HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03071995 - 1.5 (2) 1.47 thru 1.51
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on March 7,1995, by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Smith, DeSaulnier, Torlakson and Bishop
NOES: None
ABSENT: Supervisor Rogers
ABSTAIN: None
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SUBJECT: CORRESPONDENCE
Item No.
1.47 LETTER dated February 20, 1995, from Dr. A. Patwardhan, Chair, Contra Costa County
Homeless Advisory Committee,3133 Estudillo,Martinez,requesting the assignment of staff
to assist the Committee.
"REFERRED TO HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR
1.48 LETTER dated February 21, 1995,from A. B. McNabney, Chair,Finance Committee,Delta
Environment Science Center (DESC), P.O. Box 1105, Oakley 94561, proposing an
allocation of money to DESC from a percentage of a fine levied by a State or Federal agency
to a local industry.
"REFERRED TO HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR
1.49 LETTER dated February 22, 1995, from Rev. Curtis A. Timmons, Chair, Human Relation
Commission, 2425 Bisso Lane, Concord 94520, on the application of cultural sensitivity to
the various County advisory boards, and commissions.
"ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIPT
1.50 LETTER dated February 16, 1995,from P.Mackin,3101 Westbourne Drive,Antioch 94509,
commenting on the issues of safety and service by P. G. & E. personnel.
"ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIPT
1.51 LETTER dated February 17, 1995, from J. Dalrymple, Field Representative, Health Care
Workers Union, Local 250, 560 - 20th Street, Oakland 94612, on a labor relations issue
pertinent to a union member.
"REFERRED to the Personnel Director, Health Services Director, and County
Administrator, letter from Field Representative, Health Care Workers Union Local
250, on a labor relations issue pertinent to a union member.
hereby certify that this is a trueand Correct copyof
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Supervisors on Jhe date shown.
ATTESTED: rMaAe—k '7. 1 '5
PHIL BATCHELOR,Cierk of the Board
of Supervisors and County Administrator
3, Deputy
cc : Correspondent
County Administrator
Health Services Director
Personnel Director
Paul M.Mackin
3101 Westbourne:Dr.
Antioch ca 94509 RECEIVED...
FEB
February 16, 1995
2 6 1995
CLERK BOARD CONTRAOCOSTF SUPERVIS®RS
A CO
Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors
651 Pine st.
Martinez,CA 94553
Supervisors:
I am a very dedicated P.G.&E.employee who must let some information be known!
I.
P.G.&E says that laying off employees will not compromise safety or service.
This simply is untrue and here are some reasons why:
1)I believe P.G.&E.is in the process of testing all the power poles in it's system,due to a C.P.U.C. audit
and mandate. It is unknown at this time how many of these poles are rotten quite possibly thousands.
When power poles fall they often create large power outages and the damage to life and property can be
devastating. Many poles that fall are rotten and should have already been replaced.
2)I believe P.G.&E.has known for several years now that due to a manufacture's mistake,two types of
underground high voltage connectors(elbows&pin and socket straight splices)are failing. When these
connectors fail they often cause large power outages and the associated explosion often causes metal covers
in the streets and sidewalks to"launch"several yards in the air followed by flames,a very dangerous
situation for the public. P.G.&E.has cut back on it's program to change these dangerous connectors.They
are still in the system waiting to blow up.
3)I believe P.G.&E has known for several years now that the connectors being used on overhead high
voltage lines may fail causing high voltage lines to fall to the ground,often causing power outages,fires,
damage to life and property and possible electrocution. On January 11, 1995,P.G.&E. issued a Bulletin
stating,"Effective immediately,the use of bolted connectors on overhead distribution systems,for new or
reconstructed lines,is to be discontinued."Please keep in mind that a mind boggling amount of these
connectors have already been installed.
I realize that the average P'G.&E customer is unaware of these problems or even how to identify if they
exist. Let me point out one more problem that we can all see with or own eyes.
4)When you are out at night take a look at the street lights in your cities. I think you'll notice that for every
few that are working a feware not. If you're paying for these lights to work,don't you want them all to
work? It is a well known fact that well lit areas have less crime and less traffic accidents. The jobs of the
employees that did nothing but maintain these lights have already been eliminated.
I must admit I am not a lawyer or an accountant,I spent my first 7 years with P.G.&E.working hands on
with electricity and the last 4 years directly responsible for the electrical system that serves several east bay
cities and over 350,000 P.G.&E.customers. From my view point it is very clear P.G.&E.needs the
employees it now has just to satisfy the existing problems it has with its system. And quite possibly may
need to hire more!
P.G.&E.says that laying off employees will not compromise safety or service,they say it will get better due
to new technology! The truth is responding to natural disasters,dangerous situations,replacing poles,
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connectors and repairing street lights still takes highly trained men and women not computers! There is no
"new technology"that will,replace maintenance and emergency response.
P.G.&E customers already'deserve and have been paying for safe and reliable"World class service" They
have not been receiving it now and certainly won't get it with less employees taking care of an already
overwhelmingly deteriorating system.
Please keep in mind when a building is on fire,we want available firefighters to respond quickly. When a
crime is in progress we want available police officers to respond quickly. When we have a power outage or
dangerous situation with electricity or gas we want available trained utility workers to respond quickly.
I think its about time that state and local officials take a close look at what P.G.&E.is up to.
Sincer
Cc: Various
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