Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the weekly report for the week ending February 6th, 2015.

1.    Meeting Notes

The next meeting of the Richmond City Council is a special meeting on Tuesday, February 10th beginning at 6:30 PM. The purpose of the meeting is solely to hear from candidates interested in filling the vacant City Council seat and for the Council to potentially appoint an individual to fill the seat. There are no closed session items scheduled in conjunction with that meeting.

For planning purposes, the Council will have a (mostly) all day strategic planning meeting on Friday, February 13th at 9:00 AM at the Courtyard by Marriott in Richmond.

2.    New City of Richmond Mobile APP

The City has officially launched the City of Richmond Mobile APP and is looking forward to feedback from the community.

To download the FREE City of Richmond smartphone app to your Android phone, Apple iPhone or iPad, follow the simple steps listed below.

·        Open the Apple App Store for your IOS device or the Google Play Store for Android smartphones.
·        Enter Richmond California to search for the app.
·        Download the app to install it.

After downloading the app, open it.  It is ready to use.

With the app you can:

• Report and track issues;
• Get information on the City Council and City departments.  You can also call them or initiate an email with one touch icons;
• Read information on City Parks, Public Buildings and Community Centers and be able to use the built in navigation features of your phone to get there;
• Receive City newsflashes;
• Access information and directions on Richmond dining and shopping establishments;
• Access a calendar of City events;
• Display the current weather in Richmond;
• Opt in to receive emergency alerts issued by the City; and
• Connect to the City’s online recreation system to sign up for programs and reserve facilities (coming soon).

We are planning to expand available features for this App and welcome your comments at webservices@ci.richmond.ca.us.

3.    City of Richmond Hosts San Francisco Giants Trophy

This past Wednesday, the City of Richmond was the proud host of the San Francisco Giants Trophy Tour.  Thanks to the Giants organization (and with apologies to fans of other baseball teams), and with thanks to Richmond PAL, which helped organize the event, the Richmond Auditorium became the afternoon home for three World Series trophies earned by the San Francisco Giants in each of the last three even numbered years.  This created an opportunity for over 1,200 loyal fans to see the trophies up close and to have their picture taken with a bit of baseball history.

Thanks again to the San Francisco Giants for sharing their accomplishment with the Richmond community, and thanks to Richmond PAL for organizing this splendid event.

Photos by KCRT staff:

SF Giants World Series Championship Trophies
Hosted by Mayor Tom Butt, and City Manager Bill Lindsay
In the Richmond Memorial Auditorium

Richmond Police Captain Bisa French

More than 1,200 people viewed the SF Giants World Series Championship Trophies on Wednesday, February 4, 2014 at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

A good time was had by all.

4.    LEAP Awarded $25,000 Grant for Positive Accessible Creative Education (PACE) Program

The Richmond Community Foundation awarded the City of Richmond’s outstanding adult literacy program, LEAP, $25,000 to support the adult learners during the 2015 year.  The funds will help LEAP students by offering the following activities:

·        College Bound - College tours to visit community, state and university facilities in the Bay Area, targeting adults who are near completion or have passed their GED.
·        Family Literacy - Field trips to the Academy of Sciences and similar venues that extend the curriculum for science and math and support family learning.
·        Author of the Year - Targeted speaker series promoting local authors who can inspire adults to write and read.
·        CHOICES - Targeted speaker series promoting local career opportunities and demystifying the pathway to the successful obtainment of these careers.

We welcome your suggestions for speakers, particularly in the area of local careers.  Many of the adults who attend LEAP have limited knowledge about the multitude of careers.  What does a Budget Analyst do?  How about a Finance Manager or a Recreation Coordinator?  Can a person carve out a career as a photographer? What does that entail? How can one use their creative talents to carve out a career? What are the differences in working in a public or private sector, or a private non-profit?  What is economic development and what is the skill set for this type of work? We welcome City employees and local residents to help us with this project.  Please do not be shy about sharing your story to help others shape their future.    Contact Sherry Drobner at (510) 307-8082 to participate.

5.    The Richmond Community Services Department “Steps Up Its Game”

This past week, Richmond Community Services Director Devone Boggan participated in a panel discussion with other Bay Area civic leaders hosted by the Golden State Warriors and presented by The California Endowment.  As part of the NBA’s commitment to the President’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative, the Warriors celebrated Black History Month and African American Heritage Night through the “Step Up Your Game Dream Panel Discussion.” Mr. Boggan encouraged the more than 200 high school youth in attendance representing local schools and 10 surrounding East Bay community and youth development organizations to never underestimate their power to contribute in significant ways towards making their communities healthy places to live, learn, play and recreate.  He admonished them to “be bold and courageous” when called to do the tough work of transforming and changing unhealthy community norms.  Youth from Richmond PAL were in attendance and had an opportunity, with their peers from Oakland, Hayward, San Lorenzo and San Leandro, to attend the basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks.

The Step Up Your Game project is designed to provide Bay Area youth with fun activities while also encouraging and motivating them to pursue their goals by working hard, making good choices and living a well-balanced lifestyle.

My Brother’s Keeper is an initiative launched in February 2014 by President Obama and the White House, which aims to address persistent opportunity gaps, faced by boys and young men of color, and put them on a pathway to success by building education, mentor and job opportunities in underserved communities.  The NBA, the National Basketball Players Association and the National Basketball Retired Players Association announced a five-year commitment to support My Brother’s Keeper in partnership with MENTOR, the National Mentoring Partnership, team Turnaround and the Council of Great City Schools

6.    Mosaic Mural Installed at Parchester Park

Thanks to the generous support of The Trust for Public Land, and the creative design of artist Rachel Rodi, an expressive mosaic mural was installed at Parchester Park.  The mural was created with hand-made tiles created by over 300 volunteers who came together on Make a Difference Day, October 25, 2014, to rebuild Parchester Park in one day.  The mosaic mural represents the community of the Parchester neighborhood and the many volunteers who were empowered to unite together on Make a Difference Day. 

7.    Richmond Art Center Opening Reception

Mix and mingle with your Richmond neighbors, while you enjoy seeing the work of 100 emerging and established Bay Area artists at the reception for exhibitions at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue on Saturday, February 7th from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. See artwork by 75 African American artists in the 19th Annual The Art of Living Black and works by the Art Center’s talented professional artist-instructors. Also, see the mixed-media work of Yisrael K. Feldsott which explores the formal potentials of disparate materials to portray the gamut of the human experience. Snacks and refreshments will be served. Call (510) 620-6772 or visit
http://richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions  for more information.

8.    See & Make Art at the Richmond Art Center

Join the Richmond Art Center for a free, first Saturday bilingual art tour on Saturday, February 7th from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM! Come and enjoy a guided tour of our galleries and a hands-on art making activity! Open to all ages. Families welcome.

Please meet the tour group in the Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room at the Richmond Public Library, Main Branch (325 Civic Center Plaza), from where they will walk as a group over to the Art Center.

For more information, please visit http://richmondartcenter.org/event/1st-saturday-see-make-art-3 or call (510) 620-6772.

9.    Help Make 13th Street/Rumrill Boulevard Safe for Everyone, Community Workshop #2

Give us your feedback on our complete street design concepts for Rumrill Boulevard on Tuesday, February 10th at 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM at the Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Multipurpose Room (960 17th Street, Richmond). The designs aim to transform the street into a friendlier place for people and businesses by improving conditions for travel by foot, bike, bus and car.  A professional planning and design team is translating your input into solutions to improve safety and mobility for people of all ages and abilities along and across Rumrill Boulevard/13th Street.

For more information contact Roberta Feliciano, City of San Pablo, at robertaf@sanpabloca.gov or at (510) 215-3052.  This event is hosted by the City of San Pablo in partnership with the City of Richmond, Local Government Commission and Contra Costa Health Services. The project is funded by a Caltrans Environmental Justice Transportation Planning Grant. Childcare, Spanish translation, snacks and refreshments will be provided.

10. You Can Help Richmond Seniors Age In Place!  Volunteer to Provide Rides for Seniors!

Richmond’s impact volunteering program, Richmond ESC – Excellence Serving our Community, is partnering with Senior Helpline Services’ Rides for Seniors Program to bridge the gap in services for ambulatory seniors in Richmond who no longer drive and cannot access other forms of transportation. In our society, MOBILITY = INDEPENDENCE, so without a safe and available alternative to driving, the end result for seniors is often institutionalization.

We seek volunteers who . . .
·        are good drivers, ages 25 to 75, bilingual a plus
·        agree to provide an occasional ride to an ambulatory senior
·        agree to attend a training session provided by Senior Helpline Services
·        agree to a background check
·        agree to use their own car (gas reimbursement available upon request)
Help homebound seniors maintain their independence and freedom to age in place by providing essential transportation. Volunteer today!  For additional information, please contact Senior Helpline Services at (925) 284-6161 or Richmond ESC, (510) 620-6511.
                                     
11. 2015 Historic Preservation Awards

The City of Richmond and the Richmond Historic Preservation Commission invites nominations for the Richmond Historic Preservation Awards, 2015. The purpose of the Historic Preservation Awards program is to increase public awareness of Richmond’s heritage by recognizing individuals, organizations, businesses, and agencies whose contributions demonstrate outstanding commitment to excellence in historic preservation, local history or promotion of the heritage of the City. Awards will be presented in May 2015, National Preservation Month. In addition to public and private buildings and structures, historic preservation projects may include media, publications, presentations and exhibits, parks, burial grounds, public art, oral history, theater productions, events, and video presentations. Below is a list of last year's award winners:

·        Port of Richmond and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates for Rehabilitating the Rigger's Loft
·        The Women's Westside Improvement Club for Producing the New Point Richmond Street Directory Map
·        Kenneth Kokka, Donna Graves, the Blossoms and Thorns Video Committee, and the Contra Costa Japanese American  Citizens League for Creating the Documentary Film "Blossoms and Thorns: A Community Uprooted"
·        The Richmond Rotary Club and The East Bay Center for the Performing Arts for Producing "Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle"
·        Bruce Beyaert and the Trails for Richmond Action Committee (TRAC) for Preserving Richmond's Shoreline and its History

Eligibility: Any individual, group, organization or agency involved in historic preservation or promoting Richmond’s heritage is eligible to receive a Richmond Historic Preservation Award. The preservation project or activity (or a substantial portion of a large-scale multiple activity project) must have been completed no later than December 31, 2014.

Nomination Form: You may nominate an eligible preservation project or activity by submitting a completed 2015 Historic Preservation Awards Nomination Form to the Richmond Planning and Building Services Department. Additional details about eligibility, evaluation criteria used, and submittal requirements are found in the nomination form which can be downloaded at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/preservationaward.

Nominations are due by 5:00 PM on March 27, 2015. Feel free to call Sabrina Lundy at (510) 620-6705 with any questions you may have.

12. City Manager Chronicles

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 representatives from the Santa Fe Neighborhood Council and local labor unions to discuss the status of a neighborhood park rebuilding project in the Santa Fe neighborhood;
·        Met with various department heads to review the status of development projects that are in the “pipeline”;
·        Attended a well-organized and very entertaining Richmond PAL Annual Luncheon;
·        Met with City staff and staff from PG&E to discuss utility issues associated with the renovation of Shields-Reid Park;
·        Attended the San Francisco Giants Trophy tour (see above);
·        Met with members of the Marina Bay community, and ownership of Richmond Wholesale, to discuss resident concerns relating to operation of the Richmond Wholesale facility;
·        Met with representatives from the Center for Cultural Innovation to discuss potential economic development opportunities associated with the arts;
·        Met with staff from the City’s Housing division to review compliance work and the status of various development projects;
·        Met, together with Devone Boggan and staff from the Community Services Department, with representatives from Richmond Swims to discuss implementation of a pilot learn-to-swim program this spring;
·        Met with Supervisor John Gioia and members of his staff, LAFCO Executive Officer Lou Ann Texeira, Mayor’s Chief of Staff Terrance Cheung, and County staff to discuss what is the legal process for annexations; and
·        Attended a press conference to provide information concerning the recently-approved relocation vouchers for residents of the Hacienda.

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.

13. 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 through late May/early June 2015. 

During the week of February 2nd, additional main retaining wall and sidewalk retaining wall concrete pours were placed, installation of electrical and mechanical equipment at the pump station and electrical work at the Meeker/Marina Bay Parkway traffic signal continued.  For the week of February 9th, and weather permitting, crews will begin building formwork for the raised sidewalk, prepare the site for the generator building pad, and continue pump station mechanical equipment installation.      

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.

14. Richmond Farmers Market

Although some seasonal items are no longer available, new fruits and vegetables such as cauliflower, strawberries, swiss chards, greens, and red beets are in season. The Richmond Certified Farmers Market sells only what is grown on local farms, which is why fruits and vegetables are picked when they are ripe and ready to eat with lots of flavor! 

So join your friends and neighbors at the Richmond Certified Farmers Market every Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  The market accepts WIC coupons and has EBT tokens. If you have any questions about the market, call (510) 237-7271.

15. Richmond Main Street’s Annual Stakeholders’ Meeting

Richmond Main Street is inviting interested persons to join them on Wednesday, February 18th from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at BBK Center for Health & Healing, 310 9th Street (at Macdonald Avenue) for a look back on the successes and challenges of 2014.  Richmond Main Street is interested in having you tell them what you think about their plans for 2015, especially development projects—including an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to support the Home of Chicken and Waffles project in Downtown.

Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP greatly appreciated so please RSVP here or by calling (510) 236-4049.

Residents, Merchants, Property Owners, Community Members welcome.
Let your voice be heard and help shape the future of Downtown!

16. Information Technology (IT) Department Updates

Website Statistics: Top 10 Webpage visits for the week ending February 6, 2015:

Throwback Thursday:  Featuring Richmond California History

Congratulations to David Gray who provided the perfect answer to this week’s Throwback Thursday: “This is a photo of the Pierce Street Giants, taken in the early 1920s. They played at a baseball diamond on 1st Street and Macdonald Avenue.”

David Gray, winner of the Throwback Thursday Trivia

Image provided by Melinda McCrary,
Richmond Museum and the Richmond Public Library

For more information about Richmond’s Facebook page, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Richmond-CA-Local-Government/139438544014?v=wall

17. Recreation Highlights

Tennis

Representatives from the Richmond Tennis Association and the Recreation Department met with Glenn Arrington and Anne Davis, national managers from the United States Tennis Association, to discuss future grants for the growing Richmond tennis program. Discussion also included ideas for expanding the tennis program to include more play dates, players, and tournaments for youth.

Richmond Plunge

The Richmond Plunge has a variety of fun and instructive adult programs on Saturdays.  Aqua Zumba is offered each Saturday from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Session II of Adult Swim Lessons begins Saturday, February 14th and will be offered from 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM. Adult lap swim starts bright and early at 8:00 AM and is open until 12:30 PM. Call (510) 620-6820 for more information.

Senior Center

The Richmond Senior Center hosted Tam’s Yi Jin exercise group for their annual Chinese New Year Celebration on Saturday, January 31st from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Approximately 40 participants were present.

18. Public Works Updates

Facilities Mainenance Division:  Caprenters removed debris blocking the stairs at the Plunge, removed hazards around the drinking fountain, repaired the window sill in the Madeline Whittlesey Room of the Main Library, fixed eight broken windows at the Recreation Complex, and completed dry wall repairs at the Nevin Community Center.

Painters placed curb numbers identifying the Senior Center’s address and placed safety markings on stairways in the Auditorium.

Stationary Engineers repaired a light fixture in the Emergency Operations Center, replaced the furnace in the Community Room at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center, replaced the scroll whell for air conditioner #1 at 450 Civic Center Plaza, repaired a shower at Fire Station #67, and replaced the furnace at the Parks Field office.

Utility Workers cleaned windows at the R-Transit building, cleaned rugs at the Main Library in the community room, replaced light bulbs, replaced floor mats for safety, and serviced 29 City-owned facilities.

Shredder Cleaning at Employment and Training

Electricians relamped City Hall Plaza, marked 21 locations for Underground Service Alerts (USA), repaired a failed traffic controller at May Road and Valley View Road, repaired Marina lighting, connected a furnace at the Parks Yard, repaired the overhead red light on Barrett Avenue and 23rd Street, and assisted with the fire alarm at Pogo Park.

Parks and Landscaping Division:  General crews continue with the irrigation repairs along the Greenway, cleaned up on the Richmond Parkway, repaired the gate at the Solano Play Lot, and weeded and trimmed along the Lan Luis sound wall.

Cleaning Around the Sound Wall

Hilltop District crews conducted weed abatement, placed landscaping boulders, started planting at the AM/PM project location, trimmed 11 trees on Hilltop Drive near County Club Vista Park, trimmed 40 trees and repaired three irrigation valves near the AM/PM project site, and performed general maintenance near Hilltop Lake. 

Clean-up in Hilltop Area

Marina District staff completed the block wall surrounding the new Marina restroom and cleaned Marina Way.

Wall Installation at Marina Restroom

Tree crews cut or trimmed trees on/at  Esmond Avenue, Barrett Avenue, 34th Street, 1st Street, South 17th Street, at the BART entrance on 19th Street and in Lucas Park.

Streets Division:  Staff installed speed tables, performed grinding on Garrard Boulevard, began planning for storm patrol and worked from the outstanding pothole.

Speed Table Installation

Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the first Monday through Friday in the Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Carriage Hills N Side, El Sorbrante Hills, Greenbriar, Hansford Heights, Via Verda, San Pablo Dam Road, Bristole, Cone, May Valley, Vista View and Clinton Hill I neighborhood council areas.

Signs and Lines staff installed 24 new signs and poles, repaired 14 signs and poles, fabricated City logos, installed pavement markers and repainted 300 feet of curb.

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