Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the weekly report for the week ending May 8th, 2015.

• Meeting Notes

The next meeting of the Richmond City Council is Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Enjoy your week off!

• City of Richmond 2015 Community Survey  -- The Deadline is Approaching and We Need your Feedback

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!  During the past few weeks, you may have been 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 were 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 were selected, please return the survey before the stated deadline.  If you know someone that received 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.

• National Bike Month is Here! Celebrate Bike Month in Richmond and the East Bay

Spring is the time to not only get riding again, but to encourage people close to you to bike as well. There is no wrong way to celebrate Bike Month in Richmond and the
greater East Bay. Biking has a lot of great benefits, including:

• Saving money on gas, parking and transit
• Bypassing congested traffic or transit schedules
• Reveling in the convenience of the door to door commute and hassle free parking
• Getting 40 minutes of exercise (the average commute) directly improves physical and mental health

Here is a short guide to getting started enjoying Bike Month to the fullest:

Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day 2015 is Thursday, May 14! The City is collaborating with Bike East Bay, 511 Contra Costa, Rich City Rides, Richmond BPAC, and SunPower to host four Energizer Stations across the Richmond community. Stop by on your way to work for refreshments and a Bike to Work Day bag with all kinds of swag and goodies to make your biking experience for fun and enjoyable.

Energizer Stations will be open 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM along key bicycle routes:

• Richmond BART
• Macdonald Ave & San Pablo Ave
• Richmond Greenway (Ohio Ave & Harbour Way)
• Marina Bay Park (along the Bay Trail)

More Bike Info

New to biking? Plan your route with the 511CC's route mapper!

Keep it going all May! Join Team Richmond and log your miles for the month long bike competition at TeamBikeChallenge.org  

Ride of Silence 2015

Join in on a mass ride through the streets of Richmond to honor people who have been injured or hurt while biking, and remind everyone we to share the road on Wednesday, May 20th at 5:00 PM at 450 Civic Center Plaza.

Please visit www.richmondenvironment.org or call (510) 620-6512 for more information and to find out about more events throughout May.

• Grand Re-Opening of the Richmond Main Street Farmer’s Market

The Richmond Main Street Farmers’ Market returns for another season on Wednesdays, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Nevin Plaza (Nevin Ave at 13th Street), featuring fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, artisan vendors, baked goods and treats, food booths, and live music.

Plus, market match for CalFresh recipients: spend up to $10 on your EBT card and get an extra $10 to buy fruits and vegetables.

For more information: Visit the Farmers' Market webpage, like our Facebook page, or call (510) 236-4049. Come Downtown to welcome back the market!

• Hacienda Tenant Relocation Update

In January 2015, the Richmond Housing Authority received approval from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for the disposition of the Hacienda public housing development and approval of Tenant Protection Section 8 Vouchers to assist in the relocation of the residents. The Housing Authority has retained the professional firm of Autotemp to provide relocation assistance for the residents.

As of the week of May 4th, all but one household has participated in the interview process with Autotemp. Autotemp consultants are providing ongoing advisory assistance and referrals to the residents. To date, approximately 60% of the households have received their Notices of Eligibility and informational brochures. Currently five (5) households have found a replacement home; three have scheduled move-in dates in the month of May.  Autotemp consultants are continuing to assist with application and claim processing.

A Draft Relocation Plan has been provided to the Housing Authority by Autotemp and was released for public comment on May 1, 2015. Richmond Housing Authority Hacienda Relocation Plan.  Autotemp consultants hand delivered the Relocation Plan Letters to all residents on Friday, May 1st.  Autotemp consultants are continuing to provide ongoing advisory assistance and referrals to the residents.  

Section 8 eligibility certification interviews have also been ongoing. As of the week of May 4th, ninety-seven (97) of the one hundred-and-one (101) residents have been interviewed.   

Tenant Protection Section 8 Voucher briefings are being held weekly in the Hacienda Community Center.  A voucher briefing explains the Section 8 program in detail to the residents, and gives the residents a chance to ask questions they may have about the program.   At the conclusion of each briefing, the residents receive a Voucher Briefing Packet which includes a Request for Tenancy Approval and a Tenant Protection Voucher. As of the week of May 4th, sixty-two (62) vouchers have been issued. Four (4) Housing Quality Standards initial inspections have been scheduled for prospective Section 8 rental units, and two passed. Five (5) tenant requests to port out of the City of Richmond Housing Authority’s jurisdiction have been processed. There have been two (2) resident relocations thus far.

• Finance Department Highlight – New Business License Filings – April 2015

There were a total of 58 new business licenses issued in April 2015, representing 116 new jobs.  This is a 100% increase over the average number of new licenses issued during the previous two months, and is a result of the City’s participation in the Franchise Tax Board (FTB)/City Business Tax Reciprocal Program.  In late March, the City mailed letters to local businesses that filed tax statements with the FTB that do not have current business licenses.  Although the deadline to pay the business tax was April 30th, the Business License Division reports that there are still a number of filings being received in May.

• South Richmond Transportation Connectivity Plan (SRTCP) Draft Now Available

In 2012, the City of Richmond was awarded a Community-Based Transportation Planning Grant from Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) to develop the South Richmond Transportation Connectivity Plan (Connectivity Plan).  In coordination with the South Shoreline Specific Plan, the Connectivity Plan will identify key deficiencies in the local and regional transportation network and include specific recommendations to improve multi-modal connectivity between the City's Southern Shoreline and Central Richmond neighborhoods as well as adjacent communities including El Cerrito, Albany, and Berkeley.

The draft South Richmond Transportation Connectivity Plan (SRTCP) is now available. To access the draft report, please visit the project website at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/srtcp.  Copies will also be available for review at the Richmond Main Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond and the Planning Division counter located at 450 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor, Richmond.

Please send comments on the draft to Lina Velasco, Senior Planner by June 1, 2015 via email at Lina_Velasco@ci.richmond.ca.us or by mail at Planning Division, 450 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804. 

• Richmond Youth on Course Golf Program

As part of the Northern California Golf Association's Youth on Course golf program, 26 kids from the Richmond Youth on Course received certificates of completion of the 10-week Golf and Skills Clinic this week at their year-end awards reception.  The weekly clinics and awards reception were held at the Richmond Country Club. In addition to golf instructions, each participant received a weekly 20-minute session on the etiquette of golf and received Youth on Course membership cards to play golf for $5 or less at 140 golf courses throughout Northern California. Participants who are 14-18 years old are eligible to apply for two available Richmond Country Club internships and graduating seniors are eligible for Youth on Course college scholarships, which range from $4,000 to $10,000.

The participating partners are; the City Manager’s Office, The Richmond Recreation Department, The Richmond PAL, The Richmond YMCA, and U.C. Berkeley golf team. U.C. Berkeley’s golf coach, Steve Desimone has made a commitment to the Richmond Youth on Course golf program.  His commitment includes mandatory participation from his golf team as mentors and instructors at the program’s weekly golf clinics. 

The Richmond Youth on Course golf program is a unique partnership with Northern California Golf Association Foundation, the Richmond Country Club and the participating partners listed above.  The Youth on Course golf program uses golf as a medium for teaching life skills to at-risk kids. In addition to learning the game of golf, the participants have to complete a class that teaches values like honesty, responsibility and perseverance. This is the fourth year of the Richmond program. Over the four year period, the average annual participants enrolled in the program are 25.

• 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 June 2015. 

During the week of May 4th, crews continued construction of bridge tower column formwork and prepared the roadway subgrade for lean concrete base.  Additionally, the pump station generator building walls were erected and sheathed, and fabrication of cable railings continued.  For the week of May 11th, concrete will be poured for the bridge tower columns, and the lean concrete base will be poured.  Electrical work in the generator building will proceed in advance of completing the roof of the generator building, and miscellaneous curb, gutter and sidewalk will be formed and poured.

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

• Inventor’s Workshop at the Library

Families with children in grades K-8 are invited to an Inventor's Workshop at the Main Branch of the Richmond Public Library.  Offered by staff from the Lawrence Hall of Science, Inventor's Workshops offer hands-on engineering activities designed to engage the entire family.

Using a few simple materials and a lot of ingenuity, participants will explore how engineering and physics come together to make a miniature catapult. Kids can work alone or collaborate to construct and fine-tune their launching machines. Best of all, they get to take their catapult home!

This event is free, requires no advance registration, and will be held on Saturday, May 9th from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM in the Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room.  The Community Room is adjacent to the Library, at 325 Civic Center Plaza in Richmond.  To get to the Community Room, enter from the courtyard to the left of the main entrance.

For more information, please call (510) 620-6557 or visit us at www.richmondlibrary.org. The library is wheelchair accessible.  Se habla español. 

• More Library Events:  “Music in the Library”

The Richmond Public Library is pleased to invite you to attend “Music in the Library” on Friday, May 22nd from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Main Library featuring Bay Area blues singers Rev. Rabia & Keizo.  Rev. Rabia has been singing blues in the Bay Area for over 20 years.  She hails from Sacramento where she began learning guitar at age 14 when her friend taught her a few chords and loaned her a guitar.

This is a free event open to all and is sponsored by The Friends of the Richmond Public Library. 

• City of Richmond NEW Mobile APP Update

Great News!! The City of Richmond mobile app is now available. It provides Richmond’s community members with one-stop access to City services and information.  You may watch the informational video  for an overview of the app available for free at Apple App Store for IOS devices and at Google Play for Android phones.

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

• Fire Department Update

Members from Company 67 pose in front of their apparatus with the complement of Emergency Medical Equipment utilized on emergency incidents. The Fire Department responds to several thousand medical incidents each year and the members of the department must maintain their proficiency as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT).

Company 67

Pictured above are Firefighter Ben Faulkner, Captain Marc Lucero, and Firefighter Jessica Wraa (not pictured, Fire Engineer Zachary Jenssen). The crew from Company 67 recently responded to an incident where a patient was found without a pulse and breathless and immediately began lifesaving interventions. The rapid response, technical skill, and diligence to service of these responders came together well and the patient was successfully revived, and is making a full recovery at home.

• Teen Library Scholarship

The Friends of the Richmond Public Library and Richmond Public Library Teen Services are co-sponsoring a $1,000 scholarship to a Richmond resident who is a senior high public or private school student and will be attending a four-year college in the fall of 2015.

Interested applicants should:

• Provide a copy of a letter of intent/registration to the college they will be attending.
• Include the names of any service/social organization(s) in which they participated.

• Provide the names and amounts of other scholarships awarded.

• Submit a three-page, double spaced, typed essay entitled, Public Libraries in the New Millennium: Programs and Resources that Attract Teens.

Applications will be available in counseling offices at West County high schools and online at www.richmondlibrary.org. Entries must be received by Saturday, May 16th, by 5:00 PM at:  Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, Attn:  Angela Cox. 

• Information Technology (IT) Department Updates

Website Statistics: Top 10 Webpage visits for the week ending May 5, 2015:

Facebook Statistics

    Weekly Total Reached increased by   195.5%
People Engaged increased by            552.5%

• Recreation Highlights

Seniors

Zumba Gold participants joined the nutrition program for a lunch meal on Wednesday, April 30th. Almost 20 members of the class signed up for the meal. Disabled People’s Recreation Center participants assisted with serving and cleaning up.

Annex Senior Center

Participants of the Sewing Circle Class have been busy sewing clothes for children in need.  The clothing will be donated to the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP).  Sewing Circle Classes are on Tuesday from 1:00 PM - 3:45 PM and Thursday from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.  The cost is only $1.00. 

On May 1st, over 16 seniors attended a workshop about recycling.  They learned that recycling helps conserve resources and also helps create a healthy environment.  The seniors were also reminded that any persons ages 60 or older are eligible for FREE home pickup service of household hazardous waste.  Call (888) 412-9277 for details.

The Zumba for seniors class are held every Thursday from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Seniors enjoyed the Latin dance while keeping fit and active. Classes are $3 per person. 

Aquatics

The Richmond Plunge will offer an array of swim lessons beginning in June!  For our youngest companions, the Intro to Water, Seahorse class (3-5 years) offers an introduction to the basics of water safety, learning to enter and exit the water safely and identify the lifeguards. Swim basics, blowing bubbles, floating on both front and back, and kicking motion with feet are taught. After they complete this class and have reached the age of 6, participants can then enter the Learn-to-Swim Youth Program. Dates and times are listed below. Call (510) 620-6831 or refer to the Recreation Activity Guide at www.ci.richmond.ca.us for more information.

Monday–Thursday 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
3 week Sessions (12 classes)
Cost: $144 resident/ $180 non-resident
Session 1: 6/15-7/2
Session 2: 7/6-7/25
Session 3: 7/27-8/13

Saturdays 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
3 week Sessions (3 classes)
Cost: $36 resident/ $45 non-resident
Session 1: 6 /13-6/27
Session 2: 7/11-7/25
Session 3: 8/8-8/22

Staff Development

Four Recreation Program Coordinators attended the BOOST (Best of Out of School Time) Conference in Palm Springs this past week.  The BOOST Collaborative is “committed to creating opportunities for change in educational and social services agencies serving youth in the out-of-school time hours.” They “support out-of-school time professionals through quality professional development opportunities, program and resource development, building community partnerships, promoting the importance of quality out-of-school time programming, opportunities to share promising practices, and a variety of consulting services.”

• Code Enforcement Updates

Santa Fe Neighborhood Clean-up

The Santa Fe neighborhood clean-up was conducted on Saturday May 2nd.  The annual neighborhood cleanups encourage individuals to take greater responsibility for their neighborhood by focusing on beautification.  The Code Enforcement Abatement team assisted the neighborhood by collecting eight (8) full dumpsters totaling 17.56 tons trash and unwanted items.  Get involved with helping to beautify your neighborhood.  The Code Enforcement Unit would love to work with your neighborhood to promote beautification, spirit and pride in your community.

Blighted Property

A complaint was submitted to the Code Enforcement Unit regarding a severely blighted property located on Birmingham Drive. Further investigation showed that the property was owned by the Federal Government (HUD).  It was determined that the property was occupied by illegally and trash was scattered all over the exterior of the property.  A notice of violation and multiple citations were issued to compel compliance.  As a result of our enforcement efforts the property owners successfully evicted the squatters; the property was cleaned and subsequently sold thereby stabilizing the neighborhood.  

• Public Works Update

Facilities Mainenance Division 
The Swim Center is moving along well. The interior walls are completed and being painted, lights have been installed, and the doors and windows are installed. The outside playground is also almost complete. Construction is still on track to be finished by mid July 2015.

Swim Center Progress

Work continues on the West Side Library roof. Once the old roof was removed there was extensive damage found that needed to be corrected prior to replacing the roof. Work should be completed around mid summer 2015 and the library will re-open immediately upon completion.

West Side Library Roof Work

Capenters have been constructing new cabinets for the Booker T. Anderson Community Center kitchen.

Painters completed painting of staff areas at the Richmond Museum and some curbs.

Curb Painting
Stationary Engineers replaced the boiler pump at the Main Library.

Parks and Landscaping Division
General maintenance crews trimmed shrubs at Tiller Park, inspected play equipment at various parks, irrigation repair at various locations and John F. Kennedy Park, weeded and trimmed May Valley Road medians, delivered bleachers to John F. Kennedy Park, tree trimming on Valley View Road, cleared tree branches on Amend Road, trimmed shrubs and weeds at Monterey Park, replaced irrigation valve at Booker T. Anderson, and cleared a restroom blockage at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park.

Bleacher Removal John F. Kennedy Park

Hilltop District crews continued work on the sidewalk near AM/PM landscaping project and continued general maintenance on Richmond Parkway.

Marina District crews performed turf mowing throughout the area.

Turf Mowing

Tree crews cut or trimmed trees on or around: Roosevelt Avenue, Bayview Avenue medians and next to Rifle Range Road.

Streets Division:  Paving staff removed the stage, swept the parade area and returned crown control barricades from the Cinco de Mayo celebration.  They also removed paving grindings from the Port area, and worked on potholes and sidewalks from the outstanding pothole list.

Cleaning After Cinco de Mayo

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 38 new signs and poles, repaired 31 signs and poles, fabricated 4 new signs and painted 110’ of curb.

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

S o c o   M o n t o r e
C I T Y  O F  R I C H M O N D |City Manager’s Office
450 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 300 | Richmond, CA 94804
Tel: 510-620-5458 | Fax: 510-620-6542 | soco_montore@ci.richmond.ca.us |
www.ci.richmond.ca.us

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