Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the report for the week ending April 6th, 2018.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17th. Enjoy the next week off!
- Stand Together Contra Costa
Last night’s Contra Costa County Mayors Conference featured a presentation by Ali Saidi, Deputy Public Defender Immigration Attorney with the Office of the Contra Costa County Public Defender, who helped develop the Stand Together Contra Costa program, and now serves as the Director of Stand Together CoCo.
As described in its website (www.standtogethercontracosta.org), Stand Together Contra Costa is a rapid response, legal services, and community education project to support safety and justice for immigrant families in Contra Costa County. The program is a partnership between Contra Costa County, philanthropy, and community-based organizations, and provides culturally competent, no-cost rapid response support, legal defense services, and immigrant rights education and training to support families impacted by anti-immigrant policies and practices affecting Contra Costa County residents.
The mission of Stand Together Contra Costa is to ensure that all people in Contra Costa County, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay, are afforded the rights established by the United States Constitution, and are protected from actions or policies that result in disparate, discriminatory, or unlawful treatment.
The 24/7 Stand Together Contra Costa hotline works to provide culturally competent verification and legal observation of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Contra Costa County. As noted on the Stand Together website, “ICE enforcement activity in our community tears apart families while spreading an atmosphere of fear and mistrust of civic institutions and services. Stand Together Contra Costa will not only provide accurate information and verification regarding suspected ICE activity in Contra Costa County, but will also ensure that our immigrants and immigrant families have access to legal due process regardless of their ability to pay.”
Stand Together Contra Costa will not only provide legal consultation and representation to those facing the complex system of immigration law, but will also provide community-based education, trainings, and workshops to ensure that Contra Costa’s immigrant families have meaningful access to information about our civil rights while promoting more robust civic engagement with the many programs and services available in Contra Costa.
Please see the following for more information regarding Stand Together programs, or visit the website at www.standtogethercontracosta.org.
 
Anoche en la Conferencia de Alcaldes del Condado de Contra Costa presentó una presentación de Ali Saidi, Abogada de Inmigración Defensor Público Adjunta con la Oficina del Defensor Público del Condado de Contra Costa, quien ayudó a desarrollar el programa Stand Together Contra Costa y ahora se desempeña como Directora de Stand Together CoCo .
Como se describe en su sitio web (www.standtogethercontracosta.org), Stand Together Contra Costa es un proyecto de respuesta rápida, servicios legales y educación comunitaria para apoyar la seguridad y la justicia para las familias inmigrantes en el condado de Contra Costa. El programa es una asociación entre el Condado de Contra Costa, filantropía y organizaciones comunitarias, y brinda apoyo de respuesta rápida culturalmente competente, sin costo, servicios de defensa legal y educación y capacitación en derechos de los inmigrantes para apoyar a las familias afectadas por políticas antiinmigrantes y prácticas que afectan a los residentes del Condado de Contra Costa.
La misión de Stand Together Contra Costa es garantizar que todas las personas en el Condado de Contra Costa, independientemente de su estatus migratorio o capacidad de pago, tengan los derechos establecidos por la Constitución de los Estados Unidos, y estén protegidos de acciones o políticas que resulten dispares, trato discriminatorio o ilegal.
La línea directa 24/7 Stand Together Contra Costa trabaja para proporcionar verificación culturalmente competente y observación legal de la actividad de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) en el Condado de Contra Costa. Como se señaló en el sitio web de Stand Together Contra Costa, "la actividad de cumplimiento de ICE en nuestra comunidad separa a las familias a la vez que disemina una atmósfera de temor y desconfianza hacia las instituciones y servicios cívicos. Stand Together Contra Costa no solo proporcionará información precisa y verificación con respecto a la sospecha de actividad de ICE en el condado de Contra Costa, sino que también asegurará que nuestros inmigrantes y familias inmigrantes tengan acceso al debido proceso legal independientemente de su capacidad de pago.”
Stand Together Contra Costa no solo brindará asesoramiento legal y representación a quienes enfrentan el complejo sistema de leyes de inmigración, sino que también brindará educación, capacitaciones y talleres basados en la comunidad para garantizar que las familias inmigrantes de Contra Costa tengan acceso significativo a la información sobre nuestras derechos mientras se promueve un compromiso cívico más sólido con los numerosos programas y servicios disponibles en Contra Costa.
Consulte lo siguiente para obtener más información sobre los programas de Stand Together o visite el sitio web en www.standtogethercontracosta.org.
 
- ServiceWorks Bootcamp Tomorrow!
 
Are you interested in becoming a leader? Have you ever wanted an extra workshop to assist with college or career readiness? Look no further than the ServiceWorks bootcamp! ServiceWorks is hosting a FREE bootcamp centered on helping youth (ages 16-24) with college and career readiness!
Date: Saturday, April 7th
Location: City Council Chambers 440 Civic Center Plaza
Time: 8:30 AM Registration/Breakfast, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Event
This one day event will feature workshops on resume building, public speaking, and leadership classes, and will even have FREE breakfast, lunch, and door prizes. All we are asking is that youth attend and have an open mind! All participants will have the opportunity to work closely with our ServiceWorks members and Youth Leaders on goal setting and success coaching. The group will also be creating and completing blessing bags that will support the Bay Area Rescue Mission.
Participants will have a wonderful time exploring leadership activities, service planning and college and career panels and workshops.
For more information, contact Vanessa Chau at vanessa_chau@ci.richmond.ca.us
or (510) 620-6552.
Photo by John Ehrenfeld
As you undoubtedly recall, last year, the San Francisco Bay area – and the world – got an astonishing view into the life of a pair of ospreys nesting in Richmond, thanks to the launch of the region’s first live streaming osprey nest camera.
Before nesting began last spring, the Golden Gate Audubon Society installed two high definition streaming video cameras at an Osprey nesting spot on the historic Whirley Crane at Shipyard 3 of the Port of Richmond. The live video stream allowed the world to enjoy close and personal views of an Osprey pair – named Rosie and Richmond – as they hatched and raised two baby chicks: Whirley and Rivet. The perspective on the nest afforded a close-up view of Osprey family life (remember the hat that Rosie threw overboard?), while also providing a breathtaking view of San Francisco Bay throughout the day. It also gave us a bit of a heartbreak into the sometimes harsh natural environment, as Whirley didn’t survive the summer.
Guess what?! Rosie and Richmond are back in their Whirley Crane penthouse nest for another season to raise a family (two eggs laid already!), as they enjoy the view of San Francisco Bay. What’s more, the Osprey has been proclaimed by the Mayor as the official bird of Richmond.
The return of Rosie and Richmond, as well as “The Year of the Bird,” were celebrated this past Wednesday, as artists adorned the Civic Center Plaza with chalk art depicting various bird species.
Thank you, again, to the Golden Gate Audubon Society, and City staffers Michele Seville and Sue Hartman for helping to organize Wednesday’s event.
Don’t forget to visit Rosie and Richmond at http://sfbayospreys.org/.
City of Richmond and the Golden Gate Audubon Society Celebrate the
Year of the Bird.
 
Artist Rebeca Garcia-Gonzalez creating a chalk drawing of Richmond’s local Osprey
- Richmond Enters Into New Settlement Agreement with San Francisco Baykeeper
At its meeting of March 27th, the Richmond City Council approved a new settlement agreement with the San Francisco Baykeeper. This new agreement replaces a former agreement that spanned a period of ten years, expiring in December 2017. Unfortunately, the City of Richmond did not meet the sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) reduction goals of this former agreement, and needs to commit to making additional progress to help keep San Francisco Bay clean.
Since November 2016, City staff has been in communication with Baykeeper regarding SSOs. In October 2017, Baykeeper and City staff, along with Veolia (the City’s contract wastewater program operator) and various consultants, formally entered into discussions that led to the new agreement. The new settlement agreement outlines specific capital projects and deadlines for their completion, and modifies some aspects of operation and maintenance of the sewer collection system.
A copy of the new settlement agreement can be found at: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/46265. Please contact the Department of Water Resource Recovery at (510) 620-6594 for questions or additional information.
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.
Much of my time this past week was spent in budget review meetings with department managers, along with Finance Department staff members (see item [5], above). These meetings will continue over the next several weeks as we continue to work on the draft FY 2018-19 budget.
Other meetings and events of note during the past week included:
- Participated in a conference call with US Department of Housing and Urban Development Region IX staff, along with Finance Director Belinda Warner and Senior Assistant City Attorney Carlos Privat, to discuss the status of the Richmond Housing Authority’s improvement plan;
- Attended the “Year of the Bird” event at Civic Center Plaza;
- Attended the meeting of the Budget Working Group of union leadership, along with Finance Director Belinda Warner, Human Resources Director Lisa Stephenson, Senior Management Analyst LaShonda White, and Personnel Analyst Maria Blue;
- Attended the Richmond Promise Board meeting;
- Met, along with Planning and Building Services Director Richard Mitchell, with Oakland Symphony representative Leslie Marks, and Richmond Community Foundation Chief Operating Officer Stacey Street, to discuss the 3rd of July concert and fireworks event;
- Met with representatives from Grid Alternatives to discuss possible solar projects at the Port of Richmond, along with Port Director Jim Matzorkis, Community Development Director Shasa Curl, and Environmental Manager Adam Lenz.
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.
- San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Project to Begin in April
Construction on the San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Project is anticipated to begin during the second week in April, and is anticipated to last about 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.
- 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.
 
- 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.
- 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
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.
3rd Annual Park Rx Day
The City of Richmond Community Services Department, ServiceWorks, Contra Costa Health Services, and the National Park Service have teamed up to organize the 3rd Annual Park Rx Day from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM at John F. Kennedy Park.
Join us for fun activities such as giveaways, fitness obstacle courses, ‘Walk with a Doc, bike rodeo, health screenings, face painting, mixed martial arts demonstrations and much more!
Interested in volunteering to help the event? Sign up at: tinyurl.com/richmondparkrxday
Park Rx Day is organized by Healthy Parks, Healthy People: Bay Area, a collaborative comprising more than 30 park, health, and community-based organizations united by a vision to improve the health and wellbeing of all Bay Area residents, especially those with high health needs, through the regular use and enjoyment of parks and public lands.
For more information, contact Vanessa Chau at Vanessa_Chau@ci.richmond.ca.us or at (510) 620-6552.
Rancho Market Community Paint Days
Want to make a difference this Earth Day? Join the Community Paint Days at Rancho Market located at 500 Market Avenue on Saturday April 21st and Sunday April 22nd, both days from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. The mural installation will begin on the 21st.
On April 21st, a mural installation will begin in honor of North Richmond's rich history and promising future, with images that include blues music, African American cowboys, fertile agricultural lands, Black and Brown solidarity, and sports.
Following the first community paint day on Saturday, April 21st, you can head over to Shields-Reid Park for the Earth Day celebration. There will be live entertainment from local performers, family-friendly activities, free food, and more!
No art experience is necessary to join in the painting. Bring yourself, and wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, contact Richard Salazar at (510) 221-7221.
The Rancho Market Mural Project is supported by the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission Neighborhood Public Art Grant.
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
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
On Saturday, April 31st, the Richmond Senior Annex had their annual Easter Egg Hunt. Over 150 people came out to enjoy our event, and participated in the egg hunt, cupcake decoration and arts & crafts. Thank you everyone for coming out!
 
 
Website Statistics for the Week Ending 04-06-2018
- Page LIKES are up 233%
- Video views are up 100%
- Followers are up
KCRT DATANET OF THE WEEK
- Engineering & Capital Improvements Department (ECIP)
This past week, crews removed and replaced a damaged crash cushion system on Richmond Parkway at Hensley Street and a damaged traffic guardrail system on Richmond Parkway at Giant Road.
Crash Cushion Replacement on Richmond Parkway
Guardrail Replacement on Richmond Parkway
Streets Division:
Paving crews ground and paved Esmond Avenue from 23rd to 26th Streets, installed new crosswalks at 2nd Street and Ohio Avenue, and worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City.
Paving Work on Esmond Avenue
Crosswalks at 2nd Street and Ohio Avenue
Street sweeping staff performed residential sweeping services for the first Monday through Friday in Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Carriage Hills Northside, El Sobrante Hills, Greenbriar, Hansford Heights, Via Verda, San Pablo Dam Road, and Bristole Cone neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines repaired 6 signs, installed 18 new signs and poles, and installed 205’ of thermoplastic for pavement messaging.
- Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations (DIMO)
Code Enforcement:
Code Enforcement staff has been working with the property owner of a vacant home occupied by unlawful settlers. After several months, the occupants were removed, the exterior of the home was painted, and the entire property was brought into compliance.
Before and After
Code Enforcement staff received multiple complaints about an unfinished fence. Staff made several attempts to contact the property owner by numerous visits to the location, as well as by mail, for the owner to obtain a permit and complete the fencing. The property owner did not respond to the previous attempts, so a “Demand to Abate” notice was sent to the property owner. After sending the notice, the fence posts and the remainder of the illegal fence were removed.
Before and After
Facilities Maintenance Division:
Carpenters and Building Trades Workers replaced a door at the Fire Training Center, started the shed build at Nicholl Park, made keys, performed inspections at Point Molate, and poured the concrete for the shed at the Plunge.
Concrete Pad at the Plunge
Painters completed various patching and small paint jobs indoors including the Men and Women of Valor building.
Stationary Engineers performed routine pool tests, routine boiler inspections, repaired a bearing in the server room, installed a dishwasher at Fire Station #61, fixed the garage door for the Bookmobile, replaced a flue cap at the Recreation Complex, replaced the refrigerator in the Information Technology breakroom, fixed the sink in the Recreation Complex, relocated lockers in the Art Center hallway, and fixed the toilet in the dispatch center.
Utility Workers set-up various rooms for events, set-up Council Chambers, and maintained 29 City-owned facilities.
Parks and Landscaping Division:
Hilltop District crews continued general maintenance around the business area, started center median clean-up on Richmond Parkway, and completed weed abatement around Hilltop Lake.
Hilltop Lake Tree Maintenance
Marina District crews continued with the Regatta Boulevard improvements on the medians, performed flagstone work, and completed mowing and edging of turf and park clean-up after weekend use.
Flagstone 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 |
