Meeting Minutes  
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY El Sobrante  
Municipal Advisory Council  
7:00 AM  
Wednesday, July 9, 2025  
El Sobrante Library (4300 Garden Rd. El  
Sobrante), Zoom:  
https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/87569145041  
Thomas Lang (Chair), George Cleveland (Vice-Chair), Tom Owens, Dr. Melinda V. Mclain, Jim  
Hermann, Randy Loyd, Mikki Norris, Teri Edlinger, Jedd Hart  
Agenda Items: Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the  
Committee  
1.  
Roll Call and Introductions  
00:00:27  
George Cleveland, Teri Edlinger, James Hermann, Thomas Lang,  
Randy Loyd, and Mikki Norris  
Present  
Jedd Hart, and Melinda McLain  
Tom Owens  
Excused  
Absent  
2.  
Treasurer's Report  
00:01:37  
$2,867.13  
3.  
Approval of Minutes  
00:01:51  
July 9th's meeting were reviewed and approved.  
This was approved.  
Motion:  
Second:  
Cleveland  
Loyd  
Aye:  
Cleveland, Edlinger, Hermann, Loyd, and Norris  
Owens  
Absent:  
Abstain:  
Result:  
Lang  
Passed  
4.  
Presentations  
P.1. County Update, Supervisor John Gioia  
00:20:03  
Supervisor Gioia provided an update on the ongoing labor strike at Republic Services, which has  
impacted garbage collection throughout West County. He explained that drivers were honoring an  
informational picket line. Residents were advised to bag any overflow trash next to their bins.  
The County recently renegotiated franchise agreements to include new services and rate adjustments  
aligned with CPI. Unincorporated areas continue to maintain the lowest garbage rates, with San Pablo's  
reduced further by one-time savings.  
In the discussion that followed, residents inquired about twice-weekly pickup, new illegal dumping  
protocols, and services for multi-family properties. The Supervisor confirmed that extra bagged green  
waste and recyclables could be placed beside bins. Suggestions were made to share Republic’s updates  
through social media and Nextdoor to increase community awareness.  
P.2. Sheriff’s Office Bay Station Update  
P.3. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Update, Michelle Rinehart  
00:56:05  
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) provided updates on several initiatives. Con  
Fire continues its collaboration with the Clark Road Firewise neighborhood on a multi-year fire  
preparedness plan. The Contra Costa Wildfire Mitigation Program currently has 74 completed projects  
out of 185 submitted through its resident-driven portal. Updated Local Responsibility Area (LRA) maps  
were submitted to the State Fire Marshal and took effect countywide on July 10.  
Michelle Rinehart announced that her position as County Coordinator is officially active for the next 15  
months, during which a countywide Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) will be developed.  
Additionally, the annexation of Rodeo-Hercules was completed as of July 1, expanding Con Fire’s  
service area to over 580 square miles with 37 fire stations and 671 staff.  
Copter One, the county’s contracted firefighting helicopter, was deployed from the Byron Wildfire  
Center on June 1 and will be available throughout fire season, with operations expected through late  
October.  
Weed abatement enforcement continues across the district. In West County, the June 1 deadline has  
passed, and contractors have been dispatched to address non-compliant properties.  
Between July 4 at 10:00 AM and July 5 at 3:00 AM, Con Fire responded to 271 incidents, including 83  
fires and 143 EMS calls representing a 14.5% decrease in total incidents compared to the same period  
last year. Community members were thanked for their continued safety efforts and for leaving fireworks  
to the professionals.  
P.4. California Highway Patrol (tentative)  
P.5. Presentation from AC Transit External Affairs Representative, Ryan Lau  
00:03:20  
Diane Casselberry from AC Transit presented on behalf of the agency while Ryan Lau was on vacation.  
AC Transit, the third largest transit agency in the Bay Area, has been serving the East Bay since 1960,  
operating six facilities with over 2,300 mployees and an annual budget of $567.1 million.  
She provided an update on ridership, which has returned to 85% of pre-pandemic levels for local routes  
and 22% for Transbay service. She also previewed upcoming real-time service changes, including  
frequency adjustments and new bus lines designed to better align with post-pandemic travel habits and  
fiscal realities.  
During the Q&A, attendees inquired about service changes along San Pablo Dam Road, the AC Transit  
app (set for updates by August 10), and signage for discontinued stops. A detailed overview of new bus  
lines was shared, and Casselberry encouraged community support to increase ridership.  
P.6. Presentation from Red Cross Disaster Co-Chair, Suzanne Garrett  
01:08:40  
Suzanne Garrett outlined local Red Cross efforts, including disaster preparedness training, shelter  
support, and volunteer opportunities. Services such as hands-only CPR, youth programs, and smoke  
alarm installations were shared as part of the community outreach.  
5.  
Discussion Items: DI. Development plan applications, variance reports, building  
modification requests, appeals etc., received in the previous month from the Contra Costa  
County Conservation and Development Department and Notices of Public Hearing  
DI.1 - (Update) Countywide Noise Ordinance  
DI.2 - County File Number: CDLP25-02013. (4150 APPIAN WAY, EL SOBRANTE, CA 94803) The  
applicant requests approval of a land use permit to construct a licensed group home with 40 residential  
beds in an HE-C District.  
01:21:01  
The Council discussed a proposed group home facility on Appian Way, expressing concern over the  
absence of the applicant and a lack of clarity regarding the facility’s operations. The Council agreed to  
contact the assigned planner with questions about client demographics, staff qualifications, supervision  
levels, and the operator’s experience. It was recommended that the applicant attend the next meeting.  
25-2631  
CDLP25-02013 Agency Comment Packet  
Attachments:  
6.  
Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this  
agenda (speakers may be limited to two minutes).  
01:39:10  
Public Safety and Code Enforcement  
Concerns were raised about abandoned vehicles on Foster Street. Residents were encouraged to report  
issues via the Mobile Citizen app or directly through County email channels. The Council agreed to  
coordinate with the Sheriff’s Office for follow-up.  
Updates were provided on ongoing cleanup efforts at 647 Renfrew Court. While progress has been  
made, concerns remain about fire hazards and large storage sheds. The Council acknowledged the  
challenges due to the property owner’s age and ongoing Code Enforcement support.  
Several community events were announced, including a Pride event at Cheese Park on September 28 and  
a local parade on September 21. Plans for Coastal Cleanup Day on September 27 were shared, with a  
call for volunteers  
7.  
Information Items  
01:53:15  
Information Reports by MAC members.  
8.  
Subcommittee Reports – Next Clean Up, July 19, 2025, 10a-12p  
01:53:29  
Regular community cleanup efforts will continue on the third Saturday of each month.  
Regular litter cleanups are held on the third Saturday of each month from 10 AM to Noon. Meet at the  
El Sobrante Library, 4191 Appian Way, to sign in, borrow equipment (if needed), and find a designated  
area to clean with others in the 94803 area. Mikki Norris is the contact: mikkinorris@comcast.net  
9.  
Agenda Items / Speakers for Upcoming ESMAC Meetings  
01:57:22  
The Council expressed interest in hearing from the PACE Center ahead of its upcoming opening.  
Suggestions were made to invite Public Works staff to present on the San Pablo Dam Road Diet project  
and to include continued updates on the group home proposal. Community feedback on the draft noise  
ordinance is open through July 31.  
The next meeting is currently scheduled for August 13, 2025  
Adjourn  
01:59:26  
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 El Sobrante Library (4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante, CA 94803)  
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 Council will continue the  
meeting in person without remote access. Public comment may be submitted  
For Additional Information Contact: Ronnie Mills, ronnie.mills@bos.cccounty.us, 510-942-2222