April 18, 2023
Economic Development
DATE: April 18, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Shasa Curl, City Manager
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
Lizeht Zepeda, Senior Business Assistance Officer
Lilia Corral, Management Analyst
Subject:
Authorization to Apply for Maritime Administration Grants FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact related to the adoption of this Resolution; however, if grant funds are awarded, it would positively affect the General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff members are seeking City Council authorization to submit grant applications to the California Department of Transportation (DOT) – Maritime Administration
(MARAD) for any and all grants for which the City of
Richmond is eligible, and if any grants are awarded to
accept and appropriate into the budget.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the city manager or their designee to submit grant applications for any and all
Maritime Administration grants for which the City of
Richmond is eligible, to execute all necessary and related agreements; and to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE grant
awards into the General Fund – Economic Development
Department (Nannette Beacham/Lizeht Zepeda/Lilia
Corral 510-620-6512).
AGENDA
REPORT
794
April 18, 2023
DISCUSSION:
The of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) offers several funding opportunities to: advance ship construction, repair, and training opportunities at shipyards across the United States; develop and expand port infrastructure and waterways; and promote the growth and modernization of the maritime industry.
The DOT and MARAD require City Council authorization for each grant submittal, or a general resolution authorizing City staff to submit applications to the State of California.
City staff members are seeking City Council authorization for the next five (5) years to submit grant applications for any and all grants offered by MARAD for which the City is eligible, to execute all necessary and related agreements, and to accept and appropriate grant awards into the General Fund.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
795
1 H.R.3684 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
2 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Maritime Administration | MARAD (dot.gov)
RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND,
CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION(S) FOR ALL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT) – MARITIME ADMINISTRATION (MARAD) GRANTS FOR WHICH THE CITY OF RICHMOND IS ELIGIBLE AND
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF ALL NECESSARY AGREEMENTS
___________________________________________________________________________
WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation (DOT) established the Maritime Administration (MARAD) in 1950 to foster, promote, and develop the maritime industry; and
WHEREAS, on October 25, 2016, the Port of Richmond Clean Air Action Plan was adopted to develop and recommend feasible, cost-effective emissions reduction strategies while allowing port development to continue; and
WHEREAS, on November 15, 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act1 (“Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” or “BIL”) was signed into law by President Joe Biden; and
WHEREAS, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a once-in-a-generation $1.2 trillion investment in infrastructure and competitiveness2 with $17 billion allocated to port infrastructure and waterways; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond (“City”) has a Grant Management Policy for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 established by the Finance Department (the “Policy”); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 4(c) of the Policy, some grants may require City Council approval before the grant application is submitted; and
WHEREAS, City staff is in the process of consideration of, and preparation for, a grant application(s) to the DOT-MARAD for the purpose of improving safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Richmond authorizes the submittal of application(s) to MARAD for all grants for which the City is eligible; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager, or their designee is hereby authorized as Signature Authority and empowered to execute on behalf of the City of Richmond all grant documents, including but not limited to, applications, agreements, amendments, and requests for payment, necessary to secure grant funds, implement the approved grant project and close-out the grant(s); and
796
1 H.R.3684 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
2 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Maritime Administration | MARAD (dot.gov)
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED if awarded the grant it can be accepted and appropriated accordingly into the City’s general fund; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these authorizations are effective for City of Richmond Fiscal Years’ 2022-2023 through 2027-2028.
*****************
797
1 H.R.3684 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
2 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Maritime Administration | MARAD (dot.gov)
I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held April 18, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
________________________________________
Clerk of the City of Richmond
(SEAL)
Approved:
_______________________________
Mayor
Approved as to form:
____________________________
City Attorney
798
April 18, 2023
Finance Department
DATE: April 18, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nicky Mastay, Deputy City Manager, Internal Services
Mubeen Qader, Deputy Director of Finance
Antonio Banuelos, Accounting Manager
Subject:
Resolution Changing the Due Date of Business Tax for
Rental Properties from March 1, 2023 to July 1, 2023
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact with changing the due date from March 1, 2023 to July 1, 2023.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
December 21, 2021
July 19, 2022
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The proposed Resolution will change the due date for the business tax from rental properties from March 1, 2023 to July 1, 2023.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution temporarily changing the due date
for business tax payments from rental businesses from
March 1 to July 1 for calendar year 2023 – Finance
Department (Nickie Mastay/Mubeen Qader/Antonio
Banuelos 510-620-6741).
DISCUSSION:
City Council placed a measure on the November 3, 2020, ballot that was approved by the voters and changed the Business Tax calculation methodology to be based on gross receipts instead of the prior method based upon the number of employees employed by a business.
AGENDA
REPORT
799
April 18, 2023
On November 23, 2021, City Council directed City staff to prepare Measure U regulations to allow landlords of four or less residential units to credit their paid Rent Board fees against their gross receipts tax obligation for the same period.
On December 21, 2021, City Council approved a resolution allowing landlords with four or less residential units to credit their paid Rent Board fees against their gross receipts business tax obligation for one year.
On July 19, 2022, City Council approved an ordinance allowing landlords with four or less residential units to credit their paid Rent Board fees against their gross receipts business tax obligation. The approved ordinance codified City Council direction allowing for such Rent Board credit.
Also, on July 19, 2022, City Council adopted a resolution for the Business Tax Amnesty Program that gave residential rental property businesses that had failed to pay their Business Tax by June 30, 2022, additional time to bring their accounts current, and provided businesses that had never registered with the City the opportunity to comply with the Richmond Municipal Code (RMC), Section VII, Chapters 7.04 and 7.88 without the assessment of late fees and penalties.
The processing of business tax renewal notices and payments for rental properties has been very labor-intensive. The Measure U Ordinance has many interrelated sections for residential rentals with many exemptions and credits. The majority of the payments received this year for this classification, where the business owner calculated their own taxes directly without speaking with City staff, have been incorrect. In most cases, the payment received exceeded the actual amount due. Finance staff have been analyzing all payments received and returning overpayments with a revised invoice that shows the correct amount due. The online portal does not work as efficiently as anticipated and requires manual updates from staff to complete the payment process.
Given these issues, City staff is recommending City Council adopt the proposed resolution that will temporarily change the due date from March 1 to July 1 for the business tax due from income generated from rental properties. This updated due date will align with the due date for non-rental businesses.
Next Steps
Finance staff recently began mailing out the 2023 renewal notices for non-rental businesses. During the next few weeks, Finance staff will start mailing out the 2023 rental renewal notices. The Finance Department is providing augmented business tax services to the Richmond business community in person, via phone calls, through our online payment portal, and through virtual online appointments.
Efforts to find replacement software have begun with the Request for Proposals (RFP) released on March 17, 2023. The replacement software will allow for a more efficient online renewal process. In addition, the issue of due dates will be revisited at the time of 800
April 18, 2023
replacement. The target software selection date is April/May 2023 with implementation commencing thereafter.
The community can leave questions for staff on the business tax hotline at 510-620- 5555 or email to [email protected].
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
801
RESOLUTION NO. __
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
TEMPORARILY CHANGING THE DUE DATE FOR BUSINESS TAX PAYMENTS FROM RENTAL BUSINESSES FROM MARCH 1 TO JULY 1 FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023.
WHEREAS, Richmond voters passed Measure U implementing a Gros s Receipts tiered tax structure (Business Tax) on November 3, 2020; and
WHEREAS, City Council on April 27, 2021, approved a change to the Measure U implementation date from July 1, 2021, to January 1, 2022; and WHEREAS, Section 7.04.675, of the Richmond Municipal Code allows City Council to amend terms of Chapter 7.04 , including 7.04.300 (c) Due Date - Rental Businesses, which states that with respect to any person s engaging in residential and non - residential rental businesses activities, annual declarations and business tax payments shall be due by or before March 1 of each calendar year for which a person is issued a business tax certificate, unless the city coun cil, in its discretion, declares a different due date., declaring a different due date; and WHEREAS, the Council desires to change the due date for business taxes owed from March 1, 2023 to July 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS, the ad justment of the due date will provide rental property owners additional time to pay their business tax without penalties.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , by the Council of the City of Richmond that the Business Tax Due Date – Rental Businesses is temporarily change d from March 1 to July 1 for calendar year 2023.
-------------------------
I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Richmond, California at a regular meeting thereof held April March 218, 2023 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
802
Clerk of the City of Richmond
(SEAL)
Approved:
Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
803
April 18, 2023
Community Development
& Community Services
DATE: April 18, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager – Community
Services
Subject:
Richmond Rapid Response Fund (R3F) Update
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact to receiving this report. On June 21, 2021, City Council approved a $1 million
allocation from the City’s American Rescue Plan Act fund to support this work (13631063-400201-AR238).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
February 15, 2022, August 1, 2022 , and November 22,
2022
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Richmond Rapid Response Fund (R3F) is providing
an update on their rent assistance and direct
disbursement assistance work, including the number of
residents assisted and funds disbursed through the
program. City staff will also provide an update on the
status of the strategic planning process and their work related to the development of a pilot Guaranteed Income Program.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a written report from the Richmond Rapid
Response Fund Program (R3F) including updates on
funds disbursed, residents served, and strategic plan and guaranteed income program development - Community
Development/Community Services (Lina Velasco 510-
620-6841/LaShonda White 510-620-6828). This item
was continued from the April 4, 2023, meeting.
AGENDA
REPORT
804
April 18, 2023
DISCUSSION:
Background
On June 21, 2021, City Council allocated $1 million in the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Richmond Rapid Response Fund (R3F) to support Richmond residents negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through direct financial disbursements, rent assistance, and the research and development of a guaranteed income program. On February 15, 2022, City Council approved an initial $600,000 contract with West Contra Costa Education Fund West(Ed Fund), fiscal sponsor for R3F, to support direct disbursements and rent relief. In addition, on August 1, 2022, the City Council approved a $125,000 contract with Dalberg Consulting Firm (Dalberg) to support a strategic planning effort for R3F and to support the development of the guaranteed income program (EdFund/R3F contributed $25,000 towards the total cost of the contract). City staff plans to amend the EdFund/R3F contract at the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 to add the remaining $300,000 in ARPA funds allocated by City Council that are anticipated to be used in support of a guaranteed income pilot program.
Table 1: City Council ARPA Allocation for R3F
Allocation Spent or
Encumbered
Remaining
Support to Families $600,000 $325,000 $275,000
Direct Disbursements $25,000
Rent/Mortgage Relief $300,000
Guaranteed Income Program $400,000 $100,000 $300,000
Contract with Dalberg $100,000 0
Guaranteed Income Pilot $300,000
Total ARPA Allocation $1,000,000 $425,000 $575,000
EdFund/R3F and City staff provided an update to City Council on November 22, 2022, and per City Council direction, are returning to provide further updates. This report and the presentation will provide an update on R3F’s success in assisting Richmond residents, negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the status of R3F’s current and future programs including the initial work regarding guaranteed income.
Impact of Richmond Rapid Response Fund (R3F)
The Richmond Rapid Response Fund (R3F) is a community-led asset serving Richmond residents most vulnerable to systematic harm by mobilizing resources to individuals and families to meet their basic needs. R3F is a wrap-around initiative that was developed to meet the immediate and ongoing needs of the community during the 805
April 18, 2023
COVID-19 pandemic and beyond (www.richmondresponsefund.org). R3F’s key priority areas include food and essential supplies, economic recovery and security, housing and homelessness, health and healing, and education and learning. Shortly after March 2020, R3F was created to support Richmond residents experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, connecting residents to resources through R3F’s network of community-based organizations via the West Contra Costa Cares Coalition.
To-date, R3F has provided $1,027,000 in support to 1,177 Richmond residents impacted by COVID. The information below represents all revenue sources including funds from the City of Richmond’s current ARPA allocation:
Direct Financial Disbursements:
o 1,100 families have been served totaling $550,000, of which 50 families were supported using ARPA funds ($25,000)
Rent Assistance:
o 77 families were assisted totaling approximately $477,000, of which 59 families were served with ARPA funds ($300,000)
Table 2: ARPA vs Non-ARPA Support
ARPA NON-ARPA TOTAL
#
Supported
Amount #
Supported
Amount #
Supported
Amount
Direct
Disbursements
50 $25,000 1,050 $525,000 1,100 $550,000
Rent Assistance 59 $300,000 18 $177,000 77 $477,000
Totals 109 $325,000 1,068 $702,000 1,177 $1,027,000
For the rapid response cash assistance, R3F coordinated with partners from the West Contra Costa Cares Coalition to further connect families with a resource and referral network for ongoing needs and support. Through data provided by direct recipient reports and partner financial data collection, R3F observed that residents overwhelmingly spent funds on food, utilities, rent, transportation, and school and household supplies. R3F found that investments went most often into two of the lowest income zip codes in Richmond (94801 and 94804).
R3F Strategic Planning Process
The City of Richmond partnered with R3F staff to prepare a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a consultant to support R3F in strategic planning, future program development (primarily focused on a guaranteed income pilot program), and a governance structure.
After a competitive bidding process, the Richmond City Council approved a $125,000 contract with Dalberg and Empathy in Action on August 1, 2022. The strategic planning effort, which was funded jointly by the City ($100,000) and R3F ($25,000), began in September 2022. Dalberg has expertise in cross-sector collaboration locally, nationally, 806
April 18, 2023
and internationally. Empathy In Action is a Richmond-based non-profit that collaborates with other Richmond-based organizations supporting outreach and engagement.
In late 2022, the consultants facilitated research on proposed governance and sustainability models, yielding preliminary discussion and draft strategies on a governance structure. Currently, the consultants are working to refine the strategy with the R3F core team and the West Contra Costa Cares Coalition. Over the next several weeks, R3F and the consultants will finalize the draft strategy for submission to City staff and members of the core team to develop, implement, and transition the new governance structure and associated bylaws. Additionally, efforts to invite community stakeholders to participate and provide feedback on the process has commenced.
The consultants have conducted over 25 interviews with key stakeholders to inform the strategic plan. In addition, Empathy In Action has engaged 280 predominantly low- income residents of Richmond representing a demographic and socioeconomic cross- section to assess the needs and aspirations of the community. The key findings were that economic security was the greatest need and desire of participants followed closely by housing. Non-English-speaking residents were more likely to feel that their needs were not addressed and based on resident feedback cash disbursements would allow varying needs to be met. Moving forward, R3F may focus more on guaranteed income (GI) instead of direct rent relief.
Targeted/Guaranteed Income Pilot Program
Dalberg also supported R3F in evaluating the creation of a pilot GI program (also referred to as a targeted income program). Per the City’s contract, funding for a GI program pilot would come from allocated ARPA funds. R3F has experience setting up mechanisms for financial disbursement and enhancing wrap-around service collaboration for recipients.
The GI work also aligns with former Councilmember Demnlus Johnson III’s recommendation to look for GI models for the City of Richmond as part of the work on Race, Equity, and Inclusion (June 2021). GI has been shown to close financial gaps for both race and gender especially for those who face higher rates of poverty than their white and male peers. R3F worked with graduate students from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and School of Public Health to administer a feasibility study regarding the populations in Richmond who will receive the greatest impact from a GI program. R3F also connected with regional and statewide communities of practices and interviewed key leaders who have implemented GI pilot programs and other direct cash policies.
More than 100 GI programs are currently active across the country, many of which are utilizing ARPA funds for their pilots. Interest in GI has sparked the development of a Contra Costa Working Group, funded by Y&H Soda Foundation, that is dedicated to curating a blueprint for GI in the county. Local jurisdictions like the County of Santa Clara and the City of Stockton implemented pilot GI programs in their communities. 807
April 18, 2023
Currently, several West County Cares Coalition partners, who have worked with R3F, are offering support to the Budget Justice Coalition’s County budget proposal, and specifically, the adoption of a GI fund of $3 million for Contra Costa County.
R3F is beginning to engage with leadership in County departments in order to make waivers to protect GI participants from losing their benefits. R3F is also fundraising and working with leaders in the GI space such as the Economic Security Project and Mayors for Guaranteed Income to provide technical assistance to implement the program successfully while building political will and engaging the community.
Next Steps
R3F is bringing on a fellow to further support and continue its work to support Richmond residents negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve an equitable recovery. R3F will continue to provide regular updates to City staff and City Council on the use and impact of ARPA funds on the Richmond community, as well as the continued research and development of a GI program.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – PowerPoint
808
Richmond Rapid Response Fund
Updates and Guaranteed Income
809
ABOUT R3FABOUT R3F
R3F brings investments and amplifies
value of Richmond and its residents.
In response to the historic and ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the City of Richmond partnered with community organizations to establish a Richmond Rapid Response Fund (R3F) to assist Richmond residents with essential needs related to health, housing, education, economic recovery, healing, and social services. 810
Food andEssentials
EconomicRecoveryand Security
Health andHealing Educationand Learning Housing andHomelessness R3F will advocate for and create
healing-centered, racially just policies,
practices, and investments in these
areas and any others that emerge.
Economic Justice is
foundational to our priorities.
811
CARES Act
$150k allocated by the
City of Richmond
$92,000 on rental assistance for 18 homes
(~$5k each)
$37,100 on direct cash grants to 74
individuals (~$500 each)
The City of Richmond has supported R3F from its
inception by providing access to federal emergency
aid and relief allocations
$20,900 admin and partner disbursement funds
812
$550,000
in 1,100 direct cash
grants
$477,000
in rent relief funds for
77 families
$1,027,000
to support Richmond
residents in need since
2020
Since the onset of COVID 19 pandemic, R3F has
disbursed almost $1.2 milllion to directly support
Richmond residents most in need.
Since inception, R3F has focused on disbursing resources into the hands of community members in need...
R3F has leveraged these local dollars to bring in
philanthropic funding, raising ~$2 Million since
inception.
813
The City of Richmond has supported R3F from its inception by providing access to federal emergency aid and relief
allocations
ARPA
$600k allocated
by the City of
Richmond
$70,000 allocated to administration
$230,000 as cash for disbursements
$300,000 rent and mortgage relief
$100,000 GI Program Development
814
RENT RELIEF
Through partnerships with RNHS, CDHC, Sparkpoint CC, RCF CONNECTS, and Rentboard, R3F was able to backbone the development of the first rent assistance program dedicated solely to Richmond landlords and tenants.
Renters received financial counseling and information about their rights Renters who complete additional financial literacy classes were eligible for additional supports
Assisted landlords and
tenants facing financial
hardship due to the
COVID-19 Pandemic
Spearheaded the development
of the first rent assistance
program dedicated solely to
Richmond landlords and
tenants
815
March 2020
R3F was established to
support Richmond
residents experiencing
financial hardship due to
the COVID-19 pandemic
2021
R3F received $150,000 in CARES Act funds from
the City of Richmond and were successful in
quickly disbursing funds to support 74 residents
with direct disbursements and 18 households via
rental assistance
June 2021
Richmond City Council unanimously approved
Councilmember Demnlus Johnson III’s
recommendation to look for GI models for the
City of Richmond as a part of Councilman's
Race, Equity and Inclusion packet.
R3F has evaluated the creation
of a pilot guaranteed income
(GI) program. R3F’s desire to
implement a GI program was
informed by a community
assessment process focused
on economic recovery and
security.
R3F /City of
Richmond
History
816
Former Councilmember Demnlus Johnson III
The recommendation to look for GI
models is an extension of the City of
Richmond’s Government Alliance on
Race and Equity GARE work dating back
to 2016. Former Council Member
Johnson, sought to adopt action items
and develop policies that will eliminate
disproportionalities for Richmond's
Black, Indigenous, People of Color.
Lina Velasco
LaShonda White
R3F has been in close partnership with Lina Velasco and LaShonda White as they prospect funders. Many funders
vision a model that centers efforts on narrative change and community governance to inform policy shifts and
sustainability levers forged in a joint effort between the City and R3F.
Director of Community
Development
Deputy City Manager of
Community Services
Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Shasa Curl
City Manager
817
Mountain View, CA
$1,000,000 ARPA Funds
Cities that directly
invested in GI funding
South San Francisco, CA
$800,000 ARPA Funds
St. Paul, MN
$120,000 CARES ACT
Richmond, VA
$120,000 CARES ACT
Yolo County, CA
$75,000 State's Office ofChild
Abuse Prevention
$100,000 Cannabis Tax
Los Angeles, CA
$6,000,000 General Fund
Chicago, IL
$30,000,000 ARPA Funds
Richmond, CA
$300,000 ARPA ACT
818
All individuals are
eligible
Raise economic floor
Unconditional
Cash payment
Reoccurring/Periodic
Basic Income Targeted/Guaranteed Interactive
Targeted on
geography and
demography
Raise economic floor
All individuals are
eligible
Unconditional
Cash payment
Reoccurring/Periodic
Set an economic floor
Meet floor through
combination of wages, tax
credits, employer
compensation
Remodel to changing
individual situation
Unconditional
Cash Payment
Periodically evaluated