County Fire Jurisdictions Move Forward to Possible Annexations
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, acting as the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Board of Directors, received an overview of the recently completed Fire District Annexation Feasibility Study from consultant AP Triton.
 
Yesterday’s presentation culminates similar presentations to the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) and Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District (RHFPD) governing boards last week. Each fire district board now has the responsibility to consider the findings and recommendations and make their individual determinations for the correct courses of action for the communities their organization serves.
 
Fire chiefs from the three cooperating fire agencies entered into the study in order to assess the financial and operational viability of annexations that might lead to more efficient, effective, and better-integrated fire and emergency services across the communities of Contra Costa County currently served by each district.
 
“This is an exciting day for ECCFPD and the residents of East Contra Costa County," said Supervisor Diane Burgis. "Our actions today, and the decision by the ECCFPD governing board to continue to work with Con Fire is a long-awaited opportunity to form a regional sustainable solution to providing the level of fire service that our communities need and deserve.”
 
“Last year, along with our fire partners East Contra Costa Fire and Rodeo-Hercules Fire, we initiated an important feasibility study to determine the potential benefits of annexing either, or both, of these districts into Con Fire,” said Lewis Broschard, fire chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. “These possible annexations have long been informally considered and this formal study, presented to our Board of Directors this week for their consideration and action, now gives us hard data to base decisions on relative to providing improved fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to much of the county.”
 
“With the acceptance of the AP Triton Study, the annexation discussions between East Contra Costa Fire and Con Fire are one step closer to approval,” said Brian Helmick, fire chief, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District. “The next step in this process will be for our staff to work with Con Fire staff to create a draft resolution for the boards to consider for approval at their regular scheduled August board meetings.”
 
Helmick added, “Our fire board and staff thank the Con Fire board and staff for the continued effort and collaboration through this discussion.”
 
"The Fire Board's acceptance of the feasibility study report is an important step in the county's move to more effective fire and emergency services," said Fire Chief Bryan Craig, Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District. "Their understanding of the long-term needs of our communities will be instrumental in the eventual adoption of this important initiative.”
 
The feasibility study was co-sponsored by Contra Costa Fire Protection District, East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, and Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District. It was undertaken late last year in an effort by the participating fire jurisdictions to examine the feasibility of combining two, or all three, fire agencies.
 
In its 200-plus pages and associated appendices, the feasibility study lays out the case for the consolidation of the three fire jurisdictions addressed. Chief among its findings and recommendations is that East Contra Costa, Rodeo-Hercules, and Con Fire should move forward with annexation, based on its analysis citing annexation would increase both the effectiveness and efficiency of the service delivery system and efficiency of the administrative functions.
 
Other recommendations included that the three districts should adopt substantially similar resolutions initiating the reorganization and that the agencies coordinate with the Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Committee (LAFCo) prior to consideration of the reorganization application.
 
Additional feasibility study recommendations were that standardized training programs specific to special team response be developed as part of any annexation actions. Also, the agencies should develop a balanced training program across all agencies, determining a training philosophy and standardized program that meets the communities’ needs.
 
As the individual fire boards of directors take up discussions and possible actions on the study’s findings and recommendations, each organization is conducting a variety of public outreach and comment activities for its residents.
 
For more on each of these, visit the following links:
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District -- https://www.cccfpd.org/annexation
East Contra Costa Fire Protection District -- https://www.eccfpd.org/
Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District -- https://www.rhfd.org/annexation-study/
 
East Contra Costa County is a Covid-19 hotspot.
BETHEL ISLAND & OAKLEY HAVE
HIGHEST RATE OF NEW CASES IN PAST 14 DAYS
Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you
Use Vaccines.gov to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment.


Walkups are available.
Businesses and community organizations in Contra Costa can now request visits from Contra Costa Health Services’ (CCHS) mobile COVID-19 vaccination van to workplaces, community centers, and other locations where five or more members of a group want to receive a vaccine.

Any business or organization can request a mobile vaccination clinic using an online form if they are in the county and CCHS will send a mobile health van to provide free vaccinations on-site within one week after completing the request. Read More...
Watch a Quick Video:

Supervisor Burgis speaks with
Oakley's Mayor Sue Higgins
about her decision to get vaccinated,
and her experience receiving the
Covid-19 Vaccine.
As summer days grow shorter, the community will soon be observing that timeless annual ritual: the first day of school. It’s a time when parents breathe a sigh of relief and students and teachers anticipate new beginnings and new challenges.

Unfortunately, the beginning of school is also a time when children are at increased risk of transportation-related injuries from the pedestrian, bicycle, school bus, and motor vehicle crashes because there are many more children on the road each morning and afternoon and many drivers’ patterns change.

Shorter daylight hours make it especially difficult to see young pedestrians and bicyclists. So as schools open their doors, it’s time for everyone – motorists, parents, educators, and students – to improve their traffic safety practices.
Grants Are Available Now
Request for Proposals:
Outreach, Application Support, and Stability Services 
Do you work directly with impacted communities?

Request for Proposals: Contra Costa County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Outreach, Application Support, and Housing Stability Service 

What is it?
The new Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), over $100 million in federal funds, has been designated for rent and utility assistance to keep Contra Costa County residents stably housed during the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds are targeted to households with incomes below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) that have experienced a loss in income related to COVID-19 and are at risk of homelessness or housing instability.

There is now a special opportunity for community-based organizations to support ERAP through funding from the County! Our goal with this funding is to engage trusted organizations with deep ties in low-income, immigrant, and BIPOC communities, providing funding to support your outreach to Contra Costa residents who can most benefit from ERAP rental assistance funds.  We want to make sure that the benefits of ERAP reach the most marginalized communities through targeted and multi-lingual outreach, application assistance, and housing stability services. 

Grants are available for the following:

  • Outreach: Up to $5,000 to market ERAP to tenants in marginalized communities.
  • Application Assistance: Up to $30,000 to help tenants complete and submit ERAP applications.
  • Housing Stability Services: $75,000 to help tenants with non-participating landlords understand their rights and access additional resources, including free legal aid.

HOW TO APPLY
We encourage all interested organizations to apply! Please feel free to forward this message to other partners who might not know about the opportunity; we especially hope to hear from organizations with a deep connection and trusted relationship with those experiencing the greatest challenges and barriers who could most benefit from the ERAP funding.
 
The Request For Proposals (RFP), which is relatively short, can be completed online in either English or Spanish.


RCF Connects will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. We hope to hear from you soon!

RCF Connects aims to make this opportunity as accessible as possible to the people who work directly with impacted communities. If you have questions or concerns -- including any barriers that you may face regarding eligibility, services, or the application process -- please contact Mariana Moore (mmoore@richmondcf.org) or Stacey Street (sstreet@richmondcf.org) for support and assistance.
COVID-19 Rent Relief Program

Starting March 15, 2021, Contra Costa County tenants and landlords impacted by COVID-19 can apply for assistance from the COVID-19 Rent Relief program. Over $75 million is Contra Costa County’s allocation of federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program funds from the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which allocated $2.6 billion to Californians in need of rental relief. 

“This funding for COVID-19 relief cannot come any sooner to help provide the hardest-hit individuals and families in Contra Costa with financial assistance with rent and utility payments and help them gain back financial and housing stability,” said Board Chair, Supervisor Diane Burgis. “My colleagues on the Board and I remain committed to helping residents get back on their feet, especially now that we have safe, effective vaccines that will help end this pandemic.”

Check eligibility and apply online for COVID-19 Rental Relief and in Spanish Ayuda con la Renta. Tenants and landlords can contact the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Call Center at 1-833-430-2122 for assistance to apply. To learn more and find state resources, visit HousingisKey.com.

Rent Relief Flyers also available in:
Call 211 for Resources

The nonprofit Contra Costa Crisis Center runs the 211 call center for Contra Costa County, answering calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact 211 to access free and confidential crisis and suicide prevention counseling, and referrals for disaster assistance, food, health care, and insurance assistance, stable housing and utility payment assistance, employment services, veteran services, and childcare and family services.

The Board supports the Contra Costa Crisis Center’s efforts to broaden awareness about the vital services provided through its 211 call center and encourages residents to utilize the free, confidential services to seek support for themselves and their loved ones.

DRAFT GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
PUBLIC REVIEW OF SECTIONS 7, 8, AND 9 AND ONLINE SURVEY
 
The East Contra Costa Groundwater Sustainability Working Group is preparing a Draft Groundwater Sustainability Plan (Plan) and seeks input on Sections 7, 8, and 9 of the Plan. The East Contra Costa Groundwater Subbasin is a medium priority subbasin and requires the preparation of a Plan under the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) as required by the State.
 
The Groundwater Sustainability Agencies received comments on Sections 1-4 and 6 of the Draft Plan and are now asking for input on Sections 7, 8, and 9 that discusses the Sustainability Management Criteria, Projects and Management Actions, and Plan Implementation, respectively. The previous Sections can also be found at the link below, or email groundwaterinfo@dcd.cccounty.us and request the documents. Comments are due on Monday, August 16, 2021.
 
Link to document and other information: https://www.eccc-irwm.org/about-sgma
 
 
For additional SGMA inquiries, to provide more detailed comments, or to be included on the email list, please send us an email.
 
“Planning a secure groundwater future”
Measure X Community Advisory Board seeks public input
Measure X, Contra Costa’s new countywide, half-cent sales tax, is expected to raise $112 million for the new fiscal year that begins July 1.

The Measure X Community Advisory Board was formed to identify unmet community needs and recommend spending priorities to the county Board of Supervisors.

The Advisory Board meets at 5:00 pm every Wednesday via Zoom: https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/81176769191.

Each meeting features a panel of presenters who have expertise in the need or issue being discussed. Panel members include county staff, community-based organizations, and residents.

Community members are welcome to provide public comments verbally after each panel presentation. Comments can also be submitted in writing to Lisa.Driscoll@cao.cccounty.us. If you submit written testimony by noon on Friday prior to the following week’s meeting, it will be included in the agenda packet that is published for Advisory Board members and the public.

Schedule of issues and needs to be discussed:
May 12 - Seniors, disabled people, veterans
May 19 - Community safety: Fire protection
May 26 - Early childhood
June 9 - School-aged youth & young adults
June 16 - Healthcare
June 23 - Mental health and behavioral health
June 30 - Housing & homelessness
July 7 - Community safety: Justice systems
July 14 - Safety net (jobs, public benefits, economic security)
July 21 - Immigration, racial equity across systems
July 28 - Library, arts & culture, agriculture, environment, transportation
August 4 - Develop draft priorities & recommendations
August 11 - Finalize recommendations to submit to Board of Supervisors
District 3 Commission Openings
 

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.


Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Advisory Fire Commission
1 seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
 
The Commission is to review and advise on annual operations and capital budgets, review Fire District expenditures; advise the Fire Chief on district service matters, and serve as a liaison between the Board of Supervisors and the community served by the fire district.
Meetings are typically held on the second Monday of even months @ 7:00 PM. The location of the meeting has been changed to 4005 Port Chicago Highway, Suite 250, Concord, CA 94520.


County Service Area, P-2A Citizen Advisory Committee (Blackhawk)
1 seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The County Services Area, P-2A Citizens Advisory Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Blackhawk community for extended police services which shall include, but not be limited to, enforcement of the State Vehicle Code, crime prevention, litter control, and other issues.

You must reside within the Blackhawk community to serve on this board.

Police Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public and are held on the
2nd Thursday of each month at 6:00 PM, at the Blackhawk Police Service District Office at 1092 Eagle Nest Pl.


Countywide Bicycle Committee
1 Seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
 
The Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee provides input to the County and the cities of the County on bicycle projects for Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds to construct bicycle/pedestrian projects and also provides advice to cities and the County on bicycle planning matters.


Knightsen Town Advisory Council
1 Seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
 
Applicants must reside within the Knightsen TAC boundaries to serve on this board.
 
The Council advises the Board of Supervisors on land use and planning matters affecting the community of Knightsen and may represent the Knightsen community before the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, and the Zoning Administrator on such issues as land use, planning, and zoning. The Council may also represent the community before the Local Agency Formation Commission on proposed boundary changes affecting the community.
 
The Council may advise the Board of Supervisors on services that are or may be provided to the community by Contra Costa County or other local government agencies. Such services include, but are not limited to, public health, safety, welfare, public works, and planning. The Council may also provide input and reports to the Board, County staff, or any County hearing body on issues of concern to the community.
 
However, it is understood that the Board of Supervisors is the final decision-making authority with respect to issues concerning the community and that the Council shall serve solely in an advisory capacity.
 
The Council meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30 pm located at the Knightsen Farm Bureau in Knightsen.


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 7 pm 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 regularly.
 
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. Find out more by visiting the Board of Supervisors Appointed Bodies, Committees & Commissions webpage.
 
Download an application here:

Applications should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board’s office located at 1025 Escobar Street, 1st Floor, Martinez, CA 94553 or by email clerkoftheboard@cob.cccounty.us

 
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