[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6623945,"mediaKeyId","2769257-44f0e4882e4ee285f3603128b4474299","parentId",2769257,"title","Head Start: county to pursue vendor meals as kitchen relocation funding unavailable; continuation grant and budget changes approved","audioSeconds",1762,"startMs",10935000,"endMs",12697000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769257-44f0e4882e4ee285f3603128b4474299&start=10935&end=12697","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769257-44f0e4882e4ee285f3603128b4474299/thumbnail_10935000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623945/Contra-Costa-County/California/Head-Start-county-to-pursue-vendor-meals-as-kitchen-relocation-funding-unavailable-continuation-grant-and-budget-changes-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623945-f122b98cf3285d9c9ac4d6b1e7cb6ff5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160021&Signature=mpfRWy2ERqf-1dCasUj578Ad2ejwEFUQHSoSBRshdAOqErQNwx8LFMPIW5NC4DdgFrZylPOYsZ~ZDqIx37iPFd~Wulii26R1YauEi72EtzpqlfMROl3LNpWqH9q8MJsNvUCUNFl~RMdRI5NJ5xNmyUPxSrpz53yMMOtHL3mTAzYtHllvWWhyfU7qt43sueIOgKJMMTDIuNhuVwX~RMb19TBU1vggTrgQClXun9TvoUfazX81kibU07PYtKqE3EhdKG2HNLxN8heV5maUukJXavbQk5Gozw~fq2VFCL7P2T3n~Sm2DjgFu1g~c9pXpftg5Nzm-pQhoDCIhQMRoDagcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Contra Costa","date","2025-03-25T08:31:00Z","article","Contra Costa County’s Employment and Human Services Department updated the Board of Supervisors March 25 on Head Start operations, enrollment and a pressing kitchen relocation issue.

Director Marla Stewart and interim bureau chief Scott Thompson told supervisors the department must vacate its long‑running central kitchen by Sept. 30, 2025 after a neighboring agency received state funding for a mental‑health project at the site. Public Works and EHSD reported informal cost estimates of $4–5 million to buy and renovate a replacement facility; Office of Head Start (OHS) staff told county staff federal capital funding is unlikely. EHSD said prior one‑time OHS funds and carryover approval were voided after updated project cost estimates exceeded the earlier allocation.

Because capital funding is not available, EHSD plans to issue a procurement for vended meal services that would supply breakfasts, lunches and snacks to county-operated Head Start centers beginning no later than Sept. 1, 2025. Staff said the procurement will encourage vendors to employ EHSD cooks or drivers where feasible to reduce layoffs; EHSD estimated eight county FTEs could be affected by a kitchen closure and said it is exploring county reassignments and other options.

Separately the board approved a requested budget revision and authorized submission of the annual Head Start continuation grant application for program year 2025–26. The grant application seeks approximately $20.6 million in federal funding and $5.1 million in required non‑federal match to continue the county’s existing slots and partner arrangements; the policy council reviewed and approved the application March 19. The board voted 4-0 to approve the budget revision and to authorize grant submission.

EHSD also reported improved enrollment and attendance metrics: as of February the program reported 98% enrollment in federal Head Start slots (exceeding the 97% target) and 91% enrollment in state slots. Attendance in February averaged 77% and the department is filling vacancies in teaching staff. Staff noted a recent Community Care Licensing visit at a partner site produced citations that are being addressed.

Supervisors asked staff to report back on the vendor procurement terms and on workforce options for affected FTEs. The department said it will encourage bidders to include options to hire EHSD cooks and drivers and that it will continue to pursue county facilities as alternatives while pressing national funders for any available one‑time support.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Contra Costa - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS on 2025-03-25 9:00 AM - Mar 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","EHSD told the board it must vacate its central Head Start kitchen by Sept. 30, 2025 and that federal capital funds are unlikely; county staff will seek vended meal contracts to sustain meals while the board approved a $25.7 million continuation grant application and a related budget revision.","taxTitle","Contra Costa County, California","taxId",3335,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623950,"Board narrows auditor‑controller applicants: four candidates to interview April 1; interim options discussed",2045,8841000,10886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769257-44f0e4882e4ee285f3603128b4474299&start=8841&end=10886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769257-44f0e4882e4ee285f3603128b4474299/thumbnail_8841000.jpg","/articles/6623950/Contra-Costa-County/California/Board-narrows-auditorcontroller-applicants-four-candidates-to-interview-April-1-interim-options-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623950-3c671a681dfbe9ee6e95ba5158019a10/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160021&Signature=M817NDjWabem~slAUoiABhEYKajHpwQJY1o3n7okOs7UzzUrg2DN9IUsdhcBshBt9cRjMS1AMRSJDr4fkufM3CVX6OdRWFBnI2LVW7hf6mlCbCbhARSQ3TUC84GQsq4rlNzHgnxjJXdxGshgrbv8SGStx6oWH~GfGhdPayuifoAdeFmLxgMAKWh3VTlQub2LtFsKwJEplp9x8NQm3uZBIAbKR0qPLYNnMfMaJDBndcpRvGmi6ZB-8x3ro9yOXaJhXBQa7wrOQcJH66bc77plbXmdNaUqHjZevWclxUihn2RxlA714nZ09yOAwGQQ2-eLUVxIdO24Z~T4gJ8vZ3d3~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Contra Costa County supervisors reviewed a slate of applicants on March 25 to fill the auditor‑controller vacancy left by Robert Campbell’s announced retirement effective March 30. Under Government Code Section 25304 the board must appoint someone to serve until the next election.

Human Resources reported eight applications and explained the qualifying criteria under state law and the Elections Code. Four applicants met the minimum requirements and remained under consideration after one withdrawal: Peter Crummey (Brentwood, CPA), Nikki Sow (out-of-state resident with qualifying senior fiscal experience), Donna Schmidt (San Francisco, near-CPA status and senior fiscal experience) and Yong (Jade) Bian (Orinda, CPA). The board directed staff to invite all four for interviews on April 1; one candidate will be permitted to appear by video because they live out of state.

Supervisors discussed options for interim leadership between Campbell’s departure and the appointment. County counsel said state law allows the board to appoint an interim auditor-controller and that, absent an appointment, the “number two” official would assume authority; several supervisors recommended appointing an interim if the vacancy extends beyond a few days to avoid split authority.

Separately, supervisors agreed to place discussion of a possible structural change — converting the auditor-controller from an elected to an appointed office — on the April 15 agenda, noting any future change could affect the candidate pool and require voter approval. The board also asked staff to approach a county employee identified in the department as potentially qualified to serve as an interim while the board proceeds with interviews.

The board approved a motion to proceed with interviews for the four qualified candidates and to authorize background checks for any candidates selected for interview. The motion passed 4-0.","The Board reviewed applications for auditor‑controller to fill a midterm vacancy. The board voted to invite four candidates to interview on April 1 and directed staff to pursue interim coverage options if needed while broader governance questions are studied.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623954,"Board upholds planning approval for 568-sq-ft rooftop deck in Kensington, adds screening conditions",4202,4574000,8776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769257-44f0e4882e4ee285f3603128b4474299&start=4574&end=8776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769257-44f0e4882e4ee285f3603128b4474299/thumbnail_4574000.jpg","/articles/6623954/Contra-Costa-County/California/Board-upholds-planning-approval-for-568-sq-ft-rooftop-deck-in-Kensington-adds-screening-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623954-34a6162d6b6e4e42938f52bf0a030272/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160021&Signature=H1Tw6uEU7qgEEvRMEGJ7O7It~bkqG0ilgfzE99Rj-TBEnJn4zqulkUN0wzJ2NMo3l2qI-lzzKzRk5C1bCm3zrmw~DF-Bpk4NbsRFU~JB43MRT4If0AKUJnypn9~FT8~Re0k~FqLHHEXtHG4gvxeKxiZuwJIy7MM9KTm4W4blNsYqrVwzG6nY80c6SV06jR7p6tklBJxOg2WtPz8ogrPNm~cKpu33nbbseshj-gHNlDyAqWfX8hIpl~7OJx1xg7tueERSqB0yghaUIFCjXNsun4lFvD-u~lgxAIBheUsn-vXSPbr7klIlImQhORlShvSmnvcOwUqcoIWZ7fO~8Sbe~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on March 25 denied an appeal and approved a design-review plan to allow a 568-square-foot rooftop deck and Juliet balcony at 2 Highland Boulevard in Kensington.

The board voted 4-0 to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision and adopt a revised condition requiring the applicant to install and maintain evergreen, drought-tolerant vegetative screening that extends at least 6 feet above the existing fence line and at least 8 feet wide between the properties. The condition requires landscaping plans at least 30 days before building-permit issuance and says the screening must provide sufficient coverage to prevent unobstructed views into the kitchen and dining room windows of the adjoining property at 7 Arlington Avenue before a building permit is issued. The board also added a requirement that the applicant use best efforts to mitigate winter leaf loss with durable decorative features during winter months.

The appeal was filed by neighboring property owners Himang Patel and Aditi Shastri, who argued the screening ordered by the Planning Commission would be inadequate, slow to mature and subject to trimming or removal that would defeat privacy protections. Planning staff and the applicants said the proposed screening combined with an existing maple tree provided privacy and that the modified condition is enforceable as a condition of approval. The applicant, Kane Barclay, said the project replaces an earlier unpermitted deck removed during a 2020 roof repair and that an oversized screening requirement would unduly reduce the home’s light and views.

Board member John Gioia, whose district includes the site, presented a set of clarified condition language to ensure the screening must effectively block views into the two most exposed indoor windows prior to permit issuance and to make clear that failure to maintain required screening could be enforced by administrative fines, citations or cease-and-desist orders. In discussion Gioia and other supervisors said the revised language clarified what the Planning Commission intended and addressed enforcement concerns raised by the neighbors.

The board explicitly left open enforcement remedies: if the screening is removed or fails to meet the approved plan after installation, code enforcement may issue a notice and seek compliance under county ordinance, including fines. Supervisors also instructed staff to treat the condition as an immediate requirement rather than something to be achieved years later through tree growth.

The board’s action preserves the Planning Commission’s design-review approval while tightening the language around screening, installation timing and enforcement. The final vote was 4-0 to deny the appeal and approve the plan with the amended condition; one supervisor did not record a vote on the motion as reflected in the 4-0 tally.

The appellants said they remain concerned about the time it could take newly planted vegetation to reach the required dimensions and about limitations on enforcement if plants are trimmed or die. The board said the revised condition should address those concerns by requiring the screening be in place and providing coverage at the time the permit is issued and by making removal or failure to maintain a violation under county code.

The project proponents will be required to submit detailed landscaping plans for County review at least 30 days before issuance of a building permit, and the county will inspect the installed screening prior to issuing the building permit. If the installed screening does not prevent unobstructed views into the specified windows, the building permit shall not be issued until the condition is met.","The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors denied an appeal and approved a Kensington Design Review development plan to allow a 568-square-foot rooftop deck at 2 Highland Boulevard, adding new conditions requiring immediate vegetative screening and winter mitigation measures.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623942,"Board approves Measure X Phase 2 innovation awards; panel recommendations, $1.962M in grants and public objections on perceived racial imbalance",7458,15099000,22557000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769257-44f0e4882e4ee285f3603128b4474299&start=15099&end=22557","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769257-44f0e4882e4ee285f3603128b4474299/thumbnail_15099000.jpg","/articles/6623942/Contra-Costa-County/California/Board-approves-Measure-X-Phase-2-innovation-awards-panel-recommendations-1962M-in-grants-and-public-objections-on-perceived-racial-imbalance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623942-e6f2af24ee019ba24c11bac90ae4c071/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160021&Signature=fnsxvzrlz9lOfdiqyW4ceaK7sTGIXJLKYL1nDnwZAN4KZIo~myqrLZZ~a4yrz97XuxcJdn2L~SjBqvMcUBk2kVPtn103zfOtKzMzCjrbSIzbpUA1oF3VyWLIT0UR8QhZWQ3G8zMzQFuTJg8XGwxwk9o384WdcJrFA4lBotu4U3d1zVcUdhbUWIuVGQfcgEUcqElUGt0g2BKsjy3RfI5Y84~w~iaIRuqy922xtazCMuCW7r7tFmgN4dh5uNcECWA431heqegc1d5lU0ScMeSGCtehAXX9Rl3e8P5IKKCBv-R62e1-AB0gFrc164mZXYgaP2ucB0vwIb5AVLpeGq4z-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved Measure X Phase 2 Innovation Fund awards on March 25, awarding $1,962,455 to seven proposals recommended by an independent seven‑member review panel.

The board-appointed review panel screened 36 Phase 1 proposals, selected 10 finalists for Phase 2 planning grants, conducted interviews and ranked proposals. One finalist was later judged ineligible because it was an already operating program. The seven recommended grants exceed the $1.95 million made available for Phase 2 by $12,455; the board approved using $12,455 from an unallocated balance from the first round so each recommended project could be funded at the requested level. The recommendation leaves an unallocated balance of about $166,808 in the Innovation Fund.

Panelists said they sought to prioritize proposals that best matched the fund’s stated priorities and demonstrated innovative, scalable approaches; they also recommended full rather than partial awards. The County Administrator presented the panel’s ranking and language the panel suggested to clarify reporting and evaluation requirements.

The decision drew extended public comment. Multiple speakers — including local nonprofit leaders, residents, and advocates — urged the board to fund a NAMI Contra Costa proposal and other projects focused on “lifting up” African‑American males, arguing that community‑led outreach, mentoring, and culturally specific services are missing and urgently needed. Speakers described disproportionate school discipline, incarceration, and health disparities for Black men and boys and called for targeted investment. Several speakers argued that panelists misinterpreted application language or that a scoring process failed to reflect lived‑experience leadership. Board members acknowledged the passion of the speakers and said the selected grants reflect the panel’s evaluation of alignment with fund priorities but also suggested other county avenues — including upcoming equity work and the planned African American wellness hub feasibility report — to pursue broader investments for Black communities.

The board voted 4-0 to adopt the administrator’s recommendations and award the seven grants at the requested amounts. Staff said the remaining unallocated balance could be held to supplement funded projects if needed and that the board may revisit additional support requests (one applicant requested an additional $65,000 after the packet was published). The panel’s ranking, awarded amounts and project descriptions are part of the county record and will be posted to grant documents; staff will manage contracts and required post‑implementation reports.","The board adopted the County Administrator’s recommendation to fund seven Phase 2 Measure X innovation projects totaling $1,962,455 (including a $12,455 draw from an earlier unallocated balance). The meeting included extensive public comment objecting to the non‑selection of proposals led by or serving African‑American men.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Head Start: county to pursue vendor meals as kitchen relocation funding unavailable; continuation grant and budget changes approved

Board narrows auditor‑controller applicants: four candidates to interview April 1; interim options discussed

Board upholds planning approval for 568-sq-ft rooftop deck in Kensington, adds screening conditions

Board approves Measure X Phase 2 innovation awards; panel recommendations, $1.962M in grants and public objections on perceived racial imbalance