THE EL SOBRANTE e l e c t r o n i c

CONNECTION

“A fair and balanced look” at issues that affect our community Volume 19, Number 4 March/April 2007

2007 Mayor’s Address Mayor Gayle McLaughlin • And our City is still recovering from “A Better Richmond” in the coming the 2004 $35 million budget debacle, years. It is my honor to deliver this State of which forced us to cut services and Before I do that, however, I want to re- the City address. to sell some of our public resources. mind us all that the improvements we I want to share with you my impres- However, even though these conditions seek and deserve will not emerge purely, sions of how I found this City when I essentially, from the policies generated by took office as Mayor two months ago. I exist: • The prognosis for our City is good. the current City Council or any future will describe what I see as the City’s main city council. Progress will come only • The challenges are immense but not challenges and resources, and I will put from the will and participation of Rich- forward some ideas that are part of a plan insurmountable. • mond residents. Ultimately, the State of to move us forward. This plan must be Our City is focused on recovery. the City depends upon you. developed by all of us. • Our potential is incredibly strong. First the bad news: • Fortunately, our city is now working I was elected as Mayor to preside over • Although showing improvement, under many new and qualified man- the Richmond City Council. However, the state of the City of Richmond agement staff. first and foremost, I consider myself the remains one of ill health • Our city’s grassroots capacity to re- Mayor of the people of Richmond and as • Richmond is a city in a lot of pain spond to crises, to self-protect, and your Mayor my focus this year will be on with serious endemic violent crime; to heal is strong, as exemplified in • the Tent Cities Movement, the re- Our streets and infrastructure are Continued on page 4 “tired” and old and are known to be cent mobilization of the Latino com- munity against raids and abuses, the among the worst in the Bay Area. INSIDE • Our air is heavily burdened with environmental justice movement, pollutants, and we are often as- and our new small business expan- Announcements · · · · · · · · · · · · 2 saulted by industrial surges of toxins. sion. • Bay Area leaders: climate change· · 3 Our minds and bodies are thirsty for Our City, at the Council level and at Community Calendar· · · · · · · 16 community meetings, is starting to learning, culture, sports and recrea- Community Resources· · · · · · 16 have a more participatory and a more tion but the venues for these oppor- Land Bank for Canyon Oaks· · 13 civil process of providing input, ana- tunities are scarce or difficult to Council Page · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · 8 access. lyzing policies and receiving feed- Free Tax Preparation· · · · · · · · 12 • Our City often seems disjointed back. ‘Lock It Up’ video · · · · · · · · · · 14 with special interests often slowing Today I will put forward for your con- Pre-apprentice tutoring classes · · 12 movement of the whole body sideration some ideas and plans to achieve Refinery profit margins double 15 Richmond makes the big time · · · 7 The Neighborhood Connection is provided free via email only Richmond General Plan Process · 13 ERFECT by Perfect Page Desktop Publishing. It is not published The real cost of bottled water · 10 Upcoming bird walks · · · · · · · · 9 AGE by a neighborhood council. For information or to Useful Numbers· · · · · · · · · · · 16 receive the newsletter call 510 223-2004. DESKTOP Water alert ended· · · · · · · · · · · 14 PUBLISHING Editor: Jeannette Mahoney Page 2 March/April 2007 The Neighborhood Connection

ANNOUNCEMENTS

El Sobrante Boys And Girls Club Open House/Reception Saturday, March 31, 2007 1pm to 5pm RSVP to BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB 4660 Appian Way El Sobrante 223-5253

FREE TAX PREPARATION for low and moderate income residents from February 1 to April 14. See page 12.

SPAWNERS Restoration Days 9 am March 10, April 14 and Earth Day: April 21 Sign up at Boys and Girls Club or at the El Sobrante Library Sign up for late March workshop and volunteer for late April assessments. Call Julianna at 510 665-3538 or go to www.spawners.net

RichmondWORKS Let Richmondworks help you with your hiring needs With your busy schedule these days, there is little to no time to interview and read every resume sent to you. We also offer Enterprise Zone Tax Credit assistance that could result in $30,000.00 per one employee please call for a packet of explanation and detail.

“Lock It Up: An Environmental Prevention Project” is a new video in which Bay Point and Rodeo teens describe their campaign to limit alcohol access for minors. It makes its broadcast debut this month throughout Contra Costa County. For dates and times of showings, see page 14 The Neighborhood Connection March/April 2007 Page 3

Bay area leadership to address climate change By Contra Costa Supervisor John Gioia

The news on global warming is sobering, leaving communities small and large looking for ways to respond. The good news is that practical steps to reduce warming are emerging from the bleak predictions. I’m excited to be in- volved in some of the Bay Area’s cutting edge initiatives to address what can be done now and soon, to halt the trend.

Two Bay Area regional agencies, on which I serve as a board member, have made climate protection a top priority. The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and the Bay Area Air Quality Man- agement District (Air District) have launched new initiatives designed to study the impact of global warming, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

According to a recent study conducted by the Air District, half of the greenhouse gas emissions in the Bay Area are from transportation, one-quarter from industrial/commercial sources, 11% from residential, 7% from local electric- ity generation, and 6% from oil refineries.

Against this backdrop, the Air District’s current initiatives include: • A $3 million grant program for climate protection activities in the Bay Area; • funding a comprehensive study of greenhouse gas emission control technology which could be used to control emissions from industrial sources; • and a green schools program to develop strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of schools, while educating students on climate protection. BCDC is studying the impacts of climate change on S.F. Bay and developing a regional task force to work with local governments and stakeholders regarding the issue. While sea levels in S.F. Bay have risen 7 inches over the past 150 years, it is estimated they will rise between 12 and 36 inches by 2100. A 12 inch rise would cause the Bay Area to lose important real estate (including most of S.F. and Oakland Airports), public infrastructure, and natural resources, and would make 100-year flood events happen every 10 years.

Our regional initiatives are consistent with Californians’ sentiments. In a statewide poll last year, two-thirds of Cali- fornians feel global warming is so important that they want the state to address this issue, independently of the fed- eral government, a process that’s begun. They also segue with the recent news of UC-Berkeley receiving a substantial grant from British Petroleum to establish a new Energy Biosciences Institute for the study of clean en- ergy, making Berkeley a global leader in the field.

I’m energized by these home-front efforts to tackle this enormous problem, and look forward to working with local agencies, supporting and expanding their response.

If you are interested in learning more about these efforts, please contact my office at (510) 374-3231 or check out www.bcdc.ca.gov and www.baaqmd.gov. John Gioia Page 4 March/April 2007 The Neighborhood Connection

Mayor’s address, Cont’d From page 1 violence prevention, environmental Tent Cities has had a lingering effect. on the local level to help with systemic health and justice, and economic devel- This effect must be allowed to continue problems we are facing based on ill- opment. These three priorities will over- and expand. Long-term violence preven- conceived policies made at the federal lap greatly. Every part of the work ahead tion will only be achieved when the solu- level. must be integrated with other parts. tions, the opportunities, and the 3. And of course while we work to pre- Building a better Richmond is an organic programs are brought to the neighbor- vent violence with education efforts, we process and must be cultivated as such. hoods that are craving them. must move forward with job opportuni- This will not be easy but as any gar- And while we make helping-programs ties. I am committed to creating youth dener will tell you, there is joy in the cul- visible, and reach out with services, we jobs every year for the next 4 years. In re- tivation process. As we work hard to solve must also simultaneously bring forward viewing the mid-year budget, the Coun- our problems, we will also reap the bene- peacekeeping teams to quell violence that cil made a commitment to increase fits of a new culture of caring for our- we know continues to brew apart from funding for the Summer Youth Program. selves, others and the environment that our service efforts. I see the Richmond Having talked with our finance director surrounds us. Improvement Association (RIA) program about this, I will soon be bringing a re- “Zero Homicides” as one such Violent Crime quest to the City Council to bring for- peacekeeping team, this is networking ward an additional $100,000 for the youth Our first and highest priority remains with incarcerated individuals and helping violent crime program, bringing the City’s allocation to prepare them for a positive re-entry into $300,000, up from the $200,000 in 2006. Crime and violence must be under- our community. New opportunities stood as a social construct and must be This will allow the City to lead by exam- must replace recidivism, and guidance ple by increasing by 50% our last year’s addressed at the roots. In the next two must replace neglect. years, as we bolster our police force, and contribution with the hope and expecta- continue to support the reorganization 2. Our partnership with Richmond tion that the business community will and community policing commitment on schools must be strengthened. I am mak- follow suit. Our Employment and Train- the part of the police department, I will ing it a point to visit our schools through- ing Department has set a goal of provid- also be working hard to advance the fol- out this year to have hands-on ing 350 jobs this summer (50 jobs more lowing efforts: opportunities to engage with our teachers than last year). But even more jobs can be and students. In addition to this, in the created if we partner with non-profits to 1. I will work on expanding and building coming months, my office will be hold- help provide work readiness training and on the Tent Cities Movement. As mayor, ing a breakfast meeting with Richmond case manage the youth. I am committed to providing a catalyst to principals and our Superintendent of While quantity of jobs is extremely im- the momentum started by this great ef- Schools, Dr. Bruce Harter, to sit down portant to meet the large number of ap- fort. and explore ideas on how we can work to plicants, so too is quality of jobs. I look Impacted youth within our high-crime better advance after school programs, forward to working with City Depart- neighborhoods must be made aware that youth academies and summer sessions. In ments like Public Works and Parks and we want to nurture this space that tent addition to our partnership with the Recreation to help identify areas that our cities has opened up. I am currently school district it is important that the City youth can work to help beautify our working with the tent cities committee advance independent efforts to help bring parks, streets and publics spaces, and and other community groups to develop about a well-rounded education for our make our community centers more pro- an exciting project to bring mini-farmers youth. It is exciting that the City Manager ductive. I will also seek ways to advance market events to the parks that were the will be hiring a recreation director, some- young people into year-round City jobs birthplace of the Tent Cities movement. one to focus specifically on recreation. I that arise out of the Summer Youth Pro- In conjunction with offering farm fresh believe this summer will be the summer gram. produce to residents on these Saturday that our community centers begin to We have the opportunity to nurture fu- afternoons in the park, these events will flourish as never before. ture city managers, recreation directors, also offer an opportunity for community Another upcoming effort will be an edu- public works directors, and yes even a fu- groups and city and county service pro- cation forum that my office will be co- ture department of the environment di- viders to set up tables and bring their ef- sponsoring, along with Progressive rector. These, among other things, are forts to those most in need. We cannot Teachers of Richmond and March4Edu- afford to conduct city business exclu- cation, to provide analysis and informa- sively within the walls of city hall. tion about the problems with the No We have seen a reduction in violence this Child Left Behind policy. We need to Continued on page 5 year. The truce advanced last year by take a good hard look at what can be done The Neighborhood Connection March/April 2007 Page 5

Mayor’s address, Cont’d

Continued from page 4 the aspirations that we must nurture and dren and future generations. With that in using emissions-free vehicles to do cultivate in our youth. mind, we must address the environment. short-run transportation and park main- 4. I am also researching another program In terms of environmental health and tenance on the Bay Trail. that offers jobs and education opportuni- pollution reduction, I’m working on sev- And when speaking of the environ- ties for at-risk youth. We have an oppor- eral policies to bring to the City Council ment, it is essential that we also speak of tunity to partner with the East Bay for consideration. For example, I’m the conditions that continue to degrade Conservation Corps to establish a Rich- working with our Planning Department our neighborhoods and surroundings. mond satellite program. Giving our on a recommendation to lower our solar Improving our environment must in- youth a chance to advance our environ- permit fees from $800 to $200 or below, clude the cleanup of our streets, trash- mental conservation efforts here in Rich- which will move us along to becoming a filled lots, and removal of blight. mond and to advance themselves at the leading solar city in the Bay Area. In terms of neighborhood revitaliza- same time is a win-win situation. I will also be bringing forward a reso- tion efforts, we will be seeing 12 neigh- Let me add that although we are building lution to declare Richmond a Green borhood cleanups paid for by the City in a new culture of financial and fiscal re- Economy Development Area. In the last the next year, expanding on previous ef- sponsibility here at City Hall, we must 8 weeks we have talked to 5 green busi- forts and continuing to work with the also remember the fiscal responsibility nesses that want to locate in Richmond. Neighborhood Councils. In terms of our that we as officials hold so as not to over- This means jobs, leadership and in- bigger engineering efforts, projects are spend or over commit to spending be- creased money for City services. The moving along to improve our surround- yond our means. City must vote to expand this develop- ings. For example: 1) our street paving While our needs run deep in Richmond, ment area and direct its energies accord- program is in operation and on schedule; our budget will only stretch so far, which ingly. 2) work has been completed to close the Bay Trail gaps providing us currently means regional funding must be accessed Other initiatives to fully and effectively keep violence pre- with 17 miles of continuous bay trail Other initiatives that I will be asking along our City’s shoreline; 3) the Safe vention programs and job efforts up and the Council to consider include: running. I have met with Berkeley’s Route to School Program has installed 1. an environmentally-preferable pur- grade flashing lights at 8 crosswalk loca- Mayor Bates and Oakland’s Mayor Del- chasing ordinance that will phase out the lums and we have committed to working tions; and 4) Phase One of our very excit- use of toxic chemicals in our parks, com- ing Richmond Greenway Bicycle Trail together to develop and expand success- munity spaces and neighborhood; ful tools that will reduce crime in our re- should be completed by the end of March gion and to collectively seek funds for 2. a policy requiring restaurants to elimi- of this year. anti-violence measures. The major obsta- nate Styrofoam take-out containers, such as Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco Economic development cle to regional work is hard dollars to Okay . . We need to reduce violence, fund our efforts. have enacted - requiring a move away from products that litter our streets and and we need to enhance to enhance our I will be meeting with Senator Perata, environment. The last need I want to ad- who has outlined a peacekeeping team storm drains and a move toward more environmentally-safe products; and dress today is economic development. project for both Oakland and Richmond. It is imperative to examine economic 3. the establishment of an Environmental This project has already begun in Oak- development in the context of social eq- Health and Environmental Justice Com- land. uity and environmental protection mission to focus on improving public I will let Senator Perata know that we And in moving that effort forward, I health and a healthier environment in stand ready and willing to put funds to have met with the Council of Industries Richmond. good use in Richmond to advance his and Chamber of Commerce and they Let me also add that the Green Build- project here. have agreed to do more than they have ing Ordinance that some of us have been ever done to making business practice in Environment patiently waiting for is currently being Richmond greener, cleaner and safer. I And while we address street violence, developed by the City Attorney based on am looking forward to regular visits to we must be clear that any definition of similar ordinances in the region. Richmond businesses throughout the violence foisted upon our community On a final note regarding restoration year to learn about their services, prod- must also include the toxic pollution and of our natural environment, Richmond is ucts and good practices underway. chemical industrial legacy that our popu- taking the lead in pursing emissions-free lation is exposed to more than other com- vehicles in its City operations. We have munities. This is also a type of violence to initiated an electric vehicle pilot project Continued on page6 our health; a burden on Richmond’s chil- through our Public Works Department, Page 6 March/April 2007 The Neighborhood Connection

Mayor’s Address, Cont’d Continued from page 5

I have also been engaged in discussion continue to be a staunch advocate for fur- In conclusion with the Richmond Economic Develop- ther community connections coming ment Initiative (REDI), a coalition focus- from City Hall and City Government. ©The state of the City of Richmond is still ing on economic development with social Community groups like the General one of ill health but signs of improvement are on the horizon equity. We must support REDI and other Plan Advisory Committee, the Zeneca efforts to increase truly affordable hous- Community Advisory Group, Solar ©The challenges are immense but not ing, encourage healthy walkable develop- Richmond, and the North Richmond insurmountable ment, preserve open space and create Shoreline Open Space Alliance are the ©Our City is focused on recovery public gathering spaces within our City to heart and soul of our city. These great ©Our potential is incredibly strong meet real needs of Richmond residents. community efforts will allow for Rich- ©The solutions to our problems will only And when we look at our big develop- mond’s destiny to be defined of, by and come from the will and participation of ment projects like the Civic Center proj- for its residents. Richmond residents. ect and the MacDonald Avenue project, it And to engage and enhance citizen in- is absolutely necessary to continuously volvement in reviewing our 100 year old ©Our lives, our families, our children require each of us to go the extra mile, examine and reexamine what is in the city charter, I will be asking the Council invest the extra time, and put forward the best interest of our City and our resi- to approve a citizens committee and pro- next community initiative: Talk to your dents. cess to examine and advise us on prepara- neighbors, discuss the issues and ask —Healthy buildings and responsible de- tions for a revised 2008 charter. yourselves and your neighbors: “What can sign must define our Civic Center proj- It is clear to me that community col- we do (with or without the support of the ect, as this project will define our City in laborative efforts are the greatest engine City) to make Richmond better?” many ways. the city has to enact change. I will work ©Whatever the answer may be, whatever with the City Manager on a new idea for —In revitalizing downtown, we must idea or initiative you and your neighbors Richmond of creating a collaboration of constantly go back to community vi- come up with to improve your lives, let me businesses, residents, and government to sioning efforts to seek out what specifics know. I want the City, as an organization improve neighborhoods, strengthen and service provider, to help and I want to will take shape. Retaining current local families, and support youth development help. businesses and creating opportunities creating a safe, healthy, and thriving com- for prospective Richmond business munity. This collaboration has been ef- A Better Richmond is Possible ...and startups, will be key to promoting a fective in Vallejo and other cities across with your commitment, it is already in Richmond local economy and a distinct the nation. the making! local character, in contrast to a And last but not least, when speaking franchise-dominated downtown. about community, our Neighborhood And as we plan our downtown in Councils are integral agents for change. terms of bricks and mortar, we must si- As mayor, I will make my regular visits to multaneously begin to culturally frame the Neighborhood Councils a high prior- this revitalization effort. And who better ity, and facilitate their great work than our Arts and Culture Division and however I can. Arts and Culture Commissioners. We need to work hand in hand with artists Meet with the Mayor and cultural workers to bring forward a I invite our Richmond residents to permanent artist community for our come to my first “Meet with the Mayor,” downtown to build a thriving and excit- on Thursday evening, March 29th, from ing downtown area. 5:30 to 7:30 in the Whittlesey Commu- As mayor, for two months now I have nity Room next to the library. This is an invested, and I will continue throughout open invitation to residents to talk with the year to invest, all my hours and all my me and share concerns. My hope is that capacity in working for that Better Rich- these meetings will be avenues for both mond that is peaceful, healthy and pros- problem-solving and community sugges- perous. tions for furthering progress in the city. I Yet it remains to be said that none of will ask various department heads to join our hopes for a better Richmond can me at different meetings to allow for de- come about without promoting strong partment updates and presentations. community leadership. As mayor, I will The Neighborhood Connection March/April 2007 Page 7

Richmond makes the big time New York Times March 9, 2007, excerpts. Complete text at nytimes.com Violent Crime in Cities Shows Sharp Surge By Kate Zernike “There’s a mentality among some In Richmond, Chief Magnus said he would Violent crime rose by double-digit people that they’re living some really often go to the scene of a crime and discover percentages in cities across the country violent video game,” said Chris Mag- that 30 to 75 rounds had been fired. “It speaks over the last two years, reversing the nus, the police chief in Richmond, to the level of anger, the indiscriminate nature declines of the mid-to-late 1990s, ac- Calif., north of San Francisco, where of the violence,” he said. “I go to meetings, and cording to a new report by a prominent homicides rose 20 percent and gun as- you start talking to some of the people in the national law enforcement association. saults 65 percent from 2004 to 2006. neighborhoods about who’s been a victim of While overall crime has been de- “What’s disturbing is that you see that violence, and people can start reciting: One of clining nationwide, police officials the blood’s real, the deaths real.” my sons was killed, one of my nephews,” he have been warning of a rise in murder, The research forum surveyed 56 said. “It’s hard to find people who haven’t been robbery and gun assaults since late cities and sheriff’s departments. The touched by this kind of violence.” 2005, particularly in midsize cities and group collected similar numbers last Many chiefs blame the federal government the Midwest. Now, they say, two years year, and those numbers were largely for reducing police programs that they say of data indicates that the spike is more borne out by the data from the Federal helped cut crime in the 1990s. But they also than an aberration. . . . Bureau of Investigation. Police chiefs say the problem is economic and social. But the biggest theme, they say, is say the trends in aggravated assaults are “We seem to be dealing with an awful lot of easy access to guns and a willingness, particularly alarming. They are often people who have zero conflict-resolution even an eagerness, to settle disputes considered a better gauge of violence skills,” Chief Magnus said. with them, particularly among young than homicides; the difference be- people. tween the two is often poor marks- manship or good medical care. . . . Page 8 March/April 2007 The Neighborhood Connection

COUNCIL PAGE

Chevron Speaks From the Tom Butt Forum (partial) West County Times, February 25 At a special meeting on February 27, On February 20, 2007, the Richmond the City Council examined the recent SPEAKING OF City Council adopted five policy direc- Chevron fire that took an hour to alert BIZARRE: tives related to the review of construction the public and for which the telephone projects in the City of Richmond, includ- warning system failed entirely. Lisa Vorderbrueggen, Politics Columnist ing merging the Design Review Board Chevron representatives showed a RICHMOND VICE MAYOR NATHAN- and Planning Commission. seemingly endless series of viewgraphs to IEL BATES sent out a fundraising so- The item was placed on the agenda by show how well they were running the licitation letter earlier this month. Councilmember Viramontes and Vice- company, bolstered later by 12 speakers That’s not unusual. Mayor Bates without any previous dis- who gave glowing accounts of their per- But the reason why he’s asking for the cussion, publicity or notice, other than an formance. money has raised a few eyebrows: He agenda description that read: “Discuss Supervisor John Gioia appeared with needs the cash to pay a $7,000 fine from and recommend amendments to ordi- two county staffmembers to assess their the state’s Fair Political Practices Com- nances regulating Planning and Design own actions in dealing with the mess. mission. Review governing policy, staff adminis- The safety officer stepped up and took Bates wrote in his letter that the pen- trative review process and authorize a sti- responsibility for failures on the part of alty originates from a post-Sept. 11, 2001, pend to commissioners.” the county and gave specifics on how to “condolence” mailer the Black Men & There was no mention in the agenda avoid a repetition. Women political action committee sent item of a proposed merger of the Design This is what Chevron should have to Richmond residents after the World Review Board and Planning Commission, done, instead of droning on with graphs Trade Center attack. The flier featured and it caught the public completely by sur- and charts endlessly as part of their strat- Bates standing next to an American flag prise. Neither the Planning Commission egy to present the company as a good and an inspirational message. nor the Design Review Board was con- neighbor. And the usual suspects came He also wrote that his lawyer believes sulted. [The directives adopted are:] up to the mike for the public input por- they could win in court but that the legal 1. Complete Design Review Guidelines tion to reinforce that image. fees would surpass the fine. What Bates for Central Richmond by March 31, Unfortunately, nobody thought to failed to mention was that he helped start 2007, and provide a schedule and budget gather up a similar body of speakers to the Black Men & Women [BMW] PAC for completion of Design Review criticize the company. Out of 17 speak- and though he resigned from the group Guidelines for other areas of Richmond. ers, only 4 or 5 were critical of Chevron. 2. Provide a staff recommendation for Ad- prior to his 1999 election, the state found In the meantime, Chevron’s profits ministrative Design Review of small that had remained active in its operations. continue to rise, as do California’s gas projects and any budget requirements. After a five-year investigation, the state prices. See page 15. 3. Merge the Design Review Board and concluded that Bates failed to report Planning Commission into a nine- nearly $14,000 in expenditures made on member single body by July 1, 2007. his behalf in his 1999 council race — two 4. Provide a stipend of $50 per meeting years before the Trade Center attack — (maximum $200/month) for members and his failed mayoral bid in 2001. The of the merged Design Review/Planning state also fined the PAC’s treasurer. Commission. The disclosure of a candidate’s source 5. Include funding for training members of of campaign contributions shines light on the new Design Review/Planning Com- our democracy. Bat’s’ letter leaves his mission in the 2007/2008 budget. contributors in the dark.

Reach Lisa Vorderbrueggen at 925-945-4773 or Continued on page 11 [email protected]. The Neighborhood Connection March/April 2007 Page 9

Turkeys on the Roof

From Michael C. Martin, Volunteer and Membership Development Coordinator Golden Gate Audubon Society, via Bruce Beyaert, TRAC Chair Upcoming bird walks in Richmond Landfill Loop, Richmond Friday, April 13, 10:00 a.m. to noon Bob Lewis, 510.845.5001, [email protected] Level trail, about one mile We’ll walk the trail extending about 1.5 miles west into the marsh area that is adjacent to a waste processing area that attracts garbage trucks and many gulls. We should see shorebirds, perhaps some in breeding plumage, as well as other marsh and water birds. High tide may result in some wet areas. This area is one of the proposed census areas for our forthcoming Richmond Shoreline Census. Reach Regional Park entrance by turning west on Parr Blvd. from the Richmond [Parkway], and continuing to the end of the Bay Trail Parking Area. Point Pinole Richmond Saturday, April 21, 9:00 a.m. to noon Bob Lewis, 510.845.5001, [email protected] About a three mile walk, partly along the beach We’ll meet in the parking lot and walk along the shoreline trail at low tide, out to the point, and we’ll return inland. This is a chance to see some shorebirds along the coastline, as well as early migrants in the trees on the return. Bring lunch to eat upon our return. Point Pinole is one of the proposed census ar- eas for our forthcoming Richmond Shoreline Census. Reach the East Bay Regional Park from I-80 by exiting at Richmond Parkway and turning right onto Giant Highway. Proceed to park entrance and parking lot; parking fee is $5.

Golden Gate Audubon Society 2530 San Pablo Avenue, Suite G Berkeley, California 94702 Phone: 510.843.7295 Mobile: 510.919.5873 FAX: 510.843.5351 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.goldengateaudubon.org

Looking for ways to celebrate Spring with healthy, fun and educational outdoor activities during March and April? TRAC, the Trails for Richmond Action Committee, invites you to get out and enjoy the San Francisco Bay Trail in Richmond. Visit http://www.pointrichmond.com/baytrail/calendar.htm to learn about a dozen guided San Francisco Bay Trail outings available in Richmond, including walks to learn about birds and rocky shoreline habitat, celebrate shoreline Herstories for International Women's Day, visit lower Wildcat Creek, restore habitat for Black Rails ( http://www.pointrichmond.com/baytrail/signage/BlackRailHab3.pdf ) and explore Brooks Island Regional Preserve. TRAC Steering Committee, [email protected], phone/fax 510-235-2835, http://www.pointrichmond.com/baytrail/ http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/TRAC, http://www.explorerichmondca.com/baytrail.htm Page 10 March/April 2007 The Neighborhood Connection

SF Chronicle February 18, 2007 The real cost of bottled water Jared Blumenfeld, Susan Leal miles away) or Norway (5,194 San Franciscans and other Bay Area miles away) and many other residents enjoy some of the nation’s faraway places to satisfy our de- highest quality drinking water, with mand for the chic and exotic. pristine Sierra snowmelt from the Hetch These are truly the Hummers of Hetchy reservoir as our primary source. our bottled-water generation. Every year, our water is tested more than As further proof that the bottle 100,000 times to ensure that it meets or is worth more than the water in exceeds every standard for safe drinking it, starting in 2007, the state of water. And yet we still buy bottled water. California will give 5 cents for Why? recycling a small water bottle Maybe it’s because we think bottled and 10 cents for a large one. water is cleaner and somehow better, but Just supplying Americans that’s not true. The federal standards for with plastic water bottles for one tap water are higher than those for bot- year consumes more than 47 tled water. million gallons of oil, enough to The Environmental Law Foundation take 100,000 cars off the road has sued eight bottlers for using words and 1 billion pounds of carbon ¢ such as “pure” to market water that con- dioxide out of the atmosphere, tains bacteria, arsenic and chlorine. Bot- according to the Container Re- tled water is no bargain either: It costs cycling Institute. In contrast, $ 240 to 10,000 times more than tap water. San Francisco tap water is dis- For the price of one bottle of Evian, a San tributed through an existing Franciscan can receive 1,000 gallons of zero-carbon infrastructure: tion, global warming and a large tap water. Forty percent of bottled water plumbing and gravity. Our water gener- amount of unnecessary waste and should be labeled bottled tap water be- ates clean energy on its way to our tap — litter. All this for a product that is cause that is exactly what it is. But even powering our streetcars, fire stations, the often inferior to San Francisco’s tap that doesn’t dampen the demand. airport and schools. water. Luckily, there are better, less Clearly, the popularity of bottled wa- More than 1 billion plastic water bot- expensive alternatives: ter is the result of huge marketing ef- tles end up in the California’s trash each • In the office, use a water dis- forts. The global consumption of bottled year, taking up valuable landfill space, penser that taps into tap water. water reached 41 billion gallons in 2004, leaking toxic additives, such as phtha- The only difference your com- up 57 percent in just five years. Even in lates, into the groundwater and taking pany will notice is that you’re areas where tap water is clean and safe to 1,000 years to biodegrade. That means saving a lot of money. drink, such as in San Francisco, demand bottled water may be harming our future • At home and in your car, for bottled water is increasing — pro- water supply. switch to a stainless steel water ducing unnecessary garbage and con- The rapid growth in the bottled water bottle and use it for the rest of suming vast quantities of energy. So industry means that water extraction is your life knowing that you are what is the real cost of bottled water? concentrated in communities where drinking some of the nation’s Most of the price of a bottle of water bottling plants are located. This can have best water and making the goes for its bottling, packaging, shipping, a huge strain on the surrounding eco- planet a better place. marketing, retailing and profit. Trans- system. Near Mount Shasta, the world’s porting bottled water by boat, truck and largest food company, Nestle, is propos- train involves burning massive quanti- ing to extract billions of gallons of spring Although this column is about Hetch Hetchy ties of fossil fuels. More than 5 trillion water, which could have devastating im- water supplying San Francisco, it is equally gallons of bottled water is shipped inter- pacts on the McCloud River. applicable to our EBMUD water. nationally each year. Here in San Fran- So it is clear that bottled water di- Ed. cisco, we can buy water from Fiji (5,455 rectly adds to environmental degrada- The Neighborhood Connection March/April 2007 Page 11

Tom Butt been making changes in the organiza- Within a few years a couple of things hap- tion based on the report and that staff pened. Other neighborhoods in Richmond Continued from page 8 training is increasing, and processing felt shortchanged because they didn’t have times have been reduced. controlled development overlays. Also, the The report also made recommenda- Planning Commission was not particularly All . . . except number 3 were sup- tions for several additional positions, happy serving as an arbiter of building design. ported unanimously by the City which will require additional funding. So, in the 1980s, design review was extended Council. Since Planning and Building are in- to the rest of Richmond, and, in order not to The recommendation to merge the tended to be self-funded from fees, overload the Planning Commission, the Pub- Design Review Board and Planning such improvements would not affect lic Development Review Board (PDRB) was Commission did not receive a unani- the general fund but would require in- formed and took over design review. mous vote, but it did pass with a major- creased fees for processing applica- The PDRB was required to have at least ity. The proposed merger generated tions. Zucker emphasized a point that some of its members experienced in the fields substantial debate because it repre- is abundantly clear to the building in- of architecture, landscape architecture, plan- sented a radical departure from current dustry, that the cost of delays in appli- ning, and construction. In the 1990s, design practice. cations is far more expensive than any review was once again reorganized with the The stated motivation by Council- modest increase in processing fees. PDRB morphing into what is now the Design member Viramontes was to correct un- Time is money, and getting appli- Review Board. Administrative review of small specified flaws in the current entitlement cants through the system as efficiently projects by staff was implemented to reduce process that result in unacceptable delays as possible is the most cost-effective processing time for typically non- for project applicants. While I have both thing the City can do. For those of us controversial items. acknowledged and vigorously criticized (architects) who have used the services As the number of projects and applications for a long time delays in processing enti- of Planning and Building for years or increased, however, the Design Review Board tlements and permits in Richmond, I felt who have listened to complaints from became busier than the Planning Commis- it was premature to craft a solution with- other who do, few of the 127 recom- sion, meeting regularly two evenings a month, out understanding the cause. mendations are surprising. In fact, while the Planning Commission was reduced Last year, the city manager engaged three of the five recommendations to one evening a month. Zucker Systems to analyze the operation proposed by Council member Vira- Now, the City Council wants to go back to and service levels in the Building and montes (see above) are included in the what we were doing in the 1970s, assigning a Planning Services Department and rec- 127 recommendations of Zucker Sys- combination Planning Commission and De- ommend changes that will improve cus- tems. Nowhere in the report, how- sign Review Board with not only conditional tomer service and efficiency. The report ever, was there a recommendation for use permits, subdivisions, lot line adjust- was released to staff on December 5, merging the Design Review Board and ments, EIR certifications, general plan and 2006, but held back from the City Coun- the Planning Commission. For Zucker zoning changes and variances, but also design cil, despite repeated requests, until Febru- Systems, there were at least 124 other, review. ary 24, 2007. higher priority, ways to improve the To handle the workload of both bodies, the It is understandable why the city Planning and Building Regulations op- new commission/board may have to meet manager did not want to release it be- eration to provide better and faster three times a month, which may also dissuade cause of the bleak picture it provided of service. Viramontes’ proposal for some good people from serving. One interest- a department almost unbelievably dys- merging the Design Review Board and ing thing about this is that if the merger actu- functional. Although the report made the Planning Commission is strangely ally happens, Mayor McLaughlin will have the 127 recommendations for improve- “retro.” authority to appoint all nine members of the ments, it was not so much critical of in- In the 1970s, the city of Richmond new organization, an unanticipated outcome dividuals as it was of practices, lack of had no design review process, but in that may dampen the advocates’ fervor. training, insufficient staffing and a cul- response to repeated complaints about ture that has evolved over many years blocking views with new homes, a zon- without the leadership and experience ing overlay district called “controlled necessary to organize a modern service development” was implemented for organization. Point Richmond only. Under this pro- In an optimistic mode, the report cess, the Planning Commission started described Planning Director Richard doing design reviews of projects in Mitchell as “...visionary and has the Point Richmond. ability to bring people together.” Mitchell reports that he has already Page 12 March/April 2007 The Neighborhood Connection

The El Sobrante Connection gives notices for apprenticeship opportunities whenever we receive them, but classes are also available to help aspiring applicants to prepare for the exams. Pre apprenticeship tutoring classes are held Monday and Wednesday 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Serra school 6028 Ralston Ave. Richmond. You will be trained on how to pass the appren- ticeship tests and interview.The next test coming up is plumbers local#159. The class and materials are free.For more info call Mike Mahoney at 223-1647 or SGI at 412-5657.

For release January 19, 2007 Con- tact: Lloyd Madden 925-313-1736 Free Tax Preparation Free tax preparation for low to moderate-income residents begins An annual free tax preparation program helping hard-working, low to moderate-income residents file their taxes and claim refunds officially kicks off February 1, 2007 National EITC Day (Earned Income Tax Credit) and runs though April 14 in Contra Costa. Households earning $39,000 or less can receive up to $4,400 in tax refunds. Campaign Manager Lloyd Madden urges workers to participate even if they don’t make enough to be required to file with the IRS. Specially trained volunteers will provide the tax services at 12 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites through- out the county. Asset management information and language interpreters will be available at some sites. VITA site locations, times and dates. Antioch: Opportunity Junction (for- Brentwood: EBW Career Center, 281 RICHMOND: Community Hous- merly OPTIC), 3102 Delta Fair Blvd., Pine St., 6pm–9pm Mon’s, Wed’s, ing Development Corp. of N. Rich- 9–4 Saturdays, 1/27–2/14 * 2/3–4/ 9–noon Sat’s, 2/10–3/3 and 3/31. mond, Senior Community Room, 1555 Third St., 10 –4 Sat’s, 1/27–4/14; Bay Point: Bay Point Works, 3105 Wil- Concord: Independent Living Resource, Police Activities League, 2200 Mac- low Pass Road, 10–3 Mon’s thru Fri’s, 3200 Clayton Road, 9–3 Sat’s, 5-8, Wed’s, donald Ave., 10–1:30 Mon’s thru 2/5–4/13* 2/3–4/14; Fri’s, 2/5–4/14 * Catholic Charities Family Service Center, Pittsburg: EBW Career Center, 415 Pullman Point Community Room, 3540 Chestnut Ave., 4-8 Mon’s, Thur’s, Railroad Ave., 6pm to 9pm Tuesdays, 2989 Pullman Ave., 6–9 Tue’s, 2/5—4/12; Thursdays, 1/23–4/12. Thur’s, 1/30–4/12* EBW Career Center, 4071 Port Chicago Oakley: St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Hwy, 10–3 Sats’, 2/ 3–4/14. SAN PABLO: San Pablo EBW Ca- 971 O’Hara Ave., 10–3 Sat’’, 2/ 3–4/14. reer Center, 2300 El Portal Drive, 6–9 Wed’s, Fri’s, 10–1 Sat’s, 2/3–4/14. *by appointment only For more information or what documents to bring, visit: cchealth.org or call 800-358-8832. Sponsored by the Family Economic Security Partnership (FESP), a public, private and nonprofit collaboration including Contra Costa Em- ployment and Human Services Department, Contra Costa Health Services, United Way of the Bay Area, First Five Contra Costa, IRS, and East Bay Community Foundation.

Homeland Peace of Mind Department: S. F. Chronicle headline February 24 Ifanastronautgoesberserkinspace,NASAisprepared Well, that’s certainly a comfort. The Neighborhood Connection March/April 2007 Page 13

Conservation Land Bank for Canyon Oaks Project II THE CANYON OAKS II PROJECT in Richmond takes in about 400 acres with plans for 36 homes on 25 acres, a 300+ acre conservation land bank, and a separation of about 21 acres, possibly to be developed later. Access to the property is at the inter- Conservation banks New Developments section of San Pablo Dam Road and Cas- were first authorized by tro Ranch Road. This conservation land the State of California in bank for the Alameda whipsnake 1995 and by the Federal government in stretches from the intersection at Castro 2003. There are now more than three May Valley Neighborhood Ranch Road out to Tri Lane. dozen operating in the Western States. Council For your information, Volume 2 of the Conservation banks are, in essence, Richmond Mayor Gayle Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is two-way agreements between the Federal McLaughlin will attend the next May due out in late March or April. Richmond and/or State regulatory agencies and a Valley Neighborhood Council Meet- will then set up a public hearing before landowner. The agency certifies that the ing of Thursday, March 22. Meetings the Planning Commission to determine bank is operating under specific guide- start at 7:15 p.m. in the May Valley if the EIR should be certified as complete. lines (permanent protection of the land, Community Center, 3530 Morning- Many residents have questions about the for example) and the conservation bank side Drive. Conservation Bank and how it works. owners can then sell credits to third par- Stop by to meet the mayor and This information was provided by Zent- ties to mitigate the impact of their devel- our new Richmond Police Depart- ner & Zentner who are involved in this opment projects. ment Beat Officer Joe Anderson. Project. Once established, the Conservation Officer Anderson join the RPD in Bank or any part of the bank site cannot What are Conservation Banks 1986. He served as a detective for 6 be transferred or assigned to another years. He also was one of the RPD Conservation Banks are properties party without USFWS (U.S. Fish and dedicated to the conservation of endan- officers who rode a RPD horse Wildlife Service) approval. The owner is around town. He will be at the meet- gered species (in this case, the Alameda required to set up an interest bearing ac- whipsnake) or their habitats in order to ing to share crime stats, answer ques- count to be funded with Endowment De- tions, and collect comments. compensate for future losses of those posits to help pay for the management of same species or habitats. the Property. Traditionally, public and private sec- tor developers have been asked to pre- serve or restore on- or off-site lands as mitigation for their development im- National Women’s History Month pacts. Contra Costa College has now released its list of women in West County who This led to scattered, small parcels of have earned special recognition as the 2007 Women of History. Ruby Molinari is habitats with potentially less than suc- our El Sobrante neighbor who was chosen for this award. Ruby served for years as cessful outcomes. Now a developer can member and Chair of the El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council. She continues “credit” parts of the land set aside for its to serve as the Vice Chair of the El Sobrante Valley Planning & Zoning Advisory own development to other developers to Committee. The Women of History will be recognized at Contra Costa College in mitigate for their tearing up land in other the Knox Center on the corner of El Portal and Castro St. at 3 p.m. on Saturday, locations. So the 300+ acres, although in March 17. one land bank, can serve many developers.

Richmond’s General Plan Process By Eleanor Loynd Richmond is now working on updating its General Plan. The General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) is made up of resi- dents and business people. There is a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) made up of city staff and consultants. These two groups meet and work separately. About 5 new members were recently added to the GPAC group, adding up to about 32 members. The recent GPAC meeting was Thurs., March 8 from 6-9 p.m. in the Harbormasters Building. I am a member of the GPAC.

Eleanor, George Schmidt and Harpreet Sandhu represent El Sobrante on the panel. Editor Page 14 March/April 2007 The Neighborhood Connection

For release February 26, 2007 Teens take to the airwaves in new ‘Lock It Up’ video Contact: Fatima Matal Sol, 925-313-6311 Bay Point and Rodeo teens describe two youth groups: Youth in Power, from access. That logo and message was their campaign to limit alcohol access for Carquinez Middle School in Rodeo, and displayed in high schools, buses, minors in a new video that made its Beyond the Youth, from Riverview Mid- BART stations and movie theaters. broadcast debut this month throughout dle School in Bay Point. The County Office of Education Contra Costa County. “Contra Costa Health Services agreed to have “Lock It Up” posters at “Lock It Up: An Environmental Pre- worked with the Center for Human De- each public high school, and Safe and vention Project” combines in its title the velopment and Bay Area Community Drug Free Schools grant money was slogan of the campaign and the type of ap- Resources to recruit and mentor the used to purchase advertising in bus- proach the campaign used. It is an eight- youth groups,” said Matal Sol. “The teens ses, stations and Pittsburg theaters as minute mini-documentary playing cur- were quite united in their selection of this well as to produce the video, said Ma- rently on Contra Costa Television particular message and logo.” tal Sol. (CCTV), the county cable station. It can “The students started by surveying The video will be airing on CCTV also be viewed online at cchealth.org, the more than 200 of their peers, and they at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 2. For Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) found that 65% of them can access alco- other airtimes, visit contracostatv.org website, from the Alcohol and Other hol from their home environment, fre- on the web. Contra Costa Television Drugs Services page. quently with the help of older siblings is Channel 27 on all cable systems in “It made sense to have the youth tell and friends,” said Anita Marquez, Site Contra Costa except for Comcast their own story,” said Fatima Matal Sol, a Director of the Center for Human De- subscribers in Walnut Creek, who program director with CCHS’ Alcohol velopment resource center in East Contra watch on Channel 19, and Astound and Other Drugs Services Division. “ Costa. “They decided to educate parents Cable subscribers who can watch on They chose the direction and theme of and raise awareness about monitoring Channel 32. the campaign, and their voices deliver a liquor access in the home.” For more information about AOD strong message that every parent should The video describes how the teens [Alcohol and Other Drug] Services in hear.” chose the slogan and helped design a Contra Costa, visit the CCHS web- Nearly all of the on- and off-camera lock-and-key logo to encourage adults to site at cchealth.org or call Gary Smith narration of the video is by four teens in lock home liquor cabinets to prevent teen at 800-846-1652.

Video showings on CCTV (channel 27) in March

• Friday, March 9 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm • Saturday, March 10 11 am and 7:30 pm • Friday, March 23 4:30 pm • Friday, March 30 6:30 pm • Saturday, March 31 10 am and 6:30 pm

Water alert ended The water rationing alert system is green this week for the first time since the system was implemented last December. The earth- quake repairs to the Claremont Tunnel are now completed. Michelle Blackwell, Community Affairs Representative East Bay Municipal Utility District 510 287 2053 The Neighborhood Connection March/April 2007 Page 15

No crime stats because Manjit Sappal is out of the office in training until March 12

Excerpt from S.F. Chronicle March 9, 2007, complete text at sfgate.com Refinery profit margins double in West It’s one reason price of gas in state is up 44 cents since Feb. 1 David R. Baker, Chronicle Staff Writer cates call many of the refinery problems a sham. The oil companies, they say, are Profit margins at California’s gasoline limiting gasoline supplies to drive up refineries are soaring. And they’re taking prices and profit margins, just as power pump prices along for the ride. companies did during the state’s electric- Refinery profit margins have more ity crisis six years ago. than doubled since last fall, according to “What this industry needs to make big one rough measurement, and now stand profits and what consumers need to have at $39 per barrel on the West Coast. reasonable prices are very different That’s more than double their average of things,” said Judy Dugan, research direc- $17 for the last five years. tor for the Foundation for Taxpayer and Bulging refinery margins are one of Consumer Rights. . . . the reasons Californians now pay $2.96 For example, San Ramon’s Chevron for a gallon of regular, up 44 cents since Corp. recorded 2006 earnings of $17.14 the start of February. And they play a part billion, its largest ever, boosted in part by in record multibillion-dollar profits of refinery operations. Californians pay major oil companies. more than the national average for gaso- Californians also pay far more than line largely because they use their own drivers in other states do. The state’s aver- special formula of gas, which is designed expand capacity by 1.1 million gallons of age now is 45 cents higher than the na- to fight air pollution. A limited number of gas per day, about 2.5 percent of the 43.5 tional average. Usually, the difference is refineries make California’s gas. Those million gallons Californians use each day. more like 25 cents. refineries, in turn, belong to a handful of The expansion, however, has not kept up Refineries don’t release precise profit companies. with the growing U.S. demand for gaso- figures. But the margins can be tracked, Chevron, for example, controls line. Although gas sales dipped last year, roughly, by measuring the difference be- roughly one quarter of the gasoline refin- they have grown this year, rising about tween the cost of the crude oil refineries ing within the state. With a tight balance 1.2 percent in the last month when com- use and the price they charge for their fin- between supply and demand, the state’s pared with the same period last year. ished products. Why the jump? gas prices tend to stay higher than the na- The California Energy Commission The refineries that make California’s tional average and suffer through more keeps tabs on the state’s refineries. Com- unique, pollution-fighting blend of gas severe price swings. Not that the balance mission staffers talk with refinery execu- have cranked out 7.8 percent less gasoline is much better elsewhere. tives on a weekly basis and receive since the start of February than they did The whole country saw a wave of re- updates on maintenance or unexpected in the same period last year. That smaller finery closures in the 1980s and 1990s as production problems, said commission supply brings higher retail prices. Gaso- companies shut down facilities with spokeswoman Susanne Garfield. But the line production always dips in February, profit margins they considered too low. commission has no policing power over when California refineries perform That, to oil company critics, proves the the refineries and does not inspect them maintenance and switch from winter to companies’ intent to squeeze U.S. driv- to make sure the refiners’ information is summer blends of fuel. But this year’s ers. “As an industry, they made a decision correct. she said. maintenance season has been plagued by in the early ‘90s to reduce capacity,” Du- unexpected, sometimes bizarre prob- gan said. “None of this is necessary.” No lems. Earlier this week, two Los refineries have been built since 1976. See who's pumping cash by making Angeles-area refineries lost power when But existing refineries have been an opossum and a raccoon broke into oil for $13.21. And selling for $59 slowly expanding their production. Bay www.investmentu.com separate electrical substations and elec- Area refineries, for example, have plans to trocuted themselves. Consumer advo- COMMUNITY CALENDAR Regularly Scheduled Meetings City Council Tuesdays, 7 pm City Hall 620-6513

City Council Meetings are broadcast live on KCRT, Channel 25, and rebroadcast Wednesday at 1 pm, Thursday at 1 am, Saturday at 11 am, and Sunday at 7 pm .

Planning Commission 1st and 3rd Thursdays 7:30 pm City Hall

E.S. Planning & Zoning 2nd Thursday 6 pm E.S. Library

School District Call 234-3825.

Neighborhood Councils

El Sobrante Hills Call 223-2004 May Valley 4th Thursday 7:15 pm May Valley Community Center Greenbriar Call 222-5350

State, City and District Offices Loni Hancock, Assemblymember John Gioia, Supervisor, District George Miller, Congressmember, 14th District, California State As- One Contra Costa Board of Su- House of Representatives, Dis- sembly pervisors trict 7 712 El Cerrito Plaza 11780 San Pablo Ave., Suite D 3220 Blume Dr, Suite 281 El Cerrito, CA 94530 El Cerrito, CA 94530 Richmond 94806 Phone: (510) 559-1406 Phone: (510) 374-3231 Phone: (510) 262-6500 Fax: (510) 559-1478 Fax: (510) 374-3429 State Senator Tom Torlakson, Staffed by full-time aides and is open Terrence Cheung, Chief of Staff, is Distr. 7 Monday through Fridays, from 9 AM to liaison for El Sobrante and is very (925) 602-6593 (916) 445-6083 5 PM. Ian Shin helpful and responsive. http://democrats.sen.ca.gov/senator/torlakson

Useful Numbers AC Transit Health Services Administration East Bay Municipal Utility District 510 891-4700 925 370-5007 Water emergencies, billing and general Animal Services Homeless Programs inquiries (866) 403-2683. 510 374-3966 925 313-6736 Katy Foulkes, Board of Directors California Highway Patrol Household Hazardous Waste (510) 287-0404 510 450-3821 888 412-9277 or www.ebmud.com City of El Cerrito 510 215-3125 AC Transit 215-4300 Mosquito & Vector Control Joe Wallace - Board of Directors City of Richmond 925 685-9301 (510) 891-7143 620-6512 Public Works http://www.actransit.org City of San Pablo 925 313-2000 Sheriff’s Department 215-3000 Roads & Drainage Maintenance Dispatch (toll free, non-emergency) El Sobrante Municipal Advisory 925 313-7000 877 308-5248 Council (MAC) Richmond Sanitary Service Dispatch (non-emergency) 510 223-6091 510 262-1600 510 215-0540 Street Lights Vehicle Abatement 925 313-2286 925-313-2659