July 7, 2026
Public Works
DATE: July 7, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, Director of Public Works
Darin Fitzpatrick, Assistant Deputy Director of Public
Works, Operations & Maintenance
Subject:
Appropriate Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting
Maintenance District Fund Balance Reserves for
Emergency Lighting Repairs
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed appropriation of up to $141,746 from available Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting
Maintenance District (MBLLMD) fund balance reserves
will fund emergency lighting repairs. The appropriation utilizes existing MBLLMD reserves and does not increase property owner assessments. There is no impact to the
General Fund.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City recently experienced significant wire theft and vandalism impacting lighting infrastructure within the
Marina Bay area, including portions of the Marina Bay
Trail system and adjacent park facilities. Approximately 85 lights were identified as non-operational following the theft and vandalism incidents. Due to the extent of the damage and the importance of restoring lighting within
this critical public access corridor, City staff is requesting authorization to appropriate MBLLMD fund balance
reserves to support the required repairs.
AGENDA
REPORT
July 7, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to APPROPRIATE the Marina Bay
Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District
(MBLLMD) fund balance reserves in an amount not to
exceed $141,746.00 for emergency lighting repairs
associated with wire theft and vandalism within the
Marina Bay area and AUTHORIZE the City Manager or
their designee to take any further actions necessary to complete the repairs - Public Works Department (Daniel
Chavarria 510-620-5478/Darin Fitzpatrick 510-231-3044).
DISCUSSION:
On April 30, 2026, Public Works staff were notified that the Richmond Police Department arrested an individual in the process of committing wire theft and vandalism along the Marina Bay Park Trail corridor. Following an investigation by Public Works and Electrical Division staff, approximately 156 lights were identified as impacted and non-operational due to stolen wiring and related vandalism. Additional impacted areas were later identified near Rosie the Riveter Memorial Park and Barbara & Jay Vincent Park.
The affected corridor is part of the San Francisco Bay Trail system and serves as a critical public access route for residents and visitors. The lighting outages have created operational and public safety concerns within the Marina Bay area, particularly with increased seasonal public use and upcoming waterfront events.
Public Works evaluated both in-house repair options and contractor-supported repair options. City staff determined that utilizing an on-call contractor is the preferred approach due to the scale of the repairs, staffing limitations, and the need to expedite restoration efforts while allowing City crews to continue addressing ongoing citywide maintenance priorities.
Public Works obtained a proposal from NEMA Construction in the amount of $141,746.00 to restore lighting infrastructure damaged by wire theft and vandalism within the Marina Bay area (Attachment 1). The proposed work includes replacement of stolen electrical conductors, splicing, conduit repairs, fuse and fuse holder replacements, installation of security lids, and restoration of lighting systems serving Lucretia Edwards Shoreline Park, Barbara & Jay Vincent Park, the San Francisco Bay Trail, and Crystal Cove Bay Trail. The project will restore approximately 156 lights and bollard lights currently impacted by theft-related outages and improve system security to reduce the likelihood of future vandalism.
The Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District Engineer’s Report authorizes the use of District revenues for the maintenance, servicing, operation, repair, and improvement of parks, trails, landscaping, lighting infrastructure, and related public improvements within the District boundaries (Attachment 2). Eligible expenses include
July 7, 2026
electrical energy for public lighting facilities, maintenance and servicing of improvements, and costs incidental to the operation of District improvements.
The affected lighting infrastructure serves Marina Bay Park, Barbara & Jay Vincent Park, Lucretia Edwards Shoreline Park, Rosie the Riveter Memorial Park, and Bay Trail facilities, all of which are located within the District.
Due to the extent of the damage and the need to restore lighting infrastructure serving District improvements, City staff recommend that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the use of available Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District fund balance to cover the full cost of the emergency repairs (Attachment 3). The proposed appropriation of $141,746.00 is consistent with the authorized uses of District funds and will restore critical lighting infrastructure serving parks, trails, and public access facilities within the Marina Bay area. The proposed appropriation would utilize existing MBLLMD reserves and would not increase property owner assessments.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – NEMA Construction Proposal
Attachment 2 – Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District Engineer’s Report
Attachment 3 – Resolution