A Message from the Mayor's Office

Welcome to our newsletter!

This edition of our newsletter features a curated selection of brief updates covering a wide range of topics from June, along with forward-looking insights and segments.

The Latest

In June, the City of Richmond proudly celebrated Pride Month, reaffirming its commitment to equality, inclusivity, and respect for all residents. Mayor Eduardo and the City Council issued a proclamation honoring the invaluable cultural, social, and economic contributions of Richmond’s LGBTQI+ community while acknowledging the challenges that remain in fighting discrimination and inequality. As part of the celebration, the City raised the Pride flag at the 11th annual Richmond Rainbow Pride event.  Richmond continues to stand with its LGBTQI+ residents, pledging to protect their rights and dignity and to build a community where everyone feels welcome and valued.

In June, the City of Richmond proudly recognized Juneteenth, commemorating June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved African Americans were notified of their freedom in the Confederate states, marking a defining moment in the nation’s pursuit of freedom and justice. Richmond celebrated Juneteenth with the flag raising at City Hall, and a proclamation from Mayor Eduardo and the City Council honoring the resilience, strength, and perseverance of African Americans throughout history and acknowledging their invaluable contributions to Richmond’s cultural, social, economic, and political fabric. Additionally, Richmond held an annual Juneteenth parade from Carlson to Nicholl Park, where the celebration was continued with live music, food, and fun. 

RICHMOND POETS! The City of Richmond is looking for a Poet Laureate. Applications are now open for the 2025-2027 position, which opened on June 6, 2025, and will close on July 15, 2025. The Mayor’s Office is proud to once again partner with the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission to help secure funding for this important role, which uplifts local voices and celebrates the power of poetry in civic life.

In May, Mayor Martinez was actively engaging with the community, attending local events, and working on key initiatives to improve Richmond. The Mayor remains committed to fostering a thriving and inclusive city.

• Attended Richmond Rainbow Pride 
• Meet and greet with the Cuban Embassy Diplomats
• Launch of "The Lot"
• Nystrom & Coronado 6th Grade Graduation Pizza Party 
• Met a Delegation of Environmental Leaders from Ecuador who are advocating for reduced consumption of Amazon oil at California refineries
• Met with CERT lead volunteers  
• Richmond's KTVU Zip Trips Feature 
• Richmond High School Graduation
• Juneteenth Flag Raising and Parade 
• Met with the City Manager regarding the FY 25-26 budget
• Christened the newly expanded boat yard at Svenden’s Bay Marine
• Attended the St. John the Baptist centennial Mass 
• Hosted the Know Your Rights Training in partnership with Councilmember Jimenez, Reimagine Richmond, and the City of Richmond Environmental and Health Initiatives 
• WCCTC Board Meeting
• Hazardous Materials Commission
• Attended the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) meeting in San Francisco

This season, the Richmond Ferry offers direct service to Oracle Park for select San Francisco Giants games. Upcoming service dates include: 



• June 21 (vs. Red Sox), 
• July 12 (vs. Dodgers), 
• July 26 (vs. Mets), and 
• September 13 and 14 (Dodgers)

Take the scenic route to the ballpark to avoid the traffic, and on game day, hop on the ferry from the Richmond terminal to avoid game-day traffic.

The Richmond Rising program provides qualifying single-family homeowners with a home energy assessment, upgrades, and solar panels that may increase your home value and lower your energy bill — ALL AT NO COST.

To see if you qualify or to ask questions, call GRID Alternatives at:

866-921-4696

Council Items

On June 3, the Richmond City Council took an exciting step to strengthen transparency and celebrate our city's creative spirit by approving a Mayor’s Office-led amendment to RMC. As a result of this change, the Richmond Arts and Culture Division Manager will now provide written updates and in-person presentations to the City Council twice a year—once before the summer recess and again before the winter break. These updates will highlight progress on public art projects, the management of the One and a Half Percent for the Arts Fund, budget priorities, and the work of the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission. This new structure will keep both the Council and community more closely connected to Richmond’s growing and dynamic arts scene.

On June 3, the City of Richmond held a public hearing, as required by state law, to update the community on job vacancies and hiring efforts before adopting this year’s budget.

At the end of 2024, the City had a 20 percent vacancy rate across full-time positions. This was largely due to impacts from the pandemic, internal changes, and tough competition for workers across the public sector. Despite those challenges, the City is turning a corner.

Last year, Richmond received over 6,400 job applications, filled 112 positions, and promoted 65 employees. New staff helped support key programs like traffic safety, city beautification, and public safety.

To keep things moving in the right direction, the City has launched digital hiring campaigns, improved onboarding, expanded employee wellness programs, and hosted staff appreciation events.

Labor unions SEIU Local 1021 and RPOA also presented on staffing concerns within their bargaining units. This public hearing marks a key step in ensuring transparency and accountability in the City’s workforce planning, reflecting Richmond’s continued commitment to attracting and retaining a strong, dedicated team to serve the community.

At the June 17, 2025, City Council meeting, the Public Works Director presented the May Abatement Report, highlighting the department’s continued efforts to beautify and maintain the City of Richmond. Below are a few key accomplishments from May:

Illegal Dumping Removal

• 932 locations cleared
• 215 mattresses removed
• 150 gallons of paint/oil collected
• 291 tires disposed of

Graffiti Abatement

• 290 tags removed
• 146 locations serviced

Weed Abatement

• 16 locations treated

The Mayor and City Council have approved a $3 million allocation in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan (FY 2025-26 through FY 2029-30) to support the Harbour 8 Park Expansion Project. The funding is contingent upon several key conditions:

• The execution of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Richmond and Pogo Park.
• The submission of detailed original and revised project budgets.
• The resolution of funding for the kitchen component.
• Confirmation of compliance with grant deadlines.
• A formal alignment meeting between City staff and the Pogo Park Board to clarify project roles and responsibilities.

If these conditions are not met by October 31, 2025, the funding allocation will be reevaluated. This effort aims to advance an important community project while ensuring transparency, accountability, and successful delivery for residents.

The Mayor and City Council have approved a bold initiative to address inequities affecting Richmond’s African American community. Data shows that Richmond’s Black residents continue to face disproportionate challenges in health, education, housing, and economic opportunity, often rooted in systemic disinvestment and structural bias. To better understand and address these disparities, the City will fund the development of the first State of Black Richmond report, invest in community-based solutions, and establish a Black Resiliency Fund, allocating $1.5 million from the FY 2025-2026 budget. The effort will include hiring a consultant to gather and analyze data, supporting a community advisory council, launching a community grant program, and building partnerships with philanthropy to strengthen local organizations. This work aims to chart a path toward more equitable opportunities and outcomes for Richmond’s Black residents, ensuring they can thrive, build strong families, and participate fully in the city’s future.

On June 17, the City Council and the Richmond Housing Authority (RHA) approved RHA's operating budget for FY 2025–2026, totaling $4.48 million in expenditures and $3.44 million in revenue, with a $1.04 million subsidy from the City’s General Fund. The budget supports essential services, including maintenance at Nystrom Village and the rehabilitation of Nevin Plaza. Key achievements from the past year include completing Phase I of Nevin Plaza, preparing for Phase II, and reaching full occupancy at Hacienda Heights. Through ongoing improvements and HUD compliance, RHA continues to provide low- and very-low-income housing.

On June 24, the Mayor and City Council adopted Richmond’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, taking a fiscally responsible approach by setting aside $48M in reserves due to ongoing federal uncertainties, while making bold investments in a stronger, safer, and more vibrant Richmond.

Here are a few highlights:

• $170M for Capital Improvement Projects — upgrading infrastructure, calming traffic, and enhancing public spaces
• $145K to support community events including Cinco de Mayo, Juneteenth, Pride, the Native American Pow Wow, Taste of Richmond, and more
• 800 funded staff positions to keep essential services running — from libraries and community programs to fire and public works
• $1.5M for the Black Resiliency Fund to help address systemic inequities
• $100K to support work aimed at ending gender-based violence
• Investment in emergency radios and preparedness training to boost disaster response

On June 24, the Bay Area Air District presented to the City Council about their plans to allocate millions of dollars to support communities affected by air pollution. This funding comes from fines collected from businesses that violated air pollution regulations, totaling over $124 million so far.



In 2024, the Air District approved a new policy to ensure that this money is directed back to the communities that are most impacted. A new Community Investments Office has been established to oversee these funds and ensure they are used effectively. This office will focus on initiatives such as reducing pollution, improving community health, and creating green spaces.

Events on my Radar

These are events currently on my radar. If you have a free event you would like to like us to consider, please send us the details at MayorsOffice@ci.richmond.ca.us