Richmond City Council
June 25, 2024

2/19/2024
CityofRichmondArts&CultureDivision450CivicCenterPlaza,#CMO300Richmond,CA94804 Subject:ProposalforConsultingServicesforEstablishinganArtsDistrict(s) DearWinifredDay,
WearepleasedtosubmitourproposalinresponsetotheCityofRichmond'sRequestforProposalforEstablishinganArtsDistrict(s).WehavethoroughlyreviewedtherequirementsasstipulatedintheRFQ/RFPdocumentationandfullyunderstandthescopeandexpectations.

CeresPolicyResearchexpressesourintenttodelivertheservicesoutlinedintheRFP, drawingonourexpertiseinresearch,communityengagement,andpolicyanalysis.Wearepreparedtoenterintoanagreementinaccordancewiththeterms,conditions,andrequirementssetforth,includingadherencetoinsuranceobligationsandcompliancewithSanctuaryCityprovisions.

CeresPolicyResearch,with5employeesandofficesinOakland,CA,bringsasuccessfultrackrecordofprovidingsimilarservices.Ourclientbasespansvarioussectors,reflectingourcapacitytomanageprojectsofthisscaleeffectively. TheprojectwillbemanagedfromourremoteemployeesthroughoutCalifornia.

Ourteamhasover25yearsofverifiableexperienceinCalifornia,reinforcingourproposalwithlocalinsightandexpertise.Weguaranteethatourproposalpriceremainsvalidfor180daysfollowingsubmission.

ForallmattersregardingtheRFPreviewprocess,pleasecontactmyself,whowillserveasthesinglepointofcontact.WeappreciatetheopportunitytopresentourproposalandarekeentodiscusshowCeresPolicyResearchcanpartnerwiththeCityofRichmondtoachievetheobjectivesofthisproject.

Sincerely,
KerbyLynch,PhDDirectorofResearchCeresPolicyResearch

ConsultationScopeforEstablishingArtDistrict(s)intheCityofRichmond KerbyLynchAishaCanfieldAngelaIrvine-Baker
Overview In1987,RichmondinitiatedaculturalrenaissancethroughtheestablishmentoftheRichmondArtsandCultureCommission(RACC),underpinningthecity'scommitmenttotheartsandculturalpreservation.ThiswasfurtherenrichedbythePublicArtAdvisoryCommittee(PAAC),guidingpublicartanditsintegrationwithinthecity'sfabric.The2021legislativeupdatesunderscoredafinancialcommitmenttopublicartindevelopmentprojects,cementingart'sroleinurbandevelopment.Againstthisbackdrop,CeresPolicyResearchproposestocraftacomprehensiveArtsDistrictPlanthatreflectsRichmond'sdiverseheritageandfutureaspirations.ThisinvolvesdefiningtheArtsDistrict'sidentity,fosteringcollaborationtosetmission-alignedgoals,identifyingpotentialdistrictboundaries,reviewingpertinentdocuments,engagingthecommunity,andsourcingadditionalfunding,allwithinaneight-monthtimeline.ThisendeavorseeksnotonlytoenhanceRichmond'sculturallandscapebutalsotoensureitssustainabilityandequityforyearstocome.WeproposealibratorycommunityengagementprocesswhereresidentsinthecityofRichmondareengagedtomakethevisioncometolife.Seeourproposalbelow. Qualifications Cereshasover20yearsofexperienceworkingwithcommunityroundtablesandorganizationsstrivingtowardsracial,gender,andmigrantjustice.Ourresearchandfacilitationexpertiseincludesfacilitatinglargecountytaskforces,traininglargeagenciesandsmallorganizationsoncollectingandanalyzingdata,conductinglargescalesystemdataandsurveyresearch,facilitatingandanalyzingdatafromlocallisteningsessions,focusgroups,andinterviews,andcompletingreportssynthesizingabroadrangeoffindingsusingaccessiblelanguage.

Intentandcommitmenttoadheretotheproject’svaluesandprinciples Ceres’workisprimarilycenteredaroundtheequity,wellbeing,andliberationofBlackandBrowncommunities.However,weknowthatBlackandBrowncommunitiesarenotamonolithandhavecomplexlivedexperiencesasraceandethnicityshape(andareshapedby)otherlayersofidentity,suchassexualorientation,genderidentityandexpression,immigrationexperiences,socioeconomicstatus,etc.Assuch,BlackandBrowncommunitiesareatparticularriskofdiscrimination,inequality,anddisparateoutcomesas

systemsandinstitutionsworktomaintainwhitesupremacy,heteronormativity,patriarchy,andnationalism.WhileCeresbelievestheonustoachieveequityisonsystems,institutionsandtheirbeneficiaries,wealsobelievethewisdom,expertise,andvisionofvulnerablecommunitiesmustdriveboththeprocessbywhichchangeoccursandthedefinitionofwhatthatchangeis.Inthisway,Ceres’approachtoresearchisalignedwiththevaluessetforthbytheCityofRichmondbystaffingprojectswithsimilarlivedexperienceasthecommunitiesreflectedintheproject;engagingindeeplistening,withanawarenessofdynamicsofprivilegeandoppressionwithinthe“room”,andacommitmenttoworkingacrossdifferences;co-developinga“northstar”thatreflectsandcelebratestheintersectionalidentitiesofcommunitiesanddiversevisions;offeringadaptabilityinapproachtohonorthedynamismofcommunitiesandachangingsocio-politicallandscape.

ExperiencewithCommunity-LedEvaluationProjectsHereareexamplesofsingle-siteevaluationsthatprovideinsightintoourrelevantexperienceforthisproposedproject.

Multi-GenerationalEvaluationofMA’AT,anAfro-centricMentalHealthModelIn2019,wewereaskedbytheHomelessChildren’sNetworkinSanFranciscotoevaluatetheirground-breakingAfro-centricmentalhealthprograminSanFrancisco.ThismodelisledbyBlacktherapistsandisdesignedtoserveBlackyouthandtheirfamilies.Ourevaluationwasmulti-method,startingwithalogicmodelthatdefinedAfro-centricmentalhealthandHCN’sexpectedoutcomes.Thiswasamulti-generationalevaluationeffortthatincludedbothparentsandchildrenasyoungas5.WeworkedwithHCNtodevelopsurveyinstrumentsandinterviewquestions,ultimatelycollectingdatadirectlyfromyouthdowntotheageof12.HCNaskedthatparentsanswersurveysforchildrenbetween5and12.Thereportcanbefoundhere:https://bit.ly/maat_adobe.

ContraCostaCountyOfficeofRacialEquityandSocialJusticeAftersuccessfullypressuringtheContraCostaCountyBoardofSupervisorsintoexploringthecreationofanOfficeofRacialEquityandSocialJustice,agroupoftwelvecommunityleadersthenformedaCoreCommitteetaskedwithdevelopingrecommendationsfortheOfficeandconvincingamajorityoftheBoardtoacceptthem.ThisCoreCommitteehiredCerestofacilitatecommitteemeetings,collectcommunitydata,organizeforumstotrackcommunityfeedback,andleadacollectivewritingprocess.Fortheportiondedicatedtocollectingcommunityresearch,CeresreviewedtranscriptsoflisteningsessionscollectedbyCoreCommitteemembers.Wealsoco-developedasurveywiththeCoreCommitteethatwasultimatelydisseminatedto2600peopleacrossthecounty.Notably,only600oftherespondentswerewhiteandover1000wereBlack.ThisprocessallowedtheCoreCommitteetodocumentstateharmandpresentthefindingsinawaythatconvincedtheBoardtoacceptrecommendations.Thereportcanbefoundhere:https://bit.ly/oresj_final_nov2022. 2 YouthParticipatoryActionResearchOverthepastfewyears,wehavepartneredwithseveralorganizationsthatwereinterestedindevelopingyouthparticipatoryactionresearchprojectsthatwouldhavestrongpolicyimplicationswithinAlamedaandContraCostaCountiesaswellasthestate.Allprojectsaremixed-method,combiningyouth-devisedsurveyswithyouth-ledinterviewsandfocusgroups.Withineachoftheseprojects,Cereshastaughtresearchskillsandcoachedyoungpeoplefromthecollectionofdatathroughthecompletionoffinalreports. ● OurpartnershipwiththeEllaBakerCenterinOaklandwasfocusedonAlamedayouthperspectivesonhowtoreduceincarceration.Theywerepartofthe“FreeOurKids”networkpressuringtheAlamedaBoardofSupervisorstochangeyouthjusticepolicy.Thereportisunderreviewandnotyetpublic.● OurpartnershipwithCaliforniaYouthConnectioninOaklandwasfocusedonhowthechildwelfaresystemcouldimprovesupportforparentingandpregnantfosteryouth.TheywillbeusingtheirfindingstopressurelegislaturestoreviseCalifornialaw.Thereportcanbefoundhere:https://bit.ly/ceres_cyc_june2023● AndacurrentprojectwiththeRYSECenterinRichmondisfocusedondocumentingyouthwell-beingafterthelastfiveyearsoftheracialreckoningandCOVID.TheywillturntheirfindingsintodemandsforimprovedsupportfromContraCostayouth-servingagencies.TheywillstartbypresentingtotheContraCostaBoardofSupervisors.

ApproachtoWorkandResponsibilities/MethodologyOurapproachintegratesrigorousanalysiswithcommunity-drivenplanningtodevelopacomprehensiveArtsDistrictPlanforRichmond.Belowisadetaileddescriptionofourtasks:

ProjectManagementLedbyDr.KerbyLynch,withsupportfromMs.AishaCanfieldandDr.AngelaIrvine-Baker,ourprojectteamcombinesexpertiseinorganizationalchangeanddataanalysis.Wewillinvolveresearchassistantsforlogisticalsupportanddatahandling,ensuringabroad,inclusiveperspectiveinourprojectmanagementapproach.

StrategicPlanningandAnalysisWewillconductworkshopsandbrainstormingsessionswithstakeholderstodefineArtsDistrictcharacteristics,focusingonculturalsignificanceandsustainability.Ouranalysiswillincludeareviewofaround60hoursofcommunityengagementdata,identifyingthemesandgapstoinformtheplan.

CommunityEngagementandResearch
3 Expandingonourinitialdata,wewillfacilitateadditionallisteningsessions(5-8)andengageintargetedoutreachinvariousneighborhoodstoensurediversecommunityrepresentation.ThiswillincludereviewingexistingpoliciesandconductingnewresearchtoaligntheArtsDistrictwithRichmond'sculturalandequitygoals.

FacilitationandCapacityBuildingOurteamwillleadbi-monthlymeetings,fosteringcollaborationandcreativitywithstakeholders.Weaimtobuildlocalcapacitybytrainingcommunitymembersindataanalysisandadvocacy,ensuringtheproject'ssustainabilityandimpactafterweleaveasconsultants.

OutreachandRelationshipBuildingWewillconductone-on-oneoutreachtoengagewithvariouscommunitystakeholders,fromknownchampionstothoselessinvolved,tobuildacomprehensivenetworkofsupportfortheArtsDistrict.

ReportingandRecommendationsAdetailedreport,includingfindingsandrecommendations,willbepresentedtokeystakeholders,accompaniedbyanevaluationplantotrackprogressandsuccessmetricsovertime.

CommunityCafesandCommunicationThroughcommunitycafesandstrategiccommunications,wewillsharefindingsandsolicitongoingfeedback,ensuringtheprojectremainsgroundedincommunityneedsandperspectives.

InterpretationServicesToensureinclusivity,wewillprovideinterpretationservices,makingtheprojectaccessibletoSpanish-speakingcommunitymembers.

BudgetCeresproposestocompletethesetasksaccordingtothebudgetbelow.

Deliverables CostProjectManagement 9000StrategicPlanningandAnalysis 7500 CommunityEngagementandResearch 8000
4 FacilitationandCapacityBuilding 6000
OutreachandRelationshipBuilding 4500
ReportingandRecommendations 5500CommunityCafesandCommunication 3000 Interpretation 1500
Total 45000
KeyStaffandProjectResponsibilities:TheprojectteamwillbeledbyDr.AngelaIrvine-Baker,ourPrincipalResearcherwithover25yearsofexperienceinsocialpolicy.Shewilloverseethedevelopmentofsurveysanddataanalysis.Dr.KerbyLynch,ourDirectorofResearch,bringsawealthofcommunityorganizationandpolicyexpertise.Shewillmanageday-to-daytasksandensuretheproject'salignmentwithcommunityneeds.AishaCanfield,aseasonedexpertinjuvenilejusticereform,willleverageherexperiencetoguidecommunityengagementandresearchefforts.Eachteammember'sroleiscraftedtoharnesstheiruniqueexpertiseandtocontributetotheproject'ssuccess,ensuringadeepunderstandingofstateandlocallaws,ordinances,andcommunitydynamics.

1. Dr.KerbyLynch:ProjectManagement,overseeingallprojectoperations,strategicdirection,andensuringtimelydelivery.(Hourlyrate:$142)2. Ms.AishaCanfield:StrategicPlanningandAnalysis,leadingcommunityengagementefforts,andensuringalignmentwithculturalequitygoals.(Hourlyrate:$183)3. Dr.AngelaIrvine:FacilitationandCapacityBuilding,advisingondataanalysis,andprovidingstrategicrecommendations.(Hourlyrate:$259)4. ResearchAssistants:Supportlogistics,assistwithdatacollectionandanalysis.(Hourlyrate:$88) ValueAddedServicesCeresPolicyResearchiscommittedtoprovidingcomprehensiveservicesthatextendbeyondthebasicrequirementsofthisRFP.Inadditiontoourprimaryresearchandprojectmanagementofferings,weproposethefollowingvalue-addedservices:

1.Post-ProjectSupport:Afterthecompletionoftheproject,wewillofferthreemonthsofpost-implementationsupporttoaddressanyfollow-upquestionsandassistwithanyadditionaldatainterpretationneeds. 5 2.CapacityBuildingWorkshops:Wewillconducttwoadditionalworkshopstoempowercommunitymemberswithskillsindataanalysisandpolicyadvocacy,ensuringsustainedimpactbeyondourdirectinvolvement.

3.SustainabilityPlanning:Ourteamwillprovideastrategicplanforthelong-termsustainabilityoftheArtsDistrict,addressingfuturefundingopportunitiesandcommunityengagementstrategies.

StatementofImpartialityandDisclosure
CeresPolicyResearchacknowledgestheimportanceofanimpartialandunbiasedapproachinexecutingtheproposedprojectfortheCityofRichmond.WeaffirmthatneitherCeresnoranyofitssub-consultantsareengagedin,norwillweengageinanyactivitiesthatpresentaconflictofinterestwiththeCityofRichmondduringthetenureofourworkonthisproject.Ourdedicationtotheequity,well-being,andliberationofmarginalizedcommunitiesunderscoresourcommitmenttothisproject'suniqueobjectivesandthevaluesoftheCityofRichmond.Weupholdarigorousstandardofintegrityandwillnotundertakeanyworkthatcouldcompromiseourimpartialityorthecity'sinterests.Wedeclarethattherearenopendingoractiveinvestigationsorlitigationagainstourfirmthatcouldimpactourreputationorabilitytofulfillourobligationsforthisproject.Ceresiscommittedtotransparencyandethicalpractice,ensuringourresearchandrecommendationsareconductedanddeliveredwithoutbias. 6 StaffingandTimelineCeresproposestocompleteallofthesetasksaccordingtothefollowingtimeline. ● April2024:Projectkickoff;beginProjectManagementandStrategicPlanningandAnalysis.● May2024:ContinueStrategicPlanningandAnalysis;initiateCommunityEngagementandResearch.● June2024:ContinueCommunityEngagementandResearch;beginFacilitationandCapacityBuilding;conductfirstCommunityCafé.● July2024:ContinueFacilitationandCapacityBuilding;OutreachandRelationshipBuildingbegins;secondCommunityCafé.● August2024:ContinueOutreachandRelationshipBuilding;ongoingFacilitation;thirdCommunityCafé.● September2024:BeginReportingandRecommendations;continueFacilitationandOutreach;Communicationsintensify.● October2024:WrapupFacilitationandOutreach;finalizeReportingandRecommendations;lastCommunityCafé;provideInterpretationasrequired.● November2024:FinalizeandpresentthecomprehensiveReport;concludeProjectManagement.

InterpretationServiceswillbeprovidedasneededthroughouttheproject'scommunityengagementactivities.CommunicationsareongoingfromJunetoNovembertokeepstakeholdersinformedandengaged.Thistimelineensuresthateachtaskisgivenadequatetimeandresources,withoverlappingactivitieswhereit'sbeneficialfortheproject'ssuccess.

ReferencesClientName:RYSECenterContactInfo:KanwarpalDhaliwal-Telephone:510-579-1922-Email:[email protected]:Richmond,CAServiceDescription:FacilitationofcommunityplanningfortheOfficeofRacialEquityandSocialJusticeinContraCostaCounty.ContractAmount:$156,000ProjectDates:August2021-Present ClientName:EnsuringOpportunityCampaigntoEndPovertyinContraCostaContactInfo:MariannaMoore-Telephone:(510)234-1200,ext.500-Email:[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])-Address:Richmond,CA94806ServiceDescription:ProgramevaluationandstrategicplanningfortheCAPPprogram.ContractAmount:$25,000ProjectDates:January2023-June2023 ClientName:CommunitiesUnitedforRestorativeYouthJustice(CURYJ)ContactInfo:-Telephone:510-689-7350-Email:[email protected]:2285InternationalBoulevard,Oakland,CA94606ServiceDescription:FacilitatedtheEBP+Collaborativetodevelopalternativestoincarcerationforyouthofcolor.ContractAmount:$50,000ProjectDates:January2018toPresent 2 CITYOFRICHMONDSanctuaryCityComplianceStatement
Theundersigned, anauthorizedagent of CeresPolicyResearch (hereafter"Contractor"), hashadanopportunitytoreviewtherequirementsof Cityof RichmondOrdinance12-18(hereafter "SanctuaryCityContractingOrdinance" or “SCCO”). Contractor understandsandagreesthat theCitymaychoosewithwhomit will maintainbusinessrelationsandmayrefrainfromcontractingwithanypersonor entitythat providesDataBroker or ExtremeVettingservicestotheU.S. ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcement Divisionof theUnitedStatesDepartment of HomelandSecurity(“ICE”). Contractorunderstandsthemeaningof thefollowingtermsusedintheSCCO:
a. "DataBroker”meanseither of thefollowing:
i. Thecollectionof information, includingpersonal informationabout consumers, fromawidevarietyof sourcesfor thepurposesof resellingsuchinformationtotheir customers,whichincludebothprivate-sector businessandgovernment agencies; ii. Theaggregationof datathat wascollectedfor another purposefromthat for whichit isultimatelyused. b. “ExtremeVetting”meansdatamining, threat modeling, predictiveriskanalysis, or other similarservices." Contractor understandsthat it isnot eligibletoreceiveor retainaCitycontract if at thetimetheContract isexecuted, or atanytimeduringthetermof theContract, it providesDataBroker or ExtremeVettingservicestoICE.

Contractor further understandsandagreesthat Contractor'sfailuretocomplywiththeSCCOshall constituteamaterial default of theContract andtheCityManager mayterminatetheContract andbar Contractor frombiddingonfuturecontractswiththeCityfor five(5) yearsfromtheeffectivedateof thecontract termination.

ByexecutingthisStatement, Contractor certifiesthat it complieswiththerequirementsof theSCCOandthat if at anytimeduringthetermof theContract it ceasestocomply, Contractor will promptlynotifytheCityManager inwriting. Anypersonor entitywhoknowinglyor willinglysuppliesfalseinformationinviolationof theSCCOshall beguiltyof amisdemeanor andsubject toa$1,000fine.

Basedontheforegoing, theundersigneddeclaresunder penaltyof perjuryunder thelawsof theStateof Californiathat theforegoingistrueandcorrect. Executedthis 19 dayof February , 2024 , at Fairfield , California.

PrintedName: KerbyLynch Title: Directorof Research
Signed: Date: 2/19/24
BusinessEntity: CeresPolicyResearch
Vendor SCCOComplianceStatement (Augt2020)