Honored for her dedicated service to the homeless as Director of Health, Housing & Homeless Services for Contra Costa County

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Contra Costa, announced Thursday that he has named Lavonna Martin as 2021 State Senate District 7 Woman of the Year. Martin is the Director of Health, Housing, & Homeless Services for Contra Costa County Health Services, in charge of providing services to those without a home to live in – a rising crisis during the Pandemic.

“Lavonna’s selfless leadership and passionate advocacy for those in need have been a lifeline to so many people who have suffered on the streets, especially during the Pandemic,” Senator Glazer said. “She is worthy of this award in every respect.”

Lavonna Martin has worked in homeless services for her entire career, beginning at the Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco and then, for the past 21 years, at Contra Costa Health Services.  She began her work with Contra Costa County as the Deputy Director of Homeless Services, eventually became the Chief and when the Health, Housing and Homeless Services Division was formed in 2016, was named Director.

As Director, Lavonna manages a homeless service delivery system that includes street outreach, respite and emergency shelters, independent living programs for transition-age youth, and permanent supportive housing for adults, youth, and families and received an annual compensation package including salary and benefits of over $244,000 in 2019, according to Transparent California.

During the last year in response to the COVID-19 crisis, Lavonna and her team procured 5 hotels (633 rooms) to provide non-congregate shelter options to persons experiencing homelessness at highest risk of COVID-19. Nearly 1702 individuals and families have been served in these hotels to date. More than half (54%) have had a positive exit to other housing or substance use disorder treatment programs.

Lavonna’s division has worked hard to improve the health and hygiene conditions of those living outside during this crisis. Under her leadership, hand-washing stations and porta-potties have been mobilized and stationed to better support persons living outside in the cities of Martinez, Antioch, Concord, Walnut Creek, San Pablo, Pittsburg and Richmond.

To support the basic needs for unsheltered persons, the Division’s CORE team has remained operational and has provided food packs, cloth and non-surgical masks, hand sanitizers, and solar battery chargers so that our unsheltered community could charge cell phones during Shelter In Place.

Previous winners of the Woman of the Year award for the 7th State Senate District were:

• 2020 – Valerie Ariosto, 2020 Olympian Softball, Pleasanton
• 2019 –  Margaret Liang, President Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Tri Valley Chapter, Dublin
• 2018 – Alissa Friedman, President/CEO Opportunity Junction, Antioch

Allen Payton contributed to this report.

By Allen Payton

In a post on the page of the Antioch Backs the Blue Facebook group on Wed., March 3, a question was asked if people had seen an online petition entitled Recall Lamar Thorpe Antioch ca city mayor. That was begun on Tuesday, March 2 on the Change.org website by an Andrew McKissick and shows a location of Pittsburg, CA. As of Friday, March 5, it shows there have been 597 people that had added their names, with a goal of reaching 1,000. The Facebook post shows that only 299 signatures were needed.

Several people offered their comments of why they’re supporting the online petition, including Roxana Routa who wrote, “In the 3 years we have lived in Antioch I have NEVER seen as many shootings in 1 week, never before, not until this guy took office!” Mindy Tanada who wrote, “The lack of support for law enforcement, increased crime, and unprofessional behaviors in our local government are issues being ignored by the current mayor.”  Retired Antioch Police Officer Mike Schneider added his reason for supporting the online petition writing, “His agenda will destroy the city.”

However, an online petition to recall an elected official in California, no matter how many people support it, is not how the process is actually done. Plus, it allows anyone anywhere to sign the petition. Only those who live within a district and are registered to vote can gather signatures for and/or sign a recall petition. Furthermore, according to the California Secretary of State’s guide to Procedures for Recalling State and Local Officials, “If an officer of a city, county, school district, county board of education, or resident voting district is sought to be recalled, the number of signatures must be equal in number to not less than the following percent of registered voters in the electoral jurisdiction: (a) Thirty percent (30%) if the registration is less than 1,000. (b) Twenty-five percent (25%) if the registration is less than 10,000 but at least 1,000. (c) Twenty percent (20%) if the registration is less than 50,000 but at least 10,000. (d) Fifteen percent (15%) if the registration is less than 100,000 but at least 50,000. (e) Ten percent (10%) if the registration is 100,000 or above”.

According to the Contra Costa Elections Division report, as of Election Day Nov. 3, 2020, there were 62,394 registered voters in Antioch. So, petitioners would have to gather the signatures of approximately 9,400 registered voters in the City to force a recall of the mayor or any other citywide official to the ballot. Petitioners would have 160 days to gather the needed number of signatures.

For the city council members, as of Nov. 3 in District 1 there were 12,637 registered voters; in District 2 there were 14,921; in District 3 there were 18,349 and in District 4 there were 16,487 registered voters. Petitioners would need signatures from 20% of the registered voters in each of the districts to force a recall election to the ballot. Petitioners would have 120 days to gather the needed signatures in each of the council districts.

Should a recall effort be successful in gathering the necessary signatures, following the verification of signatures by the City Clerk, the city council would have 14 days to call an election and “The election shall be held not less than 88 nor more than 125 days after” that.

An effort has been made to reach McKissick to ask his reasons for starting the online petition. In addition, efforts to reach Thorpe for his response were unsuccessful prior to publication time.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

But mayor, council members not informed at that time

By Allen Payton

The Herald was informed on Thursday, March 3, by a very reliable source who chose to remain anonymous, that on Dec. 24 Antioch Assistant City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore received an email, about the incident with Angelo Quinto on Dec. 23, from Captain Trevor Schnitzius who was the acting chief at the time. Because both Chief Brooks and City Manager Ron Bernal were on vacation at the time.

As of Monday, March 15 that was confirmed when through a public records request, the city released a copy of the Dec. 24 email from Schnitzius to Bayon Moore informing her of the incident the night before. (See UPDATE below) Email fr Schnitzius to Bayon Moore re Quinto 122420

Questions were emailed on Thursday to Mayor Lamar Thorpe, City Manager Ron Bernal, City Attorney Thomas Smith, Police Chief T Brooks and Bayon Moore asking to verify that information.

In addition, each of the other four other council members were emailed the following questions about the matter: “Were any of you aware of that? Did she contact any of you, at that time? Were you contacted by any member of city staff about Mr. Quinto’s death on Dec. 26th? Anything else you would like to share about it?”

Mayor Thorpe Not Aware

“This is breaking news, to me,” Thorpe said when asked about the email from APD to Bayon-Moore and the questions to him and city staff about it.

“In the four years that I have been on the city council I have always received a text message from the Chief of Police, whether it was Allan Cantando or Chief Brooks about major incidents,” he stated. “No one told us anything about this incident and there was no press release.”

“Even if he hadn’t texted us I would have seen the press release a few hours later,” Thorpe continued. “Usually, we get a text message and then a few hours later a press release issued.”

He reiterated that he didn’t know about the Quinto case, “Until I heard about it on social media, then during a conversation with Chief Brooks about other matters, I asked him if there had been an in-custody death.”

Like Bernal and Brooks, Thorpe was also on vacation at the time, and there are reports that he was in Mexico on a bicycle trip. While not confirming that he said, “it wouldn’t matter if I was on the moon. Someone should have contacted me and the council.”

“Whoever is in charge, whoever is acting, anything, my policy will clear things up and the council will be informed of major incidents and the policy will also including informing the police,” Thorpe added. “And the media will be in there.”

Ogorchock Responds

In response to the questions sent to her, District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock responded, “I don’t know the date that we were informed. I’m looking for it.” She had not yet found it in either her texts or emails prior to publication time.

No Responses from Other City Officials, Public Records Act Request Submitted

None of the other three council members responded to the questions emailed to them as of publication time. Since none of the other city officials responded to the emails sent to them on Thursday, March 4 asking for verification of the information, a third email was sent Friday morning, which included the City’s Public Information Officer Rolando Bonilla.

In addition, a records request search was done on the city’s Open Public Records webpage for a copy of the email from Schnitzius to Bayon Moore. Because the search produced no results, on Friday, March 5, 2021 the Herald submitted the following Public Records Act request to the city:

“Please provide a copy of the email on Dec. 24 from Captain Trevor Schnitzius, who was the acting chief at the time, to Antioch Assistant City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore, regarding the incident with Angelo Quinto on Dec. 23.

In addition, please provide any and all email and other communications between all Antioch Police personnel and other city staff members and council members, as well as between all other city staff members and council members regarding the Dec. 23 incident and Mr. Quinto’s death on Dec. 26. Thank you.”

The City had 10 days to respond to the request for public records. If there is anything in the information requested that is deemed to require additional review, the City can take up to an additional 14 days to release it. However, the aforementioned city staff members could respond to the questions about the alleged email between Schnitzius and Bayon Moore before then.

3/17/21 UPDATE: In response to the public records request, on Monday, March 15, 2021, city staff released a copy of the email from Schnitzius to Bayon Moore and copied to Chief Brooks sent at 7:07 a.m. on Dec. 24, 2020. The subject line reads: Law Enforcement Protocol Event and “Importance: High”.

The email reads, “Officers responded to a family disturbance service call where the caller reported the subject was hurting another family member. Upon arrival, officers determined the 30 year old male resident was experiencing a mental episode. The resident was restrained in handcuffs for everyone’s safety due to his non-cooperative behavior and was to be sent for a mental health evaluation pursuant to W/I 5150. An ambulance was summoned to the residence and while awaiting the ambulance’s arrival, the subject lost consciousness.”

 

By Allen Payton

A report of a shooting in Antioch, Thursday afternoon, March 4, 2021, did not strike anyone, according to Antioch Police. It occurred in front of 523 W. 7th Street, said Corporal Jason Vanderpool. “It appears to have started as a fight over a woman.”

“Police found a spent shell casing. But there was no one hit. We couldn’t put it into the hands of anyone, so no one was arrested,” he stated.

Gang related. No suspect identified or description given.

By Allen Payton

In response to a request for the location of the shooting that Antioch Police reported occurring on Thursday, Feb. 25, Corporal Jason Vanderpool confirmed that it took place at the Executive Inn at 515 E. 18th Street. (See related article)

That is the proposed site that Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe and two council members, Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson and District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, are considering for the location of a transitional housing program for homeless residents in the city. District 2 Councilman Mike Barbanica and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock voted to oppose the proposal. Ogorchock previously voted against it, last August.

“The victim said he was at the hotel, laying on the bed with two females, and an unknown person walked into the room and shot him,” Vanderpool said, reading from a report.

The 18-year-old male victim was driven to the Sutter Delta Medical Center emergency room, where police were called and spoke with him.

“The victim was identified as a local gang member but was uncooperative,” Vanderpool continued.  “Police collected blood and shell casings from the room and contacted some other gang members, but everyone was uncooperative. There was no description of the suspect nor identity provided. There was no motive provided.”

“The case has been assigned to a detective but will probably be closed since no suspect information has been obtained,” Vanderpool added.

Thorpe was contacted to see if he had any comment on the matter but did not respond before publication time.

After she learned about the location of the shooting, Ogorchock wrote, “I have not been in favor of that hotel being a location for transitional housing or a homeless shelter. It is not conducive to the surroundings or neighborhood. I’ve been very clear about that.”

“The reality is I have put an unbelievable amount of hours in providing alternatives,” Barbanica shared.

Please check back later for any updates to this report.

 

Had suspended contractor’s license at the time; occurred in San Ramon

By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney

On Monday, March 1, 2021, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony complaint against Segundo Collazos, the owner of Amazon’s Landscaping Company based out of Concord. (See Complaint Collazos February 2021)

The charges relate to the 2018 death of Manuel Peralta, then 68, of Antioch, California, who died while operating a rented tree stump grinder in San Ramon. At the time of the incident, defendant Segundo Collazos had a suspended license with the Contractors State License Board. The investigation began from the California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety & Health Bureau of Investigations.

The first felony alleges that defendant Collazos permitted the victim Manuel Peralta to use a stump grinder in a manner contrary to manufacturer recommendations and to work in the danger zone of the cutting wheel, resulting in his death. The second felony alleges that Collazos failed to properly train Peralta on the proper and safe use of the stump grinder, also resulting in his death.

The District Attorney’s Office reminds homeowners to check that a contractor is currently licensed and insured before hiring them for residential construction work. Homeowners can check the validity of a license number on the Contractors’ State Licensing Board website or call (800) 321-CSLB (2752).

“When a Cal/OSHA investigation reveals evidence a worker’s serious injury or death involves criminal misconduct, our Bureau of Investigations Unit refers those cases to the local District Attorney’s Office for prosecution,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Doug Parker. “We thank the Contra Costa County District Attorney for their work on this case. Employers must be made aware that disregarding the requirement to train and supervise workers using dangerous equipment can lead to tragedy and possible jail time.”

Deputy District Attorney Ryan Morris is prosecuting the case on behalf of the People. DDA Morris is assigned to our Office’s Special Operations Division.

Case information: People v. Segundo Collazos, Docket Number 01-195521-0.

Contra Costa Health Officer said he expects Contra Costa County to remain in the Purple Tier for the next two to three weeks before moving into the less restrictive Red Tier. 

By Daniel Borsuk

The old saying “there’s nothing like good old competition” can apply when Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover on Tuesday questioned county health officials if an announcement a day earlier that the state and health care giant Blue Shield of California will jointly launch a statewide COVID-19 vaccine registration system that will compete against county sponsored vaccine registration systems like Contra Costa’s My Turn.

Glover, who represents the East County communities of Pittsburg and Antioch, with high numbers of underserved black and Latino constituents, asked Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano if the new statewide vaccination system will benefit or hinder the County’s efforts.

“Our scheduling system will still be in place,” Farnitano responded.  Furthermore, the health officer said that the county’s scheduling and testing capabilities will not be jeopardized.

The new central site sign-up system Blue Shield of California will operate on behalf of the state aims to make obtaining vaccination appointments more efficient and straight forward.  In addition, when the state is ready to expand vaccination eligibility to the next population category for doses, every county in the state will have to follow suite at the same time.  This takes the decision-making out of the hands of county health officials and into the hands of State or Blue Shield of California health officials.

Health care workers, long-term care residents aged 65 and older and employees working in agriculture and food, education and child care, and emergency services are currently eligible to receive a vaccine in California.  Beginning March 15, residents between 16 and 64 years old with severe health ailments, including cancer or heart conditions, and those with developmental or high-risk disabilities will also be eligible for vaccination.

Board Chair Dianne Burgis of Brentwood said that she has received inquiries from constituents if they can select the vaccine to be given when it is their turn at the clinic.

“They are all great vaccines,” answered Farnitano. “With all the vaccines in short supply, we get what is available.”

In the meantime, Farniton said he expects Contra Costa County to remain in the Purple Tier for the next two to three weeks before moving into the less restrictive Red Tier.

Farnitano also said Contra Costa County’s exposure to any COVID-19 variants is “not of concern.”  He said there have been no reports of the United Kingdom or South Africa variants in the County.

“Even though we are seeing a lot of good news, we are not out of the woods yet.  Up until now we’re winning the race, but we cannot let down our guard too fast.  Continue to wear masks, wash your hands and social distance,” he said.

District 1 Supervisor John Gioia of Richmond said 86 percent of Contra Costa residents age 75 and over have at least had their first dose

The County Health Director said through the County Health Department, the Contra Costa County Office of Education and School Districts, 25,000 doses of vaccine are dedicated to educators as schools ramp up to reopen.

“More teachers are getting vaccinated,” Farnitano stated.

Supervisors Flash Green Light for Danville Roundabout

Supervisors gave county Public Works officials the green light to start the eminent domain process to change an accident-prone intersection in Danville into a traffic roundabout designed to reduce car speeds and improve pedestrian crossings at Danville Boulevard and Orchard Court.

The County project will include curb extensions, curb ramps and entry medians at the roundabout to cut down on vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian crossings.  Sidewalks will be reconstructed along with curb extensions and curb ramps in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

The intersection has one of the highest collision rates in the state.  It is 2.5 times higher than the state average.  Over the last 10 years there were at least 13 bicycle and three pedestrian collisions.

Ann E. Elliott Appointed Director of Human Resources

From a field of 62 applicants and seven semi-finalists, Supervisors unanimously selected acting Director of Human Resources Ann E. Elliot to the full-time position at an annual salary of $240,000 and a $57,000 pension per year.  The appointment became effective March 1.

Elliot has served as Interim Director of Human Resources since Sept. 30, 2020 when former Director of Human Resources Dianne Dinsmore retired.

Elliot started her career at the Contra Costa County Human Resources Department in 2015 and has developed a reputation of having an understanding of the responsibilities of Human Resources Management and the value Human resources can contribute to an employer.

Through the recruitment firm Peckham & McKenney, 62 applications were received and seven semi-finalists were forwarded to the County Interview Panel on Dec. 1, 2020 and interviewed on Dec. 9, 2020.  The County Interview Panel consisted of Joe Angelo, Alameda County Human Resources Director; Timothy Ewell, Contra Costa County Chief Assistant County Administrator; Lisa Driscoll, Contra Costa County Finance Director; and Kathy Ito, President of KMI Human Resources Consulting, Inc.

After the interviews, County Administrator Monica Nino recommended Elliot’s appointment.

Elliott is a graduate from Indiana Wesleyan University with as Master of Science, Management degree and from Cedarville University with a Bachelor of Arts, Behavioral Science and Psychology.

Approve $17.6 Million in 2020-2021 Property Tax Administration Charges

Facing no citizen comments, Supervisors unanimously approved the 2020-2021 Property Tax Administration Charges with net costs totaling $17,599,506.  That amounts to about .56 percent of all 2019-2020 property taxes levied countywide.

“The County absorbs the schools’ share, which amounts to $8,436,409,” according to the county staff report on the item. “School districts, community college districts and the County Office of Education are exempt from the provision, authorizing county recovery of their proportionate share of property tax administrative costs.”

 

By Timothy Leong, Public Information Officer, 4CD

On November 10, 2020, the Contra Costa Community College District (District) sold $110 million of new Measure E bonds and refinanced $35 million of previously sold general obligation bonds originally issued in 2014 following voter approval of 57.58%.  Due in part to favorable Moody’s and S&P ratings, the refinancing collectively saves Contra Costa County property owners over $1.7 million through 2040, and savings will be passed on in the form of lower property taxes. Voters will see this change reflected in their 2020-21 property tax bills, with annual total savings for our taxpayers of over $150,000.

The new Brentwood Center and new Kinesiology and Student Union Complex at the LMC-Pittsburg campus were the first major District projects completed using Measure E funds. The $110 million sale of new Measure E bonds will help continue the transformation of additional facilities at District sites. These projects include the new Science Center and renovation of the PE/Kinesiology Complex at Contra Costa College, the Arts Complex and PE/Kinesiology Complex at Diablo Valley College (DVC)-Pleasant Hill Campus, and the new Library and Learning Center at the DVC-San Ramon Campus.

“This is the fourth time the District has refinanced previously sold bonds to reduce debt service for our taxpayers,” said Chancellor Bryan Reece. “We will continue to focus on our fiduciary responsibility of managing public funds and want to thank Contra Costa County voters for allowing us to make these critical investments in the community.”

The sales and refinancing transactions were handled by Morgan Stanley.  KNN Public Finance was the District’s financial advisor, and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe performed as bond counsel.

The Contra Costa Community College District (District) is one of the largest multi-college community college districts in California. The District serves a population of 1,019,640 people, and its boundaries encompass all but 48 of the 734-square-mile land area of Contra Costa County. The District is home to Contra Costa College in San Pablo, Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, as well as educational centers in Brentwood and San Ramon.  The District headquarters is located in downtown Martinez.