| Supervisor Mitchoff's Committee and Board Assignments |
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CONCORD
The Concord Chamber of Commerce held a State of the City luncheon on January 28th at the Concord Hilton. Mayor Laura Hoffmeister gave a detailed presentation and shared her goals for the upcoming year. The city is economically sound and excited about future development projects, including a large potential project on Diamond Boulevard near the Willows Shopping Center. The city has also welcomed in an array of new businesses, including new retail and eateries on Concord Avenue and in the downtown area. Housing prices are rising in Concord, which provides the city with increased resources and renewed hope for future projects including park upgrades and road maintenance. Along with the Mayor's presentation, the Chamber of Commerce also honored a group of successful Concord businesses, many of which have thrived here for generations.
PLEASANT HILL
On Friday, February 19th, the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual State of the City breakfast at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center. Mayor Sue Noack gave a detailed presentation of the City's current revenues and expenditures, long term financial plan, recently adopted city ordinances, completed local traffic improvements and upcoming capital improvement projects. In 2015, the city worked to improve many of the roadways that are frequented by the public, including Contra Costa Boulevard, Geary Road (a project completed in partnership with the City of Walnut Creek), Golf Club Road Bridge and resurfacing roads citywide. One of the upcoming projects is sidewalk gap closure improvements along Boyd Road and Elinora Drive. For more details on this or to watch the full presentation, please visit the City's Vimeo channel
here
.
WALNUT CREEK
On January 26th, Walnut Creek held their annual State of the City luncheon at the Walnut Creek Marriott. This was a well-attended event and very informative. Mayor Loella Haskew shared new happenings in Walnut Creek. There is currently a strong focus on the Shadelands Business Park off Ygnacio Valley Road. Shadelands is a 273 acre business community and employment center. With the help of Shadelands property owners, the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Walnut Creek, we are seeing a revitalization of this 40-year-old business park into a state of the art work place and life space. This collaborative effort is helping to create a thriving business community that welcomes existing businesses, new businesses and the community at large. Many people want to both work and live in Walnut Creek. This revitalization will provide new opportunities and job creation for future generations of Walnut Creek families. In addition to a creative and energized business environment, with the new Orchards development, there are plans for a children's splash area, walking trails, outdoor space for music and theatrical performances, and festivals. There are also plans for independent senior living and services on site, an expansive Safeway grocery store, as well as restaurants and shops.
The County Connection #7 bus line was a shuttle service that began in 2015 taking passengers from the Contra Costa Centre/Pleasant Hill BART station to Shadelands Business Park. Since its inception, this shuttle has seen 70,500 passengers ride this free shuttle service that runs every 15 minutes during both morning and evening commute hours. This spring, we will also see a Police Substation opening at the new Orchards development at Shadelands.
In addition to the renovations at Shadelands, the City will also see a renovation of the Larkey Park Swim Center. The Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation is currently raising money for the new Larkey Park Swim Center and Splash Zone.
So much of the City's success is due to the contributions and collaborations of so many partners, including residents like you.
To view the State of the City presentation in its entirety,
click here.
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Earned Income Tax Credit Reminder
Just a reminder that you may qualify for a tax credit and you don't even realize it. If you qualify for a tax credit, you can file your tax returns for free at a tax preparation site in your neighborhood. United Way of the Bay Area is once again offering their Earn It! Keep It! Save It! program in order to provide free tax preparation service as a tool to help Bay Area residents become financially stable.
Through this free, quality tax return preparation, they provide low to moderate income households with access to asset building and income support resources such as public benefits, low or no cost bank accounts, and financial education. They also ensure eligible taxpayers claim income boosts such as the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and now the new California State Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) as well.
There are a number of locations in Contra Costa County offering this free service. Call 211 or click here
to find a free tax site near you that will help you get your tax credit.
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23rd Annual Cesar Chavez
Commemorative Celebration
Please join us as we celebrate Espranza y Justicia: Hope and Justice, at the Board of Supervisors' 23rd Annual Cesar Chavez Celebration. Our keynote speaker this year is Blanca Hernandez, an Immigrant Rights Activist with The International Business Law Firm in Washnington D.C.
This celebration will be held at the Board of Supervisors' meeting on Tuesday March 29th, from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Our meetings are held in the County Administration Building, located at 651 Pine Street, Martinez, Room 107.
For more information, please feel free to contact our office at (925) 521-7100.
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13th Biennial Women's Hall of Fame
The Contra Costa County Commission for Women will be honoring outstanding women throughout Contra Costa County on March 24th. The 13th Biennial Women's Hall of Fame will take place
from 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm at Crown
e
Plaza Hotel in Concord.
The Contra Costa County Commission for Women was formed to educate the community and advise the County Board of Supervisors and other entities, on issues relating to the
changing social and economic conditions of women in the County. Their mission is to improve the economic status, social welfare, and overall quality of life for women in Contra Costa County. This event, which helps to support this advisory board, is a unique opportunity to celebrate local leaders and innovators in our community. I hope to see you there!
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Contra Costa County
Civil Grand Jury Openings
The Contra Costa County Superior Court is accepting applications for the Civil Grand Jury Service for the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 term.
The Civil Grand Jury is made up of 19 members who serve for one year, July through June, to monitor, review and report on city and county governments, special districts and school districts.
Every effort is made to ensure that the Grand Jury reflects the makeup of the residents of the county. Approximately 75 applicants will be selected to be interviewed by the Grand Jury Selection Committee, which is composed of the Superior Court Judges. After interviews, the judges will nominate approximately 30 applicants to constitute a grand jury pool from which the final panel of 19 will be selected by random drawing. The drawing is scheduled to be held on Friday, June 17, 2016, with the members of the 2016-2017 Grand Jury officially being sworn in on the same day.
Individuals selected for service will be expected to be available during the last two weeks of June to meet with outgoing jurors, tour county facilities, meet with department heads, become familiar with their colleagues, learn about juror responsibilities and procedures, and select committees on which they will serve.
Grand jurors must be a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older, who have been a resident of Contra Costa County for at least one year prior to selection. They cannot currently hold any elected position within the county. Applicants should have reliable transportation to Martinez, and must be prepared to devote at least 20 hours per week to Civil Grand Jury service. Citizens who work should apply only if they can be released from their jobs to perform the jury duties. Applicants selected as one of the 30 nominees will be fingerprinted before the drawing.
Jurors receive a stipend for attending full jury and committee meetings and are reimbursed 54 cents per mile for allowable jury travel. Parking permits may be provided to park in the City of Martinez while performing Grand Jury duties.
Persons interested in applying may contact the Office of the Civil Grand Jury at (925) 957-5638, or click here to visit the website
to receive additional information regarding service on the Civil Grand Jury and to obtain an application. Application Deadline is Friday, March 25, 2016.
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Contra Costa and Solano Food Bank
Hunger Golf Classic
The Contra Costa and Solano Food Bank is hosting its 4th annual Drive Fore Break on Hunger Golf Classic. The Hunger Golf Classic will take place on Monday, April 4, 2016 at the exclusive Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. Early bird registration is $140 per player or $500 for a foursome. Don't delay, prices go up March 18th.
The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano provides the most vulnerable residents in our community, so often children, with the nutritional foods that they need. The Food Bank distributes donated and purchased perishable and nonperishable food items directly to low-income people at community sites, while also making food available for other nonprofit organizations.
Register online here.
Contact Rene'e by email at rbaptiste@foodbankccs.org
or (925) 771-1310 for more information, including sponsorship opportunities.
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Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office College and High School Student Summer Internships
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office is currently accepting applications for the College and High School Student Summer Internship Program.
Once accepted, students are placed in an office and supervised by a Deputy District Attorney. Common intern tasks include transcribing materials, resolving victim restitution, and aiding prosecutors by assisting in the preparation of their cases. Past summer interns have also been given the opportunity to tour Coast Guard facilities and observe the crime lab. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain firsthand experience in a career they hope to pursue.
Those interested are requested to send a cover letter and resume to Deputy District Attorney Dominique Yancey at dyancey@contracostada.org by March 31, 2016.
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Young Children's Issues Forum Reminder
Reminder to Register in time for the
12th Annual Young Children's Issues Forum
"Speak Out for Children: Educate and Advocate"
The Young Children's Issues Forum is an annual community event sponsored and organized by the Contra Costa County Local Planning and Advisory Council for Early Care and Education (LPC) and coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education.
The purpose of the event is to:
* Provide a forum for discussion among state legislators, local officials, and the community regarding current children's issues
* Provide the community with tangible advocacy tools, resources, and opportunities to become active in the policy-making and legislative process
Our state is challenged with many budgetary, systemic, and policy issues that impact children and families. The annual forum acknowledges the paramount importance of dialogue among stakeholders in a community as the vehicle to widen the breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of key issues in the areas of education, health and social welfare which directly impact young children and their families.
Join your local state legislators, local elected officials, and special guests in a dialogue about the national movement towards Universal Quality Early Care and Education, state legislation, and current initiatives for quality improvement of California's early care and education programs.
When:
Saturday, March 12, 2016, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Where:
Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Cost:
$15.00, Certificate of Professional Growth Hours Available
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Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month
March is Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month and it is the perfect opportunity for us to raise awareness about America's prescription drug and heroin abuse epidemic. We can help to raise awareness by participating in and informing others of local upcoming community awareness events. Below are several community events that are taking place in District IV.
March 2nd
"Dose of Awareness" Presentation
6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Sports Basement,
1881 Ygnacio Valley Rd.
Walnut Creek, CA
March 13th
"Chasing the Dragon"
Film Screening at Brenden Theater
2:00 pm to 4:30 pm
1985 Willow Pass Rd.
Concord, CA
There are a handful of other prescription drug abuse awareness events happening throughout the County. If you are interested in learning more about Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month or would like to know more about these local events,
click here
.
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Scare Away Hunger is an innovative community service project I am excited to share with all of you. This unique collaboration provides an educational engagement opportunity for youth while collecting much needed resources for the food bank and the most vulnerable members of our community.
Five years ago, in partnership with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and Concord High School, Tesoro Refinery began an inventive local food-drive, in which Concord High School students "trick-or-treat" for food and monetary donations for the food bank. Tesoro sponsors this event by providing dinner to student teams, Tesoro employee volunteers, and matching the funds collected by students.
The event, which is held the night before Halloween, also relies on the generosity of the neighborhoods around Concord High School. These homes are provided empty bags from the Food Bank a few days in advance and asked to place them outside on the afternoon of the event, to be collected by students. Student groups, such as the choir or boy's soccer team, volunteer their time and compete to gather the most food and funds.
An awards ceremony was held last month to celebrate these students. My staff attended to present certificates and a proclamation from the Board of Supervisors recognizing Tesoro for their commitment to this important project. It was amazing to learn that in its 5th year, Scare Away Hunger collected more than 13,000 pounds of food and more than $5,000!
It's always inspiring to see local companies engage with the community in meaningful ways, and I am proud of Tesoro Refinery and Concord High School for working together to combat hunger in our County.
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Clayton Morgan Territory Wildfire Action Plan
T
he Clayton Morgan Territory Wildfire Action Plan is available for public review with copies available online
here
. The plan is the product of six months of collaborative planning by a diverse stakeholder group. The goal is to coordinate efforts to reduce potential damage from wildfire in the area.
This plan includes an analysis of wildfire threats in the City of Clayton and unincorporated areas along Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek Roads. It recommends four types of actions to reduce wildfire hazards:
- Information and education.
- Enhancements to suppression capabilities and emergency preparedness.
- Hazardous fuel reduction project around homes, on public lands and along evacuation routes.
- Actions homeowners can take to reduce their home's ignitability and potential damage from wildfire.
The Diablo Fire Safe Council, a non-profit group based on wildfire safety in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, is looking for additional community input on this plan. They have grant funding for fuel reduction projects this spring. Cheryl Miller, Executive Coordinator with Diablo Fire Safe Council
encourages residents and business owners to take part in the review of this plan. There is a role for everyone in the community when it comes to fire safety. The draft Fire Action Plan shows how different activities around your homes, businesses, community and open space can make a real impact to prevent and minimize the loss from wildfire.
If you have any questions about this plan, please contact Cheryl Miller, Diablo Fire Safe Council at (510) 282-1265.
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County Commission Vacancies
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has established many boards, committees, and commissions to which it appoints Contra Costa residents to serve, on a volunteer basis, to advise the Board on the myriad of programs and issues under the Board's jurisdiction. Contra Costa residents are encouraged to participate in their County government, and to put their expert knowledge and experience to work in their communities by applying to serve on a Board advisory body.
Currently there are vacancies for District IV representatives as follows:
1. Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board
2. Contra Costa Centre Municipal Advisory Committee
3. Emergency Medical Care Committee, Alternate Seat
4. Fire Protection District, Alternate Seat
5. Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee
6. Local Planning Council
7. Treasury Oversight Committee
If you or someone you know might be interested in applying for a seat on one of these commissions, please visit my website for further information or contact my office at (925) 521-7100.
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District IV Supervisor Karen Mitchoff
2
151 Salvio Street, Suite R
Concord, California 94520
(925) 521-7100
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