August 19, 2025
Police Department
DATE: August 19, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Bisa French, Chief of Police
SUBJECT:
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the
Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL) for
continuation of academic tutoring and life skills mentoring to Youth
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $325,000 expenditure is included within the approved fiscal year 2025-2026 budget and will
budget accordingly for fiscal year 2026-2027. Police
Department/Youth Services (Account String: 01191021-
400201).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
This proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
will ensure the continuation of the Richmond Police
Activities League (RPAL) programs that serve over 3,000 West Contra Costa County youth annually in academics,
athletics, and life-skills guidance.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between the City of Richmond and the Richmond Police
Activities League (RPAL) to subsidize RPAL staff and
programs, ensuring that academic, athletic, and life-skills services offered by RPAL for the period July 1, 2025 –
June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $650,000 or
$325,000 annually, and AUTHORIZE the City Manager to
negotiate and execute all necessary documents – Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621-1802).
AGENDA
REPORT
August 19, 2025
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Police Activities League (RPAL) is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1982 to provide a positive alternative to involvement in the criminal justice system for youth between the ages of 5 and 18 years. RPAL’s original location was in a small one-room office that, due to the popularity of the program with Richmond youth, quickly became overcrowded. RPAL utilized police personnel and community members to bridge the gap between the police and community. RPAL personnel and volunteers also tutored school-age children in a variety of academic subjects, as well as provided athletic and artistic training to many Richmond youth. The lessons learned far exceeded the classroom and playing field by teaching each child responsibility, community service, and teamwork.
In 1997, RPAL partnered with Mechanics Bank and purchased its current home located at 2200 Macdonald Avenue. Annually, the 40,000 square foot facility provides over 3,000 West Contra Costa County youth with invaluable learning and recreational opportunities that include:
Academic tutoring & homework assistance
Mentoring, leadership, and life-skills training
Audio recording via a state-of-the-art recording studio Athletic training via individual and team sports
Computer lab training & assistance
Community engagement, including participation in toy and food drives; “Shop with a Cop”; partnering with local soup kitchens to feed the homeless; and participating in numerous City-sponsored community events The RPD Explorer program
The City has been offering support to RPAL through the Police Department since RPAL’s inception by providing police personnel to manage and oversee the overall operation. However, in July 2013, RPAL paid staff ceased to be City of Richmond employees. The agreed upon subsidy from the City will help RPAL employ its own staff (including an Executive Director) at significantly lower costs than what it would cost to cover the salary and benefits of City personnel. This new arrangement will allow more funds to go directly to services for Richmond youth.
RPAL is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization that depends on financial support from businesses, corporations, various grant sources, and community members. Despite these sources of support, continued financial assistance from the City of Richmond is critical to meet RPAL’s needs going forward. Approval of this MOU and annual financial support of $325,000 ensures a strong relationship between the City of Richmond and RPAL, as a means of providing quality recreational and delinquency- prevention services over the next several years.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – MOU