Tuesday, December 6, 2022

29 items · 8 votes · 15 public comments

What happened

The council approved a revised housing project with 154 single-family homes at a former port site, passing 5-1 with Butt voting no. Residents raised concerns about parking and traffic, building design and scale, and construction impact and road damage during 14 public comments. The developer originally planned 323 apartments but switched to detached homes on the 13.8-acre former port terminal.

A $3.5 million loan to rehabilitate 142-unit Nevin Plaza senior housing was approved 5-2, with Bates and Butt voting no. The 7-story building at 2400 Nevin Avenue houses low-income seniors and disabled residents who need repairs and improvements.

The council used a $12 million budget surplus to fix negative balances in various city funds. The first quarter spending report showed the city received $41.9 million in revenue, which was below the expected 25% threshold mainly due to property tax timing.

The council approved 29 routine items on consent, including contracts for Ford truck replacements, job training programs, and federal grants totaling $400,945 for literacy classes and violence prevention programs.

Auto-summarized from official minutes and vote records

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Attendance

Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Demnlus Johnson III(Present)
Gayle McLaughlin(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Claudia Jimenez(Absent)
Tom Butt(Present)
Nat Bates(Present)
29 items
TopApprove revised housing project with 154 single-family homes at former port site
Passed 5-114 speakersPolice & Community Safety
Review city's first quarter spending and revenue report
Passed 4-01 speakerQuarterly Budget Report
Loan $3.5 million to help rehabilitate 142-unit Nevin Plaza senior housing
Passed 5-2Housing & Homelessness
Consider increasing the number of cannabis retail licenses allowed in the city
Cannabis
Receive presentation on transitioning city vehicles to electric fleet
Electric Vehicle Fleet
Receive annual update presentation from MCE clean energy provider
MCE Clean Energy
Discuss 2 workers' compensation claims in closed session
Police & Community Safety
Lease office space to Congressman Garamendi for district office
Congressman Garamendi Lease
Adjust 2023 garbage collection rates based on inflation and bulky item program costs
Solid Waste Rates
Approve lease with Richmond Promise for city hall office space
Police & Community Safety
Receive update on regional fire training center partnership with Berkeley
Fire Training Center
Hire insurance company to handle city employee injury claims for 3 years
Workers' Compensation Contract
Approve agreements to close most city offices December 27-30
Labor & City Workers
Create economic development director role and reorganize 4 other management positions
Police & Community Safety
Allow Police Chief, Fire Chief, and deputies to cash out sick leave at retirement
IFPTE Sick Leave Benefits
Accept $50,945 federal grant for adult literacy classes at Richmond Public Library
Library Literacy Program
Approve spending plans for North Richmond cleanup fees from waste facility
Police & Community Safety
Contract with Oakland Private Industry Council for job training program services
Youth & Community Programs
Accept $90,000 grant for Operation Peacemaker Fellowship violence prevention program
Police & Community Safety
Accept $10,000 donation for Operation Peacemaker Fellowship violence intervention program
Police & Community Safety
Approve lease with YWCA for childcare program at recreation complex
Macdonald Avenue
Accept $250,000 federal grant to merge 2 shuttle services into single system
Richmond Moves & R-Transit
Purchase 12 Ford F350 flatbed trucks to replace aging fleet
City Fleet Vehicles
Purchase 21 replacement Ford trucks for city departments
City Fleet Vehicles
Extend contracts with 3 firms for capital project management through January 2025
Police & Community Safety
Approve $230,000 contract for 4th gateway sign at Blume Drive and Richmond Parkway
The Hilltop
Use budget surplus to fix negative balances in city funds
Passed 4-0Quarterly Budget Report
Add unpaid code enforcement fines totaling $771,000 to property tax bills
Police & Community Safety
Adopt updated 2022 California Fire Code with local changes
Fire Prevention Code
X.1.aCity Council Meeting Minutes