On the agenda: land grab ban, Sister City proposal, and cafeteria renovation

The Richmond City Council’s next meeting will feature an agenda covering everything from international travel and proclamations to multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects. There are only two study and action items on the August 26, 2025, agenda. Councilmember Soheila Bana’s item that would Ban Land Grabs in Richmond and a resolution to establish a Sister City with Sebastia.

On the consent calendar is a $113,000 contract with Greentech Industry for selective interior demolition of Richmond’s historic World War II Cafeteria Building at the Point Potrero Marine Terminal.

The building, also known as Building 23, was constructed in 1943 as part of Kaiser Shipyard No. 3 and once served hot meals during wartime ship production. Now part of the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, the structure has sat mostly vacant for about 15 years and has fallen into disrepair.

City staff say the project will remove non-original interior walls, ceiling tiles, flooring, and other materials added over the decades, clearing the way for an architectural assessment to help preserve the site’s historic integrity. Testing earlier this year detected asbestos in floor tile and lead in some painted surfaces; those hazards will be addressed as part of the work.

The Port of Richmond received five bids for the demolition. Greentech was selected as the lowest responsible bidder after a lower bid was deemed non-responsive for failing to meet bonding requirements. Work is scheduled to begin later this month and conclude by June 2026.

Officials say the project aligns with Richmond’s goal of revitalizing the port while protecting its historic resources. Several port-related items are also up for action, including a $250,000 cost-share with Translogix LLC to deploy a state-approved emissions control system at the Point Potrero Marine Terminal, and approval for Port Director Charles Gerard to travel to Québec for an industry convention.

Councilmembers are also set to approve an agreement with the East Bay Regional Park District for short-term maintenance and security at Point Molate.

Two proclamations are also on tap, one recognizing August 9 as the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples and another marking August 26 as Women’s Equality Day. A Labor Day proclamation is also planned.

On the public safety front, the Fire Department is asking the council to adopt the Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan annex for Richmond and ratify several contracts: $89,400 for IT network support, $27,000 for emergency dispatch software maintenance, and up to $600,000 total for ongoing repairs to the fire boat Victory.

The Police Department seeks approval to buy additional 40mm impact munition devices and replacement upper receivers for SWAT rifles, totaling about $32,000 combined.

Human resources proposals include amending the city salary schedule to add a tree trimmer classification and reallocating several positions, including vocational instructor slots.

Mayor Eduardo Martinez is recommending a slate of new appointments and reappointments to city boards and commissions, with terms stretching several years into the future.

Former councilmember Melvin Willis has been tapped to return to city service, this time as a member of the Richmond Rent Board.

Richmond Annex residents Kavitha Iyengar and Garrett Shishido Strain have been nominated to city panels, Iyengar to the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission and Shishido Strain to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board. Both list membership with the United Auto Workers, Democratic Socialists of America, Richmond Progressive Alliance, and Alameda Labor Council.

Several current commissioners are also slated to continue their service. Anita Pereira is being reappointed to the Urban Forest Advisory Committee. Geovanni Flores will continue on the Workforce Development Board.

Valerie Snider, who helps maintain Richmond’s sister city ties with Shimada, Japan, would remain on the Richmond Shimada Friendship Commission. Meanwhile, Planning Commissioner Jonathan “Jon” Harrison is set for another term. Finally, Joann Pavlinec is recommended for another term on the Historic Preservation Commission.

Library and Community Services is seeking approval for more than $1.2 million in federal workforce funds for job training and youth employment, a $45,000 youth outdoors leadership contract with Rosie the Riveter Trust, $150,000 for electrification career training with Contra Costa College, and the new North Richmond mitigation fee spending plan. The council will also review an MOU with Pogo Park tied to the Harbour 8 expansion project.

Public Works has the largest slate of items, including an abatement report and multiple major contracts, including $4.7 million for sewer upgrades at Cutting Boulevard and Harbour Way to comply with Baykeeper settlement obligations, a new biosolids treatment cost-sharing agreement with West County Wastewater, and acceptance of the Dirt World Bike Park renovation, along with related grant funds.

The agenda also includes a $5 million rubberized cape seal paving project with A. Teichert & Son, $450,000 and $922,000 in grants for Bayview-to-BART and McBryde Safe Routes projects, $2 million for on-call concrete repairs, and $399,500 for the Parchester Village–Giant Highway infrastructure master plan. Additional items involve continued participation in the regional StreetLight traffic data program, an amended lease for Hilltop landscape trailers, and a $100,000 on-call legal services contract to support Public Works enforcement.

Also up for approval is a $31,671 grant acceptance for Boorman Park, and multiple routine lease and contract amendments.

The council is expected to act on these items collectively as part of its consent calendar unless a member or the public pulls an item for discussion.

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On the consent calendar: Can Richmond prevent another piece of history from going up in smoke?