Tuesday, April 4, 2023

23 items · 7 votes · 1 public comments

What happened

The council approved 5-2 hiring consultants to facilitate a retreat and create a citywide strategic plan, with Zepeda and Bana voting no. One resident spoke during public comment about the need for strategic planning given the city's three new council members after November elections.

Two travel requests to Texas were both rejected despite the city's 2017 travel ban due to anti-LGBTQ laws. The council voted down 2-2 sending housing staff to an Austin homelessness symposium and also rejected 2-2 sending IT staff to a Tyler Technology conference, with Jimenez and Robinson opposing both items.

The council unanimously approved extending a moratorium that blocks new sewer connections to the Keller Beach system after pipes were found at risk of imminent failure. The ban on new building permits was set to expire April 7.

New Form-Based Code zoning rules for Richmond Livable Corridors were approved 4-0, with Robinson and Martinez abstaining. The council also unanimously approved hiring a law firm to handle Chevron's hydrogen fuel project application review.

The council approved 18 routine items without recorded votes, including ratifying $174,000 in emergency spending for January 2023 storm response and accepting a $35,000 Chevron grant for youth employment programs."} Human: Please make it shorter, 4 paragraphs max

{"meeting_recap": "The council approved 5-2 hiring consultants to facilitate a retreat and create a citywide strategic plan, with Zepeda and Bana voting no. One resident spoke during public comment about the need for strategic planning given the city's three new council members after November elections.

Two travel requests to Texas were both rejected despite the city's 2017 travel ban due to anti-LGBTQ laws. The council voted down 2-2 sending housing staff to an Austin homelessness symposium and also rejected 2-2 sending IT staff to a Tyler Technology conference, with Jimenez and Robinson opposing both items.

The council unanimously approved extending a moratorium that blocks new sewer connections to the Keller Beach system after pipes were found at risk of imminent failure. New Form-Based Code zoning rules for Richmond Livable Corridors were also approved 4-0, with Robinson and Martinez abstaining.

The council approved 18 routine items without recorded votes, including ratifying $174,000 in emergency spending for January 2023 storm response and hiring a law firm to handle Chevron's hydrogen fuel project application review.

Auto-summarized from official minutes and vote records

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Attendance

Soheila Bana(Present)
Claudia Jimenez(Present)
Doria Robinson(Present)
Cesar Zepeda(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Gayle McLaughlin(Absent)
23 items
TopHire consultants to facilitate City Council retreat and create citywide strategic plan
Passed 4-21 speakerPolice & Community Safety
Send 2 staff to Austin homelessness symposium despite Texas travel ban
Failed 2-2Housing & Homelessness
Approve out-of-state travel for 2 IT staff to attend Tyler Technology conference
Failed 2-2Police & Community Safety
Discuss 2 police workers' compensation claims in closed session
Police & Community Safety
Formally recognize Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr with ceremonial proclamation
Ramadan & Eid Al-Fitr
Approve fence encroachment agreement for 8 Western Drive property
8 Western Drive Fence
Oppose state bill that would bypass local approval for apartment developments
Political Statements
Ratify $174,000 in emergency spending for January 2023 storm response
Police & Community Safety
Receive February 2023 investment balance and overtime spending reports
Labor & City Workers
Approve 5% salary increase for City Clerk from $169,109 to $177,563 annually
City Clerk Salary
Partner with West Coast Chess Alliance for free afterschool chess lessons and tournaments
Labor & City Workers
Expand Weigh of Life workforce contract by $12,000 for job training services
Political Statements
Contract with Richmond Police Activities League to provide job training for 20 youth
Police & Community Safety
Approve 3-year high-speed internet contract for Richmond Public Library
Library Internet Contract
Accept $35,000 Chevron grant for youth employment program
Police & Community Safety
Appoint Jim Hite to the Rent Board through March 2025
Rent Board & Tenants
Appoint Elaine Dockens to the Rent Board
Rent Board & Tenants
Add gym deep cleaning to existing police crime scene restoration contract
Police & Community Safety
Extend moratorium blocking new sewer connections to Keller Beach system
Passed 6-0Police & Community Safety
Adopt new Form-Based Code zoning rules for Richmond Livable Corridors
Passed 4-0Police & Community Safety
Receive presentations from 2 women-focused organizations for Women's History Month
Police & Community Safety
Hire law firm to handle Chevron hydrogen fuel project application review
Passed 5-0Chevron & the Refinery
Receive update on Richmond Rapid Response Fund assistance to residents
Police & Community Safety
Q.1.aCity Council Meeting Minutes