Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the report for the week ending October 27, 2017.

• Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 7th. Enjoy the next week off!

• BART Board Approves Lease of Space at Richmond BART Parking Structure

As part of the transit-oriented development at the Richmond BART Station, the City of Richmond constructed a 769-space parking structure at the Station.  Rather than the common urban practice of having the dead space of the side of a parking garage front a major street, the ground level of this BART-owned and operated parking structure that faces Macdonald Avenue includes approximately 9,000 square feet of space designated for commercial use.  The space offers a revenue generating opportunity for BART, and retail and commercial frontage along one of the pedestrian paths to the BART station.

BART staff has been working with the City and Richmond Main Street to advertise the availability of the retail space and to identify potential retail tenants.  In December 2016, BART was approached by Ernst Valery of EVI, the developer selected by the Richmond City Council for development of the 12th and Macdonald parcel, with a proposal to lease and build out this space.  The leased space would include a Richmond Business Hub branded as “Co-Biz”, which would house workspace incubation offices, educational training facilities, and event space, and retail operations that will likely include food and beverage sales.

The primary investor in the Richmond Business Hub is eQuip Richmond, which is funded and managed by Chevron, and is intended to be a resource tool to leverage the investments of other businesses, foundations, institutions and individuals. The goal is to establish partnerships that can enhance existing opportunities to build capacity, fill jobs with local hires, and improve conditions for local residents.  Other partners in the Co-Biz project include the Richmond Community Foundation, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Richmond Main Street, and the City of Richmond.

This past Thursday, October 26th, the BART Board of Directors unanimously approved the lease.  BART Director Lateefah Simon, whose District 7 includes Richmond, spoke eloquently in support of the project in helping to revitalize the downtown area.  Other attendees at the meeting speaking in favor of the project included Ernst Valery of EVI, Richmond Community Foundation Executive Director Jim Becker, Andrea Bailey of Chevron, Richmond Main Street Executive Director Amanda Elliot, City of Richmond Economic Development Manager Janet Johnson, City Manager’s office staff members Shasa Curl and Gabino Arredondo, and the city manager. 

Ernst Valery addressing BART Board, with the city manager, Jim Becker, Andrea Bailey, Amanda Elliot, Janet Johnson, Shasa Curl, and Gabino Arrendondo all in attendance

Richmond Economic Development Manager addresses BART Board

BART Director Lateefah Simon and BART staff, with Ernst Valery, Richmond City staff members and community members following the favorable lease vote

• Help Richmond Win $150,000 to Revive the Market Marquee!

Our very own Market Square Mall in Downtown Richmond has been selected as a finalist for the 2017 Partners in Preservation: Main Streets program. Richmond Main Street needs your help to win a $150,000 beautification grant to restore the historic building’s marquee which will literally light up Downtown and support local small businesses.

Winners are decided by an online vote, and the top 10 campaigns receive funding. Anyone and everyone can vote 5 times every day through October 31st.

Please show your support of the vision of a Downtown Richmond that is vibrant and filled with locally-owned businesses that serve residents. Join the movement and go ALL IN for Richmond: #VoteRichmond (all 5, daily through October 31st) & spread the word!

To vote, go to:  www.VoteYourMainStreet.org/Richmond
For more information, visit:  www.RichmondMainStreet.org

• Online Payment of the Residential Rental Housing Fee

In November 2016, a majority of City of Richmond voters approved Measure L, the Richmond Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance.

The Ordinance established the Residential Rental Housing Fee, which must be paid by all Richmond Landlords to fund implementation of the Ordinance through the City’s Rent Program Department.

The current Residential Rental Housing Fee is $145.00 per Rental Unit. It is anticipated that invoices will be mailed beginning in November 2017, with payment due 30 days after receipt. Alternatively, the fee may be paid online at www.https://etrakit.ci.richmond.ca.us. Please refer to the images below for additional online payment instructions.

You can save time and avoid late payment penalties by paying online today.

For more information about the Rent Program, please visit www.richmondrent.org or call (510) 620-6576. The Rent Program office is located on the second floor of 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804, and is open Monday-Friday, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.

• 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 and events of note this past week included:

• Met with Ernst Valery, the developer of the 12th and Macdonald site, along with Administrative Chief Shasa Curl, Planning and Building Director Richard Mitchell, and Planning Project Manager Lina Velasco, to discuss preliminary development plans for the site;
• Met with representatives from various departments to discuss how to make Richmond’s parks safer and more usable for residents;
• Met with representatives from the Trust for Public Land to discuss their various initiatives;
• Attended the Mayor’s Business Roundtable at The Shops at Hilltop;
• Met with the new owner of The Shops at Hilltop, together with Economic Development Manager Janet Johnson,
• Attended the BART Board of Directors meeting (see item [2] above).

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.

• What is Your Vision for the Northshore of Richmond?

The City would like your input on potential land use changes in Richmond’s Northshore to complement the existing Dotson Family Marsh (Point Pinole Regional Shoreline), including expanding parks, agriculture institutional, and community facilities land uses. Your input will inform a possible General Plan Amendment in this area.

The City Council recently directed City staff to work with the community on formulating a General Plan Amendment for this area, consistent with their policy direction. Currently, General Plan 2030 envisions Change Area 12 as a low-intensity office/light industrial hub. Privately-owned parcels located near the Richmond Parkway are designated as Low Intensity Business/Light Industrial, while publically-owned properties located along the shoreline are designated as Open Space. The City Council policy is that the General Plan Amendment should evaluate the potential of changing the land use designations of Change Area 12 to some combination of Open Space, Parks and Recreation, Agriculture, and Public, Cultural and Institutional. This could remove the Low Intensity Business/Light Industrial designation from the area.

The Northshore Public Workshop will be held on Monday, October 30th from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room (Basement Level), 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond.

For more information about the project, visit the project webpage www.ci.richmond.ca.us/NorthshoreGPA or call the Planning Department at 510-620-6706.

• Richmond Promise Scholarship Now Open + Upcoming Workshop this Monday, October 30th

The FAFSA/Dream Act and Richmond Promise Scholarship applications are now open.

To be eligible for the Richmond Promise Scholarship, a student must:

• Be a resident of Richmond or North Richmond (i.e. have a Richmond home address);
• Have graduated from an eligible high school within the West Contra Costa Unified School District boundary area or received a GED/high school equivalency between June 2017-2018;
• Have attended an eligible high school at least 9th-12th grade consecutively;
• Have completed the FAFSA/Dream Act by the March 2nd Cal Grant deadline.

The application can be found on the Richmond Promise website: www.richmondpromise.org. Please share this opportunity with eligible students in your life.

FAFSA can be found here, and Dream Act can be found here.

To receive assistance completing your applications, find out when your school is hosting a Cash for College workshop here, and you can attend our workshop on October 30th.  The details are below:

Richmond Promise Info Session & Financial Aid/Scholarship Workshop

When: Monday, October 30th

5:15 PM – Information Session
440 Civic Center
City Council Chambers

6:30 PM - Application Workshop
450 Civic Center Computer Lab
RSVP required for workshop.
Questions, or want to request a workshop? Info@richmondpromise.org or (510) 761-7231.

• Firefighters Particpate in Richmond Chess Festival

Last Saturday, October 21st, Richmond Firefighters participated in the Richmond Chess Festival.  

Celebrating National Chess Month, the City of Richmond, the Berkeley Chess School, and the West Coast Chess Alliance, held a Chess Festival at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.  Richmond Firefighters, Police Officers, and city staff participated in a “Battle of the Ages” chess tournament during the Festival.  More than 50 participants, ages 7-70, competed in Saturday’s festivities.  

Find more information at http://www.berkeleychessschool.org/

• Richmond Receives Recognition for Electric Vehicle Utilization

The Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) created a benchmarking tool for fleets nationwide to compare their efforts against peers. The Fast Fleet Annual Award recognizes organizations nationally for the utilization of electric vehicles as a means to a greater reduction of emissions and potentially greater fuel cost savings.   As a result of this effort, the City of Richmond’s fleet received an “honorable mention” in a published list of the top performers nationwide.

• Apply for Your U.S. Passport at Richmond City Hall!

The City of Richmond City Clerk’s Office is pleased to announce that it is accepting passport applications on behalf of the United States Department of State.  United States citizens planning international travel may apply for their passport at 450 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 300, during the following hours by appointment only:

Monday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Friday:  10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
(Closed 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – days of operation only)

Please recognize that the area is an operational executive office, and a quiet zone.  No drop in service for same day appointments or scheduling future appointments is available at this time; you must call (510) 620-6786 to schedule all appointments. 

For application forms, information on documentation required, fees, and a wealth of other passport and international travel information, visit the only official website for passport information – travel.state.gov.

For more information about the City of Richmond Passport Acceptance Facility, please visit http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/passports.

• I-80 Central Avenue Operations Improvement Project (I-80 and Central Avenue)

Mike Brown Electric (MBE) completed their underground utility work at San Joaquin and Central Avenue.  The project’s upcoming work includes Ghilotti Bros forming and pouring a concrete ramp and sidewalk at San Joaquin and Central Avenue.  

For more information, please visit the project webpage: www.ccta.net/projects/project/36

For questions, please call Community Outreach Rep, Jacqueline Majors at
(510) 882-1603; or email: I80CentralAve@gmail.com

• Richmond 8th Annual Native American Pow-Wow

The Richmond Native American Pow-Wow will be held in November for the first time, in honor of November being National Native American Heritage month.  This 8th annual community event is a cultural gathering and is open to all people of different backgrounds. 

Please join in the celebration on November 25th from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM at the Richmond Police Activities gymnasium located at 2200 Macdonald Avenue. There will be arts & crafts, food, and vendor booths for all to enjoy.

For more information, email richmondpowwow@yahoo.com

• Connecting with the City of Richmond

Connect with the City of Richmond

To contact us by phone:

The City’s website (http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/) provides a department and staff directory at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/Directory.aspx.

If you’re not sure which department you need to contact, or, if you don’t receive a call back (which should not happen) from your original call or message, we encourage you to phone the City Manager’s office at (510) 620-6512.

Using the CORConnect Application on the City’s Website:
You can use the CORConnect button on the City’s website (http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/) to report a concern, pose a question, or acknowledge the City’s work in some way.  These CORConnect issues go directly to the responsible department, and the city manager reviews reported issues on a regular basis to determine if City staff members are responding appropriately.  If you do not feel that you have received a satisfactory response, please contact the City Manager’s office at (510) 620-6512.
To access CORConnect select the CORConnect button on the homepage of the City website.

Alternatively you can select the COR Connect button on any other webpage on the left hand side of the page.

On the next screen under Report an Issue select Report Issue/Concern to create a report or Search Issue/Concerns to look up a previously reported issue.  You can also look up previously submitted issues to check on the current status if you provided you name, phone number or email when you submitted it. 

On the page, you can also look up information on a parcel, see permits issued and look up business license information.  If you have a current business license you can pay to renew it online with a credit card.

The recommended browsers are: Microsoft Edge, or Microsoft Internet Explorer version 11 using the compatibility mode. It can be found in the upper right corner of Internet Explorer: click on the "gear" icon and select Compatibility View Settings, then add the site to the list and click "Close".

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

Using the City of Richmond Mobile Application:

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



We welcome your comments at webservices@ci.richmond.ca.us

• Community Services Highlights

Indoor Halloween Movie Night!
On Friday, October 20th, the Community Services Department (CSD) hosted their second Movies in the Plaza at the Richmond Recreation Complex. With the theme of Halloween, they set up an arts and crafts table for children and screened The Nightmare Before Christmas. Also, CSD collected 26 non-perishable goods for the Holiday Food Drive, with all donations benefiting the Bay Area Rescue Mission.

The next Movies in the Plaza is scheduled for Spring 2018 - stay tuned!

Day of the Dead Master Zumba Class

The Community Services Department hosted the Day of the Dead Master Zumba program on Saturday, October 21st at the Richmond Auditorium.

The event was led by six Zumba instructors with over 70 people in attendance. This event presented an opportunity for all attendees not only to enjoy working out with great music and instructors, but an opportunity to learn about this celebration.

Volunteer Food Drives
The Contra Costa Food Bank donates fresh produce on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month to the Senior Annex. Volunteers help pass out the produce to the community. Generally, the attendance is over 100 people.

New Grants!

The Richmond Community Services Department (CSD) Mini-Grant, a component of the Richmond Environmental Community Investment Agreement (ECIA) Grant Program, is now available!
In alignment with the ECIA Grant, the Community Service Grant provides support for those organizations that serve the needs of community, youth, and youth sports. The CSD Mini-Grant is designed to support organizations that are Richmond-serving and that partner with/or consistently utilize facilities managed by the Community Services Department. Grants are available up to $2,500.
More information and the application are available on the City of Richmond website. The deadline to apply is December 8, 2017.
Info: (510) 620-6553
Rancho Market Paint Party to be Held for the First Time

Richmond Love Your Block is partnering with Supervisor John Gioia's Office, and Community Housing Development Corporation to host a paint party at Rancho Market and Deli (500 Market Ave) in North Richmond! Join us on Saturday, October 28th at 10:00 AM to show love for a family-owned store that has been serving the community over 20 years.

The market is one of North Richmond’s most prominent buildings, located on the community’s main corridor. Children participating in the Safe Routes to School program frequently stop by during their daily walk from Verde Elementary School to Shields-Reid Community Center.

All ages are welcome, and no prior artistic experience is necessary. Please wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that will not be ruined by paint. Painting supplies, food, refreshments, and water will be available.

Richmond Community Services Network Social

On Friday, November 3rd, join Richmond Community Services Department (Richmond CSD) at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium for our first Richmond CSD Network Social!

From 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, mix and mingle with CSD staff, community organizations, and your neighbors. Community organizations and partners are encouraged to bring brochures and other promotional material to our event.

Learn about CSD programs, volunteer opportunities, events, partnership opportunities, and everything else our department has to offer. Meet us in person and get to know us!

This is a FREE admission, family-friendly event featuring a live DJ, a variety of hors d’oeuvres, and more! Alcohol will not be served.

RSVP on Eventbrite: https://richmondcsd.eventbrite.com/

For more information, call (510) 620-6553. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up-to-date on our events!

2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive Launched

The Community Services Department (CSD) is collecting canned goods and dry goods for the holiday season, ending on December 18th, with all donations to benefit Bay Area Rescue Mission.

Since 1965, BARM has been caring for the homeless and needy people in our community--they hope to provide those in need with help for the “whole person,” including services for job skills trainings, parenting classes, counseling, GED preparation, computer-aided learning, and much more.

Food drive barrels will be located at various city facilities in Richmond, as listed below.

• Booker T. Anderson Community Center
• 440 Civic Center Plaza
• Community Services Department (Recreation Complex)
• Disabled People’s Recreation Center (DPRC)
• May Valley Community Center
• Parchester Village Community Center
• Richmond Annex Senior Center
• Richmond City Hall
• Richmond Plunge
• Richmond Police Department
• Richmond Public Library (Bayview Branch)
• Richmond Public Library (West Side Branch)
• Richmond Senior Center
• Richmond Swim Center
• Shields-Reid Community Center

For more information, e-mail stephanie_ny@ci.richmond.ca.us or call   (510) 620-6563.

• Information Technology

Website Statistics for the Week Ending 10-27-2017

Tweets and Facebook followers are up from the prior week!

• Actions on page are up 100%
• People reached are up by 28%
• Page views are up 14%
• Post engagement are up by 25%
• Videos are up 400%

KCRT DATANETS OF THE WEEK

• Engineering/CIP Departments

Engineering Projects:
Unity Park Main Plaza construction is progressing very well with new decomposed granite walkways. The Unity Park Project is continuing on schedule. 

Unity Park Main Plaza

Streets Division:
Paving crews ground and paved 27th Street from Barrett to Roosevelt Avenues and 28th Street from Nevin to Macdonald Avenues, and worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City.


Paving on 28th Street

Street sweeping staff performed 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 repaired 37 signs and poles, installed 21 new signs and completed installations of pavement markers and delineations in various locations throughout the City.

• Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations

Abatement:
Abatement crews participated and assisted 10 seniors in the Hilltop Green Neighborhood clean-up this weekend, assisted Code Enforcement with abatement of a private property in the South Belding Woods area, removed graffiti and tons of illegal dumping throughout the City.

Neighborhood Clean-Up

Private Property Abatement

Illegal Dumping

Graffiti Abatement

Code Enforcement:
Code Enforcement Officer Causey received a complaint regarding a trailer full of debris abandoned in a parking lot. The trailer’s registration was expired. Notices were mailed to the property and trailer owners of the violations. The property owner contacted Officer Causey of the trailer parked on the property, and said that it would be removed.

Code Enforcement Officer Ewing conducted inspections on 3 properties. One was a complaint in regards to a vacant property with an inoperable vehicle and the other two for inoperable vehicles and lack of property upkeep. The first property the owner received a notice and multiple citations. After failure to comply with the violations, a warrant was obtained to have the property abated of all violations. The other properties were issued notices. One owner requested an extension due to health reasons. The extension was granted and the owner brought the property into compliance prior to the new compliance date. The other property owner was issued two citations prior to bringing the property into compliance.

Before and After

Facilities Maintenance:
Carpenters replaced broken windows at the Recreation Complex, removed floor tiles at the Washington Field House, replace wood paneling in the reading room at the Main Library and fabricated rails for the ramp to the new shed at the Recreation Complex.

Painters completed the exterior painting of the Dispatch Center and continued with prepping walls at various locations for murals.

Stationary Engineers repaired the window closing mechanism in the Library, repaired door mechanisms in the Auditorium, replaced railing holes on the orchestra pit floor of the Auditorium, fixed the circulation pump at the Plunge, repaired the exit doors at City Hall, replaced multiple locks for the Fire Department, fabricated a metal cover for the floor drain at the Washington Field House, fixed chemical lines at the Plunge and repaired the air conditioner in the server room at the Main Library.

Utility Workers scrubbed and waxed the floors at the Washington Field House, scrubbed and waxed flooring at the Police Department, set-up various rooms for events and serviced 29 City-owned facilities.

Floors of the Washington Field House

Parks and Landscaping Division:  
General crews prepped the Greenway for Arbor Day, trimmed oak trees at Nicholl Park, repaired fencing at Nicholl Park, weeded and trimmed the bownling green at Nicholl Park and supported the community volunteers on Arbor Day.

Arbor Day Volunteers

Hilltop District crews continued maintenance around Hilltop Mall business area, continued with irrigation repairs on the Richmond Parkway, started weed abatement at Bay Vista Park, completed median weed abatement on Atlas Road and continued weed abatement on Richmond Parkway.

Richmond Parkway

Marina District crews performed weed abatement on Regatta Boulevard, maintenance on 51 trail entrances with graffiti abatement, cleaned median strips on Regatta Boulevard and power washed the tail lights.

Regatta Boulevard Maintenance

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