Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council
Building Neighborhoods Block by Block

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by President Graham at 7:00 p.m.

2. GROUND RULES Read by Director-At-Large George Schmidt

3. SELF INTRODUCTIONS by each person present.

4. JUNE 9TH AGENDA REVIEW-Approved

5. MINUTES of May 12, 2008 meeting-Approved

6. NEIGHBORHOOD REPORTS: Coronado (5/21 Pot Luck a success!), Cortez/Stege, Fairmede/Hilltop, May Valley, North & East, Pt. Richmond, Pullman, Richmond Heights, Richmore Village.

7. CITY OF RICHMOND:
•    PLANNING DEPT: Lamont Thompson, speaker;
•    City Council moratorium on massage parlors.
•    Text amendment regarding eating establishments in process.
•    Chevron expansion update; Planning Commission recertified EIR on 6/5 with cap recommendations.
•    No info yet on the Kohl’s Department Store project.
•    Provided Planning Dept. Neighborhood Project handout.

PUBLIC SERVICES: Rich Davidson, speaker;
•    Presentation focused on stop signs.  Process includes that a stop sign must be warranted; has to be strategically placed; requires a study; requires a petition submitted from the Neighborhood Council; selection of a contractor then needed before request in completed.
•    July presentation will be on contractors
MAYOR’S OFFICE: Marilyn Langlois, speaker;
•    Community gardens & Meet the Mayor meetings continuing.
•    Update on ONS-Advisory Committee established; Mayor’s office currently involved in many anti-violence initiatives.
•    Juneteenth Festival.
•    Wireless Ordinance progress continuing.
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE: Bill Lindsay speaker;
•    2008-2009 Budget balanced, goes to City Council for final approval on 6/17; Reported some positions needed to be cut, waiting to see what the state’s budget will be before any other action taken for Richmond’s.
•    Discussed rail traffic problems.
•    Took questions regarding Para transit, Contra Costa County service cuts and their impact on Richmond.
BREAK 8:00 Refreshments provided by Quail Hill & Hilltop Village-THANK YOU!!

POLICE DEPT. Chief Magnus, Michelle Milam, speakers:
•     Discussed new neighborhood blight abatement program ready to be launched involving door hangers (in Spanish & English).  Parchester Village first in line for program.  Michelle Milam to be contacted for further info.
•     2008 National Night Out planning in process.  Applications provided.  Target to sponsor kickoff and closing parties this year.
•    Discussed Citizens Academy and provided applications.
•    Discussed street light replacement procedures.

WCCUSD: Dr. Bruce Harter, Superintendent, speaker:
•    School Board will be asking to extend the current parcel tax for November’s ballot.
•    33 of 53 schools in the district have been upgraded/improved.
•    Provided copies of the WCCUSD 2006-07 Annual Report.

8. EXECUTIVE BOARD
•    Director-At-Large Williams Holland discussed Juneteenth Festival and how Neighborhood Councils can participate.
•    First Reading of By-Laws, Article III handed out.  NC’s to report back on any changes at the July meeting (will be 3 readings in total).

9. OLD BUSINESS/Committee Reports:
•     Apple Moth Spraying update by Eleanor Loynd-May Valley; Handed out letter from EBMUD to CDFA as a template for RNCC Board to use to write CDFA as well.
•    President Graham passed around sign up sheet asking for additional volunteers for Committees.

10. NEW BUSINESS
•    Pt Richmond President and RAP Committee member Robin Carpenter gave update on the Telecommunications Ordinance-Ad Hoc Committee now established, Ordinance is currently 20 pages in length, constitutionality currently being challenged.
•    David Vincent discussed update on the Plunge renovation; $500K received for 1st phase, fundraiser currently in process for 2nd phase of raising another $500K.  Asking NC’s for contributions (handout provided).
•    PIO Holland informed body on what to do if a NC wanted to participate in the Juneteenth parade by car or walking contingent-application needed to be processed and submitted.

Meeting Adjourned by President Graham at 9:00 p.m.

James Jenkins, Recording Secretary

NEXT GENERAL MEETING July 14th, 2008
NEXT RNCC BOARD MEETING – June 16th, 2008

1. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by President Graham at 7:00 p.m.

2. SELF INTRODUCTIONS by each person present.

3. MINUTES of April 14, 2008 meeting-Approved

4. AGENDA REVIEW-Approved

5. NEIGHBORHOOD REPORTS: Eastshore, Fairmede/Hilltop, Greenbriar, Laurel Park, May Valley, North & East, Panhandle Annex, Parchester Village, Point Richmond, Pullman, Quail Hill, Richmond Heights, Richmore Village, Santa Fe, Southwest Annex.

6. CITY OF RICHMOND: Lamont Thompson, speaker;
• New Target scheduled to open in August.
• Announced June 5 Chevron Expansion/Planning Commission Meeting, June 5-Kennedy High School Multi Purpose Room, 7:00 pm.
• Provided Planning Dept. Neighborhood Project handout.

PUBLIC SERVICES: Rich Davidson, speaker;
• Provided Clean Water Project pamphlet.
• Discussed AT & T Lightspeed cable installation in Richmond as a competitor to Comcast entailing: Some trenching in the neighborhoods, bigger electrical cabinets, starting with 14 in the Marina Bay area, 46 boxes to be installed west of 23rd.

MAYOR’S OFFICE: Marilyn Langlois, speaker;
• Progress on Wireless Ordinance.
• Youth Employment in July.
• Tent City scheduled for 5/18-5/25.
• Chevron Expansion Community Forum scheduled for 5/29.

CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE: Bill Lindsay, Rochelle Monk, speakers;
• Requested that Neighborhood Councils submit their newsletters at least 2 weeks before their scheduled meetings.
• Graffiti kickoff of 5/10 well attended and went well, volunteers were provided kits to take back to their respective neighborhoods. Emphasized that NC participation is critical to the success of the program.
• Budget for 2008-2009 balanced, will go before the City Council on 5/20 and 5/27 to be adopted at the 6/17 Council meeting. Standard & Poor’s raised City’s rating from A to A+.

POLICE DEPT. Chief Magnus, Capt. Williams, speakers:
• Provided May 7 COMSTAT Report (Violent and property crime down overall, increase in the Northern District with Beat 8 having the largest problem especially during daytime hours).
• Security cameras currently being installed through out the City.
• New Code Enforcement Pamphlet draft unveiled. Report a Crime reward program in place.
• Civic Center Motel crime decrease. Bait car plan working. CHP finished working with City for now.
• WCCUSD: Paul Ehara, Director of Communications, speaker:
• Budget discussion, $10.4 million estimated to be cut from next year’s budget.
Reviewed joint meeting with Richmond City Council held in April.

BREAK 8:45 Refreshments provided by Richmore Village & Panhandle Annex-THANK YOU!!

7. EXECUTIVE BOARD
• Corresponding Secretary Genser-Maack –RNCC Newsletter/Brochure update.

8. OLD BUSINESS/Committee Reports:
• Zeneca/Stauffer Chemical Site Committee Report by Committee member Bea Roberson-Provided Toxic Site Map of Richmond; Group discussion of ongoing battle for development of the Zeneca site.
• President Graham passed around sign up sheet asking for additional volunteers for Committees.

9. NEW BUSINESS
• Guest Jackie Thompson from Tent City Organization: Tent City Board now established, is now officially registered and recognized as a Non-Profit. Asked for Neighborhood Councils to partner with Tent City in addressing the City’s issues.
• Brief discussion on the City’s siren system for emergencies/non-emergencies.

Meeting Adjourned by President Graham at 9:15 p.m.

James Jenkins, Recording Secretary

NEXT GENERAL MEETING June 9th, 2008
NEXT RNCC BOARD MEETING – May 19th, 2008