Mayor and City Councilmembers:
This is the weekly report for the two weeks ending September 20th, 2013.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24th beginning with a Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by the regular agenda at 6:30 PM.
- Richmond! Your Home Front for Business
The City of Richmond partnered with the Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau and the San Francisco Business Times to create a special advertising supplement to their September 13, 2013, publication: Richmond! Your Home Front for Business. This advertising supplement is designed to highlight the diverse, burgeoning industries that are recognizing Richmond as the best business option in the Bay Area.
Richmond’s strategic, central location, sensible real estate values, tax incentives and welcoming climate are all contributing factors to the city’s broad based business and industrial growth. And the city’s diverse neighborhoods, pristine marinas, recreational and cultural amenities, and more miles of shoreline than any other city in the Bay Area, make Richmond among the most unique communities in California.
You are invited to review a copy of Richmond! Your Home Front for Business on the City’s website at www.ci.richmond.ca.us to read about the Bay Area’s best kept secret and to see what’s causing a new energy in Richmond.
- Dornan Drive Tunnel Reopening
After its unexpected closure in February, the Dornan Drive Tunnel opened to the public this past Friday, September 13th. TPA Construction Inc., the contractor working on the tunnel rehabilitation project, completed the extensive void repair, which included the installation of a 12-inch thick, 23 foot wide reinforced concrete band under the existing tunnel lining at the void locations. This additional work was required when, during the void repair, extensive amounts of rock and debris began falling from above the voids.
New striping and new warning signs notifying drivers of the 13-foot tunnel clearance have been installed, and all light fixtures have been cleaned and repaired. Also, with the assistance of the Public Works Department, two new light fixtures have been installed at the locations where fixtures were missing prior to construction. The contractor also assisted in the preparation of the south tunnel elevation to assist with the installation of the latest John Wehrle mural that now adorns this location.
Dornan Drive Tunnel Circa early 1912
Dornan Drive Tunnel 9/12/13
- Help Clean Richmond Shoreline on September 21st!
Supervisor John Gioia, the Watershed Project and the City of Richmond are calling all volunteers for the Annual California Coastal Cleanup along the Richmond shoreline. On Saturday, September 21st at 9:00 AM, volunteers will meet at Shimada Park in Marina Bay and then span out along the shore picking up trash and debris. A kayak flotilla will collect trash from the water.
This is a great opportunity to join friends and neighbors as environmental stewards, improving the health of the San Francisco Bay and Richmond’s shoreline.
Volunteers will enjoy a free, healthy lunch at Shimada Park at noon. Please bring a refillable water bottle, work gloves, and refillable debris bucket if you have one. Supplies, snacks, and lunch will be provided.
For more information, contact Kate Rauch at Supervisor Gioia's office at kate.rauch@bos.cccounty.us or at (510) 231-8686 or the Watershed Project at volunteer@thewatershedproject.org or at (510) 665-3430.
- Officer Bradley A. Moody Memorial Underpass Project
The Bradley A. Moody Memorial Underpass Project involves the construction of a roadway underpass on Marina Bay Parkway between Meeker Avenue and Regatta Boulevard, and is intended to resolve long-standing access limitations to the Marina Bay Area caused by frequent train crossings. On September 3rd, Marina Bay Parkway was closed to traffic. This closure will remain in place for approximately 18 months.
This past week, while utility relocation work continued, the first of three shipments of steel piles for the deep soil mix (“DSM”) walls arrived and DSM construction started. This is a major component of the project and is a significant milestone. This work is one of the most time-critical operations for the project, and the community can expect DSM work to take place on most weekends during this phase of the project.
 
For the week of September 23rd, crews will continue utility relocation work and DSM production. Certain segments of the DSM and bridge construction work will necessarily require closure of the railroad to train traffic. These closure windows, which are determined by the railroad companies, are for up to six individual weekends, and will necessitate 24 hour a day work shifts over those weekends. The weekends are not anticipated to be consecutive. The tentative first weekend closure window is currently expected to be October 18th to 21st, but is subject to change. Please view the project website for updates.
For additional information and to be added to the project update contact list, please see the project website at www.moodyup.com. You can also follow the project on twitter: @moodyunderpass.
- Civic Center Noontime Concert Series
Community members can enjoy lunch in the Civic Center Plaza with special musical entertainment provided by The East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. The first musical lunch hour was this past Wednesday, with entertainment provided by the Richmond Jazz Collective. The next two melodic lunchtimes are:
Son de la Tierra Friday, September 27th
West African Music & Dance Ensemble Thursday, October 3rd
Each concert begins at 12:30 PM.
- Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) receives $399,472 grant from the United States Department of Justice
The Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) has received a second consecutive year of funding (for a total of $798,944) to facilitate and administer a demonstration program that supports collaborations of qualified, established mentoring program sites.
The East Bay Mentoring Partnership (EBMP) will enhance four mentoring programs by equipping mentors to serve as teachers and advocates for their mentees. The partnership will develop and implement: 1) a centralized process for mentor applications and screening and assessment of mentors and mentees (this includes employing an online Mentor Management System and common tools and interviews) in order to base matches on alignment between mentee needs and interests, skills, and experiences, 2) a comprehensive mentor training program emphasizing positive youth development principles and practices, and 3) use of online mentoring logs, weekly debriefings, a blog, and mentor team activities to provide ongoing support to mentors.
These enhancements will target a population of 300+ youth, ages 11-15, who are at high risk of dropping out of school. Project goals are to: 1) improve matching, mentor training and support, and retention (measured by documentation of the match process and decisions, training and attendance logs, surveys, retention analysis); 2) improve mentees’ school engagement and performance (measured by improvements in attendance, suspensions, GPA, and on track to graduate data); and, 3) prevent gang involvement and delinquency (measured by avoidance of arrests or offenses, gang involvement, and revictimization). The EBMP will participate in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention funded evaluation.
- Neighborhood Safety Director Invited by the World Health Organization (WHO) to Participate in Violence Prevention Meeting in Mexico City
Office of Neighborhood Safety Director DeVone Boggan has been invited to attend and share his expertise to shaping global violence prevention at the Sixth Milestones of a Global Campaign for Violence Prevention Meeting being hosted in Mexico City Mexico by the World Health Organization (WHO). The theme of the meeting is “Towards Measureable Violence Prevention Targets.” The convening will focus on consolidating global, regional and national efforts to strengthen the measurement of violence prevention targets in the years ahead. During the meeting, plans will be laid to increase action, political support and funding for violence prevention worldwide.
Director Boggan will use this occasion to provide a select group of Operation Peacemaker Fellows (Richmond Youth/Young Adults) with a Peacemaker Fellowship “educational, civic and cultural exchange and engagement” opportunity. Two City of Richmond Neighborhood Change Agents will accompany the Director and the Fellows. The Richmond Delegation will use this as an opportunity to meet with other California delegation members and members of other national communities attending to discuss, learn about, and share promising violence prevention and intervention practices, including the City of Richmond Office of Neighborhood Safety and Peacemaker Fellowship models.
All travel and meeting expenses are being paid for by the World Health Organization/The California Wellness Foundation and The California Endowment Peacemaker Fellowship Fund.
- Fall Exhibitions Open at the Richmond Art Center
This fall, the Richmond Art Center is featuring a new series of exhibitions, including “Bella: A 50-year survey of the work of Bella Feldman,” the first major survey of artist Bella Feldman’s 50-year career, and the first exhibition in which her various bodies of work will be shown together. Two galleries and a sculpture courtyard will showcase Feldman’s impressive steel sculptures, mixed-media collages and her latest explorations in large oil paintings.
Also on exhibit are “Formed and Fired: Clay & Glass,” a group exhibition of the Association of Clay and Glass Artists of California and “Inspiration: Richmond Art Center Faculty Show.” A reception with the artists will take place on Saturday, September 21st from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Exhibitions run from September 14th through November 15th; Tuesday through Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. More information can be found at: http://www.therac.org.
All residents, businesses, or other interested people who are interested in learning more about crime prevention can sign-up at rpdcommunity@richmondpd.net to receive biweekly crime/community e-blasts from Richmond Police Department’s (RPD) Crime Prevention Division.
Subscribers can contact RPD at the e-mail above and list SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. RPD will never share information outside of the department regarding these lists, so the privacy of our subscribers will be protected.
- SmartLights Small Business Campaign
The City’s Environmental and Health Initiatives staff is partnering with the nonprofit California Energy Services Corporation to provide all Richmond small businesses with the chance to enroll in the SmartLights program. SmartLights is specially designed to help small businesses become more energy-efficient. This program offers free start-to-finish technical assistance and instant rebates to help defray the cost of upgrading and/or repairing existing equipment.
SmartLights can help with comprehensive lighting retrofits, refrigeration tune-ups, controls and seals replacement, replacing domestic hot water heaters, and referrals to appropriate HVAC programs. SmartLights services include: a free, no obligation energy-efficiency assessment, instant rebates (typically range from 50%-70% of total project costs and up to 90% in some instances), negotiated volume pricing with qualified installation contractors, free start-to-finish project management and quality control, rebates paid directly to the contractor to help defray your out-of-pocket costs, and referrals to other energy efficiency programs as needed. The SmartLights program is funded by ratepayer subsidies from MCE and PG&E. The City’s Environmental and Health Initiatives staff have reached out to over 350 businesses so far and conducted 50 audits.
SmartLights serves small to medium sized businesses, institutions, non-profits, and multi-family buildings (with 5 or more units). This is a great opportunity for Richmond business owners to lower energy demands and save money each month. To enroll in the program or find more information, visit http://ebenergy.org/smart-lights-program/ or call Mike Uberti at (510) 620-5502.
- New Business License Listings
The Finance Department reports that 130 new business licenses have been issued during the current fiscal year. Based on data from their business license applications, these businesses have added 300 new jobs to the Richmond economy.
- Mobile Farmers’ Market in Richmond
The Freshest Cargo Mobile Farmers’ Market is a “farmers’ market on wheels” that provides neighborhood-based access to fresh, locally-grown produce in the Bay Area. Freshest Cargo now operates in several communities in Contra Costa County, and will initiate stop at several locations in Richmond on Wednesdays. The market accepts cash, EBT, Visa and Mastercard.
The following locations will be served on Wednesdays - click here for a map!
- 10:00 AM -11:30 AM | West Contra Costa YMCA • Maine Avenue at South 19th Street
- 12:00 PM -1:30 PM | North Richmond • Chesley Avenue at Fred Jackson Way
- 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Parchester Community • Williams Drive at Collins Avenue.
Fresh Approach will also provide 48 interactive nutrition education sessions at community-based organizations to promote purchasing local fruits and vegetables and the CalFresh nutrition assistance programs that will be accepted at the market.
This project is supported by a grant from the USDA through the Farmers’ Market Promotion Program. More information is available at: www.freshapproach.org.
The City of Richmond Environmental and Health Initiatives partnered with the non-profit GRID Alternatives, an organization that brings the benefits of solar energy into underserved communities, to expand Richmond’s growing solar-powered reputation. On Saturday, September 7th, more than 150 volunteers – individual sponsors, corporate teams, job trainees and the homeowners themselves – installed solar electric systems for eight families who would otherwise be unable to afford it as part of the GRID Alternatives Solarthon, an annual solar block party and fundraiser.
Each Solarthon family will save approximately 75 percent on their electricity bills from day one and the installations are expected to save the families $148,000 over the 30-year lifetime of the systems, all while contributing to cleaner air.
GRID Alternatives has installed 124 systems in Richmond to date, including 48 through Environmental and Health Initiative’s Richmond Recovery Rebates (R3) program. The City of Richmond is excited to continue this partnership to make clean energy accessible to our diverse population while bringing job skill-building opportunities to students on the installation sites.
- Belding Garcia Playground!
Saturday, October 26th, is Make a Difference Day, the largest day of national community service. On this day, volunteers around the nation will work in their communities to improve the lives of others. From 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on October 26th, the Richmond community is invited to join residents of the Belding Woods Neighborhood and community partners as they rebuild the Belding Garcia Playground located at 17th Street and Coalinga Avenue.
The new playground will provide children, ages 2 to 12, and families with a positive, safe, and fun environment. Additionally, the improved playground will enhance youths’ imagination around play, help develop friendships, and be the meeting place for cherished memories.
All skill levels and talents are welcome and no experience is necessary. There are a variety of opportunities for volunteers to make a positive impact. Volunteers are needed to assist with building playground equipment pieces, serving food, registering fellow volunteers, and leading activities for children.
Your time will help improve the lives of many in the Belding Woods Neighborhood. Register today to volunteer at http://beldinggarciaplayground.eventbrite.com/. For inquiries, please contact Alicia Nightengale at (510) 620-5460 or Bertha Romo at (510) 620-5535.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 26th!
- 2013 Community Survey Available to All Richmond Residents to Complete
If your household was not one of the 3,000 households selected to receive the survey, but you would like to provide feedback to the city, then now is your chance. The 2013 Richmond Community Survey can now be completed by ALL Richmond residents by accessing the links below.
• English: http://www.n-r-c.com/survey/richmond2013survey.htm
• Spanish: http://www.n-r-c.com/survey/richmond2013encuesta.htm
Feel free to contact LaShonda Wilson-White in the City Manager’s office at (510) 620-6828 with questions, comments, or to obtain a paper copy of the survey. Your input can help make the City of Richmond a better place to live, work and play. We currently have over 300 surveys submitted and we look forward to receiving your feedback!
Please note that the results of the random survey will be presented to the City Council at its September 24th meeting.
On Monday, September 2nd at 5:15 PM, the Fire Department responded to a four acre vegetation fire in a heavy brush area off Garrity Way. The first arriving Richmond units found one to two acres of grass and brush burning up a steep slope close to the Tides Apartment complex and near the Century Theaters. Once the fire began to spread, a request for mutual aid was made immediately. Fire units from Cal Fire, East Bay Regional Parks Fire, and Contra Costa County Fire responded. Cal Fire provided two hand crews who proceeded to cut a fire break around the four acre fire. The East Bay Regional Parks District had their Helicopter, Eagle I, provide water drops on the inaccessible areas of the fire. Contra Costa County Fire engines were assigned structure protection behind the Tides Apartments. The fire crews were challenged by very difficult terrain and gusty wind conditions. The fire response consisted of 56 personnel staffing six engines, one water tender, and one helicopter. The fire was contained after two hours and is under investigation by Richmond Fire Prevention Bureau. No injuries were reported by fire personnel or civilians.
- Code Enforcement Unit Update
Code Enforcement Vacant Property Enforcement Success Stories
In the Iron Triangle neighborhood, two abandoned, vacant, and foreclosed homes that were used as a local dumping grounds were recently rehabilitated and can once again be an asset to the community. As the result of enforcement efforts, the banks sold the properties to owners who have rehabilitated the properties.
 
Before After
 
Before After
 
Before After
Code Enforcement Graffiti Removal Program in Action
Graffiti/Tag Removal along the John Knox Freeway and Railroad corridor.
Before After
 
 
Code Enforcement Unit Employee of the Month – Nicole Ewing
Nicole was nominated and received the July employee of the month recognition for “always being available to assist others when asked a question. If she doesn’t have the answer, she will honestly admit it and then try to find the answer.” Nicole is known for being an approachable team member with a positive attitude. Congratulations Nicole, and keep up the good work!
Abatement of Homeless Encampment
The Abatement Crew removed an extensive homeless encampment at 6th Street and Enterprise Avenue resulting in the removal of 17.33 tons of debris from the creek bed.
Before Photos
After Photo
Disabled Peoples Recreation Center
The Adult Morning Program (AMP) participants are working at developing math skills to help them with transactions for banking and personal shopping. They are becoming more confident with their purchases and enjoy working with their teacher, Kelly, who is very resourceful and patient.
Therapeutic Interactive Recreation Program (TIRP) participants are enjoying puzzles with a twist. The puzzles are actually a game of “Who Done It Mystery”, similar to the board game Clue. In order to solve the mystery, the puzzle must be completed. It has been fun and very challenging because there aren’t any pictures to use as reference while completing the puzzle.
Flag Football
The Annual Flag Football Jamboree took place at Nicholl Park on Wednesday, September 11th. Teams representing Richmond Police Activities League, Nevin Community Center, May Valley Community Center, Richmond College Prep, Project Pride, Vista Christian, and El Sobrante Boys and Girls Club came together to play friendly games, discuss sportsmanship, and learn the rules of NFL Flag Football. The Citywide NFL Flag Football League will begin next week at the MLK Turf Field on Wednesdays at 3:30PM.
 
Chess
The Fall and Winter Family Chess Night Workshops will start Friday, September 20th, at the Richmond Recreation Complex, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The workshops offer FREE chess instruction and casual play in a relaxed family friendly atmosphere. Bring a friend; the next move is yours.
Week of September 13th
Facilities Maintenance: Painters completed the south wall of the Richmond Recreation Complex gymnasium and painted the computer training room at the Parchester Community center.
Carpenters completed the computer training room at the Parchester Community Center.
Stationary Engineers finished overseeing the installation of the new boilers within 440 Civic Center Plaza, repaired apparatus doors at Fire Station #62, repaired the automatic gate at Fire Station #67, installed carbon dioxide tanks at the Richmond Swim Center, installed water closets and sinks at the Shields Reid Community Center, repaired showers in Fire Station #64, and serviced sewer lines at Fire Station #64 and Fire Station #67.
Utility Workers completed the off hours scrub and waxing of the floors at the Richmond Recreation Complex.
Electricians repaired two traffic signal poles knocked down on 23rd Street, installed new traffic heads for 47th and Carlson Boulevard, completed repairs to wire theft on Fred Jackson Way, assessed damage to street lights on Barrett Avenue and 19th Street, provided light fixtures for Dornan Tunnel project, and continued with the Richmond Parkway Lighting Project.
Lighting Project on Richmond Parkway
Parks and Landscaping Division: This week crews continued with Richmond Parkway landscape project in the Hilltop District, continued with the Bay Trail landscape project in the Marina, prepared Braxton Park for an upcoming event, performed maintenance at Huntington, Crescent, State Court and Monterey Play lots, performed turf maintenance at Nevin Park, prepared Belding Garcia Park for contractor, and completed the rehabilitation of the Lucas Play Lot.
The Tree Crew trimmed or cut down trees on Lincoln Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue and Yuba Avenue.
Center Medians in Hilltop District
Lucas Play Lot
Streets Division: Crews hauled grindings from previous paving jobs and worked from the outstanding pothole and sidewalk list.
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the second Tuesday through Friday in Clinton Hill II – IV and East Richmond neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines crews fabricated 10 new signs, installed “No Parking” signs at the BART Station, installed two stop messages, and repaired damaged signs.
Week Ending September 20th
Facilities Maintenance: Electricians installed a new traffic signal on Carlson Boulevard, installed an ADA door in the Finance Department of City Hall, and repaired circuits in the Employment and Training area, as well as at Fire Station #67.
Installation of Traffic Signal on Carlson Boulevard
Parks and Landscaping Division: This week crews continued with the Richmond Parkway landscape project in the Hilltop District, continued with improvements to Point Molate Beach Park, prepared Wendell Park for the North and East Picnic, performed landscape maintenance along the Marina Bay Parkway, performed irrigation repairs at Kennedy Park and along the Richmond Greenway, performed median maintenance, and continued work on the Bay Trail landscape rehabilitation project in the Marina.
The tree crew trimmed or cut down trees on South 58th Street, South 15th Street, Lucas Park and at the Richmond Art Center.
Point Molate Beach Park
Richmond Parkway Landscaping
Streets Division: Crews grinded and paved Cutting Boulevard from South 37th Street to Stege Avenue, hauled grindings from previous paving jobs, and worked from the outstanding pothole and sidewalk list.
Paving on Cutting Boulevard
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the third Monday through Friday in North Richmond, Iron Triangle, North Belding Woods, Atchison Village, South Belding Woods, Santa Fe, Coronado, Marina Bay, and Point Richmond neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines Crews fabricated 15 new signs, installed 17 new signs, installed 20 pavement markings, repaired damaged signs, and hung Main Street banners and an additional banner at Nevin Park.
Installed Banners on Macdonald Avenue
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Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about these or any other items of interest to you.
You can sign up to receive the City Manager’s weekly report and other information from the City of Richmond by visiting: www.ci.richmond.ca.us/list.aspx
Bill Lindsay
City Manager
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, California 94804
(510) 620-6512
Bill_lindsay@ci.richmond.ca.us
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