Contra Costa Herald

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

Learn the “Pros & Cons” of the 2024 California propositions

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Online Sept. 26, in person Sept. 30th

By Gayle Murray, League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley

Confused about the ballot propositions? Want to learn quickly about them in depth and through a non-partisan lens? Join a Community Conversations webinar on Thursday, September 26 at 4 p.m.

Janet Hoy and Sue Brandy of the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley will give the Pros and Cons positions of the propositions on your ballot based on the League’s research. The moderators will present information about major funding sources supporting the propositions and answer your questions about both the initiatives and the legislative measures on the upcoming California ballot.

Register for the Zoom webinar here.

https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/events/66ac026442fa12abcec8afcb

The Contra Costa County Library will provide closed captioning and simultaneous Spanish interpretation for this event. The program will be recorded and uploaded to the Library’s YouTube channel after the event.

Information on how to access the Zoom webinar will be sent to your email address 24 hours before the program.  Audience questions will be collected and answered through the Zoom Q&A tab.

Pros & Cons In-Person Presentation

An in-person presentation will be held Monday, September 30th from 7:00-8:30 pm at the Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive in Pleasant Hill. Register on Eventbrite.

Community Conversations are sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley, the League of Women Voters of West Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa County Library and Contra Costa TV.

Contact programs@lwvdv.org for more information.

Now a published author Fernando Sandoval runs for re-election to the Contra Costa College Board in Ward 5

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With support from elected and community leaders, unions and faculty

Representing portions of Pittsburg, Antioch and Brentwood, all of Oakley, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen

“My goal is to drive student success for the jobs of the future.” – Fernando Sandoval

East County community leader Fernando Sandoval announces his re-election candidacy for the Contra Costa Community College District Board of Trustees in Ward 5 with support from a strong list of elected officials, labor leaders and community members from throughout the district including: Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson, Building and Construction Trades, Central Labor AFL-CIO and the United Faculty of the College District. They join a coalition of college faculty, staff, students, small business owners, civic leaders and community activists in support of Sandoval’s race.

Sandoval is completing his first term on the college board, after being elected in 2020 during his second and successful attempt to defeat then-incumbent Trustee Greg Enholm. Ward 5 includes portions of Pittsburg, Antioch and Brentwood and all of Oakley, Bay Point, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Byron and Knightsen. (See College District Wards map)

“Fernando Sandoval is a leader who has brought vision, bold leadership and a commitment to educational excellence and equity that will advance the academic opportunities for our students, said Yolanda Peña Mendrek, Liberty Union High School District Board President. She adds, in addition, his 30 years as a finance and banking consultant to top worldwide corporations will make him an experienced voice and strong ally with the Governing Board as it addresses the budget constraints by the State and the continued fiscal aftermath of the global pandemic.”

In 2022-23 Fernando served as President of the Governing Board. During his 4-year tenure as Board Trustee, some of his accomplishments in this capacity included bringing in District leadership stability with the hiring of the permanent Chancellor, Mojdeh Mehdezadeh, and Presidents of Los Medanos College and Contra Costa College, restoring a relationship with John F. Kennedy-National University and leading DEI efforts most recently with an innovative model for enrollment with Diablo Valley College, Mount Diablo Unified School District and United Latino Voices.

Source: Contra Costa Community College District

He has also served as a past member of the Contra Costa Community College District Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Committee (DEEOAC) to advise on a districtwide commitment to diversity, inclusion and equal employment opportunities in accordance with California Education Code, Title 5. He also Chaired the Bond Oversight Committee for modernization of schools at Pittsburg Unified School District (PUSD).

Sandoval’s community leadership also includes organizing mentoring, tutoring and motivational workshops for K-12 students and Los Medanos College students. He was recognized for his service by receiving the 2020 Cesar Chavez Award for Exemplary Community Service by Los Medanos College.

“I am running for the Contra Costa Community College District Board in my home region because I personally experienced the equity barriers and lack of mentorship for higher education access, particularly for underserved students which still exists today,” said Sandoval. “My goal is to drive student success for the jobs of the future. I want to bring my professional experiences, innovative spirit and commitment to educational excellence and equity to advance real solutions to these issues in collaboration with the Board and through community and philanthropic partnerships.”

The Ward 5 Trustee continued, “I am honored to have the support of educational leaders, local policy-makers and hard-working residents from throughout the East County community college district. We still face unprecedented challenges ahead due to the pandemic’s impact on the district’s budget combined with the long-term racial and social injustice issues facing our region and college district. It has never been more important to have experienced, principled, and responsive leadership now more than ever.”

Background

Sandoval was raised in East County by a hard-working immigrant family who sacrificed and encouraged education as a career pathway. Fernando is a veteran who served in the Vietnam War, where he maintained advanced computer systems on the USS Enterprise. Professionally he was recruited for information technology manager roles by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Sperry Rand, Hughes Aircraft Corporation, and managed change at IBM and General Electric among others. He also provided management strategies and policy decisions for economic recovery as a finance consultant to top banking institutions worldwide.

Sandoval is also a published author of his memoir, “From Tortilla Chips to Computer Chips.”

For more information about Fernando Sandoval’s candidacy, visit fernando4collegeboard.com or for questions contact fernando4education@gmail.com.

Sandoval just began raising funds this week, he shared. He faces one opponent in the race, former Antioch School Board Trustee Debra Vinson.

The election is November 5th.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Housing, transit advocates decry $20 billion regional housing bond measure pulled from Bay Area ballot

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Photo source: Transform

Transform’s leader calls it “a tragic missed opportunity” and “major setback for our climate and transportation goals”; labels opponents who successfully challenged measure, “extremist anti-housing and anti-government activists”

“RM4 barely polled 54% before we even had a chance to open our mouths about it. Are 46% of the citizens of the Bay Area ‘extremist anti-housing and anti-government activists’?” – 20 Billion Reasons campaign opposition leader Gus Mattammal

By Allen D. Payton

In an email to supporters and an announcement this week, Jenn Guitart, Executive Director of Transform decried the removal of the $20 billion Bay Area housing measure from the November ballot and demonized those who successfully challenged it. According to polling commissioned by the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority which placed the measure on the ballot, they found that only 54% of likely voters supported the bond. That’s much lower than the 66.7% support of voters required for it to pass. (See related articles here and here)  CCH: (See related articles here and here)

Labeled “What It Means for Our Movement” Guitart’s email and identical announcement on the Transform’s website read:

On Wednesday morning, the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) unanimously voted to remove Regional Measure 4 from the 2024 ballot. The measure would have raised $20 billion to alleviate the Bay Area’s housing and homelessness crisis. Unfortunately, the measure was scuttled in response to a series of eleventh-hour challenges by extremist anti-housing and anti-government activists. This is a tragic missed opportunity for voters to say yes to urgently needed affordable housing and homelessness funding.

This decision is heartbreaking for Transform and other housing advocates, and, more importantly, for the hundreds of thousands of people in our region who now must wait longer for the affordable housing and homelessness solutions Bay Area residents need and deserve.

The decision is also a major setback for our climate and transportation goals. By funding the construction of over 40,000 new affordable homes near transit, the measure would have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over three million tons and spurred an additional five million transit trips per year.

While it is frustrating that a well-resourced group of naysayers halted progress on housing and homelessness this election, Transform and our partners will continue to build the necessary power to win big on these critical issues.

Looking Forward

All is not lost in the fight for affordable housing. Transform and our partners will be working hard to pass Prop 5 this November, which will lower the voter approval threshold for housing and public infrastructure bond measures (from a two-thirds vote) to 55%. This measure is critical to advancing future affordable housing bond measures across the state.

Beyond November, our region continues to face significant challenges, from the housing and homelessness crisis to a looming transit fiscal cliff. New regional funding measures for both transportation and affordable housing are urgently needed. Passing both measures in the coming years will take unprecedented collaboration, creativity, and courage.

Transform will play a leading role in both these efforts as we continue our work to empower communities of color, innovate solutions, and advocate for policies and funding — all with the aim of helping people thrive and averting climate disaster. And we will need supporters like you in this fight to build up the necessary resources, political will, and movement organizing to beat the anti-taxers in future election cycles.

In the meantime, get ready to vote yes on Prop 5 in November, and stay tuned for future calls to action in the fight for housing, transportation, and climate justice for our region.

Transform Executive Asked Why She Demonized Measure’s Opponents

Guitart was asked why she would demonize the opponents to the measure when it only polled at 54% support prior to it being placed on the ballot, which is much lower than the 2/3rds vote currently required and also less than the 55% threshold required for a future vote should Prop 5 pass. She was also asked if she’s claiming 46% of the public who opposed it in the poll are also “extremist anti-housing and anti-government activists” and isn’t she risking angering those who opposed the measure from the start, some of whose support will be needed for passage of a future ballot measure.

Guitart was then asked with such a low level of support, shouldn’t the measure have been revised before it was placed on the ballot in order to address some of the concerns of the opposition to ensure a better possibility of it passing.

She was also asked instead wouldn’t it be better if Transform worked with the opponents to try and find common ground or a ballot measure that will be less anathema to them for a possible future vote or to achieve her organization’s goals

Finally, Guitart was asked if she is willing to offer a public apology to the measure’s opponents, revise her public statement removing the swipes at them and tone down the divisive rhetoric.

However, in response Guitart shared that she is unable to respond right now due to a family issue but wrote, “I will pass your concerns on to our team.”

Ballot Measure Opponent Leader Responds

When asked about the swipes at the opponents made by Transform’s executive director, Gus Mattammal, the leader of the opposition campaign, 20 Billion Reasons, responded, “I have a couple of responses to that characterization:

1) 20 Billion Reasons comprised Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents – the entire political spectrum. And to be clear, Democrats were about half the group.

2) Almost everyone in the group has willingly voted for tax increases before, so it’s silly to label folks as ‘anti-tax’. If someone comes to you with an idea for a pizza with pickles, sardines, and mayonnaise, and you say ‘um, no thanks!’, does that make you anti-pizza? Or are you just anti- “this particular idea for pizza”?

No one in this group is against well-constructed policies to alleviate housing unaffordability. Unfortunately, nothing about Regional Measure 4 was ‘well-constructed policy’.

3) RM4 barely polled 54% before we even had a chance to open our mouths about it, and the polling was destined to only go down from there. That means 46% of the voters were against this from the beginning. Are 46% of the citizens of the Bay Area ‘extremist anti-housing and anti-government activists’? I’m a registered Republican, and I feel like our fortunes as a party would be very different here in the Bay Area if that were true.”

About Transform

Founded in 1997 as Bay Area Transportation and Land Use Coalition (BATLUC), according to the organization’s website, Transform works “with organizations, advocates, and community members for improved transportation and housing policies and funding. Together, we can invest in climate and equity, promote innovative transportation, support transportation shifts, and address climate-related housing issues.”

The group claims to have moved “the Overton window”, which is an approach to identifying the ideas that define the spectrum of acceptability of governmental policies that says politicians can act only within the acceptable range, “steadily toward equity and climate resilience.”

They, “envision vibrant neighborhoods, transformed by excellent, sustainable mobility options and affordable housing, where those historically impacted by racist disinvestment now have power and voice.”

For more information about Transform visit www.TransFormCA.org or call (510) 740-3150.

ABAG, BAHFA leaders withdraw $20 billion housing bond measure from November ballot

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High-density, high-rise housing construction would have been funded by the bond measure. Photo: BAHFA

Removed from all nine Bay Area counties after Contra Costa attorney opposed to measure filed lawsuit claiming ballot language was slanted, forced BAHFA to correct more than $240 million error

20 Billion Reasons opposition campaign responds

By Allen D. Payton

Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) Chair Alfredo Pedroza and Belia Ramos, president of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)’s Executive Board today, Wednesday, August 14, 2024, issued a joint statement following BAHFA’s decision this morning to remove a $20 billion general obligation bond measure for the production and preservation of affordable housing from the November 5 general election ballot in all nine Bay Area counties:

“The BAHFA Board’s decision to withdraw the affordable housing bond measure from this November’s ballot is not one that was taken lightly. The Bay Area’s housing affordability crisis has been decades in the making and is far too big for any one city or county to solve on its own. This is the reason the state Legislature established BAHFA. A robust source of funding for safe and affordable housing across our diverse, nine-county region is essential to the Bay Area’s economic and environmental health and to its residents’ quality of life.

The decision followed the action of a group of Bay Area residents, known as Opportunity Now, who opposed the $20 billion regional housing bond measure and filed a court challenge on Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, to Regional Measure 4’s (RM4) 75-word ballot question claiming it was slanted.

Source: Opportunity Now

Following is the press release from the group announcing the lawsuit, entitled “BAHFA blunders on ballot language for Bay Area tax measure” and “Gets busted for wildly lowballing cost to taxpayers”:

“Talk about misinformation. The discredited Bay Area Housing Finance Authority yesterday admitted that they’d misrepresented in ballot language the annual cost to taxpayers of the mammoth bond by (hold on) more than $240 million (you read that right) per year.

“The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA), a recently created regional agency, placed RM4 on the November 5 ballot. The unprecedented size of the bond measure has already drawn opposition.

The 20BillionReasons.com group helped pull together ballot arguments rebutting the claims for the measure. The lawsuit asserts that the ballot question is slanted to prejudice voters to vote in favor of the measure.

BAHFA conducted multiple polls to test various phrases in relation to the measure and picked the most popular ones. The lawsuit asserts that the ballot question contains a series of phrases that are not found in the language of the measure. The legal standard is that the ballot question must be an accurate synopsis.

Opponents’ Attorney Jason Bezis sent BAHFA a letter last Friday demanding a series of nine language changes to remove prejudicial language. Opponents assert that the true annual cost of the measure is nearly 36% higher than the amount shown in the ballot question.

The very name of the measure is deceptive: Bay Area Affordable Plan. This measure’s taxes will make the Bay Area even less affordable. In response, BAHFA held a special meeting of its Executive Committee this morning.

The lawsuit has already had success: The Committee adopted General Counsel Kathleen Kane’s recommendation “to correct the Ballot Question for Regional Measure 4 by deleting ‘$670,000,000’ from the Ballot Question and replacing it with ‘$910,976,423’.” No other changes to the ballot question were adopted today.

General Counsel Kane described this as a “mathematical error”. Plaintiff Marc Joffe retorted: “How can the public trust an agency that can’t do basic arithmetic with nearly $50 billion of its taxes? Ridiculous.”

“By law, Regional Measure 4 is coordinated by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, so the Santa Clara County Superior Court is where this challenge was filed. The final language of the RM4 ballot question will now be determined by the court. See www.NoOnRM4.com for further information.”

“This public body, MTC in the form BAHFA, they finally acknowledged the public is not willing to support more taxes. It’s completely new to them. They’ve never recognized it before. They exist in this world in which the public is there to give them all the resources they want to monkey around with,” said David Schonbrunn, paralegal for the lawsuit said after the measure was removed from the ballot. “The worst part is MTC, when it comes to their transportation decision making, they have a dismal record on outcomes. Their outcomes are horrible. What I see them doing is it’s all about political deal making and it’s not about delivering solutions to the public.”

The BAHFA statement continued, “The BAHFA Board has always understood that it would be a steep climb to establish this source of funding. Recent developments have led the Board to conclude that the wise choice is to look ahead to another election season for a regional housing measure when there is more certainty and the voters have weighed in affirmatively on Proposition 5.

“In the meantime, BAHFA will continue to work on increasing the production of housing at all income levels, to preserve existing affordable housing, and to protect current residents from displacement. This includes maintaining, refining and expanding pilot programs such as the online Doorway Housing portal that makes it easier for prospective tenants to find and apply for affordable housing throughout the region and easier for developers and property managers to lease up their apartments; working to move thousands of planned housing units through the predevelopment pipeline; and implementing innovative programs to preserve affordable housing and prevent homelessness.

“BAHFA’s commitment to a regional approach toward solving the Bay Area’s housing affordability problems is stronger than ever. When the climb toward passage of a regional revenue measure resumes, the Board looks forward to teaming with every one of the Bay Area’s nine counties and 101 cities; and with the hundreds of other public, private and nonprofit partners who already have invested so much energy into this effort. Their work to prepare for a November bond measure, and the relationships built along the way, have laid a strong foundation for future success. Each step brings us closer to the summit.”

BAHFA is jointly governed by the ABAG’s Executive Board and by the BAHFA Board, which is comprised of the same membership as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). BAHFA and MTC Chair Pedroza and ABAG Executive Board President Ramos both also serve as members of the Napa County Board of Supervisors.

20 Billion Reasons Campaign Responds

In response to the withdrawal of the measure from the ballot, the opposition campaign, 20 Billion Reasons, responded with their own statement on Wednesday, August 14, 2024:

“This morning, the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) voted to pull Regional Measure 4, the $20 billion dollar regional bond measure, off the November ballot. Gus Mattammal, President of the 20 Billion Reasons campaign to defeat the bond measure in November, hailed the move.

Said Mattammal, “This decision is a win for Bay Area taxpayers, and a win for affordable housing. To address housing affordability in a meaningful way, we have to address root causes, not soak taxpayers for billions of dollars to pay bonds that would waste two thirds of their tax money on interest and overhead while barely making a dent in the issue.”

The 20 Billion Reasons campaign brought together Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Independents in a single campaign, a rarity in recent times, but a necessity.

“Actually, working on the root causes of the housing crisis in California – a crisis created by our legislature and the corporate interests to which they are beholden – is politically difficult. It’s much easier to simply raise taxes,” said Mattammal. “That’s why it’s so important for voters to say ‘no’ to deeply flawed proposals such as Regional Measure 4: every time we do say no, it helps create the political conditions to work on the problem in a meaningful way.”

Though Regional Measure 4 is off the ballot for November, many other expensive proposals remain on that ballot. The $20 Billion Reasons campaign team is excited to regroup and consider the best way forward to help ensure that Bay Area taxpayers are getting real solutions for the taxes they pay and that they have a real voice in what is done with their tax money.”

John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications, Rebecca Long, Director, Legislation & Public Affairs, Metropolitan Transportation Commission contributed to this report.

City of Lafayette explains use of property taxes

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Source: City of Lafayette

As council asks voters to increase sales tax

By City of Lafayette

Have you ever wondered where the revenue from property taxes goes?

As seen in the above graphic, the largest share (57%) goes to school districts, including the community college; 14.1% goes to the Contra Costa Fire District; 11.1% to the County; 3.9% to utilities (EBMUD & CentralSan); 3.4% to parks (including the East Bay Regional Park District); and 3.9% going to various other public agencies (including BART).  The City of Lafayette receives only 6.67%.  Thus, for a single-family house assessed at $1M, while the property owner will pay $10,000 annually for the Countywide tax; the City receives only $670.

“People think that because Lafayette is considered an affluent community with expensive homes that, the City must get plenty of money from property taxes,” says City Manager, Niroop K. Srivatsa; “however, that is not the case.”

In fact, the City of Lafayette receives a lesser percentage of the Countywide property tax revenue than most surrounding cities. “Many people are surprised to learn that the distribution of property tax varies widely among the incorporated cities,” Srivatsa points out.  In Contra Costa County, the rate ranges between 5.4% to 27.7%.”  As to why that is, the answer is somewhat complicated, but goes back to 1978 when Prop 13 was passed.  At that time, the City had not imposed any local property taxes while other cities had.  When Prop. 13 standardized the Countywide general 1% rate, cities got the same percentage of the Countywide tax that had previously been levied locally.   That percentage was zero in the case of Lafayette.  Over the course of the next 10 years, Lafayette’s rate has increased to the current 6.67%, and that is where it has been for the last 36 years.

When asked if the City can get a larger share of these property taxes, the City Manager answers, “Unfortunately No.”  She explains, “100% of the general property tax has been accounted for; thus, increasing Lafayette’s share would mean decreasing another agency’s share, which would be virtually impossible.”

Even with this “low” allocation, the City’s number one source of revenue is still property taxes, generating approximately $7M each year – about 35% of the total General Fund revenue. With the addition of other funding sources like sales tax, franchise, and service fees, the City provides Lafayette residents with important public services such as:

  •  Maintaining public streets and storm drains in their present condition and providing timely pothole repair.
  •  Wildfire preparedness activities.
  •  Keeping the number of sworn police officers at the current level
  •  Providing services for senior citizens.
  •  Landscaping and maintaining City parks, open spaces, paths, and playfields.
  •  Traffic safety programs for all public road and pathway users, including people driving, biking, and walking.
  •  Continuing support for our community partners like the Chamber of Commerce and the Lafayette School District.

However, mostly due to inflation, the City is now facing a deficit of more than $2M annually.  Without additional revenue, City officials will have to make difficult decisions about which programs and services to cut back or altogether eliminate.

As part of the budgeting process, City leaders evaluated several possible options for generating additional revenues. They determined that instead of asking voters to raise property taxes by an average of $200 per parcel, they are asking the voters to authorize a 1/2% increase in the City’s Sales Tax, which amounts to one-half of a penny for every taxable dollar spent locally.

A half-cent increase will generate approximately $2.4 million annually; enough to close the budget deficit and maintain the status quo but not enough to address new or unfunded projects and programs.  A sales tax is paid by visitors who dine and shop in Lafayette, as well as by residents; therefore, funds are brought into the community to benefit Lafayette residents by people who reside outside the City.

If authorized, Lafayette Sale Tax will increase from 8.75 to 9.25%, which is less than the rates in Moraga and Orinda.

The funding Measure will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot. Passage requires simple majority support (50%, plus 1 vote).  Revenues from the Measure will be placed into the City’s General Fund.  The City Council will appoint an Oversight Committee to monitor the way these monies are spent, and there will be an annual audit, which will be made available to the public.

The City Manager concludes, “Our goal is to keep pace with existing services and programs, while maintaining the City’s finances.”

As previously reported, the Lafayette City Council is asking voters to approve a half-cent sales tax increase to 9.25% on the November 5th ballot. They claim it’s needed due to inflation, unfunded state mandates and would last seven years.

About The City of Lafayette

Lafayette is a charming small community located in Contra Costa County, 30 miles from The City of Oakland. It’s known for its beautiful green hills, excellent schools, and miles of hiking trails, making it an attractive place to live. The City has a population of more than 25,000 highly educated residents, with 75.2% of them holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, 73.6% of the homes in Lafayette are owner-occupied. The median home value is $1,914,700, while the median household income is $219,250. The total area of the city is 15.22 square miles.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Misinformation and Disinformation: Election Edition in Lafayette Aug. 22

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Source: LWV

By Gail Murray, League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley

Learn how to spot fake news, fact-check sources and navigate the complexities of today’s media landscape to become a more informed voter and citizen.

The presentation by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley will take place in the Homework Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette.

Register at www.tinyurl.com/LAF-misinfo

Contact programs@lwvdv.org for more information.

Brentwood vice mayor responds to rumors surrounding son’s arrest

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The CCC Sheriff’s Office Incident Summary for July 13, 2024, shows the response to the call regarding the alleged assault by Zachary Taylor on Sunday night at 10:40 p.m. Source: CCC Sheriff’s Offic

“I have not used my position to seek any special treatment or favors for myself or my family.” – Susannah Meyer

Zachary Meyer in a photo posted on his mother’s personal Facebook page on Dec. 12, 2020.

By Allen D. Payton

Brentwood Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer took to social media on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, to respond to rumors surrounding the arrest of her son on Saturday and dispel accusations that she received special treatment. The now candidate for mayor in the November election wrote on her official Facebook page, “I have not used my position to seek any special treatment or favors for myself or my family.”

According to localcrimenews.com, Zachary Taylor was arrested for “assault with any means of force likely to produce great bodily injury”. According to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Incident Summary Report for July 13, 2024, it occurred at 10:40 PM in the 3700 block of Porter Circle on Bethel Island inside a mobile home park and is listed as assault with a deadly weapon.

Sheriff’s spokesman Jimmy Lee later confirmed that information when he shared, “On Saturday, July 13, 2024, at about 10:40 PM, Deputy Sheriffs responded to a report of a battery at a residence on the 3700 block of Porter Circle in Bethel Island. Deputies contacted a person who had been physically assaulted. The victim was transported to a local hospital. The suspect was later taken into custody after returning to the scene. He is identified as 30-year-old Zachary Meyer of Bethel Island. He was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for an assault with a deadly weapon charge. He was being held in lieu of $30,000 bail but has since bailed out.”

Also, according to Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office Zachary Meyer was booked early Monday morning, July 14 and was released on bond early Monday afternoon.

Susannah Meyer in a photo on her official Facebook page on Aug. 8, 2023, and the post on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2024, about her son’s arrest.

In her post the councilwoman wrote, “I am aware of the recent social media post regarding my son’s arrest on July 13, 2024. I want to address this situation directly and transparently.

First and foremost, I do not condone violence in any form. When my husband and I first learned of the incident, my son informed us that he was turning himself in to the authorities. We worked with him to do that.

It is important to clarify that my son has a developmental delay and a diagnosis of mental health issues. This context is crucial in understanding the complexities surrounding the incident.

There has been a significant amount of misinformation circulating, and I am limited in what I can say due to the ongoing investigation and on the advice of my attorney. Therefore, I am unable to provide detailed comments at this time.

I also want to assure the community that I have upheld my oath of office with integrity. I have not used my position to seek any special treatment or favors for myself or my family.

I appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this challenging time. Thank you for your support and for respecting our privacy.

Sincerely,

Susannah Meyer”

Efforts to reach the councilwoman for additional details about her son were unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Local election nomination period opens Monday, July 15

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Seats on city councils, school boards, special districts up for election throughout Contra Costa County

Special instructions for Lafayette City Council candidates

By Allen D. Payton

The nomination period for local offices including city councils, school districts and special districts will open on Monday, July 15, 2024, and nomination papers will be available for candidates running for office. The nomination period runs through 5:00 pm Friday, August 9, 2024. The election will be consolidated with the statewide General Election on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024.

Papers for offices that are up for election will be available at the Contra Costa Elections Office, 555 Escobar Street in Martinez or at each city clerk’s office for city offices.

“The 2024 General Election has officially begun,” said Kristin B. Connelly, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters. “Candidate Filing begins Monday July 15, and our Candidate Services team is ready to help our residents who are looking to serve their communities in an elected position.”

If an incumbent does not file to run for office by the deadline on August 9th, the filing period for that office will extend until 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Interested candidates can schedule an appointment through email at candidate.services@vote.cccounty.us or by calling 925-335-7800. Walk-ins are accepted, but service is subject to the availability of staff. Appointments are available on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Filing documents and information will be provided to interested constituents at their appointment. The process takes 20 minutes.

For further information on the General Election and key dates, go to www.contracostavote.gov

The following offices are up for election in November:

City Councils

Antioch – Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, Districts 2 & 3 Councilmembers

Brentwood – Mayor, Districts 1 & 3 Councilmembers

Clayton – 3 Councilmembers

Concord – Districts 2 & 4 Councilmembers

Danville – 3 Councilmembers

El Cerrito – 3 Councilmembers

Hercules – 3 Councilmembers

Lafayette – 3 full-term, 4-year Councilmembers; 1 partial term, 2-year Councilmember

Martinez – Treasurer, District 2 & 3 Councilmembers

Moraga – 3 Councilmembers

Oakley – Districts 1, 3 & 5 Councilmembers

Orinda – 2 Councilmembers

Pinole – Treasurer, 2 Councilmembers

Pittsburg – 2 Councilmembers

Pleasant Hill – Districts 1, 2 & 5 Councilmembers

Richmond – Districts 1, 5 & 6 Councilmembers

San Pablo – 3 Councilmembers

San Ramon – Mayor, Districts 1 & 3 Councilmembers

Walnut Creek – 3 Councilmembers

School Districts

Acalanes Union High School District – 2 Governing Board Members

Antioch Unified School District – Areas 1, 3 & 4 Governing Board Members

Brentwood Union School District – 2 Governing Board Members

Byron Union School District – 2 Governing Board Members (4-year terms), 1 Governing Board Member (2-year term)

Canyon Elementary School District – 2 Governing Board Members

Chabot-Las Positas Community College – Ward 7 Governing Board Member (Shared with Alameda which is county of jurisdiction)

Contra Costa County Board of Education – Areas 1 & 3 Governing Board Members

Contra Costa Community College District Wards 2 & 5 Governing Board Members

John Swett Unified School District – 3 Governing Board Members

Knightsen Elementary School District – 3 Governing Board Members

Lafayette School District – 2 Governing Board Members

Liberty Union High School District – Areas 1 & 2 Governing Board Members (4-year terms), Area 4 Governing Board Member (2-year term)

Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District – 2 Governing Board Members (Shared with Alameda which is county of jurisdiction)

Martinez Unified School District – Areas 1, 2 & 4 – 1 Governing Board Members

Moraga School District – 2 Governing Board Members

Mt. Diablo Unified School District – Areas 3 & 5 Governing Board Members

Oakley Union Elementary School District – Areas 1 & 2 Governing Board Members

Orinda Union School District – 2 Governing Board Members

Pittsburg Unified School District – 2 Governing Board Members

San Ramon Valley Unified School District – Areas 2 & 3 Governing Board Members

Walnut Creek School District – 2 Governing Board Members (4-year terms), 1 Governing Board Member (2-year term)

West Contra Costa Unified School District – Districts 1, 2 & 3 Governing Board Members

Special Districts (Nomination Papers issued by County Elections Division)

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District – Ward 1 Director (Shared with Alameda which is the county of jurisdiction)

Ambrose Recreation & Park District – 2 Directors

Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District – 3 Directors

Byron-Bethany Irrigation District – Division 2 Director

Byron Sanitary District – 3 Directors

Castle Rock County Water District – 3 Directors

Central Contra Costa Sanitary District – Divisions 1, 4 & 5 Directors (4-year terms), Division 3 Director (2-year term)

Contra Costa Water District – Divisions 3, 4 & 5 Directors

Crockett Community Services District – 2 Directors (4-year terms), 1 Director (2-year term)

Diablo Community Services District – 2 Directors

Diablo Water District – Wards 1 & 5 Directors

Town of Discovery Bay Community Services District – 2 Directors

Dublin San Ramon Services District – Division 1 Director

East Bay Municipal Utility District – Ward 1 Director (4-year term), Ward 2 Director (2-year term)

East Bay Regional Park District – Wards 1 & 2 Directors (Shared with Alameda which is county of jurisdiction)

East Contra Costa Irrigation District – Divisions 2, 3 & 5 Directors

Green Valley Recreation & Park District – 2 Directors

Ironhouse Sanitary District – 3 Directors

Kensington Fire Protection District – 2 Directors

Kensington Police Protection & Community Services District – 2 Directors

Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District – Divisions 2 & 5 Director

Mt. View Sanitary District – Area 1 Director (2-year term) Areas 3, 4 & 5 Directors (4-year term)

Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District – 2 Directors

Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District – 2 Directors

Rodeo Sanitary District 3 Directors

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) – District 1 Director, Districts 3 & 5 Directors (Shared with Alameda which is county of jurisdiction)

San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District – 3 Directors

Stege Sanitary District – 2 Directors

West County Wastewater District – Divisions 2 & 4 Directors

See list of offices currently up for election here.

Lafayette

In Lafayette, the nomination period will close on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. If nomination documents from any incumbent is not filed by that date, the nomination period shall be extended until Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. During this extension period, no incumbent is allowed to file nomination documents.

For the Lafayette City Council, appointments for obtaining and filing nomination papers are required and can be requested by emailing City Clerk Joanne Robbins jrobbins@lovelafayette.org or call 925-284-1968. The Lafayette City Clerk’s office is located at 3675 Mt. Diablo Blvd., second floor, Lafayette. Appointments will be scheduled during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Starting July 15, information on individuals who have been issued nomination papers will be posted on www.lovelafayette.org/election.

Kristin B. Connelly, County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, Dawn Kruger, Civic Outreach and Engagement Specialist, Contra Costa Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department and Suzanne Iarla, Communications Analyst/PIO, City of Lafayette contributed to this report.

BAHFA to place $20 billion affordable housing bond measure on Nov. ballot in Bay Area counties

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Source: BAHFA

First-of-its-kind measure to help build, preserve more than 70,000 additional homes

Contra Costa County would receive $1.9 billion

By John Goodwin, Assistant Director of Communications & Rebecca Long, Director, Legislation & Public Affairs, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

The Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA) on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, adopted a resolution to place a general obligation bond measure on the November 5 general election ballot in each of the nine Bay Area counties to raise and distribute $20 billion for the production of new affordable housing and the preservation of existing affordable housing throughout the region. BAHFA is jointly governed by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)’s Executive Board and by the BAHFA Board, which is comprised of the same membership as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).

The bond could create 72,000 new affordable homes – more than double what would be possible without a bond. Without more funding, only about 71,000 affordable homes will be built or preserved in the Bay Area over the next 15 years – a status quo that is failing to meet the needs of the people who live and work here.

Currently, the Bay Area doesn’t have enough homes for the people who live here. As a result of the region’s housing shortage:

  • In 2022, 37,000 people were unhoused in the Bay Area.
  • 1.4 million people—23% of Bay Area renters—spend over half their income on rent.
  • High rents and home prices force people to live far from work, making congestion and pollution much worse, and putting a major strain on working families.
  • Too many Bay Area residents live in overcrowded and unsafe housing.
  • Vital employees and community members are leaving the area.

Wednesday’s unanimous vote by the BAHFA Board marks the final discretionary step in the process to place the measure on the November ballot. Under state law, each Bay Area county will now take a non-discretionary, ministerial vote to place the measure on the ballot in that county, in accordance with election deadlines.

The BAHFA bond measure currently would require approval by at least two-thirds of voters to pass. Voters throughout California this November will consider Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 (ACA 1) — which would set the voter threshold at 55 percent for voter approval of bond measures for affordable housing and infrastructure. If a majority of California voters support ACA 1, the 55 percent threshold will apply to the BAHFA bond measure.

“Today’s vote is the culmination of so many years of effort by so many people all around our region,” observed BAHFA Chair and Napa County Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza. “The Bay Area’s longstanding housing affordability problems affect all of us, our friends, our neighbors and our family members. This vote is about preserving opportunity for everyone.”

Source: BAHFA

The proposed BAHFA bond measure calls for 80 percent of the funds to go directly to the nine Bay Area counties (and to the cities of San Jose, Oakland, Santa Rosa and Napa, each of which carries more than 30 percent of their county’s low-income housing need), in proportion to each county’s tax contribution to the bond. In consultation with its cities and towns, each county would determine how to distribute bond funds to best meet its jurisdictions’ most pressing housing needs. These distributions would include:

  • Contra Costa County: $1.9 billion
  • Alameda County: $2 billion
  • Marin County: $699 million
  • Napa County: $118 million
  • San Francisco County: $2.4 billion
  • San Mateo County: $2.1 billion
  • Santa Clara County: $2.4 billion
  • Solano County: $489 million
  • Sonoma County: $553 million
  • City of Napa: $246 million
  • City of Oakland: $765 million
  • City of San Jose: $2.1 billion
  • City of Santa Rosa: $242 million

The remaining 20 percent, or $4 billion, would be used by BAHFA to establish a new regional program to fund affordable housing construction and preservation projects throughout the Bay Area. Most of this money (at least 52 percent) must be spent on new construction of affordable homes, but every city and county receiving a bond allocation must also spend at least 15 percent of the funds to preserve existing affordable housing. Almost one-third of funds may be used for the production or preservation of affordable housing, or for housing-related uses such as infrastructure needed to support new housing.

Source: BAHFA

The California Constitution currently does not allow bond funds to be used for tenant protections such as rental assistance, but planned investments in new housing and affordable housing preservation will protect tens of thousands of low-income renters and vulnerable residents.

The BAHFA Board also adopted on Wednesday, resolutions approving the Authority’s Business Plan and its Regional Expenditure Plan, which explain the prioritization for use of the funds that would be directly administered by BAHFA.

Oversight and accountability provisions to be included in the BAHFA bond measure include the creation of a special bond proceeds account; establishment of a Citizens’ Oversight Committee that would review the expenditure of bond proceeds and report to the BAHFA and ABAG Executive Boards on whether the funds were spent appropriately; an independent annual performance audit; a requirement that all bond-projects be consistent with state laws on labor standards; a requirement that administrative costs not exceed the amount prescribed in state law; and a prohibition against any public official who voted to send the ballot measure to the voters bidding on any work funded with proceeds from the bond.

The ABAG Executive Board voted unanimously at its April meeting to adopt a resolution approving BAHFA’s Business Plan and its Expenditure Plan, as well as to endorse placement of the bond measure on the November ballot. In her remarks preceding the vote, ABAG President and Napa County Supervisor Belia Ramos noted, “This is a remarkable milestone moment for our region. Housing stability is essential for our community to thrive, and this proposal is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

Read the Bond Report and learn more about the bond measure, here and here.

Contra Costa launches nation’s most ambitious, countywide campaign to elevate trust in elections

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Community Ambassadors meeting. Photo: CCC Elections Division

“Contra Costa County is home to one of the safest, most secure, and transparent election systems in the nation.”

By Contra Costa Elections Division

In light of a growing tide of election misinformation, the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department is taking a stand. The Elections Division is launching a far-reaching marketing and community engagement campaign this week to reassure voters of election integrity and security by shining a light on the comprehensive steps taken to deliver on that promise.

“Elections are more secure than ever and we’re proud of Contra Costa County’s reputation for fair and secure elections. We have to make sure our voters know about the work we’re doing and have the information that inspires faith in our elections,” says Kristin B. Connelly, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters.

Asked for examples of election misinformation in Contra Costa County, the Election Division’s Community and Media Relations Coordinator Dawn Kruger responded, “Unfortunately, we’ve seen and heard lots of misinformation on social media and media comment sections as well as at community meetings.

Some of the most common misconceptions and questions we get are about voter registration requirements, voting by mail, how we prevent voter fraud, and how we secure election technology.

Thanks to the 48 election security safeguards we have in place, elections are more secure than ever, and we want to show voters everything the Contra Costa County Elections Division does to protect their vote. That’s why we’ve compiled all the information voters may want to know and made it available to the public. Voters can get clear and accurate information and responses to some of the most common questions about election security at www.secure-election.org/facts.”

Source: CCC Elections Division

Marketing Campaign

A multi-faceted marketing campaign is in place to deliver that message. In addition to county-wide advertising in print, television, radio and digital media, the campaign also includes the recruitment and training of nearly 100 election ambassadors who have volunteered to carry forward the election integrity message through social media channels and speaking engagements around the county. A companion website, www.secure-election.org, has also been launched, which includes a comprehensive collection of videos, fact sheets, Q&As and social media graphics illustrating how Contra Costa County protects its elections. All this is complemented by opportunities for the public to observe election activities and the county’s award-winning Certified Election Observer program.

“While trust in Contra Costa County elections is high, we’re facing a growing tide of mis- and disinformation that confuses voters and undermines the legitimacy of our elections,” said Kruger. “This voter education campaign fights those myths with solid facts and information, equipping volunteers in our community with a host of tools to help put the real story out there about how safe elections are.”

Contra Costa County was one of 10 election divisions nationwide to be awarded a grant to improve its election processes and chose to pilot this voter education work. The ambitious and robust campaign is expected to reach every resident of the county multiple times and in different ways, hammering home the many steps and precautions in place to ensure only eligible voters vote, that every legitimate vote is counted, and that the county’s election system is secure from fraud. The campaign is predicated on transparency, inviting the public to look more closely at how elections are handled and the exhaustive efforts to protect them.

The first wave of election integrity advertising will run June – July and a second wave will run September – October. These advertisements will coincide with the ambassador’s social media efforts and speaking engagements. Any organization interested in scheduling an ambassador speaking engagement can email info@contracostavote.org. For more information about the campaign and election security, visit secure-election.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.