May 27, 2025
City Council
DATE: May 27, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Vice Mayor Cesar Zapeda (co-sponsor)
Subject:
Presentation by Transbay Coalition for the development of a Citywide Community-Led Bus Stop Bench Program
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact to the City for bench construction or maintenance. Community groups will fund installations through donations and grants. The City will implement a permitting process with all fees waived, and eligible groups may apply for available City grants. Minimal staff time wi ll be needed for the permitting process and possible grant coordination.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Across the City of Richmond, many bus stops lack basic
seating, forcing riders —particularly seniors, people with disabilities, and those with health or mobility challenges— to stand for extended periods. This absence of seating
creates barriers to public transit use, undermines
transportation equity, and contradicts the City's
environmental and accessibility goals.
In the face of limited City resources and anticipated AC Transit service reductions, Richmond residents have
demonstrated innovation and resilience. Over 70
community-built benches have been installed throughout
the East Bay, including 7 in Richmond. These benches are AGENDA
REPORT
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May 27, 2025
widely used and valued, filling a critical gap in
infrastructure without burdening the City’s budget.
A citywide policy is needed to support, guide, and scale these grassroots efforts —ensuring safety, clarity, and continued community participati on in building a more
accessible and rider-friendly Richmond.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a presentation by Transbay Coalition for the
development of a Citywide Community-Led Bus Stop
Bench Program and DIRECT staff to develop a
Community-Led Bus Stop Bench Program (Policy) that
establishes a formal permitting process, waives all
associated fees, and incorporates the design standards
and guidelines developed by the Transbay Coalition and
approved by City Public Works. The program will enable
local volunteers, advocacy groups, and community
stakeholders to legally install and maintain benches at approved bus stop locations throughout Richmond that
currently lack adequate seating - Councilmember Jamelia Brown (510-609-5780) and Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda
(510-685-5002).
DISCUSSION:
Bus stop benches are a low -cost, high -impact public infrastructure improvement that encourages transit use, reduces congestion and pollution, and promotes transportation equity. As public transit agencies face service cuts, the need to make waiting areas more accessible, comfortable, and dignified has become increasingly urgent —particularly for seniors, people with disabilities, and transit-dependent residents.
Currently, Richmond has no formal program or permitting process that allows community members to legally install benches at bus stops. Despite this, residents —through partnerships with groups like the San Francisco Bay Area Bench Collective and the Transbay Coalition—have already responded to this service gap. Over 70 community - built benches have bee n installed throughout the East Bay, including 7 in Richmond.
These benches are widely used and appreciated by riders.
Each bench costs approximately $150 to build, and the outpouring of community interest has produced more volunteers than can currently be deployed. If approved, the Transbay Coalition is committed to ensuring all approved benches are installed at bus stops across Richmond by the end of summer 2025, at no cost to the City.
This proposed policy would:
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May 27, 2025
Establish a formal and streamlined permit process
Waive all associated permit fees to remove financial barriers Adopt design and safety standards approved by City Public Works Coordinate with AC Transit, WestCAT Transit, and City departments Include maintenance and removal protocols
Encourage “Adopt-a-Bench” community stewardship
Allow groups to access available City grants to support material costs
Aligning with AC Transit’s 2025 resolution encouraging improved bus stop amenities, this program presents a scalable, community -driven model to en hance Richmond’s infrastructure while empowering civic engagement and supporting sustainability goals.
Improving bus stop infrastructure increases public transit ridership, thereby reducing car use, emissions, and parking demand. A bench refurbishment/rem oval protocol will encourage responsible recycling of materials and discourage waste. The program will also prioritize high-need, underserved neighborhoods to ensure equitable impact.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Presentation: Bus Stop Bench Program Richmond Bench Policy - Google Slides
Attachment 2 – Draft Design and Installation Guidelines (To Be Approved by Public Works)
1017
Allowing community-led bus stop
bench building in Richmond, CA
Spring, 2025
1018
Since 2020, Transbay Coalition works
in the nine-county Bay Area to
advocate for equitable, sustainable
public & active transportation.
We have 8,000+ members throughout
the Bay Area, including over 50 in
Richmond
Who we are
1019
Richmond has well over 100 bus stops
and a significant number of them lack
benches
Richmond residents
are too often forced
to stand while
waiting for the bus
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1021
Benches are a matter of justice and community
care
● Being forced to stand for a bus is physically uncomfortable, especially for the elderly and people with disabilities
● Uncomfortable transit experiences push people toward car-ownership which is polluting and worsens traffic
1022
Why some communities don’t have benches at
their bus stops
● Bus stop amenities are the responsibility of the city, not the transit agency, and both cities and transit agencies tend to be short on funds ● Competing city spending priorities
● There are a LOT of bus stops, so the city prioritizes benches for the most used ones
● Not every bus stop has the physical space for a bench to be installed in a way that is ADA-compliant 1023
In response to hearing about a disabled senior waiting for a bus while sitting on the curb in Berkeley, a group of volunteers built and installed an ADA-compliant bench at the stop
Richmond isn’t alone in this problem
1024
Since 2023 the group has installed 80 benches
throughout the East Bay
1025
The benches are highly engineered…
The Duderstadt Bench design has
been used for over 210 public
benches in SF since 2012
Benches are anchored to the concrete
using ⅜” anchors, standard for street
furniture.
1026
Properly installed
ADA-compliant
Allows people to pass unobstructed
Bolted to the ground, cannot move or tip over
https://www.actransit.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/March%202025%20TSDG.pdf https://newspack-berkeleyside-cityside.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/AC_Transit_Multimodal_Corridor_Guidelines_Final.pdf 1027
…And very popular
1028
“The 300+ residents of
Piedmont Gardens thank
you, Mingwei Samuel”
1029
But the project is in a legal gray
area which prevents scaling up to
bench all of Richmonds stops
1030
If fully legalized then:
● The benchers could be allowed to use larger spaces for building workshops (like church parking lots)
● The benchers could openly recruit volunteers and donors rather ● Installations could happen in the open
This policy would fix that and allow for a significant
increase in bus stop bench installations in Richmond
1031
In a
weekend-long
backyard
workshop the
group builds &
installs a dozen
benches
● Roughly 20-40 volunteers pitch in, ages have
ranged from 15 to 73
● Benches are built with readily-available
power tools
● Materials are either bought with donated
funds or directly donated
● Built in a volunteer’s backyard
● Installed at night, often brought to the
location via bike
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50 benches in
1 weekend
If fully-legalize, the team could build and install
1033
● Maintenance is straightforward and can be done by the city, the installers, or the community in an “adopt-a-spot” format
● Liability risk to the city is negligible considering that the City of Richmond already has benches at many bus stops
● Community-led and funded bench installations frees up Richmond to spend resources elsewhere ● As AC Transit service cuts loom, longer wait times are likely ● Adding benches to bus stops is a proven method for increasing ridership ● Benches are easy for an experienced team to relocate if necessary ● While to our knowledge, no other city has implemented this program, Berkeley is exploring it, and the City of Oakland has unofficially endorsed community-led bench installations We can solve Richmond’s bus stop problem this
summer
Common questions
1034
1035
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May 27, 2025
City Council
DATE: May 27, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Soheila Bana
Subject:
Seismic Retrofit Study and Program Development for
Older Residential and Small Business Structures
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Upon receipt of the RFP response, City staff will return with an update and a request for an appropriation.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
More than 15,000 homes in Richmond were built over 50
years ago—prior to the adoption of modern seismic
building codes. Many of these properties may be at risk in the event of a major earthquake, particularly those with unreinforced masonry (URM) or soft-story construction.
To proactively address this threat to life, property, and housing security, the City must undertake a
comprehensive assessment and program design effort.
Attached is a map identifying homes in Richmond that
were built over 50 and 75 years ago, highlighting the
scale and geographic distribution of this issue.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
DIRECT City staff to initiate a Request for Proposals
(RFP) to conduct a city-wide seismic vulnerability study and to develop an incentive and grant program for
retrofitting high-risk buildings - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490).
AGENDA
REPORT
1037
May 27, 2025
DISCUSSION:
More than 15,000 homes in Richmond were built over 50 years ago—prior to the adoption of modern seismic building codes. Many of these properties may be at risk in the event of a major earthquake, particularly those with unreinforced masonry (URM) or soft -story construction.
To proactively address this threat to life, property, and housing security, the City must undertake a comprehensive assessment and program design effort. Atta ched is a map identifying homes in Richmond that were built over 50 and 75 years ago, highlighting the scale and geographic distribution of this issue.
As part of the proposed RFP, it is suggested that the selected consultant shall perform a number of tasks, including but not limited to the following:
1. Conduct a citywide assessment estimating the number and types of residential and small business structures in need of seismic retrofitting
2. Identify and prioritize high -risk properties, such as soft -story and unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings, based on vulnerability factors and geographic distribution
3. Develop a comprehensive incentive plan to support earthquake retrofitting that includes:
o Exploration of existing county, state, and federal grant programs (e. g., FEMA, Cal OES, CEA Brace + Bolt)
o Strategies to connect property owners to these resources o Recommendations for potential local incentives or support programs
Goals of the Program:
Protect lives and reduce injuries in the event of a major earthquake Minimize economic and housing displacement caused by structural damage Promote community awareness and equitable access to retrofitting resources
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – List of California earthquake safety building codes and legislation enacted over the past 50 years
Attachment 2 – Parcel map of Richmond shaded by age of structure 1038
A comprehensive list of significant California earthquake safety building codes and legislation enacted over the past 50 years (1975–2025). This timeline highlights key developments aimed at enhancing seismic resilience in the state:
Attachment: California Earthquake Safety Building Codes and Legislation (1975–2025) Year Legislation / Code Description
1975
California Seismic
Safety Commission
(CSSC)
Established to provide policy recommendations on earthquake safety and to coordinate seismic hazard mitigation efforts statewide.
1983
Hospital Facilities
Seismic Safety Act
(Alquist Act)
Mandated seismic safety standards for hospital facilities, requiring them to remain operational after earthquakes. 1990 Seismic Hazards
Mapping Act
Required the state to identify and map areas prone to
liquefaction, landslides, and amplified ground shaking, ensuring new developments consider these hazards.
1994 Senate Bill 1953
Amended the Alquist Act, setting deadlines for hospitals to retrofit, rebuild, or close facilities that do not meet seismic safety standards.
1997 Uniform Building Code
(UBC) Update
Incorporated lessons from the 1994 Northridge earthquake, enhancing seismic design requirements for various building types.
2001 California Building
Code (CBC) Adoption
California began adopting its own building code, incorporating and amending provisions from the International Building Code (IBC) to address state-specific seismic concerns.
2008 CBC Alignment with
IBC
The CBC was updated to align more closely with the IBC, ensuring consistent seismic safety standards across
jurisdictions.
2013
San Francisco
Mandatory Soft-Story
Retrofit Program
Required evaluation and retrofitting of wood-frame buildings with soft-story conditions to improve earthquake resilience. 2015 Los Angeles Soft-Story
Retrofit Ordinance
Mandated retrofitting of soft-story and non-ductile concrete buildings to enhance structural performance during
earthquakes.
2020 CBC Update Incorporated the latest seismic research and engineering practices to further improve building resilience.
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1040
May 27, 2025
City Council
DATE: May 27, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Soheila Bana
Subject:
Development of Ordinance to Ban Land Grab Practices
and Promote Housing Accessibility
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None at this time.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City of Richmond faces rising housing costs,
displacement, and reduced community stability due to the increasing acquisition of residential properties by for- profit corporations and investors. Developing an
ordinance that bans land grab practices aims to prohibit such acquisitions to preserve housing accessibility and affordability, prioritize community-based ownership
models, and recognize housing as a public good.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
DIRECT City staff to study federal and state legislation regarding land grab practices by for profit corporations and investors and return to the City Council within 180 days with recommendations regarding the viability of
enacting a local ordinance, at which time the City Council may decide whether to direct staff to draft an ordinance - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490).
DISCUSSION:
AGENDA
REPORT
1041
May 27, 2025
The growing commodification of housing by for -profit entities has significantly impacted housing affordability and community stability in Richmond. For-profit corporations and investor(s) ownership has driven displacement and hindered resident -centered housing models. The City Council recognizes that housing is a fundamental human need and is committed to addressing these challenges through progressive housing policies.
Recent media reports and housing studies have highlighted growing concerns over “land grab” practices —where real estate investment trusts, corporate entities, and high -net- worth individuals accumulate large numbers of residential properties. These practices restrict supply, increase housing prices, and make homeownership unattainable for many working families.
In Irvine, California, a single developer, Donald Bren, through the Irvine Company, has acquired vast control over the local housing market, setting design standards and influencing access.
A sudden shift in California’s housing market has opened doors for corporate and speculative buyers to scoop up homes while prices stabilize. In cities like Malibu and San Francisco, billionaires are buying multiple properties despite high interest rates and natural disasters, putting pressure on local housing availability.
These trends risk replicating inequitable ownership patterns in Richmond, driving displacement and diminishing opportunities for new and first -time homebuyers. There is a need to create an ordinance that aligns with Richmond’s commitment to equitable housing policies, community stability, and resident-focused development.
In efforts towards creating a local housing market with long -term affordability and inclusivity for Richmond resident s, Council direc ts staff to study proposed legislation, including state bills AB 2584, SB 1212, AB 1333, and federal legislation, entitled “ End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act of 2023 ” and to return to the City Council within 180 days with recommendations on a local ordinance, at which time the City Council may decide whether to direct staff to draft an ordinance.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
None
1042
May 27, 2025
City Council
DATE: May 27, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Soheila Bana
Subject:
Presentation by the Coalition/Taskforce to End Gender - Based Violence
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Identify a funding source to support the Public Awareness Campaign and forwarding of
recommendations by the Coalition/Taskforce to End
Gender-Based Violence
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
Resolution honoring the Richmond Taskforce to Eliminate Gender Based Violence- November 26, 2024 meeting
Resolution 138-24, adopted on November 26, 2024
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
A presentation from the Coalition/Taskforce to End
Gender-Based Violence on a report of the final
recommendations from Phase I and Phase II- of their
work. Additionally, the Coalition/Taskforce to End
Gender-Based Violence will provide an update on its
current work and request the City’s continued partnership on this work and funding.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a presentation from the Coalition/Taskforce to
End Gender Based Violence on the final
recommendations from a report completed in January
2024 (Phase I) and an update of the work the
Coalition/Taskforce to End Gender Based Violence is
working towards advancing the recommendations
including implementing a Multilingual and Multicultural AGENDA
REPORT
1043
May 27, 2025
Public Awareness Campaign (Phase 2). ISSUE A
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AND IDENTIFY a funding
source for staffing support and the implementation of the Public Awareness Campaign and other costs related to
support the recommendations that anticipates concluding at the end of January 2026 - Councilmember Soheila
Bana (510-672-3490)
DISCUSSION:
Receive a presentation from the Coalition/Taskforce to End Gender Based Violence on the final recommendations from a report completed in January 2024 (phase I) and an update of the work the Coalition/Taskforce to End Gender Based Violence is working towards advancing the recommendations including implementing a Multilingual and Multicultural Public Awareness Campaign (phase 2).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – PPT
1044
Richmond Task Force to End GBV &
Together We Rise: Richmond GBV Coalition
May 27, 2025
Update to the Richmond City Council
N Y A B I N G H A
Z I A N N I
T H E R E S A R U S S E L L
G R E E N W O O D
N O E M I
F R A N C O
1045
Goals Today
SHARE ● Update on work (since 11/26/24 presentation when Council passed Resolution 138-24)
○ Final Report of Task Force Recommendations on
Policies & Practices to End Gender-Based Violence
(GBV)
○ Launch of Phase 2 and the Together We Rise:
Richmond GBV Coalition
REQUEST ● Continued Partnership of the City of Richmond ● Appropriation of $100,000 in Funding in FY 2025-2026 to Support the Coalition’s work
1046
Leadership
Task Force Members (44) and Coalition Members (25 continued Phase 2) include: survivors; community leaders; civic leaders; community -based organizations; and other community, public, and private stakeholders.
1047
Leadership (con’t)
1048
Leadership (con’t)
1049
Organizations
● Nepali Health Advocates
● Office of Assemblymember Buffy Wicks
● Office of Contra Costa District Attorney
● Office of Mayor Eduardo Martinez
● Office of Neighborhood Safety
● Office of the Public Defender, Contra Costa
County
● Reentry Success Center
● Richmond Rainbow Pride
● Richmond Police Department
● Rubicon Programs
● West Contra Costa Unified School District
● Center for Empowering Refugees and
Immigrants
● City of Richmond’s Office of Neighborhood
Safety & Community Crisis Response
Program
● Community Strengths
● Community Violence Solutions
● Contra Costa Alliance to End Abuse (EHSD)
● The CHAT Project
● The Family Justice Center
● Fierce Advocates
● The Latina Center
1050
Founding Partners
• Councilmember Soheila Bana , City of Richmond
• Trina Jackson-Lincoln, City Council Liaison & Project Coordinator, City of Richmond • Susun Kim, Executive Director, Family Justice Center
• Jenn Marshall, West Center Director, Family Justice Center • Miriam Wong, Executive Director & Founder, The Latina Center • Katherine Rife, Director of Policy & Communications, The Latina Center • Police Chief Bisa French , City of Richmond
• Ilaf Esuf, Office of Assemblymember Buffy Wicks
1051
Phase 1: Task Force Planning Team
1052
Phase 2: Coalition Planning Team
• Nyabingha McDowell, CHAT Project
• Katherine Rife, Director of Policy & Communications, The Latina Center • Richa Ruwala, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, MPH Candidate • Noemi Franco, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, MPH Candidate 1053
Timeline: Pre-Launch of Task Force
1054
Timeline – Phase 1: Task Force
1055
Timeline –
Phase 2: Task Force Ends & Launch of Coalition
1056
Launch of Task Force
March 28, 2024 @ 440 Civic Center 1057
1058
Meeting 1 @ Family Justice Center (May)
1059
Meeting 2 @ Reentry Success Center (June)
1060
Task Force’s 4 Committees
1061
Meeting 3 @ Rubicon Programs (July)
1062
Meeting 4 @ Family Justice Center (September)
1063
Meeting 5 @ RYSE Center (November)
1064
Meeting 5 @ RYSE Center (November)
1065
Meeting 5 @ RYSE Center (November)
1066
Curriculum
“Dating Matters” @ De Anza High School
1067
Meeting 6 (Virtual December 2024) &
Meeting 7 @ Rubicon (January 2025)
1068
*Final* Recommendations
1069
To create recommendations on policies and
actions to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in
Richmond that center the voices, lived
experience, and leadership of survivors and
community.
Task Force Purpose
1070
Our Coalition is a long-term collaborative effort to
end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Richmond.
As Members of the Coalition, our three key
objectives (more details in next section) will be to:
1. Develop the Coalition’s Structure
2. Implement a Multilingual GBV Awareness
Campaign in Richmond
3. Advance the Recommendations on Policies
and Practices created by the Task Force
Coalition Purpose
1071
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(Budget 4 mins)
Budget
Revenue for Phase 1 & 2
1074
Budget
Expenses for Phase 2 (Coalition) - Campaign
1075
Budget
Expenses for Phase 2 (Coalition) - Campaign
1076
Budget
Expenses for Phase 2 (Coalition) - Operations
1077
¡Gracias! Thank You!
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