News from Around the District  - January, 2016 returntotop
In This Issue
Candace's Committee Appointments

 (Click on the name to visit their webpage)


 Association of Bay Area Governments Executive Board





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District 2 Staff
Gayle Israel
Gayle Israel
Chief of Staff
Field Representative;
San Ramon & Danville

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Jill Ray
Jill Ray
Field Representative; Canyon, Moraga & Orinda
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Lauri Byers  
Lauri Byers
Scheduler, Field Representative; Lafayette

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Jennifer Quallick
Field Representative; Alamo & part of Walnut Creek, including; Parkmead, Rossmoor & Saranap
 


District Offices

San Ramon Valley Office   

309 Diablo Road

Danville, CA  94526

 

Hours:

Monday - Friday

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Phone: (925) 957-8860

FAX: (925) 820-3785

  

Danville Office
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Lamorinda Office

  Fire Station #15

3338 Mt. Diablo Boulevard

Lafayette, CA  94549

 

Hours:

Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.   

and by appointment, please call

 

Phone: (925) 646-6067

FAX: (925) 646-6068
 
 
Quick Links
City of Walnut Creek return5

City of Lafayette

City of Orinda

Town of Moraga

Rossmoor

San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

San Ramon Valley CERT Training

Lamorinda CERT Training

 

Secretary of State - Register to Vote 


Contra Costa County Sheriff

Contra Costa County Public Works Dept.

Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority

Mosquito and Vector Control

Contra Costa Crisis Center

Contra Costa Sanitary District

Contra Costa Water District

East Bay Regional Park District

Bay Area Air Quality Management District

California State Association of Counties

 

 

 

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Supervisor Andersen Elected Chair of the Board of Supervisors
At the January 5th Board of Supervisor's 2016 Reorganization Meeting, Supervisor Andersen was elected and sworn in as Board Chair for the calendar year. Supervisor Mary Piepho was elected Vice Chair. Steven Austin, Presiding Judge for California's Superior Court in Contra Costa County, administered the oath of office for these new leadership positions. Candace outlined the following goals for the year:

1. Enhance Public Safety.  Continue our efforts to recruit and retain the staffing needed to keep our communities safe; address the constant cycling of the mentally ill through our justice system; enhance what we are doing to prevent recidivism by criminals; re-open fire stations; work toward finding a long term solution to East County Fire's fiscal problems; effectively roll out our new Ambulance/EMS program so that we have an enhanced level of service and full cost recovery.
 
2. Improve Transportation.  This year as the Contra Costa Transportation Authority updates its Expenditure Plan, there is the opportunity to prioritize the projects in each of our districts that will improve the gridlock many of us face on the freeway, especially on 680. We also need to continue to improve and maintain our roads and infrastructure, and increase transit ridership through more efficient systems.
 
3. Continue on our path of fiscal responsibility.  We have a budget that is over $3 billion that continues to be balanced and have maintained a AAA bond rating. When I took office in 2012, our pensions were funded at 69%, and through a variety of measures supported by this board, we're now 82% funded. Our county Retirement Board, CCCERA, is looking at additional ways to improve that percentage and ensure that we're sufficiently funded.  We will continue to reduce our other post-retirement obligations.
 
4 . Foster a climate of Economic Development. Unemployment is down to 4.6% but there are still opportunities for creating more jobs and helping businesses grow. We need to partner with educators to provide an appropriate workforce, and have the infrastructure in place to attract businesses.  As we create jobs we need more housing of all types to keep up with employment growth, and the County should continue to implement ways to streamline the development process. 
 
5.  Protect our Natural Resources. While we want to see more housing built and increased economic development, any growth needs to be done in a thoughtful way that protects our natural resources and quality of life.  This year we will be reviewing the County's Urban Limit Line.  We recently approved our updated Climate Action Plan and we are working with our cities to study the potential implementation of Community Choice Aggregation (clean energy) in Contra Costa.  Efforts will continue to protect the Delta.
 
6. Help those in Need.  Not all individuals are doing well in our County and we need to continue to expand programs to break cycles of homelessness and poverty. With our Head Start and First Five Programs we have the opportunity to not only start educating children at an early age but also strengthen families. We will continue to expand our mental health and behavioral health services to address some of the underlying issues related to homelessness.  Our ongoing partnerships with many non-profits and community based organization's is critical to meet the many and diverse needs of our County residents.  Government cannot do it alone.

7. Repair and Maintain the County's buildings and infrastructure.   Continue to prioritize capital improvement projects so that we preserve and better maintain our existing buildings and infrastructure, and find additional opportunities to make improvements to better serve the public.
 
8. Successfully work as a united board to solve the County's problems. Although our Board votes are not always unanimous, we will continue to respectfully disagree and move on to other issues.  E ach of us serves on the Board of Supervisors because we care about our County and want to improve the quality of life for all of its residents. 
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting in Lafayette
On Sunday, December 6th, Candace joined Orinda Council Member Victoria Smith and other Lamorinda residents for a Hanukkah Menorah lighting at the Lafayette Plaza. Family and friends came together to celebrate the festival of Hanukkah. The crowd enjoyed latkes and donuts, dreidels and chocolate gelt, music and dancing, and Hanukkah crafts.
Contra Costa Elections Hosts 
Voter Guide Photo Contest 
The Contra Costa County Elections Division is kicking off 2016 in a fun, unique way.

In what promises to be a busy year for elections, the County is holding a photo contest for all residents to submit their best pictures of what the area has to offer for the cover of its Voter Information Guides in June and November.

The goal is to get residents involved in the election process months before Election Day so they can be engaged in local issues and pique their interest in voting, It is also a great way to showcase the flavor and flair of where we live. 

One of the unique features of the Contra Costa voter guide/sample ballot is that the cover features a photo highlighting some of the intrinsic beauty and history of the county, which enhances the voters' experience.  Few, if any, counties in California feature a photo on the cover of their guide.

The winner will have their photo featured on the cover of the booklet, which goes out to over a half-million registered voters. First, second and third place winner will also have their photos featured in the elections office lobby and on their Website. The winning artists will also receive collectible election pins, which are issued to Contra Costa Election Officials. Supervisor Andersen would love to have the winner live in District 2!

The Elections Division will be taking submissions from January 1st, to February 29th. Applicants must submit a 50-100-word description about their photo. The photos must be able to run in black-and-white. They should also be sent in JPEG format.  There is no entry fee.  More information, including release forms, is available by clicking here .
Sharing Holiday Cheer
Candace visits with Alamo MAC members Jill Winspear, Aron De
Ferrari, his wife Katie, and Susan Rock.

Supervisor Andersen's Holiday Open House on Thursday, December 17th was a great success!  More than 100 guests stopped by to visit and enjoy the appetizers and hot cocoa on a chilly night.  Candace is grateful for the donations to the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano that so many generously made that evening and throughout the holiday season.
Honoring Vets in Alamo, Danville and 
San Ramon with Wreaths Across America

San Ramon Valley Republican Women Federated (SRVRWF) sponsored our local Wreaths Across America project that took place on December 12th at the Alamo Cemetery on El Portal in Danville.  The community was invited to help  place holiday wreaths on the graves of all veterans buried in the Alamo Cemetery. Supervisor Andersen participated along with, left to right, Assemblywoman Catharine Baker, Danville Mayor Karen Stepper and Danville Vice Mayor Renee Morgan. 
Learn About the Services Provided by STAND!
Story Tour Upcoming Dates
Learn more about the important services that STAND! For Families Free of Violence provides for Contra Costa County by attending the STAND! Story Tour. The Tour will take place at  STAND! For Families Free of Violence,  1410 Danzig Plaza,  Concord, CA 94520 in the  2nd Floor Conference Room on the following dates, all Tuesdays:

  • January 12th     9:00 - 10:00 am
  • January 19th     5:30 - 6:30 pm
  • February 9th     9:00 - 10:00 am
  • February 16th   5:30 - 6:30 pm
  • March 8th          9:00 - 10:00 am
  • March 15th        5:30 - 6:30 pm
  • April 12th           9:00 - 10:00 am
No requests for financial contributions will be made at this one-hour event;  guests will be contacted within a few days for their input and feedback.

RSVP to:  Linda Best,  Ambassador Manager by clicking here For questions, contact  Kris Jachens,  Development Officer  at 925-603-0138; or email by  clicking here .

City of Walnut Creek Announces New Mayor
At  the December 1st Walnut Creek City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Loella Haskew was unanimously elected by her colleagues as the new mayor for 2016, taking over the gavel from Bob Simmons as his Mayoral term came to an end.

Mayor Haskew was elected to the City Council in November 2012. She is a self-described "almost retired" CPA who also serves on the board of directors for the Cancer Support Community and the Kennedy-King Memorial College Scholarship Fund.
Volunteers Needed to Assist Low Income Workers with Tax Preparation
Contra Costa County is participating in the Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS) Campaign  - a free tax assistance program for low-income workers. 

Last year, over 272 volunteers in Contra Costa County assisted 12,265 low income Contra Costa individuals and  families claim nearly $12 million in total tax refunds. This upcoming year the goal is to help even more  individuals and families claim the earned income tax credit.  New this year is the State Earned Income Tax  Credit; this credit can boost a family's income by $2,300 . Helping families stay financially stable is critical and  helping them claim credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit is essential to making that happen.

The County is working in partnership with the Family Economic Security Partnership (FESP), a coalition  of organizations dedicated to increasing the income and building the assets of low income families and  individuals in Contra Costa County. Volunteers are needed as tax preparers, greeters, screeners, and interpreters  (no experience necessary). Tax preparers undergo IRS training and become officially certified to file taxes. They  then help filers claim refunds owed to them, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax  Credit. Through the EITC, low-income households earning $54,000 or less can receive up to $6,269 in tax  refunds - a significant amount of money for families struggling to make ends meet.

Volunteers are needed to make this effort an even greater success than last year. No experience  is needed. Basic tax preparation training will take place at Diablo Valley College in  Pleasant Hill. Available training dates will be sent to you after registration. Volunteers can choose from 15 sites throughout the county and various schedules during the week  or on weekends depending on what is most convenient for you.  To volunteer, go to United Way's website by  clicking here and sign up  online.
Rainfall Map

Wonder how much rainfall has hit your community in the past 24 hours?  Click here and see!


Ambulance Transport Partnership 
Between Contra Costa Fire and 
American Medical Response Goes Live
Contra Costa County Fire Protection District ( CCCFPD) officially took responsibility for the delivery of emergency ambulance services for a majority of Contra Costa County on January 1, 2016. The ambulance services will be provided through a first of its kind partnership with American Medical Response (AMR) using a delivery model known as the Alliance.
 
The delivery of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) through the Alliance comes after months of hard work to not only develop the Alliance, but to secure the contract by the County to provide the services. In these times when both physical and financial resources are lean, efficiency is critical . This joint approach will bring a level of emergency medical services to the County that has not been seen before, and will allow for faster and more efficient emergency response to the citizens.
 
At the individual level, the changes in emergency response will be subtle. The physical appearance of the ambulances and uniforms will change and response times may be noticeably quicker. On a more global scale however, the changes will be dramatic. Dispatch centers will be consolidated, reducing response times and eliminating potential mistakes during information exchange. The Alliance will now have the ability to send the right equipment and personnel to varying levels of emergency medical incidents. As a result, system capacity will improve several efficiencies including training, medical direction, quality assurance, and resource management.
Cub Scouts Visit With The Supervisor
On December 8th, a local Cub Scout Troop met with  Supervisor Andersen to learn about Contra Costa County and to work on their Citizenship and the Community merit badge. The boys asked questions about issues in the San Ramon Valley and how they could help with solutions.
Role Players Ensemble presents 
Good People 
at the Village Theatre in Danville
Role Players Ensemble presents Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire, and directed by Eric Fraisher Hayes at the Village Theatre, 233 Front Street, in Danville. The show runs January 29 through February 14, 2016, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
 
Margie Walsh is barely getting by on her Dollar Store salary. When she loses her job and faces eviction, she takes a chance on rekindling things with an old flame (well, more of a spark), hoping for a fresh start. Quirky, unpredictable and grounded in a genuine humor that comes from hitting rock bottom, Good People will have you laughing one moment and crying the next as it explores the nature of our loyalties and our hopes.
 
The show features Melanie DuPuy, Edward Nattenberg, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, Kyle Goldman, Bonnie DeChant, and Barbara Grant.
 
Tickets are $20-28 and are available online by clicking here, or at the Danville Community Center, 420 Front St, Danville. Or call (925) 314-3400.
 
There will be a Sneak Peak at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 20 at the Danville Library, 400 Front Street. Admission is free for this entertaining look at the creative production process with the director, actors and designers. For full season information, visit the Role Players Ensemble website by clicking here.
County Helps Feed the Homeless

Grateful for the opportunity to help those in need, Supervisor Andersen joined family and friends to serve a hot breakfast to the homeless at the Concord Adult Shelter on Christmas Eve. Our county shelters always need volunteer support to help make their programs successful. To volunteer, email the County Homeless Program by clicking here.
Annual Homelessness Count Needs Volunteers
At the end of every January, communities across the United States conduct an annual census (Point in Time Count) of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness. This snapshot provides important data that can inform programming , resource distribution, and housing inventory needs.  This year our count will be conducted over a two-day period (1/28 and 1/29).

Your help is needed in conducting the Service and Community Site Canvas on Thursday, January 28th and Friday, January 29th.  

Volunteer training is being held in sites throughout the County the week before.  To sign up to volunteer and for information about training dates  click here.

Please email Jaime Jenett by  clicking here with any questions.
American Legion National Commander 
Visits Danville
The Veteran's Memorial Building in Danville played host to the first ever Contra Costa County visit by the American Legion National Commander. American Legion Post 264 welcomed Commander Dale Barnett on December 10th. Candace presented the Commander with a county proclamation welcoming and acknowledging his visit. 
Contra Costa Performing Arts Society to Perform at Lafayette Library Community Hall







The Lafayette Library and Learning Cente r is holding a free  music series at their community hall.  The first concert will be on Friday, January 15th from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  and will feature a Jazz Piano Concert presented by the Contra Costa Performing Arts Society, (CCPAS). A variety of performers will play standards and new favorites. For more information and to register, click here.

On Friday, February 12th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. an hour of original piano compositions will be performed by the CCPAS Piano Composers Group.  And on March 19th from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. the CCPAS Master Artists group will be performing an hour of classical piano favorites. For more information and to register click here

All of these events are free, sponsored by the Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. 
San Ramon Facility Room Reservations Now Available Online
Need a convenient location for your next family gathering, or corporate event? Along with being able to check room availability online, you now have the ability to reserve indoor rooms online. Visit www.SanRamonRecGuide.com, select facilities, check availability and reserve your room online. Once your reservation is made, a room deposit payment is required to hold your room. You will then be contacted by our staff to assist you the rest of the way to ensure that your event is a success. For more rental information call: ( 925) 973-3217.
Supervisor Andersen Lends a Hand at Holiday Helpers Warehouse

Candace helped distribute gifts of warm clothing, toys, books and  food to families in need at the Holiday Helpers Warehouse in Pleasant Hill on December 14th. 

Holiday Helpers Warehouse supports some of the neediest neighbors in Contra Costa County. The Holiday Helpers Warehouse has been a program of VESTIA (Volunteers and Emergency Services Team in Action) in Contra Costa County for the past  25 years. VESTIA served over 450 families again this year through the program. All of the families in need are  identified through referrals from county social workers.  Many of the families are in the process of starting their lives over after the recession, building new careers, establishing financial stability and do not have additional resources to provide gifts and new clothing during the holidays.

Some of these gifts were collected at our office during the months of November and December. Thank you to all who took the time to deliver these items to us so they could be given to those in need.
Danville Town Council Elects New Mayor
Gayle Israel, Chief of Staff to Supervisor Andersen, presents Mike Doyle with a resolution from the Supervisor, thanking him for his service as outgoing Mayor to the Town of Danville.  Council member Karen Stepper was formally named the Mayor for 2016 at the Town's Annual Community Awards and Council Reorganization meeting on December 1st. 
Mardi Gras Gala to Benefit Crohn's Research
On February 6th, from 5pm to 11pm at the Lafayette Community Center, join friends and community members for a fun-filled evening to help raise funds for an important cause.  Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler! Let the Good Times Roll!

The evening will include wine tasting, dinner prepared by a French chef, live and silent auctions, and dancing to live music. Fantastic auction items featured include a two bedroom apartment overlooking the Mediterranean in Spain, themed baskets and more! All proceed, help to fund human trials to cure Crohn's Disease.  

For tickets, please click hereFor more information about the cause, please  click here .
Don Tatzin is Honored in Lafayette
Long time Lafayette resident and City Council Member, Don Tatzin, was recognized for his 30 years of service on the Lafayette City Council on Monday, December 14th at a special reception. Don joined the Parks and Recreation Commission in 1979, the Planning Commission in 1984, and won election to the City Council in 1985.  That makes him the longest-serving council member in Contra Costa County. It also means he's attended something like 750 city council meetings!  During most of those years, Don held down a job as either an executive or a management consultant.

Pictured above, Supervisor Andersen was happy to present a resolution to Don signed by the full Board of Supervisors, thanking him for his dedicated community service.
511 Program Manager Retires
Lynn Overcashier was recognized at the December 15, 2015, Board of Supervisors meeting for her work as the Program Manager for 511 Contra Costa and service on the Danville Planning Commission.  Her career spanned over 20 years of transportation management.  Lynn's positive attitude will be missed by all of those who worked with her.
Supervisor Andersen Recognizes 
Lafayette Mayor for His Service
On Monday, December 14, Candace recognized Brandt Andersson, the outgoing mayor of Lafayette, for his hard work and commitment throughout the year by presenting him with a County Resolution. The City Council then unanimously voted to pass the gavel on to council member Mike Mitchell, formally electing him as the Mayor for 2016.  
Moraga Town Council 
Passes the Gavel
Candace thanks outgoing Moraga Mayor Roger Wykle and welcomes in the new mayor for 2016, Michael Metcalf.
January & February Cultural Art Events 
in San Ramon

Friday Foreign Film Series: The Bicycle Thief
January 8
Front Row Theater

Monkey See, Monkey Do... Family Friendly Improv!
January 10
Front Row Theater
 
San Ramon Youth Symphony Concert
January 25
Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center
 
Bedtime Theater: Outer Space Musical Adventure Show
January 29
San Ramon Community Center at Central Park

Friday Foreign Film Series: The Lives of Others
February 5
Front Row Theater
 
Thank You San Ramon: A Place for Poetry Family Workshop
February 27
Front Row Theater
 
Lady K & the Kings of Swing: Dancing with the Stars
February 27
Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center
 
Night at the Improv
February 27
Front Row Theater

Click here to find more information about any of these events.
White Pony Express Expands its Role of Feeding and Clothing the Underprivileged

2015 was a banner year of wond erful growth and great  public recognition for the all-volunteer White Pony Express (WPE), continuing its mission to help end hunger and poverty in Contra Costa County by delivering the abundance all around us to those in need-for free.
 
WPE Food Rescue volunteers deliver the food you find in upscale markets-meat, dairy, produce, deli, baked and shelf goods-while it's still fresh, generally within two hours of the donation. WPE has delivered 2,500,000 pounds of this high-quality food in its first two+ years - 1,400,000 pounds in 2015. This food represents about 1,800,000 nutritious meals hungry people have had that they would have gone without.
 
In just 18 months, WPE Free General Store volunteers have distributed over 140,000 articles of new and gently used clothing (for all ages), toys, and children's books to those in need, through their unique Mobile Boutiques. They set up store-like shopping events at faith centers, schools, and community centers in impoverished neighborhoods. Thousands of articles of clothing are presented beautifully on racks and tables. Personal shoppers, and refreshments are provided-and sometimes decorations and entertainment. The Free General Store also started an active direct-distribution program to shelters and occupational programs.
 
In 2015, as more people learned of WPE, they received generous donations from many well-known local foundations, churches, service clubs, schools, and individuals. This generosity has fueled their growth, allowing them to expand their work, create a solid base for the future and acquire needed assets. As the work grows, so does the need for funds. Donations of any size are welcomed and needed.
 
They added many donors in 2015, such as Sprouts Farmers Market in Dublin and San Ramon, Whole Foods San Ramon, Trader Joe's Danville, Costco Antioch, Diablo Foods, Lafayette, and the vendors at Alamo Farmers' Market. Retailers donating clothes include REI, Patagonia, The Gap, Target, Five Little Monkeys, Folkmanis Puppets, Pacific Work Apparel, Red Wing Shoes, and The Shoe Spot. Hundreds of private donors continue to give generously of their surplus. One of their goals is to have 50 percent of the clothes in their inventory be brand-new clothes. (The rest are high-quality lightly used clothes and accessories). In addition, they have added approximately 12 new recipient organizations serving those in need, including a school in an impoverished neighborhood, delivering over 3,000 pounds of food a week for the last several months. The principal has since reported that the children, who were going to bed hungry every night, now come to school with sandwiches and fruit cups in their backpacks.

WPE is fast, fresh, and free. Food deliveries generally occur within two hours of the donation, all day, seven days a week. Recipients include homeless and women's shelters, recovery centers, residences for the disabled, meal providers, pantries, day-labor centers, community youth centers, and cooking classes for low-income students.
 
All citizens are invited to join the wholly volunteer staff, by volunteering in the FGS Workshop, and with Food Rescue as runners, dispatchers, cleaners, administrative assistants, and coordinators. To volunteer call or email Mandy Nakaya at 925-818-6361 or mandylewis@lycos.com .
 
They also depend on donations to meet the cost of rent, vehicles, etc. No one receives a salary.  To Donate please visit their website or contact Isa Campbell, isa@whiteponyexpress.org . White Pony Express is a 501(c)(3) corporation.
 
White Pony Express was founded by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, the spiritual director of Sufism Reoriented in September 2013 and spun off into a separate nonprofit corporation in March 2014, so that it could become a broad community program. 
I nterested in Participating in Government?
Supervisor Andersen is Seeking Volunteers for
 County Advisory Boards
Are you looking for a volunteer opportunity in 2016? 

District 2 vacancies available:
  • In-Home Support Services Public Authority Advisory Committee click here
In addition, Supervisor Andersen would like to  draw your attention to the following list of countywide advisory bodies that currently have At Large Seats  available:
 
Affordable Housing Finance Committee
Aging, Advisory Council on
Agricultural Task Force Committee
Airport Land Use Commission
Alcohol and Other Drugs Advisory Board
Bicycle Committee, Countywide
County Connection Citizen Advisory Committee
Developmental Disabilities Area Board
Early Care & Education, CCC Local Planning Advisory Council for
East Bay Regional Park District Advisory Committee
Economic Opportunity Council
Equal Employment Opportunity, Advisory Council on
Family & Children's Trust Committee
Homelessness Advisory Board
Integrated Pest Management Advisory Committee
Juvenile Justice Commission/Delinquency Prevention Commission
Managed Care Commission
Women, Contra Costa Commission for
Workforce Development Board

To apply for any of these seats, click here.
December Board Actions
Ever wonder what your Supervisor does at the Board of Supervisors Meeting held on most Tuesdays?  Here are some of the board actions from the month of December which impact the residents of District 2:   

Received a presentation on federal funding programs available to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District for its ambulance transport program.
 
Adopted urgency Ordinances authorizing the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District to charge emergency ambulance services fees within Emergency Response Areas 1, 2, and 5 in Contra Costa County.
 
Accepted the 2014/15 Annual Report from the Contra Costa County Juvenile Justice-Delinquency Prevention Commission. Click here for the report. 
 
Received oral report from the Sheriff, Health Services Director, and Employment and Human Services Director on the security precautions that exist at County health and social services facilities.
 
Adopted Ordinance amending the 2013 California Green Building Standards Code to establish electric vehicle parking and charging station standards.
 
Adjourned in memory of the victims of the December 2 shooting at the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.
 
Approved the third extension of the Road Improvement Agreement for road acceptance for a project by Shapell Homes, San Ramon-Dougherty Valley.
 
Recognized Dale Barnett, National Commander of the American legion, as he visited Post 246 in Danville, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.
 
Recognized the 5th Annual Scare Away Hunger Event.
 
Approved/Authorized a General Plan Amendment study to consider changing the General Plan Land Use Element Map from the Single-Family Residential - Medium Density land use designation to the Single-Family Residential - High Density designation for property located at 2424 Olympic Boulevard, Saranap area.
 
Affirmed the County's commitment to reduce the number of people with mental illnesses in our County jails, committed to sharing lessons learned with other counties in our state and across the country to support a national initiative, and encouraged all county officials, employees, and residents to participate in the "Stepping Up" initiative, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen and Sheriff Livingston.
 
Heard the request by Joe Panetta for a General Plan Amendment study for a parcel located at the northwest corner of the Crow Canyon Road/Bollinger Canyon Road intersection, San Ramon area, to redesignate the subject parcel from Agricultural Lands to Multiple-Family Residential and Single-Family Residential. Recommended that Mr. Panetta work with City of San Ramon to design a plan that would be more in keeping with that City's General Plan as the parcel is in their sphere of influence.
 
Approved the submission of an application to the Let's Move! Cities, Towns and Counties Initiative, Directed the Health Services Department to convene a group of local cities, community partners and county staff to collectively develop a plan of action to accomplish the goals of Let's Move Cities, Towns and Counties Initiative and Provided recognition or acknowledgment to the County and those Cities that accomplish the criteria for Let's Move! medal awards.
 
Adopted the Contra Costa County Community-wide Climate Action Plan. Click here to read the plan. 
 
Accepted the report from the Behavioral Health Services Director updating the Board of Supervisors on the progress in implementing the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program (Laura's Law) in Contra Costa County. 
 
Received a presentation on the California Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act and the potential for an initiative to be placed on the November 2016 state-wide ballot related to recreational use of marijuana; Considered possible Board actions concerning the regulation of medical marijuana.
 
Recognized Lynn Overcashier upon her retirement as Program Manager for 511 Contra Costa, as recommended by Supervisors Andersen.
 
Recognized Don Tatzin of the Lafayette City Council for 30 years of service to Lafayette, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.
 
Appointed Robert Combs to the District II seat on the Iron Horse Corridor Management Program Advisory Committee, as recommended by Supervisor Andersen.
 
Approved appropriations and revenue adjustment reducing expenditure appropriations and estimated revenue from the State of California related to continued implementation of AB109 Public Safety Realignment for fiscal year 2015/16 with no impact to operating departments or contracting agencies.
 
Approved/Authorized a Master Grant Contract with the East Bay Regional Park District, granting to the County the amount of $3,046,374 for capital parks and recreation projects in the unincorporated areas of the County not located within a County Service Area, Community Services District or other local district that funds parks, for the period December 15, 2015 through December 31, 2018. (East Bay Regional Park District Measure WW Park Bond Extension funds)
 
Approved/Authorized application for and acceptance of a grant from California Center for the Book to provide programs and materials at the Danville Library.
 
Adjourned in the memory of Coral DePriester.