Nominations for the Cesar E. Chavez

Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame

Due by February 25

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards.

These awards are presented annually to outstanding Contra Costa County residents between 12 and 18 years old. Students will be recognized at the 31st Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 11 am in Board Chambers at 1025 Escobar St. in Martinez. Community members can also join the event live on Contra Costa Television channels and the County’s website.

We invite you to submit your nomination by completing the form and uploading it to the County website or emailing the application and your letter of recommendation to Lia Bristol at YouthNomination@dcd.cccounty.us.

Nominations must be received or postmarked by February 25, 2025. Recipients will be recognized at the April 1, 2025, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors’ César E. Chávez Celebration.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans.

Among the notable figures often spotlighted during Black History Month are Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for equal rights for Blacks during the 1950s and ’60s; Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American justice appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 1967; Mae Jemison, who became the first female African-American astronaut to travel to space in 1992; and Barack Obama, who was elected the first-ever African-American president of the United States in 2008.

Throughout the month of February, the Contra Costa Library will be hosting cultural events throughout the County. Please click here to find a celebration near you.

Mayor Darling Talks About the Future of Walnut Creek

Pictured: Supervisor Ken Carlson, Mayor Cindy Darling, Supervisor Candace Andersen.

Supervisor Andersen attended the Future of Walnut Creek 2025 to hear from Mayor Cindy Darling and other city leaders. The event featured a "fireside chat" with the mayor, a public safety update from the Police Chief, and presentations about the future of Shadelands and Downtown.

A recording of this event and other Walnut Creek meetings and activities can be found on the city's YouTube Channel.

New Behavioral Health Board Has Open Seats for Youth and Adults

Applications Due by February 28

The Contra Costa Behavioral Health Board seeks applicants to fill several open seats on the newly created Board which brings together the Mental Health Commission and the Alcohol & Other Drugs Advisory Board.

The mission of the Board is to advise the Board of Supervisors regarding community mental health and substance use disorders, as well as to review the community’s behavioral health needs and the services provided to Contra Costa residents.

The Behavioral Health Board is comprised of 15 volunteer members. All members are appointed by the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors.



The following seats are available to fill:

• One consumer and/or family member younger than 25 years of age

• One veteran or veteran advocate

• One employee of a local education agency

• Five consumers (a person who is receiving or have received behavioral health services.)

• Five family members (parents, spouses, siblings, or other children of consumers, who are receiving or have received behavioral health services.)

• One at-large seat

Who

Applicants must be 16 or older and in live in Contra Costa County. We currently seek applications from Supervisorial Districts 1-5, as well as for at-large seats.

Contra Costa County is encouraging individuals who have experience with, and knowledge of, the behavioral health system to apply, and includes members of the community who engage with individuals living with mental health or substance use conditions.

When

Advisory board members meet once a month and are expected to serve on Subcommittees which meet every month or every other month. Meetings times and locations may vary to encourage participation from various segments of the community. Members usually serve three-year terms.

Why

The advisory board offers the opportunity to directly advise on the mental health and substance use treatment needs in Contra Costa County by providing recommendations to improve policies, program planning and implementation, monitoring, workforce development, quality improvement, health equity, evaluation, and budget allocation.

To Apply

Visit the Board of Supervisors Boards and Commissions website at contracosta.ca.gov/6408/Boards-and-Commissions-Database. Applications are due by February 28, 2025.

Employment & Human Services Celebrates

Years of Service Awards

Pictured left to right: Director, Aging & Adult Services, Tracy Murray; Executive Director, Workforce Development Board, Tamia Brown; Bureau Director Child & Family Services, Roslyn Gentry; Supervisor Candace Andersen; Director EHSD, Marla Stuart; Chief Deputy Director Administrative Services, Anissa Basoco-Villareal; and Deputy Director Workforce Services, Rebecca Darnell.

Supervisor Andersen was pleased to attend the Employment and Human Services Department's (EHSD) Years of Service Awards celebrating and recognizing those county employees who have been serving residents of Contra Costa County for 10 to 35 years.

The Board of Supervisors appreciates the employees' exceptional commitment and service to deliver benefits programs, protect and support children & youth, ensure our older adults have access to resources and support, partner to prevent violence, and empower families and individuals to achieve self-sufficiency.

Congratulations to all who were honored.

Diablo Road Trail Project - Tree Removal & Traffic Impact

The Town of Danville will begin a portion of a capital improvement project next month along the Diablo Road corridor near the Diablo community, between Fairway Drive and Alameda Diablo (see map). The Diablo Road Trail Project is aimed at enhancing safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists, and tree removal to make way for the trail will impact daily traffic in the area for 1-3 weeks.

• Work is scheduled to begin Monday, March 3, 2025, and is expected to last 1–3 weeks. They anticipate completion by March 7, 2025, with a firm end date no later than March 20, 2025.
• Work Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, to reduce interference with school bell schedules.
• Traffic Notification: Lighted message signs will be placed at two locations along Diablo Road starting one week prior to March 3 to alert drivers of the upcoming project and potential traffic changes.
• Traffic Impact: Expect occasional delays or lane adjustments during work hours. Only one lane is expected to be closed when necessary to minimize disruption.
• More information: For background on the Diablo Trail Project, visit the project page at https://danvilletowntalks.org/diablotrail. 

East Bay Economic Development Alliance ( East Bay EDA) Receives Presentation on Rising Sea Levels in the Bay Area

Pictured left to right: Executive Director of East Bay EDA, Stephen Baiter; President Sutter Health East Bay, Tosan Boyo; BCDC, Zack Wasserman; Chair of East Bay EDA, Supervisor Anderson; and BCDC representatives, Jaclyn Perrin and Danielle Flanagan.

The East Bay Economic Development Alliance (East Bay EDA) held its quarterly Board meeting at the Alta Bates Sutter Medical Center, Sutter Health campus in Oakland. East Bay EDA's mission is centered around economic development initiatives aimed at strengthening the East Bay's economy, building a skilled workforce, and enhancing the overall quality of life in the region.

A key presentation came from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), which outlined a region-wide strategy for the Bay Area shoreline. The plan focuses on creating coordinated, locally tailored guidelines for adapting to sea level rise.

Ready Contra Costa County

Contra Costa County Public Works to Perform Tree Removal Work in Unincorporated Lafayette Along Taylor Boulevard

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department will perform tree removal work in unincorprated Lafayette along the east side of Taylor Boulevard, between Twinview Place and Gloria Terrace, beginning on Monday, February 24, 2025, through Thursday, February 27, 2025, barring unforeseen circumstances. The work will take place from 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, weather permitting.

Temporary lane closure will be required on the northbound lane of Taylor Boulevard during working hours. Traffic control will be used. Road users may experience some delays and are encouraged to consider using alternative routes.

For more information about CCCPWD, please visit us at: www.cccpublicworks.org

2025 AARP Community Challenge Grants

"Dine for a Cause" Benefiting Local Foster Children Event

Contra Costa County Extends Application Period for Auditor-Controller 

Contra Costa County has extended the application period for its next Auditor-Controller following the retirement announcement of Robert Campbell, who will step down in March 2025 after more than three decades of service. Campbell has held the elected position of Auditor-Controller since January 2011.

The Board of Supervisors is required by Government Code Section 25304 to appoint a qualified candidate to complete the remainder of the current term, which runs through 2027. 

Qualifications for the Auditor-Controller Role

The successful candidate must be a registered voter in Contra Costa County and qualified to vote for that office at the time of appointment. To qualify for appointment to the office, a person must also meet at least one of the following criteria: 

• The person possesses a valid and active certificate issued by the California Board of Accountancy under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division of the Business Professions Code showing the person to be, and a permit authorizing the person to practice as, a certified public accountant.

• The person possesses a baccalaureate degree from a accredited university, college or other four-year institution with a major in accounting, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 5081.1 of the Business and Professions Code, as that section read on December 31, 2009, or a business-related degree that includes at least 24 semester units, or equivalent quarter units, in accounting-related subjects, including, but not limited to accounting, financial reporting, auditing, and taxation, and has served within the last five years in a senior fiscal management position in a county, city or other public agency or a non-profit organization, dealing with similar fiscal responsibilities, including, but not limited to, public accounting or auditing responsibilities, for a continuous period of not less than three years. 

• The person has served as County Auditor, Assistant County Auditor, Chief Deputy County Auditor or an equivalent position for a continuous period of not less than three years.

Contra Costa County is committed to racial equity, inclusion, and social justice within all county operations and is dedicated to the advancement of key initiatives and efforts in support of this essential mission. The ideal candidate will also possess a value system that engenders trust and confidence and embodies a commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Application Process

Please direct any questions to the Contra Costa Human Resources Department at (925) 655-2100 or jobs@hrd.cccounty.us

The City of San Ramon is thrilled to announce the return of our Annual Juried Art Exhibition: Locals Only! This special exhibition celebrates the creativity of San Ramon residents of all ages, providing a platform to showcase their artistic talent.

This year's theme, Perspective, invites artists to explore viewpoints—whether literal, personal, or conceptual. How does perspective shape our understanding of the world around us? From striking visual angles and depth to cultural interpretations and personal reflections, we encourage artists to bring their unique vision to life.

Open to both 2D and 3D artwork, this juried exhibition will be judged by artist Aqsa Shakil across six age categories. Selected works will be displayed at the Dougherty Station Community Arts Center from May 9–23.



Apply now! Submissions are open through March 23. For full details and to submit your application, visit cityofsanramon.info/artist.

We look forward to seeing how you interpret Perspective!

Danville Citizens Police Academy Accepting Applications

The Danville Police Department is now accepting applications for its spring Citizens Police Academy, an in-depth program designed to provide residents age 18 and older with an inside look at law enforcement operations. This seven-week course, starting April 16, 2025. The program offers a comprehensive overview of various aspects of police work through a combination of hands-on learning and classroom instruction.

For more information and to access the application, please visit

www.danville.ca.gov/citizensacademy

Application deadline is April 1, 2025 at 5pm