Tuesday, June 27, 2023
SpecialPresiding: Mayor Eduardo Martinez · Called to order: 4:00 p.m. · 4 items · 24 votes · 11 public comments
What happened
- Approved 15 routine items including $10 million for asphalt materials and pothole repair supplies.
- Approved 4 financial policies governing cash reserves and retirement benefits.
- Approved adjusted city fees for permits and services while keeping recreation fees unchanged.
- Received presentation on water treatment plant improvements.
- Honored Dr. Carol Weyland Conner and Cinco de Mayo Parade organizers with proclamations.
Attendance
Budget(2 items)
Adopt 4 financial policies governing cash reserves, retirement benefits, and housing authority agreement
In Plain English
The city reviews these policies annually to guide how it manages money and employee benefits. The cash reserve policy sets aside emergency funds. The OPEB policy covers retiree healthcare costs. The pension policy manages retirement funding. If approved, these policies remain in effect through 2024.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
adopt a resolution approving a Cash Reserve Policy which has a floor of 17 percent to 22 percent
adopt a resolution making the specific number for the Cash Reserve Policy 21 percent
5 to 1
adopt the resolution recommended by staff regarding the Pension Funding Policy
adopt a resolution approving contributions of 10 percent of each year-end operating surplus in the General Fund in excess of City's Cash Reserve Policy into the 115 trust and also to direct staff to present to council a comparison analysis of the benefits of paying funds to CalPERS directly versus putting money in the 115 trust
6 to 1
adopt the resolution recommended by staff regarding the OPEB Funding Policy
7 to 0
direct staff to conduct analysis on what contributing the ADC minus the pay-as-you-go costs into the trusts would look like in a five-year forecast prior to approving the action and to approve contributions of 10 percent of each year end operating surplus into general fund in excess of cash reserve policy into the trusts
2 to 2
approve the staff recommendation regarding the cooperative agreement between the Richmond Housing Authority and the City of Richmond
7 to 0
Adjust city fees for permits and services while keeping recreation fees unchanged
In Plain English
The city last updated most fees in July 2021 using inflation adjustments. This proposal updates those fees again based on current costs, except recreation rental fees which need separate analysis. New home developers currently pay $17,670 in impact fees to cover parks, sewers, and other infrastructure.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
adopt the resolution excluding recreation fees, leaving the fees as is and providing direction that further analysis be conducted on the recreation fee with principles for setting fees including: (1) Public resources for the public good - The public resources that the city is the steward of are meant to serve the public. This means that the fees and services should maximize the experience of members of the public in enjoying and benefiting from use of public resources; (2) Socially equitable distribution of benefits and costs - This means that the benefits of a service prioritizes the needs of people and groups who have little access to such resources, have been historically excluded, and/or have the most pressing needs. The barriers such groups have in accessing resources must be considered and addressed, such as lack of money, language interpretation, or lack of knowledge of city administrative processes; (3) Ability to Pay - This means that the costs are primarily covered by people and entities that have the greatest ability to pay them; (4) Sustainable and Sufficient Revenue - Structuring fees should consider what revenue is needed to ensure the sustainability and quality of city services and resources. At the level of individual fees and services, there is not a need to generate revenue that covers all costs because other revenue sources can be used to ensure that the city service cost is not prohibitive to disadvantaged residents. Revenue from fees should be sufficient to sustain services at the level of the whole of city fees; (5) Alignment with City Council Priorities - Setting fees should align with the city council's approved priorities
7 to 0
Proclamation(2 items)
Recognize organizers of the Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival
In Plain English
The 23rd Street Merchants Association and Peace & Unity organized Richmond's May 7th Cinco de Mayo celebration. The event returned after a 3-year break and attracted thousands of participants from across the Bay Area. The parade has run since 2006 and is now one of the largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the East Bay.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Honor Dr. Carol Weyland Conner for founding nonprofit that feeds Richmond families
In Plain English
Dr. Conner founded White Pony Express in 2013, which delivers fresh food from stores and restaurants to hungry families countywide. The nonprofit serves meals at 4 Richmond elementary schools and distributed thousands of clothing items to local residents. During the pandemic, her organizations gave cash payments totaling thousands of dollars to Richmond families.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Infrastructure(1 item)
Receive presentation on water treatment plant improvements
In Plain English
East Bay Municipal Utility District will present their plans to upgrade the Sobrante Water Treatment Plant. This plant provides drinking water to Richmond and surrounding cities. The improvements could affect water quality, service reliability, or rates for local residents.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.