HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 10092014 - TWIC Agenda Pkt
TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE
COMMITTEE
October 9, 2014
10:30 A.M.
651 Pine Street, Room 101, Martinez
Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, Chair
Supervisor Candace Andersen, Vice Chair
Agenda
Items:
Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference
of the Committee
1.Introductions
2.Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this
agenda. Speakers may be limited to three minutes.
3.Administrative Items. (John Cunningham, Department of Conservation and
Development)
4. REVIEW record of meeting for the August 7, 2014 Transportation, Water and
Infrastructure Committee meeting. This record was prepared pursuant to the Better
Government Ordinance 95-6, Article 25-205(d) of the Contra Costa County Ordinance
Code. Any handouts or printed copies of testimony distributed at the meeting will be
attached to this meeting record. (John Cunningham, Department of Conservation and
Development)
5. RECEIVE Long-Term Trash Reduction Plan and Quarterly Update, and
PROVIDE direction to County Watershed Program Staff. (Cece Sellgren, Public
Works Department).
6. RECEIVE report regarding the Replacement of High Pressure Sodium Vapor
Street Lights with Light Emitting Diode (LED) Energy Efficient Lights and take
action as appropriate. (Susan Cohen, Public Works Department)
7. CONSIDER report on Local, State, and Federal Transportation Related
Legislative Issues and take ACTION as appropriate. (John Cunningham, Department
of Conservation and Development)
8. RECEIVE update on Pedestrian-Rail Safety issues and DIRECT staff as
appropriate. (Robert Sarmiento, Department of Conservation and Development)
9.Adjourn to the next scheduled TWIC meeting on November 6, 2014.
The Transportation, Water & Infrastructure Committee (TWIC) will provide reasonable
accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend TWIC meetings. Contact the staff
person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting.
Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and
distributed by the County to a majority of members of the TWIC less than 72 hours prior to that
meeting are available for public inspection at the County Department of Conservation and
Development, 30 Muir Road, Martinez during normal business hours.
Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day
prior to the published meeting time.
For Additional Information Contact:
John Cunningham, Committee Staff
Phone (925) 674-7833
john.cunningham@dcd.cccounty.us
Glossary of Acronyms, Abbreviations, and other Terms (in alphabetical order): Contra Costa County
has a policy of making limited use of acronyms, abbreviations, and industry-specific language in meetings of its
Board of Supervisors and Committees. Following is a list of commonly used abbreviations that may appear in
presentations and written materials at meetings of the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee:
AB Assembly Bill
ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments
ACA Assembly Constitutional Amendment
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
ALUC Airport Land Use Commission
AOB Area of Benefit
BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District
BART Bay Area Rapid Transit District
BATA Bay Area Toll Authority
BCDC Bay Conservation & Development Commission
BDCP Bay-Delta Conservation Plan
BGO Better Government Ordinance (Contra Costa County)
BOS Board of Supervisors
CALTRANS California Department of Transportation
CalWIN California Works Information Network
CalWORKS California Work Opportunity and Responsibility
to Kids
CAER Community Awareness Emergency Response
CAO County Administrative Officer or Office
CCTA Contra Costa Transportation Authority
CCWD Contra Costa Water District
CDBG Community Development Block Grant
CEQA California Environmental Quality Act
CFS Cubic Feet per Second (of water)
CPI Consumer Price Index
CSA County Service Area
CSAC California State Association of Counties
CTC California Transportation Commission
DCC Delta Counties Coalition
DCD Contra Costa County Dept. of Conservation & Development
DPC Delta Protection Commission
DSC Delta Stewardship Council
DWR California Department of Water Resources
EBMUD East Bay Municipal Utility District
EIR Environmental Impact Report (a state requirement)
EIS Environmental Impact Statement (a federal requirement)
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FTE Full Time Equivalent
FY Fiscal Year
GHAD Geologic Hazard Abatement District
GIS Geographic Information System
HBRR Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation
HOT High-Occupancy/Toll
HOV High-Occupancy-Vehicle
HSD Contra Costa County Health Services Department
HUD United States Department of Housing and Urban
Development
IPM Integrated Pest Management
ISO Industrial Safety Ordinance
JPA/JEPA Joint (Exercise of) Powers Authority or Agreement
Lamorinda Lafayette-Moraga-Orinda Area
LAFCo Local Agency Formation Commission
LCC League of California Cities
LTMS Long-Term Management Strategy
MAC Municipal Advisory Council
MAF Million Acre Feet (of water)
MBE Minority Business Enterprise
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MOE Maintenance of Effort
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MTC Metropolitan Transportation Commission
NACo National Association of Counties
NEPA National Environmental Protection Act
OES-EOC Office of Emergency Services-Emergency
Operations Center
PDA Priority Development Area
PWD Contra Costa County Public Works Department
RCRC Regional Council of Rural Counties
RDA Redevelopment Agency or Area
RFI Request For Information
RFP Request For Proposals
RFQ Request For Qualifications
SB Senate Bill
SBE Small Business Enterprise
SR2S Safe Routes to Schools
STIP State Transportation Improvement Program
SWAT Southwest Area Transportation Committee
TRANSPAC Transportation Partnership & Cooperation (Central)
TRANSPLAN Transportation Planning Committee (East County)
TWIC Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee
USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers
WBE Women-Owned Business Enterprise
WCCTAC West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory
Committee
WETA Water Emergency Transportation Authority
WRDA Water Resources Development Act
TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 4.
Meeting Date:10/09/2014
Subject:Review record of meeting for the August 7, 2014 Transportation, Water
and Infrastructure Committee meeting.
Submitted For: John Kopchik, Interim Director, Conservation & Development Department
Department:Conservation & Development
Referral No.: N/A
Referral Name: N/A
Presenter: John Cunningham, DCD 674-7833 Contact:
Referral History:
This record was prepared pursuant to the Better Government Ordinance 95-6, Article 25-205(d) of
the Contra Costa County Ordinance Code.
Referral Update:
Any handouts or printed copies of testimony distributed at the meeting will be attached to this
meeting record.
Links to the agenda and minutes will be available at the TWI Committee web page:
www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/twic
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
Staff recommends approval of the attached Record of Action for the August 7, 2014 Committee
meeting with any necessary corrections.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
N/A
Attachments
Aug 7 2014 TWIC Meeting Record.pdf
TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE
COMMITTEE
Record of Action for
August 7, 2014
1:00 P.M.
651 Pine Street, Room 101, Martinez
Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, Chair
Supervisor Candace Andersen, Vice Chair
Present: Mary N. Piepho, Chair
Candace Andersen, Vice Chair
Staff Present:John Cunningham, Principal Planner
Attendees: Terri Almeida
Mark Watts
Julie Bueren
Jill Ray
Jerry Fahy
Robert Sarmiento, Conservation and
Development
1.Introductions
See the attached sign-in sheet and "Attendees" section above.
2.Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this
agenda (speakers may be limited to three minutes).
3.Administrative Items:
4.Staff recommends approval of the attached Record of Action for the June 5, 2014
Committee meeting with any necessary corrections.
The Record of Action for the June 5, 2014 Transportation, Water, and
Infrastructure Committee meeting was approved unanimously.
5.CONSIDER Report on Local, State, and Federal Transportation Related Legislative
Issues and take ACTION as appropriate including CONSIDERATION of specific
recommendations in the report above.
The Committee received the report and, 1) APPROVED submitting the school zone
The Committee received the report and, 1) APPROVED submitting the school zone
legislative proposal to the California State Association of Counties, 2) DIRECTED
staff to coordinate with the Legislative Committee and the Contra Costa
Transportation Authority on the school zone proposal, 3) DIRECTED staff to bring
a position of WATCH on Senate Bill 1183 (DeSaulnier) Surcharge for Bicycle
Infrastructure.
6.RECEIVE update on the progress of the Olympic Corridor Trail Connector Study and
provide COMMENT and DIRECTION to staff as appropriate.
The Committee provided comments on the subject study regarding the following,
parking along Olympic Blvd, relative safety of different facilities, clarify/summarize
why certain alternatives were chosen, where advisable characterize de-prioritized
alignments as options to be considered in the future, primary alignment should
follow natural paths of travel, account for Doris Eaton reopening as a public school,
address any relevant Priority Development Area plans, and clarify maps to better
indicate jurisdictional boundaries to assist with better understanding
implementation obligations.
Terri Almeida (Parkmead) provided comment regarding the need for increased safety, design for
riders who are not experts, and despite the grade, she would use a Paulson Lane option.
7.The next meeting is currently scheduled for Thursday, September 4, 2014.
Due to schedule conflicts the next TWIC meeting will be held on October 9th at
10:30 at the same location (651 Pine Street, Martinez - Room 101)
8.Adjourn
The meeting adjourned in the afternoon of August 7, 2014
For Additional Information Contact:
John Cunningham, Committee Staff
For Additional Information Contact: Phone (925) 674-7833, Fax (925) 674-7250
john.cunningham@dcd.cccounty.us
TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE
COMMITTEE 5.
Meeting Date:10/09/2014
Subject:Update on Long-Term Trash Reduction Plan
Submitted For: Julia R. Bueren, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Department:Public Works
Referral No.: 7
Referral Name: Monitor creek and watershed issues and seek funding for improvement
projects related to these issues.
Presenter: Cece Sellgren (925) 313-2296 Contact: Cece Sellgren (925)
313-2296
Referral History:
Cece Sellgren presented the draft Long-Term Trash Management Plan (Trash Plan) for Contra
Costa County to the Transportation, Water & Infrastructure Committee (TWI Committee) at the
March 6, 2014, meeting. She presented an update of the trash planning activities on June 5, 2014.
Referral Update:
The County achieved a 42.3% reduction in litter in FY 2013-14, surpassing the required 40%
mandate. The bulk of the reduction was achieved through on-land cleanups (27.4%) — either
through the County’s litter abatement contractor or through the “Adopt-A-Road” program run by
Tony Medina, from the Maintenance Division in Public Works. Instream cleanups accounted for
8.8% trash reduction. Full trash capture devices accounted for 4.1% trash reduction. The County,
in alignment with all Contra Costa cities, also claimed a 2% reduction from various outreach and
education activities.
County Watershed staff met with Municipal Advisory Councils (or Community Facility Districts)
to present the community trash reduction plan in the following communities: Bay Point, North
Richmond, El Sobrante, Rodeo, Knightsen, Pacheco, and Crockett.
Watershed Program staff are coordinating with the departments of Conservation and
Development–Code Enforcement, Health Services–Environmental Health, and Sheriff’s
(especially “quality of life” deputies) to integrate activities in regards to trash.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
The County Stormwater Manager recommends:
The County Stormwater Manager recommends:
Continue to reduce trash rates in the five trash-challenged communities by maintaining
on-land cleanups using a contractor.
Reevaluate whether rural communities and rural roads should be included in the NPDES
(National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) trash reduction requirements.
Transition from using a contractor to using local labor forces to conduct on-land cleanups,
especially in residential neighborhoods. Research alternative sources of labor for cleanups
on County roads.
Continue to evaluate the feasibility of installing larger trash capture devices in
trash-challenged communities for which drainage inlet trash capture devices are not feasible.
Implement a coordinated program to ensure every residence, apartment complex, and
business has the right size and frequency of garbage service to reduce trash bin overfill.
Double the frequency of street sweeping in high and moderate trash rate commercial areas.
Expand the number of communities where trash reduction efforts are implemented —
Pacheco and Crockett are next likely communities.
Expand the “Adopt-A-Road” program and plan for transition of key staff, if needed.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
In the last fiscal year, County Watershed Program efforts to plan for and implement trash
reduction spent approximately:
$65,000 to field verify the GIS generated trash load map of unincorporated County in the
summer of 2013.
$107,000 to complete the draft Long-Term Trash Reduction Plan in February 2014.
$425,000 to conduct on-land cleanups in the five high priority communities and rural roads
during FY 13-14.
Attachments
No file(s) attached.
TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 6.
Meeting Date:10/09/2014
Subject:Replacement of High Pressure Sodium Vapor Street Lights with
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Energy Efficient Lights
Submitted For: Julia R. Bueren, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Department:Public Works
Referral No.: 13
Referral Name: Monitor implementation of the Letter of Understanding with PG&E
for the maintenance of PG&E streetlights in Contra Costa.
Presenter: Susan Cohen Contact: Susan Cohen, Public Works Special
Districts, 925-313-2160
Referral History:
At the December 5, 2013 TWIC meeting, Public Works staff provided an update on PG&E
Coordination with Cities and County for Street Light Maintenance.
Referral Update:
Public Works/Special Districts manages the street light program countywide, assuring the
continuity of repairs and ongoing operations. Special Districts performed a pilot project in 2011 to
install Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights in two select locations. That work was completed
pursuant to a 5-year agreement, “PG&E Products and Services Agreement”, signed in 2011.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is now proposing installation of LED lights on the
remaining street lights owned by the County (Attachment). Conversion of existing High Pressure
Sodium (HPS) technology to Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures saves energy. Currently,
County-owned street lights use about 2.3 million kilowatt-hours of energy each year. The energy
use could reduce to about 860,400 kilowatt-hours of energy if the fixtures were converted to LED
for a reduction of resulting in an energy savings of approximately 63 percent.
The County currently pays PG&E about $11,300 per month for electricity; this is expected to be
reduced to approximately $6,100 per month if the lights are changed over to LEDs. Additionally,
with LED street lights, County residents could expect more consistent lighting levels along a lit
street, better ability to recognize colors at night, and reduced sky glow.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE report regarding the Replacement of High Pressure Sodium Vapor Street Lights with
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Energy Efficient Lights and take action as appropriate.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
The total cost for this project is estimated at approximately $400,000 and there is funding
available to perform this work from County Service Area L-100 funds. County Service Area
L-100 was formed in 1986 to finance the cost of street lighting services. Total annual revenue for
CSA L-100 is $1.3 million; annual expenses including utility billings are about $1.04 million.
CSA L-100 has funds for this project in its fund balance. The County would realize a return on
investment from the lowered energy bills in about 5 years.
Attachments
Attachment
Agreement No: SLT-032.2 Contra Costa County
Page 1 of 8
PROPOSAL NUMBER 2
This Proposal is made and entered into as of ______________, 20___ by and between
Contra Costa County, a political subdivision of the State of California (“Customer”) and Pacific
Gas and Electric Company (“PG&E”). This Proposal is subject to the terms and conditions of the
PG&E Products and Services Agreement between Customer and PG&E dated as of March 30,
2011 (the “Agreement”).
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
o Scope of Work: Replace 1,023 HPSV lights with LED lights according to the map and
LED spreadsheet (identifies each location) in the Contra Costa County.
o Number any light poles that are not numbered using badge number stickers provided by
PG&E.
o Process rebates, if applicable, and request billing file rate changes.
o Provide a revised GIS-based inventory for all LS-2 lights.
Estimated minimum number of days to complete scope of work: To be determined.
Date work is estimated to begin: To be determined.
Customer sites where work is to be performed: See attached map and LED spreadsheet for
location.
Type and number of street light fixtures to be replaced: See attached map and LED spreadsheet
for fixtures.
Locations may change if street lights are added to or deleted from the project during installation,
subject to mutual written agreement. A final spreadsheet will be given to Customer upon
completion of the work.
If in the process of performing the Service, active bird nests, and/or bee hives, wasps are
discovered, PG&E will notify Customer of such condition and discontinue work on affected
equipment. If active bee hives or wasp nests are discovered, PG&E will notify Customer of such
condition and discontinue work on affected equipment until it is safe to resume work at that
location.
MATERIALS DISPOSAL
If available, Customer will make space (to be determined) available at Customer-owned property
for material storage and disposal during construction. PG&E will hold Customer harmless for
damage to stored materials while on Customer’s property. Customer site where PG&E may store
materials and waste disposal bins: Address: To be determined.
PG&E’s Contractor will keep the lights that have been replaced in a locked container until taking
them to PG&E’s yard. Contractor will separate the lamp from the fixture and put them in the
appropriate bins. PG&E will label the bins and ship them to a registered disposal facility.
Agreement No: SLT-032.2 Contra Costa County
Page 2 of 8
TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN
PG&E Contractor shall be required to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws,
rules, regulations, permits, and codes including without limitation such laws, rules, regulations,
permits, and codes with respect to safety and traffic control.
COST AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
PG&E estimates the services under this Proposal will cost Three Hundred Ninety Four Thousand,
Five Hundred, Thirty Seven dollars and no cents ($394,537). However, Customer will be
invoiced for actual installations (location and size of fixture). The estimate will not be exceeded
without Customer’s prior written approval.
This price does does not subtract the value of the LED streetlight rebates from the cost to
provide the Services. The LED streetlight rebates ($103,925) have been calculated based on the
following rebate structure:
Measure Description Rebate/Unit
Measure
LED STREET LIGHTING - REPLACE UP TO 70 WATT LAMP WITH LED $50
LED STREET LIGHTING - REPLACE 71 TO 100 WATT LAMP WITH LED $75
LED STREET LIGHTING - REPLACE 101 TO 150 WATT LAMP WITH LED $100
LED STREET LIGHTING - REPLACE 151 TO 200 WATT LAMP WITH LED $125
LED STREET LIGHTING - REPLACE 201 TO 250 WATT LAMP WITH LED $150
LED STREET LIGHTING - REPLACE 251 TO 310 WATT LAMP WITH LED $175
LED STREET LIGHTING - REPLACE 311 TO 400 WATT LAMP WITH LED $200
For any lights that are installed in field after December 31, 2014 the LED streetlight rebates will
be reduced. These lights will fall under the new rebate structure below:
Measure Description Rebate/Unit
Measure (LED Replacement)
INSTALL 501-750 W LED FIXTURE $200
INSTALL 266-500 W LED FIXTURE $150
INSTALL 226-265 W LED FIXTURE $125
INSTALL 193-225 W LED FIXTURE $100
INSTALL 151-192 W LED FIXTURE $80
INSTALL 111-150 W LED FIXTURE $70
INSTALL 71-110 W LED FIXTURE $60
INSTALL 51-70 W LED FIXTURE $50
INSTALL 0-50 W LED FIXTURE $40
Agreement No: SLT-032.2 Contra Costa County
Page 3 of 8
Payment Schedule:
Initial Payment: Upon PG&E ordering of materials, Customer may be invoiced 50% of the total
amount of the contract.
Final Payment: Customer will be invoiced for final 50% payment upon completion of the
services described in this agreement and in the master agreement when punch list items and
additional repair work (if any) have been completed.
If Customer chooses to terminate this Proposal prior to completion of the Services, then Customer
shall pay PG&E for all costs accrued up to the date of termination, including all materials
purchased.
PG&E will submit invoices to Customer based on the Payment Schedule. Each invoice will
reference the Agreement and this Proposal and be submitted to Customer’s billing address as set
forth below. Customer will remit payment to PG&E within 30 days after receipt of the invoice.
BUSINESS CONTACTS:
PG&E’s primary business contact for this Proposal:
Name: Michelle Ward
Title: Business Development Manager
Address: 245 Market Street, Mail Code N10D
San Francisco, CA 94105
Telephone: 415-973-4495
Email: M3PA@PGE.COM
Customer’s primary business contact for this Proposal:
Name: Susan Cohen
Title: Special Districts Manager, CCC Public Works Department, Special Districts
Address: 255 Glacier Drive, Martinez, CA 94553
Telephone: 925-313-2160
Email: scohe@pw.cccounty.us
CUSTOMER BILLING CONTACT:
Customer’s billing contact for this Proposal:
Name: Jessi Duffy
Title: Engineering Technician, CCC Public Works Department, Special Districts
Address: 255 Glacier Drive, Martinez, CA 94553
Telephone: 925-313-2286
Email: jduff@pw.cccounty.us
Agreement No: SLT-032.2 Contra Costa County
Page 4 of 8
IN WITNESS THEREOF, the parties agree to be bound by this Proposal as of the date
first set forth above.
CUSTOMER CONTRA COSTA COUNTY PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
Print Name: Print
Name:
Signature: Signature:
Date: Date:
.
Agreement No: SLT-032.2 Contra Costa County
Page 5 of 8
MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY INFORMATION
Street light manufacturer’s contact information:
The street light manufacturer’s contact information and warranty will be attached to each
Proposal.
Cree LED Lighting Fixtures
1200 92nd Street
Sturtevant, WI 53177-1854
Phone: (800)236-6800
Warranty period:
10 years.
Photo control warrantor’s contact information:
Ripley Lighting Controls
2023 Platt Springs Road
P.O. Box 3229
West Columbia, SC 29169
Phone: 803-939-4700
Fax: 803-939-4777
Warranty period:
8 years.
Warranty is attached.
Agreement No: SLT-032.2 Contra Costa County
Page 6 of 8
LIMITED WARRANTY FOR CREE® LED LIGHTING FIXTURES
(INCLUDING BETALED® TECHNOLOGY; TRUEWHITE® TECHNOLOGY; AND
ESSENTIA® FIXTURES)
This limited warranty is provided by the Cree company described below ("Seller") to you as the
original purchaser of the LED lighting product that is identified on Seller's invoice reflecting its
original purchase (the "Product"). The Seller is the Cree company identified as such on the
invoice. This limited warranty may be transferred to subsequent purchasers of the Product,
provided that such Product is resold in new condition and in its original packaging. Seller
warrants that the Product, when delivered in new condition and in its original packaging, will be
free of defects in material and workmanship for a period of TEN (10) YEARS from the date of
original purchase. The determination of whether the Product is defective shall be made by Seller
in its sole discretion with consideration given to the overall performance of the Product. A
Product shall not be considered defective solely as a result of the failure of individual LED
components to emit light if the number of inoperable components is less than 10% of the total
number of LED components in the Product.
If Seller determines the Product is defective, Seller will elect, in its sole discretion, to refund you
the purchase price of the Product, repair the Product or replace the Product. This limited warranty
will not apply to loss or damage to the Product caused by: negligence; abuse; misuse;
mishandling; improper installation, storage or maintenance; damage due to fire or acts of God;
vandalism; civil disturbances; power surges; improper power supply; electrical current
fluctuations; corrosive environment installations; induced vibration; harmonic oscillation or
resonance associated with movement of air currents around the Product; alteration; accident;
failure to follow installation, operating, maintenance or environmental instructions prescribed by
Seller or applicable electrical codes; or improper service of the Product performed by someone
other than Seller or its authorized service provider. This limited warranty excludes field labor and
service charges related to the repair or replacement of the Product. THIS LIMITED
WARRANTY IS VOID IF THE PRODUCT IS NOT USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR
WHICH IT IS DESIGNED.
Seller reserves the right to utilize new, reconditioned, refurbished, repaired or remanufactured
products or parts in the warranty repair or replacement process. Such products and parts will be
comparable in function and performance to an original product or part, as determined by Seller in
its sole discretion, and warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period.
In order to make a warranty claim, you must notify Seller in writing within sixty (60) days after
your discovery of the defect, provide proof of purchase such as the invoice and comply with
Seller's other warranty requirements. Upon receiving that notice, Seller may require you to
promptly return the Product to Seller, or its authorized service provider, freight prepaid. Your
warranty claim should be addressed to Cree c/o Ruud Lighting, Inc., 9201 Washington Avenue,
Racine, WI 53406.
This limited warranty only applies to specified LED fixtures. Any warranties applicable to finish,
poles, lamps, CR Series downlights, LR24™ troffers, certain BetaLED® Technology outdoor
fixtures (specifically Class II as defined per IEC/EN60598), backup batteries, controls, occupancy
sensors, photocells and other fixture accessories can be found at
www.cree.com/lighting/products/warranty.
Agreement No: SLT-032.2 Contra Costa County
Page 7 of 8
THE FOREGOING WARRANTY PROVISIONS ARE EXCLUSIVE AND ARE GIVEN AND
ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF ANY AND ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTY AGAINST
INFRINGEMENT AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
IN NO EVENT SHALL SELLER BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL, COMPENSATORY,
CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES. SELLER'S
AGGREGATE LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT SHALL IN ANY
EVENT BE LIMITED TO THE MONIES PAID TO SELLER FOR THAT DEFECTIVE
PRODUCT.
This warranty is effective for purchases of Product on or after the effective date set forth below.
Seller reserves the right to modify this warranty from time to time. Any modification of this
warranty shall be effective for all orders placed with Seller on or after the effective date of such
revised warranty.
Agreement No: SLT-032.2 Contra Costa County
Page 8 of 8
2023 Platt Springs Road
P.O. Box 3229
West Columbia, SC 29169
Phone: 803-939-4700
Fax: 803-939-4777
WARRANTY
The 6300 Series carries an 8-year warranty. If the product fails due to manufacturing
defect within its warranted period, Ripley Lighting Controls will choose to either
replace or repair the lighting control unit. This warranty does not cover damage
caused by accident, abuse, misuse or lightning strikes. Ripley’s liability hereunder shall
be limited to replacement or repair and shall not cover the cost of removal or
installation of the unit, nor any consequential damages. Ripley Lighting Controls
assumes no further liability with respect to the sale or use of this product. This
warranty is in lieu of other warranties, expressed or implied, including the warranty of
merchantability. Ripley Lighting Controls makes no warranty with respect to the
suitability of the user’s particular application. This warranty gives the user specific
legal rights.
TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 7.
Meeting Date:10/09/2014
Subject:CONSIDER report on Local, State, and Federal Transportation Related
Legislative Issues and take ACTION as appropriate.
Submitted For: John Kopchik, Interim Director, Conservation & Development Department
Department:Conservation & Development
Referral No.: 1
Referral Name: Review legislative matters on transportation, water, and infrastructure.
Presenter: John Cunningham, DCD 674-7833 Contact: John Cunningham, (925)
674-7833
Referral History:
This is a standing item on the Transportation, Water, and Infrastructure Committee referral list
and meeting agenda.
Referral Update:
In developing transportation related legislative issues and proposals to bring forward for
consideration by TWIC, staff receives input from the Board of Supervisors, references the
County's adopted Legislative Platforms, coordinates with our legislative advocates, partner
agencies and organizations, and consults with the Committee itself.
At this time staff is highlighting the items and RECOMMENDATIONS below for the Committees
consideration. The issues are separated in to three cateogories, LOCAL, STATE, and FEDERAL:
LOCAL
2014 Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) Update & Planning for Possible 2016
Ballot Measure: (Given that this will be a standing item for the foreseeable future, information from the
prior months report will be in italics)
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) is in the process of developing the 2014
Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) which will be finalized at the end of 2014. The
planning process is expected to produce a financially unconstrained project/program list of
approximately $5B. This list will ultimately be narrowed down to approximately $2.5B. At
that point a more detailed discussion regarding revenue options to pay for the proposed
programs and projects will take place. The level of engagement of the County/Board of
Supervisors will vary depending on what funding option, if any, is pursued.
At the 4/16/14 CCTA Board meeting staff reported that work has begun in developing a
budget and scope for a possible 2016 sales tax measure. Also discussed was 1) the
development of a governance structure (both internal and external) to oversee the process
and 2) whether or not modification of the existing ordinance or an entirely new ordinance
would be more appropriate.
October 2014 CTP Update: The Board of Supervisors discussed a draft comment letter (and
associated project list) on the CTP at their September 23, 2014 meeting. Staff revised the letter (Attached:
BOStoCCTAre2014CTP_Draft_2.pdf) based on comments and was directed to bring it to the October 7
Board of Supervisors meeting as long as the assumed deadline extension was approved by CCTA (The
deadline was, in fact, extended to November 3). Staff subsequently received a request to remove the draft
letter from the October 7 agenda. The letter is now scheduled for the October 21 Board of Supervisors
Meeting.
CTP SEIR: On September 19, 2014 CCTA released the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report
(SEIR) for the 2014 Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) for review and comment. Staff is in the process
of reviewing the document. Given the timing presented by the deadline staff is requesting authorization to
bring comments on the CTP directly to the Board of Supervisors.
RECOMMENDATION: DIRECT staff to bring comments, if necessary, on the DRAFT CTP SEIR
directly to the Board of Supervisors.
STATE
Tracked Bills: Attached to this report are
1) a complete list of bills currently being tracked (LegReportAsOfSept29.pdf) and
2) a table of bills that the TWI Committee and/or the BOS has either discussed or taken a position (Attached:
Positions on Legislation of Interest - 2014.pdf) that includes positions of other entities where available.
In addition to our standing discussion regarding tracked bills, Mark Watts and/or County staff will provide
additional, verbal updates at the Committee meeting on other bills of particular interest, a preliminary debrief
from the 2014 session and updates on:
• Iron Horse Corridor
• Cap and Trade: Draft Guidelines for the SGC Affordable Housing & Sustainable Communities Program
(Attached: SGC - Draft_AHSC_Guidelines.pdf)
School Safety/Siting Initiatives:
School Siting: In 2014 and in prior years, the TWIC Committee, TWIC members, the Board of
Supervisors and staff conducted numerous efforts to influence the State's effort to reform school siting
policies. Activities included coordinating with CSAC, meeting with Department of Education staff, meetings
with our legislative delegation, coordination with professional organizations/partner agencies, and legislative
proposals.
The assumed legislative vehicle for school siting reform in 2014 was AB 2235 (Buchanan) which was
moved to the Senate Inactive File after the Governor expressed his opposition to the bill.
Mark Watts and/or County staff will provide additional information at the Committee meeting on how we
intend to proceed in 2015.
School Zone Enhancement Legislative Proposal: As the Committee is aware, our June 2014
outreach meetings with our legislative delegation regarding school siting and safety resulted in the expression
of support for a 2015 School Zone Enhancement legislative proposal. The following is an update on activities
related to this effort:
1) Based on direction from TWIC and the Board of Supervisors, staff submitted a legislative proposal to the
California State Association of Counties (CSAC). (Attached: Bill Proposal CC
CountySchoolZone8-8-14.pdf).
2) Staff attended the County Engineers Association of California (CEAC) policy conference on September
18 in Sacramento and presented the proposal. CEAC was interested in the proposal, provided comment,
declined to support the proposal but did not oppose the concept. CEAC offered to consider the proposal
again in the future once the County prepared a response to comments from the members.
3) A request for support from CCTA for the legislative proposal was included in the aforementioned CTP
Comment letter (Page 3 of the attachment: BOStoCCTAre2014CTP Draft 2.doc).
4) The Governor vetoed SB 1151 (Cannella) which would have increased fines in school zones (Attached
SB_1151_Veto_Message.pdf). The development of this bill should be instructive to the County. The fact that
nearly every Republican and Democrat, in both houses, indicates substantial support for the concept. The
veto message includes information that could help the County craft a proposal more acceptable to the
Governor (Attached: 2014 Legislation Re Roadway Safety.pdf) in that we know the Governor is opposed to
any increase in fines.
Mark Watts and/or County staff will provide additional information at the Committee meeting on how we
intend to proceed in 2015.
FEDERAL
Visit from Federal Advocate
The County's federal legislative advocate (Paul Schlessinger, Alcalde & Fay) will be in Contra Costa on
October 24, 2014. The Committee should discuss how best to use Mr. Schlessinger's time. Thus far proposals
from staff have included a tour of Delta infrastructure and plan areas (proposed intakes for the BDCP, ship
channel, etc), and Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative area.
TWIC should discuss what transportation needs or issues, if any, we should highlight for Mr. Schlessinger
during his visit. Projects or programs that have potential federal role include:
• State Route 239/TriLink and other major roadway projects
• Maintenance funding, particularly bridge funding that was previously guaranteed in SAFETEA-LU and
now forced to compete with highway projects under MAP-21 (SAFETEA-LU=Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, MAP-21=the Moving Ahead for Progress in the
21st Century Act.)
• Major Rail Extensions: West County BART, eBART next segment, and others.
Other Federal News of Note (Adapted from Politico: Morning Transportation)
BOEHNER SAYS BIG HIGHWAY BILL ‘DOABLE:’ House Speaker John Boehner hinted
that a long-term transportation bill could be in the works next year if Congress and the administration can
find a way to work together on that and other big ticket items. Making an appearance on ABC’s “This Week”
on Sunday, Boehner told George Stephanopoulos that with only two years left in President Barack Obama’s
term, it’s now or never for the two leaders to do “big things” together. “I think the conversation's pretty
straightforward. 'Mr President, you've got two years left. Want to have two years like we've had the last four
years where we just butt heads and butt heads and butt heads?’” Boehner said. “And it's up to us to see
where the common ground is. But tax reform, a big highway bill, certainly are in the realm of doable.” The
House speaker’s plug for a potential multiyear bill comes as many lawmakers and lobbyists continue to say
privately that Congress won’t act on highways and transit until its forced — meaning sometime next year
before the current extension expires at the end of May.
CRUDE-BY-RAIL COMMENTS POUR IN: Elana Schor reports: "Oil producers and railroads
sang a similar refrain Tuesday in their comments on the Department of Transportation's (DOT) proposed
oil-train regulations: Go easy on us. But the two sides also agreed on the designs of future tank cars, marking
a change from the tension that has reigned between the oil companies that ship fuel by train and the railroads
that carry the cargo. DOT, reacting to a record-breaking spate (http://politico.pro/1rFaxPU - requires
subscription) of fiery oil-train derailments, is trying to push its rule across the finish line by next year without
outgoing US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Chief
Cynthia Quarterman." Read the full story: (http://politico.pro/YJLDmY - requires subscription)
2015 Contra Costa County State and Federal Legislative Platform Development
The County Administrator's Office (CAO) has:
1) requested input on the development of the County's 2015 Legislative Platform, and
2) solicited legislative proposals for 2015
2015 State and Federal Legislative Platforms: Staff has not had the opportunity to develop a
response to the 2015 platform development request at the time of printing this TWIC agenda. The 2014
platforms are attached (2014 Federal Legislative Platform.pdf and 2014 State Legislative Platform.pdf) to
facilitate discussion at the October TWIC meeting.
2015 Legislative Proposals : At this time, staff is proposing submitting the aforementioned CSAC
School Zone Enhancement Proposal (Attached: Bill Proposal CC CountySchoolZone8-8-14.pdf) to the CAO.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
CONSIDER Report on Local, State, and Federal Transportation Related Legislative Issues and
take ACTION as appropriate including CONSIDERATION of specific recommendations in the
report above.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
No fiscal impact.
Attachments
Leg Report As of Sept 29-2014
BOStoCCTAre2014CTP_Draft_2
Bill Proposal CC CountySchoolZone8-8-14.pdf
SB_1151_Veto_Message.pdf
Positions on Legislation of Interest - 2014.pdf
2014 Federal Legislative Platform
2014 State Legislative Platform
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California
Status actions entered today are listed in bold.
File name: 2014TransLeg
Author:Bonilla (D)
Title:Construction: Prevailing Wage
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:12/03/2012
Last Amend:08/22/2014
Disposition:To Governor
Location:To Governor
Summary:Revises the definition for construction to include postconstruction phases and cleanup
work at the jobsite, for purposes of the requirements in existing law regarding the
payment of prevailing wages on public works construction, alteration, demolition,
installation, or repair work done under contract and paid in whole or in part out of public
funds.
Status:09/10/2014 *****To GOVERNOR.
Author:Perez J (D)
Title:Infrastructure and Revitalization Financing Districts
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/04/2013
Enacted 09/29/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Signed by Governor
Summary:Authorizes the creation by a city, county, city and county, and joint powers authority, of
1.CA AB 26
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
2.CA AB 229
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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an infrastructure and revitalization financing district and the issuance of debt with voter
approval. Authorizes the creation of a district and the issuance of debt. Authorizes a
district to finance projects in redevelopment project areas and former redevelopment
project areas and former military bases.
Status:09/29/2014 Signed by GOVERNOR.
Author:Mullin (D)
Title:Local Government: Assessment Or Property-Related Fee
Fiscal
Committee:no
Urgency
Clause:yes
Introduced:02/15/2013
Last Amend:02/10/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:SENATE
Summary:Authorizes the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County, in
accordance with specified provisions of the California Constitution, to impose a parcel
tax or a property-related fee for the purpose of implementing stormwater management
programs.
Status:08/04/2014 In ASSEMBLY. From Inactive File. To third reading.
08/04/2014 In ASSEMBLY. Ordered returned to SENATE. *****To SENATE.
Author:Lowenthal B (D)
Title:Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund: Sustainable Communities
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/20/2013
Last Amend:04/15/2013
Disposition:Failed
3.CA AB 418
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
4.CA AB 574
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Location:ASSEMBLY
Summary:Requires the State Air Resources Board to establish standards for the use of moneys
allocated in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for sustainable communities projects.
Requires the board to establish the criteria for the development and implementation of
regional grant programs. Requires the State Transportation Commission to designate the
regional granting authority within each region of the state to administer the allocated
moneys for regional grant programs.
Status:01/31/2014 Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
02/03/2014 From Committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to JR 56.
Author:Frazier (D)
Title:Driver's Licenses: Veteran Designation
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/22/2013
Enacted 09/27/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Chaptered
Chapter:644
Summary:Allows an in-person applicant for a driver's license or identification card to request that
the license or care be printed with the word veteran. Requires the applicant to present
verification of veteran status on a specified form. Requires the county veterans service
offices to verify an applicant's veteran status for these purposes. Authorizes an
additional fee to a person who requests such designation.
Status:09/27/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 644
Author:Bocanegra (D)
Title:Recycling: Waste Tires: Public Works Project
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency no
5.CA AB 935
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
6.CA AB 1179
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Clause:
Introduced:02/22/2013
Enacted 09/26/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Chaptered
Chapter:589
Summary:Authorizes the Department of Resources Recycling, when awarding grants pursuant to
the tire recycling program, to award grants for public works projects to create parklets,
greenways, or both, that use tire-derived products. Requires the Department, if it
awards those grants, to give priority for funding to those projects in disadvantaged
communities.
Status:09/26/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 589
Author:Ting (D)
Title:Bikeways
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/22/2013
Enacted 09/20/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Chaptered
Chapter:495
Summary:Requires the Department of Transportation to establish and update minimum safety
design criteria for each type of bikeway, with consideration for the safety of vulnerable
populations. Requires the publishing of the new criteria by a specified date. Authorizes a
local agency to utilize other minimum safety criteria if adopted by resolution at a public
meeting. Repeals related requirements of the Department to include a report to the
Legislature about the steps taken to implement certain requirements.
Status:09/20/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 495
MTC:Support
7.CA AB 1193
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
8.CA AB 1324
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Author:Skinner (D)
Title:Use Taxes: City of El Cerrito
Fiscal
Committee:no
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/22/2013
Last Amend:08/07/2014
Disposition:To Governor
Location:To Governor
Summary:Authorizes the City of El Cerrito, if certain requirements are met, to impose a
transactions and use tax for general purposes at no more than a specified rate, that, in
combination with other specified taxes, each would exceed the combined rate limit
provided under the Transactions and Use Tax Law. Provides this tax rate would not be
included in the calculation of the local sales and use tax limitation in existing law.
Status:09/10/2014 *****To GOVERNOR.
Author:Gatto (D)
Title:Vehicle Accidents
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:01/21/2014
Last Amend:06/26/2014
Disposition:To Governor
Location:To Governor
Summary:Provides that a driver of a vehicle involved in an accident where a person is struck shall
immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident and provide specified
information including his or her name and current residence address. Provides that a
violation of these provisions would be either an infraction or a misdemeanor. Requires
the immediate suspension of the driver's license of a convicted driver for a specified time
period.
Status:09/05/2014 *****To GOVERNOR.
9.CA AB 1532
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
10.CA AB 1581
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Author:Buchanan (D)
Title:School Facilities: Construction Contracts
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/03/2014
Enacted 09/18/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Chaptered
Chapter:408
Summary:Requires a school facilities lease instrument and the agreement with the lowest
responsible bidder to include a requirement for the person, firm or corporation that
constructs a building to be leased and used by the school district upon a designated site,
including the prime contractor and electrical, mechanical and plumbing subcontractors,
to comply with specified prequalification questionnaires and financial statement
requirements. Requires the governing board to establish a process for prequalification.
Status:09/18/2014 Signed by GOVERNOR.
09/18/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 408
Author:Frazier (D)
Title:Construction Manager/General Contractor: Transit Agency
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/14/2014
Last Amend:06/10/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Transportation and Housing Committee
Summary:Authorizes regional transportation agencies to use the Construction Manager/General
Contractor project delivery method to design and construct certain projects. Requires
specified information provided to a regional transportation agency to be verified under
oath. Requires a regional transportation agency using the Construction Manager/General
Contractor project delivery method to comply with prevailing wage provisions and to
reimburse the Department of Industrial Relations for its enforcement costs.
11.CA AB 1724
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Status:06/10/2014 From SENATE Committee on TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING with
author's amendments.
06/10/2014 In SENATE. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on
TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING.
Author:Buchanan (D)
Title:High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
Fiscal
Committee:no
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/18/2014
Enacted 07/08/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Chaptered
Chapter:94
Summary:Amends the value pricing high-occupancy vehicle program that authorizes the entry and
use of high-occupancy vehicle lanes by single-occupant vehicles for a fee. Authorizes the
program to require a high-occupancy vehicle to have an electronic transponder or other
electronic devices for law enforcement purposes.
Status:07/08/2014 Signed by GOVERNOR.
07/08/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 94
Author:Frazier (D)
Title:Department of General Services: Vehicle and Equipment
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/19/2014
Enacted 09/17/2014
Disposition:Enacted
12.CA AB 1811
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
13.CA AB 1857
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Location:Chaptered
Chapter:381
Summary:Authorizes the Department of General Services to purchase and equip heavy mobile fleet
vehicles and special equipment for use by the Department of Transportation by means of
best value procurement, as defined, subject to a specified annual limitation. Establishes
requirements for bid evaluation and protest procedures. Requires the Department of
General Services to prepare a prescribed evaluation with regard to this process, to be
posted on the Department of Transportation's Internet Web site.
Status:09/17/2014 Signed by GOVERNOR.
09/17/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 381
Author:Muratsuchi (D)
Title:Vehicles: High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/20/2014
Enacted 09/21/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Chaptered
Chapter:527
Summary:Increases the number of identifiers that the Department of Motor Vehicles is authorized
to issue under provisions authorizing the issuance of such identifiers to certain vehicles
permitted to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes. Relates to a vehicle that meets the
enhanced advanced technology partial zero-emission vehicle (enhanced AT PZEV)
standard or transitional zero-emission vehicle (TZEV) standard.
Status:09/21/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 527
Author:Bradford (D)
Title:Vehicles: Motorized Bicycles
Fiscal
Committee:no
14.CA AB 2013
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
15.CA AB 2173
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/20/2014
Enacted 06/25/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Chaptered
Chapter:60
Summary:Redefines a motorized bicycle or moped by increasing the gross brake horsepower the
motor can produce.
Status:06/25/2014 Signed by GOVERNOR.
06/25/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 60
Author:Buchanan (D)
Title:Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities B
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:yes
Introduced:02/21/2014
Last Amend:08/18/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Rules Committee
Summary:Enacts the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2014 to
authorize an unspecified amount of state general obligation bonds to provide aid to
school districts, county superintendents of schools, county boards of education, charter
schools, the California Community Colleges, the University of California, the Hastings
College of the Law, and the California State University to construct and modernize
education facilities and school district facilities funding.
Status:08/26/2014 In SENATE. From Inactive File. Re-referred to Committee on RULES.
Author:Daly (D)
16.CA AB 2235
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
17.CA AB 2250
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Title:Toll Facilities: Revenues
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/21/2014
Enacted 09/20/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Chaptered
Chapter:500
Summary:Requires any toll revenues generated from a managed lane on the state highway system
that is administered by a local agency to be expended only within the respective corridor
in which the managed lane is located. Defines managed lane for these purposes.
Status:09/20/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 500
Author:Levine (D)
Title:Vehicles: Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Fiscal
Committee:no
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/21/2014
Last Amend:08/19/2014
Disposition:To Governor
Location:To Governor
Summary:Amends provisions of existing law that provides fines for violations by drivers of
specified offenses of the road that causes bodily injury or great bodily injury to another
person who is a vulnerable road user. Provides for an increase in a related fine range.
Status:09/05/2014 *****To GOVERNOR.
Priority:High
18.CA AB 2398
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
19.CA AB 2471
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Author:Frazier (D)
Title:Public Contracts: Change Orders
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/21/2014
Last Amend:08/04/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Appropriations Committee
Summary:Requires a public entity, when authorized to order changes or additions in the work in a
public works contract awarded to the lowest bidder, to issue a change order promptly
and not later than a specified time period. Requires if this requirement is not met, the
entity to be liable to the original contractor for the completed work. Requires
prejudgment interest to accrue. Provides procedural requirements for the submission of
change orders by subcontractors.
Status:08/04/2014 From SENATE Committee on APPROPRIATIONS with author's amendments.
08/04/2014 In SENATE. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Committee on
APPROPRIATIONS.
08/04/2014 In SENATE Committee on APPROPRIATIONS: Not heard.
Author:Linder (R)
Title:Vehicle Weight Fees: Transportation Bond Debt
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/21/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Assembly Second Reading File
Summary:Prohibits weight fee revenue from being transferred from the State Highway Account to
the Transportation Debt Service Fund or to the Transportation Bond Direct Payment
Account, and from being used to pay the debt service on transportation general
obligation bonds.
Status:05/12/2014 Withdrawn from ASSEMBLY Committee on TRANSPORTATION.
05/12/2014 In ASSEMBLY. Ordered to second reading.
20.CA AB 2651
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
21.CA AB 2728
Passed Passed Passed Passed
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Author:Perea (D)
Title:Vehicle Weight Fees: Transportation Bond Debt Service
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/21/2014
Last Amend:04/24/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Assembly Appropriations Committee
Summary:Prohibits weight fee revenues from being transferred from the State Highway Account to
the Transportation Debt Service Fund or the Transportation Bond Direct Payment
Account, or any other fund or account for the purpose of payment of the debt service on
transportation general obligation bonds. Prohibits loans of the weight fee revenues to
the General Fund.
Status:05/23/2014 In ASSEMBLY Committee on APPROPRIATIONS: Held in committee.
Author:Campos (D)
Title:Local Government Finance: Public Safety Services
Fiscal
Committee:no
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:01/22/2013
Disposition:Pending
Location:Assembly Local Government Committee
Summary:Authorizes the imposition, extension, or increase of a special tax for funding fire,
emergency response, police, or sheriff services, upon the approval of 55% of the voters
voting. Creates an additional exception to the 1% limit for a rate imposed by a city,
county, or special district to service bonded indebtedness incurred to fund certain fire,
emergency response, police, or sheriff buildings or facilities, and equipment that is
approved by 55% of the voters of the city, county, or special district.
Status:04/04/2013 To ASSEMBLY Committees on LOCAL GOVERNMENT and
APPROPRIATIONS.
Introduced 1st Committee 1st Chamber 2nd Committee 2nd Chamber Enacted
22.CA ACA 3
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Author:Blumenfield (D)
Title:Local Government Financing: Voter Approval
Fiscal
Committee:no
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/13/2013
Last Amend:04/04/2013
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Governance and Finance Committee
Summary:Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to create an additional exception to the 1%
limit for an ad valorem tax rate imposed by a city, county, city and county, or special
district, to service bonded indebtedness incurred to fund specified public improvements
and facilities, or buildings used primarily to provide sheriff, police, or fire protection
services, that is approved by 55% of the voters of the city, county, city and county, or
special district.
Status:06/27/2013 To SENATE Committees on GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE and ELECTIONS
AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Author:Steinberg (D)
Title:Sustainable Communities Investment Authority
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:12/03/2012
Last Amend:09/03/2013
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Inactive File
Summary:Authorizes certain public entities of a Sustainable Communities Investment Area to form
a Sustainable Communities Investment Authority to carry out the Community
Redevelopment Law. Provides for tax increment funding receipt under certain economic
development and planning criteria. Establishes prequalification requirements for receipt
of funding. Requires monitoring and enforcement of prevailing wage requirements within
23.CA ACA 8
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
24.CA SB 1
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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the area. Excludes certain types of farmland.
Status:09/12/2013 In SENATE. To Inactive File.
Author:Wolk (D)
Title:Local Taxation: County of Sonoma: Transactions Tax
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:12/03/2012
Last Amend:08/22/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Assembly Rules Committee
Summary:Authorize the County of Sonoma or any city within the county to impose a transactions
and use tax for general purposes, and the county, any city within the county, or the
Sonoma County Transportation Authority to impose a transactions and use tax for
specific purposes, which may include the support of transportation and road
maintenance programs and library services, that would, in combination with other
specified taxes, exceed the combined rate limit if certain requirements are met.
Status:08/22/2014 In ASSEMBLY. From Inactive File. To third reading.
08/22/2014 In ASSEMBLY. Assembly Rule 78 suspended.
08/22/2014 In ASSEMBLY. Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
08/22/2014 In ASSEMBLY. Read third time and amended. To third reading.
08/22/2014 Re-referred to ASSEMBLY Committee on RULES.
Author:Padilla (D)
Title:Solid Waste: Single-Use Carryout Bags
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/14/2013
Last Amend:08/21/2014
25.CA SB 33
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
26.CA SB 270
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
9/29/2014 State Net
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Disposition:To Governor
Location:To Governor
Summary:Prohibits specified stores from providing a single-use carryout bag to a customer.
Requires such stores to meet other requirements regarding providing recycled paper
bags and compostable bags. Requires a bag fee and creates a related fund. Requires
bags sold or provided to a store by a reusable grocery bag producer to meet specified
requirements. Requires certification and testing and public online information. Allows
retail voluntary compliance. Authorizes local civil penalties and startup loans.
Status:09/08/2014 *****To GOVERNOR.
Author:Padilla (D)
Title:Administrative Regulations: Corrosion Prevention
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/22/2013
Last Amend:08/30/2014
Disposition:To Governor
Location:To Governor
Summary:Requires a public entity that awards a contract for construction, alteration, demolition,
installation, repair, or maintenance work that is paid for in whole or in part with state
funds, to require contractors and subcontractors performing corrosion prevention and
mitigation work to comply with specified standards. Exempts work on sheet metal and
ventilation system and plumbing and piping systems, and precast concrete work that is
performed off site, from the standards.
Status:09/09/2014 *****To GOVERNOR.
Author:DeSaulnier (D)
Title:Public Works
Fiscal
Committee:yes
27.CA SB 792
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
28.CA SB 969
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
9/29/2014 State Net
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Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/10/2014
Last Amend:08/19/2014
Disposition:To Governor
Location:To Governor
Summary:Authorizes provisions of existing law to be known and cited as the Public Works Project
Oversight Improvement Act. Defines a megaproject as a specified transportation project.
Requires the agency administering a megaproject to establish a peer review group and
to take specified actions to manage the risks associated with a megaproject including
establishing a comprehensive risk management plan, and regularly reassessing its
reserves. Requires project-related information to be posted on an agency's Web site.
Status:08/28/2014 *****To GOVERNOR.
Author:Vidak (R)
Title:Transportation Funds: Disadvantaged Small Communities
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:yes
Introduced:02/12/2014
Last Amend:04/21/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Transportation and Housing Committee
Summary:Requires that no less than a specified percentage of funds available for regional
improvement projects to be programmed in the regional transportation improvement
program for disadvantaged small communities. Requires regional transportation
agencies and county transportation commissions, in programming these moneys, to
prioritize funding congestion relief and safety needs.
Status:04/29/2014 In SENATE Committee on TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING: Failed
passage.
04/29/2014 In SENATE Committee on TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING:
Reconsideration granted.
29.CA SB 990
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
30.CA SB 1067
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
9/29/2014 State Net
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Author:Beall (D)
Title:Schoolsites: Selection: Entry/Exit Access: Plans
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/18/2014
Last Amend:05/07/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Appropriations Committee
Summary:Provides for the required number of entries and exits in all new schoolsites that are
safely accessible to pupils walking and bicycling. Requires the State Department of
Education to advise districts and charter schools on new schoolsite acquisitions that
includes specified criteria. Provides the schedule for the Department to review new
schoolsite plans. Requires the establishment of standards of schoolsite selection criteria.
Provides for necessary public hearings.
Status:05/23/2014 In SENATE Committee on APPROPRIATIONS: Held in committee.
Author:DeSaulnier (D)
Title:Vehicles: Road Usage Charge Pilot Program
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/19/2014
Last Amend:08/21/2014
Disposition:To Governor
Location:To Governor
Summary:Requires the Chair of the State Transportation Commission to create a Road Usage
Charge Technical Advisory Committee to study the charge alternatives to the gas tax
and make recommendations on the design of a pilot program. Authorizes the Committee
to make recommendations on the criteria to be used to evaluate the program. Requires
the preparation and submission of a program related report to Legislative committees.
Requires the Commission to include same in its annual report to the Legislature.
Status:09/05/2014 *****To GOVERNOR.
31.CA SB 1077
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
32.CA SB 1122
Passed Passed Passed Passed
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Author:Pavley (D)
Title:Sustainable Communities: Strategic Growth Council
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/19/2014
Last Amend:05/05/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Appropriations Committee
Summary:Requires the Strategic Growth Council to manage and award financial assistance for the
purpose of supporting the implementation of sustainable communities strategies or
alternate planning strategies, to be funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
Requires guidelines for funds use. Authorizes such assistance for the development and
implementation of agricultural, natural resource, and open space land protection plans
consistent with sustainable communities and greenhouse gas emission reduction plans.
Status:05/23/2014 In SENATE Committee on APPROPRIATIONS: Held in committee.
Author:Cannella (R)
Title:Vehicles: School Zone Fines
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/20/2014
Vetoed 09/19/2014
Disposition:Vetoed
Location:Vetoed
Summary:Requires that an additional fine imposed for specified violations be doubled or increased
if the violation occurred when passing a school building or school grounds, and the
highway is posted with a standard warning sign and an accompanying sign notifying
motorists that increased penalties apply for traffic violations that are committed within
that school zone. Requires the fine moneys to be deposited in a specified fund for
funding school safety zone projects under the Active Transportation Program.
Status:09/19/2014 Vetoed by GOVERNOR.
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
33.CA SB 1151
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
9/29/2014 State Net
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Author:Steinberg (D)
Title:Carbon Tax Law of 2014
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/20/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Governance and Finance Committee
Summary:Imposes a carbon tax of an unspecified amount per ton of carbon-dioxide-equivalent
emission on suppliers of fossil fuels.
Status:03/06/2014 To SENATE Committees on GOVERNANCE AND FINANCE and RULES.
Author:DeSaulnier (D)
Title:Surcharge for Bicycle Infrastructure
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/20/2014
Enacted 09/20/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Chaptered
Chapter:516
Summary:Authorizes a city, county, or regional park district to impose and collect, as a special tax,
a motor vehicle registration surcharge for bicycle infrastructure purposes. Requires the
Department of Motor Vehicles to administer the surcharge and to transmit the net
revenues to the local agency. Requires the local agency to use the revenues for
improvements to paved and natural surface trails and bikeways, including existing and
new trails, and for associated maintenance purposes. Requires related reports.
34.CA SB 1156
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
35.CA SB 1183
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Status:09/20/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 516
Author:Hernandez E (D)
Title:High Occupancy Toll Lanes
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:02/21/2014
Enacted 09/21/2014
Disposition:Enacted
Location:Chaptered
Chapter:531
Summary:Revises and recasts provisions authorizing a value-pricing and transit development
demonstration program involving high-occupancy toll lanes to be conducted,
administered, developed, and operated on specified State highway routes. Specifies
additional requirements for agreements between specified agencies. Requires the
agreements to provide for reimbursement of agencies from toll revenues for costs
incurred in the implementation or operation of the program and maintenance of
specified facilities.
Status:09/21/2014 Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter No. 531
Author:DeSaulnier (D)
Title:Vehicle Weight Fees: Transportation Bond Debt Service
Fiscal
Committee:yes
Urgency
Clause:yes
Introduced:02/21/2014
Last Amend:05/01/2014
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Appropriations Committee
36.CA SB 1298
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
37.CA SB 1418
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
9/29/2014 State Net
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Summary:Repeals provisions of existing law which allow for the transfer of weight fees on the
registration of commercial motor vehicles from the State Highway Account to reimburse
the General Fund for debt service on transportation bonds. Requires of specified
percentage of the revenues derived from the increase in motor fuel excise taxes to be
deposited in the State Highway Account to be allocated to city and county streets and
roads, and another percentage to the State Highway Operation and Protection Program.
Status:05/23/2014 In SENATE Committee on APPROPRIATIONS: Held in committee.
Author:Liu (D)
Title:Local Government Transportation Project: Voter Approval
Fiscal
Committee:no
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:12/03/2012
Last Amend:08/28/2013
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Appropriations Committee
Summary:Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to provide the imposition, extension, or
increase of a special tax by a local government for the purpose of providing funding for
local transportation projects requires the approval of a related proposition that includes
certain requirements. Prohibits the local government from expending any revenues
derived from a special transportation tax approved by the voters at any time prior to the
completion of a identified capital project funded by specified revenues.
Status:08/29/2013 Re-referred to SENATE Committee on APPROPRIATIONS.
Author:Corbett (D)
Title:Transportation Projects: Special Taxes: Voter Approval
Fiscal
Committee:no
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:12/14/2012
38.CA SCA 4
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
39.CA SCA 8
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
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Last Amend:05/21/2013
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Appropriations Committee
Summary:Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to provide that the imposition, extension, or
increase of a special tax by a local government for the purpose of providing funding for
transportation projects requires the approval of 55% of its voters voting on the
proposition, if the proposition includes certain requirements.
Status:08/29/2013 Re-referred to SENATE Committee on APPROPRIATIONS.
Author:Hancock (D)
Title:Local Government: Special Taxes: Voter Approval
Fiscal
Committee:no
Urgency
Clause:no
Introduced:01/25/2013
Last Amend:05/21/2013
Disposition:Pending
Location:Senate Appropriations Committee
Summary:Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to condition the imposition, extension, or
increase of a special tax by a local government upon the approval of 55% of the voters
voting on the proposition, if the proposition proposing the tax contains specified
requirements.
Status:06/27/2013 Re-referred to SENATE Committee on APPROPRIATIONS.
40.CA SCA 11
Introduced
Passed
1st Committee
Passed
1st Chamber
Passed
2nd Committee
Passed
2nd Chamber Enacted
The Board of Supervisors
County Administration Building
651 Pine Street, Room 106
Martinez, California 94553
John Gioia, 1st District
Candace Andersen, 2nd District
Mary N. Piepho, 3rd District
Karen Mitchoff, 4th District
Federal D. Glover, 5th District
September 23, 2014October 7, 2014
Kevin Romick, Chair
Contra Costa Transportation Authority
2999 Oak Road, Suite 100
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Subject: 2014 Countywide Transportation Plan Update
Dear Chair Romick:
On September 23, 2014, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Chair to transmit
comments on the 2014 update to the Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP). We
understand that the CTP is intended to guide the development of the transportation
system for the next 25 years. We also understand that this update will result in a list of
projects and programs intended to respond to growing population, increasing
maintenance demands, and shifting priorities.
As an overall comment, the Board of Supervisors would like to thank the Contra Costa
Transportation Authority (Authority) for the substantial effort put in to the draft CTP.
The CTP raises numerous contemporary issues which should facilitate a productive
discussion about our future.
The comment letter is comprised of three sections, broad discussion on priorities,
chapter by chapter comments, and an attached, Public Review Draft Volume 3:
Comprehensive Transportation Project List with comments embedded.
PRIORITIES
Increased Local Road Funding Needs: Maintenance, Complete Streets, Storm Water
Requirements
David Twa
Clerk of the Board
and
County Administrator
(925) 335-1900
Contra
Costa
County
Kevin Romick, Chair ‐ CCTA
September 23, 2014October 7, 2014
Page 2 of 9
Nationally, there is a well‐documented, growing need to address our aging
infrastructure. On the local level it is no different; we are straining to maintain adequate
pavement conditions while being required to be compliant with new water quality,
complete streets, and greenhouse gas reduction statutes and initiatives. While the need
for adequate maintenance funding is mentioned throughout the document, the scale
of the issue warrants a much more prominent discussion in the CTP, particularly
given the discussion of new revenue sources.
Transit Service Improvements
There is increasing pressure to improve transit service due, in part, to new state
statutes. As called out in the CTP, our maturing transportation network and land use
patterns are at the point where we are facing diminishing returns on roadway capacity
increases. In this light transit investments may be more attractive. Transit agencies in
Contra Costa County are likely to need additional resources to respond to this increase
in demand for service and the draft CTP acknowledges the unfunded demand. More
specific comments:
With conventional fixed route service, a number of potential mitigation
measures proposed by the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) in their efforts
to implement SB 743 (2013) relate to improved transit service. As acknowledged
in the CTP, SB 743 eliminated congestion based transportation impact measures
(level of service/LOS) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A
proposed alternative metric, likely to be Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), is
intended to better reduce greenhouse gas production. However, in Contra Costa,
our local policies compel us to continue using LOS in addition to the new impact
measures imposed by the state. In order to offset any potential drag on
development activity caused by multiple mitigation measures, the Board of
Supervisors requests that the Authority explore the possibility of using any
expansion of bus service or bus service funding to establish a transit mitigation
bank or programmatic VMT mitigation for member agencies.
The Board of Supervisors continues to be committed to the policy of having
development pay for any facilities required to meet the demands resulting from
growth. However, subjecting applicants to the full cost of both LOS and VMT
analysis and mitigation may inappropriately constrain needed economic
development activities.
Paratransit service for the elderly and people with disabilities, in addition to
requiring additional funding, will also require fundamental administrative
changes if 1) the Authority is to respond adequately to the projected demand for
Kevin Romick, Chair ‐ CCTA
September 23, 2014October 7, 2014
Page 3 of 9
service, and 2) expect that response to be cost‐effective. In addition to the oft‐
cited demographic changes (aging population), the impact on travel demand for
this portion of our constituency is likely to be further magnified by the
consolidation of medical services and new health trends. The inclusion of these
significant challenges would improve the “new challenges”, “challenges ahead”
sections of the CTP.
The Board of Supervisors is aware of the Authority’s efforts to implement the
Mobility Management Plan (MMP) which could improve coordination and
operating efficiencies of multiple transportation providers. We understand that
progress is being made and applaud the efforts of Authority staff in navigating
this complex issue. While we recognize that the MMP is mentioned in the Action
Plan section of the CTP, given the countywide implications of the MMP a
detailed discussion may be warranted in a more prominent place in the
document.
Surveys conducted in the beginning of the CTP indicated that the Authority
should be “more aspirational” in its undertakings. The implementation of a
coordinated, countywide mobility management program would be responsive to
that direction.
Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Program
The Authority’s Safe Routes to School Master Plan Task Force assisted with the
development of a needs assessment to estimate the cost of SR2S projects and programs.
The Board of Supervisors thanks the Authority for their leadership on this effort and we
look forward to the findings and recommendations being implemented.
In order to make better use of past and future SR2S investments, we encourage the
Authority to capitalize on one particular finding in the 2011 survey conducted early in
the Master Plan effort. The survey established that the most consistent reason cited by
parents and school administrators for K‐12 students not walking and bicycling to school
is related to traffic, either “driver behavior” or “driving too fast”. This finding is consistent
with statewide and national survey results.
The County has developed a 2015 legislative proposal to enhance school zones through
expansion and increased fines. We have met with our legislative delegation on our
proposal. The members were supportive of the concept and offered assistance. The
County is in the process of securing support from other agencies and we are formally
requesting the Authority support in this effort. The goal of the legislation, in
combination with existing projects and program, is to assist in reversing the well‐
known low walk and bike rates to and from K‐12 school. This may be another area
Kevin Romick, Chair ‐ CCTA
September 23, 2014October 7, 2014
Page 4 of 9
where the Authority could be responsive to the “more aspirational” findings in the
surveys.
Major Projects & Emerging Planning Initiatives
A comprehensive response on project priorities can be seen in the attached list. This list
includes the Board of Supervisors high priority projects including, but not limited to,
TriLink (SR239), North Richmond Truck Route, I‐680 HOV Gap Closure, Iron
Horse/Lafayette‐Moraga Trail Connector, Kirker Pass Road Truck Climbing Lane, Vasco
Road Safety Improvements, and Northern Waterfront Goods Movement Infrastructure
Projects.
In addition to these projects, the Board of Supervisors requests continued Authority
advocacy and funding for activities supportive of economic development in areas of the
County where such investment is needed and desired by local communities. For
instance, this support could fund activities within Priority Development Area (PDAs)
and as part of the Northern Waterfront Economic Development Initiative. We are
supportive of CTP actions that include planning and implementation funding for
transportation projects and programs, infrastructure improvements and other
expenditures that facilitate needed economic development. Such investment will help
balance jobs and housing and make more efficient use of our transportation
infrastructure. The Board of Supervisors considers these efforts as integral to the
continued growth of our region and economy.
CHAPTER COMMENTS
Executive Summary
Page ES‐3
The telecommuting information is informative; the document would benefit from other
relevant changes in commute patterns listed. Nationwide, bicycle commuting has
doubled in a shorter time frame than telecommuting and the Authority has more direct
responsibility to facilitate further growth in this area.
Page ES‐13
Sustainable Communities Strategy
The Board of Supervisors thanks the Authority for their tireless engagement with the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Association of Bay Area
Governments on the process to implement SB375. In particular, we encourage continued
advocacy for additional resources and consideration for subareas that accommodate a
substantial amount of planned growth . For the benefit of our constituents, MTC, and
the State, it may be useful to point out in the CTP that our planned growth is, and has
been for some time, well‐managed not through state or regional mandate but through a
Kevin Romick, Chair ‐ CCTA
September 23, 2014October 7, 2014
Page 5 of 9
voter‐approved Urban Limit Line and Growth Management Program. continues in the
future.
Pages ES‐1I1‐14
The information on SB 375 (2008) in the document is useful given the land use and
transportation emphasis in the legislation. However, we believe that additional focus on
AB 32 (2006), in particular the Cap‐and‐Trade Program, should be included in the CTP.
This information could better position the County to receive Program revenues. At a
minimum, the relationship between the “transformative” transit investments
contemplated in the CTP and the “Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities” and
“Transit and Intercity Rail Capital” Cap‐and‐Trade programs should be strengthened.
Prior to contemplating a new transportation sales tax, we believe all other funding
opportunities should be examined and maximized to the extent possible in the CTP.
As indicated earlier in this letter and acknowledged later in the CTP, SB 743 (2013) is
likely to substantially influence how agencies can 1) claim exemption from CEQA and
2) how we will analyze and mitigate the transportation impacts for development. While
implementation policies are still being developed by the State; some mention of the
issue in the Executive Summary is warranted considering the potential impact on
member jurisdictions and the development community.
At this time, focus on SB 743 issues is being directed at the State. This is understandable
given that implementation strategies are currently being developed. However, once the
State’s work is finished, focus will shift to local jurisdictions who are ultimately
responsible for analyzing and mitigating for VMT. As mentioned earlier in this letter,
additional attention should be given to potential mitigation strategies. This would be
valuable to both your member agencies and the development community.
The Board of Supervisors appreciates the Authority’s efforts to engage the State on this
critical issue.
Page ES‐20
Regarding the need to “renew the sales tax measure”, prior to establishing this need in
policy we ask that the Authority conduct additional outreach out to all member
jurisdictions, including all members of the Board Supervisors. As you are aware, the
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has diverse obligations which vary
Kevin Romick, Chair ‐ CCTA
September 23, 2014October 7, 2014
Page 6 of 9
substantially throughout Supervisorial Districts. In considering whether to support
such a measure the Board of Supervisors would consider factors such as possible
conflicts with other public finance priorities, and the need for additional transportation
funding.
Introduction
Page I‐15
This section discusses auto‐ownership rates and age distribution in the context of
demographics. Mention of the increase in the elderly segment portion of the population,
and the impact on transportation needs, would serve to make the demographics
discussion more useful in the context of the CTP.
Figure 3‐1: Roadway Action Plan Projects and Programs
The park/open space data used to compile this figure (and other Figures with the same
data) is outdated. It is important that the most current dataset is used so that the status
of preserved lands relative to planned improvements is understood. This will help
avoid conflicts between transportation planning and conservation efforts. Notably,
conserved land data is missing from areas around Vasco Road, the Byron Airport, and
along Kirker Pass Road south of the City of Pittsburg. A current dataset can be obtained
from East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy.
As I am sure you are aware, many critical transportation projects have received
streamlined permitting as a result of this program including Vasco Road Widening, SR‐
4/S‐160 Connectors, Deer Valley Road safety shoulders, eBART, State Route 4 between
Lone Tree and San Jose Avenue (including Sand Creek Interchange), and State Route 4
medians and Shoulders from Discovery Bay to Byron Highway.
Vision, Goals and Strategy
Page I‐28
The Board of Supervisors supports the approach described in the “Finding the Right
Balance” section. The approach of “Recognizing the differing needs and situations of Contra
Costa’s subareas…” has worked well in this diverse County in the past. We expect it to
continue to be successful well in the future.
Page I‐29
Goal 1: Movement of people
With respect to the language in the first Goal, “…all available travel modes…”, the
subsequently listed Strategies would be more representative of all modes, and more
Kevin Romick, Chair ‐ CCTA
September 23, 2014October 7, 2014
Page 7 of 9
consistent with Goal 3, if non‐motorized facilities were to be addressed in a manner
similar to the road system.
For example, “Define and close gaps in the Countywide and Regional Bikeway Network,
including gaps in Class I and major off‐street paths”. In addition, this change would
improve internal consistency, in the “Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities” section the
following action is highlighted, “Close gaps in the regional trail system…”
Goal 1: Movement of Goods
Consistent with Authority support for, and assistance with the Northern Waterfront
Economic Development Initiative, please include the following language, “Identify new
strategies to improve freight movement on freeways, waterways and rail lines to improve
air quality and the safety and efficiency of goods movement”.
Page I‐32
The discussion regarding “Maintaining the transportation system” would be more
informative and complete if new requirements, often required to be implemented
concurrent with maintenance projects, were described in this section. Complete streets
and water quality requirements can result in substantially increased maintenance costs.
Page I‐36
“Our ability to expand the roadway system is extremely limited”: In addition to the barriers
to roadway expansion listed in this section (limited right‐of‐way, noise, air pollution,
etc.), please include “expanding maintenance obligations”.
Page I‐41
Transit, Including Buses, Rail, Paratransit, and Ferries
As indicated in the Priorities section above, some mention of Authority leadership on
the implementation of the MMP would be informative in this section.
Page I‐51
Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities
This section may benefit from a review by the Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee (CBPAC) who could assist in finding solutions to the numerous
barriers to improving non‐motorized transportation identified in the CTP.
Kevin Romick, Chair ‐ CCTA
September 23, 2014October 7, 2014
Page 8 of 9
The barriers to increased walking and cycling identified in the CTP are not unique to
Contra Costa. These barriers can be addressed through a methodical planning and
investment response. The 2009 Update to MTC’s Regional Bicycle Plan for the San
Francisco Bay Area indicates that Contra Costa County is tied with Solano County for
the lowest rate of bicycle commuters. A strategic approach to address identified barriers
and improve that ranking may be another “aspirational program”. As indicated in the
draft CTP, the County has numerous attributes that we could capitalize on, excellent
climate, favorable topography, an excellent multi‐use path network, and second only to
Alameda County in terms of numbers of BART stations.
On a related note, the Authority may wish to consider combining the Safe Routes to
School Master Plan Task Force with the CBPAC to form an “Active Transportation
Working Group”. The subject matter addressed by the committees is similar and
combining the committees may result in a critical mass of issues to address that would
ideally lead to regular consultation.
Page I‐61
Facilities for Goods Movement
The Board of Supervisors appreciates the Authority’s assistance with the Northern
Waterfront Economic Development Initiative. Considering the initiative addresses
goods movement infrastructure including maritime, rail, and highway projects, some
mention of the Northern Waterfront effort would strengthen this section.
Page I‐65
The Board of Supervisors welcomes the description of the Comprehensive
Transportation Project List (CTPL) as “evolving”. As subregional and local priorities
change and we are required to respond to changing policies it is essential that we are
afforded the flexibility of “living document”.
Page 1‐105
Implementation
The comments in this letter suggest possible changes to activities listed in the
Implementation section including, but not limited to, 1) addition of state policy
advocacy, and 2) updates to other Measure J implementation documents as suggested at
the Technical Coordinating Committee, (Technical Procedures Manual, Measure J
Growth Management Implementation Guide, etc).
Kevin Romick, Chair ‐ CCTA
September 23, 2014October 7, 2014
Page 9 of 9
The Board of Supervisors appreciates the outreach of the Authority Board and its staff
to obtain comments on the Draft CTP Update and we look forward to additional dialog
on this effort.
Sincerely,
Karen Mitchoff, Chair
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
Supervisor, District IV
C:
Candace Andersen, Chair – SWAT
Mark Ross, Chair – TRANSPAC
Salvatore Evola, Chair, TRANSPLAN
Janet Abelson, Chair ‐ WCCTAC
Attachments:
File: Transportation > Transportation > Committees > CCTA > CCTA Board of Directors
File: Transportation > Projects > CCTA > CTP 2014-15
g:\transportation\2014ctpupdate\bostocctare2014ctp_draft_2.doc
G:\Transportation\Legislation\2015\CSAC Leg Proposals\WordDocs\Bill Proposal CC County8‐8‐14.docx
CSAC (California State Association of Counties)
Bill Proposal Form
Proposal from Contra Costa County:
Proposal to Increase walk & bike rates to/fromK-12 schools
I. SUMMARY
The intent of the bill, or bills, is to increase walk/bike rates to school by way of changes to the
vehicle code to 1) increase the prescriptive size of the school zone, 2) authorize performance
methods for further expanding the zone, and 2) enhance penalties for speeding violations in those
newly defined zones.
II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A. Problem
(1) What problem does the proposal address?
The decline of walk/bike rates to/from K-12 facilities1,2 is well-established. More specifically
however, there is data that shows that a primary reason for this decline is the concern of school
administrators and parents over traffic safety3, driver behavior and/or speeding in particular. The
proposal directly addresses this issue.
There are existing Safe Routes to School (SR2S) programs at the federal, state, and local level
that seek to improve the walk/bike rate primarily through engineering, encouragement,
enforcement and education solutions. The effectiveness of these existing programs, and their
associated investments, will continue to be compromised by these traffic/speeding/safety issues.
In that light, the proposal will directly improve K-12 walk/bike rates in addition to acting as a
“force multiplier” in that it will leverage existing and future investments allowing them to be
even more effective.
(2) Does the proposal address a problem of statewide significance?
Yes, the aforementioned decline of walk/bike rates is both a statewide and national problem as
evidenced by the cited data.
(3) Have counties been involved in any litigation regarding this
problem? If so, cite the case.
No.
1 In 1969, approximately half of all schoolchildren walked or bicycled to or from school, and 87% of those living
within 1 mile of school walked or bicycled. US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.
1969 National Personal Transportation Survey: travel to school. Washington, DC: US Department of
Transportation; 1972. Available at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/1969/q.pdf
2 Today, fewer than 15% of children and adolescents use active modes of transportation. US Department of Health
and Human Services. Physical activity and health: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: US Department of
Health and Human Services, CDC; 1996.
3 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Barriers to Children Walking to or from School United States
2004, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report September 30, 2005. Available:
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5438a2.htm.
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(4) What other source materials, case law, or data, document the
existence of the problem?
In addition to the previously cited national data (1,2,3), there is recent locally collected data4 that
validate/mirror the national findings.
B. Interested Parties
(1) What counties, organizations or individuals are interested in the
problem?
In addition to the widely accepted acknowledgment of the problem (see response II. A. 1 above),
the need to solve the problem is generally accepted as well. There exists numerous national,
state, local and NGO based SR2S programs which demonstrate broad interest in solving the
problem.
(2) What counties, organizations or individuals would be sources of
information about the problem?
At this time, the primary sources of information about the problem are the Safe Routes to School
National Partnership, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control.
(3) Who would be likely to support/oppose the proposal? Why?
Supporters are likely to include state/local jurisdictions and NGOs that prioritize programs such
as SR2S, active transportation, traffic safety, childhood obesity intervention, complete streets,
etc. Due to recent legislation (AB1358 [2008], AB32/SB 375 [2006/2008]) that either directly or
indirectly encourage a shift to non-motorized travel, support for the proposal should be broad.
Opposition is likely to include the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the
California Highway Patrol who have opposed enhanced fine zones in the past.
(4) Identify groups or other governmental agencies that could be
affected by the proposal, either favorably or adversely?
Law enforcement would have no entirely new laws to enforce. The proposal simply enhances or
modifies existing laws.
Public works departments would be responsible for increased signage requirements. Again, this
is not a new burden but an incremental increase of existing obligations.
The proposal also includes authorization to expand the school zone beyond the prescriptive
distance. This expansion would be based on a traffic study which would be the responsibility of
local agencies. However, this expansion would not be compulsory and only take place at the
discretion of local jurisdictions.
4 CCTA SR2S Master Plan: Existing Conditions: Data Summary:
1. Table 8: Top 10 Reasons Students do not Walk or Bike to School, by Planning Area: The responses “driving too fast”
or “driver behavior” is on 4 of 5 subregions responses and the ranking ranges from #10 to #2.
2. Table 10: Top 5 Programs or Improvements that Could Encourage Students to Walk or Bicycle to/from School,
Jurisdictions vs. School Administrators: The #1 response from administrators was “If traffic congestion or speeding
around school was relieved”.
3. Table 11: Top 5 Programs or Improvements that Could Encourage Students to Walk or Bicycle to/from School, by
Planning Area: Every subregion had “Relieving traffic congestion/speeding around schools” in the top 3. It was #1 in
three subregions.
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As a group, automobile drivers will be affected. The culture shift necessary to accept slower
speeds in corridors used to travel to/from schools should not be underestimated.
III. PROPOSAL
A. Existing Law
(1) What are the statutory provisions currently applicable to the
proposal?
Current statutory provisions are as follows:
California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22352: States that the maximum speed limit is 25 mph
“when approaching or passing a school building or the grounds thereof, contiguous to a highway
and posted with a standard ‘SCHOOL’ warning sign, while children are going to or leaving the
school either during school hours or during the noon recess period.”
CVC Section 22358.4: Based on traffic survey results, the maximum speed limit can be reduced
to 15 mph up to 500 feet away from a school and to 25 mph from 500 to 1,000 feet away from a
school.
AB 1886 (2002): The bill authorized a pilot program in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Alameda
Counties, which “would double or increase the fines as described above for a designated
violation occurring in a specially posted school zone, as specified.” Fines collected from this
violation were used to fund bicycle and pedestrian safety programs. This statute was allowed to
sunset in 2007.
The post-mortem report to the legislature on the program (by CHP) did not endorse the program,
“…the findings do not support continuation of the program…” Observations on the pilot
program and the post-mortem report:
The estimated cost to implement the program described in the post-mortem report characterizes
sign installation as “very costly”. In response:
1. Some of the Options/Alternatives proposed in the report are more expensive than the
signage (traffic calming for example),
2. The Options/Alternatives in the report include signage, despite being flagged as “very
costly” earlier in the report.
3. Signage is regularly considered a low cost solution.
Questioning the effectiveness of increased fines and additional signage is to question, essentially,
the effectiveness of a major component of traffic control worldwide. The proposal is a minor
incremental extension of a pervasive system that is reasonably and broadly assumed to have
some measure of effectiveness.
The threshold for the determination of “costly” may be unrealistic in the report.
Limited (observed) benefits from the pilot may be due to minimal implementation efforts.
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(2) What case law is relevant to this issue?
No existing case law is relevant to this issue.
(3) Why is existing law inadequate to deal with the problem?
Existing law regarding school zones authorizes signage and zones at 500’ and 1,000 feet. Neither
distance is reflective of actual pedestrian/bicycle access patterns at school and inconsistent with
SR2S funding/projects/concepts and the State’s Health in All Policies Initiative.
AB 1886, which implemented double fine school zones, was allowed to sunset in 2007, which
meant the end of an extra disincentive for drivers to speed within school zones.
B. Suggested Legislation
(1) Describe the specific bill proposal.
Proposed changes to the code are below. Where necessary, annotations [#] accompany the
changes.
VEHICLE CODE - VEH
DIVISION 11. RULES OF THE ROAD [21000 - 23336]
CHAPTER 7. Speed Laws [22348 - 22413]
ARTICLE 1. Generally [22348 - 22366]
22358.4.
…
(b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other provision of law, a local authority may, by ordinance or
resolution, determine and declare prima facie speed limits as follows:
(A) A 15 miles per hour prima facie limit in a residence district, on a highway with a posted speed limit of
30 miles per hour or slower, when approaching, at a distance of less than 500 1,320 [1] feet from, or
passing, a school building or the grounds of a school building, contiguous to a highway and posted with a
school warning sign that indicates a speed limit of 15 miles per hour, while children are going to or leaving
the school, either during school hours or during the noon recess period.[2] The prima facie limit shall also
apply when approaching, at a distance of less than 500 1,320[1] feet from, or passing, school grounds
that are not separated from the highway by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier while the grounds are
in use by children[2] and the highway is posted with a school warning sign that indicates a speed limit of
15 miles per hour.
(B) A 25 miles per hour prima facie limit in a residence district, on a highway with a posted speed limit of
30 miles per hour or slower, when approaching, at a distance of 500 to 1,000 1,320 [1] feet from, a school
building or the grounds thereof, contiguous to a highway and posted with a school warning sign that
indicates a speed limit of 25 miles per hour, while children are going to or leaving the school, either during
school hours or during the noon recess period. The prima facie limit shall also apply when approaching,
at a distance of 500 to 1,000 1,320 [1] feet from, school grounds that are not separated from the highway
by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier while the grounds are in use by children and the highway is
posted with a school warning sign that indicates a speed limit of 25 miles per hour.
22358.4. (#) Notwithstanding the maximum distance established in this section (22358.4), a local
authority may, upon the basis of a travel survey documenting school attendance boundaries and/or travel
patterns to and from a school, extend the maximum distance to establish a prima facie speed limit and
school warning signs, as defined in section 22358.4, to a distance and/or specific locations consistent
with the findings of the travel survey.
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VEHICLE CODE - VEH
DIVISION 18. PENALTIES AND DISPOSITION OF FEES, FINES, AND FORFEITURES [42000 - 42277]
CHAPTER 1. Penalties [42000 - 42032]
ARTICLE 1. Public Offenses [42000 - 42010]
(16) Section 22358.4, relating to speed limits in school zones.
Annotations:
[1] The quarter mile distance in the proposal is an accepted (conservative) rule of thumb in
planning describing the typical distance people will walk to services. The distance of any school
attendance boundary is far greater than this distance of course.
[2] The basis for the elimination of this language is found in the Manual of Uniform Traffic
Control Devices. The direction to drivers, “…while grounds are in use by children…” is not
entirely consistent with the guidance in the MUTCD,
“Section 1A.02 Principles of Traffic Control Devices
Guidance:
02 To be effective, a traffic control device should meet five basic requirements:
…
C: Convey a clear, simple meaning;
While the direction on the signage is clear, a drivers ability to identify or interpret the state of
“while grounds are in use by children” on the road is not consistently clear and simple. Schools
are used for a variety of uses at different time than instructional hours, sporting events, civic
events, meetings, etc. The eliminated language is similar to the “children at play” sign which is
discouraged in the MUTCD.
(2) Do similar provisions exist in other California laws?
As detailed in the existing law section above (III.A.(1)), there are provisions in the CVC that
define school zones and the speed limits within them.
CVC Section 42010/Streets and Highways Code Section 97: The State currently assesses
double fines to discourage speeding and unsafe driving behavior in two particular zones:
highway construction zones and sections of highways that have been deemed, through traffic
studies, to have greater than average rates of vehicular collisions.
(3) Describe a hypothetical application of the proposal.
As suggested above, the proposal modifies existing activities. The following would occur; local
jurisdictions would, at their discretion:
Install additional “school zone” signage based on the increase in prescriptive distance
(1000’ to 1320’ [quarter mile]).
Perform a traffic study to establish the need to further expand the zone. The traffic study
would include examination of the attendance boundaries, direct observation of travel
patterns, etc.
Enhanced fines would be assessed through existing mechanisms (VC 42010) as defined
in section B. 1. above.
C. Fiscal Impact
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(1) Would there be any potential fiscal impact on counties under the
proposal? If so, describe.
By design, this proposal is a minor increment built upon existing obligations and activities. That
said, fiscal impacts are estimated to be as follows:
Positive: Depending on how fines are handled, agencies could see an increase in revenues. (Need
to define how revenues are handled.)
Neutral: Law enforcement would have no additional patrol obligations under the proposal.
Negative: Public Works Departments will have an obligation to increase the number of signs in
school areas.
Additional activities are authorized under this proposal (a travel study to supporting further
expansion of the school zone) but they are not compulsory under the proposal and only
undertaken at the discretion of the agency.
(2) Would there be any potential fiscal impact on other persons or
organizations, public or private?
Violators would face increased fines.
D. History
(1) Has this proposal ever been introduced in the Legislature? If so,
what was the bill number and why did it fail?
SB 1151 (Cannella): Vehicles: School Zone Fines: The bill would require that an additional fine
be imposed for specified violations if the violation occurred when passing a school building or
school grounds. Would further require the fine moneys to be deposited in a fund for school
safety zone projects under the Active Transportation Program. The legislation is pending.
(2) Is judicial or executive branch resolution of the problem
possible? Explain.
No. The activities proposed to be impacted by a bill are currently affected by the aforementioned
code sections. The resolution of the problem is most easily/efficiently affected by modifications
to those existing sections.
E. Public Policy
(1) What are the public policy reasons in support of this proposal?
Against?
The proposal is an extension and targeted refinement of a policy shift that has been building for
some time now. The following activities precede the proposed bill:
2001: Caltrans Deputy Directive 64 Regarding integrating bicycling and walking facilities when
making road improvements.
2006: AB32 the California Global Warming Solutions Act passes, see implications of the related
SB 375 below.
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2008: AB1358 The Complete Streets Act was passed to ensure that all public roads in California
are designed and operated to accommodate all roadway users, including bicyclists, public transit
riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
2008: Caltrans Deputy Directive 64 Revision 1 is signed to communicate the intent of the
Department to integrate Complete Streets as a matter of policy.
2009: SB375 Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act implements AB32 more
specifically in the transportation and land use realm. Success of the sustainable communities
strategy assumes a mode shift from autos to cycling, walking and transit.
2012: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) was passed by Congress
making SR2S activities to be eligible to compete for funding alongside other programs, including
the Transportation Enhancements program and Recreational Trails program, as part of a the
Transportation Alternatives Program.
2013: SB99/AB101 created the Active Transportation Plan with the goal of making California a
national leader in active transportation.
2014: (Indirect Support) Both Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration endorse the
National Association of City Transportation Officials’ publications, “Urban Street Design
Guide” and “Urban Bikeway Design Guide”. These publications are, among other things, best
practices for accommodating non-motorized users on roadways. While both agencies embraced
non-motorized travel through other actions (complete streets, routine accommodation, etc.) this
endorsement is a significant departure from past practice which typically only supports the use of
internal or industry standard guidance (AASHTO Green Book, Caltrans Highway Design
Manual, MUTCD, etc).
(2) Would any related public policy be affected by this proposal? If
so, describe.
This proposed legislation is not it in conflict with any public policy.
Adopted Positions on Legislation of Interest – 2014 (Information Updated from Last Month is in bold/italics) Bill Status CC County ABAG BAAQMD CCTA CSAC LofC MTC Other Notes AB 1324 (Skinner) Transactions and Use Taxes: City of El Cerrito Enacted Watch Watch Watch AB 2651 (Linder) Vehicle Weight Fees: Transportation Bond Debt In Assembly Watch Watch Watch Support and Seek Amendment AB 2728 (Perea) Vehicle Weight Fees: Transportation Bond In Assembly Committee Watch Watch Watch Support and Seek Amendment SB 1418 (DeSaulnier) Vehicle Weight Fees: Transportation Bond Debt Service In Senate Committee on Appropriations Watch Watch Support AB 1811 (Buchanan) High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes Enacted Support 4/22/14 Watch Watch Support and Seek Amendment AB 2398 (Levine) Vehicles: Pedestrians and Bicyclists Support 4/22/14 No Interest Watch Support AB 1532 (Gatto) Vehicle Accidents Support 4/22/14 Watch Support Support SB 1151 (Cannella) Vehicles: School Zone Fines VETO Support and Request Amendment 4/22/14 Support Watch Support AB 2235 (Buchanan) Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2014 Senate Inactive File (Governor Opposed) Watch 4/22/14 Watch AB 1724 (Frazier) Construction Manager/General Contractor method: regional transportation agencies: Watch 4/22/14 Support No Interest Watch Support AB 2173 (Bradford): Vehicles – Motorized Bicycles Bill signed by Governor prior to BOS consideration. TWIC Recommendation of “oppose unless amended” (The provisions in the bill expanding the operation of electric bicycles on paths were removed.) SB 1183 (DeSaulnier) Surcharge for Bicycle Infrastructure ENACTED Watch 9/23/14 Hurst – Watch; Buss – Support Watch
Bill Status CC County ABAG BAAQMD CCTA CSAC LofC MTC Other Notes FEDERAL Senate 1708: (Merkley [OR])/ House of Representatives 3494: (Blumenauer [OR]) The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Act Support 4/22/14 S. 1708: 18 cosponsors (16D, 1R, 1I) H.R. 3494: 98 cosponsors (89D, 9R) G:\Transportation\Legislation\2014\Positions on Legislation of Interest - 2014.docx
Adopted 2014 Federal Platform
ADOPTED 2014 FEDERAL
LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
Contra Costa County
As amended
June 24, 2014 and September 9, 2014
2
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Each year, the Board of Supervisors adopts a Federal Legislative Platform that establishes
priorities and policy positions with regard to potential federal legislation and regulation. The
2014 Federal Legislative Platform identifies 10 funding needs for FFY 2015; 4 requests for the
reauthorization of the federal transportation act; and 6 requests for the reauthorization of the
Water Resources Development Act.
FEDERAL RELATED FUNDING NEEDS
The following list is a preliminary ranking in priority order. Adjustments to the priority order may be appropriate
once the President releases his budget. The current priority ranking gives preference to those projects that we know
will not be included in the President’s budget, with lower priority to Army Corps of Engineers projects which may
be in the budget. Also, Army Corps project requests will be adjusted to be consistent with Corps capability.
1. Delta LTMS-Pinole Shoal Management, CA – $3,000,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers
to continue a Long Term Management Strategy (LTMS) for levee rehabilitation, dredging and
sediment reuse in the Delta, similar to the effort completed in the Bay area. Levee work, reuse of
dredged sediments, dredging and other activities have been difficult to accomplish due to
permitting problems and a divergence of priorities related to water quality. Significant levee
rehabilitation is critical to the long term stability of these levees and to water quality and supply
for the 23 million Californians who depend upon this water. Stakeholders from the Department
of Water Resources, Ports, Army Corps, levee reclamation districts, local governments and other
interested parties are participating in the LTMS. A Sediment or Dredged Material Management
Office will be established, and in the longer term, preparation of a Sediment Management Plan
will consider beneficial reuse of dredged materials as one potential source of sediment for levees.
(Note: $500,000 appropriated for FFY 2005; $225,000 for FFY 2006; $500,000 for FFY 2007; $462,000
for FFY 2008; $235,000 for FFY 2009; $100,000 for FFY 2010; $0 since.)
2. Safe and Bright Futures for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence – $400,000 to
implement the federally funded plan to diminish the damaging effects of domestic violence on
children and adolescents and to stop the cycle of intentional injury and abuse. A three year
assessment and planning process resulted in a program plan that is working to align and create a
system responsive to the needs of children exposed to domestic violence through identification,
early intervention; raising awareness; training professionals; utilizing and disseminating data;
establishing consultation teams to support providers in intervening and using best practices; and
developing targeted services. Exposure to domestic violence reshapes the human brain and is the
primary cause of trauma in children’s lives. It influences personality, shapes personal skills and
behaviors, impacts academic performance, and substantially contributes to the high cost of law
enforcement, civil/criminal justice and social services. Exposure to domestic violence is
associated with greater rates of substance abuse, mental illness, and adverse health outcomes in
adulthood, and substantially contributes to the high cost of law enforcement, civil/criminal
justice and social services. (Note: $428,000 appropriated for FFY 2009; $550,000 for FFY 2010.)
Adopted 2014 Federal Legislative Platform
Contra Costa County
3
3. Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine Clean-up – $483,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to
complete the Technical Planning Process for the Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine Clean-up Project.
The project will clean up the mine in a cost effective, environmentally-sound manner with
minimal liability exposure for the County and involving all stakeholders through an open
community-based process. The Corps initiated a Technical Planning Process in June 2008 to
develop a preliminary remediation plan, identify applicable permit and environmental data
requirements and complete a data collection and documentation program for the clean-up of the
Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine. Several phases of the planning process have been completed, and this
appropriation will allow the Corps to continue the planning process, which will include looking
at watershed issues downstream of the mercury mine. The mine site is located on private
property on the northeast slope of Mt. Diablo at the upper end of the Marsh Creek watershed.
(Note: $517,000 appropriated in FFY 2008.)
4. Bay-Delta Area Studies, Surveys and Technical Analysis – $2,500,000 for the Delta Counties
Coalition to carry out technical analysis and planning associated with participation in the Bay-
Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) or implementation of any projects resulting from the Plan. The
technical analysis and planning will focus on issues related to the planning of water delivery
projects and conservation plans that are included in the BDCP.
5. CALFED Bay Delta Reauthorization Act Levee Stability Improvement Program (LSIP) –
$8,000,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers for levee rehabilitation planning and project
implementation. The CALFED Reauthorization Act, passed in January 2004, authorized $90
million, which may be appropriated for levee rehabilitation work. The Corps has prepared a
“180-Day Report” which identifies projects and determines how these funds would be spent.
Since that time, the breakdown of CALFED, coupled with the Army Corps’ attempts to define an
appropriate and streamlined process, has delayed funding and resultant levee work. (Note:
$500,000 appropriated for FFY 2006; $400,000 for FFY 2007; $4.92 million for FFY 2008; $4.844
million for FFY 2010.)
6. Suisun Bay Channel/New York Slough Maintenance Dredging – $11,000,000 for the Army
Corps of Engineers for maintenance dredging of this channel to the authorized depth of minus 35
feet. Continued maintenance is essential for safe transport of crude oil and other bulk materials
through the San Francisco Bay, along the Carquinez Straits and into the Sacramento/San Joaquin
Delta. Dredging for this channel section is particularly costly due to requirements on placement
of dredged materials in upland environments. An oil tanker ran aground in early 2001 due to
severe shoaling in a section of this channel, which creates a greater potential for oil spills (Note:
$4.559 million appropriated for FFY 2005; $4.619 million for FFY 2006; $2.82 million for FFY 2007;
$2.856 million for FFY 2008; $2.768 million for FFY 2009; $3.819 million for FFY 2010.)
7. San Pablo/Mare Island Strait/Pinole Shoal Channel Maintenance Dredging – $2,500,000
for the Army Corps of Engineers for maintenance dredging of the channel to the authorized
depth of minus 35 feet. The Pinole Shoal channel is a major arterial for vessel transport through
the San Francisco Bay region, serving oil refineries and bulk cargo which is transported as far
east as Sacramento and Stockton. (Note: $1 million appropriated for FFY 2005; $2.988 million for
FFY 2006; $896,000 for FFY 2007; $1.696 million for FFY 2008; $1.058 million for FFY 2009; $2.518
million for FFY 2010.)
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8. San Francisco to Stockton (J. F. Baldwin and Stockton Channels) Ship Channel
Deepening – $2,900,000 for the Army Corps of Engineers to continue the Deepening Project.
Deepening and minor realignment of this channel will allow for operational efficiencies for
many different industries, an increase in waterborne goods movement, reduced congestion on
roadways, and air quality benefits. Phase one work focused on establishing economic benefit to
the nation and initial salinity modeling in the channel sections. The second and final phase
includes detailed channel design, environmental documentation, cost analysis, additional
modeling, and dredged material disposal options. (Note: $500,000 appropriated for FFY 2005;
$200,000 for FFY 2006; $200,000 for FFY 2007; $403,000 for FFY 2008; $1.34 million for FFY 2009;
$0 for FFY 2010; $0 for FFY 2011; $800,000 for FFY 2012.)
9. State Route 4 / Old River Bridge Study – $1,000,000 to work with San Joaquin County and
the State of California on a study of improving or replacing the Old River Bridge along State
Route 4 on the Contra Costa / San Joaquin County line. The study would determine a preferred
alternative for expanding or replacing the existing bridge, which is part of State Route 4. The
existing bridge is narrow, barely allowing two vehicles to pass each other, and is aligned on a
difficult angle relative to the highway on either side, requiring motorists to make sharp turns onto
and off of the bridge. The project would improve safety and traffic flow over the bridge. (Note:
no appropriations for this project as yet.)
10. Knightsen/Byron Area Transportation Study - $300,000 to re-evaluate the Circulation
Element of the County General Plan (GP) to improve its consistency with the Urban Limit Line
(ULL) and related policies that ensure preservation of non-urban, agricultural, open space and
other areas identified outside the ULL. Policies will be evaluated to provide a more efficient and
affordable circulation system for the study area, serve all transportation user-groups, support the
local agricultural economy and accommodate the commuter traffic destined for employment
centers outside the study area. Zoning and development regulations would be updated to
implement the study recommendations.
REAUTHORIZATION OF FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ACT
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU),
expired in 2009. SAFETEA-LU was renewed on ten occasions until the new program, Moving Ahead for Progress in
the 21st Century (MAP-21) - a two year bill – was signed into law on July 6, 2012. MAP-21 is a 27-month bill that
will expire September 30, 2014. The following are priority projects for which funding will need to be secured in the
next multi-year transportation bill.
1. Vasco Road Safety Improvement Project -- $18 million for improvements to a 2.5-mile
accident-prone section of Vasco Road. Project components include widening the roadway to
accommodate a concrete median barrier and shoulders on either side of the barrier, construction
of the barrier, and extension of an existing passing lane. The project will eliminate cross-median
accidents which have caused numerous fatalities in recent years, and will provide increased
opportunities for vehicles to safely pass (unsafe passing is a major cause of accidents and
fatalities on this segment of the increasingly busy two-lane undivided road). The project will
include provisions for wildlife undercrossings to preserve migration patterns. The proposed
improvements will complement a $10 million completed project that was funded with American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
Adopted 2014 Federal Legislative Platform
Contra Costa County
5
1.b Vasco Road Safety Improvement Project Continuation -- $30 million for improvements to
the remaining 9 miles of accident-prone sections of Vasco Road. Alameda County has been
working on constructing improvements in their jurisdiction and it would be desirable for the two
counties to work together to complete the gap left in the concrete median barrier near the County
line. In addition to completing this gap, Contra Costa desires to extend the concrete median
barrier further north of the recently completed median barrier project to the Camino Diablo Road
intersection.
2. North Richmond Truck Route -- $25 million to construct a new road or other alternate
access improvements that will provide truck access between businesses and the Richmond
Parkway, moving the truck traffic away from a residential neighborhood and elementary school.
This project will increase safety, improve public health around the school and residential area by
reducing diesel particulate emissions from those areas, increase livability of the neighborhood,
improve local access to the Wildcat Creek Regional Trail, stimulate economic development in
the industrial area of the community and provide a better route for trucks traveling to and from
the Richmond Parkway. Several potential alignments have been identified, one of which was
developed through a community planning process funded through an Environmental Justice
planning grant from Caltrans.
3. Eastern Contra Costa Trail Network -- $10 million for a joint planning, environmental
review, right-of-way acquisition and constructions of a coordinated network of trails for walking,
bicycling and equestrian uses in eastern Contra Costa County including facilities and projects
improving access to existing or planned transit stations. Eligible trails include, but are not
limited to, (1) the Mokelumne Trail overcrossing of the State Route 4 Bypass ($6 million); (2)
Contra Costa segments of the Great California Delta Trail ($3 million); and (3) a transit
supportive network of East Contra Costa trails in unincorporated County areas and the cities of
Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Pittsburg ($1 million).
4. eBART Extension Next Phase Study/Environmental and Engineering -- $10 million for
environmental review and engineering work on the project identified in the Bay Area Rapid
Transit District’s (BART) eBART Next Segment Study in eastern Contra Costa County. With
regard to additional stations and eBART rail corridor alignment tasks may include, but not
necessarily be limited to, completion of environmental review, and partial completion of
engineering. Additional work may include, but not necessarily be limited to, evaluation and
refinement of alignment and stations, development of capital and operating costs, land use
analysis, completion of environmental review including appropriate mitigations, development of
preliminary engineering, and public outreach. (Potential Program: FTA – New Starts, FHWA/FTA
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality)
¾ Rural Road Funding Program – The County supports the creation of a new funding program
that will provide funds for converting or upgrading rural roads into more modern and safer roads
that can better handle increasing commuter traffic in growing areas, such as East County. These
roads do not often compete well in current grant programs because they do not carry as many
vehicles as roads in more congested urban or suburban areas. As a result, improvements such as
widenings (turn lanes, clear zone/recovery areas, etc.), realignments, drainage improvements and
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intersection modifications often go unfunded, leaving such roads with operational and safety
problems as well as insufficient capacity.
¾ Transportation Funding for Disabled, Low-income, and Elderly Persons – Transit services for
elderly, disabled, and low-income persons are provided by the County, by some cities, by all of
the bus transit operators, and by many community organizations and non-profits that provide
social services. Increased funding is needed to provide and maintain more service vehicles,
operate them longer throughout the day, upgrade the vehicle fleet and dispatching systems,
improve coordination between public providers and community groups that also provide such
services to their clients, and expand outreach programs to inform potential riders of the available
services, among other needs. The County supports continuation and increased funding levels for
federal funding programs dedicated to transit services for these population groups. All of the
demographic trends point to a growing need for such services in the future. For example, the 65-
and-older population in the Bay Area is projected to more than double by the year 2030.
¾ Surface Transportation Program/Highway Bridge Funding – The County supports the
continuation of funding levels consistent with the Highway Bridge funding program in
previous transportation funding bills that will provide funds for rehabilitating and replacing
our aging bridges. The County has several aging bridges with deficient sufficiency ratings.
Without federal transportation funding, these expensive projects would be deferred because
they often exceed the County’s funding capacity. Many of the bridges are on critical
commute corridors, goods movement corridors, inter-regional routes, and farm to market
routes. Failure of these important transportation assets can cause major disruptions to the
transportation network.
REAUTHORIZATION OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT (WRDA)
The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 became law in November, more than seven years after the last
authorization bill. A new WRDA bill is anticipated in 2014. The following are prioritized projects the County
would submit for inclusion as the bill moves forward.
1. Army Corps Vegetation Policy – Proposed amendments to 1996 Water Resources
Development Act, Section 202: Flood Control Policy, (g) Vegetation Management Guidelines
include the following: Engineering Technical Letter 1110-2-571 is suspended until that time a
new policy is adopted. The policy guidelines shall be revised in accordance with the following:
(A) Levee vegetation management guidelines shall represent regional variations based on a
process that includes consultation with federal and state resource agencies, and preparation with
local and state flood control agencies and corps districts. (B) Guidelines must undergo
independent peer review which evaluates the structural and natural resource functions of
vegetation on levees and the risks and benefits to the levee structure. (C) Guidelines and
exemptions to them shall provide for protection of riparian and aquatic resources, reduction of
costs and other community impacts in balance with public safety. (D) Existing projects in which
the Corps has integrated vegetation into levees and floodwalls to meet project objectives and
regulatory requirements shall be exempt from the guidelines.
Adopted 2014 Federal Legislative Platform
Contra Costa County
7
2. Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine Clean-up – Authorize the Army Corps of Engineers, through their
Remediation of Abandoned Mine Site program (RAMS), to perform and complete the Technical
Planning Process and site characterization of the Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine in Contra Costa
County as a demonstration project with no local match, and authorize the Army Corps of
Engineers to construct the clean-up project at the Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine. This authorization
will allow the Corps to fund elements of the mine remediation project that any responsible
parties cannot. This would also allow the Corps’ RAMS program to resolve liability issues
associated with a clean-up project on private property and address mercury pollution on a
watershed basis. Since this is a demonstration project, the Corps would fund the full Technical
Planning Process, Remedial Investigation, design and project construction.
A 1995 study of Marsh Creek indicated the Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine tailings are responsible for
88% of the mercury in Marsh Creek. In addition, mercury levels in fish in Marsh Creek
Reservoir downstream of the mine exceed the health standard concentration of 0.5 ppm.
3. Sacramento San Joaquin Delta Infrastructure Improvements – Contra Costa County,
together with the four other Delta counties of Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano and Yolo, has
requested authorization for the Army Corps of Engineers to repair infrastructure in the Delta.
This includes levees rehabilitation projects in the Delta as part of an overall system, rather than
on a county-by-county or island-by-island basis. As the Administration has recognized, this
ecosystem is among the most important in the nation, providing a source of drinking water for
more than 25 million people, supporting a $28 billion agricultural industry, and fostering a
thriving commercial and recreational fishing industry that contributes millions to the California
and national economies. The project is an authorization of $2.5 billion for the Army Corps of
Engineers to upgrade the levee system, including stockpiling rock to rebuild collapsed levees for
emergency response purposes at selected areas of the Delta. Because of the importance of the
Delta to the nation’s agriculture and economy, the request includes a modification of the
Federal/local cost share to 90% federal and 10% local.
4. Rodeo Creek, Section 1135 Project – The Contra Costa Flood Control and Water
Conservation District is seeking an 1135 project authorization for the Army Corps of Engineers
to prepare a study of the feasibility of restoring and enhancing wildlife resources in Rodeo Creek
between San Pablo Bay and Highway 80. The channel was designed and constructed to provide
adequate flood protection for the community of Rodeo and to control erosion of the creek. The
channel currently does this, but requires extensive, environmentally insensitive maintenance to
keep the channel functioning properly. In addition, the current channel design includes barriers
to migration of anadromous fish. The Contra Costa Flood Control and Water Conservation
District would like to partner again with the Corps of Engineers under the Corps' 1135 program
to transform this outdated design into a sustainable, environmentally sensitive facility that better
serves the community and the environment.
5. Rheem Creek, Section 1135 Project – The Contra Costa Flood Control and Water
Conservation District is seeking an 1135 project authorization for Rheem Creek between the
mouth at San Pablo Bay and Giant Road. The Army Corps of Engineers' existing flood
protection project on Rheem Creek protects a number of commercial, industrial, residential and
open space areas in the Richmond / San Pablo area of Contra Costa County. Surrounding the
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mouth of the creek is a large undeveloped parcel (Brunner Marsh) which has been acquired by
the East Bay Regional Park District for a future public park. Development of the adjacent lands
as a regional park provides a unique opportunity for an enhanced creek environment in an area
that will be very visible to the public.
6. Walnut Creek, Select Deauthorization – The Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water
Conservation District is seeking to deauthorize the downstream portion of the Corps’ Walnut
Creek project. The Flood Control District has been working with the Corps since 2002 on a
Feasibility Study to re-evaluate and modify the lower portion of the Walnut Creek channel.
Deauthorization of a select portion of the Corps’ Walnut Creek project would allow the Flood
Control District to move forward with a more cost effective modification project than through
the Corps process to modify this same portion of the channel.
APPROPRIATIONS AND GRANTS – SUPPORT POSITIONS
The following support positions are listed in alphabetic order and do not reflect priority order. Please
note that new and revised positions are highlighted.
Buchanan Field Airport – The County approved a Master Plan for the Buchanan Field Airport
in October 2008, which includes a Federal Aviation Regulation Part 150 Noise Study and a
Business Plan for project implementation. The comprehensive planning effort has ideally
positioned Buchanan Field Airport for future aviation (general aviation, corporate aviation and
commercial airline service) and aviation-related opportunities. To facilitate the economic
development potential, the Business Plan prioritizes necessary infrastructure improvements for
Buchanan Field Airport (including potential replacement of the 60 year old control tower).
Further, as the Airport is surrounded by urban residential uses, enhancing the noise program
infrastructure is deemed essential for balancing the aviation needs with those of the surrounding
communities. The Federal government, primarily through the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), provides funding for planning, analysis, and infrastructure improvements. The County
will support funding in all these areas for protection and enhancement of our aviation facility and
network.
Byron Airport – The Byron Airport is poised for future general and corporate aviation and
aviation-related development, but that future growth and full build out of the airport as shown in
the Master Plan is dependent upon utility and infrastructure improvements both on and around
the Airport. The Byron Airport Business Plan prioritizes infrastructure and possible additional
land acquisition to assist the Byron Airport in fulfilling its aviation and economic development
potential. The Federal government, primarily through the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), provides funding for planning, analysis, infrastructure improvements and aviation land
acquisition. The County will support funding in all these areas for protection and enhancement of
our aviation facility and network.
East Bay Regional Communication System (EBRCS) – A project to build the East Bay
Regional Communication System (EBRCS), a P25 Radio System infrastructure for Contra Costa
and Alameda County. This system will provide interoperable voice communication in both the
800 MHz and 700 MHz frequencies to all public safety and public services agencies within
Contra Costa County and Alameda County.
Adopted 2014 Federal Legislative Platform
Contra Costa County
9
EBRCS will allow for interoperable voice communication within the region that can be
integrated with other P25 radio systems outside the geographical area of the EBRCS, for
example, with San Francisco. This project will provide Level 5 communications which is the
highest level of interoperable communications. This project will allow for everyday
interoperable communications, not just various levels of interoperability during big events or
disasters in which radio caches are deployed or gateway devices used.
Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program – Advocate/support
funding up to or above the authorized amount of $2 billion for the EECBG Program established
and authorized under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. The County’s
ability to continue offering programs/services improving energy efficiency and conservation
while also creating jobs is contingent upon additional federal funding being appropriated to the
EECBG Program in 2012 and beyond. Contra Costa and other local governments have identified
and designed many successful programs and financial incentives targeting both the private and
public sector which are now being implemented using EECBG funding authorized through the
ARRA of 2009. Funding for the EECBG program is necessary to ensure the nation’s local
governments can continue their leadership in creating clean energy jobs, reducing energy
consumption and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Kirker Pass Road Truck Climbing Lanes – $4.5 million for constructing northbound and $20
million for constructing southbound truck climbing lanes on Kirker Pass Road, a heavily used
arterial linking residential areas in eastern Contra Costa with job centers and the freeway system
in central Contra Costa. The truck climbing lanes are needed to improve traffic flow and will
also have safety benefits. The $4.5 million will close a funding gap and augment secured
funding: $6 million in Measure J (local sales tax measure) funds and $2.6 million in State
Transportation Improvement Program funds. The $20 million is the total cost of the southbound
truck climbing lane segment.
Regional Habitat Planning and Conservation – $85 million to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service’s “Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund” to keep pace with land costs
and the increasing number of Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) throughout the country. The
County will support funding for the Fund to be restored to $85 million, the 2010 funding level.
This will provide much needed support to regional HCPs in California and nationally, including
the East Contra Costa County HCP. Given the prolific growth in the number of regional HCPs,
the Fund needs to be increased even more substantially in subsequent years. The East Contra
Costa County HCP has received $33.5 million from the Cooperative Endangered Species
Conservation Fund in the past seven years and continuing this grant support is of vital
importance to the successful implementation of that Plan. The County will pursue increasing
appropriations to the Fund in partnership with numerous counties in northern and southern
California and will support requests of the California Habitat Conservation Planning Coalition to
increase the Fund up to $85 million. The County will also request that the California State
Association of Counties (CSAC) include this Fund increase as a priority on CSAC’s federal
platform.
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San Francisco Bay Improvement Act – $1 billion restoration bill authored by Congresswoman
Jackie Speier in 2010 but not passed. The bill, if passed, will help finance restoration of more
than 100,000 acres of the Bay's tidal wetlands. Funds from the bill would implement a
restoration plan that was adopted in 1993. In addition to benefits for fish and wildlife, wetlands
restoration will create new jobs and provide regional economic infusions, as well as protect
against the effects of sea level rise on the Bay's shores.
Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area – a bill authored by Senator Dianne
Feinstein in 2010 but not passed. The bill, if passed, will authorize and fund a National Heritage
Area (NHA) for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The NHA designation would be a first step in
providing federal resources to agencies in the Delta for economic development and environmental
protection. Contra Costa County supports the legislation and participated in a feasibility study
for the NHA through our seat on the Delta Protection Commission, which completed the study in
2012.
Vasco Road-Byron Highway Connector – $30 million for design, engineering and construction of
an east-west connector road between two major arterials that link Contra Costa County with
Alameda and San Joaquin Counties. The Vasco Road-Byron Highway Connector will improve
traffic circulation and linkages in the southeastern portion of the County and will provide a new
route for truck traffic that will remove a significant portion of truck trips which currently pass
through the rural community of Byron. Vasco Road is designated as State Route 84, and Byron
Highway is under study as the potential alignment for future State Route 239.
2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM POLICY POSITIONS
The following support positions are listed in alphabetic order and do not reflect priority order. Please
note that new and revised policy positions are highlighted.
Affordable Housing and Homeless Programs –For Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s
Homeless Assistance Grants, the County will support funding that does not include set-asides or
other requirements that limit local communities’ ability to respond to the particular needs in their
areas. For the Housing Assistance for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program, the County will
support legislation to update the formula used to allocate HOPWA grants to reflect local housing
costs as well as the number of AIDS cases.
The County supports full funding for HUD homeless assistance programs and funding for full
implementation of the Homeless Emergency and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of
2009.
The County supports funding the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Resources made
available through the Trust Fund should be accessible to local housing and community
development agencies, including public housing authorities. As the present home mortgage
crisis demonstrates, homeownership is not for everyone. While we value and support the role
that homeownership plays in meeting affordable housing needs, any new production program
should prioritize efforts to address our nation’s acute shortage of affordable rental housing.
Adopted 2014 Federal Legislative Platform
Contra Costa County
11
Agricultural Pest and Disease Control – Agriculture and native environments in Contra Costa
County continue to be threatened by a variety of invasive/exotic pests, diseases and non-native
weeds. The Federal government provides funding for research, regulation, pest exclusion
activities, survey and detection, pest management, weed control, public education and outreach.
The County will support funding in all these areas for protection of our agricultural industry and
open space. Consistent with the policy position, the County will also support legislation which
would authorize and direct the USDA to provide state and local funding for High Risk
Prevention programs (also called Pest Detection Funding).
Beneficial Use of Dredged Materials – As the beneficial reuse of dredged materials has a clear
public benefit, particularly in the Delta, the County will continue to support beneficial reuse in
general and also continue to advocate for funding for a federal study to determine the feasibility
of beneficial reuse, considering the benefits and impacts to water quality and water supply in the
Delta, navigation, flood control damage, ecosystem restoration, and recreation. The study would
include the feasibility of using Sherman Island as a rehandling site for the dredged material, for
levee maintenance and/or ecosystem restoration. Language to authorize the study was included
in the Water Resources and Development Act (WRDA) which was passed into law on November
8, 2007.
Child Care – Research continues to show that quality, affordable childcare is a necessity to
ensuring a family’s stability and economic success. Currently in Contra Costa County, there are
over 10,000 low-income children eligible for affordable childcare services, yet only 29% of that
need is met. Research also shows that in addition to a child’s long-term success with school and
employment, investing in high-quality early care and education results in a higher than average
return on investments in the areas of crime reduction and positive health, education and
economic outcomes.
With regards to childcare, the County will support the President’s “Preschool for All” Initiative
meant to close America’s school readiness gap and ensure all children have access to quality care
by expanding high quality learning opportunities for children 0-5. This proposal includes:
• An increase of over 100,000 new childcare slots and $12 billion over the next 10 years;
• A focus on children and their families who are at or below 200% of poverty;
• Financing through a new cost-sharing partnership with states, already a proven successful
model with Head Start in Contra Costa County.
The County will also advocate for the following federal actions:
Increase funding to support employment of low-income families through greater access
to child care subsidies, and increase the access of children from eligible families to high-
quality care that supports positive child development outcomes.
Provide flexibility at the state and local levels so that quality care can be balanced with
access and parental choice.
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Child Support –The County will advocate for the following federal actions:
Eliminate the $25 fee for non-IV-A families.
Restore the incentive match payments that were prohibited in the Deficit Reduction Act.
Allow the automatic use of cash medical support to reimburse Medicaid expenditures.
Allow IV-D agencies to access Health Insurance records for the purposes of Medical
Support.
Child Welfare and Well-being –The County will advocate for the following federal actions:
Provide states with financial incentives, as opposed to monetary penalties, under the
Child and Family Services Reviews and minimize the significant administrative burden
associated with the review process.
End Title IV-E disallowances from federal audits that take away funds from an already
resource-strapped child welfare system. Allow states to reinvest these funds in preventing
child abuse and neglect.
Increase prevention dollars to help maintain children safely in their own homes. Federal
funding currently gives disproportional support to out-of-home care rather than to
preventing children from coming into care.
Any increase in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage should include an associated
increase in the Title IV-E matching rate to help support children in foster care.
Community Development Block Grant and HOME Programs – The County’s ability to
continue funding to a variety of nonprofit agencies that provide critical safety net services to
lower income residents, including financing the development of affordable housing is threatened
by further cuts as part of the Budget Control Act (Act) passed by Congress in July 2011. The Act
established mandatory spending caps on most federal programs through 2021, and arranged
additional across-the-board annual spending cuts to federal defense and non-defense
discretionary (NDD) programs over this same period.
Included in non-defense discretionary programs are critical local government oriented programs
including the CDBG and HOME programs. These programs are successful and productive,
leveraging significant funding from non-federal sources to help spur economic development. The
County agrees that reducing the federal deficit is an important component of achieving long-term
national economic stability, but targeting solely NDD programs like the CDBG and HOME
programs will not achieve significant reductions and will hinder the County’s ability to provide
critical services to its most vulnerable populations. The County will continue to oppose any
further reductions in the CDBG and HOME programs as part of the Budget Control Act or any
other means.
Adopted 2014 Federal Legislative Platform
Contra Costa County
13
Cost Shifts to Local and State Government – Contra Costa County performs many of its
services and programs pursuant to federal direction and funding. Other services and programs
are performed at the behest of the state, which receives funding through the federal government.
In the past, the Administration’s budget has contained significant cuts to entitlement programs
and/or caps on entitlements. Such actions could shift cost of services from the federal
government to the state and/or local governments (and to the extent that costs would shift to the
state, it is highly likely that these would be passed on to the County). The County will oppose
any actions that would result in cost shifts on federal entitlement programs or which would result
on greater dependency on county funded programs. In addition, the County will support federal
and state financial assistance to aid county and local government efforts to meet unfunded
federal mandates, such as those contained in the National Response Plan (NRP), the National
Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP), and the National Incident Management System.
Criminal Debt Collection – Nonpayment of court-ordered victim restitution, fines and fees is a
problem of epidemic proportions for all jurisdictions. Literally billions of dollars go uncollected
each year across the country, resulting not only in financial suffering of victims, but also the loss
of public revenue. Many states already allow for the offset of State Tax Refunds, and these
programs are successful in achieving revenue recovery. Federal Tax Refunds are already being
successfully offset to pay for delinquent child support. The County will support amendments to
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an offset against income tax refunds to pay for
court-ordered debts that are past-due.
Designation of Indian Tribal Lands and Indian Gaming – The Board of Supervisors has
endorsed the California State Association of Counties’ (CSAC) policy documents regarding
development on tribal land and prerequisites to Indian gaming. These policy statements address
local government concerns for such issues as the federal government’s ability to take lands into
trust and thus remove them from local land use jurisdiction, absent the consent of the state and
the affected county; the need for tribes to be responsible for all off-reservation
impacts of their actions; and assurance that local government will be able to continue to meet
its governmental responsibilities for the health, safety, environment, infrastructure and general
welfare of all members of its communities. The County will continue to advocate for federal
legislation and regulation that supports the CSAC policy documents.
The County will also advocate for limitations on reservation shopping; tightening the definition
of Class II gaming machines; assuring protection of the environment and public health and
safety; and full mitigation of the off-reservation impacts of the trust land and its operations,
including the increased cost of services and lost revenues to the County.
The County will also advocate for greater transparency, accountability and appeal opportunities
for local government in the decision-making processes that permit the establishment of Indian
gaming facilities. This includes sequencing the processes so that the Indian Lands
Determination comes first, prior to initiation of a trust land request and associated environmental
review.
The County will also consider support for federal action and/or legislation that allows Class III
gaming at the existing gaming facility only if it can be shown that any change would result in a
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facility that would be unique in nature and the facility can demonstrate significant community
benefits above and beyond the costs associated with mitigating community impacts.
Economic Development Programs – Congress should fund all the complementary programs
within HUD’s community and economic development toolkit, ensuring that HUD does not lose
sight of the development component of its mission. To that end, the County will support
continued funding for the Section 108 loan guarantee program, the Brownfields Economic
Development Initiative and the Rural Housing and Economic Development program. Each of
these programs plays a unique role in building stronger, more economically viable communities,
while enabling communities to leverage external financing in a way the CDBG program alone
cannot do.
Federal “Statewideness” Requirements – For many federally funded programs, there is a
“statewideness” requirement; i.e., all counties must operate the specific program under the same
rules and regulations. This can hamper the County’s ability to meet local needs, to be cost
effective and to leverage the funding of one program to reduce costs in another program. Contra
Costa County cannot negotiate for federal waivers or do things differently because it is not a
state, yet its population is greater than seven states. Recognizing this is a very long-term effort,
the County will advocate for relaxation of the “statewideness” rule to allow individual counties
or a consortium of counties to receive direct waivers from the federal government and/or adopt
the rules and regulations currently in use in another state for specific programs.
Habitat Conservation Planning – The County will advocate for elevating the profile of Habitat
Conservation Plans (HCPs) such as the East Contra Costa County HCP within Congress and
Administration so that these critical federal/state/local partnerships can receive necessary
attention and support. HCPs are flagship programs for the federal government and supporting
effective implementation of approved HCPs should be a top priority for the U.S. Department of
the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and HCPs should be a key tool in any federal
climate change or economic stimulus legislation.
Health – The County will advocate for the following actions by the federal government: provide
enhanced Medicaid FMAP ("FMAP" is the "Federal Medical Assistance Percentage") for
Medicaid. It is the federal matching rate for state Medicaid expenditures. Increasing the federal
matching rate for states would free up state general fund money for other purposes and would
help counties as well.); suspend the Medicare “clawback” rule; suspend the “60-day rule” that
requires states to repay the federal government overpayments identified by the state prior to
collection, and even in instances where the state can never collect; ease the ability to cover those
eligible for Medicaid by making documentation requirements less stringent; and prevent the
implementation of the following seven federal regulations:
• Outpatient hospital
• Case Management
• School Based Administration & Transportation
• Public Provider Cost Limit
• Graduate Medical Education
• Rehabilitation Services Option
Adopted 2014 Federal Legislative Platform
Contra Costa County
15
• Provider Tax
Levee Restoration and Repair – The County will support legislation such as H.R. 6484, the
SAFE Levee Act (Garamendi) in 2012, which will authorize the U.S. Department of the Interior
to invest in Delta levee repairs, for all levees that are publicly owned or publicly maintained.
The bill also requires a cost-benefit analysis for the tunnel project being planned as part of the
Bay-Delta Conservation Plan.
Pension – The County will support legislation that would modify the Internal Revenue Code and
corresponding regulations to permit public employees to make an irrevocable election between
their current pension formula and a less rich pension formula.
In 2006, Contra Costa County and the Deputy Sheriff’s Association jointly obtained state
legislation that would allow members of the Association to make a one-time irrevocable election
between their current pension formula and a less rich pension formula, called Tier C. Orange
County and its labor organizations obtained similar legislation in 2009. However, neither
County has been able to implement this state legislation because such elections currently have
negative tax consequences for employees and for retirement plans under federal tax law as
interpreted by the Internal Revenue Service.
Like many local government entities nationwide, the County’s fiscal position would benefit
greatly from reduced pension costs. Allowing local government entities to implement collective
bargaining agreements and state legislation that permits employees to elect less rich pension
formulas would be a significant step in reducing pension costs.
Public Housing Programs – The County will support legislation that results in the
transformation of existing programs to improve their effectiveness and efficiency, in tandem
with the design of new and innovative responses, both to build upon recent progress and address
outstanding issues.
The County will support legislation to protect the nation’s investment in Public Housing:
Enact affordable housing industry proposal to allow public housing agencies (PHAs)
to voluntarily convert public housing units to Section 8 project-based rental assistance
in order to preserve this vital component of the national infrastructure
Oppose the Administration’s proposal to impose a $1 billion offset against the
operating reserves of responsible, entrepreneurial PHAs
Support the revitalization of severely distressed public housing units
Address safety and security concerns connected to drug-related crime
The County will support legislation to preserve vital community and economic development
programs:
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Fully fund the Community Development Block Grant Program in order to create and
save jobs, revitalize local economies, and support critical services for vulnerable
populations
Maintain funding for HUD’s cost-effective economic development tools
The County will support legislation to strengthen and simplify the Section 8 Rental Assistance
programs:
Provide adequate funding for Housing Assistance Payment contract renewals and
ongoing administrative fees
Enact the Section Eight Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA)
Implement overdue regulatory and administrative revisions that ensure the efficient
use of program funds
The County will support legislation to expand Affordable Housing Opportunities and combat
homelessness:
Fully fund the Home Investment Partnerships Program and HUD’s homeless
assistance programs
Capitalize the Housing Trust Fund through a revenue-neutral approach
Preserve and strengthen the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program
The County will support legislation to foster innovation, increase efficiency, and streamline the
regulatory environment:
Promote reasonable and flexible federal oversight
Incentivize green building and increased Energy Efficiency
Support HUD’s ongoing transformation efforts
Ensure that HUD releases and distributes federal funding in a timely manner
Eliminate statutory and regulatory barriers that prevent PHAs and redevelopment
authorities from accessing federal programs they are qualified to administer.
Retiree and Retiree Health Care Costs – The County operates many programs on behalf of the
federal government. While federal funding is available for on-going program operations,
including employee salaries, the allocation is usually capped, regardless of actual costs. For
retiree and retiree health care, the County’s ability to contain costs is extremely limited. The
County will advocate for full federal financial participation in funding the County’s retiree and
retiree health obligations.
San Luis Drain – The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation is under a court injunction to evaluate and
implement options for providing drainage services for the west side of the San Joaquin
Adopted 2014 Federal Legislative Platform
Contra Costa County
17
Valley. Drainage water from this area contains toxic concentrations of selenium and other
hazardous substances. The San Luis Drain is one of the options studied. The Drain would pass
through Contra Costa County to discharge in the Delta. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has
determined to address the problem without building the Drain, but Congress would need to
appropriate the funds before this alternative could be implemented. The injunction requiring
provision of some type of drainage service still looms. The County will continue to oppose the
San Luis Drain option and support, instead, drainage solutions in the valley, such as reducing the
volume of problem water drainage; managing/reusing drainage waters within the affected
irrigation districts; retiring lands with severe drainage impairment (purchased from willing
sellers); and reclaiming/removing solid salts through treatment, bird safe/bird free solar ponds
and farm-based methods.
State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) – On May 23, 2012, the Department of
Justice (DOJ) announced a change in the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) that
will prohibit SCAAP funds from being used to reimburse localities for foreign-born criminal
aliens housed in jails that have been classified as “unknown inmates” by the Department of
Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. This is a significant
change to the SCAAP reimbursement formula and will heavily impact counties across the nation.
The County will support the rescinding of this decision and a reinstatement of the previous
reimbursement practice, which would more equitably reimburse jurisdictions for the costs of
housing undocumented individuals, including those inmates whose status may be unknown to the
Department of Homeland Security.
Second Chance Act – The County will support funding for the Second Chance Act, which helps
counties address the growing population of individuals returning from prisons and jails. Despite
massive increases in corrections spending in states and jails nationwide, recidivism rates remain
high: half of all individuals released from state prison are re-incarcerated within three years.
Here in California, unfortunately, the recidivism rate is even higher. Yet there is reason for
hope: research shows that when individuals returning from prison or jail have access to key
treatments, education, and housing services, recidivism rates go down and the families and
communities they return to are stronger and safer.
The Second Chance Act ensures that the tax dollars on corrections are better spent, and provides
a much-needed response to the "revolving door" of people entering and leaving prison and jail.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – The County will advocate for the
following federal actions:
Increase SNAP benefits as a major and immediately available element of economic
stimulus.
Suspend the restrictions applying to ABAWDs. ("ABAWDs" stands for "Able-Bodied
Adults without Dependents" and pertains to adults receiving food stamps who are
considered employable.) They are subject to strict time limits on how long they can
18
receive food stamps. It is difficult administratively to track this, and when unemployment
is high, it can result in more adults going hungry.
Remove the current federal barriers that prevent some nutrition programs from
employing EBT technology.
Streamlining Permitting for Critical Infrastructure, Economic Stimulus, and Alternative
Energy Projects –“Green” Job Creation – Request that Congress and the Administration
recognize the value of Habitat Conversation Plans (HCPs) as a reliable way of streamlining
critical infrastructure, economic stimulus, and alternative energy project permitting in a manner
that is consistent with federal environmental regulations. HCPs not only facilitate such projects
through permit streamlining, but the planning, implementation, management, and monitoring
needs associated with regional HCPs plans also create many quality “green” jobs.
Telecommunications Act of 1996 Revisions – The Telecommunications Act of 1996 governs
local government’s role in telecommunications, primarily broadband cable that uses the County’s
right-of-way as well as consumer protections. As Congress works to update the Act, the County
will continue to advocate for strengthening consumer protections and local government oversight
of critical communications technologies; local access to affordable and reliable high speed
broadband infrastructures to support the local economy; the right of local municipalities and
communities to offer high-speed broadband access: coordination and integration of private
communication resources for governmental emergency communication systems; preservation of
local government’s franchise fees; preservation of the local community benefits, including but
not limited to public, education and governmental (PEG) access channels; authority for provision
of municipal telecommunication services; preservation of local police powers essential for
health, safety and welfare of the citizenry; preservation of local government ownership and
control of the local public rights-of-way; and support for ensuring that communication policy
promotes affordable services for all Americans.
The Community Broadband Act of 2007, S.1853, encourages the deployment of high speed
networks by preserving the authority of local governments to offer community broadband
infrastructure and services. The County will oppose all bills that do not address the County’s
concerns unless appropriately amended. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) has proposed rule-making (FCC Second Report and Order Docket 05-311 “Franchising
Rules for Incumbents”) that, in the opinion of local government, goes beyond the scope of their
authority in this area. The County will oppose all such rule making efforts.
Telecommunications Issues – Support the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act
introduced in 2009 by Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. The CAP Act addresses the
challenges faced by public, educational and government (PEG) TV channels and community
access television stations. The CAP Act addresses four immediate issues facing PEG channels.
The CAP Act would: Allow PEG fees to be used for any PEG-related purpose; require PEG
channels to be carried in the same manner as local broadcast channels; require the FCC to study
the effect state video franchise laws have had on PEG; require operators in states that adopted
statewide franchising to provide support equal to the greater of the support required under the
Adopted 2014 Federal Legislative Platform
Contra Costa County
19
state law or the support historically provided for PEG; and make cable television-related laws
and regulations applicable to all landline video providers.
In addition, the County should support the widespread deployment and adoption of broadband,
especially as it serves to connect the educational community and libraries.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families – The County will advocate for the following federal
actions:
Relieve states of work participation rate and work verification plan penalties for fiscal
years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in recognition of the serious downturn in the national
economy and the succession of more “process-based” regulations issued in the last few
years.
Permanently withdraw the August 8, 2008, proposal that would have repealed the
regulation that enables states to claim caseload reduction credit for excess MOE
expenditures.
Rescind the May 22, 2008, HHS guidance that effectively eliminated the ability of states
to offer pre-assistance programs to new TANF applicants for up to four months.
Rescind the final Deficit Reduction Act regulation restricting allowable state
maintenance-of-effort expenditures under TANF purposes 3 and 4.
End federal efforts to impose a national TANF error rate.
Veterans Benefits – The County will support legislation to increase availability, accessibility,
and utilization of Veterans Benefits.
Within Contra Costa County, Veterans’ health care is provided by the VA Martinez Clinic, a
division of the VA Northern California Healthcare System. Currently, access to enrollment in the
VA healthcare system is limited to Veterans with a Service Connected disability of greater than
10%, special eligibility criteria (Purple Heart, former POW, Iraq & Afghanistan Vets within 5
years of discharge, etc.), and to Veterans with an annual gross income less than a geographically
based threshold. Currently, VA emergency services are not available after hours or during
weekends. The nearest VA emergency room is nearly 34 miles away from the VA Martinez
Clinic.
The County will support legislation that would expand enrollment eligibility (such as removing
the income limit criteria) to all Veterans with an honorable discharge. Furthermore, the County
will support legislation that would establish 24 hour VA emergency services at the VA Martinez
clinic.
In addition, the County will support legislation that will improve the timeliness and quality of
both VA benefits claim decisions and VA healthcare services. Specifically, legislation that works
toward improving on the expedited processing of claims and administering of benefits to
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populations with unique needs, such as homeless Veterans, Women Veterans, and Veterans
experiencing service related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Veterans Halls – The County will support legislation to provide America’s veterans
organizations with resources to make necessary repairs to or replacement of their meeting halls
and facilities.
Across America, the meeting halls and posts of Veterans Service Organizations such as the
American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars serve as unofficial community centers.
Unfortunately, many of these facilities are not compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act
accessibility standards, are not earthquake retrofitted, or have deteriorated in recent years due to
declining membership and reduced rental revenues as a result of the economic downturn.
The County will support legislation that would create a competitive grant program for veterans’
organizations, classified by the IRS as 501c19 non-profit organizations and comprised primarily
of past or present members of the United States Armed Forces and their family members, to use
for repairs and improvements to their existing facilities.
Volume Pricing – The National Association of Counties supports greater access for local
governments to General Services Administration (GSA) contract schedules. These schedules
provide volume pricing for state and local governments and make public sector procurement
more cost effective. However, current law does not provide full access to state and local
governments for GSA schedules. The County will support legislation that gives local
governments access to these schedules and provides the option of purchasing law enforcement,
security, and other related items at favorable GSA reduced pricing.
Water Quality, Quantity and Delta Outflow – Congress may consider legislation that could
adversely affect water quality, quantity and flows in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the
detriment of the County residents, economy and resources. The Board of Supervisors will rely
on its adopted Delta Water Platform to determine the appropriate response to federal legislative
issues brought to the Board’s attention.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Reauthorization – Congress may again consider
reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act in 2014. The County will support
reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act at current funding levels or higher; keeping the
program at the federal level rather than block granting it; maximizing local control, so that we
can meet local needs; and establishing reasonable performance measures. In addition, any
reauthorization or new workforce legislation should: retain private sector led state and local
Workforce Investment Boards (local boards) as governing bodies; expand, enhance and simplify
the WIA Youth Program; redesign the Dislocated Worker program to reflect the new economy;
and redesign how the funding of One-Stop facilities is structured.
ADOPTED 2014 STATE
LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
Contra Costa County
As amended
September 9, 2014
Contra Costa County 1
Table of Contents
COUNTY-SPONSORED LEGISLATION ............................................................................................... 2
LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY ADVOCACY PRIORITIES ............................................................. 2
STATE PLATFORM POLICY POSITIONS .......................................................................................... 6
Agricultural Issues .................................................................................................................................... 6
Animal Services Issues ............................................................................................................................. 7
Child Support Services Issues ................................................................................................................... 8
Climate Change Issues .............................................................................................................................. 9
Elections Issues ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response .................................................................................... 10
Eminent Domain Issues .......................................................................................................................... 10
Flood Control and Clean Water Issues.................................................................................................... 10
General Revenues/Finance Issues ........................................................................................................... 11
Health Care Issues ................................................................................................................................... 14
Human Services Issues ............................................................................................................................ 16
Indian Gaming Issues .............................................................................................................................. 19
Land Use/Community Development Issues ............................................................................................ 19
Law and Justice System Issues ............................................................................................................... 22
Levee Issues, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Issues .............................................................................. 23
Library Issues .......................................................................................................................................... 26
Telecommunications Issues .................................................................................................................... 26
Transportation Issues .............................................................................................................................. 26
Veterans Issues ........................................................................................................................................ 28
Waste Management ................................................................................................................................. 29
Adopted 2014 Platform 2
2014 STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Each year, the Board of Supervisors adopts a State Legislative Platform that establishes
priorities and policy positions with regard to potential State legislation and regulation. The
State Legislative Platform includes County-sponsored bill proposals, legislative or regulatory
advocacy priorities for the year, and policies that provide direction and guidance for
identification of and advocacy on bills which would affect the services, programs or finances of
Contra Costa County.
COUNTY-SPONSORED LEGISLATION
1. Seek legislation to make the Contra Costa County Employee Retirement Association
(CCCERA) the statutory employer for all purposes of staff serving at CCCERA. The
proposed legislation would implement a court-approved settlement agreement between
the County and CCCERA concerning the entities' respective rights and responsibilities
for staff working at CCCERA.
LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY ADVOCACY PRIORITIES
Each year, issues emerge through the legislative process that are of importance to the County
and require advocacy efforts. For 2014, it is anticipated that critical issues requiring legislative
advocacy will include the following:
Priority 1: State Budget – The state’s continuing economic recovery, prior budget cuts, and the
additional, temporary taxes provided by Proposition 30 have combined to bring the State Budget
to a much improved financial condition. The Legislative Analyst’s Office is now indicating that
with continued growth in the economy and restraint in new program commitments, the state
budget could see multibillion-dollar operating surpluses within a few years. The state’s 2013-14
budget plan assumed a year-end reserve of $1.1 billion. The LAO’s revenue forecast now
anticipates $6.4 billion in higher revenues for 2012-13 and 2013-14 combined. These higher
revenues are offset by $5 billion in increased expenditures, almost entirely due to greater
required spending for schools and community colleges. Combined with a projected $3.2 billion
operating surplus for the state in 2014-15, these factors lead the LAO to project that, absent any
changes to current laws and policies, the state would end 2014-15 with a $5.6 billion reserve.
However, the LAO also notes that continued caution is needed since the state's fiscal recovery is
dependent on a number of assumptions that may not come to pass. The forecast assumes
continuing economic growth and slow but steady growth in stock prices. Other liabilities,
including some items on the Governor's wall of debt and the state's huge retirement liabilities
(particularly those related to the California State Teachers’ Retirement System), remain unpaid
under the LAO forecast. It is also important to note that the LAO forecast assumes that the debt
Contra Costa County 3
ceiling deadlines and possible shutdown by the federal government will not affect the economy
in 2014.
A long-standing practice of state government has been to look to counties as a means of
balancing its budget. While opportunities to do so are more limited with the passage of
Proposition 1A, the state has been creative in its efforts to include counties as part of its budget
balancing solution and may do so at some point in the future through additional program
realignment and/or revenue reductions.
Of particular concern to counties is the inadequate reimbursement for our ever-increasing cost of
operating several human services programs: the “Human Services Funding Deficit,” formerly
referred to as the “Cost of Doing Business.” The annual shortfall between actual county
expenses and state reimbursement has grown to over $1 billion since 2001, creating a de facto
cost shift to counties. The funding gap forces counties to reduce services to vulnerable
populations and/or divert scarce county resources from other critical local services. It also
increases the risk of state and federal penalties.
Priority 2: Health Care – Counties play a critical role in California’s health reform efforts.
Counties serve as employers, payers, and providers of care to vulnerable populations.
Consequently, counties stand ready to actively participate in discussions of how to best reform
the health care system in California and implement the national health care reform legislation
passed in 2010, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The optional Medi-Cal Expansion, in effect on Jan. 1, 2014, was a significant part of the State
Budget process in 2013, with a Special Session on Health Care Reform –called by the Governor
to address Health Care Exchange issues and the required Medi-Cal expansion. (The mandatory
expansion includes changes to eligibility and enrollment for populations currently eligible for
Medicaid and is estimated to cost the state General Fund $350 million.) The ACA had required
states to expand Medicaid programs to allow childless adults at or below 138 percent of poverty
to be eligible for Medicaid (known as Medi-Cal in California). The Supreme Court struck down
that mandate but allowed it to be an option for states, which California has exercised.
The Governor’s proposed Budget provided two options for that optional expansion: a “state
option” and a “county option.” Governor Brown announced in his proposed budget that he
intended to either realign the county responsibility to provide medical care to indigent adults to
include providing care to Medicaid eligible adults or recoup as much of the 1991 health
realignment funding from counties as possible. CSAC successfully redirected the realignment
effort and instead negotiated a fiscal transaction that reflects the shift of indigent adults to the
state’s Medi-Cal program. In June, the Governor signed AB 85, followed by a technical cleanup
measure, SB 98, in September, which together provide the framework for the fiscal transaction.
However, significant unknowns remain including questions about the actual impact of the ACA
coverage expansions on counties and the number of uninsured individuals to whom counties will
still need to provide services. Counties will retain the Section 17000 responsibility, and there
will be significant variations in the impacts of both the ACA and AB 85 for the different types of
Adopted 2014 Platform 4
counties: county hospital (12 counties including Contra Costa County), payor/clinic and County
Medical Services Program (CMSP) counties.
In the coming year, the County will continue to work on the implementation of required health
care reform measures to maximize federal revenue. The County will support efforts to provide
counties with the necessary tools to implement health care reform which may include performing
eligibility and enrollment, preserving existing county resources from 1991 Realignment,
providing for a smooth transition in 2014 for the various operational systems, and supporting
legislation to ensure that low-income families are covered under the Affordable Care Act. In
addition, the County will continue to work to reduce uncompensated health care costs.
Priority 3: Water and Levees /The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta – The enactment of the
Delta Reform Act (2009), a bill that established the co-equal goals for reliable water supply and
ecosystem restoration for the Delta, created the Delta Stewardship Council as the state entity
overseeing the Delta through the proposed Delta Plan, and supported the proposed Bay Delta
Conservation Plan (BDCP)--an effort to construct a pair of massive tunnels under the Delta--will
bring significant, large-scale change to the Delta as we know it. The scope and content of these
changes, as well as enduring political battles between northern and southern California over
water, will continue to guide legislative and administrative agendas in the coming year. Enabling
legislation was also passed in 2009 for a state water bond, which was delayed from the 2010
ballot and again from the 2012 ballot.
Significant future impacts upon the County in the areas of water quality and supply, levee
stability, ecosystem health, local land use authority and flood control are anticipated.
Consideration should be given to the potential for the County to sponsor Delta-related legislation
through our legislative delegation. The County may also work with the Delta Counties Coalition
(DCC) to sponsor Delta-related legislation.
Particular areas of concern for 2014 include, but are not limited to: (1) the ongoing development
of the BDCP project and whether the state water bond appropriates funds specific to the BDCP;
(2) the impacts of the Delta Plan on local land use authority, efforts to expedite state bond
funding for levee improvement projects, and the development of flow standards that will impact
water quality and ecosystem health in the Delta. The County’s adopted Delta Water Platform, as
well as the Strategic and Action Plans, are incorporated in this Platform by reference.
Priority 4: Realignment Implementation – The battle for constitutional protections for 2011
Realignment concluded successfully on November 6, 2012 when Proposition 30 was passed by
the voters. Proposition 30 provides constitutional guarantees to the funding that supports
Realignment and safeguards against future program expansion without accompanying funding.
With these provisions in place, Contra Costa County can continue to implement the array of
programs transferred under 2011 Realignment, confident that funding is secure and
programmatic responsibilities are defined. However, the County remains concerned that the
funding is not sufficient and is also concerned about liability issues arising from the new
responsibilities.
Contra Costa County 5
Any future proposals to realign programs to counties must have constitutionally guaranteed
ongoing funding and protections. The County will oppose any proposals that will transfer
additional program responsibility to counties without funding and protections. The County will
also oppose efforts that limit county flexibility in implementing programs and services realigned
in 2011 or infringe upon our ability to innovate locally.
The County resolves to remain accountable to our local constituents in delivering high-quality
programs that efficiently and effectively respond to local needs. Further, we support counties’
development of appropriate measures of local outcomes and dissemination of best practices.
With regard to Public Safety realignment, the County will support efforts that facilitate the
smooth transition of prisoners and parolees at the county level. Counties have received parolees
whose latest crime fits the specified “non-violent, non-serious, non-sex offender” (N3) definition
but who have a criminal background that includes violent, serious and/or sexual crimes. Under
the current legislation, the person’s latest offense/crime determines if they meet the N3 criteria.
However, counties have received people who have a very violent background. Specifically, a
change would be requested to prevent those whose total criminal background does not meet the
N3 criteria. These individuals should stay under the responsibility of the state.
The County will also support efforts to provide additional funding/grants to those counties that
have a commitment to lowering the crime rate and reducing recidivism through the provision of
innovative, comprehensive, evidence-based programs for offender populations and their families.
The County will also continue to support efforts to ensure that the receipt of Local Community
Corrections Funds matches the amounts anticipated from the state, without undue delay.
Adopted 2014 Platform 6
STATE PLATFORM POLICY POSITIONS
A brief background statement accompanies policy positions that are not self-evident. Explanatory notes
are included either as the preface to an issue area or following a specific policy position. Please note that
new and revised policy positions are highlighted. The rationale for the policy position is italicized.
Agricultural Issues
1. SUPPORT efforts to ensure sufficient State funding for pest and disease control and
eradication efforts to protect both agriculture and the native environment, including
glassy-winged sharpshooter, light brown apple moth, and Japanese dodder activities; high
risk pest exclusion activities; pesticide regulatory and law enforcement activities; and
noxious weed pest management. Agriculture is an important industry in Contra Costa
County. Protection of this industry from pests and diseases is important for its continued
viability.
2. SUPPORT continued appropriations for regulation and research on sudden oak death, a
fungal disease affecting many species of trees and shrubs in native oak woodlands. The
County’s natural environment is being threatened by this disease.
3. SUPPORT funding for agricultural land conservation programs and agricultural
enterprise programs to protect and enhance the viability of local agriculture. The growth
in East County and elsewhere has put significant pressure on agricultural lands, yet
agriculture is important not only for its production of fresh fruits, vegetables and
livestock, but also as a source of open space.
4. SUPPORT legislation to establish legal authority where needed to facilitate the efforts by
the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Department of Boating and
Waterways to survey and treat all infestations of the South American spongeplant and to
rid the Delta of this and other invasive aquatic species through integrated pest
management methods. Invasive aquatic species are a threat to agriculture, the
environment and recreation in the Delta. This position includes support for efforts by the
Department of Boating and Waterways to secure multi-year permits for eradication of
multiple invasive aquatic plant species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, its
tributaries, and its marshes.
5. SUPPORT the CSAC policy statement regarding revisions to the California Conservation
Act of 1965 (the Williamson Act) to support legislative changes that preserve the
integrity of the Williamson Act, eliminate abuses resulting in unjustified and premature
conversions of contracted land for development, and to fully restore Williamson Act
subventions. The state subventions to counties also must be revised to recognize all local
tax losses.
Contra Costa County 7
Animal Services Issues
6. SUPPORT efforts to protect local revenue sources designated for use by the Animal
Services Department; i.e., animal licensing, fines and fees. Fines, fees, and licensing are
major sources of revenue for the Animal Services Department. The demand for animal
services is increasing each year as does the demand on the General Fund. It is important
to protect these revenue sources to continue to provide quality animal service and to meet
local needs.
7. SUPPORT efforts to protect or increase local control and flexibility over the scope and
level of animal services. Local control over the scope of animal services is necessary to
efficiently address public safety and other community concerns. Local control affords
jurisdictions the ability to tailor animal service programs to fit their communities.
Animal related issues in dense urban areas vary from those in small, affluent
communities.
8. SUPPORT efforts to protect against unfunded mandates in animal services or mandates
that are not accompanied by specific revenue sources which completely offset the costs
of the new mandates, both when adopted and in future years. Unfunded mandates drain
our limited fiscal resources and, at the same time, chip away at local control over the
scope and level of services.
9. SUPPORT efforts to ensure full funding of State animal services mandates, including
defense of the Department of Finance’s lawsuit against the State Commission on
Mandates regarding the State obligations for reimbursement of local costs for animal
services incurred in compliance with SB 1785. The County invested large sums of money
to comply with SB 1785, with the assurance that our cost would be offset by
reimbursements from the State. Failure by the State to honor the reimbursements
negatively impacts the County General Fund and Animal Services’ budget.
10. SUPPORT efforts to protect and/or increase County flexibility to provide animal services
consistent with local needs and priorities. The demand for quality animal service
programming continues to increase each year. The County is experiencing population
growth and changing demographics. It is incumbent upon the Animal Services
Department to be flexible enough to adjust to the changing needs and priorities.
11. SUPPORT efforts to preserve the integrity of existing County policy relating to Animal
Services (e.g., the Animal Control Ordinance and land use requirements). Contra Costa
is looked upon as one of the model Animal Services Departments in the state. Its policies,
procedures, and ordinances are the yardstick against which other Animal Control
organizations are measured. The local control exercised by the Board of Supervisors is
key to that hallmark.
Adopted 2014 Platform 8
Child Support Services Issues
12. SUPPORT the establishment of a statewide electronic registry for the creation and
release/satisfaction of liens placed on property of a non-custodial parent as necessary to
collect delinquent child support payments. California law currently provides that
recording an abstract or notice of support judgment with a County Recorder creates a
lien on real property. This requires recording the judgment in each of the 58 counties in
order not to miss a property transaction. An electronic registry would simplify not only
the creation of liens but also the release/satisfaction of liens because there would be a
single statewide point of contact, and the entire process would be handled electronically
through automated means.
13. SUPPORT amendment of current law that states that documents completed and recorded
by a local child support agency may be recorded without acknowledgement (notarization)
to clarify that the exception is for documents completed or recorded by a local child
support agency. This amendment clarifies that documents that are prepared by the local
child support agency and then sent for recording either by the local child support agency
or by the obligor (non-custodial parent) or by a title insurance company are covered by
the exemption, a technical point not acknowledged by all county recorder offices.
14. SUPPORT efforts to simplify the court process for modifying child support orders by the
court by requiring court appearances only when one of the parties objects to the
modification. Currently, establishment of parentage and support by the court is
permitted without court appearance if both parties are in agreement. A similar process
for modification would reduce court time, the workload of all involved agencies and
parties, and streamline the process.
15. SUPPORT efforts to ensure that the reduction to the California Department of Child
Support Services is not passed down as a reduction to the local program.
16. SUPPORT efforts that would require the Department of Child Support Services to
provide any notice form, information, or document that is required or authorized to be
given, distributed, or provided to an individual, a customer, or a member of the public to
be given, distributed, or provided in a digitized form, and by any means the Department
determines is feasible, including, but not limited to, e-mail or by means of a website.
Contra Costa County 9
Climate Change Issues
17. SUPPORT the CSAC Climate Change Policy Statements and Principles which address a
broad range of issues affected by climate change, including water, air quality, agriculture,
forestry, land use, solid waste, energy and health. The document is largely based on
existing CSAC policy and adapted to climate change. Additionally, the document
contains a set of general principles which establish local government as a vital partner in
the climate change issue and maintain that counties should be an active participant in the
discussions in the development of greenhouse gas reduction strategies underway at the
state and regional level.
18. SUPPORT efforts to ensure that the implementation of AB 32 results in harmony
between the greenhouse gas reduction target created by the Air Resources Board for each
regional/local agency, the housing needs numbers provided by the state Department of
Housing and Community Development pursuant to housing element law, and the
Sustainable Communities Strategy developed through the Regional Transportation Plan
processes.
19. SUPPORT legislative or administrative efforts that favor allocation of funding from the
California Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Program to jurisdictions that are the largest
emitters of greenhouse gas, have disadvantaged communities that are disproportionately
affected by environmental pollution, and have demonstrated a local commitment to
climate protection (e.g. established emissions reduction targets, prepared Climate Action
Plans, etc.).
Elections Issues
20. SUPPORT legislation to adjust precinct sizing from 1,000 voters per precinct to 1,250
voters per precinct. With the option of being able to have up to 1,250 voters per precinct,
the best polling locations in a neighborhood can be selected, and that same site is more
likely to be used for several elections, thus avoiding the need to change poll sites for
voters.
21. SUPPORT full state reimbursement for state mandates imposed upon local registrars by
the Secretary of State, including special state elections. The state has committed to
reimburse Counties for the cost of certain state mandates. That reimbursement process,
SB 90, can be lengthy and contentious. The SB 90 process is also subject to uncertainties
including partial payments, delayed payments, and now, suspended or no payments. In
lieu of the SB 90 process for Elections, there is merit in the examination of having the
state pay its pro-rata share of costs when state candidates/measures are on the ballot.
22. SUPPORT legislation that would add provisions to the state Elections Code that would
allow special elections to fill a vacancy in a congressional or legislative district to be
conducted by all mailed ballots at the county’s discretion.
Adopted 2014 Platform 10
Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response
23. SUPPORT legislation that would give local agencies more authority to train volunteers,
provide funding for Community Emergency Response Training (CERT), and help clean-
up oil spills without taking on additional legal liability.
24. SUPPORT legislation that would require the state’s Oil Spill Prevention and Response
Agency to improve communication and clean-up technology, increase safety standards
for ships and establish special protections for ecologically sensitive areas.
25. SUPPORT legislation that would require responses to future oil spills in a shorter
timeframe, with a more regional approach.
26. SUPPORT measures that enable counties and other local agencies to better exercise their
responsibilities to plan for and respond to emergencies and disasters without taking on
additional legal liability and oppose those that do not recognize or support the county and
local agency role in the State’s Standardized Emergency Management System.
27. SUPPORT legislation or other measures requiring the creation or utilization of
emergency rock stockpiles suitable for levee repair throughout the Delta, enabling
increasingly efficient and less costly prevention of levee breaks and enhancement of
initial response capabilities.
Eminent Domain Issues
28. SUPPORT legislation that maintains the distinction in the California Constitution
between Section 19, Article I, which establishes the law for eminent domain, and Section
7, Article XI, which establishes the law for legislative and administrative action to protect
the public health, safety, and welfare.
29. SUPPORT legislation that would provide a comprehensive and exclusive basis in the
California Constitution to compensate property owners when property is taken or
damaged by state or local governments, without affecting legislative and administrative
actions taken to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
Flood Control and Clean Water Issues
30. SUPPORT authorization for regional approaches to comply with aquatic pesticide permit
issues under the purview of the State Water Resources Control Board. Contra Costa
County entered into an agreement with a neighboring county and several cities to share
the costs of monitoring. While it makes sense for local government to pool resources to
save money, State Board regulations make regional monitoring infeasible.
31. SUPPORT efforts to provide local agencies with more flexibility and options to fund
stormwater programs. Stormwater permit requirements issued by the Regional Water
Quality Control Boards are becoming more and more expensive, yet there is no funding.
Contra Costa County 11
Stormwater services, encompassing both water quality and drainage/flood control, could
be structured like a utility with the ability to set rates similar to the other two key water
services: drinking water and wastewater.
32. SUPPORT efforts to provide immunity to local public agencies for any liability for their
clean-up of contaminations on private lands. This will be more critical as the Regional
Water Quality Control Boards institute Total Maximum Daily Loads, which establish a
maximum allowable amount of a pollutant (like mercury) in the stormwater from a
watershed.
33. SUPPORT efforts to require the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to provide 200
year flood plain mapping for all areas in the legal Delta. SB 5 requires the County and
cities in the Delta to insure certain development projects must have 200 year level of
protection and to make certain related findings. DWR has revisited developing zoning
flood plain mapping, and if they do, only working in areas protected by project levees
which does not include any areas within Contra Costa County.
34. SUPPORT legislation to enable Zone 7 Water Agency to become a new public agency,
separate and apart from the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation
District, with territory in both Alameda and Contra Costa counties and the power to
provide specific services, insofar as the legislation is guided by adopted Principles of
Understanding.
General Revenues/Finance Issues
As a political subdivision of the State, many of Contra Costa County’s services and programs are the
result of state statute and regulation. The State also provides a substantial portion of the County’s
revenues. However, the State has often used its authority to shift costs to counties and to generally put
counties in the difficult position of trying to meet local service needs with inadequate resources. While
Proposition 1A provided some protections for counties, vigilance is necessary to protect the fiscal
integrity of the County.
35. SUPPORT the State's effort to balance its budget through actions that do not adversely
affect County revenues, services or ability to carry out its governmental responsibilities.
36. OPPOSE any state-imposed redistribution, reduction or use restriction on general purpose
revenue, sales taxes or property taxes unless financially beneficial to the County. (Note
that a redistribution of sales and property tax may be beneficial to Contra Costa County
in the event that sales tax growth lags behind property tax growth.)
37. OPPOSE efforts to limit local authority over transient occupancy taxes (TOT).
38. OPPOSE any efforts to increase the County's share-of-cost, maintenance-of-effort
requirements or other financing responsibility for State mandated programs absent new
revenues sufficient to meet current and future program needs.
Adopted 2014 Platform 12
39. SUPPORT efforts to ensure that Contra Costa County receives its fair share of State
allocations, including mental health funding under Proposition 63 and pass-through of
federal funds for anti-terrorism and homeland security measures. The State utilizes a
variety of methods to allocate funds among counties, at times detrimental to Contra
Costa County.
40. SUPPORT efforts to receive reimbursement for local tax revenues lost pursuant to sales
and property tax exemptions approved by the Legislature and the State Board of
Equalization.
41. SUPPORT continued efforts to reform the state/local relationship in a way that makes
both fiscal and programmatic sense for local government and conforms to the adopted
2010 CSAC Realignment Principles, with an emphasis on maximum flexibility for
counties to manage the existing and realigned discretionary programs.
42. SUPPORT efforts to relieve California of the federal Child Support penalties without
shifting the cost of the penalties to the counties.
43. SUPPORT a reduction in the 2/3rd vote requirement to 55% voter approval for locally-
approved special taxes that fund health, education, economic, stormwater services,
library, transportation and/or public safety programs and services.
44. SUPPORT efforts to authorize counties to impose forfeitures for violations of ordinances,
as currently authorized for cities. This would provide the County with the opportunity to
require deposits to assure compliance with specific ordinance requirements as well as
retain the deposit if the ordinance requirements are not met. Currently, the County is
limited to imposing fines which are limited to only $100 - $200 for the first violation,
which has proven to be an ineffective deterrent in some cases.
45. SUPPORT efforts to redefine the circumstances under which commercial and industrial
property is reassessed to reduce the growing imbalance between the share of overall
property tax paid by residential property owners versus commercial/industrial owners.
46. SUPPORT efforts to reduce County costs for Workers’ Compensation, including the
ability to control excessive medical utilization and litigation. Workers’ Compensation
costs are significant, diverting funds that could be utilized for County services. Workers’
Compensation should provide a safety net for injured employees, for a reasonable period
of time, and not provide an incentive for employees to claim more time than medically
necessary.
47. SUPPORT state actions that maximize Federal and State revenues for county-run
services and programs.
48. SUPPORT legislative compliance with both the intent and language of Proposition 1A.
Contra Costa County 13
49. SUPPORT the provisions of Proposition 22 that would protect County revenues,
particularly as related to transportation revenues and excluding those provisions related to
redevelopment funds.
50. SUPPORT full State funding of all statewide special elections, including recall elections.
51. OPPOSE efforts of the State to avoid state mandate claims through the practice of
repealing the statues, then re-enacting them. In 2005, the State Legislature repealed
sections of the Brown Act that were subject to mandate claims, then re-enacted the same
language pursuant to a voter-approval initiative, and therefore, not subject to mandate
claims.
52. SUPPORT strong Public Utilities Commission (PUC) oversight of state-franchised
providers of cable and telecommunications services, including rigorous review of
financial reports and protection of consumer interests. AB 2987 (Núñez), Chapter 700,
statutes of 2006 transferred regulatory oversight authority from local government to the
PUC.
53. SUPPORT timely, full payments to counties by the State for programs operated on their
behalf or by mandate. The State currently owes counties over $1 billion in State General
Funds for social services program costs dating back to FY 2002-03.
54. SUPPORT full State participation in funding the County’s retiree and retiree health care
unfunded liability. Counties perform most of their services on behalf of the State and
Federal governments. Funding of retiree costs should be the responsibility of the State,
to the same extent that the State is responsible for operational costs.
55. SUPPORT legislation that provides constitutional protections and guaranteed funding to
counties under Realignment.
Adopted 2014 Platform 14
Health Care Issues
The County remains concerned about the implementation of any health care reform measures that could transfer
responsibility to counties, without commensurate financing structures or in a manner not compatible with the
County’s system. The County supports a concept of universal health coverage for all Californians. Toward that end,
the County urges the state to enact a system of health coverage and care delivery that builds upon the strengths of
the current systems in our state, including county-operated systems serving vulnerable populations.
Currently, California has a complex array of existing coverage and delivery systems that serve many, but not all,
Californians. Moving this array of systems into a universal coverage framework is a complex undertaking that
requires sound analysis, thoughtful and deliberative planning, and a multi-year implementation process. As
California moves forward with health care reform, the County urges the state to prevent reform efforts from
exacerbating problems with existing service and funding. The state must also consider the differences across
California counties and the impacts of reform efforts on the network of safety-net providers, including county
providers. The end result of health reform must provide a strengthened health care delivery system for all
Californians, including those served by the safety net.
56. SUPPORT state action to increase health care access and affordability. Access to care
and affordability of care are critical components of any health reform plan. Expanding
eligibility for existing programs will not provide access to care in significant areas of the
state. Important improvements to our current programs, including Medi-Cal, must be
made either prior to, or in concert with, a coverage expansion in order to ensure access.
Coverage must be affordable for all Californians to access care.
57. SUPPORT Medi-Cal reimbursement rate increases to incentivize providers to participate
in the program.
58. SUPPORT actions that address provider shortages (including physicians, particularly
specialists, and nurses). Innovative programs, such as loan forgiveness programs, should
be expanded. In an effort to recruit physicians from other states, the licensing and
reciprocity requirements should be re-examined. Steps should be taken to reduce the
amount of time it takes to obtain a Medi-Cal provider number (currently six to nine
months).
59. SUPPORT efforts that implement comprehensive systems of care, including case
management, for frequent users of emergency care and those with chronic diseases and/or
dual (or multiple) diagnoses. Approaches could be modeled after current programs in
place in safety net systems.
60. SUPPORT efforts that provide sufficient time for detailed data gathering of current safety
funding in the system and the impact of any redirection of funds on remaining county
responsibilities. The interconnectedness of county indigent health funding to public
health, correctional health, mental health, alcohol and drug services and social services
must be fully understood and accounted for in order to protect, and enhance as
appropriate, funding for these related services.
61. OPPOSE safety net funding transfers until an analysis of who would remain uninsured
(e.g. medically indigent adults, including citizens, who cannot document citizenship
Contra Costa County 15
under current Medicaid eligibility rules) is completed in order to adequately fund services
for these populations.
62. SUPPORT efforts to clearly define and adequately fund remaining county
responsibilities.
63. SUPPORT state action to provide an analysis of current health care infrastructure
(facilities and providers), including current safety net facilities across the state, to ensure
that there are adequate providers and health care facilities (including recovery facilities),
and that they can remain viable after health reform.
64. SUPPORT efforts to provide adequate financing for health care reforms to succeed.
65. SUPPORT measures that maximize federal reimbursement from Medicaid and S-CHIP.
66. SUPPORT state action to complete actuarial studies on the costs of transferring indigent
populations, who currently receive mostly episodic care, to a coverage model to ensure
that there is adequate funding in the model.
67. SUPPORT efforts that ensure that safety net health care facilities remain viable during
the transition period and be supported afterwards based on analyses of the changing
health market and of the remaining safety net population.
68. SUPPORT state action to implement the 2010 Medi-Cal waiver in a manner that
maximizes the drawdown of federal funds for services and facilities, provides flexibility,
and ensures that counties receive their fair share of funding.
69. SUPPORT efforts to increase revenues and to contain mandated costs in the County's
hospital and clinics system.
70. SUPPORT efforts to obtain a fair-share of any state funds in a distribution of funding for
the integration of IHSS and managed care.
71. SUPPORT efforts to increase the availability of health care (including alcohol and other
drugs recovery) to the uninsured in California, whether employed or not.
72. SUPPORT legislation that improves the quality of health care, whether through the use of
technology, innovative delivery models or combining and better accessing various
streams of revenue, including but not limited to acute and long term care integration.
73. SUPPORT legislation to protect safety net providers, both public and private. Legislation
should focus on stabilizing Medi-Cal rates and delivery modes and should advocate that
these actions are essential to the success of any effort to improve access and make health
care more affordable.
Adopted 2014 Platform 16
74. SUPPORT efforts that allow counties to draw down federal Medicaid funds for providing
confidential alcohol and drug screening and brief intervention services to pregnant
women and women of childbearing age who also qualify for Medi-Cal benefits.
75. SUPPORT state efforts to increase the scope of benefits and reimbursement rates
contained in Minor Consent Medi-Cal to give youth suffering from substance abuse
disorders access to a continuum of care, including residential and one-on-one outpatient
treatment.
76. SUPPORT efforts to give incentives to providers to establish more youth-driven
treatment facilities within the community.
77. SUPPORT efforts to extend Minor Consent Medi-Cal Coverage to incarcerated youths,
many of whom are in custody due to drug related crimes. This could greatly decrease
recidivism in the juvenile justice system.
78. SUPPORT county efforts in the promotion of partnerships that provide integrated
responses to the needs of alcohol and other drugs populations, including criminal justice,
perinatal and youth as well as those populations with co-occurring disorders.
79. SUPPORT and encourage the development of strategies that include alcohol and other
drugs services in the provision of all culturally appropriate health care services.
80. SUPPORT efforts to require coverage of medically necessary alcohol and substance
abuse related disorder treatment on the same levels as other medical conditions in health
care service plans and disability insurance policies. Alcohol and other drugs treatment
services are the most under-funded of all health services. Neither the state nor the
federal allocations to the County covers medical treatment for AOD services, and so are
a cost borne by the County.
81. SUPPORT legislation that extends the restrictions and prohibitions against the smoking
of tobacco products to include restrictions or prohibitions against electronic cigarettes (e-
cigarettes) in various places, including, but not limited to, places of employment, school
campuses, public buildings, day care facilities, retail food facilities, multi-family housing,
and health facilities.
Human Services Issues
82. SUPPORT efforts to increase County flexibility in the use of CalWORKs funds and in
program requirements in order to better support the transition of welfare dependent
families from welfare-to-work to self-sufficiency, including, but not limited to: extending
supportive services beyond the current limit; enhancing supportive services; increasing
diversion and early intervention to obviate the need for aid; developing a state earned
income tax credit; expanding job retention services; developing an eligibility definition to
250% of the poverty level; and exempting the hard-to-serve from welfare-to-work
activities and the 20% exemption or providing flexibility in the time limit (dependent
Contra Costa County 17
upon terms and conditions of TANF reauthorization). All of these measures would make
it easier for CalWORKs families to enter employment services, become employed, and
continue with the support they need in order to maintain their jobs.
83. SUPPORT efforts to align CalWORKs property and asset limitations with those of
CalFresh.
84. SUPPORT efforts to revise the definition of “homelessness” in the Welfare & Institutions
Codes to include families who have received eviction notices due to a verified financial
hardship, thus allowing early intervention assistance for CalWORKs families. Current
law prevents CalWORKs from providing homeless assistance until the CalWORKs family
is actually “on the street.” This rule change would enable the County to work with
CalWORKs families who are being threatened with homelessness to prevent the eviction
and, presumably, better maintain the family members’ employment status.
85. SUPPORT efforts to establish an “umbrella code” for the reporting of incidents of elder
abuse to the Department of Justice, thus more accurately recording the incidence of
abuse. Current reporting policies within California’s law enforcement community and
social services departments are uncoordinated in regards to the reporting of adult abuse.
Under an “umbrella code,” law enforcement agencies and social services departments
would uniformly report incidents of elder abuse and California would have much better
data for policy and budget development purposes.
86. SUPPORT efforts to ensure funding of child care for CalWORKs and former CalWORKs
families at levels sufficient to meet demand. The State of California has not fully funded
the cost of child care for the “working poor.” Additional funding would allow more
CalWORKs and post-CalWORKs families to become and/or stay employed.
87. SUPPORT efforts that seek to identify and eliminate elder financial abuse and elder
exposure to crime that may be committed through conservatorships, powers of attorney,
notaries and others who have the right to control elder assets.
88. SUPPORT efforts to effectively manage the In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) to
establish and maintain cost control mechanisms while delivering quality, targeted
services and maintaining program integrity. Efforts may include, but are not limited to,
establishing an IHSS Volunteer Coordination component. Retired volunteer social
workers and registered nurses could act as local Care Coordinators, enabling IHSS Social
Workers to increase their capacity to perform more timely reassessments.
89. SUPPORT efforts to allow phone-in Food Stamp Eligibility Redeterminations as a more
cost effective benefit reassessment process. As counties such as Contra Costa change
their business models to utilize centralized service centers, some of the antiquated
process rules and requirements also need to be changed, to allow cost efficient practices.
Changing the rules to allow phone-ins for Eligibility Redeterminations is one example.
Adopted 2014 Platform 18
90. SUPPORT efforts to expand the number of counties in the Federal IV-E waiver funding
for pre-placement, prevention activities; development of caretaker recruitment and
retention campaigns;; and, funding to implement Children’s Child Welfare Workload
Study Results, SB 2030. Changes in these areas would enable counties to better meet
their performance accountability goals, as required under federal and state statutes.
91. SUPPORT efforts to allow Medi-Cal clients transportation access to medical care via the
most efficient transportation mode possible instead of the very costly ambulance
transportation that is currently prevalent. California is currently limited to the types of
non-emergency medical transportation for reimbursement by Medi-Cal. However, the
federal Medicaid program allows other much less costly forms of transportation to be
used. Other states use this more permissive definition of approved non-emergency
medical transportation to encourage Medicaid clients to receive preventative care and
reduce the incidence of last-resort ambulance transportation to hospital emergency
rooms for primary care.
92. OPPOSE any legislation that increases tobacco taxes but does not contain language to
replace any funds consequently lost to The California Children and Families Act/Trust
Fund for local services as currently funded by tobacco taxes, Proposition 10 in 1998 and
Proposition 99 in 1988.
93. OPPOSE legislation, rules, regulations or policies that restrict or affect the amount of
funds available to, or the local autonomy of, First 5 Commissions to allocate their funds
in accordance with local needs.
94. SUPPORT efforts by the Contra Costa County’s executive directors and program
administrators of all Child Care and Development Programs to restore state budget
allocations to the FY 2009-10 levels for the California State Preschool Program (CSPP),
California Center-Based General Child Care Program (CCTR), CalWORKs Stage 2
(C2AP), CalWORKs Stage 3 (C3AP), Alternate Payment Program (CAPP), Child Care
and Development Grant and the Child Care Retention Program (AB 212).
95. SUPPORT continued and improved funding for substance abuse treatment and mental
health services including those that provide alternatives to incarceration and Laura’s Law.
96. SUPPORT administrative streamlining of Medi-Cal, including elimination of the asset
test and semi-annual reporting and changes to income verification. California should look
to other states for ideas to reduce administrative costs, such as allowing all children born
into Medi-Cal to remain on the program until age 21.
97. SUPPORT legislation to expand early child care and education and increase funding for
preschool and early learning.
98. SUPPORT legislation to allow individuals convicted of drug-related felonies to receive
federal CalFresh (food stamps) benefits. Banning convicted drug felons who have
completed their sentences from critical public assistance, including food stamps, runs
Contra Costa County 19
contrary to state and federal initiatives intended to reduce recidivism by easing prisoner
reentry and fostering prisoner reintegration into society. The drug felon rule has been the
subject of much criticism by drug treatment providers, advocates for the poor and law
enforcement organizations because it permanently disqualifies needy persons from
receiving assistance and interferes with their recovery.
Indian Gaming Issues
Contra Costa County is currently home to the Lytton Band of the Pomo Indians’ Casino in San Pablo, a Class II
gaming facility. There is also a proposal for an additional casino in North Richmond. Local governments have
limited authority in determining whether or not such facilities should be sited in their jurisdiction; the terms and
conditions under which the facilities will operate; and what, if any, mitigation will be paid to offset the cost of
increased services and lost revenues. Contra Costa County has been active in working with CSAC and others to
address these issues, as well as the need for funding for participation in the federal and state review processes and
for mitigation for the existing Class II casino.
99. SUPPORT efforts to ensure that counties who have existing or proposed Class II Indian
gaming facilities receive the Special Distribution Funds.
100. CONSIDER, on a case by case basis, whether or not to SUPPORT or OPPOSE Indian
gaming facilities in Contra Costa County, and only SUPPORT facilities that are unique in
nature and can demonstrate significant community benefits above and beyond the costs
associated with mitigating community impacts.
101. OPPOSE the expansion or approval of Class III gaming machines at the existing gaming
facility in Contra Costa County unless it can be demonstrated that there would be
significant community benefits above and beyond the costs associated with mitigating
community impacts.
102. SUPPORT State authority to tighten up the definition of a Class II machine.
103. SUPPORT State legislative and administration actions consistent with the CSAC policy
documents on development on Indian Lands and Compact negotiations for Indian
gaming.
Land Use/Community Development Issues
104. SUPPORT efforts to promote economic incentives for "smart growth," in Priority
Development Areas including in-fill and transit-oriented development. Balancing the
need for housing and economic growth with the urban limit line requirements of Measure
J (2004) will rely on maximum utilization of “smart growth” and Sustainable Community
Strategy principles.
105. SUPPORT efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing, including, but not limited
to, state issuance of private activity bonds, affordable and low income housing bond
measures, low-income housing tax credits and state infrastructure financing. This
position supports Goals 2, 3 and 4 of the County General Plan Housing Element.
Adopted 2014 Platform 20
106. SUPPORT establishment of a CEQA exemption for affordable housing financing.
Current law provides a statutory exemption from CEQA to state agencies for financing of
affordable housing (Section 21080.10(b) of the California Public Resources Code and
Section 15267 of the CEQA Guidelines)—but not to local agencies. The current
exemption for state agencies is only operational if a CEQA review process has been
completed by another agency (e.g., by the land use permitting agency). Since the act of
financing does not change the environmental setting, the net effect of the exemption is
streamlining the process for providing financial assistance for already approved
projects. AB 2518 (Houston) in 2006 was a Contra Costa County-sponsored bill to
accomplish this, but it was not successful in the Legislature.
107. SUPPORT efforts to obtain a CEQA exemption or to utilize CEQA streamlining
provisions for infill development or Priority Development Areas, including in
unincorporated areas. Section 15332 of the CEQA Guidelines is a Categorical
Exemption for infill development projects but only within cities or unincorporated areas
of a certain size surrounded by cities. Without the exemption, housing projects in the
unincorporated areas that are not surrounded by cities (e.g. North Richmond, Montalvin
Manor and Rodeo) are subject to a more time-consuming and costly process in order to
comply with the CEQA guidelines than that which is required of cities, despite having
similar housing obligations. The CEQA exemption bill signed by the Governor in 2013
(SB 741) only applies to mixed-use or non-residential projects in the unincorporated
areas that are both within ½ mile of a BART station and within the boundaries of an
adopted Specific Plan.
108. SUPPORT efforts to reform State housing element law to promote the actual production
and preservation of affordable housing and to focus less on process and paper
compliance.
109. OPPOSE efforts to limit the County’s ability to exercise local land use authority.
110. SUPPORT efforts to reduce the fiscalization of land use decision-making by local
government, which favors retail uses over other job-creating uses and housing. Reducing
incentives for inappropriate land use decisions, particularly those that negatively affect
neighboring jurisdictions, could result in more rational and harmonious land use.
111. SUPPORT allocations, appropriations, and policies that support and leverage the benefits
of approved Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs), such as the East Contra
Costa County NCCP. Support the granting of approximately $20 million to the East
Contra Costa County NCCP from the $90 million allocation for NCCPs in Proposition
84. Support the position that NCCPs are an effective strategy for addressing the impacts
of climate change and encourage appropriate recognition of the NCCP tool in
implementation of climate change legislation such as SB 375 and AB 32. Promote
effective implementation of NCCPs as a top priority for the Department of Fish and
Wildlife. Support efforts to streamline implementation of NCCPs including exemptions
Contra Costa County 21
from unnecessary regulatory oversight such as the Delta Plan Covered Actions process
administered by the Delta Stewardship Council.
112. SUPPORT legislation that would give local agencies specific tools for economic
development purposes in order to enhance job opportunities, with emphasis on attracting
and retaining businesses, blight removal and promoting smart growth and affordable
housing development, while balancing the impacts on revenues for health and safety
programs and healthy communities.
113. OPPOSE legislation that would create substantial uncertainty over the tax allocation
bonds issued by redevelopment agencies and possible negative credit impact.
114. SUPPORT legislation that would resolve the administrative funding gap for agencies
serving as the Successor Housing Agency. Such legislation should not have a negative
impact on the localities’ general fund. The Redevelopment Dissolution Act allows
Successor Agencies a modest allowance of tax increment funds to support Successor
Agency administrative costs. There is no such carve out for Housing Successors.
However, unlike Successor Agencies, Housing Successors have an ongoing obligation to
monitor existing affordable housing developments. These obligations will continue for up
to 55 years.
115. SUPPORT legislation that would clarify the ability of successor agencies to former
redevelopment agencies to enter into contracts with its sponsoring jurisdiction and third
parties to fulfill enforceable obligations. The existing redevelopment dissolution statute
limits the contracting powers of successor agencies which is causing delays in their
ability to expeditiously retire certain enforceable obligations of the former redevelopment
agencies.
116. SUPPORT legislative and regulatory efforts that streamline compliance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by integrating it with other environmental
protection laws and regulations, modifying the tiering of environmental reviews,
expanding the application of prior environmental reviews, focusing areas of potential
CEQA litigation, and enhancing public disclosure and accountability.
117. OPPOSE CEQA reform efforts that reduce environmental protections for projects that
cross county or city boundaries.
118. SUPPORT efforts to improve or streamline CEQA for efficiency without losing sight of
its ultimate goal to thoroughly identify environmental impacts and mitigations.
119. OPPOSE efforts to change CEQA solely to accommodate one particular infrastructure
project or set of projects.
120. SUPPORT legislation that amends Section 20133 of the Public Contract Code to 1)
delete the existing sunset date of July 1, 2014 for design-build authority granted to
Adopted 2014 Platform 22
counties, and 2) eliminate the current project cost threshold of $2.5 million required for
the use of the design-build method.
Law and Justice System Issues
121. SUPPORT legislation that seeks to curb metal theft by making it easier for law
enforcement agencies to track stolen metals sold to scrap dealers through such means as
requiring identification from customers selling commonly stolen metals, banning cash
transactions over a certain amount, and requiring scrap dealers to hold materials they buy
for a certain period of time before melting them down or reselling them.
122. SUPPORT legislation that provides a practical and efficient solution to addressing the
problem of abandoned and trespassing vessels and ground tackle in an administrative
process that allows the California State Lands Commission to both remove and dispose of
such vessels and unpermitted ground tackle. Boat owners in increasing numbers are
abandoning both recreational and commercial vessels in areas within the Commission’s
jurisdiction. Our state waterways are becoming clogged with hulks that break up, leak,
sink and add pollutants to our waterways and marine habitat.
123. OPPOSE legislative proposals to realign additional program responsibility to counties
without adequate funding and protections.
124. OPPOSE legislation that would shift the responsibility of parolees from the state to the
counties without adequate notification, documentation and funding.
125. SUPPORT legislation that will help counties implement the 2011 Public Safety
Realignment as long as the proposal would: provide for county flexibility, eliminate
redundant or unnecessary reporting, and would not transfer more responsibility without
funding.
126. SUPPORT legislation that will combat the negative impact that human trafficking has on
victims in our communities, including the impact that this activity has on a range of
County services and supports, and support efforts to provide additional tools, resources
and funding to help counties address this growing problem.
127. SUPPORT legislation amending Government Code Section 24011 to allow the Board of
Supervisors of Contra Costa County to appoint the Public Administrator by ordinance of
the Board, separate the Public Administrator from the District Attorney, and place the
position with another County department.
Contra Costa County 23
Levee Issues, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Issues (updates to this section will be presented
to the Board of Supervisors for approval in 2014)
The County’s Delta Water Platform was developed in mid-2008 to consolidate and organize the many
County policies and positions into one document that could be utilized to guide actions and advocacy to
promote a healthy Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The Delta Water Platform is comprised of fourteen subject areas. Each of these subject categories
contains relevant policies and background explanatory language. Each subject category is summarized
below; the first five are considered priorities. The policies and background information can be found in
the Delta Water Platform, which is included in this document by reference
Short Term Actions to be implemented immediately: Includes a broad range of specific,
relatively non-controversial actions to quickly improve the state of the Delta, such as
improvements to levees, the fishery, habitat and emergency response.
Conveyance: Through-Delta and Isolated Conveyance: Consideration of isolated conveyance
must protect and improve the Delta and the entire Bay-Delta ecosystem, include the broadest
range of non-biased scientific analysis of impacts, include levee repair and all costs of a facility
must be paid by beneficiaries.
The Delta Ecosystem: Protection and restoration of an ailing Delta ecosystem has long been a
priority of the Board of Supervisors, including need for additional scientific research to address
fundamental questions, fishery and habitat restoration projects.
Governance: A new or improved system of oversight related to ecosystem and water
management is necessary. The existing Delta Protection Commission land use governance
structure has been successful, requiring no further action. Local Government representation in
any governance structure is paramount.
Levee Restoration: Advocacy for immediate and significant (multi-year) funding and levee
repair is a priority, including upgrades to minimum (PL 84 99) standards for all levees, and a
higher, 200-year level of protection for communities protected by levees. Stockpiling rock in the
Delta specifically for levee repair and continuance of the Long Term Management Strategy
(LTMS) are highly recommended.
Water Quality, Water Quality and Delta Outflow: Protection and improvement of water quality,
quantity and outflow, determination and assurance of adequate water for the delta ecosystem
and examination of the State and Federal project operations (including potential for reduced
exports) are recommended here.
Flood Protection/Floodplain Management: Comprehensive flood management planning
throughout the Delta and its watersheds, as well as funding to bring flood facilities to 200-year
levels and revenue generation for flood control districts continue to be of import.
Water Rights and Legislative Protections: Existing area-of-origin and other water rights
protections established for the Delta should be preserved.
Adopted 2014 Platform 24
Regional Self-Sufficiency: All export regions should be implementing all water supply options
available to them to reduce stress on the Delta as a limited resource.
Emergency Response: Collaborative efforts among the Delta counties to improve emergency
response in the region have been productive and are continuing.
Water Conservation: Landscape and household conservation, maximizing use of reclaimed
wastewater, use of meters, and agricultural water conservation are recommended.
Water Storage: Multi-purpose storage facilities are recommended and groundwater storage
preferred to surface storage options. Detailed groundwater studies are recommended.
San Luis Drain/Grasslands Bypass: Long-standing opposition to selenium discharges from this
project entering the Delta and support of in-valley treatment solutions are ongoing. Continued
reduction in drainage from the Grasslands Bypass project is also monitored.
Climate Change: Impacts of climate change must be considered in planning, engineering and
construction activities.
128. ADVOCATE for administrative and legislative action to provide significant funding for
rehabilitation of levees in the western and central Delta. Proposition 1E, passed in
November 2006, provides for over $3 billion for levees, primarily those in the Central
Valley Flood Control Program. Language is included in the bond for other Delta levees
but funding is not specifically directed. The County will work on a coalition basis to
actively advocate for $1 billion in funding through this bond.
129. SUPPORT legislation that requires the levee repair funds generated by Proposition 1E be
spent within one year or legislative hearings conducted on expediting the expenditure of
bond proceeds through the Department of Water Resources Delta Levees Section. Many
public agencies, including reclamation districts charged with maintaining levees, have
complained about the state’s inaction in allocating and distributing the levee funds that
were raised by the bond sales authorized by Proposition 1E in 2008. Legislation could
require the immediate distribution of these funds to local levee projects. The Delta
Reform Act of 2009 authorized over $202 million for levee repairs. Legislative hearings
may produce explanations from the state as to why these funds are not being distributed
or identify methods to streamline administration of these funds.
130. SUPPORT legislation to amend California Water Code Section 12986, to maintain the
state/local funding ratio of 75/25 for the state’s Delta Levees Subventions Program,
which provides funds for local levee repair and maintenance projects. The code
provisions that have the state paying 75% of project costs will expire on July 1, 2013. At
that time the matching ratio will change to 50/50. This means local reclamation districts
will have to pay a larger portion of project costs (50%, compared to their current 25%
requirement). Many districts do not have the funding to do so. The Delta Levees
Subventions Program should continue to use funds from bonds or other dedicated
sources, rather than the state’s General Fund. For the past several years the program has
Contra Costa County 25
been funded from bonds. When these bond funds run out, the program will have to be
funded from the General Fund, unless some other new dedicated funding source is
established. This is something that should be included in the next Water Bond, if and
when there is one.
131. ADVOCATE for legislation dealing with the Delta, including levees and levee programs,
level and type of flood protection, beneficiary-pays programs, flood insurance, liability
and other levee/land use issues.
132. SUPPORT legislation/regulation requiring Reclamation Districts to develop, publish, and
maintain hazard emergency plans for their districts. Emergency response plans are
critical to emergency management, particularly in an area or situation like the Delta
where a levee break could trigger other emergencies. This legislation/regulation should
also include the requirement for plan review and annual distribution of the plan to the
residents of the district, County Office of Emergency Services and other government
agencies that have emergency response interests within the district.
133. SUPPORT legislation to amend California Water Code Section 85057.5 to bring the
Delta Stewardship Council’s “covered actions” land-use review process into consistency
with CEQA. This section of state code defines a “covered action,” which refers to local
permit decisions that are subject to potential revocation by the Council, as adopted in the
Council’s Delta Plan. The proposed process works as follows: (1) if a local permit
application meets the definition of a “covered action,” the jurisdiction must evaluate it for
consistency with all of the policies in the Council’s Delta Plan. (2) If the jurisdiction
finds the project is consistent with the Delta Plan, they notify the Council of this finding.
(3) Anyone who objects to the project may appeal the consistency finding, and it will be
up to the Council to make the final decision. Should the Council decide against the local
jurisdiction, there is no appeal process available to the jurisdiction or project applicant
other than legal action.
“Covered actions” are defined in Section 85057.5 of the California Water Code. It
defines them as plans, projects or programs as defined by CEQA, and then goes on to
grant several exemptions to certain types of projects. It does not, however, provide
exemptions for all the project types that CEQA itself exempts. CEQA provides a lengthy
list of categorical exemptions for plans, projects and programs that generally do not have
significant environmental impacts, and projects that have compelling reasons to move
forward quickly (such as public safety projects). The entire list of categorical exemptions
from CEQA also should be exempt from the Delta Stewardship Council’s “covered
actions” process.
Adopted 2014 Platform 26
Library Issues
134. SUPPORT State financial assistance in the operation of public libraries, including full
funding of the Public Library Fund (PLF) and the Direct/Interlibrary Loan (Transaction
Based Reimbursement) program.
135. SUPPORT State bonds for public library construction. The 2000 library construction
bond provided funding for two libraries in Contra Costa County. There is currently a
need of approximately $289,000,000 for public library construction, expansion and
renovation in Contra Costa County.
136. SUPPORT continued funding for the California Library Literacy and English Acquisition
Services Program, which provides matching funds for public library adult literacy
programs that offer free, confidential, one-on-one basic literacy instruction to English-
speaking adults who want to improve their reading, writing, and spelling skills.
Telecommunications Issues
137. SUPPORT clean-up legislation on AB 2987 that provides for local emergency
notifications similar to provisions in cable franchises for the last 20 years. Currently our
franchises require the cable systems to carry emergency messages in the event of local
emergencies. With the occurrence of several local refinery incidents, this service is
critical for Contra Costa. Under federal law, Emergency Alert System requirements leave
broad discretion to broadcasters to decide when and what information to broadcast,
emergency management offices to communicate with the public in times of emergencies.
138. SUPPORT preservation of local government ownership and control of the local public
rights-of-way. Currently, local government has authority over the time, place, and
manner in which infrastructure is placed in their rights-of-way. The California Public
Utilities Commission is considering rulemaking that would give them jurisdiction to
decide issues between local government and telecommunication providers.
Transportation Issues
139. SUPPORT increased flexibility in the use of transportation funds.
140. SUPPORT regional coordination that provides for local input in addressing transportation
needs. Coordinated planning and delivery of public transit, paratransit, and rail services
will help ensure the best possible service delivery to the public. Regional coordination
also will be needed to effectively deal with the traffic impacts of Indian gaming casinos
such as those in West County. Regional coordination also will be essential to complete
planning and development of important regional transportation projects that benefit the
state and local road system such as State Route 239, improvements to Vasco Road,
completion of remaining segments of the Bay Trail, improvements to the Delta DeAnza
Regional Trail, and the proposed California Delta Trail. There may be interest in
seeking enhanced local input requirements for developing the Sustainable Communities
Contra Costa County 27
Strategy for the Bay Area mandated by SB 375 for greenhouse gas reduction. It is
important that the regional coordination efforts are based on input gathered from the
local level, to ensure the regional approach does not negatively impact local
communities. “Top-down” regional planning efforts would be inconsistent with this
goal.
141. SUPPORT efforts to improve safety throughout the transportation system. The County
supports new and expanded projects and programs to improve safety for bicyclists,
pedestrians and wheelchair users, as well as projects to improve safety on high-accident
transportation facilities such as Vasco Road. Data on transportation safety would be
improved by including global positioning system (GPS) location data for every reported
accident to assist in safety analysis and planning. The County also supports the
expansion of school safety improvement programs such as crossing guards, revised
school zone references in the vehicle code, Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) grants, efforts
to improve the safety, expansion and security of freight transportation system including
public and private maritime ports, airports, rail yards, railroad lines, rail bridges and
sidings. The County also supports limits or elimination of public liability for installing
traffic-calming devices on residential neighborhood streets.
142. SUPPORT funding or incentives for the use of renewable resources in transportation
construction projects. The County seeks and supports grant programs, tax credits for
manufacturers, state purchasing programs, and other incentives for local jurisdictions to
use environmentally friendly materials such as the rubberized asphalt (made from
recycled tires) that the County has used as paving material on San Pablo Dam Road and
Pacheco Boulevard.
143. SUPPORT streamlining the delivery of transportation safety projects. The length of time
and amount of paperwork should be reduced to bring a transportation safety project
more quickly through the planning, engineering and design, environmental review,
funding application, and construction phases, such as for Vasco Road. This could include
streamlining the environmental review process and also streamlining all state permitting
requirements that pertain to transportation projects. Realistic deadlines for use of federal
transportation funds would help local jurisdictions deliver complex projects without
running afoul of federal time limits which are unrealistically tight for complex projects.
144. SUPPORT efforts to coordinate development of state-funded or regulated facilities such
as courts, schools, jails, roads and state offices with local planning. The County supports
preserving the authority of Public Works over County roads by way of ensuring the
Board of Supervisors’ control over County roads as established in the Streets &
Highways Code (Ch2 §940) is not undermined. This includes strongly opposing any
action by a non-local entity that would ultimately dilute current Board of Supervisors
discretion relative to road design and land use.
145. SUPPORT efforts to coordinate planning between school districts, the state, and local
jurisdictions for the purposes of: (1) locating and planning new schools, (2) funding
programs that foster collaboration and joint use of facilities, and (3) financing off-site
Adopted 2014 Platform 28
transportation improvements for improved access to existing schools. The County
supports the California Department of Education’s current effort to better leverage school
facilities in developing sustainable communities. Related to this effort, the County
supports reform of school siting practices by way of legislative changes related to any
new statewide school construction bond authorization. The County takes the position that
reform components should include bringing school siting practices and school zone
references in the vehicle code into alignment with local growth management policies,
safe routes to school best practices, State SB 375 principles, and the State Strategic
Growth Council’s “Health in All Policies Initiative.”
146. SUPPORT regional aviation transportation planning efforts for coordinated aviation
network planning to improve service delivery. Regional aviation coordination could also
improve the surrounding surface transportation system by providing expanded local
options for people and goods movement.
147. SUPPORT efforts to increase waterborne transport of goods and obtaining funds to
support this effort. The San Francisco to Stockton Ship Channel is a major
transportation route for the region, providing water access to a large number of
industries and the Ports of Sacramento and Stockton. A project is underway to deepen
the channel, providing additional capacity to accommodate increasing commerce needs
of the Ports and providing better operational flexibility for the other industries.
Increased goods movement via waterways has clear benefits to congestion management
on highways and railroads (with resultant air quality benefits).
Veterans Issues
148. SUPPORT legislation and budget actions that will continue the state's annual local
assistance for County Veterans Service Offices at a minimum of the $5.6 million level.
The eventual goal is to fully fund CVSOs by appropriating the full $11 million in local
assistance funding as reflected in Military and Veterans Code Section 972.1(d). County
Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs) play a vital role in the local veteran community, not
only within the Veterans Affairs claims process, but in other aspects as well. This
includes providing information about all veterans’ benefits (Federal, State and local), as
well as providing claims assistance for all veteran-related benefits, referring veterans to
ancillary community resources, providing hands-on development and case management
services for claims and appeals and transporting local veterans to VA facilities.
149. SUPPORT legislation and budget actions that will provide veterans organizations with
resources to make necessary repairs to, or replacement of, their meeting halls and
facilities. Across California, the meeting halls and posts of Veterans Service
Organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars serve as
unofficial community centers. Many of these facilities are not compliant with Americans
with Disabilities Act accessibility standards, are not earthquake retrofitted, or have
deteriorated in recent years due to declining membership and reduced rental revenues as
a result of the economic downturn. The County will support legislation that would create
a competitive grant program for veterans’ organizations, classified by the IRS as 501c19
Contra Costa County 29
non-profit organizations and comprised primarily of past or present members of the
United States Armed Forces and their family members, to use for repairs and
improvements to their existing facilities.
150. SUPPORT legislation that will improve the timeliness and quality of both VA benefits
claim decisions and VA healthcare services. Specifically, legislation that works toward
improving on the expedited processing of claims, providing VA healthcare, and
administering of benefits to populations with unique needs, such as homeless Veterans,
Women Veterans, and Veterans experiencing service related Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder or service related Traumatic Brain Injury.
Waste Management Issues
151. SUPPORT legislation that establishes producer responsibility for management of their
products, including pharmaceuticals and veterinary medicine, at the end of their useful
life.
152. SUPPORT efforts to increase the development of markets for recycled materials.
153. SUPPORT legislative and regulatory efforts to allow third parties, under specific
circumstances and conditions, to collect and transport household hazardous waste to
collection facilities.
154. SUPPORT legislation that seeks to remedy the environmental degradation and solid
waste management problems on a State-wide basis of polystyrene containers and single-
use plastic bags typically given away for free at grocery, retail and other establishments.
155. SUPPORT legislation that does not require increased diversion from landfills without out
an adequate funding mechanism.
156. SUPPORT legislation that would make changes to the used tire redemption program.
Instead of collecting a disposal fee from the consumer when new tires are purchased, a
disposal fee would be collected at the wholesale level and redeemed by the disposal site
when the used tires are brought to the site. The party bringing the tires to the disposal
site would also receive a portion of the fee.
157. SUPPORT legislation that relieves counties with privately-operated landfills from the
state requirement for maintaining a 15-year supply of disposal capacity for waste
generated within each county. In 1989, Contra Costa County amended its general plan
to accommodate construction of Keller Canyon Landfill. Due to the difficulty in siting
landfills and the requirements of Public Resources Code 47100 – Countywide Siting
Element, the County maintained authority to control the amount of waste disposed at this
facility from outside the county. Despite Contra Costa County’s opposition, AB 845
became law on January 1, 2013 and prohibits any jurisdiction from regulating the
amount of waste disposed at a privately-operated landfill based on its place of origin.
Adopted 2014 Platform 30
Because local jurisdictions can no longer control importation of waste to privately-
operated landfills, a host County that receives a significant amount of waste from outside
the county will have a greater need to undertake the difficult task of identifying new
disposal capacity pursuant to the Countywide Siting Element requirement. Since the
state believes there is no need for local jurisdictions to regulate disposal of solid waste
by place of origin, the state should remove existing statutes that require each County with
privately-operated landfills to identify sufficient disposal capacity for the waste
generated by the jurisdictions within that County.
158. SUPPORT legislation that can reduce the amount of harmful pharmaceuticals (including
veterinary medicine) that ultimately enter waste water treatment facilities, bodies of
water, and landfills.
159. SUPPORT legislative and regulatory efforts to restrict payments from the Beverage
Container Recycling Program Fund for redemption of beverage containers sold out of
state. Fraudulent redemption of these beverage containers is costing the Fund from $40
million to $200 million annually. This fraud combined with loans to the General Fund to
reduce the State budget deficit has significantly reduced the availability of funds for
increasing recycling as intended under the law.
160. SUPPORT legislative and regulatory efforts that correct the imbalance between the
County’s regulatory authority to control the collection and disposal of solid waste
generated within the unincorporated areas and our exposure to state penalties for failing
to meet state mandates for diverting solid waste generated within these areas as a result of
Appellate Court decisions. In litigation where the County sought to protect its solid waste
franchise authority for unincorporated areas the court awarded franchise authority to the
Rodeo Sanitary District and Mountain View Sanitary District while the County remains
exposed to state penalties for failing to meet state mandates for reducing disposal of solid
waste generated in these areas.
TRANSPORTATION, WATER &
INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE 8.
Meeting Date:10/09/2014
Subject:Pedestrian-Rail Safety
Submitted For: TRANSPORTATION, WATER & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE,
Department:Conservation & Development
Referral No.: 14
Referral Name: Freight transportation issues, including but not limited to potential
increases in rail traffic such as that proposed by the Port of Oakland and
other possible service increases, safety of freight trains, rail corridors, and...
Presenter: Robert Sarmiento Contact: Robert Sarmiento, (925)
674-7822
Referral History:
A series of recent incidents at rail corridors around the County have resulted in pedestrian injuries
and deaths. At the March 11, 2014 Board of Supervisors meeting, a discussion regarding the issue
of pedestrian-rail safety took place. Ultimately, the matter was referred to the Transportation,
Water, and Infrastructure Committee (TWIC) for more discussion. At the April 3 TWIC meeting,
Supervisor Andersen and Supervisor Piepho directed the Department of Conservation and
Development (DCD) staff to review the issue and report back with information regarding the
current state of pedestrian-rail safety in the County and any improvements that could be made.
Specifically, the Supervisors instructed staff to do the following:
1. Investigate Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit pedestrian-rail safety organization, for grant
opportunities.
2. Look at similar outreach/educational efforts from other County departments and external
agencies.
3. Research/develop a public safety/education outreach campaign.
4. Identify activity centers in the proximity of rail corridors.
5. Identify possible infrastructure deficiencies.
Referral Update:
1. Investigate Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit pedestrian-rail safety organization, for
1. Investigate Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit pedestrian-rail safety organization, for
grant opportunities
a. Operation Lifesaver offers an annual grant for programs that focus on safety education or
public awareness initiatives in communities with rail transit systems (commuter rail, light rail,
and streetcar) (Attachment A). The grant requires a 25 percent match. The County must
coordinate the grant application process with the Operation Lifesaver State Coordinator.
b. The Federal Railroad Administration has previously offered grants to improve railroad safety,
including grants for railroad safety technology and railroad track relocation and grade separation.
Next Steps
a. DCD staff seeks Board authorization to apply for the Operation Lifesaver safety education and
public awareness initiatives grant in 2015 and identify necessary matching funds.
b. DCD staff will continue to monitor the Federal Railroad Administration and other
transportation and safety agencies' websites for safety grant opportunities.
2. Look at similar outreach/educational efforts from other County departments and external
agencies
a. County Flood Control staff currently runs a safety program for creeks and channels, which
involves both infrastructure improvements, such as regularly-maintained fencing and signage
along the channel, to discourage trespassing, and an outreach program, which consists of a creek
and channel safety webpage and regular safety outreach to local schools. The program is funded
by Flood Control Zone funds.
b. Caltrain currently has fencing along its entire route that is regularly maintained. Its capital
improvement program includes funding dedicated to pedestrian-rail safety improvements.
Caltrain regularly partners with Operation Lifesaver to provide public outreach and a safety
education program.
c. DCD staff contacted the cities of Richmond and Antioch to see if they have any existing
pedestrian-rail safety programs, and both responded that they have none.
Next Steps
a. DCD staff is in the process of contacting additional agencies and gathering information on
existing and successful pedestrian-rail safety programs, including other local jurisdictions in the
County and professional organizations.
3. Research/develop a public safety/education outreach campaign
a. Safe-Routes-to-School (SR2S) organizations in the County currently provide traffic safety
programs and assemblies to schoolchildren. County staff contacted these organizations regarding
the possibility of adding a rail safety component to their program and they were supportive.
b. Operation Lifesaver makes appearances at traffic safety assemblies to discuss rail safety upon
request, but Operation Lifesaver encourages anyone interested in providing regular pedestrian-rail
safety outreach to enroll in its pedestrian-rail safety training and volunteer program.
Next Steps
a. DCD staff will coordinate with SR2S organizations and Operation Lifesaver to include a
pedestrian-rail safety component in existing SR2S efforts.
b. DCD staff will work with SR2S to determine appropriate outreach efforts to promote
pedestrian-rail safety in the County, using the County Flood Control's Creek and Channel Safety
efforts as a model.
4. Identify activity centers in the proximity of rail corridors
a. According to DCD data, thirty-two public schools in the County are located within a
quarter-mile of a railroad track (Attachment B).
Next Steps
a. DCD staff recommends using this data as background information for future outreach efforts
and infrastructure (signage) improvements.
b. DCD staff is in the process of locating additional high-pedestrian activity centers in the
proximity of rail corridors.
5. Identify possible infrastructure deficiencies
a. Railroad right-of-ways are privately owned, and the County has no jurisdiction to put up
fencing or signage along the tracks.
b. According to a Union Pacific Railroad, only segments of tracks that have experienced a high
number of pedestrian-rail incidents are fenced. Funding for fences is sourced from railroad
companies that own or use the railroad track.
Next Steps
a. DCD staff is exploring signage and fencing coordination efforts with the railroad companies.
6. Current Pedestrian-Rail Safety Enforcement (Not discussed in previous meeting, but
identified as an issue during research)
a. According to a police officer from Union Pacific (UP) Railroad, which has a major line that
runs through the County, rail companies’ own police department is the responsible law
enforcement agency for railroad tracks. The UP police station that covers the County has a staff
of seven police officers, is located in Oakland, and covers an area from San Luis Obispo to Davis.
Periodically, UP police officers work in conjunction with local police departments to perform a
sweep of a segment of tracks to catch trespassers.
b. Although the Sheriff’s Department can act as a first responder to railroad incidents, it does not
regularly monitor railroad tracks, since the tracks fall under the jurisdiction of the railroad police.
In addition, the tracks are difficult to monitor because of the remote location of some sections of
track, the lack of police staffing, and other enforcement priorities.
c. The CA Highway Patrol (CHP) is the responsible law enforcement agency at railroad crossings
throughout the unincorporated County.
Next Steps
a. DCD staff will contact CHP to determine who is designated for railroad crossings enforcement
efforts in the County.
b. DCD will seek opportunities for law enforcement to participate in outreach efforts.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
RECEIVE update on Pedestrian-Rail Safety issues and DIRECT staff as appropriate.
Fiscal Impact (if any):
Activities are generally accommodated within the existing budget. As the County moves to
specific implementation steps, any fiscal impacts will be disclosed.
Attachments
Attachment A - 2014 Operation Lifesaver Transit Safety Grant Guidelines
Attachment B - Public Schools Near Railroad Tracks
2014 OPERATION LIFESAVER COMPETITIVE TRANSIT SAFETY EDUCATION GRANTS
GRANT APPLICATION AND EVALUATION GUIDELINES
All grant applications must be submitted by OL State Coordinator, transit agency
officer, or other official representing a local municipality. If transit agency or local
municipality is applicant, the application must be coordinated with the Operation
Lifesaver State Coordinator. All applications must be submitted using the Common Grant Application
online grant management program. Grant awards are capped at $25,000. Only projects initiated and
completed in 2014 are eligible for funding. Initial payment upon award to winning applicants will be 75%
of total grant award amount. Final evaluation reports for approved projects must be submitted by
January 31, 2015 in order to receive final payment.
Total Grant Funding Available -- $150,000
Grant Application Period: June 9 – July 11, 2014
Grant Review and Evaluation Period: July 14–31, 2014
Grant Awards Announced: August 15, 2014
The Grant Review Committee will use the evaluation scoring system below to determine which State
Grant applications are awarded funding. Each application has a possible score of 100 points. The
following elements of the application will add or subtract points from the total score:
• If the grant seeker received an OLI Transit Safety Education Grant in 2013, 5 points are
subtracted from the total score, to give non-repeat grantees an edge in evaluation process.
• Up to 10 points will be awarded for the description of the Defined Safety Need that the project
will address, with supporting data.
• Up to 10 points will be awarded for describing a clearly defined target audience for the safety
education project.
• Up to 20 points will be awarded for the Project Plan description. The Project Plan shall include:
(1) clear project goal, (2) listing of project activities; and (3) timeframe for carrying out the
project.
• Up to 15 points will be awarded for the Project Budget, listing funding sources for project
activities and elements, in-kind matching funds, and other items. Grant seekers will download a
budget template that includes formulas to automatically calculate the required match
percentages and total funding requested for the project. Points are awarded based on
completeness and specificity of budget submittal.
• Up to 10 points will be awarded based on the amount of non-federal matching funds (including
in-kind services) dedicated to the proposed project. These percentages will be automatically
calculated when the grant seeker completes the budget template. (Note: non-federal match
must be at least 25 percent.)
• Up to 10 points will be awarded based on the communications plan for the safety campaign.
• Up to 15 points will be awarded for the Evaluation Plan. Points are awarded based on the grant
seeker’s description of how he will evaluate the project after its completion, including
meaningful metrics for measuring effectiveness and how he will determine whether the project
met its goal.
• 10 points will be awarded if the project will utilize OLI’s "See Tracks? Think Train!" campaign
materials.
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DISTRICT 5
Richmond
Antioch
Concord
Oakley
Danville
Hercules
Pittsburg
Orinda
Pinole
SanRamon
Lafayette
WalnutCreek
Martinez
Brentwood
Moraga
PleasantHill ClaytonElCerrito
SanPablo
Richmond
DISTRICT 3
DISTRICT 5
DISTRICT 2
DISTRICT 1 DISTRICT 4
I
Contra Costa County R ailroads and Public Schools a Quarter Mile from a Railroad
Map created 3/31/2014 by Contra Costa County Department Conservation and Development Community Development Division--GIS Group
0 5 102.5 MilesQuarter Mile from Railroad
!Public Elementary SchoolOther Railroad
Major Railroad
!Public High School
Public Junior High School!