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Contra Costa Council News
The Contra Costa Council is a public policy advocacy organization
that promotes the economic vitality of Contra Costa County and the region.
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Upcoming Events |
Luncheon with Randy Iwasaki, Director of the California Department of Transportation
Friday, October 2
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
45 John Glenn Drive, Concord
Co-hosted with EUCA and Miller Starr Regalia
Sponsored by AAA of Northern California, Nevada & Utah, Gray-Bowen and Kleinfelder
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Contra Costa Chronic Conditions Community Health Forum: Improving Our Health, Managing Our Costs
Friday, October 9 Registration 8:30 a.m., Program 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Contra Costa Country Club
801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill
Featuring William Walker, M.D., of Contra Costa County Health Services; Ben Slocum of UnitedHealthcare; Michael Kern, M.D., of the John Muir Physicians Network; Janice Nicholson of i2i Systems. Representatives of Chevron, the Community Clinic Consortium and La Clinica de la Raza
Keynote luncheon speaker: Sophia Chang, M.D., director of the Better Chronic Disease Care Program for the California Healthcare Foundation
Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente in proud association with the Contra Costa Council, Contra Costa Health Services, John Muir Health and UnitedHealthcare
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Save the date!
Forum on Water Reform
Wednesday, October 21
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Council website or call 925.246.1880. | |
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| News & Events |
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 Caltrans Director Randy Iwasaki to address the future of transportation October 2
Join the Contra Costa Council and co-hosts EUCA (Engineering & Utility Contractors Association) and Miller Starr Regalia for a luncheon presentation by Randell H. (Randy) Iwasaki (pictured, at right), newly named director of the California Department of Transportation, better known as Caltrans. Sponsors include AAA of Northern California, Nevada & Utah, Gray-Bowen and Kleinfelder.
The luncheon will be held on Friday, October 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Drive, Concord.
A licensed civil engineer, Iwasaki succeeded Will Kempton, who resigned in June to become CEO of the Orange County Transportation Authority. Since 2005, Iwasaki has been Caltrans' chief deputy director, having previously served as acting chief deputy director from November 2004 to January 2005 and interim director from July 2004 to November 2004.
A 26-year veteran of Caltrans
An employee of Caltrans for more than 26 years, Iwaksaki has held a number of high-profile engineering and management positions. He was selected as one of Government Technology's "Doers, Dreamers and Drivers" for 2009, a national award presented to people who cut through the public sector's infamous barriers to innovation to implement changes that reshape government operations for the better.
Please register for the luncheon by September 29 at the Council website or call 925.246.1880. |
| More News & Events |
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Chronic Conditions Health Forum: Improving Our Health, Managing Our Costs, set for October 9
The Contra Costa Council is partnering with Kaiser Permanente, Contra Costa County Department of Health Services, John Muir Health and UnitedHealthcare to present a first-ever Contra Costa County Chronic Conditions Management Community Forum on Friday, October 9. The half-day event will be held at the Contra Costa Country Club, 801 Golf Club Road, Pleasant Hill, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with registration starting at 8:30 a.m.
The concept for the community forum came from conversations between Kaiser Permanente and the Council's Health Care Task Force. The event has been developed to create an informal network of relationships with senior health care leaders who focus on chronic conditions management and to increase collective awareness, particularly for business and government leaders. Presentations and panel discussions are expected to offer insights about the economic and wellness impacts of chronic conditions on employers, communities and families. Today, chronic conditions account for about 75 percent of all health care costs.
"We also hope to explore possible pilot projects that could lead to more effective chronic care management and self-management within the health care field," notes Ron Wetter of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Council Task Force Vice President. "Our goal is to define and articulate next steps leading to the launch within a year of at least one chronic conditions management pilot project."
Dr. Sophia Chang is luncheon keynoter
Featured speakers include William Walker, M.D., of Contra Costa County Health Services Department; Ben Slocum, CEO of Northern California Operations, UnitedHealthcare; Michael Kern, M.D., of the John Muir Physicians Network; Janice Nicholson, founder and president of i2i Systems; and representatives from Chevron Corporation, the Community Clinic Consortium and La Clinica de la Raza. Keynote luncheon speaker will be Sophia Chang, M.D., director of the Better Chronic Disease Care Program for the California Healthcare Foundation, which has written extensively about managing chronic conditions. About 100 attendees are expected from private and public health care plans, private and public hospitals, medical groups, community-based health care organizations, pharmacies, employers and elected officials and staff. Please register for the event by October 6 at the Council website or call 925.246.1880. | |
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| CEO Viewpoint |
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 Members benefit from participation in the Council's task forces
By Linda Best, President and CEO, Contra Costa Council
One of the Council's best kept secrets is its task forces. They are the heart and soul of our public policy advocacy. Both current and long-term issues are researched and discussed at task force meetings and recommendations are made to the Board of Directors for action. This usually involves presentations by speakers with expertise in the subject area.
Participating in task forces offers our members several benefits. It is an ideal way to stay current on topics that affect our economic vitality and quality of life. It also provides the opportunity to network with other leaders in a particular subject area. At the same time, the Council benefits from the expertise that members bring.
The task forces meet on a monthly basis. Click here to check out the schedule. Also, you can review the policy papers of each group, which guide its advocacy. If you wish to receive notices of meetings and agendas, contact one of the co-chairs and ask to be put on their e-mail notification list. We also hope you will encourage others in your office to participate.
As the task forces gear up for the coming year following the August hiatus, they are working on a number of exciting issues:
- The Water Task Force is studying the proposed package of state water legislation to address the crisis in the Delta and the state's water supply.
- The Health Care Task Force is looking at a collaborative care model in the wake of drastically reduced public health care services.
- The Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force is following proposed regulations from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District that could have serious implications for economic development and land use in certain communities.
- The Transportation Task Force is reviewing the 2009 Countywide Transportation Plan and many other issues that impact mobility in the region.
- The Economic Development Task Force is planning for a second annual Green Economy event.
These are just a few examples of the exciting topics under discussion. Get involved and take advantage of the collective knowledge of our members on these important issues.
Please visit the Council's new website! In addition to the new features described in last month's newsletter, you now have the ability to view special PowerPoint presentations that have been made to task forces. |
| Other News & Notes |
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Hispanic Chamber offers business education series
The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Contra Costa County is offering a series of business education classes at its offices, 1515 Locust Street, Walnut Creek, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., on the Thursday class meeting dates. The series is being offered at the discounted price of $35 for members and $60 for non-members for all four classes.
Classes include Legal Entities (September 15), Commercial Leasing (September 22), Human Resources (September 29) and Bankruptcy (October 6).
For more information, please e-mail the Chamber office or call 925.933.2337.
Supporting breastfeeding is good for business This presentation was made at the Health Care Task Force's September briefing by Nancy Busby Hill, MS, RD, IBCLC The California Lactation Accommodation Law states that all California employers must provide a reasonable amount of break time and make a reasonable effort to provide a private space, other than a toilet stall, close to the employee's work area, to accommodate an employee desiring to express breast milk for her baby. The break time may be unpaid if it does not run concurrently with paid break time. Violation of this law carries a fine of $100 per day. Employers who support breastfeeding can benefit through reduced health care costs, increased job productivity, improved employee loyalty and retention, decreased absenteeism and enhanced business image. Reduced health care costs--Health care costs and insurance claims are significantly lower for breastfed infants. Excess use of health care services costs a health maintenance organization (HMO) $331 to $475 more for formula-fed infants for the most common illnesses. CIGNA conducted a two-year study of 343 employees who participated in its lactation support program, and found that the program resulted in an annual savings of $240,000 in health care expenses. Higher productivity and loyalty--Employees whose companies provide breastfeeding support consistently report improved morale, better satisfaction with their jobs and higher productivity. Support also enables women to return from maternity leave sooner. Increased employee retention--A study of several companies with lactation support programs showed a retention rate of 94.2 percent compared with the national average of 59 percent. Reduced employee absenteeism--One-day absences to care for sick children occur more than twice as often for mothers of formula-feeding infants. Enhanced business image--Researchers evaluated the impact of four types of family-friendly benefits: prenatal programs, worksite lactation programs, sick childcare, and flexible working arrangements; all were found to increase employer attractiveness. Breastfeeding is best for infants
There is strong evidence that factors in breast milk protect infants from a wide variety of illnesses. Studies have shown that breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk of becoming overweight in childhood. Most women choose to breastfeed their infants, but many end breastfeeding prematurely, especially women who return to paid employment in the first year after their baby's birth. Full-time employment reduces breastfeeding duration by an average of eight weeks.With a supportive work environment, this statistic could improve and business would benefit as well. For more information on how to provide accommodation for breastfeeding employees and to set up a lactation program, please see these websites. The National Women's Health Information Center: The Business Case for Breastfeeding; Steps to Creating a Breastfeeding Friendly Worksite State WIC Program Breastfeeding Resources for Employers CDC Healthy Worksite Initiative: Lactation Program California Lactation Accommodation Law Nancy Busby Hill, MS, RD, IBCLC, is a nutrition and lactation consultant for Contra Costa Health Services in Family, Maternal & Child Health Programs. Contact her at nhill@hsd.cccounty.us, 925.313.6260. |
| Business Information from Our Members |
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Does your company have secrets worth stealing?
Sharon Collier, an attorney with Archer Norris, has written an interesting and helpful article about trade secrets. She makes the point that businesses don't always know that they have trade secrets until they are stolen. The article may help you identify what proprietary information qualifies for protection under the California Uniform Trade Secret Act, and how you can determine if you have a valid claim for trade secret misappropriation. Collier also shares what you can do to protect your trade secrets.
Download the entire article in PDF here. Note to our members: If you have an interesting article or helpful information to share with other readers, please contact the Council office, and we will try to accommodate your request. |
| Task Force Briefings |
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September and October briefings . . .
New and prospective Council members are welcome to attend task force meetings. Please notify a task force co-chair prior to the meeting to confirm time and location.
Transportation Task Force . . . Tuesday, September 1, 8 a.m. . . . PMI Building, 3003 Oak Road, Walnut Creek (across from Pleasant Hill BART). Presentation by Martin Engelmann, deputy executive director for planning with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, on how the adopted 2009 Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) will be implemented. Next meeting is Tuesday, October 6 (first Tuesday), an update on the Caldecott Tunnel. Contacts: Hank Haugse and Bob Brown
Health Care Task Force . . . . . Thursday, September 3, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. . . . Morgan Miller Blair, 1331 N. California Blvd., Suite 200, Walnut Creek. Presentation by Nancy Hill, a nutrition and lactation consultant for Contra Costa Health Services (see article in Other News & Notes, above); Steve Van Wart offered an update on the collaborative care model; other legislative and policy updates. Next meeting is Thursday, October 1 (first Thursday). Contacts: Lynn Baskett and Steve Van Wart
Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force . . . Friday, September 4, 8:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 300, Walnut Creek. Presentation by Henry Hilken, a senior planner with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) on current issues facing BAAQMD, the Toxic New Source Rule (TNSR), Indirect Sources and new CEQA guidelines. Tuesday, September 15, 8:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. . . . Joint briefing with the Land Use and Water task forces on the state's current Delta water policy legislation. Next meeting is Friday, October 2 (first Friday). Contacts: Peter McGaw and George Smith
Land Use Task Force . . . Wednesday, September 9, 8 a.m. . . . Morrison & Foerster, 101 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 450 (across from Walnut Creek BART). Finalizing revisions to the Land Use Task Force Policy Paper. Tuesday, September 15, 8:15 to 10 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 300, Walnut Creek. A joint briefing with the Environmental/Manufacturing and Water task forces on the state's current Delta water policy legislation. Next meeting is Wednesday, October 14 (second Wednesday). Contacts: Dan Muller and Mike McGill
Water Task Force . . . Tuesday, September 15, 8:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. . . . Joint briefing with the Environmental/Manufacturing and Land Use task forces on the state's current Delta water policy legislation. Next meeting is Tuesday, October 20 (third Tuesday) at Morrison & Foerster, 101 Ygnacio Valley Rd., #450 (across from Walnut Creek BART). Contacts: Bob Whitley and Mitch Randall
Workforce Development & Education Task Force . . . Thursday, September 17, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. . . . JFK University, 100 Ellinwood, Room S217, Pleasant Hill. Brian Lofman, dean of the School of Management at JFK University, reports on the Higher Education Study; legislative advocacy; Contra Costa Economic Partnership Workforce Initiative overview. Next meeting is Thursday, October 15 (third Thursday). Contacts: April Treece and Keith Archuleta
Small Business & Entrepreneur Task Force . . . Tuesday, September 22, 7:30 a.m. . . . Smith Barney, 2175 N. California Blvd., Suite 500, Walnut Creek . . . (Check with the Task Force co-chairs for details.) Recently brainstormed future meeting topics and plans, and began review of the Task Force Policy Paper. Next meeting is Tuesday, October 27. Contacts: Angela De La Housaye and Zach Sahar
Economic Development Task Force . . . Wednesday, September 23, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. . . . . City National Bank, 2001 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, Second floor. Recently heard from Mike Mielke, director, environmental programs and policy, with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. Next meeting is Wednesday, October 28 (fourth Wednesday). (Check with the Task Force co-chairs for details.) Contacts: Gary Craft and Mike Conlon
Social Responsibility Task Force . . . Thursday, September 24, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. . . . Chapman University, 2950 Buskirk Ave., Room 307, Walnut Creek. (Check with the task force co-chairs for details.) Recently heard from Charles Mead of Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) and Jean Blomberg of the California Symphony. Next meeting is Thursday, October 22 (fourth Thursday). Contacts: Mike Erwin and Mark Hughes |
| New Members |
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Please welcome these Contra Costa Council members!
Jana Walker, Assistant Vice President Keenan & Associates
1111 Broadway, Suite 2000 Oakland, CA 94607 510.986.6761, ext. 8168 ph 510.986.0440 fax Jwalker@keenan.com
Keenan is the largest privately held insurance brokerage/consulting firm in California. We provide insurance and consulting services for all lines of business. The majority of our clients are private sector. Gary Bong, Director Macias Gini & O'Connel LLP
2121 North California Blvd., Suite 750 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 925.395.2860 ph 925.274.3819 fax gbong@mgocpa.com www.mgocpa.com
MGO is a full-service public accounting firm providing audit and tax services.
Bryan McCaul, Principal
MSJ Consulting
900 Gibson Court
Alamo, CA 94507
925.1375 ph
925.548.1642 fax
www.msjconsulting.com Since 2000, MSJ Consulting has worked with more than 50 organizations in a variety of growth stages and industries, to help them clarify and align expectations to achieve results. Steven Probst, Chairman Joe Ibanez, CEO Scott Muller, President Katie Shipley, Marketing Director, Bay Area Sage Environmental Consulting
4611 Bee Caves Road Austin, TX 78746 512.327.0288 ph 512.687.1225 fax www.sageenvironmental.com
Katie Shipley, Marketing Director, Bay Area
925.200.7741
Sage provides a broad range of specialty environmental services for facilities that need to maximize operational flexibility and stay within EPA regulations. Michael S. Weiner, M.D., P.C.
1951 Green Valley Road Alamo, CA 94507 925.831.2830 ph 925.831.2815 fax michaelsweiner@sbcglobal.net |
| Become a Member! |
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Join the Contra Costa Council and help guide our economy and quality of life.
Visit our website or call 925.246.2880. |
Our Mission
The mission of the Contra Costa Council is to provide advocacy on public policy issues affecting the economic vitality and quality of life in Contra Costa County.
The Council engages on issues of critical importance to the business community and residents of Contra Costa County, balancing the needs of a diverse county though policy efforts that provide for economic development while retaining our quality of life. The Council also produces top-tier events, including Contra Costa USA, the premier business event in the County, featuring major national speakers as well as providing a local perspective on current events.
The Council retains a close relationship with local, state and federal elected officials. These relationships provide regular opportunities for our members to interact with their political representatives and other business leaders.
For more information about the Council, please visit our website.
To comment about items in this newsletter, please contact Linda Best at the Contra Costa Council.
This issue was edited for the Contra Costa Council by Molly A. Walker of Walker Communications.
© 2009 Contra Costa Council | |
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