Tuesday, June 21, 2016

The council rejected the city's $47 million annual budget for fiscal year 2017, voting it down 3-4 with Bates, McLaughlin, and Beckles opposing. The failed budget would have funded daily services like police, parks, and street maintenance starting July 1.

A proposed 45-day rent freeze for residential properties also failed by the same 4-3 margin, with Butt, Pimplé, and Bates voting against the emergency measure. The freeze would have blocked landlord rent increases while votes are counted on an upcoming rent control ballot measure.

The council approved supporting a federal \"Blue Lives Matter\" bill that would make attacking police officers a hate crime, passing 4-3 despite opposition from Bates, McLaughlin, and Beckles. Richmond will send a formal support letter to Congress for the legislation.

The council unanimously approved moving forward with a proposed litter tax measure and endorsed Cybertran ultra-light rail system technology for potential regional implementation. Both items received full council support with only Bates opposing the litter tax discussion.

Two medical marijuana measures passed unanimously, with the council amending local collective rules and directing staff to draft a letter supporting cannabis businesses as legitimate enterprises. The council approved 21 routine items on consent, including hiring a law firm to study city employee pay for $52,000 and extending architect contracts for $350,000 per firm."}