RNCC Meeting Minutes, June 12, 2017

1.  The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm by President Stanly Anderson.  President Anderson reported that you may be filmed and have it posted on Facebook and/or Youtube.

2.  MSP approval of the Minutes from the May 8, 2017 meeting.

3.  Representatives from the following (15) neighborhoods introduced themselves and some gave reports: Belding/Woods, Castro Heights, Hilltop District, Iron Triangle, Laurel Park, Marina Bay, May Valley, Marina Bay, North & East, Panhandle Annex, Parchester Village, Pullman, Richmond Annex, Richmond Heights, Richmore Village/Metro Square, and Santa Fe NCs.

4. Announcements from RNCC PIO: Madalyn Law had a petition for saving the Nevin Ave. Post Office and a meeting will happen at the Nevin Center on Thursday, June 14, 2017.  The Love Your Block Awards will be held on June 14, 2017 in the Civic Center Plaza. The Home Front Festival and the Rosie Rally will be held on August 12, 2017 from 10-4 and Juneteenth will be on June 17, 2017.

5. City Department Heads/City Official Reports:

Engineering & Capital Improvements: Robert Chelemedos told us that the Ohlone Gap closure is under way and paving is now back on track for this year and they still do potholes on Friday. You can find the paving schedule for the month in The City Manager’s Report.

City Manager/Community Services: Rochelle Monk and LaShonda White talked to us about the City’s Community Survey that will be online starting July 3rd, they also have hard copies of the survey and they also have flyers we can give out to our neighborhood.  They also talked about the consultant that is doing a feasibility study on annexing the unincorporated portion of North Richmond. Summer camp will begin on Wednesday, June 14, 2017.  Rochelle was to show us how to navigate the City’s website but there were technical issues and will try again next month.

Mayor’s office: Sequoia Erasmus told us about the City’s apps, Boards and Commissions that are in need of members, closure of the Nevin Ave. Post Office, Love Your Block Awards, Homeless Task Force, Urban Garden Sign up and the movie night in the Civic Center Plaza.

Police Department: Allwyn Brown was unavailable but Lt T Mollenbernd came in his place.  Crime is on the up swing by 7% to date with burglaries and auto thefts as the leading crimes.  They have a new Crime Stat analyst in Victor Wang.  The officers are pounding the beat on each shift, we are down eight officers and hope to fill the positions soon.  They have completed their first Citizen Safety Academy and will have another one again later this year.  They give great crime tips like don’t leave an empty backpack in your car, criminals do not know there is nothing to steal and will break into your car and don’t forget to lock your doors both to your car and your house.

Dept of Infrastructure and Maintenance and Operations: Tim Higares was not available and no one replaced him.

Planning Department: Jonelyn Whales told us about the ribbon cutting ceremony at Mathieu Court play alley and she explained about the extenet systems small cell networks that are going up all over the City on PG&E poles.  She also passed out the Under Review Planning Projects List and Staff Directory.

Fire Department: Adrian Sheppard told us these are some of the most difficult times for the Fire Department because it is Fire season.  They are doing all they can do to support weed abatement.  They have received a grant to purchase and install smoke detectors for those that need them and cannot afford them, including Seniors.  They will be talking with PG&E about getting their goats out on their property to clean it up and will be contacting the railroads and compel them to clean up their weeds.  The next CERT classes will begin October 3, 2017.

WCCUSD: Marcus Walton was not available.

6. Presentations:
      1) Human Rights: Human Relations Commission presentation presented by Alonzo Saravia talked about what the Commission is all about, educating and distributing materials about what your Human Rights are.  They would like for members to sign up to become a Commissioner and they would also like to either attend neighborhood meetings and/or have their meetings in those neighborhoods.  This is for the people that do not want to come to City Hall to complain.  They meet on the fourth Monday of the month at 6:30 pm in the City Council Chambers.

2) Saving the Nevin Ave Post Office: Presented by Sequoia Erasmus and Doris Mason of the Iron Triangle.  Richmond Main Street Initiative has written a letter that people can sign and send, they must arrive by June 30, 2017 to be read.  The City believes that this is a historical landmark and is an asset for the downtown businesses and community.  Congressman DeSaulnier and Supervisor John Gioia, as well as the Richmond City Council are all supporting keeping this post office open.  There will be a meeting  on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 5:30 pm at the Nevin Center to support this and get the word out.

7. Old Business: By-Laws Amendments – Distribution has been tabled until the next meeting.

8. New Business: None

9.  Adjournment: This meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm by President Anderson.

Respectfully submitted by,
Jan Mignone
Recording Secretary

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