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  City Manager's Weekly Report for the Week Ending October 12th, 2012
October 13, 2012
 

Mayor and Councilmembers:

This is the weekly report for the week ending October 12th, 2012.

  • Meeting Notes

 

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 16th, beginning with a Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by the regular agenda at 6:30 PM.

Note that there will not be a City Council meeting on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6th.

  • Cutting Boulevard Pavement Improvements

 

In preparation for repaving Cutting Boulevard between South 34th Street and South 49th Street, Ghilotti Brothers Construction will be replacing old non-conforming handicapped access ramps at the intersections together with necessary curb, gutter and sidewalk repairs.  The work will begin Monday, October 15th in the vicinity of South 49th Street and will continue for approximately three (3) weeks.  Paving of the roadway will follow next spring, as soon as weather allows.

  •      Street Upgrades to LED Technology

 

The Environmental Initiatives Division and Engineering Department are co-managing a streetlight upgrade project that is set to begin on Monday, October 15th, and is anticipated to last through November 2012.  The project is primarily financed by a low-interest loan obtained by the California Energy Commission.  The project involves upgrading city-owned lights along several arterials to LED technology, including Macdonald Avenue, Cutting Boulevard, 23rd Street, San Pablo Avenue, and portions of the Richmond Parkway.

The City’s 5-Year Strategic Business Plan calls for replacing all street lights with energy-efficient LED technology. The increased efficiency of the street lights will reduce the City’s operating expenses, utility bills, and greenhouse gas emissions.  In addition, city staff believes that there are several health and wellness co-benefits associated with upgrading city-owned streetlights to LED technology including the ability to:

  • Improve public safety through better lighting;
  • Enhance walkability of neighborhoods by creating a safer environment;
  • Create more inviting business districts;
  • Reduce maintenance costs due to longer life expectancy of LED fixtures; and
  • Upgrade city-owned infrastructure without the use of General Funds.

 

Access to all residences and businesses along the project areas will be provided. However, some delays may be encountered.  Construction warning signs and barricades will be posted on the affected streets to direct traffic safely around the construction activities.  Please contact the Engineering & Transportation Department at (510) 620-5417 with any questions regarding the project.

  •      Air District Advisory Council Openings

 

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) is currently seeking to appoint an Advisory Council Member in the Public Health category and Conservation Organization category.  As you may know, the City of Richmond works with the BAAQMD on a number of different projects and programs.  Please consider applying and/or forwarding this message to those who may be interested. The position closes on Friday, October 19th.

The Air District is a regional government agency that monitors, regulates and enforces clean air policies. The Air District regulates industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices.  The Air District's jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others - southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.

The purpose of the Advisory Council is to advise and consult with the Board of Directors and the Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) on issues related to air pollution emissions control and the environment. This includes studying and making recommendations on specific matters referred to the Advisory Council from the Board of Directors or the APCO, including the technical, social, economic and environmental aspects of matters being addressed by the Air District.  The Advisory Council also may identify areas of interest for exploration and study.

The Advisory Council consists of 20 members who live in the Bay Area and bring a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise to the discussion of air quality issues. The 20 members must include at least three representatives of public health agencies, at least four representatives of private organizations active in conservation or protection of the environment within the Air District's jurisdiction, and at least one representative of colleges or universities in the state and at least one representative of each of the following groups within the Air District's jurisdiction: regional park district, park and recreation commissions or equivalent agencies of any city, mass public transportation system, agriculture, industry, community planning, transportation, registered professional engineers, general contractors, architects, and organized labor.

For more information, please see: http://www.baaqmd.gov/Divisions/Human-Resources/Employment/NEOGOV-JobOp.aspx or contact Air District Human Resources staff at (415) 749-4626.

  • A “LEAP” Forward for Crystal Bejines

 

Twenty-two year old Crystal Bejines started coming regularly to the Literacy for Every Adult Program (LEAP) four months ago after her friend told her “Go get your GED from LEAP, it’s free.”  She was assigned to work one-on-one in reading with tutor Ed Bolds.  Ed, a retired Librarian from Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, who also did some teaching at the college, has been a volunteer tutor at LEAP for a year.

Description: photo

Ed and Crystal meet once a week at the LEAP office.  Ed is very patient and encouraging with Crystal.  He helps build her self-esteem and is not condescending.  Crystal says that she likes that Ed says, “Go ahead Crystal, you can do it.”  He has a talent for bringing her personal experiences over each week into the lesson.

Crystal said that she is learning from Ed how to pronounce words better and that she sees her improvement.  She is also attending an afternoon math class at LEAP twice a week.  Crystal’s goal is to first get her GED and then go on to the Art Institute in San Francisco for Fashion Design.  She has been encouraging her 20 year old male cousin to come to LEAP.  She’s told him that the program is helpful, the teachers and other people are nice, and it’s a good experience.

Crystal spends her free time with her children ages 2 and 4.  They love doing finger- painting activities, going to the park, and, of course, reading children’s books.

  • Recreation Highlights

 

DPRC

Disabled Peoples Recreation Center participant, Brandon Crowl, desired to take on a leadership role to develop his teaching skills and to assist his peers during activities. Staff and Brandon concluded it would be most beneficial for him to assist with the Technical Learning Class and Music Therapy. He began these new objectives last week and is excited about his new role at the center.

Health Fair

A free Health Fair for Seniors and Veterans will be held on October 25th, from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM at Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo.  There will be information and health screenings for blood pressure, glucose, bone density, and more.  Also available will be flu shots, panels, advice from health experts, a resource fair, and lunch for registered attendees.  Free transportation is available.  Registration is required and can be done by calling (510) 970-5923.

  • Public Works Updates

 

Facilities Maintenance Division: Carpenters replaced a broken window at Fire Station 66 and put in a new work station and radio cabinets at Fire Station 67.

Stationary Engineers replaced a variable fan drive at 450 Civic Center Plaza, repaired the water closets at the Richmond Recreation Complex, and installed a new stove at the Parchester Community Center.

The Utility Workers waxed the floors at the Richmond Recreation Complex, cleaned windows at City Hall, and cleaned the carpets at the Dispatch Center as well as within City Hall. This work was done in addition to completing their janitorial services to all 29 City buildings.

Electricians started the repairs to the Crescent Park lighting, repaired the traffic controller at Castro Street and Richmond Lane, restored electrical service to 3210 Ohio Avenue, and installed traffic loops near the BART parking structure.

traffic loop

Traffic Loop Installation at the Richmond BART Parking Structure

Parks and Landscaping Division: Crews are preparing for the grand opening of Burg Park and continuing with the Booker T. Anderson Pedestrian Bridge project. They completed the planting at 30th Street and Clinton Avenue, installed foul poles at the Junior Giants Baseball field, and completed landscaping in an area of Hilltop.

The Tree Crew trimmed and pruned trees on San Pablo Avenue, Roosevelt Avenue, 33rd Street, and San Joaquin Avenue.

Streets Division:  The Pavement Maintenance Crew grinded and paved on South 22nd Street from Hoffman Boulevard to the intersection of Potrero Avenue.

Street Sweeping continued with the commercial and residential routes Tuesday through Friday due to the holiday schedule. The routes swept during the second Tuesday through Friday of the month were Clinton Hill II – IV and East Richmond Neighborhood Council areas.

The Traffic Signs and Lines Crew repaired a knocked down stop sign, removed five poles and reinstalled the signs, repaired three signs at various locations, and repainted a stop message at Buckboard and Wagon Wheel Way.

 

 

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Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about these or any other items of interest to you.

Have a great week!

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

 

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Bill Lindsay
City Manager
City of Richmond
(510) 620-6512
Bill_lindsay@ci.richmond.ca.us

 

 

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