Contra Costa Herald

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

Hill Physicians Medical Group honored for high-quality affordable care

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17th year receiving top ranking

SAN RAMON, CA.— Hill Physicians Medical Group, the largest Independent Physician Association (IPA) in California, has earned three prestigious honors for healthcare excellence, the organization announced on Dec. 5.

Two of the awards come from the Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA), which recognized Hill Physicians for its outstanding performance in the Sacramento and East Bay regions. In addition, Hill Physicians earned the top “Elite Status” designation in America’s Physicians Groups (APG) Standards of Excellence Survey, the highest honor the program offers. This marks the 17th year Hill Physicians has received the top ranking.

“These awards highlight Hill Physicians’ dedication and commitment to achieving the highest quality care while effectively managing costs for both patients and physicians alike,” said Hill Physicians Chief Medical Officer K. Gabrielle Gaspar, M.D. “Our success comes from our partnership with our practices, and makes it possible to provide comprehensive, top-quality care to members across 14 counties in Northern California.”

To qualify for the IHA Excellence in Healthcare awards, provider organizations must rank among the top 50 percent for clinical quality, patient experience and cost-efficiency for their commercial HMO populations. Only 22 out of nearly 200 eligible provider organizations in the state received the award, part of IHA’s “Align. Measure. Perform. (AMP)” program.

The APG’s “Elite Status” recognizes organizations excelling in value-based care models, including Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Shared Savings Program. This year, 119 IPAs applied for the award, and only 68 received the elite designation. Elite Status organizations are among the nation’s highest-performing healthcare organizations, excelling in primary care, patient-centered care and population health management, according to APG President and CEO Susan Dentzer.

APG’s Clinical Quality Leadership Forum adds new elements to each category every year in order to set a higher standard than the previous year, to continue to raise national health care standards and increase expectations of government agencies, purchasers, payers and patients.

“The capabilities that these groups possess in such areas as providing advanced primary care, delivering patient centered care, managing population health and being transparent about their quality and costs, place them at the forefront of U.S. physician practices and health systems,” said Dentzer.

About Hill Physicians Medical Group

Hill Physicians Medical Group is the largest Independent Physician Association in Northern California. For 40 years, the group has provided access to quality, patient-focused healthcare. With more than 6,000 primary care and specialty care physicians, Hill Physicians partners with leading health plans and hospitals, serving communities in 14 counties across Northern California, including Sacramento, Stockton, San Francisco and the East Bay. For more information, visit www.hillphysicians.com.

About IHA’s AMP programs

IHA’s Align. Measure. Perform. (AMP) programs use a fair and transparent approach to measurement and benchmarking to create a reliable assessment of performance for medical groups, and IPAs across health plans. For more information, visit www.iha.org.

About America’s Physician Groups

America’s Physician Groups is a national association representing approximately 360 physician groups with approximately 170,000 physicians providing care to nearly 90 million patients. For more information, visit www.apg.org.

MTC, transit agencies debut Bay Area’s new transit maps and signs

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Source: MTC. Credit: Noah Berger

Test signs and maps now installed at El Cerrito del Norte BART station

By John Goodwin, Assistant Director Of Communications, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

SAN FRANCISCO, December 12, 2024…Bay Area transit agencies and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Thursday, at the El Cerrito del Norte BART station unveiled new test transit maps and signs designed to help make transit journeys easier to understand for both existing and new riders by delivering information that is clear, predictable and familiar across service areas and county lines. A new, comprehensive regional transit map, which will enable riders to discover key destinations they can reach on the Bay Area’s extensive bus, rail and ferry network, also was released.

Thursday’s event kicked off the start of an evaluation period for the Regional Mapping & Wayfinding project, in which MTC and its transit partners invite Bay Area residents and visitors alike to share their thoughts about the test signs and maps now installed at the El Cerrito del Norte BART station. Several “test” prototype signs and other communication materials also will be installed at the Santa Rosa Transit Mall/Downtown Santa Rosa SMART station later this month.

“Transit in the Bay Area and elsewhere is still suffering the effects of the pandemic,” said Sue Noack, Vice chair of MTC’s Regional Network Management Committee and Pleasant Hill City Councilmember. “But these maps and signs are tangible examples of the work MTC, and the transit agencies are doing together to make the Bay Area’s system simpler, easier to use and more affordable.”

Transit riders will be able to engage with the test materials during their journeys and share with MTC their ideas about how to make new signs and maps work better for them. This public feedback will help inform the next stage of the project, in which the new maps and wayfinding materials are expected to be installed at seven additional locations across the Bay Area in 2025 and 2026.

New BART station sign and map. Source: MTC Credit: Gordon Hansen

Members of the public who are unable to visit one of the test locations in El Cerrito or Santa Rosa are invited to take an online survey. Full details are available on the MTC website at mtc.ca.gov/MappingWayfinding.

A new, comprehensive regional transit map, which will enable riders to discover key destinations they can reach on the Bay Area’s extensive bus, rail and ferry network, also was released.

The new maps and signs are part of the larger Regional Mapping and Wayfinding initiative aimed at making it easier to ride transit in the Bay Area. Whether a rider is traveling by bus, rail, ferry or a combination, the signs, maps, screens and other communication systems will be consistent and easy to identify across all nine Bay Area counties.

The Regional Mapping and Wayfinding Project is the result of a first-of-its-kind effort — led by MTC with the partnership of transit riders, Bay Area cities and counties, and over two dozen Bay Area transit agencies — to redesign and harmonize maps and signage across all nine Bay Area counties to help people navigate transit more easily. This project is just one piece of a broader effort, outlined by the Bay Area Transit Transformation Action Plan, focused on making Bay Area transit easier and more convenient for riders of all ages and abilities to use.

The Regional Network Management Council includes top executives from MTC, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, BART, AC Transit, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), Caltrain, SamTrans and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District as well as three general managers representing all other transit agencies serving Bay Area communities.

MTC is the regional transportation planning, financing and coordinating agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

 

U.S. Postal Service says more than 99 million ballots processed during 2024 General Election

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Releases 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report detailing successful efforts taken to deliver nation’s election mail securely, effectively

On average, ballots were delivered from voters to election officials within one day

CALIFORNIA — Today, the United States Postal Service released its 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report, outlining the agency’s steps to process more than 99.22 million ballots in the 2024 general election. The full report can be read here: 2024 Post-Election Analysis Report.

“In 2024, the Postal Service once again admirably performed our role of efficiently and effectively delivering the nation’s ballots,” said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. “As we continue to transform the nation’s postal network to better meet the demands of the modern mailing and shipping customer, we stand ready to work with policymakers at all levels to make the nation’s effective vote by mail process even stronger.”

The Postal Service’s success in 2024 was the result of a deepened focus on operational precision and integrated communications, the engagement of the USPS Election and Government Mail Services team and execution of longstanding, proven operational processes and procedures, including extraordinary measures.

As in previous general elections, the Postal Service deployed extraordinary measures in the final weeks of the election season to swiftly move Ballot Mail entered close to or on Election Day and/or the state’s return deadline. Extraordinary measures began on Monday, Oct. 21, continued nationwide through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, and extended through the last day in each state that boards of elections accepted completed mail-in ballots as timely.

In 2024, the Postal Service’s extraordinary measures included but were not limited to: extra deliveries and collections; special pick-ups; specialized sort plans at processing facilities to expedite delivery to boards of elections; and local handling and transportation of ballots.

Key 2024 Election Mail Performance Statistics

As part of the nation’s critical infrastructure, USPS is responsible for processing, transporting, and delivering the nation’s Election Mail safely, securely, and on time. During the General Election, USPS processed more than 99 million ballots. On average, Ballot Mail sent from voters to election officials were delivered within one day.

  • 99.22 Million Ballots Processed in the 2024 General Election: During the general election period of September 1 – November 15, the Postal Service delivered at least 99.22 million ballots to or from voters.*
  • 99.88 Percent of Ballots Delivered to Election Officials Within a Week: The agency successfully processed, transported and delivered 99.88 percent of ballots from voters to election officials within seven days, and 99.64 percent within five days.**
  • 97.73 Percent of Ballots Delivered from Voters to Election Officials Within Three Days: The Postal Service successfully returned 97.73 percent of ballots from voters to local election officials in fewer than three days.
  • 1 Day Average Delivery Time for Ballots from Voters to Election Officials: On average, the Postal Service delivered ballots from voters to election officials within one day.

 3.37 Billion Pieces of Political and Election Mail Delivered in 2024: The total mail volume surpassed 3 billion mailpieces for both Political and Election Mail tracked.

As an essential part of the nation’s disaster response network, readiness and preparation for natural disasters are standard procedure for the Postal Service. In September and October 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated portions of Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina just weeks before the election. However, through the deployment of extraordinary measures in the weeks before Election Day, voters in the impacted areas who chose to use the mail to vote received performance comparable with the rest of the nation.

Recommendations To Improve the Nation’s Vote by Mail System in Future Election Cycles

The Postal Service is both a national service and a world-class logistics organization. As such, consistent policies are needed nationwide to ensure that operations run smoothly, that the 640,000 USPS employees understand what is expected of them, and the millions of customers can have trust in the Postal Service’s ability to deliver for them. At the same time, when it comes to the delivery of Election Mail, there are 50 states and nearly 8,000 election jurisdictions that are far from uniform in their election laws and practices, and that often do not consider how the mail system works.

This can result in a mismatch of timeframes, deadlines, ballot return suggestions and the practical reality of using the mail. Many of these laws and practices were not established with the Postal Service’s operations in mind.

As USPS continues to transform the nation’s postal network to better meet the demands of the modern mailing and shipping customer, the organization stands ready to work with policymakers at all levels to continue educating them on how the mail works. While the Postal Service provides effective, efficient, and reliable service for all mail, including Election Mail, there are long-standing recommendations that policymakers should consider to help expedite the transport of mail-in ballots to and from voters including:

  • Following and implementing USPS recommendations on mail piece preparation
  • Applying visibility tools to Election and Ballot Mail
  • Better understanding of Postal Operations
  • Continuing voter education initiatives on state laws and reasonable mailing deadlines

*Total volume reflects volume that was identifiable as Ballot Mail by the Postal Service. 

**Performance data for outbound Ballot Mail (sent from local boards of elections to voters) includes only those ballots that were properly identified as ballots and consistent with our service performance measurement rules.

Performance data for inbound Ballot Mail (sent from voters to local boards of elections) includes both those ballots that were properly identified as ballots and consistent with our service performance measurement rules as well as the volume identified by a survey for which data is available from 10/21/2024 to 11/13/2024.

Please Note: The United States Postal Service is an independent federal establishment, mandated to be self-financing and to serve every American community through the affordable, reliable and secure delivery of mail and packages to nearly 169 million addresses six and often seven days a week. Overseen by a bipartisan Board of Governors, the Postal Service is implementing a 10-year transformation plan, Delivering for America, to modernize the postal network, restore long-term financial sustainability, dramatically improve service across all mail and shipping categories, and maintain the organization as one of America’s most valued and trusted brands.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office to celebrate 175th anniversary

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, CCC Sheriff’s Office

In 2025 the Office of the Sheriff will celebrate its 175th anniversary as a Sheriff’s Office. The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff has come a long way since Nathaniel Jones became Sheriff in 1850. The agency now has nearly 1,200 sworn and professional employees who proudly provide a wide range public safety services to over 1.1 million residents in the county and multiple law enforcement agencies.

Contra Costa County has had 22 Sheriffs. Although the faces have changed, the mission of the Sheriff’s Office has not: making Contra Costa County a safe place for residents, families, communities, and businesses and to provide the highest level of service possible.

“In recognition of our proud history as a law enforcement agency, I am authorizing uniformed staff to wear a special commemorative shoulder patch to recognize our 175 years of service,” said Sheriff David Livingston. “Not only do we continue deeply held traditions of the Office, but we also honor our long line of service and pay tribute to the many members of the Office who came before us.”

The Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office offers a full range of law enforcement services to over 1,100,000 residents in the 715 square mile county. Besides patrolling the unincorporated areas, Deputy Sheriffs provide comprehensive police services to a number of contract cities and special districts. Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office operates county detention facilities, provides security for the courts and runs the Office of Emergency Services. Log on www.cocosheriff.org for more information.

U.S. Senate passes Padilla, Murkowski bill to reauthorize National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program

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Senators Alex Padilla and Lisa Murkowski (official photos) and map of tsunami warning areas from the National Weather Service on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.

Providential timing with Thursday’s 7.0, 4.7 mag and multiple more quakes along Nor Cal coast

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced that the Senate passed their bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) through Fiscal Year 2028. Senate passage of the bill comes after a series of major earthquakes struck Northern California this morning, triggering tsunami warnings and underscoring the urgent need for early warning systems and earthquake safety programs like NEHRP. The legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bill would authorize a total of $175.4 million per year from FY 2024-2028 across the four federal agencies responsible for long-term earthquake risk reduction under NEHRP: the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

“As today’s devastating Northern California earthquakes remind us, it is never a matter of if, but when the next major earthquake will strike,” said Padilla. “The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program supports crucial tools like the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System, advances scientific understanding of earthquakes, and strengthens earthquake resilience in communities nationwide. With the safety of our communities at stake, we must stay vigilant. After today’s unanimous Senate passage, I will push my House colleagues to pass this bill to reauthorize this critical program as soon as possible.”

He was referring to both a 7.0-magnitude earthquake, 45 miles off the coast of Eureka and another 4.7 magnitude quake near Ferndale as well as multiple others throughout the day. (See Latest Earthquakes on the U.S. Geological Survey website)

Source: USGS

“Alaska faces significant earthquake risks as the most seismically active state-our communities must be prepared,” said Murkowski. “The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act provides crucial funding to federal agencies for the research, development, and implementation of earthquake safety procedures. The earthquake today in Northern California is a sober reminder of how critical these readiness measures are.”

Specifically, the NEHRP Reauthorization Act of 2024 would authorize $10.6 million for FEMA, $5.9 million for NIST, $58 million for NSF, and $100.9 million for USGS per year from FY 2024-2028. This funding would support research, development, and implementation activities related to earthquake safety and risk reduction.

This NEHRP reauthorization includes:

  • Directing state and local entities to inventory high risk buildings and structures,
  • Expanding seismic events to include earthquake-caused tsunamis;
  • Providing more technical assistance to Tribal governments; and
  • Improving mitigation for earthquake-connected hazards.

California faces substantial earthquake risks. According to the California Department of Conservation, over 70 percent of Californians live within 30 miles of a fault that could cause high ground shaking within the next 50 years. The state averages two to three earthquakes per year at magnitude 5.5 or higher, risking moderate structural damage. Because of these major earthquake risks, California has become a leader in earthquake research.

The NEHRP Reauthorization Act of 2024 is endorsed by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), BuildStrong America, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), International Code Council (ICC), the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA), the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), Seismological Society of America, and the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC).

Senator Padilla has long been a leader in mitigating earthquake risks. As a California State Senator, Padilla authored Senate Bill 135, signed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2013, which required the state to establish the nation’s first statewide early warning system. In 2021, he led five of his U.S. Senate colleagues in requesting details from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on future plans and funding needs for the West Coast Early Earthquake Warning system.

 

 

Antioch’s Ron Bernal among 24 newly-elected mayors participating in First 100 Days program

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Ron Bernal is the only mayor-elect from Contra Costa County attending this year’s program.

Mayors will gain tools and training from the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, Bloomberg Philanthropies, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School to set strategic priorities and build an effective city hall organization through the first 100 days in office.

The new class hails from 12 states and represents more than 5 million residents nationwide.

By Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts – (December 4, 2024) – This week, Mayor-elect Ron Bernal of Antioch, CA, is participating in the First 100 Days program at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard’s Kennedy School. This program assists mayors in gaining the tools and training to help them set strategic priorities and build an effective city hall organization through the first 100 days in office. This year’s program is taking place from December 4–December 6, 2024.

In this year’s class, 24 new mayors from 11 states across the country will come together to receive world-class training from Harvard faculty, urban innovation and management experts, and other mayors on how to deliver for residents. Thanks to a generous gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies, participation for mayors is fully funded, including tuition, accommodation, most meals, and airfare.

“The Bloomberg Center for Cities Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days equips newly elected U.S. mayors with the tools and techniques they need to lead as they begin their transition from campaigning to governing,” said James Anderson, who serves as the head of Government Innovation Programs at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “You only get to be the new kid on the block once — and this program helps ensure these mayors have ready access to insights from seasoned mayors, evidence about what works in leadership and public management, and connections to a peer group that is going through the same things. Alongside the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard, our team at Bloomberg Philanthropies together with the Institute of Politics and the U.S. Conference of Mayors support these new mayors in building effective, talented teams, forging citywide coalitions, and injecting their city hall organization with a culture of innovation so that in their critical, early days in office, they can set ambitious priorities and deliver.”

Day two of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Mayors program takes place in New York, Monday, July 15, 2024. Photo: Bloomberg Philanthropies

As new mayors prepare to take the reins in city halls across the country, 24 newly-elected U.S. mayors have been selected for the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University’s Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days, delivered in collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies, The U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School.

Cities increasingly confront complex global challenges at the community level. The Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard’s Program for New Mayors is designed to maximize mayors’ potential for innovation and problem-solving, equipping newly-elected leaders with the skills to make the most of their roles and improve residents’ quality of life. Through the program, mayors will receive training from Harvard faculty, urban innovation and management experts, and other mayors on how to set strategic citywide priorities, build effective city hall organizations, foster collaboration across departments and sectors, and deliver for residents—establishing a strong foundation for their administrations during their critical early days in office.

To kick off participation, the newly-elected U.S. mayors—collectively representing 11 states and over 5 million residents—will convene for a two-day immersive classroom experience at Harvard University. In addition to the core coursework and connection with peers, the Program for New Mayors provides opportunities for new mayors to share strategies with other mayors through the Bloomberg Center for Cities’ vast mayoral leadership network and learn about interventions that are already working effectively to better resident lives in other cities.

Program alumni have deployed the program’s learnings to lead their communities through unexpected crises, establish working coalitions with diverse stakeholders, and set ambitious goals to meet complex challenges — from tackling homelessness to improving housing access, critical water infrastructure, or government performance — in order to better serve residents’ needs.

The Program for New Mayors is housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, which serves a global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. Founded in 2021 with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Center is part of Michael R. Bloomberg’s commitment to the University to help bolster the capabilities of mayors and their teams.  The Center’s cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use. The Center is designed to have a widespread impact on the future of cities, where more than half of the world’s people now live, by informing and inspiring local government leaders, scholars, students, and others who work to improve the lives of residents around the world.

The Program for New Mayors builds on the longstanding tradition of a seminar for new mayors that originated at Harvard’s Institute of Politics in 1975.

Members of the Third Class of the Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days

 

  1. Ron Bernal – Antioch, CA
  2. Raj Salwan – Fremont, CA
  3. Adena Ishii – Berkeley, CA
  4. Kevin McCarty – Sacramento, CA
  5. Dan Lurie – San Francisco, CA
  6. Christina Fugazi – Stockton, CA
  7. Andrea Sorce – Vallejo, CA
  8. Alyia Gaskins – Alexandria, VA
  9. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak – Burlington, VT
  10. Bruce Rector – Clearwater, FL
  11. Kaarin Knudson – Eugene, OR
  12. David LaGrand – Grand Rapids, MI
  13. Jimmy Gray – Hampton, VA
  14. Beach Pace – Hillsboro, OR
  15. Patrick Farrell – Huntington, WV
  16. Michael Zarosinski – Medford, OR
  17. Mark Freeman – Mesa, AZ
  18. Janet Cowell – Raleigh, NC
  19. Danny Avula – Richmond, VA
  20. Julie Hoy – Salem, OR
  21. Lisa Borowsky – Scottsdale, AZ
  22. Jake Anderson – St. Cloud, MN
  23. Dustin Yates – St. George, LA
  24. Kevin Sartor – Surprise, AZ

Read more about the Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Contra Costa Supervisors remove gender-specific pronouns from county ordinances “modernizing practices”

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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors changed 841 pronouns in county ordinances on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. Video screenshot.

Replaces “he” or “she” with “they” or “them”

By Kristi Jourdan, PIO, Contra Costa County

(Martinez, CA) – In a unanimous vote, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has approved a significant update to the County Ordinance Code, removing gender-specific pronouns as part of ongoing efforts to modernize language and reflect the diversity of the community.

The ordinance code, which governs areas such as health and safety, administration, and land use, had not undergone a comprehensive review of its language since it was recodified in 1970. During this update, 841 instances of gender-specific pronouns were identified across more than 1,300 pages. Terms such as “he” were replaced with neutral descriptors like “the department head,” ensuring the code is inclusive and representative of all residents.

Source: Contra Costa County staff presentation

According to the Ordinance No. 2024-23, “SECTION II. Section 16-4.016 of the County Ordinance Code is amended to read: 16-4.016 Gender. Whenever a personal pronoun is used in the neutral gender, it shall include both the feminine and the masculine. ‘They/them’ shall indicate a singular individual, unless the context indicates the contrary.”

“Contra Costa County is a community for all, and our policies should reflect our dedication to serving everyone,” said Board Chair and District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover. “By updating the County Ordinance Code, we’re delivering on our commitment to create meaningful change that benefits all residents.”

The initiative marks a step toward broader modernization efforts, including plans to draft a policy mandating the use of gender-neutral language in all County policies and procedures, both existing and future.

“We are changing our county ordinances to reflect today’s reality and removing gender references turns the page on a practice that has no place in county policy,” said District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, Chair of the Board’s Equity Committee.

This update underscores the County’s commitment to responsive and representative governance.

“Removing gender-specific pronouns from the County Ordinance Code reflects Contra Costa County’s dedication to fairness and modernizing our practices,” said County Administrator Monica Nino. “This change ensures our policies and language honor the diversity of our community and promote dignity and respect for all.”

This project was sponsored by the County Administrator’s Office in partnership with the County Counsel’s Office with advice from the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice.

See agenda item 6.D.4. County staff Power Point Presentation, adopted Ordinance and Exhibit A.

Watch Dec. 3, 2024, Board meeting video.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Nominations now open for 2025 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame

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2024 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame winner for Teamwork. Neil Chandran of Monte Vista High School with members of the Board of Supervisors. Photo: CoCoCounty

To be presented during Board of Supervisors annual César E. Chávez Celebration in April

Deadline: Feb. 25, 2025

By Kristi Jourdan, PIO & Lia Bristol, Contra Costa County Office of Communications & Media

(Martinez, CA) – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards. These awards are presented annually to outstanding Contra Costa County residents between 12 and 18 years of age

Students will be recognized at the 31st Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 11 am in Board Chambers at 1025 Escobar St. in Martinez. Community members can also join the event live on Contra Costa Television channels and the County’s website.

Únase a nosotros el martes 1 de abril de 2025 para la 31ª Celebración Conmemorativa Anual de César E. Chávez.

Actualmente estamos aceptando formularios de nominación para los Premios del Salón de la Fama Juvenil 2025. Haga clic aquí para acceder al formulario de nominación y más información sobre los Premios del Salón de la Fama de la Juventud.

Nominees should demonstrate exemplary behavior in one of six categories:

  • Good Samaritan: Goes out of their way to do for others without seeking recognition
  • Volunteerism: Lends a helping hand for the good of the community; Gives their time and energy to a worthy cause or organization
  • Teamwork: Works unselfishly for the good of the team
  • Leadership and Civic Engagement: A natural leader who inspires others and works to make a difference in school and the community
  • Perseverance: Has worked hard to overcome obstacles and achieve success
  • Innovation and Empowerment: Lifts others up and inspires change through creative solutions

For more information and the application form to nominate youth in our community, visit
https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/FormCenter/Contra-Costa-County-Cesar-E-Chavez-Youth-42/2025-Contra-Costa-County-Youth-Hall-of-F-380

We invite you to submit your nomination by completing the form and uploading it to the County website or emailing the application and your letter of recommendation to Lia Bristol at YouthNomination@dcd.cccounty.us.

Nominations must be received or postmarked by February 25, 2025. Recipients will be recognized at the April 1, 2025, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ César E. Chávez Celebration.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

El Cerrito PD seek help ID’ing person of interest in sexual battery of a hearing impaired woman

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Photos: El Cerrito PD

The El Cerrito Police Department is still seeking help from the community to identify a person of interest in a sexual battery incident that occurred on Wednesday, November 13th, at approximately 3:30 PM.

The investigation revealed that the victim, a sight and hearing impaired woman, was followed by a man for several city blocks until she reached a more secluded residential area on Stockton Avenue near Elm Street. The man then approached the woman from behind and slapped her buttock before he fled the area.

After locating additional video surveillance footage from businesses in the area, investigators discovered this man was a Hispanic male in his twenties with a thin to medium build, wearing a dark gray beanie, a light gray sweatshirt, dark pants, and white and black shoes. This alert contains two updated pictures of the suspect.

Please contact Detective Michael Olivieri at molivieri@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us if you recognize this man or if you have any information that might help this investigation

SFPD arrests Pittsburg, Oakley boys among 8 suspects in Organized Retail Crime theft series

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The crew ranges from ages 12-18 and is believed to be responsible for at least 23 incidents totaling more than $84,000 in merchandise from multiple Walgreens stores

By San Francisco Police Department

On September 23, 2024, the San Francisco Police Department General Work Investigations Unit was assigned an Organized Retail Crime related robbery that occurred on September 16, 2024, at Walgreens on the 1100 block of Potrero Avenue. During the incident, several juvenile suspects entered the store, concealed merchandise, and ransacked the store. When an employee asked the suspects to stop, two of the suspects assaulted the employee, resulting in a serious head injury.

During the investigation, officers assigned to the Mission Station Anti-Vendor Enforcement Unit recognized five of the juvenile suspects from an investigation into a separate assault that also occurred on September 16, 2024, at 24th and Mission Streets. The suspects were subsequently taken into custody for the Walgreens incident.

A review of other incidents with the SFPD Burglary–Organized Retail Crime Unit led investigators to identify other incidents based on similarities in the suspect description, victim similarities, and modus operandi (M.O.). Through the diligent work of investigators and Walgreens Asset Protection members, a total of eight suspects were determined to have been involved in at least 23 organized retail crime incidents at various Walgreens locations in San Francisco, totaling over $84,000 in stolen merchandise.

Below are synopses of some of the incidents the crew was involved in:

On July 11, 2024, seven masked suspects began gathering outside Walgreens at 2050 Irving Street. Employees recognized them to be thieves, so they locked the doors and called the police.  The suspects then forced the door open and stole over $1.3k in merchandise. (SFPD case 2404353574)

On August 18, 2024, seven suspects entered Walgreens at 1333 Castro Street and began concealing merchandise.  One of the suspects jumped over the front counter and stole a cash register.  The loss was over $6.5k. (SFPD case 240518223)

On September 9, 2024, nine suspects entered Walgreens at 2690 Mission Street and began concealing merchandise.  While the suspects were escaping with over $1k in merchandise, one of the suspects brandished a firearm at a security guard. (SFPD case 240568369)

On September 29, 2024, at 6:14 p.m., eight suspects entered Walgreens at 1333 Castro Street and stole over $15k in merchandise.  The same group came back with five more accomplices approximately two hours later and stole almost $12k in merchandise. (SFPD case 240612916)

Brandon McClain, an 18-year-old male from Hayward, CA was arrested for four counts of burglary in the second degree (459 PC), four counts of grand theft (487(a)PC), four counts of organized retail theft (490.4(a)(1)PC).

A 15-year-old male from Oakley, Ca was arrested on charges of five counts of burglary in the second degree (459 PC), five counts of grand theft (487(a)PC) and five counts of organized retail theft (490.4(a)(1)PC).

A 14-year-old male from Pittsburg, CA was arrested on charges of two counts of burglary in the second degree (459 PC), two counts of grand theft (487(a) PC), and two counts of organized retail (490.4(a)(1) PC).

A 12-year-old male from San Francisco was charged with assault likely to produce great bodily injury (245(a)(4) PC), three counts of robbery in the second degree (211 PC), seven counts of burglary in the second degree (459 PC), seven counts of grand theft (487 (a) PC), ten counts of organized retail theft (490.4 PC) and four counts of petty theft (490.2(a) PC).

A 15-year-old male from San Francisco was arrested on the charges of three counts of robbery in the second degree (211 PC), eight counts of burglary in the second degree (459 PC), eight counts of grand theft (487(a)PC), eight counts of organized retail theft (490.4 PC) and petty theft (490.2(a)PC).

A 14-year-old male from San Francisco was charged with assault with a deadly weapon (245(a)(1) PC), assault likely to produce great bodily injury (245(a)(4)PC), battery causing serious bodily injury (243(d) PC), robbery in the second degree (211 PC), burglary in the second degree (459 PC), grand theft (487(a)PC), organized retail theft (490.4(a)(1)PC), petty theft (490.2(a)PC) and three counts of great bodily injury in the commission of a felony (12022.7(a)PC).

A 15-year-old male from Oakland, CA was arrested on charges of robbery in the second degree (211 PC), four counts of burglary in the second degree (459 PC), four counts of grand theft (487(a)PC), four counts of organized retail theft (490.4(a)(1)PC).

A 14-year-old male from San Francisco was charged with robbery in the second degree (211 PC), burglary in the second degree (459 PC), grand theft (487(a)PC), organized retail theft (490.4(a)(1)PC) and petty theft (490.2(a)PC).

Brandon McClain and the 15-year-old San Francisco resident were also each arrested on the charge of carjacking (215(a) PC) regarding a carjacking incident that occurred on November 5, 2024, in the area of Geneva and Cayuga Avenues.These arrests were made possible due to the collaboration between investigators, the Mission Station Anti-Vendor Enforcement Unit, patrol officers citywide, and Walgreens Asset Protection. While arrests have been made, these are open and active investigations. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

SFPD Cases # 246-134-332, 246-134-360, 246-133-920, 240-639-352, 246-131-645, 240-612-916, 240-613-196, 240-592-960, 240-583-561, 240-568-369, 240-518-223, 240-448-244, 240-444-662, 240-441-997, 240-433-574, 240-433-176, 240-429-363, 240-400-777, 240-326-468, 240-319-968, 246-051-786