Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Special

Presiding: Mayor Thomas K. Butt · Called to order: 5:00 p.m. · 2 items · 5 votes · 8 public comments

What happened

  • Approved formal statement condemning online criticism of city manager 5-2 (Bates, Butt dissenting).
  • Approved receiving update on SPRAWLDEF lawsuit appeal in federal court 5-2 (Bates, Butt dissenting, Johnson abstaining).

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Minutes | Agenda

Attendance

Claudia Jimenez(Present)
Gayle McLaughlin(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Demnlus Johnson III(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Tom Butt(Present)
Nat Bates(Present)
2 substantive items

Litigation(1 item)

Receive update on SPRAWLDEF lawsuit appeal in federal court

5-2SPRAWLDEF Lawsuit

In Plain English

The city attorney will brief the council on a lawsuit filed by SPRAWLDEF that is currently before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. SPRAWLDEF is a group that opposes urban sprawl development. The case involves the city as defendant, meaning SPRAWLDEF is suing Richmond over some decision or policy.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Motion to table Item F-1

Moved by: Councilmember McLaughlin
Failed

Motion to overrule Mayor Butt and direct city attorney to answer questions regarding procedures for tabling items

Moved by: Councilmember McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Willis
Passed

5 to 2

Thomas K. ButtNay
Nathaniel BatesNay
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye

Motion to overrule Mayor Butt's decision to postpone taking action on Item F-1 until it was introduced and to take action on Item F-1 under Agenda Review

Moved by: Councilmember McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Jimenez
Passed

4 to 2

Thomas K. ButtNay
Nathaniel BatesNay
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAbstain

Motion to table Item F-1

Moved by: Councilmember McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Jimenez
Passed

4 to 2

Thomas K. ButtNay
Nathaniel BatesNay
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAbstain

Governance(1 item)

Adopt formal statement condemning online criticism of city manager

5-2Political Statements

In Plain English

Someone posted critical comments about the city manager's job performance on an online forum. The city council wants to formally disapprove of these statements. If approved, the city takes an official position defending the city manager against public criticism.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Motion to extend meeting to complete Item F-2

Moved by: Councilmember WillisSeconded by: Vice Mayor Johnson III
Passed

5 to 2

Thomas K. ButtNay
Nathaniel BatesNay
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye

Motion to adopt Resolution No. 132-21

Moved by: Councilmember McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Willis
Passed

5 to 2

Thomas K. ButtNay
Nathaniel BatesNay
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye