In brief: Council to discuss new developer for Concord’s former Navy base

Brookfield Properties looks like the lone applicant to be considered at the Aug. 26 special meeting.

CONCORD

The City Council, sitting as the Local Reuse Authority (LRA), will participate in a special meeting beginning at 9 a.m. Aug. 26 to consider selecting a new master developer for the former Concord Naval Weapons Station.

The city had received two statements of qualifications by the July 14 deadline related to the master developer selection process for the former base. One statement came from Brookfield Properties; the other came from consortium Housing America Partners, which has since withdrawn its proposal.

The LRA staff team has evaluated the statements submitted in preparation for City Council consideration and prepared the staff report, which is now available for public review. The meeting agenda and documents (staff report, summary table, statements of qualifications) have been posted to the city’s webpage at bit.ly/45veCfU.

— city of Concord

PLEASANT HILL

Grants to fund schools’ diversity, equity, inclusion books

The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation (PHCF) has taken a significant step towards fostering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) among Pleasant Hill youth by providing grants to all the city’s elementary schools. These grants will let school libraries acquire books on DEI topics, demonstrating the foundation’s commitment to promoting a culture of understanding and inclusiion from an early age.

“The Pleasant Hill Community Foundation is proud to fund projects in our schools and recognizes the immense value of adding these resources to our elementary school libraries,” said Ron Quinn, the PHCF’s president. For more information about the PHCF and its grants, visit phcommunityfoundation.org.

— PHCF

WALNUT CREEK

Apply by Oct. 13 for grants from Civic Pride Foundation

The Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation (WCCPF) has begun accepting applications for its 2023 Community Grant Program.

Ranging from $500 to $2,500, the grants will be for community-based recreation, cultural or educational programs and services provided by Walnut Creek nonprofits. The application deadline is Oct. 13, and the online grant application system is available through the foundation’s website at wccivicpride.org.

— WCCPF

Apply by Aug. 30 for Measure O citizens’ oversight panel

As promised to voters, the city of Walnut Creek is establishing a committee to provide oversight of spending for Measure O, which the city’s voters passed last November to raise the sales tax by one half-cent for 10 years to fund important community projects and services.

Each year, an independent auditor will complete a public audit report of the revenue raised and how it is  spent. The Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee will review the revenues and expenditures and report publicly regarding the accuracy of the auditors’ findings.

“We want voters to have confidence that we’re spending their money wisely and according to the law,” said Walnut Creek Mayor Cindy Silva. “We believe having this oversight committee will help build confidence in our spending.”

The Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee will prepare a written report annually that will be presented to the City Council at a public meeting. Any written report will be a matter of public record and available to the community. The committee will consist of five members who are Walnut Creek residents or represent a business within the city’s limits if they are not Walnut Creek residents.

The terms of the Committee members will be staggered, with three members serving initial two-year terms and two members serving four-year terms. At least one member of the committee will need to have a financial or accounting background. The City Council will appoint the committee, which will meet in public at least twice a year.

To be considered for  this volunteer position, a completed application must be submitted by no later than 5 p.m. Aug. 30. On Sept. 5, the City Council will select applicants to invite for interviews that will take place on Sept. 19. Appointments are expected to be made at the conclusion of the interviews. To apply online or read more information, visit walnut-creek.org.

— city of Walnut Creek

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