On the agenda: Richmond’s next sewer operator, $550 million in Chevron money and faster buses

Veolia won’t bid to keep running Richmond’s wastewater treatment plant, leaving Jacobs and Inframark competing for the next 10-year contract. At a special meeting on Tuesday, November 10, the City Council will also consider hiring a consultant to ask residents how to spend the city’s $550 million Chevron settlement. The agenda also includes faster buses and new shelters on Macdonald Avenue and Cutting Boulevard, a youth counseling program for people affected by gun violence, and a $2.1 million street repair contract.

Richmond prepares to replace Veolia

Veolia's contract expires May 15, 2027. It covers the wastewater treatment plant, sanitary sewer system, and storm drain system. When bids closed September 29, the city had proposals from just two firms, Inframark and Jacobs.

An evaluation panel of city employees and a West County Wastewater District employee scored Jacobs 90.4 out of 100 and Inframark 82. Most of the difference came in staffing and management plans, where Jacobs scored 27.4 and Inframark 22. Their fee scores were nearly identical, 23 and 22.8. The agenda packet does not include the bid amounts.

The new contract would run for 10 years, with an option to extend it another five. Tuesday's item is a briefing, not a decision. Staff wants council feedback before returning November 17 to seek permission to negotiate with Jacobs. A final contract could come before the council in December.

The transition comes three years after a week of sewage odor over Point Richmond. Mayor Eduardo Martinez ran a special meeting wearing a poop emoji mask and told Veolia, "It is our information. We're paying you." At that meeting, then-Councilmember Doria Robinson asked the city attorney to look into "transitioning to a more responsible provider."

Mayor probes Richmond wastewater operator during special meeting

Last Update: Thursday, December 14, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. The Richmond City Council and Point Richmond residents took the city’s wastewater plant operator to task for the overpoweringly foul odor in the surrounding neighborhoods last week. Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez, who presided over the entire Tuesday meeting

Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

The Jacobs proposal mentions the meeting, calling the plant's odor history "well documented," most notably the December 2023 event.

The contract would require the operator to maintain a 24-hour odor complaint hotline and report every complaint to the city.

Both bidders say they would offer jobs to qualified Veolia employees. The new operator would also take over while the city remains under a settlement with San Francisco Baykeeper and West County Toxics Coalition. The 2018 agreement, which addresses sewage overflows, runs through 2028.

More money for the city's sewer bidding adviser

The Halleman Group wrote the request for proposals and is advising the city through the bidding process. Its contract would increase by $75,000, bringing the total to $325,000. The money comes from the Wastewater Enterprise Fund.

A $300,000 consultant to ask residents how to spend Chevron money

In 2024, Chevron agreed to pay the city $550 million, and the city dropped its proposed refinery tax. Now the city wants Dalberg Consulting to find out how residents think the money should be spent. Dalberg ranked first among 11 firms that applied, and the council authorized negotiations in April.

City announces $550 million settlement with Chevron, withdrawal of oil refinery tax ballot measure

Updated: Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. According to the proposed settlement, Chevron, the City Attorney, and a City Council ad hoc committee have negotiated an agreement that will end the current lawsuit and the threat of new ones. Chevron initially offered the city $300 million or

Grandview IndependentSoren Hemmila

Dalberg proposes holding a town hall in each of the city's six council districts. It would also hold up to four focus groups with residents living closest to the refinery, labor groups, immigrant communities, and young people. Up to four additional sessions would be for small businesses. The plan also includes an online portal and one-on-one interviews with each councilmember.

Residents would weigh in on five draft spending categories, ranging from large-scale economic development to "City Staffing & Consultants."

Dalberg's proposal says it will work from goals the council agrees on collectively, "not the individual – and possibly conflicting – goals of specific Council members." The firm would also advise the city on how to hold and invest the money until it is spent.

The work would take about seven months. Dalberg will present its engagement plan and timeline Tuesday. Its recommendations are advisory, and the council would make the final decisions. The contract would be paid from the Finance Department's General Fund budget.

New bus shelters and faster lights on Macdonald and Cutting

AC Transit wants to install signals that give buses an early or extended green light at about 30 intersections along Macdonald Avenue and Cutting Boulevard. The project also includes 14 bus shelters, nine benches, bus bulbs, and curb ramps. A project map shows the locations.

AC Transit would pay for construction, scheduled for spring through fall 2027. The city would take over maintenance of the shelters and benches afterward, at an estimated annual cost of $54,600.

Police commission nominee returns a third time

Martinez’s nomination of Crescent Diamond to the Community Police Review Commission is back after being continued twice, on October 20 and October 27. The staff report does not explain the delays. Diamond, a leadership and career coach and filmmaker, has lived in Richmond for three years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Hampshire College and a Master of Fine Arts in cinema from San Francisco State University. In her application, she writes, “I want to make a contribution to creating a safer Richmond. I love this city, and I want to make an important difference in my community.”

Grief counseling for youth hurt by gun violence

The Office of Neighborhood Safety wants to award a sole-source contract to RYSE Center. Two RYSE clinicians would provide therapy, grief care, and crisis support to young people affected by gun violence. The program aims to serve 150 people ages 12 through 24.

The recommended action and contract list $480,000 for 2027. The staff report's financial summary lists $900,000. The Richmond Fund for Children and Youth would pay for the program.

County fire district takes over refinery safety enforcement

The council is set to give final approval to an ordinance change transferring enforcement of Richmond's Industrial Safety Ordinance from Contra Costa Health to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. The eight engineers who inspect refineries and chemical plants moved to the fire district as part of the county's reorganization.

A $2.1 million fix for worn-out arterials

McKim Corporation submitted the lowest of three bids to repair the base of major streets around the city. The proposed contract is $2.1 million, or up to $2.52 million with a contingency. The work would be paid for with state Senate Bill 1 gas tax money. A map shows the streets.

Workplace violence law drains safety contract

A $184,800 contract addition with Du-All Safety, bringing the total to $665,760 through June 2027. Staff says a state law requiring workplace violence prevention programs took more consultant time than expected and used up the contract money early.

Overruns on the city's asset inventory

Public Works wants another $107,207 from the General Capital Fund to finish an inventory and condition assessment of city assets with GHD. The additional money would cover project management and fieldwork costs that exceeded the original budget.

Native trees move to the top of the list

The Urban Forestry Advisory Commission recommends adding 33 native tree species to the city's approved tree list and moving them to the top. Staff would then hold a community meeting called "Meet the Native Trees."

Grants for RichmondBUILD and city parks

The council is set to accept $155,000 to train 40 Richmond residents in the construction trades through RichmondBUILD. It would also accept a $25,000 Hellman Foundation grant for the Richmond Parks Equity Partnership. It would also approve an application for state Parks Department funding to revitalize Nevin Park.

New faces on city commissions

Martinez has nominated Alpa Agarwal and Phyllis Howard to the Commission on Aging and Gage Eda to the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission. He is also naming Cynthia Pardinas as his adult representative on the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board.

The council will also approve minutes from its September 22 and October 6 meetings.

Behind closed doors

On Monday, November 9, the council will meet in closed session to discuss hiring a new city attorney. Before Tuesday's meeting, it will also discuss two potential litigation cases.