On the agenda: $1 million immigrant legal aid, parklet rules, and emergency shelter appeal
Richmond city officials will consider a $1 million initiative to expand legal aid and outreach for immigrants at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, alongside updates on parklet regulations and an appeal for an emergency shelter project.
$1 million initiative for immigrant legal support
Richmond city officials are moving to allocate $1 million to expand legal services and public awareness campaigns for the city’s immigrant community.
The proposal, sponsored by councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Doria Robinson and Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, will be discussed at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. If approved, the funding will support nonprofit organizations providing legal assistance and education efforts to inform immigrants of their constitutional rights.
The initiative comes as immigrant communities across the country face growing uncertainty due to shifting federal policies on asylum, deportation, and family reunification. Advocates say a lack of affordable legal representation has left many vulnerable to deportation and exploitation.
According to the proposal, the city will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a fiscal sponsor to distribute funds to nonprofit organizations providing legal services. The funding will also support community workshops and multilingual outreach efforts to ensure that immigrants are informed about available resources.
The proposal cites three challenges facing Richmond’s immigrant population: a shortage of immigration attorneys, increasingly complex immigration laws, and limited access to community education.
If approved, the city’s finance department will oversee the allocation of funds from the fiscal year 2024-25 surplus budget, and city staff will initiate the RFP process to select a fiscal sponsor.
Appeal on denied emergency shelter permit
The council will consider an appeal for a conditional use permit to operate an emergency shelter at 207 37th Street. The Planning Commission denied the application due to concerns about public safety, parking, and compliance with city regulations.
Soren Hemmila
Requiring large retailers to offer healthier options at checkout
According to the agenda report, retail stores in Richmond heavily promote unhealthy snacks at checkouts, driving poor nutrition and increasing health risks like obesity and diabetes, particularly in underserved communities. The HOPS Initiative seeks to address this by requiring large retailers to offer healthier options at checkout counters, supporting public health, and promoting consumer choice.
Research has shown that curated food environments in predominantly low-income communities of color contribute to health disparities, increasing the risk of dental cavities, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
The council received a report from HOPS youth advocates in 2022 and directed the preparation of a draft ordinance within 60 days, requiring large retail stores to stock healthier items at checkout areas.
However, this directive was not implemented due to transitions and competing priorities.
Making municipal IDs free
Municipal IDs can assist vulnerable populations (undocumented, immigrants, unhoused, reentry, etc.) by providing the documentation needed to apply for Medi-Cal and CalFresh and obtain a driver’s license. This can improve public safety, increase civic participation, and support pathways to engage with local commerce, according to an agenda report by Councilmember Soheila Bana.
Providing municipal IDs at no cost would help ensure that all Richmond residents can participate fully in community life, access local services, and feel a sense of empowerment and belonging.
Additional funding for Nowruz Spring Equinox Celebration
Councilmember Soheila Bana is requesting $3,000 for the Nowruz Spring Equinox Celebration.
The celebration is a cultural event promoting diversity, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding, particularly for Western and Central Asian immigrant communities in Richmond. While the city has already allocated $3,000 from its cultural celebrations budget for this event, an additional $3,000 is needed to cover essential costs, including portable restrooms, tables, chairs, and tents.
Consent calendar
(Non-controversial items grouped for a single vote to streamline proceedings)
10-Day Report on interim urgency ordinance regarding parklets
The council requested a temporary moratorium on parklets to address various concerns. On January 28, 2025, the City Council passed an Interim Urgency Ordinance implementing a 45-day moratorium on parklets. The 45-day moratorium period provided inadequate time for the city to thoroughly study and consider appropriate regulation of parklets within city limits.
During the period the moratorium has so far been in place, the city, particularly the Public Works Department, has begun the process of studying the details of parklet programs developed in other local cities, such as Alameda and Albany, and considering the details of those parklet programs and their impact on public health, safety and welfare, as well as the local aesthetics of city streets and commercial areas.
Municipal consulting services contract
A two-year $81,743 contract with NHA Advisors, LLC for municipal advisory services is up for approval.
EdFund fiscal sponsorship
The council will consider approving a contract with the West Contra Costa Public Education Fund for fiscal sponsorship services. The agreement includes a compensation limit of $10,500 over three years, with annual transactions not exceeding $35,000.
Point Richmond Community Center transfer
A resolution will be adopted to transfer the management of the Point Richmond Community Center from the Recreation Division to the Richmond Public Library, effective April 1, 2025. The Master Fee Schedule will be amended to reflect a community reservation rate of $12.50 per hour.
During March 2025, Richmond will recognize Red Cross Month and Women’s History Month. The city will also reappoint Andrea Martinez Alvarez to the Richmond Youth Council and appoint Regina Gilligan to the Urban Forest Advisory Committee.
January 2025 abatement report
The council will receive a report on the city’s abatement activities for January 2025, detailing ongoing cleanup efforts and code enforcement actions.
Public Works removed 280.88 tons of illegal dumping, 251 mattresses, 122 gallons of paint/oil, and 175 tires; abated 17 encampments; and removed 36.29 tons of debris. The staff also removed 242 graffiti tags from 120 locations.
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