City Council Updates
The Richmond City Council meets on Tuesday, October 7, with an agenda that includes traffic calming measures for Point Richmond, amendments to several legal services contracts, and the build-out of two mobile crisis response vans for the city’s Community Crisis Response Program, Rock. The council will also consider expanding an underground utility district along Pierce and San Mateo streets to keep a major transportation project on schedule. At the same time, Mayor Eduardo Martinez seeks approval for international travel to China to celebrate Richmond’s 32-year sister city relationship with Zhoushan.
Richmond tries to make Waze shortcut more annoying
The Richmond City Council is expected to approve funding for the design of traffic calming projects in Point Richmond aimed at discouraging freeway commuters from cutting through neighborhood streets during morning rush hours. The item appears on the consent calendar, meaning it is likely to pass without discussion.
The measure would accept $180,000 in Regional Measure 3 (RM3) toll revenue to pay for the design phase of the Point Richmond Traffic Improvements Project. RM3, approved by Bay Area voters in 2018, raised tolls on the region’s seven state-owned bridges to fund road, transit, and congestion relief projects.
The funding would support plans based on a December 2024 study by traffic consultants Fehr & Peers, which found that congestion on westbound Interstate 580 approaching the Richmond–San Rafael Bridge has caused drivers to divert through Point Richmond streets before rejoining the freeway at the Castro Street on-ramp.
To discourage that practice, the study recommended several strategies. These include adjusting traffic signal timing along Cutting Boulevard to increase delays for cut-through drivers, narrowing and restriping Railroad Avenue, and adding speed humps, raised crosswalks, and a new all-way stop sign at key intersections in the neighborhood. Collectively, officials say, the improvements are designed to make shortcuts slower and less appealing while improving conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
The project is fully funded through RM3, with no impact on Richmond’s general fund. A Notice of Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act was filed in July, clearing the project for design and construction. City staff anticipate returning to the council in 2026 to request an additional $600,000 in RM3 funds for construction. If approved on Tuesday, the design phase is expected to be completed by April 2026, followed by construction later in the same year.
City officials say the Point Richmond project will be coordinated with other neighborhood safety projects, including the Downtown Point Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Project, to ensure emergency access and maintain safe routes for all road users.
Coast Live Oak gets official nod
The City of Richmond has adopted the Coast Live Oak as its official native tree following a community survey that drew 597 responses. The evergreen species received the most votes among four California native trees considered by residents between August and September 2025.
Richmond residents invited to help pick city’s official native tree
Richmond is looking for a tree to call its own, and the city wants residents to help make the choice. An online survey, approved by the City Council in June, asks the public to select Richmond’s first official native tree. The winner will be honored with a planting and
Soren Hemmila
The selection process, initiated by the City Council in June, involved the Urban Forest Advisory Committee identifying drought-tolerant native species suitable for Richmond’s climate. The Coast Live Oak, which supports over 160 species of moths and butterflies while providing habitat for numerous birds and mammals, was chosen for its ecological significance and resilience. City staff will conduct a ceremonial planting at Civic Center Plaza to commemorate the designation.
The underground isn’t big enough
The council will hold a public hearing, the only item not on the consent calendar, on a boundary amendment to an underground utility district, a move officials say is necessary to keep a major transportation project on track.
The amendment would add eight parcels along Pierce Street and San Mateo Street to the existing underground utility district, which was originally established in July 2022. City engineers discovered that when they drew the district boundary at the Central Avenue right-of-way, they inadvertently excluded the properties immediately north of the street, even though those parcels are served by PG&E poles within the right-of-way that need to be undergrounded.
City officials warn that delays in approving the amendment could jeopardize grant funding deadlines for the interchange project. However, they emphasize there will be no impact to the city’s General Fund, as the undergrounding costs will be covered by Pacific Gas & Electric’s Rule 20A program, which funds the replacement of overhead lines with underground electrical infrastructure.
On the consent calendar
The council will consider several contract amendments and administrative actions, including major increases to legal services agreements totaling over $875,000, the build-out of two mobile crisis response vans, and four new concrete construction contracts worth up to $2 million each.
The City Attorney’s Office seeks approval to amend its legal services agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, increasing the contract by $400,000 to a maximum of $1.565 million. This amendment ensures the firm can continue providing specialized labor and employment legal services to the City of Richmond.
The Community Development Department proposes increasing Land Econ Group’s contract by $75,000 to $125,000. This extension allows the firm to continue providing financial and economic analysis for property negotiations until December 31, 2026.
The Community Development Department seeks a $400,000 amendment to its legal services agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, increasing the contract to $800,000 until December 31, 2028.
The Finance Department is presenting its monthly reports for August 2025, which include the City’s Investment and Cash Balance Report, Monthly Overtime Reports, Documentary Transfer Tax Report, and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) and Pension Report for council review.
Human Resources seeks to amend its contract with George Hills Company, Inc. for third-party general liability claims administration, increasing the payment limit by $100,000 to a total of $760,000. The contract runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027. HR is also requesting to transfer a Community Engagement Manager position from the Police Department to the City Manager’s Office.
The Library and Community Services Department is requesting an appropriation of $176,851.71 and approval of a contract with Glampervan Global to build out two Ford Transit vans for the Community Crisis Response Program.
The Mayor’s Office is presenting a proclamation recognizing and celebrating National Manufacturing Week from October 6 to 10, 2025, in the City of Richmond, highlighting the importance of the manufacturing sector to the local economy.
Mayor Eduardo Martinez is recommending the appointment of North & East Neighborhood Council President Jan Mignone to the Recreation and Parks Commission for a term that will expire on October 26, 2028.
The Mayor’s Office is requesting direction for the City Manager to establish a Council and City staff Ad Hoc Committee on the Black Resiliency Fund, composed of Mayor Eduardo Martinez and Councilmember Doria Robinson. The committee will guide the purpose, goals, and use of the fund.
The mayor is seeking authorization for international travel to Zhoushan, China, to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the Sister Cities friendship, attend the Seventh China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference, and update the mutual agreement between Richmond and Zhoushan for 2026-2028.
The Public Works Department is presenting a written abatement report from the Public Works Director for council review and receipt.
Public Works is requesting adoption of a resolution and approval of as-needed concrete construction and repair contracts with four selected firms: Calico California Constructores Inc., Inder Design Build LLC, Ruvalcabo Paving Inc., and Yerba Buena Engineering & Construction Inc. Each contract has a not-to-exceed amount of $2 million over an initial three-year term, with the City Manager authorized to approve up to two optional one-year extensions of $500,000 per year per contractor.
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