Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the report for the week ending June 2, 2017.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6th, beginning with Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by the regular meeting at 6:30 PM. The agenda may be found by clicking this link:
Richmond City Council Agenda Packet.
As you may recall, the Golden Gate Audubon Society has been undertaking a contest to provide names for the osprey offspring of Richmond and Rosie. They received more than 300 name suggestions for the chicks, and asked people to vote to select from among the finalists.
Cindy Margulis of the Audubon Society reports that the votes are in and that the chicks now have official names. Whirley is the older chick, hatched on May 12th, and Rivet is the younger chick, hatched on May 14th, Mother's Day.
Richmond Port Director Jim Matzorkis was the contest winner, being the first person to suggest the name Whirley, which was overwhelmingly the most popular name from the top 10 choices.
According to Ms. Margulis:
Personally, I'm delighted that the names again harken to outstanding assets that make Richmond such a great city! Now, there's one intrepid "whirley bird" plus that darling younger chick who will keep us all firmly riveted to the future of these birds and our shared environment and shared duty to be good stewards of our magnificent Bay and its watersheds and habitats for birds and people.
Whirley and Rivet enjoying some sunshine in their nest.
You can peer in on the osprey family anytime at http://SFBayOspreys.org.
- 3. Ribbon Cutting for Mathieu Court Alley Play Street
KaBoom! is a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing balanced and active play into the daily lives of all kids, particularly those growing up in poverty in America. They have been a partner on several projects in Richmond, most recently the one-day community rebuild of Wendell Park.
Kaboom! acknowledges that, “Play does not always have to happen on a playground. While playgrounds provide joyful oases for play, sometimes play must be available in other places.” Their “play everywhere” inititive,
“…encourages people to think about spaces that could become PLAYces: whether it’s a laundromat, grocery store, sidewalk, bus stop, or somewhere else, these often-boring situations can turn into stimulating, creative outlets for play.”
A new “PLAYce” has now sprung up at Mathieu Court in Richmond, what was, just a short time ago, an unmaintained alley that was a magnet for illegal dumping. The project was a collaboration among the City of Richmond, Richmond Art Center, The Trust for Public Land, Pogo Park, and the Iron Triangle Neighborhood Council. The City’s project manager was the very talented Lina Velasco. To learn more about the Mathieu Court Alley Play Street Project (or to thank her for her efforts), you can contact Ms. Velasco at lina_velasco@ci.richmond.ca.us at the Richmond Planning Department.
We invite you to come and join us to celebrate the inauguration of the newest Play Street in Richmond.
When? Friday, June 9, 2017 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Where? Mathieu Court Alley, near Barrett Avenue
The project was funded in part by a KaBoom! Play Everywhere Challenge grant. To learn more about the Play Everywhere Challenge, please visit http://kaboom.org/playeverywhere.
- 4. City of Richmond 2017 Community Survey – We Need your Feedback
One of the best ways to improve Richmond’s services is to ask the people that live here what they think. With this in mind, the City of Richmond is pleased to announce the 2017 Community Survey!
During the past few weeks, you may have been notified that you have been selected to give input that will help the City improve the level of government services and the future of your community. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of 3,000 Richmond residents, asking them to comment on the community’s pressing needs and city services.
The purpose of the survey is to help City officials evaluate services, measure resident satisfaction with current services, and to help plan for Richmond’s future. The results from the survey will be included in a final report available to all City officials, staff, and residents.
If you were selected to participate, PLEASE RETURN THE SURVEY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND BEFORE THE STATED DEADLINE!
If you know someone that received one, please encourage them to fill it out and return it. Your input can help make the City of Richmond a better place to live, work, and play. Feel free to contact the City Manager’s Office with your questions at (510) 620-6512.
- 5. ServiceWorks is Celebrating Global Community Day on June 10th!
ServiceWorks Richmond is partnering with the City of Richmond Community Services Department, Richmond Tool Library, and Richmond Love Your Block to host a cleanup to celebrate Global Community Day!
Come and join us on Saturday, June 10th to help revamp the Richmond Tool Library and clean up Nicholl Park and the Community Services Department. We will be meeting promptly at 11:00 AM in front of the picnic tables for registration. Anyone under the age of 18 will need a parent to sign a liability waiver.
In support of the Community Services Department’s Spring Clothing Drive benefiting Bay Area Rescue Mission (BARM), we’ve got prizes to give away! Bring in new, unworn clothing essentials such as underwear, bras, socks, and belts and you’ll get a chance to win! New undergarments are much more difficult to come by at BARM, so please consider donating these clothing essentials.
Lunch and refreshments will be provided!
Invite your friends and family members to join us for this day of service. RSVP on EventBrite is requested to make sure that we have enough food for all.
RSVP: https://serviceworksglobalcommunityday.eventbrite.com/
https://www.facebook.com/events/123009034934651/
For more information, contact Vanessa Chau at Vanessa_Chau@ci.richmond.ca.us or at (510) 620-6552!
 
- 6. Update on Miraflores Development
Work is proceeding in earnest at the affordable senior rental housing development at the City’s Miraflores site. Completion of the senior rental units is anticipated for summer 2018.
Miraflores Senior will provide 79 new affordable senior rental apartments in Richmond. More than 15 years in the making, Miraflores Senior is a testament to the commitments of the City of Richmond and the Park Plaza Neighborhood Council to transform the site of former flower nurseries into a vibrant new community.
Miraflores Senior is part of a larger plan to redevelop the former Sakai, Oishi, and Endo nurseries with a diverse mix of housing at varying levels of affordability, including the new construction of market-rate ownership housing. Construction of the market-rate units is tentatively scheduled for December 2017 with completion scheduled for July 2021.
The development will also include a new public park that honors the history of the Japanese-American flower industry. The park will feature a bicycle and pedestrian path to connect the Park Plaza community to the Richmond Greenway and the Macdonald Avenue Commercial District.
- 7. 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 this past week included:
- Met, along with Senior Management Analyst LaShonda White, with Mayor Butt, County Supervisor John Gioia, and members of their respective staffs, to review the draft fiscal analysis for possible annexation of North Richmond by the City of Richmond;
- Met with Housing Consultant Tia Ingram, Finance Director Belinda Warner, and Deputy City Attorney Carlos Privat to discuss ongoing operations of the Richmond Housing Authority;
- Met with staff representatives from the Police Department and the Department of Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations to discuss maintenance needs and security concerns at the City’s park facilities;
- Attended the quarterly Disaster Council meeting, attended by representatives from multiple, local government and non-government service agencies;
- Met, together with staff from the Rent Board, with Councilmember Melvin Willis and several tenants, to discuss property management concerns;
- Attended the monthly Contra Costa Mayors Conference, graciously hosted this month by the City of Richmond at the Port Administration Building and the Riggers Loft.
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.
- 8. Notice of Development Opportunity – Macdonald Avenue Corridor Properties
You are invited to review the City of Richmond’s “Notice of Development Opportunity” – highlighting four Opportunity Sites – intended to serve as major activity centers that facilitate the economic and cultural heart of the City, and connection to the greater Bay Area.
Each site is within walking distance of the Richmond Multi-Modal Transit Station – with access to BART, Amtrak, and AC Transit – as well as assets including the Kaiser Richmond Medical Center and the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts.
The Richmond City Manager’s Office is accepting first-round development proposals until July 7, 2017 at 12:00 PM (PST). A copy of the Request for Qualifications and Proposals is accessible at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/opportunitysites. All attachments and questions are available on the website.
The City of Richmond will host two pre-proposal meetings to address questions and provide an overview of the Opportunity Sites. Please RSVP to mike_uberti@ci.richmond.ca.us.
Pre-Proposal Meeting #1
Wednesday, June 7, 2017 at 2:00 PM (PST)
City Hall, Pt. Molate Room
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, California 94804
Pre-Proposal Meeting #2
Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at 2:00 PM (PST)
City Hall, Richmond Room
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, California 94804
Please contact Mike Uberti at mike_uberti@ci.richmond.ca.us or (510) 620-6512 for more information.
- 9. Richmond Selects Three New Poets Laureate for 2017-2019
On Wednesday, May 24th, the Richmond Poet Laureate Selection Committee chose three new Poets Laureate for the City of Richmond. The three appointees are: Daniel Ari, Ciera-Jevai Gordon, and Rob Lipton. They will share the title of Poet Laureate, which includes giving poetry readings, bringing poetry to the schools, and being advocates for poetry. The four runners-up were Richmond poets: Sandra Hooper-Mayfield, Anne Walker, Kristin Cerda, and Alexandra Naughton.
The Richmond Poets Laureate are appointed for a term of two years, beginning June 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 2019. The Richmond Arts and Culture Commission put out a Call for Applicants earlier this year, to which seven poets applied. An annual $1,000 stipend is offered for the position, which will be divided three ways between the winners.
The Richmond Poets Laureate will be required to participate in various events and activities, attend city, library, and school functions as needed; write poetry about Richmond that will be placed in a notebook to be available at the library; and write a summation of their impressions and experiences as Poet Laureate six months prior to the end of the two-year term. In addition, they will give a reading at a special event at the beginning of the two-year term; create a chapbook consisting of their collective work; write a poem for National Poetry Month (April); serve as a judge for the annual Richmond Writes! student poetry writing contest in February; and write a poem for National Arts and Humanities Month (October).
The three Poets Laureate will meet in early June with Arts and Culture Manager, Michele Seville to discuss their plans for the coming two years and will report periodically to the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission about their activities.
- 10. Community Services Highlights
35th Annual Senior Information & Health Fair
The 35th Annual Senior Information & Health Fair was held on Wednesday, May 17th with an amazing turnout! There were 63 vendors in attendance with almost 200 visiting and participating in the festivities.
Thank you for all of our organizers, volunteer, vendors, and participants for coming out and making this a fabulous day!
 
 
- 11. Information Technology
Website Statistics
For the Week Ending 06-02-2017
Tweets and Facebook followers are up!
- LIKES are up 100%
- Post engagements are up by 27%
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
- 12. Engineering/CIP Departments
Engineering Projects
Construction began for the foundation for the pedestrian bridge for the Greenway/Ohlone Gap Closure project. The digging for the actual structural support that will be placed underground through the holes started this week. The bridge will provide safe passage for pedestrians from the Ohlone Greenway to the Richmond Greenway.
Foundation Construction
The construction at Unity Park continues. Grading of the soils started and signs are being placed in the construction zone. Information on the project is listed on the sign along with a contact phone number.
Grading of the Unity Park Soil
Unity Park Project Sign
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Project is progressing well. The siding is being placed on the elevator and continuing on schedule.
BART Project Elevator
Streets Division
Paving crews worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City, repaired base failures, and attended training.
Street sweeping staff performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the fifth Monday through Wednesday and the first Thursday and Friday in the Carriage Hills North Side, El Sobrante Hills, Greenbriar, Hansford Heights, Via Verdi, San Pablo Dam Road, Bristle Cone, May Valley, Vista View, and Clinton Hill I neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines staff repaired 30 signs and poles, installed 23 new signs and poles, placed four pavement messages, painted 100 feet of curbs and zoning, and attended training.
- 13. Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations
Abatement
Crews assisted at the May Valley Neighborhood clean-up, assisting 18 senior citizens, performed weed abatement in various locations, abated alleyways, and continued removing illegal dumping and graffiti throughout the city.
 
May Valley Neighborhood Clean-Up
 
Senior Assistance
 
Illegal Dumping
Code Enforcement
On April 26, 2017, an inspection was conducted on the 2500 block of Lowell Avenue after receiving a complaint regarding a vehicle parked in the driveway missing all tires. Code Enforcement Officer Causey observed a Ford truck parked in the driveway with expired registration and missing tires/wheels. A Notice of Violation and Administrative Citation were issued to the property owner and vehicle owner for violating RMC 11.76 regarding expired registration and missing tires/wheels. On May 30, 2017, a compliance inspection was conducted and found that the vehicle had been removed from the property.
Code Compliance
Facilities Maintenance
Carpenters replaced doors at the Corporation Yard, addressed safety issues, and made alterations to cubicles at City Hall
Painters continued with the painting of the exterior of the Senior Annex Community Center.
Painting at Senior Annex Community Center
Utility workers set up multiple facilities for various events and serviced 29 City owned buildings.
Parks and Landscaping Division
General maintenance crews completed weed abatement at Kern Park, weeded and cut medians on Key Boulevard, weeded right of ways on Bonita Road, performed maintenance at Clinton Play Lot, aerated lawns at the Civic Center, repaired the fences on the Greenway and Elaine Pathway, repaired restroom stall door at Nicholl Park, and completed the demolition of the swimming pool at the Richmond Recreation Complex.
Maintenance at Clinton Play Lot
The tree crew cut or timmed trees on May Road, at LaMoine Park, and Marina Green Park.
Hilltop Districtcrews continued maintenance around Hilltop Mall business area, continued with the Richmond Country Club Vista landscaping project, and weed abated off and on ramps on Richmond Parkway to Giant Road.
Marina District crews continued monitoring the irrigation throughout the area, removed graffiti from Barbara Jay Vincent Park, completed weed abatement at Shimada Park, cleaned parks from holiday usage, and removed two trees from Marina Bay Parkway.
Tree Removal in the Marina
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
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