July 7, 2026
City Council
DATE: June 16, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Subject:
Resolution to Establish a Public Lands Policy
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no immediate financial impact associated with this item. Staff time required to implement the Public
Lands Policy will be absorbed within existing department resources.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
Presentation received from the Contra Costa County
Building Trades Council to expand opportunities in
Richmond- October 21, 2025
At the October 21, 2025 city council meeting, council gave direction to staff to develop and deliver a Public Lands Policy that adopts labor standards for development
projects that will be constructed on land leased, sold, or otherwise funded by the City, and that includes worker
protections, raises job standards, ensures enforceability, and provides opportunities for career pathways in the
skilled construction trades, including the workers and
Trades affiliated with the Contra Costa Building and
Construction Trades Council and the Nor Ca l Carpenters Union and to bring it back to Council within 90 days.
AGENDA
REPORT
July 7, 2026
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Adopting a resolution to establish a Public Lands Policy (PLP), will help to ensure that any city owned land,
developed by a private developer, has a PLA. This will help ensure our public lands create a benefit to all our of
residents by closing loopholes, raising job standards,
ensure enforceability, and provide more opportunities to career pathways.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution that establishes a Public Lands
Policy and DIRECT City Manager and City Attorney to
deliver and implement the policy -effective immediately. – Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
DISCUSSION:
The construction industry provides a path to middle -class careers for individuals without advanced degrees or facing barriers to quality employment. It is a crucial component towards building economic opportunities for local residents, local high school graduates, veterans and re -entry populations. Hiring and training local residents helps to uplift community members and provides support to surrounding economic development.
The Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades aims to work in close collaboration with the City of Richmond so that Richmond residents are trained and hired to build any construction on City-owned land. Adopting a resolution t hat establishes a Public Lands Policy, an agreement between the City of Richmond and the Contra Costa County Building Trades Council it would provide additional workforce/hiring standards for construction on City-owned land and opportunities to increase local hiring, provide family- sustaining wages, and State-approved apprenticeships.
Staff was directed to bring this back within 90-days from October 21, 2025. However, they have continued to work with the Trades Council and the Carpenters Union to create a policy that works the best for Richmond and our residents.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution Draft