Written Public Comments Received 3-4-2025 — Richmond City Council, March 4, 2025

From: a
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: public comments -agenda item # 0.1 Project # PLN23-360 Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025 5:38:09 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.

Project # PLN23-360
As a concerned and long time resident of Richmond I urge you to reconsider approving the emergency shelter located at 207 37th Street.

Here are some concerns:

Site was used previously and a number of safety concerns and indicents occurred disrupting neighborhood
California Portsmouth Square Association does not have a transparent history.

We need more documentation on this non profit
including a recent audit and review.

Their 2023 990 tax filings show they are
operating on a large deficit.
this shelter is a financial liability
DeJean school, Ryse youth center, Nicole Park, daycare facility are in close proximity. Do not put vulnerable youth at risk
Citi Bank has had incidents of smash and grab robberies targeting ATM users. Shelter could increase security issues for Bank customers
Police are already overwhelmed and under staffed. There is already a lack or response from PD. Police will be called repeatedly for issues at this location.

A shelter for formally incarcerated will attract drug use and sales, prostitution, crime, blight and other individuals who are not residents
Staff to resident ratio is inadequate. 2-3 staff cannot safety monitor 20-25 ex cons
Applicants has previously stated they are not responsible for incidents or blight that occur outside location. This will negatively impact the neighborhood
Applicant has previously demonstrated they are not equipped to manage a shelter
Public works will need to respond to blight and illegal dumping at location. PW already has full work load
Shelter at this location will discourage further economic growth in the area
Home values and commercial real estate values will decline with this shelter in close proximity
We already have enough problems such as crime, blight,
abandon cars, poor economic development, shelter will add to these issues
Residents could become homeless in the area after their 6 months comes to an end at the shelter
Richmond bears the burden of the majority of the unhoused and shelters in the courts. City has allowed the construction of the little home community on 22nd and motel at civic center will become supportive housing. Other cities need to share responsibility.

Residential neighborhood is not the place to shelter
former convicts
Richmond Planning committee Unanimous vetoed
approval for this project in December. Their decision should be upheld since the are the experts in this field.

From: Francisca Matias
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public comments-agenda item#0.1
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:06:42 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.

To whom it may concern
My name is Francisca Matias I live at 3611 chanslor Ave Richmond I am writing this email to oppose the conversion of the office into a shelter in our neighborhood this will cause more problems within the community and more trash in our neighborhood beside the use of drugs and alcohol
Thank you
Sincerely
Francisca Matias
From: Lonnie Holmes
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: CPSA"s RCC presentation
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 2:25:56 AM
Attachments: CPSA Chronology for RC Council 2025.pdf
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You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.

Hello City Clerk representative, please forward the attached to all council members for today's council meeting.

Thank you,
Lonnie S. Holmes, CEO
California Portsmouth Square Association
686 Humboldt Street
Richmond CA 94805
CPSAlite.org
(510)236-3388 (Office)
(415)574-1213 (Cell)

About [email protected] Logout
Mail Contacts Calendar Settings Webmail Home
Back Compose Reply Delete Move Print Archive Mark MoreReply all Forward RE: Master Keys
From Lonnie Holmes
To Way Love , Joanne Tang
Cc
Stephanie Lopez , Francyne Hari ,
[email protected] , Alonzo Ellis ,
Jesus_Morales , Lina Velasco
Date 2023-05-23 10:00
Message 105 of 880
Hi Vanessa, based on the fact we are the landlord with individual leases with each tenant, you will need to ask each tenant for a copy of their key.

Thanks,
Lonnie
Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
-------- Original message --------
From: Way Love <[email protected]>
Date: 5/23/23 8:11 AM (GMT-08:00)
To: [email protected], Joanne Tang <[email protected]> Cc: Stephanie Lopez <[email protected]>, Francyne Hari <[email protected]>, [email protected], Alonzo Ellis <[email protected]>, Jesus_Morales <[email protected]>, Lina Velasco
<[email protected]>
Subject: Master Keys
Good morning,
Is it possible for us to have a master key to the building and to each of the rooms?
Best,
Vanessa Calloway
Vanessa A. Calloway
Way 2 Love Inc.

ExecuƟve Director/Founder
There's a Way to Love That is Right!!!
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From Lonnie Holmes
To Joanne Tang
Cc
Way Love , Francyne Hari , Stephanie Lopez ,
Jesus Morales , Alonzo Ellis ,
Marichelle Alcantara
Date 2023-06-20 16:40
Message 48 of 880
Thanks for sending out said information Joanne!
Lonnie
Hi All
Security Cameras have been installed.

APP Needed to download: Night Owl Protect
User Name: admin207
Password: Richmond207
Any question, please let me know.

Thank you,
Joanne Tang
Co-Founder and Vice-President
California Portsmouth Square Association
686 Humboldt Street
Richmond CA 94805
[email protected]
CPSAlite.org
(415)788-1883(Mobile)
(510)236-3388(Office)
Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
-------- Original message --------
From: Joanne Tang <[email protected]>
Date: 6/20/23 2:49 PM (GMT-08:00)
To: Lonnie Holmes <[email protected]>
Cc: Way Love <[email protected]>, Francyne Hari <[email protected]>, Stephanie Lopez <[email protected]>, Jesus Morales
<[email protected]>, Alonzo Ellis <[email protected]>, Marichelle Alcantara <[email protected]>
Subject: Security Camera Access Update
On 2023-06-06 11:37, Lonnie Holmes wrote:
> Greetings everyone, fyi, please decimate this Job Fair information to > clients.
>
> Thank you!
>
> Lonnie
>
> Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device
>
> -------- Original message --------
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1 RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, August 1, 2022

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804

_____________________________________________________________________

A. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
The Special Meeting of the Richmond City Council was called to order at 3:00 p.m. by Mayor Thomas K. Butt via teleconference.

B. ROLL CALL

Present: Councilmembers Nathaniel Bates, Claudia Jimenez, Demnlus Johnson III, Gayle McLaughlin, Melvin Willis, Vice Mayor Eduardo Martinez, and Mayor Thomas K. Butt. Absent: None.

C. PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
The Public Comment Instructional Video was shown.

D. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.

E. AGENDA REVIEW
None.

F. NEW BUSINESS
F.1 Rydin Road Encampment Sunsetting Program
MANDATE the sunset date of the Rydin Road encampment as August 31, 2022; APPROVE a fifth contract amendment in an amount not to exceed $135,966, with Housing Consortium of the East Bay and extend the contract term to August 31, 2022, for a total not to exceed amount of $695,966; AUTHORIZE the City Manager or her designee to negotiate and execute contracts for the administration of flex funds with a community-based organization; and CONTINUE collaboration with Contra Costa County (CCC) H3 and C.O.R.E. programs to provide needed supportive services to residents at Rydin Road prior to abatement – City Manager’s Office (Shasa Curl 510-620-6512).

City Manager Shasa Curl introduced the matter. The city manager presented drone footage of Rydin Road. City Manager Shasa Curl, Community Development director Lina Velasco, Fire Chief Angel Montoya, Wastewater Program Manager Yader Bermudez, Contra Costa County Health, Housing and Homeless Services Interim Director Christy Saxton presented a PowerPoint that highlighted the following: background information; employment data; synergistic policies/developments; affordable housing in Richmond; police calls for service; overview on Fire department abatement assistance, fire extinguisher training, and calls for service; Public Works abatement efforts; street improvements at Rydin Rd; CORE outreach, prevention/diversion, emergency shelter, CARE centers; rapid exit, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing; CORE access/assessment/prioritization; services/resources; summary of CORE services; CORE Services provided at Rydin Rd; HCEB expenditures; unhoused

2 interventions expenditures commencing in Fiscal Year 21/22; and potential policy options. Discussion ensued. Jessi Taran, Ramon Quintana, Amanda Jenkins, Lea Murray, Payton Silket, Leticia Chavez, and Terry Dunn gave comments via teleconference.

Main Motion
Motion by Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
Seconded by Councilmember Melvin Willis
To approve option 3 with additional funding for a September 30, 2022, sunset for the Rydin Road encampment and direct the city manager to work out the details of an extension of the Housing Consortium of the East Bay (HCEB) contract with the following funding: $169,958 to HCEB; $35,000 for a Collaborising subcontract; and $200,000 for flex funds for a total allocation of $404,958.

Ayes (5): Councilmembers Demnlus Johnson III, Claudia Jimenez, Melvin Willis, Gayle McLaughlin, and Vice Mayor Eduardo Martinez.

Noes (2): Mayor Tom Butt and Councilmember Nathaniel Bates.

Passed (5 to 2)

Substitute Motion
Motion by Vice Mayor Eduardo Martinez
To allocate $58,000 to Collaborising, $135,000 to HCEB, and $200,000 for flex funds.

Died for lack of second

F.2 R3f Strategic Planning and Governance Advisor Contract APPROVE a contract with Dalberg, in an amount not to exceed $125,000, for a term beginning July 26, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023, to prepare a Strategic Plan and Governance Structure for the Richmond Rapid Response Fund (R3F); and AUTHORIZE the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the West Contra Costa Public Education Fund to accept their $25,000 contribution towards this work – Community Development (Lina Velasco 510- 620-6741).

Community Development Director Lina Velasco introduced the item. Ms.

Velasco presented a PowerPoint that highlighted the following: background information; procurement process; and the proposed scope of work Discussion ensued.

Motion by Councilmember Melvin Willis
Seconded by Vice Mayor Eduardo Martinez

To approve the staff recommendation.

Ayes (6): Councilmembers Demnlus Johnson III, Nathaniel Bates, Claudia Jimenez, Melvin Willis,
Gayle McLaughlin, and Eduardo Martinez.

Noes (1): Mayor Tom Butt
Passed (6 to 1)

3 F.3 Contract for Castro Encampment Resolution Project Manager APPROVE a contract with Way2Love, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $235,000, for a term beginning July 26, 2022, and ending June 30, 2024, to provide project management services for the Castro Encampment Resolution Project to be funded by the City’s Encampment Resolution Funding grant – Community Development (Lina Velasco 620-6841/Jesus Morales 620-6649).

Housing Manager Jesus Morales introduced the item. Mr. Morales presented a PowerPoint that highlighted the following: Castro encampment map; Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF) application and award Timeline; procurement process; overall ERF project goals and objectives; main activities; project manager responsibilities; reporting structure chart (org chart); and information about Way 2 Love, Inc
.. Discussion ensued. Eleanor Thompson,
Amanda Jenkins, and Leticia Chavez gave comments via teleconference.

Motion by Councilmember Demnlus Johnson III
Seconded by Councilmember Melvin Willis
To approve the staff recommendation and authorize staff to make amendments to the contract to ensure satisfactory performance and achieve metrics.

Ayes (5): Councilmember Demnlus Johnson III, Claudia Jimenez, Melvin Willis, Gayle
McLaughlin, and Vice Mayor Eduardo Martinez.

Noes (2): Mayor Tom Butt and Councilmember Nathaniel Bates Passed (5 to 2)

G. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:06 p.m., in memory of Bill Russell, to meet again on September 13, 2022.

Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor

From: Sergio Joshua Vega
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment Item 0.1
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 9:03:36 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.

Hello, I am speaking in opposition of the shelter. I have lived in a apartment near the shelter all my life and what I saw when the shelter was in place was the first time I saw things I should have not seen at this age, I never saw most of these people that run the shelter even though they claim they were there, there were mostly men there and I never saw any kids. I heard screaming and people high during night so I slept in fear sometimes waking up at night hearing them do sounds that terrified me. I also couldn’t play or do anything outside because they were going into our lawns and harassing people that passed and one of the people from the shelter harassed one of my friends who was just playing basketball. I hope you take this into consideration and please do not approve the shelter. Thank you.

From: Diane Reed
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Healthy Retail for Richmond
Date: Friday, February 28, 2025 8:52:38 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,
I am a resident of Richmond. I am writing to express my strong support for the Healthy Retail policy, which aims to establish minimum nutrition standards for products sold at checkout aisles.

With Type 2 Diabetes and tooth decay on the rise in Richmond, it is crucial that we adopt policies that prioritize the health of our community. These health disparities are driven, in part, by environmental factors, including the disproportionate marketing of unhealthy foods to youth of color and the limited access to healthy food options in local retail stores.

Please support the health of Richmond residents by passing the Healthy Retail policy! Thank you for your time and attention to this.

Sincerely,
Diane Reed
94804-1740
From: n kaluza
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Healthy Retail for Richmond
Date: Friday, February 28, 2025 8:47:29 AM
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.

Please support the health of Richmond residents by passing the Healthy Retail policy! Thank you for your time and attention to this.

Sincerely,
n kaluza
94803-3857
From: Reimagine Richmond
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Letter of Support To Reinvest $1M for Immigrant Legal Services in Richmond Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:22:04 PM
Attachments: Letter-Sign On - $1M Allocation for Immigrant Legal Support.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.

Hello City Clerk, Mayor, and Councilmembers,
We hope you're doing well. Reimagine Richmond would like to share a letter supporting Agenda Item P.3, which would allocate $1 million to immigrant legal services and to fund a public awareness campaign on constitutional protections. This letter reflects the voices of community partners and organizations across Richmond who believe in creating a safer and more resilient space for our immigrant community. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to talk about it.
--
In Community,
RR Organizing Team
www.reimaginerichmond.org
Click here to follow us on Instagram

Eduardo Martinez, Mayor Sue Wilson, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember March 4, 2025 Dear Mayor Martinez and City Council, We, the undersigned group of community organizations, immigrant’s rights advocacy organizations,

and

community

allies,

are

writing

express

our

deep

support

for

Agenda

Item

P.3,

which

would

allocate

$1,000,000

for

immigrant

legal

services

and

public

awareness

campaigns

for

immigrants

Richmond

know

their

constitutional

rights.

According to 2020 Census data, Latino and Hispanic residents make up 46.9% of Richmond’s total population. Census estimates also show that roughly one-third of Richmond’s population are foreign-born, including around 22,000 who are currently non-citizens. As ICE deportations

increase

drastically

nationwide,

there

growing

concern

across

our

Richmond

community

about

deportations

our

city.

the

same

time,

immigrant

legal

services

across

Contra

Costa

County

are

overwhelmed

and

under-resourced

residents

seek

legal

counsel.

This

has

created

situation

where

residents

need

immigration

legal

services

than

ever

before,

but

have

nowhere

turn

to.

Richmond has long been a model of resistance against oppression and bigotry, and it is once

again

position

demonstrate

its

commitment

justice

and

the

protection

its

diverse

community.

This

funding

would

vital

step

strengthening

the

capacity

our

local

immigrant

legal

services,

allowing

them

reach

people

need

legal

assistance.

addition,

the

proposed

constitutional

rights

awareness

campaign

would

instrumental

combating

the

climate

fear

and

uncertainty

currently

affecting

our

immigrant

community.

Too

many

are

unaware

their

rights

are

too

fearful

seek

help,

which

leads

unnecessary

harm

and

hardship.

educating

and

empowering

our

residents,

can

dispel

fear,

encourage

legal

participation,

and

foster

informed

and

confident

community.

Richmond’s history of standing up against injustice makes it the perfect place to lead the charge

supporting

immigrant

rights

and

ensuring

that

all

community

members,

regardless

their

background

immigration

status,

feel

safe

and

supported.

This

$1,000,000

allocation

would

essential

step

promoting

justice

and

equality

for

all

residents

Richmond.

urge

you

support

this

investment

the

future

our

city

and

the

well-being

its

diverse

and

vibrant

community.

Together,

can

continue

Richmond's

legacy

beacon

hope,

resilience,

and

inclusion.

From: Gretchen Doering
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: public comments agenda item #P.1 healthy Retail Date: Monday, March 3, 2025 7:29:38 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.

Dear City Council,
I am writing to you as a resident and homeowner in Richmond, and the mother of a 15 month old baby, born here in Richmond. She loves to come shopping with me, perched in the grocery cart, and says "hi" to nearly everyone she sees. However, she is already noticing the items on the shelves, and is upset when we do not take the items that look interesting to her! Passing the Healthy Retail ordinance would help us avoid unnecessary meltdowns and requests for unhealthy options at the register - as that is not an area of the store we can avoid! The higher than average rate of diabetes in the city is definitely concerning, and I am hopeful that this ordinance could improve unhealthy impulse purchases. I ask you to join me in supporting Health Retail for Richmond.

Sincerely,
Gretchen Doering
From: Leo Gilbert
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public comment P.3 Immigrant Legal Services and Resources Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 7:22:13 AM
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.

I am strongly opposed to spending $1m on undocumented immigrant legal services and a public awareness campaign
for immigrants
I think that any budget surplus should be used to help the citizens of Richmond with improved public safety, additional police officers, fixing our bad roadways, making residential streets safer for people, traffic calming, and many other improvements.

I'm not opposed to supporting undocumented residents, but I am opposed to spending money on undocumented immigrants when we seem to have no money for essential services in Richmond.

Leonard Gilbert
Richmond, CA
From: L. Williams
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comments Agenda Item P#
Date: Monday, March 3, 2025 3:24:44 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.

Dear Richmond City Council,

As a Richmond resident, I am writing in support of Agenda Item P3 which allocates up to $1,000,000 from surplus funds for immigrant legal services and a public awareness campaign for immigrants in Richmond. It also proposes that a selection of a fiscal sponsor be made to distribute the funds to nonprofit organizations that will provide the services.

With the current insecurity of Federal Funds that have supported our local services, it is vital that the City of Richmond support our immigrants. They are vital to our community, both socially and economically. Many of our workers, in the food industry, the health industry, and in the construction industry keep our community functioning. Many of these folks face abuse and the threat of ICE tearing apart their homes. They need support as well as legal advice to protect themselves.

I urge the Richmond City Council to pass item P3.

Sincerely,
Louise Williams
721 Ocean Avenue
Richmond, CA 94801
510 307-6372
From: Reimagine Richmond
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Letter of Support To Reinvest $1M for Immigrant Legal Services in Richmond Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:22:04 PM
Attachments: Letter-Sign On - $1M Allocation for Immigrant Legal Support.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.

and

community

allies,

are

writing

express

our

deep

support

for

Agenda

Item

P.3,

which

would

allocate

$1,000,000

for

immigrant

legal

services

and

public

awareness

campaigns

for

immigrants

Richmond

know

their

constitutional

rights.

increase

drastically

nationwide,

there

growing

concern

across

our

Richmond

community

about

deportations

our

city.

the

same

time,

immigrant

legal

services

across

Contra

Costa

County

are

overwhelmed

and

under-resourced

residents

seek

legal

counsel.

This

has

created

situation

where

residents

need

immigration

legal

services

than

ever

before,

but

have

nowhere

turn

to.

Richmond has long been a model of resistance against oppression and bigotry, and it is once

again

position

demonstrate

its

commitment

justice

and

the

protection

its

diverse

community.

This

funding

would

vital

step

strengthening

the

capacity

our

local

immigrant

legal

services,

allowing

them

reach

people

need

legal

assistance.

addition,

the

proposed

constitutional

rights

awareness

campaign

would

instrumental

combating

the

climate

fear

and

uncertainty

currently

affecting

our

immigrant

community.

Too

many

are

unaware

their

rights

are

too

fearful

seek

help,

which

leads

unnecessary

harm

and

hardship.

educating

and

empowering

our

residents,

can

dispel

fear,

encourage

legal

participation,

and

foster

informed

and

confident

community.

Richmond’s history of standing up against injustice makes it the perfect place to lead the charge

supporting

immigrant

rights

and

ensuring

that

all

community

members,

regardless

their

background

immigration

status,

feel

safe

and

supported.

This

$1,000,000

allocation

would

essential

step

promoting

justice

and

equality

for

all

residents

Richmond.

urge

you

support

this

investment

the

future

our

city

and

the

well-being

its

diverse

and

vibrant

community.

Together,

can

continue

Richmond's

legacy

beacon

hope,

resilience,

and

inclusion.

From: Sonia Decker
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public comments agenda item # P.3
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:47:58 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.

Hello,
I an a Richmond resident living in district 6. I would like to strongly urge the council to vote in favor of agenda item P.3 to support legal education and resources to our immigrant neighbors and community members. Now is a vital time to act in support of immigrant residents of Richmond and we all benefit when we support each other during this urgent time where immigrants are being attacked. As a therapist I have seen the mental health impacts of systemic stress and violence and I urge you to support the well being and lives of immigrant members of the Richmond community by voting to give vital resources and support in this critical time. Thank you!
Best,
Sonia
Sonia Decker
510-697-1268
[email protected]
From: nancy ramirez
To: City Clerk Dept User; Mayors Office
Subject: Project pln23-360
Date: Monday, March 3, 2025 5:57:42 AM
Attachments: image4.png
Video.mov
image6.png
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources. [You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderIdentification ] This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.

We do not want a place for people who are leaving prisons from all over the nation in Richmond, in a neighborhood with schools, working families who struggle to pay their houses, their rents, and you as a city cannot clean the streets, you do not fix the roads, you do not invest in better and more police, but you do have money from the city to support the criminals of the nation, at what cost did it cost us residents to live in fear, to endanger the safety of children, the elderly, and young adults? The city is in such bad condition as to add problems that you will not know how to solve. I believe that we pay taxes to live with dignity. I don't want them because when they were there they entered my property with their trucks on foot. I lived in fear. They tried to open our cars. It's no life and there were only 9 people. Now with 25, what can we expect? My house is in front. I can't live in fear.

From: Mark Tilley
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comments Agenda Item #0.1
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025 2:48:28 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.

Public comment regarding agenda item #0.1
California Portsmouth Square Association (CPSA) Emergency Housing (PLN23-360) Public Hearing to Consider an Appeal of the Denial of Conditional Use Permit (not before 6:30 p.m.)
Members of the Richmond City Council,
I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed emergency shelter project at 37th Street in Richmond, CA, which is to be operated by the California Portsmouth Square Association (CPSA). This project is deeply flawed, both in terms of the organization's financial instability and mismanagement, as well as the wholly inappropriate location for such a facility. The combination of these factors presents an unacceptable risk to the community and should not be allowed to proceed.

First and foremost, CPSA has demonstrated clear financial mismanagement and an inability to operate effectively. According to publicly available financial records, CPSA has been operating at a deficit for several years, with expenses consistently exceeding revenue. As of their most recent filing, the organization’s net assets have been reported as negative, reaching a deficit of approximately $718,311 in 2023. Given this financial instability, it is highly questionable how CPSA intends to secure the necessary funding to sustain a long-term, resource-intensive program such as the proposed shelter.

Additionally, CPSA has not publicly provided measurable outcomes for its existing programs, including those focused on substance abuse recovery and employment training. Without clear data on their past successes, there is no evidence that CPSA has the operational and administrative capacity to effectively manage an emergency shelter for individuals transitioning from incarceration. Approving this project under such circumstances is reckless and puts both the shelter's potential residents and the surrounding community at risk.

Beyond CPSA’s organizational deficiencies, the chosen location for this shelter is entirely inappropriate. The proposed site is in close proximity to a school and a residential neighborhood, where families and children live and go about their daily lives. Placing a shelter for formerly incarcerated individuals in such a setting is a recipe for serious safety concerns, conflicts, and community disruption. This is not about opposing services for those in need—it is about ensuring that such services are implemented responsibly, in locations that minimize potential negative impacts on vulnerable populations.

The combination of CPSA’s poor financial standing and the inappropriate location of this shelter creates an unacceptable situation that will inevitably lead to operational failure and community harm. I strongly urge responsible agencies and decision-makers to reject this proposal outright. Richmond deserves well-managed, sustainable solutions to homelessness and reentry programs, but this is not it.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I trust that the concerns of the community will be taken seriously and that better alternatives will be considered to address these pressing social challenges.

Sincerely,
Mark Tilley
2826 Chanslor Ave
Richmond California, 94804
510-387-3520
From: Cecily Hunter
To: Mark Tilley
Cc: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Re: Public Comments Agenda Item #0.1
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025 4:16:04 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.

Mark,
Thank you for speaking up for the community. I agree completely with your asessment of CPSA's track record. Furthermore, the proposed location is really poorly conceived, with the school and residential neighborhood as the surroundings.

I strongly oppose this project moving forward.

Sincerely,
Cecily Hunter
36 29th Street
Richmond, CA 94804
On Sat, Mar 1, 2025, 2:48 PM Mark Tilley <[email protected] > wrote:

First and foremost, CPSA has demonstrated clear financial mismanagement and an inability to operate effectively. According to publicly available financial records, CPSA has been operating at a deficit for several years, with expenses consistently exceeding revenue. As of their most recent filing, the organization’s net assets have been reported as negative, reaching a deficit of approximately $718,311 in 2023. Given this financial instability, it is highly questionable how CPSA intends to secure the necessary funding to sustain a long- term, resource-intensive program such as the proposed shelter.

Additionally, CPSA has not publicly provided measurable outcomes for its existing programs, including those focused on substance abuse recovery and employment training.

Without clear data on their past successes, there is no evidence that CPSA has the operational and administrative capacity to effectively manage an emergency shelter for individuals transitioning from incarceration. Approving this project under such circumstances is reckless and puts both the shelter's potential residents and the surrounding community at risk.

Sincerely,
Mark Tilley
2826 Chanslor Ave
Richmond California, 94804
510-387-3520

Richmond City CouncilMarch 4, 2025

Richmond City Council
March 4, 2025