On the agenda: council set to reallocate ARPA funds, support Prop 6, and mark 25 years with Cuban sister city
At its October 15 meeting, the Richmond City Council will receive an update on the $27.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with $14.7 million still unobligated ahead of a December 2024 deadline. The council will vote on reallocating ARPA funds, support Proposition 6 to end forced labor in California prisons, and approve $18,000 for a city delegation to Cuba to mark 25 years of friendship with Regla.
The council will also consider purchasing ballistic shields for police patrols, honor World War II hero Bruce Howard Brown, and proclaim October 18 as “RYSE-ing Leaders Day” to celebrate youth leadership in the community.
American Rescue Plan Act Update and Funding Reallocations
The council will receive an update about the American Rescue Plan Act and consider a resolution to reallocate funding between ARPA and the General Capital Fund.
The City of Richmond received $27.7 million as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 relief package. As of August 31, 2024, out of a total $27.7 million ARPA allocation, 47 percent, or $13.0 million, has been expended or obligated, with 53 percent, or $14.7 million, remaining.
The City Council allocated $27.7 million to several programs and projects. All ARPA funds must be earmarked by December 31, 2024, and spent by December 31, 2026. The report provides an update on the ARPA-funded projects and proposes funding source amendments for them.
A resolution to support Prop 6
A resolution from Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez and Councilmember Soheila Bana has been introduced to support Proposition 6, which seeks to amend the California State Constitution to end mandatory work requirements for state prisoners.
$18,000 to send the mayor to Cuba
In celebration of 25 years of friendship and solidarity between Richmond, California and Regla, Cuba, the Richmond-Regla Friendship Committee is planning a delegation to visit Richmond’s dear friendship city in December.
Mayor Eduardo Martinez will lead the delegation, which will include Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, City Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Mayor’s Chief of Staff Tony Tamayo, Project Coordinator Trina Jackson-Lincoln, the Richmond Regla Friendship Committee, and community members. Four young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have been invited to join the delegation.
Proclamation Declaring October 18, 2024 as RYSE-ING leaders day
The mayor is sponsoring a proclamation in recognition of the RYSE Center declaring October 18, 2024, as RYSE-ing Leaders Day in Richmond.
RYSE Center, a non-profit youth center in Richmond, was founded in 2008 to empower young people as community leaders. It has gained recognition for addressing social and political issues affecting school-aged youth and their families.
According to the report, RYSE-ing Leaders Day recognizes the many accomplished youth who have stepped forward to raise their voices and share perspectives and culture.
Purchase of ballistic shields for the police patrol division staff
The Police Department requests the Richmond City Council's approval to purchase ballistic shields for the Police Department’s Patrol Division using Justice Assistance Grant Grant funds. The department will purchase 10 $4,347.92 Hardwire® Level III Standard Tactical Shield with Viewport.
The ballistic shields would be placed in all patrol supervisors’ vehicles and readily available for deployment by patrol officers should any incident involving gun violence require a ballistic shield.
Investment and cash balance, monthly overtime, and transfer tax reports
This investment report was prepared after the April 30, 2024, council meeting to add additional restrictions to the City of Richmond’s Investment Policy and reflects the portfolio as of August 31, 2024.
The council directed staff to review and modify the City of Richmond’s Investment Policy to add additional restrictions on investing City funds in industries that facilitate violence, war, oppression, and apartheid. City staff will present the policy modifications and recommendations for socially responsible investments to the council for consideration at the December 3 meeting.
420 transfer tax
In September, the city received data from the county stating that the August 2024 Transfer Tax would total $420,134. The city council receives monthly updates on the Transfer Tax received by the City of Richmond from the county for the sale of properties in Richmond.
According to the staff report, this is the city’s most volatile revenue stream; the amounts received can vary from month to month. In July, the city received $3,353,340.
Fire and police overtime
In August, the police spent $543,814 on overtime, slightly down from July’s $560,788 but significantly less than the previous August, when the department spent $925,716 in overtime.
The fire department earned $332,480 in overtime in August, up from $285,095 in July but down from $473,094 in August the previous Year.
Multiple appointments to city commissions
The mayor’s office has multiple reappointments to city commissions, including Bobby Winston to the Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission, Margaret Lee and Joseph Kong to the Richmond-Zhoushan Friendship Commission, Jaycine Scott to the Housing Advisory Commission, Evelyn Santos to the Library Commission, Gay Timmons to the Planning Commission, and John Dupin to the Contra Costa Mosquito and Vector Control Board.
Proclamation recognizing WWII hero Bruce Howard Brown
A proclamation by Councilmember Soheila Bana will recognize World War II Hero First Lieutenant Bruce Howard Brown and declare October 25, 2024, as First Lieutenant Bruce Howard Brown Day.
Bruce Howard Brown, a co-pilot of the Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress, Danellen, during World War II, was killed after his plane was shot down over France. Brown and his fellow crew members’ remains were identified through DNA comparisons in 2023.
Brown will be honored with a memorial service and interment at the Houston National Cemetery on October 25.
Hearing to rename Virginia Playlot to Floria Evans Park postponed
A public hearing to rename Virginia Playlot to Floria Evans Park and waive cost recovery fees has been continued to October 22.
Staff
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