Posted in: News, Politics & Elections | Comments (1)
By Allen Payton, Publisher
Below is the email sent out detailing the results of the recent election for the Clean Water Initiative, in which property owners could cast their vote and mail-in their ballots.
The entire process cost approximately $1.43 million, the largest portion of which was $444,092.40 spent on campaigning, labeled as “educational outreach” by county staff, as well as $346,800 on printing and mailing the ballots. Almost $435,000 was spent on analysis, research, the Engineer’s Report and action plan prior to the election.
The result is each city, the county and the County Flood Control District will have to determine how to pay for the requirements for complying with the new clean water regulations.
From: Don Freitas
To:
Contra County County Board of Supervisors
City/Town Mayors
City/Town Councilmembers
City/Town Managers
Contra Costa Clean Water Program Management Committee Members & Alternates
Cities/County Attorneys’ Association Ad Hoc Committee
Cities/County Engineering Advisory Committee
SCI Consulting Group, Inc. and sub-consultants
Media
Dear Interested Parties:
The purpose of this email is to inform you of the final election results for the “2012 Community Clean Water Initiative”. Contrary to recent press articles, Monday, May 7th has always been designated as the deadline to receive this information. Passage of the Initiative required fifty percent (50%) plus one of those casting a vote which included all property owners in Contra Costa County. The results are as follows:
Mailed Ballots - 339,586
Received Valid Ballots - 100,768
“Yes” Ballots - 40,924
“No” Ballots - 59,844
Invalid Ballots - 1,355
Based on the aforementioned results, the Initiative failed by approximately a 60% to a 40% margin. As was stated many times during this process, the defeat of the Initiative does NOT negate the need for all twenty-one affected jurisdictions in Contra Costa County from the regulatory mandates of the Federal Clean Water Act and California’s Porter-Cologne Water Quality Act. Each entity needs to immediately determine how the necessary funding will now be generated in order to implement the regulatory mandates or be found to be in noncompliance and subject to fines which could run into the thousands or millions of dollars.
The election results can and will be interpreted in many ways, but suffice it to say, the methodology outlined in the voter approved 1996 Proposition 218 ( California Constitution XIII ) had great challenges even though the Program followed its provisions religiously. Courts in California have said the legal nexus between urban runoff and property is valid, but the requirements of Proposition 218 became suspect in the voter’s mind and the press. It’s very easy for the press to condemn actions of local government; but rarely if ever, do they suggest valid alternatives. The election result has worsened local government’s ability to finance Federal and/or State mandates when it is done with no local financing. If the general fund becomes the only alternative to finance the regulatory mandates than the public debate will be simplified between “clean water vs. hiring police officers and other vital community services.”
Donald P. Freitas
Project Manager
Contra Costa Clean Water Program
Publisher @ May 18, 2012
Posted in: Recreation | Comments (0)
BART customers will be able to get to the world famous Bay to Breakers race in San Francisco on Sunday, May 20, 2012, because the transit agency will open early and run additional long trains. The race is celebrating its 101th anniversary this year. All BART stations will open early with service starting at approximately 5 am Sunday so racers can get to the race well before Bay to Breakers begins at the new, early start time of 7 am. Trains running before 8 am will run at 20-minute intervals.
Download the special schedule (.pdf) for Bay to Breakers service.
Embarcadero & Montgomery Street Both Convenient
Because the Bay to Breakers race attracts thousands of runners and spectators, BART encourages riders originating from Peninsula and San Francisco stations to get off at Montgomery Street Station. Riders coming from the East Bay should use the Embarcadero Station. Both stations are just a short distance from Howard and Spear Streets, the starting point of the race.
More Tips for Runners
Runners can save themselves time and trouble by getting a Clipper card in advance of race day to pay their fare. Those who do are reminded to be sure to load enough cash on the card to pay for a round trip fare. Clipper cards are available at transit ticket offices, through ticket vending machines in SFMTA stations and at most Walgreens and other retail locations. BART Ticket Vending Machines will allow you to add cash value to your Clipper card, but do not vend the cards.
Wet or damaged BART tickets will not work in fare gates, so runners who keep a round-trip ticket in their pockets while running seven miles may be disappointed when they try to get home. BART suggests that runners who don’t have a Clipper card should buy two one-way tickets: one ticket before heading to the race and the other before catching the train home instead of buying a single round-trip ticket.
BART reminds runners that shoes and proper attire are required on BART despite the “anything goes” attitude of the famous race. A reminder that there is no eating or drinking in the stations or on the trains so BART officials ask that runners do their pre-race carbo-loading before arriving at the stations. BART will not permit bicycles on the early Bay to Breakers trains that run prior to 8 am.
Publisher @ May 15, 2012
Posted in: Community, Faith | Comments (0)
WHAT: The Antioch Salvation Army, serving all of East Contra Costa County, will host its first spaghetti dinner fundraiser event. Tickets are $12, and proceeds will go to The Salvation Army’s after-school program
For the last 12 years, The Salvation Army has been operating an after-school program called the TRY (Teaching to Redirect Youth) Club in Antioch. The program has been established to improve literacy skills, basic math memorization, computer literacy, and assisting students with homework.
Last year, more than 1000 children attended the after-school program.
Tickets can be purchased at the Antioch Salvation Army, or call (925) 778-0808, ext. 17, for more information.
WHERE: 620 East Tregallas Road, Antioch
WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 2012, 5:00 p.m.
CONTACT: Lt. Alexander Williams (925) 778-0808 ext. 17 (office)
Publisher @ May 15, 2012
Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Community | Comments (0)
Tickets for the Contra Costa County Fair are on sale now. Purchase your admission tickets, carnival ride wristbands, and family fun passes before the Fair begins and save money! You can also save time and money by purchasing your Fair tickets online.
Advanced ticket sales are taking place now through May 30 at the Fairgrounds. For big savings, we’re offering “Money Saving Mondays!” where you can stop by the Fair Office and purchase a Family Fun Pass for only $20. The Family Fun Pass includes four adult admission passes for only $20, which is a savings of $12. This special is only available at the Fair Office on Mondays from now until the Fair.
Buy your admission tickets before May 30 and get discounts on adult, senior and children’s admission tickets; as well as carnival ride wristbands. Or, purchase an on-line Fair package, which includes two adult admission tickets and two ride wristbands, for only $44 – a savings of $12.
Advanced sale tickets can be purchased at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch, on-line at www.ContraCostaFair.com, or at your nearby Walgreens.
After May 30, admission for the Fair is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $5 for children, and free to children under the age of five.
This year’s Contra Costa County Fair is May 31 – June 3. Gates open at noon on Thursday and Friday, and at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday. Gates close each day at 11 pm.
The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds is located at 1201 West 10th Street, Antioch, CA 94509. For directions, event details or general information, visit www.ContraCostaFair.com or call the Fair Office at (925) 757-4400.
Publisher @ May 15, 2012
Posted in: Arts & Entertainment | Comments (0)
The St. Ignatius of Antioch Church Music Series continues with a Spring Concert on Saturday, June 9th, 7:30 p.m. at 3351 Contra Loma Blvd.
Harmony – an acclaimed women’s vocal ensemble of Rossmoor, with Meriel Ennik as Artistic Director, will be performing a varied program of choral music ranging from classical to Broadway. A free will offering will be taken. There is plenty of free parking and a reception follows the one hour concert.
To be put on a mailing list for future musical events call the church at (925) 778-0768 or e-mail
walter.ruehlig@gmail.com.
Publisher @ May 15, 2012
Posted in: News | Comments (0)
Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla Executive Director of Restore the Delta (RTD) responded this week to the release of the Delta Stewardship Council’s Draft Plan:
“Joe Grindstaff, with the Delta Stewardship Council (DSC), says the Delta Plan recommends new conveyance as a way to improve water quality. Without a water quality analysis that examines how eliminating fresh water flows from entering the Delta will affect water quality, this draft of the Delta Plan is as incomplete as the last draft. The Delta Stewardship Council must build its plan on a cost benefit analysis, a public trust analysis, a water quality analysis, and a flow analysis, and until it does so, its planning will remain incomplete.
“By indicating that new conveyance and the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) will be favored by the Delta Stewardship Council, Joe Grindstaff has undermined the intent of the legislation that created the DSC. The DSC was given the charge to make its determination regarding the BDCP after members of the public appealed the merits of the plan to the DSC. But apparently, such appeals will not carry much weight if the decision has already been made. From a Delta perspective, the fix is in.”
“The Delta Plan fails to call for levee improvements at the highest standard as called for by the Delta Protection Commission, and last week by the Army Corps of Engineers. They are adhering to a lower levee safety standard as put forth by the Department of Water Resources. The Delta Stewardship Council is therefore failing in its mission to protect the Delta as a place.”
Publisher @ May 15, 2012
Posted in: News | Comments (0)
Joint Meeting of MTC, ABAG Executive Board, 7 p.m., Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Oakland Marriott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA
Officials from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) will vote on the Plan Bay Area Preferred Land Use Scenario and Transportation Investment Strategy at a special joint meeting at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 17, 2012, at the Oakland Marriott City Center, Junior Ballroom, 1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA.
Who: ABAG Executive Board and MTC
What: Special Joint Meeting to vote on Plan Bay Area Preferred Land Use Scenario and Transportation Investment Strategy
When: Thursday, May 17, 2012, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Oakland Marriott City Center, Junior Ballroom, 1001 Broadway, Oakland, CA
When completed, Plan Bay Area will be the region’s 25-year guide to jobs, population and housing distribution, as well as transportation investments. California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375) requires that each of the state’s 18 Metropolitan Planning Organizations – and in the Bay Area specifically MTC and ABAG – develop a long-range plan to reduce per-capita greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks. The Bay Area is required to reduce emissions by 7 percent by 2020 and by 15 percent by 2035. SB 375 also requires the plan to house 100 percent of the region’s projected population growth, without displacing current low-income residents.
“We are making great strides toward adopting a long-range plan that links local aspirations for community development with regional objectives, particularly a strong regional economy,” said ABAG President Mark Luce.
The Preferred Land Use and Transportation Investment Strategy will comprise the Plan Bay Area project alternative to be evaluated as part of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). In December 2012, the agencies expect to release the draft Plan Bay Area and EIR, which will be followed by public hearings and workshops throughout the region in January through March 2013. MTC and ABAG are due to adopt the final Plan Bay Area and certify the final EIR in April 2013.
MTC Chair Adrienne J. Tissier said, “We are especially pleased that when our transportation investment strategy and preferred land use scenario are combined together, we are able to fully achieve the greenhouse gas reduction and housing targets required by law.”
MTC is the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area’s transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency. ABAG is the council of governments and regional planning agency for the nine counties and 101 cities and towns of the San Francisco Bay region.
Publisher @ May 15, 2012
Posted in: Opinion | Comments (0)
Feeling taxed enough? It’s just the beginning of the latter part of a year in which voters will be asked to approve a growing number of tax measures. Regrettably, there are a number of tax increases in the works in which we won’t get to have a say e.g. increases by PG&E to recoup costs from the San Bruno disaster which they want to pass on to ratepayers rather than stockholders, water and sewer rate fees increases by the City of Antioch and a increase in residential sewer charges by Delta Diablo Sanitation District.
City of Antioch water and sewer rate fee increases for fiscal years 2010 through 2015 were previously approved by Council in 2010 at which time Council requested a rate review be conducted after two years, The findings are as follows:
Due to decreased consumption levels for all customer classes, offset by decreased purchased water costs compared to projections, the city was able to delay the need to issue a planned $10 million bond for capital improvement projects. However, if the city implements the remainder of the proposed rate increases from the 2010 Study there will be sufficient funds to cash finance the 5 year capital improvement program, meet the 60 day minimum working capital balance and start to fund a modest level of Repair and Replacement reserve for future capital needs.
For the Sewer fund, delayed execution of some capital projects over the past 2 years has resulted in a temporary fund balance greater than anticipated but, without an increase in rates, the city will be unable to complete a sewer capital improvement program or address future capital needs.
Both rate increases sound like a done deal!
As for Delta Diablo, in 2010 they approved a 4.8% rate increase and last year they approved a 7.5% increase in fees – 4.8% for costs of treatment, capital improvements etc. and 2.7% to begin funding a dedicated reserve fund to pay for advanced wastewater treatment facilities to meet new regulatory requirements. Now they want more.
I’m tapped out. How about you?
Publisher @ May 15, 2012
