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 weeks ending January 15, 2021.

• Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 19th, 2021. The Special Meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority will begin at 6:25 P.M.,  followed by the Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council begins at 6:30 P.M. There is no Closed Session. The agenda may be found by clicking this link: January 19th City Council Agenda.

Congratulations to our re-elected and newly-elected councilmembers! Below are the names and pictures of the City of Richmond’s new City Council and newly elected councilmembers. More information can be found here.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

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

Outdoor Dining Update :January 2021

Once the current Stay-At-Home Order is rescinded, we will gladly accept new requests for businesses that wish to apply to use public right-of-way such as sidewalks adjacent to their business, to temporarily expand capacity outdoors by applying for a Temporary Outdoor Dining and Retail permit through the Community Services Department.

The City of Richmond is providing opportunities for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to utilize public and privately-owned outdoor areas, including parking lots, for outdoor dining and retail use. Applications can be requested by contacting us at CSDregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us.

Visit our website for the application and more information: https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4038/Outdoor-Dining-and-Curbside-Retail

• Announcements and Upcoming Events

Richmond Fund for Children and Youth FY 2021-24 Request for Proposals and Grant Application Now Available!

On June 5, 2018, Richmond voters approved Measures E and K, known as the Richmond Kids First Initiative, which approved a City of Richmond Charter amendment (Article 15) to require that a portion of the General Fund be set aside to fund youth programs and services. The total projected amount available for FY 2021-2022 grant awards is approximately $1.5 million in the initial year.

To access the RFCY Request for Proposals and grant application, please visit the RFCY Grants webpage at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/RFCYGrants.
To learn more, Department staff will be scheduling pre-proposal meetings to be held virtually on the following dates:

• Tuesday, January 19, 2021: 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. (formerly January 18, 2021)
• Tuesday, January 26, 2021: 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.
• Wednesday, February 3, 2021: 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

To register for these pre-proposal meetings and inform us of your attendance, please visit the following form: http://bit.ly/RFCYpre-proposalmeetings. Zoom webinar information will also be available on our RFCY Grants webpage and E-News Sign-ups 48 hours prior to the meetings.

To make sure you are notified of these meetings and additional updates, please subscribe to our Richmond Fund for Children and Youth E-News Sign-up. Should any questions arise, please contact youth@ci.richmond.ca.us or (510) 620-6523.

New Year, New Ride Event: Wednesday, January 20, 7:00 P.M. -8:30 P.M.

Are you ready to switch to a cleaner ride this year? Join Sustainable Contra Costa (SCOCO) and Drive Clean Bay Area (DCBA) for an EV and e-bike webinar, Electrify Your Ride. DCBA will review the basics, like available EV and e-bike models, incentives, and how to charge at home and on the road. You’ll also have the chance to chat with EV and e-bike owners and ask questions in breakout rooms. According to the California Air Resource Board, when you switch to driving electric and plug into clean energy, you can cut your carbon footprint in half. Switching to an electric vehicle is an important action in the Cleaner Contra Costa Challenge and SCOCO will show you how you can sign up. Log the environmental impact of your new ride and learn about other sustainable actions you can take to save money and energy in the home!

This FREE Virtual event will be held via Zoom. To register, visit drivecleanbayarea.org/events.

Electric Vehicle Financial Incentives Clinic: January 21, 2021

Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano County Drive-Thru Food Giveaway- Friday, January 29th 11:00 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.

• City Manager’s Office, Economic Development

Richmond Memorial Auditorium – Covid-19 Vaccination Center

The City of Richmond and Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) are pleased to announce their collaborative effort towards launching a COVID-19 vaccine distribution site in the Richmond Memorial Auditorium. Once the site is open to the public, CCHS, in collaboration with the City of Richmond, will announce the dates and hours of operation to the public. To receive more information regarding the COVID-19 Vaccination in Contra Costa County, please access the following CCHS website https://www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/vaccine or call the CCHS Hotline at 1-844-729-8410.

January 11th Transparent Richmond Presentation to Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council

The City of Richmond City Manager’s Office Economic Development department and Information Technology department presented to the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council on Monday, January 11th about Transparent Richmond, (www.transparentrichmond.org), the City of Richmond’s city-wide open data and performance reporting system. The presentation discussed the background and features of the platform as well as a demonstration of the Capital Projects Explorer, Richmond Police Department page, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency page, and Data Requests page.

Explore the Transparent Richmond portal at www.transparentrichmond.org. The open data platform currently spans 11 city departments and contains over 300 datasets, visualizations, and performance measures, some of which feature daily, weekly, or monthly updates.

To provide feedback or suggestions for the platform, visit the Transparent Richmond Data Requests page.

• Information Technology

Social Media Statistics for this Week

KCRT Datanet for the Week

KCRT TV Channel 28 – New Episodes of Current Programming
 
New “NewsBytes” segment: Crime Prevention End of The Year Meeting. Current recent specials are Michelle Obama Virtual Grand Opening (video courtesy of WCCUSD),  “RPD Virtual Halloween,” “Virtual National Night Out,” “National Electric Drive Week”; “Chat with Chief French,” ”NAACP Policing Forum,” the GRID Alternatives’ and City of Richmond’s “No-Cost Solar Workshop,” and the City’s Mask Videos.  All-new episodes of “Colour in Your Life,” “Creature Features,” “The Jet Set” and “Sidewalks Entertainment.”
     
You may find the full schedule at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3176/Schedule

• Library and Community Services

Community Services (Recreation)

Community Services Newsletter

We have exciting news to share with everyone! To be able to stay connected with our community we have created a Newsletter with updates about the happenings within the City of Richmond’s Community Services Department – Recreation Division. A sneak preview of the Newsletter can be seen by clicking on the below link.

If you are interested in signing up for our Newsletter, you can subscribe by choosing one of the below options:

1) Click the following link: https://conta.cc/3pzPLTg and then click the “Join Our Email List” button at the top of the Newsletter or

2) Email registration@ci.richmond.ca.us confirming you would like to begin receiving the Newsletter and we will add your email address to our mailing list.

We hope you will subscribe and enjoy receiving updates from our division as much as we enjoy creating them for you.

Virtual Zumba at Community Services Department (Recreation)

Starting December 8, the Community Services Department will begin a mid-morning virtual Zumba class. All Tuesdays and Thursdays virtual evening classes will still be maintained. 

Program Schedule
Saturdays:                             9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M.
Tuesdays and Thursdays:     10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. (Mid-Morning)
Tuesdays and Thursdays:     6:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. (Evening)
Cost: $5 per person per class*
Online prepaid participants ONLY

Register and pay online at: https://apm.activecommunities.com/richmond 
Please see below a link to our first Zumba class: https://youtu.be/1LkMozN1_nA

Virtual Sports Programs

Join us for our continued series in our virtual sports programs! Find a spot outdoors, and you’ll be able to master all the skills you need in soccer, tennis, or basketball! For more information, contact the Recreation staff listed in the flyer.

Virtual After-School Camps - ACHIEVE and ELEVATE

After-school camps are happening in 2021! We’ll have lots of fun and games with your favorite recreation staff and fellow campers. Register online at tinyurl.com/richmondrecreation.

New Adopt-a-Senior Program to Serve Residents Over 55

After all of the interest and support we received from residents in May 2020, 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!

The Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) is Hopeful

On Monday, the University of California announced that it is planning to return students to campus for in-person instruction in the fall. This announcement came after expressing optimism about COVID-19 vaccines and advancements in virus research.
Although the Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) is unable to speculate on such a commitment, we remain hopeful that all education sectors will soon follow. LEAP will continue to keep students abreast of reopening developments and post about changes to class schedules on our website.

Additionally, LEAP wants to acknowledge the recent injustices we’ve witnessed nationally and it is vital that our voices join with others to name the injustice we see and acknowledge the hurt, anger, and frustration felt in our community. Hate and privilege are unacceptable, and LEAP will continue to be a hub for our students that seek refuge and will do our part to connect them with resources that aid them in counsel, mental health, and any educational need.

If you need to talk to someone or would like to get involved with LEAP, please contact the LEAP office at 510-307-8084 to schedule an appointment or visit our website at https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/788/Literacy-Program-LEAP to learn more about the program. Also, please check LEAP’s revamped Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LEAPRICHMONDCA/.

Library Updates

Coming Soon – Free Homework Help through Live Online Tutoring

Thanks to the generous donation from the Richmond Public Library Foundation, the Library will offer access to Brainfuse’s HelpNow tutors for K-12 students.  When we go “live,” you can access this service with a Richmond Public Library card.  For more information on the tutoring, call the Children’s Department at 510-620-6557.  To request a new library card, call 510-620-6559, or request a card online at rosie.ci.richmond.ca.us/selfreg

Services include:

• Live Tutoring: Submit a question in the online classroom and receive live, one-on-one assistance from a Brainfuse tutor, 1:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M., Sunday thorough Saturday.
• Writing Lab & Ask a Question: Submit your writing sample, and tutors offer constructive feedback.  Or, ask a homework question.  Tutors will respond within 24 hours.
• Language Lab: Receive live online help with your Spanish homework from fluent Spanish-speaking tutors.

Do your kids need help with their homework?  Do you want access to a live tutor for free?

Tableside Service Update

The Richmond Public Library began its Tableside Service on June 15, 2020, in an effort to make library materials available to the community while our buildings themselves remain closed.  Since this service has been available, the Richmond Public Library has had 2,336 successful appointments, getting tens of thousands of books, magazines, DVDs, craft kits, and more into the hands of our community.

Remember: our Tableside Service is available by appointment 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, at the Main Library and 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M., Tuesdays and Thursdays, at the Bayview and West Side branches.  Call us at 510-620-6561 for more information or visit us online at http://richmondlibrary.org.

Below are representations of our running total of appointments and the weekly totals for the first 30 weeks with a 4-week running average.

Transportation Division

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Travis Credit Union Partners with Community Housing Development Corporation to Promote ‘Driving Clean Assistance Program’ Grant Opportunity

Providing Grants for Clean Vehicles in the Bay Area

Vacaville, CA – Travis Credit Union and Community Housing Development Corporation have partnered to promote the launch of CHDC’s ‘Driving Clean Assistance Program’ as part of the Light-Duty Financing Assistance in Disadvantaged Communities pilot project. This project allows CHDC to provide financial assistance of up to $5,000, enabling consumers to purchase advanced technology (plug-in, hybrid and battery electric) vehicles.

The DCAP program is part of the California Climate Investments Initiative, a statewide program to reduce greenhouse gases while providing local benefits to California neighborhoods, with an emphasis on disadvantaged communities.

Richmond-based CHDC has a proven track record of increasing affordable housing and economic opportunities for lower-income residents. “One of our objectives is to ensure more Californians in the counties we serve have access to the clean vehicles, as well as free financial education training through our partnership with TCU,” said Donald Gilmore, executive director, CHDC.

TCU is offering a free three-part educational webinar series for individuals to learn everything about how to apply for the grant, as well as details about owning and financing an electric vehicle.  Each webinar will allow time for participants to submit live questions and interact with the presenter.  The free three-part ‘Driving Clean Assistance Program’ educational webinar series is scheduled as follows:

Part One:  Providing Grants for Clean Vehicles in the Bay Area
January 13, 11:00 A.M. (PST)
The introductory webinar will cover the basics, including eligibility, selecting the right electric car for you, and making your next auto purchase sustainable and straightforward.  Click here to register.

Part Two:  What is an Advanced Technology Vehicle?
January 21, 11:00 A.M. (PST)
This webinar will cover the details of owning an electric vehicle, including charging stations, fuel savings and purchasing considerations. Click here to register.

Part Three:  How to Finance Your Vehicle
February 3, 11:00 A.M. (PST)
The final webinar explores the various financing pathways of purchasing or leasing your vehicle and applying for the grant as a down-payment. Click here to register.

“In 2021 and beyond, TCU will continue to be defined by our Awesome Cause – which is to change lives and lift communities through financial wellness,” said Cynthia McGuire, vice president of Consumer Lending.  “In the coming decade for California, TCU will support initiatives, much like the green energy programs, that weave into the overall fabric of financial wellness.”

For additional free financial education opportunities, please visit traviscu.org/webinars.

Headquartered in Vacaville, California, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution serving those who live, work, worship, or attend school in Alameda, Colusa, Contra Costa, Merced, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, and Yolo Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the 13th largest credit union in California with more than 214,000 members and more than $3.9 billion in assets.

• Public Works

Abatement

Abatement crews abated homeless encampments blocking sidewalks in the Parchester neighborhood council area, removed illegally dumped debris and graffiti from various locations.

Homeless Encampment Removal

Illegal Dumping and Graffiti Abatement

Facilities Maintenance

Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance and Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, installed a new electric water heater at the Parks Division trailer, fixed the motorized gate at the Fire Training center, repaired the drinking fountain in the Police Department’s gym area, fixed the urinal at Fire Station #62, repaired the furnace at Sheilds Reid Community Center and adjusted the temperature on the hot water heater in the Streets area of the Corporation Yard.

Water Heater Installation

Utility workers stripped and waxed floors at the Employment and Training building, replaced bulbs at the Main Library, daily disinfecting of buildings and maintenance of 29 city owned facilities.

Floor Maintenance at Employment & Training

Parks and Landscaping

General fund crews removed debris from parks on the west side of Richmond, removed debris from the right of ways and the Greenway, performed pest control, debris removal from central Richmond parks, pruning along the Nunn Pathway, weed abatement at the Kennedy Swim Center, removed illegal dumping at various locations, emptied refuse cans along the Greenway and mowed lawns.

Pruning on Nunn Pathway

Tree crews cut and trimmed trees on: South 22nd Street, Castro Street, Center Avenue, Piedmont Place and at Booker T. Anderson Park.

Center Avenue

Marina Districtcrews continued maintenance of all parks and parking lots, pruned shrubs along Esplanade Trail, hand weeding in various locations, string trimmed weeds on Esplanade Trail, replaced dog waste bags and emptied refuse cans along the Bay Trail and in parks.

Esplanade Trail Maintenance

Hilltop Districtcrewscontinued general maintenance around the business area, continued with the replanting project Bay Vista Park, continued tree and shrub removal on Robert Miller Drive, continued installation of irrigation for fruit trees at Hilltop Lake, cut fountain grasses at Country Club Vista and Bay Vista Parks and performed weed abatement at Country Club Vista and Bay Vista Parks.

Bay Vista Park Maintenance

Pavement Maintenance

Paving crews performed potholing from the outstanding list, hauled pavement grindings for recycling and addressed complaints.

Pavement Grinding Recycling

Potholing

Street Sweepingcrews swept the following Neighborhood Council districts on the second Monday through Thursday and the third Friday in May Valley, Vista View, Clinton Hill I – IV, Richmond Heights, Santa Fe, Coronado, Marina Bay and Point Richmond.

Traffic Signs and Lines crews fabricated 16 signs, installed four signs, installed white pavement markings and installed a railroad crossing symbol.

Pavement Markings

Water Resource Recovery Division

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 2020-2021 Fiscal Year for sewer lateral 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.

First Street and Bissell Avenue Sewer Repair Project

The First Street and Bissell Avenue Project construction began on December 14, 2020 and continues. See pictures and descriptions below.


Contractor excavated a trench with shoring, installed new sewer main pipe, connected laterals on First Street, and compacted trench backfill after sewer pipe installation.

 
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