Reso. No. _____
RESOLUTION NO. ______
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO CONTRACT NO. 7637 WITH
RENAISSANCE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER TO INCORPORATE REVISED SMALL BUSINESS FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OVERVIEW
AUTHORIZING LIMITED EQUIPMENT-RELATED IMPROVEMENTS
WHEREAS, on January 7, 2025, the City Council approved a contract with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to administer the Small Business Building Beautification Pilot Program, now known as the Small Business Façade Improvement Program; and
WHEREAS, the Program provides grants of up to $15,000 per commercial address to eligible businesses and property owners for improvements intended to enhance storefront appearance, safety, visibility, commercial corridor vitality, and economic activity; and
WHEREAS, following City Council approval of the contract, City staff and Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center developed and implemented the Program Overview, which establishes the program's eligibility requirements, eligible improvements, application procedures, grant approval process, and reimbursement procedures; and
WHEREAS, the existing Program Overview generally limits grant funding to exterior improvements visible from the public right-of-way and identifies equipment purchases as ineligible expenses; and
WHEREAS, during the April 28, 2026, Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force meeting, public comment was received requesting that the Program consider allowing limited equipment-related improvements, including air curtains, when such improvements support storefront activation, customer comfort, visibility, pedestrian engagement, or code compliance; and
WHEREAS, on May 12, 2026, the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force, acting in its advisory capacity, formally recommended that staff evaluate amending the Program Overview to allow limited equipment-related improvements on a case-by-case basis; and
WHEREAS, staff has prepared a revised Program Overview allowing limited, permanently installed equipment-related improvements when they support storefront activation, customer experience, pedestrian engagement, accessibility, or code compliance, and when such improvements are determined eligible by the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee in accordance with the revised Program Overview; and
WHEREAS, Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. 7637 will incorporate the revised Program Overview into the contract with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that allowing limited equipment-related improvements that support storefront activation, customer experience, pedestrian engagement, accessibility, or code compliance is consistent with the public purpose and economic development objectives of the Small Business Façade Improvement Program; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment will not increase the total contract amount, and approved equipment-related improvements will be funded within the existing Small Business Façade Improvement Program budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Richmond hereby resolves as follows:
Section 1. Approval of Contract Amendment.
The City Council hereby approves Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. 7637 with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to incorporate the revised Small Business Façade Improvement Program Overview.
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Section 2. Revised Program Eligibility.
The revised Program Overview may allow limited equipment-related improvements when the improvements:
1. Are permanently installed or attached to the building or storefront;
2. Support storefront activation, customer experience, pedestrian engagement, accessibility, or code compliance;
3. Further the purposes and objectives of the Small Business Façade Improvement Program;
4. Comply with applicable permitting, licensing, and regulatory requirements; and
5. Are approved by the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee in accordance with the revised Program Overview.
The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to determine whether a proposed equipment-related improvement satisfies these criteria and is eligible for funding under the Program.
Section 3. Existing Funding
Approval of Amendment No. 2 does not increase the total contract amount. Eligible equipment- related improvements shall be administered within existing Program appropriations and available grant funding.
Section 4. Administrative Authority
The City Manager or the City Manager’s designee is authorized to execute Amendment No. 2 to Contract No. 7637 and to take all actions necessary to administer and implement Amendment No. 2 and the revised Program Overview, including determining the eligibility of proposed equipment-related improvements, provided such actions are consistent with this Resolution, the approved amendment, the Program Guidelines, and available budget authority.
Section 5. Effective Date
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption.
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***THE CLERK’S OFFICE WILL COMPLETE THE INFORMATION BELOW****
I certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting thereof held on Mmmm dd, yyyy, by the following vote:
AYES: AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
CLERK OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
(SEAL)
Approved:
Mayor
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Approved as to form:
City Attorney
State of California }
County of Contra Costa : ss.
City of Richmond }
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Resolution No. _____, finally passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held on Mmmm dd, yyyy.
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Pamela Christian, Clerk of the City of Richmond