Weekly Update - May 17, 2024

View as Webpage

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors honored the 2nd annual Celebration at the May 14th Board meeting.

This year’s event theme was “Building on Our Legacies.” The celebration showcased dance, music, food, and unique customs from AANHPI communities. 

View the 2024 Program.

Pictured above, from left to right, Supervisor Andersen in her traditional Hawaiian mu'umu'u, Oravanh Thammasen, AANHPI Program Coordinator, Supervisor Burgis and Supervisor Carlson.

On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. an In-Person meeting will be held at the County Department of Conservation and Development (DCD) Building, 30 Muir Road, in Martinez, to discuss updates to the County's Zoning Code. There is also a Zoom Option: https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/83239430053 and a call-In Option, 1-888-278-0254 | Access Code: 198675.

As the adoption of the 2045 General Plan approaches later this year, DCD is preparing for a comprehensive update to the County’s Zoning Code. While the Code has been amended numerous times over the years, it has never been comprehensively updated.

At the May 22^nd County Planning Commission study session, they will present the Zoning Update Report (ZUR), and the roadmap for the comprehensive Zoning Code update. The ZUR contains background research, best practices, and initial recommendations for the Code update, including how to make it consistent with the 2045 General Plan, support contemporary uses and development patterns, and be more user-friendly.

On Tuesday, May 21, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will seek to adopt the $5.996 billion Fiscal Year 2024-2025 County and Special Districts Budget during its regular meeting at 9 a.m.

The budget reflects the Board’s ongoing efforts to provide diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible services that improve the quality of life for residents.

“Decades of prudent fiscal management continue to drive our strong financial reserves, excellent credit ratings, and low debt, which positions the County well to counterbalance rising costs and the economic forces slowing property tax revenue growth,” said County Administrator Monica Nino.

The recommended budget is structurally balanced, maintains current service levels, and reflects sound financial practices. However, there are pressures on the recommended spending plan, including:

• Unanticipated impacts from the state’s evolving financial situation and shortfalls in state and federal allocations;
• Slower revenue growth; and
• FEMA reimbursement related to COVID-19

More details about the County’s strategic plan, General Purpose Revenue allocations, budgeted positions, and key budget issues are provided in the overview of the budget book.  

On Wednesday, May 15th, Supervisor Andersen, along with Supervisor Diane Burgis and Susun Kim, Director of the Contra Costa Family Justice Center, toured the One Safe Place Family Justice Center, operated by the City Attorney’s Office in San Diego in downtown San Diego. It was the first established family justice center in the country. They also toured Your Safe Place North County Family Justice Center, operated by the District Attorney’s Office in San Diego County.

Pictured on the right, Supervisor Burgis, Susun Kim San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan, and Supervisor Andersen.

Pictured on the left, San Diego Deputy DA Tracy Prior stands with Supervisor Burgis, Supervisor Andersen, and Susun Kim.

One Safe Place serves children and adults who have experienced trauma and abuse, it was designated a Trauma Recovery Center by California's Victim Compensation Board in addition to being a nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center. You can learn more about it here.

The Your Safe Place Family Justice Center provides confidential, comprehensive services to anyone who has experienced domestic violence, family violence, elder abuse, sexual assault, or sex trafficking.  You can learn more about it here.

The Contra Costa Family Justice Center serves families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. Current locations in our County include Concord, Richmond, and Antioch. Supervisor Andersen recently secured Measure X sales tax funding to create a Family Justice Center in San Ramon. To learn more about the Family Justice Center go here.

Are you concerned about the risks of mis- and disinformation in our media? Or the potential impact of AI-generated images and video? Are you worried about the impact of mis- and disinformation on our culture, our communities, our election, and ultimately on our democracy? 

If so, please join the League of Women Voters Diablo Valley for a presentation on Mis- and Disinformation -- how to spot it, stop it, and report it, with a special focus on the 2024 election. The presentation is open to all and will be held at the Walnut Creek Library's Oak Room on Tuesday, June 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. Parking is available at the library.

Click here to register in advance. Drop-ins are also welcome.  

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) are proposing the Interstate 680 (I-680) Northbound Express Lane Completion Project to address the existing express lanes gap, relieve congestion, reduce travel delays, and improve operations. You can learn more about the project and share your thoughts at ccta.net/expresslane.

The public comment period is from May 8, 2024, through June 24, 2024. All comments must be postmarked by June 24, 2024.

The San Ramon Art & Wind Festival is scheduled for Sunday and Monday,  May 26-27, 2024 in San Ramon's Central Park, 12501 Alcosta Boulevard from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. both days.

This annual event features fine arts, crafts, and specialty food vendors, three entertainment stages headlining international music, party bands, and a variety of entertainers, children's shows, gourmet food courts, family amusement zones, professional choreographed kite flying demonstrations, and free kite making workshop. 

The Art and Wind Festival is a pet-friendly, bike-friendly, and family-friendly event.

Please join Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development staff for a presentation on the Bay Area Housing Finance Authority (BAHFA), including the BAHFA-proposed $10 to $20 billion Bay Area-wide affordable housing regional bond planned to be included on the November 2024 ballot.

There will be one meeting in each Supervisorial District and two virtual meetings. The District 2 meeting is coming up on Monday, May 20 at 6:00 p.m. at the San Ramon Community Center, Fountain Room, at 12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon.

If approved by voters, the bond measure would support affordable housing production and preservation and protect at-risk households. Please register for this in-person event at http://www.cchousingneeds.org.

Starting on June 3, 2024, EBMUD crews will begin installing a new water pipeline to enhance water service in some Lafayette neighborhoods. Please refer to the detour map below to see how St Marys Road will be affected. Side streets intersecting with St Marys Road will also experience temporary impacts as work progresses. The project is expected to continue until October 2024, and the duration of construction on each street may vary. Final paving will follow the completion of construction. For details on the affected work area, please review the detour map.

Work hours are 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Traffic control will be provided. Residents may experience delays of up to 10 minutes when entering and leaving the work area. If you have special needs, please call and every effort will be made to accommodate.

What work is happening near you? Use our map.

You can email questions or concerns to: construction-east@ebmud.com or call 510-287-2053.

Caltrans has scheduled a partial closure of southbound Interstate 680 between Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon and the I-580/I-680 connector in Pleasanton from Friday, May 17 through Monday morning, May 20, and Friday, May 31 through Monday, June 3.

In both closures, three left lanes of southbound Interstate 680 will be closed between Alcosta Boulevard in San Ramon and the I-580/I-680 Connector in Pleasanton from 9:00 p.m. Friday through 4:00 a.m. Monday morning.

Two right lanes of I-680 will remain open during both closures. However, motorists are encouraged to take alternative routes to alleviate traffic congestion within the construction work zone on southbound I-680 in the cities of San Ramon and Dublin.

In addition to these closures on southbound I-680, the far-left lane (Express Lane) and left shoulder will be closed on northbound I-680 between Amador Valley Boulevard in Dublin and Alcosta Blvd in San Ramon. 

Though lanes will be open, it’s best to avoid the area if possible. If you do access the freeway, **Please be aware of construction vehicles entering and exiting the construction zone and slow for the Cone Zone.**

During the closures, the contractor will replace a portion of the existing deteriorated roadway with new pavement on southbound I-680.

For more information, please visit the Alameda County Transportation Commission website at  https://bit.ly/43dKwg1.

Crow Canyon Road is closed to through traffic between Mile Marker (‘MM’) 5.25 and the County Line (Bollinger Canyon Road) between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The road is being closed to facilitate reconstruction of the roadway and replacement of three cross culverts at MM 5.83, 5.91 and 6.10. The closure is in effect through August. 

Drivers are encouraged to avoid the construction area and use alternative routes. It is recommended that motorists use I-580 and I-680 as the detour route between Castro Valley and San Ramon. 

For more information on the project, visit the project page, email info@acpwa.org, or call the construction hotline at (510) 670-5591.

Don't Wait to Abate -

Weed Abatement Deadline June 3, 2024!

The basic objective of the Exterior Hazard Control Unit’s Weed Abatement program is to eliminate the incidence of grass and rubbish fires, where possible, and to reduce the severity of such fires where they cannot be eliminated.

Every year, fires threaten homes and properties because of unnecessary combustible debris and vegetation. It is every property owner’s responsibility to eliminate these fire hazards on their property that may endanger their neighbors and the community at large. Every property owner, regardless of type – including residential, commercial, and parcels of land — is ultimately responsible for managing their vegetation to meet Fire District requirements.

To learn more visit CCCFPD.

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. 

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

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

Mental Health Commission - https://cchealth.org/mentalhealth/mhc/

The primary purpose of the Commission is to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and to the Mental Health Division and its staff. Mission Statement: To influence the County's Mental Health System to ensure the delivery of quality services that are effective, efficient, culturally relevant, and responsive to the needs and desires of the clients it serves with dignity and respect; and to be the advocate with the Board of Supervisors, the Mental Health Division, and the community on behalf of all Contra Costa County residents who need mental health services.

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