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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08161994 - 1.96 1 .96 through 1 .99 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on August 16,1994, by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Smith, Bishop, DeSaulnier, Torlakson and Powers NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: CORRESPONDENCE Item No. 1.96 LETTER dated August 1, 1994, from Congressman George Miller, 7th Congressional District, 267 Civic Drive, #14, Pleasant Hill 94523, offering to arrange a meeting with Federal Railroad Administration, State, and County officials on the Hazardous Materials Interagency Task Force recommendations on railroad safety, and advising of his commitment to working with local agencies in the handling of hazardous chemicals. ***REFERRED TO HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR 1.97 LETTER dated July 31, 1994, from P. R. Barker, 8105 Camelback Place, Pleasant Hill 94523, expressing opposition to a proposal to widen Stone Valley Road and to install a stop light at Miranda Avenue. ***REFERRED TO PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR 1.98 LETTER dated July 27, 1994, from Chief James M. Bray, Chairperson, Contra Costa County Police Chiefs' Association, 217 Arlington Avenue, Kensington 94707, requesting the Board to reconsider its action of June 28, 1994, and reinstate the Emergency Communications Advisory Board. ***REFERRED TO COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR 1.99 LETTER August 5, 1994, from Chief James M. Bray, Chairperson, Contra Costa County Police Chiefs' Association, 217 Arlington Avenue, Kensington 94707, requesting the Board to reconsider its action of June 28, 1994, and reinstate the Emergency Medical Care Committee. ***REFERRED TO HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copyof an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supe isors on Up date shown. ATTESTED: c,L2qLj PHIL BATCH R,Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Adminlstfator cc: Correspondents BV LU-1 County AdministratorN Health Services Director Public Works Director ft I a(,4> GEORGE MILLERDISTRICT OFFICES: 7TH AISTRICT,CALIFORNIA 367 CIVIC DRIVE,#14 PLEASANT HILL,CA 94523 2205 RAYSURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING (510)602-1880 WASHINGTON,DC 20515--0507 (202)225-2095 of the . 10niteb 1*tatn� MARY LANSING (202)225-2095 DISTRICT DIRECTOR DANIEL WEISS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 3220 BLUME DR. jboua of Repreantatibeg 281 CHAIRMAN SUITE A COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES Wa bington, ;DC 20515-0507 RICHMOND,2626500 6 COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND LABOR 1407 TENNESSEE ST. August 1, 1994 VALLEJO,CA 94590 RECEIVED (707)6,45-1888 TTY(202)225-1904 VIA FAX AND MAIL AM - 3 1 Honorable Tom Powers CLER CON RA COSUPERVISORS A CO SORS Chairman Board of Supervisors 651 Pine Street Martinez, CA 9455? Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter of July 26 and the enclosed report by the Hazardous Materials Interagency Task Force (HIT) on railroad safety in the 19901s. As you know, the Committee on Natural Resources issued a report following the General Chemical accident, "Living with Risk: Communities and the Hazard of Industrial Contamination" . The report made a number of recommendations to improve community safety. In the federal jurisdiction, President Clinton has made the first appointments to the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board. A recent National Response Team report reviewed the federal response to hazardous materials accidents and identified many improvements to streamline agency response and reduce overlap. I am delighted that 'the community continues to work together to implement many of the suggestions contained in the report. * North Richmond will soon be the site of a much-needed primary health care clinic; * A new, state-of-the-art community warning system is planned for Contra Costa County. The HIT recommendations address an array of safety issues regarding rail tank cars carrying hazardous materials. While it is not clear from your letter, I trust that a similar letter and copy of your report was forwarded to the entire state and local legislative delegation in Contra Costa County. We will only achieve real reform if all interested parties work together, including governments at local, state, and federal levels. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER Pale-2 Honorable Tom Powers Page 2 We have been in communication with the Office of Safety and Enforcement at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regarding the HIT recommendations, and they have expressed an interest in meeting with county and state officials. We would be happy to arrange a meeting with FRA officials at your convenience. Please direct a member of the county task force to contact Lynelle Johnson at my Pleasant Hill District office to make the necessary arrangements. One of the results of this General Chemical spill was that it caused governments at all levels to pay long-overdue attention to how hazardous chemicals are dealt with amidst our communities. While we have made some progress, much remains to be done, and I look forward to working with you in an effort to accomplish this. Sincerely, George Miller Member of Congress 7th District, CA cc: Honorable Tom Torlakson, Supervisor Honorable Mark DeSaulnier, Supervisor Honorable Jeff Smith, Supervisor Honorable Gayle Bishop, Supervisor Mark Finucane, Director County Health Services Dr. William Walker, Chairman Hazardous Materials Interagency Task Force