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 August 14th, 2020.
- Meeting Notes
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18th. Closed Session begins at 9:45 A.M., and the agenda may be found by clicking this link: August 18th Special City Council Agenda. There will be no Open Session portion of this meeting.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The following information is an ongoing list of resources and significant updates regarding COVID-19.
  
Upcoming Community Services Programs
Our supervisors and coordinators are working diligently to see what we can offer to the communities during this pandemic. At the beginning of the school year, four Richmond community centers (Shields Reid, May Valley, Nevin, and Booker T. Anderson) will be offering Virtual After School Programs. More details to come.
 
- Upcoming Events
Free Virtual Bay Area Regional Network (BayREN) Energy Efficiency Workshop for Contra Costa County Homeowners
Contra Costa County Homeowners may participate in a free virtual BayREN Home+ energy efficiency workshop on Wednesday, August 19th, from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM hosted by Contra Costa County, Sustainable Contra Costa, and BayREN. The BayREN Home+ program provides technical assistance and rebates for home improvement projects that reduce energy use and make homes more comfortable. For a limited time, BayREN Home+ provides an additional $1,000 incentive for projects that include a cooling or heating measure combined with building shell improvements for a total maximum rebate amount of $6,000.
Through this program, you can make home improvements that will lower your energy use, conserve water and natural resources, and make your home more comfortable. Rebates are available for eligible energy efficiency upgrades, including air sealing, duct sealing, insulation, and installing high-efficiency furnaces, air conditioners, and/or water heaters.
Attend the free workshop to speak with local participating contractors, learn about a free Energy Advising service, and receive more information about energy upgrade rebates and financing options. Register for the workshop at https://bayren819.eventbrite.com. For questions, contact Doug Bleakly at (925) 323-6296 or by email at doug@sustainablecoco.org.
Visit the program’s website at www.bayrenresidential.org/. For information regarding other energy upgrade options available to Contra Costa County residents please visit www.cccounty.us/energy.
Richmond Businesses: FREE Square Readers & E-Commerce Site Help with Square
Richmond Main Street and Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center are teaming up with Square to offer FREE e-commerce site creation help and FREE card readers to Richmond businesses! For more information and links to on-demand webinar, office hour registration, and Square reader request form: Visit www.richmondmainstreet.org/business-services or Contact Alicia, outreach@richmondmainstreet.org
Empresas de Richmond: Lectores de Tarjetas de Crédito y Ayuda para Crear su Propia Página Web E-Commerce GRATUITA con Square
Richmond Main Street y Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center están trabajando con Square para ofrecer un programa gratuita: ayuda con crear su propia página web e-commerce y recibir lector de tarjetas de crédito.
Para más información y enlaces para ver los seminarios grabados, registrarse para horas de tutoría virtuales, y el formulario de solicitud para equipamiento Square: Visite www.richmondmainstreet.org/business-services o Contacte a Lucero, ldeleon@rencenter.org
Small Business Access to Capital & Debt Restructuring Workshop
Join Richmond Main Street and a panel of experts for a 2-for-1 small business financial health workshop on Thursday, August 27th, from 5:00 P.M. -6:30 P.M. , via Zoom.
First, hear from local banks and community lenders about flexible, affordable working capital loans available and how to get your application approved. Then, learn about debt restructuring, bankruptcy options, and pro bono legal resources. Q&A with the experts and information about COVID19-related resources will also be provided.
Please RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/RMSI-Aug2020 to receive the Zoom link and call-in information. Presenters will use visual aids, so tuning in via the Zoom link is highly recommended. This workshop is sponsored by Richmond Main Street with generous support from Mechanics Bank and community partners Kiva; Darya Sara Druch, experienced bankruptcy attorney; Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCRSF); and UC Berkeley New Business Community Law Clinic.
For more information visit www.RichmondMainStreet.org or contact admin@richmondmainstreet.org.
The Richmond Fire Department takes every precaution to help protect you and your property from wildland fire. However, in a major wildland fire event, there simply may not be enough resources or firefighters to defend every home.
Successfully preparing for a wildland fire enables you to take personal responsibility to protect yourself, your family, and property. In this guide, we provide the tips and tools you need to prepare for a wildland fire threat, to have situational awareness when a fire starts, and to act early as directed by local officials.
This guide works in collaboration with other existing wildland fire public education efforts, but attempts to capture pertinent information into one document for your convenience. Additional resources are listed within this document for further information.
You are a key leader to creating change. You and the members of your community can take simple steps to increase your wildland fire preparedness. Your knowledge and actions may empower others to follow your lead, increasing their safety and potentially decreasing property loss and damage. Being prepared for a wildland fire is vital, as responders’ resources can be spread thin quickly during a wildfire event. Taking advanced personal action can result in improved safety for all involved.
Fire is, and always has been, a natural occurrence. Hills, canyons, and forests burned periodically long before homes were built. Wildland fires are fueled by a build-up of dry vegetation and driven by seasonal hot and dry winds, called “Diablo winds.” These winds can quickly spread wildfires, making them extremely dangerous and difficult to control. Many people have built homes in the wildland urban interface, or “WUI,” without fully understanding the impact a wildfire may have on their lives. Few have adequately prepared their families and homes for a timely evacuation in the event of a wildland fire.
It is not a question of if the next major wildfire will occur, but when. Through advanced planning, understanding, and preparation, we can all be partners in the wildland fire solution. The tips on the following pages are designed to help create awareness and a safer environment for you, your family, and the Richmond Fire Department.
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 this Week
KCRT Datanet for the Week
KCRT TV Channel 28 – New Episodes of Current Programming
Production
Upcoming production shoots: Social Security Parade
Programming
New episodes are “The Jet Set” and “Sidewalks Entertainment.” Specials still airing are the GRID Alternatives’ and City of Richmond’s No-Cost Solar Workshop, as well as 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
Finance
FY 2020-21 Operating Budget Updates
The City partnered with Russ Branson Consulting (RBC) to develop its five-year budget forecast model. The model provides a long-range outlook and serves as a tool to identify and proactively address fiscal challenges. At its meeting on May 26, 2020, the City Council received a presentation on the preliminary five-year budget forecast, which confirmed the long-term fiscal challenges that the City is facing. The updated five-year budget forecast will be presented to the City Council at its meeting on September 15, 2020.
FY 2019-20 Interim Audit
Our auditors, Badawi & Associates, completed the interim audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 during July and August 2020. The audit Exit Conference with the City is scheduled for mid-August. The year-end audit fieldwork dates are tentatively scheduled from October 26 through December 11, 2020.
Open Requests For Bids/Request For Proposals
Public Works |
Field Turf Replacement at Martin Luther King Jr. Field |
Due: 8/20/20 |
Port |
Port of Richmond Master Lease of Terminal 3 |
Due: 8/28/20 |
- Library and Community Services
Community Services (Recreation)
New Adopt-a-Senior Program to Serve Residents Over 55
After all of the interest and support we received from residents in May, Richmond Love Your Block is excited to present: Adopt-A-Senior! We are connecting community volunteers and seniors in Richmond and North Richmond.
If you are over 55 and would like to receive FREE maintenance services for your property, go to tinyurl.com/SeniorAdoptionRequest to be adopted! Services may include: cleaning up debris and litter; removing weeds and tall grass; trimming and pruning plant; painting; and more. Eligibility requirements apply.
If you would like to BE a volunteer and adopt a senior to help them maintain their property go to tinyurl.com/AdoptaSeniorVolunteer. (The Adopt-A-Senior program does not provide any home repairs or other services that take place inside of the home.)
Help us spread the word so we can connect as many seniors and volunteers as possible!
Library Updates
Do You Need to Print?
Email documents to rpl_reference@ci.richmond.ca.us and we’ll print and arrange for pick up. Ten cents ($.10) per black and white page, $0.40 per color page. Pay online through your library account at https://rosie.ci.richmond.ca.us/patroninfo.
Happy Readers
Get books; be happy! We’d love to help you find books that you and your family would love to read. Contact us by email, phone, or text to request books, get recommendations, or ask for a bag of books selected by librarians.
rpl_reference@ci.richmond.ca.us
510-620-6561 (Adult/Teens)
510-620-6557 (Children’s)
510-621-7346 (text)
Browse Our New Virtual Bookshelves!
See what’s new! Recent arrivals are sorted by genres; read a description and request by clicking on the cover! www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3971/New-Books
New Library Service!
The library has added the new service of Flipster! Popular Magazines now available in e-magazine form! Find a favorite and dive in!
Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP)
Have you seen the Literacy for Every Adult Program’s (LEAP) new social distancing office arrangements? Enjoy this pictorial tour of LEAP that illustrates how we are helping everyone stay safe while continuing to support our students with their educational goals.
If you are interested in supporting LEAP, enrolling in our program, getting involved in volunteer opportunities or learning about our new class schedule please contact us at (510) 307-8084 or visit our website at https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/788/Literacy-Program-LEAP to schedule an appointment. Please be mindful that although we are unable to accommodate walk-ins at this time, we do offer many virtual services that will allow you to enjoy the LEAP experience.
 
Draft Ferry to Bridge to Greenway Complete Streets Plan Available for Comment
We are excited to announce that the Draft Ferry to Bridge to Greenway Complete Streets Plan is now available for viewing and public comment. The Plan is shaped by feedback received from over 500 community members through online surveys and 15 in-person events held from January 2019 through April 2020. Based on this feedback, the Plan proposes a number of walking and bicycling improvements to promote safe access to the Richmond Ferry, Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Trail, Richmond Greenway and other destinations throughout the City of Richmond.
The Draft Plan will be available for public comments through the month of August – it is available for download on the Ferry to Bridge to Greenway website at: http://ferry2bridge2greenway.com/draftplan. We encourage Richmond residents, employees and visitors to comment on the Plan. The website includes directions on how to provide comments on the Plan, or the public can e-mail comments directly to info@ferry2bridge2greenway.com.
After public feedback is received, we expect the Draft Plan to be presented to Planning Commission in Fall 2020, with adoption of the Final Plan by City Council expected sometime in late 2020 or early 2021.
Facilities Maintenance
Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance and Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, began demolition of the old water heater at the Swim Center, fixed the refrigerator at Fire Station #62, repaired the motorized gate at the Fire Training Center, installed a lock on the back gate of the Art Center, cleared a urinal on the 3rd floor of City Hall and fixed a desk chair in the Dispatch Center.
Demolition of Water Heater
Utility Workers are continuing to sanitize areas multiple times a day, removed mats in the Office of Neighborhood Safety, removed damaged furniture from the Plunge, replaced hand towel dispenser in the Fire Administration Office, fixed the clock in the City Manager’s Office and serviced 29 City owned facilities.
Furniture Removal
Parks and Landscaping
General fund crews removed debris from west side parks, mowed turf at most parks and right of ways, performed weed abatement at Shields Reid and Atchison Parks, trimmed redwood trees at Crescent and State Court Parks, staked trees at Booker T. Anderson Park, removed trash from the Greenway, removed graffiti from Wendell Park and edged parks of the west side of Richmond.
 
Mulch Installation Cutting Boulevard, at Booker T. Anderson Park, Median Maintenance
Tree crews cut or removed trees from the following locations: Burlingame Avenue, Costa Avenue, Clinton Avenue, Golden Gate Avenue, Macdonald Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue and Tiller Park.
Roosevelt Avenue Trimming
Marina District crews continued maintenance of all parks and parking lots, removed dead blooms at Shimada Park, edged lawns at Shimada, Esplanade and Lucretia Edwards Parks, weeded fencing along Esplanade, trimmed hedges at Marina Way parking lots, performed maintenance on the Bay Trail and pruned roses at parking lots, and removed debris and mowed all lawns throughout the district.
 
Installation of Mulch Shrub Trimming
Hilltop District crewscontinued general maintenance around the business area, removed debris from all parks, continued the replanting project at Bay Vista Park, performed irrigation repairs at County Club Vista and Bay Vista Parks, performed weed abatement on Atlas Road right of ways and at multiple parks in the district.
 
Bay Vista Park Planting and Edging
Pavement Maintenance
Paving crews paved Clinton Avenue, addressed complaints and worked from the outstanding pothole list.
 
 
 
Paving on Clinton Avenue
Street Sweeping crews swept the following Neighborhood Council districts on the second Monday through Friday in; May Valley, Vista View, Clinton Hill I – IV and East Richmond.
Traffic Signs and Lines crews fabricated six signs in house, installed 20 signs, repaired a sign, installed three poles, reset one pole, installed a pedestrian guardrail, painted red, blue and white pavement markings including crosswalks and stop messages.
 
 
Sign Installation & Repair Pavement Markings
Water Resource Recovery Division
2019/20 Sewer Segment Rehabilitation Project – RAA Year 2
See progress photos below for City approved change order work.
 
Local contractor installed a new sewer main and restored the pavement after completing the pipe installation on 23rd Street and Garvin Avenue.
Wastewater Treatment Plant – Fats, Oils, & Grease (FOG)
Please do not put grease down the drain! Heavy grease has been reported at Richmond's sewer treatment plant. Grease clogs pipes and can be detrimental to the function of the plant.
For more information about Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG), please call 510-620-6594.
 
Planta de Tratamiento de Aguas Residuales – Aceites y Grasas (FOG)
¡Por favor! ¡No ponga grasa por el drenaje! Se ha reportado grasa pesada en la planta de tratamiento de alcantarillado de Richmond. La grasa obstruye las tuberías y puede ser perjudicial para la función de la planta.
Para obtener más información sobre aceites y grasas (FOG), llame al 510-620-6594.
 
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. There is limited availability – work must have been completed between 7/1/2019-6/30/2020.
The 2020-2021 Fiscal Year is now open and we are accepting applications for work completed between 7/1/2020-6/30/2021.
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.
 
Recap: Richmond Promise Summer Associate Program
This summer, we had the privilege to employ 21 college students through AmeriCorps VISTA. Seven students worked with our partners at Youth Finance Institute of America, City of Richmond Dept of Children & Youth, and The Practice Space and 14 worked with the Richmond Promise. Throughout the past nine weeks, these 21 students have worked incredibly hard to support many different aspects of our work during an incredibly critical summer, and positively impact students throughout Richmond, including:
- Facilitating Literacy Retention sessions with 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders through the Camp Achieve Summer Program (Over 50 Students)
- Facilitated over 375 one-on-one appointments with rising RP Scholars
- Offered over 30 College Success Workshop’s this summer
- Outreaching to 500 plus current Richmond Promise Scholars to ensure scholarship renewal
Thanks in large part to their efforts, and despite the uncertainty of the pandemic, we anticipate nearly 90% of Richmond Promise Scholars in the class of 2020 will successfully claim their RP scholarship and enroll in college full time and on time this fall.
Virtual Support for Recent High School Graduates & College Students Through the Summer
Richmond Promise is offering virtual coaching to current & future 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.
Contact our Outreach Team to make an appointment:
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/rpmentors
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
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