Tom Butt
 
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  Weekly Report for the Week Ending September 13th, 2019
September 16, 2019
 


Hon. Mayor and Members of the City Council:

This is the report for the week ending September 13th, 2019.

  • Meeting Notes

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17th. Closed Session begins at 5:00 P.M., followed by the Special Meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority at 6:25 P.M.  The Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council starts at 6:30 P.M., and the agenda may be found by clicking this link: September 17th City Council Agenda.

  • Upcoming Events

FREE Special One-Day Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event - Saturday, September 14th

The City of Richmond Community Development, Environmental Initiatives Division encourages Richmond residents to participate in a special one-day Household Hazardous Waste collection event on Saturday, September 14th, from 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Galileo Club, 371 South 23rd Street, Richmond, CA, 94804.

Residents can take advantage of the free event to properly dispose of paints, aerosols, electronic waste (e-waste), batteries, and oil to keep our communities clean and safe. Mattresses will also be accepted at the event.

Saturday, September 14, 2019
8:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
The Galileo Club
371 South 23rd Street, Richmond, CA 94804
*Please bring proof of residency

Visit www.richmondenvironment.org or see the flyer below for more details regarding accepted items. For questions about the event, please call (888) 412-9277. 

Can't come to the event? For more information about how to dispose of Household Hazardous Waste visit, www.ci.richmond.ca.us/1720/Hazardous-Waste

Come See Final Plans for Yellow Brick Road!

You are invited to visit Pogo Park's Community Outreach Tents next week and see the last and final plans for YELLOW BRICK ROAD®.

Dreamed by youth in 2009 as an answer to the violence that plagued their neighborhood, Yellow Brick Road is a safe, green, clean walking and biking route through the Iron Triangle that links community assets (churches, schools, parks, community center) together. 

The goal of Yellow Brick Road (YBR) is to make physical changes to Iron Triangle streets that force speeding vehicles to SLOW DOWN. After 10 years of blood, sweat, and tears, partnering with some of this country's most visionary transportation and urban planners, (and securing $13 million in funding from the City of Richmond, State of California, and Caltrans), the plans are virtually complete – and the Yellow Brick Road is coming! 

Specifically, Yellow Brick Road improvements are planned for: 

7th Street - Pennsylvania to Ripley
8th Street - Lincoln to Ohio
Pennsylvania - 2nd to Harbour

Drop in and visit Pogo Park's Community Outreach Tents next week, anytime between 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., to:

  • See the final plans for Yellow Brick Road
  • Meet the visionaries from the original Yellow Brick Road Team
  • Meet members of Pogo Park's Community Development Team who walked every block and every street of Iron Triangle to select the YBR route – and then to plan and design it
  • Talk directly to City staff and the engineers/designers who are helping, 10 years later, to turn the youth's original vision into concrete reality.

Pogo Park hopes to see you next week!

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Richmond’s National Drive Electric Week Event- September 19, 2019

Don’t miss out on Richmond’s National Drive Electric Week event! This event will be taking place on Thursday, September 19th, from Noon - 3:00 P.M. in Richmond’s Civic Center Plaza (in the parking lot across from the Richmond Public Library). Register at this link, and see flyer below for more details.


Richmond Main Street presents... Celebrate Downtown Grand Finale and “Salute to Soul 2.0” with Spirit & Soul Festival!

Downtown Richmond is set to come alive with soulful sounds from some the Bay Area’s most loved R&B, Soul, and Funk bands at the 11th  annual Spirit & Soul Festival on Saturday, September 21st, from 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. on Macdonald Avenue (Harbour Way – 13th Street).

The Main Stage will feature show stopping performances from Pride & Joy (the Bay Area’s favorite Party Band ), Top Shelf (classic Soul and R&B), But-tah & The Buttahluv Band  (renditions of Aretha Franklin), and Kylah Dawn(rising neo-soul songstress). Dynamic and diverse performances from the RPAL Music Program, El Cerrito High School Dance, Richmond High School’s Vocal Revolution, and other local youth groups are set for the 12th Street Stage.

Richmond Main Street invites everyone to come Downtown to enjoy great music, check out 40+ artisan, food, and resource vendors, youth zone, giveaways, prizes, dancing, and Spirit & Soul Beverage Pavilion, VIP Experience (tickets on sale via Eventbrite), and celebrate our 2019 Downtown Champions.

For the first time ever, Spirit & Soul Festival will also feature two Grand Marshals: Mayor Tom Butt (Main Stage) and Councilmember Ben Choi (12th Street Stage).

Admission is FREE; all ages are welcome.  More event details, including band previews and vendor list available at www.richmondmainstreet.org/spirit-soul-festival

For more information, including how to volunteer or support, call (510) 236-4049.


The Richmond Rent Program Community Workshop is Presenting – Navigating the Eviction Process in Richmond

As part of its continuing outreach to Tenants and Landlords who would like to learn more about rental housing rules and regulations, the City of Richmond Rent Program is offering the following workshops:

Navigating the Eviction Process in Richmond (Tenant-focused Workshop)
Saturday, September 28, 2019
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804

Navigating the Eviction Process in Richmond (Landlord-focused Workshop)
Saturday, October 26, 2019
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804

This workshop is designed for Tenants and Landlords who would like to learn more about Rent Program rules and regulations.

Topics for discussion will include:

  • Just Cause for Eviction Requirements
  • Overview of the Relocation Ordinance
  • Relocation Payments
  • Unlawful Detainer Process
  • Overview of Important Civil Codes
  • Notice Filing Requirements

Space is limited - RSVP today: https://rentprogram.eventbrite.com

[Please note the following: To locate future community workshop dates, you may access the Rent Program Community Workshop calendar at www.richmondrent.org.]

American Red Cross – Volunteer Information Event

Richmond Fire Community Wildfire Protection Plan Project

The Richmond Fire Department received a California Fire Foundation grant to team with the Diablo Fire Safe Council to develop our Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). We welcome members of the Richmond community to attend on the date listed below. Location of the work sessions is in 440 Civic Center Plaza, Basement, Multi-Purpose Room.

  • Plan Review - October 4, 2019

A Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is a collaboratively developed plan that identifies wildland fire hazards, prioritizes ways to reduce those hazards, and recommends measures for homeowners and communities to mitigate the ignitability of structures.

Diablo Fire Safe Council will assist Richmond Fire Department to build off the adopted Contra Costa County Plan. Plan development will be during 2019, with the collaboration of our community members and agency partners.

As a stakeholder or agency land manager, Richmond Fire would like your help to identify areas with high fire hazards, and input on prioritizing future projects.  This action plan will build off agency plans and the Contra Costa Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to develop joint strategies for future activities and grant funding efforts.

Our working session will summarize wildfire assessments, recent projects, and future project ideas. Please bring current plans and preliminary designs for future projects or programs.

We hope you can join us to update this action plan to reduce the impact of wildfire in Richmond.

Should questions arise, please contact Fire Marshal Eric Govan via email eric_govan@ci.richmond.ca.us or call (510) 307-8038.

  • Acknowledgements

First Responder Stair Climb

Dispatcher Jamie Howe completed the 2019 San Francisco First Responder Stair Climb on September 7th, 2019. This is a charity event intended to bring awareness and support to first responders suffering from PTSD. She finished in 20:28, surpassing her goal of 25 minutes! Great Job Jamie!

  • Children and Youth

Department of Children and Youth Oversight Board Application Now Available!

The Richmond Department of Children and Youth is excited to share that the Oversight Board application is now available!

Per Measures E and K, the Mayor and City Councilmembers are responsible for appointing a 15-member Oversight Board that is made up of Richmond and North Richmond residents. The Oversight Board will be responsible for developing rules, processes and procedures, and assisting in the creation of a community needs assessment and strategic investment plan that will guide the development of the Richmond Department of Children and Youth and the allocation of funds for youth-serving organizations.

The Oversight Board application is available in three formats in which applicants can apply through an online form, a fillable pdf, or a paper application that is available at the City Manager’s Office. All of these versions are available in both English and Spanish at www.richmondyouth.org.

For more information on the Department and Oversight Board, please visit our website at www.richmondyouth.org.

RFCY Flyer 1

  • City Clerk’s Office

Consider Voting By Mail
The Contra Costa County Elections Division is reaching out to voters who are currently registered as polling place voters. They are encouraging voters to consider the merits of requesting their ballot at home, as this may be a more convenient option for you. Part of the reason they are reaching out is that there is a new state law that took effect beginning this year that no longer requires postage for return ballot envelopes. Contra Costa County also has close to 40 ballot drop off boxes available countywide, including a dozen that will be available on a 24/7 basis.  A permanent ballot drop off box will be located at Richmond City Hall - 450 Civic Center Plaza nearest the City Council Chambers parking lot.
Receiving your ballot by mail provides individuals with more flexibility than having to go to your set neighborhood polling place on just one day. It also allows individuals to vote comfortably wherever they choose and gives them more time to study the issues on increasingly-complex ballots at their leisure. There are a variety of ways to return a completed ballot envelope, including dropping it off at neighborhood polling place on Election Day.
The Contra Costa County Elections Division has made it easy to switch.  Simply send an email to Ballot@vote.cccounty.us. Subject: “I want to Vote By Mail.” Please include your Name, Date of Birth, Residential Address and Mailing Address in the body of the email. You can also call the Contra Costa County Elections Division at (925) 335-7800 to make your request over the phone.

Legislative History

The City’s legislative history including minutes, resolutions, ordinances, meeting content, and other important records, dating back to 1905, are available online at: http://sireweb.ci.richmond.ca.us/sirepub/docs.aspx.

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 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Wednesday: 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.
Friday: 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
(Closed 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. – days of operation only)

You must call (510) 620-6786 to schedule all appointments.

Drop-in hours are also available on:

Thursday: 9:30 A.M. to 12:00 NOON

Bring all required documents and complete all forms before your appointment. Drop-ins will be seen on a first come, first serve basis.

Please recognize that the area is an operational executive office, and a quiet zone.

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.

  • City Manager’s Office

Should the City of Richmond Ban the use of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers?

The Richmond City Council is considering a potential ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. City staff is soliciting community feedback to understand the opportunities and challenges.

To give feedback on whether or not the City of Richmond should ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers:

1.   Submit a survey response by September 27th: 
     https://forms.gle/uJ2RXXig7q81k31aA (English)
     https://forms.gle/oqhoXhNJE3jU6QWNA (Spanish)

For more information, please call the City Manager's Office at (510) 620-6512 or visit www.richmondenvironment.org

City of Richmond and Gotcha Mobility announce Richmond’s First Bike Share Program

With support from Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) funds, the City of Richmond’s Transportation Division and Gotcha Mobility will launch the first public bike share system in Richmond. Bike share is a service that provides bicycles for short term-use for a fee. Richmond residents and visitors will have access to 250 electric assist bikes at 25 stations within the city, available for 24/7 use.

Launching later this year, the bike share system in Richmond will provide a seamless addition to the local and regional transportation network connecting residents, businesses, visitors to jobs, services, and the community. Bike share will enhance public access to destinations; expand mobility options for low income residents, especially with the provision of subsidized memberships for income-eligible residents; improve public health through increased physical activity and reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants; and support community growth through safer, more vibrant streets.

Gotcha Mobility is a mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) company offering sustainable mico-transit products –100% electric ride share, bike share, electric scooters, and trikes. Gotcha helps communities lead happier, more productive lives through alternative forms of transportation and is committed to being the City of Richmond’s mobility partner. Gotcha invests in communities by having local operations that include local staff. Below are full time positions with benefits which are currently open:

To learn more about Gotcha visit https://ridegotcha.com/
For questions, please contact Misha Kaur at (510) 620-6797.

Transportation Services Division Updates

Are you interested in learning more about what services the City of Richmond’s Transportation Services Division is working on for you?

Subscribe to receive updates: http://www.richmond.ca.us/list.aspx?ListID=374
Or Go To: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2876/Transportation

Multifamily Property Electric Vehicle Car Sharing Survey
The City of Richmond Transportation Services Team is partnering with MCE to shape electric vehicle car share opportunities in Richmond.  Please take a few moments to complete the short Multifamily Properties Tenant Survey regarding Shared Electric Vehicles by September 13, 2019. 

The survey is available in English: https://forms.gle/7ce35MZhjjQrdD818 and Spanish: https://forms.gle/N9WanTzL6W6w58zYA .

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about MCE’s EV programs, please email EV@mceCleanEnergy.org or call (415) 464-6686.

Richmond Ferry to Bridge to Greenway Complete Streets Plan Community Survey

Transportation Services needs your feedback to provide valuable local and regional
connections for people walking and bicycling to the new Richmond Ferry Terminal, the upcoming Richmond-San Rafael Bridge multi-use path, and the Richmond Greenway.  The survey is available online or via text. Simply text the word “active” to (510) 900-5861 to participate.

RAPID (R-TRANSIT with Lyft) Workshop

The City of Richmond’s R-Transit program provides safe and reliable transportation to persons with disabilities and seniors (age 55 and older).

Service area: Program registrants can travel to any destination between the cities of Richmond, El Sobrante, San Pablo, North Richmond, Kensington, and Pinole. The cost of a one-way trip booked in advance is $4.00, and same-day reservations are $5.00 one way.

To qualify for R-Transit, applicants must meet two eligibility requirements:

1. Residency: applicant must be a resident of any of the following cities: Richmond, Kensington, El Sobrante, unincorporated communities of East Richmond Heights, Hasford Heights, Rollingwood, or North Richmond.
                                              
2. Age/disability: applicant is age 55 or older OR between the ages of 18-54 and has a disability.

Fill out an application: online at www.rtransit.com , print the application here, or call (510) 307-8026 to request an application by mail.

RAPID: R-Transit with Lyft offers R-Transit clients a subsidy to use Lyft in the service area.

The R-Transit program’s newest addition, RAPID, offers R-Transit clients a subsidy to use Lyft (24/7) for on demand trips in the R-Transit service area. RAPID also offers a   subsidy to travel to and from the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Veterans hospital in Martinez, CA. R-Transit clients pay the first $3.00 of each one way trip in the service area, and the subsidy will cover the next $17.00 of the trip. If the total cost of the trip exceeds $20.00, the client is responsible for the overage.

To use the RAPID service, you must first complete an application for R-Transit service; have a smart phone, credit/debit card, and a registration and waiver of liability form on file.

R-Transit will host RAPID workshops the 3rd Monday of each month for the remainder of 2019. Workshops will be held at the Richmond Senior Center located at 2525 Macdonald Avenue, Richmond from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 NOON. The workshops will provide in depth information about the new service and one-on-one assistance with downloading the Lyft mobile application, setting up an account, and requesting rides.

Pass2Class 2019 Application Now Open! Free Student Transit Pass!

511 Contra Costa is happy to announce that Pass2Class is back again for the 2019/20 school year. Students in West Contra Costa, grades 1 – 12, can receive either one 31-day AC Transit pass or WestCAT pass (while supplies last, limit three students per household), as a way to encourage them to take transit to school rather than a car. From August 1st through October 6th, parents/guardians can review the full rules and guidelines and fill out the application online.

Funding provided by Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Contra Costa Transportation Authority.

WCCUSD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY FOR FREE AND REDUCED LUNCH should not apply to Pass2Class. Pass2Class only offers one month free for any student, grades 1-12.

However, WCCUSD High school students who qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch can also receive bus passes all year long through the school district. More information is available at the Pass2Class website.

Residential Permit Parking Available

The Neighborhood Permit Parking (NPP) program was created in Richmond to reduce traffic in residential areas, to protect those areas from the environmental impacts of commuting, and to allow parking access to properties.  Non-permit holders may continue to park daily on a time restricted basis within the NPP areas.

If you live in an area that has already opted into the program, you are eligible to obtain a permit online: https://richmond.getapermit.net or in person by appointment through Transportation Services.  Residents living within any of the highlighted areas on the Permit Parking Map must first submit a signed petition to “Opt In” to participate in the program. 

For more information and to download forms, please go to:  http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3329/Parking-Management-Services, call Transportation Services at (510) 621-1718, or email: RichmondParking@ci.richmond.ca.

Free Green Waste Kitchen Pail

Richmond residents that subscribe to compost services may pick-up a free kitchen pail at the West Contra Costa Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility or Richmond City Hall.

West Contra Costa County Household
Hazardous Waste (HHW) Facility

101 Pittsburg Avenue
Richmond, CA 94801
Wednesday through Saturday
9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (Closed Noon - 12:30 P.M.)

For more information about this and additional solid waste programs available to Richmond residents, please visit: www.richmondenvironment.org

Recycling Tip of the Month

Recycling tip of the month- June (6)

  • City Manager Chronicles

The Interim City Manager’s deep dive continues!  This week I had the privilege to attend my first Richmond City Council meeting, and what I saw there was a deeply engaged community.  As the meeting commenced, there were perhaps one hundred people in the room – people of all ages, sizes, colors, and shapes but who all had one thing in common:  they care about their community.  They cared enough, in fact, to leave their Netflix clicker at home and drag themselves out on a beautiful evening, just for the opportunity to speak and listen to their elected officials.  It was inspiring to see democracy at work.  There are too many places in the world where these privileges do not exist, and so we should treasure them here at home.  Richmond residents do.

I also was pleased to meet Jessie Stewart this week.  She’s the Executive Director of Richmond Promise – a program that helps Richmond kids access higher education beyond high school.  She gave me more than two earfuls of information, but what resonated for me is that, in just four years since its inception, Richmond Promise has helped about 1,000 kids make their way to college.  That’s great!  It shows what can happen when a community and its business partners come together with a common goal.  Way to go, Richmond Promise!  Even though my ears are full now, I look forward to hearing more great things from you in the future.

Finally, as I’m sure you’re aware, there has been tumult around the Richmond Police Chief position. Earlier this week, I forwarded the following message to all members of the RPD, and I copy you on it now as well:

At last night’s meeting of the City Council, I noted that I had been in conversation with Chief Brown, and had thanked him for thirty-five years of distinguished service to this city, where he accepted a noble and difficult assignment and did it with grace.  I am proud of Chief Brown and the work he has done for Richmond.  I also announced that Chief Brown has informed me that he will no longer serve as Police Chief for the City of Richmond.  I have therefore appointed Assistant Chief Bisa French as the interim police chief until such time that the city recruits for a permanent police chief.  This is all I am at liberty to disclose at this time regarding Chief Brown.  No further information will be forthcoming.

Regarding Interim Chief French, I will further note that it is not my intention to initiate a recruitment during my tenure here, which runs through January 15th of next year.  Postponing the recruitment will give both the interim chief and the Richmond police department the opportunity to perform at the highest level, and demonstrate that Bisa French should be made the permanent Chief by the new city manager.  It is my expectation that all will rise to the occasion. To this end, yesterday I pledged all of my support to Interim Chief French, and I hope you will do so, too.

Over the last couple of days, I’ve had several occasions to meet with Interim Chief French, and I will tell you that she is a very impressive person.  I hold her in the highest regard, and have the highest hopes for her success.

  • Community Services Department (CSD)

Swim Classes

Although summer is coming to an end and most kids are back in school, the City of Richmond pools are still open and offering swim lessons through the month of October. Lessons are for ages 3+ on Saturday mornings at the Richmond Swim Center. Private Lessons and classes for Teens and Adults are also available. We have added an additional class for our most popular Level 1 Beginners (ages 6 - 12).

Please check the Lesson Levels to determine the appropriate level for children. Then use the schedule to select the right class session and time. Registration for the September session began on August 26th. Registration can be done in person or online at: https://apm.activecommunities.com/richmond

Call for more info: (510) 620-6793
Fall-Winter 2019-20 Swim Lessons

Pic 1

Tiny Heroes Returns at Nevin Community Center!

Tiny Heroes Training Gym, presented by Richmond’s Community Services Dept., has returned to its secret base at Nevin Community Center. Our super hero training facility is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 A.M. to Noon.

Parents and their ‘Tiny Heroes’ (infant through five years old) can choose from several different activities such as driving their favorite Super Vehicle, searching for hidden treasure in the Ball Pit of Doom, and our Thunder Jumper to practice leaping tall buildings in a single bound! Mrs. Viviana’s Brainiac Corner reviews ABC’s, 123’s and arts and crafts to help trainees think out of the box! Best of all, youth and their parents enjoy a safe, friendly, socializing, environment.

Please contact Community Services for registration information at (510) 620-6793

  • Engineering & Capital Improvement Department (ECIP)

Engineering Projects

The Shields-Reid Community Center ADA Improvements Project is progressing well with new ADA compliance restrooms, new building paint, and an outside addition.  The project is at 80% completion.




Shields-Reid Community Center

The old Community Center Pool has been infilled for new recreation development.


Infill of old Community Center Pool

Streets Division

Paving crews paved the streets in front of 1138 Chesley Avenue, 926 Chesley Avenue, 1123 Market Avenue, and 810 Market Avenue, installed a speed bump on Shane Drive and Gonzaga Avenue, and worked from the outstanding pothole list in various locations around the City.


Grinder Operations on Chesley Avenue





Paving Work on Chesley Avenue

Street sweeping staff performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the second Tuesday through Friday in the Clinton Hill II – IV and East Richmond neighborhood areas.

Traffic Signs and Lines

Traffic Signs and Lines staff installed seven new signs, repaired five signs, fabricated 12 signs, installed new bicycle racks on Macdonald Avenue and 16th Street, and placed thermoplastic stop messages and crosswalks around the City.

South 37th and Florida thermal crosswalks
37th and Waller burn thermal X-walksS37th and Center new stop message
S37th and Wall new stop message
Pavement Marking Installation

16th and Macdonald bike rack install 216th and Macdonald bike rack install
16th and Macdonald bike rack install 3
Bicycle Rack Installation

  • Finance Department

Annual Audit of City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Maze & Associates, an independent Certified Public Accounting firm, will be performing the annual audit of the City’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019.  The firm performed the interim audit during July 15th to July 26th.  On August 23, 2019, Maze and Associates had an interim audit exit conference with Finance Department staff in order to provide the closing check list for the final audit and the calendar.  Maze & Associates will be on site during the month of November and December.  Finance Department staff are currently working on the checklist items, review of funds, closing purchase orders, reports, journal entries, grants and the lead schedules (implemented last year). 

Open Requests For Bids/Request For Proposals

 

 

Police Department

Security Services -Civic Center RFP

Due:  9/24/19

 

RichmondWORKS (E&T)

CONTRACTING/ VENDOR PAY AGENT

Due:  9/30/19

 

Finance

Uniform and Miscellaneous Rental Services

Due:  10/04/19

 

Police Department

Automated License Plate Reader System

Due:  10/17/19

  • Fire Department

September is National Preparedness Month

Throughout September, the Richmond Fire Department will provide informational links to help our community Be Prepared, Not Scared!

Week 1: Sept. 1st – 7th: Save Early for Disaster Costs.  Learn more by clicking on Financial Preparedness.

Americans at all income levels have experienced the challenges of rebuilding their lives after a disaster or other emergency. In these stressful circumstances, having access to personal financial, insurance, medical, and other records is crucial for starting the process of recovery. Taking the time now to secure these critical records will give you peace of mind, and, during an emergency, will ensure that you have the documentation needed to start the recovery process without delay.

Week 1: Sept. 8th – 14th: Make a Plan to Prepare for Disasters.
Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is essential to know which types of disasters could affect your area.  Know how to contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar.

Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these four questions with your family, friends, or household to start your emergency plan.

Step 2:  Consider specific needs in your household.
As you prepare your plan, tailor your needs and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets, or specific needs like the operation of durable medical equipment. Create your system with particular areas where you need help.  Keep in mind some of these factors when developing your plan:

  • Different ages of members within your household
  • Responsibilities for assisting others
  • Locations frequented
  • Dietary needs
  • Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
  • Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
  • Languages spoken
  • Cultural and religious considerations
  • Pets or service animals
  • Households with school-aged children

Step 3: Fill out a Family Emergency Plan
Download and fill out a family emergency plan or use them as a guide to creating your own. Emergency Plan for Parents (PDF)

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household

More local emergency preparedness information can be found by clicking on the

Need more information? Contact the Richmond Fire Department, Office of Emergency Services at (510) 620-6866.

PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and Fire Season

We are amid fire season through November 2019. To prevent wildland fires, such as 2018’s Camp Fire in Butte County and the 2017 Northern California Wine Country Fires, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) is educating the public on the potential for Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

What is a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)?  As part of PG&E’s Community Wildfire Safety Program, PSPS are precautionary measures to help reduce the risk of wildfires. If gusty winds and dry conditions, combined with heightened fire risk, threaten the electric system service our community, it may be necessary for PG&E to turn off electricity in the interest of public safety. For more information about PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program, visit PG&E Webpage Public Safety Power Shutoffs.

Criteria for determining a public safety power shutoff:

When the above criteria are met, PG&E will provide notification to customers of a power shutoff:

  • Forty-eight (48) hours before the shut-off.
  • Twenty-four (24) hours before the shut-off
  • One-hour (1) hour before a power shutoff.

The reason for multiple notifications is because of changing conditions that affect the location of a power shutoff event.

How do you prepare for a PSPS? California energy companies created a website our community can visit to learn how to prepare for power shutoffs, visit: PrepareforPowerDown website in which information is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.
Preparedness steps include:

  • Update your contact information with PG&E (pge.com/mywildfirealerts or call 1-866-743-6589)
  • Plan for any medical needs
  • Keep a hard copy of emergency phone numbers on hand
  • Know how to open your garage door manually
  • Build or restock your emergency kit
  • Ensure any backup generators are ready to operate
  • Designate an emergency meeting location
  • Consider staying with a friend or relative during an outage.
  • Information Technology

Website Statistics for the week of September 13, 2019

Facebook video views increased by 100% 

KCRT DATANET OF THE WEEK

  • Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations (DIMO)

Abatement

Abatement crews abated weeds from various city locations, abated trash from homeless encampments, and removed trash and graffiti throughout the City.

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Weed Abatement

 

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Homeless Encampment Abatement

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Illegal Dumping & Graffiti Removal

Facilities Maintenance

Stationary engineers performed daily rounds in all Civic Center Plaza buildings, performed routine inspections and chemistry tests on three swimming pools, repaired a toilet at the Employment & Training building, replaced a flush handle on a toilet at the Plunge, replaced an air filter in the child care area of the Recreation Center, repaired toilets at the Civic Senior Center, removed vent pipes off of bay 7 at the Corporation Yard, repaired a bad timer switch on the kitchen exhaust at Fire Station 62, and installed ergonomic equipment in the Human Resources Department.

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Checking the Boiler Function at 440 Civic Center Plaza

Utility workers completed janitorial service to 20 city-owned buildings, scrubbed and waxed floors at the Parchester Community Center, and replaced a broken soap dispenser at the Plunge.


Dusting at City Hall

Parks and Landscaping

General fund crews prepared Burg Park for the North East picnic, prepared Nicholl Park for the Family First event that took place on September 7th, weed-whipped and trimmed right-of-ways on Amador Road, weeded and trimmed Huntington Park, repaired the irrigation systems at Nicholl Park and South Side Park, repaired the fence along the Richmond Greenway, repaired broken swings at Monterey Playlot, weeded Clarence Street/Grandview Court, Belding-Garcia Park, North Richmond Ballfield, Atchison Park, and Martin Luther King Park, picked up trash from Richmond Greenway, and conducted pest control at Martin Luther Park.

Burg Park weed abatement          MLK Shrub pruning
    Weed Abatement at Burg Park          Pruning at Martin Luther King Park

The tree trimming crew completed work at the following sites: Willard Avenue, Key Boulevard & Macdonald Avenue, Key Boulevard & Barrett Avenue, 2400 Macdonald Avenue, Booker T. Anderson Park, and May Road & Valley View Road.

The stump grinding crew completed work on Wright Avenue and 5700 Columbia Avenue.

Hilltop District crews weeded and mowed the turf at Country Club Vista Park and Bay Vista Park, repaired and replaced banners, as well as performed planting at Country Club Vista Park, and weed abatement on Richmond Parkway medians between Hensley Street and Gertrude Avenue (General Fund).

Country Club Park irrigation repair
Irrigation Repairs at Country Club Park

Marina District crews mowed and edged lawns on all parks, weeded along the Bay Trail off Bayside Drive, repaired the irrigation system on the Bay Trail, cleaned medians on Marina Bay Parkway, cleaned out the roses and daylilies on Lucretia Edwards Park, and picked up trash and emptied all trash cans.

Lucrecia Park weed abatement
Weed Abatement at Lucretia Edwards Park

  • Library and Cultural Services Department

Community Art Grants - Call for Entries for FY 2019-20

The Neighborhood Public Art (NPA) Mini-Grant Program is seeking applications for FY 2019-20. The Richmond Arts & Culture Commission will award a total of $65,000 in grants from: $1,000 to $8,000 in visual arts (media, painting, graphics, ceramics, mosaic, crafts, or sculpture); performing arts (spoken word, music, dance, theater); and literary arts. Applicants may apply as individuals, with partners, or as an arts organization.

Important Dates

  • Call for Entries: July 22, 2019 – September 20, 2019
  • Mandatory Workshop: Saturday, August 24th from 1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. in City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond Room (Barrett/Nevin).
  • Application Deadline: September 20, 2019.  Send applications to: Arts & Culture Manager, 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804 or email them to: Michele_seville@ci.richmond.ca.us.
  • Applicant Presentations are scheduled for: Tuesday, September 24th & Thursday, October 3, 2019 at City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond Room, main floor. They will begin promptly at 7:00 P.M.
  • Grant Duration: Once the grantees have been selected, contracts will be created that will go from December 2019 through December 31, 2020 (12 months).

 

For questions, please call Michele Seville at (510) 620-6952 or email Michele_seville@ci.richmond.ca.us


NPA Mural by Edythe Boone for Lifelong Medical Center

  • Planning Department

Contra Costa County Census 2020 - Grant Funding Available for Outreach

Contra Costa County is excited to announce the release of the Contra Costa County Census 2020 Outreach and Assistance Grants Request for Proposal (RFP). We urge you to consider applying for a grant to support your work and to share the Census Outreach & Assistance Grants RFP with all tax-exempt organizations, schools, and public agencies who are working on Census 2020 outreach and awareness.

The County seeks to fund grantees that are committed to ensuring a complete count of County residents with an emphasis on Hard to Count populations. Grant amounts in phase one of the RFP released on September 3rd will range between $2,000 to $20,000 to support Census outreach and education in Contra Costa County.

The grant funding was approved by the Board of Supervisors based on the recommendation of the County’s Census 2020 Complete Count Steering Committee to invest in and support Census 2020 outreach and education efforts. The Complete Count Steering Committee was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to help ensure a fair and complete 2020 Census count.

“Contra Costa County is proud to support organizations that will mobilize our communities to ensure a complete count of all residents,” said Board Chair, Supervisor John Gioia. “A fair and accurate count is important to ensure that Contra Costa County gets its fair share of federal funding for vital services and infrastructure.”

Census data collected every 10 years is the source of important information for communities, businesses, and governments. Many households will begin receiving communications from the U.S. Census Bureau in March 2020. This Census count determines how many representatives each state has in Congress and how over $675 billion in federal funds are distributed to tribal, state and local governments each year to support education, infrastructure, and social services that are vital to our communities.

A George Washington University study estimates that for every person not counted, California and its local governments lose an estimated $2,000 a year per individual. Forty-two percent of Contra Costa County’s funding comes from federal and state resources.

To help support local organizations and agencies that are working to engage and promote the participation of all Contra Costa County residents, particularly in hard to count communities, the County released Phase 1 of the RFP for Census 2020 Outreach and Assistance Grants. Grant applications must be submitted by 5:00 P.M. on Monday, September 30, 2019, via email to Barbara.Riveira@cao.cccounty.us.

All applicants are encouraged to attend the Bidders Conference on September 11, 2019, from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the Paramount Conference Room, 777 Arnold Drive, Martinez, CA.

For more information about Contra Costa County’s Request for Proposals and its Census 2020 work and resources, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/census2020. Questions about the RFP can be directed to Barbara Riveira, Office of the County Administrator, at (925) 335-1018.

  • Police Department

McDonalds Donates Free Breakfast to Richmond Police Activities League Program

Special thanks to McDonalds for their generous donation to the RPAL (Richmond Police Activities League) and the Richmond School of Baseball program.
The School of Baseball is a summer program for children ages 10-13. The program covers baseball skills, strategy and logic, and explains how the game relates to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). During the program, the kids have the opportunity to learn from previous Major League baseball players like Shooty Babitt. When the program ends, the kids are treated to an A’s Baseball game where they can see it all come together.

During the program, McDonald's provided free breakfast for the kids. On September 4th, the Richmond Police Department gathered at McDonalds in El Cerrito with Shooty Babitt, representatives from RPAL, and the Richmond School of Baseball to give thanks to the store manager.

School Safety

On September 1st, in the evening hours, School Resource Officer (SRO) England, who was off-duty at the time, received information about a threat published on social media: A student threatened to hurt multiple students and staff members on the De Anza High School campus. SRO England quickly investigated this incident thoroughly and was able to determine the responsible individual. A 16 year-old was arrested for making criminal threats.

This is an example of how the community, school staff and the police worked together to stop a potential violent act. We at RPD are committed to ensuring our schools are safe and will take every threat seriously. This is a reminder that all incidents of potential violence towards schools need to be reported in a timely fashion.

Tea and Me

The Richmond Police Department Crime Prevention Staff was happy to participate in “Tea and Me”, a four-week “tea party” for girls that struggle with self-esteem, self-care and bullying. The program was sponsored by the West Contra Costa Youth Services Bureau. Many of the girls said they had experienced bullying for things like playing sports with boys or because of their appearance. When asked what they could do to stop bullying, they said things like “show comfort”, “support one another” and “tell a trusted adult.” The girls also participated in fun activities such as decorating tea hats and gloves. This was a great program and a great way for the Richmond Police Department to get involved in the community.

  • Richmond Promise

Become a Richmond Promise Mentor!

Interested in supporting a Richmond student through college? Richmond Promise is expanding its mentorship program and seeking individuals who can support our Scholars in their academic, personal, and career success. 

Building on the success of our 2018-19 mentor pilot program, we aim to match mentors and mentees for the 2020-21 academic year. This goal is dependent on mentee/mentor interest and mutual fit. 

The time commitment for mentors is approximately one hour per month starting in August 2019 with a minimum of a one-year commitment. If the mentee is based outside of the Bay Area, the interaction will be virtual. 

If you're interested, please complete the mentor interest form at bit.ly/RichMentor20

For questions, email bquarles@richmondpromise.org

19-20 RP Mentor Flyers FINAL

Support the Richmond Promise at Promisenet 2019!
Here at the Richmond Promise, we are thrilled to be hosting the PromiseNet 2019 national conference in partnership with Contra Costa Community College District and UC Berkeley Division of Equity and Inclusion.

The two day conference, Bridges to Opportunity, held November 4th & 5th at UC Berkeley, will build on more than a decade of PromiseNet convenings and bring together hundreds of mission-aligned education and civic leaders, policy makers, practitioners, philanthropists, and researchers from across the country. Since the first PromiseNet was held in Kalamazoo in 2008 these gatherings have sparked ideas, energy and action to strengthen and build the Promise movement.

We anticipate 400-500 attendees, including regional Promise initiatives such as Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Stockton, and Richmond that collectively support thousands of Bay Area students through post-secondary degrees and into the workforce each year.

We hope to have strong Richmond and West County representation. Listen to this message from our Scholars, and confirm your spot and RSVP Today!

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  • Water Resource Recovery

Cutting/Carlson & Hoffman Wet Weather Improvement Projects

The project work continues and is forecasted to finish in September 2019.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7G50U2Kq_LZDOmqGE3n5peg56wdt_iRNROARI-hzR8DSbt5yUQz3tNqtCM3vUog5gGZTFbViBzmN6Bn0eudYv2H5sKNnC7HpIwfu9B2XiuMZeR7Eoph1XDJtWVTrCyTe8M7kDe0i
Potrero Avenue and 13th Street
Trench on Potrero Avenue with shoring in use.

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Potrero Avenue and 13th Street
View of trench with new sewer pipe segments and manhole.

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Potrero Avenue and 13th Street
Bobtail truck unloading AB into trench, which will be compacted and tested prior to placement of temporary patch.

Exposed Two Discharge Pipes and Temporary 8” Sludge Pipe Line Installation

The trench for the temporary 8” High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) sludge pipeline was backfilled and compacted with a tracer wire taped to the pipe. One of the mini-excavators and the HDPE fusing machine was removed from the site. Temporary fencing was installed around the backfilled trench.

Tracer wire affixed to HDPE pipe ahead of backfilling.
Trench backfilled, compacted, and prepared for asphalt pavement.

Sewer Lateral Grant Program

The City of Richmond’s Sewer Lateral Grant Program reimburses eligible homeowners in the Richmond Municipal Sewer District (RMSD No. 1) for some of the cost to replace their sewer lateral.

The program is open and accepting applications for the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year. 

For more information about the Sewer Lateral Grant Program, please visit www.ci.richmond.ca.us/2130/Sewer-Lateral-Grant-Program or call (510) 620-6594.

 

Thank you for keeping up with the activities in the City of Richmond.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about these or any other items of interest to you.

Thank You!

Steven Falk
Interim City Manager
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, California 94804
(510) 620-6512

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 for options to connect with the City of Richmond.

Connecting with the City of Richmond

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

COR Connect Service Concern and Issues 1
COR Connect Service Concern and Issues 2
COR Connect Service Concern and Issues 3
COR Connect Service Concern and Issues 4

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, 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 any comments, questions or concerns regarding the work being done by City staff.  The 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

Irene Perdomo
Executive Assistant to the City Manager
City Manager’s Office
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA  94804
Email: Irene_Perdomo@ci.richmond.ca.us
Direct: 510-621-1264
Main: 510-620-6512

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