Tuesday, November 7, 2023

39 items · 5 votes · 27 public comments

What happened

The council approved a year-end financial report showing $14.3 million in unspent funds from fiscal year 2022-23. The city collected $11 million more than budgeted in revenue and spent $3.4 million less than planned. Residents urged increased funding for the Community Crisis Response Program and youth programs during public comment.

Discussion of cannabis retail permits and delivery-only licenses was postponed with no vote recorded. Nine residents spoke on the issue, with many raising concerns about youth health and safety and cannabis retail density. Speakers worried about high-THC products affecting adolescent brain development.

The council approved expanding the Flock camera surveillance system citywide under an existing $249,600 contract with Flock. The contract runs through February 2026 and will add more license plate reader cameras throughout Richmond. Residents supported the expansion for crime prevention but one speaker questioned the cost-benefit ratio.

A $75,000 settlement with tribal developers over Point Molate revenue sharing was approved unanimously. The dispute involved how to calculate shared revenue from $400,000 collected between 2018-2022. The council also approved emergency changes to the RecycleMore trash collection contract process, with Zepeda abstaining.

Auto-summarized from official minutes and vote records

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Attendance

Soheila Bana(Present)
Doria Robinson(Present)
Cesar Zepeda(Present)
Gayle McLaughlin(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Claudia Jimenez(Absent)
Melvin Willis(Absent)
39 items
TopReview year-end financial report showing $14.3 million in unspent funds
Passed 5-012 speakersQuarterly Budget Report
Increase cannabis retail permits and add delivery-only licenses
9 speakersCannabis
Expand Flock camera surveillance system by adding cameras citywide
Passed 5-06 speakersPolice & Community Safety
Hold closed-door meeting to discuss employee union contract negotiations
Labor & City Workers
Discuss emergency changes to RecycleMore trash collection contract process
Passed 5-0RecycleMore Contract
Report on new city employees hired recently
New Employee Report
Pay $75,000 to settle Point Molate revenue dispute with tribal developers
Passed 5-0Point Molate
Approve $330,000 in workforce training contracts for 40 Richmond youth
Youth & Community Programs
Add 10 more workers to Beautify Richmond youth job training program
Youth & Community Programs
Extend agreement with Contra Costa County to manage North Richmond waste mitigation funds through 2026
North Richmond Mitigation
Declare October 21, 2023, as Arbor Day in Richmond
Arbor Day
Appoint Aaron He to Richmond Planning Commission
Planning Commission
Declare November 2023 as Native American Heritage Month in Richmond
Police & Community Safety
Approve $200,000 ammunition purchases from 4 vendors over 2 years
Police & Community Safety
Hire Donnoe & Associates to create and administer police promotion exams
Police & Community Safety
Approve contracts with 2 polygraph companies for police hiring background checks
Police & Community Safety
Send Assistant Police Chief to 3-week executive training in Boston
Police & Community Safety
Receive plan to end mandatory overtime for police officers within 18 months
Police & Community Safety
Receive police crime report showing 2 homicides and increased theft
Police & Community Safety
Update agreement with West County Wastewater District for shared infrastructure projects
West County Wastewater
Authorize 4 city officials to apply for disaster relief money
Disaster Relief Authorization
Approve $30,000 contract with SOS! Richmond for Richmond Greenway maintenance
Environmental Justice
Agree to follow state housing laws to receive $2.7 million in transportation grants
OBAG Transportation Grants
Hire 7 landscape design firms for city parks and development projects
Police & Community Safety
Accept $75,000 from Prologis to fund health workers for homeless residents
Housing & Homelessness
Join East Bay wildfire prevention group with 27 other cities and fire districts
Labor & City Workers
Add $90,000 to management consulting contract with The Gardner Group
Police & Community Safety
Award $50,000 in environmental grants to 8 local nonprofits
Environmental Justice
Hire firm to evaluate $4.8 million Castro Encampment housing project
Housing & Homelessness
Receive report on Port of Richmond operations and economic opportunities
Police & Community Safety
Raise Port of Richmond shipping fees by 6.2% plus inflation adjustment
Terminal 1 & the Port
Add $18,000 to auditing contract to review violence prevention grant spending
Police & Community Safety
Place liens on property tax bills for unpaid garbage collection fees
Garbage Collection Fees
Give 3 retired city workers 5% pension increase for 2024
Labor & City Workers
Hire counseling center to provide mental health services for firefighters
Police & Community Safety
Allow higher-ranking firefighters to work overtime as regular firefighters
Labor & City Workers
Approve $50,000 annual subscription for property data from ParcelQuest
ParcelQuest Data Contract
Receive presentation from Pacific Gas & Electric on Richmond projects
PG&E Projects
Approve $1.09 million for earthquake and wildfire emergency preparedness programs
Police & Community Safety
W.2.aCity Council Meeting Minutes