Tag Archives: Board-of-Supervisors

Resolution urging that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors conduct open study sessions on critical Contra Costa County Sheriff Department functions related to the internal investigations process from an equity lens, including potential oversight mechanisms

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the September 15, 2022 regular meeting.

WHEREAS in 2020 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors declared racism was a public health crisis and “a social system with multiple dimensions: individual racism that is internalized or interpersonal and systemic racism that is institutional or structural”; and

WHEREAS in 2020 the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors declared that Black/African Americans, Latinx, and other communities of color are disproportionally impacted by health disparities; and

WHEREAS mental care and health care are equity issues which disproportionately impact communities of color in Contra Costa County with respect to access to intervention services, proper diagnosis and care; and

WHEREAS it required the proactive efforts of advocates to ensure that the County established mobile crisis and alternative behavioral health crisis intervention models such as the A3 model (Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime); and

 WHEREAS the work of advocates like Duane Chapman, former chair of the County Mental Health Commission, advocated for mental health crisis response reform for many years; and

WHEREAS the Contra Costa Sheriff Department sent staff to be trained on the Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) model in 2012, but did not implement a MHET team until 2021, years after many Contra Costa cities implemented the program when leadership was required; and

WHEREAS there are longstanding concerns about Coroner’s findings in inquests, and actions of deputies by the families of those who lost their lives from use of force as a result of mental health crisis response by Contra Costa County Sheriff deputies that exposed the County to legal liability; and

 WHEREAS Sheriff Livingston supported the actions of Deputy Hall, who was charged and convicted, and wrote a public letter to his deputies supporting the actions of Deputy Andrew Hall, who was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of assault with a firearm in the fatal shooting of motorist Laudemer Arboleda, 33, during a slow-speed car chase in November 2018; and

 WHEREAS Deputy Andrew Hall was permitted to return to duty while the previous case was pending and fatally shot Tyrell Wilson, 33, in Danville on March 11, 2021; and

 WHEREAS there are concerns about the accuracy and thoroughness of recent Sheriff’s investigations, including a recent case where criminal charges have been filed in the case of a former Contra Costa County Sheriff volunteer with the Contra Costa County Posse who is accused of building and selling ghost guns obtained from the Sheriff’s gun range; and

 WHEREAS these actions expose the County to legal and financial liability; and

WHEREAS these actions are a concern to public trust which merit investigation and procedural changes; and

WHEREAS the citizens of the County have requested oversight and checks and balances for investigations by the Contra Costa County Sheriff Department to help build positive relationships, trust and transparency between the community and law enforcement.  

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County ask the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to conduct open study sessions regarding critical Sheriff Department functions related to the internal investigations process from an equity lens, including establishing a civilian oversight body; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that by January 15th, 2023, the County Administrator’s Office convenes a working group to create oversight recommendations to the full Board of Supervisors which would include two to three community advocates, at least two individuals with lived experience or familial experience with the behavioral health system, at least two community representatives , the Sheriff and/or his designee,  two representatives of the Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, and at least two representatives from BIPOC communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the findings of this process be presented to the Board of Supervisors on a regular basis for public comment and review along with a measurement dashboard, including examining mental health encounters and treatment referrals from a race equity framework in a public process for discourse. 

Original resolution submitted June 30, 2022, by Michelle Milam and Maria Alegria, elected delegate, District 1

Approved by the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County, September 15, 2022

Action alert on oil and gas extraction on County land

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Pursuant to DPCCC’s Resolution to end existing oil and gas drilling in Contra Costa County and phasing out existing oil and gas extraction infrastructure (Nov 18, 2021), here is an action alert from Sunflower Alliance.

All Hands on Deck!   On May 11 the County is hearing public comment on the new oil and gas policy for its General Plan, which will dictate land use policy for the next twenty years.   Unfortunately, the new oil and gas policy it’s proposing, just like the old, allows oil and gas extraction on county land.

The only difference is the requirement of 3,200′ setbacks.   This is a step in the right direction, as it acknowledges the health dangers of living near drilling sites.  But recent scientific studies show that 3,200’ setbacks are not the most health-protective approach.  And continuing to permit fossil fuel infrastructure begs the question of climate impacts altogether.

Antioch passed a drilling ban in January, and Brentwood just placed a moratorium on drilling while it works on a permanent ban.  Now the County needs to do the same.  Toxic pollutants and climate emissions from oil and gas production don’t stop at lines on a map. Contra Costa must do better.

The County really needs to hear from us!  Please send in comments or testify at the County Planning Commission hearing on May 11 at 6:30 PM.   The Zoom link for the hearing will be posted here on 5/6.

Use this Guide to craft your own in-person and written testimony.  You can email your comments to planninghearing@dcd.cccounty.us, and testify at the May 11 hearing.

The County Board of Supervisors meets the day before on May 10.  We’ll present the No Drilling petition, speak during public comment on non-agenda items, and hold a press conference outside the County Building at 1025 Escobar in Martinez before the meeting starts. East County residents will be speaking, along with MDs and youth activists.  Come join us if you can.

Tues May 10, 9 AM:  Board of Supervisors Meeting
Comment either via Zoom or in person.  Attend the 8:30 AM press conference or watch the livestream on the Sunflower Alliance facebook page.

Wed May 11, 6:30 PM: County Planning Commission Meeting (“Study Session” on the Conservation Element of the new General Plan)
Via Zoom.   The County won’t release zoom link until May 6.  Check this County page and this Sunflower Alliance post for updated information.

A very big thank you for taking action!

Resolution on Redistricting: Cities in Contra Costa County Are to Be Undivided

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DPCCC membership approved the following resolution at the July 15, 2021 regular meeting.

WHEREAS, the unity of cities is a major contributor to the development of political and social communities of interest in accordance with Democratic values;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County requests and encourages the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to direct staff and abide by a policy that, in the redistricting of Supervisorial Districts, no city shall be divided, unless there is a prior vote of the City’s Council to accept a division; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party of Contra Costa County will communicate this resolution to elected officials on the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County.

Submitted by Honorable Edi Birsan, District 4