Tuesday, June 29, 2021
SpecialPresiding: Mayor Thomas K. Butt · Called to order: 4:30 p.m. · 3 items · 7 votes · 21 public comments
What happened
- Approved $8.6 million city budget for 2021-2022 using federal pandemic funds 5-2 (Bates, Butt dissenting).
- Approved legal spending limit for 2021-22 budget year 6-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved research into filing lawsuit against Caltrans over highway conditions.
- Approved 4 routine items including $20,000 fireworks cancellation fees and 2% port fee increase.
Attendance
Budget(2 items)
Adopt $8.6 million city budget for 2021-2022 using federal pandemic funds
In Plain English
The city sets its annual spending plan for basic services like police, parks, and road repairs. This budget includes $8.6 million in federal pandemic relief money. If approved, the city also commits to a 5-year capital improvement plan and moves leftover money from last year into the new budget.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution Numbers 76-21, 77-21, and 78-21 approving said budgets; directed staff to move the funding for two community service officer positions from the Police Department budget to the RPS Task Force budget for further discussion on implementation with staff collaborating with the RPS Task Force; and allocated $8,703 surplus funds (half and half) to the Richmond Juneteenth and Cinco de Mayo FY 2021-2022 celebrations
5 to 2
Set legal spending limit for city budget year 2021-22
In Plain English
California law requires cities to set a maximum spending limit each year based on population and inflation. Richmond must formally approve this limit before spending any money in the new budget year. The limit prevents cities from growing spending faster than the local economy.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 79-21 approving the Fiscal Year 2021-22 appropriations limit for the City of Richmond pursuant to Article XIIIB of the Constitution of the State of California
6 to 1
Litigation(1 item)
Research filing lawsuit against Caltrans over highway conditions
In Plain English
The city wants to explore legal action against the California Department of Transportation over poor highway conditions. Staff will investigate whether the city has grounds for a lawsuit. This could lead to forcing Caltrans to improve local highway maintenance and repairs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Directed staff to coordinate with Contra Costa County and other west county cities with the aid of the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee and Association of Bay Area Governments to petition the State of California for solutions in the cleaning of the freeways
6 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.