VNYLCITYGOV TESTER: 2015

BART is holding a community meeting at Pittsburg City Hall in order to provide information on the benefits and the construction impacts of Pittsburg Center Station. This station is part of the eBART Project, which is planned to run from the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station eastward along the median of State Route (SR) 4 to the City of Antioch. The proposed Pittsburg Center Station will be located in the center median of SR 4 at Railroad Avenue in the City of Pittsburg.
For more information and for language assistance services, refer to the attached flier. Click here.

City of Pittsburg: eBART Project: Notice of Community Meeting

eBART Project: Notice of Community Meeting

Date: 2/26/2015 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Location: Pittsburg City Hall, Council Chambers
65 Civic Avenue
Pittsburg, California

For more information and for language assistance services, refer to the attached flier. Click here.

To change your eSubscriptions preferences, click the following link:
http://www.ci.pittsburg.ca.us/index.aspx?page=16&subscriberguid=1c6754fb-fdf1-4dc6-974f-3c1e43fbed5f

To unsubscribe from all City of Pittsburg eSubscriptions, please click the following link:
http://www.ci.pittsburg.ca.us/index.aspx?page=16&subscriberguid=1c6754fb-fdf1-4dc6-974f-3c1e43fbed5f&unsubscribe=1

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

City of Pittsburg: Pittsburg Library & REading ADvantage Present: PARENT POWER!

Pittsburg Library & REading ADvantage Present: PARENT POWER!

Learn the ABCs of early literacy and help your child succeed!

Date: 2/26/2015 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Cost: Free

Location: Pittsburg Library
80 Power Avenue
Pittsburg, California 925-427-8390

City of Pittsburg: Pittsburg Library & REading ADvantage Present: PARENT POWER!

Pittsburg Library & REading ADvantage Present: PARENT POWER!

Learn the ABCs of early literacy and help your child succeed!

Date: 2/26/2015 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Cost: Free

Location: Pittsburg Library
80 Power Avenue
Pittsburg, California 925-427-8390

City of Pittsburg: Relay for Life of Pittsburg Kickoff Meeting

Relay for Life of Pittsburg Kickoff Meeting

Join us for a Spaghetti dinner

Date: 3/4/2015 6:00 PM

Cost: Free

Location: Pittsburg Elks Lodge
200 Marina Way
Pittsburg, California

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

City of Pittsburg: Roaring 20's Casino Night Fundraiser

Roaring 20's Casino Night Fundraiser

Presented by Pittsburg Arts & Community Foundation (PACF)

Date: 3/7/2015

Location: Good Shepherd Hall
3200 Harbor Street
Pittsburg, California

City of Pittsburg: Roaring 20's Casino Night Fundraiser

Roaring 20's Casino Night Fundraiser

Presented by Pittsburg Arts & Community Foundation (PACF)

Date: 3/7/2015

Location: Good Shepherd Hall
3200 Harbor Street
Pittsburg, California

City of Pittsburg: Songs in the Key of L.O.V.E. Concert at California Theatre

Songs in the Key of L.O.V.E. Concert at California Theatre

Big Band Concert

Date: 2/14/2015 8:00 PM

Cost: $14 - $18

Location: California Theatre
351 Railroad Avenue
Pittsburg, California

Feb 14

Mazella Houston & her World Class Pearl Big Band with Special Guest Steven Powell

Songs in the Key of L.O.V.E.

A Valentine's Day musical tribute of love songs from Ella Fitzgerald,Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, Carmen McCrea, and Peggy Lee.

In 2007, Mazella launched "The Black Pearl Project," along with Larrie Ray Noble, Sr., and for the next 7 years booked and performed an average of 150 gigs per year in the San Francisco Bay and surrounding areas. Mazella has performed with the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, and is currently performing regularly with "Soundwave", the Bob Enos (Julliard, Stan Kenton Big Band), the Contra Costa Jazz Band, and renowned jazz guitarist, Carl Lockett. Mazella and the Pearl Big Band are excited to call Pittsburg home.

Performance(s):
Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 8 PM

Ticket(s):
Adults $17
Students $13
Military $13
Seniors $13

Purchase Tickets

California Theatre
351 Railroad Avenue
Pittsburg, CA 94565
Box office (925) 427-1611

City of Pittsburg: Songs in the Key of L.O.V.E. Concert at California Theatre

Songs in the Key of L.O.V.E. Concert at California Theatre

Big Band Concert

Date: 2/14/2015 8:00 PM

Cost: $14 - $18

Location: California Theatre
351 Railroad Avenue
Pittsburg, California

Feb 14

Mazella Houston & her World Class Pearl Big Band with Special Guest Steven Powell

Songs in the Key of L.O.V.E.

A Valentine's Day musical tribute of love songs from Ella Fitzgerald,Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, Carmen McCrea, and Peggy Lee.

Performance(s):
Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 8 PM

Ticket(s):
Adults $17
Students $13
Military $13
Seniors $13

Purchase Tickets

California Theatre
351 Railroad Avenue
Pittsburg, CA 94565
Box office (925) 427-1611

Monday, February 9, 2015

City of Pittsburg: City Council Meeting

City Council Meeting

Date: 2/17/2015 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location: Council Chambers
65 Civic Avenue
Pittsburg, California 94565

Click here to view the agenda

Friday, February 6, 2015

City of Pittsburg: Planning Commission Meeting

Planning Commission Meeting

Date: 2/10/2015 7:00 PM

Location: 3rd Floor Council Chambers
65 Civic Ave
PITTSBURG, California 94565

Click Here for Agenda

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

4th Annual Black History Art & Artifacts Exhibit (2/7 -2/21/15) == Antioch, CA

Posted: 28 Jan 15

All Original Content © 2015, The MENTOR Enterprises / ELMS, All Rights Reserved. BUT, I hereby waive those rights, to this extent: You may freely copy and pass this along -- and are urged to do so -- as long as it's all done free of charge, unchanged, you include this statement, AND you inform me as to how it is being used -- at YOUR convenience but, hopefully soonest.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

City of Pittsburg: City Council Meeting

City Council Meeting

Date: 2/2/2015 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location: Council Chambers
65 Civic Avenue
Pittsburg, California 94565

Click here to view the agenda

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

City of Pittsburg: Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled

Planning Commission Meeting - Cancelled

Date: 1/27/2015 7:00 PM

Location: 3rd Floor Council Chambers
65 Civic Ave
PITTSBURG, California 94565

Meeting Cancelled

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

AFTER-ACTION REPORT: Pittsburg CAC Meeting of 1/7/15 (#3)

Posted: 8 Jan 15
Change #1 -- 9 Jan -- added Commissioner's names to paragraph 2.
Change #2 -- 9 Jan -- added Parks & Maintenance Director's comments to para. 4.
Change #3 --14 Jan -- Police Chief Addington kindly clarified 3 changes to para. 3, indicated in red. (Thank you, Chief)

A Private Citizen's

After-Action Report on

The January 7 Meeting of

The Pittsburg Community Advisory Commission (CAC)

1. PURPOSE

To impart basic civic information of some importance to Pittsburg residents -- concerning last night's public meeting, as announced in this separate bulletin.

This report is an approximation of truth, based on hasty notes and recollections -- and should be taken as a sense of the event, rather than as a precisely accurate account. If I do discover significant errors or omissions, I will make the adjustment and signal this fact by a revision number, up in the title of this bulletin.

2. SYNOPSIS

Last night, I attended a typically fascinating Community Advisory Commission meeting at City Hall. I was heartened to see Mayor Longmire present -- out of his busy schedule -- to speak at the end of the meeting -- in grateful recognition of these fine Pittsburg citizen-Commissioners' commitment to serving our community, voluntarily, and in such responsible fashion.

Community Advisory Commissioners are:

Dennisha Marsh, Chair
Larry Wirick, Vice Chair
Jim Atchison
J. Faye Fields
Arthur Fountain
Stewart Gregerson (absent)
Judith O'Connor

Major and routine matters were discussed -- as touched-upon, below -- so that suitable recommendations to the City Council could be formed. The Chief of Police gave a major report and the Director of Parks and Maintenance fielded questions. Senior City Planner, Kristin Pollot, spoke on a Tree Preservation Ordinance and miscellaneous zoning matters (wireless telecommunications and alcohol beverage establishments)

3. POLICE CHIEF's REPORT

Police Chief Addington gave a captivating presentation on the state of law enforcement in Pittsburg. The departmental record continues to glow.

In General: He discussed such things as his plan to increase sworn staff from 77 to 78, in the Spring -- so as to augment the school service officer force; that the whole Department answered 68,000 service calls in 2013 and has experienced a 15% increase in 2014 (I think this may be great news, since civic-will to report crimes may be increasing); that other encouraging statistics prove the department's continued efficacy; that over 500 guns were removed from the street (and his CASE team is working to get them all); that there are presently 100 police video cameras around the City with active plans to further develop this essential capability -- things like that.

3.1 COMMUNITY COURT

The Chief described this as a way to divert offenders from a path-to-conviction for certain minor crimes -- bypassing the justice system -- for 1st-timers and juveniles -- who go before a hearing officer, rather than a judge -- with power to impose fines and community service (such service especially earmarked of behalf of a list of Pittsburg non-profit causes). ~~A Guilty-finding goes on the offender's record -- but as a diversion, not a conviction~~.

Chief Addington's 1/14/15 correction #1: "a guilty plea is not on their record. The record will show an arrest, and that it was successfully diverted in lieu of prosecution."

Since it started last March, there have been 114 cases heard -- 32 successfully completed, 32 being settled, 28 non-responsive.

3.2 CLUSTER MAIL-BOXES

Problem: I personally know of one 114-home housing colony which was hit with the theft and vandalism of THREE out of TEN of their expensive outdoor cluster-mailbox units, each serving about 10 or more patrons.

~~The Chief reports this as a disturbing trend (he didn't say how many such cases there were, City-wide)~~

Chief Addington's 1/14/15 correction #2: "In the past year, we have had three cluster boxes stolen, one blue mail box stolen, and numerous reports of stolen mail (from personal mail boxes and cluster boxes.)"

Response: The matter is now a high police priority:

Police are on special look-out
Cameras are under consideration
The Post Office has assigned a Postal Inspector to team-up and liaise with City police, one day each week.
Undercover operations are underway
Technology to counteract this crime-type is being investigated
A number of arrests have been made for mail theft
Arrestees were often from outside the area
Warning signs at the postal boxes is being contemplated
An alert citizen reported a suspicious vehicle near a cluster-unit -- theft had not yet begun -- responding officers found stolen mail in the vehicle -- arrests made.
NIXLE ALERT SYSTEM -- the Chief also reminded us that he had published mail-theft tips on this community alert system, a few months ago. Please see this Civic Mentor bulletin for details.

A Crucial Civic Action: Citizens are absolutely encouraged to report all suspicions of criminal activity. The police much rather we do this than not.

3.3 IF YOU'RE GOING ON VACATION

The Police Department's tracking resources are evolving. If you're going on vacation, you may notify the police. They will give you a device to place in your home -- which, if moved -- sends a signal to the police -- and if stolen, can be tracked -- and since they know that you're absent -- they can deduce this to be a potential burglary -- and will respond.

3.4 VEHICLE THEFT-SYSTEM

The department has certain vehicles equipped with an ALPR system which allows license plates to be scanned, on the move, feeding back to a database which determines the legal status of the vehicle. Very effective.

3.5 TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT

The dedicated traffic team will now be on duty 6 days per week, rather than 5.

Chief Addington's 1/14/15 correction #3: "In May, we will have 3 officers assigned full-time to traffic enforcement working 6 days a week."

4. PARKS AND MAINTENANCE

Director, Don Buchanan, fielded Commissioners' questions about tree-removal policy. He said that Eucalyptus trees are very problematic and have been officially shunned for over six years. Debris from some have again created clean-up difficulties following the recent relatively severe wind storm. Black Acacia trees are also problematic for the City.

In response to my inquiry, this morning (1/9/Fri), Director Buchanan answered this way:

Thanks David. In regards to tree removals, we only remove dead, diseased, fallen, or trees that are causing significant infrastructure problems (i.e. raised sidewalks).

The “approved plant list” is a guide for residents, and particularly developers, in Pittsburg to choose trees that are not problematic and thrive in our community.

Yes, the Eucalyptus and the Black Acacia are not desirable and have been removed from the list. This does not prevent a citizen from planting them on their private property if they choose.

With developers of subdivisions, where the street trees may eventually be ours to maintain, we require them to choose an alternative.

Existing Eucalyptus and Acacias are cared for to the best of our ability.

5. WATER BILL PAYMENT KIOSK now available at Railroad Book Store

Jill Hecht, Commission Secretary, reported that water bills may be paid at the Railroad Bookstore during normal business hours.

David Nelson

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

City of Pittsburg: City Council Meeting

City Council Meeting

Date: 1/20/2015 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Location: Council Chamber
65 Civic Avenue
Pittsburg, California 94565

Click here to view the agenda

ENTREPRENEURS! Organize the Future! FREE 2-hrs! 1/15 /Thu + 1/22/Thu

Posted: 13 Jan 14

I CAN PERSONALLY VOUCH FOR COACH WENDI HATTON

I have known and admired Wendi, my cousin, for decades. A very good, very smart woman who cares about our world and the people who grace it. Find two hours, over two Thursdays, and get an unexpected boost in whatever business venture you are bravely undertaking for yourselves (and, in a real sense, for us)!

David Nelson

Monday, January 12, 2015

City of Pittsburg: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Rally, March & Celebration

Date: 1/19/2015 11:00 PM

Cost: Free

Location: Pittsburg City Hall
65 Civic Avenue
Pittsburg, California