Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Presiding: Mayor Tom Butt · Called to order: 7:10 p.m. · 6 items · 21 votes · 14 public comments
What happened
- Approved landlord relocation payment law 4-2 (Butt, Pimplé dissenting).
- Approved Richmond Bay Specific Plan to replace Knox-Cutting development rules (Martinez abstaining).
- Approved law requiring affordable housing providers consider applicants with criminal records (Pimplé abstaining).
- Approved 16 routine items including $1.6 million library contract and $60,000 Ceasefire program hire.
- Heard updates on neighborhood parking permits, Personnel Board appointment, and quarterly budget review.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Housing(2 items)
Introduce law requiring landlords to pay relocation costs for displaced tenants
In Plain English
Richmond currently has no rules requiring landlords to help tenants who must move due to major renovations, demolitions, or other landlord actions. If approved, landlords pay relocation expenses when they force tenants to leave their homes. The law protects renters from sudden displacement costs they cannot afford.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Introduce ordinance and request staff come back with resolution utilizing Santa Monica's relocation ordinance as guide for setting relocation fees, with inclusion of separate and lesser amount for owner move-ins
4 to 2
Introduce law requiring affordable housing providers to consider applicants with criminal records
In Plain English
Many affordable housing providers currently reject applicants based on past criminal convictions. The proposed law creates equal opportunity rules for people with criminal histories when they apply for affordable housing. If approved, housing providers must follow new guidelines instead of automatically denying applications based on past convictions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Introduce ordinance as presented
5 to 0
Governance(2 items)
Reaffirm sanctuary policies and condemn hate crimes after 2016 election
In Plain English
The city council responds to the 2016 presidential election results with a formal statement. The resolution restates Richmond's existing sanctuary city policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It also condemns hate crimes and violence against minorities and reaffirms the city's commitment to fighting climate change.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt resolution with addition of 'gender' and 'sex' after the word 'disability'
6 to 0
Create neighborhood permit parking program
In Plain English
The city currently has no system for residents to get priority parking on their own streets. This new program would let neighborhoods apply for permit-only parking zones. If approved, residents could buy permits to park on designated streets while non-residents face restrictions during certain hours.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Zoning(1 item)
Adopt Richmond Bay Specific Plan to replace Knox-Cutting development rules
In Plain English
The city completed an environmental study for new development rules covering the Richmond Bay area. The plan replaces the current Knox-Cutting Specific Plan with updated zoning and building requirements. If approved, developers in this area follow the new rules for future projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Accept all staff recommendations, except to not adopt the Statement of Overriding Consideration; and exclude the Special Planning Area (area adjacent to Hoffman Marsh) from the Specific Plan, Zoning Map Amendment, and General Plan Amendment, maintaining the existing open space land use designation
6 to 0
Appointments(1 item)
Appoint general employee representative to Personnel Board
In Plain English
The Personnel Board handles employee grievances and disciplinary appeals for city workers. One seat represents general employees who aren't supervisors or safety personnel. The city council selects from 3 nominees chosen by employee groups.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Budget(1 item)
Review first quarter budget performance and approve spending adjustments
In Plain English
The city examines how much it spent and earned during the first 3 months of the fiscal year compared to projections. Staff proposes moving money between departments or programs to match actual needs. If approved, these adjustments keep the city on track financially for the rest of the year.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.