Tuesday, September 26, 2023

17 items · 2 votes · 5 public comments

What happened

  • Heard environmental consultant proposal to monitor contaminated Marina Bay properties.
  • Approved accepting Brickyard Cove Road as public street with $261,220 payment from homeowners.
  • Approved increasing developer impact fees to fund city infrastructure through 2040.
  • Heard proposals for $383,750 environmental inspection contract and $268,862 for electric R-Transit vans.
  • Received updates on mental health crisis response and North Richmond flood protection plans.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Agenda

Attendance

Soheila Bana(Present)
Claudia Jimenez(Present)
Doria Robinson(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Cesar Zepeda(Present)
Gayle McLaughlin(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
17 substantive items
Most public comment

Receive update on county mental health crisis response program

3 public speakersA3 Mental Health Program

In Plain English

Contra Costa County runs the A3 program to respond to mental health crises with trained counselors instead of just police. The county-funded program has 15 response teams that assess calls by phone and send appropriate help. If approved, the city receives an update on current operations and expansion plans.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Increase developer impact fees to fund city infrastructure through 2040

1 public speakerDeveloper Impact Fees

In Plain English

The city currently charges fees to new developments to pay for roads, parks, and other infrastructure. A new study found these fees are too low to cover future needs through 2040. If approved, the fees increase gradually over 2 or 4 years and generate an extra $436,000 annually.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

To direct the city manager to return the matter back to the council at an appropriate time, with options for how to change the developer impact fees as per the feedback provided by the council, and then determine an agreed upon option to schedule the next public hearing.

Moved by: Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Jimenez
Passed

7 to 0

Mayor MartinezAye
Councilmember BanaAye
Councilmember RobinsonAye
Councilmember WillisAye
Councilmember ZepedaAye
Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlinAye
Councilmember JimenezAye

Receive presentation on nature-based flood protection for North Richmond shoreline

1 public speakerNorth Richmond Living Levee

In Plain English

Sea level rise threatens to flood Richmond Parkway and critical infrastructure along North Richmond's shoreline. A community working group created designs for living levees that use natural marsh habitat to reduce flood risk. Multiple agencies must collaborate since the project crosses several jurisdictions and property owners including the city, county, and Chevron.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Meet privately to discuss employee union contract negotiations

Labor & City Workers

In Plain English

The city council will hold a closed-door meeting with labor negotiators to discuss contract terms with 6 employee unions. These unions represent police officers, firefighters, city workers, and managers across all departments. Private labor negotiations are allowed under state law to protect sensitive bargaining positions.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Accept $261,220 from 2 homeowner groups for street repairs

Marina Bay HOAs

In Plain English

Two local homeowner associations want to contribute money to help fix city streets. BCHOA1 and Boardwalk Marina will pay $261,220 into the city's pavement management program. If approved, the groups also get permission to maintain landscaping on city property through new easement agreements.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Accept private Brickyard Cove Road as public street with $261,220 payment

Brickyard Cove Road

In Plain English

Brickyard Cove Road was built in 1968 as a private street but was supposed to become public once it connected to Canal Boulevard. The city never took it over despite the connection being completed in 1996. Local homeowners' associations now want the city to accept the road as public and maintain it, offering $261,220 toward street repairs.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve consent calendar

Moved by: Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Zepeda
Passed

7 to 0

Mayor MartinezAye
Councilmember BanaAye
Councilmember RobinsonAye
Councilmember WillisAye
Councilmember ZepedaAye
Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlinAye
Councilmember JimenezAye

Approve $383,750 contract for environmental inspections at 9 Marina Bay properties

Environmental Justice

In Plain English

The city must inspect 9 properties in Marina Bay annually due to deed restrictions that likely stem from past contamination. PES Environmental has been the sole provider of these specialized inspections since 2023. If approved, the 3-year contract continues through 2026 at $128,000 per year.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Hire environmental consultant to monitor contaminated Marina Bay properties

Environmental Justice

In Plain English

State regulators require the city to monitor soil contamination at 9 properties in Marina Bay. NV5 Environmental has handled this work since Richmond took over these former industrial sites. If approved, the 3-year contract costs $383,750 and covers annual inspections and groundwater monitoring required by state law.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Purchase 2 electric vans for R-Transit service for $268,862

Environmental Justice

In Plain English

The city operates R-Transit buses and shuttles for residents who cannot use regular public transit. Richmond currently uses gas-powered vehicles for some routes. The new electric vans replace older vehicles and help reduce emissions from city transportation.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Purchase 2 electric vans to replace gas-powered R-Transit vehicles

Environmental Justice

In Plain English

Richmond's paratransit vans for disabled and elderly residents are old gas-powered vehicles that break down frequently. The city wants to replace 2 of them with electric vans for $268,862. If approved, this reduces emissions and moves the transit fleet toward clean energy goals.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Declare September 22-October 1 as National Drive Electric Week in Richmond

Electric Vehicle Week

In Plain English

The mayor and city council will officially recognize a 10-day period promoting electric vehicles. National Drive Electric Week is an annual nationwide event that encourages residents to learn about electric cars and trucks. The proclamation has no cost to the city and simply shows Richmond's support for clean transportation options.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Declare September 22 to October 1 as National Drive Electric Week

National Drive Electric Week

In Plain English

Richmond joins a nationwide effort to promote electric vehicles as cleaner alternatives to gas cars. Transportation creates 30% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to air pollution. If approved, the city officially supports the week-long educational campaign encouraging residents to consider electric vehicles.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Approve trailer rental extension and $1.04 million for Santa Rita Road repairs

Public Works Operations

In Plain English

The city rents 2 office trailers and storage space from North Richmond Properties for Public Works equipment. This extends the month-to-month lease for up to $32,429. The city also moves $1.04 million from its insurance fund to fix slope stability problems on Santa Rita Road.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Extend lease for Hilltop landscaping equipment storage and office trailers

The Hilltop

In Plain English

The city has rented storage space and office trailers on Giant Road since 2015 to maintain Hilltop area parks. The nearby location cuts travel time from the main Parks Yard on Leona Avenue. If approved, the city pays $2,702 per month for equipment storage space and 2 office trailers.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Transfer $1,040,000 from Risk Management fund to stabilize Santa Rita Road

Santa Rita Road

In Plain English

A January 2023 mudslide threatens Santa Rita Road and nearby homes. The city originally budgeted $650,000 for this emergency slope stabilization project but transferred that money to another flood project. If approved, Risk Management funds cover the full $1,040,000 cost including construction, design, and contingency.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Review appeal of approved 94-unit townhome project on Brickyard Cove Road

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The Planning Commission already approved this residential development with certain waivers to standard rules. Someone filed an appeal objecting to that approval. The city council will hold a public hearing to decide whether to uphold or overturn the Planning Commission's decision.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Receive presentation on city accomplishments from fiscal year 2022-2023

City Accomplishments Report

In Plain English

The city manager presents a summary of projects completed and goals achieved during fiscal year 2022-2023. The presentation covers work across all city departments including hiring, community programs, and services. This item was postponed from 3 previous meetings.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.