October 1, 2024
Economic Development
DATE: October 1, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
Samantha Carr, Environmental Manager
Tamara Walker, Deputy Community Services Director -
Employment & Training
Lizeht Zepeda, Senior Business Assistance Officer
Subject:
Presentation of the Richmond Green Blue New Deal
Opportunities Report
FINANCIAL IMPACT: No financial impact of receiving this report.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 6, 2021, April 5, 2022, October 7, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Provide the Green-Blue Opportunities Report and
appendices submitted by the consultant, Appraccel, LLC
and receive direction from City Council on next steps.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE presentation on the Richmond Green-Blue
New Deal Opportunities Report; and RECEIVE the draft
Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Implementation Plan -
Economic Development Department (Samantha Carr
510-620-5407/Nannette Beacham 510-621-1306/Tamara
Walker 510-307-8006/Lizeht Zepeda 510-620-6653).
AGENDA
REPORT
October 1, 2024
DISCUSSION:
Background
The Richmond City Council adopted Resolution 88-21 on July 6, 2021 (Attachment 2).
The purpose of this resolution was to research and compose a Richmond Green-Blue New Deal (RGBND) with inclusion of a Just Transition Framework inspired by the broader national Green New Deal frameworks aimed at addressing environmental challenges while promoting economic and social equity. This initiative builds upon the nexus between the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), Health in All Polices (HiAP), Richmond Workforce Development Local Plan, and Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP). Additionally, COVID-19 caused an unemployment surge in Richmond with a peak of 3,412 weekly unemployment claims in late March 2020. Additionally, the City of Richmond’s workforce was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 5, 2022, the City awarded a contract with the consultant, Appraccel, LLC, which included various subcontractors (Groundwork Richmond, Richmond Safe Return Project, MIG, HR&A Advisors, Medema Consulting, and Abbe & Associates). The contract with Appraccel, LLC expired on June 30, 2024.
Richmond Green Blue New Deal Opportunities Report and Draft Implementation Plan
A variety of community engagement and outreach presentations and workshops with various Richmond commissions, committees, councils, chambers, businesses, and residents were held to receive feedback and ensure the Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Opportunities Report (Opportunities Report) is responsive and reflects the community’s interests and need. The Opportunities Report emphasizes sustainable development, renewable energy adoption, environmental justice, and community engagement. All analysis and reports completed to-date are included in the Opportunities Report (Attachment 3).
The Opportunities Report builds upon Richmond’s abundant valuable assets: a deep- water port, industrially-zoned land, freight lines, highways, a skilled and trained workforce, and a vibrant non-profit community. Eight areas of potential job creation identified by the Opportunities Report include: renewable energy, building electrification and energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, zero waste, green infrastructure and urban forestry, land use, water, and other. Twenty-four projects in these eight categories could collectively add thousands of new green-blue jobs for Richmond residents and expand efforts to build a just, equitable, resilient, and sustainable future.
Some projects are conceptual and will require a champion to scope and find seed funding. Other projects are already happening and with more funding will be able to hire more people. Some projects can begin within weeks while others will require a few years to plan and secure public and private funding.
The draft Richmond Green Blue New Deal (RGBND) Implementation Plan (Plan) takes the Opportunities Report projects and lists out possible next steps (Attachment 4). The draft Plan has not been released to the public and the community has not had an
October 1, 2024
opportunity to provide input. City staff plan to release the draft Plan for a 60-day comment period which will include presentations to the Economic Development Commission, Richmond Workforce Development Board, and Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council. City staff’s goal is to bring back the final Plan to City Council for adoption in Q1 of 2025.
Of the 24 projects listed in the RGBND Opportunity Report, numerous projects are currently in progress or in an exploratory phase (Attachment 5). Additional resources are required to start the exploratory process or expand projects due to limited staff capacity, the technical nature of some projects, limited funding, and some projects do not normally fall within the City’s direct purview. A few resources City staff have identified are additional staffing, contractors with technical expertise, funding, and time to build community, public, and private partnerships. Additionally, some of the proposed jobs and wages do not meet the Federal definition of “Good Job” which focuses on high growth and high wages. Lastly, some of the projects will require a few years to scope, plan, build partnerships, and implement in alignment with City procurement policies.
NEXT STEPS:
If directed by City Council, City staff will continue to research and identify a detailed list of additional resources necessary for a thoughtful and sustainable Richmond Green Blue New Deal.
City staff plan to release the draft Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Implementation Plan for a 60-day comment period including presentations to the Economic Development Commission, Workforce Development Board, and Richmond Coordinating Council with a goal to bring back the final plan to City Council for adoption in Q1 of 2025.
City staff will continue to apply for funding and implement City Council Goals and Priorities in alignment with green and blue economies and workforce including but not limited to:
o 2.1 Create new opportunities for workforce development in Richmond o 2.2 Revitalize, attract, and maintain existing small and new businesses o 2.3 Create and or re-envision infrastructure to attract new business and retail, manufacturing infill developments, and new customers for existing Richmond businesses
o 2.5 Revitalization of Port
o 3.1 Improve maintenance of built environment, parks, and new recreation infrastructure
o 3.2 Create new infrastructure
o 3.3 Implement Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Grant o 4.4 Add and improve emergency preparedness
o 6.1 Develop a shoreline resiliency plan with inventory of contaminated sites to plan and prepare for sea level rise
o 6.2 Reduce local hazards
October 1, 2024
POLICY SYNERGIES:
The Richmond Green-Blue New Deal resolution aligns with broader city-wide efforts to combat climate change at the local, state, and national levels, demonstrating Richmond's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. City Council is continuously contributing to the Green-Blue effort with the passage of Resolutions and Ordinances. There is alignment with policies, actions, and goals specified in the Economic Development, Energy and Climate Change, Health and Wellness, and Land Use and Urban Design chapters of the General Plan 2030.
Several of the actions in the Health in All Policies Strategy chapters, Economic Development and Education, Residential and Built Environment, Environmental Health and Justice supports green-blue related efforts. The Climate Action Plan includes a robust list of strategies in each chapter to advance renewable energy adoption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase sustainability, and promote green businesses. The Richmond Workforce Development Board Local Plan 2021-2024 includes multiple pillars and actions that support and need to be included in implementation. Other aligned City Plans include the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, First Mile/Last Mile Transportation Strategic Plan, and Urban Greening Master Plan. Recently City Council developed a list of priority actions for the next three years that further their vision of creating a thriving, inclusive community through transparency and targeted actions that address immediate and long-term needs.
City Council is continuously contributing to the Green-Blue effort with the passage of Resolutions and Ordinances:
Resolution 133-23
Resolution 67-22
Ordinance No 15-21 N.S. Prohibition of natural gas infrastructure in newly constructed buildings
State Law Policy Synergies:
Per SB 1383 requirements, surplus edible food is being recovered through support from RecycleMore and non-profit organizations.
City compliance with SB 350 Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act with completing EV charger installations on city property.
Additionally, there is alignment with the Contra Costa County Green New Deal which aims to encourage 100% renewable energy by 2040 and achieve the five zeros (zero carbon grid, zero carbon transportation, zero carbon buildings, zero waste and zero wasted water).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Richmond Green Blue New Deal Opportunities Report PowerPoint Attachment 2 – Resolution 88-21
Attachment 3 – Green-Blue New Deal Opportunities Report with Appendices
October 1, 2024
Attachment 4 – Richmond Blue New Deal Implementation Plan 6.2024 Attachment 5 – City Green and Blue Project Statuses and Accomplishments