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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 01141992 - 2.1 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS �E„s o 1 LY ,F Contra FROM: Costa Phil Batchelor, County Administrator x -."` ` ,a County DATE: sTA cbi N SUBJECT: January 13, 1992 STATUS REPORT ON NORTH RICHMOND PROGRAMS SPECIFIC REOIJEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1 . Acknowledge receipt of this report on the North Richmond community. This report points out that the problems in North Richmond are not new but have not gone unchecked. The Board of Supervisors has clearly displayed its leadership through a number of projects which have attempted to address some of the problems the community is facing. The Sheriff-Coroner, District Attorney and other County department heads have taken many steps, particularly over the past two years, under the leadership of Supervisor Powers, to put in place programs which would assist the North Richmond community. In addition to the efforts made by County departments, the City of Richmond has also expended a good deal of energy and resources toward programs to improve the quality of life in this community. In fact, many of these efforts have been the result of the COMET Project, a City of Richmond/County cooperative program to improve the North Richmond community. The recommendations in this report are not meant to supplant, but rather to build on the foundation that has been laid by the cooperative efforts of the agencies participating in the COMET Project. 2 . Designate Supervisor Powers as the Board' s representative to meet with the Mayor of the City of Richmond as an Ad Hoc Task Force to insure coordination and liaison between the County and the City of Richmond in regard to the North Richmond area. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S1: ACTION OF OF BOARD ON January 14, 1992 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER The Board heard from the following members of the community: Charlsetta Johnson, 1721 5th St. , Richmond; Willie Spears, 1820 2nd St. , Richmond; Michelle Washington, Executive Director, North ' Richmond Neighborhood House; Willie Parker, 305 Chesley, Richmond; Domingo Balinton, 2849 Canterbury Drive, Richmond for Neighborhood House;and Robert Coleman, homeowner, N. Richmond. The Board APPROVED the above recommendations of the County Administrator to address the problems in the North Richmond area, REFERRED to the County Administrator and the North Richmond Task Force a proposal for the development of a youth diversion program; REQUESTED the Public Works Director to review the feasibility of removing the stop sign at 5th and Market Streets in North. Richmond; REQUESTED the Executive Director of the Housing Authority and the Director of Redevelopment Agency to report on the 8 units under construction in the area and the boarded-up units at Los Deltas Housing Project including procedures in place for screening tenants; and REFERRED to the Finance Committee a proposal to expand current County policy to allow for a county-wide assessment of $200 for each new housing unit to fund law enforcement services. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS 1 HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. G CC: County Administrator ATTESTEDSA�22�� 9 Board Members via CAO Other Department Heads and Staff PHIL BAT ELOR,CLERK THE BOARD OF Via CAO) SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR City Manager, City of Richmond via CAO City Manager, City of San Pablo via CAO BY DEPUTY M382 (10/88) -2- 3 . Acknowledge that the funds which are being made available as a part of the following recommendations are not intended solely for the North Richmond community. This program is to be designed in such a way that it can form a model which can be used elsewhere in the County whenever a community has problems similar to those which are being confronted in North Richmond. 4 . Concur with the generally held view that most of the long term improvements which are needed in North Richmond must be preceded by law enforcement efforts to insure the personal safety of the residents of the community. 5 . Request the Sheriff-Coroner to contact the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and determine whether because of changed international relations the FBI has additional resources which could be made available to assist law enforcement agencies in attempting to deal with gangs in North Richmond and elsewhere in the County. 6 . Appropriate $150,000 to the Sheriff-Coroner' s Department to undertake Phase I of a three phase program in North Richmond. Phase I will : A. increase the Sheriff ' s patrol in the North Richmond community with the ultimate goal of having a two-person vehicle present in North Richmond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and B. continue the Task Force effort which is currently investigating cases in North Richmond in order to prove gang involvement and conspiracy and documenting cases for increased penalty enhancements, and C. urge the Sheriff-Coroner to make the "J" Team available to the North Richmond community to the maximum extent possible to enhance law enforcement in the area. D. urge the Sheriff-Coroner to closely coordinate his law enforcement efforts with the City of Richmond and City of San Pablo. 7 . Direct the County Administrator to work with the Sheriff-Coroner to cost out and present for the Board's consideration at the time the Board begins consideration of the County' s 1992-93 Budget the cost of continuing the dedicated patrol, Task Force, and expanded "J" Team, as part of Phase II, which may approximate $500,000 for the 1992-93 fiscal year. ' 8 . Acknowledge the outstanding work which is already being done by the DARE Program in the Verde School through cooperation between the Sheriff-Coroner and the Contra Costa Housing Authority. Coordinate this DARE Program with the successful DARE Program already being operated by the City of Richmond in the Richmond Unified School District. The DARE Program can form the basis for longer term changes in the attitudes of the community, but will not solve the immediate problems created by drug sales and use. 9 . Acknowledge the fact that the District Attorney has already established a Gang Task Force from his existing personnel resources which is focussing on prosecuting gang-related crimes throughout the County, with an emphasis in West County. 10 . Acknowledge the assignment by the County Administrator of John Gregory as Special Assistant to the County Administrator to work through COMET, along with other officials as may be required, and other County and community agencies to coordinate the County' s efforts in the North Richmond area. -3- 11. Acknowledge that the County Administrator is currently working with a group of County department heads to plan and coordinate community reclaiming efforts countywide, with North Richmond as the Task Force's initial target area. This group currently includes the following, although the precise composition can and will be adjusted as necessary to respond to the specific requirements of a given area: Sheriff-Coroner District Attorney West County Fire Protection District Health Services Department Building Inspection Department Public Works Department Community Development Department Community Services Department County Counsel Probation Department Social Services Department Municipal and Superior Court Benches Contra Costa Housing Authority Private Industry Council . 12 . Endorse the past and current efforts of the COMET group in the Richmond/North Richmond community and authorize the County Administrator to augment this group as necessary to form a North Richmond Action Group to adequately attend to the multitude of problems which the COMET group does not address . 13. Agree to sponsor and attend, along with County department heads and staff, and members of the Richmond City Council and their staff, a community meeting on Thursday, January 16 , 1992 at 3 :00 P.M. at Shields-Reid Community Center in North Richmond. This community meeting will provide an opportunity to report to the community and receive feedback from the community on those actions which have already been undertaken, the steps which will be taken in the immediate future and the plans which have been made to identify and implement longer term programs . 14 . Authorize John Gregory, from the County Administrator's Office to meet with the COMET group to receive feedback and decide on appropriate actions which need to be taken in the future. 15 . Request the County Administrator, in coordination with the City of Richmond and the City of San Pablo, and working with the Growth Management and Economic Development Agency, to identify absentee landlords who own rental property in North Richmond. Where such property has been allowed to fall into disrepair, or is in violation of building codes, health codes and/or which are being used for the sale or consumption of illegal drugs (crack houses) , authorize the County Administrator to work with the County Counsel, County Health Officer and Director of Building Inspection to take whatever steps are necessary and appropriate to remedy these situations . 16 . Acknowledge the efforts which are being made currently in cooperation with the City of Richmond to undertake street-sweeping in North Richmond. Appropriate $6,000 to the Public Works Department to continue this effort. These funds will come from the Flood Control District' s Non-Point Source Pollution Control Funds . 17 . Authorize the County Administrator to negotiate with the East Bay Conservation Corps (EBCC) for an arrangement under which the EBCC will undertake a substantial clean-up in North Richmond, focussing on cleaning up gutters, sewers, vacant lots and other sources of accumulated trash. -4- 18 . Acknowledge the approval by the California Highway Patrol of the County's Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Plan which will, effective January 1, 1992, begin to provide funding to the County and cities to identify, remove and dispose of abandoned vehicles . Appropriate $10,000 from this source to , undertake an intensified abandoned vehicle abatement program in North Richmond which is closely coordinated with the Sheriff-Coroner and the police departments of the City of Richmond and City of San Pablo. 19 . Direct the County Administrator to establish a revolving fund totaling approximately $50,000 which can be used to abate buildings in North Richmond which the Board of Supervisors determines are in need of abatement. Direct the County Administrator to seek funds for this program from various sources such as the Productivity Investment Fund. 20 . Direct the Deputy Redevelopment Director to prepare and present to the Board of Supervisors within 30 days, through the County Administrator, a specific redevelopment strategy for the North Richmond Redevelopment Project Area, indicating in what ways the Redevelopment Agency can assist in the economic revitalization of North Richmond. 21 . Direct the County Administrator to work with the Director, GMEDA, on the feasibility of funding a ballfield in North Richmond at a projected cost of $100,000 . To fund this project, the County Administrator is authorized to submit an application for Community Development Block Grant funds in the amount of $50,000, with the understanding that private and/or corporate donations will match these funds on a 1 : 1 basis . In addition, the Oakland A' s and East Bay Regional Park District (and others) will be contacted regarding the possible provision of external aid. This program should be operated in cooperation with the City of Richmond. 22 . Request the County Administrator, through the Health Services Director, to determine the need for mandatory garbage subscription service in North Richmond and to recommend to the Board of Supervisors whatever actions are necessary to insure that garbage is not allowed to accumulate to the extent that it becomes an eyesore and/or health hazard and that property owners are required to carry their fair share of the costs of garbage collection and disposal . 23 . Request the County Administrator, through the Public Works Director and Sheriff-Coroner, to contact the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and encourage PG&E to keep street lights replaced and in working order. Request the County Administrator to determine the need for funds for this purpose and to identify a source of funds if one is required, including cooperation from the private sector. 24 . Authorize the County Administrator, through the Purchasing Agent, to contract with Fred Persily, to serve as a liaison among the County, the schools in North Richmond, the Contra Costa County Housing Authority, and community agencies such as North Richmond Neighborhood House, the North Richmond Community Forum, the North Richmond Homeowners ' Association and others in an effort to insure mutual understanding of the problems in and proposed solutions for the North Richmond community. Such contract should be in an amount not to exceed $2,500 a month for not to exceed three months (total of $7,500) . 25 . Authorize the County Administrator to work with members of the Board of Supervisors to contact firms doing business in West County as well as elsewhere in the County in an effort to obtain cooperation and possibly funding for some elements of the longer term plans to rehabilitate North Richmond, such as recreational and job training programs . This effort -5- needs to be made in conjunction with the City of Richmond' s and County' s Private Industry Councils, and should be linked to job opportunities resulting from newly located industry in the Richmond area enterprise zone. 26 . Endorsed the continued implementation in the Social Services Department of enhanced employment services as previously established by the Board of Supervisors . The Social Services Department serves a significant portion of the North Richmond population. In addition to on-going grant payments and social services, the Department is increasing its employment services for General Assistance recipients, especially targeting those ages 18-24 . The Department is expanding its efforts to help these persons find employment through more intensive job readiness and job development programs and by removing barriers to employment through referrals to drug and alcohol treatment programs . 27 . Authorize the County Administrator to initiate a dialogue with labor unions in the area in an effort to obtain leadership and supervision from organized labor for youth who are engaged in rehabilitation and self-help activities in the community. 28 . Request the County Administrator to report back to the Board of Supervisors within 60 days on the progress which has been made to date in implementing the identified short term solutions . 29 . Direct the County Administrator, in consultation with the community and appropriate department heads, to identify Phase II options which should be considered for funding during the 1992-93 fiscal year. In addition, this report should identify Phase III options which are needed to insure the longer term economic and physical health of North Richmond and which may be implemented over a longer term period of time. This report should be presented to the Board of Supervisors for consideration as the Board considers the County' s 1992-93 Budget. 30 . Request the Public Works Director to study the feasibility of creating a North Richmond Area of Benefit (AOB) fund, including a list of proposed projects which might be funded from this source if it is determined to be feasible to form such an Area of Benefit. 31 . Request that the Community Development Director begin the process to form a Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) for North Richmond, to replace the more fragmented and dispersed set of current community organizations . This should include some mechanism by which there can be direct citizen liaison and input from the City of Richmond and City of San Pablo. 32 . Appropriate $95,000 to the Contra Costa Housing Authority for the purpose of completing the needed funding for the pending Child Care Project. Authorize the County Administrator to explore means of financing security at the site during construction. 33 . Endorse the current efforts directed at converting the former Work Furlough Center to an interagency Family Services Mall where a variety of services can be made available to individuals and families in the area. 34 . Request the County Administrator to explore with the Sheriff-Coroner and County Superintendent of Schools the possibility of augmenting the DARE Program in North Richmond using a portion of the funds which were recently approved to implement the DARE Program throughout the unincorporated area of the County. -6- 35 . Identify the following as possible. sources of funding for the appropriations which have been recommended above: * Flood Control Non-Point Source Pollution Control Funds * Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Fund * Community Development Block Grant * Private Sector Donations * The Productivity Investment Fund,as well as other possible sources * PG&E or Private Donations * One-time revenue from the Property Tax Administration Fees paid by schools * Final payment of a 1986 loan from the Redevelopment Agency to the General Fund * Current year savings on the short-term borrowing program due to the drop in interest rates * Current year savings in the .unemployment insurance reserve fund BACKGROUND: On December 10, 1991, residents of the North Richmond area appeared before the County Board of Supervisors to request help from appropriate county agencies to combat the social ills afflicting their community. Their principal request was for more law enforcement to stem the tide of criminal activity and violence which has inundated North Richmond. Speakers told how residents live in constant fear because of street violence, most of which is the result of gang controlled trafficking of illegal drugs . Requests were also made for other types of help, such as trash removal, child care, family counselling and on-site social services . The Board requested the County Administrator to meet with the involved agencies to discuss the community concerns and return to the Board with a report on actions that can be taken to address those concerns . The recommendations listed above are the result of meetings between staff of the County Administrator's Office and the heads and support staff of the following departments: Sheriff-Coroner, District Attorney, Public Works, Social Services, Community Services, Housing Authority, Building Inspection, Community Development and Health Services . The physical blight and social ills in the North Richmond area have existed for a long time and have been the targets of special remedial efforts by the County and the City of Richmond over the years . These efforts include the following: * The County Public Works Department has participated in special clean-up efforts, has maintained the streets in good condition and, during the last three years, has spent about $21 million in major flood control work. * The Building Inspection Department has periodically intensified building code enforcement. * The Community Development Department has conducted housing rehabilitation "sweeps" through the area and, currently, through the use of redevelopment funds, is constructing a seven unit residence in the area. * The County Housing Authority maintains 226 living units in North Richmond, plans to construct a child care center and has obtained HUD grant funds to pay for two deputy sheriff positions and three staff support positions (area residents) to administer an anti-drug program (DARE) for school students . * The Sheriff has drawn staff from various divisions within his department to form a temporary, special enforcement team to concentrate on drug trafficking. -7- The District Attorney vigorously prosecutes gang and drug related cases and has established a policy of no plea bargaining on such offenses . * The Community Services Department operates the Head Start Program which provides child development and family counselling services to North Richmond families. There are other County services provided on an on-going basis, such as the programs offered by the Social Services and Health Services Departments, which regularly serve North Richmond residents . However, the latest request for help from North Richmond residents is primarily prompted by the dramatic increase in criminal activity which has swept the area during the last two years . . Gang activity has become much more prominent and has brought robberies, assaults and homicides . The rampant criminal activity and, especially, the violent nature of many of the crimes has caused law-abiding citizens to live in fear and to remain indoors, particularly at night. Increased law enforcement in the North Richmond area is the priority need. Programs aimed at improving social conditions and allowing responsible citizens to regain control of their community will require active citizen participation. However, this participation will not occur until the citizens feel free to walk out their front doors . Many efforts had been undertaken by various County departments well before the most recent concerns were brought * to the attention of the Board of Supervisors . Others which have been planned for some time will continue to move forward toward implementation. With the cooperation of the community, the leadership which has been shown by the Board of Supervisors and the dedication of the involved County department heads and their staff, changes can be made in North Richmond. The changes need, first, to restore the personal safety of the residents, then upgrade the infrastructure and environment of the community and then provide some long term opportunities to escape the poverty, unemployment and discouragement which have too often been the only option offered to residents of North Richmond.