District IV Supervisor Ken Carlson

Welcome to the District IV website! As your County Supervisor, I was elected to serve the communities of Clayton, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and Concord and the unincorporated Contra Costa Centre and Morgan Territory.

This page is devoted to being a resource for my constituents. I have provided information to assist you in reaching popular County departments and services, general information about me and the district, and updates on District 4 and Countywide initiatives.

I look forward to connecting with you.

Ken Carlson

County and Community Updates

Public Works Advises Residents to Stay Safe During Storms

Unincorporated Contra Costa County, CA - Contra Costa County Public Works maintenance crews have been clearing storm drains, catch basins, roadside ditches, monitoring and maintaining flood control channels and stocking sandbag stations in preparation for the coming storms. They encourage residents to take steps to protect themselves and their property as well. Please clear drains/gutters, watch for fallen/falling trees/limbs and other debris and look for trouble spots. If you are concerned about flooding visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/sandbags to find your nearest sandbag station. Sand & sandbags are free, please bring a shovel.

During stormy weather, Public Works encourages the driving public to avoid traveling on the roadways unless necessary due to localized flooding, downed trees, and hazardous situations. Do not attempt to cross flooded roads and if the power is out, treat all traffic signals like stop signs. They also advise residents to stay out of the creeks and flood control channels.

For road closure updates & other important information follow us on Twitter @cccpublicworks:

https://twitter.com/cccpublicworks

For winter storm preparedness tips & resources-including flood forecasting tools visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/stormprep

To report a service issue such as a clogged catch basin or drainage inlet, in unincorporated Contra Costa County, please call the Public Works Maintenance Division at 925-313-7000 during work hours and after-hours call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 925-646-2441. To learn how you can report service issues to us from your mobile device using our free Mobile Citizen App visit: www.contracosta.ca.gov/MobileCitizen

FEMA has Approved Individual Assistance for Residents of Contra Costa

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Individual Assistance (IA) for residents of Contra Costa County. FEMA provides Individual Assistance to eligible individuals and households who have sustained losses as a direct result of a disaster that receives a federal disaster declaration. Residents who have sustained property and business damage from the 12/31/22 – 1/30/23 series of Winter storms can seek assistance directly from FEMA.

Residents should apply online on FEMA's Website or call 1-800-621-3362. Applying does not guarantee that assistance will be awarded. The disaster designation is: California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

Note: If you have insurance, you should file a claim with your insurance company immediately. FEMA assistance cannot aid with losses already covered by insurance. If you have additional questions, visit FEMA's Website.

March Actions of the Month

1. Did you know that Turning Off the Faucet while you brush your teeth can save up to 1,500 gallons of water per year! Already good at managing the faucet but still have a high water bill? Try these troubleshooting tips from National Fix a Leak Week March 20-26.

2. Spring is a great time to Plant a Tree and you can even join a gardening event the weekend of March 25th and 26th with a great non-profit called Growing Healthy Kids. Earn your green-thumb and help local elementary schools plant their garden.

3. Do you want to save money on your energy bill? Read about Participating in Demand Response, where you volunteer to lower your energy use a bit for an hour or two when energy demand spikes. Get paid to reduce your carbon!

The Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge is an online platform promoted by Sustainable Contra Costa to save CO2, water, energy and build more resilient communities.

1. Adopt a Storm Drain - Did you know that everything that goes down the storm drain on your street ends up in our rivers, streams and even the ocean? Keeping drains clean also helps to reduce flooding in a storm. It’s easy to do and helpful to our communities.

2. Too bad that our 49ers are not going to the Big Game:( After football season ends, is it time to Retire that extra fridge/freezer? An extra refrigerator or freezer can cost you up to an extra $250 per year (or more if it’s older)! Do you really need it? If not ready for retirement, at least unplug it for the unused months so it saves energy and $$.

3. Get a Home Energy Check-Up- an expert Energy Analyst examines each room of your house to identify projects that can save you money and energy. You may pay as little as $50-$150 for an Energy Checkup, but receive up to $300-$500 or more worth of services. They may even do some minor upgrades for you, like installing LED light bulbs. Or you can DIY by checking out a BayREN energy toolkit at your local library.

For more information, please visit the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge Website.