City staff gathered on Oct. 19 - Unity Day - to wear and share orange and send a visible message to our community that we are united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying!

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Welcome to the City of Concord's e-newsletter. This publication is designed to keep you informed about what's happening in your community. Sign up here to subscribe to our City News updates.

Small Business Reimbursement Grant Announced

The City of Concord, in partnership with the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, has launched a $2 million grant program to help small businesses continue their recovery from the economic strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.


Utilizing $2 million of the remaining $19 million that the City received from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, Concord will provide one-time grants of $5,000 to 370 small businesses. The grants will be distributed in two rounds, with one occurring this fall and the other in spring 2023.


The online application for the first round will open on Nov. 7 and close on Nov. 18. A webinar to explain the application process will take place on Nov. 1.


The reimbursement grant is intended to help businesses recover typical operating costs such as rent/lease payments, utilities, payroll, inventory, facility repairs, upgrades, and other expenses. Applicants will be considered based on priority criteria detailed in the application, and a lottery will be initiated if the number of qualified applicants exceed the amount of funding available.


Learn more and register for the webinar.

Election Day is Nov. 8, Ballot Boxes are Open

Are you ready to cast your vote in the 2022 General Election?


Ballot boxes are now open throughout the County, including the one located at Concord City Hall -- 1950 Parkside Drive. 


This secure ballot box is available 24/7 from now through Election Night, Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. All Contra Costa voters can utilize any secure ballot box throughout the County -- there are 37 locations!


All registered California voters have been sent a vote-by-mail ballot. To check the status of your ballot or find your polling place (for in-person voting on Nov. 8), please visit cocovote.gov.

 

Find a list of all 37 secure ballot boxes through the Voting by Mail tab; just click on "Official Ballot Drop Boxes."

'Rapid Rehousing Concord' Creates Pathways to Permanent Housing

Having just launched in September, and in partnership with Hope Solutions, the Rapid Rehousing Concord program is already creating pathways to permanency for Concord community members experiencing homelessness.


The program is designed to offer a diverse set of intervention strategies to help accelerate the transition out of homelessness by connecting participants with necessary resources related to housing assistance and case management to prevent reentry into homelessness.


Rapid Rehousing Concord also provides short-term rental subsidy and move-in assistance to individuals and households, while participants work toward self-sufficiency and ongoing stability. The Rapid Rehousing model is considered a best practice strategy for effective homelessness response. The new program in Concord has active cases with some households pending move dates into permanent housing units.


Examples of current successes include cases where individuals in single-parent households employed in Concord with children who attend Concord schools have secured permanent housing units that will allow them to maintain vital connections to employment and education.


The families served through the Rapid Rehousing Program will continue to have access to ongoing supportive services, as needed. The City is committed to building on this early success as the program continues to expand.


Rapid Rehousing Concord is funded by the Permanent Local Housing Allocation from the State Housing and Community Development Department. The City of Concord is eligible to receive approximately $2.9 million of this grant funding over the next five years.

City Ordinance Aims to Reduce Plastic Waste

During their Oct. 25 meeting, the Concord City Council voted to introduce an ordinance requiring retail food operations to only offer disposable foodware accessories (utensils & condiments) upon customer request, in compliance with the state law AB 1276, which came into effect earlier this year. 


The goal of the law and local ordinance is to reduce plastic and garbage in our local streets, waterways and landfill. This will also help businesses save money by giving out less free inventory.


Restaurants may still use dispensers of unwrapped single-use foodware accessories that are self-serve, standard condiments that are self-serve, and bulk dispensed condiments.


Concord's new ordinance will take effect on Nov. 24.


Learn more about this law and download our fact sheet.

Construction Affects Grant/East Streets Through Mid-December

Pavement rehabilitation for the Grant Street/East Street Pavement Rehabilitation (City Project No. 2525) has begun. The project limits are Grant Street from Broadmoor Avenue (SR-242) to High School Avenue, and East Street from High School Avenue to Salvio Street.


The pavement rehabilitation work began on Oct. 24 and is anticipated to be complete by Dec. 16. As a result, traffic will be reduced down to a single 11-foot lane in both directions on certain days within this time frame. 


Due to the nature of the pavement rehabilitation work, one lane in each direction will be permanently closed in phases. Left turn movements will be limited and detours will be implemented to access major destinations. Flaggers will be on site as needed to direct traffic, and advanced notification signs will be installed.


Drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians travelling through the area are encouraged to take alternate routes during the construction period and should expect delays if travelling in the project area during this date range. Parking will be temporarily restricted within these limits on Grant Street and East Street. 


Detour maps are available on the City's website.


The City appreciates everyone’s patience and understanding. Travel safely, Concord!


Want to see what other projects are under construction? View our interactive project map!

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Hosted Oct. 27

Flu season is right around the corner!


The Parks & Recreation Department is collaborating with Contra Costa Health Services to offer free flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the Concord Senior Center (2727 Parkside Dr.) on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.


CCHS will be providing Pfizer and Moderna 1st dose, 2nd dose, and the new Omicron boosters for anyone 6 months and older.


The vaccines are free, regardless of immigration or health insurance status. 


Check to see if you are eligible for your booster. 


For more information on COVID-19: www.coronavirus.cchealth.org

Trunk or Treat at Concord PD

Join the Concord Police Department this Sunday, Oct. 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a special Halloween Trunk or Treat event!


Come on by with the kids in their cool or scary costumes and join in the fun! Goodie bags, food, games, and prizes will be provided.  


Happy Halloween, Concord! 🎃

We're Hiring

Why spend time commuting when you can work in the city you call home? 


Concord is hiring! Check out our open positions: 


  • Administrative Secretary (City Management)
  • Associate/Senior Planner (Community Development)
  • Construction Inspection Supervisor (Community Development, Building)
  • Landscape Gardener (Public Works) NEW!
  • Police Dispatcher II
  • Police Officer -- Lateral and Trainee
  • Recreation Facility Specialist (Parks & Rec)
  • Recreation Program Coordinator (Parks & Rec) 
  • Senior Administrative Analyst (Public Works) 
  • Senior Application Software Analyst (IT)
  • Senior Lifeguard/Swim Instructor (Parks & Rec)
  • Senior Network Systems Engineer (IT)
  • Traffic Signal Technician (Public Works)
  • ... and more! 


Apply today! 

Public Meetings Calendar

The City of Concord's upcoming public meetings include:


  • Thursday, Oct. 27: Design Review Board
  • Tuesday, Nov. 1: City Council
  • Wednesday, Nov. 2: Planning Commission -- CANCELLED
  • Tuesday, Nov. 8: City Council 


See the full calendar.


To receive email or text notifications when the meeting agendas are posted, please subscribe to alerts using the "Notify Me" tool on the City's website.


City Council and Planning Commission meetings are broadcast live on Concord TV (Astound/Wave 29 and 1026, Comcast 28, U-verse 99) and streamed through the City's website as well as rebroadcast at later times.

City of Concord | www.cityofconcord.org
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