Meeting of
Contra Costa Mayors Conference
Hosted by the City of Antioch
_________________________________________________________________________
Program: Congressman Mark DeSaulnier will
give a report on the situation in Washington D.C.
_________________________________________________________________________
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Business Meeting: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill
1 Marina Place, Antioch, CA 94509
Buffet dinner with vegetarian option will follow the business meeting.
Dinner Reservations Are Made Through The City Of Antioch
Please RSVP to: Ashley Martinez at amartinez@antiochca.gov (preferred)
or by phone at (925) 779-7011
RESERVATION DEADLINE: NOON, Thursday, July 31, 2025
Dinner Reservations: Two dinners are prepaid for each City. Please RSVP with the names and titles of all attendees, including prepaid attendees. Others interested in having dinner should call or e-mail the City of Antioch, as noted above, and pay for their dinners at the door or mail payment to City of Antioch, P.O. Box 5007, Antioch, CA 94531-5007; Attn: Ashley Martinez.
Individuals will be billed for reservations made but not cancelled by the deadline.
Dinner Cost: $70
Directions to Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill
From East County
Take CA-4 west toward Antioch
Take Exit 27 to Contra Loma Blvd. in Antioch
Turn right onto Contra Loma Blvd.
At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and turn right
From West County
Take CA-4 east, follow signs to Martinez
Take Exit 27 to Contra Loma Blvd. in Antioch
Turn left onto Contra Loma Blvd.
At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and turn right
From Danville/San Ramon
Take I-680 north toward Sacramento
Take CA-242 north, follow signs for Concord/Pittsburg Take CA-4 east toward Stockton/Pittsburg
Take Exit 27 to Contra Loma Blvd. in Antioch
Turn left onto Contra Loma Blvd.
At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and turn right
From Orinda/Lafayette
Take CA-24 east toward Sacramento/Concord
Take I-680 north
Take CA-242 north, follow signs for Concord/Pittsburg Take CA-4 east toward Stockton/Pittsburg
Take Exit 27 to Contra Loma Blvd. in Antioch
Turn left onto Contra Loma Blvd.
At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit and turn right
Or utilize your GPS instructions.
MEETING OF
CONTRA COSTA MAYORS CONFERENCE
Thursday, August 7, 2025
6:30 P.M. BUSINESS MEETING
Call Mayors Conference (Conference) to Order, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, & Roll Call. (Note: For roll call, Mayors or representatives authorized to act on behalf of mayors, such as mayors pro tempore, and vice mayors, or a council member authorized by the city council to act in lieu of a mayor are qualified to vote for each city as members of the Conference.)
1. Program: Congressman Mark DeSaulnier reporting on the situation in Washington D.C.
2. Approval of Minutes: of the July 10, 2025 meeting (attached).
Action: Move to approve July 10, 2025 Conference minutes.
3. Call for nomination for appointment to a full member term on the East Bay Regional Communication System (EBRCS) Board currently occupied by Oakley Mayor Shannon Shaw, and for an Alternate Member term currently occupied by Robert Jweinat, San Ramon. Both new terms will extend to October 1, 2028. The current terms of the incumbents end October 1, 2025. The Conference will be making appointments to new terms for these positions at the September 4, 2025 meeting. Any mayor or council member may serve in either of these positions. The incumbents are eligible to be reappointed. Nominations should indicate which position is being applied for.
Nominations for this position shall be filed by email with Executive Director, Gary Pokorny: gjpokorn@lmi.net no later than 5 p.m., Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
4. Call for nomination for appointment to the remainder of a term of a member position on the East Bay Regional Communication System (EBRCS) Board. A new appointment needs to be made to the remainder of a term of a full member EBRCS Board position ending October 1, 2027, currently occupied by Walnut Creek Council Member Cindy Silva, who has announced her intention to resign such position as soon as a new member is appointed. The Conference will be making this appointment at the September 4, 2025 meeting. Any mayor or council member may serve. Member Silva has indicated that the reason she is resigning is so that the Conference can make an appointment of a West County member so that Board membership will reflect a better regional balance than is currently the case.
Nominations for this position shall be filed by email with Executive Director, Gary Pokorny: gjpokorn@lmi.net no later than 5 p.m., Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
5. Chair Announcements:
6. Conference Appointee Reports: City representatives to area-wide boards, commissions, and agencies may report on activities of the agency to which they are appointed at this time.
7. Mayor Announcements:
8. State and Federal Legislators Update:
9. County Supervisor Announcements:
10. League of California Cities Update: Samantha “Sam” Brightman, East Bay Division Public Affairs Manager.
11. Public Comments: Members of the public are advised that public comments at this place should be confined to items not on the agenda and should be limited to no more than 2 minutes in length. No more than one speaker from any organization should address the mayors on the same evening.
12. Welcome to Antioch by Mayor Ron Bernal:
13. Adjourn Conference to September 4, 2025 in El Cerrito.
Deadline for next agenda is 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
Brown Act Reminder: The Contra Costa Mayors Conference/City Selection Committee has a policy of complying with the letter and spirit of open meeting laws. Generally, off-agenda items may be taken up only if: Two-thirds of Conference voting members find a need for immediate action exists and the need to take action came to the attention of the Conference after the agenda was prepared (Note: If fewer than two-thirds of Conference members are present, taking up an off-agenda item requires a unanimous vote). Or a majority of the Conference finds an emergency (for example: work stoppage or disaster) exists.
A majority of any city council may not, consistent with the Brown Act, discuss specific substantive issues among themselves at Conference meetings. Any such discussion is subject to the Brown Act and must occur at a City Council meeting that complies with Brown Act requirements.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
2025
September 4, El Cerrito
October 2, Martinez
November 6, Danville
December 4, Pinole
2026
January 8, Pittsburg (One week late because of holiday)
February 5, Richmond
March 5, Hercules
April 2, Walnut Creek
May 7, Orinda
June 4, Concord
July 9, San Pablo (One week late because of holiday)
August 6, Oakley
September 3, Moraga
October 1, Lafayette
November 5, Clayton
December 3, Pleasant Hill
MINUTES OF THE
CONTRA COSTA MAYORS CONFERENCE
Thursday, July 10, 2025 – 6:30 p.m.
Hosted by the City of Brentwood
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Walker-Griffith called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL OF CITY DELEGATES:
Antioch: Mayor Ron Bernal
Brentwood: Mayor Susannah Meyer
Clayton: Mayor Kim Trupiano
Concord: Vice Mayor Laura Hoffmeister
Town of Danville: Mayor Renee Morgan
El Cerrito: Mayor Carolyn Wysinger
Hercules: Vice Mayor Christine Kelley
Lafayette: Mayor Susan Candell
Martinez: Council Member Greg Young
Moraga: Mayor Steve Woehleke
Oakley: Mayor Shannon Shaw
Orinda: Mayor Latika Malkani
Pinole: Absent
Pittsburg: Mayor Jelani Killings
Pleasant Hill: Mayor Susan Noack
Richmond: Absent
San Pablo: Mayor Arturo Cruz
San Ramon: Mayor Mark Armstrong
Walnut Creek: Mayor Cindy Darling
Presiding: Conference Chair: Alex Walker-Griffith, Hercules
The above delegates comprised a quorum for the meeting.
1. Program: District Attorney Diana Becton provided updates regarding activities of the D. A.’s office.
2. Approval of Minutes: of the June 5, 2025 meeting.
Action: Motion to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2025 Conference meeting passed: Voting aye were delegates from Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, San Pablo, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek. Pinole and Richmond were absent. Martinez abstained.
3. Adoption of Port Chicago Remembrance Day Proclamation (Attached):
Action: Motion to adopt Proclamation of Port Chicago Remembrance Day passed unanimously. Voting aye were delegates from Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, Orinda, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, San Pablo, San Ramon, and Walnut Creek. Pinole and Richmond were absent.
4. Chair Announcements: None.
5. Conference Appointee Reports: Chris Kelley noted that the Economic Dev. Alliance Small Business conference proceedings are available on U-Tube. Sue Noack noted that S.B. 63 is going through several legislative committees. Cindy Silva noted that she has become aware of the need
for the East Bay Regional Communications System Authority Board to have a more balanced member representation from all parts of the county. As a result she announced that she is willing to resign her seat in favor of a new representative from West County cities that are not now represented by a full Board Member. She requested that the Conference advertise for a full member position on the Conference August agenda and then when a new West County Board Member is appointed, she will resign her seat to allow the new member to be seated. Newell Arnerich noted that CCTA received a new $58 million grant to make additional improvements to the Highway 4/680 interchange, the Iron Horse Trail bridge in San Ramon is now finished, a survey is coming to gather input for the Trans-Plan 2050, and CCTA has a new logo. Dionne Adams noted that the Air District has voted to oppose S.B.34. The District Board is working on a new approach to disbursing penalty revenues to benefit affected communities. Gabe Quinto noted that the Air Board is aware of the need to balance concern for protecting air quality while recognizing that refineries provide many jobs and that the price of refinery products might rise if any of the local refineries permanently close. Laura Nakamura noted that LAFCO completed work on merging the Kensington Fire District and the Kensington Police and Community Services District into one entity.
6. Mayor Announcements Various Mayors announced July 4 events in their communities. Danville announced the appointment of Tai Williams as their new Town Manager. Martinez has opened a new all-abilities park. Clayton announced a new police chief.
7. State and Federal Legislators Update: Janessa Oriol, District Director for Congressman DeSaulnier reported that he attended several July 4 Celebrations and hosted town halls. Staff for Senator Grayson reported on the Wildfire Round Table that he hosted in Orinda and introduced District Field Director Rachael Zenner. The Senator looks forward to working with the League of Cities and receiving city feedback on budget priorities and other issues of importance.
8. County Supervisor Announcements: Supervisor Diane Burgis welcomed the Conference to District 3. She expressed concern about State and Federal cuts to medical care funding as well as other funding. She noted July 4 fires were down 15% this year, probably mostly due to favorable weather conditions.
9. League of California Cities Update: East Bay Division Public Affairs Manager Sam Brightman reported on the work of Cal Cities and current legislation moving through both houses of the Legislature. There will be a webinar on July 29 on key bill positions the League is taking. Registration for the LOCC Annual Conference is now open.
10. Public Comments: BART Director Mark Foley reported that BART has a balanced budget for 2025-’26 but that the “fiscal Cliff” is looming for subsequent years. Yulie Padmore of the Port Chicago Alliance thanked mayors for passing the Port Chicago Resolution. Various speakers criticized the County Supervisors and the Brentwood City Council for actions regarding the siteing of a new fire station in Brentwood.
11. Host City Welcome: Mayor Susannah Meyer welcomed the Conference to Brentwood and introduced current and past Mayors, Council Members, and City Staff.
12. Conference adjourned to August 7, 2025 in Antioch.
Deadline for next agenda is 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
PROCLAMATION OF PORT CHICAGO REMEMBRANCE DAY
WHEREAS, on July 17, 1944, the deadly munitions explosion known as the Port Chicago Disaster occurred and most of the dead and injured were African-American sailors with no formal training in the handling and loading of explosives, and
WHEREAS, from April-July, loading officers pushed the enlisted men to load the explosive cargoes very quickly, placing bets with each other on whose 100-man crew would be fastest, and
WHREAS, the enlisted men were told by officers that the larger munitions were not active and so could not explode; and
WHEREAS, on July 17, 1944 a loud noise, described as a “metallic sound and rending timbers” was heard, immediately followed by an explosion, and then a fire; seconds later, the majority of the ordinance exploded, resulting in a fireball, and all 320 men on duty died instantly, with 390 civilians and military personnel being injured; and
WHEREAS, the Disaster played a critical role in exposing the systemic weakness of racist segregation in the military as 50 African-American survivors were charged with mutiny for refusing, after the explosion, to continue the status quo, and
WHEREAS, in 1994, the Pt. Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial was dedicated in memory of the lives lost in the explosion.
NOW THEREFORE, WE, THE MAYORS OF THE CITIES OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, on behalf of our cities, do hereby proclaim Thursday, July 17, 2025 as “Port Chicago Remembrance Day” to commemorate the 81st Anniversary of the Port Chicago explosion. In addition, we recognize the sacrifice and suffering of the residents of the town of Port Chicago who also suffered greatly that day and had the unfortunate fate of experiencing their town being absorbed by the federal government when it became part of a new safety zone around the weapons station.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we, the mayors of Contra Costa hereby adopt this proclamation on July 10, 2025.