Chamber of Commerce Mega Mixer a Success!

Supervisor Burgis and staff hosted a Chamber of Commerce Mega Mixer event on Wednesday, April 19. Over 100 attendees from East County Chambers and other economic groups, along with elected and appointed officials, joined in for a fun evening of mingling and discussing the economic future of District 3 communities.

Local food trucks from Sip and Scoop California and Cousins Maine Lobster were also on hand to provide delicious food, drinks, and dessert for the guests.

Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Recommended Budget

As part of its long-term strategy to continue providing services that improve the quality of life for residents, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will discuss the $5.515 billion Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Recommended Budget at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 24.

New this year is an updated online version, which increases accessibility through easier navigation, interactive content, additional performance measures, and customizable PDF printing options. 

“This structurally balanced budget continues to reflect years of careful, comprehensive, and continuing review and refinement of our operations to cope with economic challenges.” said County Administrator Monica Nino. “At every opportunity, we continue to make changes to deliver services that residents need and expect from County government in ways that are more efficient and less costly.” 

Among the recommended budget highlights: 

• Adds 26 positions in the Employment and Human Services Department to improve children and family services; youth programming and workforce development; In-Home Supportive Services case management; senior nutrition programs; CalAIM implementation; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and associated programs. 

• Adds three full-time Animal Services Officers to increase beat coverage and improve response times to dangerous animal cases and an additional two full-time positions focused on transfer partner and adoption programs and lost and found programs.

• A $10 million allocation toward developing a new Bay Point Library branch. The branch is a new 10,000-20,000 square-foot space constructed in partnership with an affordable housing project. 

• $10 million in capital funding to provide a local match for grants that would allow the County to leverage state and federal funds for large infrastructure projects, such as roads and bridges, as part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Board discussion is tentatively scheduled to continue at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25, if additional time is needed. The Board is scheduled to adopt the final budget on Tuesday, May 23.

East Bay Regional Park District

Hosts Earth Day Events

Earth Day is close to the Park District’s heart and mission to preserve and protect natural resources. Launched on April 22, 1970 as an environmental teach-in, Earth Day is now a global movement to protect the Earth and the environment.

“Earth Day is both a celebration of the natural environment we enjoy in the Regional Parks and a reminder of our responsibility to take care of it,” said General Manager Sabrina Landreth. “There are many ways to celebrate Earth Day with the Park District, including joining a naturalist-led program, taking a hike or ride in nature, or volunteering to clean up parks.”

Earth Day Volunteer Clean-up Events

Park, shoreline, and beach clean-up events are planned at multiple locations throughout the Park District, as well as planting projects and spreading mulch (Lake Chabot).

Clean-up locations include:

·         Point Pinole

·         Hayward Shoreline

·         Tidewater Boating Center

·         Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline

·         Crown Beach

·         Lake Chabot

For more information about Earth Day volunteer cleanup opportunities, visit ebparks.org/get-involved/volunteer.

Earth Day Activities in the Park District

Earth Day for the Bees at Coyote Hills

Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 10-11am

Join the Park District in the Nectar Garden for the Global Earth Challenge Bee Campaign! Monitor pollinator populations, learn the importance of bees and other pollinators, and take home a native bee-friendly plant.

Earth Day at Del Valle*

Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 11am-3pm

Join the Park District at the visitor center for a scavenger hunt, make a craft to take home, explore the Oak Hills trail, and get up close with animal specimens. *pending reopening of the park

American Sign Language (ASL) Earth Day Walk at Sunol

Saturday, April 22, 2023, from 2-4pm

Celebrate Earth Day on a guided hike with professional American Sign Language interpreters. All are welcome.

Earth Day Family Nature Fun Hour – Going Green at Crab Cove

Saturday, April 22, and Sunday, April 23, 2023, from 1:30-2:30pm

Celebrate Earth Day with engaging and educational activities at the Doug Siden Visitor Center at Crab Cove.

For more information about Earth Day themed activities and programs, visit ebparks.org/earthday.

Community Info

Record Rainfall Creates

Perfect Conditions for Mosquitos

The District Reminds Residents to Dump and Scrub

to Prevent Mosquitoes

One of the wettest starts to any year in history has left standing water in areas of Contra Costa County that residents may not be aware of, creating perfect conditions for mosquitoes to develop. Now, during California Mosquito Awareness Week, the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District (District) is getting the word out to Contra Costa County residents to dump out any rainwater that has collected in front and backyards and scrub the associated containers to reduce the risk of mosquitoes.

California's Mosquito Awareness Week, April 16 - 22, 2023, is a week devoted to educating Californians about mosquitoes and how to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. In Contra Costa County, where there are 23 established species of mosquitoes and an additional non-native, invasive species of mosquito that was found in Martinez last year, it is important for residents to take mosquito prevention seriously to reduce the risk of dangerous diseases including West Nile virus, Zika, Dengue fever, and Yellow fever.

"With record amounts of rainfall so far this year, it is very important for all Contra Costa County residents to dump out any standing water that has accumulated in front, and back yards, on porches, and patios, in tools and toys and other items that can unexpectedly collect rainwater. Then, after dumping out the water, scrub those containers to remove mosquito eggs, to reduce the risk of mosquito production," said Steve Schutz, Ph.D., the District's Scientific Programs Manager.

It only takes a small amount of water to produce mosquitoes, so taking these simple steps can reduce the risk of mosquitoes and the diseases they can transmit:

·     Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, at least once a week, including in flowerpots and saucers, old tires, buckets, pet dishes, and trash cans. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in very small amounts of standing water.

·     Apply insect repellent containing an EPA-registered active ingredient, including DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535, to clothes and exposed skin according to label instructions. 

·     Wear long sleeves and pants, especially if outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

·     Install screens on windows and doors and keep them in good repair to keep mosquitoes out of your home.

·     Repair leaking faucets and broken sprinklers that can contribute to standing water around your home.

·     Clean rain gutters clogged with leaves.

·     Report dead birds to the Statewide WNV Call Center by phone at 1-877-WNV-BIRD (1-877-968-2473) or online. Not all birds can be collected for testing, but all reports help the District identify potential risk areas for West Nile virus. 

If you are being bitten by mosquitoes while on your property, especially, day-biting mosquitoes, request the District's Mosquito Service. You may also Report a Neglected Swimming Pool to the District. 

During California's Mosquito Awareness Week 2023, let's work together to protect public health and reduce the risk of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in Contra Costa County.

Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District, an independent special district and public health agency, is located at 155 Mason Circle in Concord.

CDC Updates COVID Vaccine Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new simplified recommendations for the unvaccinated, as well as allowing people ages 65+ and the immunocompromised to get a second bivalent booster shot. 

The CDC now recommends that everyone ages 6 years and older receive a single dose of the bivalent mRNA COVID vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) if they haven’t gotten one yet. This includes unvaccinated people, who previously needed to first complete their primary two-dose series before being eligible for the bivalent vaccine, a reformulated version of the original vaccine that protects against Omicron variants. (The original “monovalent” vaccine will no longer be available.)

In addition, people ages 65+ and the immunocompromised – groups who are at higher risk of serious outcomes from a COVID infection – will now be able to get a second dose of the bivalent mRNA vaccine for extra protection. 

People who have already gotten their bivalent booster shots do not need to take any action unless they are 65 years or older or immunocompromised. 

For young children, multiple doses of the pediatric versions of the mRNA vaccines continue to be recommended. 

Los CDC Actualizan sus Recomendaciones sobre

la Vacuna contra el COVID

Los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) han emitido nuevas recomendaciones simplificadas para las personas no vacunadas, así como para permitir que las personas de 65 años o más y aquellas con inmunodeficiencia reciban una segunda vacuna bivalente de refuerzo.

Los CDC ahora recomiendan que todas las personas a partir de los 6 años reciban una dosis única de la vacuna bivalente de ARNm contra el COVID (Moderna o Pfizer) si aún no la han recibido. Esto incluye a las personas no vacunadas, quienes anteriormente necesitaban completar primero su serie primaria de dos dosis antes de ser elegibles para la vacuna bivalente, una versión reformulada de la vacuna original que protege contra las variantes de ómicron. (La vacuna "monovalente" original ya no estará disponible).

Además, las personas de 65 años o más y aquellas con inmunodeficiencia – es decir, los grupos que corren un mayor riesgo de sufrir consecuencias graves a causa de una infección por COVID – ahora podrán recibir una segunda dosis de la vacuna bivalente de ARNm para obtener una protección adicional.

Las personas que ya hayan recibido sus vacunas bivalentes de refuerzo no necesitan tomar alguna acción, a menos de que tengan 65 años o más o estén inmunocomprometidas.

En el caso de los niños pequeños, se siguen recomendando dosis múltiples de las versiones pediátricas de las vacunas ARNm. Para obtener más información, visite nuestra página Vacúnese.

Public Works Department

Offers New Work Request Portal

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department announces a new service request option called Customer Portal. The Portal allows customers to submit requests for services from a web browser. Customers can register to receive updates about their requests or submit them anonymously. 

In addition to the Customer Portal, customers can submit requests for services from their mobile device with the Mobile Citizen app, by downloading it through the App Store or Google Play. 

Prescription Take Back Event

DEA Take Back Day is coming up on April 22nd from 10am to 2pm. This day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also providing education about the potential for abuse of medications.

If you have any prescription medications that you no longer need, this is a great opportunity to safely and easily dispose of them. You can drop off your medications at any of these sites in Contra Costa:

• Blackhawk Station: 1092 Eagle Nest Pl, Danville, CA 94506
• Brentwood Police Department: 9100 Brentwood Blvd, Brentwood, CA 94513
• Orinda Station: 22 Orinda Way, Orinda, CA 94563
• Bay Station: 5555 Giant Hwy, Richmond, CA 94806
• Antioch Police Department: 300 L St, Antioch, CA 94509
• Muir Station: 1980 Muir Rd, Martinez, CA 94553
• Delta Station: 1555 Riverlake Rd, Discovery Bay, CA 94505
• Lafayette Police Department: 3471 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
• Valley Station: 150 Alamo Plaza # C Alamo, CA 94507
• Danville Police Department: La Gonda Way, Danville, CA 94526
• Concord Police Department: 1350 Galindo St, Concord, CA 94520

By participating in DEA Take Back Day, you're not only keeping yourself and your loved ones safe, but you're also doing your part to help prevent drug abuse and protect the environment. 

Family Justice Center Virtual Workshops

City of Oakley

Small Business Workshop

Tri Delta Transit is hosting a FREE Shred-it Event at the Oakley Park n Ride, 4300 Main Street on Thursday, April 27th. All in our service area are invited to bring shredding. The event starts at 9:00 am and is until the truck is full or noon. 

We're excited as the event is organized as a drive-thru but walk-ups, by scooter, bicycle or motorcycle are welcome. Enter the Park n Ride from the entrance near Cypress. See the attendant for instructions. ALL binder clips, paper clips, binders, and ring bindings MUST BE removed before. All boxes and bags are returned to you. The event is on a first come. first serve basis. Thank you to our partners: City of Oakley, City of Antioch, Republic Services and Mt. Diablo Resource and Recovery.

See you there!

Friday, April 28, 2023

10 am - 3 pm

Reentry Success Center

912 Macdonald Ave.

Richmond, CA 94801

This event is open to people with juvenile and adult criminal records and felony and misdemeanor convictions in Contra Costa County. The event is an opportunity to access services from the Reentry Success Center, Contra Costa Public Defenders and Bay Area Legal Aid.

For more information, call 510-679-2122 or visit www.reentrysuccess.org.

Tutors Needed for Local Foster Youth

Are you looking for a meaningful new volunteer opportunity? CASA of Contra Costa County is seeking current or retired teachers, paraeducators, and tutors to work with local children and youth in foster care. CASA Tutors provide high quality, consistent, and accessible educational support using volunteers trained specifically in trauma informed practices. 

Please email volunteer@cccocasa.org or call 925-256-7284 ext. 7 to learn more about our program and our upcoming training opportunities. 

TRANSPLAN Opening for Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee Citizen Representative

TRANSPLAN seeks an individual to serve as the TRANSPLAN Citizen Representative on the Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (CBPAC) of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA). The individual should be passionate about biking and walking and have extensive knowledge and experience on bicycle and pedestrian policies and issues in East Contra Costa County. The individual selected for this position must reside within the TRANSPLAN region, be available to attend committee meetings on the 4th Monday of every odd month at 11:00 a.m., which are normally held at the CCTA offices, located at 2999 Oak Road, Suite 100, Walnut Creek, CA 94597, and have the ability to review CBPAC meeting packets and develop input on agenda items beforehand. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings presently occur via videoconference. The individual will serve a two-year term in a volunteer capacity.

Should you have any questions, please call (925) 655-2918. To apply for this position, please send a letter of interest, along with your background in bicycle- and pedestrian- related matters, to Robert Sarmiento, TRANSPLAN staff, either via e-mail at robert.sarmiento@dcd.cccounty.us or via fax, to the attention of Robert Sarmiento, at (925) 655-2750. Interested individuals should apply by April 30, 2023.

Would You Like to Serve on

the Advisory Council

on Equal Employment Opportunity?

The Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity (ACEEO) has 1 vacant Disability seat open to applicants. The successful candidate must reside or work within Contra Costa County, 

be an active participant in the disabled community, and have an interest in equal employment matters. The ACEEO meets the fourth 

Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. except for holidays.

The ACEEO assists with the implementation of the County’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Contracting Programs and serves as an 

advisory committee to the Board of Supervisors. The ACEEO reviews the Equal Employment Opportunities Program and recommends actions to facilitate the attainment of the County’s goals for equal employment opportunities regardless of gender, and race/ethnicity.

The Board of Supervisors established the ACEEO on July 9, 1991. The Council has 13 seats representing the following groups: 4 Community seats; 2 Labor seats; 2 Management seats; 1 Educational seat; 1 Disability seat; 1 Business seat; 1 Veteran seat; and 1 Labor/Trade seat.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655- 2000 or visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 1025 Escobar St., 

1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553.

Applications can also be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us.

Applicants should plan to be available for public interviews. For further information about the ACEEO, please contact Antoine Wilson at antoine.wilson@riskm.cccounty.us or (925) 335-1455. You can also visit the web page at www.contracosta.ca.gov/4503/Advisory-Council-on-Equal- Employment-Opp.

The Board of Supervisors receives valuable input and community participation from numerous citizen advisory boards on a range of issues. Boards usually meet monthly regularly.

Candidates for these positions must live in District 3 or any specified boundary area for special districts. 

District 3 is comprised of the cities of Antioch, Oakley, and Brentwood, and the unincorporated communities of Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen, and Discovery Bay.

Find out more by visiting the Board of Supervisors 

Appointed Bodies, Committees & Commissions 

webpage.

Download application here:

https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/6408/Boards-and-Commissions-Database

Applications should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board’s office located at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553

or by email to clerkoftheboard@cob.cccounty.us 



For more information, including on how to apply, contact District 3 Representative Alicia Nuchols at Alicia.Nuchols@bos.cccounty.us.

Board of Supervisors' meetings are held in person at the County Administration Building 1025 Escobar Street, 1st floor, Martinez. The public is encouraged to attend the meetings.

The Board meetings are also accessible via television, and via live-streaming to all members of the public. Board meetings are televised live on Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse Channel 99, Astound Channels 32 & 1027, and can be seen live online at www.contracosta.ca.gov or www.contracostatv.org.

Persons who wish to address the board during public comment or with respect to an item on the agenda may comment in person or may call in during the meeting by dialing 888-278-0254 followed by the access code 843298#. A caller should indicate they wish to speak on an agenda item, by pushing "#2" on their phone. Access via Zoom is also available using the following link: https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/87344719204. Those participating via Zoom should indicate they wish to speak on an agenda item by using the “raise your hand” feature in the Zoom app. To provide contact information, please contact Clerk of the Board at clerkoftheboard@cob.cccounty.us or call 925-655-2000.

Meetings of the Board are closed-captioned in real time. Public comment generally will be limited to two minutes. Your patience is appreciated. A Spanish language interpreter is available to assist Spanish-speaking callers.

See information about parking and access to the County Administration Building at 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA 94553.

“Once we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come.” 

-Greta Thunberg