District 3 Newsletter for June 27

Two local students are joining my office for the summer and getting professional and civic experience to prepare them in their careers. Please join me in welcoming Runor Pinnock and Alison Chiu!

As we approach July 4, I remind you that all fireworks are illegal in Contra Costa County, even those labeled "safe and sane". Fireworks also create a risk to public safety during the summer fire season.

Con Fire urges anyone observing fireworks being used to report it to their local law enforcement non-emergency line by calling 1-833-885-2021. Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit also asks residents to help them fight the dangerous use of illegal fireworks by reporting fireworks sales across the county to the Arson Tip Line at 1-866-50-ARSON.

Public transportation is a vital part of our community and is an essential service. Tri Delta Transit is excited to launch REVITALIZE TRI DELTA. We want to improve their service for ALL, especially those who need it most. 

Tri Delta Transit is seeking riders and public input about any and all of their services in order to reshape service for the future.

PLEASE take the SHORT SURVEY bit.ly/4bZMLYP so we hear your voice. To learn more about the project, visit website www.revitalizetridelta.com. 

The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is inviting residents and travelers within the county to participate in a survey on transit use. Survey responses will inform the development of an Integrated Transit Plan (ITP) to make public transportation easier to use and more convenient in Contra Costa County.

With improved transit, Contra Costa County will be a more livable, sustainable, and equitable place to live and travel. As recommendations in the ITP are put into place, the public will see many benefits:

• Better connections to regional services, like BART and Capitol Corridor.
• Improvements for increased speed and reliability.
• Enhancements to improve riders’ transit experience.

Five survey participants will also have the chance to win a $100 Clipper card!

The Contra Costa County TRUTH Act Community Forum to discuss civil immigration enforcement activities is scheduled for 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 23, during the regular Board of Supervisors meeting.

The discussion will focus on local immigration enforcement activities in 2023 and law enforcement interactions with the U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The annual event has been held since 2017 as part of California’s State Assembly Bill 2792, the Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds (TRUTH) Act, which aims to increase transparency and accountability among federal and local law enforcement agencies. The Board meeting will also include a discussion of the Sheriff’s Oversight Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2024.

"The TRUTH Act forum in one way we can support our immigrant communities to ensure they feel safe and empowered," stated Board Chair, District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover. "This forum allows residents to engage the County regarding the extent of access provided to ICE in its law enforcement activities, which is vital for transparency and accountability."

For language access at the forum:

• Spanish language interpretation is available.

• The meeting will be closed-captioned in real-time.

Watch the forum at www.contracosta.ca.gov or on CCTV channels: AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, Comcast Channel 27, or WAVE Channel 32. Send comments or questions to TRUTHAct@cob.cccounty.us or to Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 1025 Escobar St, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA, 94553.

Contra Costa County Public Works will begin construction of the Walnut Boulevard Bikeway Gap Closure Project on Monday, June 24, 2024, through Monday, July 22, 2024, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), weather permitting. 

Traffic control will be used. Message boards will alert drivers about the work. Drivers should expect delays of up to 10 minutes through the construction zone and consider alternative routes during working hours. 

The work consists of roadway shoulder widening along an 860-foot segment of Walnut Boulevard between Marsh Creek Road and Vasco Road to provide Class II bike lanes, grinding and overlaying the roadway pavement section, and installing a centerline rumble strip, striping, pavement markings, and signage. 

Funding for this project is provided by a State Highway Safety Improvement Program grant, local Transportation Development Act grant and Gas Tax Funds. For more information visit: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/9899/Walnut-Blvd-Bikeway-Gap-Closure

Libby: Free Digital Resources with your Contra Costa County Library Card

The Library offers access to thousands of eBooks, eMagazines, and eAudiobooks for free through the Libby app. Find downloadable best sellers for adults, picture books for kids, comic books for young adults, and everything in between.

Start reading at ccc.overdrive.com or download the Libby App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play and enter your library card number to get started.

Summer Bus Passes and Bike Challenges from 511 Contra Costa

511 Contra Costa has two great opportunities for getting around town this summer.

The Summer Youth Pass with unlimited bus rides on Tri Delta Transit, County Connection and WestCat is available for youth ages 6-18 for only $30. For details, visit 511cc.org/youthpass.

The Summer Bike Challenge will get you outside and on the move. Throughout summer, you’ll bike to points of interest featured on your city’s gameboard, visit our in-person prize events, and share your pictures in our online Photo Gallery. Weekly Bonus Prize drawings and an iPad Grand Prize add to the fun. The Summer Bike Challenge is free, fun, and healthy – the perfect summertime activity for people of all ages. Learn more at 511contracosta.org/sbc/.

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.

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.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched—they must be felt with the heart."

– Helen Keller