Mayor and City Councilmembers:
This is the weekly report for the week ending November 15th, 2013.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th beginning with a Closed Session at 5:45 PM, followed by the regular agenda at 6:30 PM. Note that there is a scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 26th, which is the “fourth Tuesday” meeting generally reserved for study session items.
- Climate Action Plan (CAP) Workshop – 6:30 PM, November 20th
The City seeks to develop a Climate Action Plan that serves as a roadmap to significantly reducing energy consumption and meeting the City’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. To this end, the City of Richmond Environmental and Health Initiatives is hosting a community workshop for the development of Richmond’s Climate Action Plan. The workshop will take place at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, November 20th, in the City Council Chambers at 440 Civic Center Plaza. Light refreshments will be provided at 6:00 PM.
The Environmental and Health Initiatives Division is working in close collaboration with the UC Berkeley Graduate School of City and Regional Planning to develop the Climate Action Plan. Community members will have the opportunity to receive updates from the City of Richmond and the UC Berkeley School of City and Regional Planning and provide input on the preliminary findings, recommendations, and timeline to develop the plan.
- Bradley A. Moody Memorial Underpass Project Update – Night Work Schedule for November 23rd – 24th
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. In early September 2013, Marina Bay Parkway was closed to traffic. This closure will remain in place for approximately 18 months.
This week, utility relocation work and Deep Soil Mix (“DSM”) wall construction continued. DSM work is approximately 80% complete. 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 November 18th, crews will continue utility relocation work and DSM production. On November 22nd, 23rd and 24th, the second of up to six weekends, 24-hour a day closure windows has been confirmed as scheduled. Community members can expect work on the project to continue for 24 hours a day, from 8:30 AM on November 22nd to 8:30 AM on November 24th. While disruptive, these weekend work shifts are necessary to complete the project, and the project team appreciates the community’s patience.
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.
Please join us in the Richmond Memorial Auditorium (403 Civic Center Plaza) on Saturday, November 23rd from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM to Cover Richmond! Together, we are helping residents access healthcare through Covered California, the State of California’s implementing agency for the Affordable Care Act, and connecting them with resources for building healthy lifestyles. In Richmond, we have 20,000 uninsured people, many of whom could not previously afford coverage or were denied it due to a preexisting condition. We are seeking to change this statistic.
Cover Richmond will provide you and your family the opportunity to learn more about:
- Covered California & the Affordable Care Act
- Enrollment & eligibility information
- Low Income Health Program (LIHP)
- Creating a healthy lifestyle —visit with Richmond groups transforming our community!
- Healthy snacks & recipes
Please RSVP if you plan on attending at COVERRICHMOND.EVENTBRITE.COM
 
- 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:
- Resource Fair for Expecting Richmond Parents
The City of Richmond is co-sponsoring a West County Family Resource Fair for Richmond parents (Community Baby Shower) this Saturday, November 16th at Lovonya DeJean Middle School from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM. There will be presentations on infant care, nutrition, finances, Obamacare, and transporting your baby safely.
All expecting and new parents in Richmond are invited to this free event. There will be resources and gently used baby clothes available for participants while supplies last. Please see the flyer and pass the information on to those that may benefit from this community event.
Thank you and enjoy this season of giving.
- 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.
- 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 390 surveys submitted and we look forward to receiving your feedback! Time is running out to respond so please take time to complete your survey today!
- Supervisor John Gioia Holiday Toy & Coat Drive for Verde Elementary – Continuing our Tradition of Helping Verde Students in North Richmond
As the holidays near, we are again collecting new toys and coats for children at Verde Elementary School in North Richmond.
This is the 15th year Supervisor John Gioia is co-sponsoring a holiday celebration at Verde, along with the City of Richmond, where every child receives a new toy and jacket thanks to the generosity of the community.
Toys and coats are being collected for all students from kindergarten to 6th grade. Cash or check donations are especially welcome and tax deductible. All donations must be received by Friday, December 6th.
Checks should be made payable to the non-profit Neighborhood House of North Richmond c/o 2013 Verde Toy and Coat Drive. Toys must be unwrapped. We prefer NEW light jackets (instead of heavy winter/snow coats) sizes XS to XXL. Children will be able to wear these year-round.
Donations and checks can be dropped off or mailed to Supervisor John Gioia’s office at 11780 San Pablo Avenue, Suite D, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (just north of the El Cerrito Del Norte BART Station). If you have questions, please contact Luz Gomez at (510) 231-8689.
A warm thanks in advance for your help and support!
Verde Coat and Toy Drive 2012
- Finance Department Veterans
This past week, the nation paused for a day to honor its veterans, and the sacrifices they have made, and continue to make for our country. Three of those veterans work right here in our Finance Department. James Goins, Finance Director, served active duty in the Army in Vietnam; Tracey Thomas, Accountant II served in the Air Force from 1984 through 1989, stationed in Okinawa and North Dakota; and Bert Jones, Budget Analyst I, served in the Army from 1988 through 1993, and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. Thank you to Mr. Goins, Ms. Thomas, Mr. Jones and all other veterans for your service!
- City of Richmond Finance Department Supports the “Buy a Kid a Bike” Program
In support of the Richmond/El Cerrito Firefighter’s Annual Toy Program, the Finance Department teamed up to collect funds for the “Buy a Kid a Bike” program. For every $47 donated, one lucky child will receive a bike and bike helmet. Coordinated by Vrenesia Ward, Wanda Mason, and Susan Segovia, the Finance Team dug deep into their hearts, and funded a total of 5 bikes!
Disabled People’s Recreation Center
It was a challenging week for two of the Adult Morning Participants due to the passing of beloved, Lula De La Cruz. Lula was the owner of the Residential Care Home where the participants lived. She not only provided a place of residency for her clients, she gave her heart and soul to each of their individual needs. She will be missed by many. The beauty of this sad and difficult time is how the other participants at the Disabled People’s Recreation Center have encouraged and helped their friends through this journey.
Senior Center
NEW CLASS AT THE SENIOR CENTER!!! On Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM, the Richmond Senior Center will host a new Zumba Gold class with Yannet Torres. ZUMBA GOLD is for adults who want the Zumba experience without so many twists and turns. For those who love the music and the moves of Zumba but want low impact intensity, this class is for you! The cost is $3 per class. Come try us out!
The Senior Center hosted a small trip to Graton Casino in Rohnert Park on their opening day. Thankfully, they arrived before noon before the doors closed and the long lines formed to get in to this new hot spot. There were lines for every machine in the facility but the seniors came out as winners with one person treating the group to lunch. Staff is working on planning the next excursion….stay tuned!
Commission on Aging
Tickets are on sale now at the Richmond Recreation Complex at 3230 Macdonald Avenue for the Commission on Aging’s 16th Annual Senior Winter Ball to be held on December 7th, 2013 from 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM. For ticket information contact the Recreation Department at (510) 620-6793. For event information contact Eli Williams, Chair of the Commission on Aging, at (510) 232-4690.
Black History Celebration
Tickets for the Richmond Black History Celebration are on sale now at the Richmond Senior Center at 2525 Macdonald Avenue. Tables are going fast so buy your tickets today! The event will be held at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium on February 8th, 2014 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Tickets are $15 per person and include dinner. For event information call (510) 307-8087.
Facilities Maintenance: Carpenters installed a floor in the registration office of the Richmond Recreation Complex, assisted in the replacement of the canopy glass at 450 Civic Center, and repaired broken windows at YouthWorks building.
Glass Replacement at Civic Center Plaza
Painters pressure washed the Richmond Transit Center walkways and painted the registration office in the Richmond Recreation Complex.
Stationary Engineers repaired the shower valve at the Richmond Recreation Complex, repaired drinking fountains at Booker T. Anderson Community Center, repaired the pool ladder at the Plunge, and made repairs in the women’s restroom at 440 Civic Center Plaza.
Pool Ladder Repairs at the Plunge
Electricians inspected and made repairs to the light damaged at 6th Street and Macdonald Avenue, re-lamped Canal Boulevard, and addressed outages in the Richmond Marina area.
Streets Division: Crews paved Humboldt Avenue from Clinton Avenue to Dimm Avenue, hauled grindings from paving jobs, worked from the outstanding pothole, and completed the sidewalk list.
Paving on Humboldt Avenue
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the second Monday through Thursday and the third Friday in the May Valley, Vista View, Clinton Hill I – IV, East Richmond, Sante Fe, Coronado, Marina Bay, and Coronado neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines Crews installed new signs, repaired 23 signs and poles, replaced 19 pavement messages, and repainted 695 feet of curbs.
Installation of Messages
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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
LaShonda White
Management Analyst
City Manager’s Office
City of Richmond
(510) 620-6828 Direct Line
(510) 620-6543 Fax
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