HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 11052018 - Legislation Cte Agenda Pkt
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
Monday, November 5, 2018
*** NOTE TIME CHANGE***10:00 A.M.
651 Pine Street, Room 101, Martinez
Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, Chair
Supervisor Diane Burgis, 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. APPROVE the Record of Action for the August 13, 2018 meeting of the Legislation
Committee, with any necessary corrections.
4. ACCEPT the End of Session Report for the 2018 year and provide direction to
staff, as needed.
5. REVIEW the Draft 2019 State Legislative Platform, provide direction to staff on
any recommended changes, and RECOMMEND adoption to the Board of
Supervisors.
6.The next meeting is currently scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on December 10, 2018 in Room
101 of 651 Pine Street, Martinez.
7.Adjourn
The Legislation Committee will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities
planning to attend Legislation Committee 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 Legislation Committee less than 96
hours prior to that meeting are available for public inspection at 651 Pine Street, 10th floor,
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.
Page 1 of 120
For Additional Information Contact:
Lara DeLaney, Committee Staff
Phone (925) 335-1097,
lara.delaney@cao.cccounty.us
Page 2 of 120
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE 3.
Meeting Date:11/05/2018
Subject:Record of Action for Legislation Committee
Submitted For: LEGISLATION COMMITTEE,
Department:County Administrator
Referral No.: 2018-27
Referral Name: Record of Action
Presenter: L. DeLaney Contact: L. DeLaney, 925-335-1097
Referral History:
County Ordinance (Better Government Ordinance 95-6, Article 25-205, [d]) requires that each
County Body keep a record of its meetings. Though the record need not be verbatim, it must
accurately reflect the agenda and the decisions made in the meeting.
Any handouts or printed copies of material or testimony distributed at the meeting will be
attached to the meeting record.
Referral Update:
Attached for the Committee's consideration is the Draft Record of Action for its August 13, 2018
meeting. (The September and October meetings were subsequently cancelled.)
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
APPROVE the Record of Action with any necessary corrections.
Attachments
Attachment A
Attachment B: Draft RoA
Page 3 of 120
Attachment A
Page 4 of 120
Attachment A
Page 5 of 120
D R A F T
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
August 13, 2018
10:30 A.M.
651 Pine Street, Room 101, Martinez
Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, Chair
Supervisor Diane Burgis, Vice Chair
Agenda Items:Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the Committee
Present: Karen Mitchoff, Chair
Diane Burgis, Vice Chair
Staff Present:Lara DeLaney, Senior Deputy County Administrator
Attendees: Ben Palmer
see sign-in sheet
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).
No public comment was offered.
3.APPROVE the Record of Action with any necessary corrections.
Approved unanimously with no corrections.
4.The Legislation Committee may wish to consider position recommendations to the
Board of Supervisors on the following measures:
Proposition 1:
Authorizes Bonds to Fund Specified Housing Assistance Programs. Legislative Statute.(PDF)
Proposition 2
Authorizes Bonds to Fund Existing Housing Program for Individuals with Mental Illness. Legislative
Statute. (PDF)
Proposition 3
(Authorizes Bonds to Fund Projects for Water Supply and Quality, Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Water
Conveyance, and Groundwater Sustainability and Storage. Initiative Statute.(PDF).)
Attachment B
Page 6 of 120
Proposition 5
Changes Requirements for Certain Property Owners to Transfer their Property Tax Base to
Replacement Property. Initiative Constitutional Amendment and Statute.(PDF)
Proposition 10
Expands Local Governments’ Authority to Enact Rent Control on Residential Property. Initiative
Statute.
The Committee voted unanimously to recommend to the Board of Supervisors the following
positions on the following measures:
1. Proposition 1: SUPPORT
2. Proposition 2: Oppose
3. Proposition 3: SUPPORT
4. Proposition 4: SUPPORT
5. Proposition 5: Oppose
6. Proposition 6: Oppose
7. Proposition 7: No recommendation
8. Proposition 8: No recommendation
9. Proposition 9: no longer on the ballot
10. Proposition 10: Refer to the Board with no recommendation
11. Proposition 11: No recommendation
12. Proposition 12: No recommendation
AYE: Chair Karen Mitchoff, Vice Chair Diane Burgis
Passed
5.CONSIDER recommending that the Board of Supervisors authorize the submission of
a 2019 session legislative proposal to the California State Association of Counties
(CSAC) and County Engineers Association of California (CSAC) that would include
stormwater in the regional transportation planning process, as recommended by the
Public Works Director.
The Committee voted unanimously to recommend approval.
AYE: Chair Karen Mitchoff, Vice Chair Diane Burgis
Passed
6.RECEIVE the report from CSAC on the status of SB 10 (Hertzberg) and provide any
necessary direction to staff.
The Committee received the report and directed staff to update them on
amendments that would require Board action.
AYE: Chair Karen Mitchoff, Vice Chair Diane Burgis
Passed
7.CONSIDER recommending a position of "Oppose" on S. 3157 (Thune) "To streamline
siting processes for small cell deployment," to the Board of Supervisors, as
recommended by the California State Association of Counties.
The Committee voted unanimously to recommend a position of "Oppose" on S.
Attachment B
Page 7 of 120
The Committee voted unanimously to recommend a position of "Oppose" on S.
3157.
AYE: Chair Karen Mitchoff, Vice Chair Diane Burgis
Passed
8.CONSIDER the update from staff on the contractor procurement process for the State
and Federal Advocacy Contracts and provide direction to staff.
The Committee received the report and directed staff to extend the existing
advocacy contracts for six months and conduct the procurement process in the
spring of 2019, to be concluded in time for FY 19-20 contracts.
AYE: Chair Karen Mitchoff, Vice Chair Diane Burgis
Passed
9.The next meeting is currently scheduled for Monday, September 10, 2018 at 10:30 a.m
in Room 101, 651 Pine Street, Martinez.
The September and October meetings were subsequently cancelled.
AYE: Chair Karen Mitchoff, Vice Chair Diane Burgis
Passed
10.Adjourn
The Legislation Committee will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend Legislation
Committee 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 Legislation Committee less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are available for public inspection at
651 Pine Street, 10th floor, 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:
Lara DeLaney, Committee Staff
Phone (925) 335-1097, Fax (925) 646-1353
lara.delaney@cao.cccounty.us
Attachment B
Page 8 of 120
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE 4.
Meeting Date:11/05/2018
Subject:2018 State Legislative Activity Year End Report
Submitted For: LEGISLATION COMMITTEE,
Department:County Administrator
Referral No.: 2018-29
Referral Name: Year End Report
Presenter: Cathy Christian & Ben Palmer Contact: L. DeLaney, 925-335-1097
Referral History:
At the conclusion of the legislative session, staff provides the Legislation Committee with a
summary report of advocacy activity at the state level. The County's legislative advocates, Cathy
Christian and Benjamin Palmer, in collaboration with James Gross, of Nielsen Merksamer,
provided an update on top-priority bills and final outcomes of the 2018 year (Attachment A).
Referral Update:
The End of Session report from the County's state advocates, Cathy Christian and Benjamin
Palmer of Nielsen Merksamer, is Attachment A.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
ACCEPT the End of Session Report from the state's advocates, Nielsen Merksamer, and provide
direction to staff, as needed.
Attachments
Attachment A
Page 9 of 120
To: David Twa
Lara DeLaney
Contra Costa County
From: Cathy Christian
Benjamin Palmer
Date: October 31, 2018
Re: 2018 Contra Costa County Year End Wrap-Up
When the dust settled….
2017, the first year of the two-year legislative session, ended with a good deal of
drama and nervous anticipation of what 2018 would bring for local governments.
SB 649 (Hueso), which streamlined the deployment of small-cell wireless
technology, and AB 1250 (Jones-Sawyer), which restricted counties’ ability to
contract out for services, demanded the lion’s share of local government advocacy
efforts for that year. AB 1250 was shelved in early September and SB 649 was
vetoed by Governor Brown. Though both efforts failed to become law, all parties
anticipated the probable return of both bills in the 2018 session.
And so it began…
Fortunately, the 2018 Legislative Session did not begin with renewed drama
related to the aforementioned bills. On the other hand, 2018 saw the effect of the
“Me Too” movement as it left the legislature to deal with three member
resignations and the prospect replacing those members coupled with the
difficulty of Democrats losing the 2/3 majorities they had fought so hard to
attain. The “Me Too” movement also sparked the introduction of numerous bills
related to public and private sector employer and employee conduct, harassment
reporting, and statutes of limitation for harassment complaint filing. The
legislature also grappled with its own ongoing member and staff harassment
issues by forming a Joint Subcommittee on Sexual Harassment Prevention
Response. Needless to say this issue will continue to demand attention and
oversight into future sessions.
On March 21st, Senator Toni G. Atkins (D – San Diego) was sworn in as the 48th
President pro Tem of the State Senate, replacing Kevin de León. Atkins, who also
served as Speaker of the California State Assembly, is the first woman (in 146
years) to serve as President pro Tem of the Senate.
Attachment A
Page 10 of 120
2
Governor Brown’s last budget proposal…
Governor Brown released his proposed $132 billion 2018-19 budget on January
10th. Unlike years past, his proposal was relatively non-controversial, leaving the
legislature to grapple with issues related to homelessness, affordable housing, the
effects of numerous and devastating wildfires that continue to plague
communities across California, bail reform and climate change. (And hovering
over all of this, the prospect of the departure of Governor Brown (his brand of
pragmatism and fiscal prudence) and the probable election of Lieutenant
Governor Gavin Newsom as his replacement.)
The Governor’s initial proposal included a $3.5 billion deposit into the state’s
rainy day fund, full funding for the LCFF, $134 million to purchase new voting
systems in counties, $200 million in business tax credits (California Competes
and Employment Hiring credits), and $40 million for outreach and other
programs related to the 2020 Census. It contained no changes to the In Home
Supportive Services (IHSS) maintenance of effort (MOE) from last year, and
included nearly $28 million General Fund (GF) dollars for related administrative
costs in 2018-19. Governor Brown’s plan was consistent with his past proposals
that stressed debt payment, growing the rainy day fund and overall fiscal
conservatism.
The 11th of May…
Governor Brown released his revised budget plan on May 11th. Like his
introduced plan, the May Revise didn’t include many surprises. An unanticipated
$8.8 billion in tax revenue didn’t lead Brown from his path of fiscal prudence.
This infusion would grow the rainy day account to its constitutional maximum of
$13.8 billion…an amazing feat considering that California faced a $27 billion
deficit when he came into office (again) in 2011.
The May Revision included, among other things:
• An increase of $1.6 billion for Medi-Cal workload
• An extra (roughly) $1 billion for the state’s discretionary reserve
• $3.2 billion in new spending (mostly one-time purposes)
• $200 million for flood control projects
• $50 million for counties for homeless persons with mental illness
• $250 million for homeless aid block grants to local governments for
housing and shelter construction
• $64 million for ongoing spending to local governments for housing
support and homelessness assistance programs
• Proposal for a proposition, (Proposition 2) to go on the November 2018
ballot, to allow the state to use existing county mental health funds to pay
for housing for those who are homeless and are mentally ill
Attachment A
Page 11 of 120
3
The Newman recall…
Democratic Senator Josh Newman, elected in 2016 by a margin of less than 2,500
votes, was recalled on June 5th and replaced by former Assemblymember Ling
Ling Chang. Despite the support of former Senate pro Tempore Kevin de León,
the California Teachers Association and the Sierra Club, Newman was unable to
thwart the recall effort that was fueled by voter anger over Newman’s vote in
support of SB 1 (the California Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017). The
success of the recall and the reaction to the tax increases in SB 1 signaled the end
of the Senate Democrat’s 2/3 house majority, and in part, fueled the effort to
place Proposition 6 on the November 2018 ballot. If passed, Prop 6 would
eliminate the taxes initiated by SB 1, and force the legislature to readdress the
issue of critical transportation funding, but this time without the Democrats
having a 2/3 majority.
Yet another on-time budget…
The Governor signed the 2018-19 State Budget on June 27th after one of the least
controversial and non-cantankerous budget negotiations in recent history.
Budget conference committees were relatively unremarkable and trailer bills
transacted through the committee process and to the legislative floors relatively
quickly, pausing only briefly to abide by the 72 hour “in print rule,” as prescribed
by Proposition 54, passed by voters in 2017. The final plan did not hew far from
the May Revision proposal. Unlike most past years, Governor Brown did not
choose to blue pencil any provisions of the spending plan that the legislature sent
to his desk. As has become the practice of the legislature in recent years,
lawmakers included only a handful of budget trailer bills in their initial salvo of
spending bills to the governor. Various trailer bills made their way to the
governor up until the final days of the legislative session at the end of August.
Of note for counties in the budget package:
• $700 million to address homelessness and affordable housing
• $280 million to repay counties for debt related to repealed mandates
• $67 million for debris removal and lost property tax in counties impacted
by this year’s unprecedented wildfires
• Nearly $40 million for administrative costs for CalWORKs and IHSS
• $1.3 billion in lease revenue funds for courthouse construction
On housing and homelessness…
The budget and associated trailer bills pushed plans and funding for addressing
the state’s dire housing and homelessness problem forward, and not a moment
too soon. The plan includes:
• A one-time allocation of $500 million for block grants to local
governments to fund various homelessness services
Attachment A
Page 12 of 120
4
• $150 million of those grants is divided among California’s 11 most
populous cities (based on homeless populations)
• The remaining funds are divided among Continuums of Care, roughly
based on their homeless populations
• Putting the No Place Like Home program on the November 2018 ballot. If
passed, the program would issue bonds, backed by personal income tax
revenue raised by Prop 63 of 2004. Funds would be used for construction
and rehabilitation of permanent supporting housing for those with mental
illness who are homeless
• $109 million in homelessness related funding augmentations for outreach,
mental health services, and assistance targeted to CalWORKs families,
seniors, youth and victims of domestic violence
A legislative victory for Contra Costa County…
This session, CCC sponsored SB 522 (Glazer, Chapter 133, Statutes of 2018). The
bill sought to replace the West Contra Costa Healthcare District’s elected
governing body with a district board appointed by the Board of Supervisors. The
change in governance sought to reduce administrative costs, increase operational
efficiencies, and maximize the District’s funding of health care. SB 522 passed the
Senate and Assembly unanimously and was signed by the Governor on July 18,
2018.
In the waning days of session…
As is the regular course of business for the legislature, many or most of the big
ticket or controversial bills are dealt with in the final two weeks of session. Since
2018 is the second year of the two year legislative session, extra pressure was
placed on lawmakers because both current year introductions and bills they’d
been working on and carried over from 2017 would die at midnight on August 31st
if they had not completed the legislative process.
One notable factor that has changed the pace of the end of session madness has
been the aforementioned 72 hour “in print rule.” Prior to the passage of Prop 54,
the last few days of session were always extremely chaotic because of the ability of
the majority party to amend bills very quickly, hear them in committee and
report them to the floor for vote and concurrence, often before legislators and
staff would or could have a chance to fully digest what was being voted on. Now
that bills have to be in their final amended form for 72 hours, the real action to
twist arms and negotiate bills (with enough time to get the amendments into
print) must happen by midnight, three days before the last day of session. For
the last two years, it has had the effect of somewhat lowering the level of
controversy on the legislative floors, as no party can opine that they did not have
time to analyze a potentially controversial bill. As such, the end of session, this
year, was characterized by more working and less “yelling” on both Assembly and
Senate floors.
Attachment A
Page 13 of 120
5
The final push…
The legislature acted on hundreds of bills over the last two weeks of August, most
of them non- controversial, but some worth highlighting in this year-end
summary.
SB 10 (Hertzberg) - Creates a risk-based non-monetary pre-arraignment and
pretrial release system for people arrested for criminal offenses including
preventative detention procedures for person’s determined to be too high a risk
to assure public safety if released.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 244, Statutes of 2018
SB 100 (de León) - Establishes the 100 Percent Clean Energy Act of 2017 which
increases the Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirement from 50 percent
by 2030 to 60 percent, and creates the policy of planning to meet all of the state's
retail electricity supply with a mix of RPS-eligible and zero-carbon resources by
December 31, 2045, for a total of 100 percent clean energy.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 312, Statutes of 2018
SB 822 (Wiener) - Enacts the Internet Consumer Protection and Net
Neutrality Act and prohibits certain fixed and mobile Internet service providers
that provide broadband Internet access service from engaging in specified actions
concerning the treatment of Internet traffic. SB 822 also prohibits the blocking of
lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, impairing or
degrading lawful Internet traffic on the basis of Internet content, application, or
service, or use of a non-harmful device, and other specified practices.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 976, Statutes of 2018
SB 828 (Wiener) - Amends the Planning and Zoning Law to prohibit the prior
underproduction of housing in a city or county from the previous cycle and stable
population numbers in a city or county from the previous cycle from being used
as a justification for a determination or a reduction in the jurisdiction's share of a
regional housing need. SB 828 includes lands zoned or designated for
agricultural protection or preservation that are subject to a local ballot measure
that prohibits their conversion to nonagricultural uses.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 974, Statutes of 2018
SB 901 (Dodd) - Addresses numerous issues concerning wildfire prevention,
response and recovery, including funding for mutual aid, fuel reduction and
forestry policies, wildfire mitigation plans by electric utilities, and cost recovery
by electric corporations of wildfire-related damages.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 626, Statutes of 2018
Attachment A
Page 14 of 120
6
SB 1303 (Pan) - Replaces the coroner with an independent office of the medical
examiner in counties with 500,000 or more residents.
Status: Vetoed by Governor
SB 1343 (Mitchell) - Requires an employer who employs a specified amount
and type of employees, to provide sexual harassment training to all supervisory
employees and nonsupervisory employees by a specified date and subsequently in
a certain number of years. SB 1343 also requires the Department of Fair
Employment and Housing to make existing informational posters, fact sheets,
and online training courses available.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 956, Statutes of 2018
The final analysis…
As was 2017, 2018 was a productive year for the State Legislature. Californian’s
got another on-time budget despite Legislative Democrats losing their
supermajorities. Legislative leaders were able to negotiate agreements to keep
several initiatives off the November 2018 ballot, including one that would have
requires new local taxes to be approved by a two-thirds vote.
Leaders were also able to make long strides in dealing with the effects of
rebuilding and reacting to the numerous and historically large wildfires that
plagued the Golden State. Among other things, they moved forward on dealing
with many facets of the state’s lingering and chronic homelessness and housing
issues, and launched the opening salvo in what promises to be a lengthy
legislative and judicial battle to reform and recast California’s bail system.
The legislature will undoubtedly have to continue to grapple with these and other
issues into the 2019-2020 session and beyond. They will also have to have to
assess and formulate new strategies in order to form new relationships with the
next Governor, their administration, priorities and sensibilities. As of the
drafting of this document, not much is known about possible composition of a
likely Newsom administration. We will all be waiting with anticipation to see
how much or little the next Governor decides to adhere to fiscally conservative
and pragmatic legacy of Edmund G. Brown Jr. The democratic leadership and
majority caucuses in both houses of the legislature will likely be ready to test the
mettle of the next Governor. Democrats will undoubtedly approach a new
governor with an eye to ending the Brown era of limited and often one-time
spending on programs and squirreling real or perceived surpluses into reserves.
We will all have to wait and see.
Contra Costa County: Legislative Advocacy Program
AB 605 (Mullin) - Amends the Child Day Care Facilities Act, and requires the
State Department of Social Services, in consultation with stakeholders, to adopt
regulations to create a child care center license to serve infant, toddler, preschool,
Attachment A
Page 15 of 120
7
and school age children. This bill also requires that all day care centers to be
licensed as child care centers before a specified date. Requires the regulations to
include components for infant, toddler, preschool, and school age children,
health and safety standards, among other specified components.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 574, Statutes of 2018
CCC Position: Support
AB 626 (E. Garcia) - Amends the Retail Food Code and establishes
requirements for microenterprise home kitchen operations. AB 626 also requires
an internet food service intermediary that lists or promotes a microenterprise
home kitchen on its website or app, to be registered with the Department of
Public Health, to post on its website or app the requirements for the permitting of
a such operation, and to submit other specified information relating to a
microenterprise home kitchen to local enforcement agencies.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 470, Statutes of 2018
CCC Position: Oppose
AB 1795 (Gipson) - Authorizes a local emergency medical services agency to
submit, as part of its emergency medical services plan, a plan to transport
specified patients who meet triage criteria to a behavioral health facility or a
sobering center. AB 1795 also authorizes a city or county to designate, and
contract with, a sobering center to receive patients and establishes sobering
center standards.
Status: Died on Assembly Suspense
CCC Position: Support
AB 1804 (Berman) - Exempts from Environmental Quality Act residential or
mixed use housing projects located in unincorporated areas of a county meeting
certain requirements. It also requires a lead agency to file a notice of exemption
with the Office of Planning and Research and the county clear in the county
which the project is located.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 670, Statutes of 2018
CCC Position: Support
AB 1876 (Frazier) - Makes the provisions establishing the Delta Stewardship
Council inoperative on a specified date. This bill also provides for the Delta
Protection Commission on that date to succeed to, and to be vested with, the
duties of the previous Council. AB 1876 also provides for the Commission to
adopt, instead of recommend, various measures for inclusion in the Delta Plan,
subject to making the determinations previously made by the Council.
Status: Failed Passage in Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and
Wildlife
CCC Position: Support (DCC letter)
Attachment A
Page 16 of 120
8
AB 1909 (Nazarian) - Clarifies that the Department of Social Services is
required to provide translations of written content in languages spoken by a
substantial number of providers of in home supportive services in the state.
Permits the Department to work with counties and the County Welfare Directors
Association to repurpose existing, county produced translations of written
content.
Status: Vetoed by Governor
CCC Position: Support
AB 1980 (Quirk) - Relates to existing law which requires that actions for civil
penalties or punitive damages relating to hazardous waste and hazardous
substances be commenced within 5 years after the discovery by the agency
bringing the action. It includes actions relating to aboveground storage of
petroleum within the 5-year limitations period.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 141, Statutes of 2018
CCC Position: Support
AB 2441 (Frazier) - Amends existing law authorizing the State Lands
Commission to take immediate action, without notice, to remove from areas in its
jurisdiction a vessel that is left unattended and is moored, docked, beached, or
made fast to land creating a hazard. It also requires the Commission, upon
receipt of funds appropriated by the Legislature and any federal or private funds
for this purpose, to develop a plan for the removal of abandoned commercial
vessels, as prescribed, by a specified date.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 540, Statutes of 2018
CCC Position: Support
AB 2923 (Chiu) - Requires the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District's
Board to adopt by ordinance new transit oriented development zoning standards
for each station that establishes minimum local zoning requirements for height,
density, parking, and floor area ratio only, that apply to an eligible TOD project.
Requires the TOD zoning standards to become the local zoning for any BART
owned land within a certain distance of any existing or planned BART station
entrance within the District in areas represented.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 1000, Statutes of 2018
CCC Position: Oppose
AB 3138 (Muratsuchi) - Increases the lesser maximum amount of civil or
administrative liability imposed on a person or stationary source for a violation to
a specified amount for each day in which the violation occurs, and would
authorize the greater maximum civil or administrative liability to be imposed on
a person or stationary source that knowingly violates those provisions regardless
of whether the violation was committed after reasonable notice.
Attachment A
Page 17 of 120
9
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 308, Statutes of 2018
CCC Position: Support
SB 168 (Wieckowski) - Amends the Beverage Container Recycling and Litter
Reduction Act to require a beverage container that is a PET plastic container to
be constructed with a minimum percentage of postconsumer recycled plastic. SB
168 also requires the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery to
establish minimum postconsumer recycled content standards for beverage
containers that are constructed of plastic, material other than metal, glass or
plastic, or any combination of plastic and material other than metal, glass or
plastic.
Status: Failed Passage on Assembly Floor
CCC Position: Support
SB 212 (Jackson) - Establishes a stewardship program, under which a
manufacturer or distributor of covered drugs or sharps, distributor, or other
entity defined to be covered by the bill, would be required to establish and
implement a stewardship program for covered drugs or for sharps. It also
authorizes an operator of a stewardship program, after the stewardship plan has
been approved, to establish a mail back or other collection program for covered
products for a county in which it operates.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 1004, Statutes of 2018
CCC Position: Support
SB 522 (Glazer) - Dissolves the existing elected board of the West Contra Costa
Healthcare District and requires the Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra
Costa, at its election, to either serve as the district board or appoint a district
board.
Status: Signed by Governor Chapter 133, Statutes of 2018
CCC Position: Support/Sponsor
SB 905 (Wiener) – Requires the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to
conduct a pilot program that would authorize the issuance of an additional hours
license to an on sale licensee located in a qualified city to authorize the selling,
giving, or purchasing of alcoholic beverages at the licensed premises between
certain hours, upon completion of specified requirements by the qualified city in
which the licensee is located. This bill would apply to nine cities in California.
Status: Vetoed by Governor
CCC Position: Oppose
SB 1043 (Newman) - Defines a workload unit for purposes of provisions of the
Department of Veterans Affairs funds disbursement, to mean a specific claim
activity that is used to allocate subvention funds to counties, which is approved
by the department, and performed by county veterans service officers. Makes an
Attachment A
Page 18 of 120
10
annual basis of a specified sum appropriated by the General Fund to the
Department of Veterans Affairs to be available for allocation to counties to fund
the activities of county veterans’ service officers.
Status: Died in Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs
CCC Position: Support
SB 1093 (Jackson) - Extends a prohibition on Department of Motor Vehicle
records to the disclosure of the home addresses of an adult abuse investigator or
social worker working in protective services within a social services department.
Status: Died on Senate Appropriations Committee Suspense File
CCC Position: Support
SCR 166 (Dodd) - Declares the week of September 10, 2018, and that week
every year thereafter, as Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Week.
Status: Signed by Governor, Chapter 239, Statutes of 2018
CCC Position: Support
2018 Qualified Ballot Propositions for November General
Election
Proposition 1 – Issues $4 billion in bonds for housing programs and veterans’
home loans.
Proposition 2 – Authorizes the state to use revenue from the millionaire’s tax
for $2 billion in bonds for homelessness prevention housing.
Proposition 3 – Issues $8.77 billion in bonds for water related infrastructure
and environmental projects.
Proposition 4 – Issues $1.5 billion in bonds for children’s hospitals.
Proposition 5 – Revises the process for homebuyers who are 55 or older or
severely disabled to transfer their tax assessments.
Proposition 6 – Repeals 2017’s fuel tax and vehicle fee increases and requires a
public vote on future increases.
Proposition 7 – Authorizes the legislature to provide for permanent daylight
saving time, if the federal government allows.
Proposition 8 – Requires dialysis clinics to issue refunds for revenue above a
certain amount.
Proposition 10 – Allows local governments to regulate rent.
Proposition 11 – Allows ambulance providers to require workers to remain on-
call during breaks, paid at their regular rate.
Proposition 12 – Bans the sale of meat from confined in spaces below specific
sizes.
One final note …
In May, the Department of Water Resources gave notice to the Joint Legislative
Budget Committee that it intended to modify the terms and conditions of certain
Attachment A
Page 19 of 120
11
long-term water supply contracts delivering water for the State Water Project.
California Water Code Section 147.5 requires the Committee to hold an
informational hearing about the modifications before implementation.
The Delta Counties commented at the hearing that the changes were intended to
facilitate the transfer of water out of the delta pursuant to the California Water
Fix without transparency or legislative oversight. At the end of the hearing,
Senator Mitchell, Chair, commented that the Legislature intended to address this
issue in the 2019 session.
Attachment A
Page 20 of 120
LEGISLATION COMMITTEE 5.
Meeting Date:11/05/2018
Subject:2019 Draft State Legislative Platform
Submitted For: LEGISLATION COMMITTEE,
Department:County Administrator
Referral No.: 2018-28
Referral Name:
Presenter: L. DeLaney & C. Christian, Ben Palmer Contact: L. DeLaney, 925-335-1097
Referral History:
Each fall, the County Administrator’s Office initiates the development of the coming year’s State
and Federal Legislative platforms by inviting members of the Board of Supervisors, Department
Heads and key staff, as well as the Board's advisory bodies, to provide recommended changes or
additions to the current adopted Platforms. In late August, all were invited to provide suggested
edits to the State Platform by submitting input in writing.
The Legislation Committee typically reviews the draft Platform in November and/or December of
each year, with the Proposed Platform recommended to the Board of Supervisors for adoption the
following January. The Draft 2019 State Platform in redline version (showing changes from the
adopted 2018 Platform) is Attachment A . A clean-copy version is Attachment B .
(Note: The Draft 2019 Federal Legislative Platform will be presented to the Committee at its
December meeting .)
With respect to the timeline for the 2019-20 legislative session, our state advocate, Ben Palmer,
from Nielsen Merksamer provides the following estimate. The official rules will be adopted either
in December or January.
December 3, 2018 – Legislature reconvenes and bill introduction can commence.
Mid-January (18th or 25th ) – Deadline to submit bill request to Legislative counsel.
(Counsel’s role is to translate the legislative idea into actual bill language.)
Mid-February (15 th or 22nd) – Deadline to introduce bills.
March through May – Committee hearings. Note that bills can be introduced in “spot” form,
meaning that they are essentially placeholders until language is worked out. “Spot” bill
should be amended with their substantive contents by early March in order to ensure that
they can be heard by policy committees in a timely manner.
It is always preferable to find an author by early-mid January as members are limited in the
number of bills they can introduce. Therefore, should the Board of Supervisors wish to pursue the
proposed sponsored legislation, expediency will be important. The Board is expected to receive
Page 21 of 120
the Proposed Legislative Platforms at their January 22, 2019 meeting.
Referral Update:
The significant proposed amendments to the 2018 State Platform that are recommended by staff
for the 2019 Draft State Legislative Platform include the following:
COUNTY-SPONSORED LEGISLATION
For 2019, the following bills are recommended to be sponsored by the Contra Costa County
Board of Supervisors.
Seniors/Persons with Disabilities Transportation Program
The “Seniors/Persons with Disabilities (SPD) Transportation Program” creates a mechanism to
strategically increase funding for transportation programs serving the senior/disabled population.
It is acknowledged at the local, regional, state and federal levels that transportation programs for
this population are underfunded and underdeveloped. These deficiencies will increase as
demographic ad public health shifts amplify these issues.
This proposal was approved by the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee (TWIC)
on September 10, 2018 and subsequently approved by the Board of Supervisors on September 25,
2018.
Sales Tax Exemption Proposal for On-Call Volunteer Fire Departments
This proposal would remove a logistical barrier to the purchase of equipment used exclusively by
volunteer, on call fire departments by exempting those purchases from applicable sales and use
taxes. Such a change would be consistent with exemptions in other states and remove an artificial
barrier that can delay the purchase of necessary firefighting equipment. Volunteer on-call fire
departments provide the same service as full-time departments in areas that simply do not
generate the tax revenue needed for 24-hour shift crews. For these departments, such as the
Crockett-Carquinez Fire Department, the cost to replace an aging fire engine can represent
between 80 and 110 percent of their total yearly budget. As a result, small districts like Crockett
must continue to keep older engines in service well past their recommended replacement
timeframe in order to amass sufficient funds to purchase a replacement. This results in higher
maintenance costs, more down time, and most importantly greater risk for our firefighters who
are already making great sacrifice to serve our communities and state.
LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY ADVOCACY PRIORITIES
Staff is not recommending any changes to the nature or order of legislative priorities for 2019.
However, the Committee may wish to consider the inclusion of a priority focus on the issue of
Homelessness.
"The Urban Counties of California are including this in their draft 2019 priorities for
consideration by their Board: "With the growing number of homeless in urban counties, UCC will
work on the implementation of the No Place Like Home program, the Homeless Emergency Aid
Page 22 of 120
Program, and the SB 2 funding program, to ensure that urban counties receive their fair share of
funding and that the guidelines will work for all counties. In addition, UCC will advocate for
additional funding that reduces and prevents homelessness; expand the availability of permanent
supportive housing; and provide urban counties with the ability to maximize and leverage
available Federal, State, and local funds to provide services for at-risk and homeless families and
individuals."
STATE PLATFORM POLICY POSITIONS
Child Support Services
Numerous text changes have been proposed by staff, reorganizing and updating policies as
needed. In addition, three new policies are proposed for inclusion in the Platform:
17. SUPPORT efforts to increase funding for the child support program. OPPOSE efforts to
reduce funding for the child support program.
18. OPPOSE efforts that restrict the child support agency from having access to customer data.
19. OPPOSE efforts that eliminate or restrict existing child support enforcement methods.
Climate Change
Staff proposes text changes to policy #22, which include: The County also has several creek and
wetland restoration projects with carbon sequestration capacity that would likely be eligible for
such allocations. Similarly, the County supports land conservation projects that may occur as fee
title or easement acquisitions, these also will likely be eligible.
Economic Development
Department of Conservation and Development staff proposes the inclusion of a new policy area
for Economic Development and the addition of the following positions:
28. SUPPORT an amendment to the California Competes (State incentive program) guidelines to
consider qualifying low-income census tracts within unincorporated areas of a county (that as a
whole does not qualify as low-income) in the enhanced scoring category. (This is a similar
situation to that highlighted in AB 1804, where unincorporated areas were left out of an incentive
program .)
29.SUPPORT legislation to dedicate net proceeds from State Lands Commission lease revenues
for public benefit in the County in which they are generated with a focus on increasing public
access to and enjoyment of the waterfront.
30. SUPPORT the State layering existing State economic development programs and incentives
with Federal Opportunity Zone tax credit incentives.
Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response
Page 23 of 120
The County's Chief Environmental Health and Hazardous Materials Officer, Randy Sawyer,
recommends the inclusion of a new policy:
39. SUPPORT legislation that would require cleanup of clandestine drug labs and other areas
where illicit drugs are manufactured or handled and where there is a threat to the health and safety
of the public and emergency responders, and would make the costs of cleanup recoverable from
the responsible party and liens on property. The existing legislation is narrowly focused on the
manufacturing of methamphetamine. Fentanyl use, storage, and production are growing
throughout the state. Properties may be contaminated by hazardous chemicals used or produced
in the manufacture of or the handling Fentanyl and Carfentanyl where those chemicals, remain
and where the contamination has not been remediated.
Health Care
The Public Health Director, Dan Peddycord, proposes the addition of the following policy:
94. OPPOSE legislation and state regulation that seeks to weaken or eliminate local control over
the commercial cannabis industry.
Human Services
Staff of EHSD proposes an entire revision of this section of the Platform. These revisions have
not been incorporated into the Draft 2019 State Legislative Platform at this time, pending
direction from the Committee. The revision of this section of the Platform is included in
Attachment C .
Land Use/Community Development
The following additional language is recommended to be added to policy #134 regarding the
inclusion of NCCPs for funding in allocations from Propositions 1 and 64: Proposition 68 was
passed in 2018; programs that support NCCPs were subsequently allocated funding. In addition
to the programs that are identified in Prop 68, NCCPs are eligible to receive other funds, and the
County should continue to support these funding allocations. In 2018 the East County NCCP
successfully increased CDFW’s Local Assistance Program from $600,000 to $2.6M with funds
from Prop 68. Continuing that level of funding requires ongoing support from local agencies
including Contra Costa County .
Transportation
Text changes that have been approved by TWIC are included in the Draft Platform and
highlighted.
Waste Management
Staff proposes the addition of the following policies:
Page 24 of 120
198. OPPOSE legislative and regulatory efforts that require more of counties related to diverting
waste from landfills without concurrently establishing an adequate funding mechanism.
199. SUPPORT efforts that will help counties more effectively combat illegal dumping, including
but not limited to establishing a more reasonable burden of proof standard, changing any
remaining infractions to misdemeanors and increasing penalty amounts or options (e.g. vehicle
seizure).
200. OPPOSE legislative or regulatory efforts to eliminate any existing waste diversion credits or
disposal reduction credits.
201. SUPPORT legislative or regulatory efforts to reduce what counties are required to recycle or
divert from landfills if and when there is not an adequate market for materials which had
previously been recycled.
202. OPPOSE legislative or regulatory efforts that require counties to site, fund, approve, build
and/or operate organic processing facilities, including composting operations.
203. OPPOSE regulatory efforts related to solid waste management that impose requirements on
counties that directly conflict with or exceed the scope of authority of the enabling legislation.
Finally, the Women's Commission has provided the following input into the development of the
2019 State Platform:
Priorities
The County also supports the continuation of the supplementary rate increases funded by
Proposition 56 from SB 856 to continue investment in quality reproductive health care
services.
Child Support Services
SUPPORT efforts that make the Child and Dependent Care Expenses Credit refundable so
that low- and moderate-income working families can benefit from the credit and receive a
tax refund for their child care expenses.
SUPPORT legislation to invest in California's child care system by increasing state rates for
infant and toddler care, creating a grant program to fund implementation and start-up costs
of new child care facilities, and establishing a fund to recruit a new generation of family
child care providers.
Health Care
SUPPORT Medi-Cal reimbursement rate increases through Proposition 56 funding for
quality reproductive health care service.
SUPPORT reimbursement for a maximum of 2 visits taking place on the same day at 1
location if the patient suffers illness/ injury requiring additional diagnosis/ treatment, or if
the patient has a medical visit and mental health or dental visit. Requires an FQHC or RHC
that currently includes the cost of encounters with more than one health professional that
take place on the same day at a single location as a single visit for purposes of establishing
the FQHC’s or RHC’s rate, to apply for an adjustment to its per-visit rate by 2020; after the
department has approved that adjustment, requires a medical visit and another health visit
that take place on the same day at a single location to be billed as separate visits.
Page 25 of 120
that take place on the same day at a single location to be billed as separate visits.
SUPPORT legislation to expand the existing college orientation requirements to include
education and discussion about dating and domestic violence.
Human Services
SUPPORT legislative efforts that make full-scope Medi-Cal available for income-eligible
undocumented California elder’s ages 65 years or older by removing immigration status as
an exclusionary barrier.
SUPPORT efforts that would allow lactation in county jails, requiring the county sheriff or
administrator of a county jail to develop and implement an infant and toddler breast milk
feeding policy for lactating women inmates detained in or sentenced to county jail,
regardless of if the jail is operated by a private contractor.
SUPPORT State & local funding for the 2020 Census count.
Safety Net Programs
SUPPORT efforts to help end childhood poverty in the CalWORKs program by setting a
floor for grants at 50% of the federal poverty line.
SUPPORT efforts to reinforce California’s commitment to the fair and equal housing by
requiring public agencies to administer their programs in a manner that affirmatively
furthers fair housing.
Violence Prevention
SUPPORT efforts to allow victims of sexual harassment more time to bring claims forward
by extending the current time limit (1 year) for which claims must be filed to three years
SUPPORT efforts requiring an employer who employs 5 or more employees, including
temporary or seasonal employees, to provide at least 2 hours of sexual harassment training
to all supervisory employees and at least one hour of sexual harassment training to all
nonsupervisory employees by January 1, 2020, and once every 2 years thereafter, as
specified.
SUPPORT legislation to end practices that have enabled sexual harassment in the workplace
to be covered up by prohibiting one-sided arbitration agreements from being forced on new
employees, providing protections for whistleblowers, and preventing retaliation towards
workers who do not sign arbitration agreements.
Land Use/ Community Development
SUPPORT state legislation to create a pilot to provide supportive housing to parolees who
are either experiencing homelessness or were homeless when incarcerated, and have no
place to go upon discharge.
Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):
REVIEW the Draft 2019 State Legislative Platform, provide direction to staff on any
recommended changes, and RECOMMEND action to the Board of Supervisors.
Attachments
Attachment A: Redlined Draft 2019 State Platform
Attachment B: Clean-copy Draft 2019 State Platform
Attachment C: Human Services Revisions
Page 26 of 120
20189 ADOPTED DRAFT
STATE LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
Contra Costa County
January 23, 2018
Amended March 27, 2018
November 5, 2018
Attachment A
Page 27 of 120
1
Table of Contents (to be updated)
COUNTY-SPONSORED LEGISLATION ........................................................................................... 2
LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY ADVOCACY PRIORITIES ........................................................ 22
STATE PLATFORM POLICY POSITIONS ..................................................................................... 56
Agriculture......................................................................................................................................... 56
Animal Services ................................................................................................................................. 67
Child Support Services ....................................................................................................................... 78
Climate Change ................................................................................................................................... 7
Delta Water Platform ........................................................................................................................... 9
ElectionsEconomic Development ......................................................................................................... 9
Elections .............................................................................................................................................. 9
Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response .................................................................................. 9
Eminent Domain ................................................................................................................................ 10
Flood Control and Clean Water .......................................................................................................... 10
General Revenues/Finance ................................................................................................................ 11
Health Care........................................................................................................................................ 13
Human Services ................................................................................................................................. 19
Indian Gaming ................................................................................................................................... 28
Land Use/Community Development .................................................................................................. 28
Law and Justice System ...................................................................................................................... 31
Levees ............................................................................................................................................... 32
Library……………………………………………………………………………………………………… ........................................ 34
Pipeline Safety………………………………………………………………………………………………..…… ............................. 34
Telecommunications and Broadband ................................................................................................. 35
Transportation ................................................................................................................................... 35
Veterans ............................................................................................................................................ 38
Waste Management .......................................................................................................................... 39
Workforce Development ................................................................................................................... 40
Formatted: Font: Italic
Formatted: Highlight
Attachment A
Page 28 of 120
3
20189 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
Seniors/Persons with Disabilities Transportation Funding Program
The “Seniors/Persons with Disabilities (SPD) Transportation Program” creates a mechanism to
strategically increase funding for transportation programs serving the senior/disabled population.
It is acknowledged at the local, regional, state and federal levels that transportation programs for
this population are underfunded and underdeveloped. These deficiencies will increase as
demographic ad public health shifts amplify these issues.West Contra Costa Healthcare District
(SB 522)
Sales Tax Exemption Proposal for On-Call Volunteer Fire Departments
This proposal would remove a logistical barrier to the purchase of equipment used exclusively by
volunteer, on call fire departments by exempting those purchases from applicable sales and use
taxes. Such a change would be consistent with exemptions in other states and remove an artificial
barrier that can delay the purchase of necessary firefighting equipment. Volunteer on-call fire
departments provide the same service as full-time departments in areas that simply do not generate
the tax revenue needed for 24-hour shift crews. For these departments, such as the Crockett-
Carquinez Fire Department, the cost to replace an aging fire engine can represent between 80 and
110 percent of their total yearly budget. As a result, small districts like Crockett must continue to
keep older engines in service well past their recommended replacement timeframe in order to
amass sufficient funds to purchase a replacement. This results in higher maintenance costs, more
down time, and most importantly greater risk for our firefighters who are already making great
sacrifice to serve our communities and state.
Given the District’s limited funding and change in operations, legislation that would allow the
Board of Supervisors to appoint the District’s governing body is necessary and appropriate. It
would eliminate the cost of elections and foster collaboration between the District and the County
as these two public agencies work together to meet the medical needs of District residents. On
August 1, 2017, the Board of Supervisors authorized the County Administrator to seek legislation
to change the District’s Board of Directors from an elected board to one appointed by the Board
of Supervisors. The District’s governing body also supports this change. A bill has been
introduced to accomplish this, SB 522, and will be considered in January 2018.
Formatted: Font: Bold, Italic
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Font: Bold, Italic
Formatted: Font: Not Bold
Formatted: Font: Not Bold
Formatted: Font: Not Bold, Not Highlight
Formatted: Font: Bold, Italic
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 29 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 4
LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY ADVOCACY PRIORITIES
Each year, issues emerge through the legislative process that are of importance to the County and
require advocacy efforts. For 20189, 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 30record returns have combined to bring the
State Budget to a much improved financial condition. While the Governor's Budget identifies cost
pressures and budget risks in health and human services programs, 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.
Due to the restructuring of In-home Supportive Services (IHSS) funding in the State Budget (SB
90), the new Maintenance of Effort will shift program costs to counties; Contra Costa County
anticipates a resultant decrease in IHSS administration funding. At the same time, the County
expects that IHSS caseloads and authorized hours per case will continue to increase. In Contra
Costa County, the number of caseloads increased by 16% from FY 2013-14 to FY 2016-17; the
number of providers grew by 13%; and average authorized hours per case increased by 19%. The
new proposed administrative funding is not expected to match the growing need for increased
administration time and support needed to meet the demand of the growing IHSS population.
Anticipated negotiations for the FY 2019-2020 State budget will re-examine the funding structure
for IHSS and determine the sustainability of county revenues and programs.
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 actively participate in discussions of how to best reform and preserve 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. 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 exercised.
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
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 30 of 120
5
counties: county hospital (12 counties including Contra Costa County), payor/clinic and County
Medical Services Program (CMSP) counties.
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 for the various operational systems, and supporting legislation to ensure that low-income
families are covered under the Affordable Care Act while opposing legislation which would reduce
Medi-Cal eligibility. In addition, the County will continue to work to reduce uncompensated
health care costs, work on the adequacy of rates under the new health care system, and advocate
for adequate state funding for community-based health and social service networks to improve
service coordination, health outcomes and quality of life.
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, and supported the
proposed Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) --an effort to construct a pair of massive tunnels
under the Delta, now recast as the California WaterFix (CWF)-- 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 and 2012 ballots but successfully
passed on the 2014 state ballot, as Proposition 1.
Significant future impacts on the County in the areas of water quality and supply, levee stability,
ecosystem health, local land use authority and flood control are anticipated.
Particular areas of concern for 20189 include, but are not limited to: (1) the ongoing development
of the BDCP project, now recast as the California WaterFix (CWF) and whether the state water
bond appropriates funds specific to the BDCP/CWF; and (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 continues 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.
Attachment A
Page 31 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 6
Any future proposals to realign programs to counties must have constitutionally guaranteed
ongoing funding and protections. The County will oppose any proposals that would transfer
additional program responsibility to counties without funding, constitutional protections, county
participation and approval. 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, 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. 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. Finally,
the County also supports more funding for mental health and behavioral health programs and
facilities in order to meet the requirements of Realignment and the goal of reducing recidivism.
Attachment A
Page 32 of 120
7
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.
Agriculture
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, and support revisions to State school siting policies, 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 effort s 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.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 33 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 8
Animal Services
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 a yardstick against which other Animal Control
organizations are measured. The local control exercised by the Board of Supervisors is
key to that hallmark.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 34 of 120
9
Child Support Services
12. SUPPORT the establishment of a statewide electronic registry for the creation and
release/satisfaction of real property 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 in that county. This requires potentially recording the judgment in
each of the 58 counties in order not to miss a property transaction. An electronic registry
would simplifiesy not only the creation of liens but and also the release or /satisfaction of
liens because there would beby creating a single statewide point of contact, and the entire
process cwould be handled managed electronically through by automated meansprocesses
with our centralized child support case management system.
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 code to
clarify that county recorders may not charge a fee or tax to record any child support agency
document. A new code section or amendment to Government Code §27383 which states
“No fee shall be charged by the recorder for services rendered to the State, to any
municipality, county in the State or other political subdivision thereof, except for making
a copy of a paper or record,” can clarify that any document prepared by the local child
support agency and then sent for recording is covered by the exemption, a technical point
not currently 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 that require the Department of Child Support Services to
provide documents, forms, and letters in digitized format and distribute by any means that
the department determines is feasible, including email, website and SMS texting.
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 programthat create new
child support enforcement methods or enhance existing child support enforcement
methods.
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
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Font: Not Italic
Formatted: Font: Not Italic, Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Attachment A
Page 35 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 10
is feasible, including, but not limited to, e-mail or by means of a websiteto ensure that any
reduction in funding for the department of Child Support Services at the State level is not
passed down as a reduction to the local child support agency.
17. SUPPORT efforts to increase funding for the child support program. OPPOSE efforts to
reduce funding for the child support program.
18. OPPOSE efforts that restrict the child support agency from having access to customer data.
16.19. OPPOSE efforts that eliminate or restrict existing child support enforcement methods.
Climate Change
17.20. 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.
18.21. 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.
22. 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, have Natural Community Conservation Plans or
similar land conservation (fee title and easement) efforts that will address climate change
and have demonstrated a local commitment to climate protection (e.g. established
emissions reduction targets, prepared Climate Action Plans, etc.). The County has several
good projects that would sequester carbon, such as Creek and wetland restoration
projects. The County also has several creek and wetland restoration projects with carbon
sequestration capacity that would likely be eligible for such allocations. Similarly, the
County supports land conservation projects that may occur as fee title or easement
acquisitions, these also will likely be eligible.
19.23. SUPPORT efforts to expand eligible expenditures of the Greenhouse Gas Revenue Fund
to investments in accessible transit/transportation systems (serving seniors, disabled,
veterans) which result in more efficient (shared trips, increased coordination) service and
corresponding reductions in greenhouse gas production.
Formatted: Font color: Auto
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Attachment A
Page 36 of 120
11
20. SUPPORT efforts to expand eligible expenditures of the Greenhouse Gas Revenue Fund
to investments in accessible transit/transportation systems (serving seniors, disabled,
veterans) which result in more efficient (shared trips, increased coordination) service and
corresponding reductions in greenhouse gas production. This policy is in support of the
accessible transit/transportation initiatives discussed during the Measure X and 2017
Countywide Transportation Plan approval, and is consistent with the "Accessible
Transportation" report provided to the Board of Supervisors in September 2017 which
documented the need for substantial investment to make improvements in this field. The
September 2017 report established that the County is not unique in this situation; these
issues are widespread which justifies a statewide/nationwide legislative approach.
21.24. SUPPORT efforts to ensure life-cycle costs are considered when planning new projects in
the state. A key challenge for State and local agencies is funding the ongoing operation
and maintenance of infrastructure. This includes all aspects of the built environment:
buildings, roads, parks, and other infrastructure. As California begins to implement more
aggressive climate goals, the State should be thinking about new methodologies for
anticipating project costs. In particular, it is evident that California will need a different
transportation system than the one we have currently, and that this new transportation
system will be more expensive to maintain. Traditional accounting methods that look only
at initial project cost lead to situations where infrastructure fails, at greater replacement
cost than if ongoing operation and maintenance had been included from the beginning.
This would include methodologies for internalizing the social and environmental costs of
projects.
22.25. SUPPORT revisions to the Public Resources Code and the Air Resources Board’s
Investment Plans to provide Cap and Trade funding for the conservation of natural lands,
parks and open space through fee title acquisition as well as easements.
23.26. OPPOSE changes to the California Environmental Protection Agency’s protocols for
designating disadvantaged communities which result in a reduction in the number or size
of disadvantaged communities in Contra Costa County. Disadvantaged communities are
prioritized for receipt of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds, the funding source for a
number of state grant programs. Contra Costa County has a number of communities and
neighborhoods that are economically and socially disadvantaged and located near large,
current and former industrial sites. These industrial operations contribute through the Cap
and Trade program to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The state designations should
continue to reflect the disproportionally acute needs of these communities.
24.27. As California and the East Bay region experiences more frequent and prolonged periods of
extreme heat, extreme heat will impact human health, demand on health services, potable
water, agriculture, vectors, wild fires, and demand on electricity. SUPPORT funding and
infrastructure to help protect vulnerable communities and populations as the mean
temperature of the region steadily increases due to global climate change. As California
and the East Bay region experiences more frequent and prolonged periods of extreme heat,
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Font: Italic
Attachment A
Page 37 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 12
extreme heat will impact human health, demand on health services, potable water,
agriculture, vectors, wild fires, and demand on electricity.
Delta Water Platform
To protect the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta from various detrimental forces that are
affecting its health and resources, it is the policy of Contra Costa County to support
implementation of projects and actions that will help improve the Delta ecosystem and the
economic conditions of the Delta. Contra Costa County has adopted a Delta Water
Platform to identify and promote activities and policy positions that support the creation
of a healthy Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Contra Costa County will use this Platform to
guide its own actions and advocacy in other public venues regarding the future of the Delta.
Economic Development
28. SUPPORT an amendment to the California Competes (State incentive program) guidelines
to consider qualifying low-income census tracts within unincorporated areas of a county
(that as a whole does not qualify as low-income) in the enhanced scoring category. (This
is a similar situation to that highlighted in AB 1804, where unincorporated areas were left
out of an incentive program.)
29. SUPPORT legislation to dedicate net proceeds from State Lands Commission lease
revenues for public benefit in the County in which they are generated with a focus on
increasing public access to and enjoyment of the waterfront.
30. SUPPORT the State layering existing State economic development programs and
incentives with Federal Opportunity Zone tax credit incentives.
Elections
25.31. 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.
26.32. 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
Formatted: Highlight
Formatted: Highlight
Formatted: Justified
Formatted: Font: Italic, Highlight
Formatted: Highlight
Formatted: Justified, Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or
numbering
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left
Formatted: Font: Times New Roman, Highlight
Attachment A
Page 38 of 120
13
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.
Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response
27.33. 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.
28.34. 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.
29.35. SUPPORT legislation that would require responses to future oil spills in a shorter
timeframe, with a more regional approach.
30.36. 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.
31.37. 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.
38. SUPPORT legislation that expands school safety improvement programs such as education
regarding and placement of automated external defibrillator(s) (AED(s)) in schools.
32.39. SUPPORT legislation that would require cleanup of clandestine drug labs and other areas
where illicit drugs are manufactured or handled and where there is a threat to the health
and safety of the public and emergency responders, and would make the costs of cleanup
recoverable from the responsible party and liens on property. The existing legislation is
narrowly focused on the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Fentanyl use, storage, and
production are growing throughout the state. Properties may be contaminated by
hazardous chemicals used or produced in the manufacture of or the handling Fentanyl and
Carfentanyl where those chemicals, remain and where the contamination has not been
remediated.
Eminent Domain
33.40. 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.
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Font: Italic
Formatted: Font: Italic
Attachment A
Page 39 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 14
34.41. 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
35.42. 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.
36.43. 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.
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.
37.44. 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.
38.45. 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 200-year
flood plain maps, but if they do, only working in areas protected by project levees which
does not include any areas within Contra Costa County.
39.46. 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
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
Attachment A
Page 40 of 120
15
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.
40.47. 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.
41.48. 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.)
42.49. OPPOSE efforts to limit local authority over transient occupancy taxes (TOT).
43.50. 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.
44.51. 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.
45.52. 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.
46.53. 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.
47.54. SUPPORT efforts to relieve California of the federal Child Support penalties without
shifting the cost of the penalties to the counties.
48.55. 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.
49.56. 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.
Attachment A
Page 41 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 16
50.57. 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.
51.58. 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.
52.59. SUPPORT state actions that maximize Federal and State revenues for county-run services
and programs.
53.60. SUPPORT legislative compliance with both the intent and language of Proposition 1A.
54.61. 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.
55.62. SUPPORT full State funding of all statewide special elections, including recall elections.
56.63. 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.
57.64. 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.
58.65. 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.
59.66. 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.
60.67. SUPPORT legislation that provides constitutional protections and guaranteed funding to
counties under Realignment.
Attachment A
Page 42 of 120
17
61.68. OPPOSE the establishment of specific or stricter standards for the use of personal services
contracts by counties, that would make contracting with community-based organizations
more difficult for counties.
Health Care
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 exis ting 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 cou nties
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.
62.69. 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.
63.70. SUPPORT Medi-Cal reimbursement rate increases to incentivize providers to participate
in the program.
64.71. 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).
65.72. 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 should include community-based providers and
could be modeled after current programs in place in safety net systems.
66.73. SUPPORT efforts that provide sufficient time for detailed data gathering of current safety
net 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
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 43 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 18
fully understood and accounted for in order to protect, and enhance as appropriate,
funding for these related services.
67.74. OPPOSE safety net funding transfers until an analysis of who would remain uninsured (e.g.
medically indigent adults, including citizens, who cannot document citizenship under
current Medicaid eligibility rules) is completed in order to adequately fund services for
these populations.
68.75. SUPPORT efforts to clearly define and adequately fund remaining county responsibilities.
69.76. 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.
70.77. SUPPORT efforts to provide adequate financing for health care reforms to succeed.
71.78. SUPPORT measures that maximize federal reimbursement from Medicaid and S-CHIP.
72.79. 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.
73.80. 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.
74.81. SUPPORT state action to implement a 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.
75.82. SUPPORT efforts to increase revenues and to contain mandated costs in the County's
hospital and clinics system.
76.83. SUPPORT efforts to obtain a fair-share of any state funds in a distribution of funding for
the integration of IHSS and managed care.
77.84. SUPPORT efforts to increase the availability of health care (including alcohol and other
drugs recovery) to the uninsured in California, whether employed or not.
78.85. 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.
79.86. 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
Attachment A
Page 44 of 120
19
these actions are essential to the success of any effort to improve access and make health
care more affordable.
80.87. SUPPORT state efforts to increase the scope of benefits and reimbursement rates contained
in Minor Consent Medi-Cal to give youth with substance abuse disorders access to a
continuum of care, including residential and outpatient treatment.
81.88. SUPPORT efforts to give incentives to providers to establish more youth substance use
disorder residential treatment facilities within the county.
82.89. SUPPORT efforts to extend Drug Medi-Cal and 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.
83.90. SUPPORT funding and policy changes to support coverage of medically necessary alcohol
and substance use related disorder treatment at the same level as other medical conditions
in health care services, including county’s responsibility for Federal Financial Participation
(FFP) portion to increase Drug Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and incentivize providers to
participate in the program.
84.91. SUPPORT legislation that extends the restrictions and prohibitions against the smoking of,
and exposure to, 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; preventing the use of tobacco, electronic
smoking devices (e-cigarettes) and flavored tobacco by youth and young adults;
eliminating exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke; restrictions on advertising of
electronic smoking devices; reducing and eliminating disparities related to tobacco use and
its effects among specific populations; increasing the minimum age to 21 to purchase
tobacco products; and the promotion of cessation among young people and adults. Support
legislation that extends restrictions and prohibitions against the sale of flavored tobacco
products, prohibits the sale of tobacco products in stores that operate a pharmacy and
establishes distance and density restrictions on the establishment of a new tobacco retailer
within proximity of youth sensitive venues such as schools, day cares, or parks.
85.92. SUPPORT and encourage state, federal and/or private funding for pharmaceutical research
for the development of new cannabis products which would meet Federal Drug
Administration (FDA) standards of known strengths and attributes (and without
unnecessary side effects) which would be dispensable through pharmacies and medical
facilities consistent with State and Federal law.
93. SUPPORT legislation and administrative actions that further align a statewide regulatory
framework for the commercial cannabis industry and that continue to authorize local
jurisdictions to adopt more restrictive measures to protect the health, safety and welfare of
their residents.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 45 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 20
86.94. OPPOSE legislation and state regulation that seeks to weaken or eliminate local control
over the commercial cannabis industry. Currently, and until the proposed Bureau of
Cannabis Control regulations take effect, local government retains control over allowing
or prohibiting the operations of mobile cannabis delivery in their jurisdictions.
87.95. SUPPORT funding and policy changes to support population-based chronic disease
prevention efforts. Collectively, these include efforts to move up-stream from the treatment
of illness associated with chronic disease to advance a policy, systems and organizational-
change approach to address the underlying environmental factors and conditions that
influence health and health behaviors.
88.96. SUPPORT funding and policy changes to support developing a workforce with
gerontological expertise to manage the exponential growth in the chronically ill aging
population.
89.97. SUPPORT efforts that would advance a Health-In-All-Policies approach to policy work
done across the County. This implies consideration of how health is influenced by the built
environment and a connection with land use planning and development.
90.98. SUPPORT ongoing study of the health impacts of global and regional climate change and
ongoing countywide mitigation and adaptation efforts.
91.99. SUPPORT efforts that would preserve the nature and quality and continuity of care
associated with safety net services historically provided at the local level, such as the
California Children’s Services (CCS) and Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP)
programs, which are being transitioned into managed care at the state level.
92.100.SUPPORT efforts that promote aging in place through the utilization of long-term supports
and services and caregiver support services.
93.101.SUPPORT increasing the level of funding for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)
and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) to meet the increase in cost to provide
services and to meet the tremendous increase in the aging population.
94.102.SUPPORT maintaining level or enhanced funding, streamlined processes and greater
flexibility for use of State and Federal funding to respond to Public Health Emergency
Preparedness initiatives including Pandemic Influenza, emerging diseases, and continued
funding for all categories related to Public Health Preparedness, including Hospital
Preparedness Program, Homeland Security, Cities Readiness Initiative and core Public
Health Preparedness.
95.103.SUPPORT increased funding and policy changes for Tuberculosis (TB) prevention and
treatment, to reflect the increased risk of transmission faced across the Bay Area. The Bay
Area, including Contra Costa County, experiences more cases of active Tuberculosis than
do most states in the nation. The demographic make-up of our communities combined with
Formatted: Font: Times New Roman
Formatted: Left, Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or
numbering
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Font: Italic, Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Font: Italic, Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Font: Italic, Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 46 of 120
21
frequent international travel between the Bay and areas where TB is endemic, present an
added risk and thus the need to maintain adequate funding and program infrastructure.
96.104.SUPPORT increased funding for the public health infrastructure, capacity and prevention
services as outlined in the public health components of the Affordable Care Act and the
National Prevention and Public Health Fund.
97.105.SUPPORT recognition of Local Public Health Departments as an authorized provider for
direct billing reimbursement related to the provision of Immunization, Family Planning,
HIV, STD and TB services.
98.106.SUPPORT the reversal of the pre-emption language regarding local Menu-Labeling that is
included the Affordable Care Act.
99.107.SUPPORT enhanced funding and capacity for public health programs, specifically:
a. Prevention programs in the areas of chronic disease, specifically, obesity, diabetes,
asthma and cancer;
b. Prevention and risk reduction programs in the area of HIV, STD, teen pregnancy, injury
prevention as well as health promotion programs, such as nutrition and activity
education;
c. Oral health programs, especially those which address the needs of children and those
with oral health disparities;
d. Protecting the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF), as established in the
Affordable Care Act;
e. Increased resources dedicated to surveillance and prevention programs targeting
chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and asthma, as well
as injury and violence;
f. Funding and initiatives that support the surveillance, prevention and local preparation
for emerging diseases, such as Zika, novel Influenza, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C,
Chlamydia, and seasonal Influenza and public health programs which provide
screening, diagnosis, and treatment;
g. Provide for adequate State funding for children’s programs, including the California
Children’s Services (CCS) program for clients who are not Medi-Cal eligible to assure
that counties are not overmatched in their financial participation;
h. Programs which seek to monitor and address the needs of Foster youth, especially those
on psychotropic medication; and
i. Best practice programs which seeks to protect and enhance the health of pregnant
women and that address maternal, child and adolescent health needs.
100.108. SUPPORT efforts to strengthen needle exchange programs as part of an overall
program to combat the spread of HIV and other diseases; allowing items associated with
needle exchange programs such as, cookers, sterile water, and cotton to be distributed along
with clean needles; and the elimination of the federal ban on funding needle exchange
programs.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 47 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 22
101.109. SUPPORT legislative efforts to reduce or eliminate lead and toxic substances in
consumer products, particularly those used by infants and children.
102.110. SUPPORT legislative efforts to reduce exposure to toxic air pollutants and the
reduction of greenhouse gases.
103.111. SUPPORT funding, policy and programs dedicated to suicide, injury and violence
prevention. Additionally, support efforts aimed at reducing health disparities and inequities
associated with violence against women, communities of color and the LGBT community.
Programs which seek to limit the effects of injury, violence and abuse on children, seniors
and persons with disability.
104.112. SUPPORT funding and policy changes to support program development aimed at
reducing the misuse of prescription drugs, most especially opioids, and increase prevention
and treatment of opioid disorders to eliminate overdoses and combat the opioid epidemic.
Additionally, support funding and legislation to restrict the sale and use of powdered
alcohol and other similar products marketed to youth.
105.113. SUPPORT necessary County infrastructure and adequate funding related to
education, regulatory, testing and enforcement functions associated with the State Medical
Marijuana regulatory controls.
106.114. SUPPORT legislation and/or similar policy efforts to tax certain beverages that
contain added sugars, by establishing a per fluid ounce health impact fee on sugar
sweetened beverages at the distributor level. In addition, support efforts which would
create the Sugar Sweetened Beverage Safety warning act, which would require a safety
warning on all sealed sugar sweetened beverages.
107.115. SUPPORT legislation and efforts that support healthy meals, adequate meal time,
and increased physical activity/education for school-age children.
108.116. SUPPORT efforts to dedicate funding that sustains and expands non-infrastructure
Safe Routes to School programs that educate students, parents, and school staff about safe
walking and bicycling to school.
109.117. SUPPORT efforts to address the underlying determinants of health and health
equity, such as housing and prevention of displacement, educational attainment and livable
wage jobs, and accessible transportation.
110.118. SUPPORT legislation that extends the restrictions and prohibitions against the
smoking of, and exposure to, marijuana products in various places, including, but not
limited to, places of employment, school campuses, public buildings, day care facilities,
multi-family housing, health facilities, alcohol and other drug treatment facilities, and
homeless shelters; further prohibit marijuana edibles to prevent youth/children access to
harmful products; restrictions on advertising of marijuana products targeting youth and
near places frequented by youth or alcohol and other drug treatment facilities.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Background 1)
Attachment A
Page 48 of 120
23
111.119. SUPPORT funding, legislation, policy, and programs that would accomplish the
following:
a. create an effective crisis response system of services for persons experiencing
homelessness, particularly families and transition-age youth;
b. increases permanent housing with services for persons experiencing or at-risk of
homelessness with a chronic disability; and
c. protects and expands the availability of affordable housing, particularly for the
Very Low and Extremely Low Income population.
Human Services
See Attachment C.
Aging and Adult Services
112. SUPPORT efforts to promote safety of Adult Protective Services workers conducting
required unannounced home visits by allowing them to request and receive from law
enforcement criminal record checks through the California Law Enforcement
Telecommunications System (CLETS). This would primarily be used for reported abusers
in the household.
113. SUPPORT efforts to develop emergency temporary shelter and/or short-term options for
Adult Protective Services population and consider options that include but are not limited
to, licensing of facilities specifically for this population and exploring Medi-Cal billing
options to support clients in hospitals and other care facilities pending a more permanent
housing placement.
114. SUPPORT simplification of IHSS service hour calculation and allocation to insure
compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and efficiently provide services to
consumers.
115. 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, including through solutions
that allow access for Adult Protective Services to access financial records for investigation
of financial abuse and exploitation. Financial abuse is a fast-growing form of abuse of
seniors and adults with disabilities and current law does not authorize financial institutions
to grant access to financial records necessary to investigate the reported abuse without the
consent of the account holder or authorized representative.
116. 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
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Background 1)
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Font: Not Bold, No underline
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 49 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 24
departments would uniformly report incidents of elder abuse and California would have
much better data for policy and budget development purposes.
117. SUPPORT funding for statewide Adult Protective Services training.
118. SUPPORT establishing a State funded and administered General Assistance Program. The
General Assistance Program is 100% County funded. Moving it to the State would relieve
pressure on the County budget and appropriately direct costs to the State.
119. SUPPORT legislative efforts that allow for coordination of services and data, across state
and county departments, that support aging and elder populations.
120. SUPPORT creation of a pilot program “Fostering Dignity in Aging,” to provide grant
funding to counties to be used specifically for housing preservation and eviction prevention
services of victims of elder and dependent adult abuse, exploitation, neglect, or self-
neglect.
121. SUPPORT creation of funding opportunities and policies which promote the development
of aging-friendly communities.
122. SUPPORT legislation and investments related to long-term care, senior housing
affordability, medical service access, transportation, isolation and other quality of life
issues to support aging with dignity.
123. SUPPORT research that describes and assesses local service needs and gaps impacting
aging residents and that proposes specific and actionable local strategies to address these
needs.
124. SUPPORTS efforts to allow counties to use alternative reassessment approaches, including
but not limited to telephonic reassessments, that would be applied to customers rated low
on the Functional Index Rating Scale.
125. SUPPORT efforts that focus on dependent adult and elder abuse prevention including, but
not limited to, providing respite for caregivers.
126. SUPPORT efforts that identify, eliminate and prevent in-home neglect of the elderly and
dependent adults; and scams and fraud (internet and otherwise) targeted at the elderly and
dependent adults.
127. SUPPORT efforts that would require the California Department of Social Services to
translate all state-provided materials used by In-Home Support Services providers into the
statewide threshold languages: English, Spanish, Armenian, and Chinese.
128. SUPPORT efforts that would help to stabilize and provide short-term housing supports for
at-risk Adult Protective Services clients.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 50 of 120
25
129. SUPPORT legislative efforts that would enhance confidentiality of DMV records for Adult
Protective Services social workers (a practice already in place for Child Protective Services
social workers).
Safety Net Programs
130. SUPPORT efforts to extend family stabilization mental health/substance abuse funding to
include all family members. Current law only funds services for adult Welfare to Work
participants.
131. SUPPORT solutions to address gaps in existing state statute that cause disruptions to
continuity of care for some Covered California Insurance Affordability Program (IAP)
enrollees when a new determination of IAP takes place.
132. SUPPORT the use of state funds to pay for CalFresh benefits for those Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACAs) and PRUCOL (Permanent Residents Under the Color of
Law) who would otherwise be ineligible for CalFresh.
133. SUPPORT efforts to extend eligibility to zero share of Medi-Cal cost when recipients
report new earned income. Potential increases to state and local minimum wage impacts
eligibility to free health care.
134. SUPPORT efforts to extend eligibility of CalWORKs benefit by exempting the first 6
months of earned income received from new employment or wage increases. This is
intended to create better financial stability when a family’s income increases due to
changes in local and state minimum wage law.
135. SUPPORT a revision of the budgeting methodology for the CalWORKS Single Allocation.
The current methodology ties funding heavily to caseload, which can expand and contract
quickly with economic changes. This can result in large variations of funding levels, and
inability to respond to changing economic conditions in a timely manner.
136. SUPPORT fully funding Medi-Cal Administrative costs.
137. SUPPORT an Increase to the CalWORKS Maximum Aid Payment (MAP) and the
annual funding of a CalWORKS cost of living adjustment (COLA).
138. 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.
Legislative changes to support these initiatives could include the following:
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 51 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 26
a. Supportive Services. Extending the length of time CalWORKS recipients can
receive supportive service such as help with transportation, child care, work
uniforms, etc.
b. Welfare to Work. Extending the length of time families can receive Welfare to
Work services (job training and search and other employment related services)
including job retention services. Currently CalWORKS recipients are eligible to
receive supportive services and Welfare to Work services for up to 48 months if
they are in compliance with CalWORKS rules. After 48 months these services or
for CalWORKS cash aid. Helping people move from poverty and significant
education gaps to full time employment in jobs that pay a high enough wage to be
self-sufficient is difficult. It can take longer than 48 months and allowing for the
flexibility to extend supportive services and training past the 48 month time limit
would help.
c. Diversion: Removing the criteria that someone has to be apparently eligible to
CalWORKs in order to qualify for diversion and base the criteria on the client’s
circumstance and ability to maintain the situation on their own without the need of
continued assistance.
When applying income and resource requirements for diversion, use only
half of their income and/or resource value or increase the limits for income
and resources for diversion only.
Increasing the amount of the diversion payment. If the applicant doesn’t
“use” all of the amount, they have 12 months to come back into the office
and apply for the remaining amount of their diversion payments.
Allowing families to reapply for CalWORKs during their diversion period
without a repayment penalty or CalWORKs ineligibility.
d. Expanding job retention services;
e. Exempting the hard-to-serve from Welfare-to-Work activities and the 20%
exemption or providing flexibility in the time limit (dependent upon terms and
conditions of TANF authorization). Developing an eligibility definition to 250% of
the federal poverty level (FPL).Currently, the CalWORKs poverty level is 130% of
the FPL for each Assistance Unit (AU). An increase to 250% would ensure more
families meet income eligibility requirements.
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.
139. 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
Attachment A
Page 52 of 120
27
CalWORKs families who are being threatened with homelessness to prevent the eviction
and, presumably, better maintain the family members’ employment status.
140. SUPPORT alignment of verification requirements for CalWORKS, CalFRESH and Medi-
Cal programs to simplify the customer experience and reduce the potential for error.
Consider letting all programs access the Federal Hub used through CalHEERs.
Currently these programs have different requirements for client verification, though they
are all benefit programs. Alignment of verifications would make program administration
more efficient and improve the client experience.
141. SUPPORT allowing all individuals in receipt of Unemployment Benefits (UIB) to be
automatically eligible for CalFresh. Applying for UI and CalFresh is duplicative because
requirements of both program are so similar. This would increase CalFresh uptake in an
efficient way.
142. SUPPORT efforts to increase CalFresh benefit amounts to better meet recipients’
nutritional needs, improve ease and accessibility of the CalFresh application and
recertification processes, and adjust CalFresh eligibility requirements to include currently
excluded populations with significant need.
143. SUPPORT efforts to restore cuts to the Supplemental Security Income/State
Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) Program, increase grant amounts that would allow
improvement of quality of life, and reinstate the annual Cost of Living Adjustment
(COLA.)
144. 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.
145. SUPPORT efforts to improve and expand emergency food assistance networks’ (e.g. local
food banks, food pantries) ability to procure, store, and distribute nutritious food to those
in need.
146. SUPPORT increase of daily rate available under Temporary HA from $65 per day to $85
per day for homeless CalWORKs families of four or fewer and provide an additional $15
per day for each additional family member up to a maximum of $145 daily.
147. SUPPORT efforts for a more flexible framework that allows the state to supplement
CalFresh benefits if federal assistance is insufficient or unavailable. Recent natural
disasters have underscored the need for a more permanent framework for the state to
respond.
148. SUPPORT continuous investment in the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)
and efforts to increase access to California Earned Income Tax Credit, including increase
in tax credit.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 53 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 28
149. SUPPORT the expansion of benefits and services for immigrants, refugees, and asylum
seekers.
150. SUPPORT providing funding for graduation bonuses for non-pregnant/parenting
CalWORKs students who obtain a high school diploma/equivalent.
151. SUPPORT shared housing efforts to secure permanent housing assistance for CalWORKs
participants.
152. SUPPORT a federal waiver that would allow county social services agencies to process
CalFresh applications for jail inmates and suspend rather than terminate CalFresh
eligibility when a recipient is detailed in a county jail for a period of less than a year.
153. SUPPORT efforts that would allow CalWORKs Welfare to Work participants to
participate and achieve high school equivalency program without having their 24-month
clock be impacted during their time in the program.
154. OPPOSE legislative and budgetary actions that result in reduced level of services to
families, children, vulnerable adults and seniors, or that lead to preemption of local control.
Early Care and Education
155. SUPPORT the efforts of CHSA (California Head Start Association) in securing legislation
to support a state-wide integrated child care licensing structure. This will allow childcare
programs to apply for and have one child care license for all children 0-5 as opposed to the
current system of a two-license structure for varying ages of children in care. California
remains only one of two states in the nation to maintain the two license structure.
156. 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.
157. OPPOSE any legislation that increases tobacco taxes but fails to include language to
replace any funds subsequently lost to The California Children and Families Act/Trust
Fund for local services funded by tobacco taxes, Proposition 10 in 1998 and Proposition
99 in 1988.
158. 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 if verified that this is an increase by fiscal analysts 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). Budgets in these programs have stagnated or reduced.
An increase would greatly help low-income people find work and stay in jobs.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 54 of 120
29
159. SUPPORT efforts to increase the number of subsidized child care slots to address the
shortage of over 20,000 slots serving children 0-12 years of age in Contra Costa County;
and SUPPORT efforts to enhance the quality of early learning programs and maintain local
Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) for early learning providers. Affordable
child care is key to low-income workers remaining employed and there is a significant
dearth of subsidized child care slots. Increasing quality of early learning is important to
developing skills in the next generation.
160. SUPPORT legislation to expand early child care and education and increase funding for
preschool and early learning.
161. SUPPORT the restoration of funding for Facility Restoration and Repair (FRR) grants by
California Department of Education. Increasing the funding amounts for facility
restoration of early childhood education would allow for improved facilities at Head Start
sites.
162. SUPPORT legislation to expand early care and education and increase funding for
preschool and early learning, through a diverse and multi-faceted delivery system.
163. SUPPORT restoration of child development programs (pre-2011 funding) under
Proposition 98 funding.
164. SUPPORT legislation that would clarify and streamline the definition of homelessness
across categorical eligibility for child care services to homeless children.
165. SUPPORT legislation that would clarify the definition of “volunteer” in SB 792, a bill
which prohibits, commencing September 1, 2016, a person from being employed or
volunteering at a day care center or a day care home if he or she has not been immunized
against influenza, pertussis, and measles. Current law does not specify an established
minimum of time spent in a child care facility to be considered a volunteer. SB 792,
therefore, would apply to parents/grandparents coming to child care centers for one-time
volunteer activities, to provide proof of vaccination.
166. SUPPORT efforts to that would establish/allow the enrollment of 2.9 year olds in the
California State Preschool Program.
167. SUPPORT alignment of family eligibility for subsidized child care with cost of living
adjustments and higher minimum wage rates.
168. SUPPORT the restoration of State Quality Child Care Funds which funds the Local Child
Care Planning Council.
169. SUPPORT the increase in flexibility of child care contracts with the California Department
of Education that would allow voluntary transfer of funds to occur outside of November
and May months.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 55 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 30
170. SUPPORT efforts to raise wages for the early care and education workforce (such as child
care workers, preschool/infant-toddler teachers).
171. SUPPORT efforts that encourage access to early education home visiting programming -
supporting families in providing an environment that promotes healthy growth and
development of their young children.
Child Welfare
172. SUPPORT continued and improved funding for substance abuse treatment and mental
health services including those that provide alternatives to incarceration and Laura’s Law.
173. SUPPORT increased funding for Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention.
174. SUPPORT continued and improved funding for implementation of Continuum of Care
Reform.
175. SUPPORT child-specific approval for kinship caregivers (and non-related extended family
members) to enable relatives to care for their related child/children, if in the child’s best
interest, even if the relative/NREFM is not able or willing to be approved as a foster parent
for their foster children.
176. SUPPORT efforts that would amend the definition of “relative” as applied to state funded
Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-Gap) to be consistent with the federally
funded Kin-Gap. This will allow all Kinship guardianship cases to be treated uniformly
and allow more families to experience independence, normalcy and other benefits of
permanence as legal guardians.
177. SUPPORT counties to access CWS/CMS to determine family’s child abuse history for the
Resource Family Approval process.
178. SUPPORT efforts to expand California Earned Income Tax Credit (Cal-EITC) eligibility
to former foster youth under age 25 years.
179. SUPPORT efforts that would create state Homeless Youth Housing Program grants fund
to establish or expand programs that provide specified housing assistance and supportive
services to homeless youth.
Violence Prevention
180. SUPPORT efforts that seek to address the impact of domestic violence, sexual assault,
human trafficking, elder abuse and child abuse, and implement culturally relevant, trauma-
informed responses, connect victims to services, and prevent interpersonal violence.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 56 of 120
31
181. SUPPORT increased investments in housing for victims of domestic violence and human
trafficking including the preservation of emergency and long-term housing options for
victims.
182. SUPPORT efforts that prevent domestic violence and domestic violence homicide
including assessment of risk for assault or lethal force (including stalking and
strangulation) throughout the criminal justice system.
183. SUPPORT investments in continuous training and coordination of training for all law
enforcement officers, District Attorneys, Public Defenders, Judges and other court staff on
issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse and trauma
informed approaches.
184. SUPPORT efforts to increase training on human trafficking (with a specific focus on labor
trafficking) for law enforcement and others involved in criminal investigations.
185. SUPPORT efforts that seek to specialize and build expertise for designated staff and
systems (such as developing a commercially sexually exploited youth court or creating
human trafficking units) to better support survivors of human trafficking.
186. SUPPORT efforts that differentiate risk and provide differential response for both victims
of domestic violence and sex crimes and offenders of domestic violence and sex crimes.
187. SUPPORT efforts to increase language access and cultural responsive services for
survivors of interpersonal violence.
188. SUPPORT efforts that foster collaboration across protective and criminal systems which
allow for facilitation of cross-reporting of interpersonal violence.
189. SUPPORT efforts to increase cross-agency and cross-system collaboration on human
trafficking and domestic violence cases including the sharing of confidential or protected
information in multidisciplinary team settings in order to increase support for survivors.
190. SUPPORT efforts that promote training, capacity building and deeper understanding for
students, educators and social service staff on trauma informed care, adverse childhood
experiences, healthy workplaces and schools
191. SUPPORT efforts that ensure survivors of interpersonal violence feel safe to access
services.
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 has been 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
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 57 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 32
address these issues, as well as the need for funding for particip ation in the federal and state review processes and
for mitigation for the existing Class II casino.
192.120. SUPPORT efforts to ensure that counties who have existing or proposed Class II
Indian gaming facilities receive the Special Distribution Funds.
193.121. 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.
194.122. 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.
195.123. SUPPORT State authority to tighten up the definition of a Class II machine.
196.124. 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
197.125. SUPPORT efforts to promote economic incentives for "smart growth," in Priority
Development and Priority Production 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. Priority Production Areas are locally
designated zones where manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and repair services
would be a priority consideration in determining future land use.
198.126. 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 a number of goals in the County General Plan Housing Element.
199.127. 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.
Attachment A
Page 58 of 120
33
200.128. 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.
201.129. 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.
202.130. OPPOSE efforts to limit the County’s ability to exercise local land use authority.
203.131. 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.
132. 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.
133. Support SUPPORT the granting of approximately $24 million to the East Contra Costa
County NCCP from the $90 million allocation for NCCPs in Proposition 84.
134. Support SUPPORT the continued inclusion of NCCPs for funding in allocations from
Propositions 1 and 64. Proposition 68 was passed in 2018; programs that support NCCPs
were subsequently allocated funding. In addition to the programs that are identified in
Prop 68, NCCPs are eligible to receive other funds, and the County should continue to
support these funding allocations. In 2018 the East County NCCP successfully increased
CDFW’s Local Assistance Program from $600,000 to $2.6M with funds from Prop 68.
Continuing that level of funding requires ongoing support from local agencies including
Contra Costa County.
135. Support SUPPORT $90 million for implementation of NCCPs and an additional $100
million for watershed protection and habitat conservation in future park, water or natural
resource bonds.
136. Support 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
Formatted: Font: Bold
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Formatted: Font: Bold
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Formatted: Justified
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Font: Italic, Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Font: Italic
Formatted: Font: Times New Roman, Bold
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering
Formatted: Font: Bold
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Attachment A
Page 59 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 34
implementation of climate change legislation such as SB 375, AB 32 as well as an
appropriate tool for spending Cap and Trade revenues. Promote effective implementation
of NCCPs as a top priority for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
137. Support SUPPORT an increase to $1.6 million for the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife’s Local Assistance Grant program. Support SUPPORT efforts to streamline
implementation of NCCPs including exemptions from unnecessary regulatory oversight
such as the Delta Plan Covered Actions process administered by the Delta Stewardship
Council.
204.138. Support SUPPORT alignment of State and Regional of Water Board permits
(Section 401 clean water act and storm water permits) and California Department of Fish
and Wildlife Streambed Alteration Agreement (Section 1602 of the Fish and Game code)
and other State natural resource permitting with California Endangered Species Act
permitting through NCCPs to improve the overall efficiency, predictability and
effectiveness of natural resource regulation.
205.139. 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.
206.140. 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.
207.141. 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.
208.142. 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.
Formatted: Font: Bold
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Formatted: Font: Bold
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Attachment A
Page 60 of 120
35
209.143. OPPOSE CEQA reform efforts that reduce environmental protections for projects
that cross county or city boundaries.
210.144. SUPPORT efforts to improve or streamline CEQA for efficiency without losing
sight of its ultimate goal to thoroughly identify environmental impacts and mitigations.
211.145. OPPOSE efforts to change CEQA solely to accommodate one particular
infrastructure project or set of projects.
212.146. 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
counties, and 2) eliminate the current project cost threshold of $2.5 million required for the
use of the design-build method.
213.147. SUPPORT legislation that funds programs to remediate brownfield sites in the
County and modifies existing programs to make implementation easier or apply more
broadly. Specifically:
Consider modification to the Cleanup Loans and Environmental Assistance to
Neighborhoods (CLEAN) program that would simply the approval process for
applications;
Broaden the criteria for sites that are eligible for California Land Reuse and
Revitalization Act (CLRRA) to include all sites that are listed by the State or
Federal Government as contaminated; and
Fully fund the California Recycle Underutilized Sites (CALReUse) program.
Law and Justice System
214.148. 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.
215.149. 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.
216.150. SUPPORT legislation that requires boater’s insurance. Currently, boaters are not
required to carry insurance in California.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 61 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 36
151. SUPPORT legislation that provides better funding for local agencies forced to deal with
abandoned and sunken vessels and their environmental impacts.
217.
218.152. OPPOSE legislative proposals to realign additional program responsibility to
counties without adequate funding and protections.
219.153. OPPOSE legislation that would shift the responsibility of parolees from the state to
the counties without adequate notification, documentation and funding.
220.154. 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.
221.155. 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.
222.156. SUPPORT State legislation banning the sale of alcopop products by businesses that
sell alcoholic beverages. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is
responsible for regulating the type of alcohol products that a business may sell. A type of
flavored malt alcoholic beverage product known as “alcopops” has been identified as a
contributor to under-age drinking in the County. The term alcopops usually refers to
sweetened malt or alcoholic beverages that are typically sold in single-serving bottles or
cans. The Board, through recommendations from the Public Protection Committee, has
adopted amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activities Zoning
Ordinance that authorizes the County to prohibit the sale of alcopops at any establishment
not in compliance with the performance standards. Along with the code changes, various
implementation strategies were also approved in order to better coordinate efforts between
County Departments and agencies for streamlined implementation and enforcement of the
Ordinance.
223.157. SUPPORT legislative reform of current bail provisions that will replace reliance on
money bail with a system that incorporates a pretrial risk assessment tool and evidence-
based pretrial release decisions. The current reliance on fixed bail schedules and
commercial money bonds ignores public safety factors and unfairly penalizes poor people
who are awaiting trial. Bail reform in this manner will ensure that only dangerous persons
who cannot be safely supervised in the community while they are awaiting trial will be held
in custody pretrial. Locally, our County has moved in this direction with an AB109 funded
pretrial program.
Levees
224.158. SUPPORT administrative and legislative action to provide significant funding for
rehabilitation of levees in the western and central Delta. Proposition 1E, passed in
Formatted: Font: Italic
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering
Attachment A
Page 62 of 120
37
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 to actively advocate for $1
billion in funding through this bond.
225.159. 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.
226.160. 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 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.
227.161. SUPPORT 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.
228.162. 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.
229.163. 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
Attachment A
Page 63 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 38
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.
Library
230.164. SUPPORT State financial assistance in the operation of public libraries, including
full funding of the Public Library Fund (PLF), and the California Research and Education
Network (CalREN), an advanced network-services fabric serving the vast majority of
research and education institutions in the state.
231.165. 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.
166. 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.
232.
Pipeline Safety
233.167. SUPPORT legislation that contains specific mitigations or solutions for installation
of Automatic Shutoff Valves for both High Consequence Areas (HCA) and for those that
transverse Active Seismic Earthquake Faults for all intrastate petroleum pipelines. State
Fire Marshal Annual Inspections of all Intrastate Petroleum Pipelines do not contain the
specific mitigations or solutions for installation of Automatic Shutoff Valves for both High
Consequence Areas (HCA) and for those that traverse Active Seismic Earthquake Faults
that are mandated for Gas Pipelines under AB 2856. The County has several petroleum
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering
Attachment A
Page 64 of 120
39
pipelines that should be classified under these categories and present the same explosive
nature as gas pipelines do.
234.168. SUPPORT legislation that contains specific language for protection of all seasonal
and all year creeks and all State Waterways where petroleum pipelines are present. New
and replacement pipelines near environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas should
use the best available technology including, but not limited to, the installation of leak
detection technology, automatic shutoff systems or remote controlled sectionalized block
valves, or any combination of these technologies to reduce the amount of oil released in
an oil spill to protect state waters and wildlife.
Telecommunications and Broadband
235.169. 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.
236.170. 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.
237.171. SUPPORT the expansion of broadband (high speed internet service) to drive
economic development and job opportunities, support county service delivery, and
improve health, education and public safety outcomes for residents. For communities to
realize these full benefits of broadband it must be capable of supporting current technology.
Access and adoption are both necessary elements that should be supported in state and
federal legislative or regulatory proposals. This entails the following:
• Establishing and maintaining reliable broadband in unserved or underserved
communities;
• Promoting the knowledge, skills and behaviors that comprise digital literacy;
• Making broadband affordable for all households;
• Maximizing funding for infrastructure; and
• Reducing infrastructure deployment barriers.
Transportation
238.172. SUPPORT increased flexibility in the use of transportation funds.
Attachment A
Page 65 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 40
239.173. SUPPORT regional coordination that provides for local input in addressing
transportation needs. Coordinated planning and delivery of public transit, paratransit,
non-profit/community-based transit, and rail services will help ensure the best possible
service delivery to the public. Regional coordination will be essential to complete planning
and development of important regional transportation projects that benefit the state and
local road system such as TriLink (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 and Marsh Creek Trails. Support for
consistent, coordinated deployment of advanced transportation/mobility technology such
as connected vehicles and automated vehicles, and advanced wireless is also in the public
interest. There may be interest in seeking enhanced local input requirements for
developing the Sustainable Communities 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 or state planning efforts
would be inconsistent with this goal. Consistent with that position, relief from the
requirements imposed on the County by the state relative to the Iron Horse corridor would
foster coordination along this multi-jurisdictional corridor. Such relief could be provided
through administrative action or County sponsored legislation.
240.174. 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 stable/dedicated funding for crossing
guards, revised school zone references in the vehicle code, Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S)
grants, statutory authorization of an automated safety enforcement (speed cameras) pilot
program, 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.
241.175. SUPPORT funding or incentives for the use of environmentally-friendly 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 renewable and environmentally friendly materials such as pervious
concrete, cool pavements, rubberized asphalt (made from recycled tires) that the County
has used as paving material on San Pablo Dam Road and Pacheco Boulevard, and other
emerging technologies/materials.
242.176. 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
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 66 of 120
41
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.
243.177. 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. In addition to being coordinated with local planning,
there are well documented conflicts between state school development policies and state
policies related to greenhouse gas reduction, safe routes to school, complete streets, and
“Health In All Policies.” The County supports administrative and legislative efforts to
resolve these conflicts.
244.178. 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
transportation improvements for improved access to existing schools. The County will urge
the California Department of Education’s current Title 5 update effort to include removing
the current conflict between current school siting policies and 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.” The County
will also urge DOE's current Title 5 update effort to apply the requirements of Title 5, as
they pertain to evaluating the risks from hazardous materials, to schools being rebuilt on
the site of existing schools and to charter schools, and to include the evaluation of risks
from hazardous materials potentially released from nearby industrial facilities due to fire,
explosions or accidental releases to school siting criteria. Related to this, the County
supports the development of guidelines for assessing and mitigating the risks of siting new
schools near industrial facilities and rail lines due to potential explosions and fires from
the use, storage, manufacture and transportation of hazardous materials, similar to the
guidelines they have established for assessing and mitigating the risks from the
transportation of hazardous materials through pipelines. State financial and/or technical
support to offset the cost of adhering to new guidelines or requirements should be provided.
245.179. 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.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Attachment A
Page 67 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 42
246.180. 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).
247.181. SUPPORT legislative and administrative measures to enhance rail safety, increase
state oversight of railroad bridges, provide funding for the training of first responders, and
implement regulations that increase tank car safety standards for cars transporting crude
oil and other hazardous materials, and regulations that require railroads to share data with
state emergency managers and local responders.
248.182. SUPPORT funding increases for active transportation projects and planning.
Funding is needed for improved pedestrian infrastructure and enhancements and
expansion of: trails, on-street bike facilities (Class II and III), and separated facilities
(Class I and Class IV [cycle track]). Funding is also needed for corridor and ”bicycle
superhighway” planning, trail access improvements, overcrossings, intersection
improvements, Class I - IV inter-connectivity projects (gap closures), wayfinding/signage
projects, and facilities/designs identified in emerging best practices.
249.183. OPPOSE efforts to condition or link the distribution of transportation funds to a
jurisdiction’s production of housing relative to RHNA (Regional Housing Needs
Allocation).
184. SUPPORT administrative or legislative mechanisms that facilitate coordination between
transportation agencies and utilities relative to expediting construction projects. Without
willing and proactive coordination, transportation projects are subject to delays and
substantially increased costs. These costs are borne by the taxpayers.
250.
Veterans
251.185. 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.
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Font: Times New Roman
Formatted: Left, Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or
numbering
Formatted: Not Highlight
Formatted: Normal, No bullets or numbering
Attachment A
Page 68 of 120
43
252.186. 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 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.
253.187. 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
254.188. SUPPORT legislation that establishes producer responsibility for management at
the end of their useful life of products, including pharmaceuticals, batteries, sharps and
veterinary medicine.
255.189. SUPPORT efforts to increase the development of markets for recycled materials.
256.190. SUPPORT legislative and regulatory efforts to allow third parties, under specific
circumstances and conditions, to collect and transport household hazardous waste to
collection facilities.
257.191. 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.
258.192. SUPPORT legislation that does not require increased diversion from landfills
without an adequate funding mechanism.
259.193. 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
Attachment A
Page 69 of 120
Adopted Draft 20189 Platform 44
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.
260.194. 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.
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.
261.195. 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.
262.196. 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.
197. 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.
198. OPPOSE legislative and regulatory efforts that require more of counties related to diverting
waste from landfills without concurrently establishing an adequate funding mechanism.
Formatted: List Paragraph, Left, No bullets or numbering
Formatted: Font: Not Italic
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering,
Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Attachment A
Page 70 of 120
45
199. SUPPORT efforts that will help counties more effectively combat illegal dumping,
including but not limited to establishing a more reasonable burden of proof standard,
changing any remaining infractions to misdemeanors and increasing penalty amounts or
options (e.g. vehicle seizure).
200. OPPOSE legislative or regulatory efforts to eliminate any existing waste diversion credits
or disposal reduction credits.
201. SUPPORT legislative or regulatory efforts to reduce what counties are required to recycle
or divert from landfills if and when there is not an adequate market for materials which had
previously been recycled.
202. OPPOSE legislative or regulatory efforts that require counties to site, fund, approve, build
and/or operate organic processing facilities, including composting operations.
263.203. OPPOSE regulatory efforts related to solid waste management that impose
requirements on counties that directly conflict with or exceed the scope of authority of the
enabling legislation.
Workforce Development
264.204. SUPPORT legislative and regulatory efforts that make the necessary changes to
existing law for the implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (WIOA) in California. The County supports legislation that would include provisions
that state that the Local Plan developed by local workforce boards should be the basis of
all workforce planning in the local areas and all workforce-related state grants.
Additionally, the County supports provisions that ensure that staffing costs and support
services should be included in the training expenditure requirement. Finally, the County
supports provisions that require all programs listed in the Workforce Innovation &
Opportunity Act (WIOA) work together to ensure that data is collected and reported across
all programs, utilizing the state’s base-wage file system to ease local reporting burdens.
265.205. SUPPORT efforts to include marginally attached workers, including discouraged
workers, and involuntary part-time workers more formally in the California Workforce
Investment Act. (Marginally attached workers are persons not in the labor force who want
and are available for work, and who have looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months
(or since the end of their last job if they held one within the past 12 months), but were not
counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding
the survey. Discouraged workers are a subset of the marginally attached.)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Font: Not Italic
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering,
Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering,
Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering,
Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or numbering,
Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Pattern: Clear (Yellow)
Formatted: Not Highlight
Attachment A
Page 71 of 120
2019 DRAFT
STATE LEGISLATIVE
PLATFORM
Contra Costa County
November 5, 2018
Attachment B
Page 72 of 120
1
Table of Contents (to be updated)
COUNTY-SPONSORED LEGISLATION ............................................................................................... 2
LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY ADVOCACY PRIORITIES ............................................................. 2
STATE PLATFORM POLICY POSITIONS .......................................................................................... 6
Agriculture................................................................................................................................................. 6
Animal Services ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Child Support Services .............................................................................................................................. 8
Climate Change ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Delta Water Platform ................................................................................................................................ 9
Economic Development ............................................................................................................................ 9
Elections .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response ..................................................................................... 9
Eminent Domain ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Flood Control and Clean Water............................................................................................................... 10
General Revenues/Finance ..................................................................................................................... 11
Health Care ............................................................................................................................................. 13
Human Services ....................................................................................................................................... 19
Indian Gaming ......................................................................................................................................... 28
Land Use/Community Development ....................................................................................................... 28
Law and Justice System ........................................................................................................................... 31
Levees...................................................................................................................................................... 32
Library……………………………………………………………………………………………………… .......................................... 34
Pipeline Safety…………………………………………………………………………………………………… ................................ 34
Telecommunications and Broadband ..................................................................................................... 35
Transportation ........................................................................................................................................ 35
Veterans .................................................................................................................................................. 38
Waste Management................................................................................................................................ 39
Workforce Development ........................................................................................................................ 40
Attachment B
Page 73 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 2
2019 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
Seniors/Persons with Disabilities Transportation Funding Program
The “Seniors/Persons with Disabilities (SPD) Transportation Program” creates a mechanism to
strategically increase funding for transportation programs serving the senior/disabled population.
It is acknowledged at the local, regional, state and federal levels that transportation programs for
this population are underfunded and underdeveloped. These deficiencies will increase as
demographic ad public health shifts amplify these issues.
Sales Tax Exemption Proposal for On-Call Volunteer Fire Departments
This proposal would remove a logistical barrier to the purchase of equipment used exclusively by
volunteer, on call fire departments by exempting those purchases from applicable sales and use
taxes. Such a change would be consistent with exemptions in other states and remove an artificial
barrier that can delay the purchase of necessary firefighting equipment. Volunteer on-call fire
departments provide the same service as full-time departments in areas that simply do not generate
the tax revenue needed for 24-hour shift crews. For these departments, such as the Crockett-
Carquinez Fire Department, the cost to replace an aging fire engine can represent between 80 and
110 percent of their total yearly budget. As a result, small districts like Crockett must continue to
keep older engines in service well past their recommended replacement timeframe in order to
amass sufficient funds to purchase a replacement. This results in higher maintenance costs, more
down time, and most importantly greater risk for our firefighters who are already making great
sacrifice to serve our communities and state.
LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY ADVOCACY PRIORITIES
Each year, issues emerge through the legislative process that are of importance to the County and
require advocacy efforts. For 2019, 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 record
returns have combined to bring the State Budget to a much improved financial condition. While
the Governor's Budget identifies cost pressures and budget risks in health and human services
programs, of particular concern to counties is the inadequate reimbursement for our ever-
increasing cost of operating several human services programs: the “Human Services Funding
Attachment B
Page 74 of 120
3
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.
Due to the restructuring of In-home Supportive Services (IHSS) funding in the State Budget (SB
90), the new Maintenance of Effort will shift program costs to counties; Contra Costa County
anticipates a resultant decrease in IHSS administration funding. At the same time, the County
expects that IHSS caseloads and authorized hours per case will continue to increase. In Contra
Costa County, the number of caseloads increased by 16% from FY 2013 -14 to FY 2016-17; the
number of providers grew by 13%; and average authorized hours per case increased by 19%. The
new proposed administrative funding is not expected to match the growing need for increased
administration time and support needed to meet the demand of the growing IHSS population.
Anticipated negotiations for the FY 2019-2020 State budget will re-examine the funding structure
for IHSS and determine the sustainability of county revenues and programs.
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 actively participate in discussions of how to best reform and preserve 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. 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 exercised.
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
counties: county hospital (12 counties including Contra Costa County), payor/clinic and County
Medical Services Program (CMSP) counties.
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 for the various operational systems, and supporting legislation to ensure that low-income
families are covered under the Affordable Care Act while opposing legislation which would reduce
Medi-Cal eligibility. In addition, the County will continue to work to reduce uncompensated
health care costs, work on the adequacy of rates under the new health care system, and advocate
for adequate state funding for community-based health and social service networks to improve
service coordination, health outcomes and quality of life.
Attachment B
Page 75 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 4
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, and supported the
proposed Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) --an effort to construct a pair of massive tunnels
under the Delta, now recast as the California WaterFix (CWF)-- 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 and 2012 ballots but successfully
passed on the 2014 state ballot, as Proposition 1.
Significant future impacts on the County in the areas of water quality and supply, levee stability,
ecosystem health, local land use authority and flood control are anticipated.
Particular areas of concern for 2019 include, but are not limited to: (1) the ongoing development
of the California WaterFix (CWF) and whether the state water bond appropriates funds specific to
the CWF; and (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 continues 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.
Any future proposals to realign programs to counties must have constitutionally guaranteed
ongoing funding and protections. The County will oppose any proposals that would transfer
additional program responsibility to counties without funding, constitutional protections, county
participation and approval. 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, 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. These individuals should
stay under the responsibility of the state.
Attachment B
Page 76 of 120
5
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. Finally,
the County also supports more funding for mental health and behavioral health programs and
facilities in order to meet the requirements of Realignment and the goal of reducing recidivism.
Attachment B
Page 77 of 120
Draft 2019 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.
Agriculture
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, and support revisions to State school siting policies, 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.
Attachment B
Page 78 of 120
7
Animal Services
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 a yardstick against which other Animal Control
organizations are measured. The local control exercised by the Board of Supervisors is
key to that hallmark.
Attachment B
Page 79 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 8
Child Support Services
12. SUPPORT the establishment of a statewide electronic registry for the creation and
release/satisfaction of real property liens 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 in that county. This requires
potentially recording the judgment in each of the 58 counties in order not to miss a property
transaction. An electronic registry simplifies the creation of liens and the release or
satisfaction of liens by creating a single statewide point of contact, and the entire process
could be managed electronically by automated processes with our centralized child
support case management system.
13. SUPPORT amendment of current code to clarify that county recorders may not charge a
fee or tax to record any child support agency document. A new code section or amendment
to Government Code §27383 which states “No fee shall be charged by the recorder for
services rendered to the State, to any municipality, county in the State or other political
subdivision thereof, except for making a copy of a paper or record,” can clarify that any
document prepared by the local child support agency and then sent for recording is
covered by the exemption, a technical point not currently acknowledged by all county
recorder offices.
14. SUPPORT efforts that require the Department of Child Support Services to provide
documents, forms, and letters in digitized format and distribute by any means that the
department determines is feasible, including email, website and SMS texting.
15. SUPPORT efforts that create new child support enforcement methods or enhance existing
child support enforcement methods.
16. SUPPORT efforts to ensure that any reduction in funding for the department of Child
Support Services at the State level is not passed down as a reduction to the local child
support agency.
17. SUPPORT efforts to increase funding for the child support program. OPPOSE efforts to
reduce funding for the child support program.
18. OPPOSE efforts that restrict the child support agency from having access to customer data.
19. OPPOSE efforts that eliminate or restrict existing child support enforcement methods.
Climate Change
20. 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
Attachment B
Page 80 of 120
9
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.
21. 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.
22. 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, have Natural Community Conservation Plans or
similar land conservation (fee title and easement) efforts that will address climate change
and have demonstrated a local commitment to climate protection (e.g. established
emissions reduction targets, prepared Climate Action Plans, etc.). The County has several
good projects that would sequester carbon, such as Creek and wetland restoration
projects. The County also has several creek and wetland restoration projects with carbon
sequestration capacity that would likely be eligible for such allocations. Similarly, the
County supports land conservation projects that may occur as fee title or easement
acquisitions, these also will likely be eligible.
23. SUPPORT efforts to expand eligible expenditures of the Greenhouse Gas Revenue Fund
to investments in accessible transit/transportation systems (serving seniors, disabled,
veterans) which result in more efficient (shared trips, increased coordination) service and
corresponding reductions in greenhouse gas production.
24. SUPPORT efforts to ensure life-cycle costs are considered when planning new projects in
the state. A key challenge for State and local agencies is funding the ongoing operation
and maintenance of infrastructure. This includes all aspects of the built environment:
buildings, roads, parks, and other infrastructure. As California begins to implement more
aggressive climate goals, the State should be thinking about new methodologies for
anticipating project costs. In particular, it is evident that California will need a different
transportation system than the one we have currently, and that this new transportation
system will be more expensive to maintain. Traditional accounting methods that look only
at initial project cost lead to situations where infrastructure fails, at greater replacement
cost than if ongoing operation and maintenance had been included from the beginning.
This would include methodologies for internalizing the social and environmental costs of
projects.
25. SUPPORT revisions to the Public Resources Code and the Air Resources Board’s
Investment Plans to provide Cap and Trade funding for the conservation of natural lands,
parks and open space through fee title acquisition as well as easements.
Attachment B
Page 81 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 10
26. OPPOSE changes to the California Environmental Protection Agency’s protocols for
designating disadvantaged communities which result in a reduction in the number or size
of disadvantaged communities in Contra Costa County. Disadvantaged communities are
prioritized for receipt of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds, the funding source for a
number of state grant programs. Contra Costa County has a number of communities and
neighborhoods that are economically and socially disadvantaged and located near large,
current and former industrial sites. These industrial operations contribute through the Cap
and Trade program to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The state designations should
continue to reflect the disproportionally acute needs of these communities.
27. SUPPORT funding and infrastructure to help protect vulnerable communities and
populations as the mean temperature of the region steadily increases due to global climate
change. As California and the East Bay region experiences more frequent and prolonged
periods of extreme heat, extreme heat will impact human health, demand on health
services, potable water, agriculture, vectors, wild fires, and demand on electricity.
Delta Water Platform
To protect the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta from various detrimental forces that are
affecting its health and resources, it is the policy of Contra Costa County to support
implementation of projects and actions that will help improve the Delta ecosystem and the
economic conditions of the Delta. Contra Costa County has adopted a Delta Water
Platform to identify and promote activities and policy positions that support the creation
of a healthy Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Contra Costa County will use this Platform to
guide its own actions and advocacy in other public venues regarding the future of the Delta.
Economic Development
28. SUPPORT an amendment to the California Competes (State incentive program) guidelines
to consider qualifying low-income census tracts within unincorporated areas of a county
(that as a whole does not qualify as low-income) in the enhanced scoring category. (This
is a similar situation to that highlighted in AB 1804, where unincorporated areas were left
out of an incentive program.)
29. SUPPORT legislation to dedicate net proceeds from State Lands Commission lease
revenues for public benefit in the County in which they are generated with a focus on
increasing public access to and enjoyment of the waterfront.
30. SUPPORT the State layering existing State economic development programs and
incentives with Federal Opportunity Zone tax credit incentives.
Attachment B
Page 82 of 120
11
Elections
31. 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.
32. 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.
Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response
33. 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.
34. 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.
35. SUPPORT legislation that would require responses to future oil spills in a shorter
timeframe, with a more regional approach.
36. 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.
37. 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.
38. SUPPORT legislation that expands school safety improvement programs such as education
regarding and placement of automated external defibrillator(s) (AED(s)) in schools.
39. SUPPORT legislation that would require cleanup of clandestine drug labs and other areas
where illicit drugs are manufactured or handled and where there is a threat to the health
and safety of the public and emergency responders, and would make the costs of cleanup
recoverable from the responsible party and liens on property. The existing legislation is
Attachment B
Page 83 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 12
narrowly focused on the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Fentanyl use, storage, and
production are growing throughout the state. Properties may be contaminated by
hazardous chemicals used or produced in the manufacture of or the handling Fentanyl and
Carfentanyl where those chemicals, remain and where the contamination has not been
remediated.
Eminent Domain
40. 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.
41. 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
42. 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.
43. 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.
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.
44. 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.
45. 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 200-year
flood plain maps, but if they do, only working in areas protected by project levees which
does not include any areas within Contra Costa County.
Attachment B
Page 84 of 120
13
46. 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
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.
47. 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.
48. 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.)
49. OPPOSE efforts to limit local authority over transient occupancy taxes (TOT).
50. 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.
51. 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.
52. 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.
53. 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.
54. SUPPORT efforts to relieve California of the federal Child Support penalties without
shifting the cost of the penalties to the counties.
Attachment B
Page 85 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 14
55. 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.
56. 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.
57. 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.
58. 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.
59. SUPPORT state actions that maximize Federal and State revenues for county-run services
and programs.
60. SUPPORT legislative compliance with both the intent and language of Proposition 1A.
61. 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.
62. SUPPORT full State funding of all statewide special elections, including recall elections.
63. 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.
64. 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.
65. 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.
Attachment B
Page 86 of 120
15
66. 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.
67. SUPPORT legislation that provides constitutional protections and guaranteed funding to
counties under Realignment.
68. OPPOSE the establishment of specific or stricter standards for the use of personal services
contracts by counties, that would make contracting with community-based organizations
more difficult for counties.
Health Care
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 cou nties
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.
69. 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.
70. SUPPORT Medi-Cal reimbursement rate increases to incentivize providers to participate
in the program.
71. 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).
Attachment B
Page 87 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 16
72. 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 should include community-based providers and
could be modeled after current programs in place in safety net systems.
73. SUPPORT efforts that provide sufficient time for detailed data gathering of current safety
net 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.
74. OPPOSE safety net funding transfers until an analysis of who would remain uninsured (e.g.
medically indigent adults, including citizens, who cannot document citizenship under
current Medicaid eligibility rules) is completed in order to adequately fund services for
these populations.
75. SUPPORT efforts to clearly define and adequately fund remaining county responsibilities.
76. 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.
77. SUPPORT efforts to provide adequate financing for health care reforms to succeed.
78. SUPPORT measures that maximize federal reimbursement from Medicaid and S-CHIP.
79. 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.
80. 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.
81. SUPPORT state action to implement a 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.
82. SUPPORT efforts to increase revenues and to contain mandated costs in the County's
hospital and clinics system.
83. SUPPORT efforts to obtain a fair-share of any state funds in a distribution of funding for
the integration of IHSS and managed care.
Attachment B
Page 88 of 120
17
84. SUPPORT efforts to increase the availability of health care (including alcohol and other
drugs recovery) to the uninsured in California, whether employed or not.
85. 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.
86. 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.
87. SUPPORT state efforts to increase the scope of benefits and reimbursement rates contained
in Minor Consent Medi-Cal to give youth with substance abuse disorders access to a
continuum of care, including residential and outpatient treatment.
88. SUPPORT efforts to give incentives to providers to establish more youth substance use
disorder residential treatment facilities within the county.
89. SUPPORT efforts to extend Drug Medi-Cal and 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.
90. SUPPORT funding and policy changes to support coverage of medically necessary alcohol
and substance use related disorder treatment at the same level as other medical conditions
in health care services, including county’s responsibility for Federal Financial Participation
(FFP) portion to increase Drug Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and incentivize providers to
participate in the program.
91. SUPPORT legislation that extends the restrictions and prohibitions against the smoking of,
and exposure to, 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; preventing the use of tobacco, electronic
smoking devices (e-cigarettes) and flavored tobacco by youth and young adults;
eliminating exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke; restrictions on advertising of
electronic smoking devices; reducing and eliminating disparities related to tobacco use and
its effects among specific populations; increasing the minimum age to 21 to purchase
tobacco products; and the promotion of cessation among young people and adults. Support
legislation that extends restrictions and prohibitions against the sale of flavored tobacco
products, prohibits the sale of tobacco products in stores that operate a pharmacy and
establishes distance and density restrictions on the establishment of a new tobacco retailer
within proximity of youth sensitive venues such as schools, day cares, or parks.
Attachment B
Page 89 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 18
92. SUPPORT and encourage state, federal and/or private funding for pharmaceutical research
for the development of new cannabis products which would meet Federal Drug
Administration (FDA) standards of known strengths and attributes (and without
unnecessary side effects) which would be dispensable through pharmacies and medical
facilities consistent with State and Federal law.
93. SUPPORT legislation and administrative actions that further align a statewide regulatory
framework for the commercial cannabis industry and that continue to authorize local
jurisdictions to adopt more restrictive measures to protect the health, safety and welfare of
their residents.
94. OPPOSE legislation and state regulation that seeks to weaken or eliminate local control
over the commercial cannabis industry. Currently, and until the proposed Bureau of
Cannabis Control regulations take effect, local government retains control over allowing
or prohibiting the operations of mobile cannabis delivery in their jurisdictions.
95. SUPPORT funding and policy changes to support population-based chronic disease
prevention efforts. Collectively, these include efforts to move up-stream from the treatment
of illness associated with chronic disease to advance a policy, systems and organizational-
change approach to address the underlying environmental factors and conditions that
influence health and health behaviors.
96. SUPPORT funding and policy changes to support developing a workforce with
gerontological expertise to manage the exponential growth in the chronically ill aging
population.
97. SUPPORT efforts that would advance a Health-In-All-Policies approach to policy work
done across the County. This implies consideration of how health is influenced by the built
environment and a connection with land use planning and development.
98. SUPPORT ongoing study of the health impacts of global and regional climate change and
ongoing countywide mitigation and adaptation efforts.
99. SUPPORT efforts that would preserve the nature and quality and continuity of care
associated with safety net services historically provided at the local level, such as the
California Children’s Services (CCS) and Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP)
programs, which are being transitioned into managed care at the state level.
100. SUPPORT efforts that promote aging in place through the utilization of long-term supports
and services and caregiver support services.
101. SUPPORT increasing the level of funding for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS)
and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) to meet the increase in cost to provide
services and to meet the tremendous increase in the aging population.
Attachment B
Page 90 of 120
19
102. SUPPORT maintaining level or enhanced funding, streamlined processes and greater
flexibility for use of State and Federal funding to respond to Public Health Emergency
Preparedness initiatives including Pandemic Influenza, emerging diseases, and continued
funding for all categories related to Public Health Preparedness, including Hospital
Preparedness Program, Homeland Security, Cities Readiness Initiative and core Public
Health Preparedness.
103. SUPPORT increased funding and policy changes for Tuberculosis (TB) prevention and
treatment, to reflect the increased risk of transmission faced across the Bay Area. The Bay
Area, including Contra Costa County, experiences more cases of active Tuberculosis than
do most states in the nation. The demographic make-up of our communities combined with
frequent international travel between the Bay and areas where TB is endemic, present an
added risk and thus the need to maintain adequate funding and program infrastructure.
104. SUPPORT increased funding for the public health infrastructure, capacity and prevention
services as outlined in the public health components of the Affordable Care Act and the
National Prevention and Public Health Fund.
105. SUPPORT recognition of Local Public Health Departments as an authorized provider for
direct billing reimbursement related to the provision of Immunization, Family Planning,
HIV, STD and TB services.
106. SUPPORT the reversal of the pre-emption language regarding local Menu-Labeling that is
included the Affordable Care Act.
107. SUPPORT enhanced funding and capacity for public health programs, specifically:
a. Prevention programs in the areas of chronic disease, specifically, obesity, diabetes,
asthma and cancer;
b. Prevention and risk reduction programs in the area of HIV, STD, teen pregnancy, injury
prevention as well as health promotion programs, such as nutrition and activity
education;
c. Oral health programs, especially those which address the needs of children and those
with oral health disparities;
d. Protecting the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF), as established in the
Affordable Care Act;
e. Increased resources dedicated to surveillance and prevention programs targeting
chronic diseases such as cardiovascular, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and asthma, as well
as injury and violence;
f. Funding and initiatives that support the surveillance, prevention and local preparation
for emerging diseases, such as Zika, novel Influenza, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C,
Chlamydia, and seasonal Influenza and public health programs which provide
screening, diagnosis, and treatment;
g. Provide for adequate State funding for children’s programs, including the California
Children’s Services (CCS) program for clients who are not Medi-Cal eligible to assure
that counties are not overmatched in their financial participation;
Attachment B
Page 91 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 20
h. Programs which seek to monitor and address the needs of Foster youth, especially those
on psychotropic medication; and
i. Best practice programs which seeks to protect and enhance the health of pregnant
women and that address maternal, child and adolescent health needs.
108. SUPPORT efforts to strengthen needle exchange programs as part of an overall program
to combat the spread of HIV and other diseases; allowing items associated with needle
exchange programs such as, cookers, sterile water, and cotton to be distributed along with
clean needles; and the elimination of the federal ban on funding needle exchange programs.
109. SUPPORT legislative efforts to reduce or eliminate lead and toxic substances in consumer
products, particularly those used by infants and children.
110. SUPPORT legislative efforts to reduce exposure to toxic air pollutants and the reduction
of greenhouse gases.
111. SUPPORT funding, policy and programs dedicated to suicide, injury and violence
prevention. Additionally, support efforts aimed at reducing health disparities and inequities
associated with violence against women, communities of color and the LGBT community.
Programs which seek to limit the effects of injury, violence and abuse on children, seniors
and persons with disability.
112. SUPPORT funding and policy changes to support program development aimed at reducing
the misuse of prescription drugs, most especially opioids, and increase prevention and
treatment of opioid disorders to eliminate overdoses and combat the opioid epidemic.
Additionally, support funding and legislation to restrict the sale and use of powdered
alcohol and other similar products marketed to youth.
113. SUPPORT necessary County infrastructure and adequate funding related to education,
regulatory, testing and enforcement functions associated with the State Medical Marijuana
regulatory controls.
114. SUPPORT legislation and/or similar policy efforts to tax certain beverages that contain
added sugars, by establishing a per fluid ounce health impact fee on sugar sweetened
beverages at the distributor level. In addition, support efforts which would create the Sugar
Sweetened Beverage Safety warning act, which would require a safety warning on all
sealed sugar sweetened beverages.
115. SUPPORT legislation and efforts that support healthy meals, adequate meal time, and
increased physical activity/education for school-age children.
116. SUPPORT efforts to dedicate funding that sustains and expands non-infrastructure Safe
Routes to School programs that educate students, parents, and school staff about safe
walking and bicycling to school.
Attachment B
Page 92 of 120
21
117. SUPPORT efforts to address the underlying determinants of health and health equity, such
as housing and prevention of displacement, educational attainment and livable wage jobs ,
and accessible transportation.
118. SUPPORT legislation that extends the restrictions and prohibitions against the smoking of,
and exposure to, marijuana products in various places, including, but not limited to, places
of employment, school campuses, public buildings, day care facilities, multi-family
housing, health facilities, alcohol and other drug treatment facilities, and homeless shelters;
further prohibit marijuana edibles to prevent youth/children access to harmful products;
restrictions on advertising of marijuana products targeting youth and near places frequented
by youth or alcohol and other drug treatment facilities.
119. SUPPORT funding, legislation, policy, and programs that would accomplish the following:
a. create an effective crisis response system of services for persons experiencing
homelessness, particularly families and transition-age youth;
b. increases permanent housing with services for persons experiencing or at-risk of
homelessness with a chronic disability; and
c. protects and expands the availability of affordable housing, particularly for the
Very Low and Extremely Low Income population.
Human Services
See Attachment C.
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 has been 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.
120. SUPPORT efforts to ensure that counties who have existing or proposed Class II Indian
gaming facilities receive the Special Distribution Funds.
121. 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.
122. 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.
123. SUPPORT State authority to tighten up the definition of a Class II machine.
Attachment B
Page 93 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 22
124. 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
125. SUPPORT efforts to promote economic incentives for "smart growth," in Priority
Development and Priority Production 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. Priority Production Areas are locally
designated zones where manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and repair services
would be a priority consideration in determining future land use.
126. 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 a number of goals in the County General Plan Housing Element.
127. 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.
128. 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.
129. 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.
130. OPPOSE efforts to limit the County’s ability to exercise local land use authority.
Attachment B
Page 94 of 120
23
131. 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.
132. 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.
133. SUPPORT the granting of approximately $24 million to the East Contra Costa County
NCCP from the $90 million allocation for NCCPs in Proposition 84.
134. SUPPORT the continued inclusion of NCCPs for funding in allocations from Propositions
1 and 64. Proposition 68 was passed in 2018; programs that support NCCPs were
subsequently allocated funding. In addition to the programs that are identified in Prop 68,
NCCPs are eligible to receive other funds, and the County should continue to support these
funding allocations. In 2018 the East County NCCP successfully increased CDFW’s Local
Assistance Program from $600,000 to $2.6M with funds from Prop 68. Continuing that
level of funding requires ongoing support from local agencies including Contra Costa
County.
135. SUPPORT $90 million for implementation of NCCPs and an additional $100 million for
watershed protection and habitat conservation in future park, water or natural resource
bonds.
136. 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, AB 32 as well as an appropriate tool for
spending Cap and Trade revenues. Promote effective implementation of NCCPs as a top
priority for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
137. SUPPORT an increase to $1.6 million for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s
Local Assistance Grant program. SUPPORT efforts to streamline implementation of
NCCPs including exemptions from unnecessary regulatory oversight such as the Delta Plan
Covered Actions process administered by the Delta Stewardship Council.
138. SUPPORT alignment of State and Regional of Water Board permits (Section 401 clean
water act and storm water permits) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Streambed Alteration Agreement (Section 1602 of the Fish and Game code) and other State
natural resource permitting with California Endangered Species Act permitting through
NCCPs to improve the overall efficiency, predictability and effectiveness of natural
resource regulation.
139. SUPPORT legislation that would give local agencies specific tools for economic
development purposes in order to enhance job opportunities, with emphasis on attracting
Attachment B
Page 95 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 24
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.
140. 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.
141. 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.
142. 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.
143. OPPOSE CEQA reform efforts that reduce environmental protections for projects that
cross county or city boundaries.
144. SUPPORT efforts to improve or streamline CEQA for efficiency without losing sight of
its ultimate goal to thoroughly identify environmental impacts and mitigations.
145. OPPOSE efforts to change CEQA solely to accommodate one particular infrastructure
project or set of projects.
146. 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 counties, and
2) eliminate the current project cost threshold of $2.5 million required for the use of the
design-build method.
147. SUPPORT legislation that funds programs to remediate brownfield sites in the County and
modifies existing programs to make implementation easier or apply more broadly.
Specifically:
Consider modification to the Cleanup Loans and Environmental Assistance to
Neighborhoods (CLEAN) program that would simply the approval process for
applications;
Attachment B
Page 96 of 120
25
Broaden the criteria for sites that are eligible for California Land Reuse and
Revitalization Act (CLRRA) to include all sites that are listed by the State or
Federal Government as contaminated; and
Fully fund the California Recycle Underutilized Sites (CALReUse) program.
Law and Justice System
148. 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.
149. 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.
150. SUPPORT legislation that requires boater’s insurance. Currently, boaters are not required
to carry insurance in California.
151. SUPPORT legislation that provides better funding for local agencies forced to deal with
abandoned and sunken vessels and their environmental impacts.
152. OPPOSE legislative proposals to realign additional program responsibility to counties
without adequate funding and protections.
153. OPPOSE legislation that would shift the responsibility of parolees from the state to the
counties without adequate notification, documentation and funding.
154. 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.
155. 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.
156. SUPPORT State legislation banning the sale of alcopop products by businesses that sell
alcoholic beverages. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is
Attachment B
Page 97 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 26
responsible for regulating the type of alcohol products that a business may sell. A type of
flavored malt alcoholic beverage product known as “alcopops” has been identified as a
contributor to under-age drinking in the County. The term alcopops usually refers to
sweetened malt or alcoholic beverages that are typically sold in single-serving bottles or
cans. The Board, through recommendations from the Public Protection Committee, has
adopted amendments to the Alcoholic Beverage Sales Commercial Activities Zoning
Ordinance that authorizes the County to prohibit the sale of alcopops at any establishment
not in compliance with the performance standards. Along with the code changes, various
implementation strategies were also approved in order to better coordinate efforts between
County Departments and agencies for streamlined implementation and enforcement of the
Ordinance.
157. SUPPORT legislative reform of current bail provisions that will replace reliance on money
bail with a system that incorporates a pretrial risk assessment tool and evidence-based
pretrial release decisions. The current reliance on fixed bail schedules and commercial
money bonds ignores public safety factors and unfairly penalizes poor people who are
awaiting trial. Bail reform in this manner will ensure that only dangerous persons who
cannot be safely supervised in the community while they are awaiting trial will be held in
custody pretrial. Locally, our County has moved in this direction with an AB109 funded
pretrial program.
Levees
158. SUPPORT 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 to actively advocate for $1
billion in funding through this bond.
159. 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.
160. 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
Attachment B
Page 98 of 120
27
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 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.
161. SUPPORT 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.
162. 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.
163. 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.
Library
164. SUPPORT State financial assistance in the operation of public libraries, including full
funding of the Public Library Fund (PLF), and the California Research and Education
Attachment B
Page 99 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 28
Network (CalREN), an advanced network-services fabric serving the vast majority of
research and education institutions in the state.
165. 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.
166. 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.
Pipeline Safety
167. SUPPORT legislation that contains specific mitigations or solutions for installation of
Automatic Shutoff Valves for both High Consequence Areas (HCA) and for those that
transverse Active Seismic Earthquake Faults for all intrastate petroleum pipelines. State
Fire Marshal Annual Inspections of all Intrastate Petroleum Pipelines do not contain the
specific mitigations or solutions for installation of Automatic Shutoff Valves for both High
Consequence Areas (HCA) and for those that traverse Active Seismic Earthquake Faults
that are mandated for Gas Pipelines under AB 2856. The County has several petroleum
pipelines that should be classified under these categories and present the same explosive
nature as gas pipelines do.
168. SUPPORT legislation that contains specific language for protection of all seasonal and all
year creeks and all State Waterways where petroleum pipelines are present. New and
replacement pipelines near environmentally and ecologically sensitive areas should use
the best available technology including, but not limited to, the installation of leak detection
technology, automatic shutoff systems or remote controlled sectionalized block valves, or
any combination of these technologies to reduce the amount of oil released in an oil spill
to protect state waters and wildlife.
Telecommunications and Broadband
169. 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.
170. 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
Attachment B
Page 100 of 120
29
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.
171. SUPPORT the expansion of broadband (high speed internet service) to drive economic
development and job opportunities, support county service delivery, and improve health,
education and public safety outcomes for residents. For communities to realize these full
benefits of broadband it must be capable of supporting current technology.
Access and adoption are both necessary elements that should be supported in state and
federal legislative or regulatory proposals. This entails the following:
• Establishing and maintaining reliable broadband in unserved or underserved
communities;
• Promoting the knowledge, skills and behaviors that comprise digital literacy;
• Making broadband affordable for all households;
• Maximizing funding for infrastructure; and
• Reducing infrastructure deployment barriers.
Transportation
172. SUPPORT increased flexibility in the use of transportation funds.
173. SUPPORT regional coordination that provides for local input in addressing transportation
needs. Coordinated planning and delivery of public transit, paratransit, non-
profit/community-based transit, and rail services will help ensure the best possible service
delivery to the public. Regional coordination will be essential to complete planning and
development of important regional transportation projects that benefit the state and local
road system such as TriLink (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 and Marsh Creek Trails. Support for consistent,
coordinated deployment of advanced transportation/mobility technology such as
connected vehicles and automated vehicles, and advanced wireless is also in the public
interest. There may be interest in seeking enhanced local input requirements for
developing the Sustainable Communities 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 or state planning efforts
would be inconsistent with this goal. Consistent with that position, relief from the
requirements imposed on the County by the state relative to the Iron Horse corridor would
foster coordination along this multi-jurisdictional corridor. Such relief could be provided
through administrative action or County sponsored legislation.
174. SUPPORT efforts to improve safety throughout the transportation system. The County
supports new and expanded projects and programs to improve safety for bicyclists,
Attachment B
Page 101 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 30
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 stable/dedicated funding for crossing
guards, revised school zone references in the vehicle code, Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S)
grants, statutory authorization of an automated safety enforcement (speed cameras) pilot
program, 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.
175. SUPPORT funding or incentives for the use of environmentally-friendly 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 renewable and environmentally friendly materials such as pervious
concrete, cool pavements, rubberized asphalt (made from recycled tires) that the County
has used as paving material on San Pablo Dam Road and Pacheco Boulevard, and other
emerging technologies/materials.
176. 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.
177. 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. In addition to being coordinated with local planning, there are well
documented conflicts between state school development policies and state policies related
to greenhouse gas reduction, safe routes to school, complete streets, and “Health In All
Policies.” The County supports administrative and legislative efforts to resolve these
conflicts.
178. 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
transportation improvements for improved access to existing schools. The County will urge
the California Department of Education’s current Title 5 update effort to include removing
Attachment B
Page 102 of 120
31
the current conflict between current school siting policies and 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.” The County
will also urge DOE's current Title 5 update effort to apply the requirements of Title 5, as
they pertain to evaluating the risks from hazardous materials, to schools being rebuilt on
the site of existing schools and to charter schools, and to include the evaluation of risks
from hazardous materials potentially released from nearby industrial facilities due to fire,
explosions or accidental releases to school siting criteria. Related to this, the County
supports the development of guidelines for assessing and mitigating the risks of siting new
schools near industrial facilities and rail lines due to potential explosions and fires from
the use, storage, manufacture and transportation of hazardous materials, similar to the
guidelines they have established for assessing and mitigating the risks from the
transportation of hazardous materials through pipelines. State financial and/or technical
support to offset the cost of adhering to new guidelines or requirements should be provided.
179. 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.
180. 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).
181. SUPPORT legislative and administrative measures to enhance rail safety, increase state
oversight of railroad bridges, provide funding for the training of first responders, and
implement regulations that increase tank car safety standards for cars transporting crude
oil and other hazardous materials, and regulations that require railroads to share data with
state emergency managers and local responders.
182. SUPPORT funding increases for active transportation projects and planning. Funding is
needed for improved pedestrian infrastructure and enhancements and expansion of: trails,
on-street bike facilities (Class II and III), and separated facilities (Class I and Class IV
[cycle track]). Funding is also needed for corridor and ”bicycle superhighway” planning,
trail access improvements, overcrossings, intersection improvements, Class I - IV inter-
connectivity projects (gap closures), wayfinding/signage projects, and facilities/designs
identified in emerging best practices.
Attachment B
Page 103 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 32
183. OPPOSE efforts to condition or link the distribution of transportation funds to a
jurisdiction’s production of housing relative to RHNA (Regional Housing Needs
Allocation).
184. SUPPORT administrative or legislative mechanisms that facilitate coordination between
transportation agencies and utilities relative to expediting construction projects. Without
willing and proactive coordination, transportation projects are subject to delays and
substantially increased costs. These costs are borne by the taxpayers.
Veterans
185. 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.
186. 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 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.
187. 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.
Attachment B
Page 104 of 120
33
Waste Management
188. SUPPORT legislation that establishes producer responsibility for management at the end
of their useful life of products, including pharmaceuticals, batteries, sharps and veterinary
medicine.
189. SUPPORT efforts to increase the development of markets for recycled materials.
190. SUPPORT legislative and regulatory efforts to allow third parties, under specific
circumstances and conditions, to collect and transport household hazardous waste to
collection facilities.
191. 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.
192. SUPPORT legislation that does not require increased diversion from landfills without an
adequate funding mechanism.
193. 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.
194. 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.
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.
Attachment B
Page 105 of 120
Draft 2019 Platform 34
195. 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.
196. 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.
197. 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.
198. OPPOSE legislative and regulatory efforts that require more of counties related to diverting
waste from landfills without concurrently establishing an adequate funding mechanism.
199. SUPPORT efforts that will help counties more effectively combat illegal dumping,
including but not limited to establishing a more reasonable burden of proof standard,
changing any remaining infractions to misdemeanors and increasing penalty amounts or
options (e.g. vehicle seizure).
200. OPPOSE legislative or regulatory efforts to eliminate any existing waste diversion credits
or disposal reduction credits.
201. SUPPORT legislative or regulatory efforts to reduce what counties are required to recycle
or divert from landfills if and when there is not an adequate market for materials which had
previously been recycled.
202. OPPOSE legislative or regulatory efforts that require counties to site, fund, approve, build
and/or operate organic processing facilities, including composting operations.
203. OPPOSE regulatory efforts related to solid waste management that impose requirements
on counties that directly conflict with or exceed the scope of authority of the enabling
legislation.
Attachment B
Page 106 of 120
35
Workforce Development
204. SUPPORT legislative and regulatory efforts that make the necessary changes to existing
law for the implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
(WIOA) in California. The County supports legislation that would include provisions that
state that the Local Plan developed by local workforce boards should be the basis of all
workforce planning in the local areas and all workforce-related state grants. Additionally,
the County supports provisions that ensure that staffing costs and support services should
be included in the training expenditure requirement. Finally, the County supports
provisions that require all programs listed in the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act
(WIOA) work together to ensure that data is collected and reported across all programs,
utilizing the state’s base-wage file system to ease local reporting burdens.
205. SUPPORT efforts to include marginally attached workers, including discouraged workers,
and involuntary part-time workers more formally in the California Workforce Investment
Act. (Marginally attached workers are persons not in the labor force who want and are
available for work, and who have looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months (or
since the end of their last job if they held one within the past 12 months), but were not
counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding
the survey. Discouraged workers are a subset of the marginally attached.)
Attachment B
Page 107 of 120
1
Human Services
Over the past year, we have seen a renewed legislative interest in safety-net programs. At the state
level, these laws have focused on improving care and encouraging county agencies to take a more
holistic view of clients’ lives. At the federal level, there have been numerous attempts at safety
net reforms that would limit who can receive services. Both approaches are not without challenges.
Many state bills, while well intentioned, could shift new costs to counties without increasing
revenues. Federal laws that limit county’s ability to provide services would not only result in a
decrease in revenue, but would likely reduce the number and quality of available services. This
could lead to vulnerable families not receiving basic needs such as food, shelter, and access to
healthcare. Efforts should be made to preserve current funding streams, and enhance funding for
new, innovative approaches to service delivery in human services.
Creating Economic Security and Improving Safety-Net Programs
California has the highest poverty rate in the country, an issue that touches every county in the
state. In 2016, 10.2 percent of Contra Costa County residents (approx.120,000 individuals) lived
below the federal poverty line. This includes nearly 34,000 children1. However, the official poverty
line does not capture the true cost of living in the county. The Center for Community and Economic
Development estimates that for a single adult living in Contra Costa County to be self-sufficient,
they would need to earn about $28,000 a year—more than double the income of the official poverty
threshold. Nearly 19 percent of children in Contra Costa County live in food insecure households 2.
This means that their family can only provide limited access to meals without assistance.
According to a recent study by the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, one in eight residents
of the two counties rely on the Food Bank every month. Most of their clients had a child or
dependent senior in their household and were either working or actively looking for work. Safety
net benefits such as CalFresh (SNAP), CalWORKs (TANF), and the Earned Income Tax Credit
(EITC) keep over three million Californians out of poverty every year3. Nationally, low- and
middle-income families are increasingly accessing the safety net, as the cost of living has outpaced
wage increases4. In Contra Costa County, nearly one in four residents are enrolled in Medi -Cal,
despite our county having a lower unemployment rate than the national average. These policy
positions will support legislation and initiatives that remove barriers to self-sufficiency and create
economic inclusion for low-income residents of Contra Costa County.
1. OPPOSE legislative and budgetary actions that result in reduced level of services to
families, children, adults and seniors, or that lead to preemption of local control. These
actions may adversely impact EHSD’s ability to provide services to vulnerable residents.
2. SUPPORT continuous investment in the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC)
and efforts to increase access to California Earned Income Tax Credit, including increases
in tax credits and expanding eligibility to all ages. The CalEITC does not reach all workers
who are eligible for the federal EITC and California should help reduce tax burdens on the
working poor.
1 2016 American Community Survey
2 2016 Map the Meal Gap by Feeding America
3 2017 Just the Facts by Public Policy Institute of California
4 2018 The Rise of the Middle Class Safety Net by Brookings Institute
Attachment C
Page 108 of 120
2
3. SUPPORT efforts to restore cuts to the Supplemental Security Income/State
Supplementary Payment (SSI/SSP) Program, increase grant amounts that would allow
improvement of quality of life, and/or reinstate the annual Cost of Living Adjustment
(COLA). SSI/SSP has not kept pace with the cost-of-living and many elderly and disabled
Contra Costa residents cannot afford necessities.
4. SUPPORT efforts to improve and expand emergency food assistance networks’ (e.g. local
food banks, food pantries) ability to procure, store, and distribute nutritious food to those
in need.
5. SUPPORT allowing all individuals in receipt of Unemployment Benefits (UIB) to be
automatically eligible for CalFresh. Applying for UI and CalFresh is duplicative because
requirements of both program are similar. This would decrease food insecurity for the
unemployed in a way that streamlines applications and demands fewer internal resources.
6. SUPPORT efforts to increase CalFresh benefit amounts to better meet recipients’
nutritional needs, improve ease and accessibility of the CalFresh application and
recertification processes, and adjust CalFresh eligibility requirements to include currently
excluded populations with significant need.
7. SUPPORT efforts for a more flexible framework that allows the state to supplement
CalFresh benefits if federal assistance is insufficient or unavailable and streamline
enrollment. Recent natural disasters have underscored the need for greater flexibility for
the state.
8. SUPPORT legislation that would create access to community-supported agriculture
through CalFresh. Contra Costa County has many food deserts, and these programs could
be leveraged to help residents get access to fresh, healthy food.
9. SUPPORT efforts that would ease data sharing across safety-net programs, including those
administered by the Health Department, such as WIC. These programs allow data sharing
at the state level, but not at the county level. Identifying eligible, but not enrolled, clients
would allow for targeted outreach to improve the lives of children and families.
10. SUPPORT efforts to allow reverse direct certification between CalFresh and children on
free and reduced lunch. While families on CalFresh are considered eligible for free and
reduced lunch, there are more families who have free and reduced lunch status but are not
enrolled in CalFresh. Current outreach and data sharing guidelines are confusing for
families and have resulted in under utilization of CalFresh.
11. SUPPORT a waiver that would allow county social services agencies to process CalFresh
applications for jail inmates and suspend rather than terminate CalFresh eligibility when a
recipient is detained in a county jail. This would allow these applicants to more quickly
access resources when released and reduce duplicative administrative work for the county.
12. SUPPORT efforts to allow currently detained inmates to pre-enroll for benefits when they
are schedules to be released. This would ensure more immediate access to support and
resources as formerly incarcerated individuals re-enter society. Research has shown that
access to benefit programs may help reduce recidivism5 and keep our community safer.
13. SUPPORT efforts to expand CalFresh benefits for SSI recipients and their families. This
includes increasing the state supplement and allotting permanent funding streams to “hold
5 https://wclp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SB167Skinner_ReEntry_Factsheet.pdf
Attachment C
Page 109 of 120
3
harmless” family members of SSI recipients who may be negatively impacted by the SSI
cash out. Families receiving CalFresh who are caring for a parent or disabled child on SSI
may be pushed deeper into poverty if the hold harmless waivers are not extended.
14. SUPPORTexemptions to the “able-bodied adults without dependents” (ABAWD)
CalFresh work requirements. This population faces many barriers to employment,
including caring for disabled parents, housing insecurity, and interpersonal violence.
15. SUPPORT alignment of verification requirements for CalWORKS, CalFRESH and Medi-
Cal programs to simplify the customer experience and reduce the potential for error.
Consider letting all programs access the Federal Hub used through CalHEERs.
16. Currently these programs have different requirements for client verification, though they
are all benefit programs. Alignment of verifications would make program administration
more efficient and improve the client experience.
17. SUPPORT efforts to allow applicants for Medi-Cal and CalFresh to have the same
appointment and enrollment process. The eligibility guidelines for both programs are very
similar. Requiring separate enrollment processes creates additional administrative work for
the county and may delay needed support for vulnerable residents.
18. SUPPORT efforts to extend eligibility to zero share of Medi-Cal cost when recipients
report new earned income. Scheduled increases to state and local minimum wage may
impact eligibility to free health care.
19. SUPPORT fully funding administrative costs for Medi-Cal eligibility and renewal. Despite
a strong economy, Medi-Cal enrollment has not dropped significantly over the last three
years and high numbers of applications and renewals still come into the county every year.
20. SUPPORT allowing clinics to collect Medi-Cal payment for same-day mental health visits.
Current legislation covers same-day dental referrals, but not mental health. Improving
mental health may help ease homelessness and increase self-sufficiency.
21. SUPPORT allowing clinics to be reimbursed from Medi-Cal for telephonic and online
visits during emergencies and disasters. During emergency events patients may not be
able to easily come to a clinic office, but technology can allow providers to treat these
patients. Recent fires have underscored the need to allow greater flexibility when
responding to emergency events.
22. SUPPORT efforts to extend eligibility of CalWORKs benefit by exempting the first 6
months of earned income received from new employment or wage increases. This is
intended to create better financial stability when a family’s income increases due to
changes in local and state minimum wage law.
23. SUPPORT efforts to provide additional funds for family stabilization services for mental
health and substance abuse support to include all family members. Taking a holistic
approach to creating healthy families increases opportunities for healing and self -
sufficiency.
Attachment C
Page 110 of 120
4
24. SUPPORT efforts to ensure that no CalWORKs grant falls below 50% of the federal
poverty line. This could include an increase to the CalWORKS Maximum Aid Payment
(MAP) and the annual funding of a CalWORKS cost of living adjustment (COLA). MAP
has not increased in ten years despite a rapidly rising cost of living in the Bay Area. This
would help prevent families from falling into deep poverty, which can cause toxic stress
on children and impede their ability to lead self-sufficient lives as adults.
25. 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
Legislative changes to support these initiatives could include the following:
26. Welfare-to-Work. Extending the length of time families can receive Welfare to Work
services (job training and search and other employment related services) including job
retention services and eliminating the 24-month “time clock”. Currently CalWORKS
recipients are eligible to receive supportive services and Welfare-to-Work services for up
to 48 months if they are in compliance with CalWORKS rules. Helping people move from
poverty and significant education gaps to full time employment in jobs that pay a high
enough wage to be self-sufficient is difficult. It can take longer than 48 months and
allowing for the flexibility to extend supportive services and training past the 48 month
time limit would help. We should allow participants to engage in activities according to
their family needs rather than add additional restrictions on the Welfare-to-Work program.
a. Diversion: Removing the criteria that someone has to be apparently eligible to
CalWORKs in order to qualify for diversion and base the criteria on the client’s
circumstance and ability to maintain the situation on their own without the need of
continued assistance. This includes efforts to increase the amount of the diversion
payment and allowing families to reapply for CalWORKs during their diversion
period without penalty.
b. Expanding job retention services;
c. Exempting the hard-to-serve from Welfare-to-Work activities and the 20%
exemption or providing flexibility in the time limit (dependent upon terms and
conditions of TANF authorization). Developing an eligibility definition to 250% of
the federal poverty level (FPL) would ensure more families meet income eligibility
requirements.
d. 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.
27. SUPPORT establishing a General Assistance Program with a state share of funding. The
General Assistance Program is 100% County funded. Moving it to the State would relieve
pressure on the County budget and appropriately direct costs to the State.
Attachment C
Page 111 of 120
5
28. SUPPORT efforts to create whole family care through a more comprehensive safety net of
services that enable families to be stable and have economic opportunities. Healthy infant
and toddler brain development is dependent on the health and security of their family.
Increasing Access to Housing and Ending Homelessness
According to the Self-Sufficiency Standard, a family of four in Contra Costa County would need
to earn $71,700 annually to cover basic costs for housing, food, health care, transportation,
childcare, and taxes. This is equivalent to more than three full-time jobs at the California minimum
wage. The cost of living in Contra Costa County has increased exponentially. Fair market rent for
a two-bedroom apartment is now $2,173 a month, a 74 percent increase from 20076. Further,
Contra Costa County is home to over 2,200 homeless individuals, many of whom are minors and
transition age youth7. Human Services has partnered with the Health Department to develop more
robust services for the homeless, however, most of these programs are contingent on grant funding
rather than permanent investments. These policy positions support legislation and initiatives that
strengthen housing justice to ensure all Contra Costa residents have access to safe shelter.
29. 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 or are temporarily staying in someone else’s home, 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.
30. SUPPORT increase of daily rate available under Temporary Homeless Assistance for
CalWORKs families. Current rates do not reflect the cost of shelter in California.
31. SUPPORT efforts to secure permanent housing assistance for CalWORKs participants,
including initiatives to create support for shared housing. Permanent housing is key to
improving the overall health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations.
32. SUPPORT efforts that would create state grants and/or navigation services to establish or
expand programs that provide specified housing assistance and supportive services to
homeless youth. California has the highest rate of youth homelessness in the country8.
33. SUPPORT efforts that would help to stabilize and provide housing supports for at-risk
Adult Protective Services clients. Homeless among seniors is increasing in the Bay Area,
and affordable housing that is also accessible to seniors’ needs is in increasingly short
supply.
34. SUPPORT increased investments in housing for victims of domestic violence and human
trafficking including the preservation of emergency and long-term housing options for
victims.
Creating Quality Early Care and Education
6 HUD Fair Market Rent data
7 2018 Point in Time County by Contra Costa Council on Homelessness
8 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2017). The 2017 Annual Homeless Assessment
Report (AHAR) to Congress. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Attachment C
Page 112 of 120
6
Care for a preschool age child in Contra Costa now tops over $10,000 a year 9. Access to quality
early care and education is critical for children’s development and allows parents to work and
attend school. Community Services currently serves over 2,000 children and their families each
year, providing high quality childcare and early education. Though we have been successful in
obtaining grant funds to offer care to more children, this is still woefully short of demand. Our
county would need to triple available childcare openings to meet the needs of Contra Costa
families10. These policy positions support legislation and initiatives that promote healthy child
development and the financial security of working families.
35. 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. This gives First 5 Commissions greater spending flexibility
to respond to the unique needs of every community.
36. OPPOSE any legislation that increases tobacco taxes but fails to include language to
replace any funds subsequently lost to The California Children and Families Act/Trust
Fund for local services funded by tobacco taxes (Proposition 10 in 1998 and Proposition
99 in 1988).
37. SUPPORT efforts by the Contra Costa County’s executive directors and program
administrators of all Child Care and Development Programs to advocate for funding
adequate to maintain quality standards and ensure staff retention. Budgets in these
programs have stagnated or reduced. An increase would greatly help low-income people
find work and stay in jobs.
38. SUPPORT efforts to increase the number of subsidized childcare slots to address the
shortage of over 20,000 slots serving children 0-12 years of age in Contra Costa County;
and SUPPORT efforts to enhance the quality of early learning programs and maintain local
Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) for early learning providers. Affordable
childcare is key to low-income workers remaining employed and there is a significant
dearth of subsidized childcare slots. Increasing quality of early learning is important to
developing skills in the next generation.
39. SUPPORT legislation to expand early childcare and education and increase funding for
preschool and early learning, including the restoration of State Quality Childcare Funds.
Contra Costa County is experiencing a severe shortage of childcare availability, and quality
childcare is a foundation for success and stability as children develop.
40. SUPPORT the funding for Facility Restoration and Repair (FRR) through the California
Department of Education. Increasing the funding amounts for facility restoration of early
childhood education would allow for improved facilities at Head Start sites. Contra Costa
County has several childcare facilities in modular buildings not meant for long-term use
and other facilities in need of repairs.
9 California Child Care Portfolio
10 Lucille Packard Foundation
Attachment C
Page 113 of 120
7
41. SUPPORT alignment of family eligibility for subsidized childcare with cost of living
adjustments and higher minimum wage rates. The cost of childcare has risen substantially
in the bay area and is an obstacle for families to continue to work or attend school.
42. SUPPORT efforts that encourage access to early education home visiting programming.
This will support families in providing an environment that promotes healthy growth and
development of their young children.
43. SUPPORT efforts that would allow CalWORKs Welfare to Work participants to
participate and achieve high school equivalency program without having their 24-month
clock be impacted during their time in the program. On average, high school graduates earn
more than $10,000 more than those without a diploma. Supporting education is a
sustainable pathway to self-sufficiency.
44. SUPPORT efforts to continue subsidized childcare for CalWORKs recipients who time out
while enrolled in a job training or education program. This will allow families to complete
job training and education programs, improving their chances of being self-sufficient in the
future.
45. SUPPORT legislation to continue subsidized childcare for CalWORKs recipients who find
become employed and are above the income threshold. Once employed, families may need
additional time to find new childcare arrangements. Stopping subsidized childcare may
jeopardize family’s ability to remain employed.
46. SUPPORT efforts to ensure funding of childcare for CalWORKs and former CalWORKs
families at levels sufficient to meet demand. The State of California has not fully funded
the cost of childcare for the “working poor.” Additional funding would allow more
CalWORKs and post-CalWORKs families to become and/or stay employed.
Protecting Aging Adults and Individuals with Disabilities
Contra Costa County has one of the highest concentrations of older adults in the country11. Our
dependency ratio (the number of working adults to those under 18 and over 65-years-old), will rise
to a nearly one to one ratio by 2060. According to the California Elder Economic Security Index
(a county-specific measure of the minimum income necessary to cover basic needs for retired older
adults), the average senior in our county would need over double their Social Security payment in
order to be self-sufficient. Over one in ten Contra Costa residents has a disability, many of whom
live in poverty12. Although in-home support services for these populations are among the fastest
growing within Human Services, state funding for aging adults and individuals with disabilities
was severely cut during the recession and continues to impact our ability to recruit and retain social
workers and home care workers. These policy positions support legislation and initiatives that
invest in services and supports for our rapidly growing elder population.
47. SUPPORT simplification of IHSS service hour calculation and allocation to insure
compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and efficiently provide services to
consumers. Recent changes in the administrative budget and database system have created
unfunded mandates within IHSS.
11 U.S. Census
12 2016 American Community Survey
Attachment C
Page 114 of 120
8
48. SUPPORT efforts to allow counties to use alternative reassessment approaches, including
but not limited to telephonic reassessments. IHSS serves many people with disabilities that
do not change year over year (e.g., quadriplegics) and an in-person visit is not necessary to
reauthorize their eligibility. An increased aging population in Contra Costa County has
resulted in unprecedented numbers of IHSS applications, making timely year-over-year in-
person assessments more difficult.
49. SUPPORT legislative efforts that allow for coordination of services and data, across state
and county departments that support aging and elder populations. Elders often are served
in multiple county systems, and increased coordination would support the holistic care of
our aging population.
50. SUPPORT creation of funding opportunities and policies which promote the development
of aging-friendly communities. Rising costs of living create barriers to aging in place,
potentially displacing seniors from their support systems and care providers. While housing
is an issue for many in Contra Costa County, there is an even greater shortage of ADA
accessible and senior-friendly affordable housing.
51. SUPPORT legislation and investments related to long-term care, senior housing
affordability, medical service access, transportation, isolation and other quality of life
issues to support aging with dignity.
52. SUPPORT efforts to develop emergency temporary shelter and/or short-term options for
Adult Protective Services population and consider options that include but are not limited
to, licensing of facilities specifically for this population and exploring Medi -Cal billing
options to support clients in hospitals and other care facilities pending a more permanent
housing placement. Accessible housing is in increasingly short supply throughout the Bay
Area.
53. SUPPORT research that describes and assesses local service needs and gaps impacting
aging residents and that proposes specific and actionable local strategies to address these
needs. Contra Costa County has one of the largest populations of seniors in the United
States and more assessment is needed to understand the best practices for how to support
this community.
54. SUPPORT efforts that identify, eliminate and prevent in-home neglect of the elderly and
dependent adults; and scams and fraud (internet and otherwise) targeted at the elderly and
dependent adults.
55. SUPPORT legislative efforts that would enhance confidentiality of DMV records for Adult
Protective Services social workers (a practice already in place for Child Protective Services
social workers).
Attachment C
Page 115 of 120
9
56. SUPPORT legislation that would reduce Medi-Cal share of cost for adults 65 and older, as
well as disabled individuals. Current guidelines for the aged and disabled population
burdens them with a higher share of cost than those who are not elderly or disabled.
Investing in Violence Prevention
We aim to prevent, interrupt and end child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse
and human trafficking in Contra Costa County. From August 2017 to August 2018, Employment
& Human Services received approximately 8,500 reports of child abuse and over 600 reports of
elder abuse. In 2017 over 600 child abuse cases were investigated. Through a federal grant
administered through the Alliance to End Abuse, we know that around 200 survivors of human
trafficking are identified and receive services in our County annually. Between July 2016 and June
2017 our local Domestic Violence agency (STAND! for Families Free of Violence) received over
14,000 crisis calls and provided case management services to over 1,000 adults and 40 children.
We recognize the interconnectedness of all forms of violence and seek to address the root causes
and underlying cultural norms that contribute to violence. We seek to prevent all forms of violence;
support whole-person services for victims, offenders and their families; and differentiate responses
for individuals based on risk assessment. We value respect and dignity for all. These policy
positions support legislation and initiatives that create a safer and more just community.
57. SUPPORT efforts that seek to; address the impact of domestic violence, sexual assault,
human trafficking, elder abuse and child abuse; implement culturally relevant, trauma-
informed responses; connect victims to services; and prevent interpersonal violence.
58. SUPPORT efforts that differentiate risk and provide differential response based on risk
and needs for individuals affected by interpersonal violence. Differentiating risk and
needs allows for more appropriate, individual and realistic responses to individuals
navigating the systems. Differentiating risk and needs based off assessments decreases
the chance of further violence.
59. SUPPORT efforts to increase cross-agency and cross-system collaboration on
interpersonal violence cases including the sharing of confidential or protected
information in multidisciplinary team settings in order to increase support for survivors.
60. SUPPORT efforts that foster collaboration across protective and criminal systems which
allow for facilitation of cross-reporting of interpersonal violence.
61. SUPPORT efforts to increase language access and cultural responsive services for
survivors of interpersonal violence. We know that victims and offenders are more likely to
seek support if services are culturally responsive, language appropriate and trauma
informed.
62. SUPPORT efforts to address and prevent the underlying causes, stressors and triggers
that lead to violence.
63. SUPPORT efforts that ensure all survivors of interpersonal violence, and their families,
feel safe to access services. We value wrap around supportive services for victims,
offenders and their families.
64. SUPPPORT efforts that seek to provide support and services for individuals who
experience secondary or vicarious trauma. We support efforts that seek to change the
cultural norms that do not permit, encourage or openly engage staff to seek services. We
Attachment C
Page 116 of 120
10
believe that staff who are exposed to secondary trauma deserve to receive the same whole
person care we advocate for on behalf of survivors.
65. SUPPORT efforts to promote safety of Adult Protective Services workers conducting
required unannounced home visits by allowing them to request and receive from law
enforcement criminal record checks through the California Law Enforcement
Telecommunications System (CLETS). This would primarily be used for reported abusers
in the household.
66. 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, including through solutions
that allow access for Adult Protective Services to access financial records for investigation
of financial abuse and exploitation. Financial abuse is a fast-growing form of abuse of
seniors and adults with disabilities and current law does not authorize financial institutions
to grant access to financial records necessary to investigate the reported abuse without the
consent of the account holder or authorized representative.
67. SUPPORT efforts to establish an “umbrella code” or other efficient data-sharing systems
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.
68. SUPPORT efforts that focus on dependent adult and elder abuse prevention including, but
not limited to, providing respite for caregivers.
69. SUPPORT efforts that prevent domestic violence and domestic violence homicide
including assessment of risk for assault or lethal force (including stalking and
strangulation) throughout the criminal justice system. Lethality risk assessments have been
found to increase awareness for law enforcement officers and service providers; increase
awareness for victims and the likelihood of victims engaging in formal services; force
professionals to look more closely at domestic violence cases and; create shared language
among providers and professionals.
70. SUPPORT efforts to increase understanding of the lethality risks of strangulation and to
document incidences of strangulation.
Ensuring Equity for Immigrant Communities
Contra Costa County is extremely diverse. Nearly one in four Contra Costa residents is an
immigrant13. Immigrants contribute to our local economy as employees, homeowners, business
owners, and consumers. Recent federal policies have aimed to decrease immigrant’s access to the
13 2016 American Community Survey
Attachment C
Page 117 of 120
11
safety net. Research has shown that fear of immigration enforcement can increase immigrants’
vulnerability to crime and decrease their utilization of health care and other services, straining
emergency systems when care can no longer be delayed. The policy positions support legislation
and initiatives to create a more welcoming county and defend the rights of all immigrants in out
community.
71. SUPPORT the expansion of benefits and services for immigrants, refugees, and asylum
seekers. Nearly one-quarter of Contra Costa residents are immigrants. These residents
contribute to our communities and need access to vital services to ensure the health and
well-being of all.
72. SUPPORT the use of state funds to pay for CalFresh benefits for those Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACAs) and PRUCOL (Permanent Residents Under the Color of
Law) who would otherwise be ineligible for CalFresh.
73. SUPPORT efforts to increase language access and cultural responsive services for
survivors of interpersonal violence.
74. SUPPORT efforts that would require the California Department of Social Services to
translate all state-provided materials used by In-Home Support Services providers into the
threshold languages. Contra Costa is a diverse county, and having materials that include
the languages spoken by many county residents may increase access to these vital
programs.
75. OPPOSE any changes to “public charge” rules that may penalize immigrants for using
vital services they are legally allowed to access. The county has reaffirmed our
commitment to providing a safe, welcoming atmosphere for immigrants. Additional
changes in public charge regulations would further jeopardize the health and well-being
of our county.
Investing in Healthy Families
The majority of households in Contra Costa County are families 14. Nearly 15% of children in our
county have experienced two or more adverse or traumatic events15, including bullying and abuse
by a family member. County services help ensure the safety of children, as well as provide support
for parents to give their children more stable homes. These policy positions support legislation and
initiatives that promote stability for children who have experienced abuse and trauma, as well as
enhance family supports to reunify.
76. SUPPORT continued and improved funding for substance abuse treatment and mental
health services including those that provide alternatives to incarceration and Laura’s Law.
77. SUPPORT increased funding for Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention. Under the
Continuum of Care reform, more children need to be placed in home-based foster care
rather than congregate group homes. Recruiting and retaining quality foster parents is
critically important to maintain stability for children who have experienced abuse and
trauma.
14 2016 American Community Survey
15 Lucille Packard Foundation
Attachment C
Page 118 of 120
12
78. SUPPORT efforts to limit hospital discharges for children under the care of CFS when
there is no safe and sustainable placement for the child secured. This may help increase
placement stability for children and reduce homelessness for youth. Homeless youth are
more likely to be victimized than children who have home placements.
79. SUPPORT continued and improved funding for implementation of Continuum of Care
Reform. This reform has created a greater need for more home-based foster care placement
options, especially for children with severe mental health or behavioral issues. In order to
provide stability for these children, more funding is needed to support case management
and secure quality foster parents.
80. SUPPORT reforms to the Private Adoption Agency Reimbursement Program (PAARP)
that will reduce counties financial liability when claims exceed funding from the state. In
fiscal year 2017-18, counties were required to cover nearly $7 million in overages.
81. SUPPORT child-specific approval for kinship caregivers (and non-related extended family
members) to enable relatives to care for their related child/children, if in the child’s best
interest.
82. SUPPORT efforts to allow foster care payments for children who are with their parents in
a family-based treatment facility. These facilities allow parents seeking mental health and
substance abuse treatment to live with their children, which disqualifies the family from
maintenance services generally provided to children in foster care. However, research
generally shows improved outcomes for both children and parents when they are allowed
to stay together during treatment.
83. SUPPORT efforts that would amend the definition of “relative” as applied to state funded
Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-Gap) to be consistent with the federally
funded Kin-Gap. This will allow all Kinship guardianship cases to be treated uniformly
and allow more families to experience independence, normalcy and other benefits of
permanence as legal guardians.
Developing Contra Costa County’s Workforce
Contra Costa County is home to nearly 600,000 workers16. Jobs here are growing, and our
employment rate is dropping. Still, the economic recovery varies here by region and there are
significant barriers to employment for many of our residents. Services targeted to those most in
need are essential to ensure that everyone has access to the education, training, and employment
support services necessary to gain meaningful and life-supporting employment. This includes
taking steps to ensure that the County is appropriately staffed and trained for future needs. The
policy positions support legislation and initiatives that enhance economic development programs
that promote shared economic prosperity and access to jobs.
84. SUPPORT efforts to increase coordination between WIOA and title 5 (APS) to support
senior employment. Many seniors are seeking employment to make ends meet.
Coordination between existing funding streams would create more support for older
workers to enter the workforce, gain new skills, and live independently.
85. SUPPORT initiatives to support social work education for APS, similar to the Title IV-E
MSW program for Child Welfare Agencies. APS is also experiencing a social worker
16 2016 American Community Survey
Attachment C
Page 119 of 120
13
shortage and as the population continues to age it is critically important that we have
staff able to support the unique needs of elder adults.
86. Support efforts to increase the flexibility of Workforce Development Board spending to
increase supportive services and respond to local workforce needs.
87. SUPPORT efforts to expand the Workforce Development Board’s ability to partner with
local community colleges in offer more training and education options with viable career
pathways that provide income mobility and livable wages.
88. SUPPORT efforts to Integrate Workforce Development Board services into the
CalWORKs program to create robust job training and support services within the county.
89. SUPPORT efforts for continuing training and education for social workers. Social
workers serve our community and should have access to the most up-to-date methods to
provide quality services.
90. SUPPORT efforts to raise wages for the early care and education workforce (such as
childcare workers, preschool/infant-toddler teachers). The wages for these positions have
not kept pace with other employment opportunities and makes it difficult to recruit and
retain quality teachers.
91. SUPPORT bills to increase teacher training and education, including funding to support
current county employees to obtain a teaching credential. There is currently a shortage of
quality, credentialed teachers in the county.
92. SUPPORT funding for statewide Adult Protective Services training. Law enforcement,
first responders, and other government workers respond to APS calls but do not necessarily
have training on the issues facing indigent adults and elders.
93. SUPPORT investments in continuous training and coordination of training for all law
enforcement officers, District Attorneys, Public Defenders, Probation Officers, Judges
and other court staff on issues of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking,
elder abuse, child abuse, and trauma informed approaches.
94. SUPPORT efforts that promote training, capacity building and deeper understanding for
students, educators and social service staff on trauma informed care, adverse childhood
experiences, healthy workplaces and schools.
95. SUPPORT efforts to increase training on human trafficking (with a specific focus on labor
trafficking) for law enforcement, prosecutors and others involved in criminal
investigations.
96. SUPPORT efforts that seek to specialize and build expertise for designated staff and
systems (such as developing a commercially sexually exploited youth court or creating
human trafficking units) to better support survivors of human trafficking.
97. SUPPORT efforts to increase funding for the 2020 Census. Contra Costa has been
designated as a “hard to count” county by the federal government, and current funding
levels may not be adequate to hire the staff needed for an accurate count of our residents.
98. SUPPORT efforts to protect the visual images of people seeking assistance in public social
services facilities. Recently there have been incidences of public filming in social service
lobbies across the state, with customers risking being publicly associated with services and
becoming vulnerable to exploitation.
Attachment C
Page 120 of 120