What happened
The council approved hiring recently retired Finance Director Delmy Cuellar for special projects before the standard waiting period, drawing the meeting's only public comment. Cuellar retired in March after 16 years and will help complete a state-required audit and prepare the 2023-2024 budget.
The council approved $15 million for Main Library renovation and $1 million for 13th Street improvements using General Fund savings and federal pandemic relief funds. The library upgrades will use salary savings accumulated from vacant positions across city departments.
A $70,000 contract was approved to design an emergency evacuation road for the Hilltop Green neighborhood, which currently lacks an evacuation route. The project will cross private property in both Richmond and El Cerrito.
The council approved hiring Raftelis consultants to analyze city staffing and recommend position eliminations following a state audit that found Richmond at financial risk. The council also approved a 7.1% fee increase for development projects through a regional transportation program.
Several major items received no votes, including union contracts with firefighters and city workers, a $107 million capital improvement plan, and a strategic plan to address homelessness. The council also supported a state program to reduce air pollution in Richmond, with Bana abstaining.
Auto-summarized from official minutes and vote records
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