YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 21, No. 34
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Fire board, developer talks continue by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District board this week held off on publicly stating its opinion on a proposed urban limit line (ULL) expansion initiative and associated elements, and will continue discussions with the measure’s leaders on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) involving fire protection for a possible large housing project that could materialize if Brentwood voters approve the initiative in November. The proposed measure — spearheaded by a group of local developers, including longtime Brentwood farmer and developer Ron Nunn — would move the mark at which urban development must stop, clearing the way for a proposed 815-acre project of up to 2,400 residential units (at least 80% age-restricted, active adultspecific), with other elements, situated north of Balfour Road, east of Deer Valley Road and west of the Shadow Lakes and Brentwood
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Matt Beinke, of GBN Partners, LLC, listens to discussions Monday evening regarding a resolution proposed by GBN to provide the fire district with $750,000 to start up a two-person rescue squad and future support. Hills neighborhoods. The first version of the proposed MOU between the resourcestretched, three-station district and the development group (GBN Partners, LLC) stipulated that the group would fund equipment and startup costs for a two-person rescue squad (about $750,000); col-
laborate with the district, the city and other developers to identify the squad’s operating funding; establish or participate in a community facilities district to provide ongoing funding for fire protection and emergency response services, at levels consistent with those provided by other new developments in
Brentwood; participate with other new development — on a fairshare basis — to fund the development, design and construction of a new fire station; and broadly work with the district and city on longterm funding mechanisms for the district’s needs. The development group had requested the district endorse the measure and project in light of its commitments. Before the board decided to continue discussions, Fire Chief Brian Helmick said the district needs to do whatever it can to improve community service levels — currently, three stations cover approximately 249 square miles and over 115,000 residents — and the MOU was designed to put the district in a position to accomplish that goal, with the large project possibly on the horizon. But several board members felt the development group’s promises didn’t go far enough, prompting the governing body to take no see Talks page 26
Liberty High upgrades moving along by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Brentwood’s reigning state champion Liberty High School football team is expected to play only two of its five regularly scheduled home games on campus this season. But the Lions faithful are cheering loudly — the temporary changes will give way to stadium renovations and eventual on-campus facility improvements. “This is just phase one of awesome things for the community,” said Ryan Partridge, the school’s athletic director and head varsity football coach. “It will affect so many people. We are just so excited about it.”
Come October, Ohmstede Field is expected to feature a new entrance, fresh and expanded home-side bleachers, and a redone ticket booth, concession stand and bathrooms. And those improvements are just the kickoff for what’s to come, all courtesy of Measure U — a $122 million bond measure approved by area voters in 2016. A new weight room behind and underneath the home-side bleachers, and four basketball courts for use by physical education classes, as well as students during lunch, are slated for completion in the beginning of November; a new aquatic center see Upgrades page 26
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Quilting For The Gold
Tippy Weisz wins Delta Quilters Guild’s Best of Show. Page 9
Emergency Training
Fire crews complete training for working with medical helicopters. Page 6
Star Power On The Track
Oakley’s Katie Sullivan breaks boundaries and records in motorcycle drag racing. Page 16
Photo by Tony Kukulich
Construction work continues at Liberty High School’s Ohmstede Field in Brentwood, Tuesday, Aug. 20. The field is expected to be ready in time for the Liberty Lions homecoming game against Pittsburg Oct. 18.
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BART Grant
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BART has been awarded $1.7 million to pay for continued police patrols on trains.
Calendar................................27 Classifieds.............................21 Cop Logs................................25 Entertainment.......................9 Food..........................................8 Health & Beauty..................10 Milestones............................12 Opinion..................................14 Pets.........................................11 Sports.....................................16
District Report
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Park District issues 10-year report on Measure WW local grant program.