Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the weekly report for the week ending November 20, 2015.

1. Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 24th, beginning with a Closed Session at 5:30 PM, followed by the regular City Council agenda at 6:30 PM.  The agenda may be found by clicking this link.

2. Berkeley Global Campus Community Briefing

The Berkeley Global Campus at Richmond Bay (BGC) is a new research and action hub in Richmond being developed by UC Berkeley to focus on global issues, culture and collaboration. The location of the new campus is at the current UC Berkeley-owned Richmond Field Station along Richmond’s southern shoreline.  The BGC is a new model for global engagement and research integration that is being designed to not only have ties to the main Berkeley campus, but also to the Richmond community through a variety of educational, public health, community outreach, labor, and transportation partnerships. 

The University has voiced their commitment to work in partnership with the City of Richmond to ensure the success of the Richmond Bay Specific Plan which will improve infrastructure, enhance transportation, residential and commercial development, ensuring the BGC is part of a sustainable and vibrant community that includes jobs, business opportunities, and array of recreation and social outlets.

To honor their commitment to plan the project alongside the community, in September 2014, UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab Director Paul Alivisatos established the BGC Community Working Group (CWG), which is comprised of representatives from a broad cross-section of Richmond’s community, public and private sectors.  The CWG is empowered to develop proposals and recommendations for legally binding agreements on community benefits, in the areas of education, workforce training, local employment, procurement, and affordable housing. 

This coming Monday, November 30th, the CWG is hosting a Community Briefing and Open House to update the community on the process to date, and to present and hear feedback on the draft recommendations that CWG is considering presenting to UC Berkeley.  The CWG plans to finalize the recommendations and submit them to UC Berkeley and the LBNL in December 2015.

We encourage community members to attend this important briefing and hear more about the Berkeley Global Campus.  The briefing is being held on Monday, November 30th from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (doors open at 5:30 PM) at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, Bermuda Room, at 403 Civic Center Plaza.

We hope that you can attend.

For more information about the Berkeley Global Campus, the BGC Community Working Group and the development of the draft recommendations, visit the Partnership with Richmond webpage.

3. 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:

• Participated in several meetings with the City’s finance team, working on issues associated with the current debt restructuring and in preparation for presentations to the City Council, Standard & Poor’s, and investors related to this restructuring;
• Met with a delegation from the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau that is interested in learning about best practices in environmental regulation;
• Met with representatives from Laconia Development to review the status of the Terminal 1 entitlement process;
• Attended the monthly Council of Industries luncheon, together with Wastewater Manager Ryan Smith;
• Met with representatives from RBS Capital to discuss the City’s debt restructuring project;
• Attended a meeting of community funders, along with Mayor Butt, Vice-Mayor Myrick, and City staff members, to discuss the Richmond Promise program;
• Attended a briefing by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Director Lesa McIntosh, and EBMUD senior staff, for West County officials concerning water supply and drought issues;
• Met briefly with Chevron staff members to discuss the permit status for the Chevron modernization project;
• Participated with Mayor Butt and the City’s finance team in making a presentation to Standard & Poor’s regarding the City’s current financial status;
• Met, together with Finance Director Belinda Warner, with PFM consultant Russ Branson to review the preliminary five-year financial model;
• Met with Police Chief Chris Magnus to discuss the management transition in the Police Department;
• Attended the badge pinning ceremony for Deputy Fire Chief Emon Usher and Captain Daniel Kennedy.

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.

4. Goat Grazing in North Richmond& Love Your Block Art at Richmond BART

Last Thursday’s Goat Grazing Event in North Richmond was a great success! Mayor Butt, Councilmember McLaughlin, local artist Daud Abdullah, Richmond Police Department Captain Mark Gagan, Contra Costa District Coordinator Robert Rogers, Stormwater Program specialist Joanne Le, students from Verde Elementary, children from the Shields-Reid Community Center, and many North Richmond residents all made it out to see the goats and tell us their thoughts about illegal dumping in our neighborhoods. (Check out this video of the goats, and this one.)

City staff members from Richmond ESC are working to keep the momentum around the Stop Illegal Dumping campaign going and you can help us do that by visiting the Love Your Block Art Installation at Richmond BART starting November 30th. This interactive art piece will give residents the chance to respond to the question, “With $1,000, how would you #LoveYourBlock?” Publicize your ideas about creative solutions to the problem of illegal dumping, ways to inject the Richmond community with more creativity and art, or innovative strategies to provide easier access to fruits and veggies. Whatever revitalization project you come up with, the Love Your Block Team wants to help!

The Love Your Block Grant is currently open. We are looking for solid proposals that aim to revitalize the city. Priority will be given to residents of North Richmond and Parchester, but everyone in Richmond is encouraged to apply. Check out our application here. We are accepting applications until 5:00 PM on December 11th.

5. Thanksgiving Fire Prevention

Last year, the average number of reported residential building fires on Thanksgiving Day was more than double the average number of fires in residential buildings on all other days of the year.  Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occur most frequently from noon to 3:00 PM, when many people are most likely to be preparing Thanksgiving dinner. This stands in contrast to the rest of the year, when residential building fires most frequently happen during the “normal” dinner hours between 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The Richmond Fire Prevention Services Division has prepared and is distributing a flyer that promotes being fire safe on Thanksgiving.  Among the points are to “stand by your pan” (with apologies to Tammy Wynette) to ensure safe cooking, and to only use turkey fryers indoors.

6. City of Richmond Annual “2015 Charitable Giving Campaign”

The City of Richmond 2015 Employees Charitable Giving Campaign is underway.  The goal of the campaign is for every employee to make a contribution to non-profit organizations that are doing outstanding work – no matter the size.  Even a one-time contribution of one dollar will help make someone else’s life more comfortable.  Last year, City employees raised $51,605 for various outstanding non-profit organizations.  This year’s campaign will run from November 9th through November 30th.  During this time, assigned representatives for each department will be distributing campaign materials to employees.

Once again, as she has now for a number of years, Finance Department Executive Secretary Theresa Austin has stepped forward to be the Campaign Coordinator for this effort.  Please contact Ms. Austin for additional information, at (510) 620-6891, and don’t forget to thank her for her outstanding work.

7. Five-Year Financial Model

Finance Department staff members are continuing to work with Public Financial Management Group, Inc. (PFM) on the five-year financial model.  I had the opportunity to receive a status report on this important project this past week and it is on target for presentation to the City Council at their meeting of December 15th.  ]

8. 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 November 20, 2015 the following relocation activity has occurred:

Autotemp consultants are actively providing ongoing advisory assistance. In addition to the completed relocations, three (3) households have Housing Quality Standard (HQS) Inspections scheduled, and thirty-seven (37) Hacienda households have been accepted with approved applications and unit assignments at the newly constructed Harbor View Senior Apartments, with HQS Inspections pending issuance of Certificates of Occupancy. There have been ten (10) households that have successfully leased-up outside our jurisdiction from Sacramento to Los Angeles and throughout the Bay Area; two of them have successfully leased-up outside the State of California (New Jersey and Arizona).

9. San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Project Community Meeting

The City of San Pablo will host a community meeting to discuss the upcoming San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Project.  The project includes installation of Americans with Disabilities (ADA) standard curb ramps, sidewalks, a bike lane, and other pedestrian and bicycle improvements along San Pablo Avenue from Rivers Street to Hilltop Drive, in the cities of San Pablo and Richmond.  The meeting will be held at 6:30 PM on Thursday, December 3rd at the Maple Hall Community Center, 13831 San Pablo Avenue, in the City of San Pablo.  The public is invited to attend this meeting to learn more about the implementation of this project.

10. Deadline for Comments on Richmond Bay Specific Plan Extended to December 15, 2015

The draft Richmond Bay Specific Plan (RBSP), formerly known as the South Shoreline Specific Plan, is now available for public review and comment.  The deadline for comments on the draft RBSP has been extended to December 15, 2015. 

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 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 December 15, 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: December 15, 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 locations:

• Richmond Public Libraries:
• Main Branch, 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. 

11. The Snow Ball Returns

This year, the City of Richmond’s Recreation Department will be celebrating the 63rd Annual Snow Ball on Saturday, December 5th at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium. This winter prom, one of the most prestigious events and longest running events in the city’s history, is a gala evening for students from all high schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Each school is represented by a King and Queen and each of them is attended to by princes and princesses. The evening will include a coronation of the winning King and Queen.

12. Richmond’s Minimum Wage Ordinance

The City of Richmond’s Minimum Wage increase goes into effect January 1, 2016.  The new minimum wage 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 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 two-week period need not pay the City’s minimum wage until they pay over 800 hours or more of employee labor in a two 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.

13. 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.

14. Charge your Electric Vehicle in Richmond

Investing in an electric vehicle can reduce your carbon footprint and gas costs. You can conveniently charge your vehicle around the City of Richmond. The electric vehicle charging station at the Richmond Art Center located at 2540 Barrett Avenue has already saved 2,540 gallons of gasoline – the equivalent to 8,502 kg of greenhouses gases (GHG).
To find the nearest charging station, you can visit Plugshare to access the database of over 50,000 charging stations wherever you go.

15. City of Richmond: Transportation

By rethinking your daily commute, you can decrease congestion, improve air quality, conserve natural resources, and save money. Now you can learn more about your commute options at the City of Richmond’s Transportation webpage. You can enjoy the benefits of alternate transportation modes – the key is finding which one (or combination of options) that work for you! Need assistance planning your trip? Call 510-620-6869.

16. R-Transit

R-Transit provides door-to-door transportation service to persons with disabilities and seniors (age 55 and older) living in the communities of Richmond, Kensington, El Sobrante, 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.

17. City of Richmond Rideshare

The City of Richmond’s RideMatch service is an interactive, on-demand system that helps you find carpools, vanpools, or bicycle partners. Create a profile to find commuters who have similar travel routes and patterns with whom you can share a ride. Then you can easily send potential rideshare partners an e-mail or give them a call.

Your information remains confidential. Only your name, phone number, home/work city and e-mail will be shared with potential partners. The ridematching service is powered by 511 Contra Costa and completely FREE.

Make a change from driving alone to carpooling, taking transit, bicycling, or walking for your work commute and 511 Contra Costa will reward you with the Drive Less Commuter Incentive Program. This incentive program is available for your home-to-work commute and/or work-to-home commute. Eligible participants will receive a $50 check sent to the mailing address. Visit http://511contracosta.org/commuterprogram/ to learn more about commuter incentives.

Reduce your stress from commuting, save money, reduced parking demand at work, and reduce traffic congestion. Follow the step by step tutorial to create a profile and find your carpool partner today and redeem your commuter incentive today.

18. Information Technology

Facebook Statistics

New Page LIKES    increased by 0.5%
Post Reached         increased by 340.8%
Engagement           increased by 27.6%   
Total Reached         increased by 42.5%

Website
Top 10 Webpage visits for the week ending 11/20/2015

Website Visits this week by Device Type

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. Public Works Updates

Engineering Division:
The Pavement Rehabilitation Project has been improving the infrastructure in the Hilltop neighborhood. Hilltop Drive from Robert Miller Drive to Park Central Street had sidewalk gap closures completed to allow safe pedestrian access to the Hilltop Green neighborhood. The pedestrian path along Hilltop Drive from Robert Miller Drive to Moyers Road received asphalt repairs. This project includes 29 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps and passages to be installed and an estimated 6,800 tons of rubberized asphalt to be placed on Hilltop Drive.

Hilltop Pedestrian Walkway

Facilities Maintenance Division:
Carpenters repaired the door to the electrical room at the Swim Center and installed a counter in the café area of the Senior Center.

Counter Installation

Painters have continued placing finish on the hardwood floors at the Senior Center and the Senior Center café walls.

Painting of café area of Senior Center

Stationary Engineers re-keyed offices at 440 Civic Center Plaza, repaired the jail door, replaced the de-humidifier filter at the Swim Center, replaced furnace filters at the Senior Center, installed a sink and faucet in the Café area of the Senior Center, restored heat to various buildings, repaired one of the boilers at 440 Civic Center Plaza, fixed the boiler at the Men and Women of Valor building and replaced furnace filters at the Communication Center.

Lock replacement at Swim Center

Utility Workers auto scrubbed the floors of the Richmond Swim Center, swept Civic Center Plaza and maintained 29 City owned facilities.

Parks and Landscaping Division:  
General maintenance crews picked up trash on the Greenway, weeded and trimmed around 27th Street and Nevin Avenue, weed whipped around the Main Library, installed at bicycle rack at John F. Kennedy Park and removed two trees and a shrub near the Employment and Training building.

Trimming near Employment and Training

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

Marina District crews continued landscaping and tree planting at Big Green Park, conducted mowing and edging of turf and finished the aerating of turf.

Tree crews completed mulching at Civic Center Plaza.

Mulching at Civic Center Plaza

Streets Division: 
Paving staff prepared the area of the old Red Cross Building, paved 9th Street, ground and paved the Wastewater Treatment Plant area and worked on potholes from the outstanding list.

Preparation for paving near demolished Red Cross Building

Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the third Monday through Friday in the North Richmond, Iron Triangle, North Belding Woods, Atchison Village, South Belding Woods, Santa Fe, Coronado, Marina Bay and Point Richmond neighborhood council areas.

Signs and lines staff have been hanging holiday decorations, installed 20 signs and poles and painted 267 feet 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 Thanksgiving holiday!

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