CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

Committee Meeting Minutes - Final

Illegal Dumping Ad Hoc Committee

Supervisor Diane Burgis

Supervisor Federal D. Glover

12:00 PM

Thursday, September 21, 2023

3361 Walnut Blvd, Suite 140, Brentwood

190 E 4th St, Pittsburg

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

Committee

Introductions

Call to Order

Committee Member Burgis called the meeting to order at 12:00pm

Also in attendance were Stacey Grassini, District Attorney’s Office; Tim Kraus, Environmental Health (EH);

Kristian Lucas, EH; Brian Balbas, Public Works (PWD); Chris Lau, PWD; Michele Mancuso, Contra Costa County

Watershed Program; Lt. Levi Terrill, Sherriff’s Office (SO); Lt. Mark Rodriguez, SO; John Kopchik, Conservation

and Development (DCD); Deidra Dingman, DCD; Joseph Losado, DCD; Jo-Anmarie Ricasata, DCD, Dylan Chiu,

DCD; Unidentified Call In User 1

This matter was approved

RECEIVE and APPROVE the Record of Action for the February 2, 2023 Illegal Dumping

Ad Hoc Committee Meeting

Record of Action 2-2-2023

Attachments:

Aye:

Burgis, and Glover

Passed

Result:

RECEIVE status update regarding implementation of the Board approved Contra Costa

County Illegal Dumping Initiative Strategies.

CCC Illegal Dumping Initiative Dashboard-September 2023

Table 1 - Illegal Dumping Initiative Strategy Table-September 2023

County Illegal Dumping Brochure

Attachments:

Figure 1 - Requests for Illegal Dumping Clean Up Received by Pub

Works in 2022

Figure 2 – Illegal Dumping Signage

Figure 3 - North Richmond Illegal Dumping Locations

Staff summarized the information contained in the “Illegal Dumping Initiative Dashboard”

and “Status Updates” column for the yellow highlighted strategies contained in Table 1 -

Illegal Dumping Initiative Strategy Table - September 2023 attached to the staff report for

this item. Staff presented verbal updates on the following strategies and related items:

Funding Update

During the meeting, the following funding sources and amounts were discussed:

Clean California Grant - Cycle I (revised) = $614,000

Measure X - FY 22/23 = $600,000

Measure X - FY 23/24 = $630,000

Deidra Dingman clarified that "Cycle I revised" reflects adjustments made for a

smaller-scale project due to budget constraints following construction bid assessments.

John Kopchik mentioned the current active funding sources and the submission of a Clean

California Grant application for Cycle 2.

Enforcement- Strategy #45

Levi Terrill, Assistant Patrol Division Commander, discussed enforcement updates, which

involve supplementing the team with current resident deputies due to challenges in hiring

per diem illegal dumping deputies. Their strategy includes strategic directed patrols in areas

and times prone to illegal dumping, supported by overtime for enforcement and

investigations.

Stacey Grassini, Senior Deputy District Attorney, credited the collaborative efforts of the

group and law enforcement for a significant increase in enforcement over the past 18

months. In a snapshot from January to August, they identified 22 cases related to Penal

Code Section 374.3(a), with 7 filed. Stacey commended the sheriff's department,

particularly in North Richmond, for proactive measures in gathering information related to

illegal dumping.

RV, Boat, and Graffiti Abatement - Strategy #40

Joseph Losado, Code Enforcement Division Manager, reported towing approximately 40

RVs and derelict boats in 2022 and 41 in 2023, maintaining consistent numbers.

He highlighted a drop in RVs on Bay Point streets, and an increase in North Richmond.

Joseph mentioned an email from Supervisor Glover's office regarding 24 RVs parked

alongside Wilbur Road, emphasizing the importance of ongoing efforts to keep such areas

clean.

Joseph credited their success to daily communication with Community Service Officer Dan

Jordan's team. They are also collaborating with the Marine Patrol to remove abandoned

derelict boats from the water. Additionally, he mentioned plans to remove a 22-foot boat

from Antioch Marina during Coastal Cleanup Day.

Outreach and Engagement - Strategy #5 Public Outreach Campaign, Strategy #16

Community Clean Up Event, Strategy #56 Community Partner Engagement

Staff provided verbal updates, including a recap of the May 6 Bay Point Clean-Up event

with a video presentation, the distribution of an Illegal Dumping Brochure, and announced

the upcoming Byron Clean-Up scheduled for October 21. Additionally, they discussed the

Request for Proposal (RFP) for a public outreach campaign.

Coordination with other regions and agencies - Strategy #56, and Legislation Strategy

#49

Deidra Dingman provided an update on AB 592, explaining that it had been approved and

concurred on by the assembly and is now on the Governor's desk for signature. AB 592

establishes a pilot program in three counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano) that

permits the regulation of waste hauling activities and requires permits for the use of roads

for hauling activities. The program aims to strengthen existing regulations and will require

amending local ordinances once it goes into effect.

Kristian Lucas, Assistant Director of Environmental Health, discussed the potential impact

of the passage of AB 592, which may enhance proactive enforcement capabilities by

requiring permits for waste transport on county roadways. Environmental Health plans to

collaborate with the Sheriff's Office to develop enforcement strategies to address illegal

dumping if the bill is signed into law by the Governor.

Jo-Anmarie Ricasata discussed ongoing coordination efforts with other regions and

agencies, highlighting the think tank team's continued work between ad hoc committee

meetings. They consistently participate in regional illegal dumping task force meetings and

recently presented their abatement strategy for derelict boats, RVs, and trailers.

Supervisor Burgis raised questions about the meetings' effectiveness, and John Kopchik

emphasized their value for collaboration and information sharing. The Committee

expressed a commitment to monitor the meetings' usefulness in the future.

Tim Kraus, Solid Waste Program Supervisor, shared that 1,465 waste tires were cleaned up

in the first six months of 2023, with around 2-300 cleaned up by their own environmental

staff, and 8-900 through assisted clean-ups with organizations like Civic Corps and local

conservation corps. Additionally, Joseph Losado mentioned that they removed around

2,000 tires and 200.44 tons of garbage during the abatement at Anchor Marina.

Identifying Trends - Data, Reports, Maps, Metrics

Jo-Anmarie Ricasata presented updates on identifying trends, data reports, maps, and

metrics related to illegal dumping. They discussed maps illustrating dumping reports and

hotspot areas, emphasizing their value in shaping strategies, camera placement, and signage

locations for ongoing efforts. Committee expressed appreciation for the presentation.

Surveillance Cameras - Strategy #46

Chris Lau, Division Manager of the Maintenance Division at the Public Works Department,

discussed a surveillance camera pilot project involving collaboration with various agencies.

The project deployed five cameras across different county areas, revealing the potential of

surveillance cameras for combating illegal dumping and detecting other crimes. However, it

highlighted limitations such as camera quality, power availability, fixed camera locations,

and field of view restrictions. The project also explored third-party monitoring with mixed

results. Despite challenges, the pilot project demonstrated the value of surveillance

cameras, prompting plans for future deployments in active areas, increased camera

numbers, and more nimble systems. A request for qualifications (RFQ) will be issued to

solicit interest from vendors and consultants to aid in deploying additional cameras. The

similar project received funding from the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund for expanding

cameras in the Bay Point area, with positive results, including deterrence of stolen vehicle

dumping.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Jill Ray expressed concerns about missing data in the 2022 reporting map, particularly in

areas like Canyon, stressing the need for accurate data collection. She left the meeting,

thanking everyone.

In response, John Kopchik mentioned that the current map uses Mobile Citizen app data

but shared plans to integrate called-in reports for comprehensive information. Jo-Anmarie

Ricasata presented a map from a previous meeting showing cleanup requests for illegal

dumping, incorporating various reporting methods. She highlighted the ongoing effort to

compile data from all sources into the Mobile Citizen platform for better accuracy and

consistency in map creation.

Scott Parker, a Moraga resident, discussed his efforts in creek and open space cleanup,

particularly in Moraga, Lafayette, and unincorporated areas. He highlighted the need for

collaboration between the county, East Bay Mud, and East Bay Parks to implement

preventative measures and reduce illegal dumping, especially in high fire hazard severity

areas like reservoirs.

A caller expressed concerns about individuals engaging in illegal dumping and suggested

using tax dollars more effectively by implementing a tip hotline and offering rewards to

those who provide information to help address the issue. They emphasized the need to

combat this behavior that poses dangers and affects residents' quality of life.

Scott Hill, the Manager of Watershed and Recreation for East Bay MUD, discussed the

ongoing problem of roadside dumping along Pinehurst Road, which is adjacent to a primary

tributary into Upper San Leandro Reservoir. He highlighted the difficulties in recovering

trash and expressed interest in collaborating with the county to deter dumping along the

roadway, especially to prevent trash from ending up in the watershed or reservoir.

Supervisor Burgis suggested working with Chris to explore camera opportunities and

involving the East Bay Regional Park District in potential solutions. Scott Hill praised the

impressive presentation and thanked the team for their efforts.

COMMITTEE COMMENTS:

Supervisor Glover expressed his appreciation for the work being done to combat illegal

dumping and noted that he has seen a difference, with a decrease in call volume to his

office related to the issue. He commended the collaborative efforts of the team.

Supervisor Burgis mentioned that the reduced flow of traffic due to limited single lanes on

some roads may have contributed to a decrease in illegal dumping incidents.

RECOMMEND that the Board approve Table 1 - Illegal Dumping Initiative Strategy

Table-September 2023 and strategy amendments as follows:

1. Expand Enforcement Strategy #45 to allow for the use of overtime deputies in

addition to per diem deputies.

2. Extend RV, boat, and trailer abatement Clean-Up Strategy #40 to encompass graffiti

abatement.

Aye:

Burgis, and Glover

Passed

Result:

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

(speakers may be limited to three minutes).

The caller expressed gratitude for the approved per diem for law enforcement but criticized the supervisors for

not giving enough attention to the issue of illegal dumping, suggesting that they establish a citizen advisory

committee and organize town halls. Supervisor Burgis responded by mentioning previous town halls and the

formation of the committee and reiterated her commitment to addressing illegal dumping. Federal Glover

mentioned a decrease in call volume related to illegal dumping incidents but was criticized for this perception.

The meeting was concluded with the Committee's expressions of gratitude for the efforts made by the team.

The next meeting is currently scheduled for February 1, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Adjourn

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

the Committee 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 Committee less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are

available for public inspection at 30 Muir Road in Martinez, during normal business hours. Staff reports

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: Jo-Anmarie Ricasata, Committee Staff

Phone: (925) 655-2913, Fax: (925) 655-2750, Email: Jo-Anmarie.Ricasata@dcd.cccounty.us