Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the report for the two weeks ending November 22, 2017.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 21st beginning with Closed Session at 5:45 PM, followed by a Special Meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority at 6:25 PM, then by the Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council at 6:30 PM. The agenda may be found by clicking this link: Richmond City Council Agenda Packet.
- Thanksgiving Day Holiday Closure
City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th in observance of Thanksgiving. We will re-open on Monday, November 27th during regular business hours. We hope you enjoy special time with family and friends.
Last week, the California Natural Resources Agency (Agency), which administers “cap and trade” program funds announced $76 million in funding for 39 green infrastructure projects through the state’s Urban Greening Program. The grants support projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gases by sequestering carbon, decreasing energy consumption and reducing vehicle miles traveled. The projects also convert built environments into green spaces that improve air and water quality and provide opportunities for walking, biking and recreation.
With this announcement, the City of Richmond received word that the community will receive a combined $7.2 million for two outstanding projects in Richmond: The Richmond Wellness Trail will receive $3.1 million, and the Greening the Yellow Brick Road project will receive $4.1 million.
The Richmond Wellness Trail is a collaborative project to develop an interactive health themed trail that showcases three dimensional murals and art installations with positive messaging designed to inspire visitors to make health and wellness-oriented lifestyle changes. The trail is envisioned to include bicycle and pedestrian safety improvements, several fitness stations and potentially a GPS based, interactive smartphone app giving visitors access to suggestions from physicians and fitness experts that target their interests providing a personalized curated experience, outdoors. This project was developed by Kieron Slaughter, former City of Richmond Planner who worked as an Urban Fellow with the National Park Service in Richmond, with significant partnership by The Trust for Public Land.
The Yellow Brick Road project was envisioned by the non-profit Pogo Park, and is a complete “play street” makeover of a portion of 8th Street in Richmond. The $4.1 million allocation will allow additional landscape amenities to a project that has already received a $6.2 million grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
Congratulations to all those involved in these projects.
- City Launches Climate-Smart Cities Tool
On Wednesday, November 8th, the Trust for Public Land (TPL), City staff, and partnering community-based organizations celebrated the launch of the new Climate-Smart Cities Tool. The tool launch event included presentations from a Technical Advisory Committee, and a hands-on training in the Emergency Operation Center at City Hall.
The online Climate-Smart Cities Decision Support Tool is publicly available (take it for a test drive using this link) and integrates detailed mapping data, climate change analytics, and community input to guide park and green infrastructure investments. The Decision Support Tool seeks to democratize resiliency data and tools by making these resources available to community leaders and community-based organizations to identify and implement multi-benefit green infrastructure projects such as parks, bio-swales, and biking or pedestrian trails.
The Trust for Public Land developed Richmond’s Climate-Smart Cities Tool in collaboration with the City of Richmond and a number of community-based organizations. Richmond is California’s second Climate-Smart City with TPL and the first in Northern California.
- The Success of RichmondBUILD Cohort 34
RichmondBuild was established in 2007 as a violence reduction strategy for the City of Richmond, and with the leadership of Employment and Training (E&T) Director Sal Vaca, Employment Specialist Fred Lucero, and contributions by numerous E&T staff members, the program has touched many lives.
It’s always been a goal of the RichmondBUILD staff to achieve a 100% job placement of its program participants by or before graduation. With the recent events in the North Bay, a booming construction sector and its direct entry agreements with the Carpenters, Laborers, and Plumbers & Steamfitters Unions, RichmondBuild recently achieved this goal. All 21 students of cohort 34 are working or have received a job offer. Therefore, there was not a graduation ceremony on November 17, 2017; but, in so many ways, there was something even better.
RichmondBUILD’s students overcame many hurdles and sacrificed a lot to complete the rigorous Academy. E&T staff have acknowledged LIUNA, Laborers International Union of North America, which taught the multi-craft and the 40-hour hazardous materials course (HAZWOPER 40) funded by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The following is a list of employers and unions that have hired RichmondBuild students as they launch their career pursuits:
- Carpenters Union Local 152
- Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 342
- Waste Water Treatment
- I.Q. Environmental
- People Ready
Special thanks to Fred Lucero, RichmondBUILD manager, and the teaching and support staff, Brian Liston, Ed Nunez, Danielle Mason and Billy Waters who work with students on a daily basis. Thanks also to Employment & Training Director Sal Vaca, whose leadership and vision has kept the academy relevant for ten years.
RichmondBUILD does not build character, it reveals character. #RBSTRONG
- 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 for payment of the fee will be mailed beginning in November 2017, with payment due with payment due by January 2, 2018. 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.
- Homelessness Awareness Month – November 2017
On Tuesday, November 14th, amid Homeless Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, City of Richmond and Contra Costa County officials showcased a MicroPAD unit. MicroPADs are 160-square-foot prefabricated dwellings that can serve as an affordable, scalable and livable supportive-housing option for the area’s homeless residents.
The City and the County are actively looking for an appropriate location to site this housing. The County is expected to lease each housing unit for about $1,300 per month, recouping a portion of that rate through the collection of tenant rent payments and a homeless assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Additionally Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), Housing Choice Vouchers and other funding may be used. Innovative solutions to the worsening homeless crisis in the Bay Area are vital to successfully moving people into housing.
I have listed below some of the topics for meetings that I attended during the past two weeks in the hope that it provides an idea of the varied issues with which our organization deals routinely.
Meetings and events of note the past two weeks included:
- Met, along with Senior Management Analyst LaShonda White, with Supervisor John Gioia and staff member Robert Rogers to discuss North Richmond annexation outreach;
- Attended the monthly budget review meeting with Finance Director Belinda Warner and her cracker-jack staff;
- Met along with Library and Cultural Services Director Katy Curl, and Arts Manager Michele Seville, with members of the Public Art Advisory Committee and Arts Commission to discuss implementation of the “percent for art” program;
- Met, along with Capital Improvements Project Director Yader Bermudez, with representatives from the Hilltop Stakeholder’s group;
- Attended and made a presentation at the Richmond Chamber of Commerce Annual Business meeting;
- Discussed the issue of school resource officers with West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) Superintendent Matt Duffy;
- Met with staff members from the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts to discuss their zero-net energy programs;
- Attended a Climate Smart Convening hosted by The Trust for Public Land in Cambridge Massachusetts, attended by representatives from the Boston metropolitan area, at which I made a presentation on policies and programs in Richmond that are targeted at reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
- Met, together with Transportation Project Manager Lori Reese-Brown, with a consultant to discuss the possible development and implementation of business-employee transit shuttle systems;
- Participated in a conference call review of a financial model for the City’s wastewater system, along with Water Resource Recovery Director Ryan Smith, Finance Director Belinda Warner, Senior Deputy City Attorney Everett Jenkins, and various other City staff members;
- Met, along with City Clerk Pam Christian, with Councilmember Ada Recinos to discuss ways to improve City information outreach to the Spanish-speaking community;
- Met, along with various City staff members, with the developers of Terminal 1 (Laconia) to review the status of their project;
- Met with the developer of the Central Avenue and Nevin residential projects to discuss the status of his projects;
- Attended my monthly meeting with West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) Superintendent Matt Duffy.
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.
- Fill-a-bag Holiday Food Drive Challenge
Fill a bag. Feed a family.
The season of giving is upon us! The Community Services Department is hosting its 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive to benefit Bay Area Rescue Mission (BARM), and we need your help! Complete the Fill-a-Bag Challenge by bringing one grocery bag full of non-perishables to a Richmond community center by December 18th.
BARM’s most needed items for the holiday season include cornmeal, canned vegetables, sugar, and spices. Clean out your pantry while you’re prepping for holiday celebrations, or pick up a few goods on your next trip to the grocery store!
For more information, e-mail stephanie_ny@ci.richmond.ca.us or call (510) 620-6563.
- 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.
- New Mini-Grants Program! $500 to $2,500!
 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 Departments.
Grants are available in amounts up to $2,500. The application and more information are available on the City website. The deadline to submit applications is December 8, 2017. Info: 510-620-6553
- Paid Opportunities for Richmond/WCC College Students!
Richmond Promise has two paid, semester-long opportunities for Richmond/WCC college students starting in January 2018! See details below:
Near-Peer Ambassador Program
Become a Near-Peer Ambassador and support the development of college knowledge of future generations by engaging in college and career conversations with Kennedy 9th graders.
Read the full job description, including responsibilities and compensation, here.
Apply by November 27th at www.tinyurl.com/npambassador!
Richmond College Scholars*
Are you passionate about supporting the college success of students from Richmond? Become a College Leader at UC Berkeley or UC Davis and support Richmond College Scholars. College Leaders will plan fun activities and monthly meetings for Richmond College Scholars.
Read the full job description, including responsibilities and compensation, here.
Apply by November 27th at www.tinyurl.com/collegeleaders!
*This position is only for college students at UC Berkeley and Davis this year. We hope to expand this program to more colleges next year.
The 2017-18 Richmond Promise Scholarship Application is open and can be found at www.richmondpromise.org. Please share this opportunity with eligible students in your life!
Questions or want to request a workshop? Info@richmondpromise.org // (510) 761-7231
- I-80 Central Avenue Operations Improvement Project (I-80 and Central Avenue)
This past week, the I-80/Central Avenue project contractor Ghilotti Bros completed the concrete curb work on the northeast and northwest corners of Rydin Road at Central Avenue.
Next week, signal pole foundations will be installed at Rydin Road and Central Avenue, weather permitting.
For more project information, please visit the project webpage: www.ccta.net/projects/project/36
If you have questions, please call Community Outreach Representative Jacqueline Majors at (510) 882-1603; or email: I80CentralAve@gmail.com.
- Contra Costa CARES | A Health Access Program for You is Currently Accepting Applications
Contra Costa CARES is a healthcare program for uninsured adults living in Contra Costa County and is currently accepting applications. Those enrolled can access primary care services at no cost.
Applying is easy; simply make an appointment with the health center that you would like to receive care from, either Brighter Beginnings: (510) 213-6681 or Lifelong Medical Care: (510) 215-9092, and show up to your appointment. During your appointment a health center enroller will assist you with your application and check if you are eligible for the program. Make sure to bring proof of identity, residence, and income to your appointment.
To be eligible you must be 19 years of age or older, be a resident of Contra Costa County, not be eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal, Covered CA, or other insurance, and have an annual household income of 138% FPL or lower (i.e. 1-person households= $16,643; Family of four = $33,948). If you are unsure about your eligibility, please call to set up an appointment, a trained health center worker will help determine your eligibility.
- 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
Website Statistics for the Week Ending 11-20-2017
- People reached increased by 855%
- Top Tweet mentions increased by 19.1%
- Followers are up!
KCRT DATANET OF THE WEEK
KCRT PROGRAMMING NEWS
KCRT has a new series coming in January. “100 Mile Meals” a “Bay Area Backroads” type series on focusing on food, local restaurants, and spotlights on non-profits. This series is produced in the Central Coast area (Monterey). Currently there are five episodes available scheduled for Mondays at 8:30PM.
Current shows with new episodes this month are:
“Eat Well, Be Happy” (new episodes Mondays at 8PM)
“Language of Business” (Mondays at 8:30PM)
“Colour In Your Life” (Fridays at 8:30PM)
“Classic Movies” (Fridays at 9PM)
“Car Guy Channel” (Mondays at 10:30PM)
“Sidewalks Entertainment” (Weeknights at 7:30PM)
TOP TWEET OF THE WEEK
- Engineering/CIP Departments
Engineering Projects:
The Rifle Range Road Project is getting closer to completion. Structural backfill has been completed, k-rails have been removed, and the concrete swales are ready to be poured by crews.
Rifle Range Road Project
The Greening the Last Mile Project at the Richmond Greenway is progressing well. The area has been regraded and the ditch has been realigned.
Work at Richmond Greenway
Streets Division:
This week, paving crews cleaned the storm drains at the Corporation Yard, attended training for the new street paver, worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City, received a new sandbag machine to facilitate the filling of sandbags for winter storms, and attended the American Public Works Association Conference held at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.
Storm Drain Cleaning at the Corp Yard
Paver Training
Sandbag Machine
Street sweeping staff performed residential sweeping services for the first Monday and Tuesday and the second Wednesday through Friday in the Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Clinton Hill II, Clinton Hill III, Clinton Hill IV and East Richmond neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines repaired 74 signs and poles, and installed 240’ of thermoplastics for pavement messaging.
- Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations
Abatement:
Abatement crews abated along West Ohio Avenue, abated watershed along Hoffman Boulevard, abated vacant lots in various locations, continued removing tons of illegal dumping and removed graffiti throughout the City.
   
West Ohio Avenue
 
 
Watershed on Hoffman Boulevard
Code Enforcement:
Code Enforcement Officer A. Causey was responding to a complaint in the area and observed the subject property with overgrown vegetation, household furniture and trash scattered throughout the exterior. It also housed an inoperative vehicle parked in the carport area. A notice of violation was issued to the property owner to abate the violations; however, the owner failed to comply within the allotted time frame and a citation was issued. After the issuance of the citation the property owner abated the violations.
Before and After
Code Enforcement Officer Souza received a complaint regarding a canopy, motorcycle and debris on the public right of way. Code Enforcement Officer Souza sent a notice of violation to the property owner and the violations were corrected.
Before and After
Facilities Maintenance Division:
Carpenters installed carpeting in an area of the Employment and Training building, relocated three offices and furniture to the new Youth Works office location and created the plan for re-keying the new Youth Works office.
Painters completed the south wall of the Recreation Complex for a new mural to be installed and painted areas of the Employment and Training building.
Stationary Engineers replaced all air filters in City buildings, repaired a roof leak at the Senior Center, fixed the boiler leak at 440 Civic Center Plaza, repaired multiple roof leaks, completed plumbing repairs at Fire Stations, installed safety devices on apparatus doors at Fire Station #66, fixed the broken windows at the Recreation Complex and repaired broken toilets at the Recreation Complex.
Utility Workers removed panels from the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) retail spaces, cleaned windows at the Employment and Training building, set up meeting rooms and the Council Chambers and maintained 29 City owned facilities.
Window Cleaning at Employment & Training Building
Parks and Landscaping Division:
General maintenance crews repaired irrigation along the Cutting Boulevard medians, prepared several parks for Fibar delivery, removed graffitti from John F. Kennedy Park and fabricated new signs for the Police Department’s K-9 yard.
Manufacturing New Sign
Hilltop District crews continued maintenance around Hilltop Mall business area, continued curve grading for K-rail installation, maintenance and pruning along Richmond Parkway and completed median weed abatement on Atlas Road.
Visibility Pruning Along Richmond Parkway
Marina District crews removed graffiti throughout and started the new landscaping project on the Marina Bay Parkway. The landscaping project will include new irrigation, tree planting, placement of fabric as well as mulch and plant installation.
Marina Bay Parkway Landscaping Project
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
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