RNCC Meeting Minutes, June 10, 2013
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:01 pm pm by President Don Woodrow.
2. MSP approval of the Minutes from May 13, 2013
3. The RNCC President, Don Woodrow spoke about 2 things from the month before:
1) There is still trash on Ohio Ave. between the Parkway and Harbour Way South.
2) The RNCC Executive Board decided not to have Chevron speak at the RNCC meetings on a regular basis.
4. Representatives from the following (18) neighborhoods introduced themselves and some gave reports: Carriage Hills North, Eastshore, Fairmede/Hilltop, Greenbriar, Laurel Park, Marina Bay, May Valley, North & East, Panhandle Annex, Parchester Village, Park Plaza, Pt. Richmond, Pullman, Richmond Annex, Richmond Heights, Richmore Village/Metro Sq, Santa Fe, and Shields/Reid.
5. Announcements from RNCC PIO: Goretha Johnson was absent but in her place, told us about the Red Oak Victory Pancake Breakfast on Father’s Day and the third of July BBQ and fireworks also on the Red Oak Victory. ForRichmond is having a community celebration on June 13th at DeJean Middle School. These are just a few of the items in the PIO folder.
6. City Department Heads/City Official Reports:
Public Works: Yader Bermudez passed out the 3 week paving schedule and told us about the Lucas Park playground rehab. They will start the 2013/14 paving program the 2nd week in July and they are working to restore the lighting at the MLK ball field.
Engineering Services: Tawfic Halaby was not available and no one came in his place.
City Manager/Community Coordinator: Rochelle Monk spoke about the 276 Richmond Youth that participated in the Volunteer Service Program so far this year. She also reminded us about National Night Out on August 6th this year.
Mayor’s office: Nicole Valentine spoke about the upcoming events that the Mayor will be involved in including the budget presentations at City Council each Tuesday during the month of June. The Saffron Strand homelessness conference will be on the 17th and 18th. Juneteenth will be at Nicholl Park and the Native American Pow Wow will be at Wendell Park, both on the 22nd. The revised single use bag ordinance is returning to the City Council, and the community gardens are popping up all over the City.
Police Department: Chief Magnus was unavailable but in his place LT. Ron Carmichael who is the swing shift watch commander and is Supervisor of Traffic Division came and gave us some insight into what he does in the Traffic Division. Right now there are only 7 motorcycle officers but they are hoping to expand to 12. They do have the first female officer training to become a motorcycle officer and would like to get more trained as it is a specific type of training. He explained that the City Traffic Engineers are the ones that determine the speed limits and they are the ones that decide about stop signs, speed bumps, speed tables and roundabouts. The Police Department would also like to get a commercial enforcement unit up and running.
Code Enforcement: Tim Higares was unavailable and no one came in his place.
Environmental Manager: Lynne Scarpa was unavailable but Joanne Ly filled in for her. Joanne reminded us about the single use plastic bag ordinance going back to the City Council and they could use our support to stop all of the plastic bags that enter the bay. They have added a trash catcher at Garrity and they have found that many of the diamond plates that protect people from falling into the grates are being stolen. This is a public safety issue and you should contact code enforcement if you notice this problem.
Planning Department: No one was there from Planning, but the project list was passed out.
Fire Department: Terry Harris was on vacation and no one was there in his place.
6. Presentations:
1) The first presentation was given by Bea Roberson as no one from the City’s Arts and Culture office was there to speak. She told us about the upcoming meeting regarding the Port Public Art Project and there will be more meetings in the future to decide where and what art we would have around the Craneway. At the end of the other presentations, we heard from Christina Holtz from the Arts and Culture office and she added to all that Bea had told us. She also told us that $225,000.00 was the amount they had to spend to do this art project.
2) Sandi Genser-Maack spoke to us as a board member of the Richmond Public Library Foundation regarding raising the final $30,000.00 needed to purchase the “Book Van”. They have been raising money and have raised $70,000.00 but still need the last $30,000.00 and they will be selling book plates that will go into Library books and can be donated in someone’s honor.
3) The last presenter was Ana Cortez from the City Housing Department. There is a 2013 Housing Resource Fair on June 15, 2013 from 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. that is being held at the Richmond Auditorium to help those needing housing assistance.
7. Old Business: There was none.
8. New Business: Garland Ellis would like for the NCs to be involved in the zoning codes that are in the process of being written. He has asked for a sub committee to be formed for this purpose. There was also discussion about finding a better laid out meeting place than the multipurpose room in the basement under the Council Chambers.
9. Adjournment: 8:50 PM
Thank you to the Richmond Annex and Marina Bay NCs for providing the tonight’s refreshments.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Jan Mignone
Recording Secretary