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 22nd, 2020.

1.    Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26th. Closed Session begins at 5:00 P.M., followed by the Special meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority at 6:25 P.M. The Regular City Council will begin at 6:30 P.M., and the agenda may be found by clicking this link: May 26th 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.

California Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI)

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.

KCRT Datanet for the Week

 LifeLong Medical Care

We are here for you! Call (510) 981-4100 for COVID-19 Testing. Visit https://www.lifelongmedical.org/covid.html for more information.

¡Estamos aquí para ayudarle! Llame al (510) 981-4100 para pruebas de COVID-19. Visite https://www.lifelongmedical.org/covid.html para más información.

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 Housing Tax Credit, or LIHTC 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 info@richmondpromise.org or call us at (510) 230-0422

Virtual Support for High School Seniors & College Students Through the Summer

Richmond Promise is offering virtual coaching to current high school 12th graders & current college students who may need support with their college enrollment process. We can assist students who need supporting completing to-do list item 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   or contact our Outreach Team:

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

Richmond Promise Scholar Support

Do you know a Richmond Promise college student in need? Since March 13, we have provided students with support for groceries, computers and Wi-Fi access and travel home. If you know a Richmond Promise 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.

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)

RecycleMore staff is working remotely and are 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

• El Cerrito Recycling Center- The El Cerrito Recycling Center, as well as the Household Hazardous Waste Collection is open with modified hours. For more information, visit https://www.el-cerrito.org/533/Recycling-Environmental-Resource-Center.

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

• Door-to-Door Household Hazardous Waste Collection for seniors and the disabled 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.

The City of Richmond, 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

3.    Upcoming Events

Award-Winning Summer Camps ACHIEVE and ELEVATE are Going Virtual

Join us for a summer of fun!

Spend the summer with your favorite recreation staff and teachers from Booker T. Anderson, Parchester, Nevin, Shields-Reid, May Valley, and the Rec Complex in a virtual camp setting!

Summer Camps will run from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday from June 15 - August 7, 2020. Grades eligible for camp are from Kindergarten through 6th grade.

AM: Campers will pick up activity packets at their local community center for online guidance (Zoom/Google) by school district teachers. PM: Campers will check in with recreation staff (Zoom/Google) for fun and engaging activities. Registered families will have a weekly schedule with instructions on how to navigate our fun and interactive camp.

Reminder: Due to the current health order we will not be providing on-site childcare this summer.  However, staff will be on-site at all community centers to answer questions by phone. Lunches will also be available at select centers. Activity packets can be done at home with or without internet access.  All Zoom classes can be listened in by phone as well.

Free walk-in registration at community centers starts Friday, May 22 at 9:00 A.M. or you can register online for a $20 registration fee. Call (510) 620-6793 or visit http://online.activenetwork.com/richmond.

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.    Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Update

5.    City Manager’s Office

Economic Development

Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Grant Virtual Site Visit

On Thursday, May 14, 2020, the City of Richmond, led  by the City Manager's Office, Economic Development, Environmental and Health Initiatives Division and Community Development Departments in collation with the co-applicants, participated in a 4-hour virtual site visit related to its Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant application administered by the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) in partnership with the California Department of Conservation. Richmond’s TCC grant application “Climate-Smart Richmond: Power through Connections”, includes the following co-applicants: GroundWork Richmond, GRID Alternatives Bay Area, Mercy Housing California, and Trust for Public Land.

If awarded, the project would implement a number of climate-related projects in partnership with it co-applicants (noted above) community-based organizations and residents over the next five years, including:

• Tree planting in the Iron Triangle, Santa Fe, and Coronado neighborhoods (Urban Greening Master Plan);
• Harbour Way Complete Streets (Bicycle Master Plan);
• Phase 2 of the Richmond Wellness Trail (Richmond Wellness Trail Vision Plan)
• Solar and EV charging installation for low-income families (Climate Action Plan)
• Solar and Electric Systems Conversions for Hacienda Apartments Rehabilitation

Funds would also be utilized for community engagement, workforce development to help with job training for local residents focused on green jobs, as well as displacement avoidance programs to keep residents and local businesses in place. 

Thank you to all of the community members, neighborhood councils, and community-based organizations that provided their support through recorded videos! Thank you to Brandon Evans (Vice-President of Coronado Neighborhood Council), GroundWork Richmond, GRID Alternatives Bay Area, Mercy Housing California, Trust for Public Land, PlaceWorks, Mack 5, and city staff from the Richmond Housing Authority, City Manager’s Office, Community Development, Mayor’s Office, Library and Community Services Department, Public Works Department, Information Technology, and KCRT, for all your hard work and support!

The City anticipates notification of grant awards will occur in June 2020.  More information and videos about Climate Smart Richmond can be found on the Transparent Richmond Open Data portal:
https://www.transparentrichmond.org/stories/s/32j4-hi4y

Nystrom Village Redevelopment and Operation – Pre-proposal Meeting

The Richmond Housing Authority and the City of Richmond hosted a pre-proposal meeting for the redevelopment and operation of Nystrom Village, a four block site situated between Florida and Virginia Ave (North to South) and South 13 St. and South 16 St. (East to West), on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. This virtual Zoom Meeting had over 90 participants in attendance to gain a deeper understanding of the Nystrom Village Request for Proposal’s (RFP) expectations.  Shasa Curl, Deputy City Manager, Economic Development, led the meeting providing background and information related to development trends of the City. Roberta Feliciano, Senior Planner in the Community Development Department described current development projects and an overview of the City’s land use regulations. Nannette Beacham, Executive Director of the Richmond Housing Authority described the goals and expectations for the site. To end, Thomas Omolo, Management Analyst in the City Manager’s Office, Economic Development and Nannette Beacham shared City ordinances that may apply for the redevelopment and operations of Nystrom Village.

This mandatory pre-proposal meeting was the first step in the process to transfer the operation of Nystrom Village to a development firm. More information is available on Richmond’s Opportunity Site webpage and proposals for the RFP are due on June 19, 2020 at 2:00 P.M.

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 proven to be so essential for everyone during COVID-19 pandemic.

As of May 12, 2020, 61.5% of Richmond households have responded to Census 2020 –a 4.8% increase compared to April 28th. Three Richmond neighborhoods still have a self-response rate below 50% - Iron Triangle (45.9%), North Richmond (45.2%) and Shields-Reid (45.2%).

The following table has the response rate by neighborhood as of May 12, 2020 and the response rate increase over the last two weeks:

Table 1. Census 2020 response-rate by neighborhood in the City of Richmond as of May 12th

Census Bureau. Response rate comparison between April 28th and May 12th, 2020.

Map 1. City of Richmond.  Census 2020 Self- Response rate by census tract. May 12th, 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. Since 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 12 de mayo, 61.5% de los hogares han respondido al Censo 2020 en la Ciudad de Richmond – un aumento de 4.8% comparado con los datos del 28 de abril. Tres vecindarios de Richmond se encuentran aún debajo del 50% de respuesta - Iron Triangle (45.9%), North Richmond (45.2%) y Sheilds-Reid (45.2%). 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 12 de mayo.

Census Bureau. Comparación de la tasa de respuesta entre el 28 de abril y el 12 de mayo.

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. Si un hogar no ha respondido al censo, a partir del 8 de abril 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.

.    Fire Department

Richmond Fire Department Welcomes New Engines to the Fleet

On May 20, 2020, the Fire Department took possession of two new fire engines. Originally approved in the FY17-18 budget, it has taken almost three years to complete the necessary financing, specifications, and custom build of the apparatus. These much needed engines replace two frontline apparatus in the fleet that are 19 years old, and represent the first fire engines the department has received since 2012.
Fire engines have a recommended frontline service life of no more than 10 years, with an additional 5 years of use in reserve status. The department is very excited to put these engines into service in the next month. We appreciate the continued support from Equipment Services, Public Works, Finance, and city management in addressing our fleet needs.

8.    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 22, 2020

KCRT TV Channel 28 - NEW EPISODES OF CURRENT PROGRAMMING

KCRT aired the Richmond City 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

9.    Internal Services

Finance

Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21 Budget Development
This week, staff presented to the City Council FY2020-21 budget updates, which primarily focused on the progress of revenue enhancement and cost recovery measures. Staff prepared their recommendations from the list of potential budget balancing strategies, resulting in estimated cost savings of $15 million. Those recommendations will be presented to the Council at the meeting on May 26, 2020. At the same meeting, the Council will also receive a presentation on the City’s preliminary five-year budget forecast.

Community budget meetings are being scheduled for June 1, 2020 (day session) and June 5, 2020 (evening session).

Open Requests For Bids/Request For Proposals

10. Public Works

Abatement

Abatement crews performed weed abatement on various city lots, abatement along the Richmond Parkway including medians, responded to the Police Department’s request to an afterhours board-up, provided assistance to the Signs and Lines crew to remove five truckloads of debris from the Richmond Housing Authority’s Nystrom Village, and removed debris and graffiti from various locations throughout the City.

City Lots & Right-Of-Way Maintenance

Parkway & Medians Maintenance

Afterhours Board-Up

Nystrom Village (HA) Clean-Up

Illegal Dumping

Graffiti Abatement

Facilities Maintenance

Staff has been overseeing the repair and modernization of the elevators in the Nevin Plaza Housing building. Both elevators have been modernized and are now operational and have passed inspection by the State of California’s inspector.

Nevin Plaza Elevators

Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance and Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, began maintenance on the dehumidifier cloth ducting at the Swim Center, replaced air filters at the Employment and Training Building and Senior Center, completed annual maintenance on the air conditioning units and applied a sealant to prevent water leaks at 440 Civic Center Plaza, repaired the refrigerator at Fire Station #66, replaced exhaust fan belts at 450 Civic Center Plaza for the restrooms and replaced the air handler filters at the Main Library.

Swim Center Annual Maintenance

Utility Workers are continued sanitizing areas multiple times a day, repaired a leak in the restroom of the Council area, removed furniture from 450 Civic Center Plaza and serviced 29 City-owned facilities.

Furniture Removal

Parks and Landscaping

General fund crews mowed parks, removed debris from the west side parks, performed weed abatement at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, abated weeds on the medians of 22nd Street, maintenance at Shields Reid Park, performed irrigation audits on parks on the west side of Richmond, repaired irrigation at the Plunge, weed abatement on pathways, performed maintenance along the 56th Street sound wall, removed illegal dumping from Ells Pathway, performed maintenance at Booker T. Anderson Park, pruned shrubs at Crescent Park, cut weeds on the medians of Cutting Boulevard and Cutting Circle, removed graffiti from the Main Library, repaired the gate at Kern Park, and performed and pest control general maintenance throughout.

Cutting Boulevard and Irrigation Maintenance

Shields Reid Maintenance

Tree crews cut or removed trees on:  Fallon Avenue, Fallon Pathway, Dimm Street, Wiswall Drive, Bissell Avenue, South 13th Street, Groom Avenue, 40th Street, Fire Training Center and at Booker T. Anderson Park.

Marina District crews removed debris from parks and parking lots, emptied trash bins along the Bay Trail, hand pulled weeds in planters, edged lawns at Shimada Park, cut weeds in parking lots, removed weeds on Bayside Street and abated weeds in medians along Regatta Boulevard.

Parking Lot Maintenance

Hilltop Districtcrewscontinued general maintenance around the business area, removed debris from all parks, completed weed abatement on Robert Miller Drive medians, finished weed abatement on Hilltop Drive right of ways, started weed abatement on Blume Drive medians, removed illegal dumping from the Richmond Parkway, completed weed abatement on Atlas Road and began weed abatement at Country Club Vista Park.

Illegal Dumping                                      Atlas Drive Maintenance
                                                                                                                                                                                                on Richmond Parkway

Pavement Maintenance

Paving crews paved on Bissell Avenue, patched on Contra Costa Street, patched on Barnard Street, addressed complaints and worked from the outstanding pothole list.

Contra Costa Street Repair

Barnard Street Patching

Bissell Avenue Paving Preparations

Street Sweepingcrews swept the following Neighborhood Council districts on the third Monday through Thursday and the fourth Friday in; North Richmond, Iron Triangle, North Belding Woods, Atchison Village, South Belding Woods, Richmond Annex, Parkview, Panhandle Annex and Eastshore.

Traffic Signs and Lines staff fabricated 19 signs, installed 20 signs, installed five poles, removed pavement markers, repair signs and painted white and blue pavement markings in various locations.

Sign Repair

Pavement Marking and Sign Installation

Pavement Marking Removal

Water Resource Recovery Department

Public Hearing – Richmond Municipal Sewer District Proposed Rate Increase

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 voted on the Sewer Rate Increase.

There was several protest letters submitted from residents. The tally was as follows:
Total Votes received:    448
Richmond Votes:          420                             
Votes Outside District:    25 (located in West County or Stege District)
Votes with no address:    3

Two options were presented to the Council:
Option A: 7% increase annually for fiscal years 2020-2021 – 2024-2025
Option B:            5%, 6%, 7%, 7%, 7% for each fiscal year 2020-2021 – 2024-2025 respectively.

After several comments from the public, and discussion from various Council Members and the Mayor, the council voted unanimously to approve Option B.

The Sewer Rate Increase is adopted via Ordinance. The Ordinance (Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 12.20) will have a second reading at the May 26, 2020 council meeting. The Code will become effective thirty days after it’s formally adopted.

For more information regarding the sewer rate increase, please contact Mary Phelps at (510) 621-1269 or mary_phelps@ci.richmond.ca.us

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 grinding in preparation of final pavement restoration on 44th Street.

Local contractor is paving along Fallon Avenue after completing sewer main replacement.

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.

11. Richmond Promise

Become a Richmond Promise Mentor!

Interested in supporting 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