Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The council approved an amended court judgment in the Point Molate federal lawsuit that has been ongoing since 2012. The lawsuit involves multiple parties including the Guidiville Rancheria tribe suing the federal government over development issues. The measure passed 4-3, with Martinez, Myrick, and Willis voting no.

The council unanimously approved a revised law allowing commercial marijuana businesses and personal cannabis use in Richmond. The new ordinance permits dispensaries and cultivation facilities while creating rules for personal use. The city previously only allowed medical marijuana under older regulations.

A public hearing on redrawing City Council district boundaries was approved 6-1, with Mayor Butt casting the lone dissenting vote. The city must redraw voting district lines every 10 years after the census to ensure equal population in each district.

The council approved 11 routine items on consent, including a $97,192 contract increase with E-Lock Technologies for additional bike lockers. Other notable items included a $75,000 increase to a law firm contract for employee negotiations and a $210,000 three-year renewal for digital library services.

Discussion of banning new coal and petroleum coke storage facilities was continued to a future meeting. The council also postponed receiving status reports on major development projects and blight conditions throughout the city.