This message is being sent on behalf of City Manager Laura Snideman


Hon. Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the report for the week ending May 8th, 2020.

1.    Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12th, and will be a Special Meeting. Closed Session begins at 5:30 P.M., followed by the City Council begins at 6:30 P.M., and the agenda may be found by clicking this link: May 12th Special City Council Agenda.

2.    Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

The following information is an ongoing list of resources and significant updates regarding COVID-19.

NEW! The Richmond Cares Hotline

The Richmond Cares Hotline was created to respond to callers with questions regarding City of Richmond resources and services available during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order. Introduced by the Richmond Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) team, the Richmond Cares Hotline held its soft launch on Monday, April 27, 2020. The phone number for the hotline is 510-620-6700, and the hours of operation are Monday-Friday 8:30 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Non-English speakers are also encouraged to call the Richmond Cares Hotline.

COVID-19 Small Business Resources

Many small businesses in the City of Richmond are struggling due to the Shelter in Place order. In an effort to support small businesses, the City has been diligently updating the Business Development website with the most up to date resources.

Resources that are useful for small businesses include but are not limited to:

Small Business Hotline  - Recently, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County has started operating a hotline to connect businesses and workers to helpful federal, state, and local programs.  Businesses and workers can call 833-320-1919 to receive resources and referrals on loans, grants, unemployment insurance, payroll subsidies, and other issues of concern.

CARES Act Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) – Recently added $301 Billion of funding to support small business through loans which can be forgiven if funds used to retain workers.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance  - US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration Disaster Unemployment Assistance program provides unemployment benefits to individuals who have become unemployed as a direct result of a presidentially declared disaster.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans - US Small Business Administration Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for a small business.

OnwardCA.org – One-stop resource for residents of California impacted by job loss due to COVID-19

File a State Unemployment Insurance Claim - Unemployment Insurance is an employer-paid program that provides partial income replacement when one becomes unemployed or has their hours reduced. Follow the link for eligibility requirements.

Richmond Revolving Loan Fund - The Revolving Loan Fund is a community-based program to foster local economic growth through the creation and retention of employment opportunities for Richmond residents. The program offers eligible applicants loans from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $100,000.

Richmond Kiva Loan Program - Kiva is a small loan match program where you are required to raise to $1,500 on the Kiva crowdfunding website. The City will match funds raised dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,500. The maximum financing to your business under this program is $3,000.

Gotcha Bike Share Update

The City of Richmond - Gotcha bike share program spring launch has been delayed.

Manufacturing: Gotcha is actively manufacturing our electric pedal assist bikes in China. Since China was under a mandated quarantine after their New Year holiday, all manufacturers were unable to begin production as originally planned. Gotcha’s manufacturers are producing for us again and most of their factories are at 70% or more of their workforce capacity. Now that there is a clearer understanding of how this impacted factory partners in China, it is believed that Gotcha manufacturers are only experiencing a 6-8 week delay in our anticipated production schedule. Gotcha is talking daily with their manufacturing partners in China and pushing the production process as quickly as possible.

Shipping: Shipping for the United States as a whole is currently very fluid and it is being tracked on a regular basis. Essential shipments (medical supplies, food, medications, etc.), are being prioritized at this time and it is unsure how long this will be the case. Gotcha e-bikes and racks would not be deemed essential given the current state of affairs. With this information, it is unclear of the actual shipping backlog being created for non-essentials items and what the timeline implications are for us and others importing non-essential products into the US. Gotcha works with one of the largest worldwide freight carriers, so they are tracking this matter and will leverage the strong shipping relationship as needed.

As city staff gains more insight on these matters, information will be shared with the community. We are all working hard to press forward!

For more information visit ridegotcha.com/locations/Richmond or please reach out to Denee.Evans@ci.richmond.ca.us or katie@ridegotcha.com.

KCRT Datanet for the Week

Library Resources while Sheltering-In-Place

All Richmond Public Library branches are closed due to the public health order and book returns are locked. If you have library items checked out, please hold them until after the closure has ended. All due dates have been extended through May 5th, and any fines or fees that accrue during this time will be waived.

Our website (www.richmondlibrary.org) continues to be updated with resources to help you not feel isolated while self-isolating.

New books are regularly added to OverDrive/Libby (richmondlibrary.overdrive.com). If you don’t already have a library card, you can use your mobile phone number to get an instant digital card!

LifeLong Medical Care

We are here for you!

Staying healthy is more important than ever. LifeLong Medical Care is able to continue caring for you and your loved ones through telephone and video visits. If an in-person visit is needed, they will invite you to one of their sites to care for you.

Please call (510) 981-4100 to make a primary care appointment. For open dental locations, please visit www.lifelongmedical.org. Please call your closest Immediate/Urgent Care directly.

Medical

• Primary and Preventative Care
• Prenatal Care
• Pediatric Care
• Geriatric Care
• Women’s Health/Family Planning
• Wellness and Health Education
• Chronic Disease Screening & Management
• HIV Programs
• Podiatry  

Dental

• Emergency Procedures
• Preventative Care
• Patient Education
• Care Coordination
• Virtual Visits

Behavioral Health

• Recovery Support
• Counseling
• Connection to Resources

COVID-19 Testing Available (Based upon screening guidelines)

Immediate/Urgent Care

William Jenkins
150 Harbour Way | Richmond
(510) 877-3365
Open 5 days/week

San Pablo
2023 Vale Road |
San Pablo
(510) 231-9800
Open 7 days/week

Berkeley
2001 Dwight Way | Berkeley
(510) 204-7979
Open 6 days/week

LifeLong Medical Care

Estamos aquí para ayudarle!

¡Mantenerse saludable es más importante que nunca! LifeLong Medical Care puede seguir atendiéndolo a usted y a sus seres queridos a través de visitas por teléfono y video. Si necesita una visita en persona, lo invitaremos a uno de nuestros centros para brindarle cuidado.

Llame al (510) 981-4100 para hacer una cita de cuidado primario. Para ubicaciones dentales abiertas, visite www.lifelongmedical.org. Por favor llame a su centro de cuidado inmediato/urgente más cercano directamente.

Cuidado Médico

·         Cuidado primario y preventive
·         Cuidado para mujeres embarazadas Cuidado para niños
·         Cuidado para adultos mayores
·         Salud de la mujer / Planificación familiar Educación de bienestar y salud
·         Detección y manejo de enfermedades     crónicas
·         Programas de VIH
·         Cuidado de los pies

Cuidado Dental

·         Procedimientos de emergencia
·         Cuidado preventivo
·         Educación del paciente
·         Coordinación de cuidados
·         Visitas virtuales

Salud Del Comportamiento

·         Terapia
·         Apoyo de recuperación
·         Conexión a recursos

Pruebas de COVID-19 están disponibles (Según las instrucciones de detección)

Cuidado Inmediato/ Urgente

William Jenkins
150 Harbour Way | Richmond
(510) 877-3365
Abierto 5 días a la semana

San Pablo
2023 Vale Road |
San Pablo
(510) 231-9800
Abierto 7 días a la semana

Berkeley
2001 Dwight Way | Berkeley
(510) 204-7979
Abierto 6 días a la semana

City of Richmond Issues Supplemental Order Prohibiting Rent Increases and/or Evictions for Residential and Commercial Rental Units

The Director of Emergency Services issued a Supplemental Order (http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/52896/Supplemental-Order-Re-Rents-and-Evictions_4_27_2020), effective April 27, 2020, which extends eviction protections to commercial tenants and prohibits rent increases on residential properties with more than one dwelling unit that were constructed before February 1, 1995 (including Low Income TC properties) through May 31, 2020, or any extension of the local emergency (NOTE: restrictions on rent increases do not apply to properties with one dwelling unit on one parcel, permitted dwelling units constructed after February 1995, Project-Based Section 8, Section 202, and Public Housing Units). Please contact the Rent Program at 510-234-RENT or rent@ci.richmond.ca.us if you have any questions about whether a unit is subject to the rent increase restrictions.

Access the Revised Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Rentals: What Richmond Tenants and Landlords Need to Know Fact Sheet (English & Spanish): http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/52928/Updated-COVID-Fact-Sheet_EngSp_5_6_20

Access the Letter Template for Tenants to Inform Landlords of Their Inability to Pay Rent Due to the Financial Impacts of COVID-19 (English): http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/52608/COVID-Failure-to-Pay-Rent-Notice-Template_ENGLISH

Access the Letter Template for Tenants to Inform Landlords of Their Inability to Pay Rent Due to the Financial Impacts of COVID-19 (Spanish): http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/52609/COVID-Failure-to-Pay-Rent-Notice-Template_SPANISH

If you have any questions about the Supplemental Order, please contact the Rent Program at 510-234-RENT(7368) or rent@ci.richmond.ca.us to speak with a Housing Counselor.

For more information about the Rent Board and Rent Program, please visit www.richmondrent.org

Richmond Promise Response to COVID 19

During this time of uncertainty, the Richmond Promise and our incredible college access partners are committed to supporting our college students and high school students through their last months of school as they transition to college and continue to pursue their college dreams. 

Read below for key resources and the ways we are working together with partners to adapt our programming to virtually support Richmond high school seniors and college students. The Richmond Promise team is fully present and virtual. With any questions or requests for support, reach out to:

·                     Miguel Molina: mmolina@richmondpromise.org (530-794-8326)
·                     Ana Perez: aperez@richmondpromise.org (510-775-1067)

Virtual Support for High School Seniors

Richmond Promise is offering virtual coaching to high school students who may need support with their college enrollment process. We can assist students who need supporting completing to-do list items for their college portals, financial aid, or enrollment to our local community college institutions.

Students can sign up for an appointment here: https://bit.ly/rpvirtualsupport 

College Student Support

Do you know a Richmond Promise college student in need? Since March 13th, we have provided students with support for groceries, computers and Wi-Fi access and travel home. If you know a college Scholar who needs support, encourage them to fill out this form.  If you and your family have everything you need, please consider donating to our relief fund and helping us support our community by clicking here.

COVID FAQ for College Students, courtesy of the Northern California College Promise Coalition. Check out our RP Specific College Access Resource guide for the most up-to-date information on direct resources and supports within our community.

RichmondWORKS receives grant of $162,000 to provide supportive services for residents impacted by the COVID -19 pandemic:

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) and the Labor & Workforce Development Agency announced the award of funds to 42 Local Workforce Development Areas to support workers impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.  The City of Richmond’s RichmondWORKS program was one of the 42 entities selected to receive emergency funding in the amount of $162,000.  The funds will provide supportive services to underserved populations, particularly Richmond’s English language learners.  The emergency funds will provide up to $400-$800 per person for basic needs such as childcare, housing and utility assistance, and transportation costs.  In addition, funding assistance for equipment needed for teleworking along with digital services for Wi-Fi access may be available.

“These emergency funds will allow us to provide immediate support and much needed resources to those individuals that have been severely impacted by the closure of local businesses.  In particular the hourly workers in the restaurant, retail, and service sectors”, Sal Vaca, Director of Community Services.

Richmond residents may contact RichmondWORKS staff at (510) 307-8014 to inquire about this program, to seek guidance with filing an Unemployment Insurance claim, or for job search assistance.

Solid Waste Services- Updates

Republic Services:

https://www.republicservices.com/municipality/wccc-ca
Republic Services notified the City that On-Call Curbside Bagged Clean-Ups of Bagged Material and Bulky Household Items will resume beginning May 18th. To schedule an appointment please call (510) 262-7100.

RecycleMore (West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority):

The RecycleMore staff are working remotely and still available to answer questions via email. For more information visit, http://recyclemore.com/

Open Services

• Mattress Drop-off at 101 Pittsburg Ave, Richmond, CA
• West County Household Hazardous Waste Facility

*Operating under regular business hours
Wednesday-Saturday 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (closed for lunch 12 NOON-12:30 P.M.).
101 Pittsburg Avenue in Richmond
Please call 1-888-412-9277 for more information

Suspended Services- Effective Monday, March 30, until further notice

• Door-to-Door HHW Collection for seniors and the disabled is temporarily suspended during the shelter in place.
• West County Resource Recovery- Recycling and Buyback at 101 Pittsburg Ave in Richmond is temporarily suspended during the shelter in place. 
• West County Resource Recovery- the Compost give-away on the first Wednesday of the month will be temporarily suspended during the shelter in place.
• El Cerrito Recycling Center- the El Cerrito Recycling Center (as well as the HHW Collection on Tuesdays) is closed to the public during the shelter in place.

The City, RecyleMore, and Republic Services continue to work hard to keep the community clean and safe, ensure high quality service with minimal service disruption while facing a unique challenge that requires a dedicated focus on public health and safety.  For more information regarding the available programs visit, www.ci.richmond.ca.us/1709/Waste-Recycling-Compost-Services.

Report Illegal Dumping

Watch the city's "How To" video for instructions on how to download the free City of Richmond app: https://youtu.be/i4W1wVvB9fw

Virtual Recreation Center

Have you checked out the Library and Community Services Department virtual recreation center? We have lots of ideas and resources for you to do while you’re sheltering-in-place. Check them out and let us know if you do any activities!

3.    Upcoming Events

Richmond Rent Program Community Workshop Webinar: Understanding the Richmond Rent Ordinance for Realtors

Realtor-focused Community Workshop Webinar

Friday, May 29, 2020
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

Join by Zoom: https://bit.ly/2hW9V6DJ
Password: realtor

This Community Workshop Webinar is designed for Realtors who are interested in learning more about the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance. Visit our event page to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/richmond-rent-program-webinar-tickets-103869995954?aff=affiliate1

Questions? Visit www.richmondrent.org to learn more about the Rent Program, or call or email the Rent Program at (510) 234-RENT (7368)or rent@ci.richmond.ca.us 

4.    City Manager’s Chronicles

We’re very pleased that the Richmond Rapid Response Fund website went live this week at RichmondResponseFund.org. This new website serves to coordinate and advocate for direct resources to support our local community during this crisis. The fund will provide for direct financial disbursement to residents, expand financial assistance and support for business and community-based organizations, and facilitate community needs assessment and ongoing infrastructure support.

The Richmond Rapid Response Fund is a great example of how a diverse grouping of organizations, and many key individuals, have come together during this crisis to create something that our community really needs. The focus of the Richmond Rapid Response Fund is on key priority areas like food and essential supplies, economic recovery and security, housing and homelessness, health and healing, education and learning, and social and legal services. And, the fund is intended to continue beyond this pandemic, with the goal of bringing positive, long term community transformation.

Many thanks are due to the partners in this effort, including EdFundWEST, the Richmond Mayor’s Office, Richmond Promise, Building Blocks for Kids, RYSE, and the West Contra Costa COVID Community Care Coalition – along with the City of Richmond.

I encourage everyone to visit RichmondResponseFund.org. There’s a big Donate button on each page, so you can easily become part of the solution and help those in need today, and in the future.

The people of our community in Richmond deserve a big “Thank You!” for the continuing efforts to stay the course, and continuing to keep doing the right things during the pandemic. Your efforts have contributed to positive results and some rare good news lately:  some progress has been achieved in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Contra Costa County and neighboring counties!  This means we must stay vigilant in our efforts to keep pushing back hard on the spread of this virus, and prevent a resurgence. Sheltering in place, handwashing, wearing a mask when going out for essential activities, and staying six feet away from others remain our best defenses. 

As always, please visit the City of Richmond’s coronavirus update page and the County’s coronavirus information page to stay up-to-date with the latest information.

5.    Community Development

Census 2020 is Underway!  Don’t miss being Counted!

The future of our communities starts with Census 2020. The Census count comes once a decade, to count every person living in the United States. Not only does the count determine congressional districting, it is also used to allocate critical funding for our communities for roads, affordable housing, schools, parks, and healthcare – which has been proved to be so essential for everyone during COVID-19 pandemic.

As of April 28, 2020, 56.7% of Richmond households have responded to Census 2020 –a 2.7% increase compared to last week. Three Richmond neighborhoods still have a self-response rate below 45% - Iron Triangle (40.5%), North Richmond (42.2%) and Shields-Reid (42.2%).

The following table has the response rate by each neighborhood:

Table 1. Census 2020 response-rate by neighborhood in the City of Richmond as of April 28th.

Map 1. City of Richmond.  Census 2020 Self- Response rate by census tract. April 28th, 2020.

Census Bureau. https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html#

Every person missed in the Census count is estimated to result in a $2,000/year loss in federal funds for communities. If Contra Costa County undercounts by 5%, it’s expected to lose $1.1 billion of funding over the next ten years.

If you haven’t completed your questionnaire, or want to assist your neighbors, family, or friends to complete their Census, remember it can be done through one of the following options:

·         Online. Click this link and start your questionnaire: https://my2020census.gov/
The census questionnaire can be responded to online in 12 languages, besides English.
·         Phone. Every day from 4:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. on the following phone lines:
­   English: 844-330-2020
­   Spanish: 844-468-2020
Monday through Friday from 5:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.  for the following languages on the following phone lines:

·         Chinese (Mandarin): 844-391-2020
·         Chinese (Cantonese): 844-398-2020
·         Vietnamese: 844-461-2020
·         Korean: 844-392-2020
·         Russian: 844-417-2020
·         Arabic: 844-416-2020
·         Tagalog: 844-478-2020
·         Polish: 844-479-2020
·         French: 844-494-2020
·         Haitian Creole: 844-477-2020
·         Portuguese: 844-474-2020
·         Japanese: 844-460-2020

·         Mail. Starting April 8th, if a household has not responded to their census, a paper census questionnaire will be mailed. Completed questionnaires, should be mailed to:

U.S. Census Bureau
National Processing Center
1201 E 10th Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47132

Please help us spread the word about Census 2020 to make sure we’re all counted! 

If you have questions or need assistance to respond to Census 2020, email beatriz_guerrero@ci.richmond.ca.us and provide a phone number to contact you.

¡El Censo 2020 está sucediendo! ¡No olvide contarse!

El futuro de nuestras comunidades empieza con el Censo 2020. El Censo se realiza una vez cada década, para contar a cada persona viviendo en los Estados Unidos. El conteo no solo define los distritos electorales, también se usa para determinar el presupuesto de nuestras comunidades incluyendo carreteras, vivienda accesible, escuelas, parques y acceso a la salud – algo que ha demostrado ser esencial para todas las personas durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

Al 28 de abril, sólo 56.7% de los hogares han respondido al Censo 2020 en la Ciudad de Richmond. Tres vecindarios de Richmond se encuentran debajo del 45% de respuesta - Iron Triangle (40.5%), North Richmond (42.2%) y Sheilds-Reid (42.2%). A continuación, se presenta una tabla con el porcentaje de respuesta de cada vecindario de la ciudad:

Tabla 1. Porcentaje de respuesta del Censo 2020 por vecindario en la Ciudad de Richmond al 28 de abril.

Mapa 1. Ciudad de Richmond. Respuesta al Censo 2020 por zona censal al 28 de abril.

Census Bureau. https://2020census.gov/en/response-rates.html#

Cada persona que no sea contada en el Censo se estima que represente un costo de $2,000 al año en pérdida de fondos federales para las comunidades. Si el Condado de Contra Costa no cuenta al 5% de la población, perdería aproximadamente $1.1 mil millones de dólares de financiamiento en los siguientes 10 años.

Si no ha respondido su cuestionario, o quiere ayudar a sus vecinos, amigos o familiares a completar su cuestionario, recuerde que se puede realizar a través de las siguientes opciones:
·         Internet. Dé click en este link e inicie su cuestionario: https://my2020census.gov/ El cuestionario del censo puede responderse en línea, en 12 idiomas, además de inglés.
·         Teléfono. Todos los días de 4:00 A.M. a 11:00 P.M. en los siguientes números:
­   Inglés: 844-330-2020
­   Español: 844-468-2020
Lunes a viernes, de 5:00 A.M. a 7:00 P.M. para los siguientes idiomas en los siguientes teléfonos:

·         Correo. A partir del 8 de abril, si un hogar no ha respondido al censo, recibirá una forma por correo. Los cuestionarios completos deberán enviarse a la siguiente dirección:

U.S. Census Bureau
National Processing Center
1201 E 10th Street
Jeffersonville, IN 47132

¡Por favor ayúdenos a correr la voz sobre del Censo 2020, para asegurar que todos seamos contados! 

Si tiene dudas o necesita ayuda para responder el Censo 2020, mande un correo electrónico a beatriz_guerrero@ci.richmond.ca.us y por favor incluya su número de teléfono para contactarlo.

6.    Information Technology

Transparent Richmond

Check out Transparent Richmond (www.transparentrichmond.org), the City of Richmond’s citywide open data and performance reporting system. The open data platform currently spans 11 city departments and contains over 300 datasets, visualizations, and performance measures, many of which feature monthly, weekly or daily updates.

Transparent Richmond aims to accomplish the following:

·         Improve the collective understanding of all city services
·         Automate performance data to help track and meet budget and service goals
·         Leverage evidence-based analysis to develop innovative solutions that improve the quality of city services

The city plans to add more datasets and visualizations over time and invites the community to propose additional information for the site. To nominate new data and visualizations, visit https://www.transparentrichmond.org/nominate.

Social Media Statistics for the week of May 8, 2020

KCRT TV Channel 28 – New Episodes of Current Programming

KCRT aired Council and West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) meetings.

Programming

“Classic Movies” (Classic Hollywood Movies)                                   
“The Kamla Show” (Talk Show)                                                           
“Car Guy Channel” (Auto series)                                                         
“Sidewalks Entertainment” (Celebrity, Music, Lifestyle and Arts) 
“The Jet Set” (Travel)                                                                  
“Creature Features” (Horror Movies)                                       

All of the above shows have encore runs throughout the week.
You may find the full schedule at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3176/Schedule

7.    Internal Services

Finance

Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 Budget Development

This week, Finance staff met with the ad hoc budget committee to continue developing strategies to close the budget gaps in FY2019-20 (approximately $6.6 million) and FY2020-21 (approximately $27.1 million). The goal is to develop a menu of options to choose from to not only balance the budgets in the near term, but also to sustain a balanced financial position over the long-term. Staff will be providing a status update on the FY2020-21 draft operating budget to the City Council at its meeting on May 5, 2020. This update will also include a report of the budget balancing strategies that has been developed so far.

The virtual community budget meeting is being postponed until further notice. The presentation will include information on the City’s budget process and current status of the City’s finances. This will also be an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions to staff.

Open Requests For Bids/Request For Proposals

8.    Library and Community Services

Employment & Training’s YouthWORKS program receives a $250,000 grant to serve disabled youth ages 16-21

Richmond YouthWORKS program was selected to receive a $250,000 grant from the California Department of Rehabilitation to serve 50 disabled youth.  This marks the third consecutive year that Richmond YouthWORKS has been selected to receive this grant aimed at providing job exploration, workforce readiness and implement an Earn & Learn model.

YouthWORKS staff will work with the local office of the Department of Rehabilitation and West Contra Costa Unified School District to select 50 students with disabilities between the ages of 16-21 and who have an Individual Education Plan (IEP).  Participating students will engage in 40 hours of job exploration, workforce readiness, and will be assigned to 200 hours of paid work experience.

Please contact Bouakhay Phongboupha, YouthWORKS Manager, for questions about this grant at (510) 307-8050.

9.    Public Works

Abatement

Abatement crews performed weed abatement along the Richmond Parkway, maintenance on the Richmond Greenway, abated medians along Rydin Road, completed maintenance around the Hacienda development, performed maintenance on City owned lots, and removed debris and graffiti from various locations throughout the City.

Richmond Parkway Maintenance

Hacienda Maintenance

Greenway Maintenance

RPAL Lot Maintenance

Rydin Road Medians

Illegal Dumping

Graffiti Abatement

Facilities Maintenance

Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance and Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, repaired one of the boilers on pool #2 at the Plunge, repaired one of the air conditioning units at the Police Department, secured a gate at the Hacienda development by welding, performed annual maintenance of the dehumidifier at the Richmond Swim Center, cleaned the grease trap at the Senior Center, and cleared a sink in a restroom and added refridgerant to one of the air conditioners in 450 Civic Center Plaza.

Gate Repair at Hacienda Development

Utility Workers are continued to sanitizing areas multiple times a day, pressure washed the Main Library courtyard, cleaned the Transit Center, performed carpet cleaning in Civic Center Plaza and serviced 29 City-owned facilities.

Carpet Cleaning

Parks and Landscaping

General fund crews mowed parks, removed debris from parks and right of ways, performed weed abatement at the Bayview Library, maintenance along the Richmond Greenway and Unity Park, pruned shrubs at John F. Kennedy Park, maintenance at Booker T. Anderson Park, removed illegal dumping at Boorman Park, weed abatement at the Recreation Complex and irrigation repairs at multiple parks.

Pruning at John F. Kennedy Park                   Boorman Park Abatement
                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Martin Luther King, Jr. Park Maintenance

Marina Districtcrews removed debris from parks and parking lots, trimmed shrubs in the planters along Peninsula Drive, continued weeding along the Bay Trail, hand pulled weeds in planters on Sand Beach, string trimmed weeds on Regatta Boulevard and Marina Way corners, continued irrigation inspections and repairs, and changed COVID-19 signs throughout the district.

Shrub Pruning

Hilltop Districtcrewscontinued general maintenance around the business area, performed weed abatement around Hilltop Lake, Hilltop Drive, Atlas Drive and Garrity Way, completed maintenance at Vista Del Mar Park, and removed debris from all parks.

Atlas Road Maintenance

Pavement Maintenance

Paving crews paved Valley View Drive, patched San Pablo and Garvin Avenue, addressed complaints and worked from the outstanding pothole list.

Valley View Drive Preparation

San Pablo Avenue Patching

Street Sweeping crews swept the following Neighborhood Council districts on the first Monday through Thursday and the second Friday in; Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Carriage Hills North Side, El Sobrante Hills, Greenbriar, Hansford Heights, Via Verde, San Pablo Dam Road, Bristole Cone, Clinton Hill IV and East Richmond.

Traffic Signs and Lines staff fabricated 23 signs, installed 19 signs, reset one pole, installed five poles, removed one pole, installed speed cushions, installed stop messages and painted white and blue pavement markings.

Pavement Markings

Speed Cushion Installation

Water Resource Recovery Department

Public Hearing – Richmond Municipal Sewer District Proposed Rate Increase - continued

The City Council opened the Public Hearing regarding the Sewer Rate Increases at the City Council meeting on April 21, 2020. There was several protest letters received as well as comments from the public via teleconference calls. The Council voted to keep the public hearing open until May 19, 2020, at which time they will vote on whether to raise the sanitary sewer rates.  These rate increases only affect those residents who reside in the Richmond Municipal Sewer District. If you are located in Stege’s or West County’s sewer districts, these rates will not apply to you.

Due to the Governor’s Shelter-in-Place order, public attendance at the Council Meetings has been restricted. Therefore, please check the City’s website for information regarding how you can register to participate in the Public Hearing regarding the Sewer Rate Increase.

Comments or protests can also be submitted in writing to: City Clerk’s Office, 450 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804. You may also submit your protest or comments via e-mail letter to the City Clerk’s office at the following address: 
Cityclerkdept@ci.richmond.ca.us

All protests will be recorded until the close of the public hearing. For more information, please contact Mary Phelps at (510) 621-1269 or mary_phelps@ci.richmond.ca.us

For more information, please visit: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3281/Water-Resource-Recovery 

2019/20 Sewer Segment Rehabilitation Project – Risk Assessment Analysis Year 2

The project has been awarded. Notice to Proceed was March 9, 2020, and this project is on a fast track to be completed by June 29, 2020, per the Baykeeper Settlement Agreement of 2018.  See progress photos below.

Local contractor is preparing to install new sewer main next to St. David’s School at Yuba Street and Garvin Avenue.

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.

10. Richmond Promise

Become a Richmond Promise Mentor!

Interested in support a Richmond student through college? Richmond Promise is expanding its mentorship program and seeking individuals who can support our Scholars in their academic, personal, and career success.

Building on the success of our 2018-19 mentor pilot program, we aim to match mentors and mentees for the 2020-21 academic year. This goal is dependent on mentee/mentor interest and mutual fit.

The time commitment for mentors is approximately one hour per month starting in August 2020 with a minimum of a one-year commitment. If the mentee is based outside of the Bay Area, the interaction will be virtual.

If you're interested, please complete the mentor interest form at http://bit.ly/richmentor20

For questions, email bquarles@richmondpromise.org 

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!

Laura Snideman
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