Tuesday, September 8, 2009
JointPresiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 5:10 p.m. · 7 items · 23 votes · 22 public comments
What happened
- Approved 2009-10 budget adjustments 4-2 with Booze and Butt dissenting.
- Approved opposing East Bay Municipal Utility District's Pardee Reservoir expansion plan with two abstentions.
- Approved releasing city attorney opinion on unauthorized eavesdropping incident unanimously.
- Approved $147.2 million redevelopment agency budget amendment for operations and capital projects.
- Approved 15 routine items including $228,000 emergency contract for Terminal 2 dock structures.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Litigation(1 item)
Authorize release of city attorney opinion on unauthorized eavesdropping incident
In Plain English
Someone illegally listened to a councilmember's phone comments during a private legal discussion in 2009. The city attorney wrote an opinion about this incident but cannot release it without council approval. If approved, the public gets access to the attorney's findings about the eavesdropping.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Extend the meeting for ten minutes
0 to 1
Approve the item to be released upon request
6 to 0
Budget(2 items)
Amend redevelopment agency budget to add $25.3 million for operations and $121.9 million for capital projects
In Plain English
The Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency needs to adjust its 2009-2010 budget. The agency oversees projects that eliminate blight and boost economic development in designated areas. If approved, operating expenses increase by $25.3 million and the 5-year capital budget grows by $121.9 million for construction projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve moving forward with the voluntary early retirement issue for both the Redevelopment Agency and City employees
6 to 0
Adopt Resolution No. 09-31 to support the Redevelopment Agency budget excluding layoffs unless brought back to Council for approval
6 to 0
Adjust 2009-10 city budget to match updated revenue projections
In Plain English
The city's spending plan no longer matches how much money it expects to collect this year. Revenue projections have changed since the budget was approved. If approved, the city adjusts spending levels to align with the new revenue estimates.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 98-09 the City budget as amended excluding layoffs unless brought back to Council
5 to 1
Continue with layoffs in the Planning and Building Department
Give the same consideration to the Planning and Building Department and not continue with layoffs until further research has been done
4 to 2
Personnel(4 items)
Create new Engineer I and Engineer II job classifications with set salaries
In Plain English
The city currently lacks formal Engineer I and II positions in its job structure. The new classifications establish monthly salaries of $4,844-$5,877 for Engineer I and $5,591-$6,793 for Engineer II. If approved, the city can hire engineers at these defined pay levels for infrastructure and development projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Continue items G-8, G-9, G-10, and G-11 and bring them back concurrent with or after the entire budget is revised
Create additional new employee job classifications
In Plain English
The city is adding more job categories to its employee classification system. New classifications help the city hire for specific roles and set appropriate pay scales. This follows earlier classification updates and allows hiring for positions that don't fit existing job categories.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Continue items G-8, G-9, G-10, and G-11 and bring them back concurrent with or after the entire budget is revised
Create new Engineering Infrastructure Administrator position with $83,112-$101,028 annual salary
In Plain English
The city wants to add a new management role overseeing engineering projects like roads, water systems, and buildings. This position would earn between $83,112 and $101,028 per year. The role appears designed to coordinate infrastructure maintenance and improvements across different city departments.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Continue items G-8, G-9, G-10, and G-11 and bring them back concurrent with or after the entire budget is revised
Create new Source Control Superintendent position with $87,324-$105,948 salary
In Plain English
The city wants to add a new job managing pollution prevention and water quality compliance. This superintendent role would oversee programs that stop contamination from entering storm drains and waterways. The position pays between $87,324 and $105,948 per year. If approved, the city can begin recruiting for this environmental compliance role.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Continue items G-8, G-9, G-10, and G-11 and bring them back concurrent with or after the entire budget is revised
Environment(1 item)
Oppose East Bay Municipal Utility District's plan to expand Pardee Reservoir
In Plain English
The East Bay Municipal Utility District wants to expand Pardee Reservoir as part of its 2040 water supply plan. The city believes this expansion could harm the environment or affect local water resources. If approved, Richmond formally objects to the utility district's proposal.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 97-09 opposing the expansion of Pardee Reservoir
4 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.