Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the weekly report for the week ending July 31, 2015.
The Richmond City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, August 3, 2015 to complete agenda items from the July 28th meeting that were not acted on by the Council at that meeting due to lack of time. A Closed Session will convene at 6:00 PM, followed by the special City Council agenda at 6:30 PM. To see the City Council agenda for this meeting, use the following link: August 3, 2015 Agenda.
No other City Council meetings are currently scheduled during the month of August, with the next regular meeting currently scheduled for Tuesday, September 15th.
- National Night Out is Tuesday, August 4th. Get to Know Your Community!
The Richmond community will be celebrating National Night Out this Tuesday, August 4th. This is a great opportunity for community members to get to know each other at neighborhood events and for City staff to visit with residents.
Richmond has a proud tradition of celebrating National Night Out. The celebration “kicks off” at the Target parking lot at 6:00 PM, with a community “caravan” of police and fire traveling to as many as 27 events in different neighborhoods throughout the City. This year, the “end party” is at Pullman Point – its first time as a host site.
Please find out where your neighborhood party is and enjoy National Night Out!
- Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) Evaluation Released
This past week, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) issued its process evaluation of the Richmond Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) and its Operation Peacemaker Fellowship. The study found that many participants in the Fellowship have experienced lower levels of violence since enrolling in the program, along with improvements in other outcomes, including educational attainment and employment status. Data also suggest that ONS violence reduction strategies, including the Fellowship, have contributed to reductions in gun violence in Richmond.
To view the report’s highlights, the full evaluation report and recent media about the report, please click the link below:
http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2015/07/28/richmonds-bid-to-reduce-gun-violence-with-life-maps-for-worst-offenders-may-be-working
- Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) Director DeVone Boggan is Heard on KQED Radio's "Forum" with Michael Krasny
On a related note, Richmond Neighborhood Safety Director DeVone Boggan was heard on KQED's Forum, together with the National Council on Crime and Delinquency's (NCCD’s) Director of Justice Strategies, Dr. Angie Wolf, discussing NCCD’s process evaluation of the ONS and its Operation Peacemaker Fellowship.
The Operation Peacemaker fellowship was described as an innovative, multifaceted anti-violence strategy, focusing on young men most likely to shoot or be shot, with the goal of reducing gun violence and homicides.
This most recent radio feature on the ONS and the Operation Peacemaker fellowship is another in a long line of features on the program in national media outlets, including This American Life (National Public Radio), Mother Jones, The Nation, and The New York Times. Tuesday’s “Forum” provided a chance for a broader Bay Area public radio audience to learn more about the ONS, the Operation Peacemaker Fellows, and NCCD’s findings.
You can listen to the broadcast online at:
http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201507280900
- John F. Kennedy Park Design Festival
This past Saturday, July 25th, over 150 neighborhood residents, elected officials, city staff, corporate representatives, and community members visited John F. Kennedy Park to view proposed park design elements for the upcoming community-built park event on national Make a Difference Day, Saturday, October 24, 2015. Led by neighborhood leaders of Park Plaza, Pullman, Laurel Park, and Eastshore, as well as staff from the City of Richmond and The Trust for Public Land, attendees participated in a walking tour of the park and provided vital comments regarding the proposed park design. The design festival was a milestone event for the JFK Park planning team, which has been meeting weekly since April 2015.
This is the City of Richmond’s third Community-Built Park Program event following Belding-Garcia and Parchester Park, respectively, in each of the two previous years. This year’s project is generously funded by The Trust for Public Land. For more information or to sign up to volunteer, please visit the John F. Kennedy Community-Built Park Program page, or call Rochelle Monk at (510) 620-6511.
 
 
- North Richmond Residents Help Plan Love Your Block
On Tuesday, July 28th, City and County residents of North Richmond attended the Shields Reid Neighborhood Council meeting to learn more about the planned Love Your Block initiative. The Love Your Block initiative will engage resident volunteers in neighborhood revitalization efforts.
During an interactive activity, residents provided input that will help prioritize programming for the North Richmond community using grant funds. Some of the projects identified as priority by the residents include neighorhood clean ups, community gardens, and environmental education.
Richmond was selected by Cities of Service as one of seven cities to plan and implement the Love Your Block model in the communities of North Richmond and Parchester Village. Ultimately, other Richmond communities, groups, and organizations will have an opportunity to apply for mini-grants to improve their neighborhoods.
Richmond residents are encouraged to complete the online survey to further help shape the program. To learn more about the Love Your Block Program, please visit the webpage or contact Guadalupe Morales, guadalupe_morales@ci.richmond.ca.us, (510) 620-6553 or Kiana Ward, kiana_ward@ci.richmond.ca.us, (510) 620-6552.
  
- Richmond Digital Health Literacy Project Website and Blog
The Richmond Digital Health Literacy Project (DHLP) seeks to provide low-income residents of the City of Richmond with tools and skills needed to access online information to improve their health and well-being. The Project has a new website and blog to share resources and updates about current events and news related to digital literacy, health literacy, community health, and adult education in Richmond and beyond.
We welcome your feedback on the site, suggestions for news and events to detail, and guest blog authors. The Digital Health Literacy Project is a program of the Library and Cultural Services Department’s Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP).
For suggestions or more information about the Digital Health Literacy Project, contact:
Ellen Kersten, Ph.D.
Digital Health Literacy Project Coordinator
(510) 307-8002
Ellen_Kersten@ci.richmond.ca.us
http://digitalhealthliteracy.weebly.com/
- Climate Action Plan Community Workshop
Community members are encouraged to attend the City’s Climate Action Plan community workshop on Tuesday, August 18th, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.
The Climate Action Plan will serve as a roadmap for the City to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change on the public health, infrastructure, ecosystems, and public spaces in our community. Development of the plan is underway, and it is important that we have broad input from all community members to ensure that the final plan is one that effectively meets the needs of the community.
Food and refreshments will be provided. Please kindly RSVP so we know how much to order. More information about the plan can be found at www.richmondclimateaction.org.
- Richmond Climate Action Plan Luncheon with Utilities, Franchisees, and Industry Groups
On Thursday, July 23rd, the City hosted a luncheon with local utilities, franchisees, and industry groups regarding development of the Richmond Climate Action Plan (CAP). Eighteen representatives attended, representing eleven organizations. The luncheon provided an opportunity for these organizations to hear a status update on development of the CAP, discuss key challenges and opportunities to partner with utilities to act on climate change in Richmond, and learn about the relationships between the CAP and existing state, regional, and local policies to address climate change.
The luncheon also provided the opportunity for the City to learn more about the key programs and actions that the attending organizations are implementing to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Richmond, both within their organization and within the greater Richmond community. Through small break-out group discussions and a larger group discussion, attendees provided feedback on actions that the City can take in its CAP to improve the effectiveness of their existing programs, services provided to the community, and identified opportunities to partner with the City to reduce GHG emissions in Richmond.
For information about the Richmond CAP, including the upcoming Community Workshop on August 18, please visit www.richmondclimateaction.org. All members of the public are invited to attend!
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 two weeks included:
- Attended a meeting, together with Administrative Chief Shasa Curl, with Ed Barlow of North Star Destination Strategies, to discuss marketing and branding strategies in Richmond;
- Attended a staff working group meeting with representatives from the police, code enforcement, fire, public works, and capital improvements departments to discuss organizing for more effective and timely responses to traffic safety and parking issues;
- Met with the City’s representatives on the RecycleMore Board to discuss upcoming JPA meeting topics;
- Attended the press event for the launch of the Richmond Promise scholarship program;
- Attended the third Business Roundtable hosted by Mayor Butt at the Craneway;
- Met with representatives from the 23rd Street Merchants Association to discuss issues of mutual interest and possible collaboration.
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.
- 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. The project 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, and project completion is scheduled for fall 2015.
During the week of July 27th, off-site fabrication of the bridge towers and sidewalk railings continued, as did work on the traffic signal at Meeker Boulevard, installation of cable railing, and the generator building louvers. Also, installation of the sidewalk railing pedestals was completed. For the week of August 3rd, installation of the sidewalk railing is scheduled to commence, electrical work on traffic signals will continue, and construction of the bioretention storm water basin will start.
For additional information or 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.
- Richmond Fire Department Youth Academy
The Richmond Fire Department’s Youth Academy is in its 22nd year of ensuring that the next generation understands the value of service, commitment, and giving back to community. This year’s new session will continue to mentor and develop future leaders by establishing the importance of academic achievement, goal-setting, and personal and mutual accountability as the foundations of a better and safer Richmond. Many graduates of the program have gone on to become public safety responders, educators, community and business leaders, and good neighbors. Below is a link to a story about how Richmond’s Youth Academy encouraged one young man to serve his community as a Richmond firefighter, and to establish this successful program in a neighboring city.
http://wn.ktvu.com/clip/11718680/vallejo-firefighter-academy-dedicated-to-memory-of-firefighter-who-died-in-1980#.Vbho_ROFnPo.mailto
For cadet enrollment or youth mentorship volunteer opportunities, please call the Richmond Youth Academy at (510) 236-2222.
- Amtrak Railcar Incident Response Training
Multiple fire departments (Richmond, El Cerrito, Pinole, Rodeo Hercules, and Contra Costa County) recently received training on Amtrak railcar public safety response at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail yard. The training focused on procedures for responding to major railcar incidents, resources available to assist in a response, and how to safely working around Amtrak railcars in the event of such an incident.
Amtrak railcars travel at a high rate of speed, with a significant number of passengers, through the City of Richmond and through neighboring jurisdictions, on tracks owned by Union Pacific and BNSF. It is imperative that first responders train together with multiple jurisdictions, and with the railroad industry, to ensure an effectively, efficient and safe response.
This particular training was organized by the City of Richmond Fire Department Training Division, with collaboration among Amtrak and BNSF. Instructors were Stacey Weller (Regional Emergency Manager) of Amtrak and Frederick Payne (Coordinator Field Safety Support) of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railways.
- Richmond Fire’s Hazardous Materials Team
The Richmond Fire Department Hazardous Material Team recently responded to a combustible liquid spill on the eastern span of the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge. A grocery delivery truck drove onto the K-rail of an ongoing construction project and punctured its 75 gallon capacity fuel tank. The Richmond Fire Hazardous Materials Team collaborated with the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) to assess the risk and environmental probabilities, develop a plan to secure the uncontained combustible liquid, fully control the leak and ensure the highway was safer for the construction workers to continue their project and motorists to travel.
- HERO and CaliforniaFIRST - Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Programs Now Available for Richmond Homeowners
Richmond homeowners are now eligible to participate in two Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs: HERO and CaliforniaFIRST. PACE financing enables homeowners to make energy- and water-efficiency improvements and pay for them through their property tax bill. Property owners repay the assessment over 5 to 20 years and the interest is tax-deductible. Homeowners can use PACE financing to renovate projects that can increase their property values, lower their monthly utility bills, and contribute to making our community more energy independent.
Most homes are eligible to participate and qualification is not based on credit score. Popular home energy upgrade projects include solar panels, windows, HVAC systems, and roofing improvements. PACE programs also offer a variety of options to support our state’s ongoing drought conservation efforts and lower water bills including high-efficiency toilets, faucets and showerheads; drip irrigation systems; rainwater catchment systems; gray water systems; and artificial turf and drought-tolerant landscaping.
To find out more about HERO PACE, including eligible projects for your home and local, certified contractors, please visit: www.heroprogram.com/richmond/
To find out more about the CaliforniaFIRST program, including eligible projects for your home and local, certified contractors, please visit: www.californiafirst.org
R-Transit is Richmond’s very own paratransit service for the senior and disabled population, and is expanding mobility options for its clients. Check out the following brochure for information about the opportunity to take free round trip rides to the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historic Park visitor center.
- BART Service Interruption
As a friendly reminder, there will be no BART train services between West Oakland and Embarcadero stations on the weekends of August 1-2 and September 5-7 (Labor Day Weekend) as BART maintenance crews perform repairs for track safety. BART will provide a limited bus across the Bay Bridge between Oakland at the 19th Street Station and San Francisco at the Transbay Terminal. To help find alternative routes, please dial 511 or visit www.511.org. Please visit www.bart.gov for more information.
- Think Twice, Spray Once – Use Non-Toxic Gardening Methods
The City of Richmond cares about your health and the vitality of our community. Recently, the Richmond City Council passed an ordinance that bans City workers from using pesticides, specifically those that include glyphosate. Glyphosate is known to be harmful to humans, animals, and the environment. The City of Richmond encourages its residents to join us in using non-toxic methods to reduce the number of weeds in your lawn and garden. Instead of killing weeds with sprays and chemicals, try mulching, or manually pulling weeds from the ground. Please consider the environment in all your gardening activities. Please take a moment to view the City of Richmond public services announcement prepared by staff at KCRT at: https://youtu.be/Vjp_Y7tOpwc
- 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.
Senior Center
Participants and staff celebrated the birthday of longtime Recreation Program Leader, Ron Tate. Everyone especially enjoyed the cake!
The Tibetan festival, held on July 18th and 19th, gave the Civic Center Plaza a festive flair as prayer flags waved overhead.
 
Aquatics
For a second time, the Richmond Plunge has been awarded by East Bay Express readers a Best of the East Bay award! Readers polled the Plunge as the “best place to swim” in the East Bay. The program managers have been invited to pick up the award at the 2015 Best of the East Bay winners’ party to be held at Rosenblum’s wine bar in Jack London Square, Oakland.
To view the article, click the link: http://eastbayexpress.com/general/flash/2015/07-22-2015/
DPRC
The participants of the Disabled People’s Recreation Center summer camp programs had a busy week of activities. There was a day at the facility for exercise, cooking, music therapy, and games. Other days included excursions to Pleasant Hill for window shopping, walks, and lunch, and to Petaluma to visit the great Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker store followed by lunch in Walnut Park. The best time was had at the department summer camp talent show, and the week culminated with a wonderful tour of the world famous Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield.
 
  
Summer Camp
Approximately 300 campers, plus staff, from the Recreation Complex, Shields Reid, Nevin, Booker T. Anderson, Parchester, and May Valley Community Centers, spent a wonderful day at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium and Civic Center Plaza. Games and activities were held in the morning, lunch was served, followed by a talent show, while the day ended with the movie “Home”, played on the big screen. The excitement of the day was the talent show, as campers of all ages showcased their talents and awesome abilities in friendly competition to win fabulous prizes for their particular center. Everyone did a great job and judging was difficult, but the May Valley participants ultimately won first place, with second place earned by Parchester, and Nevin third place.
Big thanks to Bert and staff, from KCRT, for all their support and assistance in making the day an absolute hit.
 
 
Facilities Mainenance Division:
Carpenters completed replaced deadbolts on the North Richmond Ball Field, installed recognition plaques, modified the portable restroom at the Employement and Training building for ventilation and addressed safety issues at the Family Justice Center.
Recognition Plaques
Painters completed painting of rooms within the Senior Center and Employment and Training building and painted the interior of the Point Richmond Community Center and Library.
Stationary Engineers repaired the condensate line at Fire Station #63, cleared the waste line to the 3rd Floor of City Hall and repaired the elevator at the Main Library.
Utility Workers auto-scrubbed Civic Center Plaza, replaced bulbs in the Youth Works area, in the process of removing glue from the Senior Center floor as well as maintained 29 City owned facilities.
 
Light Replacement and Glue Removal
Electricians relamped the apparatus bay lights in Fire Station #64, repaired electrical circuits in the Main Library, fixed the traffic signal knockdown at San Pablo and McBryde Avenues and repaired the crosswalk signal at Marina Bay Parkway and Bayside Drive.
Traffic Signal Repair
Parks and Landscaping Division:
General maintenance crews weeded and trimmed Cutting Circle, removed graffiti from Nicholl and John F. Kennedy Parks as well as the Humphrey Playlot, weeded behind areas of Ohio Avenue, weeded on the Greenway and on Clinton and Yuba Avenues, trimmed shrubs at Tiller Park and Solano Playlot, maintenance on the medians of Carlson Boulevard and supported the community project at Parchester Park.
Parchester Park Community Project
Hilltop District crews continued work on the landscaping project near AM/PM on the Richmond Parkway, started trimming on Hilltop Drive from Robert Miller to Hillview Drive, started installation of concrete forms for sidewalks on Richmond Parkway and Atlas Road and assisted tree crew the pine removal.
Shrub Trimming
Marina District crews preformed maintenance on the Marina Park entrance.
Marina Park Entrance Maintenance
Tree crews cut or trimmed trees on or around: 13th Street, McLaughlin Avenue, 18th Street, San Pablo Avenue, East Richmond Avenue, Barnard Street and Kelsey Avenue.
Streets Division: Paving staff ground and paved on Meadowbrook Drive from Fleetwood Drive to Ahern Court and worked on potholes and sidewalks from the outstanding pothole list.
Paving on Meadowbrook Drive
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the fourth Monday and Tuesday, with the fifth Wednesday through Friday in the Santa Fe, Point Richmond, Marina Bay, Coronado, Metro Richmore Village, Pullman, Cortez/Stege, Park Plaza, Laurel Park and City Center neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines staff fabricated 4 new signs, installed new signs and poles at various locations, placed three pavement messages, painted 206’ of curb and repaired 9 signs and poles.
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 |
