Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the weekly report for the week ending February 27th, 2015.

• Meeting Notes

The next meeting of the Richmond City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2015, beginning with a Closed Session at 5:30 PM, followed by the regular City Council agenda at 6:30 PM.

• Richmond Police Department Visits the White House

The Richmond Police Department was honored to be asked by the White House to select one of its officers to join five other police officers from around the nation to meet with President Obama in the Oval Office this past Tuesday.  The President wanted to discuss best practices for engaging police departments with their communities, and Richmond was identified as a city where the relationship between officers and residents is strong.
 
Police Chief Chris Magnus reported that selecting whom to send to this meeting was a challenge because so many RPD officers are doing such excellent community policing.  After much deliberation, Officer Erik Oliver, a five year veteran with the department was chosen.  Officer Oliver is currently assigned to the Regulatory Unit – a section of the department responsible for oversight related to alcohol and tobacco sales, medical marijuana, taxi and towing regulations, community outreach around certain code enforcement issues, and other activities.  Officer Oliver, a former Marine, has also worked as a patrol beat officer in the past.

President Obama was joined in the 45-minute meeting by Vice President Biden.  Officer Oliver had the opportunity to share ways in which Richmond has been able to reduce crime while strengthening ties with the public.  He described both the President and the Vice President as, not only engaged in the conversation, but very friendly and “down to earth.”

Officer Erik Oliver meeting with President Obama and Vice President Biden

• RichmondBUILD Awarded $60,000 Grant from the Y.H. Soda Foundation

RichmondBUILD staff learned this week that it will receive a $60,000 grant from the Y.H. Soda Foundation. The grant will support essential case management and follow up services for all RichmondBUILD participants, and will help to enhance the math preparation required by various crafts of the building trades. The grant is also intended to assist with developing project-specific customized training modules like solar installation, lighting retro-fit, and energy efficiency.

This grant award marks the third year in a row that Y.H Soda Foundation has provided funding and support for the RichmondBUILD program.

• Contractors Meet & Greet hosted by Employment & Training Department

   
On Thursday, February 26th, the Richmond Community Foundation collaborated with Employment & Training staff to disseminate important information to local construction companies on contracting opportunities available on the upcoming Richmond Housing Rehabilitation Program.

The meeting was held at the RichmondWORKS One Stop Center and was facilitated by Sal Vaca, Director, Employment & Training, and Jim Becker, Executive Director of the Richmond Community Foundation. 

Mr. Becker gave a detailed presentation on the Rehabilitation Program that identified key areas that would benefit the City’s local contracting community and the local hiring goals.  A total of 28 Richmond contractors and consulting firms were represented.  Each business left the meeting with a clear understanding of how the City and the Richmond Community Foundation are committed to identifying contracting opportunities for Richmond business.

• Fire Chief Adrian Sheppard Hosts Congressman DeSaulnier on Fire Boat “Victory” 

   
This past Monday, Richmond Fire Chief Adrian Sheppard, along with the City Manager, Emergency Operations Manager Kathy Gerk, and fire department personnel, hosted Congressman DeSaulnier on the new “Victory” fire boat which is to be used to in in the event of maritime and coastal emergencies, and to protect Richmond’s business operations along the shoreline.  During the trip, fire personnel were able to demonstrate its various capabilities, including pumping water from the bay.  The purchase of the fire boat and the associated training has been substantially funded by grants from the federal Department of Homeland Security.

Fire Chief Adrian Sheppard and Congressman DeSaulnier aboard Richmond Fire Department’s new fire boat “Victory.”

Fire boat water pumping demonstration with the General Warehouse in the background

• City of Richmond and Youth Volunteers Recognized at WE DAY California!

Over 16,000 youth from 600 schools across California gathered at the SAP Center in San Jose on Thursday, February 25th for WE DAY, to celebrate the past and future successes of youth service to make a difference.  Richmond had strong and visible representation at the WE DAY event, which was also attended by youth from as far as Arizona and Louisiana.

Free the Children’s WE DAY is a movement of young people who are transforming their communities locally, nationally and globally through service.  Free the Children, the event host, is an international charity and educational partner, working both domestically and internationally to empower youth as agents of change.

Students from Richmond ESC’s (Excellence Serving our Community) Youth Leadership Committee (YLC), Lovonya DeJean Middle, Richmond High, Kennedy High, De Anza High earned their tickets to WE DAY by successfully leading or participating in service initiatives which included collecting non-perishable goods for local food shelters, rebuilding Richmond’s Parchester Village playground, collecting and distributing over 200 toys during the holidays for local neighborhood children, volunteering at a variety of local organizations, and organizing community beautification projects.

WE DAY’s motivational speakers and artists included Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom, J.R. Martinez, Mia Farrow, 9-year-old Ezra Frech, Kid President, Colbie Caillat, Cody Simpson and Cher Lloyd. 

The City of Richmond’s impact volunteering program has been a strong partner of Free the Children’s service learning program since its launch in California.  We are thrilled to see our Richmond youth among thousands who have made a difference in their communities.

To learn more about youth service initiatives in Richmond, please contact Jantsan Damdinsuren at jantsand@ci.richmond.ca.us or (510) 620-6563.

• Richmond Impact Volunteering Program is Seeking an AmeriCorps Community Service Associate

As announced earlier this month, Richmond’s impact volunteering program, Richmond ESC – Excellence Serving our Community, was awarded one of seven three-year national grants to plan and implement the “Love Your Block” program based on the Cities of Service blueprint.  In addition to grant funds, the award also includes a full-time AmeriCorps VISTA member at no cost to Richmond ESC.  The AmeriCorps VISTA member will receive a monthly stipend, full benefits, a travel voucher, professional development training, paid conference attendances, and an education award at the end of the internship.  

Some of the responsibilities will include: 

-    Create the Love Your Block application and timeline for potential grantees
-    Develop orientation and training program for grantees
-    Conduct training sessions
-    Design program flyers and brochures
-    Develop Love Your Block handbook for grantees
-    Create and maintain a database that tracks program data
-    Engage neighborhoods and recruit volunteers for the Love Your Block Program
-    Build social media presence for Richmond’s Love Your Block program

Richmond ESC seeks to recruit locally and invites local citizens to apply.  For more information, please contact Rochelle Monk at (510) 620-6511 or rochelle_monk@ci.richmond.ca.us.

• New City of Richmond Mobile APP UPdate

The City has officially launched the City of Richmond Mobile APP and is looking forward to feedback from the community. We welcome your comments at webservices@ci.richmond.ca.us

UPDATE: Please make sure to:

• Add a complete description of the issue in the Notes field so City staff will have enough information to be responsive.
• Turn on your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to improve your location accuracy.

To download the FREE City of Richmond smartphone app to your Android phone, Apple iPhone or iPad: 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
• Connect to the City’s online recreation system to sign up for programs and reserve facilities (coming soon)
• Access a calendar of City events
• Display the current weather in Richmond
• Opt in to receive emergency alerts issued by the City

• 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 early June 2015. 

During the week of February 23rd, one of the two remaining main retaining wall pours under the bridge was placed, the generator building pad was formed, and roadway median work continued.  In addition, pump station mechanical work was ongoing.  During the week of March 5th, the final main retaining wall concrete pour is scheduled, signaling a major project milestone.  Also, work on the generator building and pump station mechanical will continue, while roadway median formwork will be installed south of the bridge. 

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.

Storm water pump station vault

• Weekly Recycling and Green Cart Collection Begins March 2nd, 2015

Residential customers will begin receiving weekly collection for green organics carts and recycling carts at no additional cost starting Monday, March 2nd.  Both green and blue cart service are complimentary and provided at no additional cost to ratepayers. Historically, these carts were serviced every-other-week on a rotating basis. As part of the negotiations last year for enhanced recycling collection services, the City’s Environmental and Health Initiatives Division was able to secure this enhanced service at no additional cost for ratepayers.

The weekly collection of recyclables and compost also provides ratepayers with a cost-savings opportunity to downsize their trash bin size. For instance, ratepayers can save nearly $6 per month by downsizing from a 32-gallon bin to a 20-gallon bin. Customers may call Republic at 262-7100 to make any service change requests.

• 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:

• Participated in a tour of the fireboat “Victory” for Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, hosted by Fire Chief Adrian Sheppard and fire personnel (see item [5], above);
• Attended a meeting hosted by Mayor Butt at the Hilltop Mall, with various property managers and stakeholders, to discuss ways in which to help revitalize the Mall;
• Attended the monthly meeting with staff from UC Berkeley, along with Administrative Chief Shasa Curl, Planning Director Richard Mitchell, and Principal Planner Lina Velasco, to discuss development of the Berkeley Global Campus;
• Met with Wastewater Manager Chad Davisson and Environmental Manager Adam Lenz, to discuss methodologies for establishing wastewater service rates;
• Met with Finance Director Jim Goins and Finance Department staff to discuss the status of the FY 2014-15 budget;
• Attended the Doctors Medical Center Board meeting, along with Administrative Chief Shasa Curl;
• Met with Housing and Finance staff to review HUD compliance issues;
• Met with Richmond Housing Authority and Finance Department staff to discuss financial controls and procedures;
• Met, together with Planning Director Richard Mitchell, Principal Planner Lina Velasco, and Administrative Chief Shasa Curl, with various property owners within the South Shoreline Specific Plan area to discuss land use regulatory issues in that area;
• Attended the monthly meeting of the Berkeley Global Campus Working Group;
• Met, together with Yader Bermudez, with Councilmember Jovanka Beckles and Parks and Recreation Commission members Dr. Connie Potrero and Diego Garcia to discuss the process for establishing priorities for parks facility improvements;
• Attended the monthly “check-in” meeting with School Superintendent Bruce Harter.

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.

• An Unforgettable Experience by YouthWORKS Intern Jabrill Sohan

YouthWORKS is a program of the City of Richmond Employment and Training Department that provides case managed services to at-risk and in-risk youth that are 16 to 21.  Services are participation based and include academic support, transportation assistance, cultural enrichment trips, life skills and pre-employment training.  The program’s mission statement is:  "To provide Richmond youth with a personalized service system that will focus on addressing their academic, social and economic needs which affect their quality of life; provide alternatives that will enable them to become self-sufficient, productive citizens."

Recently, YouthWORKS Intern Jabrill Sohan reported on an experience he had at a “hackathon: 

This weekend, I attended the “My Brother's Keeper Hackathon” hosted by Qeyno Labs. Qeyno Labs is the leading provider of inclusive hackathons guiding high potential youth in low opportunity settings into S.T.E.M career pathways. Using coding literacy, art, and mentorship, Qeyno leads the way in playful learning experiences that make "hackathon" a household word in every home and is committed to lifting innovation in every community. The Hackathon lasted all weekend; Friday through Sunday.

During this time at the event, I created an app with a group of mentors who were innovators, designers, and developers of major companies including Facebook and Uber. In addition, I worked with many other mentors who were entrepreneurs. The name of the application our group created is called “MyStudyBuddy”.

The MyStudyBuddy app is a location-based support application for minority STEM students enrolled in the Peralta College District. STEM atudents need a platform that allows them to combine resources and contribute to each other’s academic success. We created an application that gives studenta like me a chance to succeed. This helps every student create an on demand study group to gather at an identified location (coffee shop, library, etc.) to learn course material, share ideas and teach each other quickly and efficiently. The reason I choose this is because I believe this kind of academic support app will lead to a higher graduation rate, improved grades and an increase in employment for minorities students enrolled in a STEM program.

In the end, I and another trailblazer named Storm Withers, from Oakland, had to pitch a description of the app in front of a large crowd and a couple of judges. There were nine other teams also competing for the award.  My partner and I took first place in the competition and we were awarded a Nexus 5 LG phone, a $100 gift certificate and a personal meeting with the Mayor of Oakland, Libby Schaff, to be arranged at a future date.

The time I spent at this event was a great experience because I have never had a chance to change my environment with an application that I was responsible for creating. Hopefully, I can make an billion dollar business with the skills I gathered from this event.

• Code Enforcement Abatement Team Pitches In at the Police Department 

  
The City’s Code Enforcement Abatement team was called to address a broken window on the second story of the Police Department.  It is unknown how the window was shattered but it is suspected that a bird may have hit the window.  The team used the lift truck and demonstrated extreme caution as they temporarily secured the window opening.

• South Richmond Transportation Connectivity Plan - Community Workshop #3

On Wednesday, March 18th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the Planning Division will host the third community workshop for the South Richmond Transportation Connectivity Plan (SRTCP) to discuss the recommendations for street and network improvement to improve transit, bicycle, pedestrian, and automobile connectivity in the City South Shoreline area.  The workshop will include a presentation of the recommended street improvements to key corridors, including Cutting Boulevard, Carlson Boulevard, Bayview Avenue, Harbour Way, and Marina Way.  The workshop will be held at the Richmond City Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza.  This project is being funded in part by a Community-Based Transportation Planning grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).  For more information, visit www.ci.richmond.ca.us/srtcp

• 2015 WCCUSD LCAP Community Town Hall Meetings

The West Contra Costa School District (WCCUSD) invites Richmond residents to participate in the upcoming Local Accountability Plan (LCAP) Town Hall Meetings to provide input and suggestions on LCAP funding priorities for schools. The meetings are an opportunity for parents, teachers, students, and community members to engage in the decisions that impact school funding.

• Saturday, February 28th, 9:30 AM at Peres Elementary School, 719 5th Street, Richmond

• Saturday, March 7th 9:30 AM at King Elementary School, 4022 Florida Avenue, Richmond

Translation and childcare will be provided at the meetings. If you are unable to attend a Town Hall meeting you can submit your feedback to LCAP@wccusd.net.
For more information about the LCAP, please visit the District website at www.wccusd.net/LCAP

The Local Accountability Plan (LCAP) is the schools district's 3-year plan for how it will use the states Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) funding to serve all students, including English learners, low-income students, and foster youth.

• Help Shape AC Transit’s Future! Plan ACT Major Corridors Study

On an average weekday, about 100,000 people ride buses on AC Transit’s nine major corridors, which carry over half of the agency’s riders. However, buses often get stuck in traffic and schedules become unreliable.

AC Transit is conducting the Major Corridors Study to identify future improvement that will help buses run faster and more reliably on these key transit corridors. Those improvements will include a combination of roadway, roadside, and traffic signal improvements. The study’s goal is to improve customer satisfaction and increase ridership. AC Transit wants to know about your experiences on these corridors and how they can make improvements. You can participate in two ways:

• Come to one of the open houses:

Wednesday, March 18
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Richmond Auditorium, Bermuda Room
2533 Nevin Avenue, Richmond
Lines 72M, 74
Complete list of open houses at the following online Link

• Take the online survey at actransit.org/PlanACT

Contact AC Transit for questions or comments: planning@actransit.org or (510) 891-7266.

• Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)

Government Code Section 87200 requires that certain public employees disclose their personal assets and income.  These include:  the mayor, councilmembers, city manager, city attorney, city treasurer (finance director), and planning commissioners.  Government Code Section 87201 requires that candidates for any of the offices listed above must file a Statement of Economic interest no later than the deadline for filing their declaration of candidacy.  The City Clerk is the filing official, and the Form 700 is filed with the City Clerk who retains a copy and forwards the original to the FPPC.

For those that are required to do so, now is the time to file your Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Form 700 for the reporting period from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2014, and January 1, 2015, through April 1, 2015.

The Political Reform Act also requires that every state and local government agency adopt a conflict of interest code.  This code lists each position within the agency held by individuals who make or participate in making governmental decisions which could affect their personal financial interests.  The code requires individuals holding these positions to file Statements of Economic Interest.  These individuals are called “designated employees” or “code filers.”  The City Clerk is the filing officer for the City’s designated employees, receives and files all original statements.

The Form 700 must be filed by all designated filers within 30 days of assuming or leaving office or position.  All filers must also submit an annual statement no later than April 1 of each year (the time period reported is January 1 through December 31 of each year).

Forms not received by 5:00 PM April 1, 2015, will incur a $10 a day fine up to a maximum fine of $100.  After April 30, 2015, collection of outstanding Form 700s and fines will be turned over to the FPPC for enforcement.

Follow the link to see FPPC Enforcement Decisions: January 15, 2015:

Please note that individuals required to complete the form should already have received the form directly from the City Clerk’s Office, your Department’s Point of Contact,or Boards and Commissions liaison.  If you are a designated filer and have not received a Form 700 to complete, please use the link to complete the form and return to the Clerk’s Office by 5:00 PM, April 1, 2015.

• Information Technology (IT) Department Updates

Website Statistics: Top 10 Webpage visits for the week ending February 24, 2015:

Top website visits by device type

KCRT

Datanet Image of the Week

Throwback Thursday: Featuring Richmond California History

Please take a moment to comment and LIKE our City of Richmond Facebook post, and enjoy the History Trivia drawing.

Do you recognize this image?  Where and when was this photo taken? All correct answers posted in the comments section of the Facebook post before 8:00 AM on the following Thursday will be entered into a drawing for a prize. In addition to your comments, if you LIKE this post, you will be entered twice. #tbt

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

• Recreation Highlights

Auditorium

The Richmond Memorial Auditorium was host to Assembly Member Tony Thurmond who convened a meeting of mayors, city managers, and police chiefs in Assembly District 15, reaching from Oakland to Hercules.  Discussion included how law enforcement can effectively keep cities safe while minimizing use of deadly force.  As attendees introduced themselves, their years of public service tallied to nearly 900 years.

President’s Week Camp

The Recreation Department kept school age children, ages 6-12, busy during President’s week with all-day camps at the community centers.  At May Valley, youth and staff shared a friendly game of softball at LaMoine Park, created giant chalk murals on the sidewalk, and had a fun time at Chuck E. Cheese.

At the Nevin Community Center, students did a project where they cut-out and animated the faces of Presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Barack Obama.  They also participated in t-shirt making.

Shields-Reid youth enjoyed an exhilarating day at Pt. Pinole Regional Park, where they went on a nature walk, played at the playground, and explored the beaches for crabs and shells.

Eleven Parchester youth, ages 7-14, were given lessons in self-confidence, environmental awareness, and healthy habits through the simple act of having fun on mountain bikes.  Kids rode a total of 4.5 miles at Point Pinole Regional Park.  The bikes, helmets, gloves and water bottles were provided by Trips for Kids, Marin.

  
Aquatics

Families enjoyed the Presidents Day holiday weekend during the drop-in Family and Recreation Swim program.

Senior Center

A special Chinese New Year celebration was combined with a birthday party honoring the Tango/Swing Class instructor, Alan Chou.  His wife, and approximately 40 other participants enjoyed the festivities.

• Public Works Updates

Facilities Mainenance Division:  Carpenters installed a section of railing on the catwalk of the Auditorium, installed locksets in the Recreation Complex, repaired the security gate at the Police Department, and held a pre-construction meeting.

Painters prepped and completed the Nevin Center kitchen floor, and painted the equipment room at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center.

Nevin Community Center Kitchen Floor

Stationary Engineers installed a new furnace at the Parchester Community Center, cleared the waste line at Lucretia Edwards Park, removed a stationary ladder from the Auditorium, and corrected a problem with the emergency generator in the Auditorium.

Utility Workers started carpet cleaning at various locations and serviced 29 City own facilities.

Electrians continued with the relighting of the Marina Trail, completed PG&E power switch over at the Corporation Yard, repaired the Corporation Yard gate motor, and placed a new receptacle circuit in the Auditorium.

Corporation Yard Gate Motor

Parks and Landscaping Division:  General crews continued with the maintenance along the Greenway, fence repair along the Parkway, installed a new backflow at Wendell Park, and worked at Booker T. Anderson Park on the stream bank restoration.

Backflow Installation

Marina District staff painted benches, mowed the fields and weeded throughout the area.

Weed Control in the Marina

Tree crews cut or trimmed trees on: South 5th Street, South 7th Street, Nevin Avenue, South 16th Street, Washington Avenue, at Hilltop Green Park and on Valleyview, and Morningside Drives.

Tree Trimming at Hilltop Green Park

Streets Division:  Staff ground and paved on Spring Street from Cutting Boulevard to South 29th Street and worked from the outstanding pothole list.

Paving on Spring Street

Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the fourth Monday through Friday in the Santa Fe, Point Richmond, Marina Bay, Coronado, Metro Richmond Village, Pullman, Cortez/Stege, Park Plaza, Laurel Park, City Center, Parkview, Panhandle Annex, Richmond Annex and Eastshore neighborhood council areas.

Signs and Lines staff installed 16 new signs and poles, repaired 11 signs and poles, fabricated new signs, installed rumble strips, placed pavement markers, and repainted 416’ of curb.

Rumble Strips

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about these or any other items of interest to you.

Have a great week!

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