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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Special

Presiding: Vice Mayor Lopez · Called to order: 5:06 p.m. · 10 items · 0 votes · 10 public comments

What happened

  • Approved discussion of enforcing city law that restricts alcohol and tobacco ads.
  • Approved receiving update on federal stimulus funding applications and awards.
  • Heard update on 37 security cameras installed throughout the city.
  • Received update on debt forgiveness program to help Richmond schools.
  • Reviewed feasibility study for building a cycling track in Richmond.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Minutes

Attendance

Bates(Present)
Butt(Present)
Ritterman(Present)
Rogers(Present)
Viramontes(Present)
Lopez(Present)
McLaughlin(Absent)
Gayle McLaughlin(Absent)
Nat Bates(Present)
Tom Butt(Present)
Jim Rogers(Present)
Jeff Ritterman(Present)
Ludmyrna Lopez(Present)
Maria Viramontes(Present)
10 substantive items

Public Safety(3 items)

Closed Circuit Television Program Update

Public Safety

Official Agenda Text

City Council received update on Closed Circuit Television Program. Chief Chris Magnus gave overview and showed map of 37 cameras installed throughout the City with actual videos of crimes in progress

Receive update on 37 security cameras installed throughout the city

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city operates 37 security cameras in various locations for public safety monitoring. Staff will present an update on how the camera program is working and any recent developments. The cameras help police investigate crimes and monitor public areas.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Discuss enforcing city law that restricts alcohol and tobacco ads

Alcohol & Tobacco Ads

In Plain English

Richmond has a law limiting where alcohol and tobacco companies can advertise, but enforcement has been unclear. A community group will present their findings about current advertising violations. The council will discuss how to better enforce these restrictions going forward.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

To reduce the amount of allowable signage from 25% to 10% and directed staff to research revenue streams that will focus on enforcement of the signage ordinance and Alcohol Beverage Control regulations

Moved by: Vice Mayor LopezSeconded by: Councilmember Rogers
Passed

Infrastructure(2 items)

Velodrome Feasibility Presentation

Infrastructure

Official Agenda Text

Council heard presentation from Eulate Design on the feasibility of building a Velodrome in Richmond. Andres Eulate presented on velodromes as arenas for track racing with steeply banked oval tracks

Review feasibility study for building a cycling track in Richmond

Velodrome Project

In Plain English

A design firm will present their analysis of whether Richmond could build a velodrome, which is an indoor oval track for bicycle racing. The city commissioned this study to explore potential recreational facilities. The presentation covers costs, locations, and community benefits of such a facility.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Governance(1 item)

DROC Presentation on Alcohol and Tobacco Advertisement - Signage Ordinance

Governance

Official Agenda Text

Council heard presentation from Discovering the Reality of Our Community (DROC) addressing alcohol and tobacco advertisement and discussed implementation and enforcement of Richmond's advertisement ordinance. DROC requested City Council re-evaluate Richmond Signage Ordinance and reduce allowable coverage of windows from 25% to 10%

Votes

To reduce the amount of allowable signage from 25% to 10% and directed staff to research revenue streams that will focus on enforcement of the signage ordinance and Alcohol Beverage Control regulations

Moved by: Vice Mayor LopezSeconded by: Councilmember Rogers
Passed

Budget(1 item)

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funding Update

Budget

Official Agenda Text

Update on progress of City of Richmond applying for and/or receiving ARRA project funding. Various amounts allocated including $1.5M to Housing Authority, $366K for CDBG blight abatement, $559,735 for New Starts Program, etc.

Votes

That projects be prioritized by staff in order of category in preparation to meet with representatives from the legislator's office and asked that the city manager schedule a meeting with Congressman George Miller

Moved by: Vice Mayor LopezSeconded by: Councilmember Viramontes
Passed

Miscellaneous(3 items)

Richmond Schools Debt Forgiveness Work Program Update

Official Agenda Text

Update on work program to save Richmond schools through debt forgiveness and request of technical legislation. Seeking debt forgiveness of $3.7 million Federal Voluntary Integration Debt with school district

Receive update on federal stimulus funding applications and awards

Federal Stimulus Funding

In Plain English

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided federal stimulus money to cities for infrastructure and economic projects. Richmond applied for various grants from this program. City staff will report on which applications succeeded, how much funding the city received, and what projects are moving forward with stimulus dollars.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

That projects be prioritized by staff in order of category in preparation to meet with representatives from the legislator's office and asked that the city manager schedule a meeting with Congressman George Miller

Moved by: Vice Mayor LopezSeconded by: Councilmember Viramontes
Passed

Update on debt forgiveness program to help Richmond schools

Richmond Schools Debt

In Plain English

The city council approved a program in January 2009 to help local schools by forgiving debts they owe. Staff will report on progress since then and may request changes to the technical rules. The program aims to keep Richmond schools financially stable during budget challenges.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.