Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the weekly report for the week ending March 13th, 2015.

1.    Meeting Notes

The next meeting of the Richmond City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2015, beginning with a Closed Session at 5:30 PM, followed by the regular meeting of the Richmond City Council agenda at 6:30 PM.

2.    City of Richmond 2015 Community Survey

One of the best ways to improve Richmond’s services is to ask the people that live here what they think. With this in mind, the City of Richmond is pleased to announce the 2015 Community Survey!  In the next few weeks, you may be notified that you have been selected to give input that will help the City improve the level of government services and the future of your community. Questionnaires will be sent to a random sample of 3,000 Richmond residents, asking them to comment on the community’s pressing needs and city services. 

The purpose of the survey is to help City officials evaluate services, measure resident satisfaction with current services, and to help plan for Richmond’s future. The results from the survey will be included in a final report available to all City officials, staff and residents.

If you are selected, please return the survey before the stated deadline.  If you know someone that receives one, please encourage them to fill it out and return it. Your input can help make the City of Richmond a better place to live, work and play.  Feel free to contact the City Manager’s Office with your questions at 510-620-6512. 

3.    How to do Business in the City of Richmond Vendor Workshop

The City of Richmond will host a “How to do Business in the City of Richmond Vendor Workshop”.  This workshop will take place on Thursday, April 2, 2015, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the City Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza.  Vendors are invited to attend and learn the procurement process and how to do business with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), UCSF & UC Berkeley, Chevron Corporation, West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) and the City of Richmond.  RSVP at cor-business.eventbrite.com by March 31, 2015.  For more information, please call 510-620-6732.

4.    Read Across America – Celebration of Dr. Suess’ Birthday

Richmond Firefighters joined with elementary students of the West Contra Costa Unified School District’s Read Across America celebration of Dr. Suess’ birthday, March 2, 2015. The students enjoyed a day of interacting with the crews and asking plenty of questions. Engineer McCombe (L) and Firefighter Booth (R) took time to participate in this fun activity.

The Richmond Fire Department continues its tradition of providing a positive and rewarding image to youths through public education outreach. Aside from reading and speaking with youths, the Fire Department provides presentations in fire and life safety. 

5.    Annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National and Community Service

Mayor Tom Butt and the Richmond Community Foundation invite Richmond volunteers to a celebratory luncheon in your honor.  The event is supported by Richmond’s impact volunteering program, Richmond ESC – Excellence Serving our Community, and will take place on Tuesday, April 7th, noon to 1:30 pm, in the foyer of the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.  In addition to honoring Richmond volunteers, local AmeriCorps member-supported programs and projects will be recognized.  Please RSVP to (510) 620-5503.

6.    Office of Neighborhood Safety Launches Fourth Operation Peacemaker Fellowship Cohort

The fourth ONS Peacemaker Fellowship cohort launched last week, bringing 25 individuals from throughout the City of Richmond to City Hall for its strategic orientation process and fellowship signing ceremony.  It is anticipated that 15 additional individuals will sign fellowship agreements within the two-month enrollment period.  Fifty individuals were identified and offered fellowship support.  The fourth cohort will conclude its programming term in September 2016.

The first Fellowship Peace Building Excursion (PBE) of the new term is taking place this week in Seattle Washington.  On Thursday night fellows and staff participated in a community services project at Bread of Life Ministries.  Fellows provided food and feeding services as well as encouragement to many of Seattle's homeless stakeholders.  While in Seattle, fellows will also participate in meetings with the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, with representatives from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and tour the University of Washington.

7.    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 concise 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
8.    Weekly Recycling and Green Cart Collection Launched

Residential customers began receiving weekly collection for green organics carts and recycling carts at no additional cost beginning this past week.  Both green and blue cart service are complimentary and provided at no additional cost to rate payers. 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.

9.    Richmond Art Center Opening Reception

Mix and mingle with your Richmond neighbors while you enjoy seeing the work of African-American artist Mildred Howard during a reception on Saturday, March 21st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue.  Plus, view hundreds of works created by middle and high school students from West Contra Costa Unified School District in the 50th Annual Student show.

You might have seen artist Mildred Howard's work, through her public art installation at Richmond's BART Station in which a poem by Macarthur Fellow Ishmael Reed was incised into a forty-foot wall of faceted steel.

For more information, contact the Richmond Art Center at 510-620-6772, or http://richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions.

10. 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

11. 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:

a)    Come to one of the open house:

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

b)    Take the online survey at actransit.org/PlanACT

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

12. California Transportation Plan 2040 (CTP 2040)

Caltrans is inviting the public to help shape the state’s transportation future by offering their input and comments on the California Transportation Plan 2040 (CTP 2040), which lays out a vision for California's transportation future to support a vibrant economy and our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

What is the CTP 2040?

The California Transportation Plan (CTP) provides a long-range policy framework to meet our future mobility needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The CTP defines goals, performance-based policies, and strategies to achieve our collective vision for California's future statewide, integrated, multimodal transportation system. The plan envisions a sustainable system that improves mobility and enhances our quality of life. To learn more about the development of the CTP, please browse through the CTP 2040 Fact Sheet.

The draft document will be available for public review from March 2nd through April 17th at 5:00 PM.  In addition, Caltrans will be hosting seven statewide public workshops to present the draft CTP 2040 and to solicit public comment and input.  For more information on the workshops, or to review and comment on the draft CTP 2040 please visit the CTP 2040 website at: www.californiatransportationplan2040.org

Local Public Workshops:

Oakland:
Thursday, March 26, 2015
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter
101 Eighth Street, Oakland

13. Information Technology (IT) Department Updates

Website Statistics: Top 10 Webpage visits for the week ending March 13, 2015:

Webpage visits by device type for the week ending 03/13/2015

Facebook Statistics: For the week ending March 13, 2015

Total reached increased by           59.4%
People engaged increased by     139.0%
      
KCRT

Datanet Image of the Week

14. 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. 

The week of March 9th represents a major milestone on the project, as now the main retaining walls are complete.  Sidewalk retaining walls are expected to be completed in the next 2-3 weeks.  For the week of March 16th, work on sidewalk retaining walls will continue, along with pump station mechanical and electrical installations.  The next phase of the project will entail the construction of the raised sidewalk, between the main retaining walls and sidewalk retaining walls. 

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.

15. Fire Department Highlight

Richmond Fire Boat Victory responded to an overturned vessel this week near the Richmond San Rafael Bridge to provide aid and rescue services. The rapid response and skilled performance of the team prevented further loss from occurring.

In addition, Fire Boat Victory was called to assist Tiburon Fire with a disabled boat that caught fire. As the weather improves there is increased traffic on our waterways; further emphasizing the need for our presence as waterborne responders. 

16. Recreation Highlights

Futsal

After nine weeks, 60 teams (about 550 players), the 2015 Richmond Recreation Youth Futsal (indoor soccer) Program ended on Sunday, March 8th, at the Richmond Recreation Complex Gymnasium. The players, coaches, and parents celebrated this event with congratulatory messages, hugs, and high fives to each other while the first and second place teams in each division were awarded team trophies and medals.

The youth that played in this year’s league learned the fundamentals of soccer, sportsmanship, and teamwork. This futsal program has evolved over the years and has grown into a true community sport. There were more than 1500 fans, parents, and supporters that sat to watch and applaud these kids as they played over the weekend.

As another futsal season comes to a close, the Recreation Department thanks all the staff that made the 2015 Youth Futsal season a success from start to finish. We are grateful to all the coaches, volunteers and referees that mentored the kids and finally, a HUGE thank you to the players and their parents for participating in this program.

Aquatics

Slots are filling up, but there is room for more participants in the Richmond Recreation Department and East Bay Park and Recreation District collaborative American Red Cross Lifeguard/ First Aid/ CPR/ AED course at the Richmond Plunge. Although the course is open to adults and students from neighboring communities, it is intended to be an affordable option available for students from local high schools who may be interested in becoming a professional Lifeguard.  Typically, Lifeguard Certification courses are approximately $200, so this course, at $35, is a great opportunity for our community. If you or anyone you know is interested, please call (510) 620-6820 for more information.

Booker T. Anderson

Mark Henderson II, a member of the BTA fitness center, competed in the NorCal Powerlifting Regional competition in Concord this past weekend.  He placed 1st! Staff say, “Way to go, Mark!”

Shields Reid

The Shields Reid Community Center Afterschool Program visited Lucretia Edwards Park for their weekly field trip on Thursday, March 5th.  Each week, the afterschool participants visit a local or regional park to learn about fun, fitness, and nature.  Children are also learning about the many recreation resources available to them, outside of the North Richmond area, throughout the City of Richmond and the surrounding East Bay.

Senior Center

The Albany Country Western line dance group visited the seniors on Saturday, March 7th.  It was a fun day for everyone.
 
Disabled People’s Recreation Center (DPRC)

Participants in the Adult Morning Program and Therapeutic Interactive Recreation Program enjoy using the iPads and computers for typing and math skill development, as well as the games they love to play. Some of the ways fine motor skills are also enhanced is through playing the piano and strumming a guitar in music, sliding a finger across the iPad to play Fruit Ninja, and chopping vegetables for cooking. Cleaning up the facility after all activities, such as sweeping, wiping countertops and tables, mopping the floors, and washing dishes helps them to take ownership of their facility. They do a great job!

17. Public Works Update

Facilities Mainenance Division:  Carpenters replaced a lockset at the Police Department, installed new signs for Fire Station #67, repaired the damaged wall to the Sign Shop in the Corporation Yard, reinstalled the kitchen window, and a door at the Men & Women of Valor building.

Painters attended a certification class on lead based paints, painted new sign for Fire Station #64, graffiti cover-up at the Employment and Training building, and painted the equipment room of the Booker T. Anderson Community Center.

Sign Painting

Stationary Engineers installed new appliances and sink at the Nevin Community Center, installed boiler controls to fan room #2 in the Auditorium, repaired the water closets at Fire Stations #62 and #68, placed a vented cover over the sump pump at the Plunge, and installed a battery enclosure on the emergency generator at the Auditorium.

Utility workers replaced the flags within the Civic Center Plaza, removed recycling from the new Port of Richmond office location, removed trash from the Plunge, replaced the floor mats at the Senior Annex, and serviced 29 City owned buildings.

Cleaning at the Plunge

Electricians placed the power lines for the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system at the Parks yard, repaired traffic signals damaged on Richmond Parkway and Gertrude Avenue, completed power installation with PG&E at the Corporation Yard, fixed traffic loops at Cutting Boulevard and 29th Street, and repaired damaged wiring to the street lights on South 37th Street.

Power Installation at the Corporation Yard

Street Light Repair

Parks and Landscaping Division:   The design team for Unity Park and the Richmond Greenway met to undergo design plans. The design team is compiled of various entities like City staff, Park Rangers and residents. They will meet bi-weekly through the duration of the project.

Greenway/Unity Park Executive Board

General maintenance crews weeded and trimmed: Carlson Boulevard medians from Cutting Boulevard to Bay View Avenue, Kern Play lot and at Rain Cloud Park; repaired play equipment at Rain Cloud Park; fixed fences along the Greenway and at Wendell Park; removed graffiti at Nicholl Park and completed irrigation repairs at Hilltop Park, Hilltop Green and Parchester Park.

Carlson Boulevard Median Maintenance

Wendell Park Fence Repair

Hilltop District crews continue with general maintenance on the Richmond Parkway and continued with planting, and irrigation placement at the AM/PM landscaping project location.

Marina District staff completed mulching in various planter beds and weed control.

Tree crews cut or trimmed trees on: South 26th Street, San Pablo Avenue, Bayview Avenue, Maricopa Avenue, Barrett Avenue, McLaughlin Street, and South 47th Street.

Streets Division:  Paving staff grinded and paved on South 28th Street from Cutting Boulevard to Maine Avenue and worked from the outstanding pothole list with hot and cold asphalt.

Paving on South 28th Street

Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the second Monday through Friday in the May Valley, Vista View, Clinton Hill I – IV and East Richmond neighborhood council areas.

Signs and Lines staff installed 17 new signs and poles, repaired 6 signs and poles, fabricated 12 new signs, placed pavement markers and repainted 254’ of curb.

Thermoplastic Installation

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

Sue Kadlec (on behalf of City Manager Bill Lindsay)
Executive Assistant
City Manager's Office
450 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 300
Richmond, CA 94804
sue_kadlec@ci.richmond.ca.us
510-621-1264 direct line
510-620-6542 fax