Latest News from Richmond City Hall
Catch up on hot items from this week’s Richmond City Council meeting below. If you're interested in making public comments as a member of RPA or getting involved, contact us.
Meetings are primarily held on the first, third, and fourth Tuesday of each month at 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804.
Adapting Richmond’s Shoreline and Industrial Legacy
Save the date for a public discussion on how Richmond is gearing up for climate change across our 32 miles of shoreline.
Event Details:
Date: September 28, 2024 | 1:00 - 4:30 PM
Location: 440 Civic Center Plaza Richmond, CA 94804
RSVP to Attend In-Person or Online
"It's a given that sea-level rise will continue and the rate is expected to accelerate, just like climate change. People will be stunned to see the rate of change ten years from today, which is all the more reason to move quickly now. Richmond deserves to have our shoreline contaminated sites cleaned up to the highest protective standards, and we must join together to hold the state and federal agencies overseeing these cleanups accountable." — Janet Johnson, Richmond Shoreline Alliance
Richmond and San Pablo Fiestas Patrias
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the cities of Richmond and San Pablo proudly present "Fiestas Patrias." Join us as we celebrate the rich history of longtime Richmond residents and recent arrivals from Latin American countries — including Mexico, Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Brazil.
Event Details:
Date: September 14, 2024 | 10:00 AM
Location: 23rd St. and Barrett Ave.
The parade begins at 10:00 AM on 23rd and Barrett, extending down San Pablo Ave. Don't miss out on a joyous and historic event!
"I’m proud of the partnership between Richmond and San Pablo in celebrating both Cinco de Mayo and now Fiestas Patrias. These events allow us to embrace and honor the diverse cultures of our communities while fostering a strong sense of unity and pride. I hope many can join us for the parade, and I wish a heartfelt '¡Felices Fiestas Patrias para todos los países de América Latina que lo celebran!" — Eduardo Martinez, Mayor, Richmond, CA
"The City of Richmond will be celebrating, for the first time, Fiestas Patrias and recognizing the Latin American countries and their individual independence celebrations. Many individuals had to leave their native countries in the pursuit of a better life for themselves and their families. This event is a great way to bring all our communities together to celebrate and uplift each other, while recognizing our individualities. Each of us contributes every day in making Richmond the great place for all of us to live." — Cesar Zepeda, Councilmember, Richmond, CA
Holding Richmond Police Accountable
Reimagine Richmond, alongside other community members, raised concerns about the Community Police Review Commission (CPRC) allowing officers who have caused harm to remain on duty. Incidents like transporting a pregnant domestic violence survivor to the Martinez Jail and the assault on Kwesi Guss highlight the urgent need for the city to invest in nonviolent, healing-centered responses to community crises.
"I was 39 weeks pregnant, due to be induced later that week. Not only did I suffer police violence, but my daughter did as well before she was born." — Karen Duran, Richmond Resident
"We feel we need full transparency when it comes to the misconduct that the police act on. We need a system that's not protecting those who harm us. The city council needs to ensure that the Community Police Review Commission is empowered to reflect statewide best practices of police oversight bodies, because no one’s above the law." — Mateo, Richmond Resident
"Richmond right now has one of the weakest community police review commissions because of a variety of policies that we can shift. You all, as council members, have the power…" — Sara Cantor, Richmond Resident
Pedie Perez Street — Resilience Against Police Brutality
Pat Perez, Pedie’s grandmother, and Rick Perez, his father, shared heartfelt remarks about the city's decision to rename the section of Spring Street south of Cutting Boulevard in Pedie Perez's honor. The renaming of this street happened within the same week as the tenth anniversary of Pedie being murdered by a Richmond Police officer.
The resolution to rename the street was unanimously approved by council, with a hearing date for public comment scheduled for September 24, 2024.
"During the past 10 years, since our age 24 grandson was unjustifiably killed by a Richmond police officer, our family has been fighting a system that remains complacent with allowing police officers to kill people who do not have any type of a weapon [and] who are not a threat to the safety of anyone here in Richmond.
The Citizen’s Police Commission, formerly [the] Police Commission, changed the rule to automatically conduct its own investigation into the death or serious injury of a citizen done by a Richmond police officer. No other city in the nation has anything like it. We've gone to Sacramento many times standing with other families whose family members were also killed by police to support new laws when they are proposed.
There [were] five new Senate bills and Assembly bills which have been signed into law during Tom Butt's eight-year tenure as Mayor of Richmond. He did not support the fact that Pedie never should have been killed. Our outcry was not heard.
Mayor Eduardo Martinez [heard] us, and he issued a proclamation on September 19, 2023, acknowledging the profound grief and the unjust loss of peace, life, and the sanctity of all lives.
On May 18, 2024, two works created by local Richmond artist John Toki about Pedie were permanently installed where Pedie’s life was taken 10 years ago. Now, work is now in progress to rename Spring Street from Cutting Boulevard South in honor of Pedie Perez. And we are grateful. Thank you all you guys." — Rick Perez, Richmond Resident
Virtual Power Plant Pilot in Richmond
If you're looking at electrifying your home or business, check out Richmond's Virtual Power Plant (VPP). Spearheaded by MCE, the project offers residents the tools they need to access energy while lowering costs and their carbon footprint. Unlike traditional power plants, customers access power on demand.
$6.3M in Grants Available for Youth Programs
Organizations providing critical services for children and youth are encouraged to apply for grants from the Department of Children and Youth. For the first time, awards will be granted for a three-year, rather than one-year period, starting in 2025. To stay informed, subscribe to the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Competitive Grant E-News Listserv.
Car Wash to Support Richmond Youth
Get your car washed while supporting youth services in Richmond. Hosted in partnership with the Richmond Fire Youth Academy, with proceeds going towards first responder youth mentorship.
Event Details:
Date: September 21, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: 3506 Cutting Blvd., Richmond, CA 94804