1355 Willow Way, Suite 253, Concord CA 94520 / 925.246.1880 / www.contracostacouncil.com
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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
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26th Annual Contra Costa USA
2012
Join us for the Contra Costa Council's signature event!
Thursday, January 26
8 am to 2 pm; 5:30 to 9 pm
Hilton Concord
1970 Diamond Blvd.
Evening keynote:
Nina Totenberg, award-winning NPR legal affairs correspondent
Luncheon keynote: Mark Baldassare, president and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California
Morning program: John King, San Francisco Chronicle urban design critic; "Sustainable Communities Strategy for the Bay Area" panel with Amy Worth, Paul Campos, Catherine Kutsuris and Andrew Sabey (moderator); "Balanced and Sustainable Growth in Contra Costa County: A Path Forward" panel with a Milken Institute member, Ken Nordhoff, Gary Craft and Bill Lindsay.
Invitations will be mailed soon. You can register now at the Council website. To sign up as a sponsor or exhibitor, contact the Council office at (925) 246-1880. |
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December 2011
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Don't keep the Council a secret!
The Contra Costa Council News is published to keep you informed about Council events and activities. This issue and past issues are posted in the News section on our website.
Please share the news about the Council with your friends and colleagues.
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Contra Costa USA
| |  Nina Totenberg and Mark Baldassare to headline CCUSA 2012 on January 26
National Public Radio's award-winning legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg (pictured at right) will offer the evening keynote presentation at the 26th annual Contra Costa USA (CCUSA) on Thursday, January 26, 2012. Luncheon keynoter is Mark Baldassare, president and CEO of the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank dedicated to informing and improving public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research.
The 26th annual CCUSA, Contra Costa County's premier business event, will be held at the Hilton Concord. Registration, exhibits and networking start at 8 a.m. on January 26, followed by presentations and lunch. The program adjourns at 2 p.m. and reconvenes at 5:30 p.m. for a reception and dinner at 7 p.m.
John King, the San Francisco Chronicle's urban design critic, will kick off the day with "A Vision for the Bay Area." The first morning panel, "Sustainable Communities Strategy for the Bay Area," will include Amy Worth, vice chair, Metropolitan Planning Commission; Paul Campos, senior vice president, governmental affairs and general counsel, Building Industry Association; Catherine Kutsuris, director, County Costa County Department of Conservation and Development and Andrew Sabey, vice president, events, Contra Costa Council, moderator.
A second morning panel, "Balanced and Sustainable Growth in Contra Costa County: A Path Forward," will include a Milken Institute representative; Ken Nordhoff, Walnut Creek city manager; Gary Craft of Craft Consulting and Bill Lindsay, Richmond city manager.
Please watch your mailbox for your CCUSA invitation or register here on the Council website. To sign up as a sponsor or exhibitor, contact the Council office at 925-246-1880. |
December 6 Reception Recap
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 | | State Senator Lois Wolk with Bob Whitley and other audience members at December welcome reception |
Council welcomes Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla and State Senator Lois Wolk to their new districts in Contra Costa CountyThe Contra Costa Council held an evening reception for State Senator Lois Wolk and Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla at the Contra Costa County Club on December 6 to welcome the two legislators to their new districts. Both now represent new portions of Contra Costa County as a result of the reordering of California's political district maps earlier this year. Warmly introduced by Council President David Bowlby, Assemblywoman Bonilla discussed her role as a member of various Assembly committees and subcommittees, and her position as co-chair of the STEM Task Force. She said California needs to change how schools and teachers educate students, stressing that education needs to become relevant to career pathways with "linked learning" embedded into the curriculum. Bonilla introduced Lois Wolk, who graciously thanked the Council for the reception. She called herself "a friend on water issues," referring to her role as chair of the State Senate's Delta Stewardship and Sustainability Committee. "Few things are more important that representing water rights," said Wolk, who serves on a broad range of Senate committees. A former middle and high school teacher, Wolk said she came to public service through her work in community service. She promised "to continue the effort to restore trust in how we marshal and spend resources and taxes." View photos of the event on the Council website. The Council thanks co-host IBEW-Local 302 and sponsor Delta Diablo Sanitation District.
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November 29 Luncheon Recap
| |  Mark DeSaulnier looks for the brighter spots on the California landscape
State Senator Mark DeSaulnier offered an update on events in Sacramento on November 29, when he addressed a well-attended Contra Costa Council luncheon at the Contra Costa County Club.
DeSaulnier discussed his committee assignments and legislative accomplishments, including the Corporate Flexibility Act of 2011 (SB 201) that creates a new type of corporation, the Flexible Purpose Corporation, which will permit the corporation's directors to consider, along with the best interests of the corporation and its shareholders, the interests of the corporation's employees, suppliers, customers and creditors, community and societal considerations and the environment.
"We hear a lot about what's wrong with the state, but California is still a remarkable place . . . and the East Bay has a highly educated and diverse workforce," said DeSaulnier in an effort to be upbeat. He mentioned several current initiatives to reform how California funds programs.
DeSaulnier discussed the controversial court-mandated prisoner reduction plan that is requiring California prison administrators to reduce the prison population by 37,000, which would create an additional burden on county resources and facilities. He said the state has the third largest prison system in the world with recidivism at a whopping 73 percent (although some sources set it slightly lower). He said he hopes to work with State Senator Loni Hancock on this issue. In response to a question, DeSaulnier said he felt the law should be changed regarding how the state delivers services to at-risk families. The court system is in rough shape, he added.
View photos of the event on the Council website.
Contra Costa Television will air this presentation on Monday, December 19 at 4 p.m., Wednesday, December 28, at 1 p.m., and Wednesday, January 4, at 1 p.m. CCTV is Comcast channel 27, Astound channel 32 and AT&T Uverse channel 99. For additional air dates, visit the CCTV program guide at www.contracostatv.org, or call (925) 313-1180. The Council thanks co-hosts IBEW-Local 302 and Wells Fargo Bank and sponsors Gray-Bowen, Stantec and WMH Corporation. |
November 10 Event Recap
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Mike Lescure of Lescure Company
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2011 Contra Costa Philanthropy Awards Breakfast celebrates the generous human spirit
The inaugural
Contra Costa Philanthropy Awards Breakfast shined a warm light on a selfless and generous spirit that appears to be alive and well in Contra Costa County.
More than 400 people attended the breakfast celebration on November 10 at the Hilton Concord, which honored individuals, businesses and service organizations that have made significant contributions of time, leadership and financial support to benefit Contra Costa residents.
"This event is dedicated to the generosity of so many great people and organizations that build a richness in our region," said Mark Hughes of ConocoPhillips, breakfast emcee and co-chair of the Council's Social Responsibility Task Force, which organized the event.
"Pick something you care about, and do something about it," said panelist Michael Day, chief financial officer of AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah. "Be passionate and make a difference," added panelist Linda Padon, general manager, corporate public policy of Chevron, in her remarks.
"We don't see ourselves as philanthropists," said Don Ritchey, who shared an award as "outstanding philanthropist" with his wife Sharon. "We see worthwhile things and we try and support them. There ought to be a place for this in everyone's life."
Honored as 2011 Contra Costa Philanthropy Award recipients were:
- Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist (501 employees and above)--Chevron, represented by Matt Lonner, manager of Global Partnerships and Programs
- Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist (100 to 500 employees)--Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc., represented by Rob Anderson, partner
- Outstanding Corporate Philanthropist (1 to 99 employees)--Lescure Company, represented by Mike Lescure, president
- Outstanding Philanthropist--Don and Sharon Ritchey
- Outstanding Foundation or Community Grant Maker--Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation, represented by Kathleen Odne, executive director, and Steve Lesher, board member
- Outstanding Collaborative Project--Acalanes Ridge Collaboration, including the East Bay Regional Park District, represented by Bob Doyle, general manager, and Nancy Wenninger, land acquisition manager; City of Lafayette, represented by Carl Anduri, mayor; City of Walnut Creek, represented by Cindy Silva, mayor, and Bob Simmons, mayor pro tem; and the Muir Heritage Land Trust, represented by Linus Eukel, executive director
- Volunteer of the Year--Ray Zenoni, resident of Pleasant Hill
- Lifetime Achievement--Assistance League of Diablo Valley, represented by Lori Quinlan, board president
The event featured a keynote address by Lisa Stevens, Wells Fargo executive vice president and president of California retail banking. A panel discussion moderated by Jo Mackness, executive director, corporate responsibility, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, included Michael Day of AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah, and Linda Padon, general manager of global corporate public policy, Chevron.
(Read the press release for descriptions of the event and honorees.)
View photos by of the event by Robert Temple Photography here and on the Council website.
Contra Costa TV will air the program on Tuesday, December 20, at 9 p.m. CCTV is Comcast channel 27, Astound channel 32 and AT&T U-verse channel 99. For additional air dates, visit the CCTV program guide at www.contracostatv.org, or call (925) 313-1180.
The Council thanks Wells Fargo Bank (presenting sponsor); Chevron (premier sponsor); AAA of Northern California, Nevada and Utah, ConocoPhillips, Contra Costa Times, Diablo Magazine, InVision Communications, San Francisco Business Times, Shell Martinez Refinery (benefactor sponsors); John Muir Health and Kaiser Permanente (advocate sponsors).
Photo of Mike Lescure by Robert Temple Photography |
CEO Viewpoint
| |  Contra Costa Economic Partnership receives major grants to advance economic development in the region
By Linda Best, President and CEO, Contra Costa Council
The Contra Costa Economic Partnership, a sister organization to the Contra Costa Council, has received three major grants in the last month, one in collaboration with other economic development organizations in the East Bay region. These grants will help position the East Bay to build on its significant assets to advance economic vitality in the region and produce new jobs for the region's residents.
The combined grants represent more than a $1 million investment in Contra Costa and the East Bay region over the next three years. It is a game changer in positioning the region to capitalize on our assets in emerging clusters, technology and innovation.
The Economic Partnership has been awarded a major grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Rooftop Solar Challenge, a national program to encourage cities and counties to streamline and digitize solar permitting. This grant builds on the collaboration of the Economic Partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County to stimulate economic growth and job creation throughout the Greater East Bay. This led to the formation of the Diablo Innovation Alliance, a regional collaboration focused on driving economic growth, job creation and workforce development in the clean technology sectors. (Read the press release.)
The collaborative effort of the Economic Partnership, East Bay EDA and Solano EDC to develop an action plan for bridging the digital divide in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties has leveraged a California Public Utilities Commission grant of $450,000 over three years to implement the plan. In addition to bringing broadband access to underserved communities, the plan will promote optimal broadband and utilization in economic development, E-education, E-health and telemedicine, human services and E-government and public and emergency services. Work will begin in January 2012. (Read the press release.)
The Workforce Development Initiative of the Economic Partnership has received a $200,000 grant from Chevron to help West Contra Costa students transition from high school to post-secondary education, training and high-demand careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). In recognition of the importance of a robust workforce in STEM fields in this region, the initiative is research-based and focuses primarily on STEM careers. (Read the Chevron press release.)
We are very excited about these significant opportunities to make a difference in the region. Continue to watch this newsletter for progress reports on these important initiatives.
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Receiving the Economic Partnership grant from Chevron's Nigel Hearne (second from right), general manager of the Richmond Refinery, are (from left) Stephen Baiter, April Treece, Linda Best and Liz Ritchie.
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CA Forward's Government Performance and Accountability Act puts focus on ways to make government better
Contra Costa Council directors voted in December to support California Forward's Performance and Accountability Act, which includes a set of fiscal tools to help state government focus on improving performance. Specific tools include performance-based budgeting, two-year budgets, pay-go (where new program commitments would be required to include a source of funding) and transparency (all legislation, including the Budget Act, would have to be available to the public three days before the final action, and an updated fiscal forecast would be required three times a year). For more information, visit www.cafwd-action.org/.
Council supports Governor's Pension Reform Plan
The Contra Costa Council is supporting the concept of Governor Brown's Twelve Point Pension Reform Plan, pending final ballot wording. The Council's endorsement is based on the proposition that the pension reform plan will begin to reduce the taxpayer burden for state retiree health care costs and will put California on a more sustainable path to providing fair public retirement benefits. Support was recommended by the Budget Reform Ad Hoc Task Force and the Council's Executive Committee.
"Best available science" is the only viable approach to the Delta Plan
In a recent letter to the California Natural Resources Agency, the Contra Costa Council echoed the concerns expressed by the Independent Science Review Panel regarding the adequacy of the Effects Analysis prepared for the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP).
"The Delta as a resource belongs to the entire state and it is critical that decisions regarding its preservation be based on the best available science," wrote Council President and CEO Linda Best to John Laird, who serves as secretary of the state agency. "The panel's report clearly establishes that more thought needs to be given to protecting this essential resource.
"Development of any habitat conservation plan will involve proposals that will convert existing uses of land and water to help achieve the co-equal goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem restoration--goals that we support. But those habitat restoration plans must be conceived using the best scientific knowledge. Because of the statewide importance of the Delta, any decision based on anything less than best available science should be considered flawed. Planning shortcuts that do not make full use of the best available science raise concerns about the effectiveness of the conservation plan and thus the BDCP," said Best.
The report prepared by the independent panel on the adequacy of the Effects Analysis was critical of the work effort to date and presented 10 conclusions leading to 11 recommendations to BDCP regarding future analyses. The panel identified a number of concerns about the analysis to date.
"We appreciate the effort of the panel to provide critical comments that lead to the use of the best available science on Delta issues. Unfortunately, these are only the latest in a series of reports by independent scientists that are pointing out serious flaws in the BDCP methods, and many of these recommendations merely repeat what the National Research Council Committee pointed out last spring," the letter continued. "These repetitive criticisms would indicate that the BDCP is yet to 'get the message to do it right' on developing a viable plan that is supportable. We urge the state and all of the BDCP sponsors to seriously heed the conclusions and recommendations presented to you by this panel as well as those of the National Research Council Committee."
Choose Civility campaign gets Council backing
At the request of the Contra Costa County Office of Education and the support of the Workforce Development/Education Task Force, the Council is supporting a Choose Civility Initiative in the county. The initiative is based on the principle that the civility level in a community underscores its general health and wellness, and quality of life depends in great part on how community members treat each other. The county's education office will implement the campaign, focusing on our children "choosing civility" in relationships, in collaboration with organizations throughout the wider community.
2012 Community Clean Water Initiative sets three-tier fee structure
The Contra Costa Council has endorsed the Contra Costa Clean Water Program's 2012 Community Clean Water Initiative, a cooperative program of the County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to prevent water pollution. The initiative calls for a three-tier, property-related fee schedule that would be levied on individual parcel owners. The rates would be $19 for West Watershed residences, $22 for Central Watershed and $12 for East Watershed.
Assuming approval by the Board of Supervisors and a successful public hearing early in 2012, a mail-in ballot would be held, with 50 percent agreement by voting parcel owners needed for passage of the initiative.
Bay Area Business Coalition calls for CEQA streamlining and other refinements in proposed One Bay Area Grant Program
In a recent letter to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the 10-member Bay Area Business Coalition noted its satisfaction regarding some of the main components of the proposed One Bay Area Grant Program, specifically that it provides counties with additional, more flexible resources. The objective of Plan Bay Area and the One Bay Area Grant Program is to align transportation investments with sustainable land-use choices.
The 10-member business coalition, of which the Contra Costa Council is a member, said it was "pleased to see that the next stage in this process is determining the necessary funding for the many steps we've accomplished in the Sustainable Communities Strategies and regional Transportation Plan..." In the October 28 letter, Contra Costa Council President Linda Best and other coalition member executives said, "We like that the proposal includes a variety of funding pots including local streets and roads funding, as this will allow counties to prioritize their needs and allocate resources appropriately."
To "fully understand the changes proposed for Cycle 2" of the program, the coalition called for data showing how much Congestion Management Agencies receive under the status quo funding cycle. Among other suggestions, it also called for advancing the concept and effective use of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) streamlining, phasing in the minimum threshold for funding Priority Development Areas, removing some of the performance and accountability measures that are not relevant, and requesting an analysis of how the changes in allocations will affect local jurisdictions. |
Member News
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Mitchell Zack of John Muir Health joins Council Board
Mitchell Zack, vice president, employer and payer relations, John Muir Health, was appointed to the Contra Costa Council Board of Directors at the December 16 meeting. He replaces Paul Swenson, who has resigned his position with John Muir Health.
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News from Our Members
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Opportunity Junction offers January application sessions for full-time job training and placement course starting February 6Opportunity Junction is a nonprofit organization that fights poverty by helping low-income Contra Costa residents gain the competence and confidence to support themselves and their families. Please share this information with people who may be interested! Free information sessions for the Job Training and Placement Program, which begins February 6, will be held in Antioch, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, on Monday, January 9, Tuesday, January 17, and Monday, January 23, at 3102 Delta Fair Boulevard (one block east of Somersville Road). A session will be held in Bay Point, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, on Thursday, January 12, at the Bay Point Career Center at Ambrose Recreation Center, 3105 Willow Pass Road, Suite 3. Individuals must attend one of these information sessions to be accepted into the free, full-time Job Training and Placement Program. The course includes 12 weeks of training in Microsoft Office computer applications and life and business skills, followed by up to four months of job search support and a paid internship. The program is designed to help people with limited work experience or skills begin careers in office or administrative work at no cost to participants. Opportunity Junction also offers English as a Second Language (ESL), Internet Basics, Email Basics, and Word Basics classes at different times of the year. Click here (for a PDF file) to read more about these programs, or stop by the office to pick up an information packet. For more details, visit www.opportunityjunction.org or contact Catherine Bernal, program and volunteer coordinator, at (925) 776-1133, ext. 112, fax (925) 776-1131.
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Task Force Briefings
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 | California Commissioner for Economic Development Henry Yin, left, with Economic Development Task Force Co-chair Gary Craft at a recent special presentation on conducting business with China
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December and January activitiesNew and prospective Council members are welcome to attend task force meetings. Please notify a task force co-chair prior to the meeting to confirm meeting topics, time and location, as details may change. To view task force agendas, policy papers and recent presentations, visit the individual task force pages on the Council website. Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force . . . Friday, December 2, 8:15 to 10 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Room 300, Walnut Creek. Joint meeting with the Water Task Force. Discussion of selenium issues in the Bay/Delta estuary. Guests included the Environmental Protection Agency Region 9's Karen Schwinn, associate director of the Water Division, and Eugenia McNaughton, senior scientist. Next meeting is Friday, January 6, at Brown and Caldwell. Co-chairs: Peter McGaw and George SmithWater Task Force . . . Friday, December 2, 8:15 to 10 a.m. . . . Brown and Caldwell, 201 N. Civic Drive, Room 300, Walnut Creek. Joint meeting with the Environmental/Manufacturing Task Force (see above); no additional meeting in December. Next meeting is Tuesday, January 17, at John F. Kennedy University, 100 Ellinwood Way, Room TBD, Pleasant Hill. Co-chairs: Bob Whitley and Ann Spaulding Workforce Development/Education Task Force . . . Wednesday, December 7, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . Contra Costa Workforce Development Board offices, 300 Ellinwood, Second floor, Bodega Room, Pleasant Hill. Presentation by Tim Leong of the Contra Costa Community College District on the Community College Student Success Task Force draft recommendations; by Tim Leong and Kish Rajan on the Business/Education Partnership Initiative; and by April Treece on HR 3154, the Education for Tomorrow's Jobs Act. Also heard from Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Joe Ovick, who presented a request for task force and Council support for the Civility Initiative. Next meeting is Wednesday, January 4. Co-chairs: Joanne Durkee and Kathleen RobinsonSocial Responsibility Task Force . . . Thursday, December 8, 8 a.m. . . . Brandman University, 2950 Buskirk Avenue, Room 208, Walnut Creek. Discussion of Giving Day plans and reports on the November 10 Philanthropy Awards Breakfast event (see article, this issue) and preliminary results of the task force's survey of Council members to help increase knowledge and help in future planning. January meeting is canceled; February meeting TBA. Co-chairs: Kate Ertz-Berger and Mark HughesLand Use Task Force . . . Wednesday, December 14, 8 to 9 a.m. . . . Archer Norris, 2033 North Main Street, Suite 800, Walnut Creek. An overview of the Association of Bay Area Government's ongoing process related to Sustainable Communities Strategy (SB 375), with Julie Pierce, Clayton City Council member and Contra Costa city delegate to ABAG; Miriam Chion, principal planner at ABAG, and Sailaja Kurella, regional planner at ABAG. The Wednesday, January 11, meeting will feature Contra Costa Association of Realtors' housing statistics and reports on East and Central County home resales, including foreclosure and short-sale impacts, by key CCAR members. Co-chairs: Mike McGill and Ed Shaffer Transportation Task Force . . . Thursday, December 15, 1:30 p.m. . . . Presentation and tour of Tesla Motors headquarters offices in Palo Alto, housing engineering and design, sales support, some manufacturing, service support and marketing in preparation for manufacture starting next year of the Model S, to be built at the old New United Motor Manufacturing facility in Fremont. January meeting TBA. Co-chairs: Kris Johnson and Jim Melino Health Care Task Force . . . December meeting canceled. Next meeting is Thursday, January 5, 8:30 to 10 a.m. . . . Burr Pilger Mayer, 2001 N. Main Street, Suite 360, Walnut Creek. Discussing work plan for 2012. November meeting featured a briefing on the Sustainability Audit for the County Regional Medical Center and Health Centers by County Administrator David Twa and Chief Assistant County Administrator Theresa Speiker. Co-chairs: Lynn Baskett and Steve Van WartEconomic Development Task Force . . . December meeting postponed to Wednesday, January 25, 8 to 9 a.m. . . . City National Bank offices, 2001 North Main Street, Suite 200, Walnut Creek (close to Walnut Creek BART). Cheryl A. Fragiadakis, who heads technology transfer and intellectual property management at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, will give an overview of the tech transfer programs and describe current related activities at the lab. On November 16, Kris Johnson of Kleinfelder and Transportation Task Force co-chair, discussed future energy issues and their impact on transportation. The task force also co-presented the special meeting with California Commissioner for Economic Development Henry Yin (see photo, above). Co-chairs: Mike Conlon and Gary CraftSmall Business/Entrepreneur Task Force . . . Next meeting TBA, 8:30 a.m. . . . De La Housaye & Associates, 1655 North Main Street, Suite 260, Walnut Creek. On November 4, members of the task force participated in a Small Business Assistance & Regional Business Opportunity Seminar, hosted by Senator Mark DeSaulnier and State Controller John Chiang. The task force also co-presented the special meeting on November 22 with California Commissioner for Economic Development Henry Yin (see photo, above). Co-chairs: Angela De La Housaye and Dave Kelly.
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About the CouncilThe Contra Costa Council is a public policy advocacy organization that promotes the economic vitality and quality of life of Contra Costa County and the Greater East Bay region. The Council engages on issues of critical importance to the business community and residents of the county, balancing the needs of a diverse region through policy efforts that provide for local and regional economic development while retaining our quality of life. Through its task forces, the Council develops and supports policy positions to further its mission and sponsors educational forums for its members and the community. 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. © 2011 Contra Costa Council
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