Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the weekly report for the week ending April 18th, 2014.

• Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22nd beginning with a Closed Session at 5:30 PM, followed by the regular agenda at 6:30 PM.

• Richmond Honored at Annual ABAG Growing Smarter Together Awards

The Association of Bay Area Governments' (ABAG) Growing Smarter Together Awards Program showcases planning and development at the local level that advance smart or “focused sustainable” growth in the Bay Area. The awards also honor counties, cities, and towns that meet the day-to-day needs of residents and promote conservation efforts that protect vital natural, scenic, and agricultural resource areas.

The City of Richmond was honored at ABAG’s Spring General Assembly on Thursday, April 17th with two awards: the Start It Up Award for innovation in Richmond’s General Plan and Preserving and Protecting the Environment Award for Richmond and Marin Clean Energy. Richmond was the only city to be awarded in two separate categories, displaying the City’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and growth among other communities in the Bay Area.  

• Oakland A’s Investing in the Richmond Community

The Oakland A’s currently lead in the American League West standings, and the Richmond community has yet another reason to hope for their continued success.  The Richmond Community Foundation, working with the City of Richmond, submitted a grant proposal to the Oakland A’s some time ago for the renovation of the ballfield at Martin Luther King Park.  We learned last week that the Oakland A’s, along with the Good Tidings Foundation, will undertake this ballfield renovation with work to begin as early as May 1st.

Part of the Good Tidings Foundation mission is to work in partnership with professional sports franchises throughout the Bay Area, leveraging resources to increase access to enriching opportunities by deserving youth.  They help design, fund and build projects that are maintained and programmed in perpetuity by school districts, recreation departments, or city governments (click here to learn more about this organization).

The MLK Park ballfield renovation will be done “turn-key” by the Good Tidings Foundation, with a grand reopening to take place in late May.  We will keep you informed as this project moves forward.

• Pt. Molate Park Reopening Celebration

Pt. Molate park will celebrate its grand reopening this Saturday, April 19th beginning at 10:00 AM.  While the park has unofficially been open since last October after having been renovated by Richmond Parks crews, Saturday will mark its official re-opening after its having been closed for several years.

The schedule for this celebration includes:

10:00 AM Native American Blessing
11:30 AM Ribbon Cutting & Special Guests
12:30 PM Latin Jazz and R&B
1:00 PM    Youth Activities and Games
10:30 AM Osprey Observation Tour
1:30 PM    Walking Pt. Molate History Tour

A barbecue will be working from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.

To get to the reopened Pt. Molate Park from Richmond, take the Stenmark Dr. (formerly Western Dr.) exit from 580 westbound. This is the last exit before the toll plaza at the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge.  Proceed on Stenmark for a quarter mile and stay left at the fork, continuing on Stenmark Dr. for another mile.  Pt. Molate Beach Park is on the left.  Overflow parking is available across from the park entrance.

• Compost Giveaway & Great Tomato Sale

Last Saturday, April 12th, the City of Richmond Environmental and Health Initiatives hosted a Compost Giveaway free to all residents. Thirty yards of compost were donated to the community and the rest was donated to Urban Tilth’s local AdamsCrest Farm, the location of the giveaway. The giveaway partnered with Contra Costa Master Gardeners and Urban Tilth’s Great Tomato Sale which provided high quality, affordable tomato and vegetable plants to the community. It was a successful event and great display of the vibrant urban agriculture activities occurring here in Richmond.

To learn more about urban agriculture opportunities and events in Richmond and subscribe to their listserv and social media accounts, visit the City of Richmond Environmental Initiatives website at www.richmondenvironment.org.

• The State Water Board Adopts the Industrial General Permit (Stormwater) – April 1, 2014

The Industrial General Permit (IGP) is a statewide, general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that regulates the discharge of storm water associated with industrial activity.  Storm water and urban runoff are significant sources of water pollution and can threaten aquatic life and public health.

The City of Richmond Engineering Services Department will be hosting a workshop regarding the regulations in the new permit and how industries will be affected. This unique workshop covers important compliance issues and current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements for industrial site activities and storm water discharges that may impact many larger Industrial facilities.

The workshop will be held at the Richmond Convention Center (Farallon and Governor Rooms) on Tuesday, May 13th, with both a morning session (8:30 AM to 11:30 AM) and an afternoon session (1:30 PM to 4:00 PM).  For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=1735.

For a copy of the permit visit the States web site at:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/board_decisions/adopted_orders/water_quality/2014/wqo2014_0057_dwq.pdf

• Chevron Refinery Modernization Project DRB Hearing, April 23, 2014

On April 23, 2014, the Design Review Board will hold a public hearing to consider making a recommendation to the Planning Commission to deny or approve the design review permit for the Chevron Refinery Modernization Project.  The meeting will be held in the Multipurpose Room, 440 Civic Center Plaza at 6:00 PM.

• Chevron Refinery Modernization Project Draft EIR Available for Public Review – Comments Due on May 2, 2014 

On Tuesday, March 18, 2014, the City of Richmond Planning Division released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Chevron Refinery Modernization Project (Modernization Project or Project).  The DEIR, which is required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) evaluates the environmental impacts associated with the Project, analyzes alternatives and identifies mitigation measures to avoid significant environmental effects.  Release of the DEIR opens a 45-day comment period that closes at 5:00 PM on May 2, 2014.

Comments on the Draft EIR, sent in writing, must be received by 5:00 PM on May 2, 2014, at the following address:

Lina Velasco
City of Richmond Planning Division
450 Civic Center Plaza
P.O. Box 4046
Richmond, CA 94804

A copy of the Draft EIR is available for review online at http://chevronmodernization.com/.  Copies are also available for review at the following locations:

• Richmond Public Library - Main Branch, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond
• Richmond Public Library - Bayview Branch, 5100 Hartnett Avenue, Richmond
• City of Richmond, Planning and Building Services Department, City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza

• City Manager Chronicles

I have listed below some of the topics for meetings that I have recently attended in the hope that it provides an idea of the varied issues with which our organization deals routinely.

Activities and meeting topics during the past week have included:

• Met with the City Council ad hoc committee on the Richmond Housing Authority, which includes Mayor McLaughlin, and Councilmembers Boozé and Myrick, along with RHA Executive Director Tim Jones, with HUD Region IX Administrator Ophelia Basgal and other HUD staff members, to discuss plans moving forward for the Hacienda development;
• Attended the biweekly meeting of the Richmond Bay Campus working group that includes staff from the City, UC Berkeley, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab;
• Met with East Bay MUD General Manager Alex Coate and EBMUD Director of Wastewater Bennett Horenstein, along with Richmond Wastewater Program Manager Chad Davisson, to discuss EBMUD’s potential role in providing wastewater services to Richmond (a City Council study session on this topic is tentatively scheduled for May);
• Met with Chevron staff, along with Shasa Curl and Adam Lenz from the City Manager’s office, to discuss Chevron’s fenceline air monitoring program work plan;
• Attended the monthly Richmond Council of Industries luncheon meeting;
• Attended the ABAG Spring General Assembly (see item 2, above);
• Met with staff of the Finance Department and Housing and Community Development division to review the status of HUD compliance issues;
• Attended the graduation of RichmondBuild Cohort 23;
• Met with City staff to continue monitoring the process for disposition of properties currently owned by the former Richmond Redevelopment Agency;
• Attended my regular, monthly meeting with School Superintendent Dr. Bruce Harter.

These meetings were in addition to attending the regular management staff meeting, agenda planning, reviewing staff reports to the City Council, doing department head “check-ins,” having discussions on various personnel matters, and having short discussions with staff, community members, members of the press, etc.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the substance of these or any other topics.

• Volunteer at the Richmond Youth Summit

The City of Richmond will be hosting the Richmond Youth Summit on Saturday, April 19th, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The event will feature speakers, performances and workshops on civic engagement. Call (510) 620-5535 or visit http://richmondvolunteers.org/opportunities/2972 for more information and to sign up.

• Officer Bradley A. Moody Memorial Underpass Project Update

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.  In early September 2013, Marina Bay Parkway was closed to traffic.  This closure is planned to remain in place for 18-20 months. 

As noted in prior reports, placement of drilled tie-backs and associated excavation work was suspended due to delays of AT&T-performed utility relocation.   AT&T completed their work on April 14th, allowing roadway excavation to restart and continue through the week of April 14th.  The week of April 21st, tieback operation will restart, and temporary steel struts will be placed across the roadway north of the tracks.  Also, shoring installation for the deep storm drain manhole located near the tracks is ongoing, along with restoration work at the Department of Public Health campus. 

A preliminary evaluation of the AT&T delay indicates that the roadway closure will still be able to be reopened in early May, approximately 20 months from the closure date.  This closure duration remains within the 18 to 20 month window originally anticipated for the Project, however, the loss of schedule “float” means that the schedule is more vulnerable to delays that could push the closure duration beyond 20 months.  Of particular concern is the chance of inclement weather next winter.  Project staff will continue to work to identify means of accelerating the schedule to mitigate the impact of the AT&T delay.

The fourth weekend, 24-hour a day closure window is being tentatively scheduled for the weekend of May 17th.  Plans for this closure window are very preliminary at this point and additional information will follow as details are developed.

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 follow the project on twitter: @moodyunderpass, or contact the project’s public outreach coordinator Jacqueline Majors at (925) 949-6196.

Tieback drill rig re-mobilization

Roadway excavation

• Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Bottoms Property Residential Project on Seacliff Drive

The City of Richmond has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Bottoms Property Residential Project on Seacliff Drive.  The project proposes to construct 60 market‐rate condominiums on a vacant waterfront parcel.  Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15105(a), a minimum forty-five-day (45) public review period is required which commenced on March 27th. All written comments on this document must be submitted to the City of Richmond Planning Department within this 45-day review period, or by Monday, May 12, 2014, by 5:00 PM.  Please submit comments to:

Kieron Slaughter, Associate Planner
City of Richmond Planning Division
450 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 4046
Richmond, CA 94804

A copy of the Draft EIR is available for review online.  Copies are also available for review at the following locations:

• Richmond Public Library - Main Branch, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond
• City of Richmond Planning and Building Services Department, City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza

• The Richmond Certified Farmers’ Market Celebrates 30 Years!

The Richmond Certified Farmers Market, held every Friday in the parking lot at 24th & Barrett Avenue, is one of the first farmers’ markets to open in the Bay Area, with April marking its 30th anniversary.

A Certified Farmers Market is a market at which the farmer must grow all produce that he or she intends to sell. Some of the farmers have been with the Richmond market for over twenty years. Mario Busalacchi, a very colorful and charismatic farmer, travels from Stockton each and every Friday with the freshest produce available. Doa Lee is from Fresno and specializes in Asian produce. The market has a strawberry vendor from Salinas, and fresh eggs and local honey are available. The market has recently welcomed a new farmer that specializes in organic citrus.  The market is open year around, which guarantees the freshest produce that is in season.

The Richmond Certified Farmers Market is more than just produce, however. They have community information booths, and have sponsored free tree give-a-ways to local residents. Customers can grab a bite to eat with the food vendors or a snack from Cobblestone Bakery or Kettle-Pop.  Henry Simmons sells various dried nuts and dried fruits that are delicious.

The Richmond Certified Market hopes to see you every Friday market day, year around from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM, rain or shine.  They accept ‘WICS’, ‘SENIOR WICS’ and dispense EBT tokens that are honored by the farmers.

• 5th Annual Northern California Summit on Children and Youth: Building a Just Society – Transforming Lives and Creating Equity for Boys and Men of Color

The Richmond Community Foundation will be hosting the Fifth Annual Northern California Summit on Children and Youth here in Richmond from April 30th - May 1st. The focus of this year’s summit will be “Building a Just Society - Transforming Lives and Creating Equity for Boys and Men of Color.”

The Summit is focused on the notion that our state's future prosperity and health depends on all Californians having a fair chance to thrive and succeed. Though there are significant challenges, there has also been positive change. Passionate people are removing the barriers facing boys and men of color so that they can thrive.  They are working to understand and scale up this important work so that boys and men of color can achieve their fullest potential.

The event will feature Associate Professor Bryan Brown, Stanford Graduate School of Education, as the Keynote Speaker for Thursday, May 1st, among a number of other accomplished speakers.

The Summit provides the opportunity to:

• Hear from some of the most acclaimed experts in their field;
• Engage in conversations about how this critical national issue impacts our local community;
• Enjoy time to network with colleagues.

Follow this link to learn more and register for the event:
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e92x7ax574f7389e&llr=qyx4m6cab

• East Bay Center for the Performing Art’s Young Artists Repertory Series

The East Bay Center for the Performing Arts’ Young Artists Repertory Series will celebrate its 25th year this spring with three evenings of performances featuring new performers and new work from Center Resident Companies including: Iron Triangle Urban Ballet, Richmond Chamber Ensemble, Richmond Jazz Collective, Son de la Tierra, Voices of Reason, West African Music & Dance Ensemble, Iron Triangle Theater, along with invited guest companies.

Suggested donation for tickets is $15 for general admission and $5 for children 12 and under/students/seniors 65 and older. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

To reserve your tickets in advance please contact: Kwesi Anku at (510) 234-5624 x4495 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM weekdays, or Letty Mejia (510) 234-5624 x2495 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM weekdays.  Remaining tickets will also be available at the door on a first come first served basis.
Young Artists Repertory Performance Schedule:
Friday, April 25, 7:00PM
Richmond Chamber Ensemble
Iron Triangle Urban Ballet
Iron Triangle Theater

• Let’s Get Covered! Affordable Care Act (ACA) Enrollment Event in Richmond

On Monday, April 14th, at the City Council Chambers, the City of Richmond Health Initiatives worked collaboratively with multiple community partners to hold the “Let’s Get Covered!” event in partnership with NAACP, LifeLong Medical Care, Community Clinic Consortium, Healthy Richmond, Contra Costa ACA team, CCISCO, Blue Shield, and ACCE. The successful event supported residents to get health insurance through the opportunities that are now available through the passage of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). For more details please visit www.richmondhealth.org.

• Major Taylor Bike Fiesta at Lincoln Elementary School

On Saturday, May 24th, from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Building Blocks for Kids Richmond Collaborative hosts “The Major Taylor Bike Fiesta” at Lincoln Elementary School, 29 - 6th Street in Richmond. This event is a product of the collaboration with local government and community organizations to provide Richmond residents with the support and resources they need to be happy, healthy, and informed. Bike Fiesta encourages safe bike riding, family bonding, healthy lifestyle choices, and access to community resources. At this event there will be free bike repairs, exercise classes, interactive games, and entertainment will be offered for families to enjoy.

• The Richmond Public Library Foundation presents, Hot Spring Reads: Book Talk, Lecture and Event Series.

The Richmond Public Library Foundation presents, Hot Spring Reads:  Book Talk, Lecture and Event Series. 

This FREE event will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott at 3150 Garrity Way in Richmond on Thursday, May 1st.  The event begins at 6:00 PM, and includes a free drawing and light refreshments.  Eighteen new titles will be announced.  Books discussed will be for sale by Book Passages.

For additional information, visit the foundation’s website:  www.rplf.org or you may send an e-mail to:  info@rplf.org. 

• Recreation Highlights

Recreation Information Day

The Recreation Department held its annual Spring Egg Hunt and the Recreation Information Day on Saturday, April 12th.  The event was a huge success with an attendance of approximately 550-600 children and adults.  There were 30 information tables which included the Library, Art Center, and local non-profits.  The children had a great time playing games, collecting giveaways, face painting, and egg hunting.  The day was a wonderful time for all!

Summer Programs

Registration for summer programs is now open!  Beginning April 1, 2014, participants can register:

• on line at https://online.activenetwork.com/richmond;
• by phone at (510) 620-6793;
• by faxing a completed registration form to (510) 620-6583;
• by mailing a completed registration form to 3230 Macdonald Ave, Richmond, CA 94804;
• or by visiting the registration office in the 1st floor lobby at the Richmond Recreation Complex, 3230 Macdonald Avenue.

Check out the summer/fall 2014 Activity Guide online at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/recreation.

Senior Center

The AARP concluded their tax assistance last week serving close to 340 people.

A special country western line dancing class was held on Wednesday evening, April 16th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM with instructor Aimee Haire.

Massage therapy, provided by Rita Crane, was held on Thursday, April 17th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Staff and participants colored Easter eggs on Friday, April 18th; during the lunch hour, there was even a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny!

• Public Works Updates

Facilities Maintenance:  Staff repaired the automatic gate at the 12th Street parking garage, fixed the automatic doors at 440 Civic Center Plaza, made repairs at the Plunge, renovated the registration office at the Recreation Complex, and addressed safety issues at the Plunge.

Repairs at the Plunge
Painters touched up portions of the Richmond Transit Village and completed the Information Technology and Equipment rooms of the Recreation Complex.

Transit Village Touch-up Painting

Stationary Engineers cleared a waste line at the Main Library, replaced a furnace at the Corporation Yard, repaired radiant heaters at the Plunge, changed the speed drive on air conditioner #1 at 440 Civic Center Plaza, and fixed the feed pump controls on boiler #3 in Civic Center Plaza.

Utility workers cleaned the windows of the R-Transit building at the Richmond Transit Center and maintained 29 City-owned buildings.

Window Cleaning at Transit Center
Electricians disconnected holiday lights around Civic Center Plaza, repaired the outside lights on the Recreation Complex, repaired the dispatch office door controls, worked on the Hilltop Mall pole, fixed the main traffic cabinet lock at San Pablo and Solano Avenues, and installed power for an area in the Parks Yard.

Hilltop Mall Pole Work

Parks and Landscaping Division:  Crews cleaned up the strips in the Marina Bay area, performed irrigation work and tree planting at the South Side Park, started preparation for the Point Molate grand opening, performed weed abatement and maintenance on the Richmond Parkway medians, started Richmond Parkway west shoulder upgrades, performed maintenance at Wendall Park, cleaned Civic Center Plaza for upcoming events, delivered mulch to the Greenway, weed and trimmed Target medians, and performed maintenance of the Nicholl Park ballfields.

Shoulder Work on Richmond Parkway

Tree crews cut, trimmed or removed trees in the Employment and Training Parking lot, John  F. Kennedy Park, North Richmond Ballfield, and on Cutting Boulevard near South 15th Street.

Streets Division:  Staff ground and paved Merced Street from Santa Clara Avenue to South 55th Street, as well as worked from the outstanding pothole list.

Paving on Merced Street

Street sweeping performed commercial sweeping services for the second Monday and the third Tuesday through Friday in the May Valley, Vista View, Clinton Hill I, North Richmond, Iron Triangle, North Belding Woods, Atchison Village, South Belding Woods, Santa Fe Coronado, Marina Bay, and Point Richmond neighborhood council areas.

Signs and Lines crews installed 23 signs, repaired 67 signs and poles, installed 14 delineations, painted 287 feet of curbs, attended a sign fabrication training, and installed the last Measure J sign.

*************************************************

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

Bill Lindsay
City Manager
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, California 94804
(510) 620-6512
Bill_lindsay@ci.richmond.ca.us

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