Tuesday, June 20, 2006

The council approved 11 routine items on consent, including purchasing 24 new police cars for $621,000 and hiring an outside lawyer to review the city charter for $50,000.

Two major decisions split the council exactly 5-4. The council revised City Council spending rules to comply with state law AB 1234, with Marquez, Viramontes, Bates, and Thurmond voting no. The council also created a $100 sewer rebate program for senior homeowners in District One, with the same four members dissenting.

The council approved resuming an automatic aid agreement with the county fire district in another 5-4 vote, with McLaughlin, Anderson, Rogers, and Butt voting no. The agreement allows the closest fire truck to respond to emergencies regardless of which department owns it.

Several housing and public safety measures passed with wide support. The council amended the law to stop citing homeless people for camping when no shelter beds are available. The council also approved joining a county program that provides safety shields and cameras for 30 Richmond taxi cabs.

The council raised wastewater fees by 8% for the Richmond Municipal Sewer District No. 1, with only McLaughlin voting no. The council also placed $29,340 in unpaid code violation fines on property tax bills and charged property owners $14,032 for unpaid cleanup costs.