Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the weekly report for the week ending October 9, 2015.

1.    Meeting Notes

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th.  Enjoy the night off next Tuesday!

2.    Five-Year Financial Plan

One of the City Council’s most important short-term goals is to receive and review a five-year projection of operating revenues for budget planning purposes.  To this end, the City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the National Resource Network (NRN), which is a core component of the Obama Administration’s Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) initiative that provides technical assistance to help cities develop the tools and strategies they need to grow their economies.  One of the projects to be undertaken through the agreement with NRN is to work with Public Financial Management, Inc. (PFM), an NRN partner, to develop a financial model for the City organization.

This past week, members of the City’s Finance Department staff met with PFM via webinar to answer follow-up questions on revenues, expenditures, and debt service financing.  Staff addressed specific inquiries on these topics, which arose from financial information previously provided to PFM following in their initial data request.  Following the meeting, staff forwarded additional reports that included swap term agreements, other post-employment benefits (OPEB) actuarial information, and information on inter-fund transfers.  During the next webinar, staff will preview the preliminary five-year financial model.

We will keep you informed as this project progresses.

3.    Richmond Exports a “Best Practice”:  Office of Neighborhood Safety

I recently received a press release from the County of Santa Clara regarding their “Neighborhood Safety Unit,” the objective of which is to reduce juvenile crime and foster safe neighborhoods.  The press release states that their program is “modeled after the City of Richmond’s Office of Neighborhood Safety,” and includes the deployment of “neighborhood change agents” and a “Juvenile Justice Fellowship program.”

It is gratifying to see other agencies look at the City of Richmond for examples of “best practices” that might be employed in their own communities.  Other functional areas for which Richmond is frequently asked to provide information include the “Health in All Policies” strategy and community policing.

4.    City Manager Chronicles

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 week included:

• Met with representatives from PG&E to review the status of their Community Pipeline Safety Initiative (CPSI);
• Met with City staff members Lori Reese-Brown, Richard Mitchell, Shasa Curl, Lina Velasco, and Chad Smalley, joined in conference by Josh Meyer from the Local Government Commission, to discuss development of a mobility plan for the City and possible access to grant funds for this purpose;
• Met by phone with one of the facilitators for the Berkeley Global Campus Working Group from MIG to discuss the status of the project;
• Attended the monthly meeting of the Contra Costa city managers (the Public Management Association [PMA]);
• Attended the quarterly “check-in” meeting with representatives from the six employee bargaining units (this quarterly meeting focuses on the financial condition of the City);
• Attended the monthly Contra Costa County Mayors Conference meeting, together with Mayor Butt;
• Attended the 10th Annual State of the Schools Breakfast hosted by WCCUSD Superintendent Dr. Bruce Harter.

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.

5.    The 2015 Community Survey Available to All Richmond Residents to Complete

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.

6.    Draft Richmond Bay Specific Plan (RBSP)

The draft Richmond Bay Specific Plan (RBSP), formerly known as the South Shoreline Specific Plan, is now available for public review and comment.  Written comments on the draft RBSP are due by November 16, 2015. 

The draft RBSP will be presented at the Planning Commission meeting on October 15, 2015 at 6:30 PM (or soon after) and at the City Council meeting on October 27, 2015 at 6:30 PM (or soon after).  Both meetings will be held at the City Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza. 

The RBSP will facilitate the implementation of Richmond's new General Plan by establishing specific planning policies, regulations, and urban design guidelines for an approximately 220-acre area located in the City of Richmond, south of Interstate Highway 580. The RBSP will focus on ways Richmond can take advantage of the planned Berkeley Global Campus at Richmond Bay, future ferry service, and other area assets to create a sustainable shoreline district providing jobs, housing, transportation options, and opportunities for entertainment and recreation. This planning effort is being funded in part by a Priority Development Area (PDA) Planning Grant from the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC).

Comments on the draft RBSP must be in writing and received no later than November 16, 2015.  Please send comments to:

Lina Velasco, Project Manager
Planning and Building Services
450 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 4046
Richmond, CA 94804-1630

Comments may also be sent electronically to rbsp@ci.richmond.ca.us:
Start of Public Review: October 1, 2015              
End of Public Review: November 16, 2015

Plan Availability: A copy of the draft RBSP is available for review online at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/rbsp. Copies are also available for review at the following Richmond locations:

• Richmond Main Branch Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza;
• Bayview Branch Library, 5100 Hartnett Avenue;
• West Side Branch, 135 Washington Avenue; and
• City of Richmond, Planning and Building Services Department, City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor.

 
7.    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 ending October 9, 2015, the following relocation activity has occurred:

Autotemp consultants are actively providing ongoing advisory assistance, rental referrals and transportation to view rentals. In addition to the completed relocations, thirty-two (32) Hacienda households have been accepted or have applications pending at the newly constructed Harbor View Apartments, with an additional twenty-two (22) other households that have ported out to other jurisdictions, all but six (6) in the Bay area. The Hacienda Relocation Plan was adopted on June 16, 2015, by the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

8.    Richmond Fire Department – Confined Space Rescue Training

Some of you may remember when “Baby Jessica McClure” fell into a well in Midland, Texas in 1987 and became stuck, or when, just two weeks ago, two construction workers in South Dakota became trapped when the trench they had dug for sewer repair collapsed upon them.  “Baby Jessica” and the construction workers were removed by firefighters trained in confined space extrication.

By their nature, confined spaces pose unique dangers, such as the "engulfment" by materials in and around the space, toxic or reduced air supply, and "entrapment" hazards.  The likelihood of an accident occurring in a confined space is also increased simply by working in cramped quarters, often closer to potential hazards than would normally be the case.  OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) estimates that there are 200 to 300 deaths and thousands of injuries that occur every year from working in confined spaces.

The Bay Area Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) recently conducted a state-certified Confined Space Rescue Technician training course free of charge to Bay Area firefighters.  Three Richmond firefighters completed the training to receive certification.

9.    Literacy for Every Adult

LEAP is excited to bring Muriel Johnson, early childhood educator and storyteller, to the community for stories and songs! The program is free and will be held at the Whittlesey Room at the Main Library on Saturday, October 24th at 1:00pm.

10. Richmond Climate Action Plan - Invitation to Business Breakfast Workshop – October 15th at 8:30 AM, City Hall

Richmond Businesses are invited to attend the Richmond Climate Action Plan breakfast workshop on Thursday, October 15th, at the Civic Center, 450 Civic Center Plaza. The City is actively working on developing the Climate Action Plan, which will include policies and programs that aim to reduce the City’s greenhouse gas emissions while creating co-benefits such as local jobs, improved public transportation options, and improved community health. The Climate Action Plan will also evaluate local impacts such as sea-level rise and associated adaptation strategies.  

Involvement of Richmond businesses is critical to the development of the Richmond Climate Action Plan. Given their expertise and experience managing a business in Richmond, it is important for the City to hear their feedback on how to build and improve existing environmental programs, develop new programs or incentives for businesses, and determine how to best assist businesses improve operational and environmental efficiency.

The breakfast will be held in the Richmond Room (1st floor) of 450 Civic Center Plaza from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 15th. Breakfast will be available beginning at 8:00 AM.

We respectfully request that attendees RSVP here so we know how much food and coffee to order. For questions about the workshop or the Climate Action Plan, please call (510) 620-5537 or email adam_lenz@ci.richmond.ca.us.

11. Make a Difference Day at John F. Kennedy Park!

Since April 2015, dedicated resident volunteers, church members, and school personnel of the Park Plaza neighborhood and other south side communities have met weekly to share their visions for a newly designed John F. Kennedy Park.  On hand to support the design and planning process have been The Trust for Public Land, which is generously funding the project, Chevron, a project sponsor, Richmond Trees, Groundwork Richmond, the Richmond Art Center, the National Park Service, Public Allies/Service Works, and City of Richmond staff representing the City Manager’s Office, Parks and Landscaping, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Richmond Police and Fire Departments, Office of Mayor Butt, and City Council Offices. 

This collaborative effort will culminate on national Make a Difference Day, Saturday, October 24th, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at John F. Kennedy Park, Cutting Boulevard and South 41st Street, where 300 volunteers will converge on the park to rebuild it.  Some of the improved park elements include an added play area for children, Richmond’s first outdoor fitness zone, a walking and fitness trail, the planting of 50 trees, a mural, and a community flower garden. Volunteers with all skill levels are welcomed! 

In addition to the community-build park event, the public is invited to visit the Super Bowl 50 Community Tour presented by Chevron.  The tour will feature the Lombardi trophies for the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, and an interactive STEM zone.

To learn more about the community-build parks model and to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.communitybuildparks.org, or call (510) 620-6511.

12. Richmond Swim Center Grand Reopening on October 24th

Following what promises to be an outstanding park rebuild at John F. Kennedy Park, the community is invited to join in the Grand Opening Showcase for the rebuilt Richmond Swim Center.  This project was a collaborative effort between the West Contra Costa Unified School District (which provided the funding) and the City of Richmond.  The Grand (Re)Opening will be Saturday, October 24th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the rebuilt swim center adjacent to Kennedy High School.

13. Richmond’s Minimum Wage Ordinance

The City of Richmond’s Minimum Wage increase goes into effect January 1, 2016.  The increase set forth in the Ordinance will be $11.52 an hour (compared to $9.00/hour for the State of California and the initial $9.60/hour wage initially established in the City on January 1, 2015) and it applies to any employee who works two or more hours per week.

The Employment & Training Staff has posted notices announcing the increase on KCRT, and the City’s website. Packets will be mailed to over 3,000 businesses and the Richmond Chamber of Commerce members to inform them of the change.  The information packet includes English and Spanish versions of the official notice that must be posted in all workplaces along with a list of employer and employee rights under the ordinance.  Employers  who pay for less than 800 hours of employee labor in a given 2-week period need not pay the City’s minimum wage until they pay over 800 hours or more of employee labor in a 2-week period. This is the first of three annual increases that will max out at $13.00/hour on January 1, 2018.

For questions and concerns please contact Gina Baker at (510) 307-8011.

14. R-Transit

R-Transit provides door-to-door transportation service to persons with disabilities and seniors (age 55 and older) living in the Cities of Richmond, Kensington, El Sobrante, and the unincorporated communities of East Richmond Heights, Hasford Heights, Rollingwood, and North Richmond. Register for services and reserve a free round trip ride to Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historic Park. See the flyer below for additional details.

15. Nevin Avenue Improvement Project

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, curb and gutter, streetlights, landscaping and stormwater drainage improvements. 

As noted in prior updates, one way traffic control is in place and no on-street parking will be permitted, 24 hours a day on Nevin Avenue between 19th and 23rd Street.  Portions of 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd streets near Nevin Avenue are signed for resident parking only. Non-residents that may have been parking in this neighborhood are advised that parking is available west of the Richmond BART station at: 1) the BART parking structure at 16th and Macdonald Avenue, 2) the City-owned lot at 13th and Nevin Avenue, and 3) the City-owned garage at 12th and Nevin Avenue. Parking is also available east of the impacted area at the Richmond Civic Center. 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 21st, Nevin Avenue itself was fully closed between 22nd and 23rd Streets, to allow those cross streets to remain open continuously through construction.  Excavation for storm drains between 19th Street and 23rd street continued, while EBMUD continued relocation work related to the project.  This work will continue into the week of September 28th.

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.  You can also follow the project on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NevinAvenueProject. 

Nevin Avenue at 23rd and 22nd

16. 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 late 2015. 

During the week of September 28th, the second of four bridge towers was installed while installation of decorative metal on the bridge continued.  Additionally, doors for the generator building were installed and modification of the driveway and parking areas at the Crossings commercial complex continued. 

For the week of October 5th, installation of decorative metal will continue, generator building siding will be completed, and pump station startup activities will be completed.  Work on the Crossings commercial complex will continue, as will installation of irrigation materials. 

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.

Bridge decorative metal

17. 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 to 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.

18. Information Technology

City of Richmond Website and Mobile APP UPDATE

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.

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.

19. Recreation Highlights

Commission on Aging

The first annual Commission on Aging evening of Zydeco Magic held on Saturday, October 3rd, from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM, at the Richmond Auditorium and featuring renowned artist, Andre Thierry, was a huge success.  Everyone truly enjoyed themselves and had a grand time.  The music, dancing, food, and camaraderie made for a truly great event.

Annex Sr. Center

Every Friday the Alvarado Adult Education High School Diploma Program students help decorate the community center, garden, clean up, or assist with any other needed activity.  Everyone is very happy to have them around and to give them an opportunity to earn community hours.

Shields-Reid

Twenty-eight participants from the Shields Reid Afterschool Achieve program were treated to a dance presentation by a local North Richmond artist.  They later created arts and crafts wooden stick pumpkins in preparation for the upcoming harvest season.

20. Public Works Updates

Facilities Maintenance Division:
Carpenters installed ergonomic work stations in the Streets Division office area, installed a security door over the heating and air conditioning equipment at the Kennedy Swim Center and installed benches in the bathing areas of the Kennedy Swim Center.

Painters completed the lobby and bench seating at the Kennedy Swim Center, and the apparatus doors at Fire Station #64.

Stationary Engineers repaired the Nederman exhaust system at Fire Station #67, replaced the flush-o-meter at Fire Station #61, replaced the shower valves in both bathing areas at the Kennedy Swim Center and installed the new Automated External Defibrillators (AED) at the Civic Center.

Pool Work at the Swim Center

Utility Workers replaced outside light bulbs and cleaned webs at the Recreation Complex and serviced 29 City-owned facilities.

Bulb Replacement and Web Cleaning at the Recreation Complex

Electricians replaced the Suit Mate at the Plunge and completed the repair of the lights in front of the Kennedy Swim Center and repaired knocked down pedestrian lights at Cutting and Carlson Boulevard, street lights on Richmond Parkway at Hilltop Avenue, the outdoor lighting at the Police Department and the receptacles in the tree wells at Civic Center Plaza.

Pedestrian Crossing Light Replacement

Parks and Landscaping Division:  
General maintenance crews trimmed ornamental grasses at the Civic Center, repaired fencing at Nicholl Park, cut blackberry bushes away from fencing on 31st Street and the Richmond Greenway, weeded and trimmed along 37th Street, repaired irrigation at Nicholl Park, removed  basketball hoop at John F. Kennedy Park, removed “No Litter” signs on the Greenway and delivered mulch for the Greenway.

Grass Trimming at Civic Center Plaza

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

Marina District crews removed three trees from Marina Green Park, completed maintenance at the Marina area parks, performed weed abatement and pruning on the right-a-ways, removed debri, prepared parks for the Home Front Festival and began the irrigation pathway realignment project at Marina Green Park.

Weed Abatement on Regatta Boulevard

Tree crews cut or trimmed trees on or around: Roosevelt Avenue, Marina Way South, 28th Street, Dunn Avenue, McLaughlin Street and Clinton Avenue. Crews also mowed and edged the Civic Center Plaza lawns.

Streets Division:  Paving staff ground and paved on Buckboard Way in the 5100 block to Carriage Drive, delivered barricades and worked on potholes and sidewalks from the outstanding lists.

Paving on Buckboard Way

Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the first Monday through Wednesday and second Thursday and 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 Damn Road, Bristole Cone, Clinton Hill IV and East Richmond  neighborhood council areas.

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