The Mayor got City Council approval to create an Office of Neighborhood Safety to hire a full time crime prevention director and team - to support street level services and community building efforts in Richmond.

We are working directly with members of the faith-based community and Tent City to expand the Tent City effort, bring city services and farmers markets directly to the community starting later this summer.

The Mayor's summer jobs program will employ 350 youth this summer, up from 290 last year with a goal of expanding to become the largest summer youth jobs program per capita in the bay area within 4 years. The Mayor has dedicated funds from her budget to begin transition of these jobs to year-round positions where available.

We started a pilot project for electric mini-trucks in our city fleet (first in the nation to use these particular trucks) and are replacing our old fleet with low emissions vehicles.

We are the first City we know of in the US to get our City departments to use life-cycle cost analysis in budgeting and decision-making, meaning instead of buying the cheapest material or utility, our budget and decisions are shifting to be made in terms of triple bottom line (that is, the economic, environmental, and social benefit). Sustainability and social responsibility costs are associated with each decision. (Example: Recyclable might be more expensive up front but is cheaper over time compared to pollution costs of many materials)

Mayor pledged to create a Dept. of Environment within 4 years, and we'll be bringing a proposal to council by August.

Mayor initiated a resolution, passed by the City Council, declaring Richmond a Green Economic Development Area which has directed City staff to prioritize making Richmond a flagship for green industry and come back with incentives and plans to do so.

The Mayor's Office is developing the Mayor's Green Economic Development Initiative, whereby we recruit and expand our green industry cluster by direct outreach to business and working with regional partners.

The Mayor has initiated lowering our solar permit fees from the some of the highest of 48 bay area cities to (if approved) the lowest -zero fee.

The Mayor is implementing increased oversight of Chevron and other major pollution sources in Richmond.

We believe we are the first City in the US to add a Climate element to our General Plan.

We are helping advance a Green Building Ordinance which will cover all City projects. This will come up for a vote this summer.

We have drafted an ordinance that will ask restaurants to use the most compostable take-out containers a la Oakland and San Francisco.

The Mayor continues to work to promote the rights of our immigrant families in Richmond and recently attended a hearing in Washington D.C. to give testimony about the impact that the ICE raids have had on families and children.

The public is invited to attend and give comment at the Joint City Council & Planning Commission Meeting on: Tuesday, June 12th, 6 pm - 10 pm, in the City Council Chambers (1401 Marina Way South).

The City Council and Planning Commission will discuss and refine land use options for the Richmond General Plan Update. For more information, go to: www.cityofrichmondgeneralplan.org

Richmond's Juneteenth 2007 Parade and Family Day Festival will be held on Saturday, June 16th.

Parade begins at 11 a.m., starting at 11th & Macdonald going to Nichol Park (33rd & Macdonald).

The festival will take place at Nichol Park from 12 noon to 6:30 pm. Come hear Lenny Williams (formerly with Tower of Power) and other great live entertainment!

For more information, please call: (510) 620-6516