Mayor and City Councilmembers:
This is the weekly report for the week ending January 10th, 2014.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14th beginning with a Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by the regular agenda at 6:30 PM.
- Record Number of LEAP Graduates Mark the End of 2013
The Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) will honor 35 GED graduates (possibly more) on January 30th in the City Council Chambers. The residents that are being honored demonstrated resilience and determination in preparing for and passing the seven hour GED exam while carrying through with their other life responsibilities – adult learning in a very special context. When we see a mother of 13 children succeed, or a grandfather be motivated to learn as an example for his grandchildren, we cannot take lightly the significance of this success. When a young woman can fulfill her dream of going to college and becoming an attorney, or a young man can pursue his dream of becoming a contractor and having his own business, we know that this City is providing a tremendous service to its residents.
The LEAP graduation class of Winter 2013 marks an end of an era for the national GED test. The new test will be computer-based, and demand a greater “depth of knowledge” in the areas of Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Math.
We congratulate the success of our residents and invite all of you to attend the ceremony.
- Recycle Your Holiday Tree
Please recycle your natural holiday tree through one of Richmond Sanitary Services’ opportunities:
- Cut your tree to fit in your green waste cart and set the cart out on any of your regular green waste collection days (preferred method).
- Take your tree to the Golden Bear Transfer Station, located at 1 Parr Boulevard, Richmond. Contact: (510) 970-7260.
Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Proof of residency in service area is required
- There will be a disposal charge of $8.00 for non-recyclable trees or no proof of residency
- If you are unable to place your tree in the green cart or take it to the transfer station, please call Richmond Sanitary Service customer service office at (510) 262-7100 to arrange for pickup at no additional charge.
- 2014 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
On Monday, January 20th, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, along the Richmond Greenway (between 6th and 16th Streets at Chanslor and Ohio Avenues), the City of Richmond’s impact volunteering program, Richmond ESC (Excellence Serving our Community) will join the Friends of the Richmond Greenway and hundreds of community partners and volunteers to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This annual event on the Richmond Greenway has been a community tradition that joins the Richmond community in service.
Join us for healthy food, lively music, and plenty of service projects along the Richmond Greenway as we advance Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of service. Sign up to volunteer or contact Stephanie Hervey at forg@communityorgs.info, (510) 730-0278 or Rochelle Monk at (510) 620-6511.
- Richmond Police Explorers
The Richmond Police Explorers is part of a national program offered locally by the Police Department for young people interested in careers in law enforcement. Senior officers, who are “advisors”, train young people in law enforcement and community service, irrespective of the Explorers’ ultimate career choice. Many Explorers go on to become police officers in their local communities. The Richmond Youth Academy is the complementary program offered by the Richmond Fire Department, encouraging young people to consider careers in public safety.
Officer Carmen Santana began her career with the Richmond Police Department (RPD) as an Explorer, and quickly moved up the ranks in the program. She later went on to be a cadet with the Richmond Police Department. We are pleased to announce that Officer Santana graduated from Napa Valley Police Academy and was sworn in as a Richmond Police officer on December 16, 2013. She is the first female Explorer to become a police officer in the history of the RPD Post. Officer Santana took top honors in physical fitness in her academy program. Two other former RPD Explorers will enter the academy in the next few weeks.
Officer Santana will proudly serve the same community in which she grew up, and to which she donated thousands of volunteer hours, as she begins her new journey. She has served as the secretary for the Latino Peace Officers Association, and is active in her community and her church. In the future she plans to play a leadership role in the RPD Explorer Post. Officer Santana shows the true meaning of dedication and service.
- Public Meeting on Chemical Safety Board Report on August 2012 Chevron Fire
There will be a meeting on Wednesday, January 15th in the Richmond City Council Chambers at 440 Civic Center Plaza, facilitated by the US Chemical Safety Board (CSB), concerning CSB’s recently-completed report on the August 2012 Chevron Fire. More information concerning the results of CSB’s extensive investigation and their recommendations for regulatory changes may be obtained at the csb website.
- South Richmond Transportation Connectivity Plan – Community Meeting #1
On Thursday, January 16th at 6:00 PM, the City of Richmond will kick off the community planning process for the South Richmond Transportation Connectivity Plan (Connectivity Plan) by hosting a community meeting at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center (960 South 47th Street, Richmond).
This initial community meeting will introduce the project, present best practices for improving transportation access, and offer community members the opportunity to ask questions and provide input. Please join us and help us improve mobility for existing and future residents.
Refreshments and Spanish translation will be provided.
About the Connectivity Plan:
Last year, the City of Richmond was awarded a Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant from Caltrans to develop the Connectivity Plan. In coordination with the South Shoreline Specific Plan, the Connectivity Plan will identify key deficiencies in the local and regional transportation network and include specific recommendations to improve multi-modal connectivity between the City’s Southern Shoreline and Central Richmond neighborhoods, as well as adjacent communities including El Cerrito, Albany, and Berkeley. The City of Richmond is partnering with UC Berkeley’s Center for Cities and Schools Y-PLAN Program to engage students from Richmond High School in the identification of community transportation issues and opportunities.
Additional Project Information:
Please contact Hector Rojas, Senior Planner, at hector_rojas@ci.richmond.ca.us for more information.
- Single Use Bag Ordinance Reminder
This is a friendly reminder that, beginning January 1, 2014, single-use plastic bags will no longer be available at retail stores in Richmond, San Pablo and El Cerrito. Stores must charge a minimum of 5¢ for each paper or reusable bag sold. Customers can avoid paying for bags by bringing their own bags.
While adjusting to what some may view as inconvenient new regulations, please keep in mind the following statistics:
- California retailers distribute more than 19 billion plastic retail bags annually.
- The average Californian uses an estimated 400 plastic bags per year.
- The average time use of a plastic bag is 12 minutes.
- The State’s Integrated Waste Management Board estimates that, in the Bay Area, residents use 3.8 billion plastic bags per year, and about one million of these bags end up in the Bay.
- Even with the emphasis on recycling of plastics in recent decades, the plastic bag recycling rate in California remains at less than five percent.
Local taxpayers must bear the brunt of the plastic litter clean-up costs. It costs the state $25 million annually to landfill discarded plastic bags, and public agencies in California spend more than $303 million annually in litter abatement. This ordinance will further improve quality of life by conserving resources and reducing waste, litter and greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information, including a copy of the ordinance and business resources, please contact:
City of Richmond
(510) 620-6512 | mike_uberti@ci.richmond.ca.us
www.richmondenvironment.org
- Charitable Contribution Campaign by Richmond Employees
The 2013 campaign effort at the City of Richmond was, once again, an outstanding success! City staff has pledged $54,307.47 through payroll deductions in 2014 for 300 charitable organizations, including Bay Area Black United Fund, Community Health Charities, EarthShare of California, Friends of Disabled Children, Friends of Richmond Library, Richmond Community Foundation, Local Independent Charities, Richmond/El Cerrito Firefighters Toy Program, Richmond Police Activities League, Richmond Public Library Foundation, Richmond Youth Academy, Richmond Police Explorers, and United Way.
The amount pledged was an increase of $6,228.87 from last year’s total contributions of $48,078.60.
Special thanks to Finance Department staff member Theresa Austin who chaired the City-wide campaign, and to each City department that participated in this program.
- Officer Bradley A. Moody Memorial Underpass Project Update – Night Work Tentatively Scheduled for January 24th – 26th
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.
The weekend of January 24th is tentatively scheduled for the fourth of up to six weekend, 24-hour a day closure windows for installation of waterproofing on the bridge installed in December. As noted in the last update on this item, this may be the final weekend 24-hour a day work shift required for the project. This date is tentative as this work is dependent on weather conditions and railroad confirmation.
During the week of January 6th, the first phase of roadway excavation was completed for the area north of the bridge, while utility relocation work continued. Beginning the week of January 13th, the first set of drilled tie-backs will be installed through the deep soil mix (DSM) walls in the excavated area; and construction of the pump station discharge structure will begin.
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, or contact the project’s public outreach coordinator Jacqueline Majors at (925) 949-6196.
- Office of Neighborhood Safety Director Participates as a Panelist for the National League of Cities ‘Cities United’ Webinar
Cities United’s vision is that mayors and other city leaders across the country will form partnerships with other local government officials, community leaders, families, youth, philanthropies, and other stakeholders within their respective cities dedicated to reducing violence and violence related deaths among African American men and boys. The webinar focused on how cities can develop or enhance their “on-the-ground”, community-based efforts to reduce violence and violent deaths among African American men and boys.
The Office of Neighborhood Safety Operation Peacemaker Fellowship was a featured program as a promising and emerging practice for restoring and developing healthy African American men and boys involved in gun violence. During the webinar, Richmond ONS Director DeVone Boggan was asked to provide insight as to how other agencies could implement similar programs in their communities. The audience participating in this webinar were staff liaisons and/or designees from mayor’s offices from around the country who represent participating cities in the Cities United Initiative. More than 100 people registered for the webinar.
The Cities United Initiative is a strategy of the National League of Cities Youth Violence Prevention Institute for Youth, Education, and Families in Washington DC. Two other panelists included Ms. Lisa Early who serves as Director for Families, Parks and Recreation for the City of Orlando Florida’s Kidzone, and Dr. Gary Slutkin who is the founder of Cure Violence in Chicago Illinois.
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.
Activities and meeting topics during the past week have included:
- Met at the Chevron Refinery with Employment and Training Director Sal Vaca, Dennis Petrie, Deputy Director, State Employment Development Department Workforce Service Branch, RichmondBuild contractor Chuck Carpenter, and Chevron staff members to discuss funding for employment training programs in Richmond;
- Attended the project management meeting for the Richmond Bay Campus along with other City staff and staff from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and UC Berkeley;
- Met with representatives from the UC Berkeley Center for Cities and Schools to discuss the Y-Plan program that was recently completed at Richmond High School and to discuss future opportunities with this program;
- Attended the monthly Contra Costa Public Management Association meeting (which consists of all the city managers in the county); and
- Attended the monthly Contra Costa Mayors’ Conference.
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.
- University of California Proposed Richmond Bay Campus Public Comment Period Extension
The University of California has completed the draft environmental review documents for the proposed Richmond Bay Campus (RBC) to be sited at the Richmond Field Station (RFS) and adjacent Regatta Property. The RBC would allow for consolidation of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) research programs, and for development of additional research facilities for use by LBNL and UC Berkeley and institutional or industry counterparts for research and development focused on energy, the environment, and health. The proposed 2014 Long Range Development Plan for the Richmond Bay Campus has been prepared by UC Berkeley and UC Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to guide development of up to 5.4 million square feet of research, office and support facilities through 2050.
Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
UC is the Lead Agency for a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that analyzes the potential environmental effects of Long Range Development Plan related development and operations at the Richmond Bay Campus under the California Environmental Quality Act. The Draft EIR identifies significant and unavoidable impacts associated with development under the Long Range Development Plan in the following resource areas: air quality, cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and transportation. The Draft EIR is being circulated for agency and public review and comment over a 60-day period beginning November 15, 2013. The Draft EIR public comment period has been extended to January 21, 2014. Comments on the draft RBC LRDP EIR may be emailed to rbc@lbl.gov.
Draft Removal Action Workplan (RAW)
A Draft Removal Action Workplan (RAW) published by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) evaluates cleanup alternatives to remaining legacy pollution at the RFS. The RAW has been prepared by the University under the direction of the California DTSC.
The Public Comment Period for the RAW has been extended to Friday, January 17, 2014 in response to community requests. Paper copies of the RAW can be found in the Richmond Public Library (325 Civic Center Plaza), the DTSC Berkeley Office (700 Heinz Avenue by appointment), and in the RFS B478 lobby. Electronic copies are available on the RFS Environmental Website on the Technical Documents Page and on the Envirostar Website.
For more information on the RAW, please refer to the DTSC Public Notice and Community Notice Fact Sheets, and visit the RFS Environmental Website updates.
For more information, contact:
Wayne Hagen
Public Participation Specialist
Department of Toxic Substances Control
(510) 510-3911 or toll-free (866) 495-5651
Wayne.hagen@dtsc.ca.gov
The RBC LRDP EIR, the community draft Long Range Development Plan itself, and related documents and information is provided at the Richmond Bay Campus Environmental Documents webpage.
- What do you Need to Know to Start College?
Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) will be hosting a college prep workshop aimed toward helping those residents who have been out for school for at least two years. The workshop will provide the latest information about filing for financial aid, as well as recent changes in the law for eligibility. Students often face a web of forms required for both enrollment and aid – we hope to make this process easier. Please call (510) 620-5403 and let us know which workshop you would like to attend.
- WriterCoach Connection is Hiring!
With support from the City of Richmond’s impact volunteering program, Richmond ESC – Excellence Serving our Community and Cities of Service, WriterCoach Connection is seeking candidates for the position of Recruiter-Coordinator.
WriterCoach Connection (WCC), a program of Community Alliance for Learning, recruits and trains community volunteers to work one-on-one with middle and high schools students in their English classes. Coaches help students develop essential writing and critical thinking skills, and build self-confidence.
Recruitment Coordinators reach into the community to attract and retain reliable volunteers, manage their training process, and ensure their preparedness for their volunteer assignment. The Recruitment Coordinator is the face of the program to the community and is responsible for building networks of contacts to gain support for the mission of WriterCoach Connection.
This position recruits community volunteers as writer coaches for Richmond High School and John F. Kennedy High School in Richmond, CA.
The ideal candidate has:
- Experience working in the greater Richmond community;
- Solid working relationships with: local businesses, political leaders, West County Unified School District staff, local neighborhood councils, and/or other local agencies; and
- The ability to engage the full diversity of community members, build productive relationships, deliver professional oral presentations, plan and implement complex work projects, and keep detailed and accurate records.
For a more detailed job description, visit http://www.writercoachconnection.org/jobs.html
Compensation
Independent contractor position: Part-time at $20.00 per hour billed monthly. Average estimated monthly billing during heaviest recruitment period approximately $2,000/month from April - October. Total annual compensation approximately $20,000. (See “Note” below for potential full-time opportunity.)
Requirements
- Ability to complete a background check, fingerprinting, and TB test.
- Bachelor’s Degree, business writing sample, and references.
- Prepare and deliver a 15 minute presentation (final candidates).
- Own transportation and ability to store small quantities of materials.
- Ability to lift 40 pounds.
Please send application, resume, cover letter, and professional writing sample by January 31st to: sfried0530@gmail.com. The application can be found at: http://www.writercoachconnection.org/jobs.html
Position begins mid-March/early April 2014.
Note: Appropriately qualified candidates may also be considered for a new role of Richmond Program Manager. This part-time contractor position could also be filled by the Recruitment Coordinator creating a nearly full-time contractor position.
- Richmond Art Center Winter Exhibitions Open this Saturday
Three new exhibitions at the Richmond Art Center feature the work of a diverse group of emerging and established Bay Area artists. "Unlock the Talk: The American Teenager Project in Richmond" features 100 black and white photographs and in-depth audio interviews of Richmond youth taken by 20 teen photojournalists (through March 7th. The 18th Annual "The Art of Living Black" is the only non-juried exhibition in the Bay Area to feature 50 regional artists of African descent (through February 28th). The Language of Realism features the work of four West Coast realist painters -- Michael Beck, Christine Hanlon, Anthony Holdsworth and John Rampley and is curated by Richmond artist John Wehrle (through February 28th). Visit the Richmond Art Center at 2540 Barrett Avenue, 510-620-6772. More information can be found at: http://www.therac.org.
- Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) Open Enrollment Now Available
Open Enrollment for Covered California began October 1, 2013. Residents can begin the enrollment process by calling the Covered California's telephone help line at 1-800-300-1506 or by visiting 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.
- 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:
Holiday Wonder Workshop
The Recreation Department celebrated the holidays with a two-day Holiday Wonder Workshop at the Richmond Recreation Complex on Friday, December 20th, and Monday December 23rd, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Over 50 community members were present to decorate cookies, make ornaments, drink hot chocolate while hearing Santa read T’was the Night Before Christmas, and sing-a-long with carolers. In addition, the Richmond Fire Department came by to pass out hats and stickers to the children. It was a great event and lots of fun with Santa and his Elves!
 
 
 
 
Parks and Landscaping: Crews continued with the landscape renovations along the Meeker Trail, performed general maintenance on the Carlson Boulevard shoulder, continued renovating the Elm Play Lot, carried on with the demolition work for the new restroom at Booker T. Anderson Park, installed new futsal goals at Belding Garcia and Lucas Parks, performed an irrigation system audit along Richmond Parkway, and repaired vandalized play equipment at Kern, Humboldt and Humphrey Play Lots.
Meeker Trail Renovations
Tree Crews trimmed, cut or ground trees around Andrade Avenue, Maricopa Avenue, Livingston Lane, 26th Street, Humphrey Avenue, Giant Road, and Atlas Road.
Tree Work Along Atlas Road
Streets Division: Crews completed grinding and paving of South 57th Street from Jefferson to Alameda Avenue and 32nd Street. Staff also cleaned Portola dump area and the sweeper dumping area, hauled grindings from paving jobs, and worked from the outstanding pothole and sidewalk list.
Paving on 32nd Street
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the first Monday and Tuesday and the second Wednesday through Friday in the Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Clinton Hill II – IV and East Richmond neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines crews repaired 34 signs/poles, removed holiday lighting and decorations, and replaced over 966 feet of thermoplastic markings throughout the City.
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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
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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