Richmond. Supervisors cited potential safety, health, and environmental impacts should the railroad resume rail service through the popular park owned and maintained by the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD).

No one from the railroad spoke, but based on an Oct. 9, 2018 letter to the EBRPD, the railroad has “indicated that regarding extending use of the rail line through Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline Park, including Ferry Point, that ‘it has notified the Park District of its expanding business of Richmond Terminal, necessitating the reactivation of its rail use with the easement in the near future.”

Among the impacts the supervisors concurred would affect residents frequently using the park are:

  • Creating a significant safety hazard for the community, especially children at the park.
  • Allowing trains to cut off visual and physical access to the shoreline and Bay.
  • Bisecting a heavily used community and regional park.
  • Allowing storage of railroad cars carrying hazardous substances.
  • Increasing harmful diesel emissions in the community and the park, leading to increased health risk, a community which is already disproportionately impacted by local emissions.
  • Increasing asthma rates in a city that already has one of the highest asthmas rates in the Bay Area.
  • Increasing blockage of the West Richmond Avenue railroad grade crossing.

Supervisors receive report on performance bond reduction for solid waste collection ordinance

Supervisors also approved as a consent item a two-page report from Environmental Health Director Marilyn Underwood about the effects of the board’s 2018 decision to reduce the performance bond amount from $50,000 to $20,000 for the Solid Waste Collection & Transportation Ordinance.

“Environmental Health issued the first non-franchise solid waste collection and transport permit on March 19, 2019 to JUNKCAT, LLC, “Underwood’s report states. The company serves mostly West County.

“More recently, EH staff have had productive conversations with local representatives from O2E Brands (parent company of 1-800-GOT-JUNK) and anticipate an application for a non-franchise solid waste collection and transport permit from the Central Contra Costa County branch office in the near future,” the report states.

Underwood’s report also mentions, “EH staff continues to attempt to engage with companies such as Junk Beez and Vets Move Junk (local companies that have begun advertising to Contra Costa County residents) in an effort to inform these companies about the requirements of the non-franchise waste collection and transport permit program.”

Supervisors ramp up potential sales tax discussion before approving $3.69 billion 2019-20 budget

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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors presented resolutions of recognition to Scott Walchek, founder NS president of Trov, a Danville-based on-demand insurance company, and to Sylvia Lewis vice president of Sigray Inc., a Pacheco-based X-ray technology company, for both companies being 2019 Innovation Award finalists and winners. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

By Daniel Borsuk

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a status-quo $3.69 billion budget for the 2019-2020 fiscal year at Tuesday’s meeting, but supervisors made more noise about the possibility they could be pushed to propose a countywide sales tax measure to cover rising labor and health care costs averaging about 3 percent for 2019-2020.

“We need some type of local tax revenue, but there is nothing under consideration right now,” Board Chair John Gioia of Richmond told the Contra Costa Herald after supervisors approved next fiscal year’s spending plan that attracted several critics of Sheriff-Coroner David Livingston’s $10 million budget increase request over recent charges one deputy had sexually and physically abused female inmates at the West County Detention Facility. That deputy has been dismissed by the sheriff.

When County Administrator David Twa initially presented the 2019-2020 tentative budget at an April 23 meeting, supervisors had sparingly talked around the tax issue idea, but at the May 7 meeting all five supervisors were more outspoken about the potential tax idea.

Citing how Alameda County produces $150 million in annual revenue from its sales tax, Gioia said, “We struggle with less.” In addition to Alameda County, San Mateo and San Francisco counties financially benefit from revenue coming from a sales tax.

“John is absolutely right, “said District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover. “We need another revenue source. We need to continue to grow our resources.”

District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis hinted she could possibly support a sales tax measure given the current state of the county’s inability to deliver public services while adequately fulfilling the financial and health benefit needs of employees. “We are leveraging our dollars and our employees. We can do better,” Burgis said.

Vice Chair Candace Andersen doubted a countywide sales tax measure would win voter support. “I don’t know how a sales tax measure would get passed by the voters,” the supervisor from Danville said.

Supervisors OK DA Investigators Association Labor Pact

Supervisors unanimously approved a new four-year labor contract with the District Attorney Investigators’ Association. Investigators will earn from $8,293.27 per month to $11,480.60 per month based on seniority. The contract runs from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023.

8-Unit Pacheco Townhouse Approved

Without opposition from the public, supervisors unanimously approved developer Andy Akay’s plans to construct an eight-unit townhouse subdivision development at 214 Center Ave. in Pacheco. The three-story development will be constructed on a vacant .49-acre parcel of property. Each unit will have a two-car garage. The two bedroom and three-bedroom units will have living areas of 2,199 square feet to 2,203 square feet each.

Chaplaincy Services Contract Approved

Supervisors also approved as a consent item a Sheriff-Coroner contract with the Bay Area Chaplains, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $162,000. The Bay Area Chaplains will provide chaplaincy services in adult detention facilities from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Services will include providing materials, counseling, bible studies, worship services and responding to crisis and emergencies involving inmates or staff.

Supervisors review proposed $3.7 billion budget, discuss potential new tax source

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By Daniel Borsuk

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.

Rep. DeSaulnier to host two “Conversation on Race” Town Halls with Special Guests Rep’s. Bass and Lee

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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.

Contra Costa County seeks applicants for Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council

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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:

  1. City Police Department representative
  2. 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.”

County Supervisor Diane Burgis schedules surgery to repair heart valve

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Supervisor Diane Burgis. Herald file photo.

In an open letter to District 3 residents, Supervisor Diane Burgis, who has served the district since 2016, issued the following statement regarding her health.

“When I count the things I am grateful for, representing you is right up there with my family, friends and good health. I am humbled and honored for the trust that you have placed in me, and I take the responsibility that comes with that trust very seriously.

That is why I want you to know that I am having heart surgery on February 25 to replace an aortic valve due to aortic stenosis, or a narrowing of my aortic valve. What some don’t know is that when I was seven years old, I had this same procedure, and my surgeons told me then that I would likely need another surgery later in life. The good news is that due to my overall health, the operation is happening much later than they predicted.

My doctors, who have performed hundreds of these procedures, assure me that my prognosis is excellent and that I will be better than new after the surgery. I will be in the hospital for approximately one week and then at home for recovery.

In the meantime, I promise that you will receive the same high level of service, sound decision-making, and representation as always. My staff and the County staff will keep me updated on the issues, and my office will continue the vital work that we are doing, in consultation with me, and under the leadership of my Chief of Staff, Mark Goodwin.

I also want to put everyone on notice – if you think it’s hard to keep up with me now, just wait!! I look forward to continuing our work together to create opportunities and find solutions to our challenges in Contra Costa County.

I also can’t wait to ride my bike on the Marsh Creek trail, hike up Mount Diablo, kayak on the Delta, chase my beautiful grandson, and get back on the tennis courts!

I am ready for more adventures in this terrific life!

Thank you for your support, and well wishes.”

Mark Goodwin, Burgis’ Chief of Staff will be the primary point of contact during Supervisor Burgis’ surgery and recovery. Well wishes may be sent to Supervisor Burgis at her main office, 3361 Walnut Boulevard, Suite 140, Brentwood, CA 94513.

Supervisor Diane Burgis represents District 3, the largest of the five Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor districts, which includes Antioch, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Knightsen, and Oakley in East Contra Costa County and Blackhawk, Diablo and Tassajara Valley in the southern portion of the district.

 

Rep. DeSaulnier to host Town Hall Meeting in Concord Wednesday

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Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) will host a town hall meeting at Clayton Valley Charter High School in Concord on Wednesday, February 20th at 6:30 p.m.

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 77th town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress four years ago. The town hall was originally scheduled for January 23rd, but was postponed due to the government shutdown. During the town hall, Congressman DeSaulnier will provide an update on the recent border security deal and other issues before Congress, will take questions, and discuss the services his office can provide.

Concord Town Hall
Wednesday, February 20th
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Clayton Valley Charter High School
Multiuse Room
1101 Alberta Way
Concord, CA 94521
Doors Open at 6:00 p.m.

This event is open to the public, press, and photographers.

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

Rep. DeSaulnier, Supervisors spotlight Refinery Safety Ordinance’s 20th anniversary

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Andeavor’s Martinez Refinery. Photo courtesy of Andeavor.com

Nine Appointed to 2020 Census Complete Count Steering Committee

By Daniel Borsuk

Since passage of Contra Costa’s Industrial Safety Ordinance (ISO) in December 1998, the landmark law hammered out between the refinery industry and local government has played a major role in driving down the number of deadly chemical incidents in the county.

On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors heard Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), representative Shanelle Scales-Preston read a letter from the congressman about the importance of ISO’s enactment:

“The creation of the Industrial Safety Ordinance was one of the most impactful proposals I have been involved in throughout my 35 years in public service. As a member of the Board of Supervisors at the time of the Tosco explosion in 1997, we reacted immediately to put an end to corporate profits coming at the expense of safety.  We partnered with labor, industry, environmental groups, and safety experts to draft the Industrial Safety Ordinance.

“The results speak for themselves. The severity of major chemical accidents or releases in Contra Costa County has declined since its implementation.  During the 1990’s, on average there was a major incident every year that caused a fatality, serious injury, or major damage.  Since the ISO took effect in 1999, there have been a total of two major incidents in covered jurisdictions over a nearly 20-year period.  The county continues to proactively seek enhancements, and it continues to serve as a guidepost for safety.”

District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, who was an intern in 1998, recalled negotiations were not by any means diplomatic between industry and government representatives.  “Those were headbutting meetings,” she said. “Those meetings were not smoothly conducted.”

Since the enactment of ISO in 1999, the number of major chemical accidents has fallen from a high of 10 Major Chemical Accidents or Releases (MCARs) in 2001 to 1 incident each in 2017 and 2018. No MCARs were reported in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, and 2016.

District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood, who knows about the petroleum industry’s safety measures because she has a son who works in industry, commented, “I’m proud of Contra Costa County’s contributions to refinery safety.”

In a related consent action, supervisors approved a $700,000 contract with the consultant firm Baker and O’Brien, Inc. to provide refining industry analyses in connection with refinery property tax appeals for the period from Jan. 1, 2019 through Dec. 31, 2019.  These appeals typically place several billion dollars of valuation in issue, said county counsel Sharon Anderson.  “Assistance is required because valuations are highly technical, requiring specialized knowledge that only industry experts have,” said Anderson.

Supervisors Support Creation of Statewide Commission on Recycling Markets

On a consent action, supervisors called on Gov. Gavin Newsom to create a statewide commission on recycling markets citing the severity of environmental impacts triggered by China’s National Sword, that nation’s strict mixed paper and plastic contamination policy.

Upon noting that China has recently enacted strict mixed paper and plastic contamination limits and import bans, that are commonly called “National Sword,” China has declared its intent to ban all recyclable materials by 2020.

The board’s resolution states:

“Whereas, local governments across California will soon have to comply with additional state regulations for organic waste diversion and processing, SB 1383 (Chapters 395, 2016) establishes targets to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020 and a 75 percent reduction by 2025.  Infrastructure required to implement these regulations is expected to cost billions of dollars; and

“Whereas, these increased diversion requirements added to recent changes to international policies and a declining global market value for recyclables, has resulted in an issue of statewide concern for the resource recovery industry, local governments, and Californians;

“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Count of Contra Costa calls for the Governor to establish a statewide Commission to address these significant challenges to our recycling markets.”

Nine Appointed to 2020 Census Complete Count Steering Committee

Supervisors appointed as a consent action nine persons to serve At-Large seats on the 2020 Census County Complete Count Steering Committee, a committee designed to set goals and objectives to identify community areas or a population group that might be difficult to count.

Appointed to the committee are Fran Biderman of Kensington, Alvaro Fuentes of Richmond, Samuel Houston of Concord, Melody Howe Weintraub of Lafayette, Terry Koehne of San Ramon, Mark Orcutt of Walnut Creek, Andres Orozco of Brentwood and Ali Saidi of Pinole.

District 3 Supervisors Diane Burgis of Brentwood chairs the committee.

Formation of the 2020 Census Complete county Steering Committee will aid the county is securing up to $362,605 in state aid to support the Complete Count campaign.

Victim/Witness Program Post Approved

District Attorney Diana Becton won supervisors’ consent approval to hire a full-time Victim/Witness Assistance Program Specialist in the Human Trafficking unit.  The position will be responsible for advocacy and direct services for victims of human trafficking.  The position’s salary will be $3,992 to $4,853 per month.

Approve $149,869 Payment to Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association

Supervisors also approved the payment of $149,869 to the Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA) for services provided to the Contra Costa Clean Water Program during the period July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.  Program funding is provided by the county and 19 cities and towns within Contra Costa County.  Contra Costa County’s share is about $22,500.

Frazier supports Gov. Newsom’s announcements on high speed rail, Delta Tunnels

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Assemblyman Jim Frazier

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Jim Frazier (D-Discovery Bay), chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, released the following statements on Tuesday after California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his first State of the State Address before a joint session of the Legislature.

“Governor Newsom inherited a high-speed rail project that is a mess. He showed he is ready to step up and take the reins as a leader, recognizing there needs to be wholesale changes. I appreciate his realistic and common-sense approach to this project.

The governor also has a soft spot in his heart for the intellectually and developmentally disabled and recognizes that we need to step up our game to better support the special needs community.”

The governor also announced he will appoint a new member to the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors, with the expectation the new appointee will become chair. Frazier responded with the following statement:

“I applaud the decision to appoint Lenny Mendonca to the High-Speed Rail Authority Board with the governor’s intention that Mendonca become chairman. An investigation by State Auditor Elaine Howle revealed a pattern of repeated failures at the Authority, under the direction of current Chairman Dan Richard, with hundreds of millions in cost overruns and a lack of honesty and transparency. That is just one reason I have been advocating for a change in leadership. I have high hopes for Mr. Mendonca to lead the High-Speed Rail Authority to complete the scaled down project the governor outlined in his State of the State Address today. A change of leadership at the HSRA was long overdue.”

Regarding Newsom’s announcement on scaling back the twin Delta tunnels to a single tunnel project, Frazier, whose district encompasses a large portion of the Delta, issued the following statement:

“I’m grateful Governor Newsom has been willing to listen to local stakeholders in the battle for the future of the Delta. His unequivocal denunciation of the twin tunnels project is a step in the right direction. I look forward to working with the governor to convince him there are alternative water delivery solutions that are economical and can be delivered in a timely manner, nullifying the need for even a single tunnel.”

Assemblymember Frazier represents the 11th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Antioch, Bethel Island, Birds Landing, Brentwood, Byron, Collinsville, Discovery Bay, Fairfield, Isleton, Knightsen, Locke, Oakley, Pittsburg (partial), Rio Vista, Suisun City, Travis AFB, Vacaville and Walnut Grove.