Meeting Minutes

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY East Richmond

Heights Municipal Advisory Council

6:30 PM

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Open Door United Methodist Church

6226 Arlington Blvd, Richmond, CA 94805

cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/81874478413

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

DeWitt, Bara Sapir

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

00:00:17

The meeting was called to order with a moment of silence in honor of Leonard, a long-time community

member and founding organizer of the East Richmond Heights art and craft music festival.

Victoria Curtis, Pamela DeWitt, Joann Pavlinec, Bara Sapir, and

Jon Sargent

Present

Jinwei Zhang

Excused

Treasurer's Report

00:01:36

The Treasurer’s Report confirmed a current balance of $3,000.

3. Approval of Minutes

00:01:36

The minutes from the September meeting were approved with corrections, including updates to spelling

errors related to “Passport Heights” and clarifications regarding a historical presentation on Casper

Heights.

25-4278

9.17.25_erhMAC Minutes

This Discussion Item was approved as amended.

Presentations

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

Attachments:

00:03:19

An update was provided on the new county-wide noise ordinance currently under review. The ordinance

proposes limits on outdoor amplified sound after 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays and after 8 PM

Sunday through Thursday. It would also establish construction noise restrictions, with enforcement

shared between the Department of Conservation & Development (DCD) and the Sheriff’s Office.

Questions were raised regarding early-morning start times by utility providers, and staff agreed to follow

up with DCD.

Ronnie Mills also summarized outcomes from the Community Impact Fund town halls, which gathered

input from more than 270 residents across West County on how to prioritize $1 million in federal

funding. Topics ranged from youth programs and housing to public safety and wellness. It was

confirmed that housing discussions included services for un-housed residents.

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

P.3. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Update, Chief Watson / Michelle Rinehart

00:08:25

Chief Watson provided an update on district changes and staffing levels following the annexation of an

expired district. He discussed ongoing fire-related concerns for July 4, noting reduced call volume due to

aerial firefighting support. Chief Watson also emphasized lithium-ion battery safety, advising residents

to purchase certified batteries and avoid charging EVs inside garages overnight. Additional updates were

shared on EV fire response challenges, Fire Prevention Week activities, and equipment needs.

Updates were provided on shaded fuel break grant applications for East Richmond Heights and Hasford

Heights. The community was informed that the district successfully submitted applications for the Fire

Risk Reduction Community List, which could improve access to future state grants and help residents

secure home insurance discounts. Staff also reported on ongoing State Fire Marshal efforts to curb

illegal fireworks and noted that Zone Zero and home-hardening regulations will not change until after

the new year.

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

00:37:17

Council-members and residents discussed recent burglaries and thefts in East Richmond Heights,

including vehicle and trailer thefts. A resident described how a Ring camera helped identify a stolen

trailer, highlighting the value of home surveillance. Concerns were also raised about the quality of recent

slurry sealing work, including inadequate signage and traffic disruption. Additional discussion focused

on a proposed Wildcat Canyon bike trail, with residents expressing concerns about environmental

impacts, limited public involvement, and opportunities for future comment.

P.5. Presentation by California Highway Patrol, Officer Rivera (tentative)

Discussion Items

Subcommittee Reports

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

00:38:07

No formal subcommittee reports were presented at this meeting.

7. Regional Historical Presentation

00:38:56

Agenda Items / Speakers for Upcoming ERHMAC Meetings

00:40:51

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

(speakers may be limited to two minutes).

00:55:17

Residents requested additional information regarding the Wildcat Canyon bike trail proposal and

upcoming opportunities for public comment. The Chair also reminded attendees of future meeting dates

in November and January and encouraged residents to submit comments on the project’s Environmental

Impact Report (EIR).

The next meeting is currently scheduled for November 19, 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