 
Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the weekly report for the week ending August 28, 2015.
1. Meeting Notes
The City Council is on hiatus for the remainder of August, with the next regular meeting currently scheduled for Tuesday, September 15th.
2. Richmond sets Rosie the Riveter Record
On August 15, 2015, more than a thousand women of all ages gathered in Richmond to celebrate the community’s legacy of “can do” spirit. The gathering set a new world record for “The Largest Gathering of People Dressed as a Rosie the Riveter” (to be officially confirmed by Guinness World Records next month). Event organizer Sue Fritzke spoke for the original Rosies when she said, “We want the young women attending today to know that they can do anything they set their minds to.”
The event also commemorated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The Richmond shipyards spearheaded the effort to turn the tide of the war. They built as many as three ships a day -- more than any other West Coast shipyard. Today, the locations are part of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. Watch a video from the day’s event here: Rosie the Riveter World Record Video.
3. Youth Enrichment Strategies (YES) Walk to Nature
YES Nature to Neighborhoods’ 3rd annual Walk to Nature was Saturday, August 29th. Over 350 people attended the event and walked together from the Richmond Greenway (6th Street and Ohio Avenue) to Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline.
YES Nature to Neighborhoods partnered with the East Bay Regional Park District and the City of Richmond to promote physical activity and good health by introducing access to nearby regional parks in Richmond. Community members enjoyed a beautiful day, as well as free giveaways of t-shirts, water bottles, back-to-school gear and more! For more information, please visit the Walk to Nature Facebook page: YES – Nature to Neighborhoods.
  
4. Teen Eco Action Week
In collaboration with East Bay Regional Park District, the Recreation Department interviewed and selected 20 youth (13 to 17 years old) for this year’s Teen Eco Action Week Program. The program started on Monday, July 27th and ended on Friday, July 31st. The youth were engaged in team building activities and service learning projects. Each participant received a stipend of $100 for participating in the program that involved cleaning different parks and having fun kayaking, biking and swimming at Lake Anza.
Participants had the opportunity to ride bikes from Alvarado Park through the Wildcat Creek Trail to the Richmond Landfill Loop. They hiked from Tilden Nature Area to Lake Anza for an afternoon swim in the lake. They also kayaked from the Richmond Marina to Brooks Island where they cleaned up the shoreline.
Each afternoon during lunch, the youth heard from industry experts on their career paths. Some of the topics discussed included how to fill out job application, attending job interviews, networking, volunteering and keeping the environment clean. On Thursday, August 6th, a final celebration was held for all the Teen Eco Action Week participants and their families at the Recreation Complex.
 
5. Update 2015 Community Survey Results
Every two years since 2007, the City of Richmond has conducted a community survey to help city officials evaluate services, measure resident satisfaction and use of current services, benchmark ratings for services provided by the City, and to help plan for Richmond’s future. In 2015, surveys were mailed out to 3,000 randomly selected and geographically dispersed Richmond households. A total of 422 completed surveys were obtained, providing an overall response rate of 14% with a margin error of plus or minus five percentage points.
To review the survey reports, please use the following link: 2015 Richmond Community Survey.
6. The 2015 Community Survey Available to All Richmond Residents to Complete
If your household was not one of the 3,000 households selected to receive the survey, but you would like to provide feedback to the City, then now is your chance. The 2015 Richmond Community Survey can now be completed by ALL Richmond residents in English or Spanish by accessing the following link: www.n-r-c.com/survey/richmondncs.htm.
Feel free to contact LaShonda White in the City Manager’s office at (510) 620-6828 with questions, comments, or to obtain a paper copy of the survey. Your input can help make the City of Richmond a better place to live, work and play. We look forward to receiving your feedback!
7. BART Service Interruption
There will be no Transbay BART train service between West Oakland and Embarcadero stations on the weekend of September 5th – 7th (Labor Day Weekend) while BART maintenance crews perform vital repairs to improve track safety.
Please avoid taking BART and use alternative routes for Transbay trips during these weekends. Dial 511 or visit http://www.511.org for alternative transportation.
· If BART is your only means to cross the Bay, BART will provide a limited bus bridge at no additional charge (see flyer below).
· West Oakland BART Station will be closed.
· BART will provide normal service in the East Bay, throughout San Francisco and on the Peninsula.
· This is part of the transit system’s Building a Better BART program.
· When the work is completed, BART customers will experience a faster, safer and quieter ride.
8. Nevin Avenue Improvement Project Update – Parking Restrictions
The Nevin Avenue Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements Project is a reconstruction of Nevin Avenue between 19th Street and 27th Street that will improve aesthetics and safety for travel between the Civic Center and Richmond BART Station areas. The project involves new sidewalks, curbs and gutters, streetlights, landscaping and stormwater drainage improvements.
The project will be constructed in phases, with the first phase of work scheduled to commence August 31st on Nevin Avenue between 19th Street and 23rd Street. During this work, one way traffic control will be in place for this segment of Nevin Avenue; and no on-street parking will be permitted, 24 hours a day. In order to accommodate the needs of residents that live along this stretch of Nevin Avenue, portions of 19th, 20th and 21st Streets near Nevin Avenue will be signed for resident parking only, and temporary construction parking permits have been issued to residents along the parking restricted area. BART patrons that may have been parking in this neighborhood are advised that parking is available east of the Richmond station at several locations including: 1) the BART parking structure at 16th Street and Macdonald Avenue, 2) the City-owned lot at 13th Street and Nevin Avenue and 3) the City-owned garage at 12th Street and Nevin Avenue. The parking restrictions will be in place for the duration of work on this phase, estimated to be approximately five months.
During the week of August 24th, utility relocation work by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) continued, the project team held a second community meeting with area residents to discuss the project and parking restrictions, and preparation of traffic and parking controls commenced. For the week of August 31st, EBMUD relocation work will continue, parking controls will begin, and the contractor will mobilize equipment and materials to the site.
For additional information or to be added to the project update contact list, please contact the project’s Public Outreach Coordinator Jacqueline Majors at (925) 949-6196.
9. 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. Project completion is scheduled for this fall.
During the week of August 24th, off-site fabrication of the bridge towers continued, and sidewalk railings were completed, with only small “infill panels” yet to be fabricated and installed. For the week of August 31st, the sidewalk railing infill panels will be fabricated, along with off-site fabrication of the bridge towers, and the storm water pumps will be set into place in the pump station. Additionally, work on the bio-retention basin will continue, and electrical connection of storm water pumps will commence.
For additional information or to be added to the project update contact list, please see the project website at http://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.
10. Richmond Main Street Farmers’ Market Every Wednesday!
The Richmond Main Street Farmers’ Market is in full swing! Come Downtown on Wednesdays, now through November 18th, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at the Nevin Plaza (Nevin Ave at 13th Street) for a fantastic selection of fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies, artisan vendors, baked goods and treats, food booths, and more!
The market proudly offers the Market Match program which allows any CalFresh recipient who shops using their EBT card will get extra money to buy fruits and veggies! For example, spend $10 and get another $10 to spend. Visit the information booth for details.
For more information on the market, visit the Farmers' Market webpage, like our Facebook page, or call (510) 236-4049.
  
11. Richmond’s National Drive Electric Week
12. Fire Hazard Abatement
Due to the extreme high fire dangers that the drought has created, Richmond Fire collaborated with Richmond Police Department’s Code Enforcement Division to quickly abate overgrown brush at 99 South 47th Street (formerly Sakai Nursery) and other lots throughout the city. The abatement is instrumental in reducing the risk of fires that threaten residential and commercial buildings, and eliminates the chance of smoke inhalation to citizens experiencing respiratory illnesses. The Richmond Fire Department is proud to work with the Richmond Police Department to continue improving the public’s safety.
Before After
 
13. Richmond Fire Ventilation Training
Fire crews conducted ventilation training on a vacant Red Cross building (scheduled for demolition). Ventilation training reduces the possibility of backdraft and spontaneous combustion in structure fires, which can potentially injure and kill trapped residents and firefighters. Training on vacant structures is a rare opportunity for firefighters and yields significant benefits compared to traditional simulation trainings.
14. Information Technology
Website Statistics
Top 10 Webpage visits for the week ending 08/28/2015
Facebook Statistics
For the week ending 08/28/2015
· Total reached increased by 94.7%
· People engaged increased by 248.8%
KCRT
DATANET SCREENS OF THE WEEK
Are you new to electric vehicles? There will be experts to answer questions and explain the technology to you.
 
City of Richmond Website
The City recently upgraded its website which now incorporates responsive design that allows the content on the City’s website to automatically adjust to the screen size of any device. Forget about using the pinch-
zoom to see something. This responsive design makes content easy to view and easy to navigate on tablets and smartphones providing a great user experience no matter how the content is accessed.
City of Richmond 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 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.
15. Recreation Highlights
Shields-Reid
The Shields-Reid Summer Achieve Program participants visited Pinole Valley Lanes on Tuesday, August 18th. Twenty-two participants bowled three games of bumper bowl, and had an outstanding time. It was the first bowling experience for several children.
Seniors
Seniors welcomed the participants from the Disabled People’s Recreation Center who came by to assist with the lunch program on Wednesday, August 26th. Also, the Zumba Gold Class celebrated the instructor, Yannet Torres', birthday with help from the Richmond Senior Center participants.
The Annex Senior Center participants enjoyed their monthly Birthday Party potluck, celebrating everyone born in the month of August.
  
 
16. Public Works Updates
Engineering Division
Slurry Seal Project -Slurry seal preventive maintenance treatments were performed on portions of: 24th Street, 7th Street, Amador Street, Blume Drive, and Juliga Woods Street. These cost-effective surface treatments seal the pavement surface and slow the surface deterioration, extending the roadway’s useful life for about five to seven years.
Fresh Slurry Seal on 24th Street
Underpass Lighting Project – The City’s contractor, NET Electric has replaced underpass lighting on Macdonald Avenue at the Union Pacific railroad tracks and BART tracks with new Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lights. Engineering staff continued to monitor the replacement of City-owned street lights and decorative lighting with LED’s on the Greenway, Macdonald Avenue, and at various streetscape projects and parks.
Lighting Upgrades
Facilities Maintenance Division
Carpenters repaired one of the restrooms at the Recreation Complex, installed new countertops in the restroom of the May Valley Community Center and placed fixtures in the restroom of the Point Richmond Community Center and Library.
Painters completed the pool room of the Senior Center and continue to work at the Point Richmond Community Center and Library.
Stationary Engineers restored hot water to a location of the Corporation Yard, repaired a broken water line at the Corporation Yard, cleaned the water fountain at Civic Center Plaza, fixed the rear gate to Fire Station #62, cleared a main waste line at Fire Station #62 and repaired the motor to one of the gates at the Corporation Yard.
Water Fountain Cleaning
Utility Workers moved staff to another location, set up for two events and serviced 29 facilities.
Office Relocation
Electricians repaired the men’s restroom lighting at Fire Station #61, upgraded pedestrian beacons at Marina Bay Parkway and Bayside Drive, installed new timing at Richmond Parkway and Richmond Lane and located and surveyed an electrical box on Richmond Parkway and Giant Road.
Pole Repair
Parks and Landscaping Division
Staff performed general maintenance and mowing along the Greenway and at Nicholl Park, weeded the parking area on Barrett Avenue, trimmed flax and sheet mulching at Civic Center Plaza, performed rratation work at the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) garden, cleared weeds on the 23rd Street grade separation, fixed water valve at Triangle Park and Abraham Braxton, repaired fencing at Boorman Park, performed maintenance at State Court Park, cleaned on Fred Jackson Way, completed irrigation repairs at Hilltop and Atchison Parks and weeded near the sound wall on San Joaquin Street.
23rd Street Grade Separation Maintenance
Hilltop Districtcrews continued work on the landscaping project near AM/PM on the Richmond Parkway and performed general maintenance along the Richmond Parkway.
Richmond Parkway Mowing
Tree crews cut or trimmed trees on or around: 38th Street, South 37th Street, Creely Avenue, Huntington Street, Wiswall Drive, Key Boulevard and Birmingham Drive.
Streets Division
Paving staff grind and paved on Welcome Avenue from South 23rd to South 24th Streets, paved at the Corporation Yard and worked on potholes and sidewalks from the outstanding lists.
Welcome Avenue Paving
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the fourth Monday through Friday in the; Santa Fe, Point Richmond, Marina Bay, Coronado, Metro Richmore Village, Pullman, Cortez/Stege, Park Plaza, Laurel Park, City Center, Richmond Annex, Parkview, Panhandle Annex and Eastshore neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines staff installed 22 new signs and poles at various locations, fabricated 16 signs, painted 437 feet of curb and repaired 48 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
LaShonda White
Senior Management Analyst
City Manager’s Office
City of Richmond
(510) 620-6828 Direct Line
(510) 620-6542 Fax
| 