Hon. Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the report for the week ending August 13th, 2021.

• Meeting Notes

The City Council is on August recess. The next regularly scheduled Council meeting is on September 14th, 2021. Enjoy the next few weeks off!

• Upcoming Events

Unity Park Cleanup

On Saturday August 21st, we are having a cleanup event at Unity Park (10:00 A.M. -1:00 P.M. We are inviting all community members to participate in this day of service.
El sábado 21 de Agosto, tendremos un día de limpieza en Unity Park de 10:00 A.M. -1:00 P.M. Todos los miembros de la comunidad están invitados a participar en este día de servicio.

• City Manager’s Office, Economic Development

Changing the Narrative of Home Ownership

Changing the Narrative of Homeownership is a weeklong series of workshops and presentations aimed at helping marginalized groups breakthrough historical barriers to homeownership. The virtual events run from August 16th to August 21st and provide information and educational opportunities for residents and professionals interested in homeownership and opportunities to meet lenders.

• Changing the Narrative of Leadership from a Black Woman's Perspective, is an afternoon information session on August 16th, facilitated by Richmond Neighborhood Housing Service's Nikki Beasley with industry leaders in finance and homeownership. The panel will discuss how they have navigated through leadership roles in their current and past roles.
• On August 17th, Changing the Narrative – Different Pathways to Homeownership will be an evening discussion with Noni Session and Mia Carbajal on different pathways to homeownership. Learn from experts what path may be right for you to make homeownership a reality.
• Changing the Narrative – Down Payment Assistance will be an evening session on August 18th. Susannah Harte, Loan Officer, will present different down payment options and down payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers.
• Lunch and Learn conversation, Changing the Narrative – An Industry Conversation, will discuss the barriers and recommended solutions to eliminate Black and BIPOC borrowers' barriers in getting home loans. The lunch and learn session is designed for Community, Banks, Funders, Lenders, and Consumer Affairs advocates.
• An August 21st lunchtime Saturday session, Changing the Narrative – Lender Circle, will highlight key lender partner community programs and provide an opportunity to discover what community lending program may be right for you. Those who have participated in the Change the Narrative series will be entered into a raffle to win prizes.

For more information on the program and to register, please visit the Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services' events webpage.

City of Richmond Artist Database Form

The City of Richmond Artist Database Form is an opportunity for local artists from all media and genres available for art projects in Richmond to provide their information to the City. If you are a local artist, please fill out this form: https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/FormCenter/Arts-Culture-Division-20/City-of-Richmond-Artist-Database-149.

Please note: This survey is a public document and the responses are subject to public disclosure under the Public Records Act. In response to a Public Records Request, the City does not disclose personal emails and personal phone numbers. If a Public Records Act Request arises, the City will produce the record but redact the personal information.

Arts and Culture Requests for Qualifications/Proposals (RFQ/P)

FY 21-22 Neighborhood Public Art (NPA) Mini-Grant
Application Release Date: August 3, 2021
Application Deadline: September 13, 2021 

NPA Mini Grants are designed, for Richmond, CA only artists, to stimulate arts and culture in Richmond neighborhoods. Categories include but not limited to: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts.  Small: $500 - $2,999; Medium: $3,000-$4,999; Large: $5,000 - $8,000.  Total Available Awards: $65,000

COVID-19 Relief Mini-Grant
Application Release Date: August 6, 2021
Application Deadline: October 1, 2021 

COVID Relief Mini Grants are designed, for Richmond, CA only artists, to stimulate creative expression, to spark dialogue, and to reinforce a sense of community. Two project types include exterior temporary art; i.e. sculpture, along with graphic design for banners and garbage receptacles. Each Mini Grant not to exceed $7,000. Total available: $50,000

West Contra Costa County Family Justice Center Art Drain Pipe
Application Release Date: August 10, 2021
Application Deadline: October 1, 2021 

WCCCFJC serves families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.  The exterior art drainpipe is a unique form and function creative opportunity open to artists in the nine Bay Area counties. The selected artist will; design a creative solution for an exterior drainpipe at the entrance of the building with a positive message for the end users of the facility, understand California Construction Standards and the requirements for stamped engineering drawings.   The lump sum budget is not to exceed $10,000.

Please direct any questions to: winifred_day@ci.richmond.ca.us

• Internal Services

Finance

Open Requests For Bids/Request For Proposals: 

Information Technology

Website Statistics

KCRT Datanet For The Week

KCRT TV Channel 28 - New Episodes Of Current Programming

Upcoming Zoom (Hosted) & Shoots

• Remote: Possible press conference of Jimmy McCracklin
• Zoom: Human Rights Human Resources Commission (August 23, 2021)
• Zoom: two Districting Workshops (Aug. 25, 2021)

Programming:
New Segment / Series Episode: 

• “NewsBytes: Yellow Brick Road”
• New episode of “The Jet Set”
• Multiple new episodes of “Sidewalks Entertainment” during the week

Recent Segments:

• “NewsBytes” Segments: Juneteenth 2021, Transit Re-Grand Opening and BOLT Bike Sharing
• A revised edition of GRIP Alternatives No-Cost Solar Workshop
• Hacienda Groundbreaking
• Diversity Flag Raising
• RPD: Stop The Hate
• Redesign Shields-Reid Park
• Hope and Healing

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

• Library and Community Services

Community Services (Recreation)

Check out all of our upcoming sports program offerings this fall!

Our in-person programming is back and starts next week! Both our Achieve and Elevate after-school programs start Monday, August 16, 2021. Sign up today at tinyurl.com/richmondrecreation.

Thank You From Achieve & Elevate Summer Camps

Last week, the Community Services Department concluded another successful year of Achieve & Elevate Summer Camps at City of Richmond community centers! This year, we offered not one, not two, but three versions of our camps to ensure our campers could choose an option that made them feel safe and comfortable. We offered an all virtual camp, all in-person camp, and a hybrid virtual/in-person camp.

Check out everything our campers learned on our blog: https://campachievescholars2021.wordpress.com/

We want to give a huge shout out to our campers for making our summer so enjoyable! The City of Richmond also offers our deepest gratitude to West Contra Costa Public Education Fund (Ed Fund), West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), and our enrichment providers Growing Together, Read-Aloud, SPARC Poetry, West Coast Chess Alliance, and Calculus Roundtable for their partnership.

Library Updates

Richmond Public Library Foundation Speaker Series: The History of the Tuskegee Airmen

The Richmond Public Library Foundation is pleased to present a Zoom lecture by Chauncey Spencer II on The History of the Tuskegee Airmenon Thursday, August 19th at 6:00 P.M.  Mr. Spencer’s father influenced the then Senator Harry S. Truman to establish funding to train African American pilots at the Tuskegee Institute for the Army Air Corps in 1939.  Mr. Spencer is dedicated to preserving the history of the National Airmen’s Association and the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen.  He is the founder of the Chauncey Spencer Project created to advance the public’s understanding of the history of African Americans in aviation.  Please see the Library’s website www.richmondlibrary.org for more information and the Zoom link to participate.

LEAP Says Goodbye to our Intern!

The Literacy for Every Adult Program is saddened to say farewell to our Intern Saira. Saira is starting school next week and it was such a pleasure working with her! As a way of illustrating her work, we asked she share her experiences working at LEAP in her own words.
My time at LEAP was an eye opener. Not only was I offered a job for the summer but, I was introduced to people I will never forget. People who didn’t only offer me a job, but I was presented with many opportunities. Working at LEAP, I saw the work being put in our community for residents who wanted to better themselves. It was great to be able to be part of the Richmond residents’ journey even if I was only contributing for a small amount of time. I was able to serve my community positively and saw what goes on behind what is presented to the public. The teachers at LEAP are so heartwarming and helpful when it comes to their students and take their time to get to know them individually. Yvette, Sandra, Jessica, and Abigail were also the sweetest people that I could have met that made me smile, laugh, and cry tears of joy.  My supervisors were not only supervisors, but they were also mentors, friends, and meeting them hit so close to my heart. I will sadly walk away to continue my student life and will take all my learning experiences with me and apply them to the future that awaits ahead of me.
Although Saira will be leaving LEAP, she will continue to stop by when her schedule allows, and we welcome her with open arms! If you would like to volunteer or learn more about LEAP opportunities, contact the 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/.

Employment and Training Division

The RichmondBUILD/YouthBUILD Academy was visited by the Honorable Martin J. Walsh, U.S. Secretary of Labor, and U.S. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier!

Per the RichmondBUILD Program Manager, Mr. Fred Lucero, It’s not every day you get the U.S. Secretary of Labor and Congressman to visit RichmondBUILD and Richmond YouthBUILD; however, we had the pleasure of hosting a tour, and a question and answer session with our special guests, U.S. Labor Secretary Walsh and Congressman DeSaulnier.  We would also like to extend a huge thank you to our guests who attended today’s event:  Mayor Tom Butt; representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, Employment Training Panel, Building Trades; local employers; Richmond Workforce Development Board members; and, Employment and Training staff.

U.S. Labor Secretary Walsh posted a tweet about his visit to RichmondBUILD: https://twitter.com/SecMartyWalsh/status/1425544199571656706

For more information regarding the RichmondBUILD/YouthBUILD Academy, please visit their website at https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/1243/RichmondBUILD or call: 510-621-1780.

RichmondWORKS Career Pathway Spotlight

Richmond YouthWORKS has several programs to provide Richmond youth, ages 18-24, with job search and training assistance. For more information please visit their website at https://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/662/YouthWORKS or  email: Chernandez@richmondworks.org. YouthWORKS is now accepting application for Richmond youth, ages 18-24, who are facing barriers to employment due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). YouthWORKS is here to help young adults get back to work as quickly as possible and overcome barriers to employment.  Services include, essential skills workshops, workforce education, Career Pathway Training, and Paid Internships.

Local Employment Opportunities Include:

• The Oakland Private Industry Council has an opening for a permanent full-time Employment Specialist, $23 - $25 hr., DOE; with medical benefits etc.  If you are interested, please submit your cover letter and resume to: Patsy Angelillo:  patsya@oaklandpic.org  

• Mechanics Bank is hiring, and has available positions in the Bay Area.  Mechanics Bank has career opportunities for both short and long term career objectives. Whether you seek a part-time or full-time position, Mechanics Bank has a variety of roles to meet your career objectives.  To apply online, click:  https://www.mechanicsbank.com/About-Us/Careers/Career-Areas

• TSA IS NOW HIRING!!! Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at Oakland International Airport (OAK); Part-time positions start at $20.13 per hour.  Apply today online at: https://jobs.tsa.gov/transport-security-officer  Questions? Email: HelpDesk@mailserver-hraccess.tsa.dhs.gov 

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

• Public Works

Abatement

Abatement staff hosted the annual Hilltop Village Neighborhood Clean-up event, provided assistance for seniors and disabled citizens, abated City owned vacant lots, dismantled a recreational vehicle from Rydin Road to enable towing, abated debris from around homeless encampments, removed illegally dumped debris and graffiti from various locations throughout the city.

Hilltop Village Neighborhood Clean-Up

Lot Abatement

RV Dismantling/Abatement

Encampment Debris Removal

Illegal Dumping & Graffiti Removal

Building Maintenance

Stationary Engineers performed daily pool maintenance and Civic Center Plaza boiler inspections, fixed the roll up doors in an equipment bay on the Corporation Yard, replaced a wax ring on a toilet and cleared the sewer line in the Main Library, repaired the hot water heater in the Streets area of the Corporation Yard, installed a shower mixing valve and completed retiling a shower at Fire Station #64.

Shower Retile

Utility Workers assisted the Housing Authority with maintenance, cleaned carpets in multiple locations, removed debris from the Transit Center, replaced a door stop at the Main Library, scrubbed and waxed floors at the Police Department, moved boxes to storage for the Planning Department, disinfected common areas and maintained 29 City owned buildings.

Cleaning Transit Center

Engineering

Castro Ranch Road Project

This week new crosswalk details were given to the contractor, landscape planting was completed on medians between Amend and Olinda Roads and excavation of material at the top of the crib wall was completed by a hydrovac truck.  

The contractor is in the process of scheduling the remaining work items and a refined project completion date.  All work should be completed prior to the end of summer.

Material Excavation

Richmond Wellness Trail Project

Construction of Phase 1 is progressing with the contractor pouring concrete walls for the planters. The excavation for the rain gardens and stormwater planters along Marina Way South continues. The utility potholing for irrigation sleeves across intersections has begun.

The surveys of the residents on 16th Street has been completed and the consensus is for Trident Maples and Pacific Dogwood trees to be planted. These trees will be placed along 16th Street from the Transit Center to the Greenway.

For more information on construction, please visit:

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

Via Verdi Slope Stabilization Project

The work this week includes continuing construction of a culvert in San Pablo Creek, earthwork and utility work, reconstruction of the damaged portion of Via Verdi Drive, and removal of the temporary detour road. 

Activity for the next week will include forming the roof of the culvert and continuing the excavating for the second stage of culvert construction.  

Construction questions can be directed to the Construction Manager, Ben Kellman of mack5, at bkellman@mack5.com or (510) 595-4725.

Yellow Brick Road Project

Last week Ghilotti Bros, Inc. (GBI) continued potholing the existing utilities to verify their locations and began removing concrete sidewalks, driveways and curbs and gutters.  They also formed, placed and finished new concrete vertical curbs at the new medians on 8th Street and Ohio Ave. 

This week, GBI is continuing with demolitions at 8th Street & Chanslor Avenue and 8th Street & Bissell Avenue intersections.  The contractor has also started trenching for new storm drain lines, inlet structures and manholes.  GBI has placed a new concrete base for the storm drain manhole at Chanslor Avenue and will continue storm drain work moving north on 8th Street. 

Curb Construction

Parks and Landscaping

General fund crews pressure washed the Southside Park play structure, the picnic area of 16th Street and the Greenway, cleaned the Nevin Park pathway, performed litter abatement along the Greenway from 2nd Street to 23rd Street, pruned shrubbery at Civic Center Plaza and removed debris from various locations.

Pruning Civic Center Plaza

Marina District crews performed weed abatement at Shimada Park, continued to manually watered plants on the medians of Marina Way South, removed debris from parks, replaced supplemental bags, removed spent flower heads from the Bay Trail, hand pulled weeds at Marina Bay Park, removed weeds from rose beds at Lucretia Edwards Park, performed maintenance near the parking lots, removed graffiti throughout, painted light poles, cleared the trail by Meeker Slough and mowed Lucretia Edwards Park.

Rose Bed Maintenance

Hilltop District crews removed a down branch on the Giant Road off ramp, cleared willow trees on Oakmont, removed poison oak at Hilltop Lake, poured concrete for a new bollard at Hilltop Lake, removed graffiti and abated debris throughout the district.

Concrete for Bollard

Street Maintenance

Paving crews grinded and paved 41st Street from Macdonald Avenue to Roosevelt Avenue and potholed from the outstanding list.

Paving on 41st Street

Street Sweepers swept in the following neighborhood council areas on the second Monday through Friday:  May Valley, Vista View, Clinton Hill I – IV and Richmond Heights.Signs and Lines crews fabricated 2 signs, installed 3 new poles, mounted 6 signs and painted 400 linear feet of red curbs.

Paint 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 Division 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 Fiscal Year 2021-2022 for sewer lateral work completed between 7/1/2021-6/30/2022.

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.

Richmond Greenway Clean-up Event

On Monday August 9, 2021, the Richmond Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee (R-BPAC), with support from the City’s Water Resource Recovery Division, staged a cleanup event on the Richmond Greenway between San Pablo Ave and I-80.  Volunteers and staff were aided immensely by SOS! Richmond employees who brought a trailer to pick up large items and haul away all the trash collected.  Willow trees crowding the bridge over Baxter Creek were also trimmed back, and glass and debris swept from the multi-use path.  The rehabilitated creek, bridge, and path are the result of the Richmond-Ohlone Greenway Gap Closure project completed in 2018.  The location is a gateway to Richmond but has been especially hard hit by the unsheltered housing crisis and the abandonment of the adjacent Taco Bell.  To get involved with future Richmond BPAC events, go to www.rbpac.org

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.

Shimmick Construction continued demolition of the old digester buildings and the elutriation tanks and began demolition of the old switchgear building.

Shimmick’s sub Ferma continued demolition of the old digester buildings and began demolition of the old switchgear building.

Shimmick off hauling the soils from the biofilter area.

Shimmick worked on the rebar and the form work for the primary sedimentation tank column retrofit.

Shimmick relocated the diesel tank vent from the old switchgear building to the generator building in preparation for demolition.

Shimmick removing a 10” abandoned sludge line as part of the selective demo in yard A-1.

First Street Relief Sewer Project

The First Street Relief Sewer and Pipeline Rehabilitation Project is the final of four design projects from the comprehensive 2016 Collection System Design Project, which also included the construction of the Cutting/Carlson and Hoffman Project (originally two projects), and the Macdonald and Virginia Wet Weather Improvement Project. The Project consists of approximately 3,743 lineal feet of open cut replacement of existing 6-inch sewer, approximately 1,696 lineal feet of open cut replacement of existing 8-inch sewer, approximately 631 lineal feet of open cut replacement of existing 10-inch sewer, and approximately 125 lineal feet of open cut replacement of existing 18-in sewer. This project began in July 2021 and is expected to be completed in July 2022, which is ahead of the Baykeeper due date of July 2023.

D’Arcy & Harty Construction continued progressing with sewer line replacement on 2nd Street from Bissell Avenue to Macdonald Avenue.

A worker in the trench hand digging to locate a lateral (service to a house) which is connected to the sewer main.

The contractor is backfilling the trench after installing a new sewer main.

Worker in Trackhoe with compaction wheel compacting material over newly installed pipe in trench.

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