The OUTLOOK - City of Pleasant Hill
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the OUTLOOK
SEP/OCT Published by the City of Pleasant Hill, California 2020
CSD 2020...
a new version
Community Service Day will look
different this year due to COVID-19,
but the goal will remain the same:
Coming together to meet the needs
of our community.
Instead of gathering in groups to
work on one of dozens of projects, or
coming to Pleasant Hill Park for a com-
munal pancake breakfast courtesy of
the Pleasant Hill Lions Club, volun-
teers will have a single focus – feeding
the growing number of people going
hungry due to the economic impact of
COVID-19.
Requests for food are up by 35-50
percent over last year, said Neil
Zarchin, Food Drive Administrator for
the Food Bank of Contra Costa and The entrance to the Pleasant Hill Library will be full of light. Tables will hold curated offerings,
Solano. such as the popular Lucky Day collection; far right corner, a librarian is ready to greet patrons.
To that end, the Civic Action More renderings are at pleasanthillca.org/library.
Commission, which coordinates
Community Service Day, is organizing PH Library to break ground this month
a “mega-food drive” on Saturday, Construction of Pleasant Hill’s
October 10. Food drives are an excel- much-anticipated new library is set
lent way to maintain social distance
while still filling a critical community
to begin this month.
need. The City Council in August selected
Details will be posted on the BHM Construction, Inc. as General Con-
City’s website, pleasanthillca.org, tractor for construction of the new
by mid-September, and promoted library building. The Napa-based firm
through the Weekly Update, the Com- specializes in public works projects
munity Service Day email list, around the Bay Area, including libraries
Nextdoor and social media. in Half Moon Bay and Solano Commu-
Questions may be sent to Commu- nity College.
nity Relations Manager Gayle Vassar Construction is expected to be sub-
at gvassar@pleasanthillca.org or call stantially complete by late winter 2021,
Walking to the library from the Oak Park
925-671-5229. with a grand opening in spring 2022. Boulevard crosswalk (rendering).
In the meantime, mark your calen- In the meantime, the temporary
dar for 10-10-2020, and get ready to do library by the lake at Pleasant Hill City service is currently limited to front door
some good. s Hall is welcoming a steady stream of drop-off and pick-up due to COVID-19.
patrons. Like all Contra Costa libraries, Reserve books online at ccclib.org. s
1
News from the City...
General Plan Update meetings to resume this fall
After having to suspend progress on the Preferred Land Use Alternative ning and Design Workshops which were
made due to the ongoing COVID-19 pan- are slated for fall 2020. (Dates were to be hosted by the City in November 2019, as
demic, the City is restarting the General set after this issue of the Outlook went to well as by review of the General Plan
Plan Update effort. As part of the printer; please go to Advisory Committee. The General Plan
the restart, the General pleasanthill2040.com for dates and to Advisory Committee made a formal rec-
Plan Advisory sign up for notices). ommendation on a land use direction
Committee What is the Preferred Land Use that the Planning Commission and City
(GPAC) meet- Alternative? Council will consider as part of the 2040
ings will begin The Preferred Land Use Alternative is Pleasant Hill General Plan update.
again in Octo- the recommended land use framework Visit the General Plan website to find
ber, and the City that will guide future land use decisions project documents and the latest
Council and in the City through 2040. The Preferred information on upcoming meetings,
Planning Com- Land Use Alternative was created based pleasanthill2040.com. s
mission meetings on community feedback from the Plan-
Be a Community Champion: Shop and dine local, Pleasant Hill
Now more than ever, shopping How can you continue to help n Stay flexible: Many of our small
locally is critically important. Small and support the local Pleasant Hill businesses are trying to figure out
independent business owners rarely economy? new ways to make things work and
have the cash reserves that are needed n Buy local: Help small businesses stay
still meet the needs of their custom-
to survive months of limited or no reve- in business by shopping locally in- ers, so remember to be patient if
nues. Many businesses in our stead of purchasing products on-line you have to wait a little longer for
community (in particular, the service or going to another community. your food or services.
businesses such as gyms, hair, nail and n Tip more: If you can afford to do so,
n Buy gift cards: This is a great way to
skin salons and massage therapists) tip more than you normally would.
have not been able to open their doors support local businesses, especially
those that have not been able to Many of the people working in the
to operate since the first County Public service sector rely on tips and, with-
Health Shelter Order was issued in re-open yet. Purchase a gift card or
gift certificate to support favorite out the normal business volume,
mid-March. Many of our local restau- have significantly reduced incomes.
rants have only been able to operate at personal service providers, or buy
a limited capacity with take-out, curb- extra gift cards for friends and fam-
ily. We are all in this together, and
side pick-up or outdoor dining. together we can all make a positive
The COVID-19 pandemic amplifies n Order carry-out: This is a great way
to support local favorite restau- impact.
the great need to focus on local shop-
ping to support our local community. rants. Order in and pick up or have
Local businesses are the backbone of your favorite meals delivered to your Stay healthy and
the economy. They create jobs and door step. Make it a weekly treat, Shop Pleasant Hill!
shape the personality of our communi- date night, or a picnic in the park
ties. with your family.
2
News from the City...
Join us for the virtual award ceremony!
Celebrate the people, businesses and H Non-profit of the Year—Nominees have
non-profits that enrich Pleasant Hill’s quality of made significant contributions to the commu-
life with a virtual Community Awards program on nity and have shown initiative and innovation in
Tuesday, Sept. 22. The program starts at 7 p.m. accomplishing their mission. The nominees are
and will be streamed online and on cable TV Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library; Hillcrest
Citizen of the Year nominee
Church UCC Outreach Ministry; Pleasant Hill
H Citizen of the Year—The candidate has a Lions Club; Bay Area Bike Project.
Nader Jazyeri
broad-based, multi-year record of assisting or
supporting civic and/or community groups in H Teacher of the Year—The candidate must be
Pleasant Hill, and has made substantial contribu- an educator in a Pleasant Hill school who has
tions toward improving our community. They made unique contributions toward educating
are Nader Jazyeri; Buddy Scauzzo and Minako our children, demonstrating dedication, innova-
McMahon; Jill Scheidel; Susan Wood. tion, and enthusiasm. This award is sponsored
by the Foundation for Pleasant Hill Education
H Business of the Year—The business has (FPHE). The nominees are Valon Beriginn (Col-
made significant contributions to the commu- lege Park High); Dylan Bland (College Park
nity and shown initiative and innovation in the High); Nicolette Bornstein (Fair Oaks Elementary
business affairs of the Pleasant Hill area. The School); Laima Haider (College Park High); Khoa
nominee is Amy’s Hallmark Shop. Phan (College Park High); Jeanette Shearer (Val-
H Education Supporter of the Year— Schools halla Elementary); Kirsten Tharalsen (Valley View
thrive when parents and volunteers support Middle School).
teachers and students. This award honors an in- H Teen of the Year—The candidate lives Citizen of the Year nominee
Minako McMahon & Buddy
dividual or individuals who have made a signifi- and/or goes to school in Pleasant Hill and has
cant contribution in contributing to the ongoing Scauzzo
shown responsibility in his or her personal and
success and student achievement at their school life, and a record of assisting and volun-
school(s). The nominee is Mary Gray. teering in the Pleasant Hill community. The nom-
H Green Award—This Award recognizes a per- inees are Kai Arellano; Olivia Llamas.
son, organization or business that has shown H Volunteer of the Year—The candidate has
outstanding leadership in sustainability and pro- made a significant contribution in the past year
tecting the environment in one or more of the (2019) in supporting civic and/or community
following areas: energy conservation, water groups in Pleasant Hill, thereby improving our
conservation, waste reduction and/or pollution community. The nominee is Robert Goldner
prevention. The nominee is Friends of Pleasant (Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library Book Sales
Hill Creeks. Manager). s
Citizen of the Year nominee
The winners will be announced during the program. Watch the Community Awards
Jill Scheidel
online at www.pleasanthillca.org/PHawards or on the City Channel at
Comcast Channel 28, Wave Broadband Channel 29 and UVerse Channel 99.
CELEBRATE AT HOME WITH US! Order a special boxed dinner from
Classic Catering to enjoy while watching the Awards Program. Choose from the following:
H Chicken cacciatore with bell peppers, onion , mushroom & tomato with brown rice pilaf
H Italian pot roast with tomato-demi sauce, rigatoni & grilled zucchini
H Salmon salad topped with vegetable ratatouille
H Vegetarian .... eggplant, zucchini & carrot parmigiana
All choices are $20, including tax. Email your order to patrick@classiccaterer.com by 5 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18. Your dinner will be ready for pickup between 2 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 at
2653-A Pleasant Hill Road. For questions, call 925-939-9224. Citizen of the Year nominee
Susan Wood
3
News from the City...
Meet Sherry Cartmill, Pleasant Hill’s
Northeast Area Co-Coordinator
Did you know you have a CERT Area practice of CERT skills. Currently
Coordinator? Everyone in Pleasant Hill Marievita is editing and authoring a
has one. CERT divides the city into four newsletter for area members. A coor-
Areas: Northwest, Northeast, South- dinator arranges periodic meetings
west, and Southeast (you can see the with members and keeps the roster
areas at pleasanthillcert.org/maps.) In of the area up to date. I keep track of
a disaster, CERT members who live in supplies for the area and meet period-
the area are deployed to help as ically with the CERT Steering
needed. Each area has a volunteer coor- Committee. I also help with city-wide
dinator who makes sure we are always programs and drills.
ready to go. Q: Dream big: What would make the
Q: What do you like best about the job? NE Area soar to great heights?
Welcome, Sherry! Sherry: My favorite part is having the Sherry: Get people more involved!
Q: How long have you been with CERT? area meetings and practicing skills Unfortunately, soon after people
How long have you been an Area with members. have finished training, they lose inter-
Coordinator? est in keeping up with area meetings,
Q: How has the pandemic affected
Sherry: I’ve been with CERT since the work you do? training refreshers and
November 2009 and a coordinator get-togethers. It can be very disheart-
Sherry: The pandemic has put a stop to ening.
since 2011 or 2012. I have had the
in-person get-togethers. We recently
privilege of serving with Q: Any parting words?
had a ZOOM meeting and felt good
co-coordinators from time to time,
about it, although not many people Sherry: I have enjoyed working with my
including Horace Marks, Jeff
joined in. We will try again in Septem- fellow coordinators and with the
Thomas, Pam and Wayne Mosher
ber, if we can’t have an in-person Steering Committee members. Jim
and currently Marievita Lowe.
gathering. We would like to have Bonato deserves big thanks for start-
Q: Tell us what you do as an members come to inspect the new ing the program and keeping it going.
Area Coordinator. Conex supply container located in our Being a member of CERT has given
rally area and serve hot dogs, if we me a better view of and desire to be
Sherry: I try to keep in contact with mem-
can maintain social distancing. involved with my community. s
bers of the NE area, with news and
The countywide eviction due rent. This does not
relieve a tenant of their
moratorium for residential
obligation to pay rent.
properties and small
ä Moratorium on residen-
businesses is in effect tial rent increases. A
through Sept. 30, thanks property owner may
to an urgency ordinance not increase rent on a
residential property
passed by the Contra
through Sept. 30. State
Costa County Board of law prevents this freeze
Supervisors on July 14. from applying to com-
The urgency ordinance also contin- income or out-of-pocket medical ex- mercial tenancies and to
ues a temporary rent freeze for certain penses related to COVID-19. This certain residential properties, in-
residential properties through Sept. 30. prohibition lasts through Sept. 30 cluding residences built within the
last 15 years and single family
The ordinance includes: ä Grace period to pay back rent. Resi-
homes.
ä Prohibition on evictions due to un- dential tenants or small business
paid rent. A property owner cannot tenants who demonstrate loss of in- For more information,
evict a residential tenant or small come or out-of-pocket medical ex-
please visit the County website
business tenant for failure to pay penses related to COVID-19 have
rent if a tenant demonstrates loss of until January 31, 2021 to pay past at bit.ly/ccevict.
4
News from the City...
Be prepared for emergencies that threaten your family!
—Pleasant Hill Commission on Aging in partnership check the batteries; then tune to
with the Community Emergency Response Team KCBS 740 for up-to-date informa-
Imagine that a wildfire in Briones is threatening the western tion during a disaster.
boundary of Pleasant Hill and ConFire has issued an evacuation o Keep a gallon of water per person
order for residents. Could this happen? Absolutely! Now imag- for 3-7 days on hand.
ine that there has been a major earthquake on the Hayward o Plan for easy to prepare snacks
fault and electrical and water service has been disrupted. and meals (remember the power
Remember those Public Safety Power Shutoffs last fall? Are you may be off).
prepared for the impact an emergency will have on your life? o Don’t forget your medications!
o Plan for your pet’s needs.
4. Download the PH Police
Department’s “Guide to
Wildfire Preparedness”
at bit.ly/PHWildfire.
5. Make a personal and family plan.
o Everyone should know the family’s out-of-state contact
as a person who can keep family members informed of
their whereabouts if separated.
o Identify 2 escape routes from each room in your dwell-
ing. All members need to know a near or distant (away
from the home) assem-
bly point if they are
separated.
o The Family Caregiver Al-
Autumn is fire season, but emergency preparedness is pru- liance has an excellent
dent, regardless of the season. Here are some helpful tips and checklist for caregivers
resources to help you get started, compiled by the City’s Com- to download at care-
mission on Aging and the Pleasant Hill Community Emergency giver.org/print/22501.
Response Team (CERT). 6. Explore establishing a Neighborhood Watch. Help for this is
1. Register for the Contra Costa Community Warning System available from the PH police department. Contact Pam
(CWS) at cwsalerts.com. Mosher, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, at
pmosher@pleasanthillpd.org or 925-288-4684.
2. Set up PG&E alerts at www.Pge.com (PG&E also has excel-
o Think about establishing a list with emergency contact
lent guides to help you prepare for an emergency at
information with your neighbors.
safetyactioncenter.pge.com.)
o Stay aware of those neighbors who might need extra
help in an emergency.
7. Know where your CERT contact information is for your sec-
tion of our community. Visit pleasanthillcert.org.
8. Be sure you can communicate during an emergency.
o Have a cell phone and remember to communicate
through your contact out of state if necessary.
o Keep a charger on hand, perhaps one that is solar.
There is a lot of information available and the process can be
overwhelming. There is a wealth of information on the “Pre-
paredness” tab of Pleasant Hill’s Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT) website at www.Pleasanthillcert.org.
3. Create a Go Bag and an Emergency Supply kit. Start working on what you can and build on your preparedness
o Include a pre-programmed weather radio. No budget as time and money allows. s
for a new radio? Pull out the old transistor radio and
5
Recycling...why we do it and how...
Recycling and composting: Hazardous waste—paint, cleaning
Why is it important? chemicals—should be taken to the
Household Hazardous Waste facility
ä It’s the law!
located at 4797 Imhoff Dr., Martinez.
AB 939 requires cities to divert 50 per-
n What about household batteries, flu-
cent of all waste away from the landfill.
orescent bulbs and electronics?
AB 341 requires businesses and schools
to recycle. AB 1826 requires businesses Residential curbside collection—
and schools to compost. Household batteries and fluorescent
light bulbs should be placed in clear plas-
ä Save green tic bags and put on top of the recycle
There is no extra cost to recycle or cart. Call customer service at
compost. Reduce your trash—reduce 925-685-4711 for curbside collection of
your rate. electronic waste (televisions, comput-
ä Be green ers, laptops, monitors).
Our current landfills will last longer as What can I do with large items?
you recycle more. Composting re- Republic Services offers several free
duces greenhouse gases. residential curbside collection options—
Buy recycled content products. depending on what you need picked up:
Recycling is easy!
ä On-call recycling and organics clean-
ä What’s recyclable? ups—three per year
All paper, cardboard, plastics #1-7
ä On-call trash cleanups—two per year
(look for the chasing arrows triangle),
metal and glass. ä On-call bulky item (appliances, furni-
ture, tires)—two per year
Keep recycling clean!
Recyclables need to be empty, clean
and dry. Please keep all food and liquid
out of the recycle bin. What does not go in the compost
For example, instead (green cart):
of putting a plastic water bottle that still
has water in it in the recycling, empty the ä Biodegradable plastics like utensils
water out first (perhaps on a nearby and cups and all other plastics
plant). Likewise, coffee cups that still Residents are entitled to a free
have coffee in them do not belong in the kitchen pail to aid in separating food
recycling. In fact, coffee cups are not waste from other trash and recyclables.
recyclable due to the wax or plastic If you would like a pail, or if you have
coating. questions about recycling or compost-
Use the greem compost cart ing, please call Republic Services’
What does go into the Customer Service at 925-685-4711. s
green (compost) cart:
ä Fruit and vegetable trim-
mings, meat, bones,
bread, pasta and more.
ä “Food soiled paper”
like napkins, paper
towels, and othpaper
ä What’s NOT recyclable? items that are uncoat-
Food and liquid; reusable items (appli- ed or coated on one
ances, home and garden tools, sport- side only.
ing gear, clothing, etc.); styrofoam;
ä Yard waste
plastic with no chasing arrows trian-
gle (i.e. plastic utensils, straws). Pa- ä Compostable bags
per towels and napkins (compost
instead); items coated with wax or
plastic.
6
Pleasant Hill Library activities and events...
s Front door service
The Pleasant Hill Temporary Library is
open for front door pickup at City Hall,
100 Gregory Lane. Reserve your books
online at ccclib.org to pick up at our
door. For extra speedy service, schedule
an appointment online and request a
grab-bag of surprise reads for you and
your family!
s Virtual Book Club
6:30 p.m. Sept. 1 and Oct. 6,
hosted via Zoom
The Pleasant Hill Library will be host-
ing the next virtual book club for adults
Pleasant Hill Librarian Patrick Remer looks forward to welcoming visitors to the Temporary
on Sept. 1 to discuss “The Namesake” by
Pleasant Hill Library at City Hall.
Jhumpa Lahiri. Physical copies of the
book are available for pickup at the Pam Zhang. “Set against the twilight of
s CoCo Reads
Pleasant Hill Temp Library, located at City Hall. the American gold rush, two siblings are
Sept. 7–Oct. 28
If you are interested in joining the meeting, on the run in an unforgiving land-
The Contra Costa County Library scape—trying not just to survive but to
please register at tinyurl.com/y2pzve6g. Come
invites readers to pick up a copy of our find a home” (from the jacket). Reserve
back and register for the Oct. 6 meeting,
CoCo Reads selection, “How Much of a copy at ccclib.org and join us for a vir-
too, at tinyurl.com/y4htt4gd. (October
These Hills is Gold” by debut author C tual presentation with the author on
book pick to be determined.)
Zoom at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28.
Tinkers & Thinkers 2020
10 a.m.–noon Saturday, Sept. 12 at the temporary library prior to the
Online via Zoom event (no peeking!). During the event,
Tink, the Tinkers & Thinkers Robot, participants open the box (surprise!)
Author C Pam Zhang
is buzzing with excitement about the and build the activity together with
2020 Tinkers & Thinkers Innovation lots of other tinkers through the s Sing and Play Along Online!
Faire brought to you by his friends at Zoom online video platform. Tinkers Check out weekly songs, stories,
Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District &Thinkers will also feature live pre- Lego challenges and more on the Pleas-
and the Pleasant Hill Library. sentations from local makers, a ant Hill Library Facebook page. Now with
Although our community can’t all community Minecraft build room and bonus weekly video lessons and activi-
be together to explore Science, Tech- a LEGO build room. ties from College Park High School’s
nology, Engineering, and Mathematics Tinkers and Thinkers is a Interact Club! s
(S.T.E.M.) in person, we CAN be together not-to-miss experience for those with
online! Tinkers & Thinkers Innovation an inquisitive mind about all things
Faire will be a livestream online event this S.T.E.M.! s
year, with a hands-on twist. For more information and to register,
Families register to participate and visit www.phtinkersandthinkers.com.
pick up a mystery S.T.E.M. activity box
7
From Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District...
Recognizing invisible barriers
—Michelle Lacy, General Manager, quire additional land in the
Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District underserved neighborhoods. Know-
Equity and inclusion are guiding ten- ing where we need to focus is the first
ets in our decision making and step to resolving inequities.
operational practices to provide parks, n Park amenities
community services and recreation pro- Prior to opening our all-abilities play- greater support and access to
grams for people of all ages, ethnicities, ground in February 2020, Rec & Park recreation opportunities for all fami-
cultures and abilities. did not have a single play structure lies, regardless of income-level. We
At first glance, people may wonder for children with disabilities. Autumn love our traditional programs, events
what diversity, equity and inclusivity Green, Executive Director and and classes. Our participants do, too,
have to do with the Pleasant Hill Recre- Founder of All-In-Need, a non-profit, so we often default to what we’ve
ation & Park District. But consider this: serving children who have special done and not look to what we could
we own and manage more than 269 needs and their families, brought this do. We need to make programming
acres of public parkland. to our Board’s attention. We subse- decisions that are not solely based on
This is where invisible barriers come quently built the spectacular all-abili- tradition. We need to make space for
in. Yes, our parks are open to all people ties playground in Pleasant Oaks Park, new ideas, concepts, and recreation
but if you take a closer look, there are lim- and future playground structures will opportunities.
itations. We are taking this moment in now include elements to allow all chil- n Staffing
history to look harder, do more and be dren to play. More recently, we were As one of the largest employers in
better. Here are some of areas that we approached by the Bay Area Bike Pro- Pleasant Hill, Rec & Park is assessing
are actively working on. ject about adding a bike track to one our hiring policies, staff training and
n Park locations of our parks. A bike park would pro- practices to ensure that not only is
Access to park space is key for mental vide a new recreation opportunity for the diversity of our staff representa-
and physical well-being for all peo- those who are not into more tradi- tive of the community but that our
ple—a fact that has been amplified tional sports like baseball, soccer or staff conduct is respectful and inclu-
during this pandemic. As such, it is im- football. In the case of these two park sive toward all people. Last year, for
portant to look at the distribution of amenities, the invisible barrier is our example, our entire staff was edu-
parkland to make sure that all Rec & own limited thinking around tradi- cated about people experiencing
Park District residents have equal ac- tional park features. We will continue homelessness to better understand
cess from their homes. During the Big to evaluate our parks and invest in their circumstances and to help foster
Picture Master Plan process, we amenities that serve as many differ- more positive interaction.
mapped our parks and found that our ent types of needs as possible.
These actions and assessments are
park assets are primarily located in n Programming only the beginning. I invite you to reach
the central and eastern parts of the Although we have a fee waiver assis- out to me to share your thoughts and
District. This inequitable distribution tance program already in place for ideas on how we can do better. Please
of parkland means that residents who families struggling financially, we are email me at mlacy@pleasanthillrec.com.
live in the north and the west must currently reevaluating pricing for all Our vision is to be the leaders in pro-
travel further to access open space, programs to determine if additional viding WOW! experiences every day. To
playgrounds, ballfields, and other subsidies are needed to provide achieve this, our mission is to put people
park and recreation ameni- first—all
ties. In order to address this people. I look
inequitable parkland distri- forward to
bution, we will continue to hearing from
identify opportunities to ac- you. s
8
News from the Community...
PHCF announces continued grant awards
The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation (PHCF) changed They also awarded Distin-
its Community Grant Awards application process this year guished Service Awards to the
Food Bank of Contra Costa and
in response to the challenging environment of COVID-19.
Solano, White Pony Express,
They continue to accept grant applications on an ongoing and Meals on Wheels Diablo
basis to be more responsive to the needs of the Region.
organizations serving the residents of Pleasant Hill. “The Distinguished Service Awards are given to organiza-
tions that did not submit applications but that we wanted to
The foundation funds nonprofit and public organizations recognize for their essential service of serving the residents of
that provide educational, recreational, and cultural program- Pleasant Hill who are facing food insecurity during this difficult
ming. time,” said Grant Allocations Chair Betty Geishirt Cantrell. “Each
In the first month, the Foundation provided grants to Choice of the organizations we have been able to provide Community
in Aging, the Rainbow Community Center, the Bay Area Bike Grant Awards to is still providing services during shel-
Project, and Diablo Valley Foundation for the Aging. In June, ter-in-place.”
they funded the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, 4th of July Com-
The grant application can be downloaded
mission, Contra Costa Humane Society, and the Pleasant Hill at www.phcommunityfoundation.org/grants-scholarships.
Recreation and Park District who is continuing to provide meals To support the Foundation, go to
to seniors. In July, the foundation gave awards to Cancer Sup- www.phcommunityfoundation.org/make-a-donation.
port Community and Monument Crisis Center. Questions? Email info@PHCommunityFoundation.org. s
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
ä Around one-fifth of the United States population is
Hispanic. California is the state with the largest His-
panic and Latinx population with over 14 million peo-
ple. Pleasant Hill is proud to be home to a Hispanic
population of about 4,000 people.
ä Our kids benefit. While Hispanic children learn about
their roots this month, all kids benefit from learning
about Hispanic history and culture.
How to celebrate the culture and contributions
of Hispanic-Americans this month
ä Explore Hispanic fine arts. Light up the minds of
young and old by educating them about Hispanic
arts. Frida Kahlo’s paintings are a good start.
ä Plan a socially distanced fiesta. Tasty food, mariachi
Hispanic Heritage Month, (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) pays tribute to music, masks and sombreros for all!
the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively
ä Start learning Spanish. We are all familiar with a few
influenced and enriched our nation and society. President
Spanish phrases, so why not go all the way? Who
Lyndon B. Johnson introduced National Hispanic Heritage
knows where that might take you?
Week in 1968, and Congress expanded it to a monthlong obser-
vance in 1989. Sept. 15 was chosen as the start of Hispanic
Heritage Month because that’s the date when five Latin Ameri-
can countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras
¡Celebrar! ¡Honor!
and Nicaragua—earned their independence from Spain in 1821.
This is a time to recognize and celebrate the many contribu- The Civic Action Commission’s
tions, diverse cultures and extensive histories of the American Diversity Committee works to
Latinx community. ensure that Pleasant Hill is a
Why Hispanic Heritage Month is important welcoming, safe and
inclusive community for all.
ä Strong impact on America. Hispanic influences are interwo- Learn more at
ven in the fabric of American life with art, cinema, literature, pleasanthillca.org/diversity.
music, food, politics and so much more.
9
News from the Community...
Pleasant Hill service clubs help our seniors meet their goals!
One of the more rewarding things that service clubs do is to award scholarships to deserving high
school seniors, helping them move on to the next phase of their lives...college! Here are the winners of
the scholarships offered by the Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Pleasant Hill.
Lions Club Rotary Club
The Pleasant Hill Lions presented The Pleasant Hill Rotary Club has traditionally given four
their Pleasant Hill Lions Club Winslow scholarships to high school seniors. They are...
Scholarship this year to Alec Schaefer. n The Will Fulton Scholarship. The winner of this scholarship
The entire club wishes Alec all the best was awarded to Anna Szakats. She will be attending Purdue
as he attends St. Mary’s College. Anna Szakats
University, where she will major in Aeronautical and
Astronautical Engineering.
n The Jim Nunes Scholarship for Performing Arts. Caroline Turner from College Park HS
received this one. She is going to Northwestern University and plans on a dual degree
of Oboe Performance and Political Science.
n Rotary Club Scholarships. There are two of these and they were given to Craig Valdez
and Ethan Delgaigalas. Craig is planning to attend UC Davis where he will study Indus-
trial Engineering. Ethan is starting his new phase at Cal Poly and will also major in In-
dustrial Engineering.
Congratulations and
best wishes to all of you!
Alec Schaefer, winner of the Pleasant Hill
Lions Club Winslow Scholarship.
Caroline Turner Craig Valdez Ethan Delgaigalas
The Festival has been cancelled, but the Ranch is open!
The Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center grounds are open
for public enjoyment (be sure to maintain social distance
and wear a mask!), even though the farmhouse and bath-
room remain closed.
Normally, volunteers would be busy preparing for the
annual Harvest Festival in October. Unfortunately, the
Festival has been cancelled due COVID-19.
Thank you to the fabulous vendors for making the fes-
tival a huge success over the past several years. The
pumpkin painting, music, food, raffles, farm tours,
rope-making, 4-H animals, story time with Librarian Pat-
rick Remer, and other family activities are all much
beloved by the community, and the Rodgers Ranch Heri-
tage Center’s Board of Directors is sorry to have to
cancel. They look forward to seeing everyone and cele-
brating once again when it’s safe to reopen. s
10City Meetings...
Meeting schedule is SUBJECT TO CHANGE if Shelter-In-Place order
is still in effect. Meetings may also be canceled or done virtually.
Please check website or call 925-671-5229 to confirm.
CITY OF PLEASANT HILL
September 100 Gregory Lane
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-3323
WHEN WHAT WHERE 925-671-5270
Wed 2 6:30pm Civic Action Commission City Hall Manager’s Conference Room
CITY OFFICIALS
Thu 3 5:00pm Architectural Review Commission Council Chambers
Mayor Matt Rinn
Tue 8 6:00pm Traffic Safety Commission Location TBD. Check agenda. Vice-Mayor Sue Noack
Tue 8 6:30pm Planning Commission (public hearing)* Council Chambers Councilmembers
Ken Carlson l Tim Flaherty
Thu 10 5:00pm Zoning Administrator (public hearing) Planning/Public Works Michael G. Harris
Conference Room
City Council meetings are broadcast on
Thu 10 5:00pm Commission on Aging City Hall Manager’s Conference Room Comcast channel 28, U-Verse
Channel 99, and Wave Broadband Channel 29
Mon 14 7:00pm City Council* Council Chambers on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Videos of meetings are also available on
Thu 17 5:00pm Architectural Review Commission Council Chambers
the City website under “Watch Meetings.”
Mon 21 7:00pm City Council* Council Chambers
Tue 22 6:30pm Planning Commission (public hearing)* Council Chambers CITY HALL HOURS
Monday–Wednesday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Wed 23 7:00pm Education Commission City Hall Manager’s Conference Room
Thursday 8:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Thu 24 5:00pm Zoning Administrator (public hearing) Planning/Public Works Friday 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Conference Room
October the OUTLOOK
WHEN WHAT WHERE
Thu 1 5:00pm Architectural Review Commission Council Chambers
Mon 5 7:00pm City Council* Council Chambers
Wed 7 6:30pm Civic Action Commission City Hall Manager’s Conference Room The Outlook newsletter is published
bimonthly on recycled paper. For questions and
Thu 8 5:00pm Zoning Administrator (public hearing) Planning/Public Works comments, please contact Gayle Vassar, Commu-
Conference Room nity Relations Manager, at 925-671-5229 or
email her at gvassar@pleasanthillca.org.
Thu 8 5:00pm Commission on Aging City Hall Manager’s Conference Room
Editor/Writer Gayle Vassar,
Tue 13 6:00pm Traffic Safety Commission Location TBD. Check agenda. Community Relations Manager
Design/misc photos Donaghu Graphic Designs
Tue 13 6:30pm Planning Commission (public hearing)* Council Chambers
Cover photo Allen Vinson
Thu 15 5:00pm Architectural Review Commission Council Chambers
Mon 19 7:00pm City Council* Council Chambers COVER: Pleasant Hill City Hall
Thu 22 5:00pm Zoning Administrator (public hearing) Planning/Public Works
Conference Room Important Phone Numbers
Police/Fire Emergency 911
Tue 27 6:30pm Planning Commission (public hearing)* Council Chambers
Police (Business) 925-288-4600
Wed 28 7:00pm Education Commission City Hall Manager’s Conference Room Fire (Business) 925-941-3300
Public Services Center 925-671-4646
Chamber of Commerce 925-687-0700
* For live streaming of these meetings, go to pleasanthillca.org and click on “Watch Meetings” icon.
Recreation & Parks 925-682-0896
Sign up for Emergency Alerts! Trash and recycling 925-685-4711
Residents can sign up for Nixle alerts PG&E 800-743-5000
at www.nixle.com. Senior Center 925-798-8788
Register for the Community Warning System Senior Van Service 925-671-5272
(CWS) alerts at https://cwsalerts.com. Library 925-646-6434
11the OUTLOOK PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CONCORD, CA
PERMIT NO. 21
City of Pleasant Hill
100 Gregory Lane ********ECRWSS********
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-3323
pleasanthillca.org
POSTAL CUSTOMER
New public records portal
The City has created a public records
portal that allows users to search, view,
download, and print documents at any
time. Staff will continue to populate the
portal with documents. Currently available
are City Council agenda packets, minutes,
ordinances, and resolutions; City incorpo-
ration documents; Commission on Aging
agendas and minutes; and Redevelopment
Agency agendas, minutes and resolutions.
To view the City of Pleasant Hill
Public Records Portal go to
http://cityarchive.pleasanthillca.org.
Secure ballot drop-off box Katherine Bracken and Bob Goldner, part of the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library team who
at City Hall organized the Book Store. The interior signage behind them was created by volunteer and
For the first time, voters may drop off professional book artist, Rae Trujillo.
their 2020 General Election ballot 24/7 at
City Hall—just look for the secure drop Friends of the PH Library opens retail store
box located by the front door. The drop Downtown Pleasant Hill is now home to a bustling bookstore. The Friends of
boxes are managed by the Contra Costa the Pleasant Hill Library Book Store opened in early August at 35 Crescent Drive,
County Elections Office. and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week.
The Elections Office is sending The spacious store has plenty of shelves for the Friends to display their
vote-by-mail ballots to all registered vot- wide-ranging inventory, with proceeds going toward books, programs,
ers, although voters still have the option resources and services for the new Pleasant Hill Library. All the clever interior
to go to a polling place. For more informa- signage was created by volunteer and professional book artist, Rae Trujillo.
tion, go to cocovote.us. Customers can shop online at phlibraryfriends.org and order books for
There will not be an election for City contactless curbside pickup during store hours, or request local delivery.
Council or City Treasurer as the number of Donations of new and gently used books, games, music, movies and puzzles
candidates qualifying for the ballot was are accepted during store hours. Home pickups of donations are available as
the same as the number of open seats well. Just contact the Friends at 925-440-2900 or info@phlibraryfriends.org to
(three for City Council, and 1 for City Trea- arrange a day and time for pickup, and a Friends volunteer will collect your
surer). State Statute allows for books, games, music, movies, and puzzles from your driveway.
cancellation of elections under those cir- Operations of the Book Store are in keeping with County health regulations
cumstances. The only candidates for COVID-19. Masks must be worn at all times, and Friends volunteers monitor
qualifying for the ballot were the the number of customers in the store to ensure that social distancing rules are
incumbents. s followed. Hand sanitizer will be offered. s
Community Service Day in 2020 1 Sherry Cartmill, CERT 4 News from PHRec & Park 8 City meetings 11
Inside this issue
Library construction starts 1 Eviction moratorium extended 4 PHCF announces continued grants 9 Public records portal 12
Shop and dine local Pleasant Hill 2 Be prepared for emergencies 5 Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 9 Ballot drop-off box 12
General Plan Update continues 2 Recycling...why we do it and ho 6 Scholarships from service clubs 10 New bookstore for Friends of Library 12
Community Awards virtual ceremony 3 Pleasant Hill Library activities 7 Rodgers Ranch is still open 10
12You can also read
