Mayor and Members of the City Council:
This is the weekly report for the week ending November 11, 2016.
1. Meeting Notes
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15th beginning with a Closed Session at 5:00 PM, followed by the Special meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority at 6:25 PM, and with the regular City Council agenda at 6:30 PM. The agenda may be found by clicking this link: Richmond City Council Agenda Packet.
2. Richmond Housing Authority Receives “High Performer” Designation from HUD
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) measures the performance of public housing agencies (PHAs) that administer the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) in 14 key areas. The objective of the SEMAP program is to help HUD target monitoring and assistance to PHA programs that need the most improvement.
SEMAP scores are on a scale from zero to 100. High performers have a score above 90; troubled performers have a score below 60. The SEMAP indicators help assess overall PHA performance, and help to focus attention on weak performance areas to effectively and efficiently use scarce resources.
In a letter dated October 31, 2016, HUD released the Richmond Housing Authority’s (RHA’s) SEMAP for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016. The SEMAP score for the RHA was 100%, with a “High Performer” designation, which represents a significant achievement for the Richmond Housing Authority.
3. Richmond Bay Specific Plan (RBSP) Public Hearing
The RBSP (formerly known as the South Shoreline Specific Plan) will facilitate the implementation of Richmond’s new General Plan by establishing specific plan policies, regulations, and urban design standards for an approximately 375-acre area located in the City of Richmond, south of Interstate 580. The RBSP will focus on ways Richmond can develop a mixed-use district that is complementary to future development at the Richmond Field Station, future ferry service, and other area assets to create a sustainable shoreline district providing jobs, housing, transportation options, and opportunities for entertainment and recreation.
The Planning Commission of the City of Richmond will conduct a public hearing to consider a recommendation to the City Council regarding the certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report, including adoption of a Statement of Overriding Considerations, approval of a General Plan Amendment, Rezoning and adoption of the RBSP and repeal of the Knox/Cutting Specific Plan. The RBSP proposes regulations for development within the Specific Plan area including land use and building form, parking, and building setback standards.
The Planning Commission meeting will be held on November 17, 2016 at 6:30 PM in the Richmond Council Chambers at 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA.
Project Information including the Final EIR and the Final Draft Richmond Bay Specific Plan are available online at www.ci.richmond.ca.us/rbsp. Copies are also available for review at the following locations:
· Richmond Public Libraries:
o Main Branch, 325 Civic Center Plaza;
o West Side Branch, 135 Washington Avenue; and
o Bayview Branch, 5100 Hartnett Avenue.
· City of Richmond Planning and Building Services Department, City Hall, 450 Civic Center Plaza. The Planning Department public counter is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM and Fridays from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
4. City of Richmond Zoning and Subdivisions Regulations Update
The City's zoning and subdivision regulations are undergoing comprehensive review and revision in order to ensure their consistency with the General Plan, and state and federal laws. The draft Zoning and Subdivisions Regulations (Zoning Ordinance Update) and Zoning Map were released for public comment on August 18, 2016. An Addendum to the General Plan EIR was prepared affirming that the analysis contained in the General Plan EIR adequately addresses the potential environmental impacts associated with the adoption and implementation of the Zoning Ordinance Update and new Zoning Map. On October 20, 2016, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the draft Zoning Ordinance Update, Zoning Map, and EIR Addendum to the City Council.
At its past meeting of November 1st, the City Council adopted the EIR Addendum, and introduced the Zoning Ordinance Update, and Zoning Map, with final adoption now scheduled for November 15th. Please visit the project webpage www.zonerichmond.com to get more information.
5. RichmondWORKS: On-Site Recruitment for Amazon Courier Drivers for $16.50/hr
RichmondWORKS is hosting an on-site recruitment for Amazon Courier Drivers on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. We encourage Richmond residents to take advantage of this opportunity to work for the largest internet-based retailer in the world, Amazon.
For additional information on this and other job opportunities, please visit http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/660/Job-Seeker-Services or call 510-307-8014.
6. Richmond’s Minimum Wage Ordinance:
The next increase in the City of Richmond’s minimum wage increase goes into effect on January 1, 2017. Effective on that date, the minimum wage as set forth in Richmond’s Minimum Wage Ordinance (RMC 7.108) will be $12.30/hour (compared to $10.50/hour for the State of California effective 2017, and the current $11.52/hour which went into effect in Richmond on January 1, 2016). The Minimum Wage Ordinance applies to any employee who works two or more hours per week.
To advise the business community of this upcoming change, the Employment and Training staff posted notices announcing the increase on KCRT and the City’s website. Packets were mailed to over 1,000 businesses and to the Richmond Chamber of Commerce members to inform them of the change. The information packet includes versions of the official notice in various languages that must be posted in all workplaces along with a list of employer and employee rights under the Ordinance. Employers who pay for less than 800 hours of employee labor in a given two week period need not pay the City’s minimum wage until they pay over 800 hours or more of employee labor in a two week period. This is the next of three annual increases that will max out at $13.00/hour on January 1, 2018.
For questions and concerns, please contact Gina Baker at (510) 307-8011.
7. 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 of note during the past week included:
- Attended a meeting with Executive Director Barbara Lee of the Department of Toxic Substances Control, along with Senator Loni Hancock, Mayor Tom Butt, DTSC staff members, and staff members from the Senator’s office, the Mayor’s office, the Planning and Building Services Department, and the City Manager’s office, to discuss environmental remediation at the Zeneca site;
- Attended the partner planning meeting for eQuip, which is a Chevron-funded economic revitalization program for Richmond and North Richmond;
- Met with representatives of the Urban Institute, who are completing an evaluation of the National Resources Network program that partially funded the development of the five-year financial forecast in Richmond;
- Met, along with Mayor Tom Butt, with University of California President Janet Napolitano and key staff members to discuss the future of the Richmond Field Station.
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.
8. Join the Youth Leadership Committee!
The Youth Leadership Committee (YLC) is a year-round program run by the City of Richmond to engage high school students in a rich combination of experiences including leadership development, hands-on projects, and field trips. The application period opens November 1st and closes on November 30th at 5:00 PM. Interviews will be held from December 5th to December 15th and students will be notified on their acceptance to the program by December 23rd. Mandatory workshop meetings will begin January 11, 2017 and will continue every Wednesday from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Richmond Community Services Department (3230 Macdonald Avenue).
Online applications are available now at: http://tinyurl.com/RichmondYLC2016
If you have any questions please contact Guadalupe Morales at guadalupe_morales@ci.richmond.ca.us or call (510) 620-6553.
Thank you and good luck on the application process!
9. Richmond Promise Seeking Near-Peer Ambassadors!
The Richmond Promise scholarship program has announced that it is building a Near-Peer Ambassador program in partnership with Kennedy High School this January. This is a semester-long paid opportunity for college students to give back to their community.
College students from Richmond/WCCUSD will be trained to have a series of college and career conversations with students at Kennedy High School throughout the second semester. We encourage you to spread the word to current college students who may be interested.
The full job description can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/odplo6a
Minimum Requirements:
- At least 18 years old, from Richmond/West Contra Costa
- Full-time student
- Cumulative and term GPA of 2.5 or above
To apply, a student simply needs to fill out this form by November 28th at 11:59 PM.
Below, please find a flyer to share on your social media.
Please do not hesitate to contact Jessica Rodriguez via email (jrodriguez@richmondpromise.org) or phone (510-620-6531) with any questions.
10. Richmond Promise Fall Workshops
All throughout the fall, the Richmond Promise team will be hosting workshops to assist high school seniors and their families begin their financial aid and Richmond Promise applications.
Upcoming Fall Student and Family Workshop dates are:
· November 29th
· December 13th & 15th
All workshops will be from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM in the computer labs at 450 Civic Center Plaza. Please have students RSVP at www.therichmondpromise.eventbrite.com
High school seniors and their families are encouraged to attend their high school’s Cash for College workshop to receive further assistance to complete their financial aid applications. All Cash for College dates can be found at www.richmondpromise.com/events.
Remember that www.richmondpromise.org can also be used as a resource to find other scholarships and college exploration tools by going to the “Resources” section: http://www.richmondpromise.org/paying-for-college/
Questions? Contact us at info@richmondpromise.org or 510-620-6531.
Apply for the Richmond Promise scholarship today at www.richmondpromise.org!
11. Information Technology
Website
Top 10 Webpage views for the week ending 11-10-2016
Facebook Statistics
Total page views increased by 80%
Page Likes increased by 200%
Twitter Statistics
Tweets are up
Followers are up
Tweet impresions increased by 24.0%
Followers are up
KCRT DATANET OF THE WEEK:
City of Richmond Mobile APP UPDATE
The City of Richmond’s mobile phone app is available on the Apple App store and Google Play store.
This 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. Locating one of Richmond’s numerous parks, and welcoming libraries and community centers, including reserving rental space for that special occasion are all done with ease!
You may view the City’s mobile app on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i4W1wVvB9fw
The City of Richmond is looking forward to feedback from the community on this upgraded Mobile App. We welcome your comments at webservices@ci.richmond.ca.us.
12. Engineering/CIP Departments
Streets Division:
Paving crews paved 31st Street from Clinton Avenue to Roosevelt Avenue, installed a speed table on 23rd Street, hauled grindings, and worked from the outstanding pothole list.
Speed Table Preparation
Street sweeping staff performed commercial and residential sweeping services for the first Monday and the second Tuesday through Friday in the Parchester Village, Hilltop Bayview, Hilltop Green, Fairmede/Hilltop, Clinton Hill II – IV, and East Richmond neighborhood council areas.
Signs and Lines staff repaired 18 signs and poles, installed 28 new signs and poles, fabricated 12 new signs, placed seven pavement markers, began installing holiday decorations, and painted 91 feet of curb.
13. Infrastructure Maintenance and Operations
Abatement:
Abatement crews abated weeds from walkways and alleyways, cleared watersheds, removed tons of illegal dumping in various locations, and removed graffiti throughout the City.
 
Watershed Clearing
 
Graffiti Removal
 
Illegal Dumping Removed
Code Enforcement:
Code Enforcement officers continue to respond to multiple violations throughout the City. Officer Tisdell responded to dumped furniture on the public right of way and issued a warning that the owner would receive an Administrative Citation in the amount of $1,000. The dumped items were removed the following day.
 
Illegal Dumping
Facilities Maintenance:
Electricians supported the Annual American Public Works Association conference held at the Auditorium, performed emergency street light circuit repairs at Seacliff Drive and Brickyard Cove Road, reset timeclocks, relamped lights at various locations, repaired traffic controller at Hilltop Mall Road and Robert H. Miller Drive, and restored the exterior lights of the May Valley Community Center.
May Valley Exterior Lighting
Utility Workers cleaned the showers at the Plunge, cleaned the bike port at the Police station, assembled cabinets, set up various rooms for events, and maintained 29 City owned facilities.
Cabinet Assembly
Parks and Landscaping Division:
General maintenance crews repaired irrigation at 49th Street and Cutting Boulevard, weeded and trimmed the turnaround on 36th Street and Clinton Avenue, performed maintenance at Rain Cloud Park, removed graffiti in High Fire Zones, pressure washed along the 23rd Street Grade Separation, weeded the Native American Center lot, performed maintenance along the 37th Street Underpass, and repaired a bench at Rain Cloud Park.
Rain Cloud Park Maintenance
The tree crew cut or trimmed trees on Wiswall Drive, West Richmond Avenue, Contra Costa Avenue, Nicholl Knob, LaMoine Park, and Bokker T. Anderson Park.
Hilltop Districtcrews completed trimming Willow trees at Hilltop Lake Park, completed sheet mulching at Bay Vista Park, began installing irrigation and planting on Richmond Parkway, continued general maintenance at Country Club Vista and Bay Vista parks, and continued maintenance around the business district.
Removal of Pine Tree at Hilltop Lake Park
Marina District crews mowed and edged turf throughout, power washed lighting along the trails, removed broken cement rings from the Marina Parking lot, trimmed branches in the parks, and replaced light covers at Fisherman’s Circle.
Tree Ring Removal
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about these or any other items of interest to you.
Bill Lindsay
City Manager
City of Richmond
450 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, California 94804
(510) 620-6512
Bill_lindsay@ci.richmond.ca.us
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