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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Brentwood will, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the normal course of business permits on May 19, 2020, hold a public hearing to consider the following application:
An application for a two-year time extension for a vesting tentative subdivision map (VTSM 9360-A3) to create 63 single-family residential lots, a multi-family residential lot, four commercial parcels, and several miscellaneous parcels for stormwater treatment, private streets, and parking; and a design review (DR 14-001-A2) for three home plans, utilities, landscaping, and related improvements on 26 acres located south of Balfour Road, between State Route 4 and Summerset Drive (APN’s 010-020-014 and 010-020- 032). The City previously adopted a mitigated negative declaration (MND) for this project in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The MND identified several potentially significant impacts; however, mitigation measures are incorporated to reduce those impacts to less than significant levels. This mitigation measures are included as project-specific conditions of approval. There is no new information or changes to the project what would affect the conclusions of the MND. Therefore, no additional environmental review is necessary for the requested extension at this time. The Planning Commission action is final unless an appeal is filed. Applicant: Brentwood Country Club Partners
Said hearing will be held at the City Council Chambers, 150 City Park
Way, Brentwood, California. Further information may be obtained from Senior Planner Debbie Hill [(925) 516-5135 or dhill@brentwoodca.gov] in the Community Development Department of the City of Brentwood, 150 City Park Way, Brentwood, California 94513. Before any court challenge of Planning Commission decisions, you are required to appeal the decision to the City Council no later than the time period provided under the City’s Municipal Code. In addition, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Brentwood Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing. Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82521 Publish Dates: May 8, 2020.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the Planning Commission of the City of Brentwood will, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the normal course of business permits on May 19, 2020, hold a public hearing to consider the following application:
An application for a two-year time extension for a vesting tentative subdivision map (VTSM 9486-A1) to create twenty-four single-family residential lots and several miscellaneous parcels for stormwater treatment, private streets, and emergency access; and a design review (DR 18-003) for two home plans, utilities, landscaping, and related improvements on a project site comprising approximately 4.5 acres located south of Balfour Road between State Route 4 and Summerset Drive (APN’s 010-020-014 and 010-020-032). The City adopted a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) for the original Brentwood Country Club Partners project in 2014, in accordance with the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The document identifies several potentially significant impacts; however, the document also includes mitigation measures to reduce those impacts to less than significant levels. Given the passage of time since the original project approval and revised requirements of CEQA, an addendum has been prepared to analyze this application. According to the addendum, there are no (1) substantial changes proposed in the project that will require major revisions of the previous MND due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects; (2) substantial changes occur respect to the circumstances under which the project would be undertaken that will require major revisions of the previous MND due to the involvement of new significant environmental effects or a substantial increase in the severity of previously identified significant effects; or (3) new information of substantial importance, which was not known and could not have been known with the exercise of reasonable diligence at the time the previous MND was adopted, that shows that (a) the project will have one or more significant effects not discussed in the previous MND; (b) significant effects previously examined will be substantially more severe than shown in the previous MND; (c) mitigation measures or alternatives previously found not to be feasible would in fact be feasible and would substantially reduce one or more significant effects of the project, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative; or (d) mitigation measures or alternatives which are considerably different from those analyzed in the previous MND would substantially reduce one or more significant effects on the environment, but the project proponents decline to adopt the mitigation measure or alternative. All original mitigation measures remain valid and pertain to these changes and are also included as conditions of approval on the vesting tentative subdivision map. Therefore, no additional environmental review is necessary for the requested extension at this time, pursuant to 14 CCR 15164. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation on the application to the City Council, which will take final action. Applicant: Brentwood Country Club Partners
Said hearing will be held at the City Council Chambers, 150 City Park
Way, Brentwood, California. Further information may be obtained from Senior Planner Debbie Hill [(925) 516-5135 or dhill@brentwoodca.gov] in the Community Development Department of the City of Brentwood, 150 City Park Way, Brentwood, California 94513. Before any court challenge of Planning Commission decisions, you are required to appeal the decision to the City Council no later than the time period provided under the City’s Municipal Code. In addition, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Brentwood Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing. Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82525 Publish Dates: May 8, 2020.
NOTICE INVITING BIDS
1. Bid Submission. The City of Brentwood (“City”) will accept sealed bids for its Citywide Non-Potable Water Distribution System, CIP Project No. 592-59202 (“Project”), by or before Tuesday, June 16, 2020, at 2:00 p.m., at its City Clerk’s office, located at Brentwood City Hall, Third Floor, 150 City Park Way,
Brentwood, California, 94513. The bids will be publicly opened and read aloud in at Brentwood City Hall, 150 City Park Way, Brentwood, CA 94513.
2. Project Information.
2.1 Location and Description. The Project is located at 230 Fairview Avenue; along Sand Creek Road; along Fairview Avenue, and is described as follows: Installation of new 16-inch and 12- inch main non-potable water (“NPW”) pipeline via slip-lining an abandoned 22-inch PG&E gas line; installation of new 18-inch and 16-inch NPW main lines via open trenching; connection to and utilization of existing 16-inch ECCID line; construction of new non-potable water booster pump station and controls building; and connections to existing irrigation system. 2.2 Time for Completion. The Project must be completed within 280 working days from the start date set forth in the Notice to Proceed. City anticipates that the Work will begin on or about 06/16/20, but the anticipated start date is provided solely for convenience and is neither certain nor binding. 2.3 Estimated Cost. The estimated construction cost is $6,200,000.
3. License and Registration Requirements.
3.1 License. This Project requires a valid California contractor’s license for the following classification(s): Class “A” or combination of Class “C” Specialty Contractor’s License(s). 3.2 DIR Registration. City may not accept a Bid Proposal from or enter into the Contract with a bidder, without proof that the bidder is registered with the California Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) to perform public work pursuant to Labor Code § 1725.5, subject to limited legal exceptions. 4. Contract Documents. Bidders must request and obtain an electronic copy of the Contract Documents directly from the City of Brentwood (at no charge) by completing and submitting the “Document Request Form” located on the City’s website at https://www.brentwoodca.gov/ gov/pw/cip/pw_projects_out_to_bid. asp. The City may reject a bid submitted by a bidder that did not obtain the Contract Documents from the City as required. 5. Bid Security. The Bid Proposal must be accompanied by bid security of ten percent of the maximum bid amount, in the form of a cashier’s or certified check made payable to the City of Brentwood, or a bid bond executed by a surety licensed to do business in the State of California on the Bid Bond form included with the Contract Documents. The bid security must guarantee that within ten days after City issues the Notice of Award, the successful bidder will execute the Contract and submit the payment and performance bonds, insurance certificates and endorsements, and any other submittals required by the Contract Documents and as specified in the Notice of Award.\emspace
6. Prevailing Wage Requirements.
6.1 General. Pursuant to California Labor Code § 1720 et seq., this Project is subject to the prevailing wage requirements applicable to the locality in which the Work is to be performed for each craft, classification or type of worker needed to perform the Work, including employer payments for health and welfare, pension, vacation, apprenticeship and similar purposes. 6.2 Rates. These prevailing rates are on file with the City and are available online at http://www.dir.ca.gov/DLSR. Each Contractor and Subcontractor must pay no less than the specified rates to all workers employed to work on the Project. The schedule of per diem wages is based upon a working day of eight hours. The rate for holiday and overtime work must be at least time and one-half. 6.3 Compliance. The Contract will be subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the DIR, under Labor Code § 1771.4.
7. Performance and Payment Bonds.
The successful bidder will be required to provide performance and payment bonds, each for 100% of the Contract Price, as further specified in the Contract Documents. 8. Substitution of Securities. Substitution of appropriate securities in lieu of retention amounts from progress payments is permitted under Public Contract Code § 22300. 9. Subcontractor List. Each Subcontractor must be registered with the DIR to perform work on public projects. Each bidder must submit a completed Subcontractor List form with its Bid Proposal, including the name, location of the place of business, California contractor license number, DIR registration number, and percentage of the Work to be performed (based on the base bid price) for each Subcontractor that will perform Work or service or fabricate or install Work for the prime contractor in excess of one-half of 1% of the bid price, using the Subcontractor List form included with the Contract Documents. 10. Specific Brands. Pursuant to referenced provision(s) of Public Contract Code § 3400(c), City has found that the following specific brands are required for the following particular material(s), product(s), thing(s), or service(s), and no substitutions will be considered or accepted: Item: Fusible PVC Pipe Required brand: Underground Solutions, Inc. Reference: Spec Section 15065 11. Instructions to Bidders. All bidders should carefully review the Instructions to Bidders for more detailed information before submitting a Bid Proposal. City of Brentwood /s/ Margaret Wimberly MMC, City Clerk; Date Signed: April 28, 2020 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82447 Publish Dates: May 1, 8, 2020.
NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE T.S. No.: 2020-00102-CA
A.P.N.:067-171-011 Property Address: 609 West 13TH Street, Antioch, CA 94509-2257 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE PURSUANT TO CIVIL CODE § 2923.3(a) and (d), THE SUMMARY OF INFORMATION REFERRED TO BELOW IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE RECORDED COPY OF THIS DOCUMENT BUT ONLY TO THE COPIES PROVIDED TO THE TRUSTOR. NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED 注：本文件 包含一个信息摘要 참고사 항: 본 첨부 문서에 정보 요 약서가 있습니다 NOTA: SE ADJUNTA UN RESUMEN DE LA INFORMACIÓN DE ESTE DOCUMENTO TALA: MAYROONG BUOD NG IMPORMASYON SA DOKUMENTONG ITO NA NAKALAKIP LƯU Ý: KÈM THEO ĐÂY LÀ BẢN TRÌNH BÀY TÓM LƯỢC VỀ THÔNG TIN TRONG TÀI LIỆU NÀYIMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST DATED 11/13/2003. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE. IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER. Trustor: BARBARA SHELTON, an unmarried woman Duly Appointed Trustee: Western Progressive, LLC Deed of Trust Recorded 11/21/2003 as Instrument No. 2003-0568555-00 in book —-, page—- and of Official Records in the office of the Recorder of Contra Costa County, California, Date of Sale: 06/30/2020 at 09:00 AM Place of Sale: AUCTION. COM ROOM PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CENTER, 320 CIVIC DRIVE, PLEASANT HILL, CA 94523 Estimated amount of unpaid balance, reasonably estimated costs and other charges: $ 127,408.60 TS No.: 2020-00102-CA NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE THE TRUSTEE WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK DRAWN ON A STATE OR NATIONAL BANK, A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, OR A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, A SAVINGS ASSOCIATION OR SAVINGS BANK SPECIFIED IN SECTION 5102 OF THE FINANCIAL CODE AND AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE: All right, title, and interest conveyed to and now held by the trustee in the hereinafter described property under and pursuant to a Deed of Trust described as: More fully described in said Deed of Trust. Street Address or other common designation of real property: 609 West 13TH Street, Antioch, CA 94509-2257 A.P.N.: 067-171-011 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address or other common designation, if any, shown above. The sale will be made, but without covenant or warranty, expressed or implied, regarding title, possession, or encumbrances, to pay the remaining principal sum of the note(s) secured by the Deed of Trust with interest thereon, as provided in said note(s), advances, under the terms of said Deed of Trust, fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the trusts created by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $ 127,408.60. Note: Because the Beneficiary reserves the right to bid less than the total debt owed, it is possible that at the time of the sale the opening bid may be less than the total debt. If the Trust
ee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have
no further recourse. The beneficiary of the Deed of Trust has executed and delivered to the undersigned a written request to commence foreclosure, and the undersigned caused a Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located. NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE TS No.: 2020- 00102-CA NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on this property. NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call (866)-960-8299 or visit this Internet Web site http://www.altisource.com/ MortgageServices/DefaultManagement/TrusteeServices.aspx using the file number assigned to this case 2020-00102-CA. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. Date: April 29, 2020 Western Progressive, LLC, as Trustee for beneficiary C/o 1500 Palma Drive, Suite 237 Ventura, CA 93003 Sale Information Line: (866) 960-8299 http://www.altisource.com/ MortgageServices/DefaultManagement/ TrusteeServices.aspx Trustee Sale Assistant WESTERN PROGRESSIVE, LLC MAY BE ACTING AS A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED MAY
BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. Antioch Press No. 06-1617 82487 Publish Dates: May 8, 15, 22, 2020.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS OF BULK SALE (Division 6 of the Commercial Code) Escrow No. 020948-KL
(1) Notice is hereby given to creditors of the within named Seller(s) that a bulk sale is about to be made on personal property hereinafter described. (2) The name and business addresses of the seller are: SOS OIL INC, 3400 HILL
CREST AVENUE, ANTIOCH, CA 94531
(3) The location in California of the chief executive office of the Seller is: SAME AS
ABOVE
(4) The names and business address of the Buyer(s) are: HILLCREST GAS INC,
3400 HILLCREST AVENUE, ANTIOCH, CA 94531
(5) The location and general description of the assets to be sold are: FURNITURE, FIXTURES, EQUIPMENT & GOODWILL of that certain business located at: 3400
HILLCREST AVENUE, ANTIOCH, CA 94531
(6) The business name used by the seller(s) at said location is: HILLCREST
CHEVRON
(7) The anticipated date of the bulk sale is MAY 27, 2020 at the office of: GREEN ESCROW SERVICES, INC, 2010 CROW CANYON PLACE, SUITE 212 SAN RAMON, CA 94583, Escrow No. 020948- KL, Escrow Officer: KATHY LOZANO,
CSEO, CEI
(8) Claims may be filed with Same as “7” above. (9) The last day for filing claims is: MAY 26, 2020. (10) This bulk sale is subject to Section 6106.2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. (11) As listed by the Seller, all other business names and addresses used by the Seller within three years before the date such list was sent or delivered to the Buyer are: NONE. DATED: APRIL 29, 2020 TRANSFEREES: HILLCREST GAS INC, A
CALIFORNIA CORPORATION LA2518896 ANTIOCH PRESS 5/8/2020
Antioch Press No. 06-1617 82460 Publish Dates: May 8, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-0001703 The name of the business: Clinios Located at: 4395 N Canoe Birch Ct. In: Concord, CA 94521, is hereby registered by the following owner: David Potter. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: David Potter. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: March 25, 2020 by Deputy C Pittman Expires 3/25/2025 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82387 Publish dates: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-0001720 The name of the business: Pop of Color Design Located at: 4149 Beacon Place In: Discovery Bay, CA 94505, is hereby registered by the following owner: Rhonda Plevin. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Rhonda Plevin. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: March 26, 2020 by Deputy Pop of Color Design Expires 3/26/2025 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82389 Publish dates: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-0001761 The name of the business: 1. E-Manage, Inc. 2. dba: Green Planet Landscape Located at: 2989 Eclipse Pl In: Brentwood, CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): E-Manage, Inc. This business is conducted by: A Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 11/25/2019. Signature of registrant: Dwayne A. Arnold, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: April 8, 2020 by Deputy P. Cornelius Expires 4/8/2025 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82385 Publish dates: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-0001812 The name of the business: Lepe Engineering Located at: 1608 Sunhill Court In: Martinez, CA 94553, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Jose Lepe. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 10/1/2016. Signature of registrant: Jose Lepe. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: April 14, 2020 by Deputy J Celestial Expires 4/14/2025 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82390 Publish dates: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-0001818 The name of the business(es): Central Pharmacy Located at: 2300 MACDONALD AVENUE In: Richmond, CA 94804, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Mercury Pharmacy Corporation. This business is conducted by: A Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Ricardo A. Duenas (CEO). This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: April 14, 2020 by Deputy P Cornelius Expires 4/14/2025 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82386 Publish dates: April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-0001847 The name of the business: Patrick Construction Located at: 534 Stratford Way In: Brentwood, CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner: George P Kearns. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on July 1, 1986. Signature of registrant: George P Kearns. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: April 16, 2020 by Deputy P Cornelius Expires 4/16/2025 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82435 Publish dates: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-0001872 The name of the business: East Bay Backflow and CrossConnection Service Located at: 132 Cottage Grove Dr In: Discovery Bay, CA 94505, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Nicholas Steiner. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Nicholas Steiner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: April 21, 2020 by Deputy J Celestial Expires 4/21/2025 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82461 Publish dates: May 8, 15, 22, 29, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-0001883 The name of the business(es): KM Construction Located at: 4925 North Point In: Discovery Bay, CA 94505, is hereby registered by the following owner: K.M. CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN, INC. This business is conducted by: A Corporation. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 4/13/2020. Signature of registrant: Kenneth Murney, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: April 22, 2020 by Deputy J Celestial Expires 4/22/2025 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 82493 Publish dates: May 8, 15, 22, 29, 2020. FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-0001751 The name of the business: STICKZ MUSIC Located at: 2154 Connie Lane In: Oakley, CA 94505, is hereby registered by the following owner: Austin Malik White. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Austin Malik White. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: April 7, 2020 by Deputy P Cornelius Expires 4/7/2025 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 82449 Publish dates: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2020.
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Deadline: Monday at 1:00 pm Press CLASSIFIEDS
by Tony Kukulich Staff Writer
The Oakley Chamber of Commerce announced last week its intention to discontinue operations.
The chamber’s board of directors made the announcement in an email to chamber members stating, “The Oakley Chamber of Commerce is saddened to announce, in light of recent events, we will be ceasing operations May 1, 2020. As many of you know, the chamber has brought many fun events to the local community over the years such as the Oakley Almond Festival, Oakley Wine & Whiskey Soirée, along with trying to be a voice for the business community. In recent years the involvement of local businesses has changed in the area, which has resulted in a loss of memberships and fundraising opportunities for the chamber.”
Past chamber president Mark Whitlock said the chamber has struggled for the last several years, but, due to the statewide shelter-in-place order, the cancellation of the chamber’s principle fundraising event,
U-Pick from page 1
ning to attend U-pick farms, Kim McCarl, Contra Costa Health Services public information officer, said no.
“U-pick falls under essential business as a provider of groceries and is most similar to a farmers market,” McCarl wrote in an email to The Press. “Regardless of where a customer might come from, a business is required to ensure that physical distancing is maintained, face coverings are used and all other health-order requirements are observed as a condition of operating.”
The U-pick events will look somewhat different as farmers who plan to open for the season implement health safety measures. Kevin Vornhagen of Vornhagen
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originally scheduled for April 18, placed a significant financial strain on the organization.
“With the Wine & Whiskey event going away this year, that was the last little nail in the coffin,” he said. “We lost that event. Last year it was considerably slower than the year before.”
A decline of membership and member involvement were also factors, according to Dr. Kristin Mattingly, who has served on the chamber’s board of directors for 10 years. She estimated current membership at 50 to 60 businesses, down from a peak of roughly double that.
“I do know chambers all across the country are struggling, so this isn’t unique to Oakley,” Oakley City Manager Bryan Montgomery said. “I thank all those that worked with the chamber over the years.”
Whitlock added that the chamber’s lack of funding to support the development and operation of an improved website was a source of frustration for the board and businesses.
“In all fairness, we’ve had so many
“
So I think we’re ready to start the season. It will be different, no doubt, but I’m hoping the public will read all the information before deciding to visit, so we can keep it as safe as possible.
”
Jami Palladino, Mike’s U-Pick Cherries
Farms, which opens May 15, said bucket handles will be sanitized, people will wear masks and there will be hand sanitizer onsite. But he wasn’t worried about being able to maintain social distancing.
“It’s no different than a grocery store — it’s actually probably safer,” Vornhagen said. “I have 4,000 trees, 12 feet apart, and rows 16 feet apart. You can put about 340 people on an acre and still have proper so
Suit from page 1
lengthy legal battle, and that because of our insurance policy, the city only paid $50,000,” he said.
The accuser, who served as a negotiator on the department’s crisis negotiation team that DiMercurio commanded, went on leave in 2018 and has since applied for
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glitches getting a website put up,” Whitlock said. “I think that was one of the really big issues that people really got irritated with and the lack of participation at the mixers. If you go to a Brentwood mixer, you’re going to have at least 60 to 100 people there. We get the same 15 or 18 people, counting all the board members and the people that are holding the event.”
The City of Oakley has provided space for the chamber to operate in city-owned buildings for a rent of $1 a year. For the last four years, they have occupied space at 3300 Main St., but the city was in discussions to move the chamber across the street to a space on the second floor of city hall.
“We’ve been in there for four years,” Whitlock said. “It’s been a real good avenue for us. Numerous times, we’ll have several people there for a meeting to talk about whatever is going on. Upstairs (at city hall) would have been very problematic, but that’s not a reason to dissolve the chamber either.”
It remains to be seen how the closure of the Oakley Chamber of Commerce will impact city businesses.
“Even without a chamber, Oakley Economic Development will continue to provide support to the business community,” said Dwayne Dalman, City of Oakley economic development manager. “Our goal will remain the same, to attract new investment in the community and to retain and assist in the growth of existing Oakley businesses.”
Dalman said there has been talk in Oakley’s business community about forming a business organization, and the closure of the chamber of commerce may prompt those conversations to resurface.
“I think we all have similar goals to strengthen existing Oakley businesses,” he said. “We are going to continue our work to do so and are happy to work with other groups that have the same goal.”
For Mattingly, watching 10 years of hard work slip away was not easy.
“It really does make me sad,” Mattingly said. “I have put a lot of time and a lot of effort into it. It’s discouraging, but at this point in time, I do think it’s what needs to be done.”
cial distancing.”
Vornhagen also noted the likelihood of someone touching your produce before you buy it is reduced on a U-pick farm when compared to a store where many might feel fruit for ripeness and then decide to put it back in a bin.
“I’m basically letting people make their own decisions on how they want to approach it,” he said. “If people don’t want to come out, they shouldn’t come out.”
Vornhagen also said his cherry crop was especially abundant this season and continues to pray there won’t be any lateseason rain for the next two months.
Over at Mike’s U-Pick Cherries, Mike’s wife Jami Palladino is rapidly answering questions about the season but prides herself on organization, which she believes will further maintain health safety this year. With 10 acres and three varieties of cherries, their season rotates between harvesting each, and they section off those available for picking in what she called a “maze.”
“Our field is not a free-for-all,” Palladino said, further noting she has outlined guidelines for visitors on both Facebook and their website. “I answer all questions promptly. That’s part of my job.”
Palladino stressed that her crew will be well-informed of new practices this season and will wear masks and follow hand-washing protocols. And visitors are discouraged from lingering once they’ve finished picking their fruit.
“So I think we’re ready to start the season,” she said of her May 13 opening date. “It will be different, no doubt, but I’m getting calls and hoping the public will read all the information before deciding to visit, so we can keep it as safe as possible.”
Some farmers, however, declined to offer U-pick this season at all — such as Papini Family Farm — while others have modified their standard practice. For example, G & S is operating on an appointment-only basis. The board of Harvest Time Brentwood, the nonprofit group comprised of area farmers, declined to comment on the matter.
To find a U-pick farm in the area, visit https://harvestforyou.com.
To view a video and a slideshow, visit
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a disability retirement.
DiMercurio retired last year, days after the suit was filed.
“She can’t work as a police officer anymore, because she was a victim of a rape, and Lt. DiMercurio retaliated against her — showed up at her calls,” Walker said. “She got PTSD from that and just didn’t feel safe in the department anymore to be a police officer on the streets.”
The alleged incidents occurred over two nights in 2017 during a weeklong California Association of Hostage Negotiators training event in Reno, Nevada, attended by DiMercurio, the accuser and a Brentwood police sergeant.
The suit alleges that now-retired Brentwood Police Captain Ben Tolero and current Police Chief Tom Hansen made a decision to open only a supervisory inquiry — which “eliminates the possibility of discipline other than verbal admonishment or counseling and is only appropriate where there has been a training gap or minor performance issue instead of misconduct” — instead of an internal affairs investigation.
Tolero closed the investigation without finding any violations about a month after the department was alerted, the suit said.
“My client is happy to put this behind her, and she feels that justice has been served,” Walker said.
