Contra Costa Herald

HR Executive Compliance Council provides members with professional education, expanded workforce, resources while positioning Pleasant Hill as an East Bay hub for business education and networking

By Jeremy Carlson, Executive Director, Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce & Marci Trevino, Founder and President, HR Executive Compliance Council

PLEASANT HILL, Calif. – Small and mid-sized businesses throughout Pleasant Hill and the greater Bay Area will gain expanded access to professional human resources education, employment-law updates and compliance resources through a new partnership between the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce and the HR Executive Compliance Council (HREXCC).

Under the partnership, Pleasant Hill Chamber members will receive one year of complimentary membership in the HR Executive Compliance Council, providing access to the Council’s educational programming, including expert-led webinars, legal and regulatory updates, leadership development and opportunities to connect with HR, legal and business professionals.

The partnership addresses a challenge faced by many small and mid-sized businesses: employers are expected to navigate an increasingly complex employment and regulatory environment without necessarily having the internal HR departments, legal resources or compliance teams available to larger organizations.

“Small businesses don’t get a different set of employment laws simply because they’re small,” said Jeremy Carlson, Executive Director of the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce. “Too often, an HR or compliance issue doesn’t receive the attention it needs until it becomes a much larger and potentially costly problem. Our goal is to give our members access to high-level education and resources before they reach that point. This partnership is exactly what we mean when we talk about creating greater value from Chamber membership.”

The HR Executive Compliance Council is a California not for profit organization founded and led by President Marci Trevino. The organization provides practical employment and labor-law education, with particular emphasis on California’s rapidly changing regulatory environment, alongside leadership development and professional peer networking.

The Council’s programming serves executives, HR professionals, business owners and emerging leaders, with sessions led by attorneys and subject-matter experts.

“Our mission has always been about giving business and HR leaders practical knowledge they can actually use,” said Marci Trevino, Founder and President of the HR Executive Compliance Council. “Partnering with the Pleasant Hill Chamber allows us to bring that education to an even broader business community while creating a place where professionals can learn from experts and from one another. Jeremy and I both call Pleasant Hill home, and we see tremendous potential for this community to become a gathering point for business education, professional development and meaningful connections throughout the Greater Bay.”

Building a Regional Business and Education Hub

The partnership extends beyond providing HREXCC membership to Chamber members.

The two organizations will collaborate on Chamber initiatives involving internships, employment opportunities, workforce development, job search and talent connections, as well as future educational and networking programs.

Together, the organizations have a larger objective: to establish Pleasant Hill as a central hub for business education, professional resources and networking in the East Bay and greater Bay Area.

“Pleasant Hill is exceptionally well positioned for this,” Carlson said. “We’re at the center of an incredibly active business corridor, and we have an opportunity to create a place, both physically and virtually, where businesses from throughout the region can come to learn, make connections, find resources and develop their workforce. We don’t want every Chamber program to stop at the city limits. When we can bring businesses from throughout the Bay Area into Pleasant Hill while simultaneously giving our own members access to a larger professional network, everyone benefits.”

The partnership also supports the Chamber’s continuing effort to expand both membership and the value provided to existing members. The Pleasant Hill Chamber currently represents businesses and organizations, with continued membership growth among its priorities.

Rather than attempting to independently duplicate specialized professional resources, the Chamber is increasingly developing relationships with organizations that already possess deep expertise and making those resources more accessible to its members.

“Partnerships should create something tangible,” Carlson added. “This one does. A Pleasant Hill Chamber member isn’t simply joining another business organization. They’re gaining access to professional education and expertise that can help them operate a stronger, better-informed business. That’s the kind of value we want Chamber membership to represent.”

First Joint Program Set for January 2027

The organizations’ first major joint program will take place January 27, 2027, at National University in Pleasant Hill, with a California Legal Update focused on employment and workplace issues businesses should be preparing for in the new year.

The full-day program will bring together business owners, executives, HR professionals, managers and other organizational leaders for timely education surrounding California’s evolving employment and regulatory environment.

In addition to the primary legal update programming, the event will feature multiple breakout rooms offering focused educational and professional-development sessions, giving attendees opportunities to explore specific workplace, leadership, compliance and organizational topics in greater depth.

The program will conclude with an evening networking mixer, providing attendees, presenters and participating organizations an opportunity to continue conversations and build professional connections following the day’s educational sessions. Lunch and admission to the evening mixer are included with event registration, with a no-host bar available during the mixer.

A limited number of complimentary registrations will be available for HR professionals, and early registration is encouraged due to limited availability. HREXCC members participating through the Pleasant Hill Chamber partnership will also receive complimentary admission to the event. General admission for non-members will be $100 per person, which includes the day’s educational programming, lunch and evening mixer.

The event will also feature a Strategic Partner Exhibition, connecting attendees with organizations and service providers offering resources, expertise and solutions relevant to employers, HR professionals and business leaders. A limited number of exhibition tables will be available, creating an opportunity for strategic partners to participate directly in the day’s program and engage with attendees throughout the event.

Hosting the program at National University in Pleasant Hill further advances the partnership’s broader goal of establishing Pleasant Hill as a regional destination for business education, workforce development and professional connection.

“This is exactly the kind of program we want to bring to Pleasant Hill,” Carlson said. “It goes beyond gathering people in a room for a presentation. We’re creating an environment where business owners, executives and HR professionals can learn from experts, explore subjects in greater depth, discover resources and build relationships with one another. Having National University serve as our host gives us the educational setting and space to bring all of those elements together.”

Additional educational programs, webinars, professional-development opportunities, cooperative networking events and workforce initiatives are expected to follow as the partnership develops.

Through the collaboration, the Chamber and HREXCC envision Pleasant Hill becoming an increasingly important destination for business owners, executives and HR professionals seeking education, resources and professional connections throughout the East Bay and greater Bay Area.

About the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce

The Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce works to strengthen the local business community through advocacy, connections, professional development, community engagement, strategic partnerships and programs designed to create opportunities for businesses to grow and thrive. Through its members, Board of Directors and community partners, the Chamber works to connect business, government and community while supporting a strong and vibrant Pleasant Hill. For more information visit www.pleasanthillchamber.com.

About the HR Executive Compliance Council

The HR Executive Compliance Council is a California not for profit organization providing HR and business leaders with practical employment and labor-law education, leadership development, regulatory updates and professional networking. Its programming helps organizations navigate complex workplace challenges and evolving regulatory requirements while strengthening leadership and organizational decision-making. For more information visit www.higherresources.org.

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It’s Councilwoman Claudia Jimenez vs. Ahmad Anderson in the November run-off

By Allen D. Payton

The League of Women Voters of West Contra Costa County is holding a Richmond Mayoral Candidate Debate “A Community Conversation” between Richmond Councilwoman Claudia Jimenez and Ahmad Anderson on Monday, Sept. 21st in the Richmond Council Chambers.

Richmond’s current mayor, Eduardo Martinez, placed third in the June 2nd primary behind Jimenez, the District 6 councilmember, who placed first, and Anderson who placed second. They top two are now competing in the November General Election run-off.

The Richmond City Council elections were also held in June, and all three incumbents were re-elected, Cesar Zepeda who run unopposed in District 2, Doria Robinson in District 3 with 68.94% of the vote, and Soheila Bana in District 4 with 67.74% of the vote. Jiminez is not up for re-election this year and if elected mayor will have to step down from her seat and either her replacement will be appointed by the other council members or another, special election will be held to fill it for the remaining two years of the term.

About Jiminez

According to her bio on the City’s website, Jiminez, whose campaign claims she will be, “The Next Progressive Mayor of Richmond,” is “a trained architect who has worked to design and build affordable housing and watershed management projects in Colombia. She received her Master’s degree in Environmental Planning from U.C. Berkeley. She lives in District 6 of Richmond with her husband and two children.”

She says she’s “Rooted in Colombia, Growing in Richmond” and claims, “More than one-third of Richmond residents were born in another country. Claudia Jimenéz is an immigrant who has chosen to make Richmond her home.”

According to her LinkedIn Profile, since June 2015 Jiminez has worked as a Consultant to The California Endowment, “a private, statewide foundation dedicated to improving health and racial equity across California,” to “Strengthen the infrastructure to support women of color in political leadership positions.”

Her endorsements include a variety of organizations, including the Democratic Socialists of America East Bay and another Democratic group, two fellow Richmond council members, the Richmond Firefighters, the Contra Costa Labor Council and other unions.

About Anderson

According to his campaign website, Anderson, who offers “A Vision for One Richmond,” says he’s “Rooted in Richmond” because he was born and raised in the city. Anderson is a longtime community volunteer for over 40 years and city committee member, and former vice president of the Richmond NAACP, whose father and mother both served as mayor of Richmond. On his Facebook page Anderson shows two other campaign slogans, including one on a button that reads, “A Voice for You” and another on a shirt which reads, “For a Safer Richmond.” His campaign also has an Instagram account.

Anderson “has worked as a Human Resources Director at an international company that employs 380,000 people,” the National Pacifica Foundation, and is also a graduate of U.C. Berkeley and attended Columbia University’s Teachers College from 1996-2003.

According to his LinkedIn profile, since Aug. 2020, Anderson has been the Founder and Managing Partner of Designing Effective Organizations. Previously, he worked as Vice President for Human Resources at Goodwill Industries of the Greater East Bay from Dec. 2010 to Nov. 2013; as Senior Human Resources Business Partner for the U.S. Western Region of DHL Express from May 2014 to Sept. 2018; as Senior Human Resources Business Partner in the Northern California Operations Sales Division of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits from Nov. 2018 to Jul 2020; as Director, People & Culture for SFJAZZ from June 2021 to Aug. 2022; and as Director, People & Culture for Gardens of Golden Gate Park from Aug. 2022 until Apr. 2026.

Anderson has endorsements from most of the Democratic leaders and organizations covering the county, including the California Democratic Party, Contra Costa Democratic Party and the West County Democratic Club, as well as the other three Richmond council members, three former Richmond mayors (not including his parents), DA Diana Becton, plus, the Richmond Police Officers, Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council and other unions.

Neither candidate offers their phone number or email address to contact them, only online forms on their websites, and Jiminez’s city council email address, Claudia_Jimenez@ci.richmond.ca.us.

The debate can also be viewed on KCRT TV on Comcast cable Channel 28.

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Hear directly from the candidates.

By Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce

The Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2026 City Council Candidate Forum on Wednesday, September 23 at 6 PM at Pleasant Hill City Hall.

Candidates will participate in a moderated forum, with questions submitted by the community, including current Mayor and District 3 incumbent Zac Shess and challenger Jason Seto, and Councilmember At Large Sue Noack and challenger Dr. Quy Tran running in District 4.  Noack was elected in 2022 before the City switched to district elections in 2023 and which took effect in the November 2024 General Election.

• Pleasant Hill City Council Chamber inside City Hall at 100 Gregory Lane
• Doors open around 5:40 PM | Forum begins at 6 PM
• The forum will also be available on the City of Pleasant Hill’s YouTube channel.

Have a question for the candidates? Submit it in advance to candidateforum@pleasanthillchamber.com.

Join us, September 23 and hear directly from those seeking to serve on our City Council.

Presented by the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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By Gail Murray, League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley

How secure are our elections? On September 24 at 2:00 p.m., join a Community Conversations informative webinar exploring the safeguards that protect our voting systems and ensure every eligible vote is counted accurately.

Panelists will describe election security, ballot protection, and the processes that help maintain public confidence in our democracy. Whether you’re a new voter or a longtime election volunteer, you’ll leave with a better understanding of how safe and secure our elections really are.

Panelists:

• Kristin Connelly, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters

Reelected in June; focus is on voter access, election transparency and battling election misinformation.

• Helen Hutchison, past president of the League of Women Voters of California

Serving at the state League, worked on initiative and referendum reform, ballot measures and redistricting.

Register here to join: https://ccclib.bibliocommons.com/v2/events/6a849254bf1aec09082b6699

Information on how to access the Zoom webinar will be sent to your email address 24 hours before the program.

The webinar will have simultaneous Spanish interpretation and the Contra Costa County Library will provide closed captioning. This program will be recorded and uploaded to the Library’s YouTube and the LWVDV YouTube channels after the event. For special accommodations, please contact the Library with 72 hours’ notice.

Sponsors include the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley, the League of Women Voters of West Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa County Library and Contra Costa TV.

Contact programs@lwvdv.org for more information.

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A set of investments, projects and strategies to improve efficiency, reduce delays and move more people and buses across the most-traveled bridge in the Bay Area.

By Metropolitan Transportation Commission

The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (Bay Bridge) corridor is a vital lifeline for commuter and business travel to and from the City of San Francisco and the East Bay.  It is consistently ranked the most congested corridor in the region. Severe traffic congestion occurs on the approaches to the bridge, especially in the morning commute hours. Vehicles spend more hours delayed approaching the Bay Bridge than on all the other Bay Area east-west crossings combined.  At times, this congestion prevents high-occupancy vehicles (HOVs) and buses from accessing the existing by-pass lanes at the toll plaza – and is worse than the congestion on the bridge itself.  At the same time, high rates of people driving alone and lower transit ridership means that more than half of the seats in vehicles crossing the Bay Bridge are empty.

The Bay Bridge Forward Program proposes solutions that would increase the number of people moving through the area by filling empty seats. This would improve operations and reduce congestion without hefty capital investments. Bay Bridge Forward includes a suite of projects to: improve transit travel time and reliability; promote carpooling and transit ridership; increase the number of people who can move through the corridor (person throughput); and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Project 6 – Interstate 80, Bay Bridge & Carquinez Bridge HOV Lane Hours of Operation

Part of the Bay Bridge Forward commute initiative, the Interstate 80, Bay Bridge & Carquinez Bridge HOV Lane Hours of Operation is one of several projects that aim to improve traffic congestion for the Interstate 80 (I-80) corridor between the Carquinez Bridge and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

• Overview

This project is evaluating extended hours of operation of the high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes along the Interstate 80 corridor between the San Francisco-Bay Bridge and the Carquinez Bridge and at the approaches to both bridges.

While the corridor experiences significant congestion beyond traditional peak periods, the current HOV hours of operation are limited to weekdays between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Project 6a’s analysis and implementation will evaluate expanding the hours to include midday and weekend operations.

This project aims to:

• Provide more reliable travel times for transit riders and carpools during periods of prevalent midday and weekend congestion; and
• Encourage transit use and carpooling.

• Project Schedule

As of the latest update in April 2026, the estimated completion dates for the Traffic Analysis is 2026, for Final Design is 2027 and for Construction is 2028.

Project 6 – Interstate 80 HOV Lane Access Restrictions

Also part of the Bay Bridge Forward commute initiative, the Interstate 80 HOV Lane Access Restrictions is one of several projects that aim to improve traffic congestion for the Interstate 80 (I-80) corridor between the Carquinez Bridge and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

• Overview

This project proposes to implement access restrictions along select segments of the existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes on the Interstate 80 corridor between the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the Carquinez Bridge. Access restrictions are expected to improve traffic flow in the HOV and general purpose lanes by limiting merges between lanes in congested areas.

Currently, the HOV lane is separated from general traffic by a dashed line, which indicates that it is OK to enter and exit the HOV lane at any point. Project 6b would add lane access restrictions by replacing the existing lane striping and painting double solid white lines between the existing HOV lane and the general-purpose lane, to restrict vehicles from entering or exiting the HOV lanes at select segments. Double white lines indicate it is illegal to enter and exit the lane.

• Project Schedule

As of April 20226, the Project Initiation Document was completed in April 2026, and the estimated completion date for the Project Approval & Environmental Document is sometime this year, the Final Design in 2027 and Construction in 2028.

Project 6 – Interstate 580 Westbound to Interstate 80 Eastbound Connector Bus Lane

The Interstate 580 Westbound to Interstate 80 Eastbound Connector Bus Lane is one of several projects of the Bay Bridge Forward commute initiative that aim to improve traffic congestion for the Interstate 80 (I-80) corridor between the Carquinez Bridge and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

• Overview

The Interstate 80 (I-80) Bus-on-Shoulder Feasibility Analysis assessed the feasibility of pursuing bus-on-shoulder or bus lane segments on or connecting to I-80, and identified potential segments to move into project development.

One of the segments moving forward is the Interstate 580 (I-580) westbound to I-80 eastbound Connector Bus Lane. This project would construct a bus-only lane by reducing the existing right and left shoulders on the westbound I-580 to eastbound I-80 direct connector ramp. The project aims to:

• Reduce bus delays;
• Provide travel time reliability for buses; and
• Encourage the use of public transit in this congested segment.

• Project Schedule

The Feasibility Analysis was completed in Summer 2025; the Project Initiation Document (PID) is expected to be completed sometime in 2026 and the estimated completion date for Project Approval & Environmental Document and Final Design is in 2027 and Construction in 2029.

Project 6 – Interstate 80 Localized Transit Priority/HOV Strategies

Part of the Bay Bridge Forward commute initiative, Interstate 80 Localized Transit Priority/HOV Strategies is one of several projects that aim to improve traffic congestion for the Interstate 80 (I-80) corridor between the Carquinez Bridge and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

• Overview

The Interstate 80 (I-80) Localized Transit Priority/HOV Strategies project aims to enhance access to HOV preferential lanes and/or add transit signal priority (TSP) equipment at nine interchange locations.

The project is intended to:

• Provide travel time savings for carpools and buses; and
• Increase bus system reliability.

• Project Schedule

The Preliminary Analysis was completed in Summer 2025; the estimated completion date for the Project Initiation Document (PID) is sometime in 2026, Project Approval/Environmental Document (PA/ED) in 2027, Final Design in 2028 and Construction in 2029.

Project 2 – Interstate 580 Westbound HOV Lane Extension

The Bay Bridge Forward’s Interstate 580 Westbound HOV Lane Extension project proposes to extend the existing high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on westbound Interstate 580 to reduce traffic backup during morning peak hours.

• Overview

The Interstate 580 (I-580) westbound corridor serves as an approach to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and is a key transbay commute corridor that connects the East Bay to San Francisco.

The corridor experiences heavy traffic congestion during morning peak hours, with traffic backing up to the Interstate 980 (I-980)/State Route 24 (SR-24) interchange.

MTC – in partnership with Alameda County Transportation Commission – proposes to extend the existing HOV lane on I-580 westbound to the area by the I-980/SR-24 interchange as a near-term improvement.

The I-580 Westbound HOV Lane Extension Project seeks to:

• Move more people through the corridor during peak hours.
• Improve travel time reliability to support buses and HOVs.
• Provide time travel savings for HOV and transit users, to encourage people to carpool or take transit.

The project proposes to convert a portion of the far-left lane of westbound I-580 to an HOV lane. From just east of the Piedmont Avenue undercrossing in Oakland, the new HOV lane would connect with the existing HOV lane at the toll plaza approach (just west of the MacArthur maze), a distance of approximately 2.3 miles.

• Project Schedule

The Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies were completed in June 2024, Final Design was completed in October 2024, and Construction is estimated to be completed in 2027.

Project 3 – Interstate 80/Powell Street Interchange Transit Access Improvements

Another part of the Bay Bridge Forward commute initiative, the Interstate 80/Powell Street Interchange Transit Access Improvements project aims to improve traffic flow during morning peak commute hours for transit vehicles that enter and exit Interstate 80 through Powell Street.

• Overview

The Interstate 80 (I-80)/Powell interchange currently services multiple transbay bus routes including Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) lines and the Capital Corridor (Amtrak) connecting bus between Emeryville Station and San Francisco.

The existing transit route on the West Frontage Road and I-80 Powell Street loop on-ramp are highly congested during morning peak commute hours. This project is needed to improve vehicle flow and reliability for transit vehicles that enter and exit I-80 through Powell Street.

MTC – in partnership with Alameda County Transportation Commission, the City of Emeryville and AC Transit – is proposing transit facility improvements within the I-80 Powell Street interchange to:

• Improve transit reliability and travel time;
• Improve transit accessibility;
• Promote safety for transit riders; and
• Encourage transit use.

The improvements include:

• The construction of a dedicated transit lane on Powell Street;
• New bus stops with improved pedestrian and bicycle access; and
• Dedicated transit-only signals and detectors at the ramp intersections to facilitate transit priority.

• Project Schedule

Preliminary Engineering & Environmental Studies were completed in July 2023, Final Design was estimated to be completed in Summer 2026, but completion of Construction is To Be Determined as of April 27, 2026.

Project 4 – Interstate 80 Westbound HOV/Bus Lane

The Bay Bridge Forward’s Interstate 80 Westbound HOV/Bus Lane project proposes adding a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane to westbound Interstate 80 (I-80) between the Powell Street Interchange and the Bay Bridge toll plaza.

• Overview

The Interstate 80 (I-80) westbound HOV lane and the HOV connector ramp (also known as the I-80 flyover ramp) serves HOV traffic on the I-80 corridor. The I-80 flyover ramp provides a direct connection to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge toll plaza, allowing buses and HOVs to bypass a major bottleneck north of the I-80/I-880/I-580 junction. Heavy traffic congestion in the vicinity of the I-80 Powell Street interchange can prevent buses and HOVs from accessing the I-80 flyover ramp.

MTC – in partnership with Alameda County Transportation Commission – proposes adding an HOV lane to the outside of the westbound I-80 between Powell Street Interchange and the Bay Bridge toll plaza. This project will benefit transit vehicles entering from the Powell Street interchange, as well as other HOVs traveling on westbound I-80 that cannot use the existing leftmost HOV lane due to congestion. This project seeks to:

• Improve the operational efficiency and travel time for buses and HOVs on westbound I-80;
• Move more people through the area during peak hours; and
• Encourage carpooling and transit use.

• Project Schedule

The Preliminary Engineering was completed in July 2025 and the estimated completion date for Environmental Studies is To Be Determined.

Project 1 – West Grand Avenue Bus & High Occupancy Vehicle Lane

The Bay Bridge Forward’s West Grand Avenue Bus & High Occupancy Vehicle Lane project will construct a dedicated westbound bus and carpool lane on West Grand Avenue for travelers approaching the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.

• Overview

In 2016, MTC – in partnership with Caltrans and the City of Oakland – proposed the construction of a dedicated bus and carpool lane on West Grand Avenue to improve the travel time for buses and carpoolers approaching the Bay Bridge toll plaza from West Grand Avenue.

The project is separated into two phases.

• Phase 1: Complete

In 2019, the first phase was constructed, which created a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane on the Interstate 80 (I-80) West Grand Avenue on-ramp. It converted approximately 1,300 feet of right shoulder into a bus/HOV lane.

The bus/HOV lane is open to buses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. HOVs with three or more occupants are allowed to use the lane during weekday peak hours, 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.  The new HOV lane has provided substantial travel time savings for buses and HOVs, bypassing congestion during the morning peak period.

• Phase 2: In Progress

As of April 2026, development of the second phase is currently underway. It will extend the existing bus/HOV lane from its current terminus on the West Grand Avenue on-ramp further east to Frontage Road. This would allow buses to bypass a major queue on West Grand Avenue. The new bus/HOV lane will be open to HOVs with three or more occupants during the weekday peak hours (5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

Phase two of the project also proposes to construct a class I multi-use path on the south side of West Grand Avenue to close a 0.7-mile gap in the existing West Oakland bicycle network. The multi-use path would provide a key connection to the existing class I multi-use path on Maritime Street to the west and class II bike lanes on Mandela Parkway to the east of the project area.

Phase two construction is expected to begin in 2027. When completed, the project will bring additional benefits for carpools, buses, pedestrians and bicyclists.

• Project Schedule

Phase 1 Construction was completed in 2019, Phase 2 Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies were completed in Summer 2023, Phase 2 Final Design is expected to be completed sometime in 2026 and Phase 2 Construction in winter 2027.

See an expanded version of the Bay Bridge Forward program projects map. Project details are below.

Project 5 – Smart Transbay Transit

The Bay Bridge Forward’s Smart Transbay Transit project aims to deliver near-term Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) enhancements.

• Project Overview

The Smart Transbay Transit project is split into two phases. Phase one, now complete, consisted of planning and analysis. A future phase two will include technical design.

In phase one, MTC collaborated with Contra Costa Transportation Authority, WestCat, AC Transit, Alameda County Transportation Commission  and local cities in the East Bay.

The goals of the first phase were to:

• Assess current transbay bus operations;
• Analyze strategies to improve transbay bus service; and
• Define preferred corridors and concepts for project development.

The first phase recommended the implementation of Transit Signal Priority and traffic signal enhancements to select corridors. Traveler information strategies were also assessed.

• Project Schedule

Planning and Analysis were completed in Spring 2026, and the estimated completion dates for Technical Design is in 2027 and Implementation in 2027-28.

View the expanded Bay Bridge Forward Projects Map.

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By Patrick McCarran, Real Estate Broker

An offer has been accepted, and a closing date has been set. Now the home is going through escrow, and the process begins and ends once the financing is approved and the buyer and seller have fulfilled their requirements. So how does it work?

A neutral third-party agent of the principals—buyer, seller, lender and borrower—is designated the escrow holder. This agent assists with the transfer of ownership by ensuring that the terms of the transaction are completed including safeguarding all funds (including the buyer’s deposit) and documents.

The escrow holder is given instructions from the buyer and seller and keeps track of obligations. For example, if the seller is required to supply a termite inspection, the escrow holder will make sure it is fulfilled before any funds are transferred to the seller. Findings in the termite inspection report must be corrected on or before the close of escrow.

In addition, the escrow holder receives from the title company a complete ownership history of the property and any liens on record in the preliminary title report. Any discrepancies that affect the condition of the title, such as condo liens, judgments, etc., against the buyer and seller, must be addressed prior to close of escrow.

The escrow process can last any number of days depending on what is agreed upon between the buyer and the seller. To ensure a timely closing, it is important that each party provides the escrow holder requested information as soon as possible. For example, a lender will not fund a new home without a homeowner’s insurance policy. Without the lender’s verification that there is insurance, the escrow process may be delayed.  An unsecured source of funding, such as a personal check, can also delay the process, because it takes longer for those types of funds to clear.

Most buyers think that their check will not be cashed until the close of escrow, but that is not the case. The check is cashed by the escrow company immediately and held in a trust account. If anything out of the ordinary is to be done at the close of escrow with the seller’s proceeds, the escrow holder must be notified. A signed amendment is required for wiring funds or splitting proceeds.

The escrow process is just one step towards fulfilling the dream of homeownership. Your real estate professional can provide more detail on the escrow process, as well as answer other questions you may have about home buying and selling.

Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker DRE# 01325072. He can be contacted by phone or text at (925) 899-5536, pmccarran@yahoo.com or www. CallPatrick.com. An independently owned and operated office.  In association with Realty One Group Elite DRE# 0193160. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Paid advertising.

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By Chrystine Robbins, Deputy, County Administrator’s Office

(Martinez, CA) – The Contra Costa Commission for Women and Girls is currently recruiting for vacant At-Large member seats and the District IV seat. Successful candidates must reside or work within Contra Costa County. The Commission meets the fourth Tuesday of each month from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. except for holidays.

The Board of Supervisors established the Commission in 1984. The Commission has 15 member seats and one alternate seat composed of 5 District Members and 10 At-Large Members. In addition to attending monthly meetings, members will serve on sub-committees and meet with district representatives. The Contra Costa Commission for Women and Girls (CCCWG) was formed to educate the community and advise the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on issues relating to the changing social and economic conditions of women in the County, with particular emphasis on the economically disadvantaged. The Commission’s mission is, “to improve the economic status, social welfare, and overall quality of life for women in Contra Costa County.”

Application forms can be obtained from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors by calling (925) 655-2000 or visiting the County webpage at www.contracosta.ca.gov/3418. District-specific applications should be submitted directly to the respective Supervisor’s Office. All applications can also be emailed to ClerkoftheBoard@cob.cccounty.us.

For further information about the Contra Costa Commission for Women and Girls, please contact Chair Marilyn Lucey at cccwomenscommission@gmail.com. You can also visit the web page at https://www.cccwomenscommission.com/.

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Today is Constitution Day, celebrating the U.S. Constitution which was created on September 17, 1787 and ratified on March 4, 1789. Read more about the celebration and document, here. Following is the Preamble with the original spelling and punctuation.

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

To read the complete text, visit the U.S. Archives by clicking here: http://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript

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Takes 90 days to begin process

Local agencies, private groups and citizens can “identify, evaluate, register and protect California’s historical resources.”

By Allen D. Payton

In response to the sale of the historic El Campanil Theatre in Antioch’s downtown Rivertown, it was revealed that it is not yet designated an historic building by either the state or federal governments. Last year and earlier this year, District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson requested to be placed on a meeting agenda having the City look into how to preserve it as an historic site and members of the public have recently made the same request. (See related article, specifically the paragraphs below the sub-headline entitled, “One Councilmember Made Requests to Agendize Protection, But Not Purchase of El Campanil Theatre”).

A simple internet search produced the following: for state designation, the building must meet certain criteria, the owner must not object, the clerk of the local government agency must be notified 90 days prior to submitting the nomination package to the California Office of Historic Preservation – which can now be done electronically as of September 1, 2026; be recommended by the CA Historical Resources Commission; and be officially designated by the Director of California State Parks.

According to the California Historical Landmarks Registration page of the state Department of Parks and Recreation’s website, “California Historical Landmarks are sites, buildings, features, or events that are of statewide significance and have anthropological, cultural, military, political, architectural, economic, scientific or technical, religious, experimental, or other value. The specific standards now in use were first applied in the designation of Landmark # 770.  California Historical Landmarks #770 and above are automatically listed in the California Register of Historical Resources.

According to that page, “The State Historical Resources Commission has designed this program for use by state and local agencies, private groups and citizens to identify, evaluate, register and protect California’s historical resources.”

California Historical Landmarks (Landmarks) have statewide significance and California Points of Historical Interest (Points) are of local (city or county) significance.

To be designated as a California Historical Landmark, a resource must meet at least one of the criteria listed below; have the approval of the property owner(s); be recommended by the State Historical Resources Commission; and be officially designated by the Director of California State Parks.

If a site is primarily of local interest, it may meet the criteria for the California Points of Historical Interest Program.

Criteria for Designation

• Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California’s history and cultural heritage (Criterion 1).
• Is associated with the lives of persons important in our past (Criterion 2).
• Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or possesses high artistic values (Criterion 3).
• Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history (Criterion 4).

According to “the California Historical Building Code (CHBC), which is defined in Sections 18950 to 18961 of Division 13, Part 2.7 of Health and Safety Code (H&SC). The CHBC is intended to save California’s architectural heritage by recognizing the unique construction issues inherent in maintaining and adaptively reusing historic buildings. The CHBC provides alternative building regulations for permitting repairs, alterations and additions necessary for the preservation, rehabilitation, relocation, related construction, change of use, or continued use of a ‘qualified historical building or structure.’”

Furthermore, according to the Office of Historic Preservation,  “Section 18955 of the Health and Safety Code defines a ‘qualified historical building or structure’ as ‘any structure or property, collection of structures, and their associated sites deemed of importance to the history, architecture, or culture of an area by an appropriate local or state governmental jurisdiction. This shall include structures on existing or future national, state or local historical registers or official inventories, such as the National Register of Historic Places, State Historical Landmarks, State Points of Historical Interest, and city or county registers or inventories of historical or architecturally significant sites, places, historic districts, or landmarks. This shall also include places, locations, or sites identified on these historical registers or official inventories and deemed of importance to the history, architecture, or culture of an area by an appropriate local or state governmental jurisdiction.’”

The Technical Assistance Series #13 report by the California Office of Historic Preservation in the Department of Parks and Recreation, “describes the criteria and procedures for nominating a historical resource under two of the state registration programs: California Historical Landmarks (Landmarks), and California Points of Historical Interest (Points).”

STATE REGISTRATION

How to Nominate a Property as a California Historical Landmark or California Point of Historical Interest

1. Download the Nomination Packet, including all appropriate DPR 523 forms. Only use the DPR 523 Forms that are applicable to the nominated resource (generally, one DPR 523A, one DPR 523B, and, if needed, the DPR 523L Continuation Sheet) If you need assistance, contact Registration Unit staff.
2. Complete application, including all necessary supplemental forms, according to instructions. If you need assistance, contact Registration Unit staff. Note: Applicants are no longer required to submit 35mm slides as part of California Register nominations. You may follow the National Park Service Photo Policy for photos included with the DPR forms.
3. Notify the clerk of the local government in whose jurisdiction the resource is located by certified mail that an application will be filed with the OHP and request that the local government provide written comments within 90 days. The notification must include a copy of the application.
4. At the end of the 90 days, you may submit the completed application and any comments to the OHP.
5. OHP staff will send notification to the property owner (if the applicant is not the property owner) and ensure that the nomination packet is complete. Please include the Property Owners Excel Template.

How to submit a Nomination to the OHP:

As of September 1, 2026, nominations and supporting documents can be submitted to the OHP electronically. The OHP will provide each applicant with a secure folder to upload the nomination and supporting documents.

To request a nomination folder:

1. Email calshpo.registration@parks.ca.gov with the subject line “Request for nomination folder link.”
   • In the body of the email, include the
     • The name, address, city, and county of the property
     • Include the email addresses of applicants needing access to the folder.
2. A hyperlink to the folder will be emailed back to the original sender.
3. Upload a Complete Nomination Packet with the following documents:

1. Cover letter identifying
2. which registration program is being pursued,
3. the property being nominated,
4. all property owners and their complete contact information,
5. the applicant and their complete contact information, and
6. any person or organization on whose behalf the nomination is being submitted
7. Excel spreadsheet with email and mailing addresses for all owners and applicants; and
8. California Register of Historical Resources submittals include
   • Certified Mail receipt indicating that the nomination was submitted to the local jurisdiction 90 days prior to submittal to the OHP and any subsequent comment received,
   • Application cover letter, and
   • Completed DPR form(s) with maps and photographs

The OHP will contact the applicant if the documentation is not complete.

If the link to the upload folder does not work, email calshpo.registration@parks.ca.gov and a new link will be sent.

Alternatively, a USB drive with the above documentation may be sent to:

Office of Historic Preservation, ATTN: Registration, 1725 23rd Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95816

Owner Consent

Consent of owner is not required, but a resource cannot be listed over an owner’s objections. The CHRC can, however, formally determine a property eligible for the California Register if the resource owner objects.

Local Government Notification

Local government must be given 90 days in which to comment on the application before it is sent to OHP.

State Agency Assists Local Governments with Preservation Ordinances, More

According to the Mission and Responsibilities for the Office of Historic Preservation, “OHP works with California’s city and county governments to aid them in integrating historic preservation into the broader context of overall community planning and development activities by adopting a comprehensive approach to preservation planning which combines identification, evaluation, and registration of historical resources with strong local planning powers, economic incentives, and informed public participation.
“OHP provides guidance and technical assistance to city and county governments in the following areas:

• Drafting or updating preservation plans and ordinances;
• Planning for and conducting architectural, historical, and archeological surveys;
• Developing criteria for local designation programs, historic districts, historic preservation overlay zones (HPOZs), and conservation districts;
• Developing design guidelines using the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards;
• Developing economic incentives for historic preservation; and
• Training local commissions and review boards.

“OHP also administers the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program and distributes at least 10% of its annual federal Historic Preservation Fund allocation to CLGs through a competitive grant program to them in achieving their historic preservation goals.”

Federal Grants

“Through the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program, local governments receive federal grants to assist with historic preservation programs. A required minimum of ten percent of California’s yearly allocation of federal funds received through the Historic Preservation Fund Grants Program (HPF) make up the grants awarded annually to qualifying certified local governments.

The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) awards the HPF monies to CLGs in a competitive process. Forms, instructions, and deadlines for active grant cycles are posted to this page during the application periods. To see a list of recent and past award recipients, visit our CLG Grant Awards page.”

NATIONAL REGISTRATION

To nominate a building for the National Register of Historic Places, see the Checklist for Submittal: National Register of Historic Places Nomination Packet and visit this webpage on the state’s Dep’t of Parks and Recreation website for National Register Forms and Related Publications.

 

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Former East Bay financial advisor defrauded at least 93 victims

Faced faces up to 30 years in prison, $500K in fines

By U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California

OAKLAND – Edwin Emmett Lickiss, Jr., who pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in connection with a decades-long Ponzi scheme, was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar imposed the sentence.

As previously reported, Lickiss, 78, of Danville, California, admitted that he defrauded at least 93 victims of over $9.5 million from 1998 through September 2024. As part of the scheme, Lickiss said that he would invest victims’ money in exclusive, tax-free bonds that offered rates of return up to 30%. Lickiss also claimed that members of his own family had invested in the bonds, that he charged no investment fees because he had already profited so substantially, and that investors could redeem their money at any time.

In fact, the bonds did not exist. Lickiss funneled money from later victims to pay earlier investors, consistent with a Ponzi scheme. He also siphoned victim funds to pay personal expenses, including cash withdrawals, home renovations, travel, and payments on vehicles, mortgages, and personal credit cards.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) had issued an order barring Lickiss from engaging in any broker-related business from August 18, 2014, through December 17, 2014. Despite the order, Lickiss continued to fraudulently solicit and obtain investments from victims during that period.

According to the IRS, on July 21, 2025, “A federal grand jury indicted Edwin Emmett Lickiss Jr., on one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering in connection with an alleged $9.5 million investment fraud scheme. Despite the suspension and loss of his broker’s license, Lickiss allegedly continued to solicit and obtain investments from victim investors until around September 2024. Lickiss was a financial advisor based in Danville and Alamo, Calif., who owned and operated Foundation Financial Group, a firm that provided investment services to investors in the Northern District of California, Idaho, and throughout the United States.”

Lickiss was released pending the sentencing hearing. He faced a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the wire fraud count, and 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the money laundering count.

In addition, on July 21, 2025, the Securities Exchange Commission charged him with selling fraudulent promissory note investments to approximately 80 investors as part of a Ponzi scheme that lasted over 25 years. According to the SEC’s complaint, Lickiss fraudulently offered and sold to investors approximately $12.7 million in promissory notes, which purported to pay interest rates of between 9 and 32 percent per annum.

United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian, FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble, and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) San Francisco Field Office Acting Special Agent in Charge David Lowe made the announcement. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has also filed a civil enforcement action against Lickiss in the Northern District of California.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Wolinsky of the Illicit Finance and Money Laundering Section, with the assistance of Lynette Dixon. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI and IRS-CI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanks the Atlanta Regional Office of the SEC for its assistance in the investigation.

Further Information:

Case No. 4:25-CR-00202-JST

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. Judges’ calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court’s website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

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