In The RPA Facebook page, Everybody’s Richmond California, Urban Tilth Executive Director and Board Member Doria Robinson shared the news of an FPPC advice letter that appeared to exonerate her from a conflict of interest involving the Transformative Communities Grant.

An FPPC opinion, however,  is like a computer -- garbage in garbage out. The FPPC can only comment on the information provided, which in Doria’s case, was remarkably incomplete. For example, Doria left out the fact that she is not only executive director but also a board member of Urban Tilth, and she downplayed the power she wields on all Urban Tilth decisions. For example, she personally signed the deed to six properties purchased by Urban Tilth and sold to Rich City for half what Urban tilth paid. She left out Urban Tilth's relationship with Transformative Communities Grant co-grantee Rich City Rides, essentially a component of Urban Tilth run by Urban Tilth employee Najari Smith (who has his own legal issues), co-owner and co-occupant of her home. Finally, the representation of Doria by the city attorney is a conflict of interest. There is a lot more.

Political commission addresses conflict of interest concerns regarding Councilmember Robinson’s nonprofit
Soren Hemmila
Aug 12, 2024 — 4 min read

Richmond City Councilmember Doria Robinson speaks during the opening of the Marin Bay Farmers Market in April 7, 2024. Photo/Soren Hemmila

Richmond City Councilmember Doria Robinson announced the Fair Political Practices Commission has validated the guidance she received and followed concerning potential conflicts of interest related to her involvement with the Transformative Climate Communities grant.

“I am happy to share with you the long-awaited official FPPC response regarding my role in the Transformative Climate Communities Grant, which brought $30 million in funding to the City of Richmond, my subsequent election to the Richmond City Council, and how to properly and legally handle any conflict of interest,” Robinson posted online.

The Trust for Public Land, the City of Richmond, and several Richmond-based nonprofits, including Rich City Rides, GRID Alternatives, Urban Tilth, and Groundwork Richmond, were awarded a $35 million grant from California’s Strategic Growth Council through the Transformative Climate Communities Program in 2022.

The grant will fund the Richmond Rising Partnership, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions, create parks and green spaces, and provide renewable energy and workforce training in Richmond, particularly in the underserved neighborhoods of the Iron Triangle, Santa Fe, and Coronado. 

The project includes expanding the Richmond Wellness Trail, installing solar power in homes, planting trees, enhancing food security, and offering job training. This initiative is a collaborative effort to promote environmental justice, climate resilience, and community health in Richmond.

Former Mayor Tom Butt has raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving Robinson. Butt said Urban Tilth, Robinson’s nonprofit organization, received a grant and a contract from the City of Richmond totaling over $10 million. 

“It would appear that a grant from (and contract with) the City of Richmond for over $10 million dollars would be a significant financial interest of Doria Robinson, Urban Tilth’s chief executive officer with an annual salary of at least $143,000,” Butt wrote in his newsletter.

FPPC General Counsel Dave Bainbridge wrote in a June 6 letter that Robinson has a conflict of interest because her role at Urban Tilth creates a financial interest in contracts involving the organizations. 

Click here for the entire Letter Final A-24-033
Final A-24-033.pdf
333 KB

“Councilmember Robinson has an interest in the success of Urban Tilth as the Executive Director of the organization regardless of whether the contract with the city will specifically impact her salary. Under Section 1090, Councilmember Robinson will have an interest in any contract with the city that benefits or harms Urban Tilth. The grant funding, in this case, is clearly a benefit to Urban Tilth as an organization,” Bainbridge wrote.

However, a  “remote interest” exception allows the city to enter contracts with Urban Tilth. If Robinson discloses her interest, it is recorded in the official records, and she abstains from participating in the contracting process in both her official and personal capacities.

Bainbridge said a governmental officer has a remote interest if their interest is one as an officer or employee of a nonprofit entity exempt from taxation.

“Under this exception, the officer may not influence or attempt to influence any member of the board to enter the contract,” Bainbridge said.

Robinson is prohibited from influencing or attempting to influence a member of the City Council regarding the contract in her capacity as Executive Director of Urban Tilth or as a City Councilmember.

Robinson expressed relief and gratitude for the Fair Political Practices Commission attorney’s advice and said she was proud of her role in bringing $30 million dollars in funding to the City of Richmond. 

“I will continue to follow all legal advice as I navigate the challenging landscape of being a new elected official,” Robinson said in a statement. “The TCC grant will help hundreds of Richmond residents who live in the grant’s project area to become more climate resilient with free solar systems, free home weatherization, and systems that help conserve water.”