 
Hon. Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the report for the week ending December 6th, 2019.
The next meeting is a Special Meeting of the Richmond City Council and is scheduled for Saturday, December 7th, at 9:00 A.M. The agenda may be found by clicking this link: December 7th City Council Agenda. The next Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, 2019.
Holiday Arts Festival, Sunday, December 8th, 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
The Holiday Arts Festival 2019 is an annual tradition at the Richmond Art Center. For 56 years, local independent artists and craftspeople have shared their best work with our community, which includes handmade arts and crafts, jewelry, ceramics, textiles, packaged goods, clothing and accessories!
Shop for handcrafted holiday gifts by artisan vendors tabled in our four main galleries. We invite shoppers to have lunch from the gourmet food trucks and relax in our holiday cafe. Our famous Ceramics Sale will take place in our ceramics studio. We feature a giftwrap station to help prepare your holiday presents in artistic style, a holiday raffle, and free art activities for kids. Local nonprofit partners will be onsite to share their work and discuss how they are impacting our communities.
Read more about the artisan vendors, community partners and food vendors participating this year at the Holiday Arts Festival 2019!
 
District Mapping Workshops - Your District, Your Map!
The City of Richmond invites you to share your input on the proposed district maps that are being considered for City Council elections! Please see the flyers below for locations, dates, and times for the upcoming community meetings.
LEAP is hosting the Census Wednesday, December 11th - 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
The Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) will be hosting the United States Census on Wednesday, December 11th, from 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M. We encourage local residents, organizations, school groups, neighborhood councils, businesses, and coalitions to stop by LEAP to sign up if interested in working on Census 2020 outreach and awareness. The Census is looking to fund those committed to ensuring a complete count of residents with an emphasis on hard-to-reach populations (unhoused, low income, people of color, immigrants, non-English speakers, and/or children under 5 years old).
For more information about our event please contact Yvette Williams at (510) 307-8165 or by email at Yvette_Barr@ci.richmond.ca.us.
The Richmond Rent Program Community Workshop is Presenting – Handling Habitability Problems
As part of its continuing outreach to Tenants and Landlords who would like to learn more about rental housing rules and regulations, the City of Richmond Rent Program is offering the following workshops:
Handling Habitability Problems (Landlord-focused Workshop)
Saturday, December 14, 2019
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
This workshop is designed for Landlords who would like to learn more about handling habitability problems.
Topics for discussion will include:
- Housing Inspections
- Relocation Payment Assistance (Substantial Repairs)
- Rent Adjustment Petitions
- Tenant Responsibilities Under the Law
- Termination of Tenancy for Breach of Lease/Nuisance
- Providing and Receiving Lawful Entry to Rental Units
- Documentation and Providing Written Notice
- Landlord Responsibilities Under the Law
Space is limited - RSVP today: https://rentprogram.eventbrite.com
[Please note the following: To locate future community workshop dates, you may access the Rent Program Community Workshop calendar at www.richmondrent.org.]
Contra Costa Census West Regional Training Workshop
Contra Costa Census 2020 needs YOU to ensure a complete count. Come get the training you need to be a knowledgeable trusted messenger!
About this Event
The future of your community starts here! The census provides a once a decade count of every person in the United States. This count determines representation in Congress and funding for our communities including roads, affordable housing, schools, and parks.
Contra Costa County’s Census 2020 Complete Count Steering (Committee) has been building a network of trusted messengers to increase awareness and motivate residents to respond to the 2020 Census. In order to get a complete count, it will require strong collaboration between the County, cities, and community partners. As part of this effort, the Committee has awarded Census Outreach and Assistance Grants totaling $280,000 to about 55 organizations throughout the county to ensure a complete and accurate count.
The Committee is hosting a series of Regional Census Training Workshops to better understand the importance of the Census, learn about outreach resources and tools, and how to help our community members complete the Census form. The Training Workshops are mandatory for Contra Costa County grantees and open to anyone interested in assisting in census outreach and education in Contra Costa County. We encourage you to participate in a workshop to get the training you need to be a knowledgeable, trusted Census 2020 messenger.
The West County Regional Training Workshop information is below.
December 16, 2019
4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/80819851351. The workshop is mandatory for Contra Costa County grantees. Spanish language translation and refreshments will be provided.
Community Services Department’s 4th Annual Holiday Food Drive
The Community Services Department’s (CSD) 4th Annual Holiday Food Drive has launched! We are collecting non-perishable goods for the holiday season, with all donations benefiting the Bay Area Rescue Mission. Most needed items include: stuffing mix, canned vegetables, cranberry sauce, cooking oil, coffee, sugar, honey, maple syrup, and spices. Until December 20th, food drive barrels will be located at various city facilities in Richmond, as listed below:
- Booker T. Anderson Community Center
- Community Services Building 440 Civic Center Plaza
- Developing Personal Resources Center (DPRC)
- May Valley Community Center
- Nevin Community Center
- Parchester Village Community Center
- Recreation Complex
- Richmond Annex Senior Center
- Richmond City Hall
- Richmond Memorial Auditorium
- Richmond Public Library (Bayview Branch)
- Richmond Public Library (West Side Branch)
- Richmond Senior Center
- Richmond Swim Center
Acknowledgements
LEAP Success Story
The Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) is so proud of our student Zeonta’ Johnson for being appointed to the first-ever Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board.
Zeonta’ will be part of the first Oversight Board for the city of Richmond to help guide funding for youth-serving organizations by developing policies, monitoring, and ensuring that the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth is managed in a manner accountable to the community.
Zeonta’ exemplifies pride and purpose for the City of Richmond and LEAP is grateful to be part of his journey in achieving his individual goals. Zeonta’ had his first board meeting on Monday night and is excited to serve and represent the youth in his community.
Another City Employee Joins the EV Ownership Club!
Johnny Hill, KCRT/IT Assistant Engineer and his 2016 Ford Fusion
“A special thanks goes to Denée Evans & the Transportation staff for their encouragement to attend the 2019 Richmond National Drive Electric Week event. At the event, I hadthe opportunity to begin the purchase process for my first electric plug in vehicle. The Drive Clean Program and the CHDC were very helpful and made purchasing a very easy process. The CHDC gave me a grant to pay for the down payment and helped me to obtain an affordable auto loan with reasonable monthly payments. I recommend this program to everyone who is interested in owning an electric vehicle (EV)! Since owning my vehicle I have already begun to save money on gas on for multiple trips like dropping my kids off at school, taking them totheir after school programs and numerous sporting activities. EV driving makes myfamily’s travel expenses more affordable. I also love the fact that I amalso helping out the environment.”
To learn more about EV ownership and purchasing resources please contact Denée Evans at (510) 621-1718.
Hoo boy has it ever been busy around here! During the last few months the City Council and staff have been hammering away at all kinds of nails, including a development approval for the massive Zeneca site along the waterfront, the move to district elections, and a proposal to ban the transportation of coal through Richmond. But let’s get down to what’s really important: TACOS. That’s right! Here in the City Manager’s office we were pleased to read the November 15th issue of SF Eater, which confirmed what we already knew: that Richmond has the best tacos in the land! We have no real quibble with the article, which calls out five Richmond taquerias for excellence, because all those listed are outstanding (Note: certain interim employees are especially partial to Tacos La Raza, listed fourth in the article). But if we do have a beef (pun intended) with the writers, it’s that they forgot to include Tacos Los Primos! That humble taco truck sits in the parking lot at the NE corner of 23rd and Barrett Avenue and serves what might be the finest Al Pastor tacos anywhere north of La Ciudad de Mexico. I was first introduced to the succulent joys of Tacos al Pastor by DIMO Director Tim Higares, and for that I’ll always be thankful to him. Speaking of Tim, you may have heard that he’s finally decided to “ease on down the road”into retirement. You can help celebrate this momentous occasion by stopping by to say thanks and goodbye at a City Hall reception next Monday. Here are the details:
What: Tim Higares Retirement Party
When: Monday, December 9, 2019
450 Civic Center (Basement)
Time: 1:30 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.
Richmond Department of Children and Youth - Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board Meeting
On December 2, 2019, the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board (Oversight Board) held its first meeting. Selected from 39 eligible applicants, each member of the Oversight Board was appointed by the Mayor and Councilmembers.
Some of the demographics of the Oversight Board appointees include:
- 7 Oversight Board members are between 15 and 24 years of age
- 7 Oversight Board members are over 24 years of age
- 10 neighborhood councils are represented by the Oversight Board, as well as unincorporated North Richmond
- 5 Oversight Board members are a parent of Richmond youth
- 2 local high schools are represented (Kennedy and De Anza)
- Multiple languages are represented
- Gender identities include 11 females and 3 males
- Educational backgrounds range from High School to Ph.D. Degrees
To learn more about the Oversight Board and access meeting materials, please visit https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3751/Oversight-Board.
Richmond Department of Children and Youth - Y-PLAN Collaboration with Kennedy High School
In collaboration with Y-PLAN, 45 students from Kennedy High School had the opportunity to visit Civic Center Plaza and RYSE on December 4, 2019, to learn about the various and diverse youth services available across Richmond. The Department of Children and Youth is working collaboratively with Kennedy High School’s Information Technology Academy to better understand how to best serve and engage youth in Richmond.
To learn more about the Richmond Department of Children and Youth, please visit www.richmondyouth.org.
 
District Mapping Workshops - Your District, Your Map!
On December 5th, 2019, the City of Richmond held a community workshop at Hilltop Community Church to share information about Richmond's move from at-large to district-based elections and receive input on submitted map designs.
The City of Richmond is hosting an upcoming community workshop on Tuesday, December 10th from 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. at Booker T. Anderson Community Center (960 S 47th St, Richmond, CA 94804).
For more information, contact 510-620-6512 or visit www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3849/District-Elections. Para información en español, contacte al 510-620-6512.
 
Transportation Services Division Updates
Are you interested in learning more about what services the City of Richmond’s Transportation Services Division is working on for you?
Subscribe to receive updates: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/list.aspx?ListID=374
Or Go To: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2876/Transportation
      
Zip Car is now in Richmond
Throughout 2020, residents of Contra Costa County can join Zipcar and receive the first year of membership free as well as qualify for up to $100 driving credit after joining. It is simple to join, reserve vehicles, and drive.
Go to www.zipcar.com/richmondca for more details and to sign up!
For more information please contact Denée Evans at (510) 621-1718.
 
Recycling and Bulky Item Disposal Options
The Environmental and Health Initiatives Division encourage residents to consider the options below for disposing of bulky items, bagged items, and household hazardous waste (HHW). Information about all of the programs listed can be found by visiting, www.richmondenvironment.org. Thank you for taking the time to properly dispose of bulky items, HHW, and other materials in an environmentally responsible manner.
Richmond Bulky Item Pick-up
Richmond Single-family, Duplex and Multi-Family (3-19 units) residents can receive a free Bulky Item pick-up. A limited number of items can be collected.
Please contact Republic Services, (510) 262-7100, at least one week in advance to reserve your Clean-up day. Multi-family property owners or managers must call to schedule a collection. Due to space limitations of our waste collection vehicles, Clean-up day scheduling will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Free Mattress Drop-off
Richmond residents are eligible to bring three mattresses per month at no cost to the West Contra Costa County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, 101 Pittsburg Ave, Richmond. Please bring proof of residency.
 
Free Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off:
Richmond residents have two locations for disposing of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) conveniently and for free. Please bring proof of residency. For more information on acceptable items, visit http://www.recyclemore.com/content/local-hazardous-waste-collection-facility or call 1-(888)-412-9277.
- West Contra Costa County Household Hazardous Waste Facility
101 Pittsburg Avenue, Richmond, CA 94801
Open Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (Closed Noon - 12:30 pm)
(888) 412-9277
- El Cerrito Recycling Center
7501 Schmidt Lane, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Open every Tuesday for HHW Disposal
8:00 A.M. - 5:45 P.M.
(510) 215-4350
- Community Services Department
IBX Fitness
Get ready to sweat it out with a new program in Richmond!
IBX Fitness is a new boot camp fitness program located at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center. Our workouts are designed to scale as you do, and we welcome people of all athletic abilities! We're a community-focused group with a diverse staff of instructors who know how to make you sweat and feel welcome! We offer drop-in, class packages, and monthly memberships.
For more details, check out ibxfitness.com and follow @ibx.fitness on social media!
Classes are offered Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M., and Saturday from 9:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. Looking forward to working out together!
- Engineering and Capital Improvements Department (ECIP)
Streets Division
Staff performed storm patrol, hauled illegal dumping from Cutting Boulevard and Carlson Avenue to the West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill, and worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City.
 
Crack Sealing on Castro Ranch Road
 
Grind Operations on View Drive
 
Roller Operations on View Drive
 
Petromat Installation on View Drive
Street sweeping staff performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the first Monday through Friday in the Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Carriage Hills north side, El Sobrante Hills, Greenbriar, Hansford Heights, Via Verda, San Pablo Dam Road, Bristole Cone, May Valley, Vista View, and Clinton Hill I neighborhood areas.
 
Bike Lane Sweeping on Ohio Avenue
Traffic Signs and Lines
Traffic Signs and Lines staff fabricated nine new signs, installed 11 signs, reset two poles, and painted 12’ of curbs and zoning.
 
Pole and Sign Reset
 
Sign Replacement Street Name Sign Replacement
 
New Pole and Sign Installation New Pedestrian Guardrail
and Sign Installation
New Bike Path Signs on Bollards
Public Comment Period for Community Wildfire Protection Plan
The Richmond Fire Department Prevention Services Division has been working with the Diablo Fire Safe Council on the development of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for the City of Richmond.
A CWPP is designed to address issues such as wildfire response, hazard mitigation, community preparedness, or structure protection. This plan assists a community to clarify and refine its priorities for the protection of life, property, and critical infrastructure in the wildland – urban interface including the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ).
To review the draft CWPP, please visit http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/51634/Draft-Richmond-CWPP-web. More information can be found at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3627/Wildfire-Information.
A copy of the draft CWPP is also available for review at the Fire Administration Office, located at 440 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd floor, Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to NOON and 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. A copy is also available at the main library.
To submit a public comment electronically, please fill out the form at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/forms.aspx?FID=232 by January 5, 2020. Alternatively, you may file a comment at the Fire Administration Office during business hours.
Municipal Information Systems of California (MISAC) – Facebook Post
Website Statistics for the week of December 6, 2019
Video Views increased by 2,900%
KCRT DATANET FOR THE WEEK
- Infrastructure and Maintenance Operations (DIMO)
Abatement
Abatement crews installed a fence to prevent illegal dumping and camping on a private lot, abated walkways, removed trash and graffiti from various locations throughout the City
 
 
 
Fence Installation
 
Walkway Clean-Up
 
 
Illegal Dumping
 
 
Graffiti Removal
Facilities Maintenance
Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance and Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, repaired the handicap button at the Senior Center, repaired the boiler at the Kennedy Swim Center, replace the variable air volume box on the second floor of the recreation complex, repaired condensate line at the main library, repaired the dishwasher at Fire Station #64, installed mechanical room signs at the Booker T Anderson community center, cleared the clog sink at Fire Station #64 and repaired the thermostat at the Auditorium in the conference room.
Utility Workers waxed the floors at the Police Department and the gym floor at the Recreation Complex, set up City Council lobby for the public attendance overflow, set up meeting rooms and serviced 29 city owned facilities.
Floor Waxing at the Recreation Complex
Parks and Landscaping
General fund crews picked up trash in all Westside parks in right away’s, hung holiday lights at the Civic Center Plaza, adjusted irrigation to the winter schedule, picked up trash on the Greenway, weeded and trimmed pathways on various streets, trimmed the oak tree at Nicholl Park and performed general maintenance throughout the city.
Oak Tree Trimming at Nicholl Park
Tree crews trimmed or cut trees on; 27th St., View Dr., May Road, Valley View Rd., Beck Avenue and Maywood Drive.
Tree Trimming
Marina District crews performed performed weed abatement in Melville Square, weed abatement on the Bay Trail by Lara’s Restaurant, trash pickup on lawn areas and emptied from trash cans, shrub pruning at Vincent Park, poured concrete for new sidewalk and planted trees at Marina Bay Park.
Hand Weeding
Hilltop District crewscontinued general maintenance around the business area, continued replanting project at Bay Vista Park, mowed turf at Country Club Vista and other parks, continued weed abatement at Country Club Vista Park, homeless camp abatement at Hilltop Lake, finished weed abatement on Giant Road, cleaned out the v-ditches at Hilltop Lake and off Miner Avenue at Richmond Parkway.
Get Information about Census 2020 through Text Message!
Census Day 2020 will be on April 1, 2020. The census has the objective of counting each person living in the United States. One Census form should be completed for all residents by household. If we don’t count ourselves and our families, billions of dollars assigned for housing, healthcare, schools, children, and transportation could be at risk. Contra Costa County and the City of Richmond want to ensure every resident is counted in Census 2020!
If you live in the City of Richmond or another city in Contra Costa County, you can get updates and useful information about Census 2020 by signing up to receive text messages. The information will be provided in the following 12 languages: English, Spanish, Chinese (simplified), Tagalog, Vietnamese, Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, and Tegulu, so you can get information in your preferred language.
- Text COUNT to (925) 402-4057 for updates and information about Census 2020 in English.
- Manda CENSO al (925) 402-4057 para actualizaciones e informacion del Censo 2020 en Español.
- Text the following words to (925) 402-4057 for updates and information about Census 2020 in any of the following languages:
Please note when you subscribe a series of questions will be asked, so make sure you answer the questions to complete your enrollment. You will receive reminders and helpful information about the census from now to July, 2020. Message and data rates may apply. You can reply EXIT any time to stop receiving messages. United Way Bay Area (UWBA) is the non-profit organization who manages the data on a secure platform; your contact information will not be shared with anyone and will be DELETED at the end of the census.
Macdonald & Virginia Wet Weather Improvement Projects
The contractor is continuing to excavate to replace defective pipes.
Contractor digging on the Macdonald and Virginia Project (Macdonald @ 30th Street)
Sewer Lateral Grant Program
The City of Richmond’s Water Resource Recovery Department administers the Sewer Lateral Grant Program. The program reimburses eligible homeowners in the Richmond Municipal Sewer District (RMSD No. 1) for some of the cost to replace their sewer lateral.
The program is open and accepting applications for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year.
For more information about the Sewer Lateral Grant Program, please visit www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2130/Sewer-Lateral-Grant-Program or call (510) 620-6594.
 
Thank you for keeping up with the activities in the City of Richmond. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about these or any other items of interest to you.
Thank You!
Steven Falk
Interim City Manager
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, California 94804
(510) 620-6512
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 for options to connect with the City of Richmond.
Connecting with the City of Richmond
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
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, 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 any comments, questions or concerns regarding the work being done by City staff. The 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
Irene Perdomo
Executive Assistant to the City Manager
City Manager’s Office
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Email: Irene_Perdomo@ci.richmond.ca.us
Direct: 510-621-1264
Main: 510-620-6512 |
