Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the weekly report for the week ending May 22nd, 2015.

1.    Meeting Notes

The next meeting of the Richmond City Council is Tuesday, May 26th, beginning with a Closed Session at 6:00 PM, and the Special Meeting convening at 6:30 PM. To see the City Council agenda use the following link: Agenda.

2.    EBMUD New Water Rules

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) declared a Stage 4 critical drought and set a community wide goal to reduce water use by 20% compared to 2013.

The following mandatory outdoor watering rules are now in effect:

     1. Water no more than 2 non-consecutive days per week.
2. Strict limits on time: only before 9:00 am or after 6:00 PM.
3. No watering allowed within 48 hours of measurable rainfall.
4. No watering of ornamental turf on public street medians is allowed.
5. No washing of driveways and sidewalks, except as needed for health and
    safety (i.e., pet enclosures, etc.).
6. Use only hoses with shutoff nozzles to wash vehicles.
7. Turn off fountains or decorative water features unless the water is recirculated.

Conservation alone is not enough.

• EBMUD is delivering nearly 11 billion gallons of extra water supplies through its federal dry-year contract - about a two-month supply to fill its reservoirs.
• EBMUD will continue looking for more water supplies to buy and deliver through the Freeport facility on the Sacramento River.

New drought rates: The EBMUD Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on June 9th and then consider adopting new rates.  If approved, the new rates and any drought surcharge would take effect July 1st.

3.    Richmond Fire Department – In the Spotlight

Richmond firefighter Jessica Wraa was recently profiled on the television show Right this Minute. The interview described the rigors of the profession as Jessica was coached through a structure fire response by Captain Marc Lucero. Viewers are provided insight into firefighting, the dangers, and the challenges to which all firefighters must be attentive when entering into IDLH (Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health) environments. Click on the attached link to view: http://www.rightthisminute.com/video/rtmtv-day-life-firefighter-training

4.    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  

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

5.    3rd Annual Youth Recognition Ceremony and Youth Service Showcase

The Youth Service Showcase will bring together Richmond youth, community members and community partners to dialogue around the projects that they’ve been working on during this academic year. This event is a space to share and learn about what our youth are doing to give back to their community and how they are addressing some of the pressing challenges our city faces. The Youth Service Showcase will take place on Wednesday, May 27th from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond.

This is a great space for:

·         YOUTH to learn more about ways to be involved in service learning projects;
·         COMMUNITY PARTNERS to support the youth working with your organization and dialogue with youth and community members and each other; and
·         COMMUNITY MEMBERS to connect with passionate youth and local community based organizations and elected officials.

We sincerely hope that you will be able to participate. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Jantsan Damdinsuren at (510) 620-6563 or jantsand@ci.richmond.ca.us.

6.    Atchison Village Gets Car Share

Atchison Village is a cooperative housing community consisting of 450 apartments, and recently became the newest location for the Richmond Car Share program.  The Richmond Car Share program provides mobility options to Atchison Village residents while reducing greenhouse gases. Residents can enjoy the benefits of an eco-friendly vehicle without the costs and responsibilities of vehicle ownership.  For more information on the Richmond Car Share program and future sites please call 510 620-6869.

7.    John F. Kennedy Ball Field Receives a Facelift!
In the early morning hours on Saturday, May 16th, over 100 volunteers met on the ball field of John F. Kennedy Park for a work day to complete the renovation of the ball field.  This work day was one of the many preliminary community-built park projects for the ultimate park renovation event on October 24, 2015. 
Volunteers from the neighborhood were joined by volunteer employees from OC Jones and Sons, TLC Sports, Alta Vista, Overaa Construction, and KNBR Sports to paint the ball field benches, move and level mulch around the park’s landscaping, and clean the perimeter of the park.  Weeks leading up to the work day, OC Jones and Sons replaced the fencing around the field, refurbished the benches, and brought in the infield dirt to be leveled by volunteers. 
In addition to this volunteer work day, The Trust for Public Land, the City Manager’s Office, and the Richmond Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, together with the El Cerrito High School Bike Club, hosted an information booth to garner ideas for the upcoming community-built park project for John F. Kennedy Park.  Some of the ideas included fitness classes in the park, organized recreation activities for children, a bike track, and programs for seniors.
The renovation was made possible by the generous support of OC Jones and Sons, TLC Sports, Alta Vista, and KNBR Sports.  A special thanks to The Trust for Public Land, and Recreation Department and Parks and Landscaping Division staff, Richmond Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the El Cerrito High School Bike Club, and the volunteers from  Park Plaza, Pullman, and Eastshore neighborhoods and sponsoring companies for contributing to the success of the event.  To learn more about the John F. Kennedy Park community-built park program, please contact Rochelle Monk at (510) 620-6511.

8.    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. 

9.    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 18, 2015, 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 68 of the households have received their Notices of Eligibility and Informational brochures. On May 19, 2015, Autotemp consultants conducted a PowerPoint presentation in the Hacienda Community Room further explaining the relocation process to the Hacienda residents.

A weekly summary of activity through the week ending May 22nd is as follows:

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.    

Section 8 eligibility certification interviews have also been ongoing. As of the week of May 18, 2015, 97 of the 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.

10. 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 road closure is planned to remain in place through June 2015, with overall project completion in fall 2015. 

During the week of May 18th, lean concrete base was poured for the roadway, formwork was stripped from the bridge tower columns, and bridge tower beam formwork construction was started.  Additionally, interior work at the generator building continued, as well as installation of streetlight electrical in the raised sidewalks.  Also, the project site was visited by the wife and children of Officer Bradley A. Moody and invited to imprint their hands in the sidewalk, to create a memory for the children for years to come.

For the week of May 25th, raised sidewalk concrete pours are tentatively scheduled, rebar installation for bridge tower beams will start, and layout for concrete roadway pavement will begin. 

As noted in prior updates, project delays encountered during the winter (due primarily to AT&T relocation and heavy rains in December) resulted in a formal “contract days” schedule that would require reopening of the roadway in August 2015, however, the contractor and construction management team believe that construction methods (including different concrete mix designs and placement equipment) can be employed that may allow for earlier reopening of a minimum of one lane in each direction.  Currently, a roadway reopening in early July appears attainable, barring weather or other uncontrollable events. Additional information will follow as details are confirmed.

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

Susan Moody, with children Madison (left) and Emma (right)

11. City of Richmond NEW Mobile APP Update

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 of Richmond is looking forward to feedback from the community on this new Mobile APP. We welcome your comments at webservices@ci.richmond.ca.us

The City of Richmond is looking forward to feedback from the community on this new Mobile APP. We welcome your comments at webservices@ci.richmond.ca.us

12. Information Technology (IT) Department Updates

Website Statistics: Top 10 Webpage visits for the week ending May 20, 2015:

Facebook Statistics

  New LIKES increased by                    25%

KCRT – Datanet Screen of the Week

TRAC Grand Opening Ferry Point Loop Trail

13. The City of Richmond Cares About Your Health

Think twice before you spray once. The City of Richmond encourages you to use non-toxic methods to reduce the number of weeds in your lawn and garden.

14.       Recreation Highlights

Seniors

The Senior Center is currently undergoing several renovations.  During construction, programming has been moved to the Richmond Auditorium.  Please call (510) 620-6793 for further information.

The 33rd Annual Senior Information and Health Faire was held on Wednesday, May13th at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium. The event featured over 75 vendors and over 300 participants. A pancake breakfast was served that morning for both participants and vendors and there were performance showcases throughout the event. Disabled People’s Recreation Center (DPRC) participants were also a great assistance to staff during the event.  Instead of their normal schedule of job shadowing and assisting with the nutrition program, they helped at the 50/50 Raffle table and oversaw the DPRC table. This experience helps them to move away from their normal routine and socialize with a myriad of people. They all expressed desire to participate every year.

Aquatics

The Richmond Plunge will offer an array of swim lessons beginning in June.  For a bit older youth or those graduating from the Intro to Water, Seahorse class (3-5 years), which offers an introduction to the basics of water safety, the Learn to Swim Program (6-12 years) is perfect.  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.

Starfish (Level 1): Is an introduction to the water and focus on safety. Skills taught include water bobs, floating on front and back, usage of kicking and arm windmills. This class is a great start for the new swimmer of any age. There are no perquisites for this beginning class.

Monday-Thursday
3 week Sessions (12 classes)
Cost: $144 resident/  $180 non-resident
Session 1: 6/15-6/26
Session 2: 7/6-7/23
Session 3: 7/27-8/13

Beta (Level 2): Is our next step of the Learn to Swim program. Once finishing Starfish, these swimmers will then learn the importance of forward movement with new strokes and kicks. Also, there is a small intro to deep water and learning to tread and float. Prerequisites: Child must have successfully completed Starfish or a comparable Level 1 class.

Monday-Thursday
3 week Sessions (12 classes)
Cost: $144 resident/ $180 non-resident
Session 1: 6/15-6/26
Session 2: 7/6-7/23                                                                                                                                          Session 3: 7/27-8/13

Piranha (Level 3): Is our last stage of the Learn to Swim program. Swimmers will be challenged to swim longer distances and focus on 25 yards of each front and back crawl stroke. Technique of the breaststroke and butterfly stroke will be improved/ Knell diving and shallow water diving will also be introduced. Prerequisites: Child must have successfully completed Beta or a comparable Level 2 class. 

Monday-Thursday
3 week Sessions (12 classes)
Cost: $144 resident/  $180 non-resident
Session 1: 6/15-6/26
Session 2: 7/6-7/23
Session 3: 7/27-8/13

All Sessions:

Monday – Thursday 4:45 – 5:15PM
Monday – Thursday 5:30 – 6PM
Monday – Thursday 6:15 – 6:45PM

Shields-Reid

Afterschool program participants created custom fans for their weekly field trip to Solano Park.   Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate this week, so they left their fans at the center and took their coats and jackets instead.  

15. Public Works Updates

This week was National Public Works Week, May 17 – 23, 2015. Beginning in 1960, it has been celebrated the full third week of May. It is the time when the men and women of Public Works are celebrated for all of their efforts to help make the community a better place to live, work and play.

Facilities Maintenance Division: 
Capenters have been assisting with the beginning phases of the Senior Center upgrades, working on the kitchen upgrades at the Native American Health Center, and reconfiguring work stations at the Employment and Training building.

Painters continued with areas of the Richmond Museum and started the preparations for the Parks Field Office Equipment Room.

Stationary Engineers replaced the gate operator at Fire Station #68, repaired the lunch room stove at the Corporation Yard, and secured the heating and air conditioner for the Senior Center Building improvements.

Electricians reset the timer for the Natatorium (Plunge) sign, restored red lights out at 23rd Street and Bissell Avenue and at San Pablo Avenue and McBryde Avenue, relamped bays at the Corporation Yard, repaired traffic signal at Harbour Way and Roosevelt Avenue, fixed lighting in the Information Technology Training room, and repaired a panel at the Fire Training Center.

Red Replacement on 23rd Street and Bissell Avenue

Parks and Landscaping Division:  
General maintenance crews weeded and trimmed Kern Park, removed old fencing from Portola Avenue near Barrett Avenue, trimmed and mulched planter beds at the Civic Center, delivered mulch to John F. Kennedy Park for ball field renovations, removed a dead pine from Lamoine Park, placed mosaic trash cans for the Art Center, and repaired play equipment at the Solano Play Lot.

Civic Center Planter Beds

Hilltop District crews continued work on the sidewalk near AM/PM landscaping project, completed detention area at Vista Del Mar Park, irrigation inspecation and repairs completed at Country Club Vista and Bay Vista Parks, and continued general maintenance on Richmond Parkway.

Detention Area

Marina District crews continued irrigation repairs and mulching and weed control along the Regatta Boulevard medians.

Mulch Added to Regatta Boulevard

Tree crews cut or trimmed trees on or around Washington Avenue, East Richmond Avenue, Macdonald Avenue, the Family Justice Center, and Hilltop Park.

Family Justice Center Tree Removal

Streets Division: 
Paving staff worked on potholes and sidewalks from the outstanding pothole list and the remaining staff went to assist the Parks and Landscaping Division.

Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the third Monday through Thursday and the fourth Friday in the North Richmond, Iron Triangle, North Belding Woods, Atchison Village, South Belding Woods, Richmond Annex, Parkview, Panhandle Annex, and Eastshore neighborhood council areas.

Signs and Lines staff installed 30 new signs and poles, repaired 36 signs and poles, fabricated 2 new signs and painted 133’ of curb.

Red Curb Painting

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