Rep DeSaulnier Secures over $15.2 Million for Local Projects

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that he secured over $15.2 million for community projects across Contra Costa and Alameda Counties in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (H.R. 4366), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 339-to-85.

The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Joe Biden shortly. This funding will go to 15 projects in our community to address homelessness and the high cost of living, improve transportation systems and infrastructure, bolster public safety, protect the environment, and expand access to quality education.

“I am proud to deliver over $15 million to our district to address the high cost of living too many families face, create greater educational opportunity, tackle our transportation and public safety challenges, and safeguard our environment for generations to come,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier. “This funding will have a meaningful and direct impact on the lives of Contra Costa and Alameda County residents and I am grateful for the partnership and advocacy of our local governments and organizations to invest in our community.”

“Habitat for Humanity is so grateful for Representative DeSaulnier’s advocacy to secure $1M for Esperanza Place. This funding is a transformative catalyst – transformation that shows up in families securely housed, long-held dreams achieved, and a generational cycle of positive change in our community. Habitat depends on the leadership of government partners like Representative DeSaulnier, with the vision and tenacity to help us make affordable homeownership a reality for more of our neighbors,” said Janice Jensen, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley.

“Seneca Family of Agencies is delighted to partner with Congressman DeSaulnier’s office in building system capacity in Contra Costa County to more effectively identify and respond to commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking. This is such an important issue impacting young people in our community – we are eager to get to work enhancing the system coordination needed to make a real impact,” said Leticia Galyean, CEO of Seneca Family of Agencies.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Congressman Mark DeSaulnier for his unwavering support and dedication to our community. With his invaluable assistance, securing $850,000 for the Enrico Cinquini Park Construction Project, we’re one step closer to realizing our vision of a vibrant and inclusive public space. Congressman DeSaulnier’s commitment to enhancing our local infrastructure exemplifies true leadership and service to the people,” said Anissa Williams, Mayor of Oakley.

“Many people, especially those with lower incomes, are priced out of electric upgrades because their electrical panel won’t support it,” said Dawn Weisz, MCE CEO. “This funding will dramatically increase the number of homeowners that choose to go electric by covering these significant, incremental costs. Thank you to Representative DeSaulnier for making this possible and helping improve indoor air quality and home safety by eliminating the use of carbon-emitting natural gas.”

“The Unity Council is thankful to Congressmember Mark DeSaulnier for championing this critical project. This award will positively impact Head Start and Early Head Start families along the Monument Corridor by supporting our goals to build a state of the art center. The new center will offer better facilities and enhanced services, benefitting more children and families while fostering community engagement,” said Chris Iglesias, CEO, The Unity Council.

“We deeply appreciate the leadership of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier in ensuring that our Concord shelter and service center is available for people who need it,” said Contra Costa Health (CCH) Chief Executive Officer Anna Roth. “With Congressman DeSaulnier’s support, Contra Costa is making strides to grow and improve our ability to deliver resources our community urgently needs.”

“Zone 7 Water Agency is committed to delivering safe, high-quality water that meets all federal and state regulations. Building on last year’s success of the construction of the first PFAS treatment facility in Northern California, this appropriation of federal funds for the construction of the next project, the Chain of Lakes PFAS Treatment Facility, will benefit the Tri-Valley as a whole by ensuring that groundwater remains a reliable local water supply,” said Valerie Pryor, General Manager at Zone 7 Water Agency.

“Congressman DeSaulnier’s continued leadership to protect the Sacramento – San Joaquin Delta has once again resulted in federal funding for Contra Costa County. The $150,000 will benefit the Knightsen Wetland Restoration Project and restore 645-acres of wetland and upland habitats for threatened and endangered species, improve Delta water quality, and increase resilience to flood events,” said Supervisor Federal Glover, Chair, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.

“We are filled with gratitude to Congressman DeSaulnier for supporting LAVTA’s vision of a sustainable zero-emissions future. The Congressman has been a true leader in regards to supporting transportation. This legislation provides essential infrastructure funding to build robust hydrogen facilities that fuel our buses and provide riders with clean, zero-emission transit throughout the Tri-Valley,” said Melissa Hernandez, Mayor of Dublin and LAVTA Board Chair.

“The City of Lafayette greatly appreciates Congressman DeSaulnier’s submission of this project for federal funding. The project will create a rain garden, restore native riparian wildlife habitat, and stabilize the banks along a portion of the west reach of Lafayette Creek, as well as include signage to educate the community about improving climate change resilience,” Gina Dawson, Mayor of Lafayette.

“We are grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s continued support for Walnut Creek and the broader community,” said Loella Haskew, Mayor of Walnut Creek. “Ygnacio Valley Road is a main thoroughfare in our region and the rehabilitation work will have a large noticeable impact. The radio system is a critical piece of public safety. Upgrading our radios will enhance police officers’ ability to communicate with other agencies and save lives.”

“We would like to thank Congressman DeSaulnier for the support to expand our fiber optic network throughout the City. Funding will improve connectivity to the situational camera system that optimizes traffic flow, as well as connectivity to public safety license plate readers throughout the City,” said Dave Hudson, Mayor of San Ramon.

“The City of Dublin champions Congressman DeSaulnier’s dedicated efforts in allocating funding for the Situational Awareness Cameras Project,” said Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez. “These funds will continue to enhance our community’s safety, providing a positive impact on our residents and businesses.”

The 15 projects Congressman Mark DeSaulnier secured funding for are:

Homelessness and High Cost of Living Projects:

• $1,431,222 for the Concord Shelter and Service Center Roofing Project for Contra Costa Health Services to replace the roof and skylights at a homeless shelter facility to ensure safe, comfortable living conditions for program recipients.
• $1,000,000 for the Esperanza Place Phase 2 Project for Habitat for Humanity to build 19 affordable housing units, community space, play areas, and a bike locker and private yard for every unit near the Pleasant Hill BART station.

Transportation and Infrastructure Projects:

• $3,000,000 for the Hydrogen Fueling Station Expansion Project to add a second hydrogen fueling tank, allowing the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority to fuel its entire fleet.
• $2,000,000 for the San Ramon Intelligent Transportation System and Citywide Communications Infrastructure Project to build out a publicly-owned, citywide fiber optic network for use by businesses and residences, as well as smart traffic signals, city facilities, and license plate reader cameras.
• $1,235,057 for the Ygnacio Valley Road Rehabilitation Project for the City of Walnut Creek to repave the roadway between Oak Grove Road and the city limits and to implement traffic safety improvements to maintain the roadway pavement and improve overall traffic safety.

Public Safety Projects:

• $740,000 for the Antioch Gunshot Detection Technology Project to help protect against gun violence by adding an additional five linear miles of gunshot detection technology on the freeways within the Antioch Police Department’s jurisdiction.
• $198,000 for the Situational Awareness Cameras Project for the City of Dublin to increase community safety through the purchase and installation of situational awareness cameras near public parks and schools.
• $963,000 for the Public Safety Radio Replacement Project to upgrade the City of Walnut Creek’s radio equipment to improve communication between public safety jurisdictions in the East Bay in emergency response situations.

Environmental Projects:

• $959,752 for the Chain of Lakes PFAS Treatment Facility Project for the Zone 7 Water Agency to construct a treatment system to remove harmful PFAS chemicals from groundwater in the Tri-Valley.
• $850,000 for the Enrico Cinquini Park Construction Project to build a new park in Oakley with a natural turf field, a covered picnic and barbeque area, restrooms, an enhanced playground, and parking lot.
• $850,000 for the Marin Clean Energy Enabling Electrification Project to create a dedicated fund to support income-qualified customers who need, but cannot afford, prehabilitation work on their home to install electrification technologies, including heat pump water heaters, heat pump HVAC systems, induction cooktops, battery storage systems, electric vehicle chargers, and more.
• $150,000 for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta One Water Initiative Knightsen Wetland Restoration Project for Contra Costa County to work in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to restore the Knightsen Wetland habitat.
• $900,000 for the West Reach Creek Access Project to increase access to West Reach Creek in Lafayette through a new dirt path and to restore native wildlife habitat.

Education and Youth Services Projects:

• $450,000 for the Contra Costa Commercial and Sexual Exploitation of Children Navigators Capacity Building Initiative Project for the Seneca Family of Agencies to help law enforcement protect children from exploitation by bridging systems gaps and increasing coordination among police departments, the probation system, juvenile courts and judges, behavioral health partners, child welfare partners, and community-based organizations.
• $500,000 for the Monument Corridor Head Start and Early Head Start Preschool Facility Project for the Spanish Speaking Unity Council of Alameda County to expand access to quality, affordable education through the acquisition of land and construction of a new facility.

Each year Congress provides Member-directed federal funding to a select number of Community Projects through the appropriations process. Under this process, each House member is allowed to submit 15 project requests on behalf of their Congressional District to the Appropriations Committee that are subject to a strict transparency and accountability process and that meet the criteria set forth by the Appropriations Committee, detailed here. Examples of the vetting process include certifying that Members have no financial interest in these projects, an audit of a sampling of these projects by the Government Accountability Office, and a requirement for demonstrated community support and engagement for each submission.

According to Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, more information on each project and the certifications of no financial interest can be found here.

Related:

• March 7 – Garamendi Finalizes $13.5 Million For Local Projects in Government Funding Package