"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you" ~ Maori Proverb
When Can I Get Vaccinated?

COVID-19 vaccine is in short supply. The government has guidelines to make sure these people get the vaccine first:

• People at high risk because of their work

• People at high risk of serious complications from a COVID-19 infection

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Phases
Please note that the timing is estimated and subject to change. 

"Help Your Neighbor" Program

For Contra Costa residents who are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine, an appointment to get immunized is just a few clicks away. But not everyone feels comfortable making an appointment online or through email.
If you know someone who is eligible for a COVID-19 immunization appointment right now, but may need a little help, please make that offer. Even if you cannot yet make an appointment for yourself, you can help someone you know – and the whole community.
This web page has information that eligible county residents need to make a COVID-19 immunization appointment with Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) or its community partners.
February is Black History Month

Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme.

The Black History Month 2021 theme, “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” explores the African diaspora, and the spread of Black families across the United States.


Board Meeting Highlights

Appointment of Alison McKee as County Librarian.
Supervisor Burgis said “It is exciting to join my colleagues in unanimously appointing Alison McKee as our next County Librarian. As an integral member of our library team, Alison will hit the ground running. She knows our library system and is able to continue to focus her and her team’s efforts on reopening our beloved libraries.”

Congratulations to CCC Library for winning the Urban Library Council Innovations Honorable Mention for its 3-D PPE Program in which CCLib printed clips to repair masks and transitioned to full face masks.

Discussion items:
  • Heard Covid-19 Update from CCHS.
  • New "Help Your Neighbor" initiative announced.
  • Measure X Advisory Committee.
  • Approved a cap on food delivery fees.
  • Passed an ordinance to extend eviction protection and rent freeze.

Board meetings are televised live on Comcast Cable 27, ATT/U-Verse Channel 99, and WAVE Channel 32, and can be seen live online at www.contracosta.ca.gov
Second Application Round Opens for California’s
Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
Application period ends February 8.

Free application webinars offered daily in several languages.
 
California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA), part of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), Tuesday announced that Round 2 of the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program is open. 

The $500 million program is intended for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. Grants range in size from $5,000 to $25,000.

Approximately half of the available funds were awarded in Round 1, with disbursement beginning January 22, and the remainder will be awarded to eligible businesses in this second round. The application portal opened at 8:00 a.m. February 2, 2021 and will remain open through 6:00 p.m. February 8, 2021.

Eligible applicants who submitted all necessary documents in Round 1, but did not receive a grant, will be rolled over for consideration in this second round – there is no need to reapply. Visit careliefgrant.com for more information.
Two Studies to Improve Transit in East Contra Costa
Through the East County Integrated Transit Study, we hope to identify solutions for improving transit service between Antioch and Brentwood.

This study is expected to take two years. Funded through a Caltrans grant the information will be used to evaluate the need for and current state of transportation services in East County.

Included in the study is an assessment of how to incorporate the planned new transportation hub at Brentwood.

The goal is to develop a plan that will provide service to all citizens in keeping with CCTA’s mission to protect the environment while providing high-capacity, fast, and frequent services.

Transportation for older adults and people with disabilities
The Contra Costa County Accessible Transportation Strategic Plan is in its final phase and we need your input on a range of strategies that are being considered for this plan.
 
If you’re an older adult, have a disability, or are a veteran with mobility issues, transportation in Contra Costa County can be challenging. We have identified fifteen potential strategies for implementation that can make it easier for you to get around the County. 

Please help us prioritize these strategies by selecting five that you think are the most important. For more background on all the strategies, please see this document.

We are asking individuals to complete the survey posted on the project website by February 15, 2021.

Also, help us by spreading the word and forwarding the survey link to anyone in Contra Costa County whose input we should record.
Winter Walk Challenge

Walking is a healthy, fun, and eco-friendly way to get around town. 511 Contra Costa’s new Winter Walk Challenge is designed to get county residents outside and on the move.

Participants will receive weekly Challenges and can enter photos for chances to win Amazon gift cards and an iPad Grand Prize. The program is free, fun for all ages, and runs January-March. 

Sign up today to start 2021 on the right foot. For more info contact: [email protected]
Will you step up to give this month?
There is an ongoing need for blood, and your single donation could help save more than one life.To show our appreciation for making time to give by Feb. 28, we'll send you a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card* via email, thanks to our partners at Amazon!**

Contra Costa Continuum of Care (CoC) Stakeholder meetings 

These are biannual meetings designed to create a forum for stakeholders to provide input on issues related to homelessness. 
 
The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how the homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) can do a better job of creating opportunities for consumers (people using the system) to provide input and direction in the operations and planning of the homeless system of care.
 
Bring your thoughts, ideas and examples of best practice from other fields and your own experience!
 
Please spread to word about this meeting to anyone you think may be interested, particularly people with a lived experience of homelessness and/or who have experience using homeless services in Contra Costa. 
 
Monday, February 8, 2021
1 pm - 3 pm

To attend meeting, click here
Call in: 1-844-517-1271 US Toll Free
Access code: 146 619 1665
New ShelterInc program for community members affected by the COVID-19 virus.

  • Payment of past-due rent
  • Payment of current month's rent
  • Payment of future month's rent
  • Payment of utilities (PG&E, garbage, water)
  • Participants affected by COVID-19
  • Able to prove how they are being affected by COVID-19 virus
  • No need to prove self-sufficiency
  • Not able to pay past, present, and/or future rent

District 3 Commission Openings


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.


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 6:00 p.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 6 pm located at 1485 Civic Court, Suite 1200 in Concord.

Knightsen Town Advisory Council
1 Seat
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 7:30 pm 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 7 pm 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.

----------
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 [email protected]