[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6319881,"mediaKeyId","2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f","parentId",2360317,"title","Richmond City Council creates ad hoc wildfire preparedness committee, narrows scope to wildfire","audioSeconds",2140,"startMs",6735000,"endMs",8875000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f&start=6735&end=8875","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f/thumbnail_6735000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6319881/Richmond/Contra-Costa-County/California/Richmond-City-Council-creates-ad-hoc-wildfire-preparedness-committee-narrows-scope-to-wildfire","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319881-3a37752d667df0d003700e426e8e33fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177215&Signature=iu87SqCFkyMjNA57qK05RdUWexbA5KD7RU0ebrL1FnuuuGsZG5J2BJmr-c178QxOljFFJ~zSB5qnkhvXKrL6aWC-RLcy5VEhFuG3tJRyEGB60Y6n5pLnyIEPtWvWse67ADlBQtUdtmDD4bjQZgcerTDQNR11SFBJshZPSSzfz78XKjwqX9VNP4o~k4fihCfZyOZpCTOjCww0~V-T-NsM89FY~lpZUEpFG7zcn0ivbs43Ns8P~Kv95ymoK23eVkrZ39ybk-g~xwnhFuKWQkjUlRG76NPLj0~TymLcsZcM4RU5yj8KLvFHHItoGF2va4guRhGl-bwKdLxZYThKDV4MPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","KCRT TV","date","2025-01-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Richmond City Council voted unanimously Jan. 16 to form an ad hoc committee to focus on wildfire preparedness, directing city staff and council members to conduct outreach, identify needs and bring budget and code-change recommendations back to the full council.

Council Member Wilson moved to narrow a broader disaster-preparedness request to wildfire preparedness and to establish an ad hoc council–staff group; Vice Mayor Cepeda, Council Member Bana and Council Member Brown volunteered to serve on the committee. The motion—amended on the floor to require immediate community meetings in neighborhoods with high wildfire risk and to request that the committee develop budget proposals—passed unanimously.

Council discussion emphasized the narrow operational focus: Council Member Robinson and others asked staff to target wildfire areas with the highest risk and to avoid an overly broad “all hazards” report that would be too time-consuming for a small emergency-staff team. Council members said they wanted a practical set of recommendations timed to the midyear budget process so the council could consider specific resource requests.

Fire Chief Aaron Osorio briefed the council on existing work and constraints: Richmond already has a Community Wildfire Prevention Plan adopted in 2020, conducts high‑severity‑zone parcel inspections (roughly 2,900 inspections last year), participates in regional mutual aid and CAL FIRE coordination, and maintains an Office of Emergency Services with limited staffing. Chief Osorio said the city has focused on education to gain voluntary compliance on vegetation management but noted that enforcement and abatement avenues exist and would require multi‑department coordination (fire, public works, city attorney) and staffing if the council pursues them.

Council members pressed for clear next steps: staff were asked to bring a needs assessment identifying staffing, equipment, community engagement, and possible municipal code updates; Chief Osorio noted the state will soon publish updated high‑severity maps that staff will present for adoption and warned there are consequences to adding areas into a mandated inspection zone. Several council members suggested the ad hoc committee begin with community meetings to address urgent neighborhood concerns and to inform a longer-term comprehensive approach.

The council recorded the ad hoc committee membership on the record and asked staff to return with a recommended schedule, initial needs assessment and any proposed code updates or budget requests that would improve wildfire preparedness and mitigation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City Council 1/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Richmond City Council voted unanimously Jan. 16 to form an ad hoc committee of council members and staff focused on wildfire preparedness, with immediate community meetings requested and budget recommendations to follow.","taxTitle","Richmond, Contra Costa County, California","taxId",4317,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6319886,"Richmond Housing Authority outlines repairs, timelines for 33 vacant units at Nystrom Village",238,8102000,8340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f&start=8102&end=8340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f/thumbnail_8102000.jpg","/articles/6319886/Richmond/Contra-Costa-County/California/Richmond-Housing-Authority-outlines-repairs-timelines-for-33-vacant-units-at-Nystrom-Village","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319886-84480706545f3e50dcc0a2951aed2951/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177215&Signature=Ymm1bjF6dy00Z2ISFI4~e2S74Xwy7Idls2lc4SfI61jKvi6PTuZKjhW6-Cyi9WaOgtaLs1TVvBVBknVmRDpVkkaMLnWurmuG9z~mKVHUbES0vM6f6C3SCq0rPMDTyUac5~8kYYSNBLNoJOETqMxpK4vVtvyLxv9hADy5mbd-y06v6KOKG5cgkiyJpmEhNvfGzZBMANM-~woRHCKqXpEfAQ26VTEVQHiH1WRycXhkEMeBZHwvBUZjJv5bYxPHVwMN9kiRMdTI9HX2d2DkvTFGfGkoZtHxsXntJmK~Zfxdq~ZAfRFsZiWPgM7PlkWUdkHpOy7zM2wAL~2y58cDmIjCiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond Housing Authority reported at its Jan. 16 special meeting that 33 units at Nystrom Village remain vacant, five with extensive fire damage and two with structural issues, and staff outlined a renovation plan driven by unit condition and contractor availability.

In a director’s report, RHA staff said the authority is prioritizing renovations by vacancy length and aims to complete roughly two unit renovations per month with a two-person in‑house team; more complex work will be contracted out and some units may take about 60 days to renovate once work begins. The report noted missing electrical breaker components, wiring pulled from walls, roof-leak indicators in kitchen ceilings, and extensive copper and plumbing theft in previously vacant units.

Commissioners pressed for a faster pace. Commissioner Robinson and others asked staff to return next month with an estimate for how long it would take to renovate all 33 units, stressing the authority’s interest in maximizing the number of occupied units to preserve Housing Choice Vouchers that factor into financing the larger redevelopment. Staff said RHA has issued RFPs for electrical and plumbing contractors (posted Jan. 6 and expiring Jan. 31) and will use awarded vendors to speed unit turns.

Staff also described coordination with development partners Gorman & Company and Novon Development Corporation; the RHA reported a kickoff meeting on Jan. 16 and a site walk with the development team as part of entitlement and site testing work. Nevin Plaza 1 was described as undergoing rehabilitation and expected to deliver 40 renovated units by March 2025. The board earlier approved a land disposition and development agreement (LDDA) for 76 units at Evan Plaza 2 and said entitlement work and site testing have started.

HUD rules and voucher accounting featured repeatedly in the discussion. Staff said HUD maintains unit inventory and that the agency generally does not allow removing a unit from inventory or replacing it outside HUD’s rules without prior approval; staff offered to ask HUD technical assistance whether there is precedent for demolishing a burned unit and replacing it with a new structure while preserving the original unit count for subsidy purposes. Commissioners asked staff to bring any HUD guidance and a clearer accounting of the number of vouchers expected to transfer into the redevelopment financing when the application to HUD is submitted.

The meeting closed the discussion with commitments from staff to return with: (1) a timeline showing how long renovation of all vacant units would take under the current plan and RFP responses; (2) explicit estimates of renovation costs per unit and total; and (3) clarification from HUD technical assistance on whether any burned or demolished units can be replaced and counted toward the site’s unit inventory for developer financing and voucher allocation.

Commissioners agreed to pursue expedited contracting if needed and to consider possible additional city subsidy at midyear budget if council chooses to increase RHA funding to speed renovations.","The Richmond Housing Authority reported at its Jan. 16 meeting that 33 units at Nystrom Village remain vacant, identifying extensive fire and structural damage to several units and outlining a renovation schedule that relies on in‑house crews plus contracted trades.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6319866,"Votes at a glance: Jan. 16 Richmond council and housing authority actions",4290,9250000,13540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f&start=9250&end=13540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f/thumbnail_9250000.jpg","/articles/6319866/Richmond/Contra-Costa-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Jan-16-Richmond-council-and-housing-authority-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319866-b6bd73ee7b7ae53cdc7904ceb442d892/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177215&Signature=izr5Dr-zl~~6CPTY8-TwK-9jcTj~Kley8YWr5tOu8~LI12Ol3S3vT8cgMcJLq28BSAxGFtWyYffijVjMcdrqsCP8E1d1jBep9hnz~xbdLkox~CFcBGmnBK6zU90RCD7bbZJfPMTPyV9gCG8uLNCtDqhBWkfEK0nfgpCX7-bCy1o6SJncZYYh6tX0LbXG7BQMiVdUFN4moHe5Sa75mxvWcssv9OXRhTwxGeU5Q06S8HPN9iGerjE4M7Xtktqn25cX52KJuLB-3y0qN7bWgRCyuRrBCpsxybtl94ycS2UPirhgY89lQLFRCqpJzEGy5-yBDn303hrxEgTB~UALbyyVTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Key recorded outcomes from the Jan. 16 Richmond Housing Authority and Richmond City Council meetings:

- Richmond Housing Authority (special meeting): Approved as‑needed legal services contract with Ed Edrington, Shimmer & Murphy LLP (M‑1). Vote: unanimous among commissioners present (7–0; Commissioner Bana absent). Chair Martinez and Commissioner Zepeda recorded yes votes; outcome approved.

- Election of Vice Mayor (Richmond City Council): Council nominated and unanimously elected Council Member Cepeda as Vice Mayor for 2025. Vote: unanimous.

- Consent calendar (City Council): Council approved the consent calendar after removing several items for separate discussion (W2B, W7A, W8C); the remaining consent items passed unanimously.

- W5A (salary items): Council rescinded the prior consent action on W5A, then took separate votes as required: the mayor’s salary item passed (council members voting as recorded; mayor abstained where applicable) and the council-salary item passed; minutes record unanimous outcomes for the separated votes among eligible voters.

- W7A (Flock Group contract amendment): Approved a third contract amendment increasing the contract cap by $1,000,000 to a new total not to exceed $2,003,700 (term 03/01/2023–02/28/2026). Vote: passed 4–3. No votes recorded from Mayor Martinez, Council Member Jimenez and Council Member Wilson.

- W2B (wildfire/disaster preparedness): Council established an ad hoc committee focused on wildfire preparedness, ordered immediate community meetings and asked staff to bring a wildfire‑focused needs assessment and budget recommendations. Vote: unanimous.

- W8C (MTC pedestrian/bicycle grant application – Downtown Point Richmond Bicycle Connectivity Project): Council authorized application to MTC and required community outreach and equity consideration; vote: unanimous.

These items represent the formal recorded motions and votes taken during the two meetings. Staff follow-ups required by motions include: providing HUD technical assistance and renovation timelines (RHA); data‑governance documentation and monthly reporting for the Flock contract; needs assessments and community meetings for wildfire preparedness; and community outreach and design work if the MTC grant is awarded.","This page summarizes formal motions and recorded votes from the Jan. 16 Richmond Housing Authority and City Council meetings, including the RHA legal contract, election of the vice mayor, the Flock Group contract amendment (4–3), establishment of a wildfire ad hoc committee and authorization to apply for an MTC bike grant (unanimous).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6319871,"Council approves MTC grant application for Point Richmond bicycle connectivity, adds community outreach and equity language",406,11640000,12046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f&start=11640&end=12046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f/thumbnail_11640000.jpg","/articles/6319871/Richmond/Contra-Costa-County/California/Council-approves-MTC-grant-application-for-Point-Richmond-bicycle-connectivity-adds-community-outreach-and-equity-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319871-44db3fa02419ef0afd576812c460ae54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177215&Signature=IyXERJAk5mz~qBiF7hmeZfeQtIyf3r80MLnbKIir0Sy8NxZFy1yvu1jmmUDF-xjSSPGjHelaMrljeKDJ-~jE7k0DF1WN9oqJUK8OvLAslNYdx06Uua8K3oOpGTg7HudLXtWcZDQ5KTe0WJwhSmB1~MtzHItxopZ64cwHPLgNvACg7fPEl~LrEPG0KP~XYRdQcs8zq~qjKbnY9MzXOGmvhAxLV64j0BfPYBgfrIBg7glz4wz92b77GzvjzOOn8bL9-S8E-XoSRV5RYtdd0~qOCHWCzSLvPR5-OBTVr-Gc6pWUvzikB3pxWQyjCm-LU5iEDOYna9hPfgJ3QECZgRcnQQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Jan. 16 authorizing the City Manager or designee to apply to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for fiscal‑year pedestrian and bicycle project funds to support the Downtown Point Richmond Bicycle Connectivity Project. Council added an amendment requiring community meetings and direction that staff consider equity when bringing future grant recommendations.

Public Works Director Daniel Chavarria summarized the project as completing gaps identified in the Ferry‑Bridge‑Greenway Complete Streets plan approved in January 2021. The staff report said the project would address a remaining section of a protected bikeway and make pedestrian and bus‑stop improvements on Garrard Boulevard and adjacent frontage in Point Richmond; staff said a prior set of grants already totals roughly $447,000 toward project design and that MTC funding (the city requested approximately $213,000) would advance outreach and design so the city can pursue larger construction grants later.

Council discussion focused on geographic equity and prioritization. Council Member Robinson said she supported community outreach but asked staff to explain how the city evaluates grant applications across neighborhoods; other members asked for a clearer mapping of CIP projects across council districts and for processes that better surface equity and highest‑need locations before staff submits future grant proposals. Public commenters representing biking groups and business interests urged the council to move forward, saying the project closes a regional gap and warned that existing grant allocations could be lost if the application is not submitted.

The motion to authorize the application—amended to include community outreach and an explicit equity consideration for future grants—passed unanimously. Staff said the MTC program tends to favor regionally serving projects and that this segment is competitively positioned because the city has previously advanced related planning and partial funding. Public Works said applicable funds would be used first for community engagement, design and bus-stop improvements; construction funding would be sought in subsequent grant cycles.","The council unanimously authorized staff to apply for MTC pedestrian/bicycle funding for the Downtown Point Richmond Bicycle Connectivity Project and added a council amendment requiring community meetings and an equity review; staff said the project has prior grants and that not applying could risk losing previous funds.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6319876,"Council approves $1 million expansion to Flock Group public-safety contract over objections from two members",250,13380000,13630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f&start=13380&end=13630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360317-7bd1eac7b5280281d2263c72d896456f/thumbnail_13380000.jpg","/articles/6319876/Richmond/Contra-Costa-County/California/Council-approves-1-million-expansion-to-Flock-Group-public-safety-contract-over-objections-from-two-members","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319876-e3a819d2cf970ce4e8127f36221dd792/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177215&Signature=iOcdISMFoR-pQmL52lrix4GPE1ODzCFfMy4hKTnCYZvp5Xf0bk7SxAaHO54KVJW8Asc9PL3apXTuFUxNnDi3eD5adjhbOznHF-ZxwO7dLSvDrq9w3Oa8byE34vcWWb3fPfsJtQqDOiLabHaNfrs-efekwGX2PkRXrO379HioykgJbE9-QlhOD-bmUiv64JDx4dhiJfj4ln1LUVbTkVJX~qP7lRbYjtlzvwSqlOk~-Vw5tl9xNntOKDzpAi3hr8TpoPQrs--EwgW6YNQsY~zyQlglQrb4kx-fv~wMpXNP4xxwefEUOiBtCYd5K5ar6dpYzIWuJsn1EcNiWJzQvKw9mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Council approved a third amendment to the city’s contract with Flock Group Inc., increasing the contract cap by $1,000,000 to a total not to exceed $2,003,700 (term March 1, 2023–Feb. 28, 2026). The amendment expands license-plate readers (ALPR), pan‑tilt‑zoom (PTZ) cameras, gunshot and screech‑tire detection, a camera‑trailer mobile unit, and plans for a “drone as first responder” capability.

Police Chief Lisa French and Captain Eric Smith presented the proposal and described the technologies: expanded ALPRs and PTZ cameras, integrated audio‑based detection for gunshots and screeching tires (Flock’s sound‑detection product), mobile trailers with PTZ and ALPR capability for temporary deployment, and the potential to use drones to get fast aerial views during incidents. Chief French said roughly $440,000 of the amendment is attributable to police needs; other departments (public works, library, city facilities, the port) requested cameras for staff safety and property protection.

Council members expressed questions about scope, data retention and sanctuary policy compliance. Staff said ALPR reads are purged every 30 days except when retained as evidence for active investigations, and described contractual and legal protections requiring compliance with city policies. Council Member Wilson and Council Member Jimenez both voted no; both asked for stronger documentation of data governance and promised to review the contract’s privacy safeguards. Public commenters raised surveillance concerns and offered alternatives such as fake cameras as deterrents.

Supporters and staff said existing ALPR and camera deployments already show operational results: departmental reporting cited dozens of vehicle recoveries and arrests assisted by ALPRs and camera footage (122 vehicles recovered through November; 121 arrests associated with LPR-assisted cases in the reporting period cited). Staff said some existing systems are aging and the requested funds also cover replacement of antiquated equipment and installation costs, including power adapters for light‑pole installations and signage.

The council vote passed with Council Members Jimenez and Wilson and Mayor Martinez voting no; remaining members voted yes. The amendment directs staff to continue oversight, includes a mobile trailer for temporary deployment of PTZ/ALPR, and holds that data‑sharing outside the city will be limited and governed by contract terms.","The council authorized a third amendment to the Flock Group contract to expand license-plate readers, pan-tilt-zoom cameras, gunshot and screech-detection software, and a mobile trailer and drone capability; the motion passed with Mayor Martinez, Council Members Jimenez and Wilson voting no.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Richmond City Council creates ad hoc wildfire preparedness committee, narrows scope to wildfire

Richmond Housing Authority outlines repairs, timelines for 33 vacant units at Nystrom Village

Votes at a glance: Jan. 16 Richmond council and housing authority actions

Council approves MTC grant application for Point Richmond bicycle connectivity, adds community outreach and equity language

Council approves $1 million expansion to Flock Group public-safety contract over objections from two members