MEMORANDUM
DATE: February 4, 2022
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Jennifer Ortega, Community Relations Manager
SUBJECT: Council’s Weekly Newsletter
|
|
Diamond Blvd/Willow Pass Road Sewer Repair Project |
|
The City’s Diamond Blvd/Willow Pass Road Sewer Repair Project (City Project No. 2554) began construction on Jan. 24. The project (funded through Sewer Operating) involves replacing approximately 730 linear feet of damaged and clogged sanitary sewer pipe, including areas within the sidewalk and landscaping next to Denny’s, and repairs to existing maintenance access holes on Willow Pass Road between Waterworld Pkwy and Diamond Blvd.
Construction will continue to take place, Sunday through Thursday, during night hours (8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.), and temporary lane closures will be in effect while work is taking place. Lanes will be reopened by 5:30 a.m. each morning, at the end of each work shift. Weather permitting, construction is expected to be completed by the end of February. However, due to colder temperatures at night, final paving may need to take place during the day for proper placement of hot mix asphalt.
|
|
Update on 'EZ Does It' Rental Repayment Program |
|
The City Council approved the "EZ Does It" residential loan program in partnership with the Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union (DVFCU) on October 27, 2020. It provides low-interest loans for renters impacted by COVID-19 up to $500,000, and set aside $100,000 of the City’s reserves to pay for any defaults under the program. Four loans totaling $18,600 have been made to date.
One of these loans is in default for 90 days and the borrower has not responded to any of the DVFCU’s communications. Under the agreement with DVFCU, the City must pay DVFCU the balance of the loan and interest outstanding. The balance of the defaulted loan is $5,764. This loan will be assigned to the City and we will proceed with collections efforts. Finance will make every attempt to arrange repayment terms with the borrower.
|
|
Urgent Need for Blood Donations |
|
While health professionals' current focus is COVID-19 and the surge of cases affecting hospitals, another crisis unfolding is the national blood shortage, the “worst in over a decade,” according to the American Red Cross. In recent weeks, the Red Cross had less than a one-day supply of critical blood types and has had to limit blood product distributions to hospitals. At times, as much as one-quarter of hospital blood needs are not being met. Non-profit blood service provider, Vitalant, is also urging donations during this critical shortage.
The City of Concord continues to support the American Red Cross and Vitalant by hosting blood drives at City facilities. In 2021 the City of Concord hosted 6 blood drives, with 141 donors registered to give, 124 people donating and 148 units of blood collected, potentially saving 444 lives!
Currently the City of Concord has seven blood drives on the 2022 calendar as follows:
- Tuesday, February 15 at Centre Concord
- Thursday, February 17 at Willow Pass Park, Field 2 parking lot
- Tuesday, April 12 at Concord Senior Center parking lot
- Wednesday, June 8 at Willow Pass Park, Field 2 parking lot
- Thursday, August 4 at Centre Concord parking lot
- Wednesday, October 5 at Centre Concord parking lot
- Thursday, December 8 at Concord Senior Center parking lot
Please consider donating blood. Even if you have had COVID-19, you can donate 14 days after you have been symptom free. You’ll feel amazing knowing you potentially saved up to three people.
|
|
50 Years of Swimming at Concord Community Pool |
|
A small group of “regulars” gathered at Concord Community Pool early on Feb. 4 to recognize Marilyn Richison and congratulate her for her dedication to the sport of swimming -- something she has been doing here for 50 years!
Mayor Dominic Aliano presented Marilyn with a certificate of congratulations on behalf of the City.
The other swimmers introduced themselves and shared how long they have been swimming at Concord Community Pool -- all of them clearly passionate about Concord’s pool and inspired by Marilyn’s dedication and determination to make swimming a part of her commitment to health and wellness.
|
|
Robbery & Shooting: Updated to Homicide |
|
As previously reported, CPD officers responded to a shooting at the Sunvalley Mall on New Year’s Eve. A business owner of a store inside the mall said he was attacked outside of his store by two men who tried to take a bag he was holding over his shoulder. Another employee came out of the store to try and help the victim when one of the robbers pulled out a gun and shot the other employee. Both suspects fled prior to police arrival.
Last week the victim of the shooting died from his injuries after a few weeks of hospital care. Detectives have made an arrest and the investigation is still ongoing.
|
|
On January 25, two men walked into the Asian Day Spa on Monument Blvd with a handgun and robbed an employee of money. They fled prior to officers arriving and were not located. |
|
On January 22, CPD officers responded to a stabbing at a home on Bennett Way. Officers located a man inside the garage who had been stabbed multiple times in his upper torso. He died from the injuries. The suspect, who was known to the victim, fled prior to officers arriving. Detectives located the suspect several days later and arrested him without incident. |
|
Concord Launches Zonehaven System for Emergency Evacuations |
|
Concord Police Department has partnered with the Contra Costa Fire Protection District to launch Zonehaven in Concord. Zonehaven is a platform that allows residents to view real-time evacuation information, including evacuation routes, shelters, and resource centers in their immediate area.
The map is updated in real time, so residents can check regularly for zone status information. Knowing what to do before, during and after an evacuation in an emergency situation is critical to saving lives and having residents know their emergency zone is a valuable tool to help our community be emergency prepared.
During an emergency, residents of affected zones will be alerted using a variety of means, including the county alert system (CWS), social media such as Twitter and Facebook, and door-to-door warnings when possible.
Information about how to use the free service will be shared with residents through Concord's e-newsletter, website, and social media platforms beginning the week of February 14, and it will be featured in the summer issue of the City News & Activity Guide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
