News from Around the District - March, 2020
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Novel Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions
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Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) and its partners are working closely with state and federal health agencies to monitor and provide updates on the latest information about the Corona “COVID-19” Virus.
This a rapidly evolving situation with new information emerging every day.
The outbreak has the potential to turn into a pandemic, which means a simultaneous, worldwide occurrence of an infectious disease and it is important to be prepared. The Board of Supervisors will have the declaration of a local emergency on our agenda at our next meeting on March 10th.
What is being done in Contra Costa?
- All hospitals in the county, including Contra Costa Regional Medical Center & Health Centers, are asking patients about symptoms of coronavirus and recent travel to China. People calling 911 will also be asked about their symptoms and recent travel to China.
- Contra Costa Health Services has sent information about coronavirus to local medical providers, ambulance paramedics and schools.
- County health officials are in ongoing contact with the CDC and the California Department of Health to get the latest information.
- Our CCHS Public Health Lab now has testing capability to run COVID-19 tests. Kits are limited but we can now perform testing for those who meet criteria. The criteria is listed on their website.
How Should you get Prepared?
- Businesses and community organizations should review their continuity of operations plans and consider how they will operate if a significant number of employees are unable to work.
- Businesses and schools should review their sick leave policies and actively encourage employees and students/staff to stay home if they are sick. Do not require a doctor's note on return to work/school as healthcare facilities may be severely impacted.
- Medical facilities and health providers should review their surge plans in case they are called upon to handle more patients than usual at one time. ·
- Stock up on the essentials in case of shortages and if you need to stay home.
- Make sure your earthquake kit is up to date and ready to go - it is full of vital supplies you can use for any emergency.
- If you can, obtain a two-month supply for your medications or consider using a mail order pharmacy.
- Think about how to care for loved ones at home if they or you get sick, including how to prevent other family members from becoming infected.
- Wash your hands! Frequent hand washing is easy, under your control and has no significant downsides.
- Don't touch your face, eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home from school or work when you are sick.
- Cough into the crook of your arm or into a tissue.
- Use a barrier, such as a paper towel or tissue, to touch commonly touched surfaces, such as bathroom door handles and elevator buttons.
- Bump elbows or bow instead of shaking hands.
- Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces.
- Get vaccinated against the flu if you haven't already.
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Iron Horse Corridor Active Transportation Study
on March 3rd Alamo MAC Agenda
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In Contra Costa County, the Iron Horse Trail is an 18.5-mile corridor from the Alameda County line to Mayette Avenue in Concord. Formerly a Southern Pacific Railroad route, the Iron Horse Corridor now features a paved multi-use trail for walking, jogging, and bicycling along with adjacent unpaved or soft trails in some areas.
When the County purchased the Iron Horse Corridor from the Southern Pacific Railroad in the 1980s, grant money was used which obligated the County to maintain the trail so that someday a light rail or bus system could be run down the corridor. Supervisor Andersen spent the last five years traveling to Sacramento to meet with State Transportation Officials and local lawmakers, working to get the County out from under that commitment. With the assistance of Assemblyman Tim Grayson and the passage of AB1025, we have been relieved from that obligation. No light rail or bus system will run down the trail and we are now able to look at how we can use it for more appropriate “active transportation” uses.
In anticipation of the County being relieved of the obligation to one day run a bus or light rail system down the trail, the County commissioned a study to look at how the trail might be improved and better utilized as an active transportation corridor. How could we enhance safety at intersections and separate trails so that faster moving bicyclists and pedestrians could have their own paths? What additional improvements might be made to make it safer for bicyclists to use the trail to and from work, school and BART Are there opportunities for emerging technology such as electric bicycles or scooters on the trail?
The County recently released a Draft of the Iron Horse Trail Active Transportation Corridor Study . The study sets out a vision for the future of the Iron Horse Trail but does not analyze in detail any specific projects. Those would be thoroughly vetted through a public process as they are proposed in the future..
The DRAFT Iron Horse Corridor Active Transportation Study is available for public review and comments has been extended until Friday, March 13, 2020. Visit
www.ihtactive.com for more information about the study and interactive maps.
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Contra Costa County's Call to Action: Preventing Interpersonal Violence
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The Contra Costa Alliance to End Abuse held a Call to Action: Preventing Interpersonal Violence breakfast meeting on Friday, February 7th.
Pictured on the left, Supervisor Andersen spoke to attendees who came together for this important cause.
The Alliance to End Abuse, an initiative of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, affects systems change that reduces interpersonal violence, domestic, family, sexual violence, elder and child abuse and human trafficking by fostering the development and implementation of collaborative, coordinated and integrated services, and supports interventions and prevention activities.
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Annual Pathayathirai Thaipoosam Walk
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Supervisor Andersen joined San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson, Sridhar Verose, Solai Alagappan and Prabhu Venkatesh Subramanian at Bishop Ranch in San Ramon on Saturday, February 8th for the annual Pathayathirai Thaipoosam walk.
This social walk with friends and family to Concord on the Iron horse trail from San Ramon central park is in honor of Thaipoosam, a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon in the Tamil month of Thai, January/February.
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West County Behavioral Health Center Grand Opening
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Contra Costa Health Services held a grand opening and ribbon butting for the new Behavioral Health Facility in San Pablo, on Friday, February 28th.
The facility, designed specifically for behavioral health programs will employ a team-care model consisting of psychiatry, nursing, peer support, drug and alcohol treatment, and other services.
Supervisor Andersen, along with other County officials and community members attended the event.
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Hansamo Korean Cultural Night
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San Ramon Hansamo held their annual Hansamo Korean Cultural Showcase and Award Night on February 16th at the Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center.
The annual event provides the community an opportunity to learn about Korean and other cultures through music and dance.
Supervisor Andersen was happy to attend and present certificates of recognition to the youth awardees. To learn more about Hansamo, go to
hansamo.org.
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Supervisor Andersen Attends San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson’s
Final State of the City Address
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For the past 8 years San Ramon residents have been fortunate to have the strong leadership of Mayor Bill Clarkson. He is termed out this year and will certainly be missed. On February 19 Supervisor Andersen joined a packed ballroom at the San Ramon Marriott to hear Mayor Clarkson’s final update on the many activities and issues facing the growing City of San Ramon. In the picture above she is joined by Alex Mehran, Chairman of the Board of Sunset Development.
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Lafayette Honors Business Person of the Year
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The Lafayette Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Business Person of the Year event at the Lafayette Park Hotel on Friday, January 31st. Mayor Mike Anderson delivered the State of the City Address.
Pictured at left, Supervisor Andersen's staff member, Cameron Collins, presents Business Person of the Year Jennifer Perlmutter with a Resolution honoring her contributions to Lafayette.
Jennifer already had a successful art gallery in town,
The Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery, located at 3620 Mt. Diablo Blvd. She was ready to take on a new project. Her vision took the vacant World Savings/Wells Fargo building, the teller’s booths, the vault and the natural light and created a place where art and community come together. The new gallery was named JPG@TheBank. From her opening day on Valentine’s Day 2019, each exhibit has highlighted a variety of media, large and small sculptures and illustrations. But what makes the gallery unique is the way other art forms are celebrated. Music, Performing Art, Poetry, and Art in Motion have all been woven into the fabric that has become a center for the community to meet, learn and appreciate art.
As her vision came into focus it not only filled the old bank, it changed the neighborhood. Her generosity and inclusiveness have brought so many new people to the downtown area. She connected with art students at Saint Mary’s College and has brought speakers and presenters together on an array of subjects.
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Beauty and The Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change
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The Museum of the San Ramon Valley and The Ruth Bancroft Garden celebrate Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change.
March is the final month for the exhibit, which winds down with a great program done in partnership with the Ruth Bancroft Garden.
On Saturday March 14 the museum will join with Ruth Bancroft Gardens for a program on Firescaping your garden.
We live and garden in a region where the threat of wildfires is becoming more common. Fire-safe design and fire-resistant plants will make your garden more resilient if the worst does happen. Using the guidelines from numerous local resources, Troy McGregor from Gondwana Flora will walk you through how to design a creative, functional and fire-safe garden using plants found at the Ruth Bancroft Garden. Plants, materials, and maintenance will all be covered in this class.
This program will be at the Ruth Bancroft Garden, located at 1552 Bancroft Rd., Walnut Creek on March 14th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The cost of this program is $20.00. To sign up, please go to the museum web site
museumsrv.org.
The museum's exhibit displays exquisite photographs of California's wildflowers bringing awareness of the beauty of the Golden State as well as the dangers facing our natural habitats from climate change. All geographic regions of California are highlighted in this stunning show. From the high alpine "rock gardens" above 11,000 feet in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Death Valley National Park's below-sea-level environment, the majesty of the golden state will be on display. Photographers Rob Badger and Nita Winter are based in the Bay Area and have been capturing powerful images for over three decades.
Beyond the beauty and information, enjoy the hands-on experience of seeing stunning pressed wildflowers projected from a microscope onto a screen. You can choose which wildflowers to project. Learn about the role of the citizen scientist in understanding and documenting climate change.
This beautiful and informative exhibit will be on display through March 29th.
The Museum of the San Ramon Valley is located at 205 Railroad Avenue in Danville. The museum hours are Tuesday-Friday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information, contact the museum at
museumsrv.org or call 925-837-3750.
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Deborah Cooper is Sworn in as County Clerk-Recorder
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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors appointed Deborah Cooper as the County Clerk-Recorder for the remaining term of the office that will expire on January 2, 2023.
The Board held an open process over the past three months to find, interview, select and appoint a new County Clerk-Recorder. During this time, the Board of Supervisors strongly affirmed the integrity and the professional work of County staff in the Clerk-Recorder-Elections Division and have every confidence that Debi Cooper will continue to move the team forward during this important election year and beyond with the utmost integrity.
Most recently, Cooper served as the Acting County Clerk-Recorder since November 1, 2019 and, prior to that, as the Deputy County Clerk-Recorder since 2012.
Deborah Cooper and employees of the Clerk-Recorder office are pictured above along with the Supervisors at the swearing in.
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Celebrating Chinese New Year
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The Culture to Culture Foundation and Census 2020, in partnership with Contra Costa County District 2 and the city of San Ramon, sponsored a free event to celebrate Chinese New Year and the 2020 Census on February 2, 2020. The event was held at the Dougherty Station Community Center in San Ramon.
Supervisor Andersen joined Culture to Culture supporters and other community leaders in modeling beautiful Chinese costumes. For more information about the work of Culture to Culture, please click
culturetoculture.org/
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Contra Costa County Wins
Annual Food Fight Contest With Solano County
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Contra Costa County departments and employees again demonstrated just how much public servants care and rose to the annual challenge to raise funds for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano during the 2019 holiday season. In the 2019 drive Contra Costa County employees raised $84,498.44, bringing their cumulative total raised in 17 years to approximately $1.5 million.
The winning departments were honored at the February 25th Board of Supervisors meeting. Department team leaders are pictured above with the Supervisors.
Supervisor Andersen's office raised the most money amongst the Supervisors' offices and was awarded the "Little Apple" trophy. Supervisor Andersen is pictured above right with Joel Sjostrom, President and CEO of the Food Bank.
The combined efforts of employees of Contra Costa and Solano counties netted the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano a grand total of $130,466.94 in 2019, providing close to 261,000 meals to approximately 170,000 “food-insecure” residents of both counties.
To learn more about the food bank, or how you can help, go to
foodbankccs.org
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Applications for Grand Jury Service Sought
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The Contra Costa County Superior Court is accepting applications for Civil Grand Jury Service for the Fiscal Year 2020/21 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 schools. Jurors receive a stipend for attending full jury and committee meetings and are reimbursed for allowable jury travel. Contact the Office of the Civil Grand Jury at 925-608-2621 or visit
cc-courts.org/grandjury for additional information and to obtain an application. Applications are due by March 13th.
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Moraga Chamber of Commerce Holds Annual Business and
Non-profit of The Year Event
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The Moraga Chamber of Commerce recognized the amazing Brandy Ford and Mechanic’s Bank as the Business of the Year.
Pictured on the right, the Lamorinda CERT was honored as the non-profit of the year. Pictured below is Supervisor Andersen presenting a proclamation to Brandy Ford. Both are such well-deserved honors.
The annual event was held at La Finestra Restaurant in Moraga on Monday, February 24th.
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25th Anniversary of the Jewish Film Festival
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The East Bay International Jewish Film Festival, a program of the non-profit Independent Jewish World Cinema, held their Kick-Off Party to their 25th season at the Pleasant Hill Community Center on Sunday, February 23.
The annual festival, running through March 15th, celebrates the diversity of Jewish history, culture, and identity through film and also speaks to universal experiences and issues.
Pictured on the left with Supervisor Andersen is Pleasant Hill City Councilmember Michael Harris.
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Fourteen outstanding high school students from all over the County participated in Contra Costa's 13th Annual Poetry Out Loud Competition organized by the Arts and Culture Commission (AC5).
Grace Gilroy, a senior at San Ramon Valley High School, took first place in the competition and will be advancing to State.
The Supervisors honored the winning students at their meeting on February 25th.
In the photo above with Supervisor Andersen are: Monte Vista 11th grader Bella Wahbeh; San Ramon Valley High School senior and winner of the competition Grace Gilroy, and AC5 Commissioner for District 2 Beverly Kumar.
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Board of Supervisors Recognizes African American Mental Health Awareness Month and Remembrance Day for Miles Hall
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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors declared February 16-22, 2020, as African American Mental Health Awareness Week and February 15, 2020 as Miles Hall Day of Remembrance at their February 11th Board meeting.
Mental health and substance use issues continue to create health challenges for African Americans in this County.
Contra Costa County Behavioral Health Services, in an effort to better reflect and celebrate the diverse population of the County, has taken the lead to heed the voice of the peer/client/consumer and family members in building collaborations with various faith based/spiritual communities to explore all resources and tools that will enhance mental health wellness in the African American Community.
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Census 2020 Complete Count!
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Sustainable Contra Costa Workshop
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Contra Costa District Attorney Offering Summer Internships
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16th Annual She's All That Workshop
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Calling All High School Artists
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Local Hospitals
Recognized for Response to
Public Safety Power Shutoffs
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The Supervisors recognized the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, San Ramon Regional Medical Center, John Muir Health, and Sutter Delta Medical Center at their February 25th meeting for the hospital's prompt response to the needs of the community during the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.
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Would You Like to Serve on the County's
Treasury Oversight Committee?
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The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is seeking an individual with sound knowledge and experience in the field of public and private finance to serve on the Treasury Oversight Committee (Committee) in the Public Representative Seat #3. 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. (Government Code §27132.3).
The Committee meets at 3:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month following each quarter at 625 Court Street, 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
contracosta.ca.gov/690/Treasury-Oversight-Committee. Members of the Committee receive no compensation for their service. The Board of Supervisors will appoint the selected individual to complete the four-year term on May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2024.
Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 335-1900 or by clicking on the following link:
Application-for-Appointive-bodies Form. Applications should be returned to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Room 106, County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553 no later than Friday, March 27, 2020 by 5:00 p.m. More information about the Treasury Oversight Committee can be obtained by calling Russell Watts at (925) 957-2888 or visiting the Treasurer-Tax Collector's website at
www.contracosta.ca.gov/690/Treasury-Oversight-Committee
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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
To advise on issues and concerns related to services provided by the County or other local agencies located within its boundary, which includes parks & recreation, lighting & landscaping, land use, code enforcement, public safety, and transportation.
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.
Established to decide disputes between property owners and the Assessor's Office. Disputes are heard by the Assessment Appeals Board, which is composed of members appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
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.
The commission works to support early childhood development through a strategic plan developed pursuant to the California Children and Families First Act of 1998.
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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 February which impact the residents of District 2:
Appointed Deborah Cooper as Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder.
Accepted a report on Recommendations on Reforming Agricultural Land Use Policies in Contra Costa County to Improve Both Economic Vitality and Sustainability.
Acknowledged February 16-22, 2020 as African American Mental Health Awareness Week and Miles Hall Day Remembrance on February 15, 2020.
Acknowledged a Health Services Update on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.
Recognized Mechanics Bank as the 2019 Moraga Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.
Recognized Lamorinda CERT as the 2019 Moraga Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit of the Year.
Recognized the East Bay International Jewish Film Festival on their 25th Anniversary.
Reappointed Anne Struthers to the Alamo Area Seat on the Iron Horse Corridor Management Program Advisory Committee for a two-year term with an expiration date of January 1, 2022, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.
Recognized the Winners of the Contra Costa County Poetry Out Loud 2020 Competition.
Recognized the employees of Contra Costa County and the 2019 Counties Care Holiday Food Fight.
Recognized the American Heart Association, John Muir Health Cardiology Department, and Contra Costa Emergency Medical Services Agency during American Heart Month.
Recognized Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, San Ramon Regional Medical Center, John Muir Health, and Sutter Delta Medical Center for their prompt response to the needs of the community during the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events.
Adopted Ordinance No. 2020-05, prohibiting the transfer and assignment of cannabis permits and allowing certain ownership changes in commercial cannabis businesses.
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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
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Dom Pruett
Policy Analyst, Field Representative; Walnut Creek and Lafayette
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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:
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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