No direct impact to the County from the acceptance of the Year-End reports and the adoption of the Legislative Platforms.
Each January, Year-End reports are submitted to the Board of Supervisors on the County’s federal and state legislative programs and activities for the prior calendar year. At the same time, the Board of Supervisors also considers the Federal and State Legislative Platforms for the coming year.
Year-End reports for 2013 were prepared by the County's federal advocates, Alcalde & Fay--represented by Mr. Paul Schlesinger, and by the County's state advocates, Nielsen Merksamer--represented by Ms. Cathy Christian and Mr. James Gross. Staff of the CAO's office, Ms. Lara DeLaney, and staff of the Department of Conservation and Development, Mr. John Cunningham, provided input into the development of the Year-End Reports and the Legislative Platforms, along with staff of Public Works and other affected departments. The public provided input into the development of the Platforms at Legislation Committee meetings.
The Legislation Committee reviewed the Draft 2014 Federal and State Platforms at their meeting in December 2013 and recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt the 2014 Proposed Platforms, as amended.
2013 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM YEAR-END REPORT
Despite an increasingly partisan and immobilized Congress and the continuing restrictions on earmarks, we are pleased to report significant progress on several fronts important to Contra Costa County.
Funding was obtained for water resources projects that are high on the County’s priority list. As a result of our efforts with the County, the following projects were funded in the FY 2013 work plan for the Army Corps of Engineers, totaling $4,540,900 for County projects:
Construction
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San Francisco Bay to Stockton Channel Deepening Project- $1,546,900
Operations & Maintenance
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San Pablo Bay & Mare Island Strait Dredging - $499,000
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Suisun Bay Channel Dredging- $2,495,000
In addition to funding, we assisted the County in advancing solutions to a number of policy and process issues with the Army Corps of Engineers, including levee vegetation policy issues and credit for work-in-kind.
With respect to levee vegetation, HR 399 was introduced by Congresswoman Matsui and co-sponsored by our delegation, requiring the Army Corps to undertake a comprehensive policy review of their guidelines on vegetation management for levees. Provisions addressing the levee vegetation issue were included in both the Senate Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and House Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) bills, as well as in the House Energy & Water Appropriations bill. The final resolution will be reflected in the WRDA/WRRDA conference report.
(Note: The conference committee on the water resources bill will continue its work in 2014. Despite making progress in December 2013, conferees working to resolve differences between the Senate’s Water Resources Development Act (S. 601) and the House’s Water Resources Reform and Development Act (H.R. 3080) ran out of time. One of the biggest differences being considered by conferees is the process for authorizing Army Corps navigation, flood control and wetland restoration projects – the Senate bill would authorize about $5.7 billion in projects through 2018, while the House bill would authorize 23 projects at about $3.1 billion over five years. Until now, Congress has used earmarks to designate Corps projects in the legislation – a practice that conflicts with the current earmark moratorium. The House and Senate bills address many water resources issues important to counties, including Corps Vegetation Management policy clarifications, language that would include state and local governments in decision-making processes, pilot programs that allow local governments the lead role in implementing projects and studies, levee safety, and invasive species.)
Also included in the House version of WRDA is a provision we requested that will deauthorize the lowest reach of Lower Walnut Creek. The Contra Costa County Flood Control & Water Conservation District is asking the Corps to relinquish federal oversight of a small portion of the Corps-constructed Walnut Creek project. Deauthorization is a process where Congress directs the Corps to remove a portion of a Corps-constructed facility from the federal system, allowing additional local control and oversight of a facility. The deauthorization will facilitate making improvements to the existing facilities in a manner that will enhance ecosystem values without undue federal interference.
With respect to the Delta Counties Coalition, we continued to coordinate efforts with the County and other participants of the coalition to ensure decision-makers in Washington were aware of our concerns regarding the proposed Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). They have continued their very strong efforts on our behalf.
Advocacy related to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
We have been pleased to work with County officials and staff in advocating with the federal government to help develop and achieve the County’s objectives with regard to the Delta. Our efforts on the County’s behalf have been in conjunction with other federal advocates working on behalf of their clients; other members of the Delta Counties Coalition (DCC). Moreover, we have assisted the County in playing a lead role within the DCC on developing and implementing Delta strategies as they relate to the Army Corps of Engineers.
During DCC trips to Washington, we have secured meetings with senior Corps officials, in addition to coordinating scheduling for the DCC and arranging for many of the meetings that have been scheduled with Congress and the Executive Branch. We have been the lead among DCC advocates with regard to work not just with the Corps but with the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Senators Boxer and Feinstein, Congressmen Miller, McNerney, Swalwell, Thompson, and Huffman, and the Office of Management and Budget.
Federal grant funding for County projects
During 2013 we continued to work with the County to gain access to funding that is made available through various federal grant programs, and we were pleased that the County’s grant initiatives met with positive results.
The County was awarded significant funding from the Office of Justice Programs at the Department of Justice (DOJ), including $750,000 in a second round of Second Chance Act funds to fund reentry services; $411,000 from the Smart Probation program; $400,000 for its domestic violence initiative, and $200,000 assessment/planning grant from DOJ as part of the agency’s Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention Demonstration Initiative. In addition, the Country was awarded $399,946 from the SAMHSA’s Gains Center for Behavioral Health and Justice Transformation for the County’s Behavioral Health Treatment Court Collaborative.
Funding for Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine Clean-up
We continued to work this year toward securing federal funding in the amount of $483,000 for clean-up of the Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine. Given the current moratorium on earmarks, we recognized that it would not be possible to secure a line-item appropriation for this important project. But, with the language that we previously worked to include in the Statement of Managers accompanying the 2007 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which directed the Army Corps to give priority consideration to the Mt. Diablo Cleanup when allocating funds made available for the Remediation of Abandoned Mine Sites program (RAMS), we also recognized that any funding made available by the Appropriations bill for the general RAMS program is almost certain to be provided for our cleanup.
We are pleased that the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill, at the County’s request, includes $1 million for the RAMS program. If Congress can produce an Appropriations bill for the Army Corps of Engineers (Energy and Water Appropriations), as opposed to folding the funding for such programs under a Continuing Resolution, and even if this amount is reduced in conference committee, it would appear that there will be sufficient funds to allow the Corps to provide the $483,000 we require for Mt. Diablo Clean-Up.
To set the County up for this apparent success, we helped develop the legislative strategy, secured meetings with pertinent congressional staff when County officials were in D.C. in the spring, accompanied County personnel to the meetings, and then followed up with staff from the County’s congressional delegation and the Appropriations Committees throughout the year.
Other Advocacy Projects
In addition to managing the issues on the County’ legislative platform, we have also assisted the County when new issues surfaced that required attention or communication with our delegation. Below are a few examples that illustrate the breadth of our support for the County:
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Communicated to our delegation the County’s plans for a call center in Concord to support a health benefits exchange center;
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Researched and provided the County with information on congressional gun violence prevention initiatives;
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Monitored status of CDBG funding and provided executive summaries to the County;
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Provided correspondence to our delegation in support of $1 million appropriation for the RAMS program, which will be a revenue source of the Mt. Diablo Mercury Mine project;
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Distributed the County’s Reentry Resource Guide to our congressional delegation;
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Provided the County with an update on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s drug disposal rules;
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Provided the County with an update on H.R. 82, which related to hospital security;
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Provided support letters to our delegation regarding H.R. 205 related to pension reform;
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Assisted the County on tribal gaming issues regarding the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians.
We were also pleased to help coordinate the trip to Washington in March 2013 by County Supervisors and senior staff. This trip was helpful to the County, and to those in our delegation, elsewhere on the Hill, and in federal agencies to whom our County officials articulated County needs and learned of ways in which the federal government might assist in helping to assure that these needs are met. In addition to meeting with our Congressional delegations, we met with a range of committee staff as well as representatives from the Army Corps and the Department of Justice.
Activities such as these certainly contribute to the perception around Capitol Hill and elsewhere in Washington that Alcalde & Fay serves as the County’s office in Washington D.C.; a place that these offices can call, trusting that they will be communicating, if through an agent, with appropriate County officials.
As always, it has been a privilege to represent the County with their efforts as they relate to the federal government.
PROPOSED 2014 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Each fall, the County Administrator’s Office initiates the development of the coming year’s State and Federal Legislative platforms by inviting members of the Board of Supervisors, Department Heads and key staff to provide recommended changes or additions to the current Platforms. On October 1, 2013, departments were invited to provide suggested changes to the Federal Platform by submitting input in writing. Staff also consulted with our federal lobbyist, Paul Schlesinger of Alcalde & Fay, who informed the development of the County’s Draft 2014 Federal Platform.
The Legislation Committee reviewed the 2013 Draft Federal Platform in December, the Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee also reviewed relevant sections of the Federal Platform (TWIC), and both Committees recommend that the Board of Supervisors adopt the Proposed 2014 Federal Platform as amended. (See Attachment A, Proposed 2014 Federal Platform.)
The 2014 Federal Legislative Platform identifies 10 funding needs for FFY 2015; 4 requests for the reauthorization of the federal transportation act; and 6 requests for the reauthorization of the Water Resources Development Act.
Changes from the 2013 Federal Platform: Owing to the fact that appropriations requests, also known as federal earmarks, are no longer being considered by Congress in the federal budget development process, the County no longer identifies projects for appropriation but instead recognizes funding needs for federally-sponsored projects.
The Proposed Platform includes 10 identified needs for FFY 2015, a reduction of two projects from 2013. The projects removed from the Proposed Platform include an Army Corps of Engineers project related to Lower Walnut Creek and funding for County operation of a VHF Public Safety Radio System, a backup to the East Bay Regional Communication System (EBRCS) system. With regard to the Lower Walnut Creek project, if the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is successfully passed, the WRDA bill could include a provision to deauthorize the project from Army Corps control, so federal funding would not be appropriate. (Note the inclusion of the Lower Walnut Creek deauthorization project in the WRDA section of the Proposed Platform.)
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REAUTHORIZATION OF THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ACT |
Changes from the 2013 Federal Platform: Minor text changes to projects are proposed. These text changes include clarification of the identification of "several potential alignments" for the North Richmond Truck Route Project (p. 5), and other minor text changes to the Rural Road Funding Program, and the Highway Bridge Funding program. (pp. 5-6).
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REAUTHORIZATION OF WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT ACT (WRDA) |
Changes from the 2013 Federal Platform: None proposed.
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APPROPRIATIONS AND GRANTS SUPPORT POSITIONS |
Changes from the 2013 Federal Platform: Text changes to support positions for Buchanan Field Airport and Byron Airport to specify infrastructure improvements to Buchanan Field to include "potential replacement of the 60 year old control tower," and to clarify for Byron Airport that "full build out of the airport as shown in the Master Plan" is dependent on "utility" and infrastructure improvements. (p. 8)
Other proposed changes include:
Kirker Pass Road Truck Climbing Lanes: Text changes to update the funding needed to complete the project. (p. 9)
Regional Habitat Planning and Conservation: Text changes to the policy related to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s “Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund” to include: “The County will pursue increasing appropriations to the Fund in partnership with numerous counties in northern and southern California and will support requests of the California Habitat Conservation Planning Coalition to increase the Fund up to $85 million.” (p. 9)
Changes from the 2013 Federal Platform: Text changes are proposed to the following policy positions.
Child Care Issues: (p. 11) “Research continues to show that quality, affordable childcare is a necessity to ensuring a family’s stability and economic success. Currently in Contra Costa County, there are over 10,000 low-income children eligible for affordable childcare services, yet only 29% of that need is met. Research also shows that in addition to a child’s long-term success with school and employment, investing in high-quality early care and education results in a higher than average return on investments in the areas of crime reduction and positive health, education and economic outcomes.
With regards to childcare, the County will support the President’s “Preschool for All” Initiative meant to close America’s school readiness gap and ensure all children have access to quality care by expanding high quality learning opportunities for children 0-5. This proposal includes:
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An increase of over 100,000 new childcare slots and $12 billion over the next 10 years;
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A focus on children and their families who are at or below 200% of poverty;
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Financing through a new cost-sharing partnership with states, already a proven successful model with Head Start in Contra Costa County.”
Veterans Halls: (p. 19) Add policy: "The County will support legislation to provide America’s veterans organizations with resources to make necessary repairs to their meeting halls and facilities.
Across America, the meeting halls and posts of Veterans Service Organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars serve as unofficial community centers. Unfortunately, many of these facilities have deteriorated in recent years due to declining membership and reduced rental revenues as a result of the economic downturn.
The County will support legislation that would create a competitive grant program for veterans’ organizations, classified by the IRS as 501c19 non-profit organizations and comprised primarily of past or present members of the United States Armed Forces and their family members, to use for repairs and improvements to their existing facilities."
Water Quality, Quantity and Delta Outflow: (p. 19) Add policy: “Congress may consider legislation that could adversely affect water quality, quantity and flows in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the detriment of the County residents, economy and resources. The Board of Supervisors will rely on it adopted Delta Water Platform to determine the appropriate response to federal legislative issues brought to the Board’s attention.”
2013 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM YEAR-END REPORT
October 13 marked the Governor’s signing deadline for all 2013 legislation. Upon issuing his last legislative update, the Governor signed a total of 1,003 measures and vetoed 96. Since taking the helm as the Governor of California for the third time in January 2011, Governor Brown has signed approximately 2,714 measures out of the 3,011 sent to his desk, or about 90 percent. As for vetoes, the Governor has only rejected some 297 bills, or almost 10 percent. Such liberal use of his signing pen is of note as it may signal what one should expect during the final half of the 2013–14 biennial session.
Throughout the entire legislative year, County staff and our state lobbyist, Cathy Christian of Nielsen Merksamer Parrinello Gross & Leoni, were actively engaged in representing the County’s legislative positions and participated extensively in the budget process to ensure an appropriate response to statewide issues affecting county government. In addition to reviewing measures lawmakers introduced for impacts on County business, we actively monitored more than 140 bills to ensure they were not amended to negatively impact the County. We also followed 10 bills pertaining to the Delta and water. Staff and our state advocate remain extremely active in responding to bills affecting the Delta in conjunction with the Delta Counties Coalition.
As required, each year our state lobbyist submits a “Year-End Report” summarizing the major legislative activities and advocacy undertaken during the year on behalf of Contra Costa County. That report is included in Attachment B.
PROPOSED 2014 STATE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
Each fall, the County Administrator’s Office initiates the development of the coming year’s State and Federal Legislative platforms by inviting members of the Board of Supervisors, Department Heads and key staff to provide recommended changes or additions to the current Platforms. On October 1, 2013, departments were invited to meet with our State lobbyist in person and/or provide suggested changes to the State Platform by submitting input. Staff also participated in the annual Urban Counties Caucus “Key Staff” meeting on the development of UCC Priorities and Policies for 2014, which informed the County’s Draft 2014 State Platform.
The Legislation Committee reviewed the Draft 2014 State Platform in December, with the Proposed 2014 State Platform recommended to the Board of Supervisors for adoption, as amended. (
See Attachment C.)
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COUNTY-SPONSORED LEGISLATION |
Changes from the 2013 State Platform: The 2013 State Platform did not include any County-sponsored legislation. For 2014, a sponsored bill is recommended:
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Seek legislation to make the Contra Costa County Employee Retirement Association (CCCERA) the statutory employer for all purposes of staff serving at CCCERA. The proposed legislation would implement a court-approved settlement agreement between the County and CCCERA concerning the entities' respective rights and responsibilities for staff working at CCCERA. (p. 2)
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LEGISLATIVE/REGULATORY ADVOCACY PRIORITIES |
Changes from the 2013 State Platform:
The recommended priorities for 2014 do not differ from those of 2013, however, they have been updated to reflect the current status of the issues.
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STATE PLATFORM POLICY POSITIONS |
Changes from the 2013 State Platform:
Agricultural Issues
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Text changes to policy # 4 related to invasive aquatic species in the Delta: “….to rid the Delta of this and other invasive aquaticspecies through integrated pest management methods. …. to secure multi-year permits for eradication of multiple invasive aquatic plant species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, its tributaries, and its marshes.” (p. 6)
Climate Change Issues
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Text changes to policy # 19 related to the allocation of funding from the California Greenhouse Gas Cap and Trade Program: “….to jurisdictions that….have disadvantaged communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental pollution, and have demonstrated a local commitment to climate protection (e.g. established emissions reduction targets, prepared Climate Action Plans, etc.). (p. 9)
Emergency Preparedness, Emergency Response
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Text changes to policy #23 related to training volunteers: “….provide funding for Community Emergency Response Training (CERT)….” (p. 10)
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Delete 2013 policy #28: SUPPORT legislation or other measures that will enable the Department of Water Resources to easily and quickly enter into contracts with local entities that need assistance in planning for emergency response. (Issue has been resolved.)
Flood Control and Clean Water Issues
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Text changes to policy #31 related to options to fund stormwater programs: “Stormwater services, encompassing both water quality and drainage/flood control, could be structured like a utility….” (p. 11)
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Add policy #34: SUPPORT legislation to enable Zone 7 Water Agency to become a new public agency, separate and apart from the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, with territory in both Alameda and Contra Costa counties and the power to provide specific services, insofar as the legislation is guided by adopted Principles of Understanding. (p. 11)
General Revenues/Finance Issues
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Minor text change to policy #43 regarding reduction in the 2/3rd vote requirement to 55% voter approval for locally-approved special taxes to add “services” to the word “Stormwater.” (p. 12)
Health Care Issues
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Move policy #58 to “Human Services Issues” as it deals with Medi-Cal administration and eligibility.
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Add policy #81: SUPPORT legislation that extends the restrictions and prohibitions against the smoking of tobacco products to include restrictions or prohibitions against electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in various places, including, but not limited to, places of employment, school campuses, public buildings, day care facilities, retail food facilities, multi-family housing, and health facilities. (p. 16)
Human Services Issues
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Amend policy #82 related to County flexibility in use of CalWORKs funds and in program requirements to separate out support for efforts to align CalWORKs property and asset limitations with those of CalFresh as 2014 policy #83. (p. 17)
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Minor text changes to policy #88 related to management of the IHSS program to strike redundant wording. (p. 17)
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Delete 2013 policy #88: SUPPORT efforts to eliminate the finger-imaging requirement for adult food stamp applicants, recognizing the fraud deterrent aspects of the Electronic Benefits Transfer System. (This has been accomplished.)
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Delete 2013 policy #94: SUPPORT efforts to restore funding in the amount of $80 Million for the Child Welfare Services Program that was line-item vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger in the State’s FY 2009-10 and FY 2010-11 budgets, as these reductions have a direct impact on local child protective services and the lives of children. (This has been accomplished through Realignment.)
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Add policy #95: SUPPORT continued and improved funding for substance abuse treatment and mental health services including those that provide alternatives to incarceration and Laura’s Law. (p. 18)
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Add policy #96: SUPPORT administrative streamlining of Medi-Cal, including elimination of the asset test and semi-annual reporting and changes to income verification. California should look to other states for ideas to reduce administrative costs, such as allowing all children born into Medi-Cal to remain on the program until age 21. (p. 18)
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Add policy #97: SUPPORT legislation to expand child early care and education and increase funding for preschool and early learning. (p. 18)
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Add policy #98: SUPPORT legislation to allow individuals convicted of drug-related felonies to receive federal CalFresh (food stamps) benefits. Banning convicted drug felons who have completed their sentences from critical public assistance, including food stamps, runs contrary to state and federal initiatives intended to reduce recidivism by easing prisoner reentry and fostering prisoner reintegration into society. The drug felon rule has been the subject of much criticism by drug treatment providers, advocates for the poor and law enforcement organizations because it permanently disqualifies needy persons from receiving assistance and interferes with their recovery. (p. 18)
Land Use/Community Development Issues
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Text changes to policy #107 regarding obtaining a CEQA exemption or utilizing CEQA streamlining provisions for infill development or Priority Development Areas to clarify the relevancy to unincorporated areas and describe recently passed related legislation. (p. 20)
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Text change to policy #112 related to tools for local agencies for economic development purposes to add the consideration: while balancing the impacts on revenues for health and safety programs and healthy communities. (p. 21)
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Add policy #115: SUPPORT legislation that would clarify the ability of successor agencies to former redevelopment agencies to enter into contracts with its sponsoring jurisdiction and third parties to fulfill enforceable obligations. The existing redevelopment dissolution statute limits the contracting powers of successor agencies which is causing delays their ability to expeditiously retire certain enforceable obligations of the former redevelopment agencies.(p. 21)
Law and Justice Systems Issues
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Add policy #126: SUPPORT legislation that will combat the negative impact that human trafficking has on victims in our communities, including the impact that this activity has on a range of County services and supports, and support efforts to provide additional tools, resources and funding to help counties address this growing problem. (p. 22)
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Add policy #127: SUPPORT legislation amending Government Code Section 24011 to allow the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County to appoint the Public Administrator by ordinance of the Board, separate the Public Administrator from the District Attorney, and place the position with another County department. (p. 22)
Levee Issues, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Issues
Updates to this section will be made in 2014 when a more comprehensive update to the County’s Water Platform is completed and presented to the Board of Supervisors.
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Minor text changes to policy #129 related to Prop. 1E funding for levee repairs to support legislative hearings on the matter of expediting expenditures of bond proceeds: Legislative hearings may produce explanations from the state as to why these funds are not being distributed or identify methods to streamline administration of these funds. (p. 24)
Transportation Issues
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Text change to policy #139 related to increased flexibility in the use of transportation funds to delete what has been accomplished: The County supports an amendment to the Subdivision Map Act to allow the use of off-site transportation impact fees to fund pedestrian, bicycle transit and traffic calming facilities necessitated by new development. The Act currently limits the use of these funds to improvements to bridges and “major thoroughfares.” Senator DeSaulnier introduced such a bill in 2008. The County’s proposal was adopted by CSAC for its legislative platform in the 2011 session. The proposal would provide more flexibility in how we can use an existing transportation funding source. (p. 26)
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Text changes to policy #141 related to improving safety throughout the transportation system, including on rail bridges. (p. 27)
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Text changes to policy #145 related to coordinated planning between school districts, the state, and local jurisdictions. Policy supports reform that includes school zone references in the vehicle code and efforts to finance off-site transportation improvements for improved access to existing schools. (p. 27-28)
Veterans Issues
This is a newly created section.
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Add policy #148: SUPPORT legislation and budget actions that will continue the state's annual local assistance for County Veterans Service Offices at the $5.6 million level. The eventual goal is to fully fund CVSOs by appropriating the full $11 million in local assistance funding as reflected in Military and Veterans Code Section 972.1(d). County Veterans Service Offices (CVSOs) play a vital role in the local veteran community, not only within the Veterans Affairs claims process, but in other aspects as well. This includes providing information about all veterans’ benefits (Federal, State and local), as well as providing claims assistance for all veteran-related benefits, referring veterans to ancillary community resources, providing hands-on development and case management services for claims and appeals and transporting local veterans to VA facilities. (p. 28)
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Add policy #149: SUPPORT legislation and budget actions that will provide veterans organizations with resources to make necessary repairs to their meeting halls and facilities. Across California, the meeting halls and posts of Veterans Service Organizations such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars serve as unofficial community centers. Many of these facilities have deteriorated in recent years due to declining membership and reduced rental revenues as a result of the economic downturn. The County will support legislation that would create a funding program for veterans’ organizations, classified by the IRS as 501c19 non-profit organizations and comprised primarily of past or present members of the United States Armed Forces and their family members, to use for repairs and improvements to their existing facilities. (p. 28)
Waste Management Issues
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Minor text change to policy #150 to add producer responsibility for "veterinary medicine." (p. 29)
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Minor text changes to policy #156 related to importation of waste to privately-operated landfills and the requirements of the host County “that receives a significant amount of waste from outside the county…” (p. 29)
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Minor text change to policy #157 related reducing the amount of harmful pharmaceuticals "(including veterinary medicine)" that ultimately enter “bodies of water…” (p. 30)
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Minor text change to policy #159 related to the County’s regulatory authority to control the collection and disposal of solid waste generated within the unincorporated areas to add clarifying language: “In litigation where the County sought to protect its solid waste franchise authority for unincorporated areas the court awarded franchise authority to the Rodeo Sanitary District and Mountain View Sanitary District while the County remains exposed to state penalties for failing to meet state mandates for reducing disposal of solid waste generated in these areas.” (p. 30)
If the Board of Supervisors does not adopt a State and/or Federal Platform for 2014, the County will not have an approved platform from which to advocate for state and federal policies.
Speakers: Rollie Katz, Public Employees' Union Local One, encouraged support for legislation to lower the the 2/3 threshold required for increasing local and property taxes to 55% and suggested examining the possibility of reviewing the frequency of how often commercial properties are reassessed; Alex Alifaris, resident of Contra Costa, urged the Board to rethink its position on the 2/3 threshold, anticipating that tax increases would further discourage business and property owners from doing business in California.
ADOPTED the recommendations as presented; and REFERRED the matter of reexamination of assessment practices for commercial properties to the Legislation Committee.