January 7, 2025
Economic Development
DATE: January 7, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Nannette Beacham, Director of Economic Development
Samantha Carr, Environmental Manager
Subject:
Public Health Institute CivicSpark AmeriCorps Program
Contract
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The contract for one full-time CivicSpark AmeriCorps fellow in the amount of $36,000 is proposed to be funded by the Environmental and Community Investment
Agreement for implementation of the City’s Climate
Action Plan (11771018 400201 2A1AA).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
July 26, 2022
December 19, 2023
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Public Health Institute is the new administrator/fiscal sponsor of the “CivicSpark” AmeriCorps Fellowship
Program dedicated to building capacity for local public agencies to address community resilience issues such as climate change, water resource management, housing,
and mobility. City of Richmond has served as a
placement site for approximately 10 years and has been
very satisfied with the fellows work and the reciprocal relationship.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a sole-source contract with Public Health
Institute for one full-time CivicSpark AmeriCorps fellow for a total contract amount not to exceed $36,000, with a term ending on December 31, 2025 – Economic
Development (Samantha Carr 510-620-5407/ Nannette
Beacham 510-620-1306).
AGENDA
REPORT
January 7, 2025
DISCUSSION:
Background
CivicSpark is an AmeriCorps program dedicated to building capacity for local public agencies to address community resilience issues such as climate change, water resource management, housing, and mobility. Public Health Institute (PHI) is now the administrator/fiscal sponsor of the CivicSpark program. The previous administrator/fiscal sponsor was CivicWell (formally Local Government Commission), in partnership with the State of California through the Office of Planning and Research, and California Volunteers.
CivicWell provides training, support, AmeriCorps payroll and administrative services, recruitment, and placement of CivicSpark fellows as part of the service contract.
The City of Richmond received a placement of a CivicSpark AmeriCorps fellow for the 2024-2025 program year and the program is now administered by PHI. A full-time fellow serves for an 11-month term. The City has served as a placement site for 10 years and has been very satisfied with the Fellows’ work and seeks to continue to serve as a placement site with the proposed contract.
The CivicSpark Fellow assigned to the Richmond Environmental and Health Initiatives Division will be dedicated to implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) such as but not limited to continued development of the City’s Climate Action Plan open data platform (www.transparentrichmond.org), implementation of state laws (SB 1383), Richmond Green-Blue New Deal, and community engagement and education.
POLICY SYNERGIES
2023 City Council Priority Goal 4.3 Reduce illegal dumping
General Plan 2030
- Goal EC1: Leadership in Managing Climate Change. Take steps to address climate change and to manage its effects. This entails not only pursuing ground- breaking programs and innovative strategies but educating residents and businesses about these actions and actively monitoring results to ensure progress in critical areas. Partner with other jurisdictions and organizations to develop effective regional solutions and regulation at regional, state, and federal levels. Collaborate with residents, businesses, public agencies, and neighboring jurisdictions, to meet or exceed state requirements for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Action EC1.B: Public Awareness and Education Program. Develop a program to educate and inform residents and businesses about key climate change challenges and potential solutions. Develop and disseminate information on topics such as waste reduction, recycling, green buildings and landscaping, and renewable energy generation. Utilize a range of tools including fact sheets,
January 7, 2025
website newsletters, advertising, and workshops to reach potential audiences.
The program should be reviewed and evaluated periodically for effectiveness.
The public awareness and education program should be incorporated into the climate action plan.
Climate Action Plan
- Strategy EE1 Leverage existing programs and rebates to improve efficiency of existing buildings.
- Strategy RE 1 Increase local solar energy generation. - Strategy RE3 Promote conversion from natural gas to clean electricity. - Strategy SW2 Increase participation in Recycling Programs and Incentives.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Public Health Institute CivicSpark AmeriCorps Program Contract Attachment 2 – Approved Sole Source