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.
Ribbon Cutting for Mobile Vendor Program
City of Richmond, CA 2024. Photograph.
The Mayor’s office is celebrating the official launch of the Mobile Vendor Program with a ribbon cutting on October 24 at 12:00 PM at 1401 Macdonald Ave., Richmond, CA 94801. Come and enjoy various retail food and locally made goods on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
"The Mobile Vendor Program embodies the City Council’s commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and enhancing our downtown area," said Lizeht Zepeda, Senior Business Assistance Officer.
Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez added, "In the past, street vendors often operated on sidewalks, blocking the public right of way and facing challenges without proper permits. The Mobile Vendor Program provides a pathway to legitimacy, allowing vendors to continue their work in a safe, designated space. This initiative supports both vendors and the community, and I’m proud to have worked with city staff to make it happen."
Gloria Angelica Lopez Gonzalez, owner of Michoacan Burgers, shared her excitement. "We have an opportunity for growth for everyone who wants to start their business on a solid foundation in a safe space, with the support of the City of Richmond. We’ve created a space where the community can enjoy a variety of food and culture! This program encourages people to trust the process and give themselves the chance to grow."
Cal Cities Highlights
Shasa Curl, City Manager, shared updates from the California League of Cities conference, which she attended alongside Mayor Eduardo Martinez, Vice Mayor Jimenez, Councilmember Zepeda, and Deputy Finance Director Mubeen Qader.
"At the California League of Cities, it became clear that Richmond is doing exceptional work. I do not recall another city addressing as many issues head-on as we are," Curl said.
Richmond’s recent successes include building nearly 4,000 affordable housing units; reducing the city’s unhoused population by 25%; receiving an ERF (Emergency Abatement Funds) award and a Project Homekey grant; and launching the Community Crisis Response Program.
Vice Mayor Jimenez added, "Looking at other cities, Richmond is truly making impressive progress."
Councilmember Zepeda echoed this sentiment: "They want to learn from us to help move their own communities forward."
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), observed annually on November 20, honors the memory of transgender individuals who have lost their lives to violence, starting with Rita Hester in 1998.
Jamin Pursell, President of Richmond Rainbow Pride, shared that this year 403 transgender individuals were lost and over half of the victims were here in the U.S. "We need to build a community that learns, accepts, and embraces everyone as part of Richmond’s rich tapestry."
BK Williams, Co-Chair of the RPA Steering Committee, added words of encouragement. "Many have died due to ignorance, and I’m grateful to live in Richmond, where we stand tall against hate. I thank Richmond Rainbow Pride and our council members for their unwavering support."
Pedie Perez Avenue
Reimagine Richmond 2024. Photograph.
Join Pedie Perez’s family and friends on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 1:00 PM for a ceremony naming the corner of Cutting Blvd. and Spring Street in his honor. The tragic loss of Pedie has galvanized city leaders to invest in culturally competent approaches to public safety.
"Únete a nosotros este sábado, 26 de octubre a la 1pm en la esquina de Cutting Blvd y Spring Street para celebrar un momento significativo en nuestra comunidad: el cambio de nombre de esta sección a Avenida Pedie Perez. Seguimos honrando la memoria de Pedie y luchando por la justicia." — Reimagine Richmond
Floria Evans Park
Virginia Playlot, located at S 18th St & Virginia Ave, is officially being renamed Floria Evans Park in honor of a cherished community figure. Born in 1918, Floria was a beloved presence among Richmond youth and young adults.
Lashonda White, Deputy City Manager of Community Services, described her as "a neighborhood hero." Her children reflected on her legacy, with Curtis, Luther, and Caretha sharing emotional tributes. Richmond resident Yenny Garcia added, "These are the ancestors our kids should be looking up to."
Race Equity Action Plan (REAP)
In 2018, the City Council adopted Resolution 9318, committing to applying a racial equity lens in decision-making across city departments. Following extensive training and community input, staff urged the council to hire a dedicated staff member to oversee race equity work.
Alicia S., a Richmond resident, expressed, "Each department should form an equity statement. We need dedicated staff for this critical work."
Johana Gurdian, Mohamed Taleb, Dr. Kerby Lynch, Nikki Beasley, and Roxanne Carrillo Garza all spoke in support of REAP. Councilmember Melvin Willis additionally recommended hiring a data analyst to further strengthen these efforts.
Richmond Property and Business Improvement District
Lizeht Zepeda, Senior Business Assistance Officer, and Sarah Wally, Interim Executive Director of Richmond Main Street, provided updates on its comprehensive approach to revitalizing the downtown business district.
Managing over 37 properties, the organization leads efforts to celebrate the city’s rich history and vibrant culture. Stay tuned for a Holiday Festival on December 11, 2024 that will feature activities for hundreds of local kids.
Safety Stakeholders Association Launches
The City of Richmond, Richmond City Council, The Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS), and Silence The Violence proudly announced the launch of California’s first Safety Stakeholders Association (SSA). This initiative brings together over 35 stakeholders, community-based organizations, agencies, and elected officials who are passionate about reducing violence in all forms.
The coalition kicked off with an open public Zoom meeting on October 23rd that brought together SSA representatives and the general public. Stay tuned for details on getting involved in violence prevention on your block.
City Beautification Updates
Improvements are underway for medians throughout Richmond. There will be weed, excess soil, and debris removal on Macdonald Ave. between 41st and 44th streets. The Central Ave. medians near Costco will also receive new mulch. The city further plans to remove vegetative obstructions from medians across the city.
Shimada Commission Updates
Jamie Brown, Chair of the Shimada Commission, reported on the 65th anniversary of Richmond’s sister city relationship with Shimada, Japan. Since 1961, the two cities have exchanged students, teachers, and community leaders, fostering meaningful cultural connections.
Stay Safe from Invasive Mosquitoes
Invasive mosquito species capable of transmitting diseases have been detected in Richmond. The Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control District urges residents to eliminate standing water from common areas like plant saucers, water buckets, and bird baths to reduce mosquito breeding.
Events
The Future of EPA Decision-Making
The June 28, 2024, Supreme Court decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo overturning Chevron deference marks a pivotal shift that could reshape environmental regulation as we know it. The longstanding Chevron decision established the principle that federal courts must defer to an agency’s reasonable interpretation of any statute deemed to be ambiguous. With the authority of judges now expanding into the realm of policymaking, there are far-reaching implications, several of which are not fully understood.
In this webinar, legal experts will discuss the implications of the overturning of Chevron deference and its profound impact on science, public health, and decision-making. The webinar will conclude with a Q&A, giving you the chance to engage with our speakers and learn more about how to get involved in efforts to promote science that strengthens and safeguards public health. This webinar is hosted in collaboration with the Collaborative for Health & Environment (CHE), Earthjustice, and UCSF’s EaRTH Center.
Webinar 1: The Overturning of Chevron Deference: Impacts on Environmental Health Decision Making
Date: November 13, 2024 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Webinar 2: Behind the Scenes at EPA: What's Going Wrong?
Date: December 9, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
RSVP link coming soon!