RNCC Meeting Minutes, May 14, 2012
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 P.M. by President Bea Roberson.
2. MSP approval of the Minutes from April 9, 2012 meeting after corrections were made.
3. Representatives from the following 15 neighborhoods introduced themselves and some gave reports: Carriage Hills North, Fairmede/Hilltop, Greenbriar, Hilltop Villages, May Valley, North & East, Panhandle Annex, Parchester Village, Pt. Richmond, Pullman, Richmond Annex, Richmond Heights, Richmore Village & Metro Sq., Santa Fe, and Shields-Reid.
4. Announcements from RNCC PIO: Goretha Johnson told us about the SS Red Oak Pancake Breakfasts are starting again, Wednesday June 6th, from 5-7 pm, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce is having a thank you event for the RNCC support regarding the General Plan at Hotel Mac. There was an announcement to double check your neighborhood council’s information so it can be updated on the city’s website as well as the RNCC website.
5. City Department Heads/City Official Reports:
Public Works: Yader Bermudez was absent but Warren Williams filled in for him and told us about how well Cinco de Mayo event went. They are paving on the parkway, fixing the Plunge, and Nicholl Park tennis courts. Parks dept. is trimming the weeds along the major streets. They are working on the street light updates with LED lighting and trying to update the street sweeping.
Engineering Services: Edric Kwan stated that Public Works week was coming up and that they were having a BBQ on May 25th, as well as there will be displaying about what is happening in Public Works. They are updating the “Christmas Tree” lighting in the city to make all lights separate from each other. The Ohlone Greenway is fully funded and work will begin soon. If you are driving the speed limit from San Pablo Ave. to Point Richmond on Cutting Blvd., you should be able to travel the whole way without stopping.
City Manager/Community Coordinator: Rochelle Monk was here for the Finance presentation but did not stay. She passed out fliers about becoming COR Ambassadors.
Mayor’s Office: Nicole Valentino was absent but had the Mayor’s Report passed out. In it was an article about the Via Verdi sinkhole being in it’s 4th and final phase, and that the City of Richmond unanimously passed the Municipal ID on May 1st.
Police Department: Chief Magnus passed out their Police Alert that officers are passing out to the residents in and around a burglary. They only had one arrest at the Cinco de Mayo event and that was someone that was intoxicated and caused a problem. They had a bike rodeo this past Saturday and handed out 300 bike helmets. They are also having 40 hour mental health training sessions for the officers to help recognise those in need. The Shotspotter has been a great deterrent for those shooting guns in Richmond. The New York Times is doing an article on the Shotspotter and Richmond. The Richmond Police Department is having a medication drop off bin placed at police headquarters. In the last 100 years of the Richmond Police Department they have lost 10 officers. Dumpster divers are against the law.
Code Enforcement: Tim Higares told us they have received a $302,000 grant to green the allies in North Richmond. Tim was asked to be part of the SB181 bill which is new legislation on the illegal dumping of mattresses. The city of Oakland has been watching Richmond Code Enforcement and how they handle illegal dumping. Tim also brought a flier that they will be distributing. They are also Working on a lien and levy list of money owed to code enforcement. Currently, there is no RV parking ordinance, so the safety committee has asked Tim to look into this.
Environmental Manager: Lynne Scarpa brought us fliers on mosquitoes and what you can do to keep them away from you without toxic chemicals. The storm water initiative was defeated. There will be prizes at National Night Out for the “Best Green Parties”.
Planning: Lina Velasco brought 2 planning project lists, one is the regular one with projects under consideration and the second one is the over the counter permits that have been issued since the beginning of the year. She told us that the General Plan was finally adopted at the last city council meeting. Richmond is one of the first cities to have a Health and Wellness element in their General Plan. We have received $1.26 million in grants to do updates on Baxter Creek, do rain drains on 23rd Street and other environmental issues.
6. Presentations:
The first presentation from Finance Director Jim Goins was done before the City Staff reports. He was updating us on the 2012-2013 budget for the City of Richmond. His PowerPoint presentation showed us where the city has been and where it is going. The City’s economy is getting better but the state of California is not. The mortgages that are underwater is still high in Richmond and we have about 1100 foreclosures in Richmond. The going average home in Richmond is between $175,000 and $211,000, which is a good sign that our economy is getting better. We have a 15.9% unemployment rate in the city of Richmond, as of March 2012. The city’s credit rating is still strong and they are expecting to balance the budge but the middle of the week of the 21st of May. Right now, the city has 806 employees and they will have less than 800 before the final budget. They will not be laying anyone off, they will have people retiring and they will not fill the position. Another way to make the budget balance is to take way from the street paving program, i.e., last year, they had $7 million and this year they will have less money.
The Second presentation from Dr. Harter and the West Contra Costa School District. They have a parcel tax increase and extension on the June ballot. Dr. Harter told us how well the schools are doing and that the City of Richmond saved 3 schools that the school district was going to close. The new J.O. Ford School has been open since December, but they were having the grand opening on Saturday, May 19th at 10 A.M.
The third presentation from Council member Ritterman. He was presenting his sugar-sweetened beverage tax to be on the November ballot, once City Council approves it. This is a $0.01 per ounce on all sugar-sweetened beverages sold in the city of Richmond. This applies to sugar-sweetened drinks, including sodas, lemonade, iced tea, Gatorade and any and all non-carbonated sugar-sweetened drinks.
7. Old Business: None
8. New Business: Sunday, May 20th from 12 noon to 1:30 P.M. the Police Commission is having a meet and greet with the Richmond Police and the residents of Richmond.
9. Adjournment: 9:21 P.M.
Thank you to Fairmede/Hilltop and Country Club Vista for providing the refreshments.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jan Mignone
Recording Secretary