Board of Directors Board Meeting Packet July 21, 2020 SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2020 at 1:00 PM
Pursuant to Governor Newsom’s Executive Order No. N-29-20 and the Alameda County Health Officer’s Shelter in Place Orders, effective March 31, 2020 and May 4, 2020, the East Bay Regional Park District Headquarters will not be open to the public and the Board of Directors and staff will be participating in the Board meetings via phone/video conferencing.
Members of the public can listen and view the meeting in the following way:
Via the Park District’s live video stream which can be found at: https://zoom.us/j/92078137530
Public comments may be submitted one of three ways:
1. Via email to Yolande Barial Knight, Clerk of the Board, at [email protected]. Email must contain in the subject line public comments – not on the agenda or public comments – agenda item #. It is preferred that these written comments be submitted by Monday, July 20, at 3:00pm.
2. Via voicemail at (510) 544-2016. The caller must start the message by stating public comments – not on the agenda or public comments – agenda item # followed by their name and place of residence, followed by their comments. It is preferred that these voicemail comments be submitted by Monday, July 20, at 3:00 pm.
3. Live via zoom. If you would like to make a live public comment during the meeting this option is available through the virtual meeting platform: https://zoom.us/j/92078137530/ . Note that this virtual meeting platform link will let you into the virtual meeting for the purpose of providing a public comment. If you do not intend to make a public comment please use the youtube link at https://youtu.be/0c9kViDxS08 to observe the meeting. It is preferred that those requesting to speak during the meeting contact the Clerk of the Board at [email protected] by 3:00 pm on Monday, July 20, 2020 via email or voicemail (510) 544-2016 to provide name and the subject of the public comment or item to be addressed.
Comments received during the meeting and up until the public comment period on the relevant agenda item is closed, will be provided in writing to the Board of Directors, included transcribed voicemails. All comments received by the close of the public comment period will be available after the meeting as supplemental materials and will become part of the official meeting record. If you have any questions please contact Yolande Barial Knight, Clerk of the Board, at [email protected] or (510) 544-2016.
2 Clerk of the Board YOLANDE BARIAL KNIGHT (510) 544-2020 PH MEMO to the BOARD OF DIRECTORS (510) 569-1417 FAX EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors
ELLEN CORBETT The Regular Session of the JULY 21, 2020 President - Ward 4 Board Meeting is scheduled to commence via teleconference at 1:00 p.m. DEE ROSARIO Vice President – Ward 2 Park District’s live video stream can be found at: BEVERLY LANE https://youtu.be/0c9kViDxS08 Secretary - Ward 6 COLIN COFFEY Treasurer - Ward 7 DENNIS WAESPI Ward 3 AYN WIESKAMP Respectfully submitted, Ward 5 ELIZABETH ECHOLS Ward 1 ROBERT E. DOYLE ROBERT E. DOYLE General Manager General Manager
2950 Peralta Oaks Court Oakland, CA 94605-0381 (888) 327-2757 MAIN 7-1-1 TRS RELAY SERVICE (510) 635-5502 FAX ebparks.org
3 AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 21, 2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT The Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District will hold a regular 11:30 a.m. ROLL CALL (Virtual) meeting virtually, commencing at 11:30 a.m. for Closed Session and 1:00 p.m. for Open Session PUBLIC COMMENTS on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Video Stream at: CLOSED SESSION https://youtu.be/0c9kViDxS08
A. Conference with Labor Negotiator: Government Code Section 54957.6 Agenda for the meeting is listed adjacent. Times for agenda 1. Agency Negotiator: Robert E. Doyle, Ana M. Alvarez, items are approximate only and are subject to change during the Kip Walsh meeting. If you wish to Employee Organizations: AFSCME Local 2428, comment on matters not on the Police Association agenda, you may do so under Unrepresented Employees: Managers, Confidentials and Seasonals Public Comments at the beginning of the agenda and if you wish to comment on an B. Conference with Legal Counsel item on the agenda please send an email to [email protected] 1. Anticipated Litigation - Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to before 3pm, Monday, July 20, Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4): 1 case 2020. A copy of the background 2. Existing Litigation – Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) materials concerning these agenda items, including any Parham vs. RBC Real Estate Finance, Inc., et al. material that may have been Alameda County Superior Court submitted less than 72 hours Case No. RG-13696347 before the meeting, is available for inspection on the District’s website (www.ebparks.org). Najarian et al. vs. RBC Real Estate Finance, Inc., et al. Alameda County Superior Court Agendas for Board Committee Case No. RG-1786603 Meetings are available to the public upon request. If you wish to be placed on the mailing list Keller vs. RBC Real Estate Finance, Inc., et al. to receive future agendas for a Alameda County Superior Court specific Board Committee, Case No. RG-17868841 please call the Clerk of the Board’s Office at (510) 544- 2020.
District facilities and meetings comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If special accommodations are needed for you to participate, please contact the Clerk of the Board as soon as possible, but preferably at least three working days prior to the meeting.
4 C. Conference with Real Property Negotiator Regarding Price and/or Terms of Payment – Government Code Section 54956.8
1. Agency Negotiator: Kristina Kelchner, Mike Reeves
PROPERTY OWNER/ APN/ADDRESS NEGOTIATING PARTIES PARK/TRAIL ALAMEDA COUNTY 561-040-016-9 and 561- Chevron USA Inc. San Francisco Bay 400-008-0 Stenmark Trail Drive, Richmond 561-400-004-9, Mt. Zion Enterprises Inc. San Francisco Bay Stenmark Drive, Richmond Trail 561-100-008-3 City of Richmond Point Molate Regional Stenmark Drive, Richmond Shoreline
1:00 p.m. OPEN SESSION (Virtual)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
B. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments may be submitted one of three ways: 1. Via email to Yolande Barial Knight, Clerk of the Board, at [email protected]. Email must contain in the subject line public comments – not on the agenda or public comments – agenda item #. It is preferred that these written comments be submitted by Monday, July 20, at 3:00pm. 2. Via voicemail at (510) 544-2016. The caller must start the message by stating public comments – not on the agenda or public comments – agenda item # followed by their name and place of residence, followed by their comments. It is preferred that these voicemail comments be submitted by Monday, July 20, at 3:00 pm. 3. If you are interested in speaking during Public Comments, please contact the Clerk of the Board at [email protected] for call in information by 3:00 pm on Monday, July 20, 2020. Email must contain in the subject line Board meeting 7-21-20 call in request. If you would like to provide public comment through the virtual meeting platform, please use https://zoom.us/j/92078137530 to participate. Note that this virtual meeting platform link will let you into the virtual meeting waiting room and then into the meeting for the purpose to provide comment. Please use the YouTube link https://youtu.be/0c9kViDxS08 to observe the meeting when you are not providing public comment.
5 C. SPECIAL UPDATE
1. General Manager’s Update on the Status of the East Bay Regional Park District Emergency During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
2. Resolution Reaffirming the Existence of a Local East Bay Regional Park District Emergency (Victor/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost)
1:25 p.m. D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approval of District Check Listing for the Period of June 1, 2020 to June 14, 2020 (Auker/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) b. Approval of the Minutes for the Board Meeting of June 16, 2020 (Barial Knight) (Resolution) (No Cost) c. Authorization of Costs of Electronic Solar-Powered Message Board Rental from United Rentals and Pacific Highway Rentals, LLC (Cotcher/Ciaburro) (Resolution) (Budgeted Funds) d. Resolution to Support S. 3684 (Wyden D-OR) – 21st Century Conservation Corps for Our Health and Our Jobs Act (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) e. Resolution to Support AB 2519 (Wood D-Santa Rosa) – Advance Grant Payments for Conservation Projects (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) f. Resolution to Support AB 3164 (Friedman D-Glendale) – Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Risk Model (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) g. Resolution to Support H.R. 2215 (Chu D-CA) – San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) h. Resolution to Support AB 2076 (Bigelow R-O'Neals) – State Parks Wildfire Prevention Strategy (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) i. Resolution to Support AB 3074 (Friedman D-Glendale) – Wildfire Ember Resistant Zones (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) j. Resolution to Support H.R. 2199 (Carbajal D-CA) – Central Coast Heritage Protection Act (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) k. Resolution to Support H.R. 6546 (Neguse D-CO) – Wildfire and Community Health Response Act of 2020 (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) L. Resolution to Support H.R. 7073 (Garamendi D-CA) – Special Districts Qualifying for Coronavirus Relief Fund (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) m. Resolution to Support H.R. 7095 (DeFazio D-OR) – INVEST in America Act (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost)
6 n. Resolution to Support S. 3624 (Coons D-DE) and H.R. 6702 (Price D-NC) – Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act (Pfuehler/Doyle) (Resolution) (No Cost) o. Authorization to Purchase Two Vermeer Chippers from RDO Equipment Company for Equipment Replacement and as an Addition to the Fleet (McCrystle/O’Connor) (Resolution) (Budgeted Funds) p. Authorization to Award Construction Contract to NBC Construction and Engineering Inc. to Install Arched Culvert: Morgan Territory Regional Preserve (Rasmussen/Auker) (Resolution) (Budgeted Funds)
2:00 p.m. 2. GENERAL MANAGER DIVISION
a. Authorize the 2020/2021 Tax Rate to be Levied by Alameda and Contra Costa Counties for the Payment of East Bay Regional Park District Measure WW General Obligation Bonds (Spaulding/Auker) (Resolution) (Rev Authorization)
2:15 p.m. 3. BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS
a. Actions Taken by Other Jurisdictions Affecting the Park District (Doyle)
2:30 p.m. 4. GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS
a. Informational Report and Update on Interpretive and Recreation Services Online Digital Learning Program (Bletz/Kassebaum/O’Connor)
2:45 p.m. 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION
2:50 p.m. 6. BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Finance Committee (5/27/20) (Coffey)
3:00 p.m. 8. BOARD COMMENTS
4:00 p.m. E. ADJOURNMENT
7 AGENDA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
C. SPECIAL UPDATE
2. Resolution Reaffirming the Existence of a Local East Bay Regional Park District Emergency (Victor/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The General Manager recommends that the Board of Directors adopt a Resolution Reaffirming the Existence of a Local East Bay Regional Park District Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
REVENUE/COST
As part of the mid-year budget review, the Board of Directors allocated $600,000 to COVID-19 emergency response project 533800, providing total funding from the Park District of $850,000. COVID-19 cost reimbursement has been preliminarily approved by FEMA in the amount of $1,075,349.
BACKGROUND
At a Special Board meeting of March 19, 2020, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 2020-03-051 declaring a local East Bay Regional Park District Emergency related to the COVID- 19 Pandemic. The Resolution requires the Board of Directors to reaffirm the existence of an emergency every sixty (60) days until termination of the emergency has been proclaimed by the Board of Directors. On May 19, 2020 by Resolution No. 2020-05-090, the Board of Directors reaffirmed the existence of a local East Bay Regional Park District Emergency.
The State of California declared a public health emergency on March 4, 2020. On March 16, 2020, six Bay Area counties (Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Alameda and Contra Costa) issued Orders directing all individuals living in these specific counties to shelter at their place of residence. On March 19, 2020, Governor Newsom issued a state-wide Stay at Home order. Although each of these orders have been modified from time to time, public health orders remain in place and continue to greatly restrict normal activities of Bay Area residents.
As state and local officials have moved toward relaxing some restrictions in the public health orders, the number of COVID-19 cases in California has continued to rise. As a result, state and local jurisdictions have paused phased re-openings and re-imposed certain restrictions on indoor
8 activities. COVID-19 is and will remain a significant risk to public health and continues to greatly disrupt normal activities for residents of the state and to impact East Bay Regional Park District operations.
The attached Resolution will reaffirm the existence of an emergency in the East Bay Regional Park District and continues the emergency powers conferred on the General Manager as provided by state law and Board approved resolutions and ordinances, including the Park District’s Emergency Preparedness Policy and Emergency Services Workers Resolution (Resolution No. 2005-12-237).
ALTERNATIVES
No alternatives are recommended.
9 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 – 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION REAFFIRMNG THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT EMERGENCY
WHEREAS, the California Emergency Services Act, Chapter 7, of the California Government Code, commencing with § 8550, confers upon governing bodies of the political subdivisions of this state emergency powers necessary to protect health and safety and preserve lives and property; and
WHEREAS, on March 19, 2020, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 2020- 03-051 proclaiming that a local emergency exists in the East Bay Regional Park District; and
WHEREAS, on May 19, 2020 the Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 2020-05- 090 reaffirming the existence of a local East Bay Regional Park District Emergency; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District does find that conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property have arisen within the East Bay Regional Park District due to COVID-19 commencing on or about March 16, 2020 and continuing as follows:
On March 4, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a Proclamation of a State of Emergency relating to COVID-19 that included a waiver of the 30-day renewal requirement for a local emergency;
On March 6, 2020, the County of Alameda adopted a resolution ratifying the declaration of a local health emergency by the County Health Officer;
On March 10, 2020, the County of Contra Costa declared the existence of a local emergency due to COVID-19;
On March 16, 2020, the Alameda County Health Department and Contra Costa County Health Services, as part of a coalition of six Bay Area county health departments, issued a legally enforceable order dictating that citizens of the Bay Area shelter in place beginning at 12:01 a.m. on March 17, 2020 (“Bay Area Public Health Order”);
On March 19, 2020, Governor Newsom issued a state-wide Stay at Home order;
The State of California; the County of Alameda and Contra Costa County continue to operate under public health orders as they have been modified from time to time; and
10 COVID-19 cases continue to rise through-out the State of California and COVID-19 remains a significant threat to public health; and
That the aforesaid conditions of extreme peril warrant and necessitate the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby proclaims that a local emergency continues to exist throughout the East Bay Regional Park District; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that during the existence of said local emergency the powers, functions and duties of the General Manager/EOC Manager and the emergency organization of the East Bay Regional Park District shall be those prescribed by state law, and by the ordinance and resolutions of the East Bay Regional Park District approved by the Board of Directors including the Emergency Preparedness Policy and Emergency Services Workers Resolution adopted by the Board of Directors on December 20, 2005 by Resolution No. 2005- 12-237 and pursuant to the Proclamation of a Local East Bay Regional Park District Emergency adopted by the Board of Directors on March 19, 2020 by Resolution No. 2020-03-051 and reaffirmed on May 19, 2020 by Resolution No. 2020-05-090; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the Park District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this Resolution.
Moved by seconded by , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
11 CONSENT CALENDAR
AGENDA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approval of District Check Listing for the Period of June 1, 2020 Through June 14, 2020 (Auker/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of Directors approve the Check Listing for the period of June1, 2020 through June 14, 2020.
Per Resolution No. 1992-1-40, adopted by the Board on January 21, 1992, a copy of the Check Listing has been provided to the Board Treasurer for review. A copy of the Check Listing has also been provided to the Clerk of the Board and will become a part of the Official District Records.
12 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 – 07 -
July 21, 2020
APPROVAL OF DISTRICT CHECK LISTING FOR THE PERIOD OF JUNE 1, 2020 THROUGH JUNE 14, 2020
WHEREAS, District Resolution No. 1992 - 1 - 40, adopted by the Board of Directors on January 21, 1992, requires that a listing of District checks be provided to the Board Treasurer for review;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby approves the check listing for the period of June 1, 2020 through June 14, 2020;
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
13 AGENDA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
b. Approval of the Minutes for the Board Meeting of June 16, 2020 (Barial Knight)
14 Page Left Blank Intentionally
15 Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020
The East Bay Regional Park District Board Meeting, which was held virtually on June 16, 2020, called its Closed Session to order at 11:30 a.m. by Board President Ellen Corbett.
ROLL CALL
Directors Remote: Ellen Corbett, President Dee Rosario, Vice President Beverly Lane, Secretary Colin Coffey, Treasurer Dennis Waespi Elizabeth Echols Ayn Wieskamp
The Open Session of the Board Meeting was called to order at 1:06 p.m. by President Corbett.
Staff Remote: Robert Doyle, Ana Alvarez, Carol Victor, Jim O’Connor, Anthony Ciaburro, Debra Auker, Kristina Kelchner, Carol Johnson, Erich Pfuehler, Alan Love, Mary Mattingly, Alice Kinner, Aileen Theile, Kip Walsh, Matthew Graul, Ira Bletz, Anne Kassebaum, Deborah Spaulding, Katherine Dudney, Matthew James, Ren Bates, Sean Dougan, Phillip Coffin, Jeff Rasmussen, Lance Brede, Lisa Goorjian, Linda Tubbs, Tiffany Margulici, Toby Perry, Dave Mason, Sabrina Pinnell, Sharon Clay, Robert Lacy, Mycile Cahambing
Guests: Tim Seufert, Managing Director, NBS
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Director Coffey
Director Corbett opened the meeting and stated that consistent with Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-25-20 issued on March 12, 2020 in response to the threat of COVID-19, and the Alameda County Health Department’s Order dated March 16, 2020, the Board of Directors may utilize teleconferencing to remotely participate in meetings.
The Clerk read into the record the process for public comments.
President Corbett asked if the Board members had any questions about the meeting process. There were none.
A. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
By motion of Director Wieskamp, and seconded by Director Lane, the Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda.
Directors Remote: Ellen Corbett, Colin Coffey, Elizabeth Echols, Beverly Lane, Dee Rosario, Dennis Waespi, Ayn Wieskamp. Directors Against: None. Directors Absent: None.
B. SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
President Corbett postponed this acknowledgement due to the fact that the recipients did not attend. 16 Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020
C. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Acting Clerk Sharon Clay read into the record the public comment sent via email from Mr. Lance Johnson – Attachment A.
Kent Wegener congratulated the EBRPD for a successful partnering with many other organizations for the ECC Habitat Conservation Plan and the Natural Community Conservation Plan. Wegener suggested the Park District consider using park volunteers to do the work to help with restoration and support youth to learn to respect mother nature and fight climate change.
President Corbett said Local 2428 is interested in making a statement and this is the time to hear from our workers. Meadow D’arcy, Chief Steward of AFSMCE 2428 and member of the Workforce Diversity commented on the membership’s resolution. The membership feels strongly that the Board should take action on dismantling systemic racism and sexism.
Constance Taylor, Naturalist worked with Workforce Diversity to help draft this resolution for the Board’s consideration. Taylor commented on systemic racism in our parks and culture. She encouraged the District to take action, to not just make statements, but to make inclusion, diversity and equity training mandatory for all staff as well as hiring an equity consultant and more thoughtful reflection on internal communication. Liz Bittner, AFSCME 2428, read the letter from AFSCME into the record (Attachment B). Eri Suzuki of Local 2428, Co-chair of the Workforce Diversity Committee commented on a poll done with their membership. From that polling came several directions as noted in the letter. Bittner added that the tone of the resolution should be one of acknowledging mistakes of the past, admitting there are problems, and that the District is taking steps to improve in the future.
President Corbett recommended that management sits down with 2428 to come up with an implementation plan to address their asks so the Board can take action. Director Coffey commented that under the Brown Act this item should be taken up under item 2a which is on the agenda. Corbett replied under the Brown Act giving direction is okay. Director Wieskamp asked for clarification from District Counsel. District Counsel Victor said that there will be extensive conversation and it is appropriate to take this item up after the General Manager presentation on the item under 2a. Corbett commented it is appropriate to direct staff to come up with an implementation plan. Director Rosario agreed staff should meet with 2428 for further discussion. Director Echols supported the implementation plan and the importance of acting on further discussion. Corbett thanked Director Rosario and Director Dotson for the work they accomplished on the Workforce Diversity Committee.
Public Comments Noah Miller a longtime resident of the East Bay recalled fond memories of Tilden, and commented he is grateful for the EBRPD. He remarked on the District’s social media presence where the park police posted that they were on a call with the fire department and handing out masks to children. Miller felt that the postings were inappropriate under the current BLM movement. Miller suggested the District personify listening by creating some position to handle concerns about making the parks welcome and safe for black and indigenous people.
D. SPECIAL UPDATE
1. General Manager’s Update on the Status of the East Bay Regional Park District Emergency During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
GM Doyle continued to acknowledge the fine work of the staff to keep the parks open and doing it well. GM Doyle recognized that the District began working with the medical centers long before the pandemic. He commented on keeping park staff safe by reminding peop17le that masks are an important way to stop the spread. Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020 Staff are continuing efforts on social distancing due to outdoor exercising which is essential for public health and to help reduce the spread. Doyle thanked the Operations staff for opening additional parks. He appreciated staffs sincere efforts in trying to respond to the concerns.
Director Lane asked how the Park District is addressing the different counties directions. GM Doyle replied Alameda county had more of an increase in the virus than Contra Costa county, and this was discussed with the health departments. Soon the rates of infections and hospitalizations will be closer but are currently increasing at a different pace. We are getting back to in sync and soon they will be the same. Corbett asked about the police giving out facemasks. GM Doyle replied the Regional Parks Foundation has been providing masks to people and it is not just Public Safety; it is an effort to encourage people to wear masks. GM Doyle stated he will return with information on the numbers of masks and where they are being distributed.
2. East Contra Costa County Update Jeff Rasmussen, AFO Finance, presented on the Accomplishments and Upcoming projects in East Contra Costa County. Projects included were Bay Point Wetland Restoration, Gosselin Rosselins Land Acquisition Project, Oleson Duke Acquisition, Bloching Property, Pavement Repairs at Delta Deanza Trail, Grazing infrastructure improvements, Storage Shed at Big Break, Roddy Golf Pavement Maintenance. Planned Projects include: FEMA repair of three ponds at Black Diamond Mines, Swim Lagoon Repair and, Lake Improvements at Contra Loma Orwood Bridge approaches at Delta Access and new town of Discovery Bay for tennis court renovation. Funded projects by WW grant funds in East County: Ambrose Pool, Sports Fields in Pittsburg, Bocce Court and Tennis Court lighting at Brentwood, Civic Park in Oakley and Eagle Ridge playground in Antioch.
Director Lane commented she is pleased the Bay Point project is moving forward.
E. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
By motion of Director Waespi, and seconded by Director Rosario, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Consent Calendar.
Directors For: Colin Coffey, Ellen Corbett, Elizabeth Echols, Beverly Lane, Dee Rosario, Dennis Waespi, Ayn Wieskamp. Directors Against: None. Directors Absent: None.
a. Approval of District Check Listing for the Period of May 4, 2020 to May 17, 2020 Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 118 (attached)
b. Resolution to Support AB 1945 (Salas D-Bakersfield) – Reclassification of Public Safety Dispatchers as First Responders Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 119 (attached)
c. Resolution to Support AB 3030 (Kalra D-San Jose) – “30 x 30” Protection of Land and Water by 2030 Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 120 (attached)
d. Resolution to Support AB 3256 (Garcia D-Coachella) – Economic Recovery, Wildfire Prevention, Safe Drinking Water, Drought Preparation and Flood Protection Bond Act of 2020 Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 121 (attached)
e. Resolution to Support SB1060 (Hill D-San Mateo) – Trails as Historical Resources 18 Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020 Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 122 (attached)
f. Resolution to Support S. 3263 (Udall D-NM) and H.R. 5845 (Lowenthal D-CA) – Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 123 (attached)
g. Resolution to Support S. 3366 (King D-ME) and H.R. 5998 (Golden D-ME) – Free National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Pass for Gold Star Families Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 124 (attached)
h. Resolution to Support S. 3391 Markey (D-MA) and H.R. 5696 Pappas (D-NH) – Connecting America's Active Transportation System Act Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 125 (attached)
i. Resolution to Support H.R. 5642 Huffman (D-CA) – Active Transportation for Public Lands Act Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 126 (attached)
j. Resolution to Support H.R. 5797 (Welch D-VT) – Recreational Trails Program Full Funding Act Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 127 (attached)
k. Authorization to Amend the Pac Bell/AT&T Communication License Agreement: Mission Peak Regional Preserve Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 128 (attached)
l. Authorization to Approve the San Ramon Railroad Depot Sign Cooperative Agreement with the City of San Ramon Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 129 (attached)
m. Acceptance of the East Bay Regional Park District Investment Report for the Quarter March 31, 2020 Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 130 (attached)
n. Authorization for Budgetary Closure of Completed Projects and Related Amendments to the 2020 Budget Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 131 (attached)
2. EXECUTIVE DIVISION
By motion of Director Rosario, and seconded by Director Echols, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Item 2a.
Directors For: Colin Coffey, Ellen Corbett, Elizabeth Echols, Beverly Lane, Dee Rosario, Dennis Waespi, Ayn Wieskamp. Directors Against: None. Directors Absent: None.
a. Resolution of the East Bay Regional Park District Denouncing Racism and Standing in Solidarity with Black Americans and all People of Color 19 Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020 Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 132 (attached)
Deputy GM Dr. Alvarez ushered this staff report and resolution which stated the Board directed the District to adopt a resolution denouncing racism and standing in solidarity with Black American and all People of Color. Alvarez’s opening statement mirrored the background in the board staff report about the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and the District’s duty and obligation to condemn racism and uphold the Constitution of the United States. The Park District contributes to the quality of life of the communities it services by stewarding public lands where every person can find respite and connect with nature. Kip Walsh, Chief of Human Resources read the resolution into the record.
President Corbett commented that resolutions are important and are statements of vision and policy. She expressed concern that the District not only act but make a firm commitment to sit down with District employees for an implementation plan with recognition that there is more work to be done. Director Rosario acknowledged the work of the Workforce Diversity Committee and thanked the members of AFSCME 2428. Rosario stated his belief it is time for action. Rosario reminded the Board about the lawsuit brought by the union and a coalition of womens’ groups in 1972 to hire women and minorities. The consent decree was in place until 1996 with the passage of Prop 209. Rosario said he was hired under that consent decree and joined his fellow minorities and women and stands before you as proof that when given the opportunity we can succeed. Rosario commented that an inclusive diversity equity accountability staff person or consultant is warranted. He told two anecdotal stories of his experience while working at Redwood. Director Corbett commented that she did not know about this and other parts of the District history and he hopes that we will have the opportunity to learn more about our history. Director Lane commented on the first women rangers that were hired and the challenges they confronted. She noticed that we have all women speaking on behalf of AFSCME which is gratifying. Director Lane stated she was reluctant to doing much wordsmithing with the resolution. She had two suggestions that she stated and were captured by District Counsel. Director Wieskamp talked with Lt. Cotcher about the need to present to the Board on the PO recruitment and hiring process. Wieskamp asked Chief Ciaburro about the nine sensible key reforms that are being recommended from the CA Attorney General. Corbett encouraged the Board to weigh in with suggestions for amendments. Director Echols thanked AFSCME 2428 on the Workforce Diversity committee, staff and POA on the comments and the resolution. Echols believed is it time to act, and added she is concerned about park staff who have experienced racism, sexism and homophobia. It is our responsibility to hear them and act on their concerns and we must ensure that each employee feels seen and heard as we acknowledge our history and address any past wrongs. Even the best-intentioned organizations are not without systemic racism and individuals who consciously or unconsciously act in a discriminatory way. It is our responsibility to address the issue. I support the request AFSCME has made with their emphasis on training and hiring an IDEA agency. Echols had detailed suggestions for the resolution that she sent to District Counsel to potentially incorporate into the resolution. Director Coffey stated he would like the eleven 11 action items adopted in the Workforce Diversity Committee’s proposed resolution from AFSCME. Coffey stated his preference of the adoption of hiring more outreach coordinators come from inside the department. Director Lane supported Echols amendments. Lane suggested the eleven action items be in a separate resolution. Corbett asked Lane if she was supportive of directing staff to discuss an implementation plan. Directors Lane and Coffey agreed. Director Waespi supported the resolution as approved with the Board providing direction to support training for everyone as AFSCME suggested. Director Lane requested more information about hiring an IDEA consultant before the decision is made. Waespi would like to see the reasoning about hiring more community outreach coordinators and hear more specifics on what we are doing incorrectly so we can do better.
DGM Alvarez discussed the meeting that Human Resources and Director Rosario had with Berkeley Labs on their diversity policy which speaks to evidence-based solutions. Kip Walsh, HR said staff are planning to work in partnership with the Workforce Diversity Committee to request midyear funding to support DEI work, to build on what the Board has heard from staff through focus, and move forward with a consultant to
20 Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020 engage meaningful and structural processes to co-create a culture of belonging. GM Doyle said this is a very important and exciting opportunity for the District and recommended money midyear because money should be put where your goals are, and change should be long lasting and permanent. Director Wieskamp wanted to ensure the POA is included throughout these ongoing discussions and have their input included.
District Counsel Victor clarified that the conversation the Board was having earlier in the meeting about next steps was appropriate and there had been no Brown Act violations. Victor and the full board members continued to discuss the language which included comments, suggestions, revisions, edits and locations of the language RESOLVES and WHEREAS’s. (lengthy deliberation can be found at https://youtu.be/sRVqK_RlIlY )
President Corbett posed a motion that the Board direct management and 2428 to meet and develop an implementation plan which includes a discussion on the eleven items listed requested by 2428. Rosario suggested a 12th item be added which states the Board missed an opportunity to be a part of the Black Birders week or month which celebrates and encourages black people to get into birding. Some of the Park District’s naturalists attended and participated. GM Doyle suggested staff develop a separate statement and not include a 12th item in this resolution.
President Corbett directed staff to develop a Black Birder program and similar type programs. Moved by Director Rosario and seconded by Director Echols. Unanimously approved.
District Counsel Victor read into the record the eleven items. Victor clarified the Board can direct staff to discuss these eleven points with AFSCME 2428 and staff will bring forward a plan for the Board to address and comment on at a later meeting. Moved by Director Echols and Seconded by Director Rosario. Unanimously approved.
Chief Ciaburro commented on the nine recommendations from the California Attorney General and stated that the District police has alignment with them on all but two areas which are De-escalation and Canines.. Lt. Cotcher is prepared to present to the Board at the recommendation of Director Wieskamp on how Public Safety recruits, trains and assures that staff are committed to diversity. Director Lane suggested that actions should include reviewing the policy of the police and implementing a culture of belonging at the Park District. There was agreement by the Board and staff to come back and discuss at a future board meeting.
There was a 10 minute break.
District Counsel Victor read all of the edits that were included in the resolution.
Sgt. Giorgio Chevez, VP of the POA, read a statement that is attached to these minutes from Anthony Segotta, President of POA. (Attachment C) Director Rosario commended the Chief and the POA for their swift action to remove the chokehold from the manual and its use. Coffey is looking forward to a dedication session on the police policy.
GM Doyle responded that the 500 masks Public Safety distributed were donated by Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty’s office to the Regional Parks Foundation. Staff were encouraged to hand them out rather than get into a confrontation with someone that is not wearing a mask.
President Corbett said she was very proud of this Board the staff and Victor.
21
3. ACQUISITION, STEWARDSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT DIVISION Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020
By motion of Director Rosario, and seconded by Director Lane, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Item 3a.
Directors For: Colin Coffey, Ellen Corbett, Elizabeth Echols, Beverly Lane, Dee Rosario, Dennis Waespi, Ayn Wieskamp. Directors Against: None. Directors Absent: None.
a. Authorization to Amend the Bridge Yard Building Lease Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Enter into a New Operations and Maintenance Agreement with Caltrans to Expand the Footprint of the Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline Park and Provide Public Recreational Access to the San Francisco Bay Shoreline: Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline Resolution No. 2020 – 06 -133 (attached)
Kristina Kelchner, AGM ASD, gave opening remarks and introduced Michael Reeves, Chief of Land Acquisition to make this presentation. Reeves opened this presentation to approve two agreements with CalTrans that affect different portions of the emerging new Judge John J Sutter Shoreline Park. This is a collaborative effort with Caltrans BATA and the District. Reeves presentation was detailed and comprehensive. He ended with announcement that in partnership with Caltrans the District has received the award of merit for innovations in green community planning from the Northern California Chapter of the American Planning Association. Director Lane had questions about Radio Beach and asked if it is owned by Caltrans. Reeves replied it is owned by the Port of Oakland and will be the final phase of the buildout of the park. Director Waespi said it is amazing how all three agencies collaborated.
By motion of Director Waespi, and seconded by Director Wieskamp, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Item 3b.
Directors For: Colin Coffey, Ellen Corbett, Elizabeth Echols, Beverly Lane, Dee Rosario, Dennis Waespi, Ayn Wieskamp. Directors Against: None. Directors Absent: None.
b. Authorization to Execute a Contract with Shah Kawasaki Architects for Consulting Services for the Improve Peralta Oaks North Project and Appropriation of Funds: 2955 Peralta Oaks Court Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 134 (attached)
DGM Dr. Alvarez, gave opening remarks and introduced and introduced Kristina Kelchner, AGM ASD. Kelchner’s presentation emphasized the need for an additional office building with a centralized space for the Public Safety Division which has taken 20 years to come to fruition. Kelchner updated the Board on the current public safety division which needs more space for emergency response services, office staff and storage space. The current Peralta Oaks building also has the same need for more space to accommodate the social distancing. Kelchner discussed the RFP process, the interviews of the four finalists on Zoom with the recommendation to bring on board Shah Kawasaki Architects for Consulting Services. Kelchner gave an overview of the scope and the schedule of this long-term project with plans to come to the Board during each phase for direction. Director Lane asked about plans to find funding for this building. Kelchner replied staff have been working with Finance and will develop a financial plan. Auker reported that Finance will meet with the financial advisor and it is likely to issue promissory notes. Director Waespi was pleased Shah Kawasaki was chosen and wondered if they would seek out grants to have a sustainability building. Lisa Goorjian, Chief of Design and Construction said it is a requirement for the city of Oakland to meet a particular level and they are familiar with the requirements and the District is looking to them for grant options. Toby Perry, Project Manager and said as staff developed and finalized the scope for work on this 22 Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020 project, they wanted to hit home on sustainability and balance it with costs. Director Rosario asked if there’s a Plan B if the radio tower doesn’t work there? Goorjian answered staff will have a consultant that only does radio towers. Captain Love said commented he’s reached out to the District’s current vendor, CSI, and they have done some preliminary examinations and came up with different options. Corbett asked if research has been to see if a tower is allowed here. Kelchner replied it has been done with legal and the zoning does allow a communications tower. Staff have also been in contact with the Oakland planning staff. Doyle said there is already have a communications tower on our Administration building and the Coroner’s office has one down the street. Corbett asked when the process to work with the neighbors will begin. Goorjian replied once we bring on Shah and execute the contract, they will come up with a public engagement strategy. Perry told the Board that Shah was the lead architect and designer on the adjacent Coronor’s building. Corbett asked at Executive meeting when the Board will get to weigh in on the building. DGM replied there will be several checkpoints with the entire board. GM Doyle directed AGM Kelchner to schedule dates, so the Board can expect when they will be contacted.
4. FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES DIVISION
PUBLIC HEARING
By motion of Director Lane, and seconded by Director Echols, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Item 4a.
Directors For: Colin Coffey, Ellen Corbett, Elizabeth Echols, Beverly Lane, Dee Rosario, Dennis Waespi, Ayn Wieskamp. Directors Against: None. Directors Absent: None.
a. Approval of Engineer's Report for Fiscal Year 2020/2021, Adopt Resolution Confirming Diagram and Assessment, Order Maintenance, Improvements and Levy Annual Assessment for East Contra Costa County Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. 1; Adopt Resolution Regarding Protests Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 135 (attached)
By motion of Director Coffey, and seconded by Director Lane, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Item 4b.
Directors For: Colin Coffey, Ellen Corbett, Elizabeth Echols, Beverly Lane, Dee Rosario, Dennis Waespi, Ayn Wieskamp. Directors Against: None. Directors Absent: None.
b. Resolution Overruling Protests (Pursuant to the Landscaping & Lighting Act of 1972) Resolution No. 2020 – 06 - 136 (attached)
Deborah Spaulding AFO of Finance opened the PowerPoint with details and history of the LLD’s, what services require this special assessment, boundaries of the ECCC LLD, how can the funds be used, staff that work in the area are doing the maintenance work, how the parcel of $19.70 is calculated, how much the District will spend because it is not enough for all of the parks in the area for maintenance and operations, projects to be done and the annual timeline for review and various stages of approval.
President Corbett opened the Public Hearing. There were no public comments. President Corbett closed Public Hearing. 23 Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020 Director Waespi asked questions of Tim Seufert of NBS regarding potential delinquencies because of COVID19. Seufert replied NBS calculated it is around 5%. Most people pay their property taxes in their impound accounts and a lot of taxes were already paid, but next year will be a bit of a wild card. GM Doyle reminded the Board that the District is receiving income from HCP for management of the natural resources – like leases on wind turbines which pays only for natural resources management and not recreation. The District is negotiating with the HCP to hold a significant endowment to continue the natural resources management.
There were no protests on overruling above.
5. BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS
GM Doyle reported on these two items.
6. GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS
GM Doyle said there are no staff presentations and the comments are in the packet.
7. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION
District Counsel Victor said that are 2 announcements.
1. In the matter of Oakland Bulk & Oversized Terminal v. City of Oakland The board by a vote of 7 to 0. By motion of Director Rosario and seconded by Director Echols to authorize the filing of an amicus brief in support of the City’s petition for rehearing en banc in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
2. From the June 5, 2020 closed session: General Manager Robert Doyle announced that after 45 years at the EBRPD, this will be his final year and he intends to retire. The direction is that staff should begin a process to retain a recruitment firm for the position of General Manager.
8. BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Legislative Committee (4/24/20) (Waespi)
Director Waespi commented that he was proud to be a member of the Legislative Committee and that on our consent calendar today nine of the fourteen items are from Government Affairs. Director Lane thanked Government Affairs for their very complete minutes.
9. BOARD COMMENTS
Director Corbett reported on Zoom meetings attended. Director Corbett • Attended the Board Finance Workshop; • Attended the Board Executive Committee; • Attended the Alameda County Central Democratic meeting; • Attended the briefing on District Headquarters; • Attended the special closed session; • Attended three EOC meetings and briefings. Corbett expressed appreciation for all the work that went into today’s discussion, 2428, POA, staff and the Board that comes together as a team to move the direction of the District forward. 24 Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020 Director Rosario reported on Zoom meetings attended. Director Rosario • Attended Nancy Skinner’s webinar panel on racism; • Attended the Board Executive Committee; • Attended the special closed session; • Attended the Bay Nature Local Heroes Awards; • Attended the COVID Task Force; • Attended the Board Finance Workshop. Director Rosario stated that he appreciated today’s discussion and what was accomplished. He thanked Dr. Alvarez and Kip Walsh and her staff on the Workforce Diversity Committee. He thanked the GM for his 45-year career.
Director Lane reported on Zoom meetings attended. Director Lane • Attended the Board Finance Workshop; • Attended the Natural Cultural Resources Committee. Director Lane walked the new Bay Trail. She noted it is gorgeous and everyone had a mask on. She thanked the GM for the for the weekly report on COVID. She requested an update from the Fire Department on the fires the District has been involved in and those the District supported for other agencies.
Director Coffey reported on Zoom meetings attended. Director Coffey • Attended the Board Finance Workshop; • Attended the Natural Cultural Resources Committee; • Attended the Contra Costa Mayors’ Conference; • Attended the special closed session; • Attended a Save Mt Diablo on the Diablo range; • Attended a webinar entitled, Working with Indigenous People; • Attended a political fundraiser for Mike-Thompson. Coffey said that postings on our social media are common by the Police Department. Coffey spent time in Briones and Black Diamond and people seemed to be behaving quite well. He thanked Jim O’Connor, his Operations staff. He commented that California State Parks has asked District staff to do a best practices webinar on how to keep the parks open.
Director Waespi reported on Zoom meetings attended. Director Waespi • Attended the Board Finance Workshop; • Attended the walk through for 27 potential farmers of the Ardenwood Farm; • Attended the Task Force meeting. Waespi played golf at Redwood Canyon Golf Course. Waespi commented that District police who respond to fire and emergency incidents have a tremendous role in the Park District.
Director Wieskamp reported on Zoom meetings attended. Director Wieskamp • Attended the Board Finance Workshop; • Attended the Operations Committee; • Attended the special closed session; Director Wieskamp stated in terms of policing it is getting to know people and whether it is passing out masks or introducing the horses, it is community policing. Wieskamp met with the park supervisor at Coyote Hills and there were about 3700 people that visited the park.
Director Echols reported on Zoom meetings attended. Director Echols • Attended the Board Finance Workshop; • Attended an Alameda Cunty Democratic Central Committee meeting; • Attended the CCC Mayors Conference; 25 Unapproved Minutes Board Meeting of June 16, 2020 • Attended the special closed session; • Attended the Natural and Cultural Resources Committee meeting. Director Echols thanked staff, the Board and public for their heartfelt contributions to the discussion on the resolution confronting racism and was appreciative of the opportunity to address issues raised.
Public Comments Noah Miller responded to Director Waespi’s statement. Miller does appreciate the positive actions of the police; however his concern was about public messaging, and it is a bit of a failure to read the room to take this moment to promote the police instead of taking a moment to listen. He asked if the process to improve the public procedure will be addressed at a public meeting.
Director Wieskamp announced that next month she is having a surgery on July 2 and will miss the Executive Committee - Colin Coffey is the alternate.
F. ADJOURNMENT
President Corbett adjourned the meeting at 4:23 p.m.
26 Yolande Barial Knight ATTACHMENT A
From: Lance Johnson
Please read the below comment at the upcoming June 16th board meeting.
First of all, these comments should be read in whole, as they typically would be, if you were not using this pandemic to sidestep the Brown Act and keep us from our right to information and our right to participate.
As of June 8th, the Updated Shelter in Place Order (20‐14) for Alameda County, details that the "Use of outdoor recreational areas and facilities with high‐touch equipment or that encourage gathering, including ... picnic areas... and barbecue areas, is prohibited outside of residences, and all such areas shall be closed to public access including by signage and, as appropriate, by physical barriers" (pg.7).
Our parks are being utilized by the public to violate this ordinance and real people are getting sick. Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, and Sons. You are allowing this to happen. You are allowing them die. Your actions and inactions are and will continue to cost lives.
Not only are many parks turning a blind eye to the use of picnic areas, the district is planning on scaling up the publics access to them in a matter of weeks, reopening certain parks, at least one of which has hundreds of picnic tables.
If you continue to allow the public to use picnic areas, history will not be kind; it will not say that you managed to keep parks open, even during a pandemic. Instead, it will say that you contributed to the problem, it will say that because of you we are all worse off.
You have devoted your lives to fighting for environmental protections, fighting against climate change, fighting against wildfires, and fighting for open spaces. Will you fight for us too, when we need you the most?
27 Dear Board Members: ATTACHMENT B
We want to take a moment to acknowledge that our Black colleagues and community members are going through an incredibly difficult time. The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionately affecting Black communities, while the ongoing pandemic of anti-Black racism is even more visible through the recent viral videos of police murders and subsequent police repression during uprisings. We empathize and share collective rage regarding the systemic inequities and individual inaction that has led our country to this point.
We have a lot to do, each of us individually, as the Board, as a Union, and as a Park District. We need to approach this work with humility and self-reflection. We don’t know all of the answers, and we have not always done the right thing to combat racism; but we do know that we are not doing enough to make things right. And while we feel a strong urgency to do this work, we must also remember that this is on-going: systemic racism will not be “solved” by attending a training or two.
We need to expend less energy on trying to show how we have taken meritorious actions in the past, and instead put our time and effort into reflecting upon how our past actions, and inactions, have contributed to the current state of inequality in our nation and within our organization. This includes white-washing our past, unequal employment and resource allocation within the District, and more. The General Manager has stated that we provide “safe, welcoming places”, and it is going to take all of us to make this a reality.
These are challenging and uncomfortable topics to address, as an individual, even more so as a group. Discomfort, however, is a small price to pay for the ultimate goal of dismantling systems of oppression that have plagued our country since before its foundation. We urge each of you to use your moral courage to face these problems head-on, with us...together.
Signed, AFSCME 2428 Members
28 Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced. - James Baldwin
Resolution Language
● Whereas this country was founded in white supremacy, cis-heteronormative, colonial patriarchy and the engrained oppression of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) continues to this day,and ● Whereas the East Bay Regional Park District recognizes its own history of racism and segregation, such as the segregated CCC camps in Tilden, as well as currently having vast discrepancies of racial demographics within or workforce that do not reflect the communities we serve,and ● Whereas the East Bay Regional Park District supports the civil protests catalyzed by the recent murder of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Miles Hall, and Steven Taylor, amongst many others over the last 401 years,and ● Whereas the Black Lives Matter movement was borne from the heinous murders against Black people in police custody, and ● Whereas the District has institutional power and privilege that can be leveraged in support of anti-racist actions and Black solidarity, as the burden of anti-Black racism cannot be removed by Black people, and ● Whereas we acknowledge that Christian Cooper, a Black birder in Central Park, was harassed by a white woman who endangered him with grave bodily harm by calling the police and falsely claiming that Mr. Cooper was threatening her, underscoring why Black people don’t feel safe in public parks, and ● Whereas there are many more such incidents happening all over the nation and in our parks which are only coming to light because of video footage, and we understand that many more incidents are not being filmed, nor being investigated and prosecuted adequately, and ● Whereas the District acknowledgesthat Black transgender people are consistently targeted by police violence, as this resolution is being written in June
29 during Pride month, which commemorates the Stonewall Riots which were led by Black transgender people rising up against continual police brutality, and ● Whereas it is important to have District staff, especially in all levels of management, reflect the true diversity of the communities we serve, and acknowledge the glaring lack of Black people in management, especially Black men, and ● Whereas the Annual Workforce Diversity Report shows we have had minimal success in achieving diversity of staff except in seasonal positions, and that diversity declines as management levels increase, and ● Whereas the Board recognizes that racism and systemic racism are not “political issues” as defined by the Hatch Act, which the District has used as an excuse to remain silent, and ● Whereas the Board trusts staff to formulate messages and promote relevant content, such as #BlackBirdersWeek, in outlets such as social media, publications, and public programs, on behalf of the District, and ● Whereas the Board honors the history of Black men in the creation of open spaces and parks, such as the Buffalo Soldiers who served as the first rangers for the country's national parks, long before the creation of the National Park Service, and ● Whereas the Board affirms the goal of growing the diversity of staff within permanent positions, and especially up through all levels of management.
● Therefore, the Board affirms that Black Lives Matter. ● The Board specifically address anti-Black racism and commits to speak out against systemic racism and violence towards Black people. ● The Board directs all staff including management and public safety to complete a minimum of one implicit bias training by the end of 2020, with the commitment to annual trainings focused on IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability) issues such as mental health crisis and trauma-informed care. ● The Board members commit to complete the same implicit bias training as staff by the end of 2020, with the commitment to annual trainings focused on IDEA. ● The Board directs staff to hire an IDEA agency as a third party to help create ongoing training for all staff including management, analyze organizational
30 change over time, and identify the need to hire a dedicated Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) officer. ● The Board directs IDEA consultant and staff to study what barriers we currently have in recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention, and to remove those barriers to create a welcoming workplace to attract BIPOC, specifically reaching out to Black/Afrocentric organizations such as HBCUs, Black fraternities, and places of worship. ● The Board directs IDEA consultant and staff to evaluate and make recommended changes to the background investigation process, including recognizing and addressing that criminal background investigations that disproportionately disqualify BIPOC, as they often are victims of racist interactions with law enforcement . ● The Board directs staff to review the performance evaluation process using IDEA principals to identify and eliminate barriers and cultural bias. ● The Board directs staff to provide resources on IDEA topics in OneDrive for individuals to educate themselves on work time, and for staff meetings such as tailgate safety topics after Supervisors are properly trained. ● The Board will earmark funds to hire 2-3 Community Outreach Coordinators who reflect the communities receiving our services, to be completed by the 2023 budget. ● The Board directs staff to take action on these resolutions and commit to ongoing anti-racist work, including regularly scheduled meetings with the Union and WDC specifically, and to report back to the rest of the Board on our progress quarterly.
31 ATTACHMENT C
PO BOX 2778 CASTRO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 94546
June 12, 2020
To: General Manager Doyle and the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District
Re: Our Pledge to you and the Community we serve
The men and women of the East Bay Regional Park District Police Association want to make sure that everyone knows that we stand with Chief Ciaburro’s Pledge to the Community to do whatever is necessary to maintain the trust we have, as well as build additional trust with the 33 communities we serve.
There isn’t anyone in the Association that understands or condones the actions or the inactions of those “officers” in Minneapolis. We believe that all involved in that horrible incident should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The East Bay Regional Park District Police Association also extends our condolences to Mr. Floyd’s family, he didn’t deserve to die, let alone be treated that way.
As you know, your Police Department just went through its third Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) reaccreditation in May of this year. Shortly after Chief Ciaburro took over as Chief, GM Doyle asked the Association about our thoughts on CALEA. The Association strongly endorsed keeping CALEA due the fact that it forces us as an agency to adhere to the highest policing standards.
We have looked at the #8CantWait campaign information being circulated around the nation:
1. Ban Chokeholds & Strangleholds a. The Chief has already banned the use of the Carotid Restraint (Policy 300.3.4) 2. Require De-escalation a. We have already been receiving training in this area at POST’s direction (Crisis Intervention) b. Command Staff has implemented an Interim Policy specifically for De-escalation (interim Policy 466) 3. Require warning before shooting a. Policy 300.4 addresses Identifying and providing a warning before using deadly force
32 PO BOX 2778 CASTRO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 94546
4. Requires exhaust all alternatives before shooting a. Officers are taught in the Field Training Program and during our annual Use of Force training to only use the minimal amount of force necessary to effect an arrest/detention 5. Duty to Intervene a. Duty to Intervene is taught in the Police Academy, the Department’s Field Training Program and covered in Policy 300.2.1 6. Ban shooting at moving vehicles a. Policy 300.4.1 covers shooting at/from a moving vehicle as a last resort, instead officers are to “move out of the path” of the vehicle 7. Requires Use of Force Continuum Policy 300.3 mandates Officers shall use only that amount of force that reasonably appears necessary given the facts and totality of the circumstances known to or perceived by the officer at the time of the event to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose (California Penal Code § 835a).
The reasonableness of force will be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene at the time of the incident. Any evaluation of reasonableness must allow for the fact that officers are often forced to make split-second decisions about the amount of force that reasonably appears necessary in a particular situation, with limited information and in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving.
Given that no policy can realistically predict every possible situation an officer might encounter, officers are entrusted to use well-reasoned discretion in determining the appropriate use of force in each incident.
It is also recognized that circumstances may arise in which officers reasonably believe that it would be impractical or ineffective to use any of the tools, weapons, or methods provided by the Department. Officers may find it more effective or reasonable to improvise their response to rapidly unfolding conditions that they are confronting. In such circumstances, the use of any improvised device or method must nonetheless be objectively reasonable and utilized only to the degree that reasonably appears necessary to accomplish a legitimate law enforcement purpose. While the ultimate objective of every law enforcement encounter is to avoid or minimize injury, nothing in this policy requires an officer to retreat or be exposed to possible physical injury before applying reasonable force.
33 PO BOX 2778 CASTRO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 94546
8. Require comprehensive reporting a. Policy 300.5 covers the Reporting of the use of force by an officer b. Policy 300.5.1 requires the notification of a supervisor for all uses of force c. Policy 300.5.2 Covers Reporting to the California DOJ Statistical data regarding all officer-involved shootings and incidents involving use of force resulting in serious bodily injury is to be reported to the California Department of Justice as required by Government Code § 12525.2. d. Policy 300.7 Outlines the Supervisor’s responsibility to respond and investigate uses of force e. Policy 300.9 outlines the Administrative Review of all uses of force
These last few weeks have been extremely trying for everybody. For me personally, continuously hearing in the media how police officers are murdering the people we’ve sworn to protect and serve, hearing that we are all racist, criminals and corrupt; seeing what happened to Mr. Floyd at the hands of those who took an oath to protect others, makes me sick. The calls to defunded, sue, attack and dismantle the “Police” has made me wonder if I should continue doing what I love and have dedicated the last 27 years of my life to?
We want everyone to know, the men and women of the East Bay Regional Park District are dedicated to upholding the law fairly, equally and without prejudice. We do not tolerate the excessive use of force by any law enforcement officer. We will not stand by and allow the mistreatment of any human being, by anyone, in or out of uniform, period.
The Association members want nothing more than to protect the District’s parklands for future generations to enjoy. We want to come to work and make sure the District is the safest Park District in the nation, for it’s employees as well as the thousands of visitors who flock to the parks for recreation and enjoyment.
The Association understands that there is always room to do things better, safer, fairer and more efficiently. We are always looking to try and improve how we do our jobs as well as how we interact with those that we serve. The Associations stands firmly and united against racism, violence and the abuse of the trust and power given to us by the communities we serve.
The Association looks forward to working with the GM, Board of Directors and Command Staff to continue this discussion, improve relationships and obtain our goal to provide the best service to the District and its community.
34 PO BOX 2778 CASTRO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 94546
On behalf of all the members of the Police Association, thank you for your time and service,
Anthony Segotta PA President/Sergeant
35 AGENDA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
c. Authorization of Costs of Electronic Solar-Powered Message Board Rental from United Rentals and Pacific Highway Rentals, LLC (Cotcher/Ciaburro)
RECOMMENDATION
The General Manager recommends that the Board of Directors authorize the rental of electronic solar-powered message boards to provide COVID-19 related safety messaging from United Rentals, at a total cost not to exceed $90,000 and with Pacific Highway Rentals, LLC at a total cost not to exceed $120,000.
REVENUE/COST
Message board rental costs will be paid using funds authorized by the Board of Directors to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic (Project 533800), and will be submitted for grant reimbursement to FEMA and/or Cal OES at a later date. Rental of message boards from United Rentals from mid-March through mid-August will total $90,000. Message boards from Pacific Highway Rentals, LLC (including $35,000 spent to-date) will not exceed $120,000 for the year.
BACKGROUND
At the onset of the COVID-19 emergency Shelter In Place Order, staff in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Logistics Section were instructed to acquire and deploy message boards for use at seven park locations: Contra Loma, Crown Beach, Lake Chabot, Martinez Shoreline, Point Pinole, Shadow Cliffs, and Temescal. These message boards supplemented the Park District’s existing message boards at Black Diamond, Del Valle, Quarry Lakes, Redwood, and Tilden. The solar-powered message boards were determined to be useful during the Shelter In Place Order because of the significantly increased park visitors, as well as significant changes in park usage rules – such as requiring face coverings to be worn in the parks, keeping dogs on leash, and maintaining social distancing.
This initial pilot project showed that message boards significantly improved compliance, reducing the need for Park District staff to update visitors regarding any new rules, encouraging visitors
36 to act safely, and providing a reminder of the Shelter In Place Order. For this reason, the EOC requested that an additional five message boards be acquired and deployed at Briones, Coyote Hills, Miller Knox, and Point Isabel (2). Subsequently, an additional two message boards have been rented for Mission Peak and Sunol from Cresco.
Electronic solar-powered message boards will continue to be needed at multiple locations for the remainder of 2020. For this reason, the EOC Logistics Section requested bids for rental of 14 message boards from three vendors: Pacific Highway Rentals, Sun Belt Rentals, and United Rentals. Pacific Highway Rentals provided the lowest quotation of $1,145 per month, for the months of August – December 2020. For this reason, Pacific Highway Rentals is recommended to provide rental message boards at all locations for the remainder of the year.
ALTERNATIVES
No alternative is recommended.
37 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
AUTHORIZATION FOR RENTAL OF ELECTRONIC SOLAR-POWERED MESSAGE BOARDS FROM UNITED RENTALS AND PACIFIC HIGHWAY RENTALS, LLC
WHEREAS, the East Bay Regional Park District has a need to provide clear information about visitor safety to park users during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the Park District has funding available for costs related to the COVID-19 Response; and
WHEREAS, United Rentals has provided electronic solar-powered message board rentals to the Park District on previous occasions, and was requested to provide message boards on a short term basis requiring costs of $90,000 through mid-August; and
WHEREAS, the need for ongoing message board rental for the remainder of 2020 has required the Park District to seek a longer-term vendor; and
WHEREAS, the Park District has sought bids from three vendors for ongoing message board rental for the remainder of 2020 and Pacific Highway Rentals has provided a quote that demonstrates the best value to the Park District.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby authorizes the rental of electronic solar-powered message boards for a total cost not to exceed $120,000 with Pacific Highway Rentals, to be encumbered from the COVID-19 Response Project (533800); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby authorizes payment in the amount of $90,000 to United Rentals for the rental of electronic solar-powered message boards to-date from the COVID-19 Response Project (533800); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the Park District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020, by the following vote:
FOR:
38 AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
39 AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
d. Resolution to Support S. 3684 (Wyden D-OR) – 21st Century Conservation Corps for Our Health and Our Jobs Act (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support S. 3684 (Wyden D-OR) – 21st Century Conservation Corps for Our Health and Our Jobs Act.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
This bill would fund 750,000 national service positions over a three-year response and recovery period, in part to meet the projected need for as many as 300,000 public health workers. Under the bill, the number of AmeriCorps and national service positions could expand from 75,000 to 150,000 the first year and double to 300,000 in years two and three. The bill would also expand partnerships between AmeriCorps and Federal health agencies. Additionally, it would increase the AmeriCorps living allowance to ensure all Americans can step up to serve regardless of their financial circumstances.
The bill would prioritize funding for activities directly related to response and recovery, such as: • Public health services • Emergency logistics • Workforce and reemployment services • Education support (including for adult learners) • Services that combat nutrition insecurity
The bill would also: • Fund new online tools for Senior Corps to safely move to a teleservice model. • Extend priority enrollment to Peace Corps, U.S. Fulbright and AmeriCorps participants whose service or grants was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
40 • Encourage participation by members of low-income and minority communities, those who have had contact with the juvenile justice system, and those of diverse abilities. • Invite participation from a diverse range of Americans by launching an awareness and outreach campaign about response service opportunities and supporting the Volunteer Generation Fund.
In considering support for this legislation, a recent survey of East Bay residents found strong support (89%) for funding a summer jobs corps for local youth, to provide park and trail-related work in parks.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
41 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT S. 3684 (WYDEN D-OR) – 21ST CENTURY CONSERVATION CORPS FOR OUR HEALTH AND OUR JOBS ACT
WHEREAS, the East Bay Regional Park District has a strong history in partnering with conservation corps, including the original Civilian Conservation Corps and the Work Progress Administration as the nation sought to recover from the Depression of the 1930’s; and
WHEREAS, this legislation seeks to invest in AmeriCorps services and conservation crews for the health of communities, land and economy; and
WHEREAS, there is potential to double the number of jobs created through this program multiple times in the next three years; and
WHEREAS, the Park District has numerous opportunities to partner with conservation corps within the East Bay to address the health of the community and the natural environment;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support S. 3684 (Wyden D-OR) – 21st Century Conservation Corps for Our Health and Our Jobs Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21ST day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
42 Page Left Blank Intentionally
43 AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
e. Resolution to Support AB 2519 (Wood D-Santa Rosa) – Advance Grant Payments for Conservation Projects (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support AB 2519 (Wood D-Santa Rosa) – Advance Grant Payments for Conservation Projects.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
This bill would require the Resources Agency, State Coastal Conservancy, Department of Water Resources and Water Resources Control Board to provide an advance payment of up to 25 percent of a total grant award if requested by a grant recipient. The intent of the bill is to help small and lower income communities who may not be able to cover the upfront costs needed to get a project off the ground. The Park District, however, could also request advance payments if it were deemed helpful.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
44 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AB 2519 (WOOD D-SANTA ROSA) – ADVANCE GRANT PAYMENTS FOR CONSERVATION PROJECTS
WHEREAS, the East Bay Regional Park District actively supports legislation and measures aimed at grants for conservation projects; and
WHEREAS, the District has been very successful in leveraging and securing grant funding; and
WHEREAS, in 2019 District projects were 88% funded from other funding sources; and
WHEREAS, small and lower income communities with which the District partners, however, can have difficulty funding upfront project costs which could be reimbursed later by state conservation grants; and
WHEREAS, nearly all East Bay conservation capital projects rely on grant funding from multiple agencies for their success: and
WHEREAS, upfront conservation project funding could assist all East Bay communities in better meeting expedient timelines to provide expanded public access and services; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would require the Resources Agency, State Coastal Conservancy, Department of Water Resources and Water Resources Control Board to provide an advance payment of up to 25 percent of a total grant award if requested by a grant recipient; and
WHEREAS, this advance payment has the potential to increase the equity of funding distribution and investments across the state of California and within the East Bay as more entities would be able to secure conservation grants;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support AB 2519 (Wood D-Santa Rosa) – Advance Grant Payments for Conservation Projects; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
45 AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
46 Page Left Blank Intentionally AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
f. Resolution to Support AB 3164 (Friedman D-Glendale) – Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Risk Model (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support AB 3164 (Friedman D-Glendale) – Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Risk Model.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
This bill would require CAL FIRE, in consultation with an advisory workgroup, to develop a wildfire risk model to identify areas with the highest risk to property and health. This would help communities prioritize the use of wildfire hazard mitigation funds. The bill would require CAL FIRE to update the model and guidelines when fire hazard severity zones are revised.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
47 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 –
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AB 3164 (FRIEDMAN D-GLENDALE) – WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE WILDFIRE RISK MODEL
WHEREAS, the majority of the East Bay Regional Park District lands are within High or Very High Fire Severity Zones; and
WHEREAS, this legislation seeks to scientifically update and better understand areas which are at highest risk to wildfire; and
WHEREAS, this information would establish a model of data for use by CAL FIRE and other entities for efficient mitigation practices; and
WHEREAS, the wildfire risk model would help communities prioritize the use of wildfire hazard mitigation funds; and
WHEREAS, this information could assist the District in making decisions as it relates to annual wildfire hazard mitigation work;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support AB 3164 (Friedman D-Glendale) – Wildland Urban Interface Wildfire Risk Model; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
48 AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
g. Resolution to Support H.R. 2215 (Chu D-CA) – San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support H.R. 2215 (Chu D-CA) – San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
This bill would expand the San Gabriel Mountain National Monument to include portions of the Angeles National Forest, establish a new National Recreation Area, and designate 30,000 acres of the San Gabriel Mountains area as wilderness and 45.5 miles of river as Wild and Scenic. This language is included in Senator Kamala Harris’ bill S. 3288 (Harris D-CA) – Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act – which the Board previously voted to support.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
49 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT H.R. 2215 (CHU D-CA) – SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS FOOTHILLS AND RIVERS PROTECTION ACT
WHEREAS, this legislation would expand the San Gabriel Mountain National Monument to include portions of the Angeles National Forest; and
WHEREAS, it would establish a new National Recreation Area; and
WHEREAS, this area would include 30,000 acres of the San Gabriel Mountains area to be designated as wilderness and 45.5 miles of river as Wild and Scenic; and
WHEREAS, this language is included in Senator Kamala Harris’ bill S. 3288 (Harris D-CA) – Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act – which the East Bay Regional Park District Board previously voted to support; and
WHEREAS, this legislation is consistent with the District’s Mission to preserve a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support H.R. 2215 (Chu D-CA) – San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
50 AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
h. Resolution to Support AB 2076 (Bigelow R-O'Neals) – State Parks Wildfire Prevention Strategy (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support AB 2076 (Bigelow R-O'Neals) – State Parks Wildfire Prevention Strategy.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
This bill would require the Director of California Department of Parks and Recreation to develop and implement a wildfire prevention strategy for all property partially or wholly under the jurisdiction of the Department located within a high or a very high fire hazard severity zone. The bill would require the wildfire prevention strategy to outline the Department’s fire prevention goals and future projects for prescribed fire, defensible space and fire resilient restoration projects. It also requires the fire hardening of the Department’s structures. This would likely apply to Del Valle Regional Park, Mount Diablo State Park and Marsh Creek State Park.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
51 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AB 2076 (BIGELOW R-O'NEALS) – STATE PARKS WILDFIRE PREVENTION STRATEGY
WHEREAS, the East Bay Regional Park District operates three state parks within its jurisdiction, including Del Valle Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would require the Director of California Department of Parks and Recreation to develop and implement a wildfire prevention strategy for all property partially or wholly under the jurisdiction of the Department located within a high or a very high fire hazard severity zone; and
WHEREAS, this effort would likely include Del Valle Regional Park and other East Bay state parks not operated by the District, such as Mount Diablo State Park and Marsh Creek State Park; and
WHEREAS, increased land management, hardened facilities and other fire mitigation efforts at these parklands would holistically benefit East Bay communities and wildfire prevention strategies across the region;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support AB 2076 (Bigelow R-O'Neals) – State Parks Wildfire Prevention Strategy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR: AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
52 AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
i. Resolution to Support AB 3074 (Friedman D-Glendale) – Wildfire Ember Resistant Zones (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support AB 3074 (Friedman D-Glendale) – Wildfire Ember Resistant Zones.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
This bill would strengthen California’s defensible space laws which currently require a person who owns, leases, controls, operates or maintains an occupied dwelling or structure in a very high fire hazard severity zone to maintain a defensible space of 100 feet. Assembly Member Friedman’s bill would require a person described above to use more intense fuel reductions between 5 and 30 feet around the structure, and to create a five-foot “ember-resistant zone” around homes in high fire risk areas. During wildfires, most homes are destroyed by embers which can travel miles ahead of the flames and ignite flammable objects on or near a home.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
53 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT AB 3074 (FRIEDMAN D-GLENDALE) – WILDFIRE EMBER RESISTANT ZONES
WHEREAS, the East Bay hills parklands owned and operated by the East Bay Regional Park District exist within an urban dense, very high fire hazard severity zone; and
WHEREAS, during wildfires, most homes are destroyed by embers which can travel miles ahead of the flames and ignite flammable objects on or near a home; and
WHEREAS, the Park District and homeowners need to work together to prevent a catastrophic firestorm in the hills and other East Bay neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, current law requires a person who owns, leases, controls, operates or maintains an occupied dwelling or structure in a very high fire hazard severity zone to maintain a defensible space of 100 feet; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would require a person described as above to establish a 30 foot zone of lean, clean and green; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would also require a five-foot “ember-resistant zone” around homes in high fire risk areas; and
WHEREAS, this ember-resistant zone has the potential to strongly assist in mitigating the spread of fire as embers can travel miles at high winds causing dangerous spread of wildfire.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support AB 3074 (Friedman D-Glendale) – Wildfire Ember Resistant Zones; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
54 AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
j. Resolution to Support H.R. 2199 (Carbajal D-CA) – Central Coast Heritage Protection Act (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support H.R. 2199 (Carbajal D-CA) – Central Coast Heritage Protection Act.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
This bill seeks to designate nearly 250,000 acres of land within Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as protected wilderness areas. The bill also creates a 400-mile long Condor National Recreation trail stretching from Los Angeles to Monterey County. The Los Padres National Forest provides habitat for around 468 species of unique wildlife, while the Carrizo Plain National Monument contains one of the highest concentrations of protected species in the continental U.S. Under the Central Coast Heritage Protection Act, these lands will receive wilderness designation – one of the highest forms of government protection for public lands. This language is included in Senator Kamala Harris’ bill S. 3288 (Harris D-CA) – Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act – which the Board previously voted to support.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
55 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT H.R. 2199 (CARBAJAL D-CA) – CENTRAL COAST HERITAGE PROTECTION ACT
WHEREAS, this bill seeks to designate nearly 250,000 acres of land within Los Padres National Forest and Carrizo Plain National Monument as protected wilderness areas; and
WHEREAS, it creates a 400-mile long Condor National Recreation trail stretching from Los Angeles to Monterey County; and
WHEREAS, the Los Padres National Forest provides habitat for around 468 species of unique wildlife, while the Carrizo Plain National Monument contains one of the highest concentrations of protected species in the continental United States; and
WHEREAS, this language is included in Senator Kamala Harris’ bill S. 3288 (Harris D-CA) – Protecting Unique and Beautiful Landscapes by Investing in California (PUBLIC) Lands Act – which the Board previously voted to support; and
WHEREAS, this legislation is consistent with the Park District’s Mission to preserve a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support H.R. 2199 (Carbajal D-CA) – Central Coast Heritage Protection Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
56 AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
k. Resolution to Support H.R. 6546 (Neguse D-CO) – Wildfire and Community Health Response Act of 2020 (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support H.R. 6546 (Neguse D-CO) – Wildfire and Community Health Response Act of 2020.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
This bill requires the Departments of Agriculture and Interior to submit a report to Congress about their efforts toward mitigating wildfire risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, including activities to minimize the impact of wildfires on the respiratory health of communities. The report must identify methods for vegetation management. It must also identify how the Departments are working to slow the spread of COVID-19 between firefighters and emergency response teams. The report will include the recommendations of the Departments with respect to the Federal support necessary to carry out these activities.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
57 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT H.R. 6546 (NEGUSE D-CO) – WILDFIRE AND COMMUNITY HEALTH RESPONSE ACT OF 2020
WHEREAS, this legislation would require the Departments of Agriculture and Interior to report recommended management techniques to slow the spread of COVID-19 amid firefighting professionals during high fire season; and
WHEREAS, this report will also include community impacts of air quality by wildfire and vegetation management techniques to reduce the severity of wildfire; and
WHEREAS, the Park District strives to mitigate wildfire on its nearly 125,000 acres of open space annually; and
WHEREAS, this mitigation is complicated by the impacts of COVID-19 on fire crews who are not sharing vehicles to allow for physical distancing and have increased cleaning all tools often to prevent spread; and
WHEREAS, the District’s fire crews would benefit from additional best practices from Federal agencies to prevent spread of COVID-19 while reducing the risk of wildfire;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support H.R. 6546 (Neguse D-CO) – Wildfire and Community Health Response Act of 2020; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
58 AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
L. Resolution to Support H.R. 7073 (Garamendi D-CA) – Special Districts Qualifying for Coronavirus Relief Fund (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support H.R. 7073 (Garamendi D-CA) – Special Districts Qualifying for Coronavirus Relief Fund.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
This legislation would ensure special districts are eligible for direct Federal local assistance funding from future coronavirus relief funds. This would not apply retroactively to the local assistance funding provided under the CARES Act in March. The CARES Act was silent about special districts, but local assistance funds were available for entities serving a population of 500,000 or greater. The District serves a population of 2.7 million and asserted it qualified. Rep. Garamendi’s legislation would ensure the 2,700 special districts in California and 30,000 special districts nationwide are eligible for any additional Federal assistance provided by Congress to state, county and local governments to aid in the fight against COVID-19. East Bay Representatives Ro Khanna, Barbara Lee and Mike Thompson were all original cosponsors. Reps. Jerry McNerney and Mark DeSaulnier have subsequently signed on.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
59 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT H.R. 7073 (GARAMENDI D-CA) – SPECIAL DISTRICTS QUALIFYING FOR CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND
WHEREAS, the East Bay Regional Park District has maintained open and accessible parklands and trails during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the District has incurred COVID-19 related costs due to increased park use and need to ensure staff safety with additional personal protective equipment; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would specify the District and other special districts are eligible for any additional Federal assistance provided by Congress to state, county and local governments to aid in the fight against COVID-19;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support H.R. 7073 (Garamendi D-CA) – Special Districts Qualifying for Coronavirus Relief Fund; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
60 AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
m. Resolution to Support H.R. 7095 (DeFazio D-OR) – INVEST in America Act (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support H.R. 7095 (DeFazio D-OR) – INVEST in America Act.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
The Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act is a broad reauthorization of the Federal transportation bill which typically occurs every five years. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015 was the last reauthorization. FAST linked the recreational trail, active transportation, safe routes to school and transportation enhancement programs. It expires September 30th, 2020. H.R. 7095 would increase the amount of dedicated funding for trails and active transportation – increasing the amount of funding by 75% for two programs which together comprise the largest sources of Federal funding for trails and active transportation in the country: Transportation Alternatives (TA) and the Recreational Trails Program (RTP). The bill infuses $1.5 billion a year for four years into the Active Transportation program.
In further detail, the INVEST in America Act would also: • Increase the percentage of TA funds going directly to local governments and increase the flexibility of the current local match requirements. • Reestablish an independent Safe Routes to School program. • Explicitly allow Surface Transportation Program funding to be used for development of Vision Zero plans (seeking to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries), which may include plans to develop active transportation networks. • Require states to develop vulnerable road-user safety assessments with strategies to address high-risk corridors for bicyclists and pedestrians.
61 • Establish and fund a carbon-emission reduction program, which would fund projects expected to yield a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, including trails and active transportation. • According to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, active transportation generates $34.1 billion in annual economic benefits, with the potential to deliver $138.5 billion each year as the connectivity of trails and active transportation routes improves.
Overall, the bill authorizes nearly $500 billion over five years to address some of the country’s most urgent infrastructure needs, including: • Tackling the massive backlog of roads, bridges and transit systems in need of repair and replacement. • Building resilient infrastructure to withstand the impacts of climate change and extreme weather. • Designing safer streets for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. • Putting the U.S. on a path toward zero emissions from the transportation sector by prioritizing carbon pollution reduction, investing in public transit and the national rail network, building out fueling infrastructure for low- and zero-emission vehicles, and deploying technology and innovative materials. • Sharply increasing funding for public transit options in urban, suburban and rural areas in order to integrate technology and increase reliable routes. • Making transformational investments in rail and Amtrak in order to create a robust, reliable system. • Enhancing rail worker and passenger safety, as well as helping communities address grade crossing issues. • Improving access to Federal funding to help communities around the country undertake transformative projects which are smarter, safer and made to last.
The INVEST in America Act also accounts for the economic downturn caused by the global pandemic and ensures states, cities, tribes, territories and transit agencies can administer programs, advance projects and preserve jobs in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis. The INVEST in America Act authorizes a sharp increase in funding to continue current programs in the first year of enactment of the bill, FY 2021, with wider policy implementation occurring in FY 2022.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
62 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT H.R. 7095 (DEFAZIO D-OR) – INVEST IN AMERICA ACT
WHEREAS, the current Federal transportation authorization, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, expires September 30th, 2030 and needs to be reauthorized; and
WHEREAS, the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act would reauthorize Federal transportation spending for an additional five years; and
WHEREAS, the INVEST in America Act and would authorize nearly $500 billion for national infrastructure needs; and
WHEREAS, these investments would include $6 billion over four years for the Active Transportation program; and
WHEREAS, the INVEST in America Act sets aside specific funding for Recreational Trails and Safe Routes to School creating more opportunities for grant funding; and
WHEREAS, the District has historically been successful in securing Federal transportation funding for projects such as Pinole Shores Bay Trail extension,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support H.R. 7095 (DeFazio D-OR) – INVEST in America Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
63 Page Left Blank Intentionally
64 AGENDA REGULAR MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
n. Resolution to Support S. 3624 (Coons D-DE) and H.R. 6702 (Price D-NC) – Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act (Pfuehler/Doyle)
RECOMMENDATION
The Legislative Committee of the Board and General Manager recommend the Board of Directors adopt a resolution to support S. 3624 (Coons D-DE) and H.R. 6702 (Price D-NC) – Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act.
REVENUE/COST
There would be no cost impact as a result of this action.
BACKGROUND
This bill seeks to address the impacts of COVID-19 on health, the economy and, combined with high levels of drought throughout the West, the unprecedented wildland firefighting challenges in 2020. The sponsor also notes those who are at increased risk for adverse health effects due to wildfire smoke exposure – people who suffer from heart or lung diseases, like asthma – now suffer the double impact of also being particularly vulnerable to COVID-19. This legislation seeks to infuse funding and employment opportunities for wildfire hazard mitigation. Specifically, the legislation:
• Provides an additional $3.5 billion for the U.S. Forest Service and $2 billion for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to increase the pace and scale of hazardous fuels reduction and thinning efforts, prioritizing shovel-ready projects. • Establishes a $7 billion relief fund to help outfitters, guides and their employees, whose work with the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Department of the Interior has been suspended due to COVID-19, stay afloat through the truncated recreation season. • Establishes a $9 billion fund for qualified land and conservation corps to increase job training and hiring specifically for jobs helping to restore public lands. • Provides an additional $150 million for the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program, the flagship program for community forest restoration and fire risk reduction.
65 • Provides $6 billion for U.S. Forest Service capital improvements and maintenance to put people to work reducing the maintenance backlog on National Forest System lands. • Provides $500 million for the Forest Service State and Private Forestry organization, which will be divided between programs to help facilitate landscape restoration projects on state, private and Federal lands – including $100 million for the Firewise program to help local governments plan for and reduce wildfire risks. • Provides $10 billion for on-farm water conservation and habitat improvement projects. • Provides full, permanent funding for the bipartisan Land and Water Conservation Fund. • Provides $100 million for land management agencies to purchase and provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees, contractors and service workers.
ALTERNATIVES
None recommended.
66 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT S. 3624 (COONS D-DE) AND H.R. 6702 (PRICE D-NC) – PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND OPPORTUNITY THROUGH NATIONAL SERVICE ACT
WHEREAS, California and the nation are seeing unprecedented health and economic impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the pandemic continues with no cure and the Western United States is experiencing high level of drought and wildfire potential; and
WHEREAS, this legislation would provide for funding and employment opportunities in the field of wildfire hazard mitigation; and
WHEREAS, such work has strong potential to benefit the District either through direct impact or by the sharing of best practices for safe wildfire mitigation during a pandemic;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby support S. 3624 (Coons D-DE) and H.R. 6702 (Price D-NC) – Pandemic Response and Opportunity Through National Service Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
67 Page Left Blank Intentionally
68 AGENDA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
o. Authorization to Purchase Two Vermeer Chippers from RDO Equipment Company for Equipment Replacement and as an Addition to the Fleet (McCrystle/O’Connor)
RECOMMENDATION
The General Manager recommends that the Board of Directors authorize the purchase of two Vermeer chippers from RDO Equipment Company of Hayward, California at a total cost of $83,962 for equipment replacement and as an addition to the fleet.
REVENUE/COST
For the purpose of purchasing replacement and additional fleet equipment, funds have been allocated in the East Bay Regional Park District’s 2020 Budget: Fleet Replacement Account 101- 5933-000-7505 (Rolling Stock >$25,000) and Anthony Chabot Park Account 101-5121-175-7505 (Rolling Stock >$25,000).
PROPOSED ENCUMBRANCE 101-5933-000-7505: Base Price $ 38,778 CA Tire Fee 4 Sales Tax 3,199 Proposed Encumbrance $ 41,981
PROPOSED ENCUMBRANCE 101-5121-175-7505: Base Price $ 38,778 CA Tire Fee 4 Sales Tax 3,199 Proposed Encumbrance $ 41,981
TOTAL ENCUMBRANCE: Base Price $ 77,556 CA Tire Fee 8 Sales Tax 6,398 Proposed Total Encumbrance $ 83,962
69 BACKGROUND
One Vermeer chipper will replace current Park District chipper assigned to Point Pinole Regional Shorline which is being retired due to age and declining condition.
LOCATION # YEAR MODEL PT. PINOLE 700 2004 CHIPPER, BRUSH BANDIT MODEL 200XP
One Vermeer chipper will be an addition to the fleet assigned to Anthony Chabot Regional Park as per the approved 2020 budget.
These new Vermeer chippers are diesel powered and will be refueled using non-petroleum based Renewable Diesel (RD-99).
These new Vermeer chippers are available for purchase directly from RDO Equipment Company by means of Sourcewell Grounds Maintenance Contract #062117-VRM. The contract pricing is the result of a competitive bid process and open to all federal, state and local governmental entities. Public agencies electing to use this method of equipment acquisition avoid the administrative costs of seeking formal bids.
ALTERNATIVES
For this purchase, staff has determined that there is no significant advantage in formally seeking other bids; therefore, none are recommended.
70 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 - 07 -
July 21, 2020
AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE TWO VERMEER CHIPPERS FROM RDO EQUIPMENT COMPANY FOR EQUIPMENT REPLACEMENT AND AS AN ADDITION TO THE FLEET
WHEREAS, the East Bay Regional Park District has included funding in its proposed 2020 Budget for the purchase of new equipment; and
WHEREAS, the Park District has the need to replace one chipper which is being retired due to age and declining condition; and
WHEREAS, the Park District has the need to purchase one new chipper as an addition to the fleet assigned to Anthony Chabot Regional Park; and
WHEREAS, RDO Equipment Company of Hayward, California is a recognized vendor offering suitable equipment based on the results of competitively bid pricing through Sourcewell Grounds Maintenance Contract #062117-VRM;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby authorizes the purchase of two Vermeer chippers for a total cost of $83,962, with said sum to be encumbered from the 2020 Budget, $41,981 from Fleet Replacement Account 101-5933-000-7505 (Rolling Stock >$25,000) and $41,981 from Anthony Chabot Park Account 101-5121-175-7505 (Rolling Stock >$25,000); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the Park District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020, by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
71 72 AGENDA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
1. CONSENT CALENDAR
p. Authorization to Award Construction Contract to NBC Construction and Engineering Inc. to Install Arched Culvert: Morgan Territory Regional Preserve (Rasmussen/Auker)
RECOMMENDATION
The General Manager recommends that the Board of Directors award a construction contract to NBC Construction and Engineering Inc. of San Francisco, CA for the Finley Road culvert repair project at Morgan Territory Regional Preserve.
REVENUE/COST
This action will award a $313,718 construction contract to NBC Construction and Engineering Inc. for the Finley Road culvert repair project. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide funding to repair this culvert. The District will be required to pay the 6.25% matching funds required by the FEMA grant.
SOURCE OF FUNDS FEMA Repair Culverts, District Wide (529000) $889,179 Expenditures and Encumbrances to Date $316,948 AVAILABLE $572,231
USE OF FUNDS FEMA Repair Culverts, District Wide (529000) Award to NBC Construction $323,718 Remaining for Contingency and Other FEMA Projects $248,513 TOTAL $572,231
BACKGROUND
During the 2017 Winter Storms several culverts were damaged District-wide. The twin culverts on Finley Road were completely blown out. The two culverts will be replaced with a single open bottom arched culvert which is better for the environment and less likely to clog than the twin culverts (Exhibit 1).
73 The Notice to Bidders was published on June 28, 2020 to the Park District’s online plan room and posted to the Dodge Data Construction Plan Room. Ten firms purchased Bid Documents and five firms submitted bids on July 2, 2020 as follows:
PLANHOLDER BID TOTAL NBC Construction $323,713 Grade Tech $347,000 Serafix Engineering Contractors $438,500 W. R. Forde Associates $446,000 Kerex Engineering $640,000
The bid submitted by NBC Construction and Engineering Inc. of San Francisco, CA met the specifications and conditions for the project; therefore, NBC Construction and Engineering Inc. of San Francisco, CA is the lowest responsible bidder.
ALTERNATIVES
No alternatives are recommended.
74 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTR ICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 – 07 -
July 21, 2020
AUTHORIZATION TO AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO NBC CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING INC. TO INSTALL ARCHED CULVERT: MORGAN TERRITORY REGIONAL PRESERVE
WHEREAS, during the 2017 Winter Storms several culverts were damaged District wide, the twin culverts on Finley Road were completely blown out, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide funding to repair this culvert. The District will be required to pay the 6.25% matching funds required by the FEMA grant; and
WHEREAS, this project will replace the two culverts with a single open bottom arched culvert which is better for the environment and less likely to clog than the twin culverts (Exhibit 1); and
WHEREAS, the Notice to Bidders was published on June 28, 2020 to the Park District’s online plan room and posted to the Dodge Data Construction Plan Room, ten firms purchased Bid Documents and five firms submitted bids on July 2, 2020 as follows:
PLANHOLDER BID TOTAL NBC Construction $323,713.00 Grade Tech $347,000.00 Serafix Engineering Contractors $438,500.00 W. R. Forde Associates $446,000.00 Kerex Engineering $640,000.00
WHEREAS, the bid submitted by NBC Construction and Engineering Inc. of San Francisco, CA met the specifications and conditions for the project; therefore, NBC Construction and Engineering Inc. of San Francisco, CA is the lowest responsible bidder;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District authorizes the award of a $323,713 construction contract to NBC Construction and Engineering Inc. of San Francisco, CA from account (#529000) for the repair culverts project in Morgan Territory Regional Preserve;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Manager is hereby authorized and directed, on behalf of the Park District and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents and such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate to accomplish the intentions of this resolution.
Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July, 2020 by the following vote:
75 FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
76 Finley Rd Arched Culvert, Morgan Territory
Printed: July 6, 2020 1:72,224
Park Entrances 0 0.5 1 2 mi Public Entrance 0 3,000 6,000 12,000 Feet Service Entrance East Bay Regional P ark District. 77 Site managed by GIS Services. [ GENERAL MANAGER
AGENDA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
2. GENERAL MANAGER
a. Authorize the 2020/2021 Tax Rate to be Levied by Alameda and Contra Costa Counties for the Payment of East Bay Regional Park District Measure WW General Obligation Bonds ______(Spaulding/Auker)
RECOMMENDATION
The General Manager recommends that the Board of Directors approve a resolution authorizing staff to calculate the property tax rate per $100 of assessed valuation for the repayment of the Park District’s principal and interest on the Measure WW bonds. This 2020/2021 tax levy rate must be provided to Alameda and Contra Costa counties by August 31, 2021.
REVENUE/COST
The property tax revenue raised by this levy is committed solely to the payment of general obligation debt principal, interest and trustee fees on Measure WW bonds.
BACKGROUND
In November 2008, voters of Alameda and Contra Costa counties approved Measure WW, providing authorization to issue $500 million in general obligation bonds for open space acquisition, parkland and trail development, and resource protection. The initial bonds were issued in October 2009. The second series was issued in July 2013 and third series in November 2017. Currently, approximately $35 million in Measure WW project bond funds remain, and Finance staff anticipates that a fourth bond issuance will need to be issued in mid-2021. The WW bonds are secured and repaid through an ad valorem tax levied upon property subject to taxation within and by the Park District. All proceeds of this tax are deposited into a separate fund and used solely for the payment of the bond debt service.
The tax levy is collected by the county’s tax collectors on a July 1-June 30 fiscal year basis. The rate established in August 2020 will impact collections of the amount paid by taxpayers on December 10, 2020 and April 10, 2021. These revenues collected are used for debt service payments for March 2021 interest, and September 2021 principal and interest.
In 2019, Finance staff became aware that parcels in Contra Costa County had been assessed with an incorrect tax levy rate. Parcels were assessed at the lower 2017-18 tax rate of .0021%, rather than the 2018-19 rate of .0057%. The Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller was contacted immediately and confirmed that the 2017-18 rate had been carried forward in error.
78 The Park District and the Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller developed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that required the Auditor-Controller to advance the necessary funds of approximately $7.4 million to the Park District to ensure that debt service payments were not impacted. The Auditor-Controller was able to advance the tax levy funds in part because Contra Costa County is on the “Teeter Plan,” which allows counties to finance property tax receipts for local agencies by advancing property taxes. This ensured that the Park District could complete its debt service payments. In order to repay the advanced funds and recover the under collected .0036% tax levy from the current year, the District assessed a higher tax rate levy in 2019-20 for Contra Costa County. Now that this error has been resolved, tax levy rates for fiscal year 2020- 2021 for Contra Costa and Alameda Counties will be identical.
The District is required to provide the counties with the 2020/2021 ad valorem tax rate before August 31, 2020. However, data required to calculate the rate is not provided to the District until early August. Adoption of the attached resolution will authorize staff to proceed with the rate calculation once the required information is received from the counties, and to file the tax rate information with the counties by the deadline. Staff will provide the final calculation to the September 30, 2020 Board Finance Committee meeting.
ALTERNATIVES
No alternative is recommended as the District is obligated by bond covenants to set the yearly property tax rate at a level sufficient to pay the annual debt principal and interest.
79 EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 2020 – 07 -
July 21, 2020
AUTHORIZE THE 2020/2021 TAX RATE TO BE LEVIED BY ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTIES FOR THE PAYMENT OF EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT MEASURE WW GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
WHEREAS, under authorization of a 2/3 voter approval of the Park District’s electorate in 2008, the East Bay Regional Park District issued Measure WW General Obligation Bonds; and
WHEREAS, the outstanding bonds have been issued in accordance with the provisions of Section 5568 of the Public Resources Code of the State of California, and pursuant to resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District; and
WHEREAS, the bonds are a general obligation of the Park District and the Park District is obligated to levy an ad valorem tax for the payment of the bonds, and interest thereon, upon all property within the District subject to taxation by the District in 2020 and 2021; and
WHEREAS, the failure to levy at the correct tax rate for the 2018-19 tax year by Contra Costa County resulted in a shortfall of $7,381,883; and
WHEREAS, the Park District and the Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to provide certainty with respect to the recovery of the deficiency amount of tax levied the Contra Costa County Auditor advanced the deficiency amount to the Park District by August 15, 2019; and
WHEREAS, for fiscal year 2019-2020 the Park District submitted to Contra Costa County an ad valorem tax rate sufficient to satisfy the payment of debt service on the Measure WW Bonds, including the deficiency amount without exceeding the tax rate of $10.00 per $100,000 of Assessed Valuation (AV) that was promised to voters when Measure WW was approved. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District hereby authorizes the ad valorem tax rate per $100 of assessed valuation to be established; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Manager and the Chief Financial Officer are hereby authorized to take appropriate action as necessary to prepare the final calculations and inform the Alameda and Contra Costa counties’ tax collectors of the District’s 2020/2021 tax rate to be levied, and such tax rate shall be in effect until amended by the District; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that staff will provide the final calculated tax rate to the Finance Committee at the September 30, 2020 Board Finance Committee meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Manager and the Chief Financial Officer are hereby authorized and directed on behalf of the District, and in its name, to execute and deliver such documents, and to do such acts as may be deemed necessary or appropriate, to accomplish the intentions of this resolution. 80 Moved by Director , seconded by Director , and adopted this 21st day of July 2020 by the following vote:
FOR:
AGAINST: ABSTAIN: ABSENT:
81 BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS
AGENDA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
3. BOARD AND STAFF REPORTS
a. Actions Taken by Other Jurisdictions Affecting the Park District (Doyle)
City of Lafayette – Terraces of Lafayette
On June 30, 2020, the Lafayette Planning Commission approved the Terraces of Lafayette project by a 5-2 vote. Located at 3233 Deer Hill Road, across from Briones Regional Park near the Lafayette Ridge Staging Area, the proposed project consists of 315 apartment units with 63 classified as affordable housing. The project dates to March 2011 with a long history including: 20 public hearings, a lawsuit, a state court ruling, as well as the Measure L referendum in 2018 led by the Save Lafayette group which defeated a second proposal to build 44 single-family homes. With the defeat of Measure L, developer O’Brien Homes of Menlo Park requested the City resume processing of the original application for 315 apartments. In May 2020, the Planning Commission requested staff provide additional information regarding a traffic impact analysis and potential impacts on emergency evacuations. With this approval, an appeal of the decision to the City Council is expected. Both the single-family home and apartment projects have faced opposition from various stakeholder groups with some opposed to higher density housing and others supporting greater density within suburban communities.
Contra Costa County – Iron Horse Corridor Active Transportation Study On July 14, 2020, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve the Iron Horse Trail Corridor Active Transportation Study (Study). The Study analyzed the entire 22 miles of Iron Horse Trail corridor from State Route 4 to the County Line and identified various options to increase the capacity of corridor, improve intersection safety and user experience, and explored the feasibility of implementing new technologies including Shared Autonomous Vehicles (SAVs). The County collaborated with all cities along the corridor as well as other community stakeholders, including the Park District, which manages most of the trail and supports active transportation corridors for pedestrians, equestrians, and bicyclists. The Study states that should there be further interest in exploring the implementation of any recommendations, there will need to be a robust public process and several additional studies to determine the feasibility. The Board of Supervisors’ action approves the Iron Horse Corridor Active Transportation Study and directs staff from the departments of Conservation and Development, and Public Works to pursue next steps (e.g. project development activities and
82 public outreach) as outlined in the Study, in coordination with the Iron Horse Corridor Management Program Advisory Committee and affected committees. This action does not implement any projects, Study recommendations, or allocate funds to implement any Study recommendations.
83 GM COMMENTS
AGENDA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
4. GENERAL MANAGER’S COMMENTS
STAFF PRESENTATION Regional Interpretive and Recreation Services Manager Ira Bletz will provide an informational presentation on the Online Digital Learning Program which began in late March after the COVID- 19 Shelter-in-Place order was implemented. Due to the cancellation of in-person programs for the safety of participants, staff began creating online content for the Park District website and other digital platforms. The presentation will provide an overview of video content, interpretive techniques, public response through social media platforms, and program planning for the 2020 Fall season and beyond.
GM COMMENTS Retirements April 2020 through June 2020: Britt Thorsnes Park Supervisor Point Pinole 32 years Steven Hathcox Park Craft Specialist Camp Arroyo 25 years Erin O’Neill Police Sergeant Public Safety 17 years Jose-Jesus Gonzalez Park Ranger I Black Diamond 17 years William Deleon-Granados Police Sergeant Public Safety 15 years Edward Nunes Heavy Equipment Operator Roads & Trails 12 years
OPERATIONS DIVISION Interpretive and Recreation Services Department Community Outreach Staff continued virtual programs through SHINE led by Mobile Education. On May 16, a virtual field trip was conducted at Shadow Cliffs via Zoom video conferencing with 18 participants. On June 6, a virtual field trip to Oyster Bay was held via Zoom with 12 participants.
North/West Region Coyote Hills: On June 3, staff utilized best practices from Next Generation Science and Common Core Standards when conducting a virtual field trip for two 3rd grade Mandarin-immersion classes from Azeveda Elementary School in Fremont.
Crab Cove: From May 19 through 26, staff produced live-broadcast virtual field trips for more than 300 kindergarten and first grade students from schools in Alameda, San Leandro, Berkeley, and San Jose.
84 From June 8 through 12, in collaboration with Coyote Hills, Mobile Education, and Volunteer Services, staff assisted with directing and providing information to hundreds of park users during the annual week-long sand moving project along Crown Beach.
Mobile Education: On May 23, staff presented the Park District’s first-ever virtual campfire program via Facebook Live. More than 40 participants enjoyed stories, songs, and virtual s’mores.
On June 11, staff hosted the Adventure Crew’s Richmond Rangers via Zoom and discussed plans for solo adventure backpack giveaways and potential future in-person family hikes.
Outdoor Recreation: Staff is currently attending the Adventure Crew 2’s Art meetings on Wednesday afternoons. In recent meetings, staff led the crew on a tour of the Peralta Hacienda Historic House, a visit to an animal wildlife rehabilitation center, and attendees also performed and presented art projects.
Tilden Nature Area: On June 17, naturalists held a virtual Junior Ranger graduation which included more than 48 participants.
South/East Region Ardenwood: On June 3, staff supported Mobile Education by providing a virtual park tour for six Adventure Crew/Richmond Rangers.
Big Break: Staff continued their collaboration with the Alameda County Office of Education in producing digital learning bundles for teachers which include the Park District’s Creature Feature videos, for standards-based learning in the classroom.
Black Diamond: On May 23, staff piloted the first virtual school program, teaching a class of 22 students about geology at Black Diamond Mines.
Community Services & Volunteers: On June 17, staff attended the California Coastal Commission’s 2020 planning meeting, which included more than 40 other participants from across the state, to finalize planning for the Coastal Cleanup event planned for September.
Del Valle: On June 17, construction resumed on the Visitor Center and the remodel is scheduled to be completed by late August 2020.
Sunol: From May 14 through June 13, staff conducted 13 live virtual field trips for 235 students from second through fourth grade. The students were from seven schools in Castro Valley, San Leandro, Hayward, Livermore, and Oakland.
Park Operations Department Delta Concord Hills: On June 1, Delta unit staff participated in park and trail clean-up and vegetation management projects. Staff used the new Green Climber slope mower that was purchased with 2019 glyphosate phase-out funds. Almost all staff have been trained on the new equipment and have the opportunity to participate in chemical-free vegetation management.
85 Interpretive Parklands Sunol/Ohlone: On June 6, a park user notified staff of an injured hawk along Indian Joe Trail. The Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital in Walnut Creek was contacted and the hawk was taken to the hospital. On June 19, the fledgling red-shouldered hawk was returned to the location where it was found.
Parkland Reinhardt Redwood: Staff completed work on a quarter mile of the Stream Trail which included fencing, re-contouring the trail surface, and adding base rock to direct water away from the trail during storms. The improvements have increased the longevity of the trail and reduced muddy trail conditions for park visitors. Construction materials for the project were funded by a bequest from the estate of Hiram Kato via the Regional Parks Foundation.
Sibley: On May 29, park staff, Maintenance and Skilled Trades Department staff, and PG&E worked to complete the final clean-up of a construction laydown site at the Old Quarry site. The Park District has partnered with PG&E to support several important wildfire prevention projects. Staff from PG&E replaced old electrical poles and wires in the Oakland Hills and cleared vegetation away from power lines. Park District staff provided guidance to PG&E on how to remediate the site to its natural condition, which included removal of all construction materials and litter, corrective grading on disturbed soils, and seeding with native grasses.
Shoreline In May, staff began fuels abatement work throughout the Shoreline Unit in preparation for the July 4th holiday. Several park areas such as Point Isabel and Martin Luther King Jr. were reopened for public use.
Lakes Lake Chabot: On May 20, the Lake Chabot Cafe reopened. Staff evaluated the picnic areas to comply with social distancing directives and developed a plan for future implementation and assessed that fifteen of the 116 total tables would need to be removed. Staff acquired the necessary resources for the project and estimated the work could be completed in three to four days.
Recreation Areas Diablo Foothills/Castle Rock: In May, an invasive species, Euphorbia oblongata, commonly referred to as Oblong Spurge, was discovered along the Northgate Trail. Only a small area has been affected by its growth. Staff have removed the weed and will continue to closely monitor the area to help ensure eradication.
Kennedy Grove: From May 14 through June 17, staff worked on fuel abatement through rough mowing and line trimming parking lots, picnic area, trails, pathways, and other fire mitigation areas.
86 Maintenance and Skilled Trades Department Public Works #1 North County Trades On May 11, staff returned to work after Stage 2 of the COVID-19 stay-at-home order was implemented and resumed work on the restroom renovation at Lake Anza to bring the restrooms into ADA compliance. Staff also made ADA improvements to the restrooms and pathways at Point Isabel, made waterline repairs at Crown Beach, and made repairs at the Pacheco Corporation Yard.
South County Trades On May 11, staff returned to work and resumed work on various projects which included foundation of the Meyers Garden greenhouse, the Public Safety headquarters restroom renovation, the Soda Ash building renovation at Don Castro, and lighting improvements at the Pleasanton Ridge/Garms Staging Area.
Water Utilities On May 11, staff returned to work and completed improvements to the Crab Cove aquarium water treatment system. Improvements included a new chiller, relocation of water treatment equipment to the exterior side of the building, and installation of new recirculation pumps and water treatment process equipment. Staff also completed electrical upgrades to the Anthony Chabot RV hookup sites #5 through #8 to accommodate larger Class A motorhomes, and made power line improvements to a 12,000-volt overhead power line at Public Safety. These improvements enabled staff to remove power lines, pole mounted transformers, and other associated components from the poles. This project also facilitated connecting the water system booster pump to the Public Safety generator to maintain water service during a power outage.
Public Works #2 Roads and Trails On May 18, staff resumed a full-staffing model from the COVID-19 minimum-staffing plan previously in place. During park closures, staff striped parking lots at Mission Peak Stanford staging area, Point Isabel, and Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline. Staff also completed sand moving at Crown Beach and fire trail grading at numerous parks.
Sanitation Staff adjusted regular service routes to address an increase in vault and chemical restroom use due to District-wide facility closures, and has increased septic system inspections and repairs District-wide. Staff supported the Trades department staff with repairing pipes that were leaking into the vault at the Anthony Chabot comminutor.
Pavement Maintenance and Preservation Program Repaving of the southern half of the Crown Beach Shoreline Trail from Willow Avenue to Park Street is scheduled to begin in July. Public bid documents for major District-wide paving were due July 7. Bid documents are also being prepared for two projects on the Iron Horse and the Lafayette-Moraga trails.
87 Small Trails On June 29th, the Student Conservation Association small trails crew arrived. Due to the COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions, most of the training will take place on Pleasanton Ridge. The Alternate Work Program Supervisor has prepared for the crew’s arrival by setting up training stations, identifying work sites, and ensuring the crew-house is ready and compliant with COVID-19 health orders and protocols.
88 BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
AGENDA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
D. BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
6. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Finance Committee Minutes and Recommended Actions from the Meeting of May 27, 2020 (Coffey)
Attendees Board: Colin Coffey, Ellen Corbett and Dee Rosario
Staff: Robert E. Doyle, Ana M. Alvarez, Debra Auker, Deborah Spaulding, Erich Pfuehler, Kristina Kelchner, Kip Walsh, David Sumner, Carol Victor, Jim O’Connor, Anthony Ciaburro, Kim Balingit, Michelle Strawson O’Hara, Ali Haynes, Matthew James, Constance Basset, Alan Love, Jeff Rasmussen, Janet Lan, Shivani Nath, Jim Tallerico, Peter Fitch, Robert Lacy
Speakers: Monique Spyke, Managing Director and Allison Kaune, Senior Managing Consultant PFM Asset Management LLC, and Mark Schulte, Consulting Actuary, Van Iwaarden Associates
Public: Rick Richard-PAC. Members of the Public were able to access the meeting via live audio stream only.
Assistant General Manager Debra Auker reviewed the Board Committee meeting procedure in accordance with Governor Newsom's executive order. Live audio streaming was provided to the public with the opportunity to email or call in prior to the meeting to submit public comments.
AGM/CFO Auker gave a brief update on information obtained from the recent East Bay Economic Development Association meeting.
Agenda Item No. 1 COVID-19 Estimated Fiscal Impacts
Assistant Finance Officer Deborah Spaulding reported to-date the Park District has spent over $500,000 in response to COVID-19 related expenditures, including supplies and services: $285,000 on personal protective equipment, sanitizer and cleaning supplies; $143,000 on public information services; $58,000 on signage and message board rentals; $20,000 on computer software and over $225,000 in overtime costs (Public Safety 57% and Operations 21%).
89 AFO Spaulding reminded the committee that property taxes are the Park District largest revenue source and a slight change in assessed value will significantly impact the Park District. AFO Spaulding discussed four possible scenarios staff is looking at in order to prepare for reduced revenues in future years and reiterated staff will continue its analysis, and during mid-year budget review, additional funds will be allocated to address COVID-19 costs.
General Manager Robert E. Doyle thanked staff for detailed report and reminded the Committee there will be difficult decisions ahead regarding balancing the increases in CalPERS costs, infrastructure liabilities, staffing and pipeline costs.
Committee member Ellen Corbett inquired if the Park District will receive funding through the CARES Act. GM Doyle advised the money went directly to the counties to disperse. The Park District does qualify for funds, however, it is competing with the counties. The Park District is pursuing funding avenues through legislative advocacy. The GM will have the Park District’s legislative staff prepare a report for the Board illustrating sources of federal and state funding availability.
Committee member Corbett asked when conversations will begin regarding staffing models, should Park District revenues decrease.
AFO/CFO Auker advised that discussions would begin during the 2021 budget process and beyond, as following years will be affected more than 2021 budget. AFO Spaulding added that Beacon Economics will provide a five-year projection of the Park District’s property tax revenues in August 2020 and that long-term projection will assist in determining a course of action.
Committee chair Colin Coffey inquired about current staffing levels. Deputy General Manager Dr. Ana M. Alvarez replied that staffing of full-time field positions is in line with normal levels. Vacancies are slightly higher in the professional and management ranks. Committee chair Coffey asked for confirmation that people who can work are working at this point. DGM Alvarez responded that is correct.
Committee member Dee Rosario requested a scenario if recreation and swimming are not available at the Park District for the rest of year, what the savings will be. He also stressed to avoid layoffs as much as possible.
Committee member Rosario requested clarification on what “Teeter” means as it pertains to Contra Costa County tax revenues. AFO Spaulding replied that Contra Costa County will pay the Park District what is owed in property taxes regardless of delinquencies, however Alameda County is holding 5% on tax revenue in anticipation of delinquencies.
Committee member Rosario requested confirmation that the Park District must keep its commitments as far as staffing regarding Measure CC and Measure FF. GM Doyle responded existing staff yes, new projects that require additional staff can be delayed.
Recommendation: None, this is an information item only.
90 Agenda Item No. 2 March 31, 2020 Investment Report and Portfolio Review
AFO Spaulding presented a report of the District’s investment activity as of March 31, 2020. The report is in accordance with State law and in conformity with the District’s Investment Policy. The market value of the District’s pooled cash and investments on March 31, 2020 was $263,884,176. This reflects an increase of $340,159 from December 31, 2019. The District’s pension trust, project bond funds and debt service funds held an additional $87,945,956.
Graphs accompanying the investment reports were provided in the Finance Committee packet.
AFO Spaulding introduced Monique Spyke and Allison Kaune with PFM Asset Management, who gave an update on the District’s investment portfolio, and current investment environment.
Committee member Rosario asked if staff should be looking more carefully at corporate investments rated BBB, as a potential risk. Ms. Spyke advised they review issuer downgrades very carefully and are currently comfortable with all issuers in the portfolio. Whenever one of the Park District’s investments is downgraded below the A level, District staff is informed, and has an opportunity to understand PFM’s recommendation on the investment.
Committee member Rosario asked if cash in CAMP and LAIF easily accessible. Ms. Spyke replied yes, and that the liquidity in the portfolio is very sufficient.
Recommendation: Motioned by Director Rosario and seconded by Director Corbett that the Finance Committee recommends to the full Board of Directors approval of the March 31, 2020 Investment Report. Motion Approved.
Agenda Item No. 3 East Bay Regional Park District Retirement Plans Update And Agenda Item No. 4 Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Trust Fund Update
AFO Spaulding introduced Mark Schulte, Consulting Actuary with Van Iwaarden Associates.
Schulte reported on expected annual increases to employer pension and retirement costs, and proposed actions that could be taken to mitigate for these cost increases. Schulte also presented an update on all the District’s retirement plans: 1) The East Bay Regional Park District Employees Retirement Plans (often referred to as the “Transamerica Plan”, 2) CalPERS pension plan and 3) Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) plan.
Committee member Corbett asked if COVID-19 creates any scenario where healthcare costs increase and how that will impact costs going forward. Schulte replied it will have an impact on the OPEB plan, however, the impacts will vary regionally, and at this point it is too early in the pandemic to know what the full extent of the impact will be.
91 Committee member Corbett inquired if CalPERS’ de-risk strategies are working. Schulte responded that CalPERS strategies have been in place for several years and are having the expected impact, adding they are more advanced in addressing pension risk than many other state and local pension systems.
Committee member Corbett inquired if the Park District will implement specific strategies in preparation to address increases in the unfunded liabilities. AFO/CFO Auker advised the Park District has implemented measures to smooth the cost of over time: 1) setting up the Pension Trust, 2) paying down amortization layers and, 3) paying down long-term liabilities such as closed retirement plans.
Committee member Rosario encouraged the Park District to continue making the recommended retirement contributions.
Recommendation: None, this is an information item only.
Agenda Item No.5 FourthGeneral Quarter Fund 2019 General FundBudget and OtherActual Governmental Funds Fina% ncialof Budget 2019 thru 12/31/19 variance Complete Assistant Finance Officer Michelle Strawson O’Hara reported on the General Fund and Other GovernmentalRevenue* Funds Financial reports.$ 161,724,918 As of December$ 170,051,038 31, 2019,$ the (8,326,120) Park District’s105.1% revenues exceeded budgetExpenditures* and expenditures were 167,666,504 under budget 153,490,509 when compared 14,175,994 to prior year91.5% and to the current year budget. net change in Fund Balance$ (5,941,586) $ 16,560,529 $ 22,502,114 * includes transfers
The report attachments provided additional information on General Fund Reserves and Expenditures, commenting on areas with revenues and expenditures 10% higher or lower than prior year and summarizing financial information for all other governmental funds.
Recommendation: None, this is an information item only.
Agenda Item No 6 Accounting Closure of Completed Projects
AFO Spaulding presented the annual process to formally close completed projects in the District’s financial records. Project closure information was solicited from project managers. Before closure was completed, projects with revenue surplus or shortages were trued up, and the balance of excess funding will be returned to the original source. The District’s practice is to utilize the most restricted project resources first, in the following order: grants, then bonds, then General Fund.
92 AFO Spaulding provided detailed information on the ten Capital Development projects, 35 Land Acquisition Projects, and 20 Other Than Asset (OTA) Projects. In total 70 projects are recommended for closure, with unused funds returning to the funding sources as per below:
• General Fund - $1,013,312 • Land Habitat Conservation Plan - $5,137 • Major Infrastructure Renovation and Replacement Fund - $49,544 • Measure AA Bond - $49,556 • Measure CC Tax - $8,942 • Measure WW Bond - $415,837 • East Contra Costa County LLD - $29,644 • Promissory Notes - $15,593
Recommendation: Motioned by Committee member Rosario and seconded by Committee member Corbett that the Finance Committee recommends to the full Board of Directors approval of proposed project closures and budgetary adjustments. Motion approved.
Agenda Item No. 7 Authorization to renew the East Bay Regional Park District’s Insurance Program
District Counsel Carol Victor advised due to the temporary vacancy in the Risk Department and COVID-19 emergency, the annual report will be delayed to later in the year. This report will focus on insurance renewals (general liability, property, excess workers compensation, watercraft, aviation, crime and cyber liability) with insurance carrier CSAC-EIA
Insurance rates continue to rise for circumstances beyond the District’s control, mostly reflective of the insurance market in general.
District Counsel Victor provided estimated not-to-exceed insurance costs for the 2020-2021 policy period. Overall, insurance rates are increasing approximately 20% which was within the expected increase reflected in the Park District’s 2020 budget.
93 Committee member Corbett requested information on why cyber liability has doubled in cost. Acting Risk Manager, Constance Basset advised cost has increased due to increased system breaches nationally.
Committee chair Coffey asked if Directors have coverage under the general liability insurance. Acting Risk Manager Basset responded yes.
Recommendation: Motioned by Committee member Corbett and seconded by Committee member Rosario that the Finance Committee recommends to the full Board of Directors approval to renew the Park District’s insurance program in a not to exceed amount of $2,203,900 and authorize payment to the Department of Industrial Relation for the workers compensation assessment in the amount not to exceed $100,000. Motion approved.
Item No. 8 Public Comment
No public comment
Item No. 9 Committee Comments
Meeting adjourned at 3:00PM. The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2020.
Respectfully submitted, Connie Swisher, Finance Department
94 NEWSCLIPS
Huey Johnson, longtime environmental savior from Mill Valley, dies at 87 John King and Peter Fimrite July 13, 2020 Updated: July 13, 2020 5:20 p.m.
Rendering of Marincello, the planned housing development in the Marin Headlands. Johnson helped stop the project. .Photo: Aero Photographers 1965
Huey Johnson, an often pugnacious environmentalist who challenged wealthy builders and the government during a grassroots campaign to protect the Marin Headlands from development and who helped create the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, died Sunday at his home in Corte Madera.
The founder of the environmental group Resource Renewal Institute, who for a half- century championed sustainability on the local, state and national levels, died of complications from a fall. He was 87.
Johnson, known as much for his bluntness as he was for his ethics, was himself a force of nature, said his friends and colleagues.
“He understood the survival and well-being of humanity hinges on the health of the planet,” said Deborah Moskowitz, president of the institute. “Yet in the face of all the challenges, his was a message of optimism and a rallying cry that we must persevere.”
He came of age when he lived in Mill Valley in the 1960s, fending off developers of Marin County open space from Bolinas to Sausalito. He helped found the Trust for Public Land, which established the model for using private resources to purchase land for the public good, and later led state efforts to preserve natural resources during Jerry Brown’s first stint as governor.
Johnson’s most obvious local impact was in the Marin Headlands, where he was one of the key figures who prevented the construction of Marincello — a 2,100-acre development proposed in 1964 and envisioned as a self-contained “new town” for 30,000 residents just north of the Golden Gate Bridge.
95 While opponents were plentiful, it was Johnson, in his post as the western regional director for the Nature Conservancy, who spent years in discreet negotiations with investors. The effort bore fruit in 1972, when the conservancy purchased the land for $6.5 million and then transferred it to the National Park Service.
These bare hills are now a key part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
A similar effort preserved the Bolinas Lagoon, on the coast north of Stinson Beach. Johnson also helped the San Francisco Zen Center purchase what now is Green Gulch Farm, a widely cherished, 115-acre retreat near Muir Beach.
“It has been a wonderful, wonderful adventure all these years,” Johnson commented in an oral history for the Mill Valley Historical Society in 2016. “I’ve been able to use Marin as a kind of a fort from which to struggle with all kinds of environmental issues off in the world, here and in other countries.”
96
Land Use Plan Approved For Park On Concord Naval Weapons Station Site July 13, 2020 at 8:45 am
CONCORD (CBS SF) – The final land use plan for public access improvements and open space preservation at a planned new 2,540-acre regional park on former Concord Naval Weapon Station land on Concord’s northeast edge has been finalized, the East Bay Regional Park District said.
The final land use plan for what is, at least for now, being called Concord Hills Regional Park, includes a joint visitor center with the National Park Service highlighting the history of the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and the history of the Diablo Valley, as well miles of recreational trails for hiking, biking and nature viewing
The park district’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the final land use plan at its July 7 meeting.
“This is the true culmination of a decades-long community effort,” said Beverly Lane, a Danville-based historian who has represented Concord on the park district board since 1994, in a statement. “This important land use plan will provide public access, preserve natural habitat, and honor the unique natural and human history of the land.”
The park district took possession of 2,216 acres of this land from the U.S. Navy in July 2019. An additional 327 acres is expected to transfer to the park district in the future.
“Turning the former military base into a world-class park will take very many years and millions of dollars to restore and open,” East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Robert Doyle said in a statement.
“However, thanks to the Park District and community’s efforts, 2,500 plus acres of scenic Diablo Valley landscape is permanently protected.”
Concord Hills Regional Park is a major element of a redeveloped weapons station property. Another 2,300 acres will be transferred to the city of Concord, whose Concord Community Reuse Project has been overseeing planning for housing, businesses, a college campus and other development.
This has been a years-long planning process, and buildout is expected to take many more years.
The inland portion – south of state Highway 4 – of the weapons station was closed in 2005. Most of the portion of the base north of Highway 4 became Military Ocean Terminal Concord, still operated by the U.S. Army.
97
Women arrested after allegedly spray-painting rocks in popular East Bay park Police saw women caught on camera defacing Sunol Regional Wilderness By ELLIOTT ALMOND | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: July 12, 2020 at 4:21 p.m. | UPDATED: July 13, 2020 at 3:06 p.m. In the Little Yosemite area at Sunol Wilderness Regional Park, hikers climb among the rocks to catch views of small waterfalls and churning pools. (Courtesy Dino Vournas)
Two women were arrested after spray- painting a treasured East Bay rock formation in Sunol Regional Wilderness, police reported Sunday.
Authorities with East Bay Regional Parks Police said the women painted rocks at Little Yosemite, one of the East Bay’s popular haunts for hikers and sightseers, around 2:20 p.m. July 7.
Sima Mohmand, of Union City and Elaha Qudratulla, of Fremont, both 22, were arrested after a witness took a photo of them painting the rocks, police Capt. Alan Love said Sunday.
The could face felony charges for defacing the rocks and also charges for environmental damage to what was described as a “fragile ecosystem and sensitive watershed.”
The women appeared to be using red or orange paint on the bluish-white rocks to paint a memorial in a photo park police posted on their Facebook page. Love said it could cost between $3,500 and $5,000 to remove the paint.
Sunol Regional Wilderness is a scenic 6,858-acre park of blond, rolling hills covered in oak woodlands typical of the Diablo Range. It lies north of Calaveras Reservoir in southern Alameda County.
Little Yosemite, which does not resemble the famous scenes of the Sierra Nevada national park, is a gorge on Alameda Creek about two miles from the park’s visitor center.
The area that features waterfalls after storms is accessible to the public because of an agreement with the San Francisco Water Department, which owns the property.
The parkland was first inhabited by Native Americans and then ranchers; cattle still are allowed to graze in the park, which is located near Fremont in the rugged East Bay back-country.
Love said the women were cited and released from Santa Rita Jail in Dublin because of COVID- 19 guidelines meant to reduce overcrowding and spread of the disease.
98
Martinez: Firefighters contain two-alarm grass fire Spread limited to 15 acres; cause appears to be weed-cutting spark
By GEORGE KELLY | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: July 12, 2020 at 2:49 p.m. | UPDATED: July 13, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. MARTINEZ — Firefighters contained a two-alarm vegetation fire Sunday afternoon, but conditions were expected to keep them on scene for several hours, authorities said.
Shortly before 12:55 p.m., Contra Costa County Fire Protection District firefighters responded to reports of fire in the 4000 block of Alhambra Way near Douglas and Vista Oaks drives, a ConFire spokesman said.
When firefighters arrived, they found flames spreading along a steep hillside full of weeds, brush trees and dense vegetation heavily occupied by some homeless encampments, and began working to contain the spread, a spokesman said.
East Bay Regional Park District firefighters and some West County fire crews also responded, boosting the response and helping bring containment within mWith temperatures in the mid- to high-90s and winds expected to pick up later in the afternoon, firefighters were expected to remain on scene to carry out extensive overhaul of the scene.
Sparks from a person trimming weeds nearby may have caused the fire, a ConFire spokesman said. There were no reports of injuries.
Check back for updates.
99
Park It: Cool down at these East Bay open spaces near you From Oakley to Fremont, fresh air, trails, stunning views offer escape from summer heat, pandemic By NED MACKAY | East Bay Regional Park District PUBLISHED: July 12, 2020 at 5:00 a.m. | UPDATED: July 13, 2020 at 5:41 a.m. D. Ross Cameron/staff archives Walkers enjoy the weather previously at Point Pinole Regional Shoreline in Richmond. Cooled by breezes from San Pablo Bay, Point Pinole offers beautiful views and shady trails through eucalyptus groves, a great place on hot days for the fresh air and exercise so vital to good health during the COVID-19 crisis.
Now that summer has arrived in earnest, it’s time to think about where you can find cool parks on hot days for the fresh air and exercise that are so vital to good health, especially during the ongoing pandemic.
There are lots of cooler options for hiking and riding in the East Bay Regional Park District. The district encourages visiting parks close to home, but wherever you live in the East Bay, you can find a regional park near you. Here are some suggestions:
• Point Pinole Regional Shoreline: Cooled by breezes from San Pablo Bay in Richmond, Point Pinole has a colorful and explosive history (having once been home to a dynamite factory), beautiful views of the bay and Marin County and shady trails through eucalyptus groves. • Tilden Regional Park: Next-door to Berkeley, Tilden is one of the district’s original parks, with many hiking and cycling options. Check out the Wildcat Gorge Trail for a shaded hike along Wildcat Creek. • Briones Regional Park: Located between Orinda and Martinez, Briones has miles of hiking and riding trails. For a shaded walk, try the single-track Bear Creek Trail, which starts next to the Newt Hollow picnic area at the Bear Creek Road entrance. • George Miller Jr. Trail: The trail is located on a no-vehicle section of Carquinez Scenic Drive between Port Costa and Martinez. It’s breezy, with great views of the strait and Benicia. It’s on the map for Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline. • Diablo Foothills Regional Park: The park’s Orchard Staging Area is at the end of Castle Rock Road in Walnut Creek. The trail starts out in the sun, then connects to the Old Stage Road, which is mostly in the trees with views of the imposing Castle Rocks. • Big Break Regional Shoreline: On Big Break Road off Main Street in Oakley, this park is right on the water. Among other features, it has an open-air, walk-on scale model of the entire Delta, and a pier from which you can observe waterbirds and other wildlife. • Las Trampas Regional Wilderness: Check out the Ringtail Cat Trail, which starts at the trailhead at the end of Hemme Avenue in Alamo (parking is limited). The trail follows a streambed (which is dry this time of year) through the woods for a quarter- mile, then heads steeply uphill to the sunnier Madrone Trail.
100 • Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park: There are any number of shady trails through this beautiful area of second-growth redwood trees. One main entrance is on Redwood Road about two miles east of its intersection with Skyline Boulevard in Oakland. • Crown Memorial State Beach: The park district operates this beach on behalf of the state and the city of Alameda. You can seek out bayside breezes by entering at the main lot on Otis and Shoreline drives. Swim at your own risk, as there are no lifeguards. • Coyote Hills Regional Park: Another park with a rich natural and cultural history, it offers great views of the southern part of San Francisco Bay and lots of bird life in and around the marsh. The park is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway in Fremont. • Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness: Alameda Creek runs through this park, which is a gateway to miles of trails through the East Bay’s most remote open space. The entrance is at the end of Geary Road off Calaveras Road, five miles south of Interstate 680 and the town of Sunol.
For more trail maps, directions, and detailed information on all of these parks and others, visit the district website at ebparks.org. Check also for COVID-19 updates at the top of the home page.
And while you’re in the parks, you may encounter district naturalists. Look for them in their khaki uniforms and Smokey Bear hats. Though scheduled nature programs are on hold because of the pandemic, the naturalists are still out in the parks, practicing social distancing but happy to provide general information or talk about the parks’ fascinating features.
101
As triple-digit temperatures hit Bay Area, residents bask outdoors John King and Sarah Ravani July 12, 2020 Updated: July 12, 2020 5:58 p.m. Kisha Merritt (left) and Chevon Jamerson set up for a graduation celebration at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek, where temperatures neared 100.Photo: Paul Kuroda / Special to The Chronicle
If your idea of an ideal summer day is an abundance of sun and a shot of dry heat, then the Bay Area came through on all fronts this weekend — complete with a cooling wave predicted as people return to work, whatever that means these days.
Temperatures approached or topped 100 degrees on Sunday in such inland areas as San Ramon, Fairfield and Santa Rosa, while hovering in the low 90s in much of the South Bay. Closer to the Golden Gate, the highs were a cozy 70 degrees in San Francisco and roughly 10 degrees above that in Oakland and Berkeley — conditions made more pleasant over the weekend by a scarcity of fog.
“It’s a bit of an unusual pattern for this point in the summer,” said Dave King, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Monterey. “High pressure and dry air have been sitting over the bay, and that’s strong enough to keep out any marine layer” that brings sun-blocking high clouds.
On Monday, temperatures should nudge downward as morning and afternoon fog increases at least a bit. Forecasted highs for most the region the next few days are not above the low 80s, King said.
That cooling is likely to be welcome in places like Walnut Creek, where temperatures on both Saturday and Sunday reached the high 90s.
On Saturday afternoon, with the thermometer at 97 degrees, dozens of people visited the city’s Heather Farm Park to sit under the shade of trees or canopy tents.
“Playground temporarily closed due to COVID-19” read a sign near one of several entrances to the swings and slides of the play structure. Children ran instead in the grass nearby as their parents chased after them.
Childish Gambino’s “This is America” blared from the speakers of a white van as Belinda Rollins set napkins on a picnic table. She placed white tablecloths on the tables adorned with pink and blue balloons.
Rollins, the owner of Shantea Creations, an event planning business, drove to Walnut Creek from San Francisco to host her friend’s gender reveal party. She expected about 30 family members and friends to attend, but with masks, she said as she adjusted her own black mask.
102 “I wouldn’t have done this indoors,” she said. “No, no no.”
The crowds were smaller several miles away at Larkey Park. A woman sat in the shade next to her young son. A couple stretched on a blanket in the shade and closed their eyes.
A woman walked her young daughter into the park panting.
“Much cooler in the shade,” she said to her daughter before putting her on the ground.
Not everyone lingered in city parks.
Cooler temperatures drew high numbers of visitors to parks closer to the bay, such as Tilden Park above Berkeley. Many people on crowded trails wore masks and tried to observe social distancing, according to general manager Robert Doyle of the East Bay Regional Park District. Others did not.
Park staff also stopped a number of people from taking a dip in lakes — lakes that are closed to swimmers because of concerns about spreading the coronavirus, Doyle said.
103
Park District Board Approves Land Use Plan for New Regional Park in Diablo Valley EBRPD Press Release By ECT -Jul 11, 2020
On Tuesday, July 7, 2020, the East Bay Regional Park District Board of Directors unanimously approved the final land use plan for public access improvements and open space preservation at the Park District’s new 2,540- plus-acre Concord Hills Regional Park (working name). The final land use plan includes a joint visitor center with the National Park Service highlighting the history of the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and the Diablo Valley, staging areas, and miles of recreational trails for hiking, biking, and nature viewing.
“This is the true culmination of a decades-long community effort,” said Beverly Lane, who has represented Concord on the East Bay Regional Park District Board since 1994. “I’m proud to be part of the Park District and its effort to produce a truly fabulous plan for a new Regional Park in the Diablo Valley.”
“This important land use plan will provide public access, preserve natural habitat, and honor the unique natural and human history of the land,” added Lane.
In July 2019, after a 20+ year community effort, the Park District received possession of 2,216 acres of U.S. Navy property at the Concord Naval Weapons Station. An additional 327 acres will transfer to the District at a later time.
The final land use plan utilizes existing developed areas and buildings to the greatest extent possible. The final approved plan and the associated environmental analysis permanently preserve 95% of the land as open space and protected habitat.
“Turning the former military base into a world-class park will take very many years and millions of dollars to restore and open,” said East Bay Regional Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “However, thanks to the Park District and community’s efforts, 2,500 plus acres of scenic Diablo Valley landscape is permanently protected.”
“The opportunity to partner with the National Park Service to tell the unique and important natural and historic story of the land in a future joint visitor is exciting and rare. We thank National Park Service and all of our partners for their help in making this world-class park a reality,” added Doyle.
104 On July 17, 1944, over 5,000 tons of munitions at Port Chicago exploded, killing 320 mostly enlisted African American sailors. The tragic explosion accounted for a quarter of all African American deaths in World War II and highlighted racial inequality within the Navy. On July 26, 1948, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, ordering the desegregation of all military forces. The National Park Service operates the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial at the site of the explosion, recognizing those that perished.
Creating a new Regional Park in the Diablo Valley has been a partnership between the Park District, U.S. Navy, National Park Service, City of Concord, and Save Mount Diablo. Public access is expected to come first to the southern portions of the park consisting of 900 acres south of Bailey Road.
The Board will consider the official naming of the new Regional Park at a later time after additional community outreach and engagement.
105
Hike the East Bay Regional Park District trails this summer Jul 9, 2020
Now that summer has arrived in earnest, it’s time to think about where you can find cool parks on hot days for the fresh air and exercise that are so vital to good health, especially during the ongoing pandemic.
There are lots of cooler options for hiking and riding in the East Bay Regional Park District. The district encourages visiting parks close to home, but wherever you live in the East Bay, you can find a regional park near you. Here are some suggestions:
Point Pinole Regional Shoreline. Cooled by breezes from San Pablo Bay in Richmond, Point Pinole has a colorful and explosive history, beautiful views of the bay and Marin County, and shady trails through eucalyptus groves.
Tilden Regional Park. Next door to Berkeley, Tilden is one of the district’s original parks, with many hiking and cycling options. Check out the Wildcat Gorge Trail for a shaded hike along Wildcat Creek.
Briones Regional Park. Located between Orinda and Martinez, Briones has miles of hiking and riding trails. For a shaded walk, try the single-track Bear Creek Trail, which starts next to the Newt Hollow picnic area at the Bear Creek Road entrance.
George Miller Jr. Trail. The trail is located on a no-vehicle section of Carquinez Scenic Drive between Port Costa and Martinez. It’s breezy, with great views of the strait and Benicia. It’s on the map for Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline.
Diablo Foothills Regional Park. The park’s Orchard Staging Area is at the end of Castle Rock Road in Walnut Creek. The trail starts out in the sun, then connects to the Old Stage Road, which is mostly in the trees with views of the imposing Castle Rocks.
Big Break Regional Shoreline. On Big Break Road off Main Street in Oakley, this park is right on the water. Among other features, it has an open-air, walk-on scale model of the entire Delta, and a pier from which you can observe waterbirds and other wildlife.
Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. Check out the Ringtail Cat Trail, which starts at the trailhead at the end of Hemme Avenue in Alamo (limited parking). The trail follows a streambed (dry this time of year) through the woods for a quarter-mile, then heads steeply uphill to the sunnier Madrone Trail.
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park. There are any number of shady trails through this beautiful area of second-growth redwood trees. One main entrance is on Redwood Road about two miles east of its intersection with Skyline Boulevard in Oakland.
106 Crown Memorial State Beach. East Bay Regional Park District operates this beach on behalf of the state and the city of Alameda. You can seek out bayside breezes by entering at the main lot on Otis and Shore Line Drives. Swim at your own risk; there’s no lifeguard service.
Coyote Hills Regional Park. Another park with a rich natural and cultural history. Great views of the south Bay; lots of bird life in and around the marsh. The park is at the end of Patterson Ranch Road off Paseo Padre Parkway in Fremont.
Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness. Alameda Creek runs through this park, which is a gateway to miles of trails through the East Bay’s most remote open space. The entrance is at the end of Geary Road off Calaveras Road, five miles south of I-680 and the town of Sunol.
Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. On Stanley Boulevard east of downtown Pleasanton. The swim area is closed, but there are trails along the lakeshore and to a nearby pond for wildlife viewing.
For more trail maps, directions, and detailed information on all of these parks and others, visit the district website, www.ebparks.org. Check also for COVID-19 updates at the top of the home page.
And while you are in the parks, you may encounter district naturalists. Look for them in their khaki uniforms and Smokey Bear hats. Though scheduled nature programs are on hold because of the pandemic, the naturalists are still out in the parks, practicing social distancing, but happy to provide general information or to talk about the parks’ fascinating features.
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Wind-driven fire forces evacuations in Oakley Tony Kukulich Jul 8, 2020 Updated Jul 9, 2020 A wind-driven vegetation fire scorched more than 30 acres and forced evacuations in Oakley, Calif., Tuesday, July 7, 2020. Residents of Summer Lake and along Sandmound Boulevard were evacuated for several hours while crews from the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and a helicopter from the East Bay Regional Park District worked to get the blaze under control. (Tony Kukulich/The Press)
A fast-moving vegetation fire driven by high winds forced the evacuation of some Oakley residents Tuesday afternoon, July 7.
“There were a number of different evacuations that were called because of the wind, and just in case of a wind shift,” said East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) Fire Marshal Steve Aubert. “All of the Summer Lake community and Sandmound Road were evacuated by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office and Oakley PD.”
Aubert said the fire was initially reported around 11:40 a.m. It appeared to have started in the vicinity of ECCFPD Station 55, which is situated near the corner of East Cypress and Bethel Island roads and is currently unoccupied. Wind blowing out of the west pushed the fire to the east and it rapidly expanded.
The Summer Lake neighborhood sits on the south side of East Cypress Road, and as firefighters arrived on scene, there was concern that if the wind changed direction it could have crossed the road and ignited homes. However, the wind didn’t shift and the fire continued its movement toward Sandmound Road.
This was the second time in less than a year that Summer Lake was evacuated due to fire. Another vegetation fire, this one triggered by faulty PG&E equipment, started in the early- morning hours of Oct. 27, 2019. That evacuation was, by most accounts, chaotic. It was also complicated by firefighting operations at multiple locations along the principal evacuation route, a situation that was not repeated this time.
As the fire moved east, a single home on the 3600 block of East Cypress sat directly in its path. Without enough resources to extinguish the fire that was burning in thick grass and brush, firefighters worked for the better part of two hours to push the fire around the home and kept it from burning.
Standing atop a levee along the eastern edge of the fire, ECCFPD Battalion Chief Ross Macumber recalled fighting what he said was the exact same fire eight years earlier. He said in that incident, the fire crossed the levee and descended into thick brush where it lost energy before it hit Sandmound Road. He predicted this fire would do the same, and the fire behaved nearly as he predicted, though firefighting efforts were helped this time by an East Bay Regional Park District helicopter that made repeated water drops on numerous hot spots in the burned over area.
108 The fire was declared 95% contained at 2 p.m., and the evacuation order was lifted shortly thereafter. However, crews remained on scene for at least another five hours battling flare-ups and extinguishing hot spots.
All three ECCFPD engines were committed to this incident for most of the day, which left the rest of the district unprotected. A number of engine companies from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (ConFire) responded to the incident, while other ConFire units assisted with coverage of the district. A mutual aid request was made for a strike team assembled from units across the region. The request was canceled as the team was en route.
The fire, which was estimated to have burned at least 30 acres. An ECCFPD spokesperson said the fire was sparked accidentally by an individual mowing grass.
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Oakley: Firefighters extinguish latest East Contra Costa blaze All-clear issued after neighborhood residents told to evacuate; officials recount recent fires’ toll By GEORGE KELLY | [email protected] and HARRY HARRIS | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: July 7, 2020 at 1:29 p.m. | UPDATED: July 8, 2020 at 6:08 a.m. OAKLEY, CA - JULY 7: An East Contra Costa County firefighter hoses down hot spots on a vegetation fire near the homes on East Cypress Road and East Summer Lake Drive in Oakley, Calif., on Tuesday, July 7, 2020. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
OAKLEY — Firefighters have apparently stopped forward progress on a fast-moving grass fire Tuesday afternoon that spurred evacuation orders for residents of a neighborhood, authorities said.
Just after 11:40 a.m., firefighters responded aboard a dozen engines to East Cypress Road and Summer Lake Drive near the fire district’s unmanned fire station, and Contra Costa sheriff’s deputies also responded to assist with traffic control.
In an alert just before 12:40 p.m., Contra Costa County’s community warning system called for immediate evacuation near the Summer Lake neighborhood and along Sandmound Boulevard. Residents were told to take only essential items, put pets in carriers or on leashes, lock their windows and doors and head to Delta Vista Middle School north of East Cypress Road.
Residents were also advised to stay off their phones unless they were reporting a life- threatening emergency, and to call 911 for help if they were physically unable to leave home unassisted. Those evacuation orders were later lifted around 2:45 p.m.
Firefighters with the Crockett Carquinez Fire District posted to social media that they were sending a strike team, joining other inbound fire resources, but later said the request had been cancelled.
No initial word was available on any threatened structures or injuries on what was being called the Cypress Fire.
Tuesday was the fourth day in a row East Contra Costa Fire Protection District firefighters had battled a significant blaze.
On Monday night, 16 acres of grass and some brush were burned in the area of Vasco Road and Camino Diablo in Byron.
110 That fire started about 5:05 p.m. Monday and was contained in a few hours by 24 firefighters from East Contra Costa and other agencies. No injuries were reported and the cause is under investigation.
On Sunday, a rekindle in the 4800 block of Holland Tract Road in Knightsen of a fireworks-caused 30-acre vegetation fire Saturday scorched another 44 acres before it was brought under control, officials said.
Sunday’s fire, which was driven by winds, erupted about 3:28 p.m. Fifteen firefighters from the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District and the Contra Costa County fire Protection District responded.
Eagle Six, the East Bay Regional Park District’s helicopter, made water drops and crews were able to use a bulldozer to make a fire break around the perimeter and break up debris piles. The fire was declared contained at 9:21 p.m.. There were no injuries.
The Saturday fire started around 5:05 p.m. and brought 30 firefighters from East Contra Costa and other agencies to the scene. Ground units were aided by aerial water drops and the fire was contained about 8:30 p.m
Crews were hampered by winds, thick grass and ditches and, at one point, a single East Contra Costa engine company fought the fire for 20 minutes by themselves because the two other engine companies were on other calls.
There were no injuries but damage was estimated at $100,000 and included a tractor, irrigation pipe and dock casement, officials said.
Since Saturday the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, which officials have said is extremely understaffed with just three of six fire stations open, responded to more than 30 fires, officials said.
In some fires, firefighters making initial responses with one engine had to wait for additional resources to become available as early as 5 p.m. Saturday and throughout the night.
There were also about 80 other calls for service for the department and police agencies in the area.
In one incident, a 4-year-old boy and his father suffered burns Saturday in Brentwood, apparently from fireworks.
At least 125 total acres were consumed by fire, 70 citations were issued and 100 pounds of fireworks were seized, East Contra Costa Battalion Chief and Fire Marshall Steve Aubert said Tuesday.
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Fire Crews Contain Brush Fire In Fremont’s Coyote Hills Regional Park July 6, 2020 at 2:20 pm
FREMONT (CBS SF) — Fire crews from Fremont and Alameda County have contained a brush fire in Coyote Hills Regional Park Monday afternoon, according to authorities.
The so-called Patterson Fire is burning off of Patterson Ranch Road in the park and has grown to approximately 40 acres, according to a tweet by the Fremont Fire Department.
Firefighters requested assistance from the East Bay Regional Parks District helicopter shortly after 2 p.m. Firefighters were reporting diminished smoke and appeared to be making progress on the fire as of 2:45 p.m.
Residual smoke is traveling throughout Fremont, Union City and Newark.
Cal Fire reported that the fire had burned 150 acres and was 100 percent contained as of about 7 p.m.
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Fremont: Fire burns in vegetation at Coyote Hills park No immediate word on threatened structures or injuries By GEORGE KELLY | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: July 6, 2020 at 2:14 p.m. | UPDATED: July 7, 2020 at 2:08 p.m.
FREMONT, CA - JULY 06: Fremont and Alameda County firefighters mop up hot spots from a 40-acre grass fire in the marsh at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont, Calif., on Monday, July 6, 2020. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
FREMONT — Firefighters with multiple departments battled and extinguished a 39-acre grass fire Monday afternoon near Coyote Hills Regional Park, authorities said. Just before 1:30 p.m., firefighters learned of flames in the Alameda Creek Trail salt flats off the 8000 block of Patterson Ranch Road just northwest of the park. Eight engines and three battalion chiefs responded from Alameda County and Fremont fire departments to find flames in marshlands near the park’s entrance. There were no reports of any injuries or damaged structures for what officials were calling the Patterson fire. Heavy smoke spread by shifting winds across the Tri-Cities region delayed initial estimates on size and spread, complicating a request for an East Bay Regional Park District helicopter to assist with a coordinated bucket-drop. Around 3:40 p.m., Alameda County fire resources also responded to a 10-acre vegetation fire near eastbound lanes of Interstate 580 at Patterson Pass Road and Via Nicolo along the county’s eastern border with San Joaquin County. That fire, which was also being referred to as the Patterson fire, was driven by westerly winds of up to 25 mph and interfering with I-580 traffic but had no reports of threatened structures and appeared at least partially contained at between 30 to 40 acres. Forward progress was stopped at 150 acres shortly before 4:40 p.m., with full containment by 7 p.m.
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Busy parks, masks, distancing the rule of the day for Fourth of July Tom Stienstra July 5, 2020 Updated: July 5, 2020 6:01 p.m. The parking lot at Montara State Beach has been closed to limit visitors during the health crisis. Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle
In the face of heavy visitor traffic over the Fourth of July weekend, entrances to three East Bay parks were blocked off after parking areas filled, and a fire on adjacent land closed another park.
The three parks that filled and were closed off were Lake Chabot and Point Pinole regional parks, and Sunol Regional Wilderness, according to Park Superintendent Bob Doyle. Mission Peak Regional Preserve near Fremont, another that received high use, was evacuated after a 100-acre brush fire flared on adjacent private land along Calaveras Road.
At the same time, Doyle and other park managers across the Bay Area said that 80% to 90% of visitors took care to social distance and wore masks when that was not possible, in respect to laws in place to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Other park managers reported similar encounters.
“Parks are the only game in town and we were really busy,” Doyle said. “People did well, better than ever, masks and distancing, even on Alameda Beach, our biggest beach on San Francisco Bay.”
To provide oversight over the holiday weekend, it was “all hands on deck,” park managers said. At East Bay Parks, Doyle said nearly 200 park rangers, park police and fire officials were monitoring the district’s 73 parks.
In Marin County, at Point Reyes National Seashore, three roads to popular trailheads were shut down to reduce the chance for clustering, said Christine Beekman, acting chief of interpretation at the park.
The park closed the outer reaches of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Point Reyes Lighthouse and Chimney Rock Headlands, as well as the road to Mount Vision. North of Bolinas, the park closed Mesa Road to the Palomarin Trailhead, a potential logjam site as the staging area and launch point to the Coast Trail and trips to Bass Lake and Alamere Falls.
On the Peninsula, San Mateo County Parks Director Nicholas Calderon called the weekend a success, with large numbers of visitors following social distancing and face mask protocols .
“We had no incidents,” Calderon said. “The behavior we observed was very respectful toward visitors, staff and the environment.”
117 Calderon said he ventured to Pillar Point Bluff, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, Quarry Park, San Pedro Valley County Park, Coyote Point Recreation Area and Junipero Serra County Park and saw similar behavior, something affirmed by rangers across the district’s 23 parks.
“What we’re seeing out there, 90%, if not more, have the face covering with them, and wear it when they can’t stay socially distanced,” Calderon said.
He called the number of visitors comparable to any popular summer weekend.
While Highway 1 on the coast typically clogs up in Pacifica at Rockaway Beach and at Pillar Point Harbor in Princeton, the traffic was mitigated over the Fourth of July when California Department of Parks shut down parking lots and prohibited parking at nearby roads at nine state beaches from Pacifica on south 30 miles past Pescadero.
The most dramatic event Saturday at parks in the Bay Area was the evacuation of visitors at Mission Peak.
“We had a pretty good fire near Mission Peak,” Doyle said. “It was on private property but we had to evacuate the park anyway. We had to do the whole loudspeaker thing, get a helicopter up there, scare everybody off the mountain.”
As with mask and social distancing at parks through the region, visitors complied, he said.
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In brief: U.S. House OKs act with several of DeSaulnier’s provisions The Moving Forward bill would invest almost $1.5 trillion to fund new projects By COMPILED BY EAST BAY TIMES | July 5, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Jose Carlos Fajardo/staff archives Ten measures authored by California’s 11th congressional district U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, above, were included in the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) that the House of Representatives passed July 1.
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
On July 1, 10 measures authored by California’s 11th congressional district U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier were included in the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) that passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 233 to 188. The bill would invest nearly $1.5 trillion to fund new, transformative projects to create millions of jobs; reduce carbon pollution; dramatically improve safety; improve school, hospital, and airport infrastructure; and spur economic activity.
“Our nation’s infrastructure is in dire need of repair. As a result, traffic increases, students’ education suffers, safety is compromised and irreparable harm is done to our environment,” said DeSaulnier. “Now is the moment for bold action to fix our infrastructure and put our country back to work.”
DeSaulnier’s efforts included in the bill would support and encourage thoughtful, effective planning; provide strong oversight of our federal investments; and combat climate change through transportation infrastructure. Among those provisions are:
• Growing Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure: Based on DeSaulnier’s Clean Corridors Act (H.R. 2616), the bill would provide grant funding to build out EV and hydrogen fueling infrastructure, with an emphasis on communities that are most affected by greenhouse gas emissions. It would also ensure that a range of EV chargers are eligible for federal funding, reducing “range anxiety” for EV owners and drivers. • Linking economic and transportation development: This would provide grants to help implement a process known as “land value capture” to better public transportation investment and would require the U.S. Transportation Department to develop value-capture best practices, standards and policies. • Expanding bicycle and pedestrian programs: The provision would ensure that multicounty special agencies such as the East Bay Regional Park District are eligible for bicycle, pedestrian and environmental innovation program funding. • Improving megaproject oversight: Introduced by DeSaulnier in the Transportation Megaprojects Accountability and Oversight Act (H.R. 5508), the language establishes a megaprojects peer review group, helping to save taxpayers millions of dollars by reducing project cost overruns and minimizing projects delays.
DeSaulnier, a member of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, previously served as chair of the California State Senate Transportation and Housing Committee as well as the California Assembly Transportation Committee, is a former
119 member of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and has been a longtime leader in advocating for safe and efficient transportation systems. For more details, visit desaulnier.house.gov.
— U.S. Rep. DeSaulnier’s office
ORINDA
Community-wide virtual evacuation exercise on July 18
Orinda’s first community-wide virtual evacuation exercise is scheduled for July 18. The all-Orinda event, a collaboration of the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District, the Orinda Police Department and the county sheriff’s office’s Community Warning System (CWS), will start at 7:30 a.m.
Designed to refine the communication system that will be used in the event of an evacuation order and to improve information sharing and coordination, the wildfire simulation will mimic a fire’s spread to coordinate a time-phased evacuation in which residents closest to the threat will be notified first.
This scenario will also be used to refine fire-police-CWS coordination and information- sharing to create a common operating picture and to test CWS notifications on a mass scale locally. The success of the exercise depends on residents registering for the CWS, which will send phone and text alerts to residents’ cellphones. Visit cwsalerts.com/registration to sign up before the evacuation drill.
— Hatti Hamlin
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Contra Costa County fire crews respond to 67 fires on night of July 4th by: Erica Pieschke Posted: Jul 5, 2020 / 09:25 AM PDT / Updated: Jul 5, 2020 / 09:26 AM PDT Photos: Contra Costa Fire CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. (KRON) – Contra Costa County firefighters responded to dozens of fires Saturday night. Crews had been preparing for expected fireworks-related fires across the county for 4th of July festivities. Just before 8:30 p.m., officials say they were able to stop four fires that broke out in Brentwood, Bay Point and Pittsburg. Those fires were being investigated, but officials say fireworks are believed to be the cause. By 9:08 p.m., the PIO posted to Twitter reporting more than 10 fires had started in two hours, three of which were confirmed at the time to have been caused by fireworks. Crews were responding to vegetation fires, as well as structure fires that were threatening residents, and homes nearby. While crews were prepared ahead of time, Con Fire tweeted: ‘As a result of the unprecedented demand for fire services, Con Fire is now dispatching only a single fire engine to non-structure fires. We ares currently simultaneously on scene of 14 fires across the District , including 3 structure fires.’ From 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. crews responded to more than 50 fires across the county. After 10 p.m., firefighters responded to 18 vegetation fires, two of which were confirmed to be caused by fireworks. A fire that broke out on Southwood Drive in Pittsburg threatened multiple homes, according to officials. About an hour and a half later, officials reported that the forward progress of that fire had been stopped and no structures were lost. A fire in Antioch brought down power lines on O Street which created additional hazards. Early Sunday morning, officials reported that crews responded to 67 fires between the hours of 7 p.m. and midnight. Of the 67, at least 16 of them were confirmed to be caused by fireworks. Thankfully, Con Fire reported no homes were lost.
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Park It: Sharing East Bay trails more important with increased use Courtesy, safety precautions are key, especially on paved, interpark paths By NED MACKAY | East Bay Regional Park District PUBLISHED: July 5, 2020 at 5:00 a.m. | UPDATED: July 6, 2020 at 4:00 a.m. Jim Stevens/staff archives Pedestrians use the Iron Horse Trail near the Pleasanton- Dublin BART station and the Hacienda Business Park in Pleasanton. Sheltering in place, working at home and other coronavirus-related precautions have resulted in increased use of East Bay Regional Park District trails on weekdays as well as weekends, especially on paved, interpark trails such as the Iron Horse, Marsh Creek, Delta De Anza, Contra Costa Canal and Alameda Creek trails.
Sheltering in place, working at home and other coronavirus-related precautions have resulted in increased use of regional parks and trails on weekdays as well as weekends. So it’s a good idea to keep in mind some safety precautions and practice trail courtesy. We all have to share the road, especially on paved, interpark trails such as the Marsh Creek, Delta De Anza, Contra Costa Canal, Iron Horse and Alameda Creek trails.
So if you’re walking, leave enough room so that bicyclists or faster pedestrians can pass. Stay to the right if possible. If you’re bicycling, the speed limit is 15 miles per hour. And if you’re passing another trail user, it’s helpful to ring a bicycle bell or call out “on your left (or right).” Skiers do it all the time, and it helps to prevent collisions.
Within the East Bay Regional Park District, hikers and bicyclists yield the right of way to horseback riders, and cyclists yield to walkers. Of course it’s nice to accommodate other park visitors if circumstances suggest it, regardless of who has the right-of-way. In general, bicycles are supposed to stay on the wider-track fire roads and service roads, though a number of the parks have narrow-gauge trails that are open to all. Most single- track trails are restricted to hikers and horseback riders, and some are exclusively for hikers. Check the key on each park map and look for signage on the ground to determine the status of a specific trail. And please stay on the official trails. Use of unofficial trails or cutting cross-country is disruptive to wildlife and causes erosion.
All the coronavirus-related safety measures are still in place in the regional parks. This means we are supposed to visit parks close to home and only with small groups consisting of family and other household members. Please maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet from other visitors, and carry a mask for use on narrow trails or at gates where social distancing is difficult. Hand sanitizer is a good idea too. Large group picnics are off the agenda for now.
Although some rest rooms are open, it’s best to “go before you go.” And bring your own drinking water, because water fountains have been shut off for the duration. Pack out your trash. For the duration of the pandemic, dogs are supposed to be on leash at all times in the regional parks. The reasoning is that off-leash dogs tend to congregate, which makes it likelier that unrelated owners will also congregate.
122 Fireworks, smoking not allowed: Although July Fourth will have passed by the time this column appears, leftover fireworks may still present a problem. So for the record, any and all fireworks are prohibited in the regional parks. Moreover, all smoking, including vaping, is prohibited in the parklands. The weather has been hot recently, the vegetation is very dry, and the park district Fire Department is on high alert.
There is some good news too. If health departments determine that the pandemic is subsiding at an acceptable rate, after the state’s current upswing has passed, the park district may begin to open more facilities and resume normal operations with health safety protocols in place to protect the public.
And look for the park district’s July-August Activity Guide that is inserted in many local papers. This issue contains a ton of educational materials about the regional parks’ flora and fauna along with fun, self-directed activities that parents and children can engage in together. Learn about the park district’s wildfire management plan with updates from Fire Chief Aileen Thiele. You can access the Activity Guide online at ebparks.org/activities/RIN. Overall, your best source of up-to-date information about the status of regional parks and programs is the park district’s website, ebparks.org (click on “COVID-19 Park and Trail Updates” at the top of the home page).
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With pro fireworks on hold, illicit use sparks small fires across Bay Area Fire officials report hundreds of calls as homebound residents take to streets with illegal explosives By ALDO TOLEDO | [email protected] and RICK HURD | [email protected] | PUBLISHED: July 4, 2020 at 10:25 p.m. | UPDATED: July 6, 2020 at 4:01 a.m. OAKLAND, CA – JULY 4: Illegal fireworks explode around Lake Merritt in Oakland, Calif., during the annual Fourth of July on Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
SAN JOSE — A smoky haze that lingered over the Bay Area on Sunday was the fading remnant of thunderous, illicit fireworks displays that may have caused hundreds of fires overnight. Depending on who you ask, the spontaneous shows were a way for residents to share awe and joy during a time of unprecedented upheaval or an ear-shattering nuisance that’s been building in intensity for weeks. Either way, they brought with them a wave of small and large blazes in a region already steeped in serious fire danger. Firefighters scrambled to respond to blazes that broke out Saturday night and early Sunday morning as illicit fireworks popped in the night sky above them, with residents emerging after months of stay-at-home orders to light everything from tiny sparklers to huge explosives. There were about 60 fire calls between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday across Contra Costa County, Capt. George Laing said, with calls to multiple fires at the same time across the department’s coverage area throughout the night.
“The fireworks were unfortunately a contributing factor to the busy night we had, and it was just intensely active with illegal fireworks,” Capt. Laing said. “Fireworks are illegal. But it doesn’t seem to have concerned the hundreds if not thousands who were lighting off all different types and causing fires around the Bay Area.”
In Santa Clara County, the Park Fire had burned some 350 acres by Sunday afternoon near Anderson Reservoir, though officials did not immediately pinpoint a likely cause for that blaze.
In San Francisco, fire officials said crews had responded to about 110 fires in a 12-hour span beginning at about 3 p.m. on July 4. The vast majority were caused by fireworks, authorities said.
Oakland Fire spokesman Michael Hunt said the city experienced more fireworks activity than anyone could remember. He said roving patrols were able to respond quickly to avoid serious damage.
“Every corner of the city felt the noise or fear of the firework activity,” he said. “There were very few areas that didn’t have some activity going on.”
124 Hunt said the cancellation of professional fireworks shows because of the coronavirus pandemic flooded the market with high-caliber fireworks.
“Everything about this year seemed to be a little different and had everybody on edge,” he added. “It was unprecedented and incredibly dangerous.”
Richmond Police Department responded to 299 fireworks-related calls, according to Lt. Matt Stonebraker.
Though most of the fires were minor with little damage, some blazes spread dangerously through populated areas. In San Francisco, officials reported a six-acre fire on Thomas Avenue, where several motor homes were saved.
Fire crews knocked down a large fire just before 9 p.m. Saturday at Watson Park in San Jose at about 8:48 p.m., San Jose Fire Department Public Information Manger Erica Ray said.
Contra Costa Fire crews responded to more than 50 fires before midnight, including a major blaze in the area of Southwood Drive and Oak Hills Drive in Pittsburg, fire spokesman Steve Hill said. In that fire, it took about a crew of about 20 to keep homes from burning.
Crews at one point were simultaneously on the scene of 14 fires, three of them involving some type of building, Hill said. They were dispatching only a single fire engine to any non-structure fire because of the demand for service.
In Alameda County, crews fought fires in Newark, Dublin and San Leandro.
The activity was not unexpected. ConFire crews prepared for the night by bringing in extra engines and bulldozers and by putting some of their crews on 24-hour duty, Fire Chief Lewis Broschard said.
Broschard said the fact that the Fourth of July holiday fell on a Saturday night following months of the public being forced indoors because of the COVID-19 pandemic had fire crews “anticipating it would be busier.” Broschard said the month leading up to the holiday also was a clue, noting that calls were up 400% over the same six weeks a year ago.
On Friday, crews chased 14 fires in seven hours. Four of them — two that damaged vehicles and two that damaged homes — burned in Concord during a 30-minute span, Hill said. Fire crews put them all out without any injuries. Earlier Saturday, California Department of Forestry and Fire Management crews, along with Alameda County and Livermore-Pleasanton Fire personnel almost fully contained a blaze in the hills of Sunol that burned 100 acres. That blaze was 70% contained by midnight, and crews were expected to be working to contain the fire through the night.
The collective smoke from the burning fires that settled over the Bay Area on Sunday was funneled southeast through the far South Bay, where the Park Fire over 300 acres of land burned near Morgan Hill. The Bay Area Air Quality District issued an air quality advisory through Monday and added that impacts include smoky skies, smell of smoke and localized elevated particle pollution.
For some, the waves of pops, bangs and booms, terrifying to many pets and upsetting to some humans, weren’t completely unwelcome, prompting a feeling of unity amid an uncertain time for the nation and the world.
125 Karen Levin and Stephen Morris watched the fireworks from their back porch in Kensington, where they can see the San Francisco skyline, the bridges and Mount Tamalpais. The explosions, visible from Oakland to Richmond, “never stopped,” Levin said Sunday.
“It was constant for two hours and quite showy. It was wonderful.”
Morris also enjoyed the spontaneous bursts of colorful lights, but with mixed feelings. He said he worried about the fire danger and the impact the noise had on some animals and people “who don’t like the sound of a war zone.” In East Palo Alto, residents gathered in driveways and yards, sitting in lawn chairs or the hoods of their cars to watch the spectacle. In a festive spirit, there was music, food, shouting, smoke and the distinct smell of sulfur as explosions erupted on the streets. Elsewhere, Brooke Kerber, 23, of San Jose said the fireworks felt out of place.
“I felt it was a strange fourth of July made stranger by celebratory fireworks at night after weeks of fireworks to remind us each night that Black Lives Matter,” Kerber said. She added that she was concerned about fires that were started by fireworks overnight.
“Any time we endanger wildlife and people I am concerned for everyone’s wellbeing,” she said.
Staff writers Elliott Almond and Lisa Krieger contributed to this report.
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Sunol Brush Fire Grows to 100 Acres; 30 Percent Contained July 4, 2020 at 4:00 pm
PLEASANTON (CBS SF) — A brush fire near the Sunol Regional Wilderness park has burned 100 acres and was 30 percent contained as of 3:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Cal Fire.
The blaze started about 1:30 p.m. Saturday along Sheridan Road in Sunol.
Cal Fire and Alameda County firefighters are battling the blaze.
In addition, East Bay Regional Park District police are helping park Mission Peak and Sunol park visitors to leave the area, officials said.
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Crown Memorial Beach Open In Alameda Bea Karnes Patch•July 4, 2020 ALAMEDA, CA — With temperatures predicted to rise to the high 70s, the 4th of July is shaping up to be a perfect beach day. One of the most popular beaches in the East Bay, Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda, will be open.
Although it is a state beach, it is operated by the East Bay Regional Park District, which plans to leave it open all weekend.
Some rules remain the same — no alcohol, no fireworks, and no dogs. And a nod to coronavirus — remain at least 6 feet away from people who are not in your group and wear masks when necessary.
The Crab Cove Visitor Center is closed, and the McKay Parking Lot is closed, so you'll need to walk in. Restoration continues at the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, so it remains off limits.
Happy 4th of July from Patch. Enjoy!
Read more about Crown Beach.
LIST: CA Beaches Open, Closed During 4th Of July Weekend
This article originally appeared on the Alameda Patch
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Which Bay Area beaches and parks are open July 4 weekend By Katie Dowd, SFGATE and Andrew Chamings Updated 4:46 pm PDT, Thursday, July 2, 2020 Photo: Mike Moffitt, SFGATE FILE: Pacifica's beaches are off-limits to vehicle traffic and parking this holiday weekend.
The 2020 Independence Day holiday weekend looks a lot different from previous years in the Bay Area. Fireworks shows are cancelled, and face- mask wearing and social distancing while outside is still mandatory across the state.
The region's state parks and beaches, which normally see one of their busiest weekends of year, have instituted varying restrictions on visitors to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus over the holiday.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation states that "it is important for visitors to continue to practice physical distancing and avoid congregating with people outside their immediate household. Everyone has the responsibility to mitigate the spread of COVID-19."
Here's a run down what is and isn't open over the July 4th weekend:
Año Nuevo State Park: The beach is temporarily closed to vehicular access to reduce the density of visitors from July 3-5. This means there are no public parking facilities, and parking on roadways is prohibited. Beaches are open to local residents that can walk or bike into the public outdoor spaces.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: The park is open but visitors are being asked to leave if there are too many people to allow for the required physical distance.
Bean Hollow State Beach: The beach is temporarily closed to vehicular access to reduce the density of visitors from July 3-5. This means there are no public parking facilities, and parking on roadways is prohibited. Beaches are open to local residents that can walk or bike into the public outdoor spaces.
Robert W. Crown Memorial State Beach: The beach is open, although the McKay parking lot and the Crab Cove visitor center are closed.
Mount Diablo State Park: The park is open, although the Summit parking area is closed, along with the barbecue areas and campgrounds.
China Camp State Park: The beach is open but visitors are being asked to leave if there are too many people to allow for the required physical distance.
Mount Tamalpais State Park: The park is open, including all parking lots, restrooms and trails.
Samuel P. Taylor State Park: The park is open, including all parking lots, restrooms and trails.
Tomales Bay State Park: The park is open, including all parking lots, restrooms and trails.
129 Angel Island State Park: The park is open, including the boat docks, vessel mooring area, restrooms and kiosks. All other buildings, tours and camping areas are closed.
Robert Louis Stevenson State Park: Although it is open, the Napa County Regional Park and Open Space District is asking all visitors to avoid the area, as they do not have enough parking for the volume of visitors they’ve been receiving lately.
Half Moon Bay State Beach: Walk or bike-in access for locals only from July 3-5 to avoid overcrowding on the holiday weekend. Parking lots will be closed and parking on roadways is banned.
Montara State Beach: Walk or bike-in access for locals only from July 3-5 to avoid overcrowding on the holiday weekend. Parking lots will be closed and parking on roadways is banned.
Pacifica State Beach: Walk or bike-in access for locals only from July 3-5 to avoid overcrowding on the holiday weekend. Parking lots will be closed and parking on roadways is banned.
Pigeon Point Light Station State Historic Park: Walk or bike-in access for locals only from July 3-5 to avoid overcrowding on the holiday weekend. Parking lots will be closed and parking on roadways is banned.
San Gregorio State Beach: Walk or bike-in access for locals only from July 3-5 to avoid overcrowding on the holiday weekend. Parking lots will be closed and parking on roadways is banned.
Henry W. Coe State Park: The park is open but with “very limited” public parking available. Once lots fill, the park will close to additional vehicles.
Sonoma Coast State Park: Walk or bike-in access for locals only from July 3-5 to avoid overcrowding on the holiday weekend. Parking lots will be closed and parking on roadways is banned.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area: Parks and beaches are open except for: All picnic areas in Marin and San Francisco counties Kirby Cove Day Use Area Bicentennial Campground, Haypress Campground and Hawk Camp Muir Beach fire pits Marin Headlands Visitor Center Nike Missile Site Point Bonita Lighthouse Alcatraz Island Ocean Beach fire pits Presidio Visitor Center Fort Point National Historic Site Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center Lands End Lookout Visitor Center
San Francisco beaches: All San Francisco beach parking lots are closed through the Fourth of July weekend. Closures include: Baker Beach China Beach Crissy Field (West Bluff and East Beach) Fort Funston Fort Point (Parking Lot and Long Avenue) Golden Gate Bridge (Langdon Court and Battery East) Lands End (Merrie Way and Navy Memorial parking) Marina Green Ocean Beach
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DeSaulnier-Authored Efforts to Improve Transportation Safety and Efficiency Pass in U.S. House of Representatives July 1, 2020 Press Release Ten Provisions Included in Moving Forward Act Washington, DC – Today, ten measures authored by Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) were included in the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) that passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 233-to-188. The bill invests nearly $1.5 trillion to fund new, transformative projects that will create millions of jobs; reduce carbon pollution; dramatically improve safety; improve school, hospital, and airport infrastructure; and spur economic activity. “Our nation’s infrastructure is in dire need of repair. As a result traffic increases, students’ education suffers, safety is compromised, and irreparable harm is done to our environment,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “Now is the moment for bold action to fix our infrastructure and put our country back to work. This bill, including measures I authored to reduce emissions, spur investment in public transportation, and ensure proper oversight of federal investments, is exactly what this country needs. We need big ideas to solve a big problem, and this bill does just that.” Congressman DeSaulnier’s efforts included in the bill would support and encourage thoughtful, effective planning; provide strong oversight of our federal investments; and combat climate change through transportation infrastructure. Among those provisions were:
• Growing Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure: Based on Congressman DeSaulnier’s Clean Corridors Act (H.R. 2616), the bill provides grant funding to build out EV and hydrogen fueling infrastructure, with an emphasis on communities that are most affected by greenhouse gas emissions. It also ensures that a range of EV chargers are eligible for federal funding, reducing “range anxiety” for EV owners and drivers. • Linking Economic and Transportation Development: Provides grants to help implement a process known as “land value capture” to better public transportation investment and requires the Department of Transportation to develop value capture best practices, standards, and policies. Congressman DeSaulnier originally introduced this language in the Incentivizing Value Capture for Greener Transportation Act (H.R. 5641). • Expanding Bike and Pedestrian Programs: Ensures that multi-county special districts, like the East Bay Regional Park District, are eligible for bike, pedestrian, and environmental innovation program funding. • Requiring Truck Underrides: Requires the Department of Transportation to issue regulations requiring the installation of rear impact underride guards on trailer and
131 semitrailer trucks, based on the Stop Underrides Act (H.R. 1511) which Rep. DeSaulnier co-led with Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN). • Prioritizing Transportation Accessibility: Originally included in Congressman DeSaulnier’s COMMUTE Act (H.R. 1517), the language helps states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) improve their transportation planning to help ease access to jobs, health care facilities, and affordable housing. • Improving Megaproject Oversight: Introduced by Congressman DeSaulnier in the Transportation Megaprojects Accountability and Oversight Act (H.R. 5508), the language establishes a megaprojects peer review group, helping to save taxpayers millions of dollars by reducing project cost overruns and minimizing projects delays.
Congressman DeSaulnier is a member of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. He previously served as Chair of the California State Senate Transportation and Housing Committee as well as the California Assembly Transportation Committee, is a former member of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and has been a longtime leader in advocating for safe and efficient transportation systems.
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