On the agenda: immigration enforcement limits, children’s fund future, and a packed consent calendar

The Richmond City Council meets Tuesday, April 7, at 6 p.m. for a meeting that touches on immigration policy, the future of a children’s funding program, and a long list of contracts, reports, and appointments.

An ICE-free zone ordinance

The most significant item on the agenda is the first reading of an ordinance that would amend Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 2.30 to formally restrict how city property, personnel, and resources can be used for civil immigration enforcement. The council directed staff to draft this ordinance back in February, so Tuesday marks the start of the formal adoption process. A second reading would be required before it becomes law.

The proposed amendments to Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 2.30 would explicitly bar city-owned facilities from being used as staging areas, processing locations, or operational bases for immigration enforcement activities. The ordinance would also require city departments to develop training protocols, establish interdepartmental procedures, and create a community-facing communications and preparedness plan.

If the council approves the first reading on Tuesday, a second reading is anticipated on April 28. The ordinance would take effect on May 28.

Richmond to cap final contaminated Marina Bay site

Richmond city officials are seeking approval to award a construction contract to cap the last remaining contaminated parcel in Marina Bay, completing a years-long environmental remediation effort.

The council is set to approve a $785,350 contract with Berkeley-based O.C. Jones Inc. to install a temporary protective cover over Area FM, a contaminated site next to Lara’s Fine Dining. The project would be funded through the Marina Enterprise Fund, with an additional $450,000 appropriation requested to cover cost overruns, contingency reserves, and project management.

A map shows City of Richmond–owned deed-restricted properties in the Marina Bay area, including Area FM and other former industrial sites subject to land-use covenants and long-term environmental monitoring requirements, 2026. Image/ City of Richmond

The site is part of the historic Richmond Shipyards, which saw heavy industrial use during World War II and has required ongoing environmental management ever since. The California Department of Toxic Substances Control signed off on the remediation plan in fall 2025.

Construction will involve grading the land, installing stormwater drainage systems, and laying an asphalt concrete layer to serve as the temporary cap, preventing contact between people and contaminated soil and limiting the spread of pollutants.

If approved, the project would complete environmental capping on all nine city-owned parcels in Marina Bay, subject to land-use restrictions due to soil or groundwater contamination.

O.C. Jones Inc. submitted the lowest of 12 competitive bids received in January, coming in more than $125,000 below the next lowest offer.

Children’s fund decision looms

When Richmond voters approved the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth in 2018, they wrote into the city charter a dedicated slice of public tax dollars, routed annually to community organizations.

Now, as the fund approaches its 2028 expiration, city officials must decide whether to renew the arrangement and whether to change it.

The fund currently directs three percent of Richmond’s unrestricted general fund revenues, about $8.5 million this year. By charter design, 85 cents of every dollar must flow to nonprofit and public agency grantees. Since reaching full funding in fiscal year 2023-24, the fund has awarded grants to 46 community-based organizations.

An independent evaluation by WestEd found programs largely met service targets, but also flagged weaknesses in data systems and residency verification, accountability concerns that critics of government-funded nonprofit contracting frequently raise.

The council faces a decision by June 13: reauthorize the fund as-is by majority vote, send it unchanged to November voters, or propose amendments. Options on the table include reducing the funding percentage, expanding eligible uses, or increasing administrative oversight.

If renewed at current levels, the fund would distribute an estimated $99 million over the next decade. Community meetings are scheduled for April 13 and 15.

Update on Green-Blue New Deal progress

Staff will report progress on a sweeping economic and environmental initiative, with updates spanning offshore wind energy, building electrification, and downtown revitalization.

The quarterly status report on the city’s Green-Blue New Deal highlighted several milestones from the final quarter of 2025, including a $750,000 state grant awarded to the Port of Richmond for offshore wind planning and a $500,000 federal grant to fund environmental job training for residents affected by contamination and economic inequity.

The city’s job training program for building electrification completed its first cohort, with graduates placed in internships at Richmond’s Public Works department and local electrical companies.

A small business beautification program in the downtown corridor officially launched in late December, and a task force focused on revitalizing Macdonald Avenue held three meetings, including a walking tour with state legislators.

The initiative, rooted in a 2021 city resolution, aims to create at least 1,000 new green and blue economy jobs while advancing climate resilience and economic equity. City officials identified five priority areas when the plan was approved last July: port and offshore wind development, building electrification, brownfield redevelopment, downtown revitalization, and zero-emission vehicle transition.

Housing Authority matters first

Before the city council convenes at 6 p.m., the Richmond Housing Authority meets at 5:55 p.m. The key item there is a public hearing on the agency’s Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Plan and a five-year plan running through 2030, which would then be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The council’s consent calendar is substantial as ever.

Where the suburbs meet the flames

On the public safety front, the council will vote on adopting the 2025 California Fire Code with local amendments on its second reading, including wildland-urban interface provisions significant given Richmond’s fire risk zones.

SWAT helmets, contracts, and racial profiling software

The police department has four items: approval of a $46,232 purchase of Ops-Core ballistic helmets for the SWAT team; receipt of the January 2026 monthly crime report; authorization of recurring law enforcement contracts with Contra Costa County and the State of California totaling $1.35 million annually for services including forensic analysis, jail intake, telecommunications systems, and officer training; and a three-year $300,000 sole-source contract with Veritone, Inc. for racial profiling data reporting and audio/video redaction services required under state law.

Docks, weeds, and dollars

On the economic development and infrastructure side, the council will consider a $1.08 million contract with Dynamo Construction for repairs to Berth 7 at the port, and a weed abatement contract with T&R Riparian Restore worth up to $209,355 over three years.

Paint, plants, and paperwork

Public Works has a busy docket as well: a contract with Chrisp Company for citywide roadway striping and street sign services worth up to $1.25 million over five years; two separate contracts with Blue Angel International LLC, one for bulk landscaping materials and one for plant materials, each worth up to $500,000 over five years; and resolutions ordering the preparation of annual engineer’s reports for both the Marina Bay and Hilltop Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Districts.

Keeping the lights on

The Finance Department is asking the council to approve a $59,230 contract with Willdan Financial Services to conduct a Traffic Impact Fee Study and Comprehensive User Fee Study, and to receive the city’s investment, overtime, documentary transfer tax, and pension reports for February 2026.

Kaiser, Chevron, and the building trades

Community Services is seeking acceptance of a $4,500 Kaiser Permanente sponsorship for Park Prescription Day and nearly $247,000 in workforce development grants from multiple sources, including Chevron, the Pinole Youth Foundation, and the state Employment Development Department, to support RichmondBUILD participants, a Youth Trade Fair, and rapid response services for workers facing layoffs.

Appointments and a new year

Mayor Eduardo Martinez is asking the council to confirm several commission appointments, including reappointments of Thomas Kaun to the Library Commission and Bryan M. Harris to the Commission on Aging, and a new appointment of Kathleen Tarr to the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee. The council will also consider a proclamation recognizing April 14 as Nepali New Year (Naya Barsha 2083 Bikram Sambat).

Behind closed doors: clerks, unions, and a pavilion

Before the public meeting, the council will go into closed session to evaluate the performance of the city clerk, discuss ongoing labor negotiations with six employee unions, including police, fire, and SEIU, and negotiate the Craneway Pavilion with Orton Entertainment, LLC.

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