City Council Updates
The Richmond City Council will take up a packed agenda Tuesday night, including a proposal to rename the city’s Cesar Chavez Day holiday, a resolution opposing U.S. military action against Iran, and a long-delayed briefing on efforts to shield residents from federal immigration enforcement.
A holiday gets a new name
The Richmond City Council is set to approve a resolution to rename its Cesar Chavez Day holiday to United Farm Workers Day, with the sponsor citing recent sexual misconduct allegations against the late labor leader, a move that mirrors changes now underway across California and the country.
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, who introduced the measure, said the renaming would stand in solidarity with the United Farm Workers union and better reflect the broader farmworkers movement rather than a single individual.
"The farmworkers movement has always been bigger than any one individual," Zepeda wrote in the agenda report.
The move comes as local institutions grapple with how to respond to the allegations. West Contra Costa Unified School District Superintendent Cheryl Cotton addressed the controversy in a message to families this week, acknowledging "serious allegations that have recently come to light" while also recognizing "the historical importance of the labor movement he helped to lead and the impact on the dignity, rights, and opportunities for farmworkers and their families."
Cotton said the district would engage the community in "thoughtful dialogue" about how it recognizes Chavez across the district, including future discussions about Cesar Chavez Elementary School in Richmond, which bears his name.
The resolution would also direct staff to bring a future agenda item for further discussion on sexual harassment, abuse, and assault, and what Zepeda described as the urgent need to protect and support survivors.
Third time's the charm on immigration briefing
City Manager Shasa Curl and City Attorney Shannon Moore will present a report on Richmond's ongoing and planned efforts to protect residents from federal civil immigration enforcement, including ICE raids. The item has been continued twice, from both the March 3 and March 17 meetings. The presentation is described as an initial briefing.
Cheese Park improvements back before council
Councilmembers Soheila Bana and Claudia Jimenez are asking the council to direct staff to prepare a comprehensive work plan for improvements at Cheese Park, also known as La Moine Park, the green space serving residents east of Interstate 80.
The proposal includes permanent restrooms, a drinking fountain, playground restoration, safety fencing around the toddler area, a children's bike garden, and a volunteer-led repainting effort already underway. Staff would also consult with the community on adding sports courts, senior activity spaces, teen areas, and fitness amenities, and address drainage problems that have made an adjacent soccer field unusable. If the resolution passes, staff would identify funding through the fiscal year 2026-27 capital improvement budget. The item has been continued from both the March 3 and March 17 meetings.
The kids' fund up for renewal
The council will receive a presentation on Article 15 of the City Charter, which governs the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth, and will be asked to provide direction on renewal provisions and options for the program.
Fire code update heads to public hearing
The council will hold a public hearing on a proposal to adopt the 2025 California Fire Code and the 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, both with local amendments, updating the city's fire prevention standards.
Consent Calendar
The council will also consider a range of routine items grouped under the consent calendar, typically approved in a single vote without debate.
A resolution opposing U.S. war on Iran
Councilmember Soheila Bana is asking the council to adopt a resolution opposing U.S. military action against Iran, condemning attacks by the United States and Israel on civilians and civilian infrastructure, calling for immediate de-escalation and diplomacy, urging Congress to exercise its constitutional war powers authority, and calling for an arms embargo on Israel. The item includes graphic photographic attachments of war-related destruction at civilian sites in Iran, for which the agenda advises viewer discretion.
An envelope that could save a life
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda’s Blue Envelope Program was on the agenda twice and is now on the consent calendar. Zepeda has been asking the council to direct the city manager to create a Blue Envelope Program for residents with autism. Enrolled participants would receive an envelope containing information about their diagnosis and instructions for first responders on how best to interact with them.
Confidential investigations contract
The council will consider approving a contract with Bill Whalen and Associates, not to exceed $100,000, to conduct confidential investigations for the Community Police Review Commission through June 30, 2026.
What to keep, what to shred
The council will consider adopting updates to the city-wide records retention and destruction schedules. The Police Department's schedule will be brought back separately at a later date.
Caste out: Richmond moves to ban discrimination
Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, and Sue Wilson are asking the council to adopt a resolution establishing a commitment to caste equity and the prevention of caste-based discrimination, and to direct the City Attorney's Office to add caste as a protected category under the Richmond Municipal Code within the purview of the city's Human Rights and Human Relations Commission. Staff would return to the council for approval within 45 days.
A studio earns its landmark stripes
The council will consider on second reading an ordinance rezoning the John Haley Studio at 771 Ocean Avenue to add a Landmark Overlay District designation, a step toward listing the property on the Richmond Historic Register.
Shields-Reid gets a $400,000 boost
The council will consider approving a second amendment to a construction agreement with Azul Works, Inc., increasing the contract by $400,000 to a total not-to-exceed $5,297,064 to complete maintenance-related improvements at the Shields-Reid Community Center.
The road work is done—officially
The council will consider accepting the 2024 Paving Project (Slurry Seal) as complete and directing the city clerk to record the notice of completion with Contra Costa County.
Van rentals for recreation programs
The council will consider approving a contract with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, not to exceed $90,000, to cover outstanding passenger van rental invoices and projected costs through June 30, 2026, for city recreation programming.
Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month
The council will recognize April as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month in Richmond.
Seats to fill
Mayor Eduardo Martinez will also ask the council to approve appointments to several city boards and commissions: Kaelen Van Cura to the Arts and Culture Commission, Asfar Ali to the Economic Development Commission, Florence Wiley to the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force, Vivian Gomez to the Recreation and Parks Commission, Michelle Bailey-Vaughn to the RFCY Oversight Board, Gabriel Saeyang to the Richmond Youth Council, and Diana Benitez to the Planning Commission. The mayor will also seek the reappointment of Ben Kellman to the Design Review Board.
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