Mayor and City Councilmembers:
This is the weekly report for the week ending October 25th, 2013.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 5th. In the meantime, enjoy the “fifth Tuesday break.”
- Tomorrow: Belding Garcia Playground Build Day
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, 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.
The event starts with registration at 8:00 AM, followed by the kick-off ceremony at 8:30 AM; work will commence shortly thereafter. Volunteers will all build or work on the following projects: a new sandbox, a shaded picnic area, a seating wall, trees and plants around the park, a painted pathway on which children will be able to ride their bikes, and, lastly, a new entrance in which a piece of the old playground will be used to maintain the parks history.
We hope you will join us on Saturday, October 26th as 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.
We look forward to seeing you there.
- North Richmond Green Fest
On Saturday, October 19th, the City of Richmond Environmental and Health Initiatives, in partnership with Self Sustaining Communities, provided community members with free blueberry, olive and pomegranate plants at the North Richmond Green Fest. The plants were another generous donation to the Richmond community from Tom Burchell and Burchell Nursery. Community members also enjoyed music, education and entertainment on the field outside Shields Reid Community Center.
For more information on future garden giveaways and other City Environmental and Health Initiatives, visit www.richmondenevironment.org and sign-up for the City Environmental and Health Initiatives at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/list.aspx.
- Draft Richmond Livable Corridors Form-Based Code Available for Public Comment
The Planning Department has announced the availability of the Draft Richmond Livable Corridors Form-Based Code (FBC). The FBC will replace the existing zoning and set the rules for development along San Pablo Avenue, Macdonald Avenue, and 23rd Street and their surrounding areas.
The draft FBC is available online at draft livable corridors. Hard copies are also available for viewing at the Planning Division Counter at 450 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor, and at the Richmond Main Library at 325 Civic Center Plaza. The public review and comment period will be from October 9th through December 9th, 2013.
Written or emailed comments should be sent to:
Lina Velasco, Senior Planner
Richmond Planning Division
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Lina_Velasco@ci.richmond.ca.us
This project is funded in part by a Sustainable Communities Planning Grant awarded by the California Strategic Growth Council.
- Code Enforcement Unit Update
The Code Enforcement Parking Unit, Public Works, Engineering, and Solid Waste departments recently collaborated on a project to repair and replace damaged and missing street sweeping signage. Staff worked identify the neighborhoods with an immediate need to provide adequate signage, order the materials, repair or replace signage, notify the affected residents, and implement the new sweeper coverage.
As part of the project, RichmondBuild students received training from Public Works staff and were hired to conduct the sign repair and installation for all of the project areas.
The first area receiving attention is within the Iron Triangle neighborhood on 6th and 7th Street, between Bissell Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. This residential area has been part of the commercial sweep schedule, but the community expressed a desire to be included in the residential sweep schedule. The next project area to receive attention will be Belding Woods.
Sign installation by Eddie Nunez, RichmondBuild Instructor
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Finance staff members supported Local 188’s efforts to raise funds for breast cancer awareness by purchasing and wearing their pink “Richmond Fire” T-shirts.
- 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. The survey will only be available through the month of October. We currently have over 300 surveys submitted and we look forward to receiving your feedback!
- Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Now Available
Open Enrollment for Covered California began October 1, 2013. To begin your enrollment, please call the Covered California's telephone help line at 1-800-300-1506 or visit the Covered California website at https://www.coveredca.com/. Interpreters in multiple languages are available on the telephone help line.
A few important things to know:
- Open enrollment is October 1 – March 31, coverage can begin January 1, 2014.
- Coveredca.com will allow consumers to make apples-to-apples comparisons of plans before enrolling, including premiums, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Many Californians will qualify for financial assistance to help make premiums more affordable.
- Covered CA recommends having the following household information available when enrolling: contact information for all household members applying for coverage, ID numbers such as social security or immigration information, income and tax filing status.
Affordable Care Act Frequently Asked Questions addressed by Contra Costa Health Services can be found at http://cchealth.org/aca/faq.php.
Please consider these other Affordable Care Act resources for Richmond and Contra Costa County residents:
- Affordable Care Act Workshop
On Wednesday, October 30th, at 6:00 PM, the City of Richmond is co-hosting a workshop to engage residents on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Participants will have the opportunity to learn about how the ACA will be implemented in California, an overview of the Low-Income Health Program (LIHP), and health services that are provided for all ages from LifeLong Medical Care. Refreshments will be served at 5:30 PM.
- “The City Manager Chronicles”
As introduced in my last Weekly Report, I have listed below some of the topics for meetings that I have recently attended in the hope that it provides an idea of the varied issues with which our organization deals routinely.
Meeting topics during the past week have included:
- Several meetings with City staff members and staff from Richmond Sanitary Service to discuss solid waste collection and post collection agreements, including enhanced collection services and rates;
- Meeting with UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab staff members to discuss the UC Haas School of Business Social Sector Solutions study regarding maximizing the economic impact of the Richmond Bay Campus;
- Discussion with Dr. Wendell Brunner, Contra Costa Health Services, regarding the status of the Richmond Health Equity Partnership project;
- Monthly meeting with the Richmond Health Equity partners;
- Monthly meeting with Finance staff to review balance sheet, budget, and grant status;
- Meeting with Finance staff to discuss ways in which to re-balance the FY 2013-14 budget in the context of lower property tax revenues;
- Attendance at the monthly West County Mayors meeting;
- Meeting with Finance and Housing program staff on HUD funding/compliance issues;
- Meeting with potential grant funders of park projects;
- Meeting with potential grant funders of community health projects.
These meetings were in addition to attending the regular management staff meeting, agenda planning, reviewing staff reports to the City Council, doing department head “check-ins,” having discussions on various personnel matters, and having short discussions with staff, community members, members of the press, etc.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the substance of these or any other topics.
Richmond Fall Fest
Join the Recreation Department in the City-wide Richmond Fall Fest at the Richmond Plunge in Pt. Richmond on Saturday, October 26th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Families and friends can enjoy food, face painting, pumpkin painting, mystery games, and a children’s play area. Bring your bathing suit for the amazing floating pumpkin patch!
Disabled Peoples Recreation Center
The Disabled People’s Recreation Center (DPRC) is all decorated and set for the annual Halloween Dance which will be held in the multi-purpose room on Friday, October 25th. The Adult Morning Program and Therapeutic Interactive Recreation Program participants are all excited and ready for a spooky good time!
The Holiday Craft Fair (Fair) is also around the corner, on Saturday, November 2nd. Participants have been working diligently on their famous sun catchers and stepping stones. If you are interested in visiting the Fair, or would like to reserve a table to sell your wares, please contact staff at (510) 620-6815 for more information.
Senior Center
The Senior Center will host its annual Halloween Party on Saturday, October 26th. There will be a costume contest and the Richmond Fire Department will be present to help serve meals. For ticket information contact the Senior Center at (510) 307-8087.
Karaoke
Karaoke continues every 3rd Monday from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Richmond Recreation Complex. Music ranges from Gospel and Jazz to Rhythm & Blues. Prizes will be awarded during the 30 minutes of friendly competition. Ages 18 years and older are welcome and it costs $5 per person and $10 per family to attend this event. For more information call please call (510) 620-6793.
Basketball Tournament
A Call to Action “Tri Every Angle to Reach Every Angle” 3-on-3 Community Basketball Tournament will be held at Booker T. Anderson Park on Sunday, October 27th from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Free breakfast and lunch will be served. There will be live Gospel music played throughout the day. Tournaments and games will be played with prizes and gifts.
Facilities Maintenance: Carpenters installed a back splash at Fire Station #67, replaced the theater shades in the library, replaced the tile in the captains’ room at Fire Station #68, and continued with the maintenance of the gym floor repair at the Richmond Recreation Complex.
Richmond Recreation Complex Gym Floor
Stationary Engineers completed repairs to the strainer at the Plunge, changed the gas valve on the Library boiler, repaired the air conditioning in the Police Athletic League building, replaced the backflow device at the Plunge, completed maintenance to the air conditioning units at Civic Center Plaza, cleared sewer lines to buildings, replaced the coil in the fan room of the Auditorium, oversaw the completion of the installation of the Auditorium boilers, and repaired the water level sensors for the Swim Center pool.
Auditorium Boilers
Electricians repaired additional wire theft on Seacliff Drive, removed knocked down street light on 23rd Street and Coalinga Avenue, repaired a knocked down signal on San Pablo Avenue and Solano Avenue, relamped Marina Bay Parkway and Regatta Boulevard, installed the circuits for the ADA doors at Civic Center Plaza, and repaired the gate at the Corporation Yard.
Light Repair on 23rd Street and Coalinga Avenue
Utility Workers cleaned carpets at Civic Center Plaza, replaced lighting fixtures and covers, and maintianed the 29 City-owned buildings.
Light Fixture Replacement
Parks and Landscaping Division: This week, crews continued with site preparation for the Kaboom! Project at Belding Garcia Park, held the Arbor Day Tree Planting event at Lucas Park, and planted 35 trees and laid mulch along Macdonald Avenue medians.
Arbor Day Tree Planting
The tree crew trimmed, cut down or ground stumps of trees on Mendocino Avenue and McBryde Avenue. Crews also inspected the roots on trees at Belding Garcia.
Streets Division: Crews began work on Seacliff Drive and hauled grindings from previous paving jobs and worked from the outstanding pothole and sidewalk list.
Roadwork on Seacliff Drive
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the third Monday and the fourth Tuesday through Friday in the North Richmond, Iron Triangle, North Belding Woods, Metro Richmore Village, Pullman, Cortez/Stege, Park Plaza, Laurel Park, City Center, Richmond Annex, Parkview, Panhandle Annex and Eastshore neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines crews installed 12 new signs, fabricated 6 signs, installed pavement messages in Point Molate, manufactured 150 date/time messages for parking signs, and repainted 150 feet of red zones.
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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.
Bill Lindsay
City Manager
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, California 94804
(510) 620-6512
Bill_lindsay@ci.richmond.ca.us
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
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