News & Updates ∙ April 21, 2020
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Hello City of Concord residents, businesses and friends,
As we continue to shelter at home during the coronavirus pandemic, we want to take a moment to thank you for abiding by the rules put forth by our health officials. Please continue to stay home as much as possible, only leaving for groceries, essential work, to care for another individual, or to get some exercise (while maintaining at least six feet of distance).
To help keep you informed about what the City of Concord is doing in response to this pandemic, we've created this electronic newsletter, which we will send out in addition to posting news and information on our
City website
and through our social media channels. If you do not already follow us, please do so. Links can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.
Stay healthy and safe, everyone!
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Updates from Contra Costa County
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As of today, April 21, at 11:30 a.m., 9,908 COVID-19 tests had been administered within Contra Costa County. There are 749 known cases, with 34 people currently hospitalized. You can stay up to date on local coronavirus statistics and information - including the
new order
requiring people to wear masks when working at or visiting an essential business - through
Contra Costa's Health Services website.
For non-emergency questions regarding the County-wide shelter-in-place order and public health recommendations you may call the County's hotline at 1-844-729-8410, or view the County's
Frequently Asked Questions
for additional information.
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Join Concord Mayor Tim McGallian for a Weekly Virtual Town Hall Meeting every Saturday at 10 a.m. during the shelter-in-place order. The Mayor, along with City staff and guests, provide the most up-to-date information related to the federal, state, county and city responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as updates on local resources available to residents.
On April 18, the Mayor spoke to the City's Finance Director Karan Reid about the current and future financial state of the City of Concord; he introduced Concord's new Police Chief Mark Bustillos; and he talked with Beverly Lane, board member of the East Bay Regional Park District.
Watch the video.
The next town hall will take place on Saturday, April 25 at 10 a.m.
Here's how you can participate:
Meeting ID: 947 194 295; No password required
Call in from a phone (no video):
(669) 900-6833
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Virtual Permit Center Introduced
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During this time when the COVID-19 emergency has presented many challenges, it has also presented some new opportunities. City staff are now accepting and processing applications for all permit types electronically. The newly launched online permitting tool,
Permit Pal
, provides 24/7 access to information on zoning, permits, business licenses and fees. This toolbox of new, online services not only helps the City continue to operate during the County Health Department’s shelter-in-place order while our physical Permit Center office is closed, but will make it easier for customers to get information and to obtain permits in the future. City Inspectors also continue to perform inspection services for those types allowed under the County Health Order.
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Concord Passes Temporary Eviction Moratorium
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The Concord City Council on March 25 took an important step to protect residential and commercial tenants who may experience economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Council voted unanimously to adopt an urgency ordinance imposing a temporary moratorium on evictions for failure to pay rent, utilities, late fees and penalties for residential and commercial tenants in Concord, who are experiencing a substantial decrease in household or business income caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ordinance also imposes a moratorium on rent increases for those properties not exempt under state law, AB-1482.
The urgency ordinance is effective from March 25, 2020 through May 31, 2020.
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Friendly Reminders from Parks & Recreation
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The weather is warming up and many of us want to go out and play, but we must all continue to do our part and follow local health orders requiring social distancing of at least six feet.
While open space parks and trails are currently open, high-touch areas, like playgrounds and ball courts remain closed. Residents are encouraged to take walks in their own neighborhoods and choose less busy times to stroll through the parks and local trails to get exercise and fresh air – both of which are advised for improved physical and mental health.
Read more about which parks and amenities are closed and what our Parks & Rec staff is doing to help fill the void of in-person recreation activities
here.
To Report Violations
You may report violations of the stay-at-home order by contacting the Concord Police Department. Please do NOT call 9-1-1. Instead, please use the
Concord Connect app
and select "Police," to provide information about
businesses
that are violating the order. To report other violations, such as social gatherings, please call the non-emergency dispatch number: 925-671-3241.
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Stay Active and Have Fun at Home
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Looking for some fun things to do while "bending the curve" at home? Check out the Concord Parks & Recreation Department's
Virtual Recreation Center.
Get access to workout routines, videos from your favorite instructors, general wellness tips, and activities to do with the kids at home! The site is updated frequently with new videos, links, and challenges.
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For the past few weeks, every Thursday at 6 p.m., we have gone live on Facebook with special guests including Transform FX Fitness Bootcamp, Lima, and Luna Ristorante.
The live, virtual events are designed to highlight local businesses and keep them engaged with the community, while boosting the overall morale for our residents!
On Thursday, April 23, join us for an at-home concert featuring Daniel Morris. Daniel's music is fun for all ages! He plays the classical instrument to contemporary pop songs such as Sunflower by Post Malone and Closer by The Chainsmokers!
Learn More
.
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Staying in Touch with our Seniors
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The Concord Senior Center staff has been busy coordinating wellness calls with the Concord Senior Citizens Club and CC-Café.
“We’ve been calling our 1,200 members to update their information and ask if they need any assistance,” said Kelly Madge, Club President. Concord CC-Café staff call their participants weekly to confirm their meal order and offer additional resources. Senior Center staff also reach out weekly via email or phone to more than 100 seniors and volunteers on our wellness call list.
As we continue to remain at home to be safe and healthy, we encourage seniors to have some daily interaction to prevent depression. Governor Newsom called on Californians to make five calls a day to check on seniors.
If you know of someone who may require assistance please contact the local resources below.
- Senior Nutrition Program: delivering 7 frozen meals each week. Call by Wednesday at noon: (925) 825-1488
- Meals on Wheels Diablo Region Care Management, Friendly Visitor (over the phone): (925) 937-8311
- Contra Costa County Information & Assistance: (800) 510-2020
- Assistance League of Diablo Valley – TeleCare: TeleCare provides free daily reassurance calls to housebound people for the health and well-being of the client as well as a friendly exchange of ideas. Trained volunteers call clients Monday through Friday mornings, beginning at 9 a.m. Please call 925-934-0901 and mention TeleCare.
- Concord Senior Center: (925) 671-3320, concordsc@cityofconcord.org
- Email us if you would like to be added to the Senior Center Newsletter
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Providing Essential Services
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While many of our City facilities remain closed to protect the health and well-being of our community,
#TeamConcord
's Public Works crew continues to deliver the essential services our residents expect and deserve.
This week, our street maintenance crews have been focused on crack sealing. Aside from being one of the most cost-effective ways to maintain streets, crack sealing can reduce pavement deterioration by preventing water from seeping into underlying base and sub-base layers. This restriction helps to maintain pavement structural capacity and limits future degradation, which can lead to those gnarly potholes.
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Lower traffic on the street means that our crews are also able to expedite certain projects. In particular, our teams will start sooner than anticipated on the following projects:
- Downtown Sewer – Phase 3: Work previously scheduled for night can now be performed during the day as a result of significantly reduced commute traffic and surrounding businesses observing the County's shelter-in-place order.
- Denkinger Road Rehabilitation: Work previously restricted to begin in June when school was scheduled to be out for the summer can now proceed in late April or early May.
- Oak Grove Road – Phase 2: Similar to Denkinger Road, significant road improvements were restricted until the anticipated June completion of the school year. Now the contractor has been given a Notice to Proceed for late April/early May.
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The City of Concord, Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Concord have partnered to develop a list of local restaurants offering take-out and delivery. View the list of restaurants
here
.
Show support for our community by using #ConcordEats in your social media posts and tagging @CityofConcord in your Instagram stories.
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The Senior Emergency Food Program and Helping Hand Program serve Concord residents ages 60+ who are home-bound and have food insecurities. To sign up for assistance or to volunteer to deliver food or groceries to seniors-in-need, please visit
www.neighborexpress.org
or call (925) 338-1441.
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Stay up-to-date on news and information related to the local and state response to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Information for businesses, frequently asked questions about City services, as well as City resources are available through
our website.
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