Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the weekly report for the week ending September 16, 2016.
The City Council returned from its summer recess this past Tuesday, September 13th. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20th 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: Richmond City Council Agenda Packet.
- 2. 8th Annual Spirit & Soul Festival: Dancing in the Street Tomorrow!
The 8th annual Spirit & Soul Festival returns to Downtown Richmond tomorrow, Saturday, September 17th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, on Macdonald Avenue between Harbour Way and 13th Street.
Musical headliners include the Bay Area’s premiere funk band BeaufunK with Michael Jeffries, classic American Rock and Original Roll by PUSH featuring Dan Ashley, and Richmond’s hometown and international blues and R&B diva Tia Carroll. Richmond MainStreet is also excited to highlight the young up and coming Funk and Soul band Soul Progressions, featuring talented performers from the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts.
This year’s event will also feature the inaugural addition of a Youth Zone, featuring a community stage and interactive activities to serve the city’s younger residents. Plus: local artisan vendors, information booths, food booths and trucks, fabulous drawing prizes, and beverages.
Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information, please visit www.RichmondMainStreet.org or call (510) 236-4049.
- 3. PARK(ing) Day Parklet by National Park Service
PARK(ing) Day is an annual global event where citizens, artists, and activists collaborate to temporarily transform street parking spaces into “PARK(ing)” spaces: temporary public places. The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out! This year marks the second annual PARK(ing) Day parklet hosted by the National Park Service.
This year, the Richmond parklet was set up in front of Kaleidoscope Coffee in Point Richmond, where people stopped by throughout the day to enjoy the space and rethink how we want to experience our city.
(Note: Please see the KCRT Business Bytes link highlighting the Kaleidoscope Coffee/ice cream/entertainment spot in Point Richmond: Link to video.)
- 4. All Ears Reading® at West Side Branch Library
Richmond Public Library welcomes Animal Rescue Foundation's "All Ears Reading" program to the West Side Branch Library (135 Washington Avenue). The program provides the opportunity for readers in first through fifth grade to make an appointment and read to a trained therapy dog for 20 minutes. Reading to a dog is a proven method for improving reading fluency and confidence. The program meets on the third Monday of each month beginning Monday, September 19th from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
The Animal Rescue Foundation was created by Elaine and Tony La Russa in 1990, as a haven for animals that run out of time in traditional animal shelters. It now provides a variety of services for animals and their humans. Please contact Deborah Bonet at 620-6521 or 510-620-6567 to “book” your appointment at "All Ears Reading".
- 5. RichmondWORKS On-Site Recruitment for Amazon Courier Drivers
Weekly on-site recruitment for Amazon courier drivers will be held at RichmondWORKS beginning Friday, September 23rd and will continue until all positions are filled. We encourage Richmond residents to take advantage of this opportunity to work for the largest internet-based retailer in the world, Amazon.
For additional information on this and other job opportunities, please visit http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/660/Job-Seeker-Services or call 510-307-8014.
- 6. Fire Department Promotions
Please join the Richmond Fire Department in congratulating its two newest promoted employees. Captain Jason Flaum (pictured left), with 19 years of service, and Engineer Jacob Brownlow (pictured right), with four years of service. These two dedicated individuals were successful in a rigorous testing process with a goal of increasing the level of service they provide to Richmond's citizens. Captain Flaum is assigned to station 62 (serving North and Central Richmond neighborhoods), and Engineer Brownlow is assigned to station 66 (serving North & East and East Richmond Heights neighborhoods). Congratulations on a job well done!
- 7. “Put Down the Guns” Festival
This past Saturday, September 10th, Richmond firefighters joined residents for a “Put Down the Guns” festival. This event was designed to show adults and youths alternatives to gun violence. Firefighters talked to youth about setting career goals, and showed them how a life without gun violence could lead to a successful future. Citizens also shared life experiences of gun violence in their neighborhoods and the importance of prevention.
- 8. 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 the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Campus Center at Contra Costa College, which also featured the investiture of new campus President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh;
- Met with The California Endowment Program Manager Diane Aranda, along with City staff members LaShonda White, Gabino Arredondo, and David Gray, to discuss initiation of a project to increase the effectiveness of community investment;
- Met again with The California Endowment Program Manager Diane Aranda, along with Richmond Community Services Director Rochelle Monk, to discuss strategic planning for youth services in Richmond;
- Attended the electric vehicle display/demonstration at the Electric Week Celebration held in the parking lot at the Civic Center.
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.
- 9. September 24th Rainwater and Graywater Workshop for Richmond Residents
Graywater is the relatively clean waste water from baths, sinks, washing machines, and other kitchen appliances that can be effectively utilized to conserve fresh water.
East Bay Municipal Utility District, in partnership with the City of Richmond, GrayWater Action, the Ecology Center, and the Watershed Project, is hosting a rainwater and graywater workshop for Richmond residents and the surrounding area. The workshop will be held on September 24th from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM in the Catalina Room in the Auditorium at 450 Civic Center Plaza. Graywater and rain garden experts will cover how to capture rainwater, storm water, and graywater to irrigate landscapes. The workshop will cover simple do-it-yourself designs and systems.
Informational tables, hands-on activities, and light refreshments included will be included. For more information, visit: http://www.ebmud.com/about-us/events/
- 10. Art In Windows Opening Reception & Love Your Block Mini-Grant Cycle Kick-Off
The Art In Windows program and Richmond Love Your Block are teaming up to celebrate children’s art and community…and you’re invited to the party!
Come Downtown to the retail spaces at the Richmond BART parking garage on Thursday, September 29th, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, for a special reception. Enjoy the new Art In Windows exhibition featuring children’s art, the return of the Love Your Block BART art installation, and light refreshments. You can also learn how to apply to for a mini-grant to #LoveYourBlock.
For more information about Art In Windows exhibition, visit
www.RichmondMainStreet.org or call (510) 236-4049.
For more information about Richmond Love Your Block, visit
www.tinyurl.com/RichmondLoveYourBlock or call (510) 620-6563
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. This fall, you can track five carpool trips in your 511 Trip Diary for a chance to win a $25 Target Gift Card. If you carpool, vanpool, walk, ride a bike, or take transit to work, you can win too! Track five green commute trips in your 511 Trip Diary and you are automatically entered to win a $5 giftcard to Peet’s Coffee & Tea.
 
- 12. Richmond Promise 2017 Launch: Student & Family Workshop on October 3rd
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens early this year, and so does the Richmond Promise scholarship! On October 3rd, the Richmond Promise application opens for the Class of 2017. Richmond Promise will be celebrating the launch by hosting a community workshop from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM in the IT Training room at 450 Civic Center Plaza. Students and families will receive assistance to get started on their FAFSA and Richmond Promise application. Pizza will be provided, and parents are highly encouraged to attend.
Please Bring
- SSID (get this from your College Counselor!)
The event is free, but space is limited. RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/gp6o33u
Can’t make it this time? The Richmond Promise team will be hosting additional workshops throughout the year. Visit the Richmond Promise website for upcoming dates: www.richmondpromise.org
Ask questions or request a Workshop any time - contact us at info@richmondpromise.org or (510) 620-6531.
- 13. Richmond Promise: Deadline Extended for Class of 2016 to Submit Scholarship Documents
If a young person in your life applied to the Richmond Promise scholarship, please check to ensure they have completed all the documents necessary to process their award. The deadline to submit these documents has been extended to September 30, 2016.
Next week, the Richmond Promise team will be notifying students over the phone if they have not completed all necessary documents. Scholarship payments will be made directly to colleges and universities.
Mail or email documents to:
Email: richmondpromise@scholarshipamerica.org
Mail: Richmond Promise Scholarship Program
Scholarship Management Services
One Scholarship Way, Saint Peter, MN 56082
Phone: 507-931-1682 (office), 507-931-8033 (fax)
We would also like to welcome Jessica Rodriguez as the new Program Manager for the Richmond Promise. She brings a wealth of both personal and professional experience around supporting youth getting to college. She will be heading the outreach to students who have not completed their documents, so if you know a young person in need of support, please have them contact her at jrodriguez@richmondpromise.org or 510-620-6531.
- 14. Richmond Bay Specific Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report Available for Comment
On September 2nd, the City of Richmond Planning Division released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Richmond Bay Specific Plan (Project). The DEIR analyzes alternatives and identifies mitigation measures to avoid significant environmental effects. The DEIR is required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and evaluates the environmental impacts associated with buildout under the Specific Plan. It will also evaluate the impacts of the Sub-Area 4 Project, which would be located within the Plan Area and built according to the Specific Plan.
Release of the DEIR opens a 45-day comment period that closes at 5:00 PM on October 18, 2016. Comments on the Draft EIR should be sent in writing and must be received by 5:00 PM on October 18, 2016, at the following email rbsp@ci.richmond.ca.us or address:
City of Richmond Planning Division
ATTN: Lina Velasco
450 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 4046
Richmond, CA 94804
The DEIR is available 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;
West Side Branch 135 Washington Avenue;
Bayview Branch 5100 Hartnett Avenue
City of Richmond Planning and Building Services Department, City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza. The Planning Department public counter is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM and Fridays from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
- 15. Mayor Hosts Fundraiser to Support Youth Sports
Mayor Tom Butt invites you to help support youth sports in Richmond. The Mayor's Community Fund Second Annual Golf Tournament seeks to raise $35,000 for youth sports.
Last year, more than $14,000 was awarded to 15 Richmond youth sports teams. The funding supported a wide range of activities – including baseball, softball, basketball, martial arts, tennis, football, and golf. Teams used their grants for a variety of purposes, including purchasing new equipment, paying activity registration fees for low-income families, and traveling for tournaments in other parts of the country! Mayor Butt is hoping to increase the fund’s impact in the lives of our youth.
If you are interested in being an event sponsor or buying tickets, visit www.tinyurl.com/mayorsgolf2016 or contact the Mayor’s Office at (510) 620-6527.
- 16. 30th Anniversary of Greater Richmond Interfaith Program’s (GRIP) Annual Harmony Walk and 5K Run to End Hunger and Homelessness
The Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP) is sponsoring the 30th Annual Harmony Walk/5K Run on Saturday, October 29th at Nicholl Parkfrom 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
The Harmony Walk will be a festive celebration complete with commemorative race photos, a community fair with Kid Zone Activities, food, and music. GRIP encourages families to join wear Halloween costumes, and to join in the pumpkin carving contest, costume exchange booth, and costume parade.
The 5K Run is an official timed run with place medals and prizes. Walkers and runners will receive finish medals. For more information or to register, go to www.gripcommunity.org or contact Danielle Franklin, dfranklin@gripcommunity.org.
- 17. Information Technology
Website
Top 10 Webpage views for the week ending 9-16-2016
Facebook Statistics
Total reached increased by 830%
Post engagements increased by 453%
Twitter Statistics
Total tweets increased by 13.2%
Tweet impressions increased by 24.7%
Profile visits increased by 34.8%
Followers are up
KCRT DATANET OF THE WEEK:
 
 
KCRT Upcoming Programs
- September 16, 2016 - T.S. National Electric Drive Week Celebration
- October 3, 2016 – Richmond City Council Candidates Night
City of Richmond Mobile APP UPDATE
An upgraded version of the City of Richmond’s mobile phone app is now available on the Apple App store and Google Play store. 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
Over 1000 issues have been submitted with the City’s mobile app to date.
- 18. Community Services Highlights
Sign up at the Recreation Complex for fun Youth outdoor activities! Space is still available for October.
Senior Activities
The Richmond Senior Annex hosted an AARP safe driver techniques refresher class on September 13th for nine seniors. The participants happily completed a simple survey following the training, and noted that the class was very informative and they learned a lot from the training. They also commented that the instructor, a dedicated volunteer from AARP, was very knowledgeable and cared about seniors.
- 19. Engineering/CIP Departments
Auditorium Improvements:
The work on the Civic Auditorium to upgrade the restrooms and the facility to become more American with Disabilities Act compliant is progressing nicely. The tile in the restroom is almost complete and the elevator structural foundation is in place.
Elevator Structure
Tile in the Restroom
Bart Entrance Project:
Framing has started for the Nevin Avenue entrance to the Richmond BART station and the foundation work is complete. Once the project is complete, there will be a reconstructed entrance with an elevator.
Nevin Avenue Entrance Project
Streets Division:
Paving crews ground and paved Sycamore Avenue from South 43rd Street to South 45th Street, completed skin patching in various locations, and worked from the outstanding pothole list.
 
Sycamore Avenue Paving
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the second Monday through Wednesday and the third Thursday through Friday in the May Valley, Vista View, Clinton I – III, Atchison Village, South Belding Woods, Santa Fe, Coronado, Marina Bay, and Point Richmond neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines staff fabricated six signs, repaired 29 signs and poles, installed three new signs and poles, installed 224 pavement markers, and painted 705 feet of curbs.
- 20. Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations
Abatement:
Abatement crews cleared the remnants of homeless encampments at locations around the City, cleared debris under the Central Avenue overpass, removed tons of illegal dumping in various locations and removed graffiti throughout the City.
 
Central Overpass Cleanup
 
Graffiti Removal
Homeless Encampment Removal
Facilities Maintenance:
Utility Workers relamped the apparatus room at Fire Station #67, set up various rooms for events, and maintained 29 City owned facilities.
Relamping at Fire Station #67
Parks and Landscaping Division:
General maintenance crews repaired the play equipment at Belding Garcia Park, worked to cut fire trails, prepared Nicholl Park for Voter Restration Day, reseeded Pogo Park lawn, weed abated the Hacienda building, and repaired irrigation at Nicholl, State Court, Atchison, Hilltop, and Hilltop Green Parks.
Cutting of Fuel Load in High Fire Zones
The tree crew cut or trimmed trees on Tehama Avenue, Mariposa Street, 1st Street, 9th Street and South 18th Street. The crew also mowed and edged the Civic Center.
Hilltop Districtcrews continued with general maintenance at Country Club Vista and Bay Vista Parks, completed trash clean-up and weed abatement along slope above Lake View development, performed general maintenance on Blume Drive and Garrity Way, started maintenance on Atlas Road, continued maintenance around business district, prepared for volunteer day at Hilltop Lake Park, and started the repairs to the fence under the Hilltop Mall Road guardrail.
Trash Clean-Up on Hilltop Mall Drive
Marina District crews replaced six barbeque pits at Shimada Park, cleaned Marina Bay Parkway medians, and prepared to support the Coastal Clean-up planned for this weekend.
Pit Replacement at Shimada Park
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 |
