October 7, 2025
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Public Works
DATE: October 7, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Jason Lacey, Parks and Landscaping Superintendent
Ranjana Maharaj, Deputy Director for Community
Services-Recreation
Stephanie Ny, Associate Management Analyst
Subject:
Donation of a Memorial Bench Dedicated to Jeff Tauber
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed memorial bench is funded by an in-kind donation valued at approximately $1,500. The donor will purchase the bench directly from the vendor.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
There is no fiscal impact for receiving this item.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Public Works Department and Community Services
Department are requesting City Council approval of a
memorial bench donation. The memorial bench will be
installed in Barbara and Jay Vincent Park.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE the donation of a memorial bench dedicated
to Jeff Tauber to be installed in Barbara and Jay Vincent Park – Public Works Department/Community Services
Department (Stephanie Ny 510-620-6563/Ranjana
Maharaj 510-620-6792/Jason Lacey 510-620-
6920/Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
AGENDA
REPORT
October 7, 2025
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DISCUSSION:
On April 7, 2025, the Community Services Department, Recreation Division received an application to donate and dedicate a new memorial bench in honor of Jeff Tauber (Attachment 1). The application was forwarded to the Public Works Department, Parks and Landscaping Division for review. City staff provided the requestor with the standard bench model for memorial bench donations in the Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting District and approved the proposed bench location (Attachment 2).
At the regular meeting of the Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting District Board on May 15, 2025, the Board approved the donation of the memorial bench dedicated to Jeff Tauber (Attachment 3).
The next step is approval from the Recreation and Parks Commission and subsequently from the City Council. However, recent meetings of the Recreation and Parks Commission have been canceled due to lack of quorum. Accordingly, City staff is submitting the request directly to the City Council for review and approval.
The proposed location for the memorial bench is Barbara and Jay Vincent Park (Attachment 4). Approval from the City Council is required prior to the donation and installation of the bench.
Background
Vivian Vosu, a friend of Jeff Tauber, wishes to donate a memorial bench dedicated to Jeff to honor his love for playing saxophone daily near the Bay Trail. Vivian shares the following information about his late friend and the donation request:
After leading drug court reform in the Bay Area, Jeff moved to Washington D.C. to found The National Association of Drug Court Professionals (now rebranded as All Rise), then returned to the Bay Area to resume his work as a judge here.
Throughout his career, he dedicated himself to a compassionate approach, treating offenders as human beings first, both in court and beyond (e.g., hosting barbecues for former inmates). He worked with them to reform and improve their own lives as a win-win that benefited society as well. He became a consultant and guest speaker across the country and around the world.
Jeff was also a local sax musician. He often played on the promenade near the Richmond Marina, and would exchange friendly greetings with many of the passersby, who had come to know him and enjoy his music as part of the backdrop of the marina. At his frequent appearances at Rigger’s Loft and the Baltic Kiss, he would welcome guest musicians to come onstage and play with him, including those who were better players, whose talents he happily showcased. His aim was always to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and his heart and humanity always showed through in his music. He created opportunities for others to shine.
October 7, 2025
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Upon approval from the City Council, the donor will purchase the bench and plaque directly from the vendor. The vendor will ship the bench and plaque to the Parks and Landscaping Division for installation. The donation is valued at approximately $1,500.
The memorial bench will include a plaque that reads:
Judge Jeffrey Tauber
His healing justice
And soulful sax
Echo across this nation
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Application to Dedicate a Memorial Bench to Jeff Tauber Attachment 2 – Bench and Plaque Photos
Attachment 3 – Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting District Board Approval Attachment 4 – Memorial Bench Location