Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Presiding: Mayor Thomas K. Butt · Called to order: 7:11 p.m. · 8 items · 31 votes · 15 public comments
What happened
- Approved hiring Gordon & Rees law firm for wastewater operations review 5-2 (Martinez, Bates dissenting).
- Approved creating Deputy Fire Marshal position with monthly salary of $13,275-$14,636.
- Heard proposals for 46-unit development at 5620 Central Avenue and sewer service charges without voting.
- Approved 23 routine items including $2.8 million state grant for Central Avenue improvements.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(1 item)
Hire Gordon & Rees law firm to review city wastewater operations
In Plain English
The city needs legal expertise to evaluate its wastewater treatment and disposal systems. The contract runs from May 2019 through June 2024 with a maximum cost of $75,000. If approved, the law firm analyzes current operations and identifies potential legal issues.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Called the question and ended discussion on this matter
5 to 2
Approved said contract
5 to 2
Personnel(2 items)
Add Deputy Fire Marshal position to city job classifications
In Plain English
The city wants to create a new job title called Deputy Fire Marshal. This position would help with fire safety inspections and code enforcement. The fire department currently lacks this mid-level position between regular inspectors and the Fire Marshal.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 67-19 with direction to staff to make every effort to work with California Public Employees' Retirement System to provide retroactive retirement benefits to former assigned Deputy Fire Marshal
7 to 0
Create new Deputy Fire Marshal position with salary of $13,275-$14,636 per month
In Plain English
The city plans to add a new Deputy Fire Marshal classification to its workforce. The position pays between $13,275 and $14,636 per month. If approved, the fire department gains additional management capacity for inspections and code enforcement.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Said ordinance received first reading and was laid over for one week for second reading
7 to 0
Governance(2 items)
Authorize special assessments on properties with unpaid citation fines
In Plain English
Some property owners owe the city money for code violation fines, nuisance cleanup costs, or foreclosure penalties but haven't paid their bills. Special assessments let the city add these unpaid amounts to property tax bills. If approved, affected property owners must pay these debts when they pay property taxes or face liens on their properties.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 71-19
7 to 0
Receive update on new Department of Children and Youth and approve board appointment process
In Plain English
Richmond is creating a new Department of Children and Youth to coordinate services for families. The city needs to establish how residents will be selected to serve on the department's oversight board. If approved, the board appointment process moves forward and the department continues development.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approved the recommended appointment process
7 to 0
Zoning(2 items)
Approve 46-unit residential development at 5620 Central Avenue
In Plain English
A developer wants to build 46 homes on Central Avenue where commercial zoning currently exists. The project requires changing the land from commercial use to residential and includes environmental review. If approved, the vacant or underused commercial site becomes housing.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Deny appeal of T-Mobile cell tower at 2100 Grant Avenue
In Plain English
T-Mobile wants to install a small cell tower on a pole near 2100 Grant Avenue. The planning commission already rejected this proposal. Someone appealed that decision to the city council. If approved, the council upholds the planning commission's rejection and blocks the cell tower.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Budget(2 items)
Set sewer service charges for 2019-20 to be collected on tax bills
In Plain English
The city collects sewer fees through your annual property tax bill rather than separate monthly bills. This formal decision sets the rates for sanitary sewer and stormwater services for the 2019-20 fiscal year. If approved, these fees appear on tax bills mailed to property owners in fall 2019.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Receive additional audit reports for fiscal year 2018
In Plain English
The city's independent auditor completed extra review work beyond the main financial audit for 2018. These additional reports typically examine specific programs, grant compliance, or internal controls. The reports help identify potential improvements in city operations and ensure proper use of taxpayer funds.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Said report was received
7 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.