Tuesday, April 3, 2007

The council approved 9 routine items on consent, including $95,000 for a law firm to advise on Chevron project environmental review and $60,000 for legal services to determine fair rental value of city property.

The council rejected setting salary ranges for city management positions in a 5-2 vote, with Bates, Lopez, McLaughlin, Rogers, and Sandhu voting no. The council also voted down designating Oishi and Sakai Nurseries structures as historic landmarks in a 4-4 split, with Bates, Marquez, Rogers, and Viramontes opposing.

The council approved a $550,000 contract with Best Roofing & Waterproofing for roof repairs at 7 city buildings, with only Butt voting no. The council also approved creating a program to reduce billboards citywide, with Bates casting the lone dissenting vote.

Four new city positions were approved, including a Port Administrator earning up to $106,000 annually and a Workforce Program Coordinator with a $53,600-$65,200 salary. Two Employee Benefits Analyst positions were also created with salaries ranging from $64,000 to $87,000.

The council approved creating an Office of Neighborhood Safety to reduce violent crime through community programs and designated the Winters Building as an official historic resource. Discussion of creating a Community Service Technician position was continued to a future meeting.