Weekly Update - March 22, 2024

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Danville Mayor Karen Stepper spoke to business and community members about key Town initiatives at the Danville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted 2024 State of the Town luncheon on Thursday, March 21, at Bay Club Crow Canyon.

Mayor Stepper presented updates on the Town’s Downtown Master Plan Catalyst Project, a $4.9 million investment in the Historic Downtown area. She also provided an economic update and business forecast.

Pictured above, Supervisor Andersen and Danville Mayor Stepper.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will honor César E. Chávez in a celebration recognizing his commitment to social justice and respect for human dignity. The 30th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration will be at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 26, in Board Chambers at 1025 Escobar Street in Martinez. Community members can also join the event live on Contra Costa Television channels and the County’s website.

Rape is the least reported violent crime in the United States. In 2022 Contra Costa County had 297 forcible rapes reported to law enforcement and in 2023 local non-profitCommunity Violence Solutions reported 1302 calls to the Rape Crisis Center’s Crisis line.

Contra Costa County has formed the Alliance to End Abuse which brings public systems and private providers together to work toward creating a safe and nurturing community. The Alliance raises awareness about the issue of personal violence and its prevention by coordinating diverse sectors and organizations and provides education and training.



To learn more about the Alliance to End Abuse go here.

Monday, March 18th, marked a momentous occasion as 31 individuals from 17 different nations took a significant step toward embracing their new identities as citizens of the United States during a naturalization ceremony. 

The ceremony was held in the Board of Supervisors Chambers in the County Administration Building in Martinez. The community came together to celebrate the culmination of a journey marked by determination, perseverance, and the pursuit of the American dream. Family and friends gathered to witness their loved ones take the Oath of Allegiance, pledging their loyalty and allegiance to their adopted homeland.

Pictured above, a newly sworn-in US citizen shakes the hands of, left to right, Supervisor John Gioia, Supervisor Candace Andersen, Supervisor Ken Carlson and special guest speaker Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.

To learn more about the citizenship process, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Supervisor Andersen, along with Will Nelson of the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development (DCD), hosted a community meeting in Canyon on Saturday, March 16th to discuss the General Plan and how it might impact the future of Canyon.

Pictured here left to right are, Logan Baird and Jamie Barrett Riley, Officers of the Canyon Community Association, Supervisor Candace Andersen, and Principal Planner Will Nelson from DCD.

DCD in partnership with the Office of Communications & Media produced a series of videos to showcase the General Plan pillars. After months of interviews, editing, and reviews, they’re now available. See the video here youtube.com/playlist.

For 40 years, Project Second Chance Adult Literacy, through the Contra Costa County Library, has helped about 6,000 adult neighbors across the County reach new goals with improved literacy through the aid of volunteer adult literacy tutors. 

Right now, East County is experiencing a higher-than-normal waiting list of adult learners who need a tutor. These adult learners want to be able to vote, read to their children or grandchildren, use a computer, or pass the high school equivalency exam, among many things that will improve their lives!

To respond, Project Second Chance Adult Literacy is holding a special, smaller East County-only Adult Literacy Tutor Training from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday April 12 at the Main Branch in Antioch, 501 W. 18th Street. No teaching experience is necessary. Volunteers need only be patient, kind, flexible and able to meet a learner at a local library twice a week for 90 minutes at a time on their schedule. You can test drive this gratifying role here: PSC Prospective Tutor Orientation Form | Contra Costa County Library (ccclib.org). Deadline is March 28 to register.

Reach out to East County Coordinator Leslie Mladinich at leslie.mladinich@library.cccounty.us or call (925) 754-8317 with any questions.

Contra Costa Animal Services is now accepting proposals from qualified organizations for Measure X funding. There is $750,000 in available funding to be utilized over a 36-month period. For more information, please review the Request for Qualifications.

The deadline to receive proposals is April 12, 2024. There will be an online Zoom conference for any groups interested in applying on March 29, 2023, where interested applicants can learn more about the program and ask questions about the proposal process. 

Registration:

Please click here to view the registration portal.

If your organization has previously received funding through the Animal Benefit Fund, click “Login” and provide your login credentials.

For first time applicants, click “Register now” and follow the instructions in this registration guide to register. 

If you have questions or need help registering or logging in, please email S2G@periscopeholdings.com or call (800) 990-9339.

Scope of Work

On December 12, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved Measure X funding for low cost spay and neuter services, microchipping/vaccination clinic events, and pet retention services. Pet Retention services include, but are not limited to spay/neuter, behavior/training assistance, fence repair, food assistance, and grooming services. These Measure X funding services are to provide underserved community members with resources to retain their pet(s) in their homes.

The funding priority for this RFQ is focused on pet owners experiencing homelessness and pet owners residing in high intake areas. These areas include the City of Pittsburg/Bay Point in 94565 and the City of Richmond in 94801, along with the surrounding areas. The County found that these areas have the highest numbers of strays, bites and activities related to dangerous and potentially dangerous animals.

Now through March 31st - Chance to win a $50 Sports Basement Gift Card

Just a few days left to walk more and reduce your carbon footprint with the Sustainable Movement Challenge. Just by playing, you’ll be entered into a drawing (in early April) to win a $50 gift card to Sports Basement.

Make sure you signed up and logged into the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge to access incentives and earn points for all the "Actionable Links" that you mark as complete. 

Holi, the vibrant and joyous festival celebrated by millions of people around the world, holds profound cultural significance that is deeply rooted in the traditions of Hinduism. This annual event, often referred to as the “Festival of Colors,” transcends geographical and religious boundaries, embodying the spirit of unity and togetherness. Beyond its religious origins, Holi has evolved into a symbol of inclusivity, bringing together diverse communities in a colorful celebration of life.

A few events nearby where you can enjoy the festivities, include:

• Sewa International, East bay Holi on Mar 24, 10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. at Emerald Glen Park , Dublin
• Holi celebration at City Center Bishop Ranch on Apr 7, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., in San Ramon 

The Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek branch of AAUW will hold a presentation from two key members of the local PFLAG organization on April 18, from 6:00 p.mp to 8:00 p.m., at the Danville Congregational Church, located at 989 San Ramon Valley Blvd., in Danville. In addition to familiarizing with some common terms relating to LGBTQ+ people and issues, they will provide guidance in understanding and supporting transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

One of the speakers will be Taylor denBroeder (he/they), the current President of the Danville/San Ramon PFLAG chapter and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community who draws on his own experiences and past to advocate for and educate others. The other is Elisa Tinker (she/her/hers), a board member of the Danville/ San Ramon PFLAG chapter and the mother of three young adult children including a son, a daughter, and a non-binary child.

PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them. It was founded in 1973 as the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.  

To learn more and to rsvp, visit our branch webpage at: daw-ca.aauw.net/2024. Free for AAUW members otherwise $10 entry.

The Contra Costa County Consortium, which includes the cities of Antioch, Concord, Pittsburg, Walnut Creek, and the County of Contra Costa (on behalf of all the other towns and cities in Contra Costa) receive federal HOME, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funding every year. Over a five- year-period these funds will total over $50 million!



These federal funds, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can be used to build new affordable housing, rehabilitate homes for lower-income and senior homeowners, improve or construct public facilities and parks, improve infrastructure in lower-income neighborhoods, provide employment training and assistance to small business owners, provide a wide variety of services for lower-income families and individuals, and homeless persons, and much more.

Every five years, the community has the opportunity to help identify its greatest needs and determine how these funds are spent to help address those needs. 

Please take a few moments to complete an online survey. This survey will take approximately 15 minutes, so please be prepared to give it your thoughtful consideration.

Housing & Homelessness Survey

Affordable Housing Supplemental Information (PDF)

Non-Housing Survey

The surveys will be translated in Spanish, Tagalog, and Simplified Chinese. 

In addition, make sure you attend one of several public meetings. Your feedback is part of the process to create the Consortium’s 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan for the use of the funds received from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

South County (San Ramon)

Monday, April 22, 2024 6:00 PM

City of San Ramon - San Ramon Community Center, Fountain Room

12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon, CA

For more information, please call Daniel Davis at (925) 655-2884

East County (Antioch)

Thursday, March 28, 2024, 6:30 p.m.

City of Antioch – City Council Chambers

200 H Street, Antioch, CA 94509

For more information, please call Andrea Mateo at (925) 779-7000 x7037

East County (Brentwood)

Thursday, April 04, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

City of Brentwood – Community Center

35 Oak St, Brentwood, CA 94513; Room A/B

For more information, please call Daniel Davis at (925) 655-2884

For more information on the five-year planning process and other opportunities to participate, please contact the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development at (925) 655-7208 or visit us on the web at www.cccounty.us/conplan.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking individuals with sound knowledge and experience in the field of public and private finance, to serve on the Treasury Oversight Committee (Committee) for the seat representing the County Board of Supervisors and one Public Representative Seat for terms May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2028.

To be considered, candidates must be County residents, may not be employed by an entity that has contributed to the reelection campaign of the County Treasurer or a member of the Board of Supervisors in the previous three years, may not directly or indirectly raise money for the County Treasurer or a member of the Board of Supervisors while a member of the Committee and may not work for bond underwriters, bond counsel, security brokerages or dealers, or financial services firms with whom the County Treasurer does business, either during his or her tenure on the Committee or for one year after leaving the Committee.

The Committee meets bi-annually in March and September on the third Tuesday of the month at 3:00 p.m. at 625 Court St., Room B001, Martinez, CA 94553. Each meeting lasts approximately one hour. The Committee’s duties include reviewing and monitoring the County Treasurer’s Annual Investment Policy, and ensuring an annual audit is conducted to determine the County Treasurer is in compliance with Government Code §§27130-27137. 

The annual audits, meeting agendas, and minutes of the Committee are available online: www.contracosta.ca.gov/690/TreasuryOversight-Committee. Members of the Committee receive no compensation for their service. 

Application forms can be obtained from the Contra Costa County Clerk of the Board by calling (925) 655-2000 or by clicking on the following link: Submit an Application Online. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board, County Administration Building, 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553 no later than Wednesday, March 27, 2024, by 5 p.m. Interviews will be held at the Internal Operations Committee (IOC) meeting, which will be conducted via Zoom at 11:00 a.m. on April 8, 2024. More information about the Treasury Oversight Committee can be obtained by visiting the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s website at www.contracosta.ca.gov/690/TreasuryOversight-Committee.

The AAUW DAW Branch is pleased to offer three categories of local scholarships to students who are enrolled in an accredited college, university, or technical school. Each scholarship will be an award of $2,000 or more. Applications are reviewed with consideration given to financial need, special circumstances, academic record, work and community activities, along with educational and career goals. 

AAUW DAW Community Local Scholarships – Open to women who will be juniors, seniors, or graduate students for the 2024-2025 school year. Applicants must have attended high school in Danville, Alamo or Walnut Creek, CA, or currently reside in these communities. Application is due April 30, 2024.

AAUW DAW Renaissance Scholarships – Open to women enrolled at Cal State East Bay and who participate in the Renaissance Scholars Program. They will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the 2024-2025 school year or will graduate from CSUEB and enter graduate school in the 2024-2025 school year. Application is due April 30, 2024.

AAUW DAW Single Parent Scholarship – Open to any student who is a single parent enrolled at Diablo Valley College (DVC) and who has completed at least 12 units.



More information and Application instructions provided at the branch webpage: 

daw-ca.aauw.net/local-scholarships/.

Despite some delays, the Alamo Roundabout is operational. Paving and striping have taken place and landscaping is going in. Final work will be completed sometime in April or May.

Upcoming scheduled work includes:

• March 2024 – Landscape Irrigation and Planting complete
• End of March 2024 – Final Electrical complete
• April 2024 – Start of punch list work 
• Early/mid-May – Surface treatment work complete followed by final roadway striping
• End of May 2024 – Project Complete  

For more information about the Alamo Roundabout project visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/alamoroundabout.

The Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity (ACEEO) has one vacant Business seat and two vacant Community seats open to applicants. The successful candidate for the Business seat must own a business within the County, and candidate(s) for the Community seats must either work or reside within the County. All candidates must have an interest in equal employment matters. The ACEEO meets on the fourth Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., except for holidays.

The ACEEO assists with the implementation of the County’s Equal Employment Opportunities 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 thirteen (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.

Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Public Safety Realignment

Central County Residents Preferred

The Community Advisory Board (CAB) on Public Safety Realignment was established by the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP) Executive Committee in December 2012 to provide input on community needs; assess implementation of the realignment plan; review data on realignment outcomes; advise the CCP on community engagement strategies; offer recommendations for ongoing realignment planning; advise County agencies regarding programs for implementation in the County; and encourage outcomes that are consistent with the County’s Reentry Strategic Plan. 

The Community Corrections Partnership is seeking applications for (1) Voting Member and up to (3) Alternate Member seats on the CAB.

For more information on CAB membership duties and activities, please visit their website contracosta.ca.gov/4165/Community-Advisory-Board-CAB.

Submit an Application Online here. Questions? Contact: The Office of Reentry & Justice, by phone at (925) 313-4087.

Find out more information about volunteering for an advisory body here co.contra-costa.ca.us/3418.