AGENDA REPORT
Mayor's Office
DATE: December 02, 2025
TO: Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Members of the City
Council
FROM:
Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Councilmember Jimenez
Subject:
Authorization of Short-Term Support for Richmond
Families and Public School Children affected by
United Teachers of Richmond and West Contra Costa
Unified School District labor negotiations
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Up to $50,000 from the General Fund
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
To provide additional short-term support to Richmond
families during the ongoing labor negotiations
between WCCUSD and the United Teachers of
Richmond, the City is considering directing staff to
identify feasible ways to assist parents and children
and authorizing up to $50,000 for staff to use as
appropriate. This support is intended to supplement
available community resources and offer options for
families who may face challenges accessing services
or who have personal or moral reservations about
crossing picket lines during this period.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
DIRECT the City Manager to (1) work with relevant
City departments to identify and implement short-term
support for Richmond parents and children affected
by the United Teachers of Richmond and West Contra
Costa Unified School District labor negotiations; and
(2) authorize the use of up to $50,000 in available
funds for emergency programming, services, or other
appropriate items as determined by staff – Mayor
Eduardo Martinez (510-620-62503) and
Councilmember Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565).
DISCUSSION:
On December 1, 2025, the United Teachers of Richmond announced a strike as part of their negotiations with the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD).
WCCUSD serves over 24,000 students across over 50 schools covering Richmond, El Cerrito, San Pablo, Pinole, and Hercules, with the vast majority of schools are located in Richmond. WCCUSD serves a large number of Richmond children and shifts in school operations may create immediate challenges for parents and guardians who rely on daily schedules and services. Since the announcement came less than 24 hours before the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting, the Mayor has placed this item on the agenda as an emergency matter so the City can respond in a timely and responsible way.
Although the City is not involved in WCCUSD labor negotiations, it does have a responsibility to support residents when major institutions experience temporary interruptions. The goal of this item is to ensure Richmond families have access to practical, short-term support during this period. The Council’s direction is intentionally broad to allow staff to assess available resources and determine what is feasible.
Potential opportunities for support may include expanded community center hours, additional recreation programming, targeted outreach, collaboration with community partners, or other short-term measures. City staff will need to consider various factors such as staffing levels, safety and supervision, enrollment logistics, community center capacity, and meal distribution, when evaluating how to provide extra support to children and families during the strike.
The proposed allocation of up to $50,000 is a limited, capped amount intended to give the City Manager the flexibility to use funds as appropriate for efforts that directly assist Richmond children and families. Any use of funds will adhere to the City’s established procurement policies. This funding is not a general disbursement; it is available only for staff-directed actions that meet the immediate needs of the community during this time.
The money left unallocated will be returned to the general fund.
This approach allows the City to supplement existing efforts, avoid duplication, and provide families with additional support when they may need it most.