Sunday, January 22, 2017

City Council, PRNC plan 'odor' meetings

  RICHMOND - The Richmond City Council and the Point Richmond Neighborhood Council this week in separate meetings will discuss the ongoing noxious odor problems that have plagued Point Richmond, Richmond and surrounding communities since early fall.
   The city council has a special study session on the issue planned for Tuesday, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Services Building, 440 Civic Center Plaza in Richmond.
   The PRNC's meeting will be Wednesday, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Point Richmond Community Center.
   Both meetings are open to the public.

   The city council's meeting is a special study session devoted specifically to discuss the problem of the noxious odors. 
   Representatives from Contra Costa County, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District as well as Richmond City officials will be on hand to discuss their findings with the council.
   Last week the city posted a report about the foul odors on the city website: CITY REPORT ON ODORS.

   The BAAQMD and city officials believe the most likely source of the foul smells that have wafted over the area is the composting operation managed by Republic Services on Parr Road.   The company earlier this summer was found to have more than 10 times the amount of raw compost on site than it was permitted for.
   Local residents have filed more than 400 complaints about the smell while also reporting health issues including sore throats, sinus problems and headaches.
   The PRNC will have representatives of Republic Services at its meeting to report on the company's composting operations and to answer questions from the PRNC and the public. 
   Chevron officials have also been invited to attend.


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CONTACT INFORMATION:

Chevron company odor hotline: 510-242-2127
Bay Area Air Quality Management hotline - 1-800-334-6367
Contra Costa County's Lori Braunesreither, Department of Health
EMAIL: Lori Braunesreither. Direct Phone: 925-692-2528
Nicole Ewing, Richmond Code Enforcement (510-621-1591)
Bielle Moore, Republic Services community affairs manager
PHONES: (510-262-7547 or 510-205-4908)
Email: Bielle Moore