From:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Date:
[email protected]
City Clerk Dept User
[email protected]
Public comments – Open Forum Tuesday, April 22, 2025
12:59:35 PM
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Dear City Manager Shasa Curl, City Attorney Dave Aleshire, HR Director Lisa Stephenson, and Members of the City Council,
My name is Kito Williams, and I serve as a Jailer with the Richmond Police Department. I am writing on behalf of the overwhelming majority—over 80%—of the non-sworn, police-related classifications within the department who have expressed their clear intent to leave SEIU Local 1021 and seek representation under the Richmond Police Officers Association (RPOA).
This decision did not come lightly. It stems from a deep, shared belief among the undersigned employees that our roles, responsibilities, and daily experiences place us in far closer alignment with the mission, operations, and community service focus of the RPOA. We work side by side with sworn personnel, serve the same public safety goals, and operate within the same command structure and environment. Our interests and needs are fundamentally different from those of general city employees, and we believe they can be better understood and represented by the RPOA.
We are hopeful that the City will respect our collective voice and support a smooth and fair transition in accordance with applicable labor laws and meet-and-confer obligations. Our shared goal is to ensure that all City of Richmond employees are represented by the organizations best suited to advocate for their specific classifications, roles, and interests.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Respectfully,
Kito Williams
Richmond Police Department – Jailer
On behalf of over 80% of police-related non-sworn classifications From: Kathleen Clancy
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Audit Chevron
Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025 6:33:32 PM
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Dear Council Members,
You have our full support to make Chevron pay their fair share. In this current climate I suggest you shine as much light on this matter as possible from the local and national press. Right now working people are being nickeled and dimed at the pump which increases the price on all food products and more.
It seems like corporations and the administration currently have all the power. Let's give some to the people that shape our nation.
Thank you all,
Kathleen Clancy
From: Davjanee
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Q.1 Unit Determination- Community Intervention Specialist Date: Monday, April 21, 2025 9:42:38 PM
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Hello Mayor Martinez and Council Members,
My name is Davjanee Tillis. I am a Richmond resident. I am writing in support of designating the Community Intervention Specialist as a part of the SEIU 1021 bargaining unit. I wholeheartedly believe that this position should be separate from the Richmond Police Officers Association (RPOA) and of the Richmond Police Department. This position will be doing different work than the Police and needs to be given autonomy to do their job.
The CIS position’s work will be rooted in supporting a continuum of care for community members in crisis and not in the criminalization of community members in crisis. We truly need a multidisciplinary approach to care in Richmond. Not every 911 call constitutes police work. The other entities that respond to 911 calls are not a part of the RPOA bargain, so what truly makes the CIS position different from EMT’s or Firefighters? I feel that this position is long overdue in our community and I am disappointed that RPOA is putting unnecessary roadblocks to getting this position started. I am also surprised that RPOA is not championing to get this position up and running because I have heard the RPD Chief say numerous times in CCRP and City Council meetings that RPD is short staffed. This CIS position would help take lower level calls off of Police hands and into the hands of someone trained to provide the proper support. Thus helping ease RPD’s workload and prevent any more community members from being harmed or killed for needing care. This is another situation where I ask myself, If the Police want to serve our community or control our community? I hope you vote to designate the Community Intervention Specialist position as a part of the SEIU 1021 bargaining unit.
Thank You!
From: Reimagine Richmond
To: Eduardo Martinez; City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Hearing Comment for Agenda Item Q-1: Community Intervention Specialist Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 12:42:19 PM
Attachments: LetterofSupportforCCRPPosition (2).pdf
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Hello Mayor Martinez, City Clerk, and City Council,
Reimagine Richmond would like to share a letter regarding Agenda Item Q.1, which would designate the Community Intervention Specialist to SEIU 1021. This letter reflects the voices of 16 direct service partners and advocacy organizations across Richmond who believe in creating a system of care. Please reach out anytime if you have any questions or wish to discuss more.
--
In Community,
RR Organizing Team
www.reimaginerichmond.org
Click here to follow us on Instagram
Eduardo Martinez, Mayor Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Councilmember April 22, 2025 Dear Mayor Martinez and City Council, We, the 16 undersigned direct service providers and advocacy organizations, write to offer our full
support
for
the
Community
Intervention
Specialist
as
a
core
responder
in
a
non-police
crisis
response
program
in
Richmond,
California.
As
frontline
community-based
organizations
that
provide
essential
care
services—including
mental
health
support,
substance
use
treatment,
peer
counseling,
housing
navigation,
and
community
outreach—we
see
firsthand
the
urgent
need
for
compassionate,
community-led
alternatives
to
law
enforcement
in
times
of
crisis.
As
advocacy
organizations,
we
must
fight
for
a
holistic
approach
to
crises
in
Richmond.
Every day, direct service providers engage with individuals and families struggling with complex challenges
that
require
care,
not
criminalization.
Too
often,
these
crises
are
met
with
law
enforcement
responses
that
can
escalate
situations
and
cause
further
trauma—particularly
for
Black,
Indigenous,
immigrant,
unhoused,
LGBTQIA+,
and
disabled
community
members.
A
care-first
approach
rooted
in
trauma-informed,
culturally
responsive
practices
is
not
only
more
humane
but
also
more
effective
in
creating
long-term
safety
and
stability.
The City Council of Richmond has the opportunity to create a new classification called the Community
Intervention
Specialist
under
SEIU
1021.
As
community-based
organizations,
we
are
ready
to
collaborate
with
the
team
of
Community
Intervention
Specialists
on
response
protocols,
referrals,
resource
mapping,
and
ongoing
training
that
reflect
our
shared
values
of
care,
respect,
and
community
self-determination.
We strongly urge the City of Richmond to invest in this care-based crisis response network and ensure
that
it
is
led
by
the
community,
rooted
in
care,
and
guided
by
the
lived
experiences
of
those
it
serves.
From: Davjanee
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: R.1 : AB481 “Military Equipment Use” Annual Report Date: Monday, April 21, 2025 10:37:06 PM
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Hello Mayor Martinez and Council Members,
My name is Davjanee. I am a Richmond resident. I am not in support of RPD acquiring more Chemical Agents, Smoke Canisters, and Kinetic Energy Rounds. I also feel like RPD shouldn't be borrowing East Bay Regional Park's Regional Police Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport vehicle. As a community we need to invest in reimagining community safety that does not involve weapons that are used in war.
As a community member who was at the AB 481 community engagement meeting last year. I do appreciate RPD making an effort to be transparent w/ the community. However I think before asking for more equipment and armored vehicles there needs to be more transparency around the use, cost, and training of the military equipment that RPD already has in their possession.
I am also calling for more clarity around the impact these militarized weapons have on the community. I believe the next annual report should state where these militarized equipment were most used. It should also state if the militarized equipment was used in the presence of vulnerable community members like children, the elderly, or those that are disabled.
It's highly concerning
to think that an entity that already has issues with de-escalation, has access to military equipment. It's even more concerning when that entity swears there is a need for this type of equipment and then gives a shallow annual report on the military equipment. It doesn't give community members any true understanding or affirmation on the purpose of military equipment. And it gives the viewpoint that the equipment isn't truly needed and that money is being wasted. Therefore I am saying NO to more equipment and armored vehicles! We could be using the money given for military equipment for more productive and less intimidating services.
Thank You
From: daniel lanis
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment - Agenda Item R.4 - Design and implementation of a Ciclovia project Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 12:43:39 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.
Honorable Richmond City Council and Staff,
I'm writing to ask for your support of Ciclovia in the City of Richmond.
Ciclovia, also known as Open Streets, was born in 1974 in Bogota, Colombia. Since then, it has become a reference, inspiring more than 400 cities around the globe to replicate similar programs. Richmond should be no exception.
Benefits of Ciclovia are wide-ranging, impacting:
1. Health Benefits: Physical Activity, Mental Health, Increased Fitness
2. Environmental Benefits: Reduction in Air Pollution, Sustainability, Reduced Carbon Footprint
3. Community and Social Benefits: Building Community Connections, Social Inclusion, Safety
4. Urban Space Reimagining: Car-Free Spaces, Increased Use of Public Spaces
5. Economic Benefits: Local Business Boost, Cost-Effective
6. Traffic Reduction: Less Congestion, Improved Traffic Flow
7. Public Awareness and Education: Promoting Active Transportation, Health Education
8. Enhanced Urban Planning: Pilot Programs for New Infrastructure From improving public health to promoting environmental sustainability and fostering stronger community ties, Ciclovia offers a holistic range of benefits, it's an example of how urban spaces can be reimagined to encourage healthier, more sustainable lifestyles.
I hope you can allow for this to happen in our city.
Thank you!
Dani Lanis
Richmond resident
From: [email protected]
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment Agenda Item R.5.
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 8:39:27 PM
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Dear Richmond City Council,
Representative Soheila Bana from our District 4 has introduced an item on tonights agenda: Public Comment Agenda Item R.5.
As homeowners in Richmond’s May Valley/El Sobrante neighborhood, we are very concerned about wildfires and fireworks being a starter for fires.
Please support her initiative for Increasing Fines for Fireworks in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ)
areas!
We urge you to further DIRECT the City Attorney’s Office to draft an ordinance amending the Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 11.05 Fireworks to triple fines for fireworks-related violations specifically in high-risk zones to mitigate wildfire risks and enhance public safety.
From: Cary Groner
To: City Clerk Dept User
Cc: Soheila Bana
Subject: Public Comment Agenda Item R.5
Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025 12:19:47 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.
Dear City Clerk & Members of the City Council,
I've lived in Richmond on Pyramid Drive, in Soheila Bana's district near the Greenridge Post- Acute care facility, for over 15 years. I'm writing in support of item R.5 on the 4/22 council meeting.
In the years I've lived here, holidays including New Year's -- and particularly July 4th -- have been marked by extreme fireworks, even though we are up against open space and in a high fire-risk zone. On July 4th, despite typically dry weather and parched local vegetation, it's common for huge explosions that sound like military ordnance to be detonated repeatedly until well past midnight. Although these explosions are powerful enough to rattle windows for several blocks around, there never seems to be any police response.
So in addition to the increased fines, it would be great if there was some indication of better enforcement to give the fines some teeth. This could include patrol cars parked in and near the area, and presumably some attempt to track down the location of the explosions and cite the people responsible. The laissez-faire attitude that has prevailed in years past is no longer acceptable in a time of ever-increasing fire risk to nearby neighborhoods and wildlands.
Thanks for your consideration.
Cary Groner
2155 Pyramid Dr
Richmond, CA 94803
510/275-9284
From: lori scott
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Fireworks
Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025 6:45:52 AM
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Since the police department is spread too thin to catch many people setting off fireworks why can’t the fire department also be involved in catching these people ? Who can answer this question? From Lorena Ellenberger
From: Nancy Burke
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment Agenda Item R.5
Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025 12:02:24 PM
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I am very concerned about the approaching fire season. Especially after the fires in Los Angeles. Especially in fire prone areas of Richmond; I am worried about the illegal fireworks that are shot off every year.
It is dangerous and illegal and not a cultural issue, but a safety issue instead.
We need to inform the community of this impending danger and spread the word to everyone to not use illegal fireworks in Richmond.
Nancy Burke
May Valley, Richmond
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From: Theresa Kobak
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Fireworks
Date: Sunday, April 20, 2025 8:35:04 PM
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PLEASE limit, better yet eliminate, fireworks in the name of fire prevention, veterans etc who suffer from PTSD, and animals who need protection from unnecessary traumatic sounds. The common good suggests it.
Theresa Kobak
Sent from my iPad