Meeting Minutes

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY East Richmond

Heights Municipal Advisory Council

6:30 PM

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Open Door United Methodist Church, 6226

Arlington Blvd, Richmond, CA 94805 |

https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/81874478413

Jon Sargent (Chair), Victoria Lynn Curtis (Vice-Chair), Jinwei Zhang, Joann Pavlinec, Pam

DeWitt, Bara Sapir, Royer Ramirez- Ruiz

Agenda Items: Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the

Committee

Roll Call and Introductions

00:01:19

Victoria Curtis, Pamela DeWitt, Joann Pavlinec, Royer Ramirez

Ruiz, Bara Sapir, and Jon Sargent

Present

Late

Jinwei Zhang

Treasurer's Report

00:01:56

The Treasurer’s Report was provided, with a balance of $1,183, and an update expected next month

regarding investments related to the recent festival.

Approval of Minutes

25-2840

6.18.25MeetingMinutes

Attachments:

00:02:14

The Council approved the minutes from the previous meeting, with a correction made to

remove a mention of math questions at the festival.

This Discussion Item was approved as amended.

Presentations

P.1. Presentation by Contra Costa County Supervisor’s Office

00:03:34

Supervisor John Gioia provided an update on the ongoing garbage service issues related to the Republic

Services labor strike. He explained that a sympathy strike at a landfill near Stockton had impacted

services, but Republic had resumed collection using out-of-state workers. Residents were advised to

place both carts and bagged garbage at the curb. The County has issued legal notices to Republic for

breach of contract and is exploring potential rate relief for residents. He also reviewed the County’s two

separate agreements with Republic-one for collection and another for post-collection-and highlighted

added services such as scheduled curbside pickup and additional dumpsters for community cleanups.

P.2. Presentation by Sheriff’s Office Bay Station Commander, Lt. Brian Fitzgerald

00:36:56

Commander Fitzgerald reported 69 calls for service in East Richmond Heights during June, including

two auto burglaries, three vandalisms, and eight total written reports. He addressed a prior question

regarding cut internet lines near North Arlington and Alpine, confirming it is within the Sheriff’s

jurisdiction. No related reports have been filed, though a recent incident of cut lines was noted in the

same area, potentially involving individuals posing as utility workers.

He followed up on concerns about a boat on North Arlington potentially blocking the roadway. The boat

is registered to the adjacent property and is fully off the roadway. Questions about enforcement

responsibility were discussed, with clarification that the Sheriff’s Office and CHP share authority, and

that code enforcement may also be involved depending on visibility or property line issues.

Regarding reports of ICE activity in Concord, Fitzgerald confirmed the Sheriff's Office does not have

jurisdiction there. Supervisor Gioia explained the county’s “Stand Together Contra Costa” program

provides legal assistance to immigrants and had received reports of ICE presence at the Concord

Immigration Court. These reports remain unverified. Several ICE sightings, including at a Home Depot

in San Pablo, were investigated and not confirmed.

A request was made to consider agendizing immigration enforcement updates at a future meeting,

pending jurisdictional relevance. No further questions were raised.

P.3. *SPECIAL* Presentation from AC Transit External Affairs Representative, Ryan Lau

00:48:22

Ryan Lau from AC Transit provided an overview of upcoming service changes under the agency’s

Realign project, which will take effect August 10, 2025. AC Transit is currently operating at 85% of

pre-pandemic service levels and faces a $42 million budget deficit. Despite this, the agency recently

adopted a balanced budget and continues to prioritize service for transit-dependent communities.

Key service updates affecting the area include increased frequency on high-demand corridors like

Cutting Boulevard, with most of West Contra Costa County receiving 30-minute or better service. The

Line 74 will no longer serve Castro Ranch Road due to low ridership, and the Rollingwood

neighborhood will shift from Line 72 to Line 76 to improve reliability.

Lau encouraged residents to visit (actransit.org/realign) for detailed route maps and updates. Printed

materials will be available on buses and at BART stations, with ambassadors present in the field to assist

riders.

In response to questions, Lau confirmed that seniors, disabled riders, and low-income individuals are

eligible for a 50% fare reduction through regional transit programs and Clipper Start. He also noted that

casual carpooling is a community-led initiative, not managed by AC Transit, and shared that transbay

service remains limited with no immediate plans to restore Line H due to budget constraints. No further

questions were raised.

P.4. Presentation by Richmond Police Department, Sgt. Terry Thomas

P.5. Presentation by California Highway Patrol (tentative)

02:34:11

Officer Zeid provided an update regarding traffic enforcement along Arlington Boulevard. CHP will

soon deploy a radar trailer to the area and increase officer presence, per direction from the CHP Captain.

He also addressed a prior question regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

operations. Officer Zeid reiterated that CHP does not receive advance notice of ICE activity and does not

coordinate or assist with such operations due to legal restrictions, including California’s status as a

sanctuary state. He clarified that even if a federal deportation order exists for an individual, it is not CHP

practice to notify ICE.

The officer recommended that residents concerned about immigration enforcement activities refer to the

County’s “Stand Together Contra Costa” program for support and information. No further questions

were raised.

P.6. Presentation from Red Cross Disaster Co-Chair, Suzanne Garrett

P.7. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Update, Michelle Rinehart

00:59:15

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District presented on the proposed shaded fuel break project in

East Richmond Heights. The $10 million project would create a 50-acre fuel break from El Cerrito to

Hasford Heights. Community engagement is critical, with an 80% property owner approval goal set for

the coming 10 days. Residents would be responsible for ongoing property maintenance and wildflower

planting costs, with grant funds available to offset expenses. Concerns around invasive species,

defensible space, and educational outreach were discussed. The Fire Chief emphasized the benefits of

the project for wildfire mitigation and evacuation safety, with flexibility built in to modify project

boundaries based on resident feedback.

Discussion Items

Subcommittee Reports

02:40:42

No report. There were no land use applications that were reviewed

SR.1 Land Use Committee: Joann Pavlinec, Jinwei Zhang

Regional Historical Presentation

02:40:54

Agenda Items / Speakers for Upcoming ERHMAC Meetings

02:41:14

Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this

agenda (speakers may be limited to two minutes).

02:46:56

The Council held a discussion on the tree ordinance in Kensington, noting its restrictiveness and cost

burdens. Alternative models from Palisades, Pacific Palisades, and Sausalito were recommended for

consideration. The Council also supported requiring at least two bids for tree removal to maintain

fairness. In addition, questions were raised about maintenance responsibilities and access for weed

abatement on neglected properties, with recommendations for increased education and potential

ordinance review.

The Council reviewed participation guidelines for the upcoming Arctic Art Festival. Due to insurance

restrictions, political tabling was not allowed, though passive methods such as wearing information

boards were deemed acceptable. Approval was granted to allocate $50 for the creation of a vector-based

community map by a graphic designer. The map would serve general community use while avoiding

parcel-specific details.Attendees praised the Red Cross smoke alarm program.

The next meeting is currently scheduled for August 20, 2025

Adjourn

The Council will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend

the Council meetings. Contact the staff person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting. Any

disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed

by the County to a majority of members of the Council less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are

available for public inspection at Open Door United Methodist Church (6226 Arlington Blvd,

Richmond, CA 94805) during normal business hours. Staff reports related to items on the agenda are

also accessible online at www.contracosta.ca.gov. If the Zoom connection malfunctions for any reason,

the meeting may be paused while a fix is attempted. If the connection is not reestablished, the committee

will continue the meeting in person without remote access. Public comment may be submitted via

electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day prior to the published meeting time.

For Additional Information Contact: Ronnie Mills, ronnie.mills@bos.cccounty.us, (510) 942-2222