CityNews News in Brief

Master Developer to be Considered

By the July 14 deadline, the Local Reuse Authority (LRA) had received two Statements of Qualifications related to the master developer selection process for the Base Reuse Project at the former Concord Naval Weapons Station.

One statement came from Brookfield Properties; the other came from Housing America Partners, which is a consortium comprised of the Unity Council, The Pacific Companies, Pacific Housing West, Gorman and Company, Rogal Projects, and Sovereign/Genesis Capital.

The LRA team will be evaluating the statements submitted in preparation for City Council consideration at a public meeting tentatively set for Saturday, Aug. 26. For more information or future notifications, please visit www.concordreuseproject.org and sign up for project updates.

Introducing the Toyota Pavilion at Concord

The Concord Pavilion is getting a new name and brand identity thanks to a new sponsorship from one of Concord’s largest businesses. The Toyota Pavilion at Concord has been named in a long term deal between the automaker and Live Nation, the company that manages the 12,500-seat outdoor venue owned by the City. Officially announced in August, the sponsorship includes the new name and new signage as well as revenue that will go toward Concord’s general fund.

Emergency Preparedness Fair Coming Sept. 7

Concord’s annual emergency preparedness fair will be held on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Todos Santos Plaza, concurrent with Music & Market. Prepare today for tomorrow’s natural disasters. Learn how to use a fire extinguisher, shut off your utilities, access short wave radio communications, and contact 911 dispatch. Dozens of first responders and partner organizations will be there to meet the community and answer your questions.

Permit Often Required for Tree Removal

Did you know that there are City ordinances requiring a permit for the removal of certain private trees?

The City’s Urban Forest consists of street, park, public, open space, and private trees. All of these trees contribute to the vast social, economic, and environmental benefits that an “urban forest” provides to a community. To preserve and grow this valuable asset, the City of Concord protects certain trees that are on private property.

The City also sets planting and maintenance requirements for all trees that are within the right-of-way. There are specific criteria that determine which private trees are and are not protected. The requirements for tree preservation and criteria to be eligible for a Private Tree Removal Permit are codified in the Concord Municipal Code Sections 8.25 Neighborhood Preservation, 8.40 Trees and Shrubs, 17.20 Subdivision Design and Improvements, and 18.310 Tree Preservation and Protection.

Before removing any tree from your property, please check the Public Works Trees web page or call 925-671-3107 to verify whether a Private Tree Removal Permit is required. Protecting trees from unnecessary removal is just one way the City is working to preserve our urban forest from premature decline in tree canopy coverage. Learn more at cityofconcord.org/trees

Pilot Program Aims to Enhance Cleanliness, Safety in Downtown

In May, the Todos Santos Business Association (TSBA) began implementing the Downtown Concord Pilot Program, which consists of three services: a day porter to improve cleanliness, a security guard to enhance safety, and pressure washing of streets in lieu of regular maintenance by private owners.

The goal of the program is to promote a welcoming, clean, and safe environment for visitors frequenting Todos Santos Plaza and the surrounding businesses, many of which struggled financially due to the lack of foot traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic. The service area includes one to two blocks outward from Todos Santos Plaza in every direction.

The day porter, who is on-site daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., collects trash and litter around the park each day, and cleans benches and other fixtures in and around Todos Santos Plaza.

The downtown is patrolled daily from 12:30 to 8 p.m. The unarmed security guards patrol by foot, bike, or vehicle, depending on the time of day. Through non-confrontational techniques, they are able to displace and discourage inappropriate behaviors, with notable success in the public parking garages. Pressure washing takes place on an as-needed basis in the early morning hours.

The pilot program will run for 18 to 24 months, with the TSBA making an effort to stretch the $458,494 of City Council-awarded federal funding and a $50,000 contribution from the Brenden Mann Foundation as far as possible.

In addition to this pilot, the City Council recently authorized the use of $800,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to add new trash receptacles in the downtown and to improve the safety, security, and cleanliness of the City-owned parking garages.

City Approves Balanced Two-Year Budget

In June, the City Council adopted a balanced, twoyear operating budget for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25. The new general fund budget, which went into effect on July 1, projects $125.3 million in revenue, with 46% from sales tax (including Measure V) and 27% from property tax. It also includes the use of the City's fiscal stability fund that Council previously reserved for balancing the budget.

Like many cities, Concord faces challenges associated with rising costs due to inflation and personnel expenses. However, with strong fiscal stewardship, the City Council and staff have been able to leverage resources to enhance service levels.

At the budget hearing in June, the City Council further invested in code compliance by adding an administrative assistant to the Police Department’s community impact unit in order to allow code enforcement officers to spend more time in the field. Council also authorized an additional building inspector who will focus on building code compliance.

The operating budget is supported by revenues from Measure V, a voter-approved, one-cent transaction and use tax that is expected to generate approximately $32.2 million in FY 2023-24 in local funding that cannot be taken by the State. Of this, approximately $14.1 million will be used to support general fund operations; $2.2 million to support Council priorities such as economic development, public safety, the Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement (CORE) program that assists with homeless services, and code enforcement; and $15.9 million of supplemental funding for roadway/transportation projects, residential paving, and building and parks maintenance.

Concord is committed to strong fiscal stewardship, transparency, and accountability. Working together, the City Council and staff ensure that Concord’s budget and financial policies reflect spending consistent with the community’s priorities.

FY 2023-24: $128.1 million

FY 2024-25: $133.5 million

FY 2023-24: $125.3 million

FY 2024-25: $128.9 million

Roadway Improvements Underway Citywide

With multiple construction projects happening at once, “cone zones” are seemingly everywhere and traffic can be slow. Thank you for your patience during this busy time.

Concord is fortunate to have so many roadway improvement projects happening at once – it is the result of a huge infusion of funds to tackle what residents have long said is one of their highest priorities: fixing the roads! Thanks to Measure V, the voter-approved, one-cent use and transition tax, the City was able to leverage these funds to launch a $115 million, five-year pavement improvement plan.

Here are some of our biggest projects happening now:

The Treat Blvd. work runs from the Walnut Creek city limits to San Miguel Road, and uses a process called full-depth reclamation (FDR), which involves mixing cement with underlying soils to create a strong and durable foundation for the roadway. The Oak Grove project runs from Treat to the Contra Costa Canal Trail. These projects also involve installing curb ramps for improved accessibility, repairing sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, and installing fiber optic conduit for traffic signal communications. Phase 2 of the Treat project will cover San Miguel Road to Clayton Road and is on schedule to begin in spring 2024.

For updates, please visit: Cityofconcord.org/ treatpaving and cityofconcord.org/oakgrovepaving

The Willow Pass Road Patch Repair & Overlay Project is scheduled to begin construction this fall and last for six weeks. The project limits are on Willow Pass Road from Landana Drive toward Highway 4 to Avila Road. This project is designed to first address some of the major potholes and then overlay the road so that the pavement will be smooth. The project enhancement will improve the ride quality and extend the pavement life for an estimated 5-7 years for this heavily traveled road segment. It will also add shoulder backings at the edge of the new pavement to even out the transition from the new road to the side.

Pavement maintenance and asphalt repairs are ongoing in all five pavement management zones throughout Concord.

Work will also include the installation or upgrades of curb ramps at intersections, bulb-outs (curb extensions for pedestrian safety), sidewalk gap closure, concrete repairs, adjustment of utilities, and restriping.

Additional neighborhoods will be paved over the next two years.

For more information on all of Concord’s exciting capital projects, please visit: Cityofconcord.org/CIP

The Meadow Lane/Market Street project focuses on pavement rehabilitation along Meadow Lane, from Monument Boulevard to Market Street, and on Market Street, from Meadow Lane to Willow Pass Road. It also includes various enhancements such as fiber optic cable installation, curb ramp upgrades, installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons at crosswalks, traffic calming measures, and traffic signal equipment upgrades. Notably, a designated bike lane will be added along Meadow Lane to promote safety.

For updates, please visit: Cityofconcord.org/ meadowmarket