Tuesday, January 19, 2010

The council approved 12 routine items on consent, including $300,000 for a career academy with the school district and $250,000 to expand a construction management contract with Harris & Associates.

New inspection fees for businesses selling alcohol and tobacco were approved 4-2, with Bates and Viramontes voting no. The city previously had no formal fee structure to cover the cost of required health inspections at stores, bars, and restaurants.

The council imposed 45-day freezes on new applications for both medical marijuana dispensaries and tobacco shops while the city develops permanent regulations. Both moratoriums passed unanimously to give staff time to review current rules.

A $100,000 state grant was accepted to hire Fehr & Peers consultants to create the city's first comprehensive bicycle plan. The plan will study current bike infrastructure and recommend new bike lanes and paths throughout Richmond.

The council voted to explore sending emergency relief to Haiti following the devastating earthquake and formally oppose the federal closure of Station A Post Office on Broadway Avenue. The city joined a state program offering property owners low-cost loans for solar panels and energy upgrades through their property tax bills."}