December 20, 2022
City Manager's Office
DATE: December 20, 2022
TO: Mayor Butt and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Shasa Curl, City Manager
SUBJECT:
City-Wide 2022 Accomplishments
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City Manager’s Office is providing an update on City- wide accomplishments during the calendar year of 2022.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a presentation regarding the 2022 City-wide
accomplishments – City Manager’s Office (Shasa Curl
510-620-6512).
DISCUSSION:
Departments and divisions city-wide are implementing policies, programs, initiatives and partnerships with residents, businesses, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to improve Richmond’s health equity, safety, and environment. As we come to the end of the calendar year, City staff members are proud to highlight some of the many 2022 city-wide accomplishments.
City-Wide Accomplishments
City Manager’s Office
Prioritized filling vacancies city-wide, and hired multiple positions including but not limited to: Deputy City Manager, Director of Public Works, Deputy Director of Public AGENDA
REPORT
December 20, 2022
Works, Housing Manager, Planning Manager and Richmond Housing Authority Property Manager
Continued the implementation of I Heart Richmond initiatives to ensure and enhance City-wide clean-ups and beautification efforts
Supported the interdepartmental coordination for the thoughtful sunsetting of Rydin Road with an interdepartmental City team, Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS), and non-profit organizations (Housing Consortium of the East Bay (HCEB), Collaborising, Safe Organized Spaces (SOS))
Worked collaboratively with Finance and the City Attorney’s Office to sunset the SWAPs and refinance $154 million in City debt
Launched a new Richmond Police Department (RPD) recruitment strategy in collaboration with Human Resources and Richmond Police Department Executed a Memorandum of Understanding with Richmond Police Officer Association (RPOA) in collaboration with Human Resources Adopted a balanced budget on June 21, 2022, for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-2023 and Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget in coordination with Finance Released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Request for Proposals (RFP) and awarded ~$3.1 million dollars to 39 youth-serving organizations via the Department of Children and Youth
Economic Development
Economic Development published the 2022 San Francisco Business Times Richmond supplement, highlighting businesses in Richmond, received $1.3 million for the Cannabis Equity Program implementation and completed Type 1 funding for assessment and program development, and acquired BluDot Technology to introduce a business-friendly environment and market the City’s competitive advantage.
Arts and Culture completed and installed the Osprey Bird sculpture and installation in November 2022, awarded $71,739 to FY 22-23 NPA Mini Grantees which require community engagement, and completely renovated and restored the Judy Baca Mural located on the Richmond Senior Center.
Environmental and Health Initiatives awarded the Communities Local Energy Action Program (LEAP) Pilot technical assistance by the Department of Energy to develop an equitable strategy for transitioning existing buildings to all electric, awarded the $35 million in Transformative Climate Communities Grant from the California Strategic Growth Council through a partnership with Community Development, Community Services, and community co-applicants GRID Alternatives Bay Area, Groundwork Richmond, Trust for Public Land, and Urban Tilth/Rich City Rides, and awarded approximately $550,000 in CalRecycle Grants to address illegal dumping clean-up and Senate Bill (SB) 1383 implementation.
December 20, 2022
Real Estate and Port generated $150,000 in revenue by executing a lease with Alcatraz Cruise, generated over $200,000 in revenue by adopting the 2022 tariff update, and completed the Marina Bay lease assignment and amendment.
Housing Authority
Completed the construction of Hacienda and commenced leasing activities with the goal of the first tenants to occupy the building in late December 2022 Transferred the RHA Administration Building to the City of Richmond for continued use by the Richmond BUILD Program
Submitted design review and construction permits for the rehabilitation of Nevin Plaza
Police Department
Awarded $235,000 in grant funds from the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to assist with traffic enforcement operations
Recovered 216 firearms from the streets of Richmond by patrol officers and detectives
Participated in the national “Faith & Blue” community partnership initiative Hired 17 new police department employees.
Fire Department
Established a Return-to-Work policy and updated the Richmond Fire Department Policy Manual to reflect current operational procedures Completed acting position lists for Battalion Chief, Captain, and Engineer Interviewed 96 candidates within one week for the firefighter trainee program from over 400 applicants
Presented fire and life safety classes with the Red Cross at Peres, Chavez, and Verde Elementary Schools to approximately 300 students
Simulated and coordinated Richmond’s first evacuation drill at Carriage Hills and Castro Heights
Community Services
Library and LEAP increased operational hours from 19.5 to 41 hours per week in all 3 Library locations, eliminated overdue fines on library materials, received a ~$10 million State Library grant to significantly improve the Main Library’s infrastructure, and supported 27 community members in graduating with their high school diplomas or GED certificates.
Recreation increased in-person programming at our pools and community centers, resumed in-person sports events and special events such as 3rd of July, continued providing recreational opportunities for our youth, adult, and senior community members, beautified our community through implementation of Love Your Block
December 20, 2022
clean-up efforts, mini grants, Tool Lending Library, and new Mobile Tool Lending Library, and awarded millions in grants to upgrade the City’s existing recreation and park facilities and support recreation programs.
Transportation launched grant funded on-demand shuttle service and carshare program, launched grant funded hybrid vehicle incentive program to serve individuals residing and working in Richmond, partnered with the Richmond Commission on Aging to expand paratransit services outreach, and hosted Drive Electric Earth Day in collaboration with Richmond MOVES.
Employment and Training graduated 49 RichmondBUILD participants, established a partnership with Richmond Promise to develop internships within the City of Richmond for Richmond Promise Graduates, YouthWORKS supported hundreds of youth with training and job placement in over 80 work sites, started to institute Metrix Learning, an online workforce training platform for all Richmond residents, and assisted over 300 former Hello Fresh employees to find employment.
Office of Neighborhood Safety was awarded $6 million from the Board of State and Community Corrections California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant and completed its 7th cohort of the 18-month Operation Peacemaker Fellowship with 30 participants.
Public Works
Engineering completed a Ferry to Bridge to Greenway safe routes for pedestrians and bicycles, completed Wellness Trail Phase 2 improvements, including improved sidewalks, bike lanes, and rain gardens, and completed the Via Verdi slope stabilization project including construction of a culvert in San Pablo Creek.
Building Maintenance leveled the floor at the Auditorium allowing events to resume, replastered the pool surface at Kennedy Swim Center, and reupholstered all City Council, City Clerks, and public chairs in the City Council Chambers.
Water Resource Recovery completed Wastewater Plant SCADA System, standardizing the existing SCADA network communication and the sodium bisulfite facility is 85% complete, including installation of rebar and setting forms for concrete, and 65% of construction is completed at SRF Loan Grit Basin Aerator.
Fleet hired two mechanics and purchased a new Broom Bear and electricians truck to assist with service calls.
Abatement increased the number of free Neighborhood Dumpster Days and collected a total of approximately 400 tons of debris, assisted 660 seniors and disabled residents by removing 270 tons of debris for free from their homes during the Neighborhood Dumpster Days, and abated weeds from 72 locations to reduce fire risks.
December 20, 2022
Streets Maintenance poured over 11,000 tons of asphalt, filled over 700 potholes throughout the city, and managed SB-1 projects to repair San Pablo Avenue from City limits to I-80.
Parks Maintenance filled 4 positions, including 3 groundskeepers and 1 parks construction and maintenance worker, installed fibar at Lucas Park, and continued weed abatement and new planting at various locations throughout the city.
Community Development
Awarded a $4.8 million Encampment Resolution Grant to support the resolution of the Castro Encampment
Successfully completed the sunsetting of Rydin Encampment by executing transition plans for participants
Awarded a $35 million Transformative Climate Communities Grant from the California Strategic Growth Council through a partnership with City Manager’s Office - Economic Development, Community Services, and community co-applicants GRID Alternatives Bay Area, Groundwork Richmond, Trust for Public Land, and Urban Tilth/Rich City Rides
Internal Services
Finance developed and administered the Annual FY 2022-23 Operating Budget and Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan earlier than previous years, commenced work on the Budget Book automation implementation project, facilitated FY 2020-21 and FY 2019-20 Single Audit, started the FY 2021-22 Single Audit concurrently with the Annual Audit unlike prior years when it would occur in February and March of the following year and conflict with the Budget development process, and provided Grant Management training to City staff members. Payroll and Revenue implemented voter approved Measure U calculation methodology for the Business Tax, implemented DebtBook Software to manage leases and debt to comply with GASB-87, generated regular payroll runs for more than 800 temporary and permanent employees twice a month, and implemented several bargaining units’ negotiated Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs). Treasury reconciled monthly bond activity, submitted continuing disclosures and timely treasury reports with minimal variances, and executed a call of a portion of 1999-1 Limited Obligation Bonds.
Human Resources (HR) expanded recruitment outreach by way of social media (Facebook and Instagram), hired a total of 78 new employees and 46 promotions, and initiated a the monthly HR newsletter, updating City staff on new hires, promotions, employee resources and training opportunities.
Information Technology completed more than 500 City-wide desktop deployments providing efficient and secure systems, performed a website refresh – improving
December 20, 2022
content and ease of navigation, trained departmental staff on the use of the website content management systems, and developed and implemented a City-wide monthly e-waste program eliminating more than 10 tons of e-waste to date.
City Council Office
Published the racial equity story on Transparent Richmond Presented a two-session Advancing Race Equity in Government training series for community partners, Richmond board members and commissioners, and City employees
Developed, disseminated, and analyzed a 2022 Racial Equity Survey for City of Richmond employees
City Clerk’s Office
Transitioned from the SIRE agenda management system to the eScribe agenda management system
Led the City’s redistricting efforts which established the new voting districts and adopted Map 201
Held the November 8, 2022, elections which consisted of 11 candidates, 1 ballot measure and vote-by-mail
City Attorney’s Office
Point Molate: The City’s most controversial project had conflicting claims between prior developer operating under federal amended judgment and the current developer, and developed legal position to convey the property properly under the amended judgment when the new developer failed to meet conditions for closing.
Reduced City’s Liability Exposure: Reduced City liability exposure in a series of lawsuits including Butt, Campus Bay and Katz litigation.
Terminal One: Led on developing Terminal One deal points and getting agreement done to get property sold by the end of the year.
Labor: Played major role in creating a model for analyzing costs of various labor unit agreements and oversaw negotiations.
Litigation Management & Litigating In-House: Managed litigation with an eye toward early resolution and reduction in outside counsel expenses and started handling several litigated cases in-house.
Risk Management Audit: Conducted comprehensive audit of risk management claims handling to improve claims management and mitigate future litigation risk.
SWAPS: Participated on team of underwriters, bond counsel, and disclosure counsel to significantly improve City’s financial position.
December 20, 2022
This report only represents a partial list of the great work provided by City staff every day in 2022. As we enter into 2023, City staff will continue to work collaboratively with community and internal and external entities to provide essential services to Richmond residents and businesses.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – 2022 City-Wide Accomplishments