Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the report for the week ending March 23rd, 2018.

• Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27th, beginning with Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by a Special Joint Meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority and City Council 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.

• Spring Egg Hunt and Recreation Information Day TOMORROW

The Richmond Community Services Department is hosting its annual Spring Egg Hunt and Recreation Information Day! Join us on TOMORROW, Saturday, March 24th (rain or shine!) starting at 9:30 AM to watch the parade, hunt for eggs, learn more about the Department's recreation programs*, and more! The egg hunt starts at 10:00 AM, ages 12 and under. Please bring your own bags/baskets. The parade will start at Civic Center Plaza and end at Nicholl Park.

SCHEDULE:
9:30 AM - Parade
10:00 AM - Egg Hunt
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Info Booths

In the 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!

• City of Richmond Abatement Activity and the Problem of Illegal Dumping

Towards the end of the weekly report, there is generally a summary of activities that are undertaken by the hard-working staff of the Department of Infrastructure Maintenance and Operation (DIMO), along with photos of some of the tasks that they have completed.  The department prepares an excellent year-end report that includes a summary of its annual abatement activities, with some very interesting statistics.

One statistic that, very sadly, stands out is the amount of resources spent by the City of Richmond dealing with illegal dumping activity.  A particular chart in the DIMO year-end summary that emphasizes the extent of the problem compares illegal dumping abatement activity in Richmond (population 107,000) with the City of San José (population 1.025 million):

As shown in the chart, despite being only about 10% of the population of San José, Richmond has nearly three times the number of abatements, only a slightly less amount of tonnage, nearly three times the number of mattresses picked up, and a shorter response time for abating these nuisances.

Some suggestions for how residents can help combat the illegal dumping problem include:

• Avoid placing “free” bulky items in the front yard, curb strip or public right of way. Free items often invite illegal dumping and negatively impact neighborhood aesthetics;
• Contact your Neighborhood Council to obtain the 2018 Neighborhood Cleanup schedule and participate in keeping your property and neighborhood clean;
• Report any person(s) utilizing non Republic Services dumpsters, debris boxes or receptacles by calling Republic Services at (510) 262-7100;
• Report private debris haulers located within the City by calling Police Dispatch non-emergency line at (510) 233-1214;
• Anonymously report neighbors that place items on the public’s right of way for City Abatement crew to remove by calling City’s illegal dumping hotline at (510) 621-1279;
• Avoid placing receptacles in public view that are accessible for others to use;
• Coordinate with neighbors and neighborhood council members to distribute illegal dumping flyers.  The Code Enforcement Abatement Team will provide the flyers.

• Second Annual “Taste of Richmond”

Don't miss out on this “TASTEFUL” event!

Join us in celebrating the diverse food, beverage, music, and culture of Richmond at the second annual “Taste of Richmond”.  This event will feature samples from Richmond’s diverse food and beverage scene, and will introduce guests to spectacular sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, the San Francisco skyline, and Richmond's treasured shoreline. Local restaurants, caterers, and beverage establishments will offer limited tastes of both food and beverages.

The Second Annual Taste of Richmond will be held on Sunday, May 20th from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Riggers Loft Winery in the Historic Point Richmond Ship Building District, presented by the City of Richmond Economic Development Commission.

All samples and tastes are included in the Early Bird (before May 1st) single admission price of $15 or two tickets for $25. After May 1st, ticket prices will increase to $20 each and will be sold as single admission only.  Children 10 years and under are admitted free.

For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit: www.TasteOfRichmond2018.Eventbrite.com.

• 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.

• 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:

• Attended a meeting with State of California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) staff, along with Planning and Building Services Director Richard Mitchell and Planning Manager Lina Velasco, to discuss the status of the soil remediation plan for the Zeneca site along the south shoreline.
• Met with Jennifer Tang, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Public Outreach Coordinator, along with Community and Economic Director Shasa Curl, to discuss LBNL’s community grant program for Richmond;
• Participated in a conference call with US Department of Housing and Urban Development Region IX staff, along with Housing Authority consultant Tia Ingram and Deputy City Attorney Carlos Privat, to discuss the status of the Richmond Housing Authority’s improvement plan;
• Attended a status meeting with consultants from Nelson\Nygaard, who are working on the First Mile/Last Mile Strategic Planning Project, together with Transportation Program Manager Lori Reese-Brown;
• Attended the monthly West County Mayors and Supervisors meeting, chaired by Mayor Tom Butt;
• Attended the Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL) annual luncheon;
• Attended the Fairmede-Hilltop Neighborhood Council meeting;
• Met with representatives from PG&E to discuss the City’s franchise fee payments, along with Environmental Manager Adam Lenz and Revenue Manager Antonio Banuelos;
• Met with representatives of the Safe Return Project, along with Development Project Manager Charice Duckworth and Senior Deputy City Attorney Everett Jenkins to discuss the implantation status of the Fair Chance to Housing ordinance.

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.

• 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 the 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, in Richmond.

Nominations are due by 5:00 PM on March 30, 2018. Feel free to call Soco Montore at (510) 620-6705 with any questions.

• I-80 Central Avenue Operations Improvement Project (I-80 and Central Avenue)

Contractors began standing electrical poles at the intersection at Central and Rydin Road.  Next week, weather permitting, the contractor will start the demolition of the rail on the top of the I-580 over-crossing bridge.

Please visit the project webpage for more information: www.ccta.net/projects/project/36 or call Community Outreach Representative Jacqueline Majors at (510) 882-1603; or email: I80CentralAve@gmail.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

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.

East Bay Contra Contra Costa (EBCC) STEM Games

Join us on Saturday, April 28th for the East Bay Contra Contra Costa (EBCC) STEM Games! Elementary, Middle, and High School students are strongly encouraged to sign up for this special event.

The games consist of 28 competitive team events which require knowledge of science and math topics applied by engineering and technology skills. The competition, similar to athletic games, captures the commitment, enthusiasm, and interest in STEM careers.

All East Bay and Contra Costa County schools, communities, groups, and organizations can sign up for the competition. Teachers, parents, organization leaders, and adult mentors can participate as coaches.

The entry fee per team is $100 and includes an EBCC STEM Games membership. Register online at www.tinyurl.com/2018stemgames. Scholarships are available!

Follow updates and more on our Facebook page!

For more information, please contact:

Kymberlyn Carson-Thrower
Kymberlyn_Carson-Thrower@ci.richmond.ca.us
(510) 620-6789

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

Youth Futsal
The Community Services Department’s annual youth futsal (indoor soccer league) ended on Sunday, March 3rd at the Recreation Complex. 51 teams (8 divisions) participated in this league. First and second placed teams were awarded team trophies, while individual players received medals. About 500 parents, spectators and fans came to watch and cheer the kids play their season finale.

St. Patrick’s Day at the Senior Center
On March 21st, the Annex Senior Center had a belated St. Patrick’s Day luncheon. Annex participants and staff cooked a traditional meal of corned beef & cabbage. Fun and food were had by all.

• Information Technology

Website Statistics for the Week Ending 03-23-2018

é    Actions are up 100%
é    People reached are up 277%
é    Page views are up 38%
é    Followers are up 

KCRT DATANET OF THE WEEK

• Engineering & Capital Improvement Department (ECIP)

Engineering Projects:
Construction on the San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Project is anticipated to begin the first week in April, and is expected to last approximately five months. The project includes installation of new traffic signals at La Puerta Road and Robert Miller Drive, and installation of sidewalk, bicycle facilities, crosswalks, and lighting improvements along San Pablo Avenue from Rivers Street to La Puerta Road. San Pablo Avenue will remain open to traffic in both directions at all times; however, for safety reasons, there will be times during construction when only one travel lane in each direction is available for vehicular traffic. Construction questions can be directed to the Construction Manager, Jaemin Park, at jpark@park-eng.com or (925) 818-3756.

Streets Division:
Paving crews ground and paved the Point Richmond tunnel from Western Drive to the north end, and worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City.

Paving Work at Point Richmond Tunnel

Pothole Work on Barrett Avenue

Street sweeping staff performed residential sweeping services for the third Monday through Wednesday and fourth Thursday through Friday in North Richmond, Iron Triangle, North and South Belding Woods, Atchison Village, Richmond Annex, Parkview, Panhandle Annex, and Eastshore neighborhood council areas.

Signs and Lines repaired 7 signs and poles, installed 14 new signs, and painted 132’ of curbs and zoning.

• Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations (DIMO)

Abatement:
Abatement crews continued to remove tons of illegal dumping and graffiti throughout the City.

Illegal Dumping

Graffiti Abatement

Facilities Maintenance Division:
Carpenters replaced the rear door to the Shields Reid Community Center, repaired a door in the Auditorium, repaired walls and flooring at Fire Station #67, installed new exit signs  in the Point Richmond Community Center, and fixed the downspout at the Family Justice Center.

Painters completed various patching and small paint jobs indoors while waiting to complete the dispatch center.

Stationary Engineers performed routine pool test, routine boiler inspections, completed the installation of new baseboard heaters in the Plunge lobby, repaired the ice maker at the Corporation Yard, fixed holes in the floor board of the dispatch building, replaced window glass at Booker T. Anderson Community Center, replaced a dishwasher at Fire Station #64, fixed a urinal at the Recreation Complex, and issued keys to various departments.

Baseboard Heater Installation

Utility Workers replaced bulbs in various buildings, cleaned vents at the Senior Center, set-up various rooms for events, set-up Council Chambers, and maintained 29 City-owned facilities.

Vent Cleaning at the Senior Center

Parks and Landscaping Division:
General maintenance crews repaired fences at the Martin Luther King Jr. and Nicholl Park baseball fields, removed storage bins from Nicholl Park, weed-whipped Wendell Park picnic area, and trimmed shrubs at the Main Library.

Fence Repair at Nicholl Park

The tree crew cut or trimmed trees at the following locations: Employment and Training building, “C” Street, 5th Street, South 19th Street, 23rd Street, 24th Street, Yuba Street, Tewksbury Avenue, and on Garrard Boulevard.

Tree Removal at Employment and Training

Hilltop District crews continued general maintenance around the business area, continued abating weeds at Country Club Vista Park, and continued weed abatement on Atlas Road.

Marina District crews continued with the Regatta Boulevard improvements and installed signage in the Marina area for the Rosie Garden and vegetation clean-up of the Marina Trail.

Sign Installation

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