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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12172002 - C.39-C.40 CONTRA TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS t t . . FROM: John Sweeten,County Administrator �`'C�STA UNTY DATE: December 17,2002 _ SUBJECT: Year-End Report—County Legislative Program SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)& BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENIIATIQN(S3: ACCEPT the year-end report from the County.Administrator on the County's legislative program. BACKGROUNDIREASON(S)FOR RECOMMENDATIONJSih. Annually, the County Administrator prepares a year-end report for the Board of Supervisors on the County's legislative program. This year, the report covers both the County's Federal Legislative Program as well as the State Legislative Program. 2002 Federal Legislative Propram In 2002, Contra Costa County joined the ranks of the other 11 large, urban California counties by establishing a presence in Washington, D. C. and adopting a federal legislative platform. 2002 was a highly unusual year for Congress. Only two of the 13 appropriation bills were passed by Congress and signed by the president on a timely basis and these were defense related bills. No action was taken on significant non-defense policy issues, such as TANF reauthorization. Consequently, Contra Costa County, like all other counties, cities and special interest groups throughout the nation, does not yet have resolution on its federal legislative platform. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ?YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR_RECOMMENDATION OrJ OARD COMMITTEE PPRVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOA ( Ik3 mbher 17 200T­_ APPROVED A5 RECOMMENDED&_OTHER l� C VOTE OF SUPERVISORS NoriI HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A x UNANIMOUS{ABSENT � I TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ON MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact:Sara Huffman-335-1090 ATTESTED December 17, 2002 CAO JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF THE BOAR OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY, DEPUTY BALI LUI1NIRI A,S NU FOR RECOMMENDATION(cont'd): Respite the lack of conclusion at the federal level, Contra Costa County is currently positioned to do well with several of its legislative platform.priorities. The president had proposed$2.8 million total for our three dredging projects, but we were able to get$8.2 million in the House bill and$5.5 million in the Senate bill. We were also able to secure language in the Water Resources Development Act as reported from the Douse Committee (no Senate action taken) that allows the County to receive local match credit for expenditures on flood control projects prior to the execution of the project cooperative agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers. This flexibility is very necessary for our Public Works Department to leverage other funding and minimize County cost. As requested by the Board of Supervisors when it adopted the County's 2002 Federal Legislative Platform, a full report on the federal program was presented to the Internal Operations Committee on December 16, 2002. A copy of that report is attached(Attachment A). 2002 State Legislative I'roaram For 2002, the Board of Supervisors adopted a State Legislative Platform that addressed the issues of general revenue/finance, library, land use/community, health care, human services, law and justice and general government. The platform provided direction and guidance for identification of bills for monitoring and the development of recommendations on policy positions by the Board of Supervisors. In addition, the platform identified issues for County sponsored bills (Attachment B). Monitor — The County monitored a total of 89 bills during the 2002 legislative session. As bills were introduced, they were reviewed by our state lobbyist and, if determined relevant to the County's legislative platform, forwarded to the County Administrator's Office who sent email links to the bills to appropriate County staff for their review. In some cases, the result was a recommendation for a position of support, opposition or opposition unless amended. Also, each time there was action on the bill, such as an amendment or committee hearing,an email link with updated language was sent to the appropriate contact person. Support— The Beard of Supervisors adopted a position of support on 22 bills of which 9 were chaptered and 1 vetoed. The vetoed bill was SB 1555 (Torlakson) which would have created the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Mobility And Safety Fund. Chaptered bills included: • AB 1170 (Firebaugh) — provides grants to local government to fund second mortgages for down payments for qualifying new homebuyers. • AB 1714 (Canciamilla) — prohibits the use of public resources for a campaign activity or personal purposes not authorized by law. • AB 1984 (Steinberg) — provides funding for aflerschool enrichment programs for high school students. • AB 2324 (Diaz) — establishes minimum hours of operation for afterschool programs funded by the Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods Partnership Program. • AB 2334 (Nakano) — authorizes the Department of Alcohol Beverage Control to revoke or suspend an alcohol beverage license if laws relating to the furnishing of drug paraphernalia are violated. • SB 369 (Dunn) - authorizes counties and other local jurisdictions to issue multifamily mortgage revenue bonds for affordable housing. • SB 1227 (Burton) — authorized placement of $2 billion affordable housing bond measure on the November 2002 ballot(Prop 42). • SB 1754 (McPherson) — increases maximum court assessments for failure to appear and authorizes use of funds for a warrant service task force. Oppose — The Board of Supervisors took a position of opposition on 3 bills: SB 910 (Dunn); SB 1833 (Nakano); and SB 1975 (Johnson). Of these, AB 1833 was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor,while SB 1975 was vetoed by the Governor. AB 1833 added significant unreimbursed administrative requirements on EMS fund management, while SB 1975 would have required election officials to conduct three 2 elections in presidential election years and move primary elections from March to August in other election years. Oppose unless amended—The Board of Supervisors took a position of"opposition unless amended" on 4 bills: AB 883 (Flores),'AB 934 (Hertzberg), SB 1700(Peace) and AB 81 (Migden). Of these,only AB 81 was passed by the legislature,and signed by the Governor. Unfortunately, this was the bill which memorializes the in situ method of property tax distribution, despite the ,fact that the State Board of Equalization has taken over assessment authority from local assessors. The assessment methodology creates an incentive for cities to annex power plants in unincorporated areas. Sponsor - Contra Costa County's legislative delegation carried six sponsored bills for the County that furthered our legislative objectives, including: • SB 1495 (Torlakson) — In 2001, Senator Torlakson successfully authored a bill that created the Job/Housing Balance Program, which provides monetary incentives to local jurisdictions to increase residential building permits (program funding still pending). A baseline for comparison was set based on the number of permits issued in previous years. However, this criteria did not allow for adjustments for diminishing land area due to annexations and smart growth policies such as urban growth. boundaries. The result was that Contra Costa could never be eligible for these incentive payments. SB 1495 amended the criteria to account for smart growth planning policies and local annexations, thus allowing Contra Costa County to equitably compete for the Jobs/Housing Balance Program incentives. SB 1495 was straightforward in its objectives and was so received by the legislature. Minor modifications were made to the bill as introduced and the bill was signed by the Governor on September 12,2002. • AB 2073 (Canciamilla)—Contra Costa County had been unable to reach an acceptable agreement on reimbursement levels with Sutter Delta Hospital and was being charged rates higher than warranted, according to the County's perspective. AB 2073 sought to enact standards for rates that would be more in line with State reimbursement levels. Sutter Delta Hospital put up substantial opposition to AB 2073 and proposed the matter be settled locally. The County agreed since the bill had acted as a stimulus for our negotiation of a new contract with Sutter Delta,and AB 2073 was withdrawn from committee by the author. • AB 2936 (Aroner)—In California,the capital costs of local park facilities are funded largely through developer assessed fees authorized under the Quimby Act. Unfortunately,the Act does not allow for use of these monies for the planning purposes. As introduced, AB 2936 amended the Quimby Act to allow these fees to be spent for master park planning. As the bill went through the committee process, concerns were expressed about the"nexus"between park planning and the fees. Consequently, the bill was amended in its entirety so that fees for administrative services could be used for planning purposes. This amendment still achieved the County's objective of providing a stable funding source for County park planning. AB 2936 was signed by the Governor on September 27,2002. • AB 2510 (Canciamilla) — Late in the session, it became clear that the County's proposed amendments to AB 81 (Migden)were not going to be successful, due to opposition from the League of California Cities and the few number of counties affected (and thus, little support from other counties). AB 2510 was introduced as a means to preserve the County's revenues from power plants, even if annexed. However, there was insufficient time to work through the opposition to the bill and it was not enacted. • AB 1882 (Canciamilla) -- Currently, specified urban infill projects within cities are exempt from CEQA. Properties with those same exact characteristics, but within unincorporated areas are not exempt. This disparity creates disadvantages for small developers seeking to construct residential urban infill projects in unincorporated areas due to the cost and time involved with CEQA compliance as introduced. As introduced, AB 1882 established equity between cities and counties by expanding the exemption to unincorporated areas under the same terms and conditions currently applicable to cities. 3 AB 1882 had been introduced in 2001, but was held in committee pending litigation on the CEQA exemption for cities. Meanwhile,the environmentalists introduced their own bill, SB 1925 (Sher), to address their concerns. However, it only applied to the exemption for cities. After serious negotiations between the County and League of Conservation Voters, SB 1925 was satisfactorily amended to grant the County parity with the cities on CEQA exemptions for infill projects. Consequently, there was no need to move forward on AB 1882. SB 1925 was successfully enacted. It was signed by the Governor on September 28,2002. • SB 1343 (Torlakson) — When the State of California calculated Contra Costa County Trial Court Funding Maintenance of Effort requirement, it calculated a lesser amount than calculated by the County. Respite that,the County was told that the State's amounts were correct. However, in 2001, when SB 815 (Chesboro) was introduced to correct Del Norte County's MOE requirement, the State determined that they had erred in calculating Contra Costa County's MOE. Unfortunately, SB 815 included a retroactivity clause which obligated the County to approximately $700,000 of back payments. SB 1343 was introduced to eliminate the retroactive payment requirement, so that the County was not penalized for the State calculation error. The State Department of Finance strongly opposed the bill, despite our offers to compromise with a payment schedule over ten years. Instead DOF insisted upon an onerous interest rate for long term payment in addition to payment for an additional year not covered by SB 815. When it was clear that no compromise was possible,the bill was dropped. • SB 2100 (Torlakson) — When the Board of Supervisors reached tentative agreement with its labor organizations on the 3% at 50 for safety employees and 2% at 55 for miscellaneous employees retirement benefits, it did so with the realization that authorizing legislation was necessary for implementation. SB 2100 was introduced to allow implementation of the funding program for the new retirement benefit program. SB 2100 received a great deal of support from organized labor. The California Firefighters Association proposed clarifying amendments which were incorporated into the bill. SB 2100 had little opposition and it was enacted as amended. SB 2100 was signed by the Governor on September 18, 2002. In 2002, the County did very well in promoting its legislative agenda. The year also validated our long held understanding that sponsored bills do best when they are County specific and have no negative financial impact for the State of California. ATTACHMENT A County of Contra Costa OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MEMORANDUM DATE: December 6, 2002 TO: Internal Operations Committee Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier, Chair Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, Member FROM. Sara Koffman 14- Assistant 4Assistant Count Administrator SUBJECT: YEAR END REPORT—2002 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM Recommendation ACCEPT the report on the County's 2002 Federal Legislative Platform. BacMMUd When the Board of Supervisors adopted Contra Costa County's 2042 Federal Legislative Platform, it also requested the Internal Operations Committee to conduct an end-of-year review of the"approach utilized for the legislative platform." The 2042 Federal Legislative Platform was developed in consultation with individual Board Members, department staff and the County's federal lobbyist,Maul Schlesinger of Alcalde and Fay. Staff developed a concise summary of each of the proposals, which were then reviewed by the Board of Supervisors in January 2042. The platform adopted by the Board included fifteen priorities,five of which were policy related and the other ten earmarks(see Attachment 1). The policy positions addressed the issues of. • Availability of affordable housing, • Local match and cost benefit analysis for flood control projects; • :Disproportionate share hospital funding, • Medicaid upper payment limit waiver; and • TANF reauthorization. The ten:priority areas for Congressional earmarks included a wide array of projects,ranging from the Pleasant Hill BART Station Smart Growth Project to channel dredging to the countywide radia communication system. The total desired funding for these earmarks was approximately$35 million. When we developed this extensive list,we knew that the number of earmark priorities and their funding levels were much greater than we could expect to receive. As we were advised by our federal lobbyist, it is reasonable to expect funding for two or three projects,each within the$1 to 2 million range(except in years with major funding bills such as the Omnibus Transportation Bill when expectations can be much higher). Strategically, however,inclusion of more earmarks provided an opportunity to learn what"resonates"best with our legislative delegation. In addition,the larger number of earmark priorities gave our lobbyist greater flexibility in dealing with our delegation and the Congressional committees. Finally,it was obvious that all the projects were important within their respective areas and it was difficult to give a lesser priority to some. Once the Board of Supervisors adopted the 2002 Federal Legislative Platform,staff developed one page briefing papers on each of our earmark priorities(see Attachment 2). The content and scope of the papers were developed in consultation with our federal lobbyist. Paul Schlesinger also met with each of the subject area star`to ensure that the papers included all the key points for advocacy and that he thoroughly understood the proposals. Advocacy by the County's 1»ederal Lobbyist Over the course of the past year,Paul Schlesinger has actively represented the County's interests in support of the County's Federal Legislative Platform; provided advice and information on activities in Washington that affect the platform; and overall,strengthened Contra Costa's visibility with our federal delegation and Congressional Committees. ,Legislative EarmarkAdvgcaa After the County finalized its legislative platform,Paul"shopped"our earmark requests with our Congressional delegation to garner their active support.A few projects dropped out very quickly, such as the Bay Trail expansion along the Carquinez Straits,due to our delegation's need to limit the number of their earmark requests. Others received strong support and were adopted as priorities by our Congressional delegation, including the North Richmond circulation project,the flood control projects and our three channel dredging projects(see Attachment 3). As part of the process,Paul provided briefing materials for our delegation and helped shepherd the adopted requests through the Congressional committees,ensuring that questions were answered and issues resolved. Our three dredging projects did very well in both the House and Senate: $8.12 million in the House and$5.15 million in the Senate,compared to the President's budget proposal of$2.82 million. We were also able to secure language in the Water Resources Development Act as reported from the House Committee(no Senate action was taken)that allows the County to receive local match credit for expenditures on 2 flood control projects prior to execution of the Project Cooperative Agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers. This flexibility is necessary to leverage other funding and minimize County costs. In the case of dredging projects,Paul was instrumental in bringing Congressman Pete Visclosky(ranking member of the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee)to tour the Carquinez Straits and receive a briefing on County's dredging projects. The event was a companion to a fundraiser sponsored by the refineries(initiated by our lobbyist),which was the draw for the Congressman's visit. The County's Water Agency.has been working on engaging the refineries as more active participants in advocating for dredging projects for some time. This was a very good first step in that direction. Legislative Pvy Advacacv Through the course of the year,the Board of Supervisors adopted positions on specific federal bills relating to both the County's legislative priorities and other issues of importance. These included. • HR 2953-Medi-Care Coordinated Care • HR 2349-National Housing Trust Fund • S 1991 -National Defense InterstateRail Act • HR 2654-Transit Rail Accommodation Improvement and Needs Act for the 21st Century(TRAIN 21) • S 1917-Federal Transportation Spending Levels • HR 3694-Federal Transportation Spending Levels • HR 2646 -Nutritional Assistance Program • S 1571 -Nutritional Assistance Program • SJR 36-Transportation Equity Act Funding • HR 2144-Sudden Oak Death Syndrome Funding • S 2535-California Wild Heritage Wilderness Act For all of these bills,Paul Schlesinger acted as liaison with our Congressional delegation to ensure that they were aware of and understood the County's position. On large policy issues of national significance,counties have little influence beyond their own delegation. Contra Costa County is no exception. However,it is very important to keep apprised of the status of national bills with significant local impact and to ensure that our delegation understands Contra Costa's position and the local ramifications of the legislation. As an example of policy updates, see Attachment 4 on the status of TANF reauthorization and the child support penalties. &XyLato-a-an d Administrative Advacacv With Paul Schlesinger acting as the County's presence in Washington,D. C.,the County has gained better access on administrative issues. For example,when the Housing Authority was 3 faced with possible rejection of its state low-income tax credit application for the DeAnza Gardens affordable housing project due to HUD delays with the Disposition Agreement(re the use of land),Paul contacted representatives of Congressman's urge Miller's office in Washington,D. C. and HUD to ensure that the circumstances and concerns were properly communicated. The end result was the Disposition Agreement was concluded in time and the Housing Authority was awarded$25 million in tax credits,the highest award in the state. Another example of work with regulatory agencies was with the Army Carps of Engineers regarding Priority One status for our dredging projects. The regional Corps staff were advising our staff to advocate for the status whereas the D. C. office and Congressional committee staff were asserting that no such status was possible or ever granted. Paul was able to communicate with both the local office and the Washington,D. C. office to clarify the issue. In yet another example, in the case of the Rodeo Marina Siltation Study,when it became obvious that there would be no possibility of a Congressional earmark,Paul began talking with the Army Corps of Engin about including it in their list of administrative studies. These conversations are ongoing. CORMAignal The federal fiscal year(FFY)ruins from October to October. The Federal Budget is encapsulated into 13 appropriation bills,which are normally passed by Congress and signed by the President by the end of September and no later than the middle of October. As of the first of December,only two FFY 03 appropriation bills were adopted,PL 107-248 for defense and PL 107-241 for military construction. Instead,Congress has passed several continuing resolutions,which continue spending at FFY 02 levels. Currently,it is likely that the House will pass another two continuing resolutions in January,one to the end of February, the other to the end of September. The Senate would then act on the short term continuing resolution,and possibly use the long term one to craft an omnibus appropriations bill. This would allow the House and Senate to go to Conference on the budget. One of the reasons for Congressional deadlock on the Federal Budget has been the Senate's addition of about$14 billion to the President's budget request for discretionary spending. With control of Congress now in the hands of Republicans,we are told that Congress is likely to pass appropriation bills that will cumulatively fall within the President's budget o $750.4 billion.. This does not auger well for California earmarks,since California is deemed a Democratic state that is not essential for the President's reelection. Projects related to homeland security and defense,such as the County's radio communication and dredging projects,may have the greatest probability of success. Can the positive side,Alcalde and Fay is a bipartisan firm and has goad working relationships .with members on both sides of the aisle. Also,when.Paul Schlesinger forwarded an article about.prospective federal action from ?'he washinggton Post(Attachment 5), he stated that "needless to say,we will be redoubling our efforts to make sure that our earmarks are protected." 4 Stratm for 2003 2003 is shaping up as a carryover year from 2402, since we do not have resolution on any of our issues, either earmarks or policy positions. Staff intends to recommend that the Board adopt a 2003 Federal Legislative Platform with few modifications from 2002. The primary change in focus for 2003 would be the TEA 21 --the Omnibus Transportation Bill. We will be working closely with Public Works and our federal lobbyist to ensure that our projects are framed in such a way as to best meet committee project evaluation criteria. In 2003, Congress will be deciding on major pieces of legislation, notably transportation and welfare that will have major repercussions on localservices and revenues. Cather federal actions, such as California Medicaid waiver,will also have a significant impact on County options. In 2002, Contra Costa County joined the other 11 large, urban California counties by establishing a presence in Washington,D. C. In these times of great uncertainty, both fiscal and programmatic, it is more important than ever for the County to do its part in advocating for the best interests of our citizens. 5 ATTACHMENT A-I f CONTRA COSTA COUNTY 2002 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM 1. Availab/lity of Affordable Housing - Contra Costa County has a severe shortage of affordable housing In both the rental and for-purchase markets. For some working families, this has meant increases in homelessness; for others lengthy commutes that can lead to family dysfunction. For those struggling to graduate from welfare to work, housing costs can be a formidable barrier. The County's Community Development Department, Homeless Program and Housing Authority are all active on this issue. However, Increased federal appropriations and flexibility In meeting program requirements would be very helpful to our efforts. In the funding arena, the County will advocate for the County's McKinney Grant submittal to HUD for the homeless program; support Increased appropriations to the Shelter Plus Care, single room occupancy and supportive housing (permanent) programs of HUD; and support enhanced funding of the Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant program, the core entitlement programs for financing affordable housing. In both these areas, either the overall entitlement grant components need augmentation or Contra Costa needs specific earmarks that augment, not reduce, entitlement funds. Specific project proposals include: ➢ Transitional/Permanent Housing for Homeless Families - $1 million to support a proposed 25.30 unit project in West County; ➢ DeAnza Gardens Affordable Housing - $19 million of Federal Low-Income Tax Credits (LITCs) as part of a pilot program creating a new category of LITCs for redevelopment of obsolete public housing projects. ➢ Pleasant Hill BART Station Smart Growth - $1 million to facilitate construction of a mixed-use development at the Pleasant Hill BART Station. This funding will support public Improvements that are essential to attract the necessary private investment for this new transit-oriented community. Needed regulatory relief Includes: > flexibility in the Section 8 program in using funding for supportive services such as training in finding housing, payment of damage deposits and negotiating project-based master leases; and ➢ flexibility in use of HUD subsidies for public housing management, including maintenance, security, capital Improvements and social programs. 2. Countywide Radio Communication System - Funding to develop a single radio communication network serving all jurisdictions within the County. The current County system does not communicate with Richmond's upgradedsystem and inadequate capacity results in "waiting" for access to the system. Radio traffic is currently two to three times the level recommended for taw enforcement agencies. In the event of a major disaster or terrorist event, current system inadequacies would not allow agencies to communicate with one another via radio. 3. Route 239 Interregional Corridor Study (Brentwood-Tracy Expressway) - $1.5 million to identify the extent and nature of existing transportation problems, explore various solutions, arrive at public consensus on a proposal and define a project that would be eligible for funding under the State Interregional Improvement Program. The Route 239 corridor has been identified as an alternative corridor for major truck traffic, for linking the Bay Area and Central Valley and a key element in attracting employment-generating development in Bast County. It would also be very supportive of proposals to expand the Byron Airport. 4. North Richmond Circulation Improvements - $1.5 million for planning, community outreach and engineering for two projects in North Richmond: a pedestrian overcrossing of two sets of railroad tracks and development of a new read system that would provide truck access between businesses and the Richmond Parkway. These projects would increase safety around the neighborhood elementary school* increase livability of the neighborhood, improve local access to the Wildcat Creek Regional Trail and stimulate economic development in the industrial area of the community. 5. Flood Control Local Match and Cost Benefit Analyses - Currently, the County does not receive local snatch credit for expenditures on flood control projects prior to execution of the Project Cooperative Agreement with the Array Corps of Engineers. Also, in performing its cost benefit analysis on projects, the Corps does not use criteria which recognizes the ecological restoration, economic development and social benefits of the projects. The County will seek legislative remedy on bath these issues to benefit the following flood control projects: WildcatlSan Pablo Creak Phase One, Section 1135 Project; Pinole Greek, Section 1135 Project; Wildcat/San Pablo Creek Phase Two Project; Walnut Creek Channel Project; and the Grayson Creek/Murderers Creek Project. 6. Disproportionate Share Hospital Funding -The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 mandated reductions in payments to the Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) program over five years, with the largest reductions in the final three years. Contra Costa County's net benefit from the program was reduced from $13.8 million in 199899 to a projected $9.8 million in 2002-03. Loss of DSH funding puts increased strain on Contra Costa's Health Services Department, which is currently facing budget difficulties. [The County will support 2 efforts of the California Association of Public Hospitals/Health Systems and the National Association of Public Hospitals to freeze or reverse the decline of Medicaid DSH payments to safety net providers, as well as to advocate for a successor funding program to DSH that recognizes the importance of clinic- based care, rather than basing payments just on hospital inpatient days.] 7. Medicaid Lipper Payment Limit - Under current federal regulation, Medicaid payments to states can be 150% of Medicare expenditures. This is in recognition of the higher costs of public hospitals and their significant role as safety net providers to low income and vulnerable populations. A new draft rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) would reduce that upper payment limit to 100% for public hospitals. For Contra Costa County, this would mean a loss of$3 to $5 million annually. A revenue lass of this magnitude could have serious consequences on the County's health care system. [The County will support the California Association of Public Hospitals/Health Systems and the National Association of Public Hospitals on this issue.] 8. Bay Trail Expansion Along Carquinez Scenic Drive - $1 to $3 million to repair slide damage and reconstruct the road to multi-use trail standards as part of the Regional Bay Trail. The project would access East Bay regional Parks and connect the communities of Martinez, Port Costa and Crockett for bicycle, pedestrian and equestrian users as well as provide alternate emergency vehicle and evacuation routes for these communities. A planning study is currently underway which will evaluate roadway stability, identify stabilization alternatives and identify path alignments. Since the Department of Defense has a defense fuel support facility at Point Ozol, which is slated for closure, there is a possibility of having the trail constructed as part of the closure plan. 9. Dredging of Suisun Bay Channel/New York Slough - $3.9 million for maintenance dredging to the authorized depth of minus 35 feet. Continued maintenance is essential for safe transport of crude oil and other bulk materials through the San Francisco Bay, along the Carquinez Straits and into the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta. An oil tanker ran aground in early 2001 due to severe shoaling in a section of this channel, exposing the straits to potential oil spills. This would be an Army Corps of Engineers project. 10. Dredging of Pinole Shoal - $4 million for maintenance dredging (includes associated work at Mare Island) to the authorized depth of minus 35 feet. Recent condition surveys have illustrated only 32 feet of usable water. The Pinole Shoal channel is a major arterial for vessel transport through the San Francisco Bay region, serving oil refineries and bulk cargo which is transported as far east as Stockton. Except for emergency dredging on sections in April 2001, the channel has not been dredged since the Mare Island Naval Facility closed several years ago. This would be an Army Corps of Engineers project. 3 11. San Luis Drain- The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation is preparing an environmental impact statement to evaluate options for providing drainage services for the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. Drainage water from this area contains toxic concentrations of selenium and other hazardous substances. San Luis Drain is one of the options under study and would pass through Contra Costa County. The County will oppose the San Luis Drain option and support instead drainage solutions in the valley, such as reducing the volume of drainage of problem water; managing/reusing within the district drainage area; retiring lands with severe drainage impairment from willing sellers; and reclaiming/removing solid salts through treatment, bird safe/bird free.solar ponds and farm-based methods. 12. East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservation Plan - $2 million to fund the development of habitat conservation plans and natural communities conservation plans. Contra Costa's share would be used to address an 185,000-acre planning area that includes all watersheds draining the eastern flanks of Mt. Diablo. This proposal comes from a five-county coalition that also includes the Institute for Ecological Health, the National Heritage Institute and Sierra Business Council. The coalition's objective is to preserve native habitats, while at the same time taking into account the needs for development and streamlined permitting and review processes. [placer County will be the lead advocate on this proposal.] 13. Rodeo Marina Siltation Study - $200,000 to investigate the cause of siltation at the Rodeo Marina and to identify alternative remedies, their costs and consequences. Rodeo Marina is a focal point of the Rodeo community, integral to revitalization efforts. This may be an Army Corps of Engineers project if it is determined that siltation was caused due to the Army Corps of Engineers placing dredge materials from the Maryland Strait into the Carquinez Strait near the marina. 14. TANF Authorization — In 2002, Congress will consider reauthorization of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), the federal guidelines under which the State and the County implement welfare reform (CaWORKs). The County's position, developed in conjunction with Federation of Interfaith Coalition, includes advocacy for: ➢ continuing the current level of TANF funding and associated block grants; ➢ enhancing the flexibility of states to design welfare programs that meet the eeds of specific types of populations, including the "hard to serve" and the "working poor;" ➢ providing for critical support services, such as child care, transportation, medical insurance and food stamps for both families on welfare and the "working poor". 15. Additional Priorities - The Omnibus Transportation Bill will be considered by Congress in 2003. Following development of project priorities by the Public Works Department, the Board will adapt additional priorities in this area. 4 ATTACHHMN`f A-2 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Pleasant /dill BART station Smart Growth Project $1 Mi edges. Overall at least 274 more housing units Will be created'through the development of for-sale townhouses and cental housing at market and affordable rates. Office space will also be added, with the possibility for hotels and/or a business conference enter. The adjacent Iron Horse trail', a regional bicycle, and hiking trail, and new BART bicycle station will also encourage use of alternative transportation modes. Prc►ect Partiolpantt. Contra Costa County and its Redevelopment Agency, BART, a private developer, local residents, business and environmental leaders, activist groups and area employees have all endorsed and participated in creating the vision for a new neighborhood. 2/15/02 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY TranaitionallPennanant Housing for Homeless Families 1 million,VA-HUD Appropriations Bill Economic Development Initiative Res $1 million for 25-30 housing units (transitional and permanent) for homeless families. Total project casts are estimated at $5 million, with $500,000 of MUD McKinney grant monies already committed. Funding would be used for project development and to leverage other funding sources. ProLe_ct,2„rle The housing development would serve families from various shelter programs where they have begun to improve their family situation and need housing with supportive services to stabilize these improvements and to transition to economic self-sufficiency. Family income limits will he up to 30% of the median income for the transitional units (half of the total units) and up to 50%for the permanent units. In Contra Costa County, less than 20% of the rental housing stock is affordable for renter households earning under 50% of the area median income. The average rental housing vacancy rate is under 3%. The waiting list is over 4,360 households for only 1,275 public housing units countywide. The situation is especially urgent for families with children, the most rapidly growing segment of the homeless population. Back round: The proposed project would provide 24-29 units of housing for homeless farriilies, 00% 2-bedroom and 40% 3-bedroom units (plus one 1-bedroom manager's unit). The project will be located in the City of Richmond, convenient to public transit (BARS' and bus), educational, city and social services and job training facilities. The selected site will require lot consolidation, General Plan amendments and/or rezoning. The project will draw upon a variety of financing mechanisms, such as tax credits, Dome Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), State Multifamily Dousing Program, Federal Dome loan Bank, project based Section 8 vouchers, Shelter Plus Care subsidies and other sources. The current $500,000 DUD McKinney grant requires project site control by the County no later than November 2002, which increases the pressure to quickly secure additional financing support for the protect. prglect P 1r,yan#ea City of Richmond, Centra Costa County, Vilest County.Nomeless Task Force and Rubicon, a community-based organization. 2/15/02 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY De Anzac Gardens Affordable Housing $19 Million lleguost.* $19 million of Federal Low-Income Tax Credits (LITCs) for the De Anza Gardens Affordable Housing Development as part of a pilot program creating a new category of LITCs for the redevelopment of obsolete public housing projects. 'lag& Senefltis.. The De Anza Gardens Affordable Housing Development supports multiple public policy goals: ➢ eradicates an obsolete public housing project; ➢ more than doubles the number of affordable housing units for working families at the site, ➢ provides a safer social environment than currently exists in the public housing project by broadening the income range of residents; and ➢ stimulates private investment in this low-income redevelopment area. Background: Public housing authorities are charged with either redeveloping or disposing of obsolete public housing. Yet the financial feasibility of redevelopment is problematic in many instances, absent the availability of LITCs. In California, the State Tax Credit Allocation Committee allocates the LITCs on a highly competitive basis, and housing authorities must compete with many other, better financed affordable housing developers. The Los Medanos Pueblo Public Housing Project is an excellent candidate for redevelopment. Built in 1942, it consists of 86 obsolete apartment units in the unincorporated community of Bay Point. The 14-acre site is currently zoned for up to 185 units. The proposed $31 million De Anza Gardens Housing Development will consist of 180 apartment units ranging in size from one to four bedrooms, priced to be affordable for families earning between 30% - 60% of median county income. The current residents of the public housing project will be given the choice of relocating to other public housing projects or to other apartments, including those in the new development, with Section 8 relocation vouchers. Pr ect Partici�nts: The Housing Authority of Contra Costa County; De Anza Housing Corporation, a community based California Non-profit Corporation; and Dee Anza Gardens, a California Limited Partnership with support from the Bay Point Municipal Advisory Council, the County Board of Supervisors and the tenants of the existing public housing project. 2115/02 CONTRA. COSTA COUNTY i Countywide Radio Communications System $2.7 Million Commerce, Justice, State Appropriations Bill department of Justice Law Enforcement'technology program Re©uest: $2.7 million to double the voice and data capacity of the existing microwave system that is near maximum capacity. This microwave equipment is the backbone of a new countywide radio communications system to support public safety, which will link the County Sheriffs Office, 19 cities and their police departments, eight fire districts,two water districts, numerous emergency medical teams, the California Highway Patrol, the Office of Emergency Services and the County's hazardous materials program. Project Benefits. In the event of a major disaster or terrorist event, public safety agencies in Contra Costa County cannot communicate with one another via radia. In certain areas of the County, there is no reception whatsoever. Radia traffic is currently two to three times the level recommended for law enforcement agencies, and the system cannot handle additional channels. The Countywide Radio Communication System will rectify that vulnerability, creating a single network with adequate capacity to meet both current and future needs. The microwave equipment enhancements will help address coverage, inter-operability and interference problems with the existing County system; fund a critical piece of the new countywide radio communication system and demonstrate federal support for this massive undertaking. It will also give the County the ability to transport ever increasingly critical voice and data circuits over secure non-commercial communication paths. In the event of a major disaster or terrorist attack, commercial networks are susceptible to interruption of service. The County would use its facilities to transport critical voice and data, while leaving the existing commercial circuits as a redundant parallel backup system. Background: The public safety radio communication system in Contra Costa County is bath antiquated and fragmented. Over 30 systems currently operate within the County, most of which cannot communicate with one another. The Sheriffs system, which responds to about 50% of the entire County's 911 calls, was built in 1960 and has had few upgrades since. The system is deficient in the areas of ➢ channel loading — Current channels have up to 70 units on them vs the industry standard of 35 to 40, resulting in congestion. > coverage- Reception is nonexistent in many areas and commonly poor in others. ➢ interoperability The current system is a single radio channel which allows only one agency to talk with one other agency. If a HAZIVIAT officer, deputy sheriff 3!41{32 and consolidated firefighter arrivedat an incident at the same time, dynamic dialogue would be impossible. ➢ outside interference — Because so many surrounding agencies use the same frequency, interference is common. microwave capacity will be added at 9 key sites. A comprehensive "design/build" study of the new system is currently underway. Estimated at $40-60 million, the project will require the sustained commitment of public agencies throughout the County as well as the state and federal governments. Acquisition of microwave equipment will provide the critical backbone to the new communications system, transporting the voice and data circuits that link public safety agencies. It will also be a visible enhancement to the new system, and a stimulus for Support. Prosect ParticlRants: Contra Costa County, the California Highway Patrol, Cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, EI Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Pablo, San Ramon and Walnut Creek, San Ramon Valley Fire District, Oakley Fire District, Contra Costa Consolidated Fire District, El Cerrito Fire District, Richmond Fire District, Rodeo-Hercules Fire District, Contra Costa Water District and East Bay Municipal utility District. 3/4/02 J i CONTRA COSTA COUNTY North Richmond Circulation Projects $1.5 Million Transportation Appropriations Bili Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program Reouest: $1.5 Million to develop a preferred alignment/design and to achieve environmental clearance for two circulation projects in the North Richmondcommunity: 1) street extensions to divert truck traffic from residential areas and 2) a pedestrian/ bicycle crossing over two sets of railroad tracks Prolect Befits: The North Richmond Circulation Projects will have multiple benefits for the low-income minority community of North Richmond: ➢ stimulate economic development in the industrial area by providing a more direct connection to the regional highway network; ➢ improve safety by removing truck traffic from a residential neighborhood and elementary school area; ➢ reduce hazards associated with pedestrians and bicycles crossing at-grade railroad tracks. Backaroun : North Richmond is an unincorporated area of about 4,000 residents, 98% are identified as minorities. It is one of the most blighted communities in the gay Area. The adult unemployment rate is 29% and half of its residents live below the poverty level. Over 50% of the families receive public assistance. Verde Elementary School in North Richmond is the lowest performing school in the State of California. North Richmond is bordered on one side by the Richmond Parkway, a limited access expressway, and on the other side by two sets of railroad tracks. Industrial development borders the railroad tracks and trucks frequently pass through the North Richmond residential neighborhood in order to reach the Richmond Parkway, and connect with Interstate 80 or Interstate 580. Extending three dead end streets would eliminate this neighborhood truck traffic. The second project is a pedestrian/bicycle crossing over the two sets of high-traffic railroad tracks that separate North Richmond from the nearest shopping/services area. The vvercrossing will provide residents, many of who do not own cars, with safe, easy access to nearby goods and services, thereby increasing mobility. Pr-WMt Particle nts/ takeholdem: Contra Costa County, Contra Costa Flood Control District, City of Richmond, City of San Pablo, East Bay Regional Park District, Union Pacific Railroad, Burlington Northem-Santa Fe Railway, AC Transit (local bus agency), North Richmond Municipal' Advisory Council and the forth Richmond Task Force/Federal Regional' Council. 311142 CONTRA COSTA COUNTS •� .. �, Brentwood-Tracy Expressway $1.5 Million Request; $1.5 million to develop a preferred alignment and obtain environmental clearance for the Brentwood-Tracy Expressway, to the point that the project would be eligible for funding under the California State Inter-Regional Improvement Program. Proiedt Senefits: The Brentwood-Tracy Expressway would benefit both the region as a whole and the residents and businesses of East Contra Costa County: ➢ needed truck route between the Bay Area and the Central Valley; ➢ stimulating job development in East County, to alleviate the severe job/housing imbalance; ➢ removes long-distance truck traffic from local communities; ➢ needed transportation infrastructure improvement for the proposed Byron Airport expansion. Background: The Brentwood-Tracy Expressway is an unconstructed limited-access state route that would connect State Route 4 near the City of Brentwood to 1-20511-5 near the City of Tracy. The project is supported by the California Department of Transportation and is included in long-range plans developed by the metropolitan planning organizations for the San Francisco Bay Area and San Joaquin County, but funds have not been available for the necessary planning and alignment studies. These studies are a precursor to state funding under the California State Inter-Regional Improvement program. Eastern Contra Costa County has been among the state's fastest-growing residential areas over the past decade but experienced little job growth due largely to an inadequate highway system. The project would address this deficiency and stimulate job development in eastern Contra Costa County, helping to reduce commute lengths. The Expressway would also absorb truck traffic between the Central Valley and Contra Costa County. Trucks now use an existing two-lane rural road, which impacts local communities. The Expressway would also handle increases in truck traffic anticipated as part of the proposed expansion of Byron Airport. Pro lect Pardelpants. Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County, Metropolitan Transportation Commission and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority with support from California Department of Transportation (CalTrans), TRANSPL AIV Committee (eastern Contra Costa County), City of Brentwood, City of Tracy, San Joaquin Council of Governments, Byron Municipal Advisory Council, discovery Say Municipal Advisory Council and private property owners in the project area. 12/6/02 .CONTRA COSTA COUNT' h' V e Flood Control Project Analysis and Criteria •� � Request: Recognizing the desirability of flood control projects that leave creeks in their natural state and the need to move forward on projects prior to execution of project cooperative agreements with the Army Corps of Engineers, authorize: ➢ cast benefit analysis consider national economic development, national ecological restoration and social benefits in the analysis of the Wildcat/San Pablo Creek Phase 1, Wildcat/San Pablo Creek Phase 11, and Pinole Creek projects, ➢ local match -- credit the nonfederal sponsor for valid expenditures during the collaborative planning process prior to execution of the project cooperative agreement for the Wildcat/San Pablo Creels Phase 11, Walnut Creek Channel and Grayson Creek/Murderers Creek projects. Proect Ben®ftts: These flood control projects improve flood protection in densely populated areas, while leaving the creeks in the natural state, thus •>' providing habitat for migratory birds, fish and other wildlife; ✓ increasing neighborhood livability; ✓ allowing for linkages with recreational and park land. Crediting local expenditures before execution of the project cooperative agreement allows for acceleration of important project components and leverages other funding sources, for example: restoration of the 120 acre mitigation site for the Walnut Creek Channel Project may receive state grant funding; detention basin portion of the Grayson Creek Project could be built as part of a city park project. BaclMround: Congress funded three Army Corps of Engineers flood control projects in Contra Costa County in the FFY01-02 Budget: ➢ Wildcat/San Pablo Creek Phase 11 - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently issued preliminary updated floodplain maps in the City of San Pablo. These new maps add approximately 1,200 homes to the 100-year floodplain. These properties will now have to buy flood insurance, which will have a tremendous impact upon the residents in the City. The project for Wildcat Creek and San Pablo Creek was recently re-authorized for five years. The original designs for the creeks were conventional and traditional designs that were not supported by the City. The City would like to keep the creeks in a natural state. The Army Corps of Engineers will re-evaluate the original design to provide alternative, more environmental sound solutions that will keep the creeks in a natural state. A re- 2/22102 evaluation of the original plan is necessary prior to committing to the Feasibility Phase of the project, which would be the next step. In addition, there is a Watershed Council active in this watershed that has been in place for 15 years and is coordinating the community outreach efforts. ➢ Walnut Creek Channel— Ongoing changes to the regulatory agency policies and new listing of endangered species have affected the Flood Control District's ability to operate and maintain portions of the Walnut Creek Channel in a traditional manner. The channel has silted in over the last several years, reducing its flood protection capacity. The traditional approach of providing capacity in the channel is to desilt the channel. Our alternative approach is to move the channel levee back and provide additionalcapacity for floodwaters through the creation of floodplains. This type of approach will provide the necessary capacity for flooding while at the same time create additional wetland and riparian habitat. Fish passage up the creek is currently blocked by a concrete drop structure about one-half mile upstream of the mouth of the Walnut Creek channel. The project will also look at the feasibility of building step pools to allow fish to migrate past the drop structure. The Army Corps of Engineers now has a $250,000 appropriation to conduct a re-evaluation and determine the feasibility of the proposed alternatives. This project will truly provide the balance between the infrastructure needs of the communities in the watershed and the needs of the environment by restoring the creek and enhancing habitat value. ➢ Grayson Creek/Murderers Creek - Recently, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued preliminary updated floodplain maps for many areas of Contra Costa County. The communities of Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek had significant changes to the flood hazard zones with approximately 1,800 properties added to the 100- year floodplain. These properties will now have to buy flood insurance, which will have a tremendous impact upon the residents in the two Cities. A task force consisting of the two Cities, County, Flood Control District, and other stakeholders has been working on this project for over a year. The Army Corps of Engineers will re-evaluate a previous study done in 1992 to provide a higher level of much-needed flood protection improvements in the area. The creeks will be left in a natural state, and flood protection options that will be considered include a series of bypass pipes and detention basins. One of the potential sites for the detention basin could also be used as a city park. Appropriations were also made for two Section 1135 projects: ➢ Wildcat/San Pablo Creek Phase I — The downstream reaches of Wildcat and San Pablo Creeks were improved and restored in the early 1980s, helping to increase the riparian and wildlife habitat in the area. This project will help to ensure progress on restoration efforts in these reaches of the creeks. One primary element of the project is increasing fish habitat and improving fish passage in the creeks. 2/22/02 ➢ Pinole Creek- In the 1950s, the Pinole Creek flood control channel was designed and constructed to provide an adequate level of flood protection while helping to control erosion of the creek. Since the construction of the channel and further improvements, native habitat for the area has almost completely disappeared. This restoration project for Pinole Creek, between Interstate 80 and San Pablo Bay, will create several erosion containment facilities as well as providing habitat for a variety of wildlife and providing recreational opportunities and facilities for students to learn about the natural environment. Protect Pard ciiiants/Stakeholders: Army Corps of Engineers, Contra Costa County Flood Control District, and Cities of San Pablo, Pleasant Mill, and Walnut Creek Leoi:siatiye Lanauaoe: Suggested wording for authorization of Contra Costa County's flood control project cost benefit analysis and local match request: 1. WildcatlSan Pablo Creek Phase One, Section 1135 Project:The Secretary of the Army authorizes the San Francisco District to credit the non-federal sponsor of the Section 1135 Restoration Project on Wildcat/San Pablo Creeks for all valid expenditures, as determined by the District, before the Project Cooperative Agreement is executed. 2. Pinole Creek, Section 1135 Project:The Secretary of the Army authorizes the San Francisco District to credit the non-federal sponsor of the Section 1135 restoration project on Pinole Creek for all valid expenditures, as determined by the District, before the Project Cooperative Agreement is executed. 3. WildcatlSan Pablo Creek Phase Two Project., The Secretary of the Army authorizes the San Francisco District to fully consider the National Economic Development, the National Ecological Restoration and Social Benefits in the planning of the Wildcat/San Pablo Creek project, and authorizes the San Francisco District to credit the non-federal sponsor of the project for all valid expenditures during the collaborative planning process, as determined by the District, before the Project Cooperative Agreement is executed. 4. Walnut Creek Channel Project: The Secretary of the Army authorizes the Sacramento District to fully consider the National Economic Development, the National Ecological Restoration and Social Benefits in the planning of the Walnut Creek channel project, and authorizes the Sacramento District to credit the non- federal sponsor of the project for all valid expenditures during the collaborative planning process, as determined by the District, before the Project Cooperative Agreement is executed. 2/22/02 5. Grayson Creek/M'urderer's Creek Project., The Secretary of the Army authorizes the Sacramento District to fully consider the National Economic Development, the National Ecological Restoration and Social Benefits in the planning of the Grayson Creek/Murderer's Creek project, and authorizes the Sacramento District to credit the non--federal sponsor of the project for all valid expenditures during the collaborative planning process, as determined by the District, before the Project Cooperative Agreement is executed. 2/22/02 rry CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Carquinez Scenic Drive Bay Trail Segment Reouest: $1-3 million to renovate Carquinez Scenic Drive as part of San Francisco Regional Bay Trail. Carquinez Scenic Drive was closed due to stability problems in 1982. Funds are needed to repair the slide damage and restore the pavement as part of a pending agreement with the East Bay Regional Park District to take over the road as part of the Bay Trail. The Department of Defense has a Defense Fuel Support Facility at Point Ozol on the Carquinez Shoreline that is slated for closure. We would like to explore the possibility of having the trail' constructed as part of the closure plan. Bank round: Carquinez Scenic Drive is a county road along the Carquinez Straits Shoreline between Martinez and Crockett in Contra Costa County. A large slide occurred on the road in 1982 closing the road between Martinez and Port Costa. The estimate to repair the slide and restore the road exceeded available funding. Therefore, because of the low vehicle use and adequate alternative routes, the road has remained closed. However, it is heavily used as an informal trail by pedestrians and bicyclists and is designated to be the segment of the San Francisco Regional Bay Trail in this area. Contra Costa County and the Bast Bay Regional Park District have been working together to find funding to repair the slides and reconstruct the road to a multi-use trail standard. Currently, Contra Costa County has a $75,900 planning grant from the San Francisco Bay Trail Project - Regional Development Program administered by the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG). The objective is to open a Class 1 bicycle path between Martinez and Port Costa along the Carquinez Scenic Drive right of way or a close parallel route. The grant funds will be used for a geotechnical study to evaluate the roadway stability and recommend alternatives to stabilize the earth slides as well as cost estimates for the proposed fixes, and a route alternative study to evaluate path alignments other than along existing Carquinez Scenic Drive. Geotechnical work and route alternative studies should be completed by October 2092. However, funding for project construction has not been identified. Protea fen tits: The Bast Bay Regional Park District has purchased considerable land along the Carquinez Strait Shoreline and has plans for further acquisition that will connect the Shoreline Park with other parkland in the Martinez/Briones and Crockett/Rodeo areas. The completed Bay Trail segment along the Carquinez Shoreline will be of great benefit to the residents of the Bay Area as it will provide access to East Bay Regional Parks, a connection between the communities of Martinez, Port Costa and Crockett for bicycle, pedestrian and equestrian users and alternate emergency vehicle and evacuation routes for the three communities along the shoreline. Proleel Pa iciAanta: Department of Defense, Contra Costa County, East Bay Regional Park District and Association of Bay Area Governments 3 e CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ML Suisun Bay Channel/New York Brough Dredging $6.5 Million, Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Operations& Maintenance Bmest: $ 6.5 million for annual maintenance dredging of the Suisun Bay Channel as part of the Army Corps of Engineers federal FY 2003 budget, an increase from the Administration budget request of$2.815 million. Prolect Bendilts: Continued maintenance of the Suisun Bay Channel and New York SloughChannel to authorized depth of minus 35 feet is essential to the continued safe transport of crude oil and other bulk materials through San Francisco Bay, along the Carquinez Strait, and into the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Maintenance of these channel sections benefits a great number of industries, including several oil refineries and the Port of Stockton. Backaround: Due to severe shoaling in a section of this channel, an oil tanker ran aground in early 2001. The potential for an oil spill is significant when a grounding occurs. Annual dredging is necessary to prevent another grounding. Costs for maintenance dredging of this channel are substantial, due to requirements for dredged material to be placed in upland environments. Sediments have been and will continue to be used for levee restoration activities in the Delta, and for wetlands restoration projects. Industry, through the County as the local project's sponsor, funds the requisite local match for disposal costs through a Maintenance Assessment District. Only $1.6 million for annual maintenance dredging was allocated in the FY 2402 Federal Civil Works Budget Because of upland disposal requirements, $1.6 million is not sufficient for maintenance dredging of these channel sections. The County is currently working with the Army Corps, EPA, Say Conservation and Development Commission and other regulatory agencies for a one-time exemption to the upland dredging requirement for this year's dredging; however, without full funding, the channel is at risk of further oil tanker groundings. Project Participants: The Army Corps of Engineers, with support from Contra Costa County, U.S. Coast Guard, the Bar Pilots, Port of Stockton and local industries. 311!02 i CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Pinole Shoal Maintenance Dredging $4 Million, Energy and Water Appropriations Bill Operations & Maintenance e oast: $4 million for maintenance dredging of Pinole Shoal Channel, San Pablo Bay in California by the Army Corps of Engineers. Prosect Benefits: Maintenance dredging of Pinole Shoat Channel to its authorized depth is essential to the continued safe transport of crude oil to five refineries located in the east bay area, as well as a high volume of bulls cargo transported through the Delta as far east as Stockton. This channel, located in San Pablo Bay, is a major arterial for vessel transport through the San Francisco Bay region. Sackaround: Until the closure of Mare Island Naval Base several years ago, the Pinole Shoal Channel was regularly dredged. Since then, it has been neglected. The only recent dredging was an emergency dredging of sections of the Pinole Shoal Channel by the Army Corps of Engineers (under contract) in April 2001. At that time, the Bar Pilots and industries using the channel requested County involvement, citing condition surveys which illustrated only 32 feet of usable water in a project authorized to minus 35 feet. The County then requested a 2 million addition to the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Federal Fiscal Year 2002 Civil forks Budget, which was not funded, for the Pinole Shoal dredging. Prosect Particiyants: The Army Corps of Engineers with support from Contra Costa County, U.S. Coast Guard, the Bar Pilots, Port of Stockton and local industries. 3/9/62 w CONTRA A OTA COUNT Spin Francisco To Stockton (JF Baldwin) Ship Channel Deepening $2.3 Million, Energy&Water Appropriations, Construction General(Continuing) Request: $2 million to complete the General reevaluation Report (GRR) and to construct the Turning Basin at Avon, California and $300,000 to study salinity effects of deepening of the Baldwin Ship Channel from one to four feet. Project Benefits: The Avon Turning Basin will provide necessary modification to the Suisun Bay Channel to: 1) increase the distance between vessels traveling within the channel, and those berthed at terminals in the vicinity; 2) allow oil tanker vessels to turn within (regularly surveyed and expanded) navigational boundaries, with a uniform depth of—35 feet of water (rather than attempting to turn in shallower areas); and 3) provide an emergency anchorage for vessels traveling westward when the railroad bridge (adjacent to t-WY 630 between Martinez and Benicia) fails to open. The salinity study will allow evaluation of a deepening project from 1 to 4 feet, rather that the previously authorized deepening of 10 feet, to ensure that the project is as environmentally "friendly" as possible. Background: The recent grounding of the oil tanker Chesapeake Trader during turning operations in the Suisun Bay Channel has drawn attention to the urgency for construction of a turning basin at --35 feet MLLW. The potential for an oil spill during a grounding event is significant. The Bar Pilot in question was cited (and suspended in part) for having the vessel outside channel boundaries, creating a liability issue for the Pilots as well. At this time, the Bar Pilots have no choice but to turn large vessels outside this narrow, linear channel. The Bar Pilots and local industry approached the County, concerned that a turning basin was no longer being considered as part of the JF Baldwin deepening project. $250,000 in funding was successfully obtained in both FY 2001 and FY 2002, allowing the Corps to begin reevaluation of the Turning Basin to --35 feet, the existing channel depth. The FY 2003 appropriation would enable the Reevaluation Report to be completed, and construction to occur. In addition, $300,000 is requested to enable the Army Corps of Engineers to review and study salinity impacts of deepening 1 to 4 feet, rather then the previously contemplated 10 foot deepening project. Project Partners: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with support from the San Francisco Bar Pilots, the U.S. Coast Guard, the many industries using the channels, the Port of Stockton, and Contra Costa County. 3/1/02 CONTRA COSTS COUNTY Rodeo Marina Siltation Study $244,000 Army Corps of Engineers General Investigation Request: $200,000 to assist in financing a study of siltation at the Rodeo Marina. The Marina has been silting in for many years, although the cause remains uncertain. Possibilities include: Army Corps of Engineer's dredged material deposits ➢ Excessive runoff from Rodeo Creek ➢ Ineffective Marina Levy construction ➢ Natural water flow The study will identify the cause of the siltation and appropriate solution(s) to the increased siltation such as periodic dredging, reconstruction of the Marina levies and/or altemate placement of dredged material. Prole+ct Benefits: Throughout various planning processes, the waterfront and the Marina have been identified as key components to the revitalization of the Rodeo community. Waterfront and marina restoration will have substantial environmental and economic development benefits for Rodeo: ✓ case study in sustainable development by incorporating economic interests, environmental interests, and social equity into the project; ✓ meets many New Urbanism goals, as it is a Brownfield site with great potential for infill development; and ✓ access to rail and the water provides opportunities to link to public transit via rail or ferry, not to mention existing and proposed transit lines. Background: Rodeo, an unincorporated community of 9,000, is located on the Sari Pablo Bay and at the foot of the Carquinez Strait. Approximately 43% of the households are low income (under 80% of median income, per HUD, 1990 census data). The waterfront is a focal point of Rodeo. It is held by three primary interests: Joseph's Fishing Resort, East Bay Regional Warks and Bennett's Marina. The Waterfront and the Marina are also a point of pride for the community. In the 1960's, the waterfront was renowned for its sports fishing industry. It is said that when the marina began to fade due to the excessive siltation, so did Rodeo. According to the Lung Term Management Study (LTMS) for the Placement of Dredged Material in the San Francisco Bay Region, the Army Corps of Engineers and their contractors placed an estimated 23,450,000 cubic yards of dredged materials — mostly from the Mare Island Strait — into the Carquinez Strait near 3/1/02 r z> Bennett's Marina between 1975 and 1994 (see attachedmap). It is believed that the siltation of the Marine may be a result of the disposal fo the dredged material at the Carquinez disposal' locations. Water depth has declined one to three feet (see chart of Bathymetric changes, 1955-1990), a significant decline because the Bay itself is so shallow alone that shoreline. The Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency has been working in Rodeo for about a decade in an effort to revitalize the community. The Marina property has been identified as a key component to that effort. However, lack of understanding as to the increasing amount of siltation at the Marina remains the major barrier to economic development and appropriate environmental restoration of the site. Prviect Participsnt_s, Army Corp of Engineers (NOTE: the Corps have not leen consulted — should they be deleted?), Contra Costa County and East Bay Regional Park District, with support from the Rodeo Municipal Advisory Committee. 3/1!02 `03/24/2002 13 t 4l FAX 202 CDO EM 043 ATTACHMENT A-3 Tougreas of f#e Ruffeb Otatea IffVz4inUtzn, 64X 213515 March 22,2002 Hon. Sonny Callahan Hon.Pater J. Viselosky Chahman Ranking Member Subcommittee on Energy and Water Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Development 2362 Rayburn KOB 1016 Longworth Ro ses Office Building Washingm-4 DC 20515 Washington,DC 205J 5 Dear Chairman Callahan and Ranking Member Visclosky: We appreciate the support your subcommittee has provided to constituents in our districts over the years. As you are aware,our districts are part of the San Francisco Bay to Stockton energy transportation corridor which host frequent oil tanker traffic. The four reque=sts we are supporting would fund necessary maintenance dredging for part of the channel and develop a ship turning basin to improve the overall safety of tanker traffic through this narrow and congested transport corridor. Your committee generously provided funding for three of these requests last year. Your assistance in funding these priorities enhances our economy by improving the movement of goods through the region and protects our fragile coastline from oil spills caused by ship groundings. Jointly we are requesting the following: • Suisun flay Channell New York Slough Dredging, $6.5 Million = San.Pablo Bay/Pinole Shoal Maintenance Dredging,$3.9 Million Sacramento Diver Deep Water Ship Channcl,$500,000 • San Francisco to Stockton(JF Baldwin)Channel Deepening and Avon Turning Basin Construction; $2.3 Million First,we seek fall funding for walotenance dredging of the Suisun Bay Channel and New `York Slongh,crfficalportions ofthc JYBaldwina Shipping C bxmei. Your committee generously provided 51:65 million inFY'02 to partially fund 4red ung aWvities in°the'Suisin Bir portion of the channel. New York.Slough has not been dredged since January of 2000. bur request for FY03 reflects the increased cost of new requirements to dispose of dredged material in upland environments. The dredged material is used for levee restoration in the Bay Dalta area and for wetlands restoration throughout the,region, 'Through Centra Costa County's sponsorship,local refineries and other industries provide part of the requisite local cast-sharing requirements. The President's budget included a request for maintenance dredging.for Suisun Bay Channel. Second,we support$3.9 million in funding for the maintenance dredging of San Pablo Bay/Pinole Shoals. Adjacent to the Suisun:Bay Channel, San Pablo Bay/Pinola Shoals is a CA*rEO ON NCr M90*Aria 63126/*2002 13:41 FAX 2022255609 Rep George Miller CIAO Q004 major artery for bulk cargo and oil tankers through the San Francisco Say=a. Ships passing through this area can continue up the Carquinez Strait or travel north on the Napa River. Prior to the;closing of Marc Mand Naval SWpyard,the Navy provided the necessary annual dredging fbr this portion ofd ship transportation corridor. However,the only recent dredging was emergency dredging of portions of this area by the Army Corps in April of 2001. l ota.maintenance dredging requests are supported by the San Francisco Bar Pilots,the United States Coast Guard, Contra Costa County,the Part of Stockton and numerous private companies that rely on the channel. Third,we axe seeking your support for appropriations for the Sacramento River-Deep Water Ship Channel totaling$500,000 to complete the environmental analysis and update costs of this project. This section of the channel connects to New York Slough on the west and extends to the Port of Sacramento on the eastern side. The project has been dormant for nearly ten years due to the financial inability of the Part of Sacramento to cost share project costs.The:major features of the project are essentially unchanged from approved documents.11c P2a 21 5riaM=novo has gaiiWmIms akkhk ivan emsfos g;-TQ w account with the QoMs of o UP&M to n ue. Once the necessary enviromnental docurnentation is completed and the local cost-share is matched,the Army Carps will,be ready to undue the necessary dredging to ensu that this section of the channel is of equal depth to connecting portions. Your committee generously provided$300,000 for this project in FY02. Finally,we seok a$2.3 million appropriation for San Francisco to Stockton(J.P Baldwin) Ship Channel Deepening and Avon Turning Basin Construction. This funding will completer the General Reevaluation Report(OORR) and construction of a turning basin at Avon,California as part of Phase Three of the San Francisco Day to Stockton imptovements. Your committee provide=d 5250,000 for this project last year which was matched by local refineries through a partnership with Contra Costa County. The$2.3 million request includes$300,000 to study the salinity efforts of deepening the JF Baldwin Ship Channel from one to four feet,which is necessary to ensure that any deepening will not compromise water quality in the area.. The construction of a ship turning basin at Avon,California provides several safety and enviromnenta l benerits to the Baldwin Shipping Channel. First,a turning basin at this Location mall:an a the-distance.between..vessels traveling wiWn the channel and those vessels berthed at teT�mina'ls along.the era po tion-ca�ar. :Sec�►nd,:�y vi cog a un%f m of-3$feet will allow oil tanker vessels to turn within navigational boundaries rather than in shallower areas where the tisk of grounding is greater. 'Finally,the turning basin provides emergency anchorage for vessels traveling seaward when the nearby railroad bridge fails to close. The failure of this bridge to close resulted in a ship,grounding in 1999. Thank you very touch for your past support of our constituent's energy and water development needs and,in advance, for your attention to these:important requests. Please feel free to contact Amelia Jenkins in Rep.Miller's or Jason Larrabee in Rep. Ose's office with any questions you might have. 63/26A002 13:41 FAX. 2022235609 Rep Georse Miller -► CDO i�#tl05 Sincemly, Cie v miler,M.C. Richard Pornbo,M.C. 7"h District,California i Ph District,California Ellen 0.Tauschear,M.C. Doug Ose M.C. I&District,Catifoxnia 3"4 District,Califomia. VVI CA-e guvLp4-+� GMC �T-e" Miko Thompson,M.C. Nan Pelosi,M C. 1"`District,California 80'District,California E1g^ ,AN 402 13:41 PAZ 2022255609 Rep Geores Miller -► CDt3 �tra6 .. air as of f r Vitt March 22,2002 Hon. Sonny Callahan lion. peter J. Visclosky Chain= Ranking Number Subcommittee on Energy and Fater Subconunitte a on Ene rgy and Water Development Development 2362 Rayburn HOB 1016 Longworth House C! re Building Washington,DC 20515 Washington,LSC 20515 Dear Chairman Callahan and Ranking Member Visclosky: We appreciate the support your subcommittee has provided to constituents in our districts over the years. As you are aware, our districts border the San Francisca Bay and are at the mouth of the San.Francisco Bay Delta,,which serves as the hub of water development and transportation in California. This year,we respectfully request that the Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development support two flood control projects included in the Army Carps of Engineers FYO3 budget. We have also joined with other:Stay Area colleagues to jointly request four Army Corps sof Engineers projecits related to the San Francisco to Stockton ship channel. The two flood control projects in Coutm Costa.County vire described below. Wildcat and San Pablo Creeks,$50,000 • Grayson Creek/Murderers Creek,$200,000 On behalf of Contra Costa County and the City of San Pablo,we support the Corps of n&eers FY 03 Budget request of$50,000 for Wildcat and San Pablo Creeks. These 'crnedft *am,`theCity,o Sart Pablo io the San Francisco Bay. In FYO2,your subcommittee prokltd a g crOU allocat On Of� 1:00,tOO-fvr:a + 1�stigt!,CM:Study*Tpltm"i of this project. Recently,the Federal Emergency Management Adtninistxatiort(FEMA)updated the floodplain maps for the City of San Pablo which resulted in 1,200 additional properties placed in the 100-year floodplain. The City of San.Pablo and Contra Costa Flood Control District are both concerned with the impact of creek restoratioin and flood control design on affordable housing and riparian.habitat. The Corps$50,0100 request will allow tho Corps of Engines to determine if the City and County's prefarred restoration and flood control designs arc adequate.nz Qn behalf Contra Costa County and the City of'Pleasant Hill,we respectfully requost your WNT6b ON HSOYCuSO PAM C-/2V2P02 13:42 W 2022255600 Rep Georse Miller -► CU0 0007 support for 5200,000 in the Corps FY 03 budget for Grayson Creek and Murderers Creek. 'his funding will allow the Sacramento Division to update the 1992 Feasibility Report for these two cracks which are located within the Walnut Creek Basin. In FY02,your subcommittee provided$100,000 for a General Investigation study of this area. FEMA,recently released prelhnitwy updated flood control maps which add 1,800 properties to the 100-year floodplain. Like the previous request,this$200,000 allocation to the Corps of Engineers enables local representatives to work with County and City officials to approve creek restoration and flood protection designs that are both enviroxunentally sound and affordable,.This a_mennd Yis a hiah potty forthe Contra CpAa C-ottnly..tl,&of pleasant Hill di residenlsa Thank you again for your continued support for our past requests,and thank you,in advance, for YM support of these two important flood control projects. Should you have any questions related to these two requests,please contact Amelia Jenkins in Rep. Miller's office. Sincerely, (Low— ELLEN 0. TAUSCHER, M.C. GEORGE LER, M.C. 100'District of California 7'District of California. F : Ww .A. / 120 11 'AX X022255808 Rep George Miller i CDD Q 003/018 f GEORGE MILLER wonwr am= 1Kw9w ,OC1C61&C1 &Horse tit �i } +� "l�iitfr� * t �r j{� RUNG gnat Wttngton, C 20515—OSOIANUMeis�ar u�o 0.40RDEMOMIAT 14106MMAMW VSD,fid!SOO COUMMU apt USO** s March 24,2002 em$"-,ass mr tsa¢>res.:sa< The Honorable mid Rogers The Honorable Martin►Saba Chairman Ran)ing Member Horses Committee on Appropriations Rause:Committee ora Approprati6ns Subcomraittee on Tratvortation Subcommittee on Transportation 2358 Rayb=House Office Building 1016 Longworth House Office Building Washbgtm DC 20515 Washington,DC 20515 Dear Chairman Rangers and Ranking Member Sabo; I appreciate the support your subcommittee has provided to constituents in my district over the years. As you are aware,transportation improvanents for highways and mass transit are important for provides jobs,enhancing air quality,and reducing the dairy commute for residents in thecongested ongested Bay Area.. As requested by your subcommittee,I am submiWmg my top five transportation funding priorities for your consideration.Given the shared transportation needs for the entire East Bay,f work closely with follow R inesentatives Tauscher,Thompson,Lee,and Stark to priories and request federal funding for regional t ransportadon projects..The list below refects my five priorities. North Richmond,CaMornia Circulation projects $1.5 Million • 'Vallejo Baylink Ferry I'tatermodal Center—$10 Million • FairfieldNacaville lI ntermvdal Station--$5.3 Million • AC Welfare to Work Job Access and Reverse Commute—$4.0 Million BART San Francisco International Airport Extension Project $100 Million T1m North Richmond,California Circulation I"projects request would provide necessary analy 's.%&sign,. .pub&bmpaforUansit-bents nearresidential areas and the Vends Pdine:ntary School in an unincorporated portion of Contra Cbft C*uv%.CaUf mia. :Cucrenlkn cross-cormtry freight trucks am forced to use residential streets to access businesses in North Richmond and gan Pablo. The$1`.5 million:in ftufing will be used to end three dead-and streets so that truck UuMo bypasses a resided area and elementary school. In addition,the funding will areata safe p str /bicycle crosslugs which will connect North Richmond residential ares with a4jacent retail centers in the City of San Pablo. North Richmond is one of the most economically challeuged areas in my distr of and Verde Elementary School is one of the lowest performing schools in the State of California. Neighborhood improvements are much needed for this overlooked area.. Un orw aately,your 's,# `i # • i R ..R ! 4 .' # f i fi Y # { f; ttf - # _ ..11t4 : {, : 3-! A . ♦ ! 4 !_ -i�R Rt `. - s • ; } R a { ii #R{ Mt • } { { } $ ; 'i. 1`i : a i F ;{St { } R f R.. � t ^! R ♦ R R + R ! t! E 4 i Es t '! t t v { St t # '_ ..# x} F R R. � .♦.� } #$k ♦ '6 i •iR_it. } }.. i' R Rpt E •-$ R R- - #.. f t -' ;F.# E :A {-. t #� i }- t } ! R $ ;•_ T � ,# # R { R Ri ! # #3.t ♦tk $ :...$ `#R $ - t � R ## i t ..} t { 1 iE# -.< ;O t F77. ._ ♦ }a #t R • - a E<{- ,, _r.M..M. ■£ t.Rl-.s.'j '4_ , ! i$ ........4f. .!,,,R#$„=..rt,. .1,._$..ia I# «.�. 4}ae__s #yc _..4 s x •i i ;_.{ e ii f tv ##a .RE {# a # ” ; `.M . t } #. !t t t t # # $ • ${ it R $R { ' .# t. t { E # ' # $ . � R rt - � R; t. R • R t! ## - # i.#R $ t " t i -S $ ' . 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George Miller FY63 'Transportation' Re egt trait extension project is now 93 percent complete overall. Civil construction is noe ly fnkhed, and the complex systems work is well advanced.bast month,BART success operated its first test trains over the uorthern half of the now line. As the project moves into the final stages of developmerut,federal funding to satisfy the$750 neon FFGA becomes all the more critical.Under the FFOA funding schalWe,$377 million res to be appropriated in fiscal years 2003-2006.The.state and local share of protect costs, $733 mesion,has been received and.expanded.To maintain the project schedule and budget while meet4 cash flow demands,BART leveraged the federal,coMmitt t This debt is paid off with annual receipt of Now Starts appropriations.It is therefore cruclid that federal appropriations keep pace with the FFOA schedule and that the project receive the fall$100 million~i . ATTACHMENT A4 November 18,2002 To: Sara Hoffman From: Paul Schlesinger Jason Lee Re: TANF reauthorization and child support Per your request,we have prepared the following status report concerning TANF reauthorization and child support issues. TANF Reauthorization As you may know,Congress opted earlier this year to include a short-term extension of the current Temporary Assistance for Needy Families(TANF)program as part of the Continuing Resolution(H J Res 111)that was approved on September 26, 2002. The CR Dept most welfare and related programs, including transitional Medicaid, funded at current levels through December 31'of this year. However when Congress returned to Washington after the November elections,they passed a Continuing Resolution(H.J.Res. 124)to fund government programs and operations until January 11,2003. So,his resolution will extend TANF funding through that slate. This means that when the new Congress convenes on January 7,it will again fake the issue of completing its work on the budget for the fiscal year that began on October 1,2002,as well as its work on issues such as TANF reauthorization.. We are presuming that the budget will not be resolved between the time the 108th Congress convenes,and January 11. Rather,a new continuing resolution will be adopted, extending the funding of government programs through some date in February or March. The failure of Congress to legislate in this area will,of course,disappoint state and local officials. The passage of a five-year bill was the original,primary goal,but some state and local leaders subsequently called for Congress to pass,at a minimum,a three-year extension of current law with increases in child care funding and other improvements. A three-year bill,as opposed to a simple one-year extension of the act,would have provided state and local governments with more certainty regarding the receipt of federal funding as they plan their own budgets,and provided the opportunity to make needed improvements in the program. It is our understanding that funding for the first quarter of state TANF operations will be released early January,so that programs can continue even if the TANF issue is not resolved by January 11. s Next year's TANF reauthorization will be rather contentious(as was evident during this year's debate). Although.the House passed its TANF reauthorization bill(HR.4737)back in May of this year,with the Senate Finance Committee approving its version of the legislation in June,the full Senate failed to take any action because Senate leaders were unable to negotiate a deal that would bring the Senate Finance Committee-approved welfare bill to the floor. Even if the Senate version had passed,most observers believed that the House and Senate would have been unable to reconcile the rather sizeable differences between the competing measures. The two bills differed widely on many issues, including work requirements and child care funding. Not only did the Senate legislation retain current law's 30 hours per week work requirement(the House would increase the requirement to 40 hours),the Senate bill also included$4.5 billion more in mandatory child care funding over five years. In the 108''`Congress,it is possible that the Republican-controlled House and the now Republican-controlled Senate will start the TANF reauthorization from scratch(at the Committee level). If the process takes too long,it is likely that another short-term extension will be passed(much like the Continuing Resolution that funded TANF from September to December of this year). We, of course,will track the TANF reauthorization issue when the 100 Congress begins work next year,work toward needed changes, and keep you apprised of developments as they occur. Child Support Efforts to approve legislation aimed at reducing the penalties that the State of California pays to the federal government as a result of not having a statewide automated child support enforcement system certified by the Department of HHS have failed. A measure (HR.4857),sponsored by Representative Bob Matsui(D-CA)and co-sponsored by 33 members of the California congressional delegation,would have reduced the current child support penalties by roughly 50 percent. In addition,the bill would have allowed the state of California to reinvest a portion of the penalty dollars back into the child support program if the State increased spending by specified percentages. Pursuant to federal law,all states were required to have automated statewide child support collection systems implemented by 1997.Those failing to meet the deadline face increasingly stiff sanctions based on prior year child support program administrative costs. It should be noted that because California has significantly boosted program spending in recent years,there has been a corresponding increase in the amount of penalties that the State must pay. In fact, beginning in fiscal year 2003,more than one half of the penalty will be attributed to the state's increased investments in the child support program. It is difficult to predict whether this bill will be reintroduced and passed in the 108 ' Congress. Although Democrats strongly endorsed the Matsui bill in the 107x`Congress,a number of key Republicans within the California congressional delegation,including Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas(R-CA)whose Committee has jurisdiction over the bill,did not support altering the current penalty structure. We were told that Chairman Thomas and others have argued that the State of California has had 14 years to meet federal requirements,and that reducing the current penalty structure would ease pressure on the state to complete its automated system. In addition,opponents of the legislation have argued that passage of the bill would increase the current federal budget deficit due to the overall cost of the legislation. In the I08a'Congress,Republican opposition in the House and the likelihood of Republican opposition in the Republican-controlled Senate will make it very difficult for Congressman Matsui to get this bill passed. However,we will monitor any developments regarding this issue. If you have any questions about either of these issues,please contact us. ATTACHMENT A-5 washb gtonpost.cm Senate GOP Leaders Accept budget Ceiling $10 Billion taut in Spending Bills Planned By Dan Morgan wadtcfngton Post staff writer Sunday,November 24,2002;Page A04 In a sign of President Bush's stronger hand in Congress, Senate Republican leviers have agreed to cut $10 billion from this year's batch of domestic spending gills and wind up work on the budget before his State of the Union address in January. Speedy completion of the 1 i long-stalled bills would enable the president to credit the GOP takeover of Congress with breaking a budget logjam.that Bush has blamed mainly on Senate Democrats. If Congress goes along with his spending levels,he can also claim a victory in his campaign to restrain the growth of domestic programs. But the president's call for spending cuts is virtually certain to ignite fierce fighting in Congress,not only between Democrats and Republicans but also within GOP circles,as lawmakers try to spare their favorite programs from the ax. Many GOPlawmakers want billions of dollars more in drought relief for farmers,assistance to western states in combating forest fires,and more money for highway construction.,veterans'medical programs and the Securities and.Exchange Commission. "While the White House has accused Congress o profligate spending, shong bipartisan support remains for programs ranging from Amtrak to rugal education--all of which could be subject to federal aid reductions under Bush's plan.. At a Nov. 15 White house meeting,the president rejected an appeal from senior GOP lawmakers for modest increases in the fiscal 2003 budget,raising the possibility that a spending showdown could be the first order of business--and the first test for the GOP-led Senate and House=-when the 108th Congress convenes in January. Since the current fiscal year began on Oct. 1,federal agencies other than the Pentagon have been operating under a"continuing resolution," which funds diem at last year's levels until Congress approves the new spending bills. Mier this year,Republican members of the Senate Appropriations Committee joined Democrats in voting unanimously to provide$395 billion for federal departments and agencies other than the Pentagon in the current fiscal year.The president's plan would require cutting that to$385 billion. In the GOP-controlled House,the Appropriations Committee has loyally stuck to the spending ceiling set by the White House.But GOP lei have taken only three of 11 nondefense bills to the floor because of threats by Republican moderates to oppose the measures unless they contain a boost in the president's proposed spending on education,veterans'medical care,community law enforcement and ether programs. "There's going to have to be a lot of inhaling and tucking over here," said James W.Iger,GOP chief of staff of the House Appropriations Committee. "We're talking about putting a size 50 into a size 34." htttp.Uwww.wash ngtonpost.com/act/wp-dyn/A31592-2002N'ov23?laxaguage=printer 12/6/02 B►lKal Yfaa�4Vit�J'L1'4.Wtalr i.XYaatelLiV Vva If..tYaKi4/aV i awvV3+r a.v rVM6Yr vwaxaaaLp,. a sxbY br Va r Sources said Bush,at the Nov. 15 meeting,rejected a pitch for modest increases in the budget by House Appropriations Committee Chairman C.W. Bill Young(R-Fla.). Young was seconded by Sen.Ted Stevens(R-Alaska),who will be chairman of the Appropriations Committee when the CHOP assumes the Senate majority in January. Bush insisted COP lawmakers stick to a ceiling of around$750.5 billion for all programs funded by annual appropriations bills. Bush has signed into law two military-related bills totaling$365.5 billion, leaving$385 billion for nondefense programs that range from space exploration and homeland defense to housing and health. Young and Stevens pledged to do their best to carry out the presidents request,sources said. "Both principals made their case,and both were rejected," said a GOP aide. "It was cardial." White House officials say the administration's budget target is well within reach. Nonmilitary spending last year amounted to$373 billion,excluding emergency outlays connected with the Sept. 11,2001,terrorist attacks. White House budget officials say the$12 billion increase provided in the new budget is relatively generous considering the wartime requirements for steep increases in defense spending. Congressional budget analysts noted,however,that the bulk of the overall increase goes to homeland defense activities involving port and airport security,the Customs Service,the PBI,the Coast Guard and related agencies.Meanwhile,federal education funding is frozen at$50 billion. Some education programs with broad congressional support,such as grants to rural schools,would be eliminated. Democrats have warmed that the Pell grant program,which provides as much as$4,000 a year in aid to low-income college students,will run out of money before the fiscal year's end if Congress follows the administration's budget plan. OOP officials say education funding has doubled since Republicans took control of the House in 1995. For Stevens,a fierce advocate of federal funding for his home state,meeting the White House budget ceiling could be particularly daunting.It would involve scrapping bipartisan bills drafted under the direction of outgoing Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert C.Byrd(D-W.Va.). Stevens and other committee Republicans supported a$133.9 billion bill funding labor,health and education programs•-exceeding the president's budget by$4 billion.Republicans on the committee also supported a bill that would give the Commerce,Justice and State departments$3 billion more than the president requested. Among the candidates for cutting are hundreds of local projects earmarked by influential lawmakers. But with the OOP controlling both houses only by thin majorities,those projects are often needed to garner votes on the floor. Senate Republicans last week began drafting language that Mould prohibit amendments to spending bills if they push the cost above the White House ceiling. Such a tesolution would require only a simple majority in the Senate and cannot be filibustered. But aides acknowledged that passing it may require GOP liackis to* ite in an exception for drought relief and other items with a high priority for some senior kWubi is. Whether the White House will http:flwww washin&npost.coin/ac2lwp-dyn/A31592-20!O2No v23?16n e--�-printer 12I6r02 wtsas�sugc r yv t»wux. o+ imm ku!vr t"P auccs x-,WvFt Uubci-, viluig t bt�t,C Ol J accept that is unknown,they said. C 2002 The Washington Post Company http://www.was g mpost.cum/ao2/wp--dyn/A31592-2002Nov23?language inter 1.216102 L=,- vc4 dww4 1 i,dl rte HL.% MH vm e. res i (WJ +Ci4J 4:0(94 t U 17e.�JJJJ1nyP3-3t�JkJU' !".Y7G'�NJJ r"Illy,0+cornbtr 82,2061 G.a.Vs'waren at eptnis%Am Mtnso in by Moult Lowe t MitN:r ,Nurk € Washin�oll. December 22 .Sao 5`i ARCii , ► a V Jtlte MANCt. ,m[".."`",�._.. past 30 l3ayt ; ! wei m.,O R: MUt5e OAOSILeS OBILES �nar . G.O.p.'s 'Cardinals of Spending' Are Reined In by House Leaders lab i SjOhmn By DAVID FIRKSTONC � t Z- iift— 1 ASH NCTON.Dec, t P It was several steps short of a full-blown purge.but a recent move by the strong-minded Republican Houct letdemhip to cwnsolsdsre its power over 3'!(4Aft Is W the:next Congress still packed enough force to jolt Capitol Hill. mud" In In a display of discipline applauded by some of the most conservative Houw members,the shim,; „ t'ere#���;ro�tennrts .nee , t,dons leadership puulled is the reins on the 13 Ropubtican members who control most discretionary federal .C mm egs(tkcsmbtr 2,=2) – "- spending.a group of subcommittee chairmen so powerful they are known as the Cardinals.From * ' `tow on.douse leaders staid,the chairmen will be selected not by seniority but by J,Dennis Hasten. �r c t W&g,v oa6rst en•menu R ggw% � the mouse speaker,turd Tont DeLay.the ma ority lead&,and their close circle,who arc likely to use •(tktemba 2.2002) ftdaders'Onlnlona their new leverage to restrain spending. ;' � " y,;s,.7::,cnt The message was unmistakable:Coagressional appropriators"I pry ' have to follow the tune piped by the leadership,in close &CItt-.a<iAt vott,c consultation with the hitc Hoose."Chose Republicans who -reptcs - –Alerts march to their own best in doling out spending favors or f ttnitest gtasas Pautics and _, preserving programs without authorivattnn could find themselves Govemrnont out of a lob. . . •Congress atncseat intcsss ntetf,r er "Those subcommittee ohain ctrl as powerful or in some cases �Rapuerrden Deny mte - more powerful than regular committee chairmen,"said loan wages Foehm,Mr.Hastens spokesman."The speaker's action reflects -audodu and eudadv q �- IW8I In-VOLT 2met? the fact that those chairmen arc now going to have to be �asA va�cswn accountable," 'rake 2'reur x t'tntY.Y ?etefav The Cardinals of the Appropriatituts C4mmittee are generally not, • Sign UA for N Tetters - Sr2lSdYftttlli3ltTitKSnaturalwell known to the pubt c,but their supreme authority over the 13 . tl>l liAlli nnSdei spending bills that provide the pvertrrttont with tax money has made thein a magnet for lobbyists and campaign cash.and has WW io 110-view ate tac#snrslegv trade every other member who needs a project back home st�zllt. ,r lit #ion w beholden to them.Eacb year.chairmen like Jerry t cwwis or QgMe Califbrnia.who leads the defense subcommittee.lot Skeen of idtui sti#t Now Mexico,who leads the interior suboommittec and Henry Bonilla of Texas.who leads the agriculture subcommittee, ick orad choose from among thousands of spending requests.Cir coneentrated power has always produced tensions with Congressional leaders and the cxocutavc branch, P #a 'ALM vt "ri a>ze r 3l Several top Republican aides said privately that somelb ater Tickets subcomrtuttco chairmen had became ser enchanted with heir JFK and RFK,tYhy 1961. biSCt Awe NEW OMLA1111=44U unchecked ability to spend billions of federal dollars in their newt Li fins Bane ezt districts and those of friends A a practice formally known as i1E1p18 inn rte,. earmarking and commonly called pork-barreling N that they had Ahetut AIY t3lai#al strayed from the ideological reservation. Nat1*ff5 ctrl l# taCtl t# i - . C1t+linr_Media Kit W.Hastert has not forgotten that four of the chairmen defied the leudership a year logo and voted against giving President Bush the a ability to negodaw Meade agreements.Aad approprcatsoms staff members are considered insuftentiy deferential to the Price:S12fi,.Loa;m More, wishes of the leadership, "Now the leadership gets to have the C.�trdinals come in turd gavel before them,,"said Sonny Waha n of Alabama,who,Just retired from the House and Jus position as head of the energy;acct wrier subcommittee.His tons reflected the annoyance of many Republic un spending lortders at the impilicattow ofthe new rule. But far more is at iiisue dean vengeance:and personal loyalty.Thr currcut appropriators and their staff st m bhave In"been seen by committed Hauge conservadvas as freaspendittg captives of *You can know play NY`f'ime s.com's the t old system,unwilling to consider a brand tetht kiAg of thts federal budget that might .Featured Special Crossword " nnp:`www.nyuma.aomt34o@rtigoslsatnta,eroel►t■Ero,nuM+r.et os/6+xeeroaat.t a.n. b8staaxstst9dst LSC e4 2002 11.*21 FR ALCALDE & FRY 703 243 2874 Ta 1y��355�b�tf—siot�r r-.1a��e1� mWaY•toecrmtlsr Ot,W" O.O.P.51 Vifditl of$9004t Aro h6040 le ay WO$A4 1604619 Pays:i tdadlLa LEYUK rrt U WilaWtei VVV%11U1WJJt. iti6 flWr AM411111AZO d11ULISIMU liUaC V0E11 A 12t4UMI4 M get W U49 ' M and find out more. p l ; R.cpubilcan Sttxiy committoo.a Citing group of junior House toaservadves.for towing to consider deep cuts in foreign aid and domestic soetal programs,and for the usual pork-barrel projects. Doping to restrain the influence of in cid-boy system that kept man Repubticaa moderates on the Appmprt�lolts C0mrnittcc,the tlew cha4rw arf of the study cammgttr e ,Sue Myrick of Narth Cerolic►a,Pmpc oer just after tees elections that tine entire Republican eavcus be allowed to vote ort the nppo intments of the subcommittee ckutirman.Thu approach was considered trio radical by the Advanfyef ilnks: leudership,but W.Hastert and Mr.DcLay agreed to put dw selections in the hands of their No treat ttviN Pte,, Relp`blicaa Stecring Commitift,a group of about 25 tap House Republicans that now selene most Just UM to Start cclnmittae chsirmcn. reh by Zip Cadc. . The adoption or their suggw1on left many conservatives crowing,anti vowing&31,14 an of fiscal resiralat was about to dawn,one jusdfied by the resat election. Continued Ante6ktxde mdattt t i 3 C Sign NDJor_J9,M fit Ate r. "Lu u1at A_Vanatlon Nantes_ Y Y >r TN '2W2rr1lRlPARfi `0=,Catalog W 42 ,91tkardtrJayH atPAwYAMoving Services 20S9H_1fkr (November 1 Z2W_ _ R r1jQS r1rF;Wkyl=:ur rtfnfl,5r+lerift,rfir-.t a PR EP61tlQAJ1Lyi:urte 611 111 AtrENDA AND IT lQ LjtJ1P NO6tR4M (Noramher 7.to02) S THE Pt.&C`1'O NS:fit€-wS Ab(ALYS19-Agars.era'Mi li+nr► fNavmber 7 2W11 S V l - i 9 iNoverrltnt 6.2002) f Flhd Mrt rssuht rut[lotted Slaw Politics and ansminear uad (00111110?aWaMh?3e3rt:A the arehlve for more than 500,000 alncles,. =31UN 106 E-Mail ThisArtiale Printer-Friendly Format Most E-Mailed Articles r 1 Reprints ..�, MQ Stngles-Page Fomat Start the day infortned with horns delivery of The New York Tunes newspaper, aer.e;ti fora s t Click Here for 50%df. HA=1"k-ice wr.o�!^.M.=i S>z:ectt i G�miaas i Bata iRasrlaa Cala r IS 1'8,t`tlrFS r� 48 COUNTRY CLUB LIVING ,, t r,gsRxLlant The New Ytutr Tunas Comaxag I Paren.� L„�a1antt i jdX3M Onbeu AUp:/Mrww.ttytWrtq.t@lttra007J19/0 to,Atha/e=9P�N.hrintlr+tr101114156701 Vat W4 0eecriO3i1i166bt ** TOTAL PAW.03 ** A'TTACHWN'T B CONTRA COSTA COUNTY 2002 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM General Revenues/Finance issues 1. SUPPORT efforts to return ERAF local property tax revenues to local governments; to reform the stateflocal fiscal relationship; and to restore local control over locally generated revenues. 2. OPPOSE any state-imposed reduction in general purpose revenue, including the vehicle license fee {VLF} backfill, sales taxes and property taxes. 3. OPPOSE any efforts to increase the County's share-of-cost or maintenance-of-effort requirements for state mandated programs absent offsetting new revenues. 4. SUPPORT the state's effort to balance its FY 2001-02 and FY 2002-03 budgets through actions that do not affect local government revenues or services. 5. SUPPORT efforts to conform California law with HR 1836, signed by President Bush on June 7, 2001, which made changes to the deferred compensation program. 6. SUPPORT efforts to preserve the County's property tax and franchise fee revenues from power plants assessed by the State Board of Equalization. 7. Support efforts to ensure that counties receive their fair share of state allocations, including pass-through of federal funds, for anti-terrorism and homeland security measures. Library issues 8. CONTINUE TO SPONSOR legislation to return of a portion of ERAF, the growth or the base, to provide funding support for the County library system. (SB 94-Torlakson) 9. SUPPORT efforts to increase funding for the Library of California to electronically network California libraries and to support cooperative programs that expand access to library services. Land Use/Communi!y Issues 10. SUPPORT efforts to promote economic incentives for"smart growth," including in-fill and transit oriented development. 11. SPONSOR legislation, or pursue a regulatory amendment, to ensure Contra Costa eligibility for Jobs/Housing Balanced Program incentive payments. 12. CONTINUE TO SPONSOR legislation to amend CEQA guidelines to allow categorical exemptions for in-fill development in the unincorporated urban areas, as currently permitted in cities (AB 271 - Canciamilla). M 13. SUPPORT efforts to expandthe availability of affordable housing, including, but not limited to, state issuance of private activity bonds, affordable and low income housing band measures, low-income housing tax credits and state infrastructure financing. 14. 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. 15. SPONSOR legislation to amend the Quimby Act to authorize use of park dedication fees to develop a Countywide park master plan. 16. SUPPORT efforts to fully fund the Recycling Market Development Zone program, which provides low interest loans for manufacturers who utilize recycled materials in their processes and, to the extent the program is not fully funned, to obtain relief from state- mandated waste reduction goals. Health Care Issues 17. SPONSOR legislation to limit the County's financial liability for emergency health care provided to individuals in the custody of peace officers to Medi-Cal rates. 18. SPONSOR legislation to clarify that County payments to private, non-contracting hospitals for inpatient services shall be based on a percentage of actual hospital charges that are derived from either the lower of the "audited" or "as filed" cost reports submitted to the State of California. 19. SUPPORT efforts to increase revenues and to contain mandated costs in the County's hospital and clinics system, including, but not limited to supporting nurse staffing ratios at levels consistent with current County practices. 20. SUPPORT efforts to increase funding for breast cancer and prostate cancer awareness, public education and treatment and to ensure equitable allocation of resources for awareness and education efforts among the County's public health departments. 21. SUPPORT efforts to streamline the Healthy Family program to simplify the application process and reduce the dropout rate. Human Services Issues 22. SUPPORT efforts to better align eligibility and program requirements of state child care and pre-school programs and federal Head Start programs to provide full-day, full-year child care programs for low income, working families. 23. SUPPORT efforts to increase flexibility in use of CalWORKs funds and in program requirements in order to better support the transition of welfare dependent families from welfare-to-work and 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, expanding the state earned income 2 tax credit; expanding job retention services, expending the eligibility definition to 250% of the poverty level; and exempting the hard-to-serve from welfare-to-work activities and the 20% exemption or providing flexibility in the time limit. 24. SUPPORT efforts to ensure funding of child care for CaIWORKs and farmer CaIWORKs families at levels sufficient to meet demand. 25 SUPPORT efforts to ensure that any reduction in state funding of CaIWORKs or Adult Protective Services are conditioned on commensurate reductions in County program mandates. 26. SUPPORT full funding for the state Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhoods partnership program and the Healthy Start grant program. Law and Justice System Issues 27. SUPPORT efforts to amend Penal Code Section 288.5, Continuous Sexual Abuses of a Child, to remove the three-month duration criteria for prosecution under this law. 28. SPONSOR legislation to return the County's trial court maintenance of effort to the level it was prior to the enactment of SB 815, which penalized Contra Costa County for a state calculation error in the maintenance of effort requirement of Contra Costa County and another county. 29. SUPPORT efforts to increase penalties for ownership of aggressive dogs by parolees. General Government Issues 30. SPONSOR legislation that would authorize Boards of Supervisors to require any party recording a subdivision map to, at the same time, also file with the Assessor a digital copy of the map as it was recorded. 31. SUPPORT efforts to authorize county recorders to accept digitized images of recordable instruments under specified terms and conditions. 3 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS "� ' ' '1' CONTRA COSTA FROM: John Sweeten,County Administrator COUNTY LIA DATE: December 17,2002 r.I-- C,., , SUBJECT:. Proposed Closure of Walnut Creek Workers Compensation Appeals Board Office SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)& BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION(S): AUTHORIZE the Chair, Board of Supervisors, to execute letters to Governor Gray Davis and Acting Secretary of Labor Stephen Smith expressing concern about the proposed closure of the Workers Compensation Appeals Board office in Walnut Creek and urging them to maintain the office. BACKGROUND/REASON(S)FOR RECOMMENDATION(S): Senator Tom Torlakson's office has alerted the County to the proposed closure of the Walnut Creek office of the Workers Compensation Appeals Board by the State. Senator Torlakson has requested that the County join with him in communicating to Governor Gray Davis and Acting Secretary of Labor Stephen Smith on the need to maintain the office in Walnut Creek. The Walnut Creek Workers Compensation Appeals Board office serves injured workers from Solana and Contra Costa counties. Apparently, the lease for the Walnut Creek space runs out in May 2003 and the State has stopped negotiating with the landlord to renew the lease. As pointed out in material sent to us from Senator Torlakson, closure of the Walnut Creek office would mean the injured workers would need to travel to downtown Oakland for hearings on their workers compensation cases. This would impose unreasonable hardships for injured workers who must commute from East County. The County would also incur additional costs for travel time for its attorneys. In addition, closing the office will only save on space costs since workers would be transferred to another district office. The Senator has offered the services of his staff to help locate a viable low-cost rental space in Contra Costa County. Attached are copies of letters from Senator Tom Torlakson, Charles Egbert, General Manager of Public Employees Union Local One; and Barbara Carpenter, President of Local 4 1779. f CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: / RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OFJbARD COMMITTEE PROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF"DN APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED x OTHER i i VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A __x___UNANIMOUS(ABSENT None ) TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ON MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. Contact: Sara Hoffman,-335-1090 ATTESTEDDecember 17. 20702 cc: CAO JOHN SWEETEN,CLERK OF Risk Management THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY, °«�^ ` h DEPUTY D�C� -2002 0312pm Fran-STATE SENATOR TORLAKSON 925-602-6598 T-404 P.003/006 R-042 I b3 STATE CAPITOL DiSTRiCT OPFIGES loom 2068 2601 CONCORD BOULEVARD SACRAMENTO CA US14 1_ CONCORD:CA 94519 TEL(9,161441-4063 2Ta i• a nia �r Ma3 1 8 iJ4L �frly3 JL 1r(r R srAX=1!6)isas)602.8598 FAX tA16;4.8325.^� FaX t'3."1,`,S}602•659$ .IOtNT GOVERNMENT CFENTER 020 WFST 3RD STAC2T ANTIH,CA STANOINC,COMMITTEES SENATOR TZL(925)754-I"9 LOCAL GOVERNMENT TOM TORLAKSt3N FAX(425)778.5174 CHAIR SEVENTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT DuBWN SATELi-ITE OPPICE 5E4ECT COMMITTEES 100 CIVIC PLAZA DuSL�N.CA 90566 SAY A€tEA IN> RASi'RUCTURE Tc,,t42s1$60.6360 WAX ID25)$20-72 16 •v. 'Y September 25,2002 Richard Gannon Administrative Director State of California—DIR Department of Workers Compensation P.4.Box 420603 San Francisco, California 94142 Dear Director.Gannon: My office hu received numerous phone calls and letters regarding the proposed closure of the Walnut Creek Compensation Appeals Board and I understand you spoke with Carolyn Robinson, a staff member in our Concord office, regarding this issue. Due to the growing number of workers residing in Contra Costa and Solaro Counties and the huge traffic congestion problems in the Bay Area, the Walnut Creek office is extremely important to injured workers and their representatives. The closure will more than inconvenience these workers,many cases will not proceed at:all if this happens. Litigating compensation cases is already a difficult and time consuming process and this additional hardship will fall directly on the injured worker for many of the reasons outlined in the enclosed correspondence received by this office. While understanding the enormous budget constraints we all face as state officials, I urge you to explore all options available in order to continue siting an office in Contra Costa County for our injured workers. As I am sure you are aware, commercial office space rental fees are at an all-time low, with many complexes having vacancies, including the Shadelands complex where the current office is located. My office is willing and available to help in searching out viable alternatives to moving judges and staff to Oakland. Please contact ire at your earliest opportunity and my staff will be assigned to help your department in any way possible. Sincerely, Tom Torlakson DSc-09-2002 03:33PM From-STATE SENATOR TORIAKSON 925-602-6598 T-404 SMS/006 F-042 Public Employees Union, Local One THE UNION FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES • - Mailing Address:PO Box 222,Martinez,CA 94553 + Union Ball:$034 Blum Road,Martinez Phone:(925)22$-1600 + Toll Free: i.8{}0-585-0054 Fax:(325)228-1099 www.peul..org • info@peul.org .rr October 8, 2002 OCT 9 2fl112 Hon. Torii Torlakson IF Li= Senator, 7u'District 2801 Concord Boulevard Concord,California 94519 Dear Senator Torlakson: Public Employees Union,Local#1 represents over 11,000 public employees, nearly 5,000 of them in Contra Costa and Solano Counties. The proposed closure of the Walnut Creek Workers' Compensation Appeals Board will cause a great hardship for our members,not to mention the thousands of private sector workers who live and work in Contra Costa and Solano Counties.The additional commute tune and distance will make it more difficult for these injured workers to obtain a hearing. The commute time at rush hour can easily be 2 %2 hours. In addition to the hardship on workers such additional commuting will increase traffic and smog problems in the San Francisca bay area;problems already of grave concern to all levels of government. The closure of this office will save the State of California very little money, i.e. at best the rent currently paid for this office. The cases from the Walnut Creek Workers Compensation Appeals Board will be picked up by another office, most likely the Oakla A Appeals Board. The staff from Walnut Creek will need to be transferred to deal with The cases,thereby continuing the salary and benefit costs currently associated with the Walnut Creep Workers Compensation Appeals Board. If additional office space is needed to house these employees in Oakland,the cost of such space will surely exceed the cost of office space in Walnut Creek. Please maintain the Walnut Creek Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. siIrCere , Charles P, l gb General Manager tndq,r�denc lJMan tabac A Lows 0 -09-:2002 03:33pm From-STATE SENATOR TORLAKSON 925-602-6598 T-404 P.0061006 -042 : PLI 4121 Alhambra Avenue, uftwt3 A . 11" 9Martinez, CA 94553-3823 7 20Q2 (925) 228-8800 r- - Fax: (925) 370-7305 Chartered by United Food & Commerical Workers international TQVail: locall 179 0 unions.com Union, AFL-CIO & CLC Barbara S. Carpenter, President Jack Landes, Secretary-Treasurer October 4, 2002 The Honorable Torn Torlakson Via Facsimile and U.S.Mutt Senator, 7`h District 2801 Concord Boulevard Concord,CA 94519 Dear Senator Torlakson: UFCW Local 1179 represents over 5,000 retail workers living and working in Contra Costa. County. I am writing to you on their behalf on a very important matter concerning their safety. The State of California is on the verge of closing the Walnut Creep office of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. The Walnut Creek office serves injured workers from Solano and Contra Costa Counties. It is this office that hears injured workers' cases against employers and insurance companies. This state court has exclusive jurisdiction over workers' compensation cases. If the state gees ahead and closes the Walnut Creek Board, injured workers from Solano and Contra Costa County will be forced to travel all the way to downtown. Oakland for hearings on their workers' compensation cases. This will create an unnecessary hardship for injured workers. The co=nute from Antioch to Oakland in the morning is easily a three-hour. trip. It is hard enough to do this if you are healthy. If you have a bad back or a leg, injury that makes it difficult to drive, this trip is almost impossible. Closing the Walnut Creek Office will not save the state very much money. The employees are all state employees represented by the California State Employees Association and will have to be transferred to Oakland or other district offices. There will be no salary savings from closing the Walnut Creek Board. There may be some minor-savings on rent. Due to the economic downturn, the rates to lease office space in the B y Area are at an all time loco. This would be an ideal time for the state to secure a favorable Ing- ternz lease for office space in Contra Costa County for the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. This would save the state money in the long run, and would allow the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board to continue serving Solano and Contra Costa's injured workers with a local office. On behalf of over 5,000 retail workers in Contra Costa County I urge you to oppose the closure of the Walnut Creek office of the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board. Thank you for your consideration in this very important matter. Sincerely, Barbara S. Carpenter President The Board of upervisors Centra Jahn Sweeten Cter4t at thh e Board and County Administration Building Costa County Administrator 659 Pini;Street, Room 1176 V 66 (925)335-1900 Martinez, California 94553-1293 County of F nt l John Glola, 1 st District Jr (,[ (J�/ Gayle S.Ullkema,2nd District o Donna Gerber,3rd District Mark DeSaulnier,4th District Federal D.Glover,5th District ©` rt. December 17, 2002 Governor Gray Davis First Floor, State Capitol Sacramento,CA 95814 Bear Governor Davis: The Contra Costa.County Board of Supervisors urges you to maintain the Workers Compensation Appeals Board Office in Walnut Creek. Closure of the Walnut Creek office would require injured workers to travel to downtown Oakland for hearings for the workers compensation cases. This would impose unreasonable hardships for injured workers who must commute from East County and beyond. The County would also incur additional costs for travel time for its attorneys. It is our understanding that closing the Walnut Creek office would only save on space costs, since staff would be transferred to another district office. Instead of closing the Walnut Creek office, we urge you to take advantage of the availability of low cost, high quality commercial office space in the area and keep the Walnut Creek office open. Thankyou for your consideration. sin ly, Sohn M.Gioia, Chair Board of Supervisors cc: Senator Torn Torlakson Assemblyman Joe Cciamilla Assemblyman Guy Houston The ward of Supervisors ����-� John Sweeten Clerk of the Board and County Administration Buildings 1C"+ County Administrator 651 Pine Street, Roam 106 VJ (925)335-1900 Martinez, California 94553-1293 County John Gioia, 1st District Gayle B.Uiikerria,2nd District Donna Gerber,3rd District Mark DeSaulnier,4th District Federal D.Glover,5th District December 17, 2002 Stephen Smith Acting Secretary of Labor 801 K Street, Suite 2101 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Secretary Smith: The Contra Costa County Beard of Supervisors urges you to maintain the Workers Compensation Appeals Board Office in"Walnut Creek. Closure of the Walnut Cheek office would require injured workers to travel to downtown Oakland for hearings for the workers compensation cases. This would impose unreasonable hardships for injured workers who must commute from East County and beyond. The County would also incur additional costs for travel time for its attorneys. It is our understanding that closing the Walnut Creek office would only save on space costs, since staff would be transferred to another district office. Instead of closing the Walnut Creek office, we urge you to take advantage of the availability of low cost,high quality commercial office space in the area and keep the Walnut Creek office open. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, John M. Gioia, Chair Board of Supervisors cc: Senator Tom Torlakson Assemblyman Joe Canciatmilla Assemblyman Guy.Houston