Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the weekly report for the week ending November 18, 2016.

• 1. Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22nd at 6:30 PM. The agenda may be found by clicking this link: Richmond City Council Agenda Packet.

A “supermoon” over Civic Center Plaza
(courtesy of KCRT)

• 2. Richmond’s Food Emporium Returns this Black Friday!

This past October, Richmond Love Your Block and Richmond Tool Library partnered with the Hilltop District Homeowners and Stakeholders Association to host the pilot launch of Food Emporium – Richmond's very own version of Off the Grid! Despite the gloomy weather, about 200 residents and community members came out to support local vendors, including a variety of food trucks and live jazz. With positive feedback from guests, Food Emporium is coming back rain or shine this Friday, November 25th, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hilltop Lake Park on the corner of Lakeside Drive and Research Drive. The theme for this Black Friday event is “Shop Small, Shop Local”!

We are seeking volunteers to help make this event a success. Please support this event by signing up for set up, registration, event assistance, or breakdown. We will also provide meal vouchers to our volunteers. To sign up for a shift, e-mail Cesar Zepeda at Cesar.Zepeda1@outlook.com.

Richmond organizations, businesses, and artists are invited to come out and set up a booth. There are NO COSTS for vendors - just bring your own table, chairs, resources, and products. We also highly recommend you bring your own canopy in case we encounter some wet weather. To reserve your spot, fill out the Vendor Information Form on the Food Emporium website (http://www.foodemporium.online/vendorform).

Food Emporium is a FREE event run by the community, for the community. Join us in creating a fun and family-friendly space for residents to come together and check out everything Richmond has to offer: live music, food trucks, and local businesses and organizations! We hope you’ll stop by!

Richmond Love Your Block Facebook    Food Emporium Facebook           Richmond Tool Library Facebook

• 3. City Manager Chronicles

I have listed below some of the topics for meetings that I attended during the past week in the hope that it provides an idea of the varied issues with which our organization deals routinely.

Meetings of note during the past week included:

• Attended a meeting with various staff members to review real property analytics software that was recently acquired by the City;
• Met with the leadership of all six bargaining units to begin a discussion of strategies to address the long-term OPEB (other post-employment benefits) liability;
• Participated, along with numerous City staff members, in the annual Emergency Operations Center drill, expertly developed by Emergency Services Manager Kathy Gerk;
• Attended the monthly budget review meeting with Finance Director Belinda Warner and her Finance Department staff;
• Met with representatives from the Capital Improvements Department, Planning and Building Department, and the City Manager’s office to discuss priorities for submitting “One Bay Area” grant proposals;
• Attended the Richmond Chamber of Commerce luncheon, at which I presented the “12 Days of Christmas (Richmond Style)” (see the item below);
• Met with a team of non-profit youth services providers in Richmond (RYSE, Youth Enrichment Strategies, West County Y, and the West Contra Costa Unified School District), along with Community Services Director Rochelle Monk and several of her staff members, and representatives from the Mayor’s office, to discuss development of a youth services strategic plan for Richmond;
• Met with representatives from Kaiser to discuss their various activities in Richmond;
• Participated in a phone call with West Contra Costa Unified School District Superintendent Matt Duffy, as part of our regular monthly check-in meeting.

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. City Manager’s “12 Days of Christmas” at Richmond Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Although Thanksgiving has not yet arrived, the City Manager gave his annual “12 Days of Christmas (Richmond Style) presentation at the Richmond Chamber of Commerce luncheon this past Thursday.  For the record, the official “12 Days…” were:

For the twelve days of Christmas, Richmond gave to me:

• 12th and Macdonald development plans
• 11 winners of 2016 Historic Preservation Awards
• 10 City of Richmond accomplishments in taking climate action
• A 9 percent drop in violent crime for 2016
• A Section 8 high performing Richmond Housing Authority
• 7 million gallons in fully treated wastewater from the 5 million gallon wet weather storage facility
• 6 intervention areas in the “Health in All Policies” framework
• A 5 year financial forecast
• 4 hundred scholarships for the Class of 2016 from the Richmond Promise
• A $300,000 sustainability grant from CalTrans for a“first mile/last mile” transportation strategic plan
• 2 new Councilmembers, and 2 thousand Rosie lookalikes
• And, a Terminal 1 development plan approval

The presentation was recorded by KCRT and should be coming to your television screen soon.

• 5. FY 2015/16 Financial Audit Underway

The final phase of the annual financial audit conducted by Maze & Associates started on Monday, November 7th, and will continue through December 2nd.  The City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for FY 2015/16 is scheduled to be completed by December 20th.  The objective of the audit is for the auditors to express opinions as to whether the City’s financial statements are fairly presented in all material respects in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  They will also prepare a “management letter” in conjunction with their final audit report.

• 6. Survivors’ Reunion Honors Richmond Fire Department

According to the Center for Disease Control, on average, one American dies from a stroke every four minutes, resulting in over 130,000 deaths annually.
On July 7th, the Richmond Fire Department responded to a 27 year-old male patient with sudden onset right side weakness, facial droop, and an inability to grip anything with his hand. The stroke symptoms were quickly identified by Richmond Fire and AMR paramedics and the patient was transported to Kaiser Richmond as a “stroke alert.”
Dr. Alvin Tang at Kaiser Richmond and County EMS applauded the pre-hospital personnel for their accurate and rapid patient care, which, combined with a prompt call to 911 and Kaiser’s new internal stroke process, resulted in the patient being able to resume his life with minimal deficits.
This past November 9th, Richmond Fire Engine 64 was honored for their efforts at a survivors’ reunion in Walnut Creek. The Richmond Fire Department would like to congratulate Captain Steven Harris, Engineer Kevin Carr, and Firefighter Ben Faulkner for their excellent life support skills. Well done!

• 7. Unveiling of “The Storyteller Project”

An installation of photographs and quotes featuring 48 Richmond residents was unveiled at the Richmond Museum of History on November 9th, the day after the election. Artist Lisa Foote commented, “No matter the outcome of the election, I hope this serves as a reminder that most of us really are truly connected, if we just take a minute to see one another.”

Foote, a Richmond resident, received a 2016 Neighborhood Public Art grant for The Storytelling Project. The idea was to capture the images and words of members of the community, print them on aluminum, and build columns on which to display them.

Melinda McCrary, Director of the Richmond Museum of History, welcomed the installation, which was installed in the museum’s front garden, the first stop of more sites to come.

The goal of the Neighborhood Public Art program is to connect people with the community through the arts. Lisa added, “I sincerely believe that this project will engage the community and shed light on all that is beautiful in Richmond, as I have been overwhelmed personally by what I’ve learned about my community through this project.”

• 8. Richmond’s Minimum Wage Ordinance:

The next increase in the City of Richmond’s minimum wage increase goes into effect on January 1, 2017.  Effective on that date, the minimum wage as set forth in Richmond’s Minimum Wage Ordinance (RMC 7.108) will be $12.30/hour (compared to $10.50/hour for the State of California effective 2017, and the current $11.52/hour which went into effect in Richmond on January 1, 2016). The Minimum Wage Ordinance applies to any employee who works two or more hours per week.

To advise the business community of this upcoming change, the Employment and Training staff posted notices announcing the increase on KCRT and the City’s website. Packets were mailed to over 1,000 businesses and to the Richmond Chamber of Commerce members to inform them of the change. The information packet includes versions of the official notice in various languages 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 next 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.

• 9. Richmond Promise Seeking Near-Peer Ambassadors!

The Richmond Promise scholarship program is building a Near-Peer Ambassador program in partnership with Kennedy High School this January. This is a semester-long paid opportunity for college students to give back to their community. 

College students from Richmond/WCCUSD will be trained to have a series of college and career conversations with students at Kennedy High School throughout the Spring semester. We hope you will help us spread the word to current college students who may be interested!

The full job description can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/odplo6a

Minimum Requirements: 

• At least 18 years old, from Richmond/West Contra Costa
• Full-time student
• Cumulative and term GPA of 2.5 or above

To apply, a student simply needs to fill out this form by November 28th at 11:59 PM.

Below, please find a flyer to share on your social media.

Please do not hesitate to contact Jessica Rodriguez via email (jrodriguez@richmondpromise.org) or phone (510-620-6531) with any questions.

• 10. Richmond Promise Fall Workshops 

Throughout the fall, the Richmond Promise team will be hosting workshops to assist high school seniors and their families to begin their financial aid and Richmond Promise applications.

Upcoming Fall Student and Family Workshop dates are:

• November 29th
• December 13th & 15th

All workshops will be from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM in the computer labs at 450 Civic Center Plaza. Please have students RSVP at www.therichmondpromise.eventbrite.com

Questions? Contact us at info@richmondpromise.org or 510-620-6531.

Apply for the Richmond Promise scholarship today at www.richmondpromise.org!

• 11. Community Services Highlights

Booker T. Anderson Community Center

The non-profit agency, 5000 Fed, held a free community Thanksgiving event on Sunday, November 13th at Booker T. Anderson Community Center.  The event consisted of a wonderful cooked meal, job resources, and free clothing – and free turkeys to take home.  It was a great day on the Southside.

Community Services Department Holiday Food Drive

One can, two can, who can? You can!

On Friday, December 2nd, join the Community Services Department for the kick-off of our city-wide food drive! Stop by anytime between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM at the Recreation Complex (3230 Macdonald Avenue) to help us decorate food barrels that will be placed throughout our city. We’ll have decorating supplies ready for you: markers, crayons, stickers, ribbons, and more. End your workweek by tapping into your creative side – and bring in a can or two of food while you’re at it!

To thank you for your support, we will have a hot chocolate bar available to those who help us decorate and/or donate food during our event.  Dress up and customize your hot chocolate with whipped cream, marshmallows, and other delicious toppings and flavorings.

The holiday food drive officially launches on December 5th and will run through December 16th. During this period, please bring in cans of food and other non-perishables to any of our locations throughout the city. Your donation will benefit and support the local Bay Area Rescue Mission this holiday season. Remember: you can make a difference!

Food drive barrels will be placed at the following city facilities (subject to change) from December 5th through December 16th:

• Booker T. Anderson Community Center, 960 South 47th Street
• Community Services Building (Recreation Complex), 3230 Macdonald Avenue
• Disabled People’s Recreation Center (DPRC), 1900 Barrett Avenue
• May Valley Community Center, 3530 Morningside Drive
• Nevin Community Center, 598 Nevin Avenue
• Parchester Community Center, 900 Williams Drive
• Richmond Annex Senior Center, 5801 Huntington Avenue
• Richmond City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza
• Richmond Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center, 403 Civic Center Plaza
• Richmond Plunge, 1 East Richmond Avenue
• Richmond Senior Center, 2525 Macdonald Avenue
• Shields-Reid Community Center, 1410 Kelsey Street

For more information about the holiday food drive, contact Stephanie Ny at stephanie_ny@ci.richmond.ca.us or (510) 620-6563.
For more information about Bay Area Rescue Mission, visit http://www.bayarearescue.org or call (510) 215-4555.

• 12. Information Technology

Website

Top 10 Webpage views for the week ending 11-18-2016

Facebook Statistics
People reached increased by  21%
Page Likes are up

Twitter Statistics
Tweets are up
Profile visits increased by 32.2%
Followers are up

KCRT PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

KCRT DATANET OF THE WEEK:

City of Richmond Mobile APP UPDATE
The City of Richmond’s mobile phone app is available on the Apple App store and Google Play store. 
 

This City of Richmond mobile app provides Richmond’s community members with one-stop access to City services and information via mobile devices. The app allows quick and real-time reporting of neighborhood-related issues; viewing the City’s Events Calendar; finding addresses and phone numbers of local businesses, city departments and council members. Locating one of Richmond’s numerous parks, and welcoming libraries and community centers, including reserving rental space for that special occasion are all done with ease!

You may view the City’s mobile app on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i4W1wVvB9fw

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

• 13. Engineering/CIP Departments

Capital Improvement Projects:
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) entrance on Nevin Avenue is progressing. The elevator structure is being erected in the in the new foundation lobby.

BART Entrance Construction

Nevin Avenue Streetscape:
The Nevin Avenue Streetscape improvements are complete. There are new lights, landscaping, and furniture along with an installed round-a-bout on 24th Street and Nevin Avenue. Full access to the street will happen shortly after the remaining punch list items are completed.

Nevin Avenue Round-a-bout

Streets Division: 
Paving crews ground and paved Pyramid Drive from Upland Drive to the south end, repaired sidewalk and concrete on Pyramid Drive, and worked from the outstanding pothole list.

New Concrete for Sidewalk

Pyramid Drive Paving

Street sweeping staff performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the second Monday and the third Tuesday through Friday in the May Valley, Vista View, Clinton Hill I, 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 repaired 16 signs and poles, installed 12 new signs and poles, fabricated 37 new signs, placed 17 pavement markers, and painted 1204 feet of curb.

• 14. Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations

Abatement:
Abatement crews abated weeds from vacant lot and alleyways, removed homeless encampments at Lucas Park, removed tons of illegal dumping in various locations, and removed graffiti throughout the City.

Homeless Encampment Clean-Up

Alleyway Abatement

Vacant Lot Clean-Up

Illegal Dumping Removed

Code Enforcement:
In the last month and a half, the City has received a high volume of odor complaints. Code Enforcement was made aware of this issue last week and took action to assist the Bay Area Air Quality District and Contra Costa Environmental Health in rectifying the issue. It was determined that the odor originated from a 10,000 ton pile of compost at the Republic Services landfill. A Notice of Violation was issued to the company requiring them to immediately abate compost pile and to mitigate the odor violation.

On November 14th, a follow up inspection was conducted and Republic Services informed the City that they were actively removing approximately 500 tons of the compost per day and that they project the entire odorous pile will be removed within two to three weeks. In the meantime, Republic Services is taking precautionary measures by monitoring the weather and wind conditions, and not performing work at times when it’s likely the wind will carry the compost odor to the surrounding areas. Additionally, they are applying a deodorizer to the remaining compost pile. Daily inspections are being conducted by Code Enforcement to assure Republic Services is remaining a good neighbor and in compliance with city codes.

Facilities Maintenance:
Electricians replaced the security lighting on the front of Fire Station #66, changed the red light at San Pablo Avenue and Hilltop Drive, changed the yellow light out at Hilltop Drive and Hillview Drive, repaired the traffic signal at Carlson Boulevard and 55th Street, cleaned work areas, and removed old electrical circuits at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center.

Repairing Damaged Signal

Utility Workers cleaned the carpets in the YouthWorks building, replaced dispensers in the Council Chambers kitchen, relocated items in the Fire Administrative office, set up various rooms for events, and maintained 29 City owned facilities.

Carpet Cleaning

Stationary Engineers repaired the pool vacuums at the Plunge, fixed a water leak at the May Valley Community Center, made repairs and installations in the kitchen of the Men and Women of Valor building, completed installations in the men’s restroom at the Annex Senior Center, and repaired the refrigerator in the Equipment Services area.

Repairs at Men and Women of Valor Building

Parks and Landscaping Division:  
General maintenance crews trimmed shrubs on the 23rd grade separation, weed whipped at Fire Station #63, weed whipped inside the courtyard at the Main Library, cut shrubs at the Civic Center, and completed irrigation repairs at Tiller Park.

Shrub Pruning at Civic Center Plaza

The tree crew cut or trimmed trees on Morningside Drive, Kern Street, and Richmond Parkway. Crews also mowed and trimmed the Civic Center Plaza lawns and bored tree holes at Boorman and State Court Park.

Hilltop Districtcrews completed trimming Willow trees at Hilltop Lake Park, completed sheet mulching at Bay Vista Park, continued installing irrigation and planting on Richmond Parkway, general maintenance at Country Club Vista and Bay Vista Parks, and continued maintenance around the business district.

Marina District crews continued mowing and edging turf throughout the area, performed general maintenance at the 51st Street trail entrance, and cleaned the planting bed on Esplanade Drive.

51st Street Trail Maintenance

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about these or any other items of interest to you.

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