Mayor and City Councilmembers:
This is the weekly report for the week ending August 30th, 2013.
1. Meeting Notes
The City Council meeting hiatus is rapidly coming to a close. The next City Council meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday, September 10th. In the meantime, enjoy the Labor Day weekend and celebrate the end of summer.
2. City Hall Closed for Labor Day and Admission Day
As a reminder, the city offices will be closed on both Monday, September 2nd, and Monday, September 9th, in observance of Labor Day and Admission Day, respectively. (For those that were not in the California public school system prior to 1970, please note that Admission Day is celebrated annually on September 9th to commemorate the admission of California into the Union as the thirty-first state in the year 1850.)
3. Officer Bradley A. Moody Memorial Underpass Project - Closure of Marina Bay Parkway to Traffic on September 3rd
The Bradley A. Moody Memorial Underpass Project involves the construction of a roadway underpass on Marina Bay Parkway between Meeker Avenue and Regatta Boulevard, and is intended to resolve long-standing access limitations to the Marina Bay Area caused by frequent train crossings.
This week, work on median modifications on Regatta Boulevard in front of the police station commenced, while utility relocation work continued.
For the week of September 3rd, the most noticeable event at the project will be the closure of Marina Bay Parkway to traffic at approximately 7:00 AM. Immediately after road closure, crews will begin demolition of the existing roadway. During this time, utility relocation work will continue at the Department of Public Health campus and near Pierson Avenue. AT&T will also be performing utility relocation work in the area under a separate contract. Final striping of the Regatta Boulevard median modifications will also be installed.
Marina Bay Parkway is scheduled to remain closed for approximately 18 months. Please see the graphic below showing alternate detour routes. Please contact the project’s public outreach consultant, Jacqueline Majors, through the project website at www.moodyup.com if you would like a hard copy of the “know your route” card.
For additional information and to be added to the project update contact list, please see the project website at www.moodyup.com. You can also now follow the project on twitter: @moodyunderpass.
4. Mobile Farmers’ Market in Richmond
The Freshest Cargo Mobile Farmers’ Market is a “farmers’ market on wheels” that provides neighborhood-based access to fresh, locally-grown produce in the Bay Area. Freshest Cargo now operates in several communities in Contra Costa County, and will initiate stop at several locations in Richmond on Wednesdays. The market accepts cash, EBT, Visa and Mastercard.
The following locations will be served on Wednesdays - click here for a map!
· 10:00 AM -11:30 AM | West Contra Costa YMCA • Maine Avenue at South 19th Street
· 12:00 PM -1:30 PM | North Richmond • Chesley Avenue at Fred Jackson Way
· 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | Parchester Community • Williams Drive at Collins Avenue.
Fresh Approach will also provide 48 interactive nutrition education sessions at community-based organizations to promote purchasing local fruits and vegetables and the CalFresh nutrition assistance programs that will be accepted at the market.
This project is supported by a grant from the USDA through the Farmers’ Market Promotion Program. More information is available at: www.freshapproach.org.
5. South Shoreline Specific Plan – Development Alternatives Presentation
Concept Design for Lark Street near Regatta Boulevard and Marina Bay Parkway Intersection
This past Wednesday, August 28th, the Richmond Planning Division held a community meeting to obtain input on the three development alternatives that have been prepared for further analysis under the South Shoreline Specific Plan. The alternatives discussed would accommodate 3 to 5 million square feet of new employment space and 900 to 7,000 new residential units in the areas surrounding the proposed Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL)/UC Berkeley Richmond Bay Campus. A summary and full analysis of the alternatives is being prepared and will be available for public review and comment in December 2013. Over 50 people attended the community meeting, representing area residents, businesses, and property owners, and expressed their views on future land uses, transportation, open space, and environmental clean-up in the area.
About the Specific Plan:
The Specific Plan is intended to facilitate the implementation of Richmond’s new General Plan by establishing specific planning policies, regulations, and urban design guidelines for an approximately 220-acre area located in the City of Richmond south of Interstate Highway 580. The Specific Plan will focus on ways that Richmond can take advantage of the planned Richmond Bay Campus, future ferry service, and other area assets to create a sustainable shoreline district providing jobs, housing, transportation options, and opportunities for entertainment and recreation. The City of Richmond was awarded a Priority Development Area Planning Grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to develop the Specific Plan.
For more information, please visit www.ci.richmond.ca.us/sssp or contact Richmond Senior Planner Hector Rojas at hector_rojas@ci.richmond.ca.us.
6. GRID Alternatives’ Solarthon Comes to Richmond
The City of Richmond and local residents of the Iron Triangle neighborhood are partnering with non-profit GRID Alternatives, an organization that brings the benefits of solar into underserved communities, to expand Richmond’s growing solar-powered energy. On Saturday, September 7th, more than 150 volunteers – individual sponsors, corporate teams, job trainees and the homeowners themselves – will come out to install solar electric systems for 8 low-income families as part of the GRID Alternatives Solarthon, the organization’s annual solar block party and fundraiser.
Families will save approximately 75 percent on their electricity bills from day one, money they can use for food, clothing, medical expenses and other necessities. The installations are expected to save the families $148,000 over the 30-year lifetime of the systems and contribute to cleaner air.
GRID Alternatives has installed 116 systems in Richmond to-date, working in partnership with the City of Richmond to make solar energy accessible to its diverse population while bringing job skill-building opportunities to volunteers and students on the installation sites.
7. Help Rebuild Belding Garcia Playground!
Saturday, October 26th is Make a Difference Day, the largest day of national community service. On this day, volunteers around the nation will work in their communities to improve the lives of others. From 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on October 26th, the Richmond community is invited to join residents of the Belding Woods Neighborhood and community partners as they rebuild the Belding Garcia Playground located at 17th Street and Coalinga Avenue.
The new playground will provide children, ages 2 to 12, and families with a positive, safe, and fun environment. Additionally, the improved playground will enhance youths’ imagination around play, help develop friendships, and be the meeting place for cherished memories.
All skill levels and talents are welcome! No experience is necessary. There are a variety of opportunities for you to make a positive impact. Volunteers are needed to assist with building playground equipment pieces, serving food, registering fellow volunteers, and leading activities for children.
Your time will help improve the lives of many in the Belding Woods Neighborhood. Register today to volunteer at http://beldinggarciaplayground.eventbrite.com/. For inquiries, please contact Alicia Nightengale at (510) 620-5460 or Bertha Romo at (510) 620-5535.
We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 26th!
8. 2013 Community Survey Available to all Richmond Residents to Complete
If your household was not one of the 3,000 households selected to receive the survey, but you would like to provide feedback to the city, then now is your chance. The 2013 Richmond Community Survey can now be completed by ALL Richmond residents by accessing the links below.
• English: http://www.n-r-c.com/survey/richmond2013survey.htm
• Spanish: http://www.n-r-c.com/survey/richmond2013encuesta.htm
Feel free to contact LaShonda Wilson-White in the City Manager’s office at (510) 620-6828 with questions, comments, or to obtain a paper copy of the survey. Your input can help make the City of Richmond a better place to live, work and play. We look forward to receiving your feedback.
9. Recreation Highlights
Disabled Peoples Recreation Center
The last week of summer programs for the Adult Morning Program (AMP) and Therapeutic Interactive Recreation Program (TIRP) participants was an exciting time for everyone. The week began with lunch and a movie at the Concord Century 16 Theater. The AMP group chose Wolverine and the TIRP group chose Turbo. The next day, everyone enjoyed a great lunch at the Concord Sweet Tomatoes, where they used their Money Matters skills to purchase individual lunches. They all then took a nice walk around the outside mall area. Another day, the picnic at Rankin Park in Martinez was filled with good food and outdoor sports. Attending the A’s game was a hit, especially when they won! The culminating event was a day at Point Pinole for beautiful scenery, good walking and an end to a great summer program.
Now that summer is over, the adult participants are ready to resume their regular program scheduling for the year. They loved the summer program and all the activities in which they participated. However, they are excited about getting back to their regular routines and the upcoming holiday seasons.
The younger participants have all returned and are working out the kinks that come with the first week. One thing is certain, they are happy to be back at their regular after school program at the Disabled People’s Recreation Center!
Tennis
On August 9th, the City of Richmond's Girls 15 & under Junior Tennis Team (Richmond PowerPuffs), coached by Wendy Guinn, traveled to Fresno, California to participate in the Northern California USTA Junior Team Tennis Sectional Championships held on August 10th-11th. The PowerPuffs team consisted of eight players: Aysha Hayes, Azaria Hayes, Chandani Battle, Alyssa Lewis, ShaVaughn Vines, Cienna Clark, Cassidy Clark and Alyssa Docherty-Kaumbulu. After qualifying for the event as one of the top 2 teams in their age division, the Richmond PowerPuffs competed well in singles and doubles matches, and demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship and team camaraderie. The team placed 6th.
Aysha Hayes, the number 1 singles player, lost two closely contested matches to top-ranked USTA players, but was awarded a sportsmanship award. Her sister Azaria, only 11 years of age, played well at the number 2 spot and also won a racket bag at the team barbecue party on Saturday night. Azaria was recently ranked no. 18 in the NorCal USTA rankings for 12 & under. Alyssa Lewis, competed at number 6 in singles and was undefeated. She also competed in doubles and only lost one of her matches throughout the 3-match weekend. Most notably, the entire team was recognized repeatedly by United States Tennis Association officials, coaches and parents for their on and off-court demeanor and sportsmanship.
This was the first sectional championship experience for most of the players, and they managed well in spite of temperatures near 100 degrees and daily match start times of 7:30 AM. As the youngest team in their age division, there are certainly high expectations for a stronger finish next season.
In addition to Coach Guinn, Richmond Recreation Department tennis staff who accompanied the team were Courtney Coleman, Jasmin Guinn and Marzell Morning. Staff, players and parents topped off a remarkable season with a team trip to Boomers in Livermore the following weekend.
10. Public Works Updates
Facilities Maintenance: Carpenters repaired the south wall of the Richmond Recreation Complex gym, installed storm vents and repaired the storefront entrances and three windows at the Recreation Complex, repaired doors at Shields Reid Community Center, and installed bollards in the Corporation Yard.
Installation of Storm Vents
Painters started the preparation of the floors at the Parchester Community Center for painting, refinished the floors in the Computer Room of the Parchester Community Center, painted the light poles in the parking lot of the Employment and Training Center, and painted the electrical bunker on the Richmond Parkway.
Painting of Poles at Employment and Training
Stationary Engineers cleared waste lines at the Senior Center, Recreation Complex and Fire Station #64, serviced the furnace at the Senior Annex Center and in the Point Richmond Community Center, repaired the air conditioner at 440 Civic Center Plaza, and sealed former waste lines at the Shields Reid Community Center.
The Utility Workers cleaned the carpets in the Council Chambers and replaced soap dispensers in City Hall in addition to maintaining all City buildings.
Electricians installed safety lighting in the basement of the Plunge, continued with the Richmond Parkway lighting project and worked on safety issues at 450 Civic Center Plaza.
Parks and Landscaping Division: This week crews continued with the landscape rehabilitation project along the Marina Bay Trail, continued with the Lucas Park landscaping project, completed vegetation clean-up along the Marina Way medians, completed pruning along Garrard Avenue, continued with the landscape clean-up at Civic Center Plaza, and helped support the Richmond Parkway lighting project.
Streets Division: Crews continued with grinding and paving on Regatta Boulevard, Wharf Street and Hall Avenue, as well as worked from the outstanding pothole list.
Paving on Regatta Boulevard
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the fourth Monday through Wednesday and fifth Thursday and Friday in Santa Fe, Point Richmond, Marina Bay, Coronado, Metro Richmore Village, Pullman, Cortez/Stege, Park Plaza Laurel Park and City Center neighborhood council areas.
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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 and a great three-day weekend!
Honor Labor!
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
Bill Lindsay
City Manager
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, California 94804
(510) 620-6512
Bill_lindsay@ci.richmond.ca.us
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