September 22, 2026
City Council
DATE: September 22, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM: Councilmember Claudia Jimenez (sponsor)
Vice Mayor Doria Robinson (co-sponsor)
Subject: Update on Polluters Pay Settlement Funds’ Community Engagement Process
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
September 27, 2024- Intent Resolution No. 105-24
January 27, 2026- Consultant Engagement for
Community Input on Polluters Pay Settlement Funds
April 28, 2026, Update on Community Engagement on
Limited-Term Revenue and Authorization to Negotiate
and Execute a Contract with Dalberg Advisors
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City of Richmond will receive approximately $550
million over the next ten years from the Polluters Pay
Settlement, presenting a significant opportunity to
address historic harms and invest in the City’s long-term economic, environmental, and community well-being.
Given the scale and impact of these funds, it is critical to engage the community in shaping how this revenue is
invested.
Given how significant this money is for the City of
Richmond, Richmond residents have a right to know the
status of this process and how they can engage and
provide input on their needs and priorities
AGENDA
REPORT
September 22, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION: DIRECT the city manager and/or city attorney to provide an update at the City Council meeting on October 20,
2026, on the settlement funds public consultation
process, including the consultant proposal, the public
consultation plan, the timeline and the current state of the funds, and DIRECT city manager and/or the city attorney to continue to provide monthly updates for upcoming city council meetings on the status of the consultant process and funds until the contract deliverables have been met - Councilmember Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565)/Vice
Mayor Doria Robinson (510-620-6568). This item was
continued from the September 15, 2026, meeting.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond will receive approximately $550 million over the next ten years from the Polluters Pay Settlement, presenting a significant opportunity to address historic harms and invest in the City’s long-term economic, environmental, and community well-being. Given the scale and impact of these funds, it is critical to engage the community in shaping how this revenue is invested.
On September 27, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 105-24, which expressed City Council’s intention moving forward to spend the funds received from Chevron in a manner that does not increase the City’s dependence upon Chevron tax revenues, but instead facilitates development of a resilient and just local economy that is independent of the fossil fuel industry.
The City Council, on January 27, 2026, directed the city manager to hire a consultant to work closely with City staff, City Council and community groups to conduct community engagement to solicit feedback on the framework for expenditure for the new general fund revenue from the Polluters Pay Settlement. A request for proposals (RFP) was issued on February 11, 2026, to fulfill this directive.
At the City Council meeting on April 28, 2026, the City Council authorized the City Manager and City Attorney to negotiate and execute a contract with Dalberg Advisors to conduct the community engagement process.
Given how significant this money is for the City of Richmond, City Council would provide direction for City staff to provide an update at the City Council meeting on September 22, 2026, on the settlement funds public consultation process, including the consultant proposal, the public consultation plan, the timeline and the current state of the funds.
City staff would also be directed to continue to provide monthly updates at upcoming City Council meetings on the status of the consultant process and funds until the contract deliverables have been met. Richmond residents have a right to know the status of this process and how they can engage and provide input on their needs and priorities.
September 22, 2026
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
None.