2020 will bring many exciting changes throughout Contra Costa County. Once significant change will be where we meet. My fellow Supervisors are I are looking forward to moving into the new 71,000 square foot County Administration Building in downtown Martinez. As the new Board Chair for the year, there are many challenges I would like to highlight as we enter the new year.

With one decade ending, and another commencing, as per our constitution dictates, the Federal Government will conduct a census on April 1st. Though technology will help provide a unique and hopefully more efficient and accurate count this year, the goal will remain the same as it was in previous counts: count everyone, count them in the right place, and count them only once. 

The Sheriff’s Department will also usher in a new home for its Emergency Operations Center (EOC). With the planned power outages and wildfires, there is no denying how reliant we so often are on the need for an EOC. 

Public Safety continues to be a strong priority for me, and we have continued to implement good programs that help reduce recidivism, improve health and mental health treatment in our jails, reduce our juvenile detention population, provide alternatives to custody, and address racial inequities in our local criminal justice system. 

Last year we took another significant step forward in keeping our mentally ill from cycling through our jails, which is nationally branded as the “Stepping Up” initiative. As we address both stabilizing those with a mental illness and those exiting our justice system, housing continues to be a major issue.  This year I intend to prioritize expanding our homeless services

While the need for affordable housing is a widespread issue in the Bay Area, I believe there is a dire need for housing of all types in our County. As the job market continues to flourish, we are still creating less than one housing unit for every 7 to 10 jobs created. However, these residences need to be built in the right places, with local control by City Councils and the Board of Supervisors making the decisions they are elected to do, with input from the public. 

With more housing, comes the issue of our very important trees. I am proud to announce we will be updating our tree ordinance this year with changes that provide a careful balance when it comes to preserving historic and protected trees, while also taking into account property rights.

Accessory Dwelling Unites (ADU’s) have been one suggestion to alleviate the housing crisis, and as such, we’ve made some waivers of fees of our granny units or ADU’s, but with changes in state law, hope to continue to make it easier for people to build those.  

This year we are finalizing our short term rental (such as Airbnb) ordnance. Following the tragic Halloween shooting in Orinda at a rented home, we have given additional direction to what the final ordinance will include. Some requirements include mandating licensing, so we know who is hosting such a party, checks in place so there is accountability and safety for a neighborhood. 

With housing and jobs come transportation issues. This March voters will have the opportunity to decide whether with an increase of a half-cent in sales tax will provide improvements to transit and a reduction in traffic. 

This year is one of those moments where I feel inspired by our past. We get to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. We will be joining with our Contra Costa Historical Society and Contra Costa Women’s Commission to commemorate this important time.

It is my honor to represent you on the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. If you have any questions or would like assistance on a particular matter, feel free to contact my Danville office at 925-957-8860.

Supervisor Andersen hosted the annual Board of Supervisors Reorganization luncheon at the Lafayette Veterans Memorial Building on Tuesday, January 7th.

Each year, the newly sworn-in Chair of the Board hosts the luncheon, attended by local officials, Contra Costa residents, friends and family to announce the goals for the upcoming year and thank the outgoing Chair of the Board and County staff for their hard work and dedication to the residents of Contra Costa County.

Pictured above: Staff member Lauri Byers, Chief of Staff Gayle Israel, Supervisor Candace Andersen and Staff Members Jill Ray, Dom Pruett and Cameron Collins.

Supervisor Andersen enjoyed the Annual Alamo Tree Lighting ceremony, sponsored by the Alamo Rotary Club on Sunday, December 8th at the Oak Tree Plaza. Local school choirs, jazz bands, the lighting of the tree, and of course a visit from Santa Claus, entertained the crowd.

This year, the Alamo community named Ed Moran, pictured here with Supervisor Andersen, as the Citizen of the Year and thanked him for his dedicated and on-going community volunteerism and support.

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards. The Youth Hall of Fame Awards are presented annually to outstanding young Contra Costa County residents between the ages of 12 and 18. Nominees should demonstrate exemplary behavior in one of five categories: good Samaritans, volunteerism, teamwork, leadership and civic engagement and perseverance. Submit your nominations by completing the attached nomination form and submitting it with your letter of recommendation. Nominations are due by January 31, 2020. Instructions for submitting are on the nomination form. Download the form here Youth Hall of Fame nomination form.

On Tuesday, December 3rd, Supervisor Andersen began a very busy evening by presenting outgoing Chair of the Alamo Municipal Advisory Council, Susan Rock, with a proclamation and gavel to recognize her two year tenure as Chair.

Susan was appointed to the MAC in 2013 and previously served as a board member and Chairwoman to the Midsummer Mozart Festival, Susan continues to be an active parent volunteer in the Alamo community.

Clark Johnson takes over as Alamo MAC Chair for 2020.

Supervisor Andersen next attended the Walnut Creek City Council meeting on December 3rd to thank outgoing Mayor Cindy Silva for her service to Walnut Creek.

Mayor Silva has served on the Walnut Creek City Council since 2006, and served as Mayor in 2011, 2013 and 2019.

Walnut Creek's new Mayor for 2020 is Loella Haskew.

Pictured with Supervisor Andersen are Mayor Cindy Silva and Lia Bristol, Deputy Chief of Staff for Supervisor Karen Mitchoff.

Following the Walnut Creek City Council meeting, Supervisor Andersen attended the Orinda City Council meeting and honored outgoing Mayor Inga Miller for her service to Orinda. Inga was first elected to the Orinda City Council in 2016.

Orinda's new Mayor for 2020 is Darlene Gee.

Following the Orinda City Council meeting, Supervisor Andersen attended the Danville Town Council Meeting and thanked outgoing Mayor Robert Storer for his service as Mayor to the Town of Danville.

Mayor Storer also served as Mayor in 2014. He joined the Danville Town Council in 2009 after previously serving on a number of local boards and commissions.

Danville's new Mayor for 2020 is Karen Stepper.

Pictured here left to right are Danville Council Members Lisa Blackwell and Newell Arnerich, Supervisor Andersen, Council Member Robert Storer, 2020 Mayor Karen Stepper and Council Member Renee Morgan.

On December 9 Supervisor Andersen joined the City of Lafayette as they re-appointed Mike Anderson to serve as Mayor again. He had stepped in mid-term after then Mayor Cameron Burks stepped down from the position.

Mayor Anderson has served on the Lafayette City Council since 2004 and as Mayor in 2008, 2013, 2017.

Prior to serving on the Council, Mike served on the Lafayette Planning commission.

And finally, on December 11th, Supervisor Andersen joined the Moraga Town Council to honor outgoing Mayor Roger Wykle. Roger joined the Moraga Town Council in 2012.

Moraga's new Mayor for 2020 is Kymberleigh Korpus.

Supervisor Andersen had the privilege of recognizing eight Eagle Scouts at a Boy Scout Court of Honor on December 18th in Danville. She presented proclamations to each of the Scouts honoring their dedication and commitment to their communities. The Scouts receiving their Eagle rank are; Gavin MacDonald, Colby MacDonald, Jaxon Stemmons, Jackson Slavens, Seth Jones, Jeffrey Fuhriman, Shepard Smyth and Jonny Palmer.

The Board of Supervisors honored and recognized Larry Sly at their December 17th meeting as he retired as long-time director of the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano Counties.

Larry served the Food Bank for 43 years. After joining the Food Bank he quickly became Executive Director. He has guided the Food Bank’s development from an organization that distributed 36,000 pounds of food in its first year to one that distributed over 25 million pounds of food in 2018

Congratulations to Rachel Hurd, San Ramon’s Citizen of the Year. It is a well-deserved honor for an outstanding woman who has committed so much of her time and energy to helping the schools and community. 

Pictured at left from the awards event at The Bridges Golf Club are: Terry Koehne, Chief Communications Officer for the Contra Costa County Office of Education, Matthew Wright from the office of Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson, Rachel Hurd, Supervisor Andersen, Judy Lloyd from the office of Senator Steve Glazer, and 2019 San Ramon Chamber President Wade Luckhart.

Supervisor Andersen held her annual Holiday Open House on December 12th at her Danville office.

A number of District 2 residents stopped by for appetizers, homemade desserts and hot cocoa.

Pictured with Supervisor Andersen, from left to right are; Danville Library Manager Seng Lovan, Deputy County Librarian Nancy Kreiser, County Librarian Melinda Cervantes and Deputy County Librarian Alison McKee.

The City of Lafayette elected Mike Anderson to serve as Chair again in 2020 after taking over in April, 2019 when Cameron Burks stepped down.

Mayor Anderson has served on the Lafayette City Council since 2004 and as Mayor in 2008, 2013, 2017.

Prior to serving on the Council, Mike served on the Lafayette Planning commission.

Mayor Anderson continues to be an active volunteer in Lafayette, dedicated to the stability and safety of the community.

The Contra Costa County Library has a brand new website and catalog. The platform offers an updated look and feel and is mobile responsive allowing for an improved user experience whether on a computer, tablet or phone.

Some of the new features include; modern design, simple navigation, new events layout, improved search capabilities, and the ability to create reading lists, rate books and find reading recommendations from others.

A redesign of the website and catalog upgrade is overdue and comes in response to requests from patrons and the need to modernize the platform. The previous version of the website was created more than 20 years ago.

One of the goals in the Library’s 2019 Strategic Plan calls for the library to champion personal and community engagement in literacy and reading and to enrich lives. Launching a new website is a key strategy to help meet that goal. To visit the County library website go to ccc.lib.org.

In California, all elections are open to all voters except the partisan Presidential Primary that occurs every four years. Between elections, voters forget the rules and many new voters may not be aware of the rules. This fact sheet is intended to explain how the 2020 primary will work.

By definition, a partisan primary means that only voters registered with a party may vote in that party’s primary. However in California, parties may choose to allow voters without a party preference (NPP) to vote for presidential candidates of its party.

The law requires parties to exercise this choice by the October prior to the primary. In 2019, the Republican, Peace and Freedom, and Green parties chose to keep their presidential primaries closed to only members of their respective parties. The Democratic, Libertarian and American Independent parties chose to let voters without a party preference request and vote a ballot containing their candidates for President.

No Party Preference voters will receive, by default, a ballot without presidential candidates. If they want to vote for presidential candidates, their choices are limited to the three parties who will let them participate and they must affirmatively notify us of that choice. Voters wishing to participate in the Republican, Peace and Freedom, or Green Presidential Primary must re-register and change their party affiliation.

NPP voters who get their ballots at home must contact our office prior to January 6th so their request can be included with the ballot packets being mailed on February 3rd. Requests after that date will be processed and replacement ballots will be mailed to voters. For polling place voters, this request is done at the polling place on Election Day.

Note: This only impacts the Presidential races; all other ballot measures and candidates, for which a voter is eligible, will appear on the voter’s ballot. To learn more go to www.cocovote.us.

The Contra Costa Elections Division also urges all voters to make sure their voter registration status is up to date before voter information and ballots are mailed beginning in January for the March Presidential Primary Election.

The Elections Division relies on information from various sources to maintain accurate records. The most common information a voter should check is the address on file, since that is the address to which voter information and ballots are sent. If a voter moves and has not updated their registration, ballots and voter information will be mailed to the old address.

For those who haven’t moved, it’s still important to check party registration status. The State reports that, during its roll-out of the automatic voter registration system in 2018, some voters’ party preference was overwritten. The result is that some voters have had their party affiliation inadvertently changed to “No Party Preference.” Unlike general elections the March election is partisan; accurate party preference is essential to a voter getting the ballot they want to vote.

Contra Costa voters can easily check their registration status by going to www.cocovote.us and clicking the “My Voting Information” button. The lookup tool is also available by texting “Contra Costa” to 28683 (or “2Vote”).

Voters who wish to update their registration can register at https://registertovote.ca.gov/. Voters requiring assistance in checking their status may call 925-335-7800.

On December 14 Supervisor Andersen joined Danville Mayor Karen Stepper and Council Member Renee Morgan at the Alamo Cemetery to honor interred veterans at the annual Wreaths Across America event, where wreaths are placed on the graves of veterans. 

There are two opportunities in January to get out and help restore our local creeks. Click on a link below to register.

Pleasant Hill 1/11:

eventbrite.com/e/grayson-creek-native-planting-event-registration

Lafayette 1/12:

eventbrite.com/e/lafayette-creek-native-planting-event-registration