Regional planning regulations are being developed to reduce cars and trucks.

Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) staff today unveiled an Initial Vision Scenario for the Sustainable Communities Strategy mandated by the 2008 passage of state Senate Bill 375, which requires the Bay Area and other California metro areas to develop integrated regional land-use and transportation plans to meet state targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks.

The release of the Initial Vision Scenario provides a starting point for conversations with local governments and Bay Area residents about where new development should occur, and how new long-term transportation investments can serve this new growth. This effort will culminate in 2013 with the adoption of a new long-range plan for the nine-county region. The plan, to be known as Plan Bay Area, will detail a 25-year transportation investment and land-use strategy for 2015-2040, and will be the region’s first such plan to incorporate a Sustainable Communities Strategy.

The Initial Vision Scenario focuses on the location of growth areas around the Bay Area and outlines a future development pattern. It assumes a strong economy in which the region will add some 1.2 million jobs by 2035 and will need 903,000 more housing units than currently are available.  The scenario assumes sufficient funding for affordable housing and supportive public infrastructure investments, but is not a forecast for the region.

“The Initial Vision Scenario makes the most of the Bay Area’s existing infrastructure,” explained MTC Planning Director Doug Kimsey. “It projects that 97 percent of all new households will be accommodated in already urbanized areas, and particularly in cities where residents have access to frequent public transit service. Under this scenario, 70 percent of the growth, or 632,100 new households, will go into places that have been designated ‘close to transit’ by local jurisdictions. And the Bay Area’s biggest cities get even bigger, with San Jose, San Francisco and Oakland together accounting for nearly one-third of all new housing units.”

“The Initial Vision Scenario is a tool to advance dialogue among the Bay Area’s regional agencies, together with our local government partners, nonprofit organizations, business and community groups, and interested Bay Area residents,” said ABAG Executive Director Ezra Rapport. “Through this collaborative planning effort to strengthen the character and qualities of our neighborhoods and communities, we can tackle the region’s population growth with a mix of housing, while preserving open spaces, protecting our economy, and getting residents where they need to go.”

MTC is the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area’s transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency. Founded in 1961, ABAG is the official regional planning agency for the 101 cities and towns, and nine counties of the Bay Area, and is recognized as the first council of governments in California.

    BART evidence photo of stolen phone. High-value
items are most frequently stolen, but any device
can be a target so follow the BART Police tips.

The Top 4 most frequently stolen electronic devices on BART are:

• No. 1: Mobile phones (by far the most frequently stolen is iPhone, followed by BlackBerry)
• No. 2: Portable music players (iPod Touch in particular)
• No. 3: Laptop computers
• No. 4: E-readers (such as Kindle)

In 2009, there were 88 device thefts reported. That number spiked to 166 in 2010, and the increase appears to be continuing, BART Police Lt. Andy Alkire said.

“We want riders to be aware,” Alkire said. Device thefts – in fact, crimes against persons in general – are rare on BART, relative to the number of riders. (There were fewer than 2 crimes against persons per million trips in the most recent quarter for which statistics (.pdf) have been reported.)

“While overall these crimes are still relatively rare, that doesn’t matter if you’re the one whose iPad is ripped off,” Alkire said. “We don’t want any of our customers to be victims, which is why we want to remind everyone to take simple precautions.”

In the typical pattern, users sit or stand right by a door on the train, engrossed in their devices, playing Angry Birds, watching videos or answering emails.

At a stop, just a split second before the door closes, the thief grabs the device and dashes out the door. 

What can you do to minimize being a victim, or to help others?

The first and most important thing is not to use a device sitting or standing right by the door. As much as you may think you are paying attention, it’s easy to become distracted and give a thief a chance to snatch a device right out of your hands.

And – even if you are inclined to be a good Samaritan – it’s best not to hand over your phone to a stranger, even if that nice-looking person says they “just need to make a quick call to get a ride.”  (It’s a common ruse to grab your phone and run.)

While it might seem like a good idea to chase after a suspect, BART Police instead recommend that victims and witnesses instead report the crime immediately, either by notifying the first BART employee they see (train operator via intercom, station agent in station), or by calling BART Police. (It’s recommended that you program the BART Police number into your mobile phone. That number is 1-877-679-7000. For emergencies, call 911.)

If you observe a theft, please consider taking the time to stay behind and help with the investigation as the victim files a report. BART Police can use your help in providing a description of the circumstances and the suspect. Try to recall in as much detail as possible what the person was wearing, their appearance or any distinguishing characteristics.

If you have the serial number of a stolen device, that information can be entered into a statewide Automated Property System to help with the investigation. In addition, some makers of electronic devices, including Apple, provide services that assist in making stolen devices unusable or less usable and thus less valuable on the underground market. Contact your device maker to find out more.

TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM

Here are more tips on how to avoid becoming a victim. These are included on a bookmark-type handout that BART Police are giving out to riders on trains, in an effort to increase awareness.

• Register your device if possible
• Keep a detailed description of your phone that includes serial number, color and make
• Password-protect your phone
• Don’t lend your phone to strangers
• Don’t play devices too loudly
• Don’t use your phone near train doors when boarding trains
• Don’t use the phone while leaving the station
• Warn your travel companions to protect their phones, too
• Make phones calls discreetly to avoid the attention of would-be thieves
• If your device is stolen, please report it by calling BART Police toll-free at 1-877-679-7000. For emergencies, call 911.

For more information, visit the BART Police section of this website.

The eastern portion of Contra Costa County is one of the fastest growing areas in the Bay Area, according to new figures released by the U.S. Census on Tuesday. At the same time, the area is starting to look like the rest of the state as more Asians, Latinos and African Americans move to the cities of Pittsburg, Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood.

Speaking from Washington DC where he is representing the county at the National Association of Counties conference, Supervisor Federal Glover said, “This is one of most dynamic growth areas in the state. You can look at it as a glass half-empty or a glass half-full. I tend to be see the latter. Half-empty looks at the negative which translates to more crowding, more traffic and more tension among the diverse groups of people. Half-full means the door is open to more business opportunities, a greater talent pool, new ideas, new cultures and cuisines.”

The new numbers indicate that like the rest of the state, there’s been a marked increase in the Asian and Latino population. Unlike the rest of the Bay Area, East County also shows more African Americans moving to the area. 

“The new people are coming here for the same reasons that attracted many of their predecessors: affordable housing, better housing, newer schools and a safer environment,” said Glover.

The new Census numbers will be used by the County to redraw the districts represented by the five supervisors. With the high growth in eastern Contra Costa, it may mean that the districts represented by Supervisor Glover and District 3 Supervisor Mary Piepho, who represents the southeastern part of the county, may face contraction since all the districts are supposed to be roughly equal in population.

Glover acknowledges that the growing diversity of District V might present a different dynamic. “I will have a broader variety of viewpoints and voices to draw from. I don’t see that as a problem,” said Glover, the first African-American supervisor in the county. “I see that as a resource. That’s so American.”

Wants to Focus On Career Technical Education

By Allen Payton, Publisher

The remaining four members of the Governing Board of the Contra Costa Community College District voted unanimously to appoint Robert Calone of Pittsburg to the vacant seat in Ward 5, during a special Board meeting, today, Wednesday, March 9, 2011.

The vacancy was created when two-term member Jess Reyes passed away on January, 31 and the Board voted to appoint a replacement for the remainder of his term, through December, 2012. Ward 5 includes most of Antioch, as well as Pittsburg, Oakley, Brentwood, Bethel Island and Knightsen.

Calone was one of three finalists chosen from a field of applicants, including Supervisor Federal Glover’s former Chief of Staff Vincent Manuel and current Los Medanos College student and counselor for a local non-profit mentoring program for youth, Simone Gikanga, both of Antioch. They were interviewed during the special board meeting, today. (This writer was also an applicant but did not make the cut for the final interviews).

In his application, he had letters of recommendation from both newly elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and former State Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla.

A native and life-long resident of Pittsburg, Calone is a retired, 43-year Journeyman Plumber with Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 159 and former Superintendent of Plumbing for Los Medanos Plumbing Company. He was an original and 16-year member of the Delta Protection Commission and has been a part-time vocational education teacher since 1978. He is a 1976 graduate of Golden Gate University with a B.S. Degree in Management and a Minor in Engineering.

Calone is also a Board of Director for Kasimu Education Fund in the poor village of Malawi, Africa where I oversee the disbursements of funds for educational studies, scholarships, food and nutrition programs for children and the construction of classrooms as well as high school and teacher housing.

In his application, Calone said “I am…particularly interested in supporting further development of Career Technical Education programs in such areas as nursing, “green” technology, construction management and computer generated drafting.”

“I want to coordinate Career Technical Education courses with the job opportunities in and around Contra Costa County. This could include nursing, welding, radiology, medical office administration, construction management,
“green” construction technologies, etc. My goal would be to make CTE in the District a model for the state,” he added.

His children attended Los Medanos College and he lives in Pittsburg with his wife of 46 years.

Congratulations to our new Community College District Governing Board Member, Robert Calone. Let’s all wish him well in his new position.

The board oversees the three main campuses of Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill and Contra Costa College in San Pablo, as well as the Brentwood and San Ramon Centers.  For more information about the college district, visit www.4cd.edu.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC)’s Programming & Allocations Committee today recommended approval of a $19 million allocation of bridge toll funds to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to help advance construction of the $463 million East Contra Costa BART Extension (eBART) through Pittsburg and Antioch.

The full Commission will consider the committee’s recommendation at its regular monthly meeting on March 23.

“The committee’s approval is a crucial step in keeping the eBART project on schedule and on budget,” said MTC Vice Chair and Orinda city councilmember Amy Rein Worth, who represents the cities of Contra Costa County on the Commission. “The project will not only deliver much-needed congestion relief in the years ahead, but BART estimates it will generate more than 600 jobs during construction and dozens of permanent positions once the trains begin service. This is a wise and very timely investment, and one I’m confident the full Commission will support.”
 
Construction on the eBART project began in October 2010. The latest MTC commitment includes $15 million for construction and management activities needed to accommodate eBART in the median of State Route 4 plus another $4 million for eBART crossings over local roadways that will be built as part of Caltrans’ and the CCTA’s ongoing highway widening project.

“Toll funds are a big slice of the financing pie for the eBART project,” explained Rein Worth. “This reflects the strong, continuing partnership between MTC and the CCTA to deliver mobility improvements for the residents of eastern Contra Costa County. Another big slice of the funding comes from the Measure J half-cent transportation sales tax. County voters made it clear that eBART is an important priority when they approved Measure J back in 2004.”

The 10-mile first phase of the eBART line, which is slated to open for customer service in 2015, will stretch from the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART station to Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch with an intermediate station at Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg. Travel time from Hillcrest to Pittsburg/Bay Point will be 10 minutes. The diesel multiple-unit trains used on the eBART line are smaller than traditional BART trains, with a capacity of 300 to 400 passengers in each two-car train. The trains will use modern clean diesel technology, and are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Route 4 corridor by 260,000 pounds per day.

MTC is the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area’s transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency.

The Antioch Chamber of Commerce Inaugural Gala and Recognition Dinner will be held on Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center.

The evening includes the installation of the 2011 ACOC Board of Directors as well as awarding Antioch Citizen, Business and Youth of the Year for 2010. Categories for recognition awards are: Citizen of the Year – lifetime achievement and most impact; Business of the Year – large and small; and Youth of the Year. Nominations will be accepted until March 11, 2011.

Tickets are on sale now – $70 per person; reserved tables for 8 are $575. Silent Auction and our famous Balloon Pop are part of this not-to-be-missed evening. More information and nomination forms is available by calling the Antioch Chamber of Commerce at 925/757-1800 or at our website: www.antiochchamber.com.

The city's public works employees ask for equal treatment with the police.

By Dave Roberts

The City Council approved an agreement Tuesday night with the police union that saves the city budget $967,000 and avoids the layoff of six police officers that had been announced in December.

“The residents of Antioch can feel confident in knowing that the number of officers patrolling our neighborhoods will not decline in 2011 due to layoff,” said Sgt. Tom Fuhrmann, president of the Antioch Police Officers Association (APOA), before the council took the vote. “This is a major step forward in our battle to keep crime at bay in Antioch.”

The agreement, known as a memorandum of understanding (MOU), saves the cash-strapped city budget nearly $650,000 by deferring the 8.6 percent cost-of-living pay raises that had been scheduled to take effect this year. It also saves nearly $318,000 by having the officers contribute 3 percent to their retirement pensions – previously the entire amount was paid by the city.

The deferral of the pay raise is in addition to deferrals in 2009 and 2010. At some point all of those deferred raises will come due, but that is not specified in the agreement.

To offset the sacrifices, the city’s 100 police officers and 12 dispatchers will receive two additional paid holidays, one on the day after Thanksgiving and the other on New Year’s Eve. The agreement, which remains in effect through this year, specifies that no officers will be laid off in 2011.

Fuhrmann, who has taken a combative, even mocking, attitude with the council in previous appearances, was conciliatory Tuesday night.

“It is with much work that we have forged this agreement, meeting regularly with both Mayor Davis and City Manager Jim Jakel to search out ways our police officers can give back to help the city in this time of financial challenge,” Fuhrmann told the council. “Thank you for your willingness to sit down with us to discuss the issues frankly and earnestly and for your willingness to listen to the views of Antioch police officers.

“It is no shock to know that at the same time Antioch is experiencing a spike in violent crime, there’s been a 21 percent decline in the number of police officers available to patrol Antioch neighborhoods. Yet our officers remain committed to doing their job to ensure the safety of all Antioch residents. I stand before you proud of representing the police officers and dispatchers who work hard for Antioch and who love the Antioch community. We have a history of giving back and have been making concessions by taking home less and contributing more since 2007 when this economic crisis first began.

“We humbly ask you to support this amendment to our MOU so that the city can save nearly $1 million and so our residents can feel safe in knowing there will not be a reduction in police officers on the streets due to layoffs. We remain committed to continuing to work with the city to identify ways we can lower costs and help bring the city of Antioch back to full economic vitality.”

The one note of discord came from Rollie Katz, representing the city’s public works employees, who have made larger compensation concessions than the police.

“For two years we have been making changes to our agreement to help the city out,” Katz told the council. “We have taken a 10 percent pay cut for two years. Not simply deferred pay raises, but taking home 10 percent less. You are now asking us not just to pay 3 percent for six months but to pay more for PERS this year, an additional amount next year and not have a pay raise until sometime in 2013.

“The agreement you’re entering into today with the POA, unless you make further changes in the summer, is not going to solve your budget problems as your people have described them to us. You may get some short-term savings. But if you do not address the other underlying issues, you’re not going to be in any different position six months from now.

“We have had informal discussions with you where we have said we are willing to do things along the parameters you have talked to us, with a little work along the edges, if and only if we get the assurances you will obtain the same thing from all of the groups, and that means the police. It is not fair to say that one group gets treated differently and is special. We have made sacrifices and we think it’s time for you to assure us those sacrifices are not in vain.”

None of the council members addressed Katz’s plea to treat equally those who repair potholes as those who catch criminals.

But Councilman Gary Agopian thanked all of the city employees for “the work you do, past work, current work and future work. It’s going to be very important for our city that we pull together and that we are able to overcome the obstacles, the financial ones primarily. But we have more than financial obstacles that we have to overcome. We all want this city to be a safe, growing, vibrant, caring city. I want to thank them (police) for their courage and their honesty and for their dedication to making this agreement here tonight.”

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“A moratorium on the spring 2011 bonds has been issued,” said H.D. Palmer, Deputy Director for External Affairs at the California Department of Finance. “It should not delay projects by the 2012 deadline.”

However, that only covers the widening to Somersville Road. The bond sale cancellation affects almost $23 million scheduled for the widening beyond Somersville Road, to Hillcrest Avenue and Highway 160.

Of the $4.5 billion in the Corridor Mobility Improvement Account, in a total of $19.925 billion in bonds authorized by Proposition 1B and passed by voters in 2006, $2.4 billion has already been sold, according to Palmer. The cancellation affects the remaining $2.1 billion in bonds for projects statewide.

A staff report on the issue was made to the Administration & Projects Committee of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), at their monthly meeting, on Thursday, March 3, according to Ellen Wilson, Administrative Assistant for Projects.

“The state’s current economic condition has placed these programs at risk due to the difficulty in selling general obligation bonds and the lack of bond funds,” the report stated.

CCTA staff is recommending approval of “the substitution of up to $22.984 million in Measure J funds for Proposition 1B funds.”

The issue will be on the next Authority Board meeting agenda for discussion, she said. (Neither CTA Executive Director Randy Iwasaki nor Ross Chittenden, Deputy Executive Director for Projects, were available for comment at press time).

 “I’m not surprised, given all the budget issues,” said Councilman Brian Kalinowski, Antioch’s representative on Transplan, East County’s division of the CCTA. “I am hopeful there will be a work around. In the meantime, this gives us time to address the substandard station proposal for the [Hillcrest] eBART station.

 “I’m disappointed, but bad news is the norm in all areas of government, right now,” he added.