Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The council rejected expanding the city's 'Ban the Box' hiring policy to cover contractors and vendors. The policy currently prevents city departments from asking about criminal history on job applications, but the extension failed unanimously with all four present members voting no.

A proposal to establish formal safety requirements for the Chevron Refinery during rebuilding after the August 2012 fire was also rejected. The measure failed with three nay votes from Bates, Boozé, and Rogers. The refinery fire had sent thousands of residents to hospitals.

The council approved 10 routine items on consent, including purchasing $13,964 in camera units to catch illegal dumping and accepting a $178,000 homeland security grant. Other items included $90,275 for urban search and rescue equipment and $24,817 for trench rescue equipment using grant funds.

Council members approved purchasing electrical boxes and covers for a street light wire replacement project on West Cutting Boulevard. The measure passed with Boozé casting the only no vote. The council also approved exploring grant funding for new playground equipment at John F. Kennedy Park.

The council reduced the meeting quorum requirement from five to four members, allowing official meetings to proceed with fewer council members present. They also extended the deadline for finalizing a Solar Richmond agreement to install solar panels on city buildings.