Safer Holiday Celebrations During COVID-19
Holiday celebrations may look a little different this year, but the spirit of the season remains the same. Embracing gratefulness, connection, resiliency and hope are more important than ever, as is protecting the ones you care about and are thankful for.

As you plan for and enjoy the holidays, take steps to keep yourself and others safe while enjoying traditions with a twist.
Information about COVID-19:

Press conference: Reducing COVID-19 Risk - 11/17/2020

Media advisory: Media Conference Tuesday to Discuss Reducing COVID-19 Risk in Contra Costa - 11/17/2020


Press release: State Response to COVID-19 Spike Returns Contra Costa to Purple Tier - 11/16/2020

Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for local information about COVID-19.

For questions about details of state or local health orders in Contra Costa County,
visit our online FAQ or call 1-844-729-8410.
COVID-19 Testing Resources
Schedule an appointment by phone: (844) 421-0804
FREE Home Composting Workshop
Sponsored by Contra Costa County
Department of Conservation and Development
 
A FREE Virtual Home Composting Workshop
will be offered on
December 12, 2020
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Practically anyone can learn to compost or improve their existing compost techniques by following some basic steps taught in the Workshop. The Workshop also touches on worm composting (Vermicomposting) as a means of turning kitchen scraps into a compost of exceptional quality. Free instructional materials on home composting will be provided via email and upon request.
 
The instructor, Todd Sutton, an expert with more than 28 years in the environmental field, has appeared on national television including Discovery and History channels, and has educated thousands on waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and composting.
 
Good Reason to Attend
Food waste disposal is a national problem. Food waste is the largest discarded material category in the U.S. accounting for 14.1 percent of the municipal waste stream at 34.3 million tons per year. Food waste sent to a landfill is buried and decomposes in the absence of oxygen which produces methane, a significant greenhouse gas. In terms of greenhouse gases, methane is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
 
Composting your yard trimmings and food scraps is easy, adds nutrients to your yard and garden, kind to our environment and good for you too! Save money, save water, and conserve natural resources. If done correctly, a compost pile can produce finished compost within three months which can be used as a soil booster.
 
Reservations should be made by calling 925-674-7831
You may also register via Eventbrite
 
To learn more about composting or recycling, just go to www.cccrecycle.org.
Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County
Small-Business Layoff Aversion Grant Program
The Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County is now accepting applications for layoff aversion grants through its Small-Business Grant Program, providing up to $5,000 in assistance for micro-businesses within Contra Costa County.

Priority will be given to these types of veteran-, woman- and minority-owned micro-businesses: retail, restaurants, hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, day spas and fitness studios. Also, priority will be given to businesses that have not received any COVID-19 related grants, such as the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or city grants. Read more...

The deadline to apply for the grant is Dec. 2, 2020, at 5 p.m., with no exceptions.
To learn more about the grant, visit our website, call the WDBCCC COVID-19 Resource Hotline at 833-320-1919 or email bouncebackcoco@ehsd.cccounty.us

For more information, call 510-323-1104.

The East Contra Costa STRONG Nonprofits Fund Initiative (administered by the East Bay Community Foundation) was created in 2016 by a committed group of funders with the long-term goal of strengthening the ecosystem of organizations addressing poverty in the East Contra County (ECCC) region.

During the second phase of this initiative the STRONG Emerging Leaders of Color of ECCC was launched with an initial cohort of 15 people.

The goal of the STRONG Emerging Leaders of Color of ECCC, which is facilitated by LeaderSpring Center, is to provide a cohort of emerging leaders of color in the nonprofit and government sectors, with self-determined knowledge, skills, tools and experience needed to lead social change in ECCC that addresses the needs of low-income communities.

The Initiative is now recruiting for our next cohort! For more information and a link to apply, please visit https://www.leaderspring.org/strong-emerging-leaders-of-color.
District 3 Commission Openings

Arts & Cultural Commission
1 Seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Arts and Culture Commission of Contra Costa County was established to advise the Board of Supervisors on matters related to promoting arts and culture as a vital aspect of community engagement.

The Arts and Culture Commission is dedicated to advancing the arts in a way that promotes communication, education, appreciation and collaboration throughout Contra Costa County so that we may grow creatively as a community that preserves and celebrates our diverse cultural expression.

Assessment Appeals Board
1 District seat
1 Alternate seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Assessment Appeals Board conducts impartial hearings on property assessment disputes between taxpayers and the county assessor. Based on the evidence presented at these hearings, the appeals board determined the value of the disputed property or determines other matters of property tax assessment within the board’s jurisdiction.

Qualifications:
Applicants should possess five or more years of professional experience in California as one of the following: licensed real estate broker, attorney, certified public accountant (CPA) or public accountant, property appraiser accredited by a nationally recognized professional organization, property appraiser certified by the Office of Real Estate Appraisers, or property appraiser certified by the State Board of Equalization.

Compensation:
This is a volunteer position. Assessment Appeals Board members are compensated for their time at hearings and reimbursed for their mileage to attend assessment appeals hearings.

The Assessment Appeals Board meets every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. located at 651 Pine Street, Room 107 in Martinez.

Bethel Island Municipal Advisory Council
5 Seats
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Applicants must reside within the Bethel Island MAC boundaries to serve on this board.

The Council advises the Board of Supervisors on land use and planning matters affecting the community of Bethel Island and may represent the Bethel Island community before the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, and the Zoning Administrator on such issues as land use, planning, and zoning. The Council may also represent the community before the Local Agency Formation Commission on proposed boundary changes affecting the community.

The Council may advise the Board of Supervisors on services which are or may be provided to the community by Contra Costa County or other local government agencies. Such services include, but are not limited to, public health, safety, welfare, public works, and planning. The Council may also provide input and reports to the Board, County staff or any County hearing body on issues of concern to the community.

However, it is understood that the Board of Supervisors is the final decision-making authority with respect to issues concerning the community and that the Council shall serve solely in an advisory capacity.

The Council meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm located at the Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District Office in Bethel Island.

Byron Municipal Advisory Council
5 Seats
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Applicants must reside within the Byron MAC boundaries to serve on this board.

The Council advises the Board of Supervisors on land use and planning matters affecting the community of Byron and may represent the Byron community before the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, and the Zoning Administrator on such issues as land use, planning, and zoning. The Council may also represent the community before the Local Agency Formation Commission on proposed boundary changes affecting the community.

The Council may advise the Board of Supervisors on services which are or may be provided to the community by Contra Costa County or other local government agencies. Such services include, but are not limited to, public health, safety, welfare, public works, and planning. The Council may also provide input and reports to the Board, County staff or any County hearing body on issues of concern to the community.

However, it is understood that the Board of Supervisors is the final decision-making authority with respect to issues concerning the community and that the Council shall serve solely in an advisory capacity.

The Council meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm located at the St. Anne’s Church in Byron.


County Service Area, P-6 Citizen Advisory Committee (Discovery Bay)
3 seats
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Applicants must reside within the Discovery Bay P-6 boundaries (Zone 501-505) to serve on this board.

The County Service Area P-6 Citizens Advisory Committee advises the Board of Supervisors on the needs of the Discovery Bay community for extended police protection services which shall include, but not limited to, enforcement of the State Vehicle Code where authorized by law, crime prevention, and litter control.

The Committee meets twice a year on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00p.m. located at the Discovery Bay Community Center, 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd. in Discovery Bay.

Countywide Bicycle Committee
1 Seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Countywide Bicycle Advisory Committee provides input to the County and the cities of the County on bicycle projects for Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds to construct bicycle/pedestrian projects and also provides advice to cities and the County on bicycle planning matters.

First 5, Contra Costa Children and Families Commission
1 Alternate seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

First 5 Contra Costa helps young children start school healthy and ready to learn. They invest in programs and advocate for policies focused on children during their first five years, the most important time in children's development.

The commission meets on the second Monday of each month at 6pm located at 1485 Civic Court, Suite 1200 in Concord.

Knightsen Town Advisory Council
5 Seats
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Applicants must reside within the Knightsen TAC boundaries to serve on this board.

The Council advises the Board of Supervisors on land use and planning matters affecting the community of Knightsen and may represent the Knightsen community before the Board of Supervisors, the Planning Commission, and the Zoning Administrator on such issues as land use, planning, and zoning. The Council may also represent the community before the Local Agency Formation Commission on proposed boundary changes affecting the community.

The Council may advise the Board of Supervisors on services which are or may be provided to the community by Contra Costa County or other local government agencies. Such services include, but are not limited to, public health, safety, welfare, public works, and planning. The Council may also provide input and reports to the Board, County staff or any County hearing body on issues of concern to the community.

However, it is understood that the Board of Supervisors is the final decision-making authority with respect to issues concerning the community and that the Council shall serve solely in an advisory capacity.

The Council meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm located at the Knightsen Farm Bureau in Knightsen.

Library Commission
1 Alternate seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

The Commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian; provides a forum for the community to provide input concerning Library operations, and recommends proposals to the Board of Supervisors and the County Librarian which may improve the Library.

The Commission meets on the 4th Thursday of every other month at 7pm located at 777 Arnold Drive in Martinez.

Mental Health Commission
1 Consumer seat
Closing Date: Open Until Filled

To review and assess the community’s mental health needs, services, facilities, and special problems, in order to advise the Board of Supervisors concerning local mental health services and programs.

The Commission meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. located at 550 Ellinwood Way, Pleasant Hill.

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Background: The Board of Supervisors receives valuable input and community participation from numerous citizen advisory boards on a range of issues. Boards usually meet monthly on a regular basis.
 
Candidates for these positions must live in District 3 or any specified boundary area for special districts. District 3 is comprised of the cities of Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood, and the unincorporated communities of Blackhawk, Diablo, Bethel Island, Byron, Knightsen and Discovery Bay.
 
Download an application here:

 Applications should be submitted to the Clerk of the Board’s office
(925-335-1900) located at 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553.
 
For more information, including on how to apply, you may contact Supervisor Burgis’ Deputy Chief of Staff, Lea Castleberry at 925-252-4500 or Lea.Castleberry@bos.cccounty.us