MINUTES
1. Welcome –
President Will Plutte called the meeting to order at 7:02pm. He thanked
everybody for coming and introduced the GNC board and invited speakers
Lieutenant Brian Dickerson from the Richmond Police Department, General Manager
Shawn Moberg from Republic Services, and Officer Kevin Tisdall from the City of
Richmond Code Enforcement Department.
2. Approval of
Minutes – Valerie Ridgers moved to approve the minutes from last year’s
annual meeting as written. The motion was seconded by Joni Grassi and approved
with one person abstaining (- she had not attended the meeting).
3. Richmond Police
Department – Lieutenant Dickerson introduced himself and described the
structure of the three police districts in Richmond. Each one has a beat and a
captain. We were reminded to call
anytime we see something strange and not try to investigate on our own. We
should always ask for a follow-up call, otherwise we may not hear back. He
reported that there is little crime in our neighborhood. - Only two incidents
in the last 4 months, one being a daytime burglary on Mason and another being a
car burglary. Several police officers live in the Carriage Hills area.
The county and city boundaries can be hard to keep straight.
In an emergency situation call 911, they will direct the call. You can always
call the Richmond Police dispatcher, too. The Richmond Police often goes to
areas outside their proper jurisdiction and collaborate closely with the county
sheriff, particularly on serious crimes.
Richmond Police Dispatch: (510) 233-1214
4. Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Karen Springsteen discussed the
income and expenses of the neighborhood council. A written statement was given
to the secretary. Our income consists of annual donations of $10 per household
and direct payments at the National Night Out. Our expenses include annual dues
to the City of Richmond Neighborhood Council of $40, rental of tables for
National Night Out $50, and mailers and expenses, for the annual meeting
$100-200. Ending balance $294.11. Karen encouraged everyone to join the GNC and
pay their dues.
5. Illegal dumping – Shawn Moberg, General Manager of Republic
Services (formerly Richmond Sanitary Services): Illegal dumping is a big
problem throughout the region. Republic Services contract and collaborate with
several counties and cities, including Richmond and Contra Costa County. It is
very costly to deal with waste and recycling appropriately, e.g. some waste is
shipped overseas; therefore the high fees. When illegal dumping is reported, an
operation supervisor goes out the next day to inspect the items. Republic
Services collect every Monday in our area.
They do their best to track
illegal haulers. We can work with the City of Richmond to have a neighborhood
clean up event. (This has been done by the GNC in the past. Two containers at
no fee. Can collect white goods and E-Waste. Can be a good fundraiser.)
Kevin Tisdell, Code Enforcement
Officer, City of Richmond: They have their own trucks and collect dumped items
throughout the city as quickly as they can (within 48 hours). In certain city
hotspots they collect up to a ton daily!
He handed out laminated cards with info about illegal dumping and
hotline numbers. His department currently has a $500,000 grant, which allows
them to implement sting operations and other efforts to curb illegal
dumping.
To report illegal dumping, call:
· The
City of Richmond Illegal Dumping Hotline: (510) 965-4905
· The
Contra Costa County Illegal Dumping Hotline: (800) 663-6874
Janna Covertson, Municipal
Contracts Manager, Republic Services discussed free curbside pick-up for
Richmond residents:
· Twice per program year (November 1 – October
31).
· Up
to 15 (35-gallon) bags of non-hazardous household trash, or ALL yard waste only
· One
of the two annual pick-ups can consist of up to 3 eligible bulky items
(including up to five E-waste as one bulky item) instead of plastic bags.
Call (510) 262-7100 for more
details and to schedule a pick-up.
Christmas Trees: Cut in half and
place in green cart. If you place it at the curb, you get charged $16.50. You
may have it picked up through a prescheduled twice a year free curbside pick
up. You can also take it to the Golden Bear Transfer Station for free (offer
ends the first weekend of February).
The number one complaint reported
to the Richmond Code Enforcement Department is abandoned vehicles. If an
immobile car is parked on a street, complain to the Parking Enforcement
Department. If it is in a driveway, report it to the Code Enforcement
Department.
Will Plutte thanked the three
guests for presenting. He noted that, as he sees it, there are three aspects to
stopping illegal dumping: a) Clean up, b) Enforcement/prevention (cameras,
sting operations, etc.), and c) Affordable and accessible services (fees at the
dump are high. Mattresses can be recycled for free in Oakland. In San Pablo
residents get two vouchers per year for free dump-trips from the city.)
Shawn Moberg: The Joint Powers of
Authority Waste Management Agency sets rates according to laws and
regulations.) He suggested that we implement a neighborhood free clean up; such
efforts help keep costs down. Contact Rochelle Monk.
6. Neighborhood Watch: Jonee Grassi brought up that mail theft is
one of our biggest crime issues. She also encouraged others to attend the monthly
citywide Neighborhood Watch meetings. We are required to attend six meetings per
year to remain a valid group.
7. National Night Out 2017 (Dave Zuckerman and Jack Casetta): The
2016 National Night Out went well and is considered a well-established
neighborhood event. The fire truck and the police turn up around 6:00pm. They
welcome suggestions for making the event even better. We discussed the fact
that the expenses were higher than the income (short $50). The next National
Night Out will be held on Tuesday, August 1 at 6:00pm at the same location as
last year.
8. Adopt-A-Road Project – Randy Felix described the program. The
county will provide trash bags, gloves and safety vests for a group of
volunteers to clean up a designated area, such as a section of Alhambra Valley
Road or Castro Ranch Road. So far we have no one interested in leading such an
effort.
9. Good of the Order:
· Food
and Wine event in April at Contra Costa Junior College
· Randy
will activate our dormant Greenbriar Neighborhood Council website
· The
GNC will check into organizing a Neighborhood Clean Up fundraiser. Joni Grassi
volunteered to help organize such an event.
The meeting was adjourned at
8:32pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Grethe Holtan
GNC Secretary
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