Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the report for the week ending January 26, 2018.

• Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 30th, beginning with Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed 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.

• Richmond Employee Charitable Giving

The 2017 Charitable Giving Campaign by Richmond City employees ended with 174 employees making donations, raising over $44,000 in support of the non-profit organizations and communities that do such important work.  Thanks to all those that participated in this program for their generosity.  Thanks also to the department representatives that helped process the paperwork, and special thanks to Kate Soiseth and her colleagues in the Human Resources Department for managing the program this year.  Congratulations, and thank you!

• More Richmond Generosity

The Community Services Department thanks all participants of the 2nd Annual Holiday Food Drive, which took place from October 2nd through December 18th this past year. Residents and community members brought in canned food and other non-perishables to food drive barrels at fifteen City facilities. They also participated in the Fill-a-Bag Challenge and 2017 Holiday Food Drive Blitz as part of the food drive.

With the help of the community, the Department raised over $5,500 in monetary and food donations to benefit and support the local Bay Area Rescue Mission (BARM)! BARM has been caring for the homeless and needy people in the community for over 50 years, providing meals and services for job skills trainings, parenting classes, counseling, GED preparation, computer-aided learning, and much more.

Parchester Village Holiday Food Drive barrel

Additionally, we thank ServiceWorks Richmond for sponsoring the 2017 Holiday Food Drive Blitz in support of the Holiday Food Drive.

At the end of this year, the Community Services Department will be hosting the 3rd Annual Holiday Food Drive to continue providing meals to those in need. In the meantime, continue your support for BARM by volunteering! View volunteer opportunities by visiting: http://www.bayarearescue.org/get_involved/volunteer.

• Black History Celebration

The Richmond Community Services Department (CSD) is hosting its annual Black History Celebration on Saturday, February 3rd at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM. This year’s celebration will honor the achievements of Richmond’s youth through dancing, music, and spoken word.

The East Bay Center for the Performing Arts and the Richmond High School Majorettes will highlight the day with drumming and dancing.

The entrance fee for this annual celebration is $10 and dinner will be provided. Follow updates on the Facebook event page.

For information, please call: (510) 620-6793.

• 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 during the past week included:

• Participated in a meeting organized by Senator Nancy Skinner that was attended by local law enforcement, including Chief Allwyn Brown and Assistant Chief Bisa French, and the State Attorney General’s Office, regarding how the state and cities should comply locally with AB450 and SB54 regarding “sanctuary cities”;
• Attended a meeting with Contra Costa College President Mojdeh Mehdizadeh, together with Fire Chief Adrian Sheppard, to discuss public safety training programs and facilities;
• Attended a meeting with staff from the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), along with Planning and Building Services Director Richard Mitchell and Planning Manager Lina Velasco, to discuss environmental remediation projects;
• Attended a training session regarding “Active Shooter/Critical Incident/Volatile Situation Defense,” taught by members of the Richmond Police Department;
• Participated in an Emergency Operation Center exercise drill, with an earthquake response scenario;
• Met with the Finance Department budget team to receive a financial report for December 2017;
• Participated in a discussion of a possible Caltrans grant program submittal, along with Transportation Program Manager Lori Reese-Brown, Infrastructure Administrator Patrick Phelan, Mayor’s staff member Sequoia Erasmus, and TRAC representatives Bruce Beyeart and Bruce Brubaker.

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.

• Housing Discrimination Book Talk

A well-attended audience came to hear author Richard Rothstein discuss the impact of government policies that created racially explicit inequalities in the development of housing communities in Richmond, the Bay Area, and nationally as outlined in his new book, “The Color of Law:  A forgotten history of how our government segregated America”.  A vigorous plethora of ideologies were exchanged at the question and answer forum that followed.  Participants were also able to purchase copies of the book.  The free event took place this past Saturday, January 20th at the Richmond City Council Chambers and was co-sponsored by the Richmond Museum of History and the Richmond Public Library.

• Richmond Fire Department Trains for Confined Spaces

The Richmond Fire Department conducted its annual confined space refresher training.  In accordance with California Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Richmond firefighters participated in a drill designed to ensure and maintain competency in skills needed to rescue individuals trapped in confined spaces, such as tanks, sewers, pipes, access shafts, truck or rail tank cars, boilers, manholes, pump stations and storage bins.

Topics covered included:

• Appropriate equipping of personnel and space with safety / rescue devices
• Proper lockout / tagout / blockout of all necessary energy sources and machinery
• Selection of proper personal protective equipment
• Required non-entry rescue equipment and responibilities
• Overview of requirements for an entry rescue team
• Fall protection requirements
• Air monitoring requirements
• Set up of proper ventilation

• Richmond Promise Scholarship Deadline is Fast Approaching, March 10th!

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 your GED/high school equivalency between June 2017-2018
• Have attended an eligible high school, at least, 9th - 12th grade consecutively
• Complete the FAFSA/Dream Act by the March 2nd Cal Grant deadline

The application can be found on the Richmond Promise website: https://richmondpromise.org/the-scholarship-application/.
Please share this opportunity with eligible students in your life!
The FAFSA application for financial aid can be found at https://fafsa.ed.gov/, and Dream Act application can be found at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/.

The Richmond Promise is Here to Help!

To receive assistance completing your applications, visit your College & Career Center, or stop by Richmond Promise Office Hours at the times below!

• El Cerrito High School: Monday – 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
• Richmond High School: Monday – 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
• Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL): Tuesday – 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
• De Anza High School: Wednesday – 1:50 PM - 2:30 PM
• Greenwood High School: Thursday – 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
• Kennedy High School: Thursday – 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM 

Cash for Colleges in February!

There will be two additional Cash for College events in February! Parents and students are encouraged to attend to receive assistance in completing their financial aid applications, FAFSA, or the CA Dream Act.

• February 7th, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Kennedy High School
• February 24th, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Richmond Civic Center

Questions or want to request a workshop? Info@richmondpromise.org or (510) 761-7231.

• Rent Program Community Workshops Calendar 2018

Community education is a core component of the services provided by the Richmond Rent Program.  The Rent Program will host monthly Community Workshops on Saturday mornings to educate tenants, landlords, and others on the requirements of the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance. 

Please see below for additional information.
 
Rent Program Community Workshops Calendar 2018
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Space is limited – RSVP today: https://rentprogram.eventbrite.com

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

The City of Richmond City Clerk’s Office 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.

• Community Services Highlights

Warriors Game Fundraiser

The Ed Fund, in collaboration with the West Contra Costa Unified School District, invites you to see the Golden State Warriors play on February 22nd at 7:30 PM at the Oracle Arena in Oakland. The proceeds will go to support the Ed Fund and their mission to serve as a resource that aligns with the efforts of our partners to ensure that all our students succeed in college, career, and life.

For more information, check out and RSVP on the Facebook event page. Deadline to order tickets is February 1, 2018. Promo code: WCCUSD.

The Ed Fund has invested nearly $4 million to help bridge the opportunity gap for our students. Recently, The Ed Fund awarded $22,000 in Bradley Arts grants to support 22 schools around the district to help fund their art projects.

ServiceWorks Richmond – Volunteers Needed

ServiceWorks, in conjunction with the City of Richmond Community Services Department, Points of Light, AmeriCorps and Citi Foundation, is actively recruiting volunteers to assist with groundbreaking programming. The program’s primary goal is to engage young adults (16-24 years of age) and bring educational modules that drive skill building, volunteering, and success coaching as strategies to help address barriers to youth economic opportunity.

The program offers the opportunity for participants, also known as Service Scholars, to gain valuable college and career experience to which they may not have easy access. Through developing their own service projects and team exercises, Service Scholars will have the opportunity to gain a range of skills.

Volunteers are vital to the success of this program. We are looking for all who wish to make a positive impact on the lives of the youth within our community. Whether it is for a week, a day, or even just a few hours in a month, you can help empower the service scholars to face any obstacle that they may block their path towards sustainable community development.

ServiceWorks gives youth the keys to unlock their future; we are looking for volunteers who will give them the means to open the door.

For more information, please contact: Nicholas Delgado (510) 621-1834, or email: Nicholas_Delgado@ci.richmond.ca.us

• Information Technology

Website Statistics for the Week Ending 01-26-2018

• Actions on page are up 100%
• Page views are up 14%
• Page previews up 67%
• People reached up 156%
• Post engagements are up 110%
• Video views are up 100%
• Tweet impressions are up 259.2%

TOP TWEET OF THE WEEK

KCRT DATANET OF THE WEEK

• Engineering/CIP Departments

I-80 Central Avenue Operations Improvement Project (I-80 and Central Avenue)
Mike Brown Electrical (MBE) is continuing with the electrical improvements. Ghilotti Bros., Inc. (GBI) will set k-rail and start installing the overhang brackets next week.
  
Visit the project webpage for more information: www.ccta.net/projects/project/36

Questions: Call Community Outreach Representative Jacqueline Majors at (510) 882-1603; or email: I80CentralAve@gmail.com.  

Other Engineering Projects:
The Miraflores Senior Complex is progressing very well and is expected to be completed by summer.

Miraflores Senior Complex

Work continues on the pedestrian crossing on San Pablo Avenue near
El Cerrito city limits.  The project is at 85% completion. 

Pedestrian Crossing on San Pablo Avenue

As part of the Richmond Ohlone Greenway Gap project, trees have been planted and greening the creek has been completed.

Greening the Creek

Streets Division:
Crews performed storm patrol and worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City.

Pothole Repairs

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 3 signs and poles, installed 19 new signs, and painted 60’ of curbs and zoning.

• Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations

Abatement:
Abatement crews abated private property, removed tons of trash from tow yards requested by the Police Department, removed a homeless encampment from public view, continued removing tons of illegal dumping, and removed graffiti throughout the City.

Private Property

Tow Yards

Homeless Encampment

Illegal Dumping

Graffiti

Code Enforcement:
The Code Enforcement Unit has been working diligently to improve the conditions of the vacant properties throughout the City. There are several properties that have been brought into compliance after enforcement actions.

Garvin Avenue Property Before and After

Garvin Avenue Property Before and After

Facilities Maintenance Division:
Carpenters built a shelf for the tool library at the Recreation Complex for the Community Services Department, replaced benches in the Museum courtyard, and created a concrete pad for the electrical panels at Nicholl Park.

Painters continued with the gymnasium walls at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center.

Stationary Engineers conducted daily building and pool checks, replaced the thermostat in the Social Hall of the Main Library, reconfigured three cubicles, replaced the thermostat in the breakroom at the Corp Yard, installed a new door closure at the Recreation Complex, installed new fire extinguishers at various community centers, replaced the backboard at the Recreation Complex gym, repaired the furnace and replaced filters at the Bayview Library, and replaced the sump pump at the Richmond Plunge.

Parks and Landscaping Division:  
General maintenance crews repaired the irrigation at the Mira Vista Park, reconfigured a fence for concrete work, repaired fencing at Southside Park, trimmed shrubs at Nicholl Park, replaced vandalized signs at LaMoine Park, and cleaned up homeless encampments along the Greenway.

Encampment Clean-Up on Greenway

The tree crew trimmed or cut trees on: 35th Street, Lucas Avenue, Lowell Avenue, Esmond Avenue, Santa Clara Street and McLaughlin Avenue.

Tree Cutting on Lowell Avenue

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

Maintenance on Atlas Road

Marina District crews replaced a section of cement along the trail by Barbara J. Vincent Park, trimmed trees in various locations, and performed weed abatement along trails.

Concrete Repair

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

See the next page to see options for connecting with the City of Richmond.

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