Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the report for the week ending June 15th, 2018.

• Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 19th beginning with Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by the Special Meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority at 6:25 PM,  and then by the regular meeting of Richmond City Council at 6:30 PM.  The agenda may be found by clicking this link: Richmond City Council Agenda Packet.

• March Out Front – Juneteenth Parade TOMORROW

Come out on Saturday morning, June 16th for the annual Richmond Juneteenth Parade and Festival.  The day honors African-American heritage and emancipation, and has become a major Richmond tradition.

The parade will begin gathering at Kennedy High School at 8:00 AM, with the parade commencing at 10:00 AM, and continuing for approximately one mile before ending at Nicholl Park where there will be music, food, activities, and much more until 6:00 PM.

Please call (510) 620-6503 if you have any questions.

• Point Molate Community Visioning

Point Molate is located on the San Pablo Peninsula approximately 1.5 miles north of the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.  Beginning in 1942, Point Molate served as a U.S. Navy fuel storage and transfer facility covering approximately 413 acres. This Navy Base was officially closed on September 30, 1998, with the property then transferred to the City pursuant to the federal Base Realignment and Closure Act of 1990.

The City of Richmond is seeking community input about how to best use the land at Point Molate for the benefit of all. Over the next three months, the community will be welcome to provide input at three community workshops.
 
The first of these community workshops is on Saturday, June 23rd, where you can join your neighbors at the Point Molate Community Visioning Workshop and Site Tour to better understand site assets, issues and constraints and help develop a land use plan for Point Molate.  The workshop and site tour will be held at:

2100 Stenmark Drive, Building 1
Saturday, June 23rd
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

There will be transportation available from Richmond City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza. The transportation meeting location is at Nevin Avenue, between 25th and 26th St, from 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM.  Seating is limited, please RSVP as soon as possible. Light lunch will be provided.

Additional visioning workshops for Point Molate are currently anticipated to be held in July and August.

To learn more about the Community Visioning process, to share your thoughts, and RSVP for the event, please visit: www.richmondpointmolate.org

For information or questions, please email Lina_Velasco@ci.richmond.ca.us or contact Planning at (510) 620-6706.

Point Molate Visión Comunitaria

Point Molate está ubicado en la península de San Pablo aproximadamente a 1.5 millas al norte del puente Richmond-San Rafael. A partir de 1942, Point Molate sirvió como una instalación de almacenamiento y transferencia de combustible de la Marina de EE. UU. Que abarca aproximadamente 413 acres. Esta Base Naval se cerró oficialmente el 30 de septiembre de 1998, y la propiedad se transfirió a la Ciudad de conformidad con la Ley federal de realineación y cierre de bases de 1990 (Base Realignment and Closure Act of 1990).

La Ciudad de Richmond está buscando opiniones de la comunidad sobre cómo usar mejor la propiedad  de Point Molate para el beneficio de todos. Durante los próximos tres meses, la comunidad será bienvenida para proporcionar sus opiniones  en tres talleres comunitarios.
  
El primero de estos talleres comunitarios es el sábado 23 de junio, donde puede unirse a sus vecinos en el taller comunitario y excursión del sitio Point Molate (Point Molate Community Visioning Workshop y Site Tour) para comprender mejor los activos del sitio, problemas y limitaciones y ayudar a desarrollar un plan de uso  para la propiedad de Point Molate. El taller y la visita al sitio se llevarán a cabo en:

2100 Stenmark Drive, Edificio 1
Sábado, 23 de junio
10:00 a.m. a 2:00 p.m.

Habrá transporte disponible desde el Richmond City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza. La ubicación de la reunión de transporte se encuentra en Nevin Avenue, entre las calles 25 y 26, de 9:00 a.m. a 9:30 a.m. Los asientos son limitados, por favor confirme su asistencia lo antes posible. Almuerzo ligero será  proporcionado.

Actualmente, se esperan talleres de visión adicionales para Point Molate en julio y agosto.

Para obtener más información sobre el proceso de Visión comunitaria, compartir sus ideas y confirmar su asistencia al evento, visite: www.richmondpointmolate.org

Para obtener información o preguntas, envíe un correo electrónico a Lina_Velasco@ci.richmond.ca.us o comuníquese con Planning al (510) 620-6706.

• North Richmond Annexation

Should unincorporated North Richmond become part of the City of Richmond? Join the City of Richmond for a community conversation on Thursday, June 21st at the Shields Reid Community Center at 6:00 PM to:

• Learn more about the proposed annexation project;
• Discuss what annexation means to the North Richmond community;
• Find out how to get involved with the process.

If annexed, unincorporated North Richmond would officially become part of the City of Richmond, would be governed by the Richmond City Council, and all municipal services would be provided by the City of Richmond.

We hope you join us for this important conversation. Food, childcare, and translation will be provided. Please RSVP to (510) 620-6828.

For more information visit www.nrannexation.org or contact LaShonda White at lashonda_white@ci.richmond.ca.us or at (510) 620-6828.

• City Manager Chronicles

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

Meetings and events of note during the past week included:

• Met with staff from the Planning and Building Services Department (Director Richard Mitchell and Planning Manager Lina Velasco), and the City Attorney’s Office (City Attorney Bruce Goodmiller and Deputy City Attorney Rachel Sommovilla) to discuss community workshops for the Pt. Molate area;
• Attended the meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority Housing Advisory Commission;
• Participated in a conference call with US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) staff to discuss the status of the Richmond Housing Authority recovery agreement, along with Senior Assistant City Attorney Carlos Privat, Finance Director Belinda Warner, and Housing Authority consultant Jon Gresley;
• Met with Capital Improvements Project Director Yader Bermudez, Senior Engineer Tawfic Halaby, and Planning Manager Lina Velasco to discuss potential additional sources of funds for the Yellow Brick Road project;
• Attended the community budget meeting hosted by the Richmond Finance Department (see item [6] below);
• Met with the Finance Department budget team to finalize proposals for closing the operating budget gap;
• Participated in a conference call with representatives from the John Stewart Company, along with Senior Assistant City Attorney Carlos Privat, Finance Director Belinda Warner, and Development Project Manager Charice Duckworth to discuss the financial closeout of the Triangle Court RAD project;
• Attended the Oakland Symphony July 3rd Concert donor recognition;
• Attended the monthly meeting of the Contra Costa city managers, together with Senior Management Analyst LaShonda White;
• Attended the annual crime-free housing breakfast, organized by Crime Prevention Specialist Michelle Milam.

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.

• FY2018-19 Budget Development

This past week, the Finance Department hosted a community budget meeting at which attendees received a presentation on the City’s budget process, financial trends, the current state of the City’s budget, and participated in a question and answer session.  The presentation was made by Budget Administrator Markisha Guillory, and was attended by the Finance staff budget team, and by Councilmember Ben Choi.  Staff is compiling comments and suggestions into a report that will be transmitted to the City Council.

• Final Paving Begins for Sewer Replacement Project on South 23rd Street

The first phase of final paving is underway for the sewer replacement project on South 23rd Street between Ohio Avenue and Cutting Boulevard.  Excavation of the temporary subgrade in the trench and backfilling will be completed by next Tuesday, June 19th, during daytime hours.

This will be followed by the second phase: scheduling night time work for the rubberized asphalt paving.  At this time, phase two is planned to start the week of June 25th.  This work has to be completed at night due to the batch asphalt plant only producing rubberized asphalt during these hours. Night time paving is expected to last 1-2 nights.  Final striping will follow the final paving. 

For additional information, please contact the Veolia Capital Program Management team at (510) 412-2001.

• San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Project: Construction Continues On Schedule

The San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Project is a federally funded corridor enhancement project that focuses on multimodal access, safety and connection along San Pablo Avenue between Rumrill Boulevard and La Puerta Road.  The project is a partnership between the cities of San Pablo and Richmond, with major funding ($5.978 million) from a One Bay Area Grant (OBAG).  The City of San Pablo is the lead agency for the project.

The project includes installation of new traffic signals at La Puerta Road and Robert Miller Drive, and installation of sidewalk, bicycle facilities, crosswalks, and lighting improvements along San Pablo Avenue from Rivers Street to La Puerta Road.

Key elements of the project include:

• Modification of the existing road section to add Class 2 bike lanes in both directions of travel;
• Sidewalk installation on the west side of San Pablo Avenue from Rivers Street to La Puerta Road (southbound), and from Rivers Street to Lancaster Drive on the east side (northbound);
• Removal of an existing slip lane into Robert H. Miller Drive and replacement of a right turn pocket;
• Installation of a new traffic signal at La Puerta Road;
• Modification of existing traffic signals at Rivers Street and Robert H. Miller Drive;
• Construction of soil nail and concrete retaining walls to allow the roadway to be widened sufficiently to accommodate the new facilities for non-motorized roadway use;

San Pablo Avenue will remain open to traffic in both directions at all times; however, for safety reasons, there will be times during construction when only one travel lane in each direction is available for vehicular traffic.

This week, the contractor finished paving the old median island between Lancaster Drive and Robert Miller Drive, and placed k-rail barriers along a portion of the northbound travel direction to prepare for construction of a soil nail wall along the hillside.

Project information is available on the following website: http://www.ci.san-pablo.ca.us/1416/San-Pablo-Avenue-Complete-Streets-Projec. 

Construction questions can be directed to the Construction Manager, Jaemin Park, at jpark@park-eng.com or (925) 818-3756.

San Pablo Avenue Complete Streets Project

• Pop-Up Farm, Bike Blender Smoothies, History Hike & More at Healthy Village Festival, June 23rd!

All are invited to the 9th annual Healthy Village Festival on Saturday, June 23rd from 10:00 AM -1:00 PM at the Community Green Space (Harbour Way & Macdonald Avenue) in Downtown Richmond.

This fun, family-friendly festival, will offer health and wellness resources, interactive activities, and memorable experiences: produce bag giveaways, artisan vendors, information and resource booths, pony rides, Happy Lot Farm Pop-Up, music, arts and crafts, Zumba, lawn chess, and hanging out with Richmond Fire Fighters.

Special activities hosted by Richmond Main Street Youth Committee and “Ask a Doc” Kaiser Permanente physicians are sure to please. Plus, local musician group, Tatsumaki Taiko, takes the stage at 10:30 AM and the Downtown History Hike tour, led by local history buff Karen Buchanan, will departing at 11:00 AM. Exclusive food vendor, CulEnarE DEva, will serve up delicious healthy soul food and delectable fruit-forward desserts. Guests can also use their own pedal power to make delicious bike blender smoothies courtesy of Rich City Rides.

Admission is free. All are welcome. For more information, visit RichmondMainStreet.org, call (510) 236-4049, or email admin@richmondmainstreet.org.

• International Student Programs – Summer Excursion to China

This coming July, 169 high school students from Richmond and surrounding communities will be travelling to China as part of on C Student Ambassador Program sponsored by West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) and members of the Richmond-Zhoushan Sister City Commission. In addition, 34 WCCUSD teachers will be attending as chaperones.

The goal of the experience is for students to broaden their global perspectives and participate in cross-cultural exchange. This trip builds on a successful exchange trip to China by De Anza students this past April over Spring Break. Students who attended the Spring Break program reported that it was an “amazing” and “life changing” experience, and many of those students are now returning for the summer program as student leaders.

During the summer program, WCCUSD students will visit various Chinese cultural landmarks, including the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square. Contra Costa College is also part of this collaboration and is sending an instructor so that students can receive college credit for this cross-cultural learning opportunity.

Like the Spring Break trip, this summer program in China is available to all eligible students, regardless of income or ability to contribute to the cost. The program builds on other cultural exchange programs initiated through WCCUSD and our Richmond Zhoushan-Sister City Commission, such as a new Richmond-Zhoushan teacher exchange program.

Outside the Forbidden City in Tiananmen Square

An emotional closing ceremony with
De Anza student ambassadors and Chinese students

• Richmond Promise:  Summer Success Workshops and Baseball!

The Richmond Promise is kicking off the summer with a series of College Success Workshops to support a successful high school to college transition. If you know a Scholar who received the Richmond Promise Scholarship, please remind them to RSVP for a College Success Workshop on June 19, 20, or July 10. RSVP for one workshop at richmondpromise.eventbrite.com.

Support Richmond Promise by Enjoying America’s Pastime!
Support Richmond Promise by purchasing a ticket from the Oakland A's Non Profit Ticket Fundraising Program during the 2018 season! By purchasing tickets to one of the select games listed on this link, you will qualify for a special ticket discount. In addition, 25% of every ticket sold will go back to our organization!

For more information, or to purchase a group of 15+, please contact Luke Johnson at (510) 746-4433 or ljohnson@athletics.com.
https://www.mlb.com/athletics/tickets/specials/richmond-promise

• Get Ready for Celebrate Downtown 2018!

Summer is just around the corner and Downtown Richmond is the place to be! Mark your calendar for four amazing community events:

• Healthy Village Festival on June 23rd (see item [9], above);
• Music on the Main summer concerts on July 25th & August 22nd; and
• Spirit & Soul Festival on September 15th.

All events are free admission, family friendly and feature activities, food, vendors, music, and more…all in Downtown Richmond, specifically various locations along Macdonald Avenue between Harbour Way and Richmond BART.

Check out each event’s webpage for details, including ways to participate as a sponsor, vendor, or volunteer!

More info at www.RichmondMainStreet.org or by calling (510) 236-4049.

• Apply for Your U.S. Passport at Richmond City Hall!

The City of Richmond City Clerk’s Office is accepting passport applications on behalf of the United States Department of State.  United States citizens planning international travel may apply for their passport at 450 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 300, during the following hours by appointment only:

Monday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Friday:  10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
(Closed 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM – days of operation only)

Please recognize that the area is an operational executive office, and a quiet zone.  No drop in service for same day appointments or scheduling future appointments is available at this time; you must call (510) 620-6786 to schedule all appointments. 

For application forms, information on documentation required, fees, and a wealth of other passport and international travel information, visit the only official website for passport information – travel.state.gov.

For more information about the City of Richmond Passport Acceptance Facility, please visit http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/passports.

• Community Services Highlights

Upcoming Events and Program Activities

Richmond Swims

Although swimming lessons are offered throughout most of the year at the Richmond Swim Center, summer provides more opportunities to learn to swim. Starting June 18th, mid-week afternoon/evening lessons are offered in two-week sessions (8 classes per session). We also continue to offer Saturday sessions (3 classes per session) with the first summer session beginning June 16th.  Classes are available for ages 3 and up, with a limited number of private lessons in each session. Group lessons are available for children, teens and adults at every level or ability.

Registration for each session starts on the first of the month, one month prior to the start date. Online registration or in-person registration is available on weekdays 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM at the Recreation Complex. Here you can view the summer swim lessons schedule and description of class levels.
         
CodeWorks – Learn to Code!

Want to learn how to create websites, games, and more? Learn to code with ServiceWorks for FREE! We offer a COLLABORATIVE and FUN environment! This cohort will meet weekly during the summer to introduce youth and young adults to the fundamentals of front end web development. Participants will have the opportunity to build their own website along and build lasting relationships with peers and mentors. Snacks and refreshments will be provided!

*** Attending orientation is required prior to program start date ***

Program Dates:

Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays from July 3 - August 16, 2018
Location: Richmond Civic Center Computer Lab (450 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond)
Cost: FREE
Hours: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Program Schedule:
Week 1: July 3rd and 5th 
Week 2: July 10th and 12th
Week 3: July 17th and 19th
Week 4: July 24th and 26th
Week 5: July 31st and August 2nd
Week 6: August 7th and 9th
Week 7: August 14th and 16th

To sign up, visit: http://bit.ly/codeworksrichmond

Contact:
(510) 620-6552
faye_hayes@ci.richmond.ca.us
FAQ’s and other information on the City of Richmond website here

3rd of July Fireworks

The City of Richmond Community Services Department presents the 3rd of July Celebration on Tuesday, July 3rd at the Marina Bay Park from 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM.  The event will offer music, dance, food, kids play area and a spectacular aerial fireworks display at 9:15 PM.  There is no entrance fee for the event, but food and games have a minimal cost.

For more information call (510) 620-6793.

Commission on Aging Recruitment

The Richmond Commission on Aging is looking for seniors age 55 or over to become a member of the Commission.  The purpose of the Commission is to enhance the quality of life for older adults with an emphasis on health, wellness and independence.  If you are age 55 or older and reside in the West Contra Costa County which includes areas within WCCUSD boundaries, consider joining this active Commission that is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of seniors.  Please contact Chair, Myrtle Braxton, at (510) 233-0777 for additional information.

Highlights

St. Cornelius School Visit
On Wednesday, June 13th, the kindergarten class from St. Cornelius School paid a visit to the Richmond Senior Center to interact and color with our senior groups. We had almost 20 children and over 40 participants. The Yuan Ji Class especially enjoyed having them at the center.

• Information Technology

Website Statistics for the week of June 15, 2018

• Followers are up

KCRT DATANET OF THE WEEK

• I-80 Central Avenue Operations Improvement Project (I-80 and Central Avenue)

This week, the contractor finished installing the chain link fence at the I-580 west bound Central Avenue intersection. Next week, the contractor will install the variable message sign on top of the overhead sign structure at the I-80 East bound on-ramp.

• Engineering & Capital Improvement Department (ECIP)

Engineering Projects:
Crews from the Electric Shop repaired items that were damaged due to a vehicle accident northbound at 23rd Street and the Richmond BART underpass.

Work at Richmond BART Underpass

Streets Division:
Paving crews ground and paved Ventura Street from Clinton Avenue to the City limit, and worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City.

Paving Work on Ventura Street

Street sweeping staff performed residential sweeping services for the second Monday through Thursday and third Friday in May Valley, Vista View, Clinton Hill I, Clinton Hill II, Clinton Hill III, Clinton Hill IV, East Richmond, Santa Fe, Coronado, Marina Bay, and Point Richmond neighborhood council areas.

Signs and Lines repaired 3 signs, installed 16 new signs and poles, and painted 72’ of curbs and zoning.

• Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations (DIMO)

Abatement:

Abatement crews abated weeds from various city locations, abated and fenced city-owned vacant lots to prevent vehicle access and illegal dumping, participated in the Park Plaza Neighborhood cleanup by assisting 30 seniors, abated homeless encampments and continued to remove tons of illegal dumping and graffiti throughout the city.

Weed Abatement

Fencing (Before)

Fencing (After)

Fencing (After)

Homeless encampment



Neighborhood Cleanup - Senior Assistance

Illegal Dumping

Facilities Maintenance Division:

Stationary Engineers performed routine pool tests, repaired front doors at the Bayview Library, repaired the ice maker at the Corporation Yard, repaired staff lockers in the Auditorium, repaired/replaced locks on Police Department lockers, installed a post for banners at the Arts Center, replaced a utility sink at the Nevin Community Center, replaced a shut-off valve an outside toilet at Sheilds-Reid, cleared a clogged toilet at the Police Department jail, cleared the main sewer back up for the Police Department, checked and replaced furnace filters at the Nevin Community Center, and replaced the water heater at the Fire Training Center.

Utility workers delivered tables and chairs to R-Transit, repaired a vacuum cleaner at the Westside Library, removed bird droppings from Streets Division entry way, set up tables in the lunchroom area at City Hall for the IT Department, ordered trash can lids for Point Molate, removed weeds from sidewalk in front of 440 Civic Center Plaza, removed an art panel from the Auditorium, conducted pest control at the Richmond Housing Authority, scrubbed and waxed floors at the May Valley Community Center, 440 Civic Center Plaza and the DiCon/Police Department building.

Art panel removal

Parks and Landscaping Division:

General Maintenance continued working on fire trails, weeded medians on Cutting Boulevard from 23rd Street to 49th Street, weeded and trimmed both sides of Right of Ways from 37th Street to 49th Street, removed graffiti from Lamoine Park, repaired irrigation at Tiller Park, weeded 37th Street underpass, weeded turnaround on Westwood Court, reapaired irrigation at Fire Station #66, cleaned lot at 13th Street and Cutting Boulevard, trimmed weeds along Harbour Way from Cutting Boulevard to Nystrom School, abated weeds from Macdonald underpass, Sheilds-Reid park, and medians at 7th Street and Barrett Avenue.

  
Weed abatement on Cutting Avenue        13th Street & Cutting Blvd. Lot Cleanup

Weed abatement at Macdonald Avenue underpass

Tree crews cut or trimmed trees on/at:  South 17th Street from Ohio Avenue to Cutting Boulevard, Grove Street, Valley View Road, Willard Ave, Western Drive, Santa Fe Overlook, Key Boulevard & Macdonald Avenue, Ventura Ave from McBryde Avenue to Clinton Avenue.

Tree trimming on Key Boulevard

Marina District crews cleaned the Melville parking lot by trimming and abating weeds, mowing and edging of turf, cleanup of sidewalks entering the Marina, and weed abatement on the trail.

Weed abatement at Melville parking lot

Hilltop District crews continued general maintenance around the business area, started weed abatement on Richmond Parkway on/off ramps to Giant Road, completed weed abatement on Hilltop Drive center median, and touch-up weed abatement at Atlas Road.

Weed abatement on Richmond Parkway on/off ramps

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

See below to see options for connecting with the City of Richmond.

Connecting with the City of Richmond

Connect with the City of Richmond

To contact us by phone:

The City’s website (http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/) provides a department and staff directory at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/Directory.aspx.

If you’re not sure which department you need to contact, or, if you don’t receive a call back (which should not happen) from your original call or message, we encourage you to phone the City Manager’s office at (510) 620-6512.

Using the CORConnect Application on the City’s Website:
You can use the CORConnect button on the City’s website (http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/) to report a concern, pose a question, or acknowledge the City’s work in some way.  These CORConnect issues go directly to the responsible department, and the city manager reviews reported issues on a regular basis to determine if City staff members are responding appropriately.  If you do not feel that you have received a satisfactory response, please contact the City Manager’s office at (510) 620-6512.
To access CORConnect select the CORConnect button on the homepage of the City website.

Alternatively you can select the COR Connect button on any other webpage on the left hand side of the page.

On the next screen under Report an Issue select Report Issue/Concern to create a report or Search Issue/Concerns to look up a previously reported issue.  You can also look up previously submitted issues to check on the current status if you provided you name, phone number or email when you submitted it. 

On the page, you can also look up information on a parcel, see permits issued and look up business license information.  If you have a current business license you can pay to renew it online with a credit card.
The recommended browsers are: Microsoft Edge, or Microsoft Internet Explorer version 11 using the compatibility mode. It can be found in the upper right corner of Internet Explorer: click on the "gear" icon and select Compatibility View Settings, then add the site to the list and click "Close".
The City of Richmond is looking forward to feedback from the community on CORConnect. We welcome your comments at webservices@ci.richmond.ca.us
Using the City of Richmond Mobile Application:
The City of Richmond mobile app provides Richmond’s community members with one-stop access to City services and information via mobile devices. The app allows quick and real-time reporting of neighborhood-related issues; viewing the City’s events calendar; finding addresses and phone numbers of local businesses, city departments and council members.  The City of Richmond’s mobile phone app is available on the Apple App store and Google Play store. 


We welcome your comments at webservices@ci.richmond.ca.us