Meeting Minutes - Final

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY Hazardous

Materials Commission

10:00 AM

Friday, November 14, 2025

777 Arnold Dr., Martinez, CA 94553 -

Paramount Room

https://zoom.us/j/94027485383

Call-in: 1 (646) 900-6833

Access Code: 940 2748 5383

Operations Committee

Chair: Marielle Boortz

Vice Chair: Jamin Pursell

The meeting was called to order at 10:02 AM.

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

Commissioners Present: Marielle Boortz, Terry Baldwin, Jamin Pursell, Fred Glueck, Maureen Brennan

Public Present Online: James Carro, Sharon Pinkstaff, Chase (District Representative for Ken Carlson)

Staff Present: Adam Springer

CONSIDER approval of the August 8, 2025 Hazardous Materials Commission Operations

Committee meeting minutes.

The commissioners present voted to approve the August 8, 2025 Hazardous Materials Commission

Operations Committee meeting minutes

Motion: Fred Glueck

Second: Terry Baldwin

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

(speakers may be limited to two minutes).

There were not any comments made by members of the public.

INTERVIEW candidates for the expiring Environmental Justice Representative seat and

alternate seat. CONSIDER making a recommendation to the full commission.

The commissioners present interviewed the two candidates for the expiring Environmental Justice

Representative seats and discussed who they felt would be most suited for the positions. The Operations

Committee ultimately decided to recommend Maureen Brennan to be reappointed to the primary

Environmental Justice Representative seat and for Sharon Pinkstaff to be appointed to the alternate seat.

The commissioners present felt that James Carro would be better suited to serve as the Environmental

Engineering Firm alternate seat. A former student intern had previously been recommended for the

alternate seat, however, this committee feels James should be considered for the position so it should be

discussed and voted on during the next full commission meeting.

Environmental Justice Representative

Motion: Jamin Pursell

Second: Terry Baldwin

Environmental Justice Representative Alternate:

Motion: Jamin Pursell

Second: Terry Baldwin

DISCUSS the September 11th Hazardous Materials Commission public forum and IDENTIFY

learnings and process improvements.

The commissioners present discussed the public forum and identified areas of improvement.

Commissioner Pursell shared that he felt the date of September 11th combined with events the day

before and the forum location may have negatively impacted attendance. The event was held at the

county administrative building which has the technological capacity to support the event, but also has a

security checkpoint, limited parking, and food and beverages are not allowed in the assembly chambers.

The committee felt it would be best to avoid holding future events on holidays or within government

buildings. Commissioner Baldwin recommended the union hall on Arnold which has a large capacity,

plenty of parking, allows food and beverage, and has the technological capacity to support future forums.

The committee felt they did not secure a location far enough in advance which limited their options so

this is an area they will improve upon for future events. Different food options were discussed in

addition to securing sponsors from associated organizations. The commissioners present discussed

different strategies for increasing advertising for future events such as sharing with local school districts

(John Sweat weekly announcement for teachers and principals), city newsletters, Mayor's Conference,

and encouraging the Board of Supervisors to advertise our events and ideally attend if possible.

DISCUSS commission priorities for 2026 and future public forum topics.

The commissioners present discussed what priorities they would like to continue working on in 2026

and what priorities they would like to add. Commissioner Pursell felt that the commission has worked

extensively on management of lithium ion batteries and feels it should continue to be a priority, but

suggested shifting focus to PFAs and obtaining more information on that topic. He suggested moving

battery waste management into the general priorities and pulling PFAS into the Operations Committee

priorities. Commissioner Brennan expressed that she feels carbon capture technology is an up and

coming issue in this county (Montezuma/Carquinez pipeline) and that hydrogen generation should also

continue to be a priority for next year. The commissioners present felt that none of the priorities should

be removed as they are all still relevant topics and of importance to this commission. Commissioner

Glueck suggested inviting PG&E to come give a presentation on what their power generation for the

Bay Area might look like in terms of emerging technology and future plans. Commissioner Brennan

suggested looking into the MCE solar farm in Richmond. Commissioner Pursell mentioned a recent

Bay Area Air District report on road particulate matter and inquired about recommendations to the

Board of Supervisors on this topic and if it is within the commission's scope (material used in

asphalt/road maintenance, minimizing impact, runoff prevention). Commissioner Brennan suggested

combining bioremediation strategies with PFAs as an Operations Committee priority and inviting

Danielle Steele to give a presentation on clean up of heavy metals and PFAs using mushrooms.

There were not any announcements made by commissioners.

8. Plan next meeting agenda.

Announcements from commissioners on items of commission interest.

The next meeting is currently scheduled for January 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 AM.

For Additional Information Contact: Adam Springer at 925-655-3216

Full meeting recording can be found here: https://contra-costa.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx