On the agenda: police reform, historic fires, green economy, homeless services

Richmond’s City Council will confront a packed agenda Tuesday night, from overhauling police oversight to launching a thousand-job green economy initiative as the city grapples with public safety concerns, environmental challenges, and community development needs.

Major fires prompt Richmond to safeguard historic landmarks

Councilmembers Soheila Bana and Doria Robinson have developed a comprehensive plan to protect the city’s historic buildings following two devastating fires that damaged what they call "significant cultural landmarks."

The proposal directs city staff to work with the Historic Preservation Commission to create a public inventory of city-owned historic buildings, establish a process for installing commemorative signage on both public and private historic sites, implement basic protection measures like improved lighting and fire-resistant landscaping, evaluate each structure’s preservation needs individually rather than applying uniform rules, explore grant opportunities and community partnerships for funding. A progress report will be provided to the council within 180 days.

CPRC's 8 changes & $338,000 to make it happen

The Community Police Review Commission is seeking sweeping changes to strengthen civilian oversight of the police department through eight key recommendations, including extending the complaint filing period from 120 days to one year and allowing anonymous complaints to be filed. The commission also seeks to expand its jurisdiction to review all complaints against officers, not just cases involving excessive force, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and officer-involved shootings as currently permitted.

The proposed reforms would lower the standard of evidence from “clear and convincing” to “preponderance of the evidence,” authorize the commission to subpoena documents and records, require annual public reports, and make non-confidential investigation records available online. The commission also seeks authority to redact complainants’ names from public documents to protect their privacy and prevent retaliation against those who file complaints.

The council will consider the recommendations alongside a proposed budget increase from $80,129 to $338,629 to fund a full-time investigator and enhanced community outreach. The changes require negotiations with the Richmond Police Officers’ Association under state labor laws.

Chevron’s millions won’t buy Richmond more police

The Richmond City Council responds to a grand jury report that found violent crimes increased from 2021 to 2024 despite a reduction in homicides, while police staffing remains below approved levels following a $3 million budget reallocation to community services.

The 2024-2025 Contra Costa County Grand Jury report criticized the city for failing to act on two expert studies that recommended increasing the number of sworn officers in the Richmond Police Department. The Matrix report from March 2023 and the Raftelis report from May 2024 both recommended increased police staffing.

The grand jury also found that a Community Crisis Response Program, designed to handle mental health calls, has been slow to launch, with only two full-time staff members as of April 2025, and that no calls have been routed through police dispatch. The city anticipates that the program will be operational by the first quarter of 2026.

In its response, the city disputed several findings and rejected using Chevron settlement money for police hiring, calling it "fiscally irresponsible to spend one-time funds on ongoing staffing costs." The council cited recruiting improvements that led to 40 new hires in 2022-2023 and 21 percent pay raises for officers between 2022 and 2025, though Richmond Police Chief Bisa French agreed with most of the grand jury’s critical findings.

The responses revealed a divide between the city council and the police chief on key issues. While the council disagreed that budget cuts were the sole cause of eliminating specialized units and disputed claims about overtime increases, Chief French agreed with the grand jury’s assessment that the reallocation directly impacted police operations and led to increased mandatory overtime. The council also disputed claims that it took no action on staffing recommendations, pointing to successful recruitment campaigns and pay raises.

Richmond’s thousand-job promise

The council will receive an update on the top five projects in the Richmond GreenBlue New Deal with expected implementation over the next five years. Following an internal evaluation process that included surveys of city staff, the Economic Development Commission, and the Workforce Development Board, the city has narrowed its focus from 24 potential projects to five key areas that will drive job creation and environmental sustainability.

The selected projects aim to create at least 1,000 new green-blue jobs while advancing economic equity and environmental justice through targeted investments in clean energy, infrastructure upgrades, and workforce development. The five priority projects represent Richmond’s comprehensive approach to sustainable economic development.

Port Upgrades and Offshore Wind Manufacturing focuses on modernizing port infrastructure while positioning Richmond as a hub for the emerging offshore wind industry, combining traditional maritime commerce with renewable energy manufacturing.

Building Electrification Retrofits and Green Accessory Dwellings addresses the city’s housing and energy needs by upgrading existing buildings to electric systems and creating sustainable secondary housing units.

Brownfield Research and Innovation involves rehabilitating contaminated industrial sites for new economic uses while advancing environmental cleanup technologies.

Destination Downtown aims to revitalize Richmond’s urban core through sustainable development and green infrastructure that attracts businesses and visitors. Finally,

Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles encompasses the shift to electric vehicle adoption, charging infrastructure development, and related workforce training programs, aligning with the city’s existing planning efforts and offering strong potential for workforce development partnerships.

Youth jobs pilot aims to tackle blight in neglected neighborhoods

Councilmember Jamelia Brown is proposing a six-month pilot program called “Clean Richmond” to address litter, illegal dumping, and graffiti issues in historically underserved neighborhoods. Residents have repeatedly voiced concerns about unsafe conditions and neglected public spaces.

The initiative would partner with a nonprofit organization to hire transitional-age youth for a community maintenance crew, addressing day-to-day maintenance challenges that have stretched the city’s Public Works department beyond capacity. Officials acknowledge that growing maintenance demands have outpaced available resources, limiting their ability to address smaller yet highly visible issues in a timely manner, prompting staff to identify funding sources and issue a request for proposals while simultaneously hiring four full-time positions within public works.

Sidewalk vending program after one year

Richmond’s year-old sidewalk vending program has succeeded in reducing unpermitted vendors from 68 to consistently under 30 per month, but enforcement challenges remain significant, according to a city report. Despite issuing 298 violation notices during the program’s first year, the city has collected zero dollars in fines, primarily due to difficulties in confirming vendor identities and limited authority to compel payment under state law, SB 946.

The program, launched in August 2024 to comply with state regulations, has issued only 14 special business permits while recording 303 total vendor encounters through enforcement staff. Food vendors dominate the sidewalk commerce landscape, accounting for 96 percent of all sales, with offerings ranging from tacos and pupusas to fresh fruit and roasted corn.

City officials highlight “The Lot” at 1395 Macdonald Avenue as the program’s biggest success story, operating Thursdays and Saturdays as a structured, city-sanctioned vending space that has become popular with both vendors and customers. Staff are now seeking council direction on potential ordinance revisions, including clarifying permissible vending locations for ADA compliance and exploring alternative enforcement mechanisms beyond the current ineffective fine system.

Overhauling homeless services funding

Councilmembers Doria Robinson and Claudia Jimenez’s item would implement sweeping changes to how the city allocates funding for homeless services, establishing what officials describe as a more transparent and community-driven approach to addressing the housing crisis. The initiative calls for a complete restructuring of the current funding mechanism through a formal Request for Proposal process.

Direct staff to: 1) Facilitate a bi-annual community review and feedback process, and set annual priorities for city-funded unhoused interventions. 2) Develop an RFP process for allocating unhoused services funds. 3) Develop a financial strategy for multi-year and increased annual funding for unhoused interventions. 4) Return to City Council by November 4, 2025, with deliverables for approval, enabling implementation by January 31, 2026.

Flood prevention robots

Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda’s item is a presentation from Levitree to learn about possible nature-based solutions to help Richmond’s shoreline with sea level rise and groundwater infiltration.

$2,000 for El Sobrante Stroll

Councilmember Soheila Bana is making another push for $2,000 in city funding to support Richmond’s participation in the 2025 El Sobrante Stroll, with backing from co-sponsors Councilmembers Doria Robinson and Jamelia Brown. The proposal would allocate funds from the existing city event budget to cover outreach materials, booth fees, and promotional activities for the annual community celebration.

The El Sobrante Stroll draws thousands of attendees from across the region, including Richmond, El Sobrante, Pinole, San Pablo, Hercules, and as far as Vallejo. The event features local business booths, music, food vendors, and showcases from community organizations, serving as what organizers call “a vital platform for community unity and visibility.”

With three council sponsors and funding coming from an existing budget line item requiring no additional revenue, Bana’s persistent advocacy for the community event may finally pay off. The city has previously supported similar community events as part of its commitment to promoting equity, cultural engagement, and neighborhood cohesion across Richmond’s diverse communities.

Public hearing for sanitary and storm fees

The council will hold a public hearing and adopt sewer service charges for Fiscal Year 2024-25, allowing the sanitary and stormwater fees to be collected on the annual tax rolls for 2025-26.

(All items placed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial. These items will be enacted upon together with a motion and second, without discussion, of any member of the City Council, and each item shall be deemed to have received the action recommended.)

Council members will vote on expanding legal representation through a proposed $65,000 amendment with Stoel Rives LLP for land use litigation and a $300,000 increase to Bennett Gelini & Gelini’s contract, which would bring that firm’s total authorization to $859,990 through 2027.

The council will consider adopting a resolution urging Congress to prevent unauthorized military action against Iran and reaffirm its constitutional authority to declare war.

The agenda includes authorizing the city manager to contract for up to $1 million in immigration legal services and public awareness campaigns, while the Environmental and Community Investment Agreement committee has recommended $750,000 in grants to 28 local organizations.

Infrastructure and development items up for consideration include a $72,500 contract for assessing the Point Potrero Marine Terminal processing building and $200,000 for additional terminal safety repairs. The council will also weigh a $700,000 contract with GRID Alternatives for low-income solar installations serving over 20 households.

The Police Department seeks approval for $212,575 in equipment purchases, including air purifying respirators, mobile data computers and tactical ballistic safety gear.

Public Works will request authorization for up to $3.75 million for construction management services with five companies and $1 million in funding for the Point Molate Bay Trail Project.

Library services items include $49,814 for moving services to relocate the Main Library and $30,000 for mobile shelving at the temporary location. The bikeshare program faces a proposed $410,000 contract extension through 2028.

Human Resources will present multiple staffing changes, including new positions for Chief Innovation Officer and Community Ambassador, along with $355,500 for recruitment services.

According to the staff report, the Chief Innovation Officer will drive transformative ideas, integrate innovative thinking across departments, align emerging technologies with City Council goals and the needs of our community, and reinforce the commitment to continuous improvement and adaptability.

Other agenda items include establishing a Community Police Review Commission training program, amending tobacco retailer moratorium rules, and setting residential rental housing fees at $267 for controlled units.

Mayor Eduardo Martinez will seek approval for committee appointment amendments and present a proclamation honoring the 100th anniversary of McGlothen Temple Church of God in Christ, while Chad DeWitt is to be appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission.

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On the consent calendar