The Richmond Monitor

This week in full. The Record for the week of the October 20 Council meeting: The Record, week of 20 October 2026. Every earlier week: Archive.

Air District Board delays the water heater rule to 2028. The Bay Area Air District’s Board of Directors voted on Wednesday, November 4, to amend Rule 9-6, moving the zero-NOx standard for residential water heaters from January 2027 to January 2028, according to the District’s press release. The standard applies only when an owner replaces an existing water heater; it does not require removing a working appliance and does not cover stoves, dryers or fireplaces.

• Exemptions. Low-income owners (under 80 percent of Area Median Income, including Medi-Cal or CalFresh participants, or households paying more than 28 percent of income toward mortgage and property taxes); properties without room or ventilation for a compliant unit; and properties with electrical limits, such as panels below 100 amps or a need to run lines more than 50 feet.
• Later dates. January 1, 2033, for multifamily buildings, deed-restricted affordable housing, and certain product types (hydronic, specialized high-heat, and large units). Units of 30 gallons or less and mobile-home water heaters are not required to comply.
• The District’s figures. Its analysis attributes as many as 85 premature deaths and 15,000 asthma attacks a year in the Bay Area to pollution from gas-fired water heaters and furnaces.
• Vote. Tally and individual votes not stated in the release.

Source: Air District press release, Nov 4 | Air District incidents and advisories page | retrieved 5 November 2026.

Election night: the County’s unofficial count. Contra Costa County Elections posted its “Unofficial Results – Election Night Final” report at 11:43 p.m. Tuesday, with all 69 Richmond precincts reporting. The County’s totals are unofficial and do not include ballots still to be counted; they will change with each update until the canvass is certified. As of Thursday morning, November 5, the County’s results page listed no update after the election-night final.

• Mayor of Richmond. Claudia Jimenez 10,298 (53.08%); Ahmad Anderson 9,102 (46.92%). Ballots cast in the city: 20,436 of 59,820 registered voters (34.16%).
• Measure Q (City of Richmond fire-station bond; two-thirds required). Yes 13,226 (69.32%); No 5,853 (30.68%).
• Measure V (West Contra Costa Unified School District; two-thirds required). Yes 36,739 (73.29%); No 13,391 (26.71%).
• Regional Transit Measure (majority; countywide figures). Yes 146,383 (56.03%); No 114,875 (43.97%).

Source: County Elections, unofficial results, election night final | County Elections results page | retrieved 4 November 2026; re-checked 5 November 2026.

Council closed session, November 2: no final action on the City Attorney recruitment. At Monday’s special meeting the Clerk reported no requests to speak, in person or online, before the Council adjourned to closed session on its only item, C.1, “Public Employee Appointment (Government Code Section 54957(b)),” titled “City Attorney Recruitment.” When the Council reconvened, about an hour and a half later, the report from closed session was that the Council “received an update” from the City’s recruiter on the recruitment of the City Attorney position, and that it “took no final action and there is no reportable action under the Brown Act.” Then it adjourned.

At the opening roll call the Clerk recorded Councilmembers Soheila Bana and Jamelia Brown absent. At the reconvened roll call, Councilmembers Bana, Claudia Jimenez, Cesar Zepeda and Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson and Mayor Eduardo Martinez answered, and Councilmember Brown was recorded absent. Minutes not yet posted. Council digest, Nov 2.

The City’s meeting calendar still lists a second special closed session for Monday, November 9, at 9:30 a.m., with no agenda posted.

Source: KCRT video, Council Nov 2 | City meeting video and agenda, Nov 2 | Special Council agenda, Nov 2 | City meeting calendar | retrieved 3 November 2026.

Commission agendas posted.

• Commission on Aging, Friday, November 6, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza. Agenda: a Council liaison update from Councilmember Jamelia Brown; a guest presentation on the WCCUSD–Richmond Y-PLAN partnership; a housing and safety workshop discussion; action items on the Senior Winter Ball and 2027 events; a staff report on NEOGOV and the Commission manual; a public communication plan and senior survey.
• Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission, Monday, November 2 (in person and Zoom). Old business includes a proposed March 2027 visit by Shimada student ambassadors (arriving March 22, departing March 29–30; Shimada “would like to send 8 students and 2 adults,” and the agenda asks whether the City van and drivers will be available), host-family recruitment, and the 2027 Richmond ambassador selection, with applications open November 30 to December 18. Next meeting listed: December 2.

Source: Commission on Aging agenda, Nov 6 | Shimada Commission agenda, Nov 2 | retrieved 3 November 2026.

Police commission took up a patrol-rifle policy, November 4. The Community Police Review Commission called a special meeting for Wednesday, November 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Richmond Room, 450 Civic Center Plaza (Zoom available), moved from November 11, Veterans Day. Item VIII.a: “Review and vote on recommending that the Richmond Police Department revise Patrol Rifle Policy 415 as proposed by the Commission.” The Chair’s staff report says the Oakland Police Department’s patrol-rifle policy “is more restrictive” than Richmond’s, and attaches a redline of Policy 415, the current Richmond policy, and Oakland’s. The agenda also carries the Chief’s report, the Investigator’s report, and a closed session on two investigations (2025-8 and 2025-19) and one case summary. Minutes and video of the November 4 meeting not yet posted; outcome not yet confirmed.

The packet’s draft minutes of October 14, not yet approved, record:

• A motion to table the rifle item to November failed, 3–3 (Hegstrom, Jackson, Lawson yes; Cantú, Engle, Tellez-Witrago no). The Commission then directed staff to draft a redline of Policy 415 “to mirror” Oakland’s General Order K-6, “with no intent to add additional weaponry,” 6–0–1 (moved by Commissioner Daniel Lawson, seconded by Commissioner Carmen Martinez; Commissioner Andre Jackson abstaining). The Investigator said the Department’s inventory appeared to hold 82 patrol rifles.
• The Commission voted 5–1–1 to recommend that the City discontinue the Police Department’s use of automated license plate readers and decline to renew or expand ALPR agreements (moved by Lawson, seconded by Commissioner Charlene Engle; Commissioner Carol Hegstrom no; Jackson abstaining).
• A police lieutenant told the Commission the City had 188 Flock cameras, and that the same vehicle can register on several. A captain said the Department was moving from Flock to Axon and was looking at a third-party auditor for the ALPR program.

The Department’s September crime report in the same packet: no homicides in September, down from five in August; violent crimes up 15 percent, from 97 to 112; property crimes up 7 percent, from 259 to 277.

Source: CPRC special meeting agenda and packet, Nov 4 | retrieved 31 October 2026.

Planning Commission tonight: the Chevron wet gas scrubber. The agenda for Thursday, November 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza, is posted. One public hearing: PLN24-098, Chevron Wet Gas Scrubber, to consider an addendum to the previously certified EIR for the Assembly Bill 617 Expedited Best Available Retrofit Control Technology (BARCT) Implementation Schedule Project, with its mitigation monitoring program, and a conditional use permit and design review permit for “a wet gas scrubber pollution control device and associated support infrastructure” at the refinery. Staff recommendation: conditional approval. Also on the agenda: a report on the 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report. Two of the Commission’s seven seats are listed as vacant. Next meeting: December 3.

Minutes of the Commission’s October 1 meeting are also posted. They record Resolution 26-16 (the medical waste transfer station at 801 Wharf Street) approved 3–0, moved by Commissioner Jonathan Harrison and seconded by Secretary Gay Timmons, with Vice Chair Diana Benitez and Commissioner Shahzaib Shahid absent. Planning digest, Oct 1 (updated).

Source: Planning Commission agenda, Nov 5 | Planning Commission minutes, Oct 1 | retrieved 31 October 2026.

Certified resolutions from October 20 and 27. The Clerk has posted certified copies of twelve resolutions. The October 27 resolutions (Nos. 173-26 through 179-26) each record six ayes, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson absent; the October 20 resolutions (Nos. 170-26 through 172-26) and the Housing Authority’s Nos. 2232 and 2233 record no one absent and no noes. Among them:

• No. 174-26 levies special assessments for unpaid garbage-collection charges on 1,076 parcels, $900,728.35 in all: $852,308.35 in Republic Services charges and $48,420 in City charges of $45 a parcel. The list goes to the County for collection.
• No. 173-26 accepts the $3,674,258 state Proposition 64 grant for the Office of Neighborhood Safety’s ROOT CARE project, with contracts for RYSE (up to $966,463), Advance Peace (up to $1,500,000) and Evident Change (up to $200,000).
• No. 175-26, a side letter with the Richmond Fire Management Association, replaces a 5 percent pay allowance for chief officers qualified to direct hazardous-materials operations with 5 percent for members who complete four hazardous-materials technician courses (160 hours). No. 176-26 adopts the Association’s successor agreement, July 1, 2025, to December 31, 2028.
• No. 178-26: three as-needed mulch contracts, up to $1,500,000 each over three years; No. 179-26: CSWST2, Neighborhood Complete Streets design, up to $890,492 over two years; No. 177-26: nine FlashCAM illegal-dumping cameras from Q-Star Technology, sole source, up to $80,000.
• October 20: No. 170-26 approves up to $55 million in California Municipal Finance Authority bonds for the Metrowalk at Richmond Station apartments, Nevin Avenue and 19th Street; No. 171-26 ends the City’s two PG&E fleet-electrification projects, at 3230 Macdonald Avenue and 2500 Barrett Avenue, with termination costs up to $80,000 from the General Fund; No. 172-26 approves four on-call equipment-rental contracts, up to $2,000,000 combined over five years.
• Housing Authority, October 20: No. 2232 (Bay Hawk paving and walkways, to $635,559) and No. 2233 (Net Electric, to $200,000), both for Nystrom Village. Each certificate calls the October 20 meeting “special” in one place and “regular” in another.

Council digest, Oct 27 · Council digest, Oct 20 (both updated). Minutes of both meetings are not yet posted.

Source: certified resolutions as linked | retrieved 31 October 2026.

Historic Preservation Commission, November 2. The Commission met Monday, November 2, at 5:30 p.m. in the Richmond Room, 450 Civic Center Plaza. Agenda: a study session on amendments to the City’s Mills Act program (zoning text changes to the Municipal Code’s Mills Act section, a new contract template, and a possible tax-savings calculator; staff asks for input, no action), and, under Commission business, a National Park Service presentation on the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front park and a “Red Oak Victory Relocation Discussion.”

Source: Historic Preservation Commission agenda, Nov 2 | retrieved 31 October 2026.

Children and Youth fund board agenda: the Office of Neighborhood Safety, November 2. The Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board met Monday, November 2, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Manager’s Conference Room, 450 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 300. Two grantee presentations are on the agenda, both “receive” items with no financial impact, per the staff reports:

• The Hidden Genius Project, a three-year grantee in the 2025–2027 cycle. The fund pays for its Intensive Immersion Program, $600,000 over three years.
• The City’s Office of Neighborhood Safety, also a three-year grantee in the 2025–2027 cycle, “in partnership with the RYSE Center.” Its fund-paid program is Care, Affirmation, and Recovery for Richmond Youth (CARRY), in the Mental & Behavioral Health need area, $900,000 over three years. The staff report on this item is dated November 5.

Draft minutes of the board’s October 5 meeting, in the same packet, record six members present, two absent, and seven vacancies, and note that the staff evaluation of the fund was scheduled for the Council on October 27. The board’s request-for-proposals for a needs assessment and investment plan closed with 17 applications. The October 5 minutes are now also posted on their own; they record the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. and the August 24 minutes approved 5–0–1, Board Member Jennifer Early abstaining. RFCY Oversight Board minutes, Oct 5.

Source: RFCY Oversight Board agenda, Nov 2 | agenda packet, Nov 2 | retrieved 30 October 2026.

Recreation and Parks: draft minutes of October 7. The packet for the Commission’s November 4 meeting carries draft minutes of October 7. They record the minutes of September 2 approved on a motion by Commissioner Alexander Rony, seconded by Secretary Jennifer Koscielniak, “carried with an agreed voice vote.” The attendance sheet marks Commissioner Jake Rogers excused on October 7 and the other seven members present. It lists the terms of Secretary Koscielniak and Commissioner Rogers as ending October 26, 2026. The November 4 agenda has one action item, setting a date for Brown Act training; the next meeting after that is December 2. Rec and Parks digest, Oct 7 (updated).

Source: Rec and Parks agenda, Nov 4 | agenda packet, Nov 4 | retrieved 30 October 2026.

Chevron odor: the Air District issues a nuisance violation. The Bay Area Air District has updated its incident report on the October 22 hydrogen sulfide odor at the Chevron refinery, 845 Chevron Way (report marked “Updated: October 26, 2026”). What the update adds:

• On October 26 the District issued a Notice of Violation to Chevron Richmond Refinery for public nuisance.
• At 3:26 p.m. on October 23, Chevron told the District it had identified the source of the emissions as the refinery flare system. Chevron later told District staff the emissions were mitigated at 4:56 p.m. A joint walkthrough that morning detected hydrogen sulfide odors on site at about 10:21 a.m. District inspectors patrolled off site on October 24 and 25 and detected no odors.
• Chevron’s 72-hour report to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District says the release involved hydrocarbons containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, “with both pollutants potentially exceeding their respective reportable quantities of 100 pounds per day.” The District says it is seeking more information to assess community impacts.
• The District had received 226 complaints as of the update. The first report said more than 130.
• The update gives the peak one-hour reading above 200 parts per billion at the Richmond 7th Street monitor at 8 p.m. The first report said 7 p.m.

Unchanged from the first report: complaints began at 6:09 p.m. on October 22; one-hour averages at 7th Street exceeded the state’s 30 ppb acute reference level for six of the nine hours between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m.; Chevron’s Level 1 Community Warning System alert came at 12:19 a.m. on October 23 and listed the release time as 12:10 a.m., while the District writes that complaints and staff observations “suggest the release occurred hours earlier, during the evening of October 22.” The investigation remains open. At the Council on October 27, District staff said their Health Risk Assessment presentation had not been changed for the incident.

Source: Air District incident report, updated Oct 26 | first report, Oct 23 | retrieved 29 October 2026; re-checked 30 October 2026, no further update.

Council, 27 October 2026: consent approved, Industrial Safety Ordinance introduced, traffic items moved again. Vice Mayor Doria Robinson was absent for the whole meeting. What the video shows:

• Chevron health risk. At the 4:00 p.m. special meeting the Air District presented its preliminary Health Risk Assessment of the refinery: an estimated cancer risk of 37 in a million at the maximally exposed residential location, south of the refinery in Point Richmond, against an action level of 10, mostly from fugitive emissions, storage tanks, and generators; and an acute hazard index of 1.2 against 1.0, mostly benzene from the wastewater bioreactor. Comments close November 23 at 5:00 p.m. If the final figures hold, Chevron has 180 days after notice to file a draft risk reduction plan. No vote.
• Consent. Approved in one motion, with no item removed, including the $3,674,258 Proposition 64 grant for the Office of Neighborhood Safety, RYSE, and Advance Peace; the $1,500,000 LEHR increase; three mulch contracts; the $890,492 Complete Streets design contract; and the Fire Management Association agreement. The clerk announced it passed with the Vice Mayor absent.
• R.1. The Industrial Safety Ordinance amendment moving enforcement to the County Fire Protection District was introduced on first reading. The Mayor asked for a later study session on the ordinance.
• Moved, not heard. The two traffic-safety items (23rd Street; citywide) went to November 17, when Public Works is to present an action plan. The Community Police Review Commission appointment was not reached.
• Also. About 20 speakers, most of them police officers, used the officers’ commendation to ask for an armored rescue vehicle. Professor Jason Corburn presented his study of the Office of Neighborhood Safety. The regular meeting began nearly an hour late and adjourned at about 10:15 p.m.

The consent calendar was moved by Councilmember Jamelia Brown and seconded by Councilmember Claudia Jiménez. Other movers and seconds were not identified on the video. The City’s video archive has posted the meeting; minutes not yet posted. Council digest, Oct 27.

Source: KCRT video, Council Oct 27 | Council agenda, Oct 27 | City video archive | retrieved 28 October 2026; re-checked 30 October 2026.

Data center moratorium: the ordinance is certified. The Clerk has posted Urgency Ordinance No. 14-26 N.S., adopted October 20. It replaces the 45-day ordinance of September 15 and extends the moratorium on new data centers for 22 months and 15 days, through September 15, 2028. The certified vote is 7–0: Bana, Brown, Jimenez, Wilson, Zepeda, Robinson, and Martinez. The ordinance’s findings note data center approvals in Pittsburg, Hayward, and Gilroy and moratoria in Oakley and Gilroy.

Source: Urgency Ordinance No. 14-26 N.S. | Council digest, Oct 20 | retrieved 28 October 2026.

Planning Commission, 1 October 2026: medical waste transfer station approved 3–0. The Commission adopted Resolution 26-16 approving a conditional use permit for Clean Harbors to receive and temporarily store sealed medical waste at 801 Wharf Street (PLN26-0184); three members voted, two were absent. Mover and second not identified. Appeal date was October 13. Minutes not yet posted. Planning digest, Oct 1.

Source: KCRT video (compiled from video; votes unconfirmed unless minutes are posted)

RNCC, 19 October 2026: Measure Q fire-station bond presented. The Fire Chief described Measure Q (up to $120 million; two-thirds vote needed; November 3 ballot) and about $98 million in station replacement and repair estimates. No votes were heard. No agenda or minutes found. RNCC digest, Oct 19.

Source: KCRT video (compiled from video; votes unconfirmed unless minutes are posted)

Rent Board, 21 October 2026: Section 8 / LIHTC study session continued to November 18. The board approved its consent calendar 3–0 and continued the study session to the November 18 meeting, 3–0 on the roll call. Mover and second not identified. Minutes not yet posted. Rent Board digest, Oct 21.

Source: KCRT video (compiled from video; votes unconfirmed unless minutes are posted)

Richmond Rising committee, 7 October 2026: Bay Repair grant recommendation. The City told the advisory committee that the Air District board recommended $10.6 million of the $15 million requested for the City and nine of ten partners; the MLK Community Center project and the Richmond Community Foundation component were not recommended. The committee also reviewed $35 million Transformative Climate Communities grant spending and Nevin Park redesign concepts. Richmond Rising digest, Oct 7.

Source: KCRT video (compiled from video; votes unconfirmed unless minutes are posted)

Layoff notice: Safeway, 905 South 34th Street. The state’s WARN report lists a notice from Safeway, Inc., received October 20, for a permanent closure at 905 South 34th Street, Richmond, affecting 92 employees, effective December 20, 2026. The report does not describe the facility.

Source: California EDD WARN report | retrieved 24 October 2026.

The state grant behind consent item Q.2.a, approved October 27. The Council approved the $3,674,258 Proposition 64 grant on its consent calendar on October 27, with no discussion. The Board of State and Community Corrections standard agreement, posted as an updated Attachment 3, states:

• The contractor is the “City of Richmond, Office of Neighborhood Safety.” The signature line is for Interim City Manager Mark Scott. The term runs July 1, 2026, through December 31, 2031; project activity ends June 30, 2031, and the last six months are for the final evaluation and audit only.
• The project, “Rooted in Richmond: Cannabis Awareness, Reduction & Education (ROOT CARE),” is proposed by the Office “with Advance Peace and RYSE.” It is to serve 1,100 youth over five years and train 100 service providers. Listed services include prevention education, mentoring, case management, stipends, “transformative travel excursions,” and employment supports.
• Budget: non-governmental organizations $2,466,463; services and supplies $375,000; professional services or public agency contracts $225,000; other (travel, training, etc.) $128,544; indirect costs $479,251. Total $3,674,258, none of it for salaries and benefits or for public safety and enforcement. The NGO line equals the agenda’s RYSE ($966,463) and Advance Peace ($1,500,000) payment limits combined.
• First quarterly progress report and invoice due November 15, 2026; local evaluation plan due November 20, 2026. A program-specific compliance audit by an independent CPA or auditor is required, reimbursable up to $25,000.

The agenda describes the consent calendar as “routine and noncontroversial,” enacted together “without discussion.” An open-forum speaker asked why none of the money goes to the Police Department.

Source: Q.2.a updated grant agreement, Oct 27 agenda | Council agenda, Oct 27 | KCRT video, Council Oct 27 | retrieved 27 October 2026; updated 28 October 2026.

Commission paperwork posted.

• Human Rights and Human Relations Commission, agenda for Monday, October 26. Discussion items include a Local Heroes Initiative, the Rights of the Child project, a January 19, 2027, MLK holiday event, and the officer election. The agenda gives the next meeting as November 23.
• Arts and Culture Commission / Public Art Advisory Committee: minutes of September 10, including a staff update on hiring an Arts and Culture Manager (interview panel being assembled).
• Richmond-Zhoushan Friendship Commission: its October 14 agenda, posted after the meeting date, and minutes of March 11. The October 14 agenda lists a City-allocated balance of $1,000 and gives the next meeting as November 11.

Source: HRHRC agenda, Oct 26 | RACC/PAAC minutes, Sept 10 | Zhoushan Commission agenda, Oct 14 | Zhoushan Commission minutes, Mar 11 | retrieved 24 October 2026.

Planning Commission, November 5: Chevron’s wet gas scrubber. The 6:30 p.m. hybrid hearing on project PLN24-098 (an EIR addendum, conditional use permit, and design review for a wet gas scrubber at the refinery) remains noticed. The addendum is posted at richmondca.gov/chevronwgs.

Source: Planning Commission hearing notice, Nov 5 | re-checked 24 October 2026.

City Manager’s Weekly Report: none newer than October 16. The latest is the report dated October 16, 2026.

Source: City Manager report, Oct 16 | re-checked 28 October 2026.

Calendar.

• Today, November 5, 6:30 p.m.: Planning Commission hearing on the Chevron wet gas scrubber (agenda posted; staff recommends conditional approval).
• Tomorrow, November 6, 10:00 a.m.: Commission on Aging.
• November 9, 9:30 a.m.: special Council closed session (calendar listing; no agenda posted).
• November 23, 5:00 p.m.: comments close on the Air District’s preliminary Health Risk Analysis for Chevron Richmond.

Source: City election page | City news page | KCRT video, Council Oct 27 | County Elections results page | City meeting calendar | retrieved 24 October 2026; re-checked 5 November 2026.

The late ballots. Residents are still trading estimates of how many Richmond ballots remain to be counted and when the County will post its next count. The County posts each update on its results page.

Who started it. After the October 27 presentation on the Office of Neighborhood Safety, residents are again arguing over who deserves credit for the City’s violence-prevention approach, with several pointing to the mid-2000s Council. The Council minutes from 2005 to 2007 are in the City’s archive.

The nearest emergency room. Residents are discussing a news report that Sutter Health has dropped its plan for an Emeryville hospital to replace Alta Bates, and what that could mean for travel times from Richmond to a full-service hospital. The State’s hospital licensing and planning records are the place to check the details.