From: Cordell Hindler
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comments-Open Forum
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023 5:09:51 PM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Hello Mayor Martinez, Council Members and Staff,
I AM Submitting the Following Comments into the Record:
1. For a Future Agenda, The Council Should Consider Reinstating the Standing Committees to Address the Concerns in Richmond
2. Also, To Have John Gioia and Lisa Motoyama to Present on the Homeless Population
3. To Direct Staff to Work with Chancellor Christ's Office to Schedule a Joint Meeting Between the Richmond City Council and UC Berkeley in the Spring of 2024
Sincerely
Cordell
LifeLong Centers Leading the Way to a Healthier Community Ashby Health Center Brazell H. Carter Health Center Brookside Richmond Health Center Brookside Dental Care Brookside San Pablo Health Center Dental Care Downtown Oakland Health Center East Bay Community Recovery Project Eastmont Health Center East Oakland Health Center Howard Daniel Health Center Immediate/Urgent Care – Berkeley Immediate/Urgent Care – San Pablo Lenoir Health Center Marin Adult Day Health Center Over 60 Health Center Patient Services Pinole Health Center Rodeo Health Center School-Based Health Services Supportive Housing Program Trust Health Center West Berkeley Health Center William Jenkins Health Center 2344 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 - (510) 981-4100 - www.lifelongmedical.org 2344 Sixth St
Berkeley, CA 94712
November 3, 2023
City Council of Richmond, California
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
RE: Letter of Support for Richmond Health Ambassador Project
Dear Mayor Eduardo Martinez and City Council Members:
I am writing in full support of the collaborative Health Ambassador Project between LifeLong Medical Care and Safe Organized Spaces (SOS) in the City of Richmond. LifeLong Medical Care is a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides high quality health and dental care, and social services to underserved people of all ages. We are known for creating innovative models of care for the elderly, people with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness. LifeLong has been an integral part of the healthcare community in the City of Richmond with its William Jenkins Health Center.
LifeLong and SOS started a new project over a year ago to co-locate LifeLong Health Ambassadors with the SOS outreach teams. The Health Ambassadors provide crucial health education to people experiencing homelessness and linkages to care to the William Jenkins Health Center. To date, our Health Ambassador program has helped 128 unique individuals experiencing homelessness in Richmond to receive PPE like face masks and hand sanitizer; supplies to assist individuals to isolate safely to mitigate the spread of COVID-19; and to access COVID tests and vaccinations at our health center. This work also helps people become established with LifeLong as their primary care provider, enabling them to address a wide range of health issues impacting their well being.
The $75,000 donation from Prologis will enable us to continue this project after the current funding expires in early 2024. It will also provide a bridge that will enable us to identify on-going funding through CalAIM MediCal to support a sustainable service model for health outreach and engagement with people living in shelters or on the streets of Richmond.
We appreciate the support of the City of Richmond for this funding.
Thank you,
Brenda Goldstein, MPH
Chief of Integrated Services
LifeLong Centers Leading the Way to a Healthier Community Ashby Health Center Brazell H. Carter Health Center Brookside Richmond Health Center Brookside Dental Care Brookside San Pablo Health Center Dental Care Downtown Oakland Health Center East Bay Community Recovery Project Eastmont Health Center East Oakland Health Center Howard Daniel Health Center Immediate/Urgent Care – Berkeley Immediate/Urgent Care – San Pablo Lenoir Health Center Marin Adult Day Health Center Over 60 Health Center Patient Services Pinole Health Center Rodeo Health Center School-Based Health Services Supportive Housing Program Trust Health Center West Berkeley Health Center William Jenkins Health Center 2344 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 - (510) 981-4100 - www.lifelongmedical.org
From: Alice LoCicero
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public comments for Agenda Item X-1
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 1:00:15 PM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Dear Council Members,
Thank you for having the insight and wisdom to establish a program of alternatives to police response for appropriate needs of city residents--the CCRP.
Over some years, in many cities, I have been involved in a variety of responses to disasters and. personal tragedies that were best responded to by law enforcement, and others by trained, non-law-enforcement responders, and I have found that many in the community respond far better to non-law-enforcement personnel. This is especially true for folks who have had difficult interactions with authorities either here in the US or in other countries.
In order for the program to succeed, it must get off to a very robust start. Partial funding is not conducive to success. Please fully fund this program from day one, so it has a good chance of meeting the complex needs of the city residents.
Thank you.
Alice LoCicero
47 Sandpoint Drive
From: Cordell Hindler
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment- X.1 Budget Session
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023 5:17:34 PM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Hello Mayor Martinez, Council Members and Staff,
I Am Asking That the Council To Approve the Report as Presented by Staff Sincerely
Cordell
From: JRiggs
To: City Clerk Dept User
Cc: Soheila Bana
Subject: Public Comments for Agenda Item X-1
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 7:55:13 AM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
I am writing to urge the City Council to fund the Community Crisis Response Program at $2million. This program is community supported and Council supported. Now, for its success, it needs to be financially supported. Everyone has seen programs that had all the goodwill needed to succeed, but at the end were just underfunded. Please don't let this critically needed program meet the same fate.
By investing now, we can build a system that saves on costs down the road. And more importantly, we can invest in the people of Richmond.
Thank you,
Jennifer Riggs
Matt Verheaghe
5136 Rain Cloud Drive
Richmond, CA 94803
415-297-6664
From: Marisol Cantú
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment Agenda X-1
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 12:43:40 PM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Hello Mayor, City Council, and City Clerk,
My name is Marisol Cantu. I am a 3rd generation Richmond resident and Reimagining Public Safety Community Taskforce member who has been advocating for the Community Crisis Response Program since 2021.
The Community Crisis Response Program is vital to our city's transition to reimagining community safety, diverting low-level 911 calls to appropriate responders, and creating systems of care instead of the mass criminalization system.
When the Council approved the CCRP, they earmarked $1M for it. However, in the Urban Strategies Council Report, over $2M is needed for a city-run program. There was also rationale for the need for more funding for the first year as one-time start-up costs.
This is why I urge the City Council to allocate $2M from the Quarter Report FY 22-23 into the CCRP budget and earmark these funds for the use of the entire pilot program.
Now is the time for real investment into our community, not false promises, weak projections, and underfunding. Our community desperately needs a successful CCRP now.
Marisol
D6 Resident
From: Michelle Nguyen
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comments for Agenda Item X-1
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 10:16:21 AM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Dear City Council Members,
This past Saturday 11/4, we had our community wellness event, Rich City Kickback. It was a testimony of a dire need for community wellness. Participants from the TREES Program (a program for young adults in Richmond focused on substance use & mental health) shared their own personal reflections and call to action for an increased investment in mental health resources.
We believe that non-police community crisis response program is important to provide a holistic approach to public safety just as the TREES Program is advocating for mental health resources in place of substance use.
On behalf of the TREES Program, we urge the City Council to allocate $2M to the Community Crisis Response Program. Thank you!
In solidarity,
Michelle Nguyễn
Young Adults Program Supervising Coordinator
Pronouns: She/Her
Booking Link
Information about the TREES Program
3029 Macdonald Ave.
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 210-1251 ext 305
www.yesfamilies.org
The YES office is open Monday-Friday, 9AM to 5PM, and we ask that visitors continue to mask indoors.YES staff members work unique hybrid schedules-- please see www.yesfamilies.org/staff-board
for contact information.
From: Sahai Burrowes
To: City Clerk Dept User
Cc: Marisol Cantu
Subject: Public Comments for Agenda Item X-1
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 12:19:59 PM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Dear Representatives,
I am writing to express my strong support for allocating $2M of the city’s unspent funds to establishing Richmond’s planned Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP). A well-functioning CCRP would enhance public safety, relieve and support other currently overwhelmed first responders, and demonstrate our city’s commitment to compassion, responsiveness, and inclusivity.
Given its importance and the wellspring of community support it has engendered, it is crucial to launch the CCRP on a solid foundation. Creating this new sister program to the Office of Neighborhood Safety will take time, resources, and a community-led, city-backed effort. Creating this foundation requires resources, making this a critical time for investing in the program.
Providing solid start-up funding supports the CCRP’s short-term success and increases its long-term financial feasibility by setting a funding benchmark, helping to establish the systems and staffing needed for growth, and facilitating the initial success stories needed for future external funding requests.
As a Richmond resident and homeowner who plans to age in place in this community, I am excited by this initiative. I value having a way to help my neighbors and respond to quality-of-life issues without having to call law enforcement. I value having this level of community outreach and support for myself should I ever need it. Therefore, I encourage allocating funds to establish the CCRP and provide them with the managerial support, training, and tools needed to succeed.
I applaud your recognition of the CCRP’s potential to make our community safer, more compassionate, and more responsive to the needs of all residents. Thank you for your leadership.
Best Regards,
Sahai Burrowes, PhD, MALD
Associate Professor, Public Health Program
Chair, Global Health Concentration
Touro University California
1310 Club Drive Vallejo, CA 94592, USA
Email: [email protected]
Please schedule office hours with me here
https://tu.edu/programs/public-health/
From: yaquelin valencia
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public comment for Agenda item. X-1
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 12:14:04 PM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Dear Mayor,City council and city manager's office,
I am a concerned community resident who lives in District 2 I am emailing you to urge the City Council to allocate $2M to the Community Crisis Response Program . Now is the time to fully invest in the CCRP as a commitment to residents’ health and well-being. It is critical that the Office of Neighborhood Safety has the financial security to plan a successful program, so we ask that you invest in this program as you have done in the past.· The success of the program depends on being fully funded and now is the time to invest in the program the city council voted on.
· Creating a new sister program to the Office of Neighborhood Safety will take time, resources, and a community-led, city-backed effort. · Far too often, cities do not allocate the needed resources for new programs, and unforeseen costs, and yet expect the same results. We ask that you do not do this. Invest now.
· We ask that you have foresight and realize this program will need more funding in the beginning years and will pay itself off 100-fold by creating systems of care.
--
Yaquelin Valencia
Cell: (510)932-8198
From: Yeymi Perez
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public comment for Agenda item. X-1
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 12:35:42 PM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Good evening City Council,
My name is Yeymi Perez. I’m a Richmond resident and Reimagine Richmond Organizer. I would like to start by thanking the City Council and the Mayor for allocating $1M to the Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP).
This is a strong step for our community to ensure that we prioritize our communities safety needs. This program will provide an opportunity to navigate people to the right services at the right time by utilizing community responders with strong ties and connections to Richmond.
However, in order to ensure that this program is being set up for success, I really encourage and urge the city to allocate $2M to the Community Crisis Response Program from the unspent funds of the past fiscal year. The program's success depends on it being fully funded and now is the time to invest in the program the city council voted on. We'd like to ask that you really take into consideration and realize the needed funding in the beginning stages of this program, which if done successfully will easily pay itself off by creating systems of care. Our community has waited so long for a program like CCRP to be implemented and I really urge our city council to ensure that it is supported financially so that it can properly serve our people of Richmond.
Thank you,
Yeymi Perez
From: [email protected]
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public comment; Y1 cannabis ordnances
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 11:19:41 AM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
To the Richmond City Council,
The issue of cannabis retail density is not just a matter of economics or business— it's a matter of public health, especially concerning our youth. The high THC levels found in many cannabis products today can lead to profound negative effects on adolescent brain development, and thus must be regulated with utmost caution.
Programs like the Pride & Purpose project offer a beacon of hope, demonstrating successful strategies in youth education and prevention of substance abuse. Any changes to the cannabis ordinance should not only maintain but enhance the capacity for such programs to operate and flourish.
I trust that you will make decisions that protect the wellbeing of all citizens, especially our younger generation.
Kind regards,
Airyka Bolds
From: Pride & Purpose
To: City Clerk Dept User
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 11:25:52 AM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Dear Richmond City Council Members,
Subject: Urgent Considerations on Cannabis Ordinance Amendments As a Richmond resident and advocate for youth welfare, I am writing to you regarding the upcoming public hearing on the proposed amendments to the Richmond Municipal Code Section 15.04.610.270 concerning cannabis commercial uses.
While I commend the initiative to increase equity in cannabis retail permits, the potential increase in storefront and non-storefront retail density must be carefully scrutinized for its broader social impact, particularly on our youth. Research has consistently shown a correlation between cannabis retail density and increased usage among adolescents, with lasting implications on their health and well-being.
Moreover, the availability of high-THC cannabis products has been linked to developmental issues and an increased risk of substance use disorders in youth. The current amendments do not adequately address this critical issue. We need to ensure that any legislative changes are paired with robust protections for our younger citizens.
I am concerned that the amendments under consideration do not sufficiently propose new measures to strengthen protections against substance use disorders. It is our responsibility as a community to not only provide equal business opportunities but also to safeguard the health of our future generations.
I urge you to prioritize the implementation of comprehensive education and prevention strategies as part of these ordinance amendments. Let's make sure that our progress in the industry does not come at the expense of the most vulnerable in our city.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Warm regards,
Cristina Medrano
From: Jacqueline Cabrera
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment: Y1 Cannabis Ordinance
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 11:45:47 AM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Honorable Members of the Richmond City Council,
The agenda to revise the cannabis ordinance and increase the number of retail and delivery permits raises significant concerns for me, especially with the absence of enhanced protective measures for our youth. The proven detrimental effects of high THC content on the developing brain, along with increased accessibility due to retail density, are troubling aspects that cannot be ignored.
I urge you to reconsider these amendments with a greater focus on the health implications for Richmond's youth. Without integrating firm regulations aimed at preventing substance use disorders and safeguarding our younger population, we risk enabling a public health issue that could have lasting consequences.
Your commitment to our community's health is appreciated and I hope to see amendments that reflect this.
Kind regards,
Jakcely Cabrera ( [email protected]
)
From: Kayla McCullough
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment: Y1 Cannabis Ordinance
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 11:49:11 AM
Attachments: Public Comment.docx
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
To the Members of the Richmond City Council,
The current amendments to the Richmond Municipal Code related to cannabis commercial use, including the expansion of retail and non-storefront permits, present a complex issue that demands our careful scrutiny. As a Richmond resident and advocate for youth health, my primary concern lies with the direct impact that retail density has on the likelihood of cannabis use among minors.
With the introduction of highly potent THC products into the market, the risk to our youth's neurological development is exacerbated. Furthermore, the current form of the amendments does not address the pressing need for stronger protections against substance use disorders for our young people.
As we progress towards making Richmond a better place for business, let us not do so at the expense of our future generation's health and safety. I implore the Council to amend this ordinance to include specific strategies and programs that will mitigate these risks.
Thank you for your dedication to our community's welfare.
Best regards,
Kayla McCullough
From: Lonnell Walker
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment Y1
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 12:56:13 PM
Attachments: PC_Walk.docx
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Letter in attachments
Dear Richmond City Council,
As a concerned parent and long-term resident of Richmond, I am reaching out regarding the proposed amendments under Item Y1 concerning the increase of cannabis retail permits. While I support the idea of promoting equity through increased business opportunities, I am apprehensive about the potential impact this could have on our community—particularly on our youth.
The introduction of more cannabis businesses increases the density of these establishments, which in turn raises the accessibility of cannabis to minors. Even with the best enforcement, the risk of diversion and the normalization of cannabis can lead to higher rates of experimentation and use among teenagers. I urge the council to consider not just the economic implications but also the societal impact, especially as it pertains to our youth.
In the process of adopting these amendments, I strongly advocate for additional measures to be included that will help prevent underage use and protect the well-being of our young citizens, such as increased funding for education programs on drug use and stricter zoning laws for cannabis businesses.
I trust that the Council will make a decision that balances economic growth with the health and safety of all Richmond residents.
Yours faithfully,
Lonnell Walker
From: M.D Webb
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment : Y1 Cannabis Ordinance
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 10:51:23 AM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Attention: Members of the Richmond City Council,
As a concerned resident and advocate for youth wellness in Richmond, I am apprehensive about the proposed amendments to the Cannabis Ordinance that would increase the number of cannabis retailers.
The link between retail density and increased youth usage is well-documented, and the prevalence of high-THC products poses an undeniable risk to the developing adolescent brain.
Thank you for your consideration.
Warm regards,
Markee Webb
From: Nabila Sher-Oliver
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment Agenda Item Y1: Cannabis Ordinance Amendments Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 1:02:11 AM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Hello
Please include the following in Public Comment for Agenda Item Y1: Cannabis Ordinance Amendments:
The Alcohol, Marijuana, and Prescription Drug(AMPD) Coalition oppose the proposed Cannabis Ordinance Amendments for several reasons:
1. Public Health and Safety: Increasing the number of cannabis retail permits could impact public health, as cannabis use has been linked to emergency room visits.
2. Impact on Youth: The rise in cannabis use among young people is concerning, and more retail permits might make it easier for underage individuals to access cannabis.
3. Zoning and Neighborhood Impact: Studies have shown that clustering cannabis stores can decrease property values and disrupt neighborhoods.
4. Equity and Social Responsibility: To truly promote equity, we need concrete steps, not just promises, to address disparities in the cannabis industry.
5. Local Control: Local municipalities should have the flexibility to regulate the cannabis industry according to their specific needs.
Thank you for your time.
Nabila Sher-Oliver
Alcohol and Other Drug Policy Coordinator
Alcohol, Marijuana, and Prescription Drug (AMPD) Coalition Coordinator Bay Area Community Resources
11175 San Pablo Ave
El Cerrito, CA 94530
510-559-3004
[email protected]
From: EDF
To: City Clerk Dept User
Cc: Lina Velasco
Subject: public comments - Agenda Item No: PLN23-284
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 4:13:43 PM
Attachments: Letter to Richmond City Council 11.07.23.pdf This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Dear Clerk of the Court,
Please find attached public comment re: Agenda Item No: PLN23-284 submitted on behalf of Equity Defense Firm for consideration by the Mayor and City Council.
Best regards,
Natalia Thurston
Director, Equity Defense Firm
83 Duboce Avenue, Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94103
[email protected]
November 7, 2023
Honorable Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Richmond City Council Members
City of Richmond
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, California
Via Email: [email protected]
Re: Agenda Item No: PLN23-284;
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL CANNABIS USES ZONING
TEXT AMENDMENTS TO RICHMOND MUNICIPAL
CODE SECTION 15.04.610.270
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council Members:
I write on behalf of Equity Defense Fund (“EDF”) a 501(C)(3) non-profit tax exempt organization founded in 2020 in San Francisco by cannabis industry leaders and cannabis business equity owners. EDF has direct experience building successful equity programs in California, having served as a Technical Support Provider to San Francisco’s Office of Cannabis and Sacramento’s CORE Program since 2020.
We write to encourage the City of Richmond to adopt the equity amendments proposed to the Commercial Cannabis Uses Municipal Code Section 15.04.610.270 involving development of retail delivery licenses for those Richmond residents disproportionately and negatively affected by the war on drugs.
83 Duboce Avenue, Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94103
[email protected]
The City of Richmond currently has the opportunity to access a state level grant fund with over $40 Million in funding previously distributed by the Department of Cannabis Control to cities in California to start and build equity programs with use of grant funds to:
o Create a cannabis equity program
o Support an existing cannabis equity program
o Directly help equity applicants and licensees through:
Technical Assistance support
Reduced or waived fees
Grant funding for business start up expenses
Help securing a business location
Help recruiting, training or retaining a qualified and diverse workforce
Business resilience, such as emergency preparedness
Along with issuing delivery only retail licenses to its equity program applicants and owners, EDF recommends that the Mayor and City Council consider applying to the Department of Cannabis Control for grant funding available for a shared use manufacturing, distribution and retail delivery facility in Richmond.
The barriers to entry into the commercial cannabis industry are very high and extremely costly with capital scarce in the current negative economic climate. The shared use building model allows equity program participants to develop and own brands without having to raise extensive capital to secure real estate, equipment and licenses. These are significant barriers to entry that currently keep many equity applicants from developing successful cannabis businesses in the regulated market.
The shared use facility can be used as a business incubator for Richmond’s equity program participants to develop and sell cannabis brands to retailers through white-labeling. EDF’s directors helped launch the nation’s first shared use building project Equity Works in Oakland and can assist Richmond in developing a similar model in Richmond with access to state funding.
83 Duboce Avenue, Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94103
[email protected]
Thank you for your support of equity programs and the unique opportunity for business ownership by marginalized communities presented by establishing an equity program in Richmond. Please do not hesitate to contact me (415) 240-9024 or our Executive Director Walter Redding (415) 240-1534 with questions or if you would like further information in ways that EDF can support establishment of Richmond’s equity program through technical support programs.
Very truly yours,
EQUITY DEFENSE FUND
Natalia Thurston, J.D., M.B.A.
Director & Legal Counsel
cc: Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development,
[email protected].
From: Roberta Holland
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment: Y1 Cannabis Ordinance Amendment Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 11:53:19 AM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Dear City Council Members,
As we examine the proposed amendments to increase cannabis retail and delivery permits, I am compelled to speak on behalf of our city's youth. The introduction of more cannabis retailers, particularly those offering high-THC products, is deeply concerning given the potential for increased youth access and the detrimental effects on brain development during these crucial years.
I have seen firsthand the positive outcomes from the Pride & Purpose project and its role in educating and shielding our youth from the dangers of drug misuse. Any expansion of cannabis retail density must be balanced with reinforced support for such essential programs.
With respect, I ask the Council to consider the long-term implications of these amendments on the youth of Richmond.
Yours truly,
Roberta Holland
Sent from my iPhone
From: Shameka Bolds
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment Y1 Cannabis Ordinance Amendment Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 12:21:34 PM
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
To the Honorable Members of the Richmond City Council,
As an active member of the Richmond community, I write to express my views on the proposed amendments to our cannabis ordinance. The prospect of adding more storefront and delivery-only cannabis permits presents a challenge that goes beyond business development; it touches on the fabric of our community's health and resilience.
We must consider the message we send to our children when we increase the visibility and availability of cannabis. As research suggests, there is a relationship between the number of dispensaries and cannabis use among youth. Therefore, it is imperative that we proceed with caution.
I stand with equity applicants and the expansion of opportunities for all. However, I also stand for a Richmond that does not compromise the safety and development of its younger generation for economic gain. Could the Council ensure that strong, evidence-based youth prevention and education programs are embedded into these ordinance amendments?
Your leadership in balancing these complex issues is crucial. I am hopeful that the result will reflect not only the needs of today's entrepreneurs but also the future well-being of Richmond's youth.
With respect,
Shameka Bolds
Organizational Leadership, MS
(She/her/hers)
Environmental Programs Supervisor
Community Health for Asian Americans
Phone: 510-2333-7555x23
Email:[email protected]
3919 Macdonald Ave
Richmond, Ca 94804
www.chaaweb.org
From: Tyler Martin
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public comment Y1
Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023 12:05:33 PM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Martintyler@[email protected]
Tyler Martin