Government
El Sobrante Valley residents and activists hope to keep residential development out of the historically landslide-prone area with the soon-to-be-submitted Richmond Hills Initiative, which they’re currently working to put on the 2018 ballot.
Some groups in Richmond are coming together and others are clashing in the wake of a recent spate of shootings that has rocked the community.
In November, Richmond residents will vote on Measure M, an ordinance to raise the “documentary transfer tax” that property owners are required to pay on real estate sales.
Residents at the Creekview Condominiums on the border of Richmond and El Sobrante are packing their belongings after receiving notices over the last two months that they must vacate the property.
Beverly Hills-based real estate developer PMI Properties cited moisture and mold in terminating leases for the 114 units. Residents, however, contend that the terminations are just in time for Richmond’s upcoming vote on rent control. If Measure L passes in November, landlords will have to pay a relocation fee to each resident evicted. At present, tenants just have to move on.
Last week, Richmond’s Praise Fellowship Bible Church hosted a “meet the candidates” forum focused on boosting voter engagement among Richmond’s faith-based community. The Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA)’s political action committee (PAC) co-sponsored the event.
On Tuesday, City Council verified the signatures for putting the Richmond Kids First Initiative on the 2018 ballot. The embattled initiative, which supporters had worked to put on the 2016 ballot, would allocate up to 3 percent of the city’s general fund over the next 10 years for a special fund for children’s and youth services.
The seven candidates for two seats on the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education spoke about issues facing the school system during a September 20 public forum.
City Council voted not to pass an urgency ordinance that would have implemented a 45-day ban on certain evictions and high rent increases.
City Council will vote tomorrow on an urgency ordinance to implement a 45-day ban on certain evictions and rent increases over 3 percent for residential tenants, to take effect immediately.