 
Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the weekly report for the week ending August 8th, 2014.
The City Council is on its annual August hiatus. The next City Council meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday, September 16th. Enjoy your free Tuesday evenings!
- City Council Filing Period Extended for Four-Year Term
I was advised by the City Clerk late on Friday afternoon that the filing period for the November 2014 election for the four-year term as City Councilmember has been extended five calendar days to Wednesday, November 13th at 5:00 PM.
On Thursday, August 7, 2014, Richmond celebrated its 109th anniversary of becoming a charter city.
- Update on LED Streetlight Upgrades
As you may recall, the City has been working over the last 18 months on upgrading 7,000 existing street lights to LED technology, and installing nearly 2,000 new street lights, for a total of 9,000 new LED street lights throughout the City. We estimate that all street light upgrades and new installations will be completed by the end of the 2014 calendar year. The LED upgrades significantly reduce energy consumption and costs, and provide a higher lighting quality to city streets.
As part of the existing street light upgrades, from March to July of 2004, the City successfully upgraded 3,000 street lights on residential streets. In conjunction with upgrading existing residential street lights, the City has also partnered with PG&E to install new street lights on poles that previously did not have street lights. The City has completed design of nearly 2,000 of these new street lights, and is now working to coordinate the installation and energizing of these lights.
Installation of new street lights is a two-step process. First, the City contractor installs the new light, and, once a neighborhood is complete, PG&E will energize the lights. While it may initially appear to residents that the new lights are inoperable, there is sometimes a delay between the installation of the new light fixture and it being energized. We appreciate your patience with this delay.
To date, the City’s contractor has installed 745 new street lights, and 321 of those lights have been energized by PG&E. A summary of new installed lights by neighborhood is as follows:
- Expanded Recycling Service for Residents and Businesses
Recycling is a free service provided to all Richmond residents and businesses. The items accepted in the program have now been expanded to include plastic bags (bundled) and all rigid plastic containers including tubs and to-go containers.
Participating in recycling service is another opportunity for businesses and residents to save money on their trash bill and reduce the amount of waste landfilled. For questions regarding what is accepted in the recycling program, or to request service changes, please call Richmond Sanitary Service customer service at (510) 262-7100.
- More Good Garbage News: Expanded Food Scrap Service Now Available for all Commercial Businesses
Richmond businesses are now eligible to participate in the City’s curbside compost program at no cost. This service will allow businesses to decrease the amount of waste landfilled and save money on trash bills. Businesses can call Richmond Sanitary Service customer service at (510) 262-7100 to schedule a walk-through and to start green cart service. Items accepted include food scraps, food-soiled paper, and plant and yard debris. Upon request, Richmond Sanitary Service recycling coordinators can provide training, indoor collection bins and service recommendations to businesses.
- “WeCare Connect” Celebration Honoring National Health Center Week
On Wednesday, August 13th, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, LifeLong Medical Care is hosting a town hall and resource fair, WeCare Connect, in honor of National Health Center Week (August 10th through August 16th). The town hall will take place at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch, Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room (325 Civic Center Plaza Richmond), with light refreshments provided.
The Community Clinic Consortium, representing health centers in Contra Costa will launch its “Connect to Care” consumer education workshop to help consumers understand how to use their health insurance, to improve health literacy, and increase utilization of preventative services. Those attending can learn about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), how to talk to their doctor, how to access health plan information, and how to retain health insurance.
For more information, please call LifeLong Medical Care at (510) 981-4100 or visit www.lifelongmedical.org.
- City of Richmond Blood Drive 2014
The American Red Cross is sponsoring City Blood Challenge 2014 on Thursday, August 14th, from 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium/Bermuda Room, 403 Civic Center Plaza (Nevin Avenue).
To schedule your appointment or for more information visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: RICHMOND or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
If you have questions regarding your eligibility to donate blood, please call 1-866-236-3276.
We are looking forward to a successful drive on August 14th, and would like to schedule such an event every two or three months to create a routine and consistent site for the Richmond community and employees. The next Blood Drive is planned for Monday, November 24, 2014.
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 included:
- Met with NPS Rosie the Riveter Park Superintendent Tom Leatherman and Deputy Superintendent Sue Fritzke to discuss the status of joint projects;
- Attended a meeting in Sacramento, hosted by Assemblymember Nancy Skinner, with State of California Health Secretary Diana Dooley to discuss issues related to Doctors Medical Center;
- Attended the kick-off for National Night Out, as well as several outstanding National Night Out neighborhood parties;
- Met, along with Richmond Planning Director Richard Mitchell and Administrative Chief Shasa Curl, with East Bay Regional Park District Assistant General Manager Bob Nisbet and Park Planner Michelle Julene, to discuss coordination of park planning efforts for the Terminal 1 development and Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline;
- Attended a meeting, together with various City staff, with staff from the Trust for Public Land to discuss potential joint projects in Richmond;
- Met with representatives from the Safe Return Team to discuss their various projects and funding status;
- Attended the monthly Contra Costa Mayors’ Conference, hosted by the City of Lafayette;
- Met, along with Human Resources Director Lisa Stephenson, with Dr. Judy Castro, Chief of Staff at John F. Kennedy University, to discuss potential educational partnerships;
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
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 August 4th, the installation of walers and permanent struts was completed, allowing the next major phase of work, construction of the retaining walls, to commence. Also during the week of August 4th, crews assembled formwork and rebar for the first of four levels of walls at the pump station, finished the storm drain installation at Jetty Drive, and began installing waterproofing on the Deep Soil Mix (“DSM”) walls.
For the week of August 11th, rebar and formwork will be installed for the first section of retaining wall, north of the railroad tracks and along the east side of the roadway. The first retaining wall concrete pour is tentatively scheduled for the following week. The wall will be built in sections in this way for the coming weeks, with a new section of retaining wall poured every 4-6 working days. Also during the week of August 11th, concrete will be poured for the first level walls at the pump station.
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.
- Information Technology (IT) Department Updates
Website Statistics:
KCRT - Image of the Week:
A family enjoying the view of Richmond and Civic Center from the top of Wildcat Canyon.
The Code Enforcement Abatement Unit continues to work diligently to eliminate blight in our neighborhoods.
Crews Removed 81.4 Tons of Debris from Public Right-of-Ways
Hoffman Blvd. @ S. 33rd Street Hoffman Blvd. @ S. 19th Street
 
 
Abated Weeds from 8 City Locations
Regatta Boulevard:
Before After
 
South 7th Street and Lincoln Avenue:
Before
 
After
Abated 4 Private Properties
2918 Center Avenue:
Before After
 
562 6th Street:
Before After
 
Removed graffiti from 42 locations
Before After
 
Before After
 
Performed two Neighborhood Clean-Up (Laurel Park & Parkview) – Assisted on the removal of 8.79 tons of debris from 19 seniors citizens.
Laurel Park:
 
 
- July New Business Licenses
July 2014 saw a total of 38 new businesses file for business licenses, for a total of 66 new jobs. Of particular note is Anyi Lu International, Inc., which has established a warehouse in Richmond. Anyi Lu is a high-end shoe designer, whose designs are handmade in Italy. In the United States, her shoes are sold in department stores such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s and Nieman Marcus.
Seniors
The Richmond Annex Senior Center held its quarterly international luncheon. Twenty-three seniors enjoyed the domestic “international” luncheon featuring a Hawaiian theme. The seniors enjoyed the festive décor and dressing up in colorful Hawaiian outfits. Horace Santo Domingo, a long time participant at the Annex Senior Center, won for best dressed.
 
The Richmond Annex Senior Center intermediate/advanced Spanish class has begun reading Spanish books! They are really challenging themselves while learning the language and having fun while doing it! You can join this class on Fridays from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Not intermediate/advanced in Spanish but still want to take a class? The Annex Senior Center is offering a beginning Spanish class on Mondays from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Learn the basics in conversational Spanish with this entertaining and casual class. Call (510) 620-6812 for more information.
The Richmond Annex Senior Center has partnered with AARP to offer the SMART Driver Course. Call (510) 620-6812 for more information. Classes begin August 12th!
The Richmond Commission on Aging is hosting a day excursion to Monterey Bay Aquarium on August 19th. Tickets are $40 per person and on sale now! Cost includes charter bus transportation, entrance ticket, snacks and games on the bus. Call Eli Williams at (510) 232-4690 or Myrtle Braxton at (510) 233-0777 for ticket and event information. Space is limited so call today!
Disabled People’s Recreation Center
Participants are staying busy during the Kids ‘N Motion summer camp. The week started with swimming at the Richmond Plunge, followed by a sports day at Rankin Park in Martinez, a BBQ and boating at the San Pablo Reservoir, a Special Friend’s Day for people with disabilities at the Solano Fair Grounds, and last but not least a great day of play at Robert’s Regional Park. There has been plenty of laughter and fun!
Pt. Richmond
Kids ‘N Motion summer camp participants had been looking forward to “Summer Jam” Week with activities including academics, swimming, arts & crafts, story time at the West Branch Library, and community walks. The participants also join the Disabled People’s Recreation Center for Wednesday field trips. Last Wednesday they went to San Pablo Reservoir for hiking, games and a BBQ. Their favorite part of the day was riding around the lake in a party boat. Although they did not fish, they saw several fish swimming. Not only was the week fun but the weather was beautiful.
Facilities Mainenance Division: Carpenters completed ergonomic adjustments for the work stations within the R-Transit building, resolved a safety issue at the fueling station at the Corporation Yard, and repaired the flag pole in Civic Center Plaza.
Painters recycled hazardous waste, repaired the lobby wall in Civic Center Plaza, and competed wall repairs at the child care center within the Recreation Complex.
Stationary Engineers replaced the exhaust hood over the stove within the Parchester Community Center, repaired the freezer within the Police Department, cleared waste lines at Fire Station #62, fixed the water valve in the heating ventilating air conditioning (HVAC) system at 450 Civic Center Plaza, replaced the blower motor within the Hilltop Parks office, and changed the server room electrial board.
Freezer Repair
Utility workers cleaned and waxed floors within the Police Department, cleaned the carpets in the Engineering office, cleaned windows at 450 Civic Center Plaza, and maintained 29 City-owned buildings.
Window Cleaning at 450 Civic Center Plaza
Electricians continued with the Richmond Parkway Street Light repair project, repaired/replaced ballast lights around 440 Civic Center Plaza, inspected the Art Center’s kiln prior to installation, and restored power at Point Molate.
Restoring Power at Pt. Molate
Parks and Landscaping Division: Crews removed graffiti from Lamoine, Nicholl and John F. Kennedy Parks, repaired the fence to the Community Garden on Macdonald Avenue and Harbour Way, cleaned illegal dumping at Mira Vista Park, prepared Lamoine and Tiller Parks for National Night Out events, and repaired the basketball goal at Hilltop Green Park.
Community Garden Fence Repair
Tree crews trimmed trees along Ohio Avenue, Maricopa Avenue, Groom Drive, Willard Avenue, and Virginia Avenue.
Tree Trimming on Ohio Avenue
Streets Division: Staff ground and paved on Esmond Avenue from Amador to Sonoma Avenues, as well as worked from the outstanding pothole and sidewalk list.
Paving on Esmond Avenue
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the first Monday through Thursday and the second Friday in the Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Carriage Hills North Side, El Sobrante Hills, Greenbriar, Hansford Heights, Via Verda, San Pablo Dam Road, Bristole Cone, Clinton Hill IV, and East Richmond neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines staff installed 13 new signs and poles, repaired 15 signs, replaced 63 pavement markers, installed 50 fire hydrant indicators in the Carriage Hills area, corrected lane lines and reinstalled bicycle lanes at Hall Street and Harbour Way.
Sign Installation
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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