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1 RESOLUTION NO. XX-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A CONTRACT WITH EARTH ISLAND INSTITUTE (KIDS FOR THE BAY) IN THE AMOUNT OF $168,000 TO IMPLEMENT A SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT PURSUANT TO SETTLEMENT ORDER NO. R2-2025-1019
ISSUED BY THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD _______________________________________________________________________________
WHEREAS, on May 12, 2025, the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Water Board) issued Settlement Order No. R2-2025-1019 (“Settlement Order”) to the City of Richmond and the Richmond Municipal Sewer District No. 1 (RMSD #1), assessing $336,000 in Mandatory Minimum Penalties (MMPs) for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit violations that occurred at the Richmond Water Pollution Control Plant between July 2022 and December 2023; and
WHEREAS, the Settlement Order authorizes up to $168,000 of the total penalty to be satisfied through implementation of an approved Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP); and
WHEREAS, on May 27, 2025, the Richmond City Council reviewed the Settlement Order in Closed Session and voted to authorize its execution and to proceed with payment of $168,000 to the State Water Pollution Cleanup and Abatement Account, subject to the outcome of the required public comment period; and
WHEREAS, the Settlement Order was posted for public comment on the State Water Board website for a period of 30 days, and no comments were received; and
WHEREAS, the Water Board issued the final Settlement Order to the City on July 9, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the City has submitted a formal demand to Veolia Water, the contracted operator of the Richmond Water Pollution Control Plant, seeking reimbursement for the full $336,000 penalty amount; and
WHEREAS, the City has selected the Watershed Rangers Program, administered by Earth Island Institute (Kids for the Bay), as the SEP to fulfill the remaining $168,000 of the Settlement Order; and
WHEREAS, the SEP will provide watershed education and trash cleanup programming at disadvantaged elementary schools in Richmond, improving community environmental literacy and reducing non-point source pollution; and
WHEREAS, the $336,000 penalty amount was included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Wastewater Enterprise Fund budget, and no impact to the General Fund is anticipated.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
Section 1. The City Council finds and determines that the foregoing recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.
Section 2. The City Council hereby approves a contract in the amount of $168,000 with Earth Island Institute (Kids for the Bay) for implementation of a Supplemental Environmental Project pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Order.
Section 3. The City Manager, or their designee, is authorized to execute the contract and to take all necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the intent of this resolution.
Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage. .
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DocID #52262v1
2 CLERK’S CERTIFICATE
I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held on September 16, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
CLERK OF THE CITY OF
RICHMOND (SEAL)
Approved: Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
State of California }
County of Contra Costa : ss.
City of Richmond }
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Resolution No. , finally passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held on September 16, 2025.
Pamela Christian, Clerk of the City of Richmond