Hon. Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the report for the week ending January 10th, 2020.

1.    Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14th. Closed Session begins at 5:30 P.M., followed by the Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council at 6:30 P.M.  The agenda may be found by clicking this link: January 14th City Council Agenda.

2.    Upcoming Events

Treecycling and Non-Compostable Tree Disposal

The Community Development, Environmental, and Health Initiatives division encourage residents to utilize one of the five ways listed on the flyer for disposing of holiday trees. The information and flyer is also available at www.richmondenvironment.org.

Please call Republic Services at (510) 262-7100 and see flyers below for more information.

Richmond Rent Program Community Workshop:
Understanding the Statewide Anti Gouging and Eviction Protection Law (AB 1482) 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 workshop:

Understanding the Statewide Anti Gouging and Eviction Protection Law (AB 1482) in Richmond
Saturday, January 18, 2020                      
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.                   
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804

Statewide Assembly Bill 1482, effective January 1, 2020, enacts statewide limitations on rent increases in California. The Richmond Rent Program will conduct a workshop for all Richmond community members to provide information specific to AB 1482 and how it interacts with the Richmond Rent Ordinance.

Space is limited - RSVP today: https://rentprogram.eventbrite.com

Fiscal Year 2020-2021 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. $6 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 $5,000, 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 19-20 are ineligible to apply in FY 20-21.

To kick-off this opportunity, the City will be hosting its second Information and Grant Writing Workshop on:

Thursday, January 16, 2020                      
10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M.                   
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804

The ECIA Grant Application is due on Friday, February 14, 2020, at 5:00 P.M.

To access the ECIA Grant Application, Guidelines, and more check out the ECIA Grants webpage: www.ci.richmond.ca.us/eciagrants

3.    Acknowledgements

Retirement Announcement

Last week, the Richmond Police Department (RPD) celebrated the retirement of Captain Joey Schlemmer after having served as a police officer for 27 years, 18 of which were with the department. He has had a long and distinguished career, performing in a variety of roles during his time with RPD.

Captain Schlemmer started his law enforcement career as a reserve officer for Modesto PD in 1992. He was hired by San Pablo PD in 1993 and worked a variety of assignments including Field Training Officer and Detective. He has been with Richmond PD since 2002.

In that time, Captain Schlemmer has worked as a member of the NITRO (Narcotics Intervention to Restore Order) Team, Violence Suppression Unit, Crime Scene Investigator, Police Training Officer and most notably, a Traffic Officer. He has also been a member of the department’s Firearms and Tactics Training Cadre and Mobile Field Force. Captain Schlemmer was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2010. He worked as a Patrol Sergeant and later as the Traffic Sergeant. In 2013, Schlemmer was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and worked as a Patrol Watch Commander, and managed the Traffic and Special Events Division. During that time Captain Schlemmer held collateral duties as the assistant commander for the Contra Costa County Mutual Aid Mobile Field Force. He has also taken on important roles is the annual planning of many of Richmond’s events and festivals, such as Cinco de Mayo, Juneteenth, 3rd of July Fireworks, Spirit and Soul, and Home Front. Captain Schlemmer was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2018 and assigned to the Central District, along with Traffic and Special Events.

Captain Schlemmer has received numerous awards and commendations over the course of his career. He is most proud of the fact that he has NEVER called in sick, in nearly 27 years as a police officer.

Captain Schlemmer remained actively involved in labor activity. He served as the president of the Richmond Police Management Association (RPOA) and past board member for the Richmond Police Officer’s Association (RPOA). He was part of the RPOA team that successfully negotiated a 20% pay raise over the duration of that contract. He is actively involved with the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) and is the current Chairman of the PORAC Insurance and Benefits Trust. Locally, he is the incoming president of the Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL) board of directors as well as a member of Richmond Kiwanis, Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Neighborhood Block Association. Captain Schlemmer will continue to live in Richmond with his wife Michael Ann and son Johnny.

The Richmond Police Department will miss Captain Schlemmer after 27 years of service and dedication. We wish him all the best in retirement!

Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) Y-Plan Project

The Literacy for Every Adult Program, UC Berkeley’s Center for Cities and Schools, and Healthy Richmond congratulate the LEAP students for participating and presenting their final project for the Y-Plan Adult Project on December 19, 2019, at the Richmond City Council Chambers.

The goal of the Y-PLAN Adult Project is to engage, and guide participants in a civic community development research process, and provide them with professional development skills learned through tech tools and the curriculum.

City officials and Richmond residents were invited to listen to the presentation regarding the concerns and priorities of Nystrom community members in the revitalizing efforts of Nystrom Village. The students did a fantastic job and articulated their research in such an impressive and professional way, and for that we are so proud of them.

They will do their presentation again in an upcoming Nystrom Open House scheduled for January 23rd. If you would like to attend, please contact Roberta Feliciano for more details at Roberta_Feliciano@ci.richmond.ca.us.

4.    City Manager Chronicles
Fellow servants of the Richmond public: It is with good tidings and great optimism that we usher in a new decade: the twenty-twenties!

There is little doubt that this will be a wildly successful period for the City of Richmond.  How can it not be?  With its stunning location on the San Francisco Bay; with its rich cultural history and brilliant and diverse citizenry; with its bustling economy and much-improved safety; and with five of the top taco stops in the entire Bay Area, Richmond is already the place to be and the attractions here are only bound to improve as the years go by.  Investors are lining up, and projects are planned and underway all over the city.  People all over the bay know that something good is happening over here in Richmond.

As City employees, we are fortunate to participate in a meaningful way with this city on the rise.  Not all public servants are afforded this chance that we all have:  to make a difference in a city that we truly care about.  Whether we do our part in planning, police, public works, parks – or wherever – we are both lucky and grateful to have the chance to serve others, for that is the highest calling of all.

Sitting here on the third floor of city hall I’m also pleased to report that, late last month, the City Council selected a very fine person to be Richmond’s new City Manager.  With a strong background in Fairfield, Half Moon Bay, and San Carlos, Laura Snideman is a longtime Californian who, over her two decade career, has seen and done it all.  I’ve had the good fortune to meet her several times now, and have found her to be capable, competent, and kind – and ready for the challenge.  She’s bright and optimistic, and she’s a good listener; she’ll be just the perfect fit for Richmond.   She needs a few weeks to wrap up her responsibilities in Fairfield, so Laura’s first day in Richmond will be January 27th.   Hats off to Donna Newton and Bruce Soublet in the Human Resources Department for organizing a quick and successful city manager recruitment.

In the meantime, over the next month Laura and I will meet several times to organize a seamlessly smooth transition.  With respect to the reorganization of City’s departments: the City Council finally took the last steps necessary for the reorg at its last meeting, so “all systems are go” and we can now proceed.  As you would expect, I will of course work closely with and take direction from incoming City Manager Snideman, for she will ultimately be responsible for the administrative management of Richmond and must be entirely comfortable with its organizational structure.  You can be sure that I will include her in 100% of the decisions going forward.  My bet is that we will appoint some of the new department heads relatively quickly, but that other positions may take more time to fill.  I appreciate your good patience as we work through this process.

As always, I do appreciate any feedback you have for me regarding these or any other topics.  My door and my email account is open to you.  Thank you in advance for reaching out.

5.    City Manager’s Office

District Mapping Workshops

On January 6th, 2020, the City of Richmond held a community workshop at the Veterans Memorial Hall to share information about Richmond's move from at-large to district-based elections and receive input on submitted map designs.

Please join us on Tuesday, January 14th, at 6:30 P.M. for the fifth public hearing at the City Council Chamber (440 Civic Center Plaza) to share your input on the proposed district maps that are being considered for City Council elections. It is expected that Council will select a map to establish district boundaries, introduce an ordinance establishing district elections, and determine election sequence.

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 a $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.

Attention existing Neighborhood Parking Permit Holders!

Transportation Services is now accepting online renewals for the 2020 Permits! If you live in an area that has already submitted a signed community petition to opt into the program, and currently have permit parking signs posted on your street(s), you are eligible to purchase your 2020 annual permits through your existing online accounts.

Online Registration is Easy:

• Go to:  https://richmond.getapermit.net 
• Enter your email address and password
• Update your vehicle registration  information
• Pay online for your 2020 residential parking permits.

Walk-in registrations

• Will be accepted by appointment only after Monday, January 7, 2020.
• To schedule appointment call (510) 621-1718, or email: RichmondParking@ci.richmond.ca

Are you interested in adding permit parking to your street?

• Call Denée Evans, at (510) 621-1718 or to download forms, please go to:  http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3329/Parking-Management-Services

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.

1. 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

2. 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

6.    Engineering and Capital Improvements Department (ECIP)

Streets Division

Paving crews performed yard maintenance, installed a speed bump at 5517 Fall Avenue and at South 45th Street and Fall Avenue, swept the bike lane on Ohio Avenue and South Garrard Boulevard, and worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City.

Drainage Work on East Scenic Avenue

Bike Path Clean-Up

Street sweeping staff performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the first Monday and Tuesday and the second Wednesday through Friday in the Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Clinton Hill II - IV, and East Richmond neighborhood areas.

Traffic Signs and Lines

Traffic Signs and Lines staff installed eight new signs and poles, repaired one sign, fabricated 11 new signs, painted 55’ of curbs and zoning, and installed 584’ of thermoplastic for pavement messaging.

Crosswalk and Shark Teeth Installation on Berk Avenue


New Sign Installation                     New Street Name Sign Installation
on Grandview Court

Sign Replacement on 5th Street

7.    Information Technology

Website Statistics for the week of January 10, 2020

Page LIKES are up 200%
Video Views are up 100%

KCRT DATANET FOR THE WEEK

8.    Infrastructure and Maintenance Operations (DIMO)

Facilities Maintenance

Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance, daily Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, replaced the pilot assembly on steam boiler #5 in 440 Civic Center Plaza, cleared the clogged sink in the City Manager’s Office kitchen, installed plexiglass over the glass door at the Booker T. Anderson Community Center, replaced air filters at the Main Library and Employment and Training buildings, replaced the chemical sampler valve at the Swim Center, replaced lights in the penthouse of City Hall, and rerouted pneumatic lines at the Corporation Yard for the mechanics bay.

Sink Repair

Utility Workers removed office furniture from the Waste Water trailer, disinfected the courtyard at the main library, repaired light fixture housings, pressure washed the Transit Station, unclogged the restroom within the Employment and Training building, set-up meeting rooms, and serviced 29 city-owned facilities.

Light Fixture Repair

9.    Police Department

Celebratory Gunfire Awareness

Here at the police department we focused heavily towards the end of the year on our celebratory gunfire campaign.  We attended community meetings, posted on social media and passed out information regarding this issue.  Residents were informed of the dangers associated with celebratory gunfire and that it is illegal.

New Scam Alert Warnings!

The holidays have just passed and we’re all feeling it in our stomachs and wallets. This is not the time to give free money to scam callers! Beware of robo-calls asking you for personal information or to send money. Official organizations such as the IRS, PG&E, and Amazon will not call you to verify personal information, pay overdue bills, or give credit card numbers. Scammers can spoof numbers and could even appear to be calling from your own telephone number. If you’re suspicious of the call, you can always hang up and call the company back through its official channel to confirm.

If you suspect that you're the victim of fraud or to report fraudulent phone calls, please file a report by calling (510) 233-1214 or reaching out to us through social media.

You can find more information and report scams on the official USA Government fraud site https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds.

10. Rent Program

Rent Program 2020 Community Workshop Calendar

Community education is a core component of the services provided by the Richmond Rent Program. In 2020, the Rent Program will continue to host monthly Community Workshops on Saturday mornings to educate tenants, landlords, and other community members on the requirements of the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance.

Dates and topics for all 2020 Community Workshops are listed in the table below.
 
Rent Program 2020 Community Workshop Calendar
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Space is limited – RSVP today: https://rentprogram.eventbrite.com

11. Water Resource Recovery

Re-Route the Existing 4” Plant Water Line to accommodate the Sludge Control Building Demolition

The relocated 4” Plant water line has been installed, tested, tied-in, and backfilled. Paving of the saw cut ditch has been completed. The re-route of the 2” air line is currently being scheduled.

Pavement restoration over 4” Plant Water
bypass at Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Macdonald & Virginia Wet Weather Improvement Projects

The contractor is continuing to excavate to replace defective pipes.

Local Richmond Contractor is working on 30th Street near Barrett Avenue.

Cutting/Carlson & Hoffman Wet Weather Improvement Project

The majority of the project work has been completed. The contractor is working to complete the easement portion of the project.

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