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 April 23, 2021.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 27th, 2021. The
Special Joint Meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority and the City Council begins at 4:00 P.M., followed by Closed Session at 4:15 P.M. The Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council begins at 6:30 P.M., and the agenda may be found by clicking this link: April 27th City Council Agenda.
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
The following information is an ongoing list of resources and significant updates regarding COVID-19.
  
COVID-19 Vaccines
The City of Richmond and Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) have partnered to host a COVID-19 vaccine distribution site in the Richmond Memorial Auditorium. The site administers vaccines Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. , by appointment and walk-ins from 2:00 P.M. – 3:15 P.M. Currently vaccines are available to Contra Costa County and Richmond residents over 16 years old. To receive a vaccine, schedule an appointment with CCHS through the online appointment request form or by calling1-833-829-2626 Monday-Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. Eligible residents seeking appointments are encouraged to use the online CCHS form unless they do not have internet access or have difficulty using the online form.
Other local resources, including links to other healthcare providers in the community now offering vaccine, are available at www.coronavirus.cchealth.org/get-vaccinated CCHS also has a new data dashboard on its COVID-19 web page, www.cchealth.org/coronavirus, providing daily updates for the county's vaccination campaign. For additional questions please call, 1-844-729-8410.
 
Update on Outdoor Gatherings
Community Budget Meetings
Members of the community, you are invited to attend the City of Richmond’s Community Budget Meeting hosted by the Finance Department. Come learn about the city’s budget process, an overview of the City’s finances, and how the American Rescue Plan impacts our city’s fianances. City staff will be available for questions, and Spanish translation will be provided.
You are invited to participate in any of the meetings listed on the flyers below. We’ll see you there!
 
Transportation Project Manager Denée Evans receives ZEVe- Award from the California Governer’s Office of Business and Economic Development
Project Manager Denée Evans was recently awarded the ZEVe- Award for her efforts in making Richmond a greener city. Congratulations Denée!
GO-Biz is honoring a local zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) champion for her leadership and dedication in preparing our state for our zero-emission future with the ZEVe- Award. As a state, we cannot accomplish our ambitious climate goals without the talented individuals who are leading locally #ZEVLeadership!
Denée Evans, Transportation Demand and Sustainability Project Manager at the City of Richmond, has been leading the charge in the East Bay to roll out the red carpet for clean investment in her community. Acting as a charging station ombudsperson at the City of Richmond, she has fast tracked charging station installations to support the city’s electrification goals. Through her diligent internal coordination, numerous charging station projects have been installed in Richmond. Last year, Denée championed a partnership with VOLTA as well as the acquisition of the City’s first BEAM solar powered EV ARC™ that offers free charging to the public. Denée’s efforts are fundamental in transforming Richmond into a greener and more livable city.
 
- City Manager’s Office, Economic Development
Grant Awarded for Cannabis Equity Assessment
The City of Richmond was awarded a $75,000 Go-Biz Cannabis Equity Type-I Grant to conduct an Equity Assessment and draft a new Cannabis Equity Ordinance. Once the City has completed the Equity Assessment and drafted an Equity Ordinance, the City will then be allowed to request up to $5,000,000 in a Type II grant to administer an equity program and fund programs such as supplying low-interest loans to equity applicants or funding direct technical assistance. City staff will continue to work with SCI Consulting Group, who assisted the Planning Department with previous cannabis ordinances.
The goal of the Equity Assessment is to ensure that access and opportunities in the new growing Cannabis industry are equitable. Long-standing and persistent obstacles to general business opportunities for affected communities (primarily Black/African American, LatinX and Indigenous) that exist within our country are even more severe regarding cannabis-related businesses because of the racial targeting associated with the War on Drugs. The City of Richmond in collaboration with SCI Consulting group will analyze data, and work with elected officials, existing and potential commercial cannabis business owners, and other community stakeholders to complete this project. City staff will host multiple community meetings, present findings during a public Economic Development Commission meetings and the Richmond City Councils. For more information on the program, call the Richmond City Manager’s Office at 510 620-5560.
Richmond Business Spotlight – The Rich Clothing Company
2020 has been a difficult year for many of Richmond's small businesses, but through the hardships, many have pivoted and adapted to the ever-changing economic climate. The Rich Clothing Company is one local example of a business that had to close its doors in April of 2020 and shift all business online after opening November of 2019. In the midst of a pandemic, the business turned its focus to supporting its community. In May, The Rich Clothing Company partnered with the Richmond Police Department to support unity in the community in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the company partnered with Richmond Target to give away over 100 snack bags filled with non-perishable snack goods and partnered with JanSport to donate over 75 backpacks to Richmond Youth. During the summer of 2020, the company was featured in the Heart of Richmond Black-Owned Spotlight.
The Rich Clothing Company's newest endeavor is in partnership with the Iron Triangle Neighborhood Council. This June the partnership will launch a podcast with Richmond youth interviewing Richmond business owners. The goal is to provide Richmond Youth more platforms and resources to learn and work in media and graphic design.
The Rich Clothing Company is committed to supporting its community during this unprecedented time. For more information on The Rich Clothing Company please visit their website.
Finance
Open Requests For Bids/Request For Proposals
Police Department |
Public Safety Systems Data Integration Services RFP |
Due: 5/6/21 |
Information Technology
Transparent Richmond - Highlights For The Month
Please see the City Manager’s Office, Economic Development favorite dataset of the month from Transparent Richmond
The City would like to highlight the "GRID Alternatives – Including Richmond’s All Time Projects Installed" (this dataset was last updated as of March 31, 2021).
Since 2007, the City has completed 445+ low-income solar installations. The City will be hosting a workshop with GRID Alternatives in June so Richmond residents can learn about and participate in the no-cost solar program. Workshop details will be posted in the City Manager’s Weekly Report and on www.richmondenvironment.org. For more information about Transparent Richmond, please visit www.transparentrichmond.org or https://www.transparentrichmond.org/stories/s/ibty-6ngw for the Open Data Program webpage.
Social Media Statistics for this Week
Mobile App Stats For The Week
KCRT Datanet For The Week
KCRT TV Channel 28 - New Episodes Of Current Programming
All-new episodes of “Colour in Your Life”; “Creature Features”; “The Jet Set”; and multiple episodes of “Sidewalks Entertainment.”
You may find the full schedule at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3176/Schedule
- Library and Community Services
Community Services (Recreation)
Camp Achieve Hybrid Summer Camp
Elevate Summer Camp
Have fun, be motivated, and get active at the Elevate Summer Camp! Participants will enjoy fun activities, games, sports and special events! Programs are supervised by City of Richmond staff and volunteers. For ages 6-12, from June 14-August 6, 2021.
:
Register May 3, 2021 at 8:30 A.M.: https://apm.activecommunities.com/richmond or in person by appointment at the Richmond Registration Office (3230 Macdonald Ave). Call 510-620-6793 to make an appointment.
Virtual Camps
Spend your out-of-school time with your recreation friends and staff fromMay Valley and Nevin Community Center in a fun and engaging virtual program setting. Log in at 3:00 P.M. for out Afternoon Message, then visit your favorite recreation center for Homework Time and Help. Each day, we will provide fun activities, arts & crafts, games and movement. Call 510-620-6793 for more information.
Instructional Youth Tennis
Staff will lead small groups of children in games and tennis drills that teach importat hand-to-eye coordination, footwork and the rules of the game. Our instructional tennis will meet the needs of any level player. For more information, contact Tetteh Kisseh at 510-620-6919 or at tetteh_kisseh@ci.richmond.ca.us, or Maurice Range at 510-620-6960 or at maurice_range@ci.richmond.ca.us.
Pickleball Intro Clinics
Senior Tax Aid Assistance
AARP is currently providing free tax preparation services at the Richmond Senior Center on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Appointments are only made by reservation by calling (510)319-9559 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays or you can send email to S73051407@aarpfoundation.org. Approximately 20 to 40 participants are receiving this service each week. The program ends on May 17, 2021.
Zumba is on Zoom and Outdoors!
Zumba is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays via Zoom, and Saturdays outdoors at the Nicholl Park tennis courts! See flyer for more details.
Library Updates
In-Person Services Resume at Main Library April 26th
The Richmond Public Library will launch RPL Express in-person service at the Main/Civic Center Library on Monday, April 26th. Patrons will be able to browse the stacks and use a computer, printer, or copier for up to one hour each day. Tableside Service will continue to be available at the Main, Bayview, and West Side libraries. For hours and additional information, please visit www.richmondlibrary.org.
Wireless Printing
You can now submit print jobs directly to the Main Library printer from any computer or mobile device. Submit jobs as an email attachment or via the Printing Portal. Instructions and Printer Portal access at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4097
Borrow a Laptop and WiFi Hotspot
Need to file your taxes? Book a vacation? Check your email? The Richmond Public Library lends WiFi hotspots and laptops!
- WiFi hotspots offer high-speed 4G LTE data
- Devices are available with 1-day or 7-day loan periods
- Loans can be renewed twice if no other patrons are waiting
- Laptops run Windows 10 and have Microsoft Office 2019 installed
- Laptops have a 7-day loan period
- Loans can be renewed twice if no other patrons are waiting
Borrowers must be 18 years of age or older, have a library card in good standing, and agree to and sign a Mobile Device Borrowing Agreement. Learn more at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4071 Questions? Need assistance? Call the library at 510-620-6561, email rpl_reference@ci.richmond.ca.us, or text us at 510-621-7346.
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 3,911 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 44 weeks with a 4-week running average.
Tableside Service Statistics
Employment and Training Division
In our continuous effort to get the word out regarding the RichmondWORKS employment assistance services, Employment and Training staff, Lorena Rodriguez, has successfully arranged for our division to receive donated time on the electronic billboard located on I-80 East, near the Central Ave Exit. The information displayed will promote the RichmondWORKS America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) and the free services we provide. Thanks to these efforts, West Contra Costa County residents, and those who travel on I-80 will routinely see RichmondWORKS AJCC services brightly posted.
The RichmondWORKS AJCC is open for various career services by appointment. Career Planners are available to provide weekly One-on-One Career Counseling sessions, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday by appointment.
Call RichmondWORKS now at 510-307-8014 to make your appointment for job search and career counseling assistance:
To learn more about RichmondWORKS Career Services, please visit our website at: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/661/RichmondWORKS
Some local employment opportunities include:
- BIO-RAD is Hiring! Come join a company where what you do really makes a difference! Bio-Rad has multiple opening in their Richmond, Hercules and Santa Rosa, California locations. For complete job descriptions and to apply, please visit:
careers.bio-rad.com/jobs/search
- Safeway is hiring at their new location in Hercules, CA, which is scheduled to open in mid-April! For more information please email debra.feleke@safeway.com or call 925-738-9642. Safeway has competitive wages, opportunities for advancement, union benefits, and much more! Apply now, online at www.safeway.com/careers. The completion of a successful background check is a condition of employment.
- Pacific Homecare Services is looking for respectful, honest, and compassionate care providers! Our Care Providers care for individuals with developmental disabilities, such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome. We currently have multiple part-time and full-time positions available. Schedules may vary. To apply: PacificHomecare.com/apply-now
Questions? Email: HelpDesk@mailserver-hraccess.tsa.dhs.gov
Literacy for Every Adult Program- National Volunteer Week: Lizanne and Djuani’s Story
Last summer, as both the COVID pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement were gaining momentum, Lizanne sought some way to make a tangible difference in her community of Richmond, where she has resided for the past 20 years. An online search for local volunteer opportunities led her to Richmond's Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP).
After an orientation and training period, Lizanne was paired up with Djuani, also a Richmond resident, who was seeking a tutor to help her prepare for her GED exam. A member of her church had told her about Richmond's LEAP program and encouraged Djuani to pursue her educational goals. Lizanne and Djuani now meet twice a week on virtual video calls in the evenings after Djuani gets home from her full-time job. Djuani's dedication and perseverance have been paying off. She has successfully passed the Reading and Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science exams and is now preparing for the final exam on Math. "It's such a pleasure working with and getting to know Djuani," Lizanne said. "She is smart, funny, gracious, curious-minded, and warm-hearted. I'm impressed by her ability to concentrate after such a long workday and apply her logical reasoning skills to figure out the best answer based on the context, even when it's new subject matter for her. It's fun for me too, because I get to re-explore interesting topics that I had first learned decades ago when I was in high school. I had forgotten how much I've already learned!" Lizanne chuckled. "When I think about all I know now, all that my previous teachers taught me many years ago, it would be a shame not to share that knowledge with someone else. Sometimes you are given a gift, and it's your job to carry that gift until one day you can give it to someone new. Volunteering is that special feeling of giving someone a gift. And Djuani will also be able to give the gift yet again to other people she interacts with throughout her entire life."
If you are interested in learning more about the rewards of volunteerism and how to sign up with LEAP, feel free to contact Jessica Barragan at 510-307-8009 for an appointment or email at Jessica_Barragan@ci.richmond.ca.us.
Transportation Division
For information regarding the Richmond bike share launch please call the Transportation Division at (510) 621-1718.
 
Abatement
Abatement crews hosted the first Neighborhood Clean-up of the year in Parchester Village, assisted several seniors, removed illegally dumped debris and graffiti from various locations throughout the City.
  
   
Parchester Village Neighborhood Clean-Up
 
 
Senior Assistance
 
 
 
Illegal Dumping & Graffiti Abatement
Engineering
Richmond Wellness Trail Project
Construction of Phase 1 of the Richmond Wellness Trail begins this week. The Richmond Wellness Trail will be a safe, inviting, multimodal route that inspires a healthy, active lifestyle – increasing connections between historic Downtown Richmond, the Iron Triangle, and the natural and historic features of the waterfront and the Rosie the Riveter visitor center. Phase 1 will run from BART to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, and will include new bike lanes and improved sidewalks for safe, equitable transportation; rain gardens to clean our community’s water; new street trees to build Richmond’s urban forest; and signage.
This week (April 26th) the contractor will be doing exploratory potholing and surveying, and no traffic or parking impacts are expected. Construction work is expected to begin the week of May 3rd, and traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction without parking on the Cutting Boulevard to Maine Avenue segment of Marina Way South.
Castro Ranch Road Project
This 1.5-mile-long project to rehabilitate Castro Ranch Road begins at Olinda Road and continues northeast to the city limit, just east of Country View Drive. On Thursday, March 25th, the contractor distributed a notification to local residents and businesses. This included over 1,200 addresses in the Greenbriar, Castro Heights, and Carriage Hills neighborhoods. The contractor immediately installed water pollution prevention measures, erected changeable message signs, and surveyed the site. On the first working day, Monday, April 19th, the contractor began saw-cutting the limits of demolition for the sidewalk and curb ramps at 12 locations. This will soon be followed by concrete removal and the installation of new sidewalks and curb ramps. The project is scheduled to last 65 working days. Although there may be slight delays while lanes are temporarily closed for safety reasons, Castro Ranch Road is expected to remain open at all times during the project.
Displayed Signage
Facilities Maintenance
Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance and Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, replaced water filter in 440 Civic Center Plaza Fire Administration break area, repaired one of the sliding gates at the Corporation Yard, replaced safety transmitters and receivers on the Fire Training Center gate, replaced a steam pipe on boiler #4 in 440 Civic Center Plaza, fixed the air conditioning unit in the server room of the Dispatch Center and repaired the furnace in the Men and Women of Valor building.
Pipe Replacement
Utility workers spot cleaned carpets in the City Council chambers, assisted Housing Authority with maintenance and repairs, lowered flags to half mass for former Vice President Walter Mondale, sanitized common areas and cleaned 29 City owned facilities.
Carpet Cleaning
Parks and Landscaping
General fund crews removed litter and debris from right of ways of the central area, weed whipped pathways, repaired fencing at Hilltop Green Park, removed graffiti from Nicholl Park, picked up trash on the Greenway, repaired irrigation at the Main Library and Nicholl Park, began restroom repairs at Lucas Park, completed pest control at four parks, installed a new backflow cage at Crescent Park, performed weed abatement along Carlson Boulevard, edged and mowed turf at State Court Park, cleaned bridge areas of Baxter Creek and removed pine trees at Judge Carroll Park.
 
Fence Repair at Hilltop State Court Park Maintenance
Green Park
Marina District crews pruned shrubs on Esplanade Bay Trail, cut weeds along the Bay Trail, completed weed abatement on planters along Esplanade Bay Trail, pulled weeds on medians on Marina Way, removed graffiti from signs and restrooms, weed abated medians on Bayside Drive, continued weed cutting along Meeker Slough, hand pulled weeds in parking lots, removed debris from tennis courts, refilled dog waste bags and emptied all refuse cans throughout the district.
Weed Abatement on Bay Trail
Hilltop District crews weed abated Hilltop Drive right of ways, abated weeds from Country Club Vista Park, cleared debris from a parking lot on Research Drive, weed abated medians on Robert Miller Drive, abated medians on Hillview Drive and removed debris throughout the district.
Country Club Vista Park Maintenance
Pavement Maintenance
Streets crews paved on Lincoln Avenue from 23rd Street to 29th Street and potholing from the outstanding list.
 
 
 
Paving on Lincoln Avenue
Street Sweeping crews swept the third Monday to Wednesday and the fourth Thursday and Friday in the following neighborhood council areas: North Richmond, Iron Triangle, North Belding Woods, Atchison Village, South Belding Woods, Richmond Annex, Parkview, Panhandle Annex and Eastshore.
Signs and Lines crews fabricated 48 new signs, placed buttons and reflective squares on Wiswall Drive, installed 17 signs in multiple locations, installed thermoplastic markings for speed humps, placed “stop ahead” messages, installed white pavement markings and painted red and blue curbs in various locations.
 
Blue Curb Marking “Stop Ahead” Installation
Button Installation
Water Resource Recovery
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.
 
Trash Capture Project, Cutting Boulevard and S. 3rd Street
In 2017, Caltrans and the City of Richmond collaborated to implement the Trash Capture Project. The Contech Engineered Solutions system is a below-ground, flow-through treatment device that uses multiple treatment processes including swirl concentration and continuous deflective separation (CDS) to screen, separate and trap trash, debris, sediment, hydrocarbons and other pollutants from stormwater runoff. Veolia Water, in conjunction with the City of Richmond, successfully installed three such devices in 2017, 2018, and 2019; another device is being installed on Cutting Boulevard and S. 3rd Street.
For more information about the Trash Capture Project, please visit https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3493/Trash-Capture.
The contractor is continuing to work on this project. See pictures and descriptions below.
   
Local contractor W.R. Forde is installing the screen and fiberglass components into the trash capture device.
Local contractor W.R. Forde is building forms for the concrete weir wall inside of the trash capture vault on Cutting Boulevard and S. 3rd Street.
High Priority Critical Improvements Projects
The City of Richmond and Veolia Water (Veolia) are implementing High Priority Critical Improvements Projects at the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), which is managed and operated by Veolia. The purpose of the projects is to replace aging and unreliable infrastructure, improve treatment operating efficiency, comply with future discharge regulations and improve the functionality of the existing WWTP. The improvements were identified through previous planning efforts, including the 2010 WWTP Master Plan and the 2016 WWTP Facility Plan, to construct the following elements of the WWTP Critical Improvements Projects: (1) New screening and grit removal facilities; (2) Aeration upgrades; and (3) Demolition of existing facilities and site clearing in preparation for future WWTP Facilities. The projects are expected to take approximately 2 ½ years to complete.
The contractor is investigating the facilities prior to beginning construction on this project. See picture and description below.
The contractor, Shimmick Construction, is on-site reviewing WWTP facilities regarding project bypass piping between the IPS Headworks and the Secondary Tanks under the Critical Improvements Project.
Thank you for keeping up with the activities in the City of Richmond. Feel free to contact the City Manager’s Office 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
Irene Lozano
Executive Assistant to the City Manager
City Manager’s Office
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
Email: Irene_Lozano@ci.richmond.ca.us
Direct: 510-621-1264
Main: 510-620-6512
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