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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1355 Willow Way, Suite 253, Concord CA 94520 / 925.246.1880 / www.contracostacouncil.com
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| Upcoming Events | Annual Contra Costa Council Board Installation Dinner
Wednesday, June 2
Social hour at 6 pm Dinner and program at 7 pm
Lafayette Park Hotel
3287 Mt. Diablo Boulevard
Installation of the 2010-11 Executive Committee officers
Presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to Chevron
Outstanding Task Force Chair and Contra Costa Medal awards presentations
Register here by May 28 or call the Council office at 925.246.1880. ...................... 26th Annual Contra Costa Council Golf Tournament Monday, August 16 Round Hill Country Club Alamo Seeking celebrity connections, sponsors and volunteers! Contact the Council office or call 925.246.1880. |
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| May 14 Breakfast Forum | |  Taking a look at health care reform: What does it mean to you?
In an excellent exchange, and great representation of the many aspects of health care reform legislation, the Contra Costa Council's Health Care Task Force presented the forum, Health Care Reform: What the Legislation Means to You, to a rapt May 14 breakfast audience. Task Force Co-chair Steve Van Wart moderated the panel, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Concord.
Panelists were (pictured above, from left) Scott Hauge, president, CAL Insurance & Associates, Inc., and founder, Small Business California; Anmol Mahal, MD, past president, California Medical Association; Jeff Shelton, vice president, state legislative and regulatory affairs, Health Net; Paul Swenson, CEO, John Muir Health and William Walker, MD, director, Contra Costa Health Services.
Small-business advocate Scott Hauge opened the conversation with the observation that during the last six years, health care has been the major issue cited by 80 percent of respondents to his organization's annual survey of California small-business owners. Generally quite positive about the legislation, Hauge noted that beginning in 2014, small businesses will be able to obtain insurance through the exchange system, and pre-existing health conditions will not be an eliminating factor. He notes that rules and regulations have yet to be written. Hauge considers the plan to provide tax credits to businesses with 25 or fewer employees a plus, yet businesses with 50 or more employees will have to pay into the plan. He is concerned about the ramifications of a provision that will require employers to provide 1099s for all employees making $600 or more, which includes providers of goods, although there is now a bill to change that.
Expansion of access to health care
Dr. Anmol Mahal said that as a family practitioner and primary care physician, he regularly sees firsthand the effects of delayed treatment and lack of preventive care. He observed that the average US medical graduate, while quite altruistic and bright, is frequently debt-ridden: only five to eight percent are choosing to go into primary care; over 90 percent are selecting specialty areas. He is delighted with the expansion of access to health care, but is worried that the "bending of the cost curve" may not happen, or that the bend will come on the backs of primary care physicians. In response to a question, Dr. Mahal said his organization was disappointed there is no national malpractice reform in the bill.
Health Net lobbyist Jeff Shelton, who stood in for Health Net President Jay Gellert, related that many pieces of federal law are not spelled out in statutes, which challenges insurance companies to change their systems in time to comply with short deadlines. Health Net has long supported guarantee issue of insurance coverage in the individual market provided there is an effective individual mandate so that people don't wait until they are sick to demand insurance coverage, he said. Companies like Health Net are concerned that penalties in the federal law may not be adequate incentive for individuals to buy coverage if there is not a strong individual mandate.
John Muir's Paul Swenson provided a frank perspective from a private hospital. "We did well under the current system, which is true for a lot of community hospitals," he said. Fee for service provided great value. He said the new legislation means that there will be more business because more people will need health care, but there will be less money, Medicare will pay less, which will make it tougher to operate as a business. "This is much more about transparency" and the quality of health care being delivered, he said. Swenson said a key tenant of making the new system work will be integration--having the right information at the right place and right time and sharing that information at all settings. The cost of doing this will become a huge factor.
Investment in the future
"There is not much in the bill that I don't like," said Dr. William Walker, "particularly with [the Contra Costa health care] system bearing the main brunt of the uninsured in Contra Costa County." He said that expansion of Medicaid as proposed will have a remarkable impact on people's lives and the county budget. He noted that parts of the bill will expand family practice training programs. Dr. Walker hopes this will mean that the county's current affiliate program with the UC Davis Medical School, which trains 39 family practice residents at any given time, might be expanded. "We know that where physicians train often ends up being where they live. This is an incredible investment in the future," he said.
A lively question and answer session followed initial comments, with discussion covering the concept of medical home, immigrant populations, access points of care, community clinics, the continued need for volunteers in medicine, chronic diseases, workplace wellness programs, and how we think about nutrition and health. Dr. Walker noted that community intervention has to be focused on other diseases like obesity, similar to what occurred with programs to stop smoking in the '80s. "The longer we live, the more resources we are going to use," said Dr. Mahal. "It is the right thing to do and we must do it. In the long run, good preventive health care needs an investment. . . . We need to define what we need to spend; we haven't put forth a value proposition to Americans."
(View photos of the event on the Council website.)
The Council thanks event host, Kaiser Permanente, and co-hosts John Muir Health System, Health Net of California and UnitedHealthcare, Northern California. |
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| May 7 Luncheon | |
Small-business owners take center stage at annual awards event
Twelve of Contra Costa County's best small businesses, each nominated by their local chamber of commerce, were honored at the Contra Costa Council's Ninth Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon on May 7 at the Hilton Concord. In addition to operating excellent businesses, the owners (pictured above) have demonstrated a true commitment to helping their community. In fact, Bill and Terri Wygal, who operate Ace Hardware stores in four Contra Costa cities and a second business called Bill's Chairs for Affairs, were nominated by both the Concord and Martinez chambers. All winners received certificates of awards, signed by State Senator Mark DeSaulnier and Rep. John Garamendi.
Mark Quinn, regional director of the US Small Business Administration, emceed the event, introducing the Council's Small Business & Entrepreneur Task Force Co-chairs, Angela De La Housaye and Zachary Sahar, and the honorees. The popular annual event is also held to complement SBA's National Small Business Week, May 23-29.
Keynoter Eddie Orton, president of Orton Development, Inc., the firm that developed Richmond's Ford Assembly building and the Craneway Pavilion, challenged and seemed to charm the audience with his no-nonsense talk. "In this room, here, now, sits the backbone of this county," said Orton. "To make change, we need to insist on the truth from our leaders and reject oppositional politics. . . . We must build from our shared desire for healthy and respectful living and stop quarreling loudly about the little that divides us." (View Orton's presentation on the Small Business & Entrepreneur Task Force page of the Council website.)
Award honorees included Juan and Dave Olsen, Pinky's Klassy Kar Wash, Antioch; Bill Wygal, Bill's Ace Hardware, Concord; Judy Pope, D'Jour Floral & Antiques, Ed Cerrito; Sarah Kazmi, Little Munchkins Academy, Hercules; Dora Emley, Los Panchos Restaurant, San Ramon (Hispanic Chamber); Dave Simpson, Lafayette Book Store, Lafayette; Bill and Terri Wygal, Bill's Ace Hardware and Bill's Chairs for Affairs, Martinez; Alan Wong, The Medicine Shoppe, Orinda; Lisa Johnson, HASA, Inc., Pittsburg; Scott Davis, Magoo's Grill, Pleasant Hill; Timothy "Timber" Manhart, Catahoula Coffee Company & Merry Maids, Richmond; and Rocco Biale, Rocco's Ristorante & Pizzeria, Walnut Creek.
(View photos of the event on the Council website.)
This year's event was presented in conjunction with co-hosts Chevron and Wells Fargo. Sponsors were Bank of America, Contra Costa Times and the San Francisco Business Times, supported by AT&T, Heritage Bank of Commerce, Kelly & Associates, LLP and Travis Credit Union, with contributors AMERITAC, Inc. and Musacchio & Montanari, P.C.
--Photo of Small Business award winners by Timothy Burman Photography |
| May 3 Luncheon | | |
Supervisor candidates debate different approaches to government
District 1: John Gioia vs. Mister Phillips
In two very different conversations, candidates for Contra Costa County Supervisor Districts I and 4 sparred over the issues that separate them and responded to questions from moderator Lisa Vorderbrueggen, Contra Costa Times political columnist and reporter (pictured above, at right). The setting was the Contra Costa Council's County Supervisor Candidates Forum, held May 3 at the Hilton Concord.
First up was the District 1 race between incumbent John Gioia (above, middle) and challenger Mister Phillips (at left), who is seeking public office for the first time. Gioia, who was born and raised in West County, practiced business and land-use law in San Francisco and Richmond until his election as supervisor. He cited his leadership and ability to work with labor, business and environmental groups; his role in establishing and maintaining programs like the RYSE Youth Center in Richmond and Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo, and the importance of county infrastructure projects like Highway 4 and the Caldecott Tunnel fourth bore.
Phillips, a fourth-generation West County resident and civil rights attorney, called for a change in the county's local-hire practices. He offers a "five-point plan for a better West County," which calls for increased public safety, decreased unemployment, engaged youth, care for seniors and strengthened families.
In addition to crime, the candidates sparred over the Fire District, where 86 percent of the budget currently goes to salaries and benefits. Gioia credited firefighters for giving up five percent of their negotiated wage increase last year, and said a new fire chief has been hired. He acknowledged a need for the district to reduce expenditures and overtime, and close some stations temporarily, which will result in possible service brownouts. Phillips retorted that public safety should be a priority in Contra Costa County. "I don't believe it has been. . . . It is incumbent on the board that it sets spending priorities." Gioia said the Fire District is self-contained, so money cannot be transferred from General Funds.
Local government was in trouble before the recession came, said Phillips. "Local politicians are using the recession as cover. Things have been bad for a long time. . . . and it won't get better until we elect new leadership." Gioia disagreed: "Things are better in people's lives where we've had a role." We have an urban limit line . . . faster ambulance response times and paramedics on fire teams, and more after-school programs. The challenge is how to make county government sustainable, he said.
District 4: Karen Mitchoff vs. Mike McGill
Vying for the District 4 Board of Supervisors seat currently held by Susan Bonilla are Karen Mitchoff (pictured above, at left) and Mike McGill (middle). This debate was also moderated by Lisa Vorderbrueggen.
Mitchoff, who is the current mayor of Pleasant Hill, cites her service as chief of staff to former Supervisors Sunne Wright McPeak and Mark DeSaulnier. She said she will work with the business community so the county "doesn't burden businesses with onerous rules and regulations." Karen is an administrative analyst for the county; her duties include monitoring legislation affecting human services, special projects and fiscal issues.
Mike McGill, an engineer who has run his own business since 1983, says, "I'm one of you. I'm a numbers guy." In addition to posts on the board of trustees of National University and JFK University and the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, McGill co-chairs the Council's Land Use Task Force. "I'm prepared to deal with retirement issues at the county," said McGill, noting there "are a number of hard choices we are going to have to make. . . . I'm going to focus on the budget. We need a new paradigm for delivering social services."
Mitchoff agreed that county pensions need to be addressed and that county employees agree; she said she could support a two-tier pension system. She would also support a plan to go to voters to raise taxes. "It's up to the people if they want to pay for these services," she said. McGill said he "would not champion new taxes as a solution, but if the public wants to come forward to form a focused district, I would likely support that." He would not encourage a utility user tax.
McGill said he has the best skill set in understanding the numbers objectively. Mitchoff said she understands the county retirement system best, has the support of local labor organizations and knows the questions to ask.
They also discussed safety, jobs, transportation, and health and social issues. McGill cited a need for a strong public safety structure.
Asked if she would find it difficult to handle employee labor issues since she is a county employee, Mitchoff said, "I reject that thought. I am an independent and fair-minded person. I have a vested interest in making sure the county is sustainable. I have the support of labor unions, and I know the nitty gritty of the system. Not saying there won't be difficult votes, but I will do what's best."
(View photos of the event on the Council website.)
The District 1 forum will be aired on CCTV (Comcast channel 27 and Astound channel 32) on Thursday, May 27, at 4 p.m.; Tuesday, June 1, at 8 p.m. and Monday, June 7, at 8 p.m. The District 4 forum will be aired on Thursday, May 27, at 5 p.m.; Tuesday, June 1, at 9 p.m. and Monday, June 7, at 9 p.m. For additional air dates, visit CCTV's program guide at www.contracostatv.org.
The Council thanks co-host NECA/IBEW and sponsors, John F. Kennedy University and Tesoro. |
| April 28 Luncheon | |  Forum on water reform legislation takes a hard look at state's water woes
On a subject dear to the heart of the Contra Costa Council's Water Task Force, the Council presented a forum on water reform, titled The Delta's Future: Implementing Water Reform Legislation, on April 28, at the Hilton Concord. Water Task Force Co-chair Bob Whitley moderated the impressive panel, which included such water luminaries as Lester Snow, secretary, California Natural Resources Agency; Phil Isenberg, chair, Delta Stewardship Council; Linda Fiack, executive director, Delta Protection Commission; and Mary Piepho, Contra Costa Supervisor and member of the Delta Protection Commission.
While the conversation could hardly be called a consensus, information of value was certainly exchanged. Lester Snow (pictured above, at right) began the discussion by lamenting the bureaucratic pattern of responding to the symptom and not addressing the problem. The symptom, he explained, is the decline of fisheries, regulatory response and the impact on the water supply and jobs. . . . "We changed the ecosystem. We put people in peril the way we developed properties and levies," he said. Half of the problem is the sheer number of governmental jurisdictions with different missions and different purposes. "We need a broad and integrated view," he added.
Snow called the Delta legislation package "progressive, an incredibly significant piece." Without connecting it to other things, we will fail again, he said. Snow also mentioned stockpiles of emergency materials, located in Rio Vista and Stockton, that are intended for levee repair, yet special projects money for the repair has been frozen for a year. State Senator Lois Wolk's current SB 808 legislation would extend existing state authorization to reimburse local agencies up to 75 percent of levee maintenance and improvement costs.
Phil Isenberg also heralded the reform package as the most significant water legislation in 50 years, but said passage hasn't cured the problems of static water supply, growing demand north and south, and a seriously deteriorating Delta ecosystem. The legislature has delegated a "certain level of authority" to the Delta Stewardship Council, he explained. Isenberg and his group must present a Delta plan by January 2012. "We'll be running at full tilt for 20 months," he said. In addition to agency signoffs, the proposal must meet standards set by the federal Natural Community Conservation Plan and the California Environmental Quality Act.
Linda Fiack said that although the size of the Delta Protection Commission has been reduced from 23 to 15 members, in reality its role has been enhanced and follows the recommendations of the Delta Blue Ribbon Task Force. She said it was unusual for a state agency to take the opportunity to have a local voice, which Supervisor Mary Piepho represents. She said any development must be consistent with the policies of the management plan. The commission must prepare an Economic Sustainability Plan by July 2011.
Mary Piepho said there is not enough money to fulfill the legislative mandate of the Delta Protection Commission, which is having to fight for resources to do the job. The key questions, said Piepho, are: What is the Delta and what does the Delta need to exist today? How do we manage water more responsibly? How do we create more water? What are we doing today to mitigate potential catastrophe? The challenge is implementation, and making sure that policy decisions aren't focused on one region of the state over another. Piepho sees pros and cons to the bond proposal: there is funding for drought-relief projects and water-storage projects, but there is no fee structure in place and not enough money to restore the Delta. We need to work together, and appreciate each other's roles and the role of local government, she said. Piepho also called for advocating full funding from the state in its legislative mandates and for support of the levee extension program.
( View photos of the event on the Council website.) ( View a video of the water forum on the Contra Costa Times website.)
The Council thanks co-host Tesoro and sponsor, Contra Costa Water District.
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| April 22 Reception | | Randy Iwasaki receives warm Council welcome
Randy Iwasaki (pictured, at right), newly named executive director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), was feted at a reception on April 22 by the Contra Costa Council's Transportation Task Force.
CCTA employees will work to improve transportation in Contra Costa County with your help, Iwasaki told the well-wishers at PMI's Walnut Creek offices. "We have work to do together." He said his principal priority is to deliver on the capital improvement program with the least amount of hiccups possible.
(View photos of the event on the Council website.)
The council thanks co-hosts, Bell Rosenberg & Hughes, LLP, EMC Research, DKS Associates, Gray-Bowen, Harris & Associates, PBS&J Engineering, SunPower, T.Y. Lin International and WMH Corporation, and sponsors, AAA of Northern California, Nevada and Utah, BKF Engineers, Kleinfelder, Inc., Mark Thomas & Company and Project Delivery Management (PDM). |
| News & Briefings | |  Council CEO Linda Best named one of Bay Area's most influential women
Contra Costa Council President and CEO Linda Best is being honored as one of "the Bay Area's most influential women in business" by the San Francisco Business Times. Best is one of 150 women being recognized as "outstanding women business leaders who wield significant influence in their companies, their industries and their communities." She also made the prestigious list in 2009.
In a special section of the April 23-29 issue of the business journal, Best offered advice to young women: "Be true to your values and principles, aim high and work hard to achieve your goals." When asked what makes her influential, she referred to the Council's work, saying, "The Council has credibility because it carefully researches and deliberates public policy issues before taking advocacy positions. Decision-makers value our recommendations."
In addition to her role on the Council, the profile noted Best's involvement on the boards of Opportunity Junction; STAND! Against Domestic Violence and the West Contra Costa Development Center.
Board visits Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's "star power" facility
Members of the Contra Costa Council Board and staff welcomed the opportunity to visit the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on May 5, where they got a special look inside the heralded National Ignition Facility (NIF), the largest and highest-energy laser ever built. NIF's goal is to fuse the hydrogen atoms' nuclei and produce net energy gain--the same fusion energy process that makes the stars shine and provides the life-giving energy of the sun. For the whole story and an cool, animated video showing how the NIF works, visit the lab's website.
On the recent tour were (shown above, from left) Jim Simmons, Molly Walker, Mark Davis, Robson English, Peter McGaw, Ken Mintz, Terry Shoaff, Steve Van Wart, Tim Becker, Cheryll LeMay and Bielle Moore. |
| Advocacy Action | |
Council opposes AB 155 municipal bankruptcy bill
The Contra Costa Council has voiced strong opposition to AB 155 (Mendoza), which would prohibit cities and counties from filing for bankruptcy without state approval. "Our board feels that this action is unnecessary legislation," wrote Council President and CEO Linda Best on April 16 to State Senator Dave Cox, who chairs the Senate Local Government Committee.
"Bankruptcy is currently directed (legislated) by federal law and any local decision to enter into bankruptcy clearly has been studied, evaluated and decided by local administrators, elected officials and vetted by the public in open meetings. Such an action has certainly not been taken lightly," she continued. "We believe that AB 155 impacts the local economic vitality of the region by inserting state-elected officials into what is fundamentally a local decision-making process and substituting the judgment of those state officials for that of the local officials who are elected by a community to manage a city or agency."
Endorsement for California Forward Fiscal Reform Plan
As reported last month, the Council has given strong support to the California Forward Fiscal Reform Plan, and has urged that the Assembly and Senate Budget Committees forward the legislation to their respective floors for adoption.
"We believe that the Reform Plan is an important step in creating a more transparent and accountable budget process," wrote Council President and CEO Linda Best to Denise Ducheny, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, and Bob Blumenfield, chair of the Assembly Budget Committee.
"Developed through a nonpartisan process, the recommendations in the Reform Plan are based on proven practices in the business sector and in other states and will work to balance the budget, reduce waste and deliver better results for Californians statewide," said Best. "Planning ahead on spending, performance-based budgeting, using one-time spikes in revenue for one-time uses, pay-as-you-go and a majority vote for budget adoption as part of comprehensive reform are all worthy recommendations that will help get our state moving again."
SB 1143 offers incentives for community college graduates
In an April 19 letter to Gloria Romero, chair of the State Senate Education Committee, the Contra Costa Council urged support of SB 1143 (Liu). The bill would establish a framework for allocating state funds to community colleges, which would provide incentives for the colleges to assist students in completing coursework required to earn a certificate or degree.
The gap between what the state's public colleges and universities will graduate and what the state will need in 2025 in terms of a skilled workforce is significant. "To remain competitive, we must dramatically increase the number of students earning college degrees each year. SB 1143 is an important part of the solution by providing support to students to complete required coursework," wrote Council President and CEO Linda Best. In the future, one-third of all jobs will require an AA degree or higher. Increasing student success will have long-term benefits for California's economy, Best noted. |
| Member News | | | Board welcomes Ken Maxey of Comcast
Ken Maxey of Comcast was appointed to the Contra Costa Council Board of Directors at the board's April meeting. |
| Other News | |
Support for Berkeley Lab's NorCal energy-efficient buildings cluster proposal
A Northern California Energy Efficient Buildings (E-RIC) Regional Innovation Cluster proposal, which is being submitted to the US Department of Energy by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, Stanford and other partners, received strong support from the Contra Costa Council. "We believe the San Jose/Silicon Valley to Sacramento region of Northern California is the ideal region to ensure success of this endeavor," wrote Council President and CEO Linda Best in endorsing the concept.
Best noted that the Council has completed a comprehensive analysis of the growing green-economy cluster in the East Bay and appropriate action steps to grow the cluster (available on the Council website), and is engaged in initiatives to implement those action steps. "Most importantly, we have completed a memorandum of understanding with our economic development organization colleagues in Alameda and Solano counties [the East Bay Innovation Zone (EBIZ)] that outlines cooperative goals to commercialize energy research," she wrote. (See article in the April issue for more about EBIZ.)
"Our Innovation Zone goals and cluster activities are ready to assist with planning and development of research and development activities, commercialization and assistance for early-stage firms. We can assist with the development of linkages to business and industry and with workforce training and development." If awarded to this consortium, the E-RIC is expected to bring jobs and economic growth to the region, which suffers from a high unemployment rate, while enhancing and advancing California's efforts to meet 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goals. "We are very interested in collaborating with this effort," said Best. |
| Business Information from Our Members | | |
New discount prescription card helps uninsured and underinsured
Contra Costa residents who need help paying for their prescription medications are getting a helping hand, thanks to a new discount prescription card. The Coast2Coast Rx Cards are now available for free in Contra Costa County and provide medication at lower cost through many pharmacies countywide.
"This is a great benefit for people who have no health insurance, or have high deductibles in their health plans or whose plan doesn't cover certain medications," said Patricia Tanquary, chief executive officer for Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP), which is part of Contra Costa Health Services.
The cards can be downloaded online and printed in English and Spanish at this link, or picked up at many pharmacies, County Supervisors' offices, most county libraries, government buildings or hospital emergency rooms, or by calling (800) 931-8872.
Contra Costa joins counties across California and the country in using the card, which was developed by Florida-based supplemental benefits corporation Financial Marketing Concepts. The card is free and comes ready to use, there is no paperwork to complete and no limits on the amount of medication that can be purchased once the card holder has a prescription. For more information, visit www.cchealth.org. |
| Task Force Briefings | | |
May and June briefings . . .
New and prospective Council members are welcome to attend task force meetings. Please notify a task force chair prior to the meeting to confirm time and location, as details often change. To view task force policy papers and recent presentations, visit the main Task Forces page and individual task force pages on the Council website.
Transportation Task Force . . . Tuesday, May 4, 8 to 9 a.m. . . . PMI Building, 3003 Oak Road, Walnut Creek (across from Pleasant Hill BART). Jim Kennedy, Contra Costa County redevelopment director, addressed the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and Transportation Protection Act, an initiative sponsored by the California League of Cities and transportation leaders, currently in circulation for the November statewide ballot. Next meeting is Tuesday, June 8 (date change, due to the holiday). Co-chairs: Hang Haugse and Bob Brown
Health Care Task Force . . . . . Thursday, May 6, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . Morgan Miller Blair, 1331 N. California Blvd., Suite 200, Walnut Creek. Discussed planning for Health Care Reform Forum on May 14 (see article, this issue); provided update on healthy and sustainable communities study. Linda Fodrini-Johnson of Eldercare Services discussed the impact of care giving for elders on businesses, employers' health care systems and the county. Also discussed legislative and policy updates and the chamber member survey results regarding the collaborative care model. Next meeting is Thursday, June 3 (first Thursday.) Co-chairs: Lynn Baskett and Steve Van Wart
Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force . . . Friday, May 7, 8:15 to 10 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive., Suite 300, Walnut Creek. Joint meeting with the Land Use Task Force. Impact on business of the proposed Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) CEQA Guidelines discussed by Bob Glover of the Building Industry Association of the Bay Area and Guy Bjerke of the Western States Petroleum Association and mayor of Concord. Next meeting is Friday, June 4 (first Friday). Co-chairs: Peter McGaw and George Smith
Land Use Task Force . . . Friday, May 7, 8:15 to 10 a.m. . . . Joint meeting with the Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force (see above). Also met May 12 to review policy paper. Next meeting is Wednesday, June 9 (second Wednesday), at Morrison and Foerster, 101 Ygnacio Valley Road, Suite 450 (south of Walnut Creek BART). Co-chairs: Dan Muller and Mike McGill
Water Task Force . . . Tuesday, May 18, 8:15 to 10 a.m. . . . Morrison and Foerster, 101 Ygnacio Valley Road., #450 (across from Walnut Creek BART). Discussion of Delta science with guest, Dr. Cliff Dahm, lead scientist for the Delta Science Program (DSP). Now part of the Delta Stewardship Council, DSP has the mission to develop and provide objective science in the Delta policy debate. Next meeting is Tuesday, June 15 (third Tuesday). Co-chairs: Bob Whitley and Mitch Randall
Workforce Development & Education Task Force . . . Thursday, May 20, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . JFK University, 100 Ellinwood Drive, Room S217, Pleasant Hill . . . Continuing discussion of environmental science/green tech career pathways: Tom Chatagnier of Diablo Valley College (DVC) on solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems; Kim Schenk of DVC on environmental science and green tech; John Henry of Los Medanos College on green building technology and environmental sciences; and Cal State East Bay rep on environmental sciences, environmental studies and extended learning. Will also discuss pending legislation; update from Chris Wu of the Gateway Cradle to Career Education & Workforce Partnership. Next meeting is Thursday, June 17 (third Thursday). Co-chairs: April Treece and Keith Archuleta
Small Business/Entrepreneur Task Force . . . Tuesday, May 25, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . De La Housaye & Associates, 1655 N. Main Street, Room 210, Walnut Creek. Produced the May 7 Small Business Awards Luncheon (see article, this issue). Next meeting is Tuesday, June 22 (fourth Tuesday). Co-chairs: Angela De La Housaye and Zachary Sahar
Economic Development Task Force . . . Wednesday, May 26, 8 to 9 a.m. . . . City National Bank, 2001 N. Main St., #200, Walnut Creek. In April, Lynn Baskett of John Muir Health and co-chair of the Council's Health Care Task Force provided an update on the healthy and sustainable communities study. Next meeting is Wednesday, June 23 (fourth Wednesday). Co-chairs: Gary Craft and Mike Conlon
Social Responsibility Task Force . . . Thursday, May 27, 8 to 9:30 a.m. . . . Brandman University, 2950 Burkirk Ave., Room 307, Walnut Creek. April meeting speaker was Jeanne Bell of CompassPoint Nonprofit Services. Next meeting is Thursday, June 24 (fourth Thursday). Co-chairs: Kate Ertz-Berger and Mark Hughes |
| Corporate Member Spotlight | |  Wells Fargo making a positive impact in Contra Costa County
Local small businesses are an important economic growth engine in Contra Costa County. Iconic like Mt. Diablo, mom and pop shops, boutiques, and restaurants from Clayton to Pleasant Hill to San Ramon make up the county's local businesses that we know and love. Although they have worked hard, these businesses also represent a community that has felt the effects of a struggling economy.
Being the oldest and largest financial services company with its headquarters still in California, Wells Fargo has an unwavering commitment to support local businesses and nonprofits in Contra Costa County because it's the right thing to do and makes good business sense.
"Wells Fargo is committed to serving local businesses and supporting the community," said Tracy Curtis, Wells Fargo's Mt. Diablo regional president. "Our team members are dedicated to helping our customers and communities succeed financially and are an amazing reflection of the commitment we have to Contra Costa County."
Already "the nation's and Bay Area's top small-business lender," Wells Fargo has announced a commitment to increase lending to small businesses by up to 25 percent to $16 billion this year. Wells Fargo is a leading lender to women- and diverse-owned businesses and continues to make loans to creditworthy businesses and customers.
Wells Fargo is a constant supporter of Contra Costa County and continues to show its commitment to helping people living in the community. Today, Wells Fargo has 36 banking stores and 110 ATMs, and employs more than 3,700 team members across the county. It operates 264 banks throughout the Bay Area.
Despite the challenging economy, Wells Fargo continues to respond to the needs of local schools, economic development efforts, food banks and nonprofits. In 2009, the company's giving in Contra Costa County totaled more than $1.5 million.
Wells Fargo's support for the community goes beyond the financial donations. Wells Fargo was recognized with the coveted United Way Summit Award for outstanding community volunteerism in 2009. In the Bay Area, more than 3,300 team members volunteered in their communities during last year's Week of Caring. Team members also dug deep into their own wallets to give a whopping $7 million to Bay Area nonprofits as part of the company's annual Bay Area Community Support campaign.
Wells Fargo executive Jim Foley serves on the Contra Costa Council Board of Directors, and Tim Silva is an active member of the Council's Social Responsibility Task Force. To learn more about Wells Fargo, visit www.wellsfargo.com. |
| New Members | |
Please welcome these new Council members!
Atlas Lift Tech
Eric Race, President
433 California Street, Ste. 210
San Francisco, CA 94104
Craneway Pavilion
Lance Miller, General Manager 1414 Harbour Way South Richmond, CA 94804 510.215.6000 ph 510.215.6025 fax www.craneway.com
lance@craneway.com A stunning venue for corporate meetings and events, weddings, fundraisers, concerts, conventions, performing arts, and film and photo shoots. EMC Research Alex Evans, Principal 436 14th Street, Ste. 820 Oakland, CA 94612 510.844.0680 ph 510.844.0690 fax www.emcresearch.com
alex@emcresearch.com A full-service research firm, specializing in polling, focus groups and public opinion research consulting. Health Net of California, Inc. Larry Tallman Anne Hanlon Bill Sawin 21281 Burbank Blvd. Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818.676.6543 ph 818.676.5710 fax www.healthnet.com
Larry.tallman@healthnet.com
Anne.hanlon@healthnet.com
Bill.sawin@healthnet.com Health Net, Inc. is among the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies. Its mission is to help people be healthy, secure and comfortable. PDM Group, Inc. Dale Dennis, President 1034 Rolling Woods Way Concord, CA 94521 925.686.0619 925.686.2993 fax
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Our MissionThe 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 on 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. © 2010 Contra Costa Council |
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