May 19, 2026
City Council
DATE: May 19, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Subject:
Waiver of Auditorium Fees, Staffing Costs, and Other
Associated Costs to Support the West Contra Costa
Unified School District Latino/x Graduation at the
Richmond Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The total fiscal impact is unknown at this time and will include, but may not be limited to the fee waivers for the Richmond Memorial Auditorium, inspection fees, and
overtime for City personnel in various departments.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Currently, the rental costs are cost prohibitive for West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) and this
community event exceeds $50–$100 per hour, per
officer, and it is currently outside the district’s allocated budgetary provisions.
Holding this event as a ‘city-sponsored event’allows for fee waivers when an event provides a direct benefit to
the local community. This support ensures that public
safety remains a priority without depleting educational funds.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
REQUEST the city manager issue fee waivers to West
Contra Costa Unified School District for the use of the Richmond Memorial Auditorium in 2026 for the Latino/x
Graduation Ceremony or Ceremonies, and AUTHORIZE
the city manager or their designee to expend City
resources to support the graduation, which may include
overtime from Police, Fire, Public Works, Community
AGENDA
REPORT
May 19, 2026
Services, and other departments as required -
Councilmember Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565).
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond is defined by its rich cultural tapestry, with Hispanic and Latino residents comprising over 45 percent of the municipal population. This demographic strength is reflected in our schools, where over 50 percent of the student body identifies as Latino/x. Establishing a dedicated commencement ceremony is a strategic priority to honor the academic resilience of these students and celebrate the city's historic roots.
The West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) requests the City waive both the rental fees for the Richmond Auditorium and all associated City of Richmond Police, Fire, Public Works, Community Services, and other staffing fees to accommodate this historic event for the Class of 2026 Latino/x Graduation Ceremony. Given that the Auditorium has a capacity of 3,600, and following review of the Special Event Permit associated with this request, the City of Richmond may recommend that WCCUSD consider expanding graduation ceremonies across additional days, subject to Auditorium availability, to ensure adequate accommodation for family attendance. This approach would also require WCCUSD to provide appropriate operational support, including additional staffing and/or security as needed.
Currently, the facility rental is cost prohibitive for WCCUSD, and this community event exceeds $50–$100 per hour, per officer, and it is currently outside the district’s allocated budgetary provisions.
The projected attendance for this event exceeds 1,000 graduates plus their families, necessitating a venue and safety plan that goes beyond the district’s current infrastructure:
Capacity Limitations: Current district and local collegiate facilities are insufficient to safely house a gathering of this magnitude.
Public Safety Requirements: To ensure a secure and orderly environment, professional crowd control and traffic management are essential.
Fiscal Impact: Standard commercial rental rates and police detail fees often exceed $50–$100 per hour per officer and are currently outside the district’s allocated budgetary provisions. Costs associated with fire-related inspections and personnel are also required for events of this magnitude.
Holding this event as a ‘city-sponsored event’ reinforces productive inter-agency partnership between the WCCUSD and the City of Richmond and provides a direct benefit to the local community. It represents a visible commitment to the safety and
May 19, 2026
success of our Latino/x youth and ensures that public safety remains a priority without depleting educational funds.
City staff will continue to work with WCCUSD staff to ensure that City processes and requirements are met, and that the event is safe for students and families to attend.
Proposed Event Details (Dates and Times May Expand Due to the Number of Participants):
Date: May 30, 2026
Setup: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM (May 29, 2026)
Event Start: 3:00 PM (May 30, 2026)
Event End/Breakdown: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM (May 30, 2026)
Venue: Richmond Memorial Auditorium (403 Civic Center Plaza)
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – DRAFT Permit# R3531- cost estimate