More Businesses Can Reopen

October 1, 2020

More Businesses and Services Can Reopen in Contra Costa Thanks to Improving COVID Situation

Thanks to recent progress being made in the fight against COVID-19 in Contra Costa, the county has qualified to move into the less restrictive red tier (“substantial”) of the state’s four-tiered, color-coded reopening system.

Moving into the red tier means the following sectors can reopen with modifications:

Places of worship, restaurants, movie theaters and museums can operate indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
Gyms can reopen indoors at 10% capacity
All personal care services, including massage, can move indoors
Indoor shopping malls can operate at 50% maximum occupancy (instead of 25%). Food courts can also open following the state’s guidelines for restaurants.
Indoor retail stores can now operate at 50% capacity (instead of 25%)
Outdoor playgrounds.

Businesses and other organizations should review their applicable industry guidance for reopening safely from the state. For more information about COVID-19 in Contra Costa, visit cchealth.org/coronavirus.

If you have questions about the Coronavirus, contact the Multilingual Call Center 1-844-729-8410, open daily from 8 am to 5 pm (available in English and Spanish). For assistance in multiple languages after hours,

please call 211 or 800-833-2900 or text HOPE to 20121.

See Contra Costa's Openings at a Glance (9/29/20)

Need COVID-19 posters or flyers for your business?

Visit the CCHS Communications Toolkit page

for tools available in several languages.

CCHS Recommends Planning Safe & Planning Ahead for Halloween.

See Press Release. See Noticia en Español.

Contra Costa to Begin Offering Free Flu Shots at COVID Testing Sites

Starting October 1, the County will begin offering free flu shots to people who come in for COVID testing at several testing sites in Contra Costa.

Making flu shots available at COVID testing sites is part of the County’s larger effort to get more people vaccinated before flu season arrives. Contra Costa Health Services will also be hosting a series of free one-day flu vaccination clinics in October.

Make this Halloween safe and fun by celebrating in ways that limit close contact with others, like virtual costume parties and pumpkin carving contests.

It's Not Too Late to Get Counted in the 2020 Census!

76.9% of Contra Costa County has self-responded to the Census (California is at 69%). While that is good news, it also means that almost 25% of residents have not been counted. There is still time!

Do it Now!

Go to www.my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020 to complete the Census immediately.

You can find preferred language phone numbers at www.2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-by-phone.html

Please encourage everyone you know to complete the Census before 10/31.

Our communities benefit from everyone being counted, and we have one chance in a decade to get it right. Thank you for stepping up to ensure that every person is counted.

It is not too late! Count Me In!

Here’s how to identify Census takers in your neighborhood. The link has information on what Census workers will NOT ask (see how to avoid scams).

If you have any questions about Census takers, you can call the Census Bureau at 800-923-8282.

Our goal together is a Census 2020 complete count.

Take the survey now at https://my2020census.gov/

For a dynamic map to check your area, and more, visit cococensus.org.

Registration and Voting Options

Are You Ready To Vote?

Check your registration information, request a ballot, find your polling place, and learn about your elected officials at www.cocovote.us .

All 37 of our secure outdoor drop boxes for the November election have been installed! Boxes will be opened on Monday October 5.

See the list of locations: http://cocovote.us/drop-boxes

GET CONNECTED, CONTRA COSTA!

You may be eligible for low-cost internet service from a local provider. Online access is more important than ever during this time of distance learning, replacing in-person medical appointments with telemedicine, applying for jobs online, and working remotely.

EHSD is teaming up with EveryoneOn and the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) to help Contra Costa residents who are eligible connect with affordable internet service and computer device offers.

To learn more about getting digitally connected, visit

EveryoneOn.org/ContraCostaEHSD

Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets.

For a limited time, the American Red Cross will test all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies as an additional health service to our donors.

To schedule an appointment Click Here or call 1-800-733-2767

For more information about the Red Cross visit redcross.org.

FREE Flu Shots Available

Getting vaccinated is more important than ever this flu season.

Vaccination will help keep hospitals from being overwhelmed by flu patients while they also care for those with COVID-19.

No appointment needed

Vaccinations available to everyone age 6 months and older
All are welcome, regardless of insurance or immigration status
No ID required
No social security number needed
Flu shots are not included in a public charge assessment
Please wear face coverings

For more information, call (925) 313-6767 or visit cchealth.org/flu

Evictions and Tenant Protections during Covid-19

September 23, 2020 - See Press Release (PDF): Contra Costa County Passes Ordinance for Eviction Protection and Rent Freeze to Provide Additional Protections through January 31, 2021. See Urgency Ordinance No. 2020-25 (PDF).

*Ordinance Amended September 30, 2020 - See Press Release

Please visit cocofamilyjustice.org for information about the

Center's services and programs.

Friendship Line for Seniors

As many older and at-risk Californians continue to stay home to minimize exposure to COVID-19, feelings of isolation and loneliness may be increasing.

To offer support, Institute on Aging and the California Department of Aging want to share with you all additional resources to bring awareness to the toll-free warm line, Friendship Line California.

As you may know Friendship Line California is both a crisis intervention hotline and a warmline for non-emergency emotional support calls connecting individuals to a friendly conversation 24/7.

Call 1-888-670-1360 now for an ear ready to listen and warm voice. You don't have to feel alone.

District 3 Committee Openings

Contra Costa Aviation Advisory Committee

1 Member at Large seat

Closing Date: October 16, 2020, 5:00PM

Aviation Advisory Committee (AAC). The term begins March 1, 2021, upon appointment by the Airport Committee, and expires on February 28, 2024. Residents of and/or employees in Contra Costa County are eligible to fill this position to represent all County stakeholders in matters related to Buchanan Field and Byron Airports.

The AAC serves as an advisory group to the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors (Board) to provide advice and recommendations to the Board on aviation matters related to the Contra Costa County Airports. The AAC typically meets once per month at either Buchanan Field or Byron Airport.

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or here.

Applicants should plan to be available for public/Zoom interviews, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Airports Committee Meeting.

County Service Area, P-6 Citizen Advisory Committee (Discovery Bay)

2 seats

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The County Service Area P6 Citizens Advisory Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Discovery Bay community for extended police protection services which shall include, but not limited to, enforcement of the State Vehicle Code where authorized by law, crime prevention, and litter control.

You must reside within the Discovery Bay P-6 boundaries (Zone 501-505) to serve on this board.

The Committee meets quarterly on the 2^nd Wednesday of every month at 6:00p.m. located at the Discovery Bay Community Center, 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd. in Discovery Bay.

Mental Health Commission

1 Consumer seat

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

To review and assess the community’s mental health needs, services, facilities, and special problems, in order to advise the Board of Supervisors concerning local mental health services and programs.

The Commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. located at 550 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill.

Assessment Appeals Board

1 Alternate seat

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Assessment Appeals Board conducts impartial hearings on property assessment disputes between taxpayers and the county assessor. Based on the evidence presented at these hearings, the appeals board determined the value of the disputed property or determines other matters of property tax assessment within the board’s jurisdiction.

Qualifications:

Applicants should possess five or more years of professional experience in California as one of the following: licensed real estate broker, attorney, certified public accountant (CPA) or public accountant, property appraiser accredited by a nationally recognized professional organization, property appraiser certified by the Office of Real Estate Appraisers, or property appraiser certified by the State Board of Equalization.

Compensation:

This is a volunteer position. Assessment Appeals Board members are compensated for their time at hearings and reimbursed for their mileage to attend assessment appeals hearings.

The Assessment Appeals Board meets every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. located at 651 Pine Street, Room 107 in Martinez.

Library Commission

1 Alternate seat

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian; provides a forum for the community to provide input concerning Library operations, and recommends proposals to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian which may improve the Library.

The Commission meets on the 4th Thursday of every other month at 7pm located at 777 Arnold Drive in Martinez.

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Background: The Board of Supervisors receives valuable input and community participation from numerous citizen advisory boards on a range of issues. Boards usually meet monthly on a regular basis.

Candidates for these positions must live in District 3 or any specified boundary area for special districts. District 3 is comprised of the cities of Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood, and the unincorporated communities of Blackhawk, Diablo, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen and Discovery Bay.

You may also download an application from the County’s website at http://contra.napanet.net/maddybook/ Applications should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board’s office (925-335-1900) located at 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553.

For more information, including on how to apply, you may contact Supervisor Burgis’ Deputy Chief of Staff, Lea Castleberry at 925-252-4500 or Lea.Castleberry@bos.cccounty.us

Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee

The Contra Costa County Internal Operations Committee of the Board of Supervisors is now accepting applications from individuals to fill two (2) At-Large Member Seats and one (1) At-Large Alternate member seat on the Contra Costa County Fish and Wildlife Committee.

Existing members seeking reappointment and individuals seeking a new appointment may apply.

Applications are due by October 2, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

The Fish and Wildlife Committee has ten members: Five District representatives nominated by individual members of the Board of Supervisors, four At-Large positions, and one At-Large Alternate position nominated by the Internal Operations Committee.

The Internal Operations Committee considers applications from all interested individuals and conducts interviews even when an existing At-Large member seeks reappointment. Read More...

Apply Here

Contra Costa Hazardous Materials Commission

WHAT: The Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Commission seeks applicants for four open seats.

The commission is a voluntary body appointed by the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors that makes policy recommendations to the board and county staff regarding hazardous materials and hazardous waste.

WHO: The commission’s 14 members and alternates serve four-year terms and include representatives of industry, labor, civic groups, environmental organizations, environmental engineers, the public and the Contra Costa Mayors Conference.

The current openings are for a representative from an environmental organization and one alternate, and the Environmental Justice seat, for a member of a county community disproportionately impacted by hazardous materials releases, and one alternate.

All candidates must live or work in Contra Costa County, have a demonstrated interest in hazardous materials issues and an understanding and commitment to the principles of environmental justice as defined in county policy. Candidates must be able to commit to one to two meetings per month, or to fill in as needed for alternates.

Candidates for the Environmental seat must be nominated by an environmental organization.

WHEN: Mail completed applications to the Clerk of the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, 651 Pine St., First Floor, Martinez, CA 94553.

Applications must be received by September 30.

Interviews for qualified applicants will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 9, by Zoom or telephone.

HOW: For an application form or more information, contact Michael Kent, the executive assistant to the commission at 925-250-3227. Applications are also available online or from the Clerk of the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors, 651 Pine Street, First Floor, in Martinez.

What is a Zoom Meeting?