Supervisor Andersen was pleased to attend the Walnut Creek State of the City Luncheon on January 26. Pictured above with the Supervisor are Walnut Creek Mayor Bob Simmons and Marsha Golangco from Sustainable Contra Costa. Mayor Simmons acknowledged in his address the partnership between Contra Costa County and Walnut Creek in supporting their parks, with County park funds assisting in the development of the All Abilities Playground and the upcoming renovations of the Larkey Park Pool. 

A once common disease eliminated by vaccination is making  a comeback and has been a headline in the news. More than 70 cases have been diagnosed in California since December. Please read the following information from Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP):  

 

How do I know if I am protected from measles?

• Check your immunization records, and read below for recommendations regarding who should get the vaccine called MMR (measles/mumps/rubella).

Start Smart is a two-hour driving safety education class presented by Street Smarts and the CHP.  The class targets new and future licensed teenage drivers and their parents/legal guardians. Start Smart is a great program that every teen and their guardian should attend.  Supervisor Andersen had the opportunity to participate with her now 17 year-old-son prior to him receiving his driver's license and found it to be a valuable resource.  The next class in the San Ramon Valley is being held at California High School Theater, 9870 Broadmoor Drive, San Ramon, April 30, 7-9PM.  For more information about the program or to find other Start Smart classes in the Bay Area, click here or contact the CHP offices at 925-646-4980.  You can register on-line for this class by clicking here.

In December, Wreaths Across America honored buried Veterans from Alamo, Danville and San Ramon.  The San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated sponsored the event for the Alamo Cemetery in Danville, honoring 80 veterans buried at the cemetery.  To learn more about the project click here.

Moraga Chief of Police Robert Priebe and Supervisor Andersen proudly congratulate Sergeant Brian South (on the right), who received the 2014 Outstanding Leadership Award for his integrity, passion and dedicated service to the Town of Moraga and the Moraga Police Department, and Tyler Olson, who received the 2014 Officer of the Year Award for his exceptional work performance, integrity and leadership, providing inspiration to all.

Brentwood Agricultural Land Trust (BALT) is the recipient of Nickels for Non-Profits - now through February 15 at the Whole Foods Market at 3503 Mt. Diablo Boulevard. BALT protects East Bay farmland from development, ensuring future generations will live in a Bay Area where the richness of urban life and fertile farmland coexist.

Supervisor Andersen joined Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, and Joyce Kaysar, one of the event organizers, at the San Ramon Valley's Martin Luther King celebration in Alamo at the United Methodist Church on Monday, January 19, 2015.  Great music and words were spoken reminding the large group of the legacy of Dr. King and so many others who fought so hard for equality in our Country.

The Board of Supervisors honored Dr. King on January 20 at their annual celebration and presentation of Humanitarian Awards. Pictured above with the Supervisors are Dr. Edwina Perez-Santiago, 2015 Humanitarian of the Year recipient, and Tyler Page, 2015 Student Humanitarian of the Year recipient.

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Political consultant Karl Rove, former deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush, is joined by Danville Councilmembers Newell Arnerich and Robert Storer, and Supervisor Andersen.  A very thoughtful, interesting and wide-ranging conversation was had between guest panelists the Hon. Ellen Tauscher and Rove at the annual East Bay USA event held at the Concord Hilton. To read about this event and others like it, click here.

The Orinda Chamber of Commerce will present annual awards recognizing outstanding contributions to the Chamber and Orinda business community. The event will be held at 11:30 am on Friday, February 20 at Orinda Country Club, 315 Camino Sobrante in Orinda Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by contacting Candy, click here.  

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In recent years, a number of people have openly argued that bats should be encouraged to take up residence in our local communities because they are well-known mosquito hunters. This article from County Mosquito & Vector Control looks at the truth behind that claim and shows why we can't depend on an animal to be effective at eating something just because it doesn't have any other options. 

 

Supervisor Andersen attended the Contra Costa Association of Realtors (CCAR) 2015 Inaugural Dinner and Dance on January 9 at the Blackhawk Auto Museum. Pictured above enjoying the celebration with Candace are Assemblymember Susan Bonilla, incoming CCAR President Rob Baldwin, outgoing President Marilyn Cunningham, Assemblymember Catharine Baker, and Barry Zwahlen.

So far this winter, we have not had to worry much about traveling in storm conditions in the Bay Area, but winter is not over yet.  Winter and sometimes Spring weather in and around the East Bay bring rain, sleet and ice.  Preparing your vehicle and home for the wet and windy conditions will reduce risks and provide you piece of mind.

In addition to the District 2 vacancies listed below, Supervisor Andersen would like to draw your attention to the following list of countywide advisory bodies that currently have at-large seats available: the Advisory Council on Aging, Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity, Agricultural Task Force Committee, Alcohol & Other Drugs Advisory Board, Arts & Culture Commission, Aviation Advisory Committee,  

 

Ever wonder what your Supervisor does at that weekly Tuesday Board of Supervisors Meeting?  Here are some of the board actions from the month of January which impact the residents of District 2:    

 

Repealed Ordinance which would have adjusted the salary of the Board of Supervisors.

 

Held the 2015 Reorganization of the Board of Supervisors, which included the swearing in of re-elected County Department Heads and Supervisors Karen Mitchoff and John Gioia by the Honorable Joni Hiramoto, Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge; Election and swearing in of Supervisor John Gioia as Chair and Supervisor Candace Andersen as Vice-Chair.

 

Approved recommendations for Board Member appointments for 2015 to local, regional and statewide committees, boards, and commissions, and approving the posting of Form 806 to the County website to report additional compensation that Board members receive when serving on committees, boards, and commissions of a public agency, special district, and joint powers agency or authority. A complete list of committee assignments can be found by clicking here.

 

Accepted the resignation of Peggy Kennedy, declared vacant the District II Member at Large Seat on the Contra Costa County Mental Health Commission effective immediately, directed the Clerk of the Board to post the vacancy, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

 

Approved/Authorized the County Librarian to apply for and accept a "Book to Action" grant from the California Center for the Book on behalf of the California State Library to provide materials and programs at the Lafayette Library.

 

Approved/Authorized the Conservation and Development Interim Director to execute an agreement with the City of Walnut Creek for the City's Housing Rehabilitation Loan and Grant Program.

 

Approved/Authorized the Health Services Director to execute a contract with Kaiser Foundation Hospitals-Walnut Creek and John Muir Medical Center-Walnut Creek Campus, to be designated as Primary Stroke Centers.

 

Approved/Authorized the Health Services Director to execute a contract with San Ramon Regional Medical Center, LLC, to be designated as a Primary Stroke Center.

 

Approved/Authorized the Auditor-Controller to pay the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District for Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Fire First Responder medical equipment, medical supplies and EMS training (100% Measure H Funds).

 

Received report regarding the Office of the State Fire Marshal's review of Kinder Morgan's Integrity Management Program for pipelines in Contra Costa County. Click here to see report.  

 

Received/Accepted the 2014 Annual Report of the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council (AMAC) as recommended by Supervisor Andersen. Click here to view.  

 

Accepted annual report from the Health Services Department on HIV Prevention and the Needle Exchange Program.  

 

Accepted report from the Employment and Human Services Department on the operations of the Covered California Call Center and the Affordable Care Act.

 

Approved/Authorized the Public Works Director's execution of six Pacific Gas and Electric Company Interconnection Agreements for Net Energy Metering of Solar or Wind Electric Generating Facilities of 1,000 kW or Less, Other Than Facilities of 30 kilowatts or Less for Solar Photovoltaic Installations at six County facilities.

 

Heard a presentation by Fire Chief Jeff Carman highlighting some of the significant emergency medical incidents within the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District in 2014.

 

Accepted a report from the Fire Chief providing a status summary for ongoing Fire District activities and initiatives.  

 

Accepted report on the additional award of Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers to the Housing Authority from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  

 

Accepted letter from Housing Authority Insurance Group congratulating the Housing Authority of the County of Contra Costa as a recipient of The Low Loss Ratio Award for the policy years 2010-2012.

 

Proclaimed January 2015 as Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Contra Costa County.

 

Recognized Julie Bueren, Contra Costa County Public Works Director, as 2014 Engineer of the Year.

 

Proclaimed January 2015 as Eligibility Workers' Month.

 

Approved a rezoning from Multiple Family Residential (M-12) to Planned Unit District (P-1) and Final Development Plan approval for the proposed "Westborough" 14-unit condominium project located at 1640-1660 Tice Valley Boulevard in Saranap, Walnut Creek.

 

Approved a rezoning from Planned Neighborhood Business to Retail Business District of three parcels, excluding the drainage easement area, at the Stone Valley Center, located at 3160 Danville Boulevard, Alamo.

 

Approved the Final Emergency Ambulance Request for Proposals (RFP), directed the Emergency Medical Services Agency to submit the RFP to the California State EMS Authority and, upon State approval, release the RFP.  

 

Approved/Authorized the Health Services Director to execute a contract with the California Department of Public Health, accept funds to serve as the local lead agency of the Tobacco Prevention Project and approved the County's Comprehensive Tobacco Control Plan and Budget for FY 2014-2017 for submission to the California Department of Public Health for the Tobacco Prevention Project.

 

Approved/Authorized the Employment and Human Services Director to execute a contract with California Department of Community Services and Development to pay County for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Programs.

 

Approved/Authorized the Sheriff-Coroner to execute an Agreement with the Town of Danville for the provision by the County of pre-employment screening services.

 

Accepted year-end reports on the County's 2014 Federal and State legislative programs, adopted the Proposed 2015 Federal and State Legislative Platforms, and provided further direction to County staff regarding legislative advocacy efforts.

 

Provided direction to the Emergency Medical Services Agency on the selection process to choose two individuals to serve as impartial observers during the selection of the County's emergency ambulance service provider.

 

Recognized Leila Douglah as the 2015 Lafayette "Marquis" Business Person of the Year, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

 

Celebrated 30 years of tobacco prevention efforts in Contra Costa County.

 

Received the 2014-2015 property tax administrative cost recovery report of the Auditor-Controller, Fixed March 3, 2015 at 9:30am for a public hearing on the determination of property tax administrative costs, and directed the Clerk of the Board to notify affected local jurisdictions of the public hearing and to prepare and publish the required legal notice and make supporting documentation available for public inspection.

 

Accepted the resignation of Brent Simor, declared a vacancy on the County Service Area P-5 Citizens Advisory Committee effective immediately, and directed the Clerk of the Board to post the vacancy, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

 

Appointed Julia Miner to the District II Alternate seat on the Contra Costa County Library Commission, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.

 

Approved/Authorized the County Administrator to execute a contract with the State of California, California Arts Council for the Poetry Out Loud program.

 

Referred to the Internal Operations Committee a review of the process used by the Health Services Department for the recommendation, review and monitoring of the Mental Health Service Act budget by the Consolidated Planning Advisory Workgroup and the Mental Health Commission.

 

Accepted report "An Assessed Value Forecast" prepared by Beacon Economics.  

 

Accepted report "County Infrastructure Status" prepared by Public Works.  

 

Accepted report on Medical Benefit Trends in the Bay Area prepared by Cheiron.

 

Accepted report on budget and key issues for FY 2015/16.  

 

Held the Contra Costa County 37th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration and Humanitarian of the Year Awards Ceremony

Did you know that prescription drug abuse is at an epidemic level throughout the U.S. and that our own local communities have been significantly impacted by this problem? The National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse and RxSafe San Ramon Valley will be hosting their first "Dose of Awareness" 5K Walk to increase awareness about this health crisis and to provide information that can help keep our local families safe.

Families, businesses and agencies will be invited to participate in this event to be held at Iron Horse Middle School in San Ramon on March 1st, 2015 from 8:30 am to noon. The event will include a 5K walk, education expo, speakers, including Supervisor Andersen, and a memorial activity acknowledging those who have been lost to the prescription drug abuse epidemic. This family friendly event will include fun, educational activities for youth as well as adults.

• "Dose of Awareness" T-Shirts
• "Dose of Awareness" Recycle Bags
• Logo'd Swag Items (e.g., wristbands, Frisbees, youth stickers, awareness ribbons, etc.)
• Signage (event banners, sponsorship banner or sign, event directional signs, memorial wall, etc.)
• Copy Services (fliers, programs, posters)
• Balloon Art

A once common disease eliminated by vaccination is making  a comeback and has been a headline in the news. More than 70 cases have been diagnosed in California since December. Please read the following information from Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP):  

 

How do I know if I am protected from measles?

• Check your immunization records, and read below for recommendations regarding who should get the vaccine called MMR (measles/mumps/rubella).

Should children get the measles vaccine?

• Yes, children need two doses. One dose at age 12-15 months, the second dose around 4 years of age (the 2nd dose can be given as early as 1 month after the first dose).
• If your child is 4 years or older and has only had 1 dose of the vaccine, a second dose is needed.
• Measles vaccine is not usually given to infants under 12 months. However, if you are traveling with an infant under 12 months of age to a destination where there are international travelers, please contact your doctor or and advice nurse before your trip at 1-877-661-6231 (option 1), they are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Should adults get the measles vaccine (MMR)?

• If you were born before 1956, you do not need to be vaccinated since you most likely had measles and are already protected.
• If you were born after 1956 but before 1970 and do not remember having had measles, then you will need measles vaccination.
• If you were born in the USA after 1970, public schools have required 2 vaccinations so you are protected.
• If you were not born in this country and do not have a record of this vaccination, you should be vaccinated.

Where do I get the measles vaccine (MMR)?

• Contact your physician, or click here for information about Public Health Clinics in Contra Costa County.
• Contra Costa Health Plan members 7 years and older can get the measles vaccine at any Walgreens or Rite Aid pharmacy and under 4 years old at Rite Aids. If you participate in a different health plan, contact your doctor's office. 

Traveling to another country? Measles is widespread in Europe, Africa, and Asia (click here for map). For travel health information, including recommended immunizations for specific destinations, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travelers' Health page.   

 

Click here to see school immunization levels for preschools, child care centers, and elementary school sites in Contra Costa County. Listed are the percentages of enrolled students in 2013-14 that lack one or more required immunizations because their families filed Personal Belief Exemptions (PBEs). The countywide PBE level is less than 3% but some schools have much higher levels.  

  

For more information about Measles and the vaccine, click here to visit the Centers for Disease Control website.   

 

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Looking for a great family activity? Take the Downtown Danville Historic Walking Tour and learn about the origin of buildings, street names, and the community that was fostered by early settlers.

Danville's rich community atmosphere has and continues to metamorphose as we interact and share experiences. Knowing where the community came from can help enliven and inform the direction it goes in in the future.

Learn the rich history of this fascinating Town by taking a self-guided tour using the Downtown Danville Historic Walking Tour Map which features a variety of fun facts about the:

* Original San Ramon Valley High School
* Southern Pacific Rail Depot
* Iconic Danville Oak Tree
* Town's first public library and school
* Old Firehouse Building

The map above is available online by clicking here. For more information regarding Old Town Danville visit the Museum of the San Ramon Valley at the corner of Railroad and Prospect Avenues. The Museum can also be reached at (925) 847-2123 or visit their website by clicking here.

Famous for their jaw dropping live performances, Recycled Percussion leaves it all on stage. The band's raw talent, extreme athleticism and precision will leave you inspired, thrilled and ready to rock! Technically speaking, Recycled Percussion is a junk rock band performing on recycled instruments. Creatively speaking, Recycled Percussion's performances are a dynamic mix of high-energy rock drumming, guitar smashing, and DJ spinning blended into recyclable junk music. This family friendly show gets everyone out of their seats and on their feet. To learn more or purchase tickets, click here.

 

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The Graduates from ConFire Academy #47.

Contra Costa County residents are encouraged to apply for service on their Grand Jury. Written applications are screened for eligibility.  Then judges interview potential jurors and select citizens from each supervisorial district.  This process reduces the list to about 30 candidates. For an application to become a Grand Juror, click here. To see Grand Jury Reports, click here. You can get more information about the Grand Jury by clicking here or by calling (925) 957-5638.  

 

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In recent years, a number of people have openly argued that bats should be encouraged to take up residence in our local communities because they are well-known mosquito hunters. This article from County Mosquito & Vector Control looks at the truth behind that claim and shows why we can't depend on an animal to be effective at eating something just because it doesn't have any other options. 

 

Are Bats a Secret Weapon in Mosquito Control?

By Nola Woods, Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District

 

What if, you and a few friends were locked in a small room where the only available food was lima beans? Some of you were very hungry and figured the lima beans were better than nothing, and so you ate them. What would you think if later, you heard an expert on human behavior talk about your experience and say that based on the fact that some people in the room had eaten large portions of lima beans, then lima beans must be the favorite food of all humans? It wouldn't be true because you only ate the lima beans because you didn't have a choice.

 

The assertion that bats consume large amounts of mosquitoes comes primarily from a similar scenario. In recent years some bat enthusiasts have suggested bats can provide efficient natural mosquito control, but it turns out, that opinion often comes from a misinterpretation of an old study on bats and sound waves.  

 

A 1960 study on bat sonar revealed that some bats placed in a chamber containing 2,000 mosquitoes ate nearly all of them. Various researchers agree it is a very good experimental study on bat hunting; however, many scientists agree that the bats did not have an alternative to eating the mosquitoes and so it shouldn't be interpreted that bats are particularly good at eating them. Bats actually eat a number of insects including moths, beetles, wasps, and mosquitoes as they are opportunistic and take whatever comes along.

 

"Studies on the feeding habits of wild bats have shown that mosquitoes generally comprise less than 1% of their total diet," says the Contra Costa Mosquito & Vector Control District's Scientific Program Manager Steve Schutz, Ph.D. "It's a question of energy budget. It takes a lot of energy to fly around catching bugs, and so it's a lot more efficient to catch a few big juicy ones like moths or beetles, than to go after tiny 'aerial plankton' like mosquitoes."

 

But, while bats may or may not have the opportunity to eat mosquitoes, in California bats do pose a risk of rabies. In 2012, a Contra Costa County man who came in contact with and was believed to have been bitten by a bat, died of rabies. The most recent state statistics show 188 out of the 198 animals diagnosed with rabies in 2013 were bats. The California Department of Public Health discourages people from putting themselves in contact with bats to prevent bats from having the opportunity to spread rabies.

 

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In addition to the District 2 vacancies listed below, Supervisor Andersen would like to draw your attention to the following list of countywide advisory bodies that currently have at-large seats available: the Advisory Council on Aging, Advisory Council on Equal Employment Opportunity, Agricultural Task Force Committee, Alcohol & Other Drugs Advisory Board, Arts & Culture Commission, Aviation Advisory Committee, County Connection Citizen Advisory Committee, Economic Opportunity Council, Fish & Wildlife Committee, Hazardous Materials Commission, Homelessness Advisory Board, Local Child Care & Development Planning Council, Managed Care Commission, Public & Environmental Health Advisory Board, and the Workforce Development Board.

 

To apply for any of these seats, click here. 

 

* Countywide Bicycle Committee

 

* County Service Area P-5 Citizens Advisory Committee (1 Alternate Seat - Residents of: Roundhill, Regency Woods or Windsor Green)

 

* Contra Costa Commission for Women - click here for more information.   

 

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