YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 19, No. 34
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Fire, 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 of Deer Valley Road and west of
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. 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) 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 com-
munity 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 the district in a position to accomplish
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 Oakley delays decision on parks funding On The Track by Chris Campos Correspondent
The Oakley City Council kicked the can down the road last week rather than take a vote on cutting funding for school site parks. Stirred by a social media storm over the condition of the parks, which are partially funded by a city annual subsidy of $150,000, residents attended the meeting to express their concerns over dilapidated conditions at the parks at Oakley Elementary, Gehringer Elementary, O’Hara Park Middle and Vintage Parkway Elementary. Kevin Romick, councilmember, said before the meeting that the city has been receiving an in-
creasing number of complaints about the poor conditions at the facilities. The city has been paying the Oakley Union School District $150,000 a year since 2002 to cover maintenance at the four sites “in exchange for allowing recreational use by the public of various district school grounds.” The arrangement was made at the early stages of the city’s incorporation, before the city began developing its own parks system. In a report to the council, city staff stated “the park areas referred to in the agreement are arguably no longer needed by the city, are not well-maintained, and the funds currently sent to the see Parks page 26
SAVE NOW
Oakley’s Katie Sullivan breaks boundaries and records in motorcycle drag racing. Page 16
Photo by Chris Campos
The City of Oakley pays the Oakley Union School District $150,000 a year to maintain parks at sites such as O’Hara Park, above, in exchange for allowing for public recreational use. The poor conditions of the parks has spurred the city to reconsider its agreement with the school district.
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BART Grant
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BART has been awarded $1.7 million to pay for continued police patrols on trains.
Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................21 Cop Logs................................25 Entertainment.......................9 Food..........................................8 Health & Beauty..................10 Milestones............................12 Opinion..................................14 Pets.........................................11 Sports.....................................16
District Report
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Park District issues 10-year report on Measure WW local grant program.