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 June 11th, 2021.

• Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15th, 2021.  Closed Session begins at 4:30 P.M., followed by the Special Meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority at 6:25 P.M. The Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council starts at 6:30 P.M. agenda may be found by clicking this link: June 15th City Council Agenda.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

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

• Upcoming Events

RichmondWORKS, English Language Learner Program Orientation, In-Person Event

The RichmondWORKS English Language Learner (ELL) Grant Program offers Richmond and West Contra Costa County residents, who speak English as a second language, the chance to work to receive training and support required to prepare for quality jobs with sustainable wages. The first community orientation session, providing more information regarding this program will be held, Wednesday, June 16, 2021 (10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. ) at the Veteran’s Hall, located at 968 – 23rd Street, Richmond, CA 94804. For more information regarding the ELL program, please contact a Program Navigator at (510) 307-8045.

Save the Date: Literacy for Every Adult Program Virtual Graduation June 17th

Graduation is time of yearning for what’s ahead and what’s left behind. Please join LEAP in congratulating our graduates on Thursday, June 17th at 6:00 P.M. via Zoom to share in our happiness and celebrate! Unfortunately due to COVID-19, LEAP was unable to celebrate our 2020 graduates with a ceremony last year but that just means this year will be jammed packed with inspirational words and fun activities. We have 25 students graduating from our last two cohorts and we cannot wait to see them shine in their glory surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones.

If you would like to RSVP for LEAP’s Virtual Graduation Party please feel free to email John Adams at John_Adams@ci.richmond.ca.us or call the LEAP office at 510-307-8089. We will be sending the Zoom link a day prior to the event.

The tassel was worth the hassle! Let’s celebrate our 2020/2021 graduates!

Richmond YouthBUILD / RichmondBUILD Academy announces the graduation of its Training Cohort #35

You are cordially invited to attend the high school graduation of the RichmondBUILD Cohort #35. Join us on Friday, June 18th from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the RichmondBUILD Academy: 360 S 27th St., Richmond.

To learn more about Employment and Training Career Services, please visit our website at: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/275/Employment-Training .

Richmond Art Center: End in Sight

Three Artists’ Bittersweet Journey Through a Pandemic

Online Artists’ Talk: Thursday, June 24, 7:00-8:00 P.M. PST CLICK HERE TO RSVP
Online Exhibition: June 2 – July 8, 2021

Three Richmond artists – Elishes Cavness, Tiffany Conway and Marva – will discuss their journey through the Covid-19 pandemic in a special online artists talk on Thursday, June 24, 7pm to 8pm. These three artists have studios very close to each other, and over the past eighteen months have developed a special bond. As Cavness says, “We are a unique three. We’ve supported each other. We’ve been in contact. We created a community of three.”

RSVP to attend: https://www.hisawyer.com/the-richmond-art-center/schedules/activity-set/235610

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 contact: Amy Spencer, Exhibitions Director, Richmond Art Center, amy@richmondartcenter.org

Richmond Rent Program Community Workshop Webinar:
Resolving Landlord-Tenant Disputes During the COVID-19 Pandemic (SPANISH ONLY)

As part of its continuing outreach to landlords and tenants who would like to learn more about rental housing rules and regulations, the City of Richmond Rent Program is offering the following workshop:

Community Workshop Webinar (Spanish only):
Friday, June 25, 2021                      
4:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.

This Community Workshop Webinar is designed for Spanish-speaking Richmond landlords and tenants who are interested in learning more about how to handle landlord-tenant disputes in light of current ordinances and moratoriums in place due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Questions? Visit www.richmondrent.org to learn more about the Rent Program, or call or email the Rent Program at (510) 234-RENT (7368) or rent@ci.richmond.ca.us 

• 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

• Internal Services

Finance

Open Requests For Bids/Request For Proposals

Information Technology

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:

• Hacienda Groundbreaking,
• Diversity Flag Raising,

• RFD: Stop The Hate, Redesign Shields-Reid Park, Hope and Healing,
• Highlights of Women’s Day,
• Recut of the Mayor’s State of the City Address as separate standalone, 
• 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 Milan interviewing three African American representatives (being used on KCRT’s “NewsBytes”),
• 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,”
• The City’s Mask Videos.

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

• Library and Community Services

Community Services (Recreation)

Community Services Newsletter

Sign up at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/OEiBb9M to received updates on programs we offer, special events, city news, and much more!

Zumba with Oscar

Outdoor Zumba is being offered on weekdays and weekends at the times listed below. Come join us for a fun way to get healthy! Online registration required, and all COVID-19 guidelines will be adhered to. Call 510-620-6793 for more information.

Register at: https://apm.activecommunities.com/richmond/

Our Pool are Open!

Great news: the Richmond Plunge and the Richmond Swim Center are now open! Lane reservation is required, no drop-ins are allow. Please see the flyer below for the registration opportunities. More details can be found at: https://apm.activecommunities.com/richmond/

Lifeguard Positions Now Open

Want to be a lifeguard for the city of Richmond? We’re hiring! Join the City of Richmond’s Aquatics Team and be part of this exciting opportunity. See flyer for more information below.

Questions? Email paula_cooper-tipton@ci.richmond.ca.us.

Elevate Summer Camp

Join us for Elevate Summer Camp! Participants will enjoy fun activities, games, sports, and special events for children 6-12 years old.  Dates run June 14th- August 6, Monday through Friday. See flyer below for more information. Register at tinyurl.com/richmondrecreation, or call 510-620-6793 to make an appointment.

Employment and Training

RichmondWORKS, America’s Job Center of Californiasm (AJCC

Located at 330 – 25th Street, Richmond, Ca. 94804 is open for various career and job search 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.

Richmond YouthBUILD Program is Now Accepting Applications for its July 2021 Cohort:

Local Employment Opportunities Include

• Adecco is hiring! Please join them for a virtual employer spotlight hiring event scheduled for Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. This is a zoom event; Zoom ID: 899 1778 9066, password: JOBS3. Open positions include: Assemblers, Material Handlers, QA Technicians and much more!  For more information, please contact, Maria-Clarimar Vargas at mariav@rubiconprograms.org

• Bay Ship & Yacht is Hiring Welders! Join them for a virtual employer spotlight event scheduled for Thursday, June 17, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. This is a zoom event: Zoom ID:  858 4159 4960, password: WELDER. The ideal candidate has recently completed a College/Trade School Welding program and is ready to learn; experienced and skilled marine welders are also encouraged to apply. For more information, please contact, Maria-Clarimar Vargas at mariav@rubiconprograms.org

• Nugget Markets are hiring for their locations in Tiburon, Corte Madera and Novato! If you’ve got a passion for food and people, they have a position for you! Nugget Markets offer industry-leading wages ($16-$23 hourly pay/depending on experience). For more information, apply online today at https://www.nuggetmarket.com/careers/

• Amazon is hiring for several positions in several bay area locations. Some positions offer a sign-on bonus, ranging from $500-$1000 at some of the worksites. Bonuses offered for a limited time only; payouts will occur in installments. Hourly pay rate: $17.25 – $19.75. For more information or to apply, use the following link: www.amazon.com/bayareahourlyjobs. If you don’t see a position that fits you, text SFNOW8 to 77088 to subscribe to Amazon’s job text alerts so that you can hear about opportunities near your location, when they become available.

• Express Employment Professionals has full-time positions for immediate hire in the Richmond, CA area. Hourly pay rate: $16 per hr.; overtime rate: $24hr. Available shift: Sunday – Thursday, 2:00pm-10:30pm.  For more information visit their website at: www.expresspross.com; Telephone: 510-662-5100; Email: Rosalva.Corral@ExpressPros.com   

To learn more about Employment and Training Career Services, please visit our website at: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/275/Employment-Training

Equal opportunity employer/programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

Library Updates

Summer Reading Programs have begun!  We're using Beanstack this year for our Summer Reading Programs!  Beanstack is a reading program site where you can earn badges, complete activities, share reviews and progress with friends, and get recommendations!  We have two programs available.  One program is for children to 8th grade and the other program is for 9th grade to adult.

How-to and informational site about the program: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4100
Summer Reading challenge site: http://richmond.beanstack.com

Come sign up today and join in the reading fun!

The Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) Highlights Lorena Guerrero

Lorena Guerrero enrolled in the Literacy for Every Adult Program in early March and hasn’t stopped working towards her goal ever since. She is enrolled in LEAP’s Adult Basic Education (ABE) program, introductory courses in adult literacy, and plans to pursue her GED. Lorena’s teacher, Harvey Jackson had nothing to say but great things about her. When asked why she wanted to highlight Lorena this week, Harvey responded saying, “She’s a hard worker and never gives up. She reads well and is not afraid to give answers even if it’s wrong because she’s committed and wants to get better. Lorena is reliable, available, intelligent, and will do anything to move forward”. In just the few months Lorena has been working with Ms. Harvey she has already accelerated in her studies and continues to move up in course levels. Lorena was also a recent Adult Y-Plan student where she presented in front of the City of Richmond’s Race and Equity (GARE) Team about the inequalities she has experienced and seen in her community. She’s a mother, a strong advocate for mental health and youth resources, and LEAP will continue to support Lorena and help her pursue her goals.

If you are interested in enrolling in LEAP or would like to learn more about our ABE classes, please call the LEAP office at 510-307-8084 or email John_Adams@ci.richmond.ca.us. You can also visit LEAP’s social media platforms at https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/788/Literacy-Program-LEAP or https://www.facebook.com/LEAPRICHMONDCA/.

Transportation: Bolt Coming Soon to Richmond

You have waited long enough! Next week eBikes are rolling into Richmond!

For more information, please go to: www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4108/Bike-Share
or call Transportation Services at (510) 621-1718

¡Ha esperado lo suficiente!  La próxima semana eBikes están rodando en Richmond!

Para obtener más información, visite: www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4108/Bike-Share o llame a Servicios de Transporte al (510) 621-1718.

• Public Works

Abatement

Abatement crews, in collaboration with Contra County staff, hosted the Shields-Reid/North Richmond Neighborhood Clean-up event and collected 26 40-yard dumpsters of debris, provided assistance for seniors and residents with disabilities, abated vacant lots including housing properties, abated weeds frompublic right of ways, removed illegally dumped debris and graffiti from various locations throughout the City.

Neighborhood Clean-Up & Senior Assistance

Walkway Clean-Up

Weed Abatement

Illegal Dumping & Graffiti Removal

Engineering

Castro Ranch Road Project

This past week, the contractor continued work on many concrete areas like sidewalks, curbs, gutters, light pole foundations, and ramps.  All work will appear to be too high by about 2 inches.  The reason for this – the concrete areas are getting placed in preparation for the last 2 inch layer of hot mix asphalt, which will bring the roadway grade up 2 inches to meet the concrete areas.  The work of placing the last layer of hot mix asphalt began on Thursday, June 9, 2021.  It is expected to take four working days to complete the paving, project wide.  Soon after, the utilities in the roadway will be raised to meet the new roadway elevation and permanent striping will be painted. 

Workers have been finishing up with work to clear vegetation from the sides of the road. White survey paint marks on the pavement were placed in three areas of the project where changes/corrections to the road elevations will be performed to help give the road a smoother surface.  The white paint shows elevation points and the measurement we will be making to raise or lower the roadway at that point.  The measurements are made to a tolerance of 1/100th of a foot.

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

Vegetation Removal                             Pavement Marking

Richmond Wellness Trail Project

This project continues with the general contractor (Ghilotti Bros., Inc.) saw cutting on Marina Way South, starting residential water line location in coordination with East Bay Municipal Utilities District (EBMUD), and performing storm drain work. If the storm drain work continues without issue, the contractor may start on the sidewalk and driveway work along Marina Way South.

For more information on the project, please visit:

https://www.tpl.org/media-room/trust-public-land-city-richmond-announce-construction-richmond-wellness-trail

Richmond Yellow Brick Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements Project

The groundbreaking ceremony was held June 9th at 12:00 NOON and attended by the community, project stakeholders, local political representatives, Mayor Tom Butt, and the POGO Park staff.  Currently, preconstruction tasks include contractor submittal reviews, coordination with POGO Park, preparing Caltrans Local Assistance forms, and planning a coordination meeting with the local utilities.  Ghilotti Bros, Inc. (GBI) plans to begin setting best management practices for stormwater pollution prevention, and layout for potholing in the coming days.

The project area is generally on 8th Street from Ohio to Lincoln Avenues, on 7th Street from Ripley to Pennsylvania Avenues and from 4th to 9th Streets. The scope of the work includes installation of pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements: street lighting, new ADA curb ramps, sidewalks, driveways, medians, traffic circles, curb bulb-outs, bio-swales, traffic signal modifications, pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHB), bike lanes, bike boulevards, raised asphalt intersections and crosswalks, including colored and stamped “yellow brick” asphalt, slurry seal, new storm drain facilities and signage and striping. 

Yellow Brick Road Groundbreaking Ceremony

Building Maintenance

Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance and Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, repaired the toilet in the men’s room on the 2nd floor of 450 Civic Center Plaza, installed condenser units at Fire Station #63, cleared the sewer line at the Family Justice Center, fixed a leaking toilet at the Westside Library Branch and replaced a fan belt at the Main Library.

Toilet Repair

Utility workers hung new window blinds at the Recreation Complex, completed room set up at 440 Civic Center Plaza, pressure washed the Main Library courtyard, installed lighting clips at the Police Department, cleaned the windows at the Senior Center, removed debris from the Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI) building area, assisted the Housing Authority with maintenance, sanitized common areas and cleaned 29 City owned facilities.

Window Cleaning

Parks and Landscaping

General fund crews installed a water spigot at Central Avenue and Rydin Road, continued with debris removal from Boorman Park, mowed turf, performed weed abatement on Ells Pathway and various other parks, repaired a sprinkler head at State Court and Booker T. Anderson Parks, cleared trails in High Fire Severity Zones, repaired the wind screen on the Nicholl Park tennis courts, removed debris from the Greenway and removed green waste from Mira Vista Park.

High Fire Zone                       Clearing Spigot Installation

Marina District crews performed weed abatement along parking lots and in front of the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) building, removed graffiti at parks, replaced flags at Barbara J. Vincent Park, hand pulled weeds in planters on Sand Beach, began shrub pruning and removal along Marina Bay Trail, manually watered landscape, refilled dog waste bags and emptied all refuse cans throughout the district.

Weed Abatement

Hilltop District crews performed weed abatement at Country Club Vista Park, pruned shrubs on Blume Drive medians, mowed and edged parks, repaired fencing on Hilltop Drive, removed graffiti and abated debris throughout the district.

Median Pruning Blume Drive

Street Maintenance

Paving crews installed speed bumps along Florida Avenue, completed temporary sidewalk repairs and worked from the outstanding pothole list.

Speed Bump Installation

Temporary Sidewalk Repair

Street Sweepers swept in the following neighborhood council areas:  Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Clinton Hill II – IV and Richmond Heights.

Signs and Lines crews fabricated three new signs, installed 11 signs, repaired three poles, installed yellow and white pavement markings, “Keep Clear” message installed at the Police Department and placed “shark teeth” markings.

Pavement Marking at Police Department

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 Construction, has mobilized and is clearing, grubbing and performing selective demolition in preparation for bypass pumping installation. See picture and description below.

Shimmick’s subcontractor is completed the grinding process of the asphalt concrete (AC) near the old Solids Handling Building.

Shimmick Construction is performing selective demolition next to the Primary Sedimentation tanks in preparation for installation of the bypass piping.

Shimmick is clearing and grubbing in preparation for a temporary scrubber to be installed.

Shimmick has dismantled two old unused chemical tanks at the WWTP.

 
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