YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 17, No. 34
READ NEWS YOU CAN TRUST AT WWW.THEPRESS.NET
Fire district, developer talks continue by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District board this week held off on publicly stating its opinion on a proposed urban limit line (ULL) expansion initiative and associated elements, and will continue discussions with the measure’s leaders on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) involving fire protection for a possible large housing project that could materialize if Brentwood voters approve the initiative in November. The proposed measure — spearheaded by a group of local developers, including longtime Brentwood farmer and developer Ron Nunn — would move the mark at which urban development must stop, clearing the way for a proposed 815-acre project of up to 2,400 residential units (at least 80% age-restricted, active adultspecific), with other elements, situated north of Balfour Road, east
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Matt Beinke, of GBN Partners, LLC, listens to discussions Monday evening regarding a resolution proposed by GBN to provide the fire district with $750,000 to start up a two-person rescue squad and future support. of Deer Valley Road and west of the Shadow Lakes and Brentwood Hills neighborhoods. The first version of the proposed MOU between the resourcestretched, three-station district and the development group (GBN
Partners LLC a ) stipulated that the group would fund equipment and startup costs for a two-person rescue squad (about $750,000); collaborate with the district, the city and other developers to identify the squad’s operating funding;
establish or participate in a community facilities district to provide ongoing funding for fire protection and emergency response services, at levels consistent with those provided by other new developments in Brentwood; participate with other new development — on a fair-share basis — to fund the development, design and construction of a new fire station; and broadly work with the district and city on long-term funding mechanisms for the district’s needs. The development group had requested the district endorse the measure and project in light of its commitments. Before the board decided to continue discussions, Fire Chief Brian Helmick said the district needs to do whatever it can to improve community service levels — currently, three stations covering approximately 249 square miles and over 115,000 residents — and the MOU was designed to put
August 23, 2019
Quilting For The Gold
Tippy Weisz wins Delta Quilters Guild’s Best of Show. Page 9
Emergency Training
Fire crews complete training for working with medical helicopters. Page 6
Star Power Algae prompts study, possible solutions On The Track by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
Blue-green algae is a hot topic in Discovery Bay. While some residents are unconcerned each summer as the algae’s trademark scum appears atop stagnant water in the bays around town, many are worried about the algal blooms’ toxic effects. The Discovery Bay Community Foundation (DBCF) has formed a harmful algae bloom (HAB) subcommittee, partnering with agencies across the state to help mitigate the epidemic. “This team includes top cyanobacteria scientists from around the state, including scientists from UC Davis, USC, several water districts and
“ ... In the vicinity of the Kellogg Creek
discharge point, South Newport Drive, a ‘Caution Level’ warning is recommended.
water board personal,” said DBCF founder Jim Mattison. “I reached out to ... see if they could help us figure out what we can do with our stagnant 32 bays that are now very bad.” Since 2017, the foundation has worked with these entities to ascertain why the algae has become a significant issue in the last four years. Each month, Mattison takes a team of scientists from the Department
SAVE NOW
of Water Resources (DWR) around the town’s bays to take water samples. And he believes they’ve identified the root cause of the blooms’ recent escalations. “We’ve been around the 32 bays, and we know the main culprit are the fertilizers from the central valley farmers that end up in the Delta,” Mattison said. “They contain large amounts of nitrates and phosphates.”
10% OFF Any Service
FAIRVIEW HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING, INC. Connect with The Press!
Scan QR code with your mobile device.
”
Joe Doser, supervising environmentalist for Contra Costa County
Service • Repair • Installation
Contractor’s Lic. #533790 C-20
925-625-4963 • www.fairviewair.com
see Talks page 26
The fertilizers feed the algae, and when the right conditions are met — warm, still, shallow water — the algae begin blooming, releasing microcystins, a toxin harmful to humans and animals. Mattison explained the subcommittee has applied and been approved for a state grant to conduct a load study to find out where and how the fertilizers and nutrients are entering the Discovery Bay waterways. He said there are still hurdles before funds are received, but expects a plan will be devised to neutralize the fertilizers in the water. Mattison suspects the solution will include a hydrogen peroxide-based component to strip see Algae page 26
BART Grant
www.thepress.net/news/webextras
BART has been awarded $1.7 million to pay for continued police patrols on trains.
Oakley’s Katie Sullivan breaks boundaries and records in motorcycle drag racing. Page 16 Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................21 Cop Logs................................25 Entertainment.......................9 Food..........................................8 Health & Beauty..................10 Milestones............................12 Opinion..................................14 Pets.........................................11 Sports.....................................16
District Report
www.thepress.net/news/press_releases
Park District issues 10-year report on Measure WW local grant program.