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 28th, 2021.

1. Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1st, 2021.  Closed Session begins at 5:30 P.M., followed by the Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council at 6:30 P.M. The agenda may be found by clicking this link: June 1st City Council Agenda.

1. 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. Currently vaccines are available to anyone 12 years or older. 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.

Additionally, LifeLong Medical Care is providing COVID-19 vaccination at the  LifeLong William Jenkins Health Care Center and the LifeLong Brookside San Pablo Health Center. Vaccines are free and open to everyone in the community 12 years or older, with no insurance or documentation necessary. For more information, including up-to-date hours, and to schedule an appointment, visit lifelong.info/vaccine or call at 510-549-5454.

Other local resources, including links to other healthcare providers in the community now offering vaccines, 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.

1. Upcoming Events

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 finances. 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!

Flora, Family Ghosts + Resilient Correspondence

Three artists discuss the threads and themes of their work

Online Artists' Talk: Thursday, June 10, 7:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M. PST

We hope you can join us for a special event bringing together three artists: Shari Arai DeBoer, Manon Wada, Irene Wibawa. While working in different media, scale and modes for investigation, the artists’ work is interconnected through their consideration of family stories, nature and resilience during these challenging times.

RSVP to attend: https://richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions/flora-family-ghosts-resilient-correspondence/

This Artists’ Talk is part of RAC LIVE, a project supported by a 2021 Neighborhood Public Art Mini-Grant from the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission.

For more information and images contact:
Amy Spencer, Exhibitions Director, Richmond Art Center, amy@richmondartcenter.org

1. Acknowledgements

Hacienda Groundbreaking

On May 27, 2021 the City of Manager’s Office and the Richmond Housing Authority participated in the virtual groundbreaking event for the Hacienda Affordable Housing Development. The Hacienda Affordable Housing development is located at 1300 Roosevelt Avenue and has 150 affordable units serving low-income and/or formerly homeless seniors over 62 years old. The development will include onsite resident services such as health and wellness programs and skill-building courses. The site's redevelopment is part of the Richmond Housing Authority's goal to adhere to HUD's Public Housing Administration Recovery and Sustainability Initiative. The groundbreaking was attended by Mayor Tom Butt, Supervisor John M. Gioia, RHA Executive Director Nannette Beacham, HUD, Mercy Housing, and City of Richmond Staff members. The presenters spoke on the importance of redeveloping Hacienda after  it had been vacant, acknowledged various staff for completing the entitlement process, and shared enthusiasm to begin the development process. To watch the groundbreaking event, view it on the  KCRT TV Youtube Channel.

1. City Manager’s Office, Economic Development

Arts and Culture Division Survey

The Richmond City Manager's Office Economic Development, Arts and Culture Division invites you to share your opinion about the arts and culture in Richmond through filling out this Richmond Arts and Culture Survey: bit.ly/Richmond-Art-Culture-Survey.

Your input will be shared with the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission (RACC) and the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) and will be used to inform future planning.

American Pride and Purpose by Sargent Johnson

No Cost Solar for Qualifying Richmond Homes

The City of Richmond in partnership with GRID Alternatives will be hosting an online workshop:
Thursday, June 10, 2021 at 7:00 P.M.
RSVP at grid-richmond.eventbrite.com or call 1-866-921-4696
Join the webinar here: https://bit.ly/GRID-COR-2021(Spanish translation is available)

Funded by the City of Richmond and the State of California, GRID Alternatives provides no-cost solar systems and electric vehicle charging infrastructure assistance to qualifying Richmond and North Richmond homeowners. Participants can save 60-90% on their electric bill with solar and save even more when paired with an electric vehicle. Join us to learn more about the program and to see if you are eligible!

Qualifications for GRID Alternatives’ solar program:

1. You live and own your home in qualifying areas of Richmond or North Richmond
2. Your 2020 household income is at or below the following amounts:

Apply now at https://www.gridsolar.org/richmond or call 1-866-921-4696.
Solar Sin Costo Para Hogares Que Califican en Richmond
La ciudad de Richmond, en asociación con GRID Alternatives, organizará un taller en línea:
Jueves 10 de junio de 2021 a las 7:00 P.M.
RSVP en grid-richmond.eventbrite.com o llame al 1-866-921-4696
Únase al seminario web aquí: https://bit.ly/GRID-COR-2021 (traducción al español disponible)

Financiado por la Ciudad de Richmond y el Estado de California, GRID Alternatives brinda asistencia sin costo para los sistemas solares y la infraestructura de carga de vehículos eléctricos para los propietarios de viviendas de Richmond y North Richmond que califican. Los participantes podrían ahorrar 60-90% del costo de electricidad con energía solar y ahorrar aún más cuando se combina con un vehículo eléctrico. ¡Únase a nosotros para obtener más información sobre el programa y ver si es elegible!

Calificaciones para el programa solar de GRID Alternatives:
(1) Vive y es dueño de su casa en áreas calificadas de Richmond o North Richmond
(2) Su ingreso familiar 2020 es igual o menos a las siguientes cantidades:

Aplíque ahora en https://www.gridsolar.org/richmond o llame al 1-866-921-4696.

Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services – Events

HUD Pre-Purchase Workshop

Starting June 3, 2021, Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services will begin its four-week series of the HUD Pre-Purchase Workshops. The workshops are hosted every Thursday in June (3, 10, 17, and 24th of June) from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. These workshops are ideal for people who are thinking about homeownership in the Bay Area or are in the process of purchasing a home. Many community lenders and First Time Home Buyers' programs seeking Down Payment Assistance and Community Lending programs require attending this workshop. Attend the workshops to get the information you need to navigate through the homebuyers process. To register, follow this link.

California COVID-19 Rental Assistance - Housing is Key Webinar

Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services recently became part of the State of California's Partnership Network to support those most impacted by COVID-19. On Monday, June 14, 2021, Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services will host the “California COVID-19 Rental Assistance, Housing is Key” Webinar from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. The program is tailored for people financially impacted by COVID-19 who are at risk of losing their house. The “Rental Assistance – Housing is Key” webinar will share important information regarding the State of California's Housing is Key Rental Relief Program and will reserve time for a Q & A Session. To register, please follow this link.

Transparent Richmond Data Update - Zero Waste

This week the City Manager’s Office, Economic Development, Environmental and Health Initiatives Division updated three Zero Waste webpage datasets. Five visualizations were updated including, Annual Waste Tonnage by Material, AB341 Compliance, AB1826 Compliance, Illegally Dumped Solid Waste 2012-2020, and Illegally Dumped Bulky Items (2012-2020). Thank you to Republic Services and RecycleMore for the data and successful efforts with AB 1826 compliance!

1. Department of Children and Youth

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. Per the City Council’s direction on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, staff has extended the grant application deadline.
The RFCY grant application is due on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. To access the amended RFCY Request for Proposals and grant application, please visit the RFCY Grants webpage at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/RFCYGrants.

To make sure you are notified of 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.

1. Internal Services

West Contra Costa School District offering hotspots and Chromebooks

Social Media Statistics for this Week

KCRT Datanet For The Week

KCRT TV Channel 28 - New Episodes Of Current Programming

New this week: a one-hour edition of Community Budget Meeting to be shown on KCRT’s “NewsBytes.”
Current recent specials/segments: RFD: Stop The Hate, Redesign Shields-Reid Park, Hope and Healing, Highlights of Women’s Day,  a recut of the Mayor’s State of the City Address,  Tibetan Flag Raising Ceremony on “NewsBytes,” “The Artist in Society: Talking with Hershell West” (produced by filmmaker Eve Ma), three Contra Costa Health Services’ COVID videos with Michelle Milam, Michelle Obama Virtual Grand Opening (video courtesy of WCCUSD),  “Virtual National Night Out,” and “National Electric Drive Week”; the GRID Alternatives’ and City of Richmond’s “No-Cost Solar Workshop,” and the City’s Mask Videos, as well as all-new episodes of “Colour in Your Life,” The Jet Set,” and multiple episodes of “Sidewalks Entertainment.”

You may find the full schedule at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3176/Schedule

1. Library and Community Services

Community Services (Recreation)

Community Services Newsletter (CSD)

Sign up for the CSD Newsletter! Click on the image or link here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/OEiBb9M to sign up!

CSD Mini-Grants Now Open!

Access the online application and get more information at tinyurl.com/csdminigrants. Questions? Email staff at recreation@ci.richmond.ca.us

Snow Ball Scholarship Awards

Each year the Community Services Department (CSD) partners with the West Contra Costa Unified School District to host the city-wide annual Snow Ball Scholarship where two students are crowned Snow Ball King and Queen, which entitles them to a college tuition scholarship payment of $2,500 each, and four students are honored as runner-ups which entitles them to a college tuition scholarship payment of $1,000 each.
Congratulations to the 68th Snow Ball Winners!

Winners - $2,500

From Hercules High School - King James Allen Mariano
From Richmond High School - Queen Stephanie Garcia-Avila

Runner-Up Winners - $1000

From El Cerrito - King Emmett Clancy
From El Cerrito - Queen Kristy Chu
From Richmond - King Daniel Nunez
From De Anza - Queen Sofia Eduardo Garay

Thank you to our sponsors for providing the generous scholarship funds:
Maryn and Garry Hurlbut
Richmond Police Activities League

Thank you to our supporters, for assisting the CSD for this event.
Michelle Milam, Crime Prevention Manager
Janie Holland, Community Building & Organizing Director

Thank you to the CSD and IT staff for providing the first virtual Snow Ball Scholarship event during the pandemic:
Sue Hartman, IT Director
Richard Lee
Brian Bland
John Hill
Ranjana Maharaj, CSD Manager
Kymberlyn Carson-Thrower, CSD Supervisor
CSD-Snow Ball Team

Pool Schedule

Join us for a swim! Hours are subject to change. Email paula_cooper-tipton@ci.richmond.ca.us for any questions.

Employment and Training: Success in the RichmondWORKS’ Internship Program

RichmondWORKS’ primary goal is to assist with employment, whether it is through apprenticeship, educational training, on-the-job training, or direct employer job placement.  We are one of the 49 Workforce Development Boards in California that offers 6-months up to 2-years paid Internship to provide individuals with the necessary experience to secure a permanent full-time job.  During the COVID-19 pandemic in June 2020, we came across a young lady by the name of Sandra Duenas, who was laid off when Sears at the Hilltop Mall closed.  She was a working student, attending UC Merced at the time and was commuting from Richmond to Merced during her last year in college; approximately 272 miles and over 4 hours’ roundtrip drive!  When she graduated in May 2020, during the COVID 19 pandemic, it was difficult to find employment even though she is a degree holder.   By the way, she received her Bachelor’s in 3 years and her reasoning for her diligence and hard work is to minimize her college loan; but more importantly to start helping her parents, which is a very admirable quality.

To make a long story short, RichmondWORKS with its Adult and Dislocated Worker program enrolled Sandra in our Internship program as a Program Assistant performing Intake and Eligibility, outreaching to our English Language Learner (ELL) community and enrolling them in our ELL grant program, and other projects such as our digital media marketing to showcase the various services we provide to the community.  Short of her one-year Internship term, Sandra has been hired by one of our Community-Based Organizations (CBO) Partner, as an Administrative Manager, where she will continue to use the valuable experience she has gained from the RichmondWORKS Internship Program.   There is a saying “You reap what you sow” and Sandra has sowed a lot and it is starting to reap the rewards.

Congratulations to our RichmondWORKS’ Program Assistant, Sandra Duenas, and extend our heartfelt appreciation for her diligence and dedication!
To find out more about RIchmondWORKS Internship Program and other services, visit our website at www.richmondworks.org or call at (510) 307-8014.

Library Updates

New Kids’ Kit – Ask for one after June 2nd!

The Children’s Department will have a new craft kit for June involving making a picture frame or use your imagination and see what you can create with some tempera paints and forks.

Ask for a kit from the Children’s Department at 510-620-6557, when you come in, or, if you are just picking up holds, ask at the Circulation Desk.

STEAM (Science & Art) Thursdays

Check our Richmond Public Library - Children's Room | Facebook page often for story times and flannel board rhymes.  We will post our previously featured science experiments, a new craft or magic trick on Thursdays.

Richmond Public Library HelpNow, CA HelpNow - Online Tutoring (brainfuse.com)

With just a few weeks left of school, please remember that the library has a subscription to online tutoring services.  The tutors are available from 1:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M., 7 days a week, and all you need is a library card to get access.  If you need help logging in, please call the Children’s Department at 510-620-6557.

The Literacy for Every Adult Program Congratulates Adult Y-Plan Participants

The Literacy for Every Adult Program, UC Berkeley’s Center for Cities and Schools, Healthy Richmond, and the City of Richmond’s GARE Team congratulate LEAP participants and Richmond residents for participating and presenting their final presentation for the Adult Y-Plan Project on May 20, 2021 via Zoom.

The goal of the Y-PLAN Adult Project is to engage, and guide participants in a civic community development research process, and provide them with professional development skills learned through tech tools and a curriculum provided by UC Berkeley’s Center for Cities and Schools. This year’s client, the Richmond GARE Team, asked our students for recommendations on how to improve the quality of life for Richmond residents. Our students were able to look into the inequalities they see or experience in their community, gathered data and analyzed the key issues impacting Richmond neighborhoods. Residents conducted a community survey and a site mapping of Richmond to shape their recommendations for what the Richmond GARE Team should prioritize in the process of redeveloping policy recommendations.

The Richmond GARE Team and the City of Richmond seeks to inform and train city officials and employees about race equity and develop a racial equity toolkit to assess policies, initiatives, programs, and budget issues. We are proud of our students because they were able to provide useful and important information to advise the city on ways they can make good policies that benefit residents and the Richmond community in the long run.

If you are interested in watching the Adult Y-Plan final presentation or learning more about the UC Berkeley’s Y-Plan curriculum please feel free to contact Jessica Barragan at Jessica_Barragan@ci.richmond.ca.us or 510-307-8009.

1. Public Works

Abatement

Abatement crews abated weeds from various locations, removed debris from areas near homeless encampments, removed illegally dumped debris and graffiti from various locations throughout the City.

Weed Abatement

Rydin Rd/Central Ave Encampment Abatement

Illegal Dumping & Graffiti Removal

Engineering: Castro Ranch Road Project

This week, the contractor began the Cold-In-Place Recycling (CIR) operations on Castro Ranch Road starting at Olinda Road heading eastbound.  The CIR process removes the top three inches of pavement, grinds it up, mixes it with oil, cement, and water, then deposits it as a long pile ready to be spread and compacted.  This creates a new solid base layer on top of which a new 2-inch layer of hot asphalt will be placed and compacted to form a new driving surface.  During the CIR process, samples of the material are being tested in the mobile testing lab on site. The lab technician examines the CIR material for strength, sieve analysis (size of the grindings), compaction, moisture content and density.  After the CIR material is compacted by roller, a tack coat (thin adhesive layer of asphalt) is applied, then covered with sand.  This forms the driving surface for a few days until the final 2-inch layer of asphalt is applied.  The contractor has placed temporary traffic lines on the temporary surface as well.  The contractor is making good progress with the CIR operation and we expect it to be completed by the end of the week and continuing to be on schedule.  Thank you for your patience, and for maintaining safe speeds through the construction site.

Citizens with additional questions or concerns can utilize the information below with those requests:

Brandon Bell, Ghilotti Bros. Superintendent – (415) 760-0891
Jason Miniello, Ghilotti Bros. Project Manager – (415) 710-1743
Scott Buckley, Ghirardelli Assoc. Construction Manager – (925) 989-3806

Cold-In-Place Recycling

Building Maintenance

Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance and Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, repaired the sliding gate at Fire Station #62, replaced air filters at Fire Stations #62 and #67, installed ergonomic furniture in the Human Resources area, repaired the exhaust damper actuator on the air conditioner on the roof of 450 Civic Center Plaza, replaced the safety edge on the apparatus door at Fire Station #63, installed new pool water meters at the Swim Center and inspected the sliding gate at Nevin Housing complex.

Pool Water Meter Installation

Utility workers removed old items for disposal from Point Molate, delivered a pallet jack to the Nevin Center, removed old furniture  and cleaned the courtyardfrom the Main Library, repaired toilet in the Youthworks building, assisted the Housing Authority with maintenance, sanitized common areas and cleaned 29 City-owned facilities.

Furniture Removal

Parks and Landscaping

General fund crews performed weed abatement in multiple locations throughout the general areas, maintenance at the Monterey playlot, maintenance at the Swim Center, mowed turf at Booker T. Anderson and John F. Kennedy parks, weeded the Corporation Yard, removed illegal dumping along the Greenway and Carlson Boulevard, spread wood chips at Stewart Playlot, removed tree tripping hazards on Kelsey Street, repaired irrigation at the Plunge, fixed gates around the Shields Reid play area, pest control at ballfields, weeded bus stops on Amend Avenue and Valley View and weeded around the Communications Center.

Weed Abatement

Tree crews cut or trimmed trees in the following locations: 9th Street, 16th Street, South 52nd Street, Costa Avenue, Cottage Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, Lucas Avenue, Macdonald Avenue, Solano Avenue, Tremont Street and West Richmond Avenue.

Marina District crews weeded on Wright Avenue, manually watered new shrubs on medians, performed maintenance on tree wells, completed weed abatement on Marina Bay Parkway, cleaned Concrete Beach, started irrigation repairs in Marina Bay Park, mowed Barbara J. Vincent and Shimada Parks, removed debris from parking lots, refilled dog waste bags and emptied all refuse cans throughout the district.

Irrigation Repair

Hilltop District crews abated weeds near the Bulk Storage area, weed abated on Shane Drive medians, the right-of-ways along Hilltop Drive and along the Giant Road ramp, removed graffiti and debris from various locations throughout the district.

Giant Road Abatement

Pavement Maintenance

Streets crews grinded and paved South 16th Street from Maine Avenue to Cutting Boulevard, paved Maine Avenue from South 16th to South 18th Street and filled potholes from the outstanding list.

Hotmix Patching

Street Sweeping crews swept the fourth Monday through Friday in the following neighborhood council areas: Santa Fe, Point Richmond, Marina Bay, Coronado, Metro Richmore Village, Pullman, Cortez/Stege, Park Plaza, Laurel Park, City Center, Richmond Annex, Parkview, Panhandle Annex and Eastshore.

Signs and Lines crews fabricated 10 new signs, installed three signs, installed five new poles, placed two “Stop” messages, installed two “Yield” messages, installed white pavement markings and installed 600 buttons to complete the Wiswall Drive project.

Stop Message Installation

Approach Line Installation

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.

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, Shimmick, has mobilized and set up a project sign in front of the Treatment Plant. See picture and description below.

Project manager, Brian Bruce, provided a Richmond plant tour for the new Public Works Director, Joe Leach, accompanied by Veolia Capital Program staff.

Project manager, Brian Bruce, is showing new Public Works Director, Joe Leach, how the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system works to monitor plant and lift station activity.

 
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