Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the report for the week ending March 16th, 2018.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 20th, beginning with Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by a Special Meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority Board at 6:25 PM, and 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.
- 23rd Street Streetscape Improvement Plan Update
In 2008, the City of Richmond held a series of community workshops that helped shape the 23rd Street Streetscape Improvement Plan (Plan). Several years have passed and the City is re-engaging the community and stakeholders to update the plan for today’s needs. The Plan focuses on the area of 23rd Street from Bissell Avenue to Costa Avenue.
Multiple design alternatives were explored during the earlier planning process. These alternatives involved different lane configurations, parking types, varying degrees of bicycle access, and different thematic elements.
Come Share Your Vision at the Upcoming Community Workshops!
To confirm decisions made during the earlier planning process and to update the plan to reflect current design standards and preferences, the City of Richmond is revisiting the 23rd Street Streetscape Improvement Plan and revising it, as needed, based on the feedback received and current complete street practices. As part of this process, the following two community workshops will be held over the next few months:
Community Meeting #1 Community Meeting #2
Saturday, March 31st Saturday, May 26th
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Richmond High School (Lobby) Richmond High School (Lobby)
1250 23rd Street 1250 23rd Street
To learn more about the 23rd Street Streetscape Improvement Plan, visit www.richmond.ca.us/23rdstreet or contact Lina Velasco at lina_velasco@ci.richmond.ca.us or (510) 620-6841.
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:
- Attended the regular meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority remedial action plan (PHARS) working group;
- Met with representatives from the SEIU 1021 and Local 21 bargaining units, together with Human Resources Department and Transportation staff to discuss paratransit services;
- Attended a day-long strategic planning session with senior management staff;
- Attended the Healthy Richmond Steering Committee meeting;
- Met with members of the Finance Department’s budget team to review the status of preparing the FY 2018-19 budget;
- Attended the quarterly City of Richmond/East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) attended by EBRPD Boardmembers Coffey and Dotson, Richmond City Councilmember Eduardo Martinez, and numerous EBRPD and City staff.
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.
- Rent Program Eviction 101 in Richmond Community Workshops
As part of its continuing outreach to landlords and tenants who would like to learn more about Rent Program rules and regulations, the City of Richmond Rent Program is offering the following workshops:
Eviction 101 in Richmond (Landlord Focused) TOMORROW!
Saturday, March 17th
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Eviction 101 in Richmond (Tenant Focused)
Saturday, April 21st
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Topics for discussion include:
· “Just Cause” for eviction and relocation requirements;
· Termination of tenancy notice requirements; and
- Unlawful detainer (eviction) process.
Space is limited - RSVP today: https://rentprogram.eventbrite.com
- Free Home Solar Systems Available for Qualifying Richmond Residents!
Richmond homeowners can qualify for a FREE home solar system funded by the City of Richmond and State of California. To be eligible, Richmond and North Richmond residents must meet the following program requirements:
- Own and live in a home in Richmond or North Richmond
- Have a monthly electric bill above $30
- Have household income that is the same or less than 80% of area median income (income limits are included in the flyer below and at www.richmondenvironment.org).
For more information, please contact GRID Alternatives at (510) 731-1333 or visit http://www.gridsolar.org/richmond.
- 2018 Historic Preservation Awards
The City of Richmond and the Richmond Historic Preservation Commission invites nominations for the 2018 Richmond Historic Preservation Awards. The purpose of the Historic Preservation Awards program is to increase public awareness of Richmond’s heritage by recognizing individuals, organizations, businesses, and agencies whose contributions demonstrate outstanding commitment to excellence in historic preservation, local history or promotion of the heritage of the City. Awards will be presented in May during National Preservation Month. In addition to public and private buildings and structures, historic preservation projects may include media, publications, presentations and exhibits, parks, burial grounds, public art, oral history, theater productions, events and video presentations.
Eligibility: Any individual, group, organization or agency involved in historic preservation or promoting Richmond’s heritage is eligible to receive a Richmond Historic Preservation Award. The preservation project or activity (or a substantial portion of a large-scale multiple activity project) must have been completed no later than December 31, 2017.
Nomination Form: You may nominate an eligible preservation project or activity by submitting a completed 2018 Historic Preservation Awards Nomination Form to the Richmond Planning and Building Services Department. Additional details about eligibility, evaluation criteria used, and submittal requirements are found in the nomination form which can be downloaded at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/preservationaward or you can pick up a nomination form from the Planning and Building Services Department located in the City Hall Building, 450 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd floor, Richmond, CA.
Nominations are due by 5:00 PM on March 30, 2018. Feel free to call Soco Montore at (510) 620-6705 with any questions.
- Passengers Needed for Route 72, 72R & 72M Focus Group
The Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) is looking for thirty Route 72, 72R and/or 72M passengers to participate in one of two 90-minute focus groups where participants will discuss the kind of improvements they would like to see on San Pablo Avenue to make taking the bus safer and more reliable and convenient.
Those selected to participate will receive a $100 Clipper card.
One meeting will be for passengers who board in the cities of San Pablo, Richmond or El Cerrito; the other is for those who catch the bus in Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville or Oakland. Both meetings will be accessible by the Route 72, 72R and/or 72M.
ACTC is interested in talking with passengers from all cultures, but please be advised that the focus groups will be held in English.
Ø Alameda County meeting: Tuesday, March 27, 2018, 6:00-7:30 PM at a location served by the Route 72 & 72M (and 2 blocks from a 72R stop)
Ø Contra Costa County meeting: Thursday, April 12, 2018, 6:30-8:00 PM at a location served by the Route 72, 72M & 72R
These meetings are part of the San Pablo Avenue Corridor Project, an effort to develop long term and short-term concepts aimed at improving the safety and experience of all San Pablo Avenue users, from the City of San Pablo to Oakland. The feedback from these focus groups will help ensure that the project considers the needs of AC Transit passengers.
To ensure a diverse group of riders participating in the focus groups, the Commission is using a brief survey to help in selecting the 30 passengers who will participate, and will receive a $100 Clipper card. If you routinely ride the Route 72, 72R or 72M and are available the date and time of the applicable focus group, please take the survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sanpabloave_focusgroup.
For more information on the project, please visit: https://www.alamedactc.org/files/managed/Document/21168/1475000_SanPabloAve_Multimodal_Corridor.pdf.
Pasajeros de las Rutas 72, 72R y 72M
¡Pueden ganar $100 ayudando a diseñar las futuras mejoras en San Pablo Avenue!
Se necesitan treinta pasajeros de las rutas 72, 72R y/o 72M para participar en uno de los dos grupos de enfoque de 1.5 horas para que la Comisión de Transporte de Alameda County pueda saber que mejoras querría usted ver en San Pablo Avenue para hacer que subir al autobús sea más seguro, fiable y conveniente.
Aquellos que sean seleccionados para participar recibirán una tarjeta Clipper de $100.
Una reunión será para pasajeros que se suben al autobús en las ciudades de San Pablo, Richmond o El Cerrito; la otra reunión para aquellos que se suben al autobús en Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville u Oakland. Ambas reuniones serán accesibles tomando la ruta 72, 72R y/o 72M.
Ø Reunión de Alameda County: Martes 27 de marzo de 2018, 6:00-7:30 PM en una ubicación que recibe servicio de la ruta 72 y 72M (y a 2 cuadras de una parada de 72R)
Ø Reunión de Contra Costa County: Jueves 12 de abril de 2018, 6:30-8:00 PM en una ubicación que recibe servicio de la ruta 72, 72M y 72R
Estas reuniones son parte del Proyecto del Corredor de San Pablo Avenue, un esfuerzo para desarrollar conceptos a corto y largo plazo que se enfocan en mejorar la seguridad y la experiencia de todos los usuarios de San Pablo Avenue, desde la Ciudad de San Pablo a Oakland. Las opiniones que oigamos en estos grupos de enfoque nos ayudarán a asegurar que el proyecto tiene en consideración las necesidades de los pasajeros de AC Transit.
Para asegurarnos de que oímos opiniones de un grupo diverso de viajeros, estamos usando una BREVE ENCUESTA para ayudarnos a seleccionar los 30 pasajeros que van a participar y recibir la tarjeta Clipper de $100. Si usted viaja en la ruta 72, 72R o 72M y está disponible para la fecha y hora del grupo de enfoque que aplique, por favor rellenar la encuestan en: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sanpabloave_focusgroup. Estamos interesados en hablar con pasajeros de todas las culturas, pero tenga en cuenta que los grupos de enfoque se celebrarán en inglés.
Para más información acerca del proyecto, por favor visite: https://www.alamedactc.org/files/managed/Document/21168/1475000_SanPabloAve_Multimodal_Corridor.
- S.A.T Preparation Workshop
Richmond Public Library Teens is offering a six-week S.A.T. Preparation Workshop where students will receive a pre-test, four weeks of live instruction from certified instructors, and a post-test. The workshop will be held beginning tomorrow March 17th – April 28th and is opened to students who live in Richmond, and a limited number of students who attend schools in West Contra Costa County. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. Registration forms are available at the Richmond Public Library and high school counselor/career offices.
For complete details, go to www.richmondlibrary.org or contact Angela Cox at (510) 620-5516. This program is sponsored by The Friends of the Richmond Public Library in collaboration with the Ed Fund.
- 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
Upcoming Events and Program Activities
Spring Egg Hunt and Recreation Information Day
The Richmond Community Services Department is hosting its annual Spring Egg Hunt and Recreation Information Day! Join us Saturday, March 24th (rain or shine!) starting at 9:30 AM to watch the parade, hunt for eggs, learn more about our department's recreation programs*, and more! The egg hunt starts at 10:00 AM and is for ages 12 and under. Please bring your own bags/baskets. The parade will start at Civic Center Plaza and ends at Nicholl Park.
SCHEDULE;
9:30 AM - Parade
10:00 AM - Egg Hunt
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Information Booths
In case of rain, the egg hunt will take place indoors at the Recreation Complex building (3230 Macdonald Avenue).
*Community Services Department programs include aquatics, sports, tool library, beautification programs, youth leadership programs, arts, dancing, and more!
More information: (510) 620-6793
Senior Forum
Learn about proposals to cut and privatize these programs. This is a free workshop sponsored by the Richmond Commission on Aging and the Contra Costa/Solano CARA CAT. The workshop will be held at the Richmond Auditorium on April 17th from 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Light Refreshments will be served and the event is FREE! RSVP to (510) 663-4086 or ksmith.cara@gmail.com.
ServiceWorks Bootcamp - Save the Date – APRIL 7th
 
Do you know any young adults from the ages of 16-24 interested in becoming a leader? Are you interested in helping out your community? Would you like to host a workshop or mentor a young adult on their pathway to SUCCESS?
ServiceWorks Richmond is hosting a bootcamp to celebrate National Volunteer Week on Saturday, April 7th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Our bootcamp is an energetic, one-day experience, giving participants (16-24) an introduction to how service can be a pathway to college and career. We want to inspire YOU to become agents for change in your own communities, all for FREE! RSVP today!
ServiceWorks Boot Camps are productive, fun and inspiring events--so register today and invite your peers to spread the word!
FREE breakfast and lunch, FREE swag bags, and a chance to win FREE door prizes.
Scholar Participant Sign-Up (16-24 only): https://swrichmondbootcamp2018.eventbrite.com
Volunteer Sign-Up for General Volunteer, Workshop Facilitators, or Panel Hosts (18+): https://tinyurl.com/swbootcampvolunteers18
Please contact Vanessa Chau at (510) 620-6552 or email Vanessa_Chau@ci.richmond.ca.us for more information.
Family Chess Night – Weekly!
Job and Volunteer Opportunities
Leaders-in-Training Program (LITP)
The Community Services Department started the new Leaders-in-Training Program (LITP) that gives teens from ages 13 to 17 the exciting opportunity and skills needed to jump start a career in the recreation industry while earning service hours and experiencing outdoor adventures. Teens meet at Booker T. Anderson Community Center on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM, and field trips are held on second Saturdays of the month from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The program ends on June 6th and it cost $20 for the entire duration.
Contact Tetteh Kisseh (510) 620-6823 for more information.
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.
Highlights
29th Annual Maya’s Spring Music Festival
On Sunday, March 4th, Maya’s Music Therapy Fund, in partnership with the Community Services Department, hosted the 29th Annual Maya’s Spring Music Festival at the Richmond Recreation Complex. The theme was “All We Need Is Love”. The event had numerous participants perform songs related to love, by singing, dancing, playing instruments, and incorporating sign language all throughout the festival. The gala event hosted over 225 guests during the two and a half-hour performance. Titia Martin, Registered Music Therapist, teaches music therapy during the year to developmentally disabled participants in the Bay Area. The showcase of talented performances touched the hearts of many. Thank you all for coming out!
ServiceWorks and the Leaders-in-Training Program
This week at ServiceWorks, the cohort led a fun and creative workshop on goal planning and project management with a group of students who are enrolled in the Leaders in Training Program at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center.
The students are planning to build a community garden at the park outside the community center. Their plans include a list of healthy fruits and vegetables, all of which would be made available to members of the community here in Richmond.
On Monday, the cohort sketched plans for what the garden would look like, and on Tuesday we explored the park and took photos of the desired location for the fruit and vegetable garden. We are excited to get started on this beautification project and have high hopes that the community will support us.
 
Website Statistics for the Week Ending 03-16-2018
é Video views are up 100%
é Post engagements are up 306%
é Followers are up
KCRT DATANET OF THE WEEK
- Engineering & Capital Improvement Department (ECIP)
Engineering Projects:
Pier piles for the Richmond Ferry have been installed. Crews are working on existing parking lot exactions for future parking modifications.
Work at the Richmond Ferry
The grading of the Bay Walk subdivision on Marina Way and Wright Avenue is progressing very well.
Bay Walk
Work on the I-80/Central Avenue Operations Improvement Project is continuing. This past week, the contractor, Ghilotti Brothers, installed the signal pole foundation on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Rydin Road. Next week, Ghilotti Brothers will be working intermittently, depending on the weather, to replace the curb ramp on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Rydin Road.
Streets Division:
Paving crews made a hot mix patch on Tewksbury Avenue from Castro Street to Santa Fe Avenue and from South 17th Street to Maine Avenue, and worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City.
Asphalt Patching on Tewksbury Avenue
Asphalt Patching on South 17th Street
Street sweeping staff performed residential sweeping services for the first and second Monday through Wednesday and second and third Thursday and Friday in the Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Carriage Hills Northside, El Sobrante Hills, Greenbriar, Hansford Heights, Via Verda, San Pablo Dam Road, Bristole Cone, Clinton Hill IV, East Richmond, May Valley, Vista View, Clinton Hill I, Clinton Hill II, Clinton Hill III, Atchison Village, South Belding Woods, Santa Fe, Coronado, Marina Bay and Point Richmond neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines repaired 12 signs and poles, installed 40 new signs, and painted 72’ of curbs and zoning.
- Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations (DIMO)
Abatement:
Abatement crews continued to remove homeless encampments from public right of ways, removed tons of illegal dumping, and removed graffiti throughout the city.
 
 
Homeless Encampment Clean-Up
 
 
 
Illegal Dumping
 
 
Graffiti Abatement
Code Enforcement:
There has been an abandoned property located on Garvin Avenue in violation of the vacant property ordinance. Code Enforcement Officer Souza sent a notice of violation to the owner of the dwelling. The property has since been renovated and placed for sale.
Before and After
Facilities Maintenance Division:
Carpenters replaced the broken door on the Nevin Park restroom, repaired a door in the Auditorium, refinished the counter top in the kitchen of the Recreation Complex, installed two new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) doors in the Library, and installed gravel and rebar for a new shed at the Plunge.
Painters completed the kitchen in the Men and Women of Valor building and continued to complete the exterior of the Dispatch Center.
Stationary Engineers performed routine pool tests and boiler inspections, replaced the thermocouple assembly on the water heater at the main Library, replaced water cooler, repaired the flush-o-meter at Nicholl Park, fixed the refrigerator at Fire Station #64, cleared sewer back-up at the Senior Center, repaired the bike rack at the Annex Senior Center, and completed an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) restroom repair in the Library.
Water Cooler Replacement
Utility Workers removed trash from the Native American Health Center parking lot, fixed light fixtures at 440 Civic Center Plaza, raised Tibetan flags, set-up Council Chambers and other various rooms for events, and maintained 29 City-owned facilities.
Light Fixture Repair
Parks and Landscaping Division:
General maintenance crews continued with baseball field maintenance, repaired a fence and installed new locks on the restrooms at Nicholl Park, ground stumps at Wendell Park, weeded at Nicholl Park, and removed graffiti at LaMoine Park.
Stump Grinding at Wendell Park
Hilltop District crews continued general maintenance around the business area, restarted weed abatement at Bay Vista Park, and continued abating weeds at Country Club Vista Park and on Atlas Road.
Atlas Road Maintenance
Marina District crews continued with the Regatta Boulevard improvements, performed storm clean-up, performed trash pick-up in the Melville Parking lot, mulched the planter beds, began creating a sign for the Marina area, and performed weed abatement of the large pots in the area.
Sign Fabrication
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 below 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 |
