Back in May of 2017, Intren, an electrical contractor approached Bobby Winston with a proposal to rent some laydown space at Point Molate for $10,000/month for up to 10 months. Members of the Point Molate Citizens Advisory Committee and RPA members of the Richmond City Council thought they could get more money, and they didn’t like the idea of sharing it with Bobby Winston. They directed staff to bypass Winston and deal direct. By the time the City got around to contacting Intren, following a vote by the City Council on May 16, Intren had found and secured another location. Approximately $70,000 in revenue for the City of Richmond went down the toilet.

On May 16, 2017, the City Council voted (a little late) to “proceed with an agreement for the short term use of 2-3 acres of Pt. Molate at Drum Lot 1 (the area between building 132 and 89) to Intren.”

May 16, 2017

L-2. The matter to authorize staff to proceed with an agreement for the short term use of 2-3 acres of Pt. Molate at Drum Lot 1 (the area between building 132 and 89) to Intren, a major electrical services provider under long-term contract to PG&E, for storing trucks, trailers, clean equipment and supplies for a monthly fee provided to the City was presented by Councilmember McLaughlin. Jim Hanson gave comments. Discussion ensued. On motion of Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Vice Mayor Beckles, approved said agreement by the unanimous vote of the City Council.

L-3. The matter to direct staff to retain professional property management services for any and all short term uses of Pt. Molate was presented by Councilmember McLaughlin. Discussion ensued. Bea Roberson gave comments. A motion made by Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Councilmember Willis, passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Choi, Martinez, McLaughlin, Myrick, Willis, and Vice Mayor Beckles. Noes: Mayor Butt. Absent: None. Abstentions: None.

Then the City Council directed the city manager to “retain professional property management services for any and all short term uses of Pt. Molate.” As far as I know, that has not been done, and any rental of space at Point Molate is still being handled by Bobby Winston, who is having remarkable success. See http://baycrossings.com/images/BCSept2017P-16a.pdf.

On June 6, 2017, the City Council directed the city manager to “enter into a license agreement with Waterside Workshops for use of Building 87 at Pt. Molate Beach Park to expand their vocational training program targeted at underserved Richmond youth.”

June 6, 2017

L-2. The matter to direct the city manager to enter into a license agreement with Waterside Workshops for use of Building 87 at Pt. Molate Beach Park to expand their vocational training program targeted at underserved Richmond youth, with final terms to be approved by the city manager, and with approval as to form by the city attorney was introduced by Councilmember McLaughlin. Discussion ensued. Don Gosney gave comments. On motion of Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Councilmember Choi, authorized said license agreement for use of Building 87 at Pt. Molate Beach Park or a suitable alternative, by the unanimous vote of the City Council.

As of yesterday, there appears to no activity, there appears to be no activity at Building 87.

Cities in general, and the City of Richmond in particular, are not good at entrepreneurial activities. In 2007, the City Council passed Resolution No. 100-07, Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Richmond Making It A Public Policy Objective To Maximize Economic Benefit From Underutilized Real Estate Assets In The Port Of Richmond. Since that time , only one of the vacant buildings, the Riggers Loft, has been rehabilitated and leased. And that was over the strenuous objection of the port director, supported by other city staff upper management. The General Warehouse and Cafeteria Building are still vacant and have been heavily vandalized.

My point is that the Point Molate Citizens Advisory Committee and RPA members of the Richmond City Council lack the entrepreneurial experience and motivation to achieve productive use and realize revenue from Point Molate. I give the RPA members of the Richmond City Council a lot of credit for supporting rehabilitation of the Riggers Loft, but for the Point Potrero Marine Terminal, the problem is not the RPA; it’s the port director.