Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Presiding: Mayor Tom Butt · Called to order: 7:15 p.m. · 7 items · 23 votes · 16 public comments
What happened
- Rejected extending city manager contract through 2020 with deferred raises 5-2 (Bates, Pimplé dissenting).
- Approved Richmond Promise college scholarship rules 4-3 (Martinez, Pimplé, Butt dissenting).
- Approved voter initiative allowing 59-home project near Marina Way South 6-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved 13 routine items including $810,640 toxic spill cleanup contract and fire training facility relocation.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(4 items)
Oppose 3 international trade agreements in current forms
In Plain English
The city previously opposed the Trans Pacific Partnership in 2015. This expands that opposition to include 2 additional trade agreements: the Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement and Trade in Services Agreement. The city argues these agreements could impact local government authority and worker protections.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to adopt Resolution No. 111-15
7 to 0
Require staff to disclose contract history when seeking approval for changes
In Plain English
Staff currently provides limited background when asking council to approve contract changes. The new rules require staff to show each department's contract awards from the past year, all contracts given to the same vendor over 3 years, and previous change orders. If approved, residents get more transparency about how the city spends tax dollars on contractors.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Receive annual health policy report and update reporting requirements
In Plain English
Richmond requires all city departments to consider health impacts when making policy decisions. The city presents its annual report on this program. The proposed law change would update definitions and how often departments must report on health considerations.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Set eligibility rules and award amounts for Richmond Promise college scholarships
In Plain English
Richmond Promise provides college scholarships to local high school graduates. The city council needs to decide which schools qualify students for awards and how much money each scholarship provides. These decisions affect how many Richmond students receive college funding and which neighborhoods benefit from the program.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
that the requirements of the scholarship include public schools and existing charter schools and have there be parity between two year and four year colleges
5 to 2
for $2,000 parity for community college and four-year college and include and leaving the board of directors for the 501c3, with the ability to make necessary adjustments in order to ensure the numbers work out
that the program applies to public schools and existing charter schools only
3 to 4
to include all public, charter, and private schools
4 to 3
to set the amount at $1,000
4 to 3
for a $1,500 award amount
4 to 3
Personnel(2 items)
Extend city manager contract through 2020 with deferred pay raises
In Plain English
The city manager's current contract expires in February 2016. The new 4-year agreement delays a previously promised 6% salary increase but allows annual 2% raises for up to 3 years. If approved, the city manager also receives additional pay increases when certain performance goals are met.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to approve the contract
5 to 2
to change the contract to 2 years, eliminate performance goals and the pay raises associated with that, replace the severance package with a severance package or notice, to incorporate some element of making contributions to the retirement health care plan
2 to 5
Approve 5% cost of living increase for city retirees
In Plain English
City retirees currently receive a 2% annual increase in their pension payments. This proposal adds another 3% increase for a total of 5% this year. The higher increase helps retirees keep up with inflation and rising living costs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Zoning(2 items)
Consider voter initiative to allow 59-home project near Marina Way South
In Plain English
A citizen initiative seeks to change the city's development plan to allow 59 single-family homes on vacant land near Marina Way South and Hall Drive. The council must either approve the initiative directly or put it on the June 2016 ballot for voters to decide. The site currently does not allow residential development under existing zoning rules.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to give project applicant Richard Poe 10 minutes to speak
6 to 1
Review zoning rules where commercial and industrial areas meet residential neighborhoods
In Plain English
The city wants to update regulations for areas where different zoning districts border each other, like where industrial businesses sit next to residential neighborhoods. Current rules may not reflect modern standards for reducing conflicts between incompatible land uses. If approved, staff studies how to balance protecting residents from noise, traffic, and pollution while giving businesses reasonable time to comply with stricter requirements.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.