News from Around the District -December, 2018
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Join us for our Annual Holiday Open House
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We will also be gladly accepting monetary donations to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties. Help us make sure no family goes without food at the holidays.
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Help Local Families with a Donation to the
Counties Care Holiday Food Fight
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Since 2004, employees of Contra Costa and Solano counties have competed during the holiday season to raise funds for the Food Bank. It's a friendly competition, with the county that raises the most funds per employee winning the Big Apple trophy for one year. The trophy and bragging rights pass back and forth, but the real winners are the hungry of both counties. To donate online directly to Supervisor Andersen's Team, visit
www.foodbankccs.org/Andersen. Supervisor Andersen is also collecting monetary donations at her two offices.
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Annual Alamo Tree Lighting Festival
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The Alamo Business and Community Foundation presents the Annual Alamo Tree Lighting Festival on Sunday, December 2nd, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Andrew H. Young Park, 3000 Danville Blvd., in Alamo.
Join community members and Supervisor Andersen for beverages and snacks while enjoying music by local talent. Don't miss out on Alamo's annual lighting of the tree.
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Moraga Honors All Veterans
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Supervisor Andersen joined local officials, including Teresa Gerringer, District Director for State Senator Steve Glazer, Joe Mata from the office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Moraga Mayor Dave Trotter, John Haffner, Mike Metcalf, Brother Mel from Saint Mary's College and Assemblywoman Catharine Baker at the Annual Moraga Veterans Day Celebration. Also participating were Moraga Boy Scout Troops and Girl Scouts from Orinda Moraga Service Unit #327.
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Walnut Creek Observes Veteran’s Day
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On Sunday, November 11, Supervisors Andersen and Mitchoff joined Walnut Creek City officials at the Lesher Theater for the Arts for their annual Veterans Day ceremony, this year entitled “Veterans Day WWI 100 Years, Honoring All Who Served our Great Country. Captain Jeffery A Miller, US Navy was the keynote speaker and stirring, patriotic music was performed by the Walnut Creek Concert Band.
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40th Annual Lafayette Community Breakfast
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Supervisor Andersen attended the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce sponsored 40th Annual Community Breakfast at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Friday November 16th.
Donna Wright-Sommerville, a partner representing Grateful Gatherings was the guest speaker.
Grateful Gatherings is a community based organization that provides furniture and household items to those transitioning out of homelessness. To learn more about Grateful Gatherings you can visit their website
gratefulgatherings.org
Pictured above with Supervisor Andersen are Vickie Sciacca, Mary Hoisington, Sarah Blumenfeld and Anne Grodin.
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Industrial Association Luncheon
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The Industrial Association of Contra Costa County hosted their annual Supervisors Luncheon in Pleasant Hill on November 15, 2018.
Supervisors' Burgis, Mitchoff and Andersen attended the luncheon to talk about challenges and concerns for the coming year.
Pictured with Supervisor Andersen, left to right, are Industrial Association Directors Peter Jurichko and George Smith, Supervisor Diane Burgis, and Supervisor Karen Mitchoff.
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Retiring San Ramon City Council Member Honored
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San Ramon City Councilman Harry Sachs was recognized for his five years of service on November 27th at his last meeting before retiring from the Council. Supervisor Andersen presented him with a proclamation and expressed her appreciation for his thoughtful and hard-working approach as a city leader.
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Lafayette Honors Community Leaders
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On Tuesday, November 27th, Lafayette honored local leaders who are retiring or moving on to other positions in the community.
Pictured from left to right, Rachel Zinn retired as Superintendent from the Lafayette School District, Don Tatzin, 33-year Lafayette City Council member chose not to run for re-election, (Supervisor Andersen) Steve Falk, City Manager for 28 years retired, Teresa Gerringer did not run again for Lafayette School District Board, but was elected to the Lafayette City Council in the most recent election, Richard Whitmore is the new Superintendent of Lafayette School District taking over for Zinn, and David Gerson, long-time member of the Lafayette School District Board, chose to not run for re-election.
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Enjoy Performances by Choirs from all four SRVUSD High Schools at the Annual Community Christmas Concert, Sunday December 9
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Donate a New Toy this Holiday Season
Supervisor Andersen’s Danville Office is accepting toys for VESTIA through December 7
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Supervisor Andersen’s Danville Office is accepting toys for VESTIA through December 7th.
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Leadership San Ramon Valley Learns about the County
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Supervisor Andersen was one of the guest speakers at the Leadership San Ramon Valley Class of 2019 Government Day on November 1st. The class asked Candace very well-informed questions after her presentation. Pictured at left with Candace are Leadership San Ramon Valley Board of Directors members Lisa Bobadilla and Dominique Yancey.
Leadership San Ramon Valley is designed to provide current and emerging community leaders with the information and skills necessary to appreciate the resources, understand the issues, manage the challenges and lead in the rapidly evolving business, political, educational, cultural and social environment of the San Ramon Valley. For more information about the program or to apply, visit their website
www.leadershipsrv.org.
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Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at City Center San Ramon
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Renaming Lafayette's Library Community Hall
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At the November 26th Lafayette City Council meeting, the city leaders and many community residents met at the Library and Learning Center for a very special Renaming Ceremony whereby Vice Mayor Cameron Burks and the Lafayette City Council officially named the Library’s Community Hall in honor of Mayor Don Tatzin.
Mayor Tatzin, who has served the community for 33 years, is retiring from City service when his term ends in December.
Pictured above; Mayor Tatzin and Vice-Mayor Burks.
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It's a Wonderful Life in Lafayette Holiday Celebration
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On December 7th, join community members for "It's a wonderful life in Lafayette" Holiday celebration from 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Lafayette's Plaza Park, located in Downtown Lafayette.
Free admission, fun, family-friendly celebration, tree lighting, live music, community sing-a-long, crafts and Santa's "sleigh" is Lafayette's historic fire truck, Old Betsy.
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Celebrate the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Rain Didn’t Dampen Danville’s Annual Tree Lighting
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The day after Thanksgiving Danville held its annual Tree Lighting of the Old Oak Tree on Diablo Road, just outside Supervisor Andersen’s office. Despite a steady stream of rain, many came to hear choirs sing, and countdown with the Snow Angel to light the tree.
Several hundred people stopped by Supervisor Andersen’s office for homemade butterscotch brownies and hot chocolate with marshmallows and candy canes.
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Enjoy a Holiday Gathering at San Ramon's
Forest Home Farms Historic Park
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Enjoy a FREE old fashioned holiday gathering at Forest Home Farms Historic Park on December 8th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Have a traditional holiday family experience including visits with a Victorian Santa and his reindeer, old-fashioned ornament making, a puppet show, holiday entertainment and refreshments.
Special holiday tours of the Glass House Museum begin at 1:00 p.m., $5 fee.
Forest Home Farms is located at 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., between the Bollinger and Alcosta exits off the 680 freeway.
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Celebrate the Music of the Season with Two Concerts in San Ramon
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Join community friends on December 15th at Central Park Community Center in San Ramon for the
Community Chorus Holiday Concert.
Get in the Holiday spirit, listen to all of your favorite tunes and enjoy local dance performances ranging in style from Ballet to Bollywood. There may even be a special visit from Santa Claus. The San Ramon Community Center is located at 12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon. All ages are free.
The Symphonic Band Concerts: A Wintry Holiday Festival is being held on December 23rd from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center. Don't miss out on this amazing holiday music event for the entire family.
Tickets are $8 for adults, kids and students with Student ID are free. Get your tickets early to this community-favorite event. Visit:
www.SanRamonPerformingArts.com or call the box office at 925 973 3343 for more details.
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Citizenship Application & Fee Waiver Assistance Event
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Christmas Memories at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley
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The tradition continues with Christmas Memories now at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley.
This year the museum will have dollhouses from 100 years ago to recent times. Many of these dollhouses were lovingly handmade by local dads and moms for their children. A wonderful way to look back at Christmas’s past and celebrate this joyous season.
The museum also has two areas for children of all ages to play. Take a moment and visit Santa’s workshop which will be open at the museum stocked with lots of toys. Santa’s workshop is a great photo opportunity. In addition, there is a dollhouse and train set all ready for children and adults to play with as well. Two great opportunities to enjoy the fun and spirit of the holidays.
Returning will be the
flying Santa, a G model Christmas train, as well as a Father Christmas exhibit, with many decorated trees, and lots more. The exhibit runs through December 31 at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley, 205 Railroad Avenue, Danville. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3:00 p.m. For more information visit
museumsrv.org, or call 925-837-3750.
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New - Safely Dispose of Unwanted Pharmaceuticals at Local Pharmacies
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Anyone in Contra Costa can now find a nearby drop-off kiosk to safely dispose of unwanted prescription or non-prescription drugs by visiting
med-project.org. A mail-back service is also now available for people who have disabilities that affect their mobility. These new safe disposal services are made possible by the Safe Drug Disposal Ordinance that is in effect in Contra Costa.
Your local police department also accepts unwanted pharmaceuticals. Contact them for more information.
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Annual Hospice Tree of Lights Ceremonies Around District 2
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Hospice East Bay has been caring for patients and their families in our community since 1977. This year, Hospice is proud to be celebrating their 32nd annual Tree of Lights.
Their Tree of Lights ceremonies have provided a way for families and friends to honor their loved ones. People who attend a ceremony find solace in the symbolism of an illuminated light as the names of their loved ones are read. These ceremonies help to raise the funds necessary to provide high level of care to everyone who needs it.
Walnut Creek Tree
Wednesday, December 5, 6:00 p.m.
John Muir Medical Center
Blackhawk Tree
Friday, December 7, 5:00 p.m.
Blackhawk Road at Blackhawk Drive
Moraga Tree
Sunday, December 16, 5:30 p.m.
Moraga Country Club
1600 St. Andrews Drive
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Looking for Ways to Help this Holiday Season?
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With the holiday season upon us, many residents of Contra Costa County are interested in how they can help those in our extended community who are less fortunate and in need of assistance. The following are several worthy programs the County partners with, and which I know could use your help.
Every day, thousands of people in our community struggle to meet their basic nutritional needs. The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties distributes food directly to people in need through their many programs. You can make a difference right now by contributing to the cause, either by volunteering to collect or distribute food through the food bank programs, or by making an online donation. Monetary donations are preferred over canned goods, because very dollar contributed provides the Food Bank with $3 in buying power, providing two full meals.
Contra Costa and Solano Counties have been competing since 2004 for the prized Big Apple Trophy in the “Counties Care Food Fight” to raise money for the Food Bank. The trophy and bragging rights pass back and forth, but the real winners are the hungry of both counties. More than $1.7M has been raised by the two counties to help feed the community. The Contra Costa Board of Supervisors compete with each other to raise the most donations, with the winner getting to take home the Little Apple Trophy. Visit the Food Bank’s website at
www.foodbankccs.org to sign up to volunteer or donate.
Another very worthy cause is VESTIA (Volunteer & Emergency Services Team in Action), a non-profit organization that serves individuals and families receiving benefits from Contra Costa County’s Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD). VESTIA is a safety net for low-income children and families in Contra Costa County that provides supplemental support to clients when other resources are not available. Every year during the holiday season, VESTIA sponsors the Holiday Helpers Warehouse, which provides holiday assistance of gifts, clothing and food to low-income children. They accept gifts through Friday, December 7th at their office at 500 Ellinwood Way, in Pleasant Hill, and can arrange for pick-up if needed. For more information, please call Volunteer & Emergency Services at (925) 521-5061 or visit their website at
www.vestiainc.org.
Your faith congregation may already participate in the Winter Nights Family Shelter program and you can volunteer directly. If your faith congregation doesn’t participate, you can inquire about how to become a host organization. Faith congregations provide space, meals, and volunteers on a two-week rotating basis to homeless families in Contra Costa. Professional staff supervise the shelter at all times. The Winter Nights program has family-centric goals for supporting the homeless which include; providing shelter and food to homeless families throughout the winter, helping homeless families find sustainable housing, keeping homeless children in the school from which they went homeless, helping homeless children achieve at grade level, encouraging reading habits, and keeping homeless families together during the stressful period of homelessness. To donate or for more information about the program, visit their website at
www.cccwinternights.org, or call (925) 933-6030.
The Contra Costa Crisis Center is another worthy non-profit in need of your help. Volunteers work year-round to keep people alive and safe, helping them work through crises, and connecting them with culturally relevant resources in the community. The crisis center has several programs including 211, the national toll-free phone number to call 24 hours per day for information about local health and social services, enabling people to find out about valuable and up to date resources in their community. They also provide homeless services, grief counseling, Help Me Grow - a system focusing on early detection, referral, and treatment for children with developmental or behavioral concerns, and the Share the Spirit Grant Making Project.
You can donate to the Contra Costa Crisis Center with a monetary gift or by shopping at their Leftovers Thrift Shop, which is a mini-department store benefiting the Crisis Center located at 2281 Olympic Boulevard in Walnut Creek. To donate online, visit
www.crisis-center.org.
The Contra Costa Housing Security Fund is a county-wide community fund that covers costs that can prevent many people, including seniors, veterans and families, from getting back into housing. It also protects participating property owners who offer screened renters an opportunity for housing. Your donation to the Contra Costa Housing Security Fund can help end homelessness. Contra Costa Continuum of Care homeless service providers distribute the funds. To donate online, visit
www.fundraise.richmondcf.org/give. For questions about the fund, please email
homelessprogram@hsd.cccounty.us.
The Monument Crisis Center nearby in Concord also relies heavily on volunteers and donations. They provide the working poor and low income with support, addressing essential needs that can include providing food and medical or dental care. They host an annual Holiday Food Box Drive, which feed families in need by accepting boxes filled with all the trimmings. To see the list of suggested items for a trimming box, or for more information about the organization, visit their website at
www.monumentcrisiscenter.org.
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Wireless Carriers, Municipalities and You
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The future of cellular service is changing and affecting neighborhoods as “small cell” applications, to add new cellular equipment to utility poles, are making their way through municipalities all over the country. This is significant as it means small cell installations will be inserted between us as end users and the existing cell installations that are currently located along roadsides, atop buildings, camouflaged in trees, and affixed to large towers. Some of these we notice and others we don’t.
The challenges of wireless communication remain the same as it has for decades. Local jurisdictions have little to no discretion over these new sites as carriers are placing them in the rights-of-way of cities and counties because the California Public Utilities Commission Section 7901 says carriers have the legal right do so. Similarly, a wireless facility permit located in the public right of way of Contra Costa County must be issued if all of the provisions under our County Code Sec. 88-24.612 are met.
What does this mean for the County? What are the limitations on local governments regarding the deployment of wireless networks? What is critical to understand is that under laws passed by Congress the County is not permitted to deny a wireless application based on certain factors.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 is the federal law which stripped all states and local government of their power to consider potential adverse health impacts of Radio Frequent (RF) radiation from Cell Towers and antennas. Section 704 of the Act states:
"No State or local government or instrumentality thereof may regulate
the placement, construction, and modification
of personal wireless service facilities on the
basis of the environmental effects of radio frequency emissions
to the extent that such facilities comply with the Commission's regulations concerning such emissions."
This understandably proves frustrating for property owners who believe their health and personal property rights are being infringed upon.
Another factor the County is not allowed to consider when reviewing an application is th
e effect on property values. It is not a legally recognized criterion in the local wireless permitting process. The County is also held to a “shot clock.” All applications must be approved or denied within 60-150 days, depending upon the type of application.
Some things the County does have a say on include the type and color of equipment. We can request a ground installation versus a pole mounted installation for equipment, but must ensure that there is sufficient room for a ground installation. We also always request the least intrusive design and mandate that all carriers comply with FCC guidelines at all times. We also never allow for advertising on the equipment.
Residents concerned about a new cell site often point out that they might not need service; or their mobile device works “just fine.” Unfortunately, demand for wireless service is increasing. More importantly, wireless technology
is
mobile, and therefore access to such technology has very little to do with demand in any particular neighborhood. It has far more to do with the federal right and ability of the carrier to provide an adequate signal to mobile users in and traveling through the service area, and not whether a particular user lives in that residential neighborhood.
Contra Costa County has a public process in which the community can come and voice their concerns through a series of public hearings. However, State and Federal policy makers have limited our reviewing authority. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules passed just this past March exempt small-cell deployments from certain historic-preservation and environmental reviews. Another FCC rule slated for a vote soon seeks to lower fees for small-cell permit applications and limit the time to review such applications to 60 and 90 days.
Cities’ and Counties’ authority over this issue continues to be diminished. With the legal constraints placed on local government the County does its best to strike an appropriate balance between project application review, regulation, and recognizing how these applications affect and frustrate residents in the community.
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Interested in Participating in Government?
Supervisor Candace Andersen is Seeking Volunteers for
County Advisory Boards
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Supervisor Candace Andersen is looking for interested, motivated residents to serve on a few Contra Costa County citizen advisory boards. These volunteer boards usually meet monthly and advise the Board of Supervisors on a variety of issues. They play a vital role in county government, and the input provided is invaluable.
Applications are currently being accepted from residents of District 2 (which includes: Alamo, Canyon, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Parkmead, Rossmoor, San Ramon, Saranap, Walnut Creek (West of N. Main Street) for seats on the following boards:
Alamo Police Services Advisory Committee (CSA P-2B) To advise the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff's Department on the needs of the Alamo/Danville community for police services.
County Service Area P-5 Citizen Advisory Committee (Roundhill Residents only)
To advise the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Alamo community for extended police services for Roundhill.
Additionally, there are a variety of countywide bodies that are seeking volunteer members, click on the link below and search using the ‘vacancy’ tab on the website.
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Ever wonder what your Supervisor does at the Board of Supervisors meeting held on most Tuesdays? Here are some of the board actions from the month of November which impact the residents of District 2:
Recognized November 2018 as Adoption Awareness month in Contra Costa County.
Declared November 11- 17, 2018 as United Against Hate Week in Contra Costa County.
Recognized November 7, 2018 as the Contra Costa County Shelter-in-Place Education Day.
Declared the launching of the 2018 "Contra Costa County Cares" Holiday Food Fight.
Adjourned in memory of Duane Chapman, Mental Health Commissioner and homeless advocate.
Provided direction to staff on the process to select applicants for certain types of commercial cannabis establishments that have a cap on the number of land use permits that may be issued.
2018 Veterans' Day Celebration and Presentation of Colors to honor the men and women of Contra Costa County who have served and are currently serving in our United States Armed Forces.
Adjourned in memory of Mark Mitchell Lafayette City Council Member.
Approved & Authorized lane closures on Dec. 2, 2018, between 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, for the Annual Alamo Tree Lighting, Alamo area.
Recognized David Gerson for His Service on the Lafayette School Board.
Recognized Rachel Zinn on her Retirement as Superintendent for the Lafayette School District.
Recognized Teresa Gerringer for her service on the Lafayette School Board.
Recognized Steven Falk for his work as the Lafayette City Manager.
Recognized Richard Whitmore as the Superintendent of Lafayette School District.
Recognized Don Tatzin upon his retirement from the Lafayette City Council.
Recognized the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I and start of the annual commemoration of Veterans Day
Honored the Veterans Service Representative Jill Martinez
Accepted the resignation of Kate Salisbury, declared a vacancy in the Youth Representative seat on the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council, effective immediately, and directed the Clerk of the Board to post the vacancy, as recommended by Supervisor Candace Andersen.
Reappointed Mary McCosker to the Trustee 2 Seat of the Alamo-Lafayette Cemetery District Board of Directors, as recommended by Supervisor Candace Andersen.
Agendas and videos of Board of Supervisors meetings can be found
here.
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Chief of Staff
Field Representative;
San Ramon & Danville
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Field Representative:
Canyon, Moraga & Orinda
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Scheduler, Field Representative;
Lafayette
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Field Representative;
Alamo & part of Walnut Creek,
including; Parkmead, Rossmoor & Saranap
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San Ramon Valley Office
309 Diablo Road
Danville, CA 94526
Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (925) 957-8860
FAX: (925) 820-3785
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Lamorinda Office
Fire Station #15
3338 Mt. Diablo Boulevard
Lafayette, CA 94549
Hours:
Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
and by appointment, please call
Phone: (925) 646-6067
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Candace's Committee Assignments
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Pleasant Hill BART/Contra Costa Centre Joint Powers Authority Board of Trustees
She serves as an alternate on the following:
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District II Supervisor Candace Andersen
309 Diablo Road | Danville | CA | 94526| (925) 957-8860
3338 Mt. Diablo Blvd. | Lafayette | CA | 94549 | (925) 646-6067
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