Richmond’s interim city manager Mark Scott attended his first city council meeting Tuesday. He succeeds Shasa Curl’s, whose last day was last week.
Curl, who announced her retirement early this year after more than 22 years with the city, did not respond to Richmondside’s request for an interview about her tenure, but she did make the following statement Friday in her final city newsletter blast, saying, in part:
“What a remarkable way to close out my final week as Richmond’s city manager — celebrating projects and investments that reflect years of hard work, partnership, and commitment to our community. From the grand reopening of Nevin Plaza and the opening of the Joe Lee Fisher Sr. Universally Accessible Community Garden to the first look at the transformation of Boorman Park and the grand opening of our Homekey-supported Civic Center Apartments, each milestone represents meaningful progress in housing, accessibility, recreation and quality of life for Richmond residents. We also celebrated a $1 million State of California investment that will strengthen Richmond’s wildfire preparedness through a new wildland fire engine and additional fire mitigation efforts. As I conclude more than 22 years of service to the City of Richmond, I am incredibly proud to leave at a moment when we are not only celebrating how far we have come but also seeing the investments, partnerships and community vision that will continue moving Richmond forward for years to come.”
In closing, she noted, “The most meaningful part of this work has always been the people and the relationships we have built while serving Richmond together. I will carry tremendous gratitude for the years of collaboration, friendship and shared commitment to this community and I know the impact of that collective work will continue to be felt for many years to come.”
State gives Richmond $1 million to buy wildland fire engine
State Sen. Jesse Arreguin presented the city of Richmond with $1 million in state funding to purchase a new wildland fire engine. The new engine will bolster fire prevention efforts in the city’s highest-risk areas, including neighborhoods such as Carriage Hills and Wildcat Canyon in east Richmond. The new equipment is a Type 3 wildland engine, which is smaller and more maneuverable than a standard engine. It has the off-road capability to reach rugged terrain where homes meet dry highly flammable open hillsides. The funding also supports fire mitigation work such as vegetation management and fire trail improvements.
Community will discuss sea level rise in Richmond
Richmond officials are convening a second community meeting to discuss the city’s Sea Level Rise Adaptation and Resiliency Plan. The plan looks at Richmond’s vulnerability to sea level rise and creates a management framework to adapt to changes along the city’s coastline.
The work comes at a critical time, as weather experts locally and nationwide warn that this year’s El Niño could break rainfall and king tide records.
Colin McCarthy of U.S. Stormwatch said there’s a nearly 100% chance of an above-normal wet winter that is “guaranteed” to bring “major coastal flooding and erosion,” with 30 king tide days.
“Much of the Bay Area’s infrastructure and homes sit only a few feet above sea level, so a new record could have severe impacts,” McCarthy said on social media, saying major flooding could hit Highway 101, Interstate 80, parts of San Francisco and many bayside and coastal communities.
The community workshop is set for Wed., Oct. 14, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Memorial Auditorium, 450 Civic Center Plaza.
