Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 7:13 p.m. · 5 items · 7 votes · 11 public comments
What happened
- Approved new penalties for chemical releases that trigger emergency sirens 5-3 (McLaughlin, Rogers, Thurmond dissenting).
- Elected new Vice Mayor with five abstentions from council members.
- Accepted $461,677 from county for North Richmond waste cleanup projects.
- Approved 3 routine items including $300,000 loan to Police Activities League for youth center expansion.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(3 items)
Approve final draft of citywide community survey for distribution
In Plain English
Richmond is preparing to launch a community survey to gather resident feedback on city services and priorities. The National Research Center will handle the final review and distribution of the survey. If approved, the survey goes to residents to help guide future city decisions and budget priorities.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approved the final draft
Add new fee to cover costs of updating city planning documents
In Plain English
The city maintains planning documents like the General Plan and zoning rules that guide development. These updates currently come from the general budget. The new fee charges developers and property owners for planning work that affects their projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Forward this matter to the next Finance Standing Committee
Adopt the ordinance with the recommendation that the Finance Committee may review the fees and recommend adjustments to the City Council, if necessary
Create penalties for chemical releases that trigger emergency sirens
In Plain English
Richmond has emergency sirens that warn residents when chemical plants release dangerous materials. Currently, companies face no city penalties when their accidents trigger these sirens. If approved, companies pay fines when their discharges activate the warning system.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
For the City Council to schedule a public hearing to consider declaring the Chevron Richmond Refinery a public nuisance and consider potential abatement actions or penalties, amended to state that a public hearing be held during the first council meeting in March to discuss the option of considering Chevron a public nuisance and taking appropriate action
For the City Attorney to study the legality of possibly declaring the Chevron Refinery a 'public nuisance'
That staff talk to Chevron, schedule the public hearing, and if Chevron agrees, there would be an independent person who would audit all of Chevron's safety practices and make a public report to the City Council. If this occurs the public hearing would not be necessary
2 to 2
That the public hearing not be scheduled until after the full report from Chevron is received by the City Council and that Contra Costa County also present their report
5 to 3
Appointments(1 item)
Elect new Vice Mayor to replace outgoing Vice Mayor Viramontes
In Plain English
The city council selects one of its members to serve as Vice Mayor for the new term. Vice Mayor Viramontes is stepping down from this role. The Vice Mayor runs meetings when the Mayor is absent and represents the city at official events.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To nominate Councilmember Thurmond as Vice Mayor
To nominate Councilmember Bates to the position of vice mayor
5 to 0
Budget(1 item)
Accept $461,677 from county for North Richmond waste cleanup projects
In Plain English
Contra Costa County has been holding these mitigation fees since 2006-07 from waste facility operations in North Richmond. The city can now access this money to fund cleanup and recovery projects in the area. If approved, Richmond receives the full $461,677 for environmental improvements.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 9-07
Zoning(1 item)
Review appeal of denied variances for 4 undeveloped lots on York, Cherry, and Duboce
In Plain English
A property owner wants to build on 4 lots that don't meet city size requirements. The Planning Commission already denied variances that would allow smaller lots than normally permitted. The council now decides whether to overturn that denial and allow construction on undersized parcels.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Closed the public hearing
Granting the appeal and approving the variances, overruling the Planning Commission's decision, and directed staff to prepare findings and statements for approving of the variances
Approved as a group without individual discussion.