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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08101999 - SD12 4 To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM: Mark DeSaulnier ;f' Costa DATE: August 10, 1999 i SUBJECT: Preventing Violence in Contra Costa County 10 SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENIDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION: ACKNOWLEDGE that based on the actions of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in 1994, the Preventing Violence in Contra Costa County.A Countywide Action Plan Measure was placed on the ballot and overwhelmingly adopted by local voters. ACKNOWLEDGE and support the outstanding efforts and programs, already in place, directed to the reduction of violence in many areas of our County. The purpose of this effort is not in any way meant to diminish or compete with the excellent programs already serving our county. Contra Costa County has been an acknowledged leader in this area. We have been acclaimed as a mode: in the past. In order to maintain that standing we must constantly review and appraise our efforts countywide. RECOMMEND that the Board of Supervisors, with the assistance and leadership of Contra Costa Health Services, conduct a formal review within 60 days of the county's current anti- violence policies, processes and programs, including the implementation of Measure C and enactment of Ordinance No, 9559, Sale of Firearms. RECOMMEND that the charge and membership of the County's Family Violence Strategic Planning Coalition be expanded to address community violence and one comprehensive plan for violence prevention developed by, .April 1, 2000. The planning process and final document roust address resource development for violence prevention, and the entire process must include significant and formal youth participation. RECOMMEND that Contra Costa Health Services Community Wellness& Prevention Program work with the Family and Human Services Committee to develop a program for financing and staffing the planning process. RECOMMEND that the Family and Human Services Committee monitor the progress of these efforts and report back regularly to the entire Board on its accomplishments. (RECOMMEND that this review of our anti-violence programs be presented to the Contra Costa Countywide Youth Commission for their input and feedback. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT:—X—YES SIGNATURE: IiECOIVirrtENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATU1KE(S): AC'T'ION OF BOARD ON August , 1999 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED_X_ OTHER See addendum for Board action and speakers. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ABSENT r3 } AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NODES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT": ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. f ATTES'T'ED �� t PHIL BATC LOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISO S AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR Contact: Betty Fisher, Dist. 4 cc: BY 22 DEPUTY BACKGROUND: The events that occurred on the campus of Columbine High School in Colorado have deeply impacted all our lives. Perhaps the most sobering realization to coxae from the tragedy is that such types of violent events are devastating,yet relatively rare; the ongoing tragedy is how young peoples' lives are affected greatly by violence every day in ways that do not always make headlines. The need for effective violence prevention is greater than ever, and such efforts must be comprehensive, sustained and focused at all aspects of the community in order to be effective. In response to community frustration, loss and fear brought about by escalating levels of interpersonal violence throughout Contra Costa County in the early 1990's,the Board of Supervisors requested the Health Services Department to prepare an action plan for violence prevention. In order to gain community input for the plan, the Board hosted violence prevention summits in Central. County in May 1994 and East County in June 1994. West County was active in sponsoring several initiatives including Increase the Peace Month.. The Countywide Action Plan incorporated the recommendations that grew out of the two regional summits and the gest County experiences. In November 1994, approval of the Action Plan was requested of county voters. Supervisor Mark fie Saulnier and then. Supervisor Tom Torlakson signed the ballot argument for Measure C,which included the 25 recommendations from. the Action.Plan. A countywide task force was recommended to determine specific actions to complete the recommendations and to identify resources for implementation. Measure C was widely hailed as model legislation in the field. There were two years of intensive policy work done after Measure C's approval, mostly in the area of gun.safety. In April of 1999,the Contra Costa County Health Services' Community Wellness &Prevention Plan was awarded $40,000 from the State Department of Health Services to convene a coalition and create a strategic plan for the prevention of family violence. This process is scheduled to begin July 1, 1999 and be completed in the spring of 2000. Expanding the charge of the Family Violence Strategic Planning Coalition to include community violence would reduce the fragmentation of effort so often found in the area of violence and ensure a comprehensive approach. "' I'DENDUM TO ITEM SD.12 August 10, 1999 Agenda On this date the Board considered conducting a formal review within 60 days of the County's anti-violence policies, procedures and programs, including the implementation of Measure C and enactment of Ordinance 95-59, Sale of Firearms, and taking related actions, as recommended by Supervisor DeSaulnier, The following persons presentee)testimony; Cyndi Simpson, 597 Center Avenue,Martinez; Leila Marsh, 1425 South Main Street, Walnut Creep; Ellen Schwartz, 1300 Civic Drive, Suite 3, Walnut Creek; Cheryl Naier, 3720 Barrett Avenue, Richmond; Joe McCoy, 1538 Third Street, richmond. The Board discussed the issues, Supervisor Uilkema requested the addition of language at the end of the second paragraph to read "review and appraise our efforts Countywide, including the Bast Bay Public Safety Corridor Partnership and Bays and Girls Clubs of Martinez and Rodeo." Supervisor Gerber recommended soliciting input frorn youth commissions in various areas and suggested that this matter be reviewed during budget discussions on this date. Following the discussion, Supervisor DeSaulnier moved approval of the item including the requests and recommendations made by Supervisor 1_iilkermaa and Supervisor Gerber. IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED Haat the above item is APPROVED as amended.