July 28, 2026
Library and Community Services
DATE: July 28, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager – Community
Services
Ranjana Maharaj, Deputy Director of Community Services, Recreation Division
Jene Levine-Snipes, Development Project Manager
SUBJECT:
Contract with Richmond Friends of Recreation for Youth
Leadership and Workforce Development Services
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no impact on the General Fund. The proposed $20,000 expenditure is funded by the $255,000 California Department of Transportation Clean California Community Clean Up and Employment Program grant, which is
included within the approved Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Recreation budget.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
May 26, 2026
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff requests City Council approval of a sole-source contract with Richmond Friends of Recreation to provide youth leadership, job-readiness, mentorship, and workforce development services for the grant-funded Stronger
Together: Richmond Cleanup and Leadership Program.
The program combines neighborhood beautification
activities with training and employment preparation for Richmond youth.
AGENDA
REPORT
July 28, 2026
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
APPROVE a sole-source contract with Richmond Friends of Recreation, in an amount not to exceed $20,000, to provide leadership development and youth training for the grant- funded Stronger Together Richmond Cleanup and
Leadership Program, for a term from August 1, 2026,
through December 31, 2027 – Community Services
(LaShonda White/Jene Levine Snipes 510-307-8132).
DISCUSSION
The grant-funded Stronger Together: Richmond Clean Up and Leadership Program is a coordinated community beautification and workforce development initiative designed to improve neighborhood conditions while building leadership and job readiness among Richmond youth. The program includes six dumpster day events, three volunteer community litter clean-ups, bulky-item pick-up support for seniors and individuals with disabilities, youth leadership training, and educational field trips focused on environmental services, recycling, beautification, and workforce pathways.
The City submitted the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) grant application on October 29, 2025, and was notified of the $255,000 award on February 18, 2026. On May 26, 2026, the City Council accepted and appropriated the grant funds. The Caltrans grant agreement was fully executed on July 2, 2026. In accordance with the grant schedule, program activities will begin August 1, 2026, and all grant- funded activities must be completed no later than November 1, 2027.
The approved grant application identifies Richmond Friends of Recreation (RFOR) as the nonprofit partner responsible for youth leadership and job readiness consultant services. The grant budget allocates $20,000 to RFOR to support 20 youth participants from the Office of Neighborhood Safety Life Skills for Peace program through mentorship, workforce preparation, leadership development, and participation in community clean-up activities.
RFOR worked with the City and community partners to develop the program structure and funding strategy included in the State-approved application. Selecting a different contractor would require the City to establish new program coordination and oversight systems that were not contemplated in the approved proposal, creating unnecessary implementation, compliance, and performance risks. Based on RFOR's integral role in the grant application and its established partnership with the Recreation Division, City staff prepared a sole-source justification in accordance with Richmond Municipal Code Section 2.52.326.3
Under the proposed contract, RFOR will provide the following services:
• Job readiness and workforce development training for participating youth; • Mentorship and youth leadership development;
• Coordination with the Recreation Division and Office of Neighborhood Safety for program activities; and
July 28, 2026
• Program documentation and reporting required for its contracted services.
Approval of the sole-source contract will allow the City and RFOR to begin program activities on schedule and deliver the youth leadership and workforce development components required by the grant. City staff recommends approval of the contract in an amount not to exceed $20,000.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Richmond Friends of Recreation Contract
Attachment 2 – Sole Source Justification to the Contract