Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Presiding: Mayor Irma L. Anderson · Called to order: 7:04 p.m. · 4 items · 9 votes · 6 public comments

What happened

The council approved a tobacco retailer licensing requirement by a narrow 5-4 vote, with Butt, Marquez, Thurmond, and Viramontes voting no. Stores that sell cigarettes and tobacco products will now need annual city licenses for oversight.

A cell tower lease with Cingular Wireless at the Richmond Convention Center was approved 7-2, with McLaughlin and Thurmond opposing. The lease will generate rental income for the city from the wireless equipment installation.

The council hired Ralph Andersen and Associates to recruit a new fire chief, approved 7-1 with Griffin voting no. The city also approved hiring law firm Renne, Sloan, Holtzman, and Sakai for labor negotiations and employment law advice.

The council approved 1 routine item on consent, including appointing residents to city boards and commissions.

Auto-summarized from official minutes and vote records

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Attendance

Irma Anderson(Present)

Tony Thurmond(Present)

Nat Bates(Present)

Gayle McLaughlin(Present)

Tom Butt(Present)

Jim Rogers(Present)

Maria Viramontes(Present)

John Marquez(Present)

Richard Griffin(Present)

4 items · 1 consent

Require tobacco retailers to get annual city licenses

Passed 9-0Tobacco Retailer Licenses

Approve lease with Cingular Wireless for cell tower at Convention Center

Passed 7-2Convention Center Cell Tower

Hire recruitment firm to find new fire chief

Passed 7-1Fire Chief Recruitment

Hire law firm for labor negotiations and employment law advice

Passed 7-0Police & Community Safety

Approved as a group without individual discussion.

Biggest items: $26K Board and Commission appointments

N-7Approval of Minutes