 
Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the weekly report for the week ending March 20th, 2015.
(Editor’s note: The City Manager’s Weekly Report is prepared with input from the various city departments, and is initially compiled and edited on a rotating basis by LaShonda White, Soco Montore, and Rochelle Monk from the City Manager’s office. I want to acknowledge the excellent work that these three individuals do each week in the initial preparation of this report. The City Manager does the final review and editing; any errors are his responsibility.)
1. Meeting Notes
The next meeting of the Richmond City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24th, at 6:30 PM, consisting primarily of presentations and study sessions. To see the agenda for this meeting use the following link:
http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/CityCouncilAgenda.
2. City of Richmond 2015 Community Survey
One of the best ways to improve Richmond’s services is to ask the people that live here what they think. With this in mind, the City of Richmond is pleased to announce the 2015 Community Survey! In the next few weeks, you may be notified that you have been selected to give input that will help the City improve the level of government services and the future of your community. Questionnaires will be sent to a random sample of 3,000 Richmond residents, asking them to comment on the community’s pressing needs and city services.
The purpose of the survey is to help City officials evaluate services, measure resident satisfaction with current services, and to help plan for Richmond’s future. The results from the survey will be included in a final report available to all City officials, staff and residents.
If you are selected, please return the survey before the stated deadline. If you know someone that receives one, please encourage them to fill it out and return it. Your input can help make the City of Richmond a better place to live, work and play. Feel free to contact the City Manager’s Office with your questions at 510-620-6512.
3. Ferry Service Update
An important project directly related to the Richmond ferry service achieved a key milestone on Tuesday, March 17th, when the Alameda City Council adopted an ordinance that provides for the lease of their property to the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) for their Central Bay Operations and Maintenance Facility. This facility is being developed by WETA to provide a central San Francisco Bay base for WETA's ferry fleet, and includes the berthing facilities required for vessels planned to be used for the proposed Richmond-San Francisco ferry service.
The facility will include an Operations Control Center, from which WETA will dispatch services, as well as manage day-to-day crew, vessel, and facility needs. It will also include an Emergency Operations Center, which will serve as a primary location for WETA to coordinate the provision of emergency transportation services in the event of a regional disaster. The project is now proceeding to Alameda’s design review board and planning commission for permits. According to WETA, construction could commence as early as 2016.
WETA’s Central Bay Operations and Maintenance Facility, Alameda
4. How to do Business in the City of Richmond – Vendor Workshop
The City of Richmond will host a “How to do Business in the City of Richmond – Vendor Workshop”. This workshop will take place on Thursday, April 2nd from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM in the City Council Chambers at 440 Civic Center Plaza. Vendors are invited to attend and learn the procurement process and how to do business with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley, Chevron Corporation, West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) and the City of Richmond. RSVP at cor-business.eventbrite.com by March 31, 2015. For more information, please call 510-620-6732.
5. San Francisco Bay Trail – Plunge Gap Closure Project
The Plunge Bay Trail Gap Closure Project is designed to create a safer connection between the raised bicycle/pedestrian path in the Dornan Drive Tunnel and the existing on-street portions of the Bay Trail on South Garrard Boulevard. The work primarily consists of a new, wider sidewalk, street trees and bicycle lanes that combine to create a new Bay Trail segment. After a slight delay relating to groundwater issues encountered during excavation, construction is underway. The project is expected to be complete in May 2015. For additional information, please contact Development Project Manager Michael Williams at 510-307-8147.
Bay trail layout and formwork, looking south toward Dornan Drive Tunnel
6. Annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National and Community Service
Mayor Tom Butt and the Richmond Community Foundation invite Richmond volunteers to a celebratory luncheon in your honor. The event is supported by Richmond’s impact volunteering program, Richmond ESC – Excellence Serving our Community, and will take place on Tuesday, April 7th, from noon to 1:30 PM, in the foyer of the Richmond Memorial Auditorium. In addition to honoring Richmond volunteers, local AmeriCorps member-supported programs and projects will be recognized. Please RSVP to (510) 620-5503.
7. Wall of Service Champions
Richmond ESC (Excellence Serving our Community), the City of Richmond’s impact volunteer program, is initiating a new project to celebrate the exceptional transformative service of our amazing volunteers who share the value of public service and commitment to making Richmond a better place. To honor our passionate volunteers, throughout the month of April we will exhibit a Wall of Service Champions at the City Hall. The Wall of Service Champions will be unveiled at the Mayor’s Day of Service on April 7, 2015.
Help us show the power of service. We cordially invite you to nominate yourself and others by providing us with the following information:
· Your name
· A brief statement about why you volunteer
· A photo that represents your volunteer experience
Deadline to nominate: Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Nominate NOW: tinyurl.com/l5xrrw6
For more information please contact Jantsan at jantsand@ci.richmond.ca.us and/or (510) 620-6563.
8. 2015 Historic Preservation Awards
The City of Richmond and the Richmond Historic Preservation Commission invites nominations for the 2015 Richmond Historic Preservation Awards. The purpose of the Historic Preservation Awards program is to increase public awareness of Richmond’s heritage by recognizing individuals, organizations, businesses, and agencies whose contributions demonstrate outstanding commitment to excellence in historic preservation, local history or promotion of the heritage of the City. Awards will be presented in May, National Preservation Month.
In addition to public and private buildings and structures, historic preservation projects may include media, publications, presentations and exhibits, parks, burial grounds, public art, oral history, theater productions, events and video presentations.
Below is a list of last year's award winners:
· Port of Richmond and Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates for Rehabilitating the Rigger's Loft;
· The Women's Westside Improvement Club for Producing the New Point Richmond Street Directory Map;
· Kenneth Kokka, Donna Graves, the Blossoms and Thorns Video Committee, and the Contra Costa Japanese American Citizens League for Creating the Documentary Film "Blossoms and Thorns: A Community Uprooted";
· The Richmond Rotary Club and The East Bay Center for the Performing Arts for Producing "Lost Secrets of the Iron Triangle";
· Bruce Beyaert and the Trails for Richmond Action Committee (TRAC) for Preserving Richmond's Shoreline and its History.
Eligibility: Any individual, group, organization or agency involved in historic preservation or promoting Richmond’s heritage is eligible to receive a Richmond Historic Preservation Award. The preservation project or activity (or a substantial portion of a large-scale multiple activity project) must have been completed no later than December 31, 2014.
Nomination Form: You may nominate an eligible preservation project or activity by submitting a completed 2015 Historic Preservation Awards Nomination Form to the Richmond Planning and Building Services Department. Additional details about eligibility, evaluation criteria used, and submittal requirements are found in the nomination form which can be downloaded at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/preservationaward or you can pick up a nomination form from the Planning and Building Services Department located in the Richmond City Hall Building, 450 Civic Center Plaza.
Nominations are due by 5:00 PM on March 27, 2015. Feel free to call Sabrina Lundy at (510) 620-6705 with any questions you may have.
9. City of Richmond NEW Mobile APP UPDATE
The City has officially launched the City of Richmond Mobile APP and is looking forward to feedback from the community. We welcome your comments at webservices@ci.richmond.ca.us
UPDATE: Please make sure to:
· Add a concise description of the issue in the Notes field so City staff will have enough information to be responsive.
· Turn on your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to improve your location accuracy.
To download the FREE City of Richmond smartphone app to your Android phone, Apple iPhone or iPad: open the Apple App Store for your IOS device or the Google Play Store for Android smartphones.
Enter Richmond California to search for the app.
Download the app to install it.
After downloading the app open it. It is ready to use.
With the app you can:
· Report and track issues
· Get information on the City Council and City departments. You can also call them or initiate an email with one touch icons
· Read information on City Parks, Public Buildings and Community Centers and be able to use the built in navigation features of your phone to get there
· Receive City newsflashes
· Access information and directions on Richmond dining and shopping establishments
· Connect to the City’s online recreation system to sign up for programs and reserve facilities (coming soon)
· Access a calendar of City events
· Display the current weather in Richmond
· Opt in to receive emergency alerts issued by the City
10. Officer Bradley A. Moody Memorial Underpass Project
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 through June 2015.
Another milestone was reached the week of March 16th, with the completion of the sidewalk retaining walls. Work now is proceeding on formwork and rebar placement for the raised sidewalks, which will be located between the main retaining walls and sidewalk retaining walls. Additionally, layout and formwork for the transition walls (shorter walls for the areas between the sidewalk retaining walls and roadway curbs) commenced. Pump station mechanical and traffic signal electrical work continued, and construction of the generator building commenced. For the week of March 23rd, sidewalk formwork and rebar, transition wall rebar, pump station mechanical and electrical and generator building construction will continue.
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.
11. 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 included:
· Met with Mayor Butt and Vice Mayor Jael Myrick, together with staff from the City Manager’s Office, West County School District Boardmembers Cuevas and Kronenberg, and School Superintendent Bruce Harter, to discuss with non-profit service providers their interest and potential role in administering the Richmond Promise program;
· Met with UC Berkeley Global Campus Project Manager Terezia Nemeth, along with staff from the City Manager’s Office and the Planning and Engineering departments, to review infrastructure plans for the proposed Berkeley Global Campus;
· Attended the monthly Council of Industries luncheon meeting;
· Met with Finance and Housing staff, along with Carlos Privat from the City Attorney’s Office, to review the status of HUD compliance issues and current CDBG and HOME planning activities.
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.
12. Fire Department Updates
Richmond Fire Station 62 spent the evening with the citizens of Atchison Village teaching Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to approximately 30 people. These classes are being taught throughout the city in participation with the Richmond Fire Department. Richmond Fire is completing a Spanish speaking version for greater reach into the community.
13. Richmond Art Center Opening Reception
Mix and mingle with your Richmond neighbors while you enjoy seeing the work of African-American artist Mildred Howard during a reception on Saturday, March 21st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Avenue. Plus, view hundreds of works created by middle and high school students from West Contra Costa Unified School District in the 50th Annual Student show.
You might have seen artist Mildred Howard's work, through her public art installation at Richmond's BART Station in which a poem by Macarthur Fellow Ishmael Reed was incised into a forty-foot wall of faceted steel.
For more information, contact the Richmond Art Center at 510-620-6772, or http://richmondartcenter.org/exhibitions.
14. California Transportation Plan 2040 (CTP 2040)
Caltrans is inviting the public to help shape the state’s transportation future by offering their input and comments on the California Transportation Plan 2040 (CTP 2040), which lays out a vision for California's transportation future to support a vibrant economy and our greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
What is the CTP 2040?
The California Transportation Plan (CTP) provides a long-range policy framework to meet our future mobility needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The CTP defines goals, performance-based policies, and strategies to achieve our collective vision for California's future statewide, integrated, multimodal transportation system. The plan envisions a sustainable system that improves mobility and enhances our quality of life. To learn more about the development of the CTP, please browse through the CTP 2040 Fact Sheet.
The draft document will be available for public review from March 2nd through April 17th at 5:00 PM. In addition, Caltrans will be hosting seven statewide public workshops to present the draft CTP 2040 and to solicit public comment and input. For more information on the workshops, or to review and comment on the draft CTP 2040 please visit the CTP 2040 website at: www.californiatransportationplan2040.org
Local Public Workshops:
Oakland:
Thursday, March 26, 2015
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter
101 Eighth Street, Oakland
15. Information Technology (IT) Department Updates
Website Statistics: Top 10 Webpage visits for the week ending March 18, 2015:
Facebook Statistics: For the week ending March 18, 2015
New LIKES increased by 200.0%
KCRT
Datanet Image of the Week
Throwback Thursday: Featuring Richmond California History
Please take a moment to comment and LIKE our City of Richmond Facebook post, and enjoy the History Trivia drawing.
In honor of Women’s History Month, do you recognize the woman in this photo? Approximately when was this photo taken? What “first” was this woman recognized for? All correct answers posted in the comments section of the Facebook post before 8:00 AM on the following Thursday will be entered into a drawing for a prize. In addition to your comments, if you LIKE this post, you will be entered twice. #tbt
For more information about Richmond’s Facebook page, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-of-Richmond-CA-Local-Government/139438544014?v=wall
16. Recreation Highlights
Spring Egg Hunt & Recreation Information Day
The Recreation Department is hosting its annual Spring Egg Hunt and Recreation Information Day on Saturday, March 28th. The event will commence at 10:00 AM with a parade from the Richmond Recreation Complex to Civic Center Plaza. Upon arrival, children can participate in egg hunts, and other activities and families can visit information tables. For organizations interested in participating, please complete the Booth Application form. The deadline to apply is: Monday, March 23rd. Submit booth applications by email to: ranjana_maharaj@ci.richmond.ca.us or drop it off at the Recreation Department located at 3230 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804.
Aquatics
Tot Splash is a favorite time at the Plunge. Tot Splash is offered every Tuesday through Thursday between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM. Call (510) 620-6820 for more information.
 
Senior Center
The Friday morning Yoga classes are becoming a big hit at the Senior Center. For registration information, contact the main office at (510) 620-6793 or visit the Senior Center.
 
Disabled People’s Recreation Center (DPRC)
Participants in the Adult Morning Program and Therapeutic Interactive Recreation Program are prepping the garden planter boxes and getting ready to plant vegetables and a lime and lemon tree for this spring. They are helping staff with ideas to strategically place large flower planter boxes along the outside walls in the front area to beautify the exterior of the center.
Therapeutic Interactive Recreation Program and Work Experience Training (WET) volunteers cooked parmesan chicken, buttered noodles and green beans. The group worked together assisting staff with cooking, prepping the tables and cleaning. The meal was excellent.
 
17. Public Works Update
Facilities Mainenance Division: Carpenters installed art work in Riggers Loft, completed the kitchen in the Men & Women of Valor building, repaired the entrance of 450 Civic Center Plaza, and relocated the Finance Director.
Painters weather proofed benches at the Plunge, completed walls at the Men & Women of Valor building ,and painted the repaired outer wall of the Sign Shop at the Corporation Yard.
Stationary Engineers assisted with the Nevin Center kitchen upgrades, replaced air filters at the Disabled People’s Recreation Center (DPRC), installed filter replacements at the Main Library, replaced the furnace at the Parchester Community Center, fixed the filter bank at the Parchester Community Center, repaired the burner assembly in boiler #5 at 440 Civic Center Plaza, and cleared waste lines.
New furnace at Parchester Community Center
Utility workers labeled containers and removed items from the exit door and hallway at the Nevin Community Center, relamped at the Plunge and Recreation Complex, prepared the Richmond Recreation Center for an event, and serviced 29 City owned buildings.
Relamping at the Plunge
Electrians relamped Hilltop Park lighting, trouble shot traffic controller issue at Robert H. Miller and Hilltop Drive, replaced service lamps in the Equipment Services area of the Corporation Yard, fixed parking lot lights at the Ford Building and Ferry Landing parking lots, repaired the Police Chief’s office lighting, tested the new alternating current (AC) circuits at the Parks yard, ran new receptacle circuits to the Mayor’s office, and began installation of cross-walk beacons at Marina Bay Parkway and Bayside Drive.
Service lamp installation at the Corporation Yard
Crosswalk beacon installation
Parks and Landscaping Division: General maintenance crews weeded and trimmed Civic Center Plaza, replaced an 80’ of fence at Wendell Park, weeded at Burg Park and completed irrigation repairs at Parchester Park.
Parchester Park irrigation repair
Hilltop District crews worked on maintenance and drainage work at Vista Del Mar, continued with irrigation repairs on Richmond Parkway and Atlas Road and performed maintenance, and weed abatement on Atlas Road.
Marina District staff completed mulching in various planter beds in Barbara Vincent Park, and repainted the Marina sign.
Repainting of Marina sign
Tree crews cut or trimmed trees on: South 25th Street, Bissell Way and Tehama Avenue.
Streets Division: Paving staff ground and paved on South 26th Street from Cutting Boulevard to Maine Avenue, and worked from the outstanding pothole list with hot and cold asphalt.
Paving on South 26th Street
Street sweeping performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the third Monday through Friday in the 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 staff installed 14 new signs and poles, repaired 46 signs and poles, fabricated 31 new signs, placed pavement markers such as speed tables, and repainted 1,539’ of curb.
Parking Space Painting
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!
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
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