Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the weekly report for the week ending June 20th, 2014.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 24th, 2014, beginning with a Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by the regular Council agenda
at 6:30 PM.
Teen Services Librarian, Añgela Cox presented the 15TH Annual S.A.T. Scholarship Awards at this past regular City Council meeting on June 17th. The scholarship was formed by the Friends of the Richmond Public Library, and the Teen Services Division of the Library to support graduating high school seniors in West Contra Costa County who want to pursue a college degree.
Joshua Ko is the recipient of the $1,500 award, and a recent graduate of El Cerrito High School. He will attend the University of California, Berkeley this fall and plans to major in Media Studies with a minor in Political Science. Malachi Gonzales is the recipient of the $1,000 award. He is a graduate of Pinole Valley High school who will attend Oxford College of Emory University in Georgia this fall. The S.A.T. Scholarships are one of many programs sponsored by the Friends of the Richmond Public Library that support the education and enrichment of youth.
Angela Cox presenting the scholarship to recipient Joshua Ko
Malachi Gonzales accepting his award with his family
- The 5th Annual Richmond Native American Pow-wow on Saturday, June 21st
The City of Richmond is co-sponsoring the 5th Annual Richmond Native American Pow-wow at Nicholl Park on Saturday, June 21 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The grand entry will be at 12:00 noon.
The annual Richmond Native American pow-wow offers the public an in-depth look at the true culture of traditional Native American songs and dances that were passed down in an oral tradition before the colonization of the Americas. The pow-wow is a Native American tradition that, for the past four years in Richmond, has brought tribes from as far away as South Dakota, New Mexico, Long Beach, and Sacramento to meet in community with one another and to share Native American cultures with the whole Richmond community. We expect a large crowd for this annual event, which has become a tradition that many members of the Richmond community look forward to each year.
The pow-wow is family event in a drug and alcohol free setting. Community members of all ages are invited to attend. Participants are invited to experience live cultural education in real time at this annual event. All are welcome to observe certain ceremonies and traditions and to participate in others. Please bring your own chairs, picnic blankets and umbrellas for the sun.
Activities include drumming, singing, dancing, a powwow princess contest, a hand drum contest, arts & crafts, and a raffle drawing. Vendors will have prepared food, including Indian fry bread, for sale throughout the day.
For more information visit RichmondCommunityPowow on Facebook.
 
- Juneteenth Family Day Parade & Festival on Saturday, June 28th
Please join the City of Richmond as it celebrates the Juneteenth Family Day Parade & Festival on Saturday, June 28th from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The parade begins at 10:00 AM on Cutting Boulevard and Marina Way South and ends at Nicholl Park on 31st Street and Macdonald Avenue. The festival begins at Nicholl Park at 11:30 AM and ends at 6:00 PM. Please join us for two stages of entertainment, health screenings, ethnic food, kids expo, youth poetry slam, local vendors and much more. Visit http://www.richmondcajuneteenth.org for more information.
- Richmond Ferry Service – An Update
This is an update to last week’s Weekly Report item regarding Richmond ferry service.
The Richmond Ferry Terminal project, which would be located at Sheridan Point at the base of Harbour Way across from the Ford Building, is expected to receive final California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) clearance from the Water Emergency Transit Authority (WETA) by summer 2014. On Wednesday, June 18th, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) received a presentation of a report of the financial feasibility of Contra Costa County ferry service (also known as the “white paper”). The “white paper” evaluates each of the proposed Contra Costa terminal sites – Richmond, Antioch, Martinez, and Hercules.
This white paper shows that the Richmond terminal site would have more passengers, a higher farebox recovery (and therefore a lower operating subsidy), lower operating expenses, and the least terminal and vessel costs, than the three other Contra Costa sites. And, the differences in these attributes are not small: average daily boardings would be nearly three times greater in Richmond than the next best site in Contra Costa County; farebox recovery percentage would be twice the amount in Richmond as compared with the next best site (and, the Richmond service is the only service of the four that is projected to meet WETA’s farebox recovery goal); and terminal and vessel capital costs would be $17 million lower in Richmond (at $34 million) when compared with the next best site ($51 million) in Contra Costa County. It would be difficult to justify any conclusion that Contra Costa ferry service should not be in Richmond.
The CCTA Board reviewed the ferry study at its meeting Wednesday, June 18th, with comments from Board Members and the public generally supportive of Richmond ferry service. Staff is currently working with West Contra Costa County Transportation Committee (WCCTAC) and WETA staff to reach agreement on the amount and timing of Measure J funding subsidy required to operate the service, which will form the basis of a recommendation to CCTA for programming of these funds.
I will keep you informed as this project moves forward.
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.
A substantial amount of time was spent on issues related to the FY 2014-15 budget. Other activities and meeting topics during the past week have included:
- Meeting with Supervisor John Gioia and staff, Contra Costa County Animal Services Director Glenn Howell, Police Chief Chris Magnus, Police Captain Manjit Sappal, and El Cerrito Police Chief Sylvia Moir to discuss issues related to animal control services in Richmond and El Cerrito, and the existing contract for these services;
- Meeting with City staff and staff from PG&E to discuss franchise fees;
- Meeting with City staff, attorney John Knox, and Richmond Community Foundation Director Jim Becker to discuss the process and schedule for using social impact bonds to acquire and rehabilitate property in Richmond;
- Meeting with community members to discuss further activities related to the Richmond Bay Campus statement of commitment by UC Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab;
- Meeting with staff from the Finance Department and the Housing program division to discuss ongoing compliance with HUD regulations;
- Participating in a conference call with HUD staff, along with Mayor McLaughlin, Finance Director Jim Goins, and Housing Program Manager Patrick Lynch to review compliance with CDBG program regulations;
- Met with Finance Department and Port staff to discuss issues related to management of the Richmond marina, and to discuss the status of the Terminal 1 project.
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.
- 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 June 14th and June 15th the fourth and final weekend closure work window was successfully completed. Approach slabs and a fascia beam were placed by crane, and waterproofing installed on the bridge surface.
During the week of June 16th, the subgrade was treated with lime, which provides a stable surface for additional work and adds strength to the soils beneath the roadway. Also during this week, the third level of tiebacks was installed at the pump station.
For the week of June 23rd, crews will begin to excavate the subgrade for walers and permanent struts, which are concrete structures that will cross the roadway and below the road surface. These elements will allow for the eventual removal of the temporary steel struts that currently cross the roadway above grade. In order to expedite this work, crews plan to work on Saturday June 21st and Saturday June 28th. The fourth level of the pump station is also planned to be excavated during the week of June 23rd.
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.
- Improvements to the San Pablo Dam Road Interchange at I-80
In preparation for future improvements to the San Pablo Dam Road Interchange at I-80, El Portal Drive, near Glenlock Street in the City of San Pablo, will be temporarily closed to allow for the advance relocation of underground utilities.
The roadway closure is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 23rd, 2014, and is anticipated to continue into August 2014. The closure limits on El Portal Drive will be between Glenlock Street and the entrance ramp to westbound I-80 (towards San Francisco), near the Shell Gas Station. Access to/from Glenlock Street from/to El Portal Drive and all entrance and exit ramps will remain open at all times during construction. The sidewalk on El Portal Drive within the road closure segment will remain open at all times, except as needed, when construction activities require temporary closure for public safety.
Detour signs will be posted to inform drivers of alternative routes to reach their destination during the roadway closure. Electronic changeable message signs will be placed in strategic locations on city streets to minimize traffic delays and public inconvenience.
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority and project partners, including the cities of San Pablo and Richmond, Contra Costa County, and Caltrans, are making every effort to provide opportunities for project neighbors to stay informed about this construction work.
More information about the project can be found at:
http://www.ccta.net/projects/project/38.
The project hotline’s number is (510) 277-0444.
Thank you for your cooperation during this essential work.
- 2013 Supplemental Web Survey Results (Non-Scientific Survey)
As part of its participation in The National Citizen Survey™ (The NCS), the City of Richmond conducted a mailed survey of 3,000 residents. Surveys were mailed to randomly selected households in April 2013 and data was collected through early June 2013. After the official data collection period was over and the data were reported, the City made available the web-based survey to its residents through a link on the City’s web site. Visitors to the site were able to complete the survey from June 2013 through December 2013, and 282 surveys were received. The results from the non-scientific survey are included in the 2013 Supplemental Web Survey Report at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=2745.
- Free Mural Classes for Teens at the Richmond Art Center
The Richmond Art Center is offering a free mural painting class for teens, age 13 - 18. Teens will learn traditional and urban mural painting techniques from leading Bay Area muralist Fred Alvarado. Mr. Alvarado will lead teens in designing and painting a Richmond-themed mural. Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Class will be held from June 9th - July 31st on Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This free class is part of the Richmond Art Center's traveling Art in the Community Program which brings art experiences to people all across Richmond.
Learn more and apply at: http://www.therac.org/mural.html or call (510) 620-6772.
- Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) is Looking for You!
LEAP will celebrate 30 years of service on September 21, 2014. We want to thank the many volunteer tutors and students, as well as community service providers, who have supported and shaped LEAP’s success. Who are the LEAPster’s? What are their stories? In the next three months we will be collecting stories and photos to create a memorable timeline and history of the program. Are you part of this history? Please let us know and tell us the part that you played. Feel free to submit your information by email to leapvolunteerinfor@gmail.com with the subject heading: LEAP 30 Year Story. If you have any questions or want to assist with our plans, feel free to contact Sherry Drobner at (510) 307-8082 or sherry_drobner@ci.richmond.ca.us.
Senior Center
Members of the Shan Bin Dance Class, at the Richmond Senior Center, performed at the Saffron Strand's Evening of Diversity at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium on Monday, June 16th.
Zumba Gold class is now being offered on Thursday mornings at the Richmond Senior Center. Zumba classes are also now offered each day of the week at the center. Please call (510) 307-8087 for scheduling information.
Facilities Maintenance Division: Utility Workers cleaned windows at 440 Civic Center Plaza and at the R-Transit building, replaced light fixture covers, power washed the front of Employement and Training, and maintained 29 City-owned buildings.
Power Washing of Employment and Training Building
Parks and Landscaping Division: Crews continued work cutting in the High Fire Severity Zones in the Castro Ranch Road area, painted the benches at Judge Carroll Park, worked on the pathway project on the Richmond Parkway, completed weed abatement on Giant Road, performed irrigation repair at the Main Library, and repaired the fence on the 23rd Street grade.
Castro Ranch Road High Fire Zone Cutting
Richmond Parkway Pathway Project
Streets Division: Staff addressed sidewalk issues on 17th Street, 13th Street, Sonoma Avenue and Orchard Avenue, and worked from the outstanding pothole and sidewalk list.
Sidewalk on 13th Street
Street sweeping performed commercial 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 staff installed 58 new signs and poles, repaired 61 signs and poles and repainted 87 feet of curbs.
Equipment Services Division: Staff repaired and/or serviced 17 Police cars, 22 Public Works vehicles, and 3 Fire Department vehicles for a total of 42 vehicles.
*************************************************
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
|
