Happy Tuesday! Regardless of whether you were able to get out of the city or if your long weekend was a staycation, I hope yesterday’s holiday was a relaxing one for you. As many of you may have heard, there are two ordinances making their rounds through the City as of late. Both of these new ordinances may potentially impact your businesses so… let’s talk about them.

The Alarm Ordinance

Passed in 2015 with the intention of diminishing false alarms throughout the city, ORDINANCE NO. 05-15 N.S. – the Alarm Ordinance – has recently become an issue for some business owners in the area. The ordinance requires that all residential, business and government locations with an alarm system within the City acquire a permit for that alarm.

Because the regulation was passed with little notice to the public, individuals, as well as companies, have been surprised to receive a $250 fine plus an additional $30 fee for registration. A sample of the fine is below:

The City is fully aware that a better job could have been done in informing the community of this new regulation and is working to ensure that all members of the community are in full compliance. Sergeant Abetkov of the RPD’S Regulatory Unity has agreed to work with us to help make this happen.

Because of the lack of awareness around this new ordinance, some previously issued fines are being waived. To determine if you are eligible to have your fine waived or for more information about the ordinance please contact Sergeant Abetkov at 510-620-6635 or via email at nabetkov@richmondpd.net. You can also register your business’s alarm system at crywolfservices.com/richmondca.

The Plastic Straw Ban

As is becoming the norm for many cities and states across the country, the City of Richmond has issued an ordinance banning the use of plastic straws by city businesses or government sponsored events. The new ordinance, which is an amendment to the original 2010 ordinance, was brought to the table by Mayor Tom Butt back in May of this year, during one of our regular City Council Meetings.

I agree that excessive use of plastic is not only harmful to wildlife but the environment, however, I have expressed my concern over the timeline in which city businesses would need to comply with the new rule at the City Council meeting. The purpose of the new ban is to protect the environment and wildlife within the City as well as the local surrounding areas. This is something the Chamber of Commerce and myself are in full support of.

You can read more about the Richmond City Council meeting at 

https://richmondstandard.com/richmond/2018/05/02/richmond-council-votes-to-ban-plastic-straws-stirrers/

To help make this new adjustment a little bit easier to handle businesses affected by this new change are encouraged to reach out to fellow Chamber member Excellent Packaging & Supplies to make their inventory changes. Feel free to visit their website excellentpackaging.com or call them directly at 800-317-2737.

Before wrapping up for the week, I’d like to thank those of you have offered your feedback with us over the last two weeks. The intention behind this weekly post is to create an open space for conversation between the Chamber and you, the members. So, thank you for sharing your thoughts and your feelings, your opinions and your advice – it is very much appreciated! If you don’t already you can follow the Chamber of Commerce and myself on social media. All the handles will be below.

I look forward to talking to you again next week,

I believe that success is communal: ensuring the health, well being, and comfort of our families, friends, neighbors. I believe that success is best shared: bridging ties between corporations, local leaders, and constituents to create a city that will serve a snapshot into the best aspects of the American spirit: diversity, equity, and a drive to innovate.