Joel Umanzor

4 days ago | richmondside.org | Joel Umanzor

How will Richmond spend an additional $50 million in revenue — a boost mostly coming from its first Chevron settlement payment? The answer depends on the decisions Richmond city officials will make as they start reviewing the city’s proposed $644 million 2025-26 budget on Tuesday amid looming federal funding threats. The proposed budget includes $257.7 million in general fund expenses, a 3.4% decrease from the current year, while revenues are projected to increase 22.3% to $306.2 million.

2 weeks ago | richmondside.org | Joel Umanzor

Controversy continues to surround Richmond’s Community Police Review Commission (CPRC) amidst its efforts to strengthen its oversight of the police department. On Tuesday the council will consider a proposal to investigate past allegations of misconduct. During the May 6 Richmond City Council meeting, Mayor Eduardo Martinez’s effort to form an ad hoc committee to review 13 recommendations by the CPRC was rejected by the council.

3 weeks ago | richmondside.org | Joel Umanzor

Contra Costa County’s Civil Grand Jury released a report last month finding that the Richmond Police Department has been understaffed since the city in 2021 reallocated $3 million from the department to fund policing alternatives. The independent oversight body of citizens typically investigates and reports on local government operations within Contra Costa County and has the authority to probe county agencies, city governments, and special and school districts.

3 weeks ago | richmondside.org | Joel Umanzor

Overview: *Richmond is reviewing a new map of the city’s wildfire hazard zones. *The new hazard categories, which are based on scientific criteria, mean some parts of the city, such as Point Richmond, are no longer listed as hazardous.  *The maps help guide community planning and the enforcement of wildfire prevention codes. *The public can now comment on the map, and the Richmond City Council is expected to vote on it later this month.

3 weeks ago | richmondside.org | Joel Umanzor

California’s Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) on Tuesday said it has ordered Union Pacific Railroad Company and Bayer CropScience, Inc. to clean up the former Blair Southern Pacific Landfill at South 51st Street in Richmond.