Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the weekly report for the week ending May 30th, 2014.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014, beginning with Closed Session at 5:00 PM and followed by the regular Council agenda at 6:30 PM.
- Oakland A’s Investing in the Richmond Community
The Oakland A’s currently lead in the American League West standings, and the Richmond community has yet another reason to hope for their continued success. The Richmond Community Foundation, working with the City of Richmond, submitted a grant proposal to the Energize Your Field program sponsored by the Oakland Athletics (Oakland A’s) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) in September 2013, for the renovation of the baseball field at Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Park. In April 2014, we learned that the Oakland A’s, along with the Good Tidings Foundation, decided to undertake this ballfield renovation.
Part of the Good Tidings Foundation mission is to work in partnership with professional sports franchises throughout the Bay Area, leveraging resources to increase access to enriching opportunities by deserving youth. They help design, fund and build projects that are maintained and programmed in perpetuity by school districts, recreation departments, or city governments (click here to learn more about this organization).
Please join the City of Richmond, the Richmond Community Foundation, the Oakland A’s, PG&E, Good Tidings, Richmond Little League players, and the community on Saturday, May 31st from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM on the newly renovated MLK Baseball Field for the field dedication ceremony! Oakland A’s Outfielder Josh Reddick will also be in attendance to have a baseball clinic with the little league players. We hope to see you there!
Contact LaShonda White in the City Manager’s Office at (510) 620-6828 or at lashonda_white@ci.richmond.ca.us.
- Greening the Last Mile of the Richmond Greenway
The City of Richmond, in partnership with Pogo Park, the Watershed Project, and Groundwork Richmond, previously submitted a $1.4 million dollar grant proposal for “Greening the Last Mile” of the Richmond Greenway. The Richmond Greenway is a three-mile former railroad corridor running through central Richmond. While the City has received funds to restore much of the Greenway’s western section and for the Ohlone Greenway “Gap Closure,” the 1.2 mile eastern section of the Greenway, which links the two projects, is significantly under-treed and in need of greening.
The City of Richmond was notified on Friday May 23, 2014 that the first three nodes of the project will be recommended for funding for a total of $727,000. The nodes that are included to be funded are: Carlson Meadow, 33rd Street, and 39th Street. The California Natural Resources board will finalize all awards on June 3, 2014.
The project will plant native acres of trees and vegetation on the eastern section of the Greenway, adding a new canopy that reduces the heat island effect, improves air, water and soil quality, increase green spaces, community usage, safety, and promotes physical activity and non-vehicular circulation.
The project will improve critical public access points to the Richmond Greenway, creating a series of community green spaces adjacent to this transportation and recreation corridor. The largest areas, at Carlson Avenue and 23rd Street, will become the Greenway’s eastern gateway, establishing Carlson Meadow and converting a concrete drainage channel into a bioswale. At the other locations where the Greenway meets surrounding city streets, the project will develop urban pocket parks with drought tolerant vegetation, seating and lighting, and will expand the urban forest out from the Greenway into the city.
- Richmond Foodies Manufacturers and Distributors Network
This past Thursday, May 29th, the City Manager’s Office and the City Economic Development Commission hosted the Richmond Foodies - Manufacturers and Distributors Network. The growing cluster of specialty food producers and well-known brands who call Richmond home gathered to start the formation of the Richmond “Foodies” Manufacturers and Distributors. The room was filled with delectable desserts, coffee, seafood gumbo, salsa & chips, organic rice, savory roasted nuts, spicy fruit spreads, organic coconut oil flavored popcorn, hemp seed, and organic Madagascar vanilla and cinnamon – all from local businesses.
The Richmond “Foodies” Network will continue to introduce local food to each other, provide opportunities for business to business transaction, and provide opportunities for City staff to hear the needs of the Richmond “Foodies” and share information on the City’s business services and incentives.
The following “Foodies” were represented at the networking event: Galaxy Desserts, Lemur International, Inc., Nutiva, Zoe’s Cookies, Cassandras Dream Cakes, Vassell Foods, Casa Chicas Salsa & Chips, Catahoula Coffee Company, Oren’s Kitchen, Rubicon Bakery and Lotus Foods, Inc.
Having had the opportunity to sample some of the products myself at this event, I can personally attest to their superb quality!
- Google Selects Pogo Park as a Finalist in the Bay Area Impact Challenge
The Impact Challenge invited nonprofits to share their bright ideas for a better Bay Area. An impressive roster from fields such as education, housing, youth engagement and more came to participate. A panel of community advisors helped review their submissions, and now everyone can vote for the winners.
Nearly 1,000 Bay Area nonprofits applied for the Impact Challenge, and Google selected Richmond’s own Pogo Park as a top 10 finalist. For the next few days only, until June 2nd, anyone, anywhere in the world, can visit the Bay Area Impact Challenge website to vote for their favorite nonprofits.
The top four organizations with the most votes will receive a $500,000 grant, support from Google, and access to co-working space to bring their ideas to life. In total, 25 organizations will receive funding to help create a better Bay Area.
Pogo Park has been an outstanding community partner for Richmond, and deserves our vote! Help support Pogo Park in this amazing challenge by casting your vote below – and spread the word!
CLICK HERE to vote! Voting ends June 2, 2014.
- WriterCoach Connection is Coming to a Richmond High School Near You…
WriterCoach Connection, working in partnership with the City of Richmond’s impact volunteering program, Richmond ESC, and funding from Cities of Service, has recruited over 100 volunteers for Richmond High School in 2013-14 to work with 184 students, and is poised to recruit another hundred volunteers as the program prepares to expand to Kennedy High in the fall of 2014.
WriterCoach brings volunteer writer coaches into classrooms to work one-on-one with high school students to improve their writing skills. The organization has partnered with dynamic teachers, motivated students and talented community partners all working to ensure that students get the support they need to strengthen their writing skills.
All we need now is for you to step up to become a volunteer too!
Upcoming Trainings: Thursdays, May 29th & June 5th from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM and Wednesdays, June 11th & June 18th from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
If you are interested in becoming a writing coach, please contact June Pangelinan at june@writercoachconnection.org or (510) 685-7054; or register directly at
http://www.writercoachconnection.org/volunteer.html.
- Chevron Refinery Modernization Project Second Community Workshop
The City of Richmond invites you to participate in a follow-up discussion to the May 28th workshop to review recommendations for Chevron-funded health and community benefit initiatives in Richmond. Your input will inform conditions of approval for the Chevron Refinery Modernization Project.
Materials, notes and information from the May 28th workshop can be found at www.ChevronModernization.com.
Please visit www.ChevronModernization.com for more information and to RSVP. Please call (510) 620-6512 for more information.
- Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System Modernization Project Final Report
This is a reminder to all interested parties that the Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS), Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System Modernization Project Final Report will be presented to the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors on June 3, 2014. Two service level changes that were being proposed in earlier drafts of the EMS Report that will impact Richmond residents included 1) increasing ambulance response times in Richmond by 60 seconds; and 2) changing ambulance transport staffing from two paramedics, to one paramedic and one EMT.
If you are unable to attend the presentation or view via streaming video, it will be recorded and available for viewing on the Board of Supervisors website after the meeting. Board agendas, materials and recorded sessions are posted at http://www.cccounty.us/4664/Board-Meeting-Agendas-and-Videos.
If you need to catch up on how the study has been progressing and preliminary recommendations, visit the EMS Modernization study webpage at http://cchealth.org/ems/system-review.php#simpleContained3. If you have questions or comments, please contact Pat Frost, RN, MS, PNP, Director Emergency Medical Services at Patricia.Frost@hsd.cccounty.us or (925) 646-4690.
- Officer Bradley A. Moody Memorial Underpass Project Update
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 is planned to remain in place until early May 2015.
During the week of May 26th, roadway excavation continued, including removal of pavement at Jetty Drive. Storm drains were installed for the area north of the railroad tracks. Additionally, crews began the restoration of landscaping at the Department of Public Health campus.
For the week of June 2nd, additional roadway excavation will continue, particularly at Jetty Drive, for the next several weeks. Tiebacks for the 3rd (of four total) level of the pump station excavation will be installed. Storm drains will be installed in the area south of the railroad tracks, and landscaping restoration will be completed at the Department of Health Services campus.
The fourth 24-hour a day weekend closure window has been re-scheduled, due to railroad coordination, for the weekend of June 14th. During this closure window, a crane will be placed on the new railroad bridge for placement of two 14 foot long approach slabs, made of precast concrete and weighting 18,000 lbs. each. Also during this window, waterproofing materials will be placed on the bridge, and the railroad will be performing maintenance work of their own during this period to minimize disruption to the community. Additional information regarding the dates and times of this work will follow as details are confirmed.
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.
- Parchester Park Project 2014
The planning team continues to meet every Wednesday from 10:30 AM to 12:00 NOON at Parchester Community Center. Together City personnel are working with Parchester residents, Boys & Girls Club of El Sobrante, and NSP3 playground company to identify ideas to present to the residents at Design Day!
The City of Richmond is now accepting applications from poets interested in serving as the City’s Poet Laureate. This is a two-year program that began in April 2012. Dwayne Parish served as our first Poet Laureate and has just concluded his term.
The purpose of the Poet Laureate program is to provide a focus for the appreciation and dissemination of poetry in Richmond, promote the knowledge of poetry among our youth, and act as a spokesperson for the growing number of poets and writers in Richmond. We recognize poetry as an important part of our culture and history, and believe that it enhances our ability in vocabulary, critical analytical skills, and reading comprehension.
Those interested in becoming Richmond’s Poet Laureate should submit an application by June 6, 2014. For more information, contact:
Michele_seville@ci.richmond.ca.us or
Michele Seville
Arts & Culture Manager
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Summer Programs
Registration for summer programs is now open! Check out the summer/fall 2014 Activity Guide online at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/recreation
You can now register utilizing any of the following options:
- on line at https://online.activenetwork.com/richmond
- by phone at 510-620-6793
- by faxing a completed registration form to 510-620-6583
- by mailing a completed registration form to 3230 Macdonald Ave, Richmond, CA 94804
- by visiting the registration office in the 1st floor lobby at the Richmond Recreation Complex, 3230 Macdonald Ave
Aquatics
The Richmond Plunge will be hosting its second annual Aqua Zumba Fitness Party Saturday, May 31st, from 10 AM to 11:30 AM. Tickets are available now for $1, or $18 at the door. With the amazing turnout last year of over 80 participants, get your tickets early! We’ll see you at the party!
Disabled People’s Recreation Center
Using technology, Adult Morning Participants mapped the environment for their Thursday luncheon activity at Sizzlers. They checked the route for the best way to get to their destination and then looked at the menu to choose their lunch and figure out how much money they would need. When the day finally came to go on the excursion, they were able to recall the route and learn all the names of the shopping centers in the vicinity. Each one of them did an excellent job. The manager and staff of Sizzlers were highly impressed.
May Valley
As the final excursion of the school year, May Valley Community Center Kids in Motion After School Program took a trip to Kennedy Grove Regional Park. Everyone enjoyed hiking the trails and participating in group games in the picnic area. Staff demonstrated several outdoor skills and how to use them. During the hikes some of the youth witnessed grazing cattle, sheep and goats helping control the ecosystem.
Participants of the Early Recreation Program (youth ages 4-6) took a trip of their own to Fairyland in Oakland. Staff led the children to many fun storybook sets, kiddie size rides, cute animals and beautiful gardens.
Tennis
Recreation participants, Cassidy Clark (age 10) and Cienna Clark (age 14) both won Unites States Tennis Association (USTA) tournaments this past weekend at the Blackhawk Country Club. Cassidy won the 10 and under age group and Cienna won the 14 and under age group. Lauren Ross (age 12) reached the semi-finals of the 12 and under age group.
The USTA's National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) has awarded the Richmond program 6 tennis scholarships (3 boys/3 girls) for the USTA summer tennis camp at Sonoma State University in July. Players must be age 12-17 and an advanced, intermediate, or better player. Participants, Cienna Clark, Chandani Battle, Lauren Ross, Rishab Vaidhyanathan and Michael Viscara will all receive the scholarship. These players have all in the youth tennis program. They have also played Team Tennis with the Richmond Recreation the past 2 summers.
Facilities Mainenance Division: Carpenters repaired light fixtures in the Recreation Director’s office, and assisted with the alarm servicing at the Museum and on location at the Main Library for the emergency generator installation.
Painters started painting the canopy framework at Civic Center Plaza as well as the columns.
Stationary Engineers replaced the water heater at Fire Station #63, replaced toilet at the Communication Center, and installed water fountains at the Recreation Complex.
Utility Workers replaced soap dispensers in 440 Civic Center Plaza and maintained 29 City-owned buildings.
Soap Dispenser Replacement
Electricians replaced the street light poled knocked down on Morwood Drive and May Road, installed a receptacle for the Recreation Complex pool sump pump, relamped lights along Marina Bay Trail, modified the traffic lights at Hilltop and Robert H. Miller Drive and checked power at Nicholl Park for upcoming events.
Pole Replacement on Morwood Drive and May Road
Parks and Landscaping Division: Crews trimmed and weed abated at Wendell Park, continued with High Fire Severity Zones, performed weed abatement along Hilltop Dirve and Robert Miller Drive, continued the pathway project on Richmond Parkway and San Pablo Avenue, and performed graffiti removal at Nicholl Park.
High Fire Severity Zone Clearing
Tree crews cut, trimmed or removed trees on South 24th Street, Creely Avenue, Poinsett Avenue, Merced Avenue, and on West Richmond Avenue.
Streets Division: Staff grinded and paved South 44th Street and worked from the outstanding pothole and sidewalk list.
Paving on South 44th Street
Street sweeping performed commercial sweeping services for the fourth Monday through Wednesday and the fifth Thursday and Friday in the Santa Fe Coronado, Marina Bay, Point Richmond, Metro Richmore Village, Pullman, Cortez/Stege, Park Plaza, Laurel Park and City Center neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines staff fabricated 54 signs, installed 8 new signs, installed 38 new pavement markers, reinstalled 6 pavement delineations, and repainted 130 feet of curbs.
New Crosswalk Sign on Macdonald Avenue
Equipment Services Division: Crews repaired 21 police vehicles, 6 fire vehicles, 22 public works vehicles, placed 2 new police cars in service, and stripped 8 police vehicle to send to auction as well as 1 welding trailer.
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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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