In brief: Food bank’s newly improved Concord volunteer center unveiled
State Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Contra Costa County, who secured $1.5 million for the facility, joined leaders of the organization and local community for the event.
CONCORD
State Sen. Sen. Steve Glazer, D-Contra Costa County, joined community and food bank leaders July 26 to unveil the food bank’s newly improved Concord volunteer center, presenting an oversized $1.5 million check representing the state funds he previously secured for the organization.
The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano has used those funds since their allocation to buy two trucks for food distribution and to improve two of its volunteer sites — one in Fairfield and one in Concord. The organization provides emergency and supplemental food to 400,000 residents each month in Contra Costa and Solano counties.
“These improvements will greatly enhance the volunteer experience at the food bank and support our fight against hunger,” Glazer said. “These state monies will have a direct impact on the lives of people who are in such great need of help.”
The renovations at the Concord volunteer center include ceiling fans and heating units, updated audio-visual equipment, construction of two new all-gender restrooms and sinks and new furniture.
— state Sen. Steve Glazer’s office
OAKLEY
Register for suicide prevention walk Oct. 12 at Civic Center
The Oakley chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is hosting an Out of the Darkness Walk on Oct. 12 at Oakley’s Civic Center Plaza. Register today for this community event designed to raise awareness and fundraise for suicide prevention.
Organizers of the this gathering welcome participants of all ages, including kids and friendly dogs, to unite in support of mental health and honor those affected by suicide. Join us to promote hope and healing together. Feel free to refer to our website for FAQ’s or contact the AFSP Oakley chapter’s chair for more information.
For online details or to register, visit bit.ly/4bWxxDn.
— Vei Uesi, AFSP Oakley chapter
Ironhouse Sanitary District hires new general manager
The Ironhouse Sanitary District (ISD) has named wastewater industry expert Jean-Marc Petit as its new general manager as of July 22. Bringing nearly 40 years of water industry and engineering experience to the role, Petit will direct Ironhouse in creating clean water solutions for more than 47,000 residents and businesses in Oakley and unincorporated Bethel Island.
He will lead Ironhouse as ISD advances critical projects, including recycled water efforts, development on Jersey Island and continued public outreach. Petit’s goal is to reinforce a resilient system and partner with regional and federal agencies to provide unparalleled benefits to the area.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jean-Marc Petit to the Ironhouse family,” Ironhouse Board President Chris Lauritzen said. “Jean-Marc is well-respected in the wastewater industry for his capability as an engineer and wealth of knowledge. We know he will serve the region with integrity and reliability.”
Petit comes to Ironhouse from HDR Engineering, where he served as Wastewater Business Class Leader. In this role, Petit led and grew HDR’s largest Water Business Group as an experienced mentor and project manager. Before his time at HDR Engineering, Petit was Senior Vice President at CDM Smith, a global engineering and construction firm. Petit also spent more than eight years as the Director of Engineering and Technical Services at Central Contra Costa Sanitary District.
Before coming to the Bay Area, Petit worked as a project manager at Strand Associates for more than 12 years in Madison, Wisconsin. Petit has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in Civil-Environmental Engineering from Colorado State University. He is licensed by the state of California as a professional engineer.
“I am grateful to be part of the Ironhouse team,” Petit said. “I hope to apply all I have learned in my 40 years in wastewater to lead Ironhouse into the future. I know the district is dedicated to its customers and keeping them educated and informed, and I will serve the public first with these values in mind.”
For more information online, visit ironhousesanitarydistrict.com.
— ISD
CONCORD
See how city government works in Community Academy
The city of Concord is accepting applications for the fall 2024 session of the Concord Community Academy — a program designed for people who live, work or own a business in Concord to take part in discussions and activities with fellow community members and meet elected officials and staff to gain insight into how the city operates.
“Not only do you get to network with like-minded residents and have a genuinely nice time together, you learn so much about Concord and where you can get involved,” said recent graduate Dena Acosta-Beere. “Every session taught me something new about our city, and the behind-the-scenes access to places like the former Concord Naval Weapons Station and the Police Department was thrilling. City staff and officials are so lovely and generous, and now I feel I have friends throughout our local government.”
For the Fall 2024 Academy, six classes will be held Sept. 7-28, and participants must be able to attend all classes. Three classes will be held on Saturdays during the day, while the other three will be held Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. At the first meeting, staff will present an introduction to local government, followed by a bus tour of the city and lunch.
Participants will learn about an array of topics including public safety, the former Naval Weapons Station base reuse plan, economic development efforts, recreation services, public works, budgeting and finance, city planning and the development review process. The final class on Sept. 28 will conclude with a tour of the former Naval Weapons Station, a wrap-up and a graduation certificate presentation.
The program is free and open to applicants 18 or older. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Aug. 7. For more information or to apply online, visit cityofconcord.org/academy.
— city of Concord
Mount Diablo schools amend policy on free meals for youth
The Mount Diablo Unified School District has announced an amendment to its policy for serving meals to students under the USDA National School Lunch/School Breakfast Programs for the 2024-25 school year.
All district schools, as well as Eagle Peak Montessori, now participate in a federal provision known as Community Eligibility Provision. Students enrolled in these schools can receive one breakfast and one lunch every school day in the 2024-25 school year at no cost.
Your enrolled student is already set up to receive these meals. No action required. For additional information, please contact Food & Nutrition Services at 925-682-8000 ext. 3775 or foodservicessec@mdusd.org.
— MDUSD
BRENTWOOD
Trash collectors implementing route rebalancing effort
As part of the city of Brentwood’s effort for continuous improvement and efficiency, the Solid Waste Department started implementing a route rebalancing effort in July that may impact the day residents’ trash, recycling or green waste is picked up.
Route rebalancing is an essential alternative to costly facility expansion and will result in the following:
• improving the efficiency of the city’s transfer station processing by balancing out the volumes of recycling streams each week;
• enhancing the collection efficiency by optimizing all routes;
• alternating recycling and yard waste schedules identified by red or yellow zones for half of the city’s customers;
• possible changes in residents’ garbage service days.
All affected customers will receive a postcard in the mail with detailed information about specific changes in their service schedules. Visit brentwoodca.gov/route online for more detailed information.
— city of Brentwood
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