Tuesday, July 18, 2017

The council approved new annual fees for rental property owners, charging $47 per unit in 2017 and $98 per unit in 2018. The measure passed 4-1, with Mayor Butt voting no. Property owners who don't pay face liens and penalties up to 50% for late payments.

The council approved travel to China for Councilmember Martinez and City Council Liaison Trina Jackson to update the city's partnership agreement with Zhoushan. The 4-1 vote had Mayor Butt dissenting on the trip to attend an island tourism conference.

A pilot program allowing tiny houses on wheels for homeless housing was approved by the council. Current health codes prohibit tiny houses as permanent housing, but this program creates temporary transitional housing for homeless residents.

The council upheld T-Mobile's appeal of a Planning Commission decision about changes to an existing cell tower permit. The vote was 5-1 with Martinez abstaining, following public hearings held in June and July.

The council approved 24 routine items on consent, including a $1.08 million extension of the North Richmond Mitigation Fee agreement and a $46,500 contract with Infrastructure Engineering Corporation for sewer work.