Supervisors | Contra Costa Herald

County health officials tell Supervisors they’re taking extra steps to control Coronavirus

February 5, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Supes finalize appointment of County Clerk, approve agriculture land use policy

By Daniel Borsuk

Contra Costa County Health Department officials told the Board of Supervisors Tuesday that the county is “taking extra steps to control” the global Novel Coronavirus epidemic.

Dr. Louise McNitt, Director of the Contra Costa County Communicable Disease Unit, told supervisors, “We are still learning about it, but we are taking the extra steps to control it, who to test.”

As of Tuesday, there were no Novel Coronavirus cases reported in Contra Costa County while four cases had been reported elsewhere in the Bay Area. Overall, six Novel Coronavirus cases had been reported in California. There were 11 cases reported throughout the United States. McNitt reported there were 20,000 cases worldwide.

McNitt said the county checks daily with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta to get the most recent information on how to medically combat Novel Coronavirus.

“The Centers for Disease Control answers a lot of our questions,” she said.

“What happens if in four months there are a large number of cases?” asked District 1 Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond. “We cannot build new hospitals overnight like how China does.”

“We have the tight network of health officials in the Bay Area to quickly respond to this virus should it get out of control,” said Contra Costa Health Services Director Anna Roth. “We are ready if we have a case that comes to us.

“The risk is low,” added Roth. “We are continuously updating our website and advice line.”

“I have every confidence any hospital is ready to treat patients with this disease” said District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill. But the supervisor said that citizens can get help by getting flu shots and frequently washing their hands.

McNitt agreed with Mitchoff about the flu shots. “Right now, there are more people who have the flu than have this virus,” she said.

Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, who requested that the Novel Coronavirus topic be placed on the Board Agenda, requested that the county’s health department’s website be continuously updated with information about this virus.

Finalize Appointment of Deborah Cooper as County Clerk

Newly appointed Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters Deborah Cooper at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

The Supervisors appointed Deborah Cooper as the County Clerk-Recorder to the remaining term of the office that will expire on January 2, 2023.

“The Board held an open process over the past three months to find, interview, select and appoint a new County Clerk-Recorder,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Candace Andersen. “During this time, the Board of Supervisors has strongly affirmed the integrity and the professional work of County staff in the Clerk-Recorder-Elections Division. We have every confidence that Debi Cooper will continue to move the team forward during this important election year and beyond with the utmost integrity.”

Deborah Cooper, County Clerk-Recorder, said, “Our primary purpose is to serve the public, whether conducting elections or providing Clerk and Recorder services. Maintaining the public trust while remaining impartial and neutral is crucial. I appreciate our talented and dedicated staff. We will continue to provide great customer service to the people of Contra Costa.”

Most recently, Cooper served as the Acting County Clerk-Recorder since November 1, 2019 and, prior to that, as the Deputy County Clerk-Recorder since 2012.

County Administrator David J. Twa who announced the recruitment for selecting and appointing a Clerk-Recorder, remarked, “It was important to conduct a clear and transparent process with each step. The public was able to attend or watch Board of Supervisors meetings, make public comment, and see the timeline and other key information on the website.”

Ag Land Use Policy Gets Green Light

Supervisors flashed the green light for the county planners to proceed in the development of an Agricultural Land Use Policy that envisions the transformation of agricultural land use to various types of lodging accommodations and food services.

Funded on a $150,000 Livable Communities Trust Grant since 2016, the Department of Conservation and Development presented an update to supervisors on where the study stands.

So far, more work needs to be done since there is no consensus on the study’s recommendations about different types of lodging accommodations, including short-term rentals for 9-days or less, farm stays for up to 90 days, bed-and-breakfast, and camping, yurts or little houses on wheels.

Food service use proposals include farm dinners, farm-to-table restaurants, updating the Winery Ordinance, and allowing hosting of large events. These uses may require a zoning permit like an administerial permit or a land use permit or other permits required by other agencies.

“This is not a total road map. We are checking into with the Board to see if you accept the report,” said Contra Costa County Conservation & Development Department Director John Kopchik.

“There’s tension in the farm community,” Supervisor Mitchoff said about the preliminary land use plan. “You need to work it out.”

Where once fertile farmland once stood with real estate prices might fetch $10,000 an acre, some farmland is being snapped up by developers at $100,000 an acre or higher.

The county’s Agricultural Land Use Policy is in response to the skyrocketing real estate prices shaking up the rural areas in Brentwood, Oakley, Knightsen in East County and Danville.

The planning study occurs at a pivotal time in the county’s steadily declining agricultural economy. In 2017, county crop production from corn, berries, and other crops fell to $120.4 million, a six percent decline from 2016 due mainly to crop marketplace conditions.

The planning study also includes recommendations to promote agriculture use to include equestrian and bike trails to connect farms, consider allowing equestrian facilities within additional agricultural districts, exploring funding for signage to promote farming in the county, updating the county’s sign ordinance, and working with other agencies to promote agricultural vitality in the County.

Funds for 30-Unit Pittsburg Rental Housing Project Approved

Supervisors unanimously approved as part of the consent agenda items, the issuance of $18 million in state Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to finance the cost of the acquisition and construction of a 30-unit rental housing development at 901 Los Medanos Street and 295 E. 10th Street in Pittsburg.

Veterans Square will provide 29 units of affordable housing and one manager’s unit. Fifteen units will be reserved for households with incomes at or below 50 percent of the area median income and 14 units will be reserved at or below 30 percent of the area median income.

The Board of Supervisors had previously allocated about $2.2 million in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds for Veterans Square and approved the county submission of an application to the state for $3.6 million in No Place Like Home funds. On Dec. 17, 2019, the Board of Supervisors approved a Reimbursement Resolution for this prospective issuance of bonds.

When asked why it’s costing $600,000 for each of the one-bedroom apartments, county Affordable Housing Program Manager Kristen Lackey said, “That is what we are seeing in affordable housing units, and with other projects, as well. Construction costs are going up. Affordable housing is typically more expensive to develop based on the different sources of funds, which adds to the complexity and they have to pay prevailing wage, so the labor costs on it are higher, than what normal residential construction will be.”

“It’s an unfortunate reality of the housing crisis,” she added.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Writer shares reasons to re-elect Diane Burgis supervisor

February 3, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Supervisors hire from within, choose Deborah Cooper as County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters

January 22, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Soon to be appointed Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters Deborah Cooper at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Long-time Clerk/Recorder Administrator gets nod for $350,000 a year post; Mitchoff withdrew application

By Daniel Borsuk

By leveraging 24 years of experience in the Contra Costa County Clerk/Recorder-Registrar of Voters Office, Deborah Cooper unanimously earned the nod of approval from the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to become the next Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters.

But it wasn’t a smooth ride to convince the five supervisors in selecting the longtime Clerk/Recorder Administrator to the top Clerk/Recorder-Registrar of Voters’ position.

Supervisors instructed County Administrator David Twa to have criminal and personal background checks conducted on the career Clerk/Recorder Office Administrator so that supervisors can put their final stamp of approval on their selection at a meeting on February 4.

Cooper, a Danville resident, outlasted four other candidates for the elected post that became vacant October 30 when former office holder Joseph Canciamilla of Pittsburg, resigned when a California Fair Practices Commission audit uncovered that the former state assemblymember had illegally spent $130,529 in campaign funds for personal expenses. Canciamilla has paid a $150,000 CFPC fine, but still faces potential criminal charges and forfeiture of his state pension.

Cooper said she is willing to run for the elected office in three years, unless the supervisors change the office from an elected to an appointed post during the interim. The longtime department administrator remarked that expanding voter outreach and relying on current department IT personnel to ensure election security and safety will be among her priorities if she is permanent Clerk/Recorder and Registrar of Voters.

“You currently have someone who has held an important position in the office for 24 years and knows how to maintain control,” said former County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of voters Steve Weir, who endorsed Cooper for the full-time top post.

Competition for the $350,000 a year post was intense, especially from former California Assemblymember Catharine Baker of Dublin, who, even though she resides in Alameda County, said she “held the keys” to a residence in Contra Costa County that would help her meet the residency requirement by the February 4th date when Supervisors are expected to officially approve the finalist.

“I’d bring a sense of transparency to the office,” said Baker, who ran into a rough patch of questions from District 1 Supervisor John Gioia concerning her interpretation of the State Voter Identification Law. “I support the policy that requires voter ID,” Baker said. But Gioia responded “There is nothing in the voter ID law that discourages people from voting.”

Also in the competition for the top post were former El Cerrito Mayor Mark Friedman, who pledged to use his philanthropic fundraising skills to bolster the Clerk/Recorder Office’s functions; Deputy Registrar of Voters Scott Kopanaseke, who leveraged his extensive elections IT and cybersecurity expertise; and Lafayette resident Kristin Connelly, President and CEO of the East Bay Leadership Council, who said she has the leadership skills to bring changes to the department where voting at polls is on the decline while voting by mail is on the rise.

On the initial vote, District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, herself a candidate for the position until she withdrew her application on January 16, citing “personal reasons” for pulling out, sided with District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover to appoint Cooper to the post for the next three years. Both Glover and Mitchoff liked Cooper’s experience and knowledge of the department and what needs to be done immediately.

Supervisors Gioia and District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis initially voted for Friedman and Board Chair Candace Andersen called former Assemblymember Baker “my first choice,” and described Koponaseke for “doing amazing things,” wound up voting for Cooper’s appointment as did Gioia and Burgis on a second vote.

Supervisors recognized the 400 county eligibility workers on Tuesday by designating January as Eligibility Workers Month in Contra Costa County. Eligibility workers assist receipients and prospective recipients eligible for a myriad of public assistance programs. Those programs include Medi-Cal, Welfare-to-Work, CalWorks, FosterCare, KinGap, and CalFresh. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Bisa French, the interim Richmond Police Chief delivered a speech at the 42nd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration in the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors chambers in Martinez on Tuesday. French, a Richmond native, spoke about her experiences growing up in Richmond, her ordeal while undergoing police cadet training, and how she rose through the ranks to where she is today. Also honored at the ceremony were Tamisha Walker, who is co-founder and executive director of the Safe Return Project, a Richmond organization invested in securing the freedom of formerly incarcerated individuals. Concord High School student Christina Mazzi, a 17-year-old Ugandan-American, founded ProjectWOC, an Instagram based community organization working to inspire the younger generation of girls of color. Christina has a 4.1 grade point average at Concord High School.

Make It Easier to Build Granny Units

In other business, supervisors adopted an overhauled ordinance to create regulations permitting procedures for accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units. The new ordinance puts the county ordinance in compliance with the state ordinance, Stanley Muraoka of the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development said. The updated ADU ordinance aims to encourage residential property owners in unincorporated Contra Costa County to build ADU’s as the state undergoes an affordable housing crisis.

Among some of the changes are the elimination of requirements setting minimum lot size and maximum lot coverage. For the first time, junior ADU’s are permitted of up to 500 feet within an existing single-family dwelling and can be combined with or in addition to a regular detached ADU on the same lot.

Accept Grant for Sheriff-Coroner Forensic Unit

Supervisors also approved a Sheriff-Coroner Office’s consent item to accept a grant of $408,854 for the Sheriff’s Forensic Services Unit to buy a Liquid-Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Instrument starting October 1. The LC-MS/MS will allow the Sheriff’s Office crime laboratory to provide more information on driving under the influence of drugs and drug facilitated sexual assault cases without the need of outside testing.

The Sheriff’s Office has seen an increase in the number of newer or “emerging drugs” inclusive of fentanyl analogs, designer benzodiazepines, synthetic cannabinoids and “bath salts.” A LC-MS/MS would aid the crime lab to increase the variety of drugs that can be tested and eventually provided the law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution purposes.

Allocate $1.2 Million for Walnut Creek Area Park Landscaping

Supervisors also approved allocations of $1.2 million in total Park Dedication Funds for landscaping projects at two public parks in the Walnut Creek area. The Public Works Department plans to spend $800,000 to install and maintain landscaping at Walden Green along a half-mile stretch of the Iron Horse Trail Corridor. The Public Works Department plans to spend $400,000 at Fox Creek Park, 118 Anthony Way, in Walnut Creek to upgrade the park by replacing some of the landscaping with more sustainable landscaping and increasing American with Disability Act accessibility.

Supervisors pick six semi-finalists for County Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters appointment

January 15, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Former State Assemblymember Catharine Baker of Dublin spoke to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on why she would be the best candidate to fill the vacant post of Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters. Baker had about 10 speakers support her application for the post that was vacated on Oct. 30 by former county clerk/recorder Joseph Canciamilla. Canciamilla was caught by state auditors for misusing his campaign funds for personal use, including renovations to a Hawaii house. He was fined $150,000 by the California Fair Political Practices Commission and still faces potential criminal and pension forfeiture actions. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Begin process of possibly changing office to appointed instead of elected post

By Daniel Borsuk

The list of candidates for the County Recorder/Clerk-Registrar of Voters’ position was whittled down from 22 to six candidates at a special meeting of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

The six semi-finalists will undergo thorough interviews at the supervisors’ next meeting scheduled for February 4th when a potential finalist could be unveiled.

Still in the running is former Republican Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, who resides in Alameda County but 1.5 miles from the Contra Costa County line and attracted a major political lobbying effort with at least 10 supporters speaking on her behalf, citing her two terms of office as a State Assembly member and her service in the Dublin-San Ramon and LaMorinda communities.

According to Supervisor Candace Andersen’s Chief of Staff, Gayle Israel, Baker has already informed the supervisors that she has secured an apartment in Walnut Creek to meet the Feb. 4 deadline when the supervisors are expected to announce a finalist for the county clerk post. Baker had informed the supervisors about the Walnut Creek apartment at the supervisors’ Jan. 7 meeting.

One Baker backer, Cindy Chin, said the supervisors should appoint Baker to fill former County Clerk/Recorder Joseph Canciamilla’s term of office that expires in 2021.

“You need to take the money and politics out of this position. Catharine Baker would bring integrity to the office,” Chin said.

Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill made the semi-finalist list, even though she was not in attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.

Acting County Recorder-Clerk Kristin Connelly, who has been on the staff at the county office of clerk-recorder since 1990, got the nod to proceed in the supervisors’ deliberations on February 4.

A finalist could possibly be announced at the supervisors February 4 meeting.

Kristin Connelly, who is president and chief executive officer of the East Bay Leadership Council and executive director of the Contra Costa Economic Partnership, will interview for the top County Election Officer post that pays an annual salary of $350,000.

Current County Assistant Registrar of Voters Scott Kanopasek of Walnut Creek will move forward in the selection process on February 4.

Mark Friedman, who has served on the El Cerrito City Council for more than 11 years and works for a Fremont-based consulting firm, also made the cut to be interviewed.

Supervisors instructed deputy county counsel Mary Ann Mason to prepare a report on what options are available to transform the County Recorder-Clerk and Registrar of Voters from an elected position to an appointed position.

During the meeting, League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley President Susan Rena suggested that supervisors study the feasibility of changing the position that pays a salary of $350,000 a year from an elected position to an appointed position.

“The board of supervisors has the authority to convert the office from an elected to appointed office,” Mason said. Supervisors would have to place a proposition on the ballot to get voter approval to make the change.

Supervisors plan to fill the vacant Recorder-Clerk/Registrar of Voters’ post since former office holder Joseph Canciamilla resigned from the post on October 30. It was eventually revealed Canciamilla resigned after he was cited by California Fair Political Practices Commission auditors that he had misused $130,529 in campaign funds for personal purposes, including renovations to a Hawaiian home.

In late November, the California Fair Political Practices Commission fined the former state assembly member and former county supervisor $150,000. The Pittsburg native still faces potential criminal charges and pension forfeiture.

Other applicants for the County Clerk-Recorder post who did not make the cut were: Karen Basting of Walnut Creek, Paul Burgarino of Antioch the Community Education and Engagement Specialist for the Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department, Martin Dunlop of Martinez, Herman Farmer of Bay Point, Richard Hernandez of Martinez, Concord Council Member Laura Hoffmeister, Hakam Ibrahim of Walnut Creek, Debra McKillop of Martinez, Elliot Meltzer of Martinez, Tina Norton of Oakley, Courtney O’Brien of Martinez, Scott Rafferty of Walnut Creek, Martinez Vice Mayor Mark Ross, Dedra Siguenza of Martinez, Antioch City Clerk Arne Simonsen, and Walnut Creek Council Member Justin Wedel.

Board of Supervisors installs new leadership with Andersen as Chair, Burgis Vice Chair

January 8, 2020 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa, who will retire at the end of 2020, administered the oath of office to new Supervisors Chair Candace Andersen of Danville and Vice Chair Diane Burgis of Brentwood at the Board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. Photo by Daniel Borusk.

Martinez, CA – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors held a swearing-in ceremony for Supervisor Candace Andersen as Board Chair and Supervisor Diane Burgis as Vice Chair at its January 7th, 2020 Board meeting.

District 2 Supervisor Candace Andersen who has served Contra Costa County since she was first elected in 2012, including a previous term as Board Chair in 2016, takes the leadership role from outgoing Chair, Supervisor John Gioia of District 1.

Gioia of Richmond, who was presented with a prized Hawaiian Koa wood gavel from incoming Andersen as a gift, credited the “great work of county employees” in 2019 for salvaging a year marked by power outages and catastrophic fires.

Andersen expressed her thanks to Gioia, as well as her readiness to tackle the County’s issues.

“I appreciate Supervisor Gioia’s leadership in maintaining our County’s strong fiscal position and ensuring that many who need County services receive them in a timely manner. As Chair, I intend to work with my colleagues to strengthen the County’s commitment to supporting our law enforcement to keep our communities safe, expand our work addressing homelessness and the need for more housing, and do even more to help individuals, families and communities confronting mental health issues,” she said.

Andersen, who has served as a supervisor since 2012 and previously chaired the board in 2016, said there will plenty of business items the supervisors will address in 2020. Among the issues she listed were updating the county tree and Airbnb ordinances, considering a $20 million housing grant, and the grand openings of the new county and new sheriff’s office administration buildings.

Burgis, who has served on the County’s Board of Supervisors since 2017, representing the largest geographic region of the five districts, said she will work on the 2020 census, the Delta, and public safety and fire safety issues during the year.

Andersen is completing her second term, facing no opposition in her re-election bid, while Burgis is completing her first, facing one opponent in the March Primary election. They will lead the five-member elected body that sets the direction of county government and oversees its $4.43 billion budget to serve this large and diverse East Bay County.

For more information about Contra Costa County and its Board of Supervisors, visit the County’s website at www.contracosta.ca.gov or the webpage: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/193/Board-of-Supervisors.

Daniel Borsuk contributed to this report.

Supervisors’ 2020 Top Issues: New county clerk, short-term rental law, airport projects, cannabis retail permits, elections

December 19, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognized Larry Sly the retired executive director of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties for his 43 years of public service on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019. The University of California at Berkeley history graduate is known for building up the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano into one of the premier provider of food to those in need in the county, The development of the Great Food Fight between Contra Costa and Solano counties raises thousands of dollars annually between the two counties. At the presentation were from left, District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood, Food Bank Communications Director Lisa Sherill, Board Chair John Gioia, District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover, Larry Sly, District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, Food Bank Programs Director Caitlin Sly and Vice Chair Candace Andersen. Sly says he has no immediate plans of what he will do during his retirement. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Honor former Food Bank Executive Director Larry Sly, Ryse Center in Richmond

By Daniel Bsuk

Look for 2020 to be an unusually busy year for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.

The elected officials are expected to take up complex issues like choosing a new County Clerk, adoption of a short-term rental ordinance, numerous construction projects at the county’s two airports, and decide on potentially 11 land use permits for cannabis businesses, perhaps in March, while two members run for re-election.

New County Clerk-Recorder

In the first two months of the new year, supervisors will also be busy selecting a new county clerk-recorder registrar of voters to replace Joseph Canciamilla, who was forced to resign in late October when it was disclosed that he had illegally used campaign funds for personal use. The California Fair Political Practices Commission fined Canciamilla $150,000 for the illegal action.

Short-Term Rental Ordinance

Supervisors got a glimpse of a Draft Short-term Rental Ordinance at Tuesday’s meeting and flashed the green light for Conservation and Development Department (CDD) Director John Kopchik and his staff to proceed in drafting an ordinance for potential board adoption in 2020.

Supervisors directed CDD officials to proceed to draft a Short-term Rental Ordinance in the aftermath of the Halloween night murder spree at an Orinda house that was rented as an Airbnb where five people died and four others were injured. In late November, federal law enforcement authorities had arrested Frederick Johnson, 29, of Vallejo and Domico Dones, 29, of Martinez in connection with the mass shooting.

Presently, unincorporated Contra Costa County does not permit short-term rentals because it has no law on the books addressing the growing rental practice.

So far, supervisors have discussed modeling a potential short-term rental ordinance with a 90-day limit involving a complete house, not a unit of a house. County planners are also reviewing capping the total number of persons at a short-term rental at no more than 20 persons, banning the posting of signs, excessive noise and traffic, and prohibiting special events such as a conference, wedding or commercial event.

Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood said enforcement of a STR ordinance will be a difficult task and CDP Director Kopchik agreed, saying “Enforcement is a challenge. We won’t get a lot of money from enforcement of this ordinance.”

Out-going Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Chair John Gioia selected the Ryse Center of Richmond as 2019 Chair of the Board Award recipient. The center that provides emotional, mental and political health services for Richmond youth ages 11 to 24 years of age was co-founded by executive director Kimberly Aceves-Iniguez and associate director Kanwarpal Dhaliwal in 2001. Ryse Center has reached out to about 10,000 youth in the Richmond area. Gioia will hand over the gavel to Vice Chair Candace Andersen of Danville at the supervisors’ Jan. 14 meeting. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Airports Draw Big Bucks

On a positive note, Supervisors heard Director of Airports Keith Freitas report at Tuesday’s meeting that the county owned and operated airports – Buchanan Field Airport in Concord and Byron Airport – generated $8.4 million in revenue for the airports, county and schools in 2017-2018. During that fiscal year Freitas, who said the airports must be financially dependent on their own revenues, distributed $2.2 million to the county, $882,801 to the schools, and $5.1 million to airport enterprises.

The airports are luring developers, Freitas said. On the drawing boards for Buchanan Field are a new Buchanan Field Airport Terminal, a Concord Airport Self Storage, a new Fire Station No. 9, and on the west side of the airport two major business parks are planned – a three-acre and a 16-acre business park.

Byron Airport is also attracting development, including a 36-acre non-aviation development and a three-acre aviation hangar development.

Freitas said the county airports are in discussions with Alaska and New Mexico Unmanned Aircraft System FAA test sites to potentially strike up a partnership with Buchanan Field and Byron Airport. Potential contracts could mean more jobs and revenue for the airports.

Freitas said the two airports provide 828 jobs in the county – 808 jobs at Buchanan Field and 20 jobs at Byron Airport.

Cannabis Land Use Permits

Possibly at the Supervisors’ March 24 meeting, supervisors will act in awarding land use permits to up to four cannabis retail and seven cannabis commercial cultivation applicants that Supervisors had selected a a Dec. 10th meeting. Supervisors set a 90-day period for the 11 successful candidates to complete and submit land use applications with the Department of Conservation & Development. That application deadline is March 9.

The four retail candidates moving ahead in the selection process are Authentic 925 for a location in South Pacheco, Artist Tree in El Sobrante, Embarc Contra Costa in North Pacheco and Garden of Eden for South Pacheco.

In the running for commercial cultivation permits are Lifted Spirit-Brentwood; 703 Chesley, LLC; Element 7 – Chestnut Street of Brentwood; Element 7 – Willow Way in Byron; Casa Resta Farms of Brentwood, Diablo Valley Farm of Brentwood and Magic Flower Gardens.

Lastly, the supervisors and county employees now working out of the old administrative building at 651 Pine Street in Martinez will be moving into a four-story, 71,000 square foot, $60 million administrative building is spring. The new building will replace the old administrative building at 651 Pine St.

Three Supervisors Up For Election, Two Face Opponents

Three members of the Board are up for re-election but only two are facing opponents in the March Primary Election. Burgis running for a second term in District 3, faces one opponent and Federal Glover, running for a sixth term in District 5, faces two opponents. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the top two will runoff in the General Election in November. Candace Andersen will be re-elected to her third term representing District 2, since no one filed to run against her.

2020 is shaping up to be a transformative year for the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in more ways than one.

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Supervisors OK 4 cannabis retail, 7 cultivation applicants to proceed in permit process

December 14, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

From the presentation to CCC Board of Supervisors.

By Daniel Borsuk

The number of cannabis businesses seeking Contra Costa County land use permits to legally operate retail or commercial cultivation operations became a bit more crystal clear after the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday selected four retail applicants and seven cultivation applicants to proceed in the demanding planning process.

The supervisors’ 5-0 action means applicants in the competition will need to satisfy a series of requirements including filing and receiving State and County cannabis licenses and complying with Conservation and Development Department (CDD) land use permit requirements.

The Supervisors’ action in narrowing down the field of appropriate cannabis retail and commercial cultivate operators comes nearly three years after California voters passed Proposition 64 that paved the way for the legal possession and use of cannabis for persons 21 years old or more in the Golden State. Prop. 64 opened the door to the legal sale, manufacture and distribution of cannabis in California.

Supervisors are expected to revisit the status of the nine applicants’ permit compliance in March when land use permits could be granted to applicants who successfully meet CDD requirements.

Supervisors followed the recommendations presented by the 10-member Cannabis Proposal Review Panel that had scored the 21 business candidates vying for Retail Storefront Land Use Permits and 18 candidates competing for Commercial Cultivation Land Use Permits.

County representatives from CDD, the Health Services Department, Department of Agriculture, and Contra Costa County Fire Protection District served on the Cannabis Proposal Review Panel earlier this year that scored each applicant based on location, business and operation plan, security plan, community benefit, and equitable geographic distribution.

Supervisors voted to permit four of the 20 initial Retail Storefront applicants to proceed in the permit process. Those applicants were Authentic 925 at South Pacheco with 1,155 total Cannabis Proposal Review Panel points, The Artist Tree in El Sobrante with 1,140 points, Embarc Contra Costa at North Pacheco with 1,130 points, and Garden of Eden for South Pacheco with 1,105 points.

Getting the green light to proceed among Commercial Cultivation candidates were: Lifted Spirit with its Brentwood proposal that garnered 1,175 points from the Cannabis Review Panel; 703 Chesley, LLC with 1,125 points placed second; Element 7- Chestnut Street of Brentwood placed third with 1,120 points; Element 7- Willow Way in Byron with 1,090 points placed fourth; Casa Resta Farms of Brentwood and Diablo Valley Farms of Brentwood each collected 1,080 points and tied for fifth place, and Diablo Valley Farms placed sixth with its Brentwood proposal that collected 1,080 points. Magic Flower Gardens, LLC with 1,055 points placed seventh for its Richmond plan.

Supervisors heard a number of complaints from Brentwood residents who protested that permitting marijuana cultivation operations in an agricultural area known for its pumpkins, corn, nuts, and cherry production will be spoiled by the introduction of cannabis operations that could attract crime, devalue property values, and trigger an array of other negative environmental impacts.

“The Element 7 – Chestnut Street development will bring down our home values,” protested Rubin Garcia Scott who lives on Chestnut Street nearby the proposed Brentwood cultivation development. “It will bring crime. Already we have had homes broken into.”

Chestnut Street farm owner Shelley McMahon protested, “Now I’m going to wake up to the stench of cannabis. I am not really happy about this. Who is going to buy my farm? We are known for growing corn, cherries, and alfalfa, not cannabis.”

Supervisors heard from several speakers supporting retailer Elemental Wellness’s application that placed eighth in the Cannabis Proposal Review Panel scoring with 1,075 points. Pittsburg resident Jack Frank, who uses cannabis products for medicinal purposes, said having a store in Pacheco would mean he would not have to travel to an Oakland store for reliable product advice from store personnel who are “knowledgeable about their products.”

Supervisors were also advised that the county ordinance would have be revised to address the transferability of cannabis land use permits or changes in owners of cannabis businesses.

“If a cannabis permit terminates because a change in ownership results in one or more new persons owning a total of 20 percent or more of the business, the business may not operate until a new permit is obtained,” CDD Director John Kopchik wrote in a statement to supervisors.

Read additional details and more maps from the meeting’s agenda item, here and here.

Formation of Police Tax Zones Approved

Contra Costa residents in planned new subdivisions were granted the opportunity to tax themselves for additional police protection provided by the Sheriff’s Office. Supervisors approved three requests for the formation of proposed County Service Area P-6 – Police Services – for subdivisions in unincorporated areas of the county. Property owners in the newly created Police Zones will vote in a February 11, 2020 election to either pass or reject the police tax measure that will fund the enhanced police services.

Supervisors approved the formation of Police Zones for eight property owners along Center Avenue in Pacheco, for a five-lot El Sobrante development by Pandher Subdivision, and for a four-lot development on Gloria Terrace in unincorporated Lafayette.

Supervisor Glover files for re-election to sixth term

December 4, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Supervisor Federal Glover. Herald file photo.

Incumbent Supervisor Federal Glover, representing District 5 on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, officially filed for re-election on Monday with the County Registrar of Voters Office.

“I’m so proud of our accomplishments and excited to be applying for a final term to complete the good work we started,” said Glover.

He has been one of the county’s top transportation advocates, identifying funding to improve Highway 4, I-680, and bring BART to Pittsburg and Antioch.

“We’re in the beginning of negotiations on establishing possible ferry service to San Francisco from Hercules, Martinez, Bay Point and Antioch, and I want to see that through completion for the residents I represent,” Glover added.

Other accomplishments that make Glover proud: Bringing the County into a AAA financial rating due to sound budgeting decisions, establishing three Family Justice Centers to support victims of domestic violence, increasing prosecution of human traffickers who kidnap and victimize young women, strengthening the Industrial Safety Ordinance to reduce refinery accidents, and leading the fight to protect open space, our hillsides and maintaining the County’s Urban Limit Line to control growth.

Glover says that making PG&E accountable for upgrading its service, and working with cities to create alternative forms of energy to decrease the company’s issuance of power outages is another issue he is working on that requires more work.

“Supervisor Federal Glover was there for our firefighters and our residents during the massive fires we experienced the last couple of years. We wholeheartedly support Supervisor Glover’s re-election and look forward to working closely with him for another term,” said Firefighter Vince Wells, President of Contra Costa Firefighters Local 1230.

Glover is also endorsed by the Contra Costa Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the Contra Costa Building and Construction Council, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Association, police associations, Congressional, Senate, Assembly and local city elected officials (see partial list of endorsements, below).

“We have a great campaign team and I will raise whatever donations necessary to run a top-notch campaign to the voters of District 5,” Glover added. “This will be my last term on the Board of Supervisors, and I’m excited to complete the projects important to my District.”

Glover’s district includes Martinez, Hercules, Pinole, Alhambra Valley, Briones, Antioch, Port Costa, Clyde, Bay Point, Pittsburg, Crockett, Mt. View, Pacheco, Reliez Valley, Rodeo, Tormey & Vine Hill.

Supervisor Federal Glover Endorsements (partial list)

Congressman Mike Thompson

Congressman Jerry McNerney

State Treasurer Fiona Ma

State Senator Bill Dodd

State Senator Steve Glazer

Assemblymember Tim Grayson

Assemblymember Jim Frazier

County Auditor Bob Campbell

County Tax Collector Rusty Watts

East Bay Regional Parks Director Colin Coffey

Antioch Mayor Sean Wright

Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Joy Motts

Antioch Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock

Antioch Councilwoman Monica Wilson

Antioch Councilmember Lamar Thorpe

Hercules Vice Mayor Roland Esquivias

Hercules Councilwoman Chris Kelley

Hercules Former Mayor Myrna De Vera

Hercules Former Mayor Sherri McCoy

Martinez Mayor Rob Schroder

Martinez Councilwoman Lara Delaney

Martinez Councilmember Mark Ross

Pinole Mayor Pete Murray

Pinole Vice Mayor Roy Swearingen

Pinole Councilmember Vincent Salimi

Pinole Councilmember Anthony Tave

Pittsburg Mayor Juan Benales

Pittsburg Councilwoman Merl Craft

Pittsburg Councilmember Holland White

Pittsburg Councilwoman Shanell Scales-Preston

Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriffs Association

Contra Costa Professional Firefighters Local 1230

Contra Costa Deputy District Attorneys Association

Pittsburg Police Officers Association

Contra Costa Building & Constructions

Trades Council

IBEW

Boilermakers

Teamsters

Supervisors ban vaping product sales, plan to approve cannabis retail, cultivation permits

November 21, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognized CCTV on its 25th anniversary at the supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday. Accepting the resolution on behalf of CCTV was Susan Shiu, Contra Costa County director of communications and media. CCTV currently broadcasts six channels – CCTV, City Channel, Ed TV, Community Access, Hercules Community TV, and Delta TV. The Contra Costa Television network provides public, education and government access services for users in Contra Costa County, in the cities of Antioch, Clayton, Danville, Hercules, Martinez, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, and San Ramon. CCTV has adopted the slogan “Making Television Part of the Solution.” Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Recognize 25th anniversary of CCTV

By Daniel Borsuk

A few hours after supervisors had unanimously passed an ordinance banning the sale of vaping products and prohibiting the delivery of cannabis vaping products in unincorporated Contra Costa County, the elected officials instructed Planning Department officials on Tuesday to prepare for supervisors’ potential approval of land use permits for commercial cannabis storefront retailers and cultivators at the supervisors’ upcoming December 10th meeting.

Supervisors adopted the county’s anti-vaping ordinance, after supervisors listening to 10 speakers advocate for the prohibition of the sale or delivery of tobacco vaping products, cannabis vaping products, and flavored tobacco products in 54 retail stores in unincorporated areas of the county. A week ago, more than 50 speakers called on supervisors to pass the proposed anti-vaping ordinance.

Prior to adoption of the new law banning the countywide sale of vaping products, the county prohibited the retail sale of vaping products to persons under 21 years old within 1,000 feet of a public or private school, playground, park or library. That law had affected about 45 retailers in unincorporated parts of the county.

More than 2,000 Americans, many of them teenagers and young adults, have become sick from using vaping products since March, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Some persons have died from using vaping products.

Supervisors set the stage to select candidates who will be invited to apply for either cannabis storefront retail and commercial cannabis cultivator land use permits from the Conservation & Development Department.

Supervisors learned a 10-member Cannabis Review Panel consisting of representatives from the county Administrator’s Office, Department of Agriculture, Contra Costa Fire Protection District, Health Services Department and Conservation & Development Department(CDD), had met 15 times to score and rank candidates seeking land use permits to start the regulatory process of legally operating in accordance with the County’s Cannabis Business Tax Ordinance that was approved by county voters on Nov. 6, 2018.

The county cannabis ordinance permits for the creation of four storefront cannabis retailers, 10 commercial cannabis cultivators and two commercial cannabis manufactures in agricultural zones.

CDD official Ruben Hernandez, said proposals for storefront retailers were received from Bay Point, 2; from Clyde, 1; Pacheco Boulevard, 10; El Sobrante, 7, and North Richmond, 1.

Eleven of the 19 commercial cannabis cultivator proposals were found to be ineligible because the subject properties are not within service area of a retail water supplier, a requirement set in the Cannabis Business Tax Ordinance.

A majority of the commercial cannabis cultivation proposals were located in the Eastern Contra Costa areas of Bethel Island, Kingston and Brentwood area. Three proposals were located in North Richmond.

“Since fewer proposals were received than the maximum number of commercial cultivation businesses to be permitted, the panel is recommending that all seven eligible proposals be invited to apply for land use permits,” a document from CDD Director John Kopchik stated.

During the public speaking portion, several persons protested that the cultivation operations nearby housing subdivisions will stimulate crime and/or health problems.

Knightsen resident Ann Richie said permitting cannabis cultivation operations nearby her residence will only increase crime. “We’ve had two incidents recently,” she said. “They were violent crimes. Please don’t let this happen.”

Patrice Kintral of Knightsen told supervisors that allowing a cannabis cultivation operation nearby her home will mean more health problems for her nine-year-old special needs daughter. “This proposal could mean she may expect to have more migraines,” Kintral said.

In the meantime, some Supervisors plan to study the proposed sites before the December 10, meeting.

Board Chair John Gioia plans to look at each site before the Board’s next meeting. “Some of these locations are better than others,” he said.

“We want to start slow on this,” said Vice Chair Candace Andersen. “We want to dot the i’s and cross the t’s because we have seen how other counties have made mistakes when they enacted cannabis laws.”

District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover, who has five cannabis proposals in his district, and District 4 Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, who has 10 cannabis proposals in her district (Pacheco Boulevard), both liked the community benefit proposals that bidders submitted. “You did a fabulous job,” Mitchoff said.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognized Donald L. Bouchet for 55 years of public service including 23 years serving on Treasury Oversight Committee since April of 1995 at their meeting on Tuesday. Bouchet, 89, was honored for serving on the oversight committee since its creation and performing the committee’s responsibilities of annually reviewing the county’s investment policy and cause an annual audit to be conducted to determine the county treasurer’s compliance with the policy. Bouchet recently retired from the committee. Board Chair John Gioia is shown holding the resolution with Bouchet and family members, board of supervisors, and county Treasurer-Tax Collector Russell Watts. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

In other action, supervisors approved on consent the following:

Renewed a $322,927 a year contract with Baker & Taylor for book rental services for the Contra Costa County Library from Jan. 1, through Dec. 31, 2020. Baker & Taylor builds and maintains an economical method for maintaining an inventory of the most current, high demand hardcover titles.
Approved the $13 million Marsh Drive Bridge Replacement Project over the Walnut Creek Channel. Constructed in 1938, the existing bridge is structurally, seismically and hydraulically deficient and will be replaced with a new five-span bridge, pre-stressed concrete slab structure on concrete piles that is longer and wider than the existing bridge, at about 340 feet long and 55 feet wide. The bridge is currently 325 feet long and 34 feet wide.
Increased solid waste collection rates in the unincorporated West County areas covered by the Richmond Sanitary Service. The residential rate increase of 4.63 percent effective Jan. 1, 2020
The rate increase corresponds with a monthly raise of $1.17 in the most common (35-gallon cart) collection rate.

Supervisors set stage for adopting anti-vaping ordinance at next meeting

November 14, 2019 By Publisher Leave a Comment

Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors recognized the men and women who served in the armed forces on Tuesday by passing a resolution recognizing Veterans Day, November 11. Supervisors presented an enlarged version of the proclamation during a ceremony in which United States Air Force Veteran Jeffrey (Jeff) Jewell, who has retired as the Concord Vet Center Director, spoke to veterans who have served various military operations such as World war II, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and other confrontations. Jewell, far right, served in the United States Air Force from 1973 to 1981 with two tours at Travis Air Force Base and on tour at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan as a crew chief on C5-A’s. Jewell has been the Concord Vet Center director since 2014, He joined the Department of Veteran Affairs in 2001. He is a 5th District Commander for the American Legion. He holds the following degrees with honors: Associate of Arts in Business, Solano Community College: Bachelor of Arts in Human Relations, Golden Gate University; Master’s in Public Administration, Human Resource Management, Golden Gate University, Master of Arts, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, Chapman University. At the ceremony were from left, Supervisor Diane Burgis of Brentwood, Chair John Gioia of Richmond, Vice Chair Candace Andersen of Danville, Supervisor Karen Mitchoff of Pleasant Hill, Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg, and Jeffrey (Jeff) Jewell. Photo by Daniel Borsuk.

Place half-cent transportation sales tax measure on March 2020 ballot

By Daniel Borsuk

County supervisors are hopping aboard the bandwagon in banning the sale of any e-liquid or electronic smoking device in unincorporated Contra Costa County.

Supervisors voted 5-0 voted on Tuesday to set the stage to formally adopt an ordinance next week that will outlaw the retail sale of e-liquid flavored smoking devices within 1,000 feet from a school, park or library at the supervisors’ upcoming November 19 meeting.

The ordinance also inserts limitations on the delivery of cannabis-related e-devices in unincorporated Contra Costa County.

The supervisors’ action means Contra Costa County will join an expanding number of California counties including Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Mateo that have already adopted laws banning the sale of e-cigarettes that have killed three Californians while some 151 related medical cases have been reported around the Golden State, Dr. Chris Fonataano of the Contra Costa Health Services reported. More than 800 cases and 12 deaths across 46 states have been reported by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control.

Since 2019, the City Councils of San Pablo, Lafayette, Richmond and Oakley have passed laws banning the sales of e-cigarettes within city limits.

The rising health concerns about e-cigarettes at the national level has financially hit the e-cigarette industry. Major e-cigarette maker Juul Labs on Monday announced it is cutting about 650 jobs, or about 16 percent of its total workforce because of the national pullback on its products, especially its most popular flavors mint and mango flavored pods, in the U.S.

During the public hearing, where Board Chair John Gioia discretionarily decided to cut speaker time fifty percent to one minute per speaker in order to accommodate the supervisors’ annual Veterans Day ceremony scheduled at 11 a.m., 45 speakers, many from middle and high schools, shared stories about how fellow students have become hooked to e-devices in restrooms or anywhere they can sneak in a smoke.

Mt. Diablo High School student Dominique Vine complained that vaping is a serious problem at his school. “The air is contaminated,” he complained.

“It is my understanding that this proposed ordinance would help improve public health and continue the positive work the county has historically done to combat youth tobacco usage,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier in a written statement read by District Director Shanelle Scales-Preston.

Lafayette City Councilwoman Susan Kendall encouraged supervisors to pass the ordinance. Adopt this ordinance. You are the right body to do this. Lafayette is an island that none of its neighboring cities have addressed.”

The new ordinance will also impose new retail delivery standards on cannabis products from about 84 retail locations in unincorporated Contra Costa County, which is a priority issue of Vice Chair Candace Andersen of Danville, who has previously overseen tough protections on cannabis deliveries in the county.

“We are providing an additional layer of protection to residents wanting this kind of service,” Supervisor Andersen told the Contra Costa Herald.

The new ordinance states:

A – The delivery of more than eight hundred milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol in the form of edible cannabis products to a single cannabis customer in a single day is prohibited.

B – The delivery of any cannabis product listed in Title 17, California Code of Regulations, section

40300, is prohibited.

C – The delivery of any flavored cannabis product for which the primary use is human inhalation of the gases, particles, vapors, or byproducts released as a result of combustion, electrical ignition, or vaporization of the flavored cannabis product, is prohibited.”

Support Half-Cent Sales Tax for Transportation Ballot Measure

Supervisors voted to place a half-cent sales tax measure on the March 2020 ballot for transportation. Contra Costa County voters will get a chance to vote up or down on a half-cent sales tax measure to raise $103 million a year for local transportation annually for 35 years. The tax measure will be placed on the March 3, 2020 ballot and will be spent for only county road or transit projects. The state cannot take the funds. See how the funds will be spent, here – Draft 2020 Transportation Expenditure Plan

The purpose of the half cent sales tax is to reduce congestion and fix bottlenecks on highways and major roads, make commutes faster and more predictable, improve the frequency, reliability, accessibility, cleanliness and safety of buses, ferries, and BART; improve air quality and repave roads.

Animal Service Fees Hiked

Starting in 2020, Contra Costa residents wanting to adopt cats or dogs or other veterinary services from the county’s Animal Services Department will have to dig deeper into their wallets.

Supervisors unanimously approved new Animal Services Department fees that have not been increased since 2008.

No one spoke either against or in favor of the fee increases that vary all over the map from a 2% rise to spaying a dog over 100 pounds from $195 to $199 to spaying a dog less than 20 pounds to $121, a 29% increase of $27.

“The average cost to care for an animal made available for adoption for the Animal Services Department is $908.21,” stated the report prepared by Animal Services Director Beth Ward. “These costs are based on an average length of stay of 30 days and includes the cost of daily care, basic medical care and spay/neuter to prepare an animal for adoption.

New adoption fees for a dog are $155 (age of dog), $135 (puppies under six months), $85 dogs over six years), $5 (senior citizens over 65 years of age or dogs over six years old). New adoption fees for cats are $120 (age of cat), $100 (kittens under four months), $55, (cats over six years), senior citizens (over 65 years of age) adopting cats over 6 years old $5.

2018 Agriculture Production Down 10 Percent

Agricultural crop production in the county declined 10% last year, according to a report submitted by Agricultural Commissioner Director of Weights and Measures Matt Slattengren. Supervisors approved the report as a consent item.

“The total gross value of agricultural crops in 2018 was $208,556,338, a decline of $11,884,662 or 10% from 2017. In general, demand and prices have remained strong from agricultural crops in Contra Costa County,” wrote Slattengren in his report submitted to California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Contra Costa Count Board of Supervisors.

Slattengren cited a decrease of 27 percent of vegetable and seed crop values because of rainy weather and market conditions for the decline.

Rodeo’s Lefty Gomez Community Center Fee Increase

Supervisors will consider an increase in rental rates for the use of the Lefty Gomez Community Center facilities in Rodeo at their meeting on Dec. 19. Fees have not been increased in 16 years. The fees for rental use of the center, restrooms, and security guard have not kept up with current maintenance and energy costs.

The Public Works Department requested that renters of the facility obtain insurance with coverage of $1 million of liability coverage. The department also has imposed a specific prohibition against the use of inflatable jumpers.