 
Hon. Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the report for the week ending March 1st, 2019.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5th. Closed Session begins at 5:00 PM, and the Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council will begin at 6:30 PM. The agenda may be found by clicking this link: March 5th City Council Agenda.
Richmond Police Department Promotions
The Richmond Police Department will hold a promotional ceremony at their location on Monday, March 4, 2019 at 10:00 AM. The promotions being celebrated are:
- Timothy Simmons – promoted from Lieutenant to Captain
- Timothy Gard – promoted from Sergeant to Lieutenant
- Erik Oliver – promoted from Officer to Sergeant
- Elizabeth Bashan – promoted from Officer to Sergeant
Upon the promotion effective date, March 3, 2019, Captain Simmons, Lieutenant Gard, Sergeant Oliver, and Sergeant Bashan will be assigned to the Policing Bureau and Patrol Division.
Horizon Public Workshops: Transform the Future
Photo: Michael Germeraad
Bay Area residents are invited to attend one of three Horizon Public Workshops: Transform the Future in March. Community input is vital in order to come up with a series of strategies for transportation, land use, economic development, and resilience to help the Bay Area prepare for a better future.
Currently Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) staff are working to identify the opportunities and challenges associated with each of the three Horizon futures – Clean and Green; Rising Tides, Falling Fortunes; and Back to the Future – developed in April 2018 and selected for further analysis in July 2018. This work will culminate in a report, scheduled for release in early March.
Public workshops will be held in the following locations:
March 12, 2019
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Bay Area Rapid Transit
101 Eighth Street
Oakland, CA 94607
March 14, 2019
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
San Jose City Hall, Rotunda
200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
March 16, 2019
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Petaluma Community Center
320 North McDowell Boulevard
Petaluma, CA 94954
For more information on this effort, please contact the Horizon project manager, Dave Vautin, at dvautin@bayareametro.gov.
Fiscal Year 2019-2020 ECIA Grant Program Applications are Available!
In 2014, the Richmond City Council approved the Chevron Environmental and Community Investment Agreement (ECIA), which invests $90 million dollars into the Richmond community over 10-years. Six million of those dollars have been set aside for a competitive grant program, designed for non-profits who serve Richmond in the areas of community, youth, and youth sports. The ECIA has grant awards that range from $2,500, up to $50,000.
Important changes have been made to the grant guidelines, especially the eligibility criteria, so please read them carefully. Of special note, organizations awarded grants of more than $10,000 in FY 18-19 are ineligible to apply in FY 19-20.
To kick-off this opportunity, the City held two Information and Grant Writing Workshops this week. For more information, and to access the ECIA Grant Application, Guidelines, recorded workshops, and more, check out the ECIA Grants webpage: www.ci.richmond.ca.us/eciagrants
The ECIA Grant Application is due on March 15, 2019 at 5:00 PM.
Mini-Grants for FY 2019-2020 up to $5,000 Available Now!
The Richmond Community Services Department (CSD) is accepting mini-grant applications to support organizations that are Richmond-serving and that partner with and/or consistently utilize facilities managed by the Community Services Departments.
Grants up to $5,000 are available to support organizational programming and/or projects that make use of the CSD’s aquatic centers, community centers, parks, and the convention center and can encompass programming around youth sports leagues and teams, special events, educational forums and classes, recreational classes, stipends, CSD facility rental fee payments, and overall community enrichment.
The grant applications must be submitted electronically to recreation@richmond.ca.us by Friday, March 29, 2019, at 5:00 PM with attention to Guadalupe Morales at the Community Services Department.
More information: tinyurl.com/csdminigrants.
Free Compost Giveaway Program for Residents on Wednesday, March 6, 2019
The City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Environmental and Health Initiatives Division is pleased to announce that on the first Wednesday of each month, West County households can pick-up for free 2 cubic yards of compost from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at 101 Pittsburg Avenue, Richmond. Close the loop on your organics recycling by using the finished compost made right here in Richmond. This is self-service only, please bring your own bag, bin or bucket, and shovel to load the material. Valid identification is required.
For questions or additional information please call Republic Services at (510) 231-4200.
New! Free Mattress Drop-off Program for Residents
The City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Environmental and Health Initiatives Division is pleased to announce that Republic Services has teamed up with Bye Bye Mattress, A Program of the Mattress Recycling Council, to provide a collection site for old unwanted mattresses or box springs. Starting February 1, 2019, households in the cities of Richmond, Hercules, Pinole, San Pablo, El Cerrito and unincorporated communities are eligible to bring 3 items per month to be recycled at no cost. Mattresses can be dropped off Wednesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM at 101 Pittsburg Avenue, Richmond. Please bring proper identification or utility bill with address of household generating the item(s).
Not Accepted:
- Half mattresses or box springs
- Excessively wet, damaged, partial or soiled mattresses or mattresses with bed bugs
- Car beds
- Fold out sofa beds and futons,
- Waterbeds
- Air mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, mattress toppers or other furniture
For a fee, businesses can dispose of mattresses at the Golden Bear Transfer Station. For questions or additional information please call Republic Services at (510) 231-4200.
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.
Household Hazardous Waste
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 (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 AM - 4:00 PM (Closed: Noon - 12:30 PM)
(888) 412-9277
2) El Cerrito Recycling Center
7501 Schmidt Lane, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Open every Tuesday for HHW Disposal
8:00 AM - 5:45 PM
(510) 215-4350
Coming Soon: EVgo Equal Access Charging Hubs
Rendering of Equal Access Charging Hub
325 Civic Center plaza parking lot
EVgo, the largest public electric vehicle (EV) fast charging network in California and across the U.S., has announced plans to build seven “Equal Access Charging Hubs” to serve the residents of disadvantaged communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles Basin.
The City of Richmond was the first city in the San Francisco Bay Area to sign on to the Equal Access Charging Hubs program and EVgo is currently installing two hubs located at:
- 325 Civic Center Plaza Lot (across from the Main Library)
- Public Parking Stalls adjacent to 4100 MacDonald (located on 41st Street adjacent to Mechanic’s Bank) - under construction
In alignment with the state’s transportation electrification goals, these new fast charging stations increase access to electric vehicles in communities designated as disadvantaged by California Environmental Protection Agency, pursuant to Senate Bill 535 (De León).
The stations will not only increase access to public fast charging for EV owners in these neighborhoods, but also complements the Transportation Division’s regional planning strategies while expanding citywide EV car sharing and ride sharing services for workplace, commercial and residential locations.
Description
The hubs will be equipped with four 50kW dual-standard (CHAdeMO and SAE Combo) direct current fast charging stations (DCFC). Fast chargers enable you to charge your battery electric vehicle (BEV) quickly, conveniently, and on-the-go. A 50 kW DCFC allows you to charge up to 75 miles in 30 minutes. The stations comply with California ADA requirements and include additional parking per hub (one to two extra parking stalls per hub) to accommodate “overflow parking” which can be dedicated to an electric vehicle carshare or rideshare partner.
Carshare and Rideshare Partnership(s)
These hubs are a critical component to enabling EV carshare and rideshare; providing charges and reserving spaces for carshare and rideshare charging allows for these programs to succeed in the City of Richmond.
For example, Maven Gig, is currently operating in the area and having chargers in Richmond allows Richmond residents to participate in the program and the “gig” economy by driving for rideshare, and food/package delivery services. Maven Gig is GM's dedicated mobility wing, offering weekly to monthly rates for the Chevrolet Bolt EV which includes free charging with EVgo, unlimited miles, maintenance, insurance, and roadside assistance.
Community Outreach & Education
The Equal Access Charging Hubs program will be supported by a community outreach and education program led by Citizen Group and the City of Richmond Transportation team. Transportation staff is currently coordinating the official dual station launch for spring 2019.
For more information please call Transportation Services at (510) 621-1718.
‘Five Free Rides’ Incentive Program
The Bay Area Carpool Program is offering a new incentive to help reduce single drivers, emissions, and congestion: Five Free Rides to all new Scoop and Waze carpool riders. Five Free Rides gives new Scoop and Waze Carpool riders the opportunity to experience the ease of carpooling with improved technology. The Scoop and Waze Carpool applications both provide matches, scheduling, and seamless payment.
The promotion started on February 1, 2019 and will run through June 30, 2019. New Scoop users can download the app and the free rides will automatically be placed into their account. New Waze Carpool users should download the app and enter promo code CARPOOL to activate the free rides. On both apps, the offer expires two weeks from download.
Carpooling can reduce peak hour traffic on well-traveled highways and bridges to the region's job hubs. The Bay Area's busiest travel times align with Scoop and Waze Carpool's height of trip requests and available matches, ideal for a new carpooler looking to improve their work commute.
The Bay Area Carpool Program is an initiative of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Five Rides Free is funded by MTC with grants from FHWA and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.
If you have additional questions, please contact the City of Richmond Transportation Division at (510) 620-6869.
BART Weekend Single-tracking at Richmond Station in March
During the weekends listed below, portions of the platform will be closed to replace the tiles at Richmond Station. This project will replace any broken tiles and also replace the edge strips with solid yellow strips that meet new standards.
There will be no Red Line service on the impacted Saturdays and the Orange Line will have longer trains.
Please be aware of signs and barricades which will guide you to the correct platform.
The work weekends are:
- March 2nd – 3rd
- March 9th – 10th
If you have additional questions, please contact the Lori Reese-Brown at (510) 620-6869.
Ferry to Bridge to Greenway Plan
We are excited to announce that the City of Richmond has begun to develop the Ferry to Bridge to Greenway Plan, an exciting opportunity to improve bicycling and walking to the new Richmond Ferry, the upcoming Richmond-San Rafael Bridge multi-use path, and the Richmond Greenway!
We would like your help in shaping the Plan’s vision and recommendations! Take a quick survey about walking and bicycling in Richmond, simply using your cell phone by texting “active” to (510) 900-5861. Additionally, you can visit https://ferry2bridge2greenway.com/contact/ to sign up for project updates.
We look forward to your input and participation in future project events! For more information, please contact Lori Reese-Brown at (510) 620-6869.
Below are some of the topics for meetings that I attended during the past week in the hope that it provides an idea of the many issues we deal with routinely.
Meetings and events of note during the past week included:
- I attended an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) functional exercise at the City’s EOC, including city staff and a number of external agency partners, among them, the Red Cross, Contra Costa County, and the West CC Union School District. The purpose of the exercise was to prepare for a response in case of an emergency. In this case, the simulated emergency was a magnitude 7.0 earthquake on the Hayward Fault. The exercise tested Richmond’s, a) Operational Coordination and integration by establishing a unified and coordinated operational structure and process; b) Mass Care Services and shelter coordination through simulation providing life-sustaining and human services to the affected population; and, c) Logistics and Supply Chain Management and resource coordination by simulating delivery of essential commodities, equipment, and services in support of the impacted communities and survivors. This type of training is essential to ensuring we remain ready and able to respond effectively in case of a natural disaster or emergency. Thanks to everyone that enthusiastically participated in, and made this emergency training event a learning success.
- I had the opportunity to visit the Bay Area Rescue Mission facility located at 123 Macdonald Avenue, and received a tour of their space, an overview of their daily functions, their efforts in expanding their services and physical footprint, and their outreach efforts to the community members that are in need of food and shelter.
- Attended the “Third of July” event kick off planning meeting with staff from the Mayor’s Office and Community Services Department, as well as representatives from the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and the Oakland Symphony with the goal of coordinating all our independent activities into a unified marketing plan.
- Met with Planning Director Lina Velasco, Center for Creative Land Recycling staff, Sarah Sieloff, Ignacio Dayrit, Nicholas Targ, and Darlene Drapkin to discuss their collective efforts to support the improvement of the 23rd street business corridor by providing technical assistance related to site cleanup and other marketing and project development support efforts.
- Participated in recurring meetings with the executive directors of the Human Resources Department, Department of Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations, Engineering and Capital Improvements Project, Police and Finance Department to receive updates related to their staff, current projects, and provided direction for future implementation of their assigned responsibilities.
- Met with Finance and Rent Board staff to discuss actions to improve Rent Control program long term financial planning and rate setting methodology to ensure the program’s sustainability and operational efficiency and to eliminate its dependency on the City’s general fund.
- Met with Planning Director Lina Velasco and the new owners of the Shops at Hilltop, and received an update on the new developments at the mall and their proposed plans for renovating the space.
- Attended the City budget kick off meeting to provide staff general guidance to prepare a baseline budget giving priority to meeting the City Council priorities.
- Met with the Chief of Police and Finance Director to discuss alternative ways to efficiently deliver services and support the School District through the School Resource Officer Program.
- Met with representatives of the Hilltop Landscape Maintenance District to learn about the ongoing District’s capital improvement and maintenance plans, and discussed ways to improve our exchange of communication regarding financial information and programmatic and planning activities related to the District.
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
New Plunge, New Classes!
The re-opening of the Plunge has brought about some new options.
· Tot Splash (free play time for parents with their tots 5 & under) is offered three days a week. Little Splashers class (instructor-led parent/child class with circle time songs and games) is offered one day a week.
· Family Recreation Swim is now available on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons for all ages.
· For lap swimmers and water walkers/exercisers, the Plunge is now open until 2:00 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
For days and times, please check the schedule, and then come take a plunge in the newly re-opened Richmond Plunge!
Little Splashers
There’s a new class for little ones and their parents/caregivers at the Richmond pools. Little Splashers is a drop-in class (no registration required) offered twice/week: Mondays from 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM at the Richmond Swim Center, and Thursdays from 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM at the Richmond Plunge. The class is a great way for parents to help their young children acclimate to water, learn safety tips, and maybe meet new friends! The fee is only $2 per person, parent and child (ages 6 months - 4 years).
Chinese New Year Celebration
The yearly event was held on Saturday, February 9, 2019. The event was highlighted by Duniya Dance and the Far East Lion and Dragon Dance Group. Attendance was almost 400 at the Community Service Department's 16th Annual Chinese New Year Celebration.
 
 
President’s Week Camp
The Community Services Department held a City-Wide President’s Week Camp for youth ages 6 to 12 years old last week from February 19th to February 22nd, 2019. The camp was held at the Richmond Recreation Complex and had a great turn out with participants getting a chance to take part in lots of great activities planned by staff. Campers enjoyed playing games in the gym and outside in Nicholl Park. They also enjoyed a chess class where they were able to learn more about chess and had the opportunity to challenge their fellow campers. Towards the end of the week, campers went on a field trip to Miller Knox for hiking and then stopped by the Richmond Plunge for some swimming. Campers really enjoyed themselves and left at the end of the week with lots of new friends!
 
Black History Month Celebration
On Saturday, February 23, 2019, the Community Services Department held their Annual Black History Program. It was very well attended with community members and our elected city officials including Mayor Tom Butt and City Councilman members Eduardo Martinez, Ben Choi, and Demnlus Johnson III in attendance. We enjoyed a strong welcome from our Community Services Director, Rochelle Polk, who paved the way for all the acts to follow. We enjoyed an afternoon filled with empowerment, encouragement, enlightenment and exposure.
The décor was amazing and very well coordinated; there were a lot of wonderful comments on it from city officials, community partners, and participants.
 
 
- Engineering & Capital Improvement Department (ECIP)
Engineering Projects
The San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Project is a federally funded corridor enhancement project that focuses on multimodal access, safety and connection along San Pablo Avenue between Rumrill Boulevard and La Puerta Road. The project is a partnership between the cities of San Pablo and Richmond, with major funding ($5.978 million) from a One Bay Area Grant (OBAG). The City of San Pablo is the lead agency for the project.
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.
Key elements of the project include:
· Modification of the existing road section to add Class 2 bike lanes in both directions of travel;
· Sidewalk installation on the west side of San Pablo Avenue from Rivers Street to La Puerta Road (southbound), and from Rivers Street to Lancaster Drive on the east side (northbound);
· Removal of an existing slip lane into Robert H. Miller Drive and replacement of a right turn pocket;
· Installation of a new traffic signal at La Puerta Road;
· Modification of existing traffic signals at Rivers Street and Robert H. Miller Drive;
· Construction of soil nail and concrete retaining walls to allow the roadway to be widened sufficiently to accommodate the new facilities for non-motorized roadway use.
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.
Last week the Contractor paved one lane in each travel direction on San Pablo Avenue between Rivers Street and La Puerta Road. Paving operations are on hold due to inclement weather; the Contractor will complete the paving operation when the weather clears up.
Project information is available on the following website: https://www.sanpabloca.gov/1416/San-Pablo-Avenue-Complete-Streets-Projec.
Construction questions can be directed to the Construction Manager, Jaemin Park, at jpark@park-eng.com or (925) 818-3756.
 
San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Project
Streets Division
Paving crews completed asphalt work on El Portal Drive, repaired a pothole on Via Verdi, performed storm patrol, and worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City.
 
Work on El Portal Drive
 
Pothole Work on Via Verdi
 
Storm Patrol on Castro Ranch Road
Street sweeping staff performed residential sweeping services for the fourth Monday through Thursday and first Friday in Santa Fe, Point Richmond, Marina Bay, Coronado, Metro Richmore Village, Pullman, Cortez/Stege, Park Plaza, Laurel Park, City Center, Richmond Annex, Parkview, Panhandle Annex, Eastshore, May Valley, Vista View, and Clinton Hill I neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines staff installed 15 new signs and poles, and painted 235’ of curbs and zoning.
Draft Fair Housing Analysis for Feedback
Contra Costa County and local housing authorities are working together on a regional fair housing analysis. Your views and experiences will help us understand and find solutions for fair housing issues in the region, like:
• Discrimination
• Access to transit, good schools, and healthy neighborhoods
• Segregation
• Equal access to affordable and safe homes
• Issues faced by voucher holders and public housing residents
Read the draft analysis at: http://www.cccounty.us/cdbg.
Attend a Community Meeting on Fair Housing Issues
Monday, March 4, 2019 Tuesday, March 5, 2019
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Richmond Pittsburg
City Hall Council Chambers City Hall Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza 65 Civic Avenue
Richmond, CA 94804 Pittsburg, CA 94804
Thursday, March 7, 2019
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Concord
City Hall Council Chambers
1950 Parkside Drive
Concord, CA 94804
You can also submit comments by email by March 22, 2019 to: fairhousing.contracosta@prrac.org.
Reasonable accommodation or other assistance and/or ancillary services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability, you are advised to make your request at least 72 hours before the meeting you wish to attend. Please call (925) 252-4155 to request reasonable accommodations for the meetings.
Proyecto de Análisis de Vivienda Justa para Comentarios
Las autoridades locales de vivienda están trabajando conjuntamente en el análisis regional de vivienda justa. Sus opiniones y experiencias ayudarán a comprender y encontrar soluciones para los problemas de vivienda justa en la región, como:
• Discriminación
• Viviendas y acceso a tránsito, escuelas buenas y vecindarios saludables
• Segregación
• Acceso igual y justo a viviendas asequibles y seguras
• Problemas que enfrentan los participantes de vales vivienda y residentes de vivienda pública
Puede leer el proyecto de análisis aquí: http://www.cccounty.us/cdbg.
Te Invitamos a Asistir a una Reunión Comunitaria Sobre Temas de Vivienda Justa
Lunes, 4 de Marzo Martes, 5 de Marzo
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Richmond Pittsburg
City Hall Council Chambers City Hall Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza 65 Civic Avenue
Richmond, CA 94804 Pittsburg, CA 94804
Jueves, 7 de Marzo
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Concord
City Hall Council Chambers
1950 Parkside Drive
Concord, CA 94804
También puede enviar comentarios antes del 22 de marzo de 2019 al correo electrónico: fairhousing.contracosta@prrac.org.
Acomodación razonable u otra asistencia y/o servicios auxiliares pueden ser proporcionados previa solicitud. Para asegurar la disponibilidad, se le aconseja que haga su solicitud por lo menos 72 horas antes de la junta o del evento al cual usted desea asistir. Por favor, llame al (925) 252-4155 para solicitar ajustes razonables.
Website Statistics for the week of February 28, 2019
Facebook Statistics
Total page LIKES increased by 100%
Video views increased by 100%
KCRT DATANETS FOR THE WEEK
- Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations (DIMO)
Abatement
Abatement crews abated debris from the encampment adjacent to Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP), completed after-hour board ups, removed a homeless encampment that obstructed the sidewalk, and removed trash and graffiti from various locations throughout the City.
 
 
GRIP
  
Emergency Board-Up
 
Homeless Encampment
 
  
Illegal Dumping
   
Graffiti Abatement
Code Enforcement
The Code Enforcement unit responded to a complaint about the accumulation and storage of furniture, debris, weeds, discarded personal items, and a broken glass window located at the exterior of a property. Code Enforcement staff issued a Notice of Violation and Demand to Abate correspondence allowing the property owner ten days to abate the violations. A compliance re-inspection was conducted and found that the property owner corrected the violations and brought the property into compliance.
 
Before and After
Code Enforcement staff observed illegal dumping in front of a property and made contact with an occupant of the four-plex who provided the officer with a telephone number of the property owner. Staff called the property owner and the illegal dumping was removed from the property and a dump receipt was provided.
 
Before and After
Code Enforcement staff responded to a complaint about an inoperative vehicle parking on an unapproved surface and appliances and debris in public view. Staff issued a Notice of Violation as well as an Administrative Citation and the property was brought into compliance.
 
Before and After
Code Enforcement staff responded to a complaint of illegal dumping. Staff sent a Notice of Violation letter and three Administrative Citations before the property was brought into compliance.
 
Before and After
Facilities Maintenance
Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance, daily Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, responded to roof leaks in various locations, assembled desks and cabinets, repaired the exit gate at the Police Department, replaced the chlorine inlet hose at the Recreation Complex, scheduled pool plaster repair at the Plunge, repaired drain clearing tools, begain air conditioner installations at the dispatch center in the server room, and adjusted the temperature at the Employment and Training building.
Tool Repair
Utility Workers scrubbed and waxed floors on the 2nd floor of 450 Civic Center Plaza, disinfected bicycle lockers at the Transportation Center, installed new chair leg caps, set-up rooms for meetings, and maintained 29 City-owned facilities.
Waxing of 2nd Floor City Hall
Chair Leg Cap Installation
Parks and Landscaping
General fund crews painted bleacher benches at Judge Carroll Park, prepared three ballfields, weeded the Bayview Library, Fire Station #64, May Valley Community Center, and Crescent Park, mowed multiple locations, performed maintenance at the Fire Training Center, repaired 150’ of fencing at the Stewart Park Playground, removed debris from medians and parks, repaired the fence on the Greenway behind the Corporation Yard, repaired the bleachers at Nicholl Park, weeded playlots and parks, placed warning signs at the various parks, removed graffiti from three parks, and replaced locks on the Greenway catch basins.
Ballfield Maintenance at Nicholl Park
Tree Crews cut or trimmed trees on or at Boorman Park, South 21st Street, South 45th Street, Barrett Avenue Wendell Avenue, and Marina Way South.
Tree Trimming on South 21st Street
Hilltop District crewscontinued general maintenance around the business area, continued weed abatement at Country Club Vista and Bay Vista Parks as well as on the Richmond Parkway on/off ramps.
Richmond Parkway Maintenance
Marina District crews continued with the Esplanade Landscape Project, pruned trees along Marina Way South, removed graffiti at Lucretia Edwards Park and the Bay Trail, plainted ornamental trees and performed weed abatement in Marina Bay Park, and removed debris throughout the Marina Parks and lots.
- Library and Cultural Services
Immigration Lawyer at the Main Library
Speak with an immigration lawyer for free on the 4th Monday of each month from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM. Sign-in at the Adult Reference Desk at 4:15 PM on the day of.
Space is limited. This free program is sponsored by the Contra Costa County Bar Association and takes place at the Richmond Public Library Main Branch located at 325 Civic Center Plaza.
Call (510) 620-6561 or visit www.richmondlibrary.org for more information.
Richmond Library Teens SAT Preparation Workshop
Richmond Public Library Teens division is offering the 23rd annual SAT Preparation Workshop, March 2nd – April 30th, 2019. The seven-week program consists of a pre-
test, five weeks of live instruction by Princeton Review, and a post-test. High school students who live in Richmond and those that attend schools in the West Contra Costa Costa Unified School District are eligible to apply to the program.
The cost of the workshop is $50 and includes a student manual and online supplemental practice for two months.
Registration forms and additional details can be downloaded from the library website at www.richmondlibrary.org. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants.
2020 Census Jobs
In advance of the 2020 Census, the U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people for temporary jobs across the country.
These positions provide the perfect opportunity to earn some extra income while helping your community. The results of the 2020 Census will help determine each state’s representation in Congress, as well as how certain funds are spent for schools, hospitals, roads, and more. This is your chance to play a part in history and help ensure that everyone in your community is counted!
For job qualifications, how to apply, what to expect, timeline, and more information, please contact the United States Census Bureau.
Freedom March
On February 27, 2019, Coronado and King Elementary Schools participated in an annual Martin Luther King "Freedom March" to the Richmond Civic Center. Students walked from their respective schools, and Richmond Police officers assisted with the safety escort. Along the way to the Civic Center, students from Lovonya DeJean and Kennedy High School joined in the march. Over 250 students and staff members participated. The event lasted about two hours before the students were safely escorted back to their schools.
2019 Law Enforcement Torch Run SF Polar Plunge
This past Saturday, officers and civilian staff participated in the Northern California Law Enforcement Torch Run and Polar Plunge which benefits the Special Olympics Northern California (SONC). Special Olympics Northern California enriches the lives of more than 24,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities and their communities in Northern California. The funds raised go to the program which provides free, year-round training and competitions, schools programs, and critical health resources while working to create a more inclusive world for people of all abilities.
A team of five brave members of RPD members plunged into the ice cold bay to show their support. RPD would like to thank Sgt. Gard for leading the charge for this great cause. Through the team’s fundraising efforts, they were able to raise over $3,000. Great job Team Richmond!
 
Police Chief Visits King Elementary School
Chief Brown visited King Elementary school today as part of their Black History Celebration to talk to the youth about police officers and his job as Chief. The students asked great questions. Thanks to the students and faculty at King for inviting us!
Fraudulent Activity
Officers responded to the 900 block of 7th Street regarding individuals stealing items from cars. As officers arrived, they noticed a car matching the description given to the dispatcher driving away. Officers pulled the vehicle over and detained four people inside the car. A search of the vehicle revealed counterfeit money and almost everything it takes to make the bills (ink, paper, nail polish remover, glue, pens, etc). Also several ID cards, social security cards, credit cards, blank checks, and vehicle titles were found inside the car. All four suspects were arrested.
In Remembrance
The Richmond Police Department mourns the loss of Retired Police Chief Leo Garfield. Leo Garfield served as the Police Chief from 1974 to 1983. We are thankful for his service.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, March 11, 2019 11:00 AM at Bethany Baptist Church in Martinez.
Community Meet and Greet
On Thursday, February 21, 2019, Richmond community members attended a “Meet and Greet” session at the Richmond Community Recreational Complex. Members of the Richmond Police Department command staff got to know community members better and hear first-hand their commentary on topics of importance to them. The night was rich with great conversations and positive feedback.
 
The Richmond Rent Program Community Workshop is Presenting – Navigating the Eviction Process in Richmond
As part of its continuing outreach to landlords and tenants who would like to learn more about rental housing rules and regulations, the City of Richmond Rent Program is offering the following workshops:
Navigating the Eviction Process in Richmond (Tenant-Focused Workshop)
Saturday, March 30, 2019
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Navigating the Eviction Process in Richmond (Landlord-Focused Workshop)
Saturday, April 27, 2019
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
These workshops are designed for Tenants and Landlords who would like to learn more about the eviction process in the City of Richmond and the requirements of the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance.
Topics for discussion will include:
· Just Cause for Eviction Requirements
· Overview of the Relocation Ordinance
· Relocation Payments
· Unlawful Detainer Process
· Overview of Important California Civil Codes
· Notice Filing Requirements
Space is limited - RSVP today: https://rentprogram.eventbrite.com
2019 Richmond Promise Scholarship Application is DUE SOON! Application Deadline is March 8th!
Our 2019 Richmond Promise Scholarship application is available to complete at our website, richmondpromise.org
If you meet the following eligibility requirements you can receive a max amount of $1,500 each year for up to 4 years of college.
To be eligible for the Richmond Promise Scholarship, a student must:
- Be a resident of Richmond or North Richmond (i.e. have a Richmond home address)
- Have graduated from an eligible High School within the West Contra Costa Unified School District boundary area or received your General Educational Development/High School equivalency between June 2018-19
- Have attended an eligible High School at least 9th-12th grade consecutively
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid/Dream Act by the March 2nd California Grant deadline
Once again, the application can be found on the Richmond Promise website:
https://richmondpromise.org/the-scholarship-application/
If you have any questions feel free to contact our college access coordinator, Miguel Molina, at (530) 794-8326 and/or mmolina@richmondpromise.org
Please share this opportunity with eligible students in your life!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for financial aid can be found at https://fafsa.ed.gov/, and for students who are not Citizens or Residents, they can apply for the California
Dream Act application at https://dream.csac.ca.gov/.
Friendly reminder that The California Deadline for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act is on March 2nd!
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!
Carlos Martinez
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
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
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
Carlos Martinez
City Manager
450 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 300
Richmond, CA 94804
Phone: (510) 620-6976
Fax: (510) 620-6542 |
