The Danville Town Council is set to discuss the future of downtown in a study session Tuesday afternoon, with proclamations marking Disabilities Awareness Month and Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month scheduled for the regular meeting later that evening.

Councilmembers are set to hear a presentation on the progress and next steps for the Downtown Master Plan update from Diane Friedmann, deputy development services director, during a study session at a special meeting just ahead of the regular council meeting.

During the regular meeting, Mayor Robert Storer is set to issue a proclamation declaring March as Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month, and a proclamation recognizing March as National Disabilities Awareness Month.

Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month seeks to highlight "that many prescription drugs can alter a person's thinking and judgment, and can lead to health risks, including addiction, impaired driving, infectious disease, and adverse effects on pregnancy," according to the proclamation prepared for the upcoming meeting.

Of the 80,411 opioid deaths estimated nationally by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 183 were in Contra Costa County, according to the proclamation, as were 341 of 21,016 emergency room visits related to opioid overdose nationally, according to data from 2021.

National Disabilities Awareness Month was first put into place in 1987, with this year marking the 33rd annual recognition of the month since the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The proclamation highlights that "the recognition of the contributions of persons with disabilities is an effective way to overcome negative stereotypes and eliminate physical and attitudinal barriers to employment, public services, public accommodations, transportation, and providing access to telecommunications, websites, online systems, mobile apps, and other forms of communication and technology."

The Danville Town Council's special meeting is set for 4 p.m. on Tuesday (March 21). The agenda is available here.

The regular meeting is set to follow at 5 p.m. The agenda is available here.