RNCC Meeting Minutes, May 10, 2010

 

1.  The meeting was called to order at 7 PM by President Bea Roberson.

 

2.  MSP approval of the Minutes of the General Meeting of April 12, 2010. The Agenda & Minutes will now be emailed to all representatives unless specifically requested by snail mail.

 

3.  Representatives from 16 neighborhoods introduced themselves and gave a report.

 

4.  Announcements from RNCC PIO:  Naomi Williams reported on current events and correspondence in the RNCC binder, which was then passed around for members to view

 

5.  City Department Heads/City Official Reports:

  • Planning:  Lamont Thompson distributed the list of active projects & the green building ordinance requirements.  The General Plan update was also distributed indicating that the next draft of the document, including the updated housing element, is scheduled to be issued in June.  The existing Draft EIR will be updated to include changes made to the General Plan and the Housing Element.  No projected date for the EIR was given.
  • Engineering Services:  Edric Kwan updated us on the sinkhole on Via Verdi, which will most likely require a 9-14 month repair schedule at a cost of approximately $7.5 million.  The Capital Project List for next year is not yet completed. 
  • Mayor’s office:  Marilyn Langlois handed out a sheet of  upcoming events, public hearings and study sessions.  She then discussed the recent agreement by the City & Chevron that will be discussed and voted on at the City Council Meeting on May 11.
  • City Manager/Community Coordinator: Rochelle discussed the new mailing and copying policy for the next fiscal year. (see attached)   She also thanked the neighborhood councils for all they have done so far to reduce costs.  The new policy will be periodically reviewed to assess effectiveness.  The Neighborhood clean-up program is still being worked on and wouldn’t happen before July. City Manager, Bill Lindsay, then spoke at length about the new agreement between the City and Chevron.  Chevron will pay $114 million in new revenue into city coffers over the next 15 years under a set schedule.  In return, the City will drop its November ballot measure and Chevron will do the same with their counter-initiative.  Chevron would keep paying what it owes under the City’s utility tax law and complete provisions in the “community benefits agreement” from 2008.  The City Manger felt it was a win/win for both the City & Chevron.  The City Council will hear comments and vote on the agreement on May 11.  There is also more information on the City’s website.
  • Police Department: Deputy Chief Ed Medina handed out the latest crime stats, which show that violent crimes are down 10% and property crimes are down 5%.  There are still about 5 shootings a week, which is still a concern to the department.  Residential burglaries and grand theft are up 20 %, which are also a major concern.  The RPD is in the process of updating their policy manual, which is a huge undertaking.  The RPD is now using “touch DNA” testing on firearms, which is proving to be a helpful resource in solving crimes.  There is new crime prevention website:  www.nixle.com, which will give crime alerts via texts and emails from the RPD Crime Prevention Program. 
  • Environmental Manager:  Lynne Scarpa passed out flyers about low cost alternatives and non-chemical alternatives for controlling ants without using pesticides. She gave us a test on information she has presented so far this year –along with rewards for correct answers. 
  • Public Works:  Yader Bermudez talked about the areas he is in charge of:  paving, traffic lights and trash and how neighborhood councils can file complaints or contact him.  The list of streets scheduled for repaving the next fiscal year is not yet complete. 

 6. Presentation:  There were two presentations.

 

  • Michelle Itagaki from the Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau talked about her weekly e-newsletter covering arts and cultural events.  There is also a website calendar that neighborhood councils can use to publicize neighborhood events: www.richmondcacalendar.com.  Members were encouraged to subscribe to the e-newsletter and forward it on to their residents at www.visitrichmondca.com.  If RNCC members have an event to contribute, they can contact Michelle at (510) 237-1403 or michelle@visitrichmondca.com. This is a great way to learn about events and publicize your own.
  • Heather Kulp and Andrea Bailey from the Chevron Community Outreach Department talked about Chevron’s work in the community & the schools and its wish to better and restructure the relationship between Chevron and Richmond.   Chevron did a study of how to improve this relationship, which was distributed.  To begin, Chevon wants to get out in the community to listen to concerns of the neighborhood councils.  They want Chevron employees to be liaisons and attend neighborhood council meetings.  Neighborhood Councils can self –nominate this person or Chevron will provide someone.  Chevron has also invited all RNCC members to a tour of the facility on June 23 from 3-5 PM.  If you want to participate, you need to call Bea at (510) 215-8120 to sign up.  Heather will need the list 24 hours in advance.

 7. Old Business:  Don Woodrow suggested ways that each Neighborhood Council can personalize their own history and add it to the resource binders handed out at the April meeting.

 

8.  New Business: There was no new business.

 

9.  Adjourn:  The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.

 

The next General meeting is June 14, 2010 and the next Board Meeting is June 21, 2010.

 

Thank you to North and East & Iron Triangle Neighborhood Councils for providing refreshments.

  

Respectfully submitted: 

Kaye McKleroy

Recording Secretary

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