RPA and the Brown Act – Steering Committee Changes
Council member Eduardo Martinez has graciously agreed to resign from the RPA Steering Committee. He writes: Thanks for the heads-up. I did not attend this meeting and I am not on the current steering committee. I specifically asked not to be considered for the new...
The Rent Board
I have been meeting since late 2016 with not more than two other City Council members (Unlike the RPA, I try to honor the Brown Act) to find five people whom I can appoint to the Rent Board. My goal of appointing a Rent Board, has however, been thwarted by the RPA’s...
Nystrom School Headed for National Register of Historic Places
The State of California Historic Resources Commission will meet On Friday, May 10, 2017, to approve the Nystrom Nomination to National Register of Historic Places. Nystrom was built in 1943 at the height of Richmond shipyard production to house thousands of new...
City Manager’s Weekly Report for the Week Ending March 3, 2017
Mayor and Members of the City Council: This is the weekly report for the week ending March 3, 2017. 1. Meeting Notes The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 7th beginning with a Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by the regular meeting at 6:30...
What Kind of Pets Did You Have as a Kid?
A few days ago, my brother Jack informed me that he was going to prepare some sort of book for his grandchildren about his own childhood pets, and he asked me for my recollections about our family pets. I put the following together and thought it was worth sharing....
Rosie the Riveter Trust Annual Benefit Dinner, April 8, 2017 – Be There!
Dear Friend of Rosie the Riveter, The Rosie the Riveter Trust’s Board of Directors invites you to join us at Rosies Forever, a special celebration to honor the women and other home front workers of all colors and backgrounds who forged a unique U.S. history by taking...
March 7, 2017, Regular Richmond City Council Agenda/Packet – CLOSED SESSION BEGINS AT 5:00 p.m.
The agenda/packet for the Tuesday, March 7, 2017, Regular Richmond City Council Meeting is on the web. Follow the link below to view: http://sireweb.ci.richmond.ca.us/sirepub/meet.aspx
Richmond Rents decrease by Nearly 10%
Click here for PowerPoint slides from last night’s State of the City presentation. Richmond: Trimming budget, reducing homicides top mayor’s priority list City’s pension and retiree healthcare obligations could require further cuts in services Richmond has to trim...
Financial Aid Workshops TODAY & TOMORROW!
The Cal Grant deadline for financial aid is tomorrow, March 2! We will be hosting financial aid workshops TODAY, tomorrow, and next week for students and families who may need additional support to get across the finish line!. Richmond Promise Financial Aid Workshops...
Wendell Park – Come Build With Us
Come Build a Park in ONE Day! Join Richmond volunteers on March 17th as they transform Wendell Park with all new play structures, fun activities, and more! Refreshments provided. You’re invited to help us make Richmond more playful by creating a new place for kids to...
Mailbox Sample After Impeachment Investigation Resolution
Following the unanimous decision of the Richmond City Council to adopt a resolution to support an investigation by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary to investigate “…whether sufficient grounds exist for the impeachment of Donald J. Trump,” I...
City Council Agenda – Tuesday, February 28, 2017, Regular Richmond City Council Meeting
The mayor’s State of the City presentation will be a part of this meeting. The agenda/packet for the Tuesday, February 28, 2017, Regular Richmond City Council Meeting is on the web. Follow the link below to view: http://sireweb.ci.richmond.ca.us/sirepub/meet.aspx
Revision – February 28, 2017, Regular Richmond City Council Agenda
Please be advised that the February 28, 2017, agenda was revised to include a “Report from the City Attorney of Final Decisions Made During Closed Session.” All other information and items remain the same. http://sireweb.ci.richmond.ca.us/sirepub/meet.aspx
Cities, counties and schools feel sharply increasing pension costs
I strongly disagree that the City of Rchmond is “the state’s most likely candidate for insolvency,” but it is true that $46 million (30%) of Richmond’s $151,923,081 General Fund goes for Pension and OPEB benefits, and these are headed nowhere but up. There are also...
Fake News and Alternative Facts Right Here in Richmond
Who will police the press? It all started with a story on Richmond first published by the LA Times (Cutting jobs, street repairs, library books to keep up with pension costs, Generous retirement benefits for public safety employees could help push the Bay Area city of...
Time With Tom, February 23, 5-7 PM, Nerd Crossing
City Council Agenda – Tuesday, February 21, 2017, Regular Richmond City Council Meeting
To see the most recent City Council Agenda use the following link: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/Archive.aspx?AMID=30
Getting Out There with the Richmond Promise
The Richmond Promise program is starting to attract a lot of attention, both locally and nationally. A couple of weeks ago, Richmond Promise Executive Director Jessie Stewart and I presented, at the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Saint Louis along with...
Anti-police message at Richmond event alarms residents
For video, see http://richmondstandard.com/2017/02/17/anti-policing-message-at-richmond-event-alarms-some-residents/. In case anyone wants more context, here is a longer version of the video of the event....
City Manager’s Weekly Report for the Week Ending February 17, 2017
Mayor and Members of the City Council: This is the weekly report for the week ending February 17, 2017. 1. Meeting Notes The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 21st beginning with Closed Session at 6:00 PM, followed by the Special Meeting of...