October 22, 2024
Community Development
DATE: November 19, 2024
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Lina Velasco, Director of Community Development
Beatriz Guerrero, Transformative Climate Communities
(TCC) Project Coordinator
Matias Eusterbrock, TCC Associate Administrative
Analyst
Subject:
Year 1 Annual Report on Richmond Rising
Transformative Climate Communities Grant
FINANCIAL IMPACT: n/a
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
June 21, 2022; August 23, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
In late 2022, the City was awarded a Transformative
Climate Communities (TCC) Implementation Grant by the
Strategic Growth Council for its Richmond Rising Project.
The 5-year project was kicked off in 2023. Staff is
providing the City Council and community a one-year
update on implementation of the Richmond Rising TCC
grant.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a Presentation of the Year 1 Annual Report for
Richmond Rising Transformative Climate Communities
Implementation Grant – Community Development
Department (Lina Velasco/Beatriz Guerrero Auna, TCC
Project Coordinator (510) 620-5450)
DISCUSSION:
On June 21, 2022, the City Council authorized an application for a Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Round 4 Implementation Grant from the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) for the Richmond Rising: Healthy, Connected, and Climate Strong project.
AGENDA
REPORT
October 22, 2024
The City’s proposal included six Co-Applicants: Groundwork Richmond, GRID Alternatives, Rich City Rides, Trust for Public Land (TPL), UC Berkeley, and Urban Tilth.
As described in additional detail below, Richmond Rising includes specific projects, programs, and Transformative Plans which provide environmental, health, and economic benefits in the Iron Triangle, Santa Fe, and Coronado neighborhoods (Project Area) through the year July 2028, with a focus on the following areas:
Transit access and mobility
Solar installation, energy efficiency, appliance electrification Water efficiency
Urban greening and green infrastructure
Health and well-being through parks and healthy food
On October 27, 2022, the Richmond Rising application was awarded a $35 million grant from SGC; the agreement between the City and SGC was executed on August 23, 2023. As part of the Grant Agreement, the Richmond Rising collective shall present an annual report to the City Council on the status of grant implementation. In fulfillment of this requirement, the following status report, as well as the attached slides and City Council presentation, provide an overview of the status of each Project and Plan (Attachment A).
PROJECT STATUS UPDATE:
In total, Richmond Rising partners have spent $2,245,492.87, with a remaining budget of $32,754,507.13 for the next 5 years. A summary of each project and status as of September 30, 2024 is below.
Grantee (Project Lead: City of Richmond)
Project Goals: As the Lead Grantee of the TCC Grant, the City is responsible for ensuring the Richmond Rising program is completed on-time and within budget to meet project goals. This responsibility includes project coordination, grant administration, and reporting to SGC.
Project Status: The Community Development Department has hired two full- time, term-limited staff; these positions report to the Director of Community Development, who provides policy and management oversight. Six bi-monthly Richmond Rising invoices have been submitted to SGC on time and the City has received their reimbursement checks.
Total Budget: $693,675.66
Spent to-date: $214,646.21
Budget remaining: $479,029.45
Project 1: Neighborhood Complete Streets (Project Lead: City of Richmond) Project Goals: The Neighborhood Complete Streets project will install new bike lanes, pedestrian facilities, bus stop enhancements, streetscape improvements, street crossing enhancements, connections to the Yellow Brick Road and
October 22, 2024
Harbour-8 community building and park, and traffic calming measures to ensure safe and accessible transportation infrastructure for all users.
Project Status: The City's Capital Improvement Program team has selected consultant CSW/ST2 for As-Needed Engineering Services to prepare the construction plans and is currently developing a phased construction plan in partnership with Richmond Wellness Trail to accomplish project goals and increase opportunities to receive additional State and Federal funding.
Total Budget: $5,181,173.15
Spent to-date: $9,752.89
Budget remaining: $5,171,420.26
Project 2: Richmond Wellness Trail (Project Lead: Trust for Public Land) Project Goals: This project will construct two miles of protected pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure along Marina Way South to connect the City's historic downtown, including the Richmond BART/Amtrak station, to the ferry terminal as well as urban green space and historic features along the San Francisco Bay Trail.
Project Status: Trust for Public Land selected a consultant team via Request for Proposals, completed a site walk of existing conditions with project partners and consultants, and is currently developing a phased construction plan in partnership with Neighborhood Complete Streets to accomplish project goals and increase opportunities to receive additional State and Federal funding.
Total Budget: $4,816,153.60
Spent to-date: $42,512.01
Budget remaining: $4,773,641.59
Project 3: Electric Bicycle Lending Library (Project Lead: Rich City Rides) Project Goals: The Electric Bicycle Lending Library (e-BLL) at Unity Park will offer free access to electric bicycles, as well as courses in safety, maintenance/repair, and community engagement.
Project Status: Rich City Rides has hired a Project Manager to foster community engagement and manage construction and operation of the e-BLL.
Rich City Rides presented the building design at a study session of the City’s Design Review Board (DRB)and obtained design approval; however, revisions are being evaluated to obtain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.
Total Budget: $2,461,051.99
Spent to-date: $116,775.68
Budget remaining: $2,344,276.61
October 22, 2024
Project 4: Resilient Homes (Project Lead: GRID Alternatives) Project Goals: This project will install 875 kilowatts (KW) worth of solar panels and energy efficiency upgrades free-of-charge for approximately 250 income- eligible homes in the Project Area.
Project Status: GRID Alternatives has created a client pipeline of 41 resilient home energy services recipients, with 7 completed to date, and continues to build the pipeline via canvassing, informational workshops, joint mailings, and other outreach methods.
Total Budget: $6,966,695.91
Spent to-date: $334,046.56
Budget remaining: $6,632,649.35
Project 5: Basins of Relations (Project Lead: Urban Tilth) Project Goals: This program provides free water-saving technologies (e.g. greywater recycling, water conservation, drip irrigation systems) to Project Area residents, and offers professional skills development for young Richmond residents.
Project Status: Urban Tilth successfully hired a Water Conservation Project Manager, Community Engagement Manager, and Water Conservation apprentices (graduates of the 15-week training program). Fourteen (14) homes have received water conservation system installations.
Total Budget: $1,680,703.78
Spent to-date: $174,570.02
Budget remaining: $1,506,133.76
Project 6: Bosque del Barrio (Project Lead: Groundwork Richmond) Project Goals: This project will plant 1,000 drought tolerant/resistant trees in public and private properties in the Project Area.
Project Status: Groundwork Richmond has planted 59 trees in residential properties in the Project Area and continues to conduct regular canvassing of Project Area neighborhoods as well as coordinate with City staff to identify appropriate planting locations and ongoing maintenance responsibilities.
Total Budget: $1,088,012.75
Spent to-date: $102,596.45
Budget remaining: $985,416.30
October 22, 2024
Project 7: ADA Garden (Project Lead: Urban Tilth)
Project Goals: This project will create an edible, pollinator-friendly garden in Unity Park that will be accessible for seniors and those with mobility challenges via large pathways, supportive rails, raised planters, and other design features.
Project Status: Urban Tilth has facilitated community workshops with anticipated users of the garden to identify key design features, has presented at a study sessions of the City’s Design Review Board, obtained design approval by the DRB, and has submitted plans for permit approval to begin construction in 2025.
Total Budget: $955,044.00
Spent to-date: $46,611.62
Budget remaining: $908,432.38
Project 8: Orchard for ALL! (Project Lead: Urban Tilth) Project Goals: This project will provide 2,000 free fruit trees to Project Area residents and will create an employment and training program to teach young Richmond residents how to properly plant and care for fruit trees. Excess fruit from these trees will be donated to Urban Tilth's free food distribution programs.
Project Status: Urban Tilth has distributed 327 trees to residents of the Project Area, has completed the first 6-week apprenticeship program (4 apprentices), and has begun to publish a quarterly newsletter with tree care instructions and other materials to fruit tree recipients.
Total Budget: $1,168,213.63
Spent to-date: $84,984.14
Budget remaining: $1,083,229.49
Project 9: Veggie RX (Project Lead: Urban Tilth)
Project Goals: In partnership with LifeLong Medical Care, this project prescribes fresh fruits and vegetables as preventative and restorative medicine, which are given free of charge to enrollees. This program also trains local residents to teach health- and climate-friendly diet workshops in the community.
Project Status: Urban Tilth and LifeLong Medical have distributed 2,692 produce bags to residents of the project area, developed and lead a training curriculum for the first cohort of Climate Health Promoters, facilitated 77 Health Education and Training (HEAT) medical groups for people with chronic health problems, and developed and began implementing a Train the Trainers Program for Community Health Conductors.
Total Budget: $3,238,872.00
Spent to-date: $397,306.52
Budget remaining: $2,841,565.48
October 22, 2024
Project 10: e-Bike Share (Project Lead: City of Richmond) Project Goals: This project is providing e-Bike hubs serviced by Charleston Mobility in the Project Area, as well as discounted memberships for Project Area residents.
Project Status: Charleston Mobility has installed 8 bike hubs in the Project Area, conducted regular outreach to Project Area residents, and distributed over $22,000 of vouchers to residents.
Total Budget: $998,979.21
Spent to-date: $456,669.79
Budget remaining: $542,309.42
In addition to the Projects described above, Richmond Rising also includes the following Transformative Plans:
Community Engagement Plan (Project Lead: City of Richmond) Plan Goals: This Plan includes coordination of a monthly Collaborative Stakeholder Committee (CSC) as well as facilitation of a Youth Fellows Program in partnership with Rich City Rides. The CSC consists of all Project Leads as well as up to 6 community members who live, work, or learn in the Project Area.
Plan Status: TCC staff have hosted eight CSC meetings; the CSC drafted and adopted bylaws and appointed four community members to serve on the Committee. TCC Staff attended 19 community events to conduct program outreach and engagement. Rich City Rides has hired a Youth Fellows Program Manager, who is currently drafting curriculum and other materials for the Youth Fellows; recruitment for the first Youth Fellow cohort will begin in Fall 2024.
Total Budget: $2,565,980.96
Spent to-date: $116,600.14
Budget remaining: $2,449,432.59
Displacement Avoidance Plan (Project Lead: City of Richmond) Plan Goals: This Plan includes development and adoption of a Renter Access Ordinance, Community Land Trust policy, ADU toolkit, Buy Local Campaign, and Façade Improvement Pilot Program for businesses in the Project Area.
Plan Status: Community Development Department developed the Equitable Public Land Disposition Policy, which was adopted by the City Council. Economic Development Department has solicited consultants for a buy-local marketing campaign as well as a Small Business Beautification Pilot Program. An ADU Toolkit has been drafted, including pre-approved ADU plans. Input on the plans and Toolkit from an ADU townhall and outreach from City events.
Total Budget: $681,635.62
October 22, 2024
Spent to-date: $119,464.36
Budget remaining: $562,171.26
Workforce Development and Economic Opportunities Plan (Project Lead: City of Richmond)
Plan Goals: This Plan will reduce barriers to clean-energy careers for Project Area residents through recruitment, development, and implementation of immersive training experiences.
Plan Status: The City of Richmond has hired a consultant, Glen Price Group, to develop a Place-Based Workforce Development Plan. RichmondBUILD has reserved 5 spaces of the 2024 cohort for Project Area residents. GRID Alternatives has hired a Solar Workforce Development Coordinator, finalized curriculum for solar installation training program, and hired a trainer to lead solar installation trainings.
Total Budget: $1,433,807.74
Spent to-date: $33,563.02
Budget remaining: $1,400,244.72
Indicator Tracking Plan (Project Lead: UC Berkeley)
Plan Goals: This Plan will document the outcomes and learnings of grant implementation, focusing on an evaluation of procedural and distributive equity as well as quantitative environmental measures.
Plan Status: UC Berkeley and the City of Richmond have hosted 2 workshops with all Project Partners to review indicators and data collection processes, and have finalized an Evaluation and Indicator Tracking Plan.
Total Budget: $1,070,000
Spent to-date: $ 401,250.00
Budget remaining: $668,750.00
SYNERGISTIC POLICIES:
The Richmond Rising project supports the implementation of several city goals and policies, including, but not limited to:
Health in All Policies Strategy and Ordinance (adopted April 18, 2014) Climate Action Plan (adopted October 25, 2016)
Richmond Resilience Roadmap (adopted February 18, 2020)
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment A – TCC Year 1 Annual Report Slides