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YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 20, No. 18
City council Byron blaze burns 146 acres evaluates 9212 report
May 1, 2020
Projects Still Underway
by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
An initiative intended to compel the City of Brentwood to reallocate nearly $5 million of its general fund toward public safety failed to gather support of city council or city staff Tuesday night, April 28, after they received a 9212 report detailing the initiative’s likely impacts on the city budget and its likelihood of success resolving issues related to fire service. “I think the city council recognizes the problem,” said Bryan Scott, author of the initiative and committee chair for East County Voters for Equal Protection (ECV). “This is, I think, a legitimate solution. It’s just not the traditional solution. The 9212 report takes the traditional approach to solving this problem and looks at it through that lens.”
Liberty’s swimming pool and other district improvements continue during shutdown. Page 5
Update On Virus Impact Photo by Tony Kukulich
A
n early season vegetation fire along the Contra Costa and Alameda county line in Byron burned 146 acres April 27. East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Fire Chief Steve Aubert said there were reports To view a video that workers in the area accidentally ignited the blaze. and a slideshow of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
see 9212 page 20
Board of supervisors passes eviction protection and rent freeze ordinance by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors used its emergency powers under state law to pass a comprehensive eviction protection and temporary rent freeze urgency ordinance for all residential and commercial properties in the county during a special board meeting, Tuesday, April 21. The vote was unanimous. The urgency ordinance temporarily prohibits evictions of residential and commercial real property tenants in Contra Costa County impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and establishes
“ My colleagues and I on the board of supervisors are deeply aware of the economic impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has on our residents, including the fear of eviction brought on by job losses.
a moratorium on rent increases. This law applies to properties in all 19 cities in the county and in all unincorporated areas. To the extent that a city has adopted a law on the same subject matter, then its provisions would apply in that city.
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“My colleagues and I on the board of supervisors are deeply aware of the economic impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has on our residents, including the fear of eviction brought on by job losses,” said Supervisor Candace Ander-
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sen, board chair. Andersen said she hopes the passage of this ordinance will give residents and businesses critical time and support. “At the same time, we also recognize the impact on landlords. This is not a forgiveness of the rent owed, but a longer period to pay it,” she said. “We hope that property owners and their tenants will work together to reach fair and equitable ways to have the owed rent paid.” Protections granted to residential and commercial renters include: • Prohibition on evictions due
Coronavirus numbers slow for first time since pandemic hit Contra Costa County. Page 4
Swinging For Virtual Fences
The Heritage baseball team recently won the virtual Boras Classic state title. Page 15
see Eviction page 20
Cop Logs................................21 Education................................5 Health & Beauty....................6 Legals ...................................12 Milestones............................10 Opinion..................................14 Sports.....................................15
PG&E Donation
Park Protocol
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PG&E contributes $150,000 to California Association of Food Banks to start new fund.
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Park district calls for public to wear masks at all times when within six feet of others.