1 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Background:
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 98-24 on August 14, 2024 withdrawing the Polluters Pay Ballot Measure in exchange for agreement by Chevron Corporation to pay the City the sum of $550 million over a period of 10 years (the Settlement Funds). On September 24th, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No.105 -24, declaring its intention to allocate Settlement Funds to projects that will improve the quality of life for the City’s residents without exacerbating the City’s economic dependence on a fossil fuel economy.
In order to meet those goals, the City Council is proposing the framework for expenditure of the additional General Fund revenue from the Polluters Pay settlement.
Expenditure Goals:
● To create a Just Transition away from a fossil fuel economy, and towards a healthy, inclusive and thriving economy for Richmond;
● To decrease the City's dependence on Chevron, generating new tax revenue streams for the City and high quality union jobs for Richmond residents ● To repair the harm posed by Chevron’s operations on residents’ health and neighborhoods, particularly frontline communities and those most affected historically
● To ensure transparency and public accountability on how the funds are spent, including public involvement in allocating funds for community-visioned ideas ● To protect workers, especially those in impacted industries, and those who work for the City during the ongoing and accelerating economic transition
Intended Expenditure Categories:
● Large-Scale Economic Development: Investment in large-scale projects that would generate tax revenue and have the potential to create high quality union jobs with good benefits while strengthening and diversifying Richmond’s economy. ● Inclusive Economic Development: Projects that support small to mid-sized businesses and build the skills of Richmond’s local workforce. This can include but not be limited to small business grants and job training. ● Community Visioned Projects: Projects and programs directly proposed and developed by Richmond residents that provide direct benefits to Richmond residents and support a Just Transition. A community board would be established to develop criteria, solicit and prioritize projects, and ensure accountability and transparency in the execution of projects.
● Investments in Essential Services & Public Works: Critical Infrastructure projects that demonstrably improves the health and quality of life of Richmond residents, along with emergency and climate resilience. This includes but is not limited to, a
2 ‘Complete Streets' approach to pedestrian safety, bike lanes, and public transportation infrastructure, flood mitigation, improvements to public parks, and make available renewable energy and efficiency upgrades, . ● City Staffing & Consultants: Increase staffing in necessary departments to execute the goals of the fund in order to strengthen, diversify and transition the City economy from fossil fuels and deliver high impact projects that improve residents' lives. As needed, seek the expertise of consultants to offer temporary and specific expertise on economic diversification, workforce development, and climate resilience.
Community governance & accountability:
In accordance with the Intent Resolution 105-24 text which stated that the City Council should evaluate means for expenditures from the funds or funds to be “governed in a manner that is fully transparent and democratic, implementing community-led decision making to the maximum extent allowable under the City Charter”, an important feature of the proposed framework is ensuring community governance and accountability. Community oversight through an advisory board will support equity, transparency, and community alignment.
Project Goals:
● Robust community feedback on the proposed expenditure framework including community sourced proposals for projects.
● Presentation at City Council summarizing community feedback including common themes, priorities and projects, as well as proposed amendments to the proposed expenditure framework.
Scope of Work:
● Conduct 3-5 input sessions, in accessible locations so residents from all districts can meaningfully participate including interpretation/translation as needed. ● Create an online option to submit additional feedback and ideas ● Outreach to a broad group of stakeholders including community groups and labor unions, particularly in neighborhoods impacted by environmental pollution caused by the local refinery’s pollution- frontline communities, Black and Brown, and low- income communities.
● At engagement sessions, solicit feedback on the following ○ Detail projects, ideas, questions about the following expenditure categories:
■ Large-Scale Economic Development
■ Inclusive Economic Development
■ Community Visioned Projects
■ Investments in Public Works & Infrastructure
■ City Staffing & Consultants
○ Community governance & accountability
● Return to Council by May to present following publicly:
3 ○ Summary community feedback and identify common themes, priorities, and project ideas
○ Proposed Framework for adoption by City Council
Qualifications of contractor:
● Experience conducting and facilitating community engagement through listening sessions, workshops, etc.
● Experience serving as a liaison between local government, non-profit organizations, community members and labor
● Experience organizing, analyzing, and summarizing qualitative data ● Experience developing community engagement materials and conducting outreach to ensure wide participation
● Ideal for consultants to have experience working with Richmond communities,
Timeline
January Release RFQ for Consultant
Consultant to present community input plan to City Council
March Community input sessions
May Presentation on findings and proposed adoption of an amended Framework by City Council