Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The council rejected spending $669,000 from a legal settlement related to the 2007 Cosco Busan oil spill that leaked 58,000 gallons of fuel into San Francisco Bay. No vote details were provided for this failed measure.

A new law limiting political donations from developers seeking city permits was approved 5-1, with Tom Bates voting no. The law aims to prevent conflicts of interest when city officials vote on development projects.

The council approved 11 routine items on consent, including a $3 million construction contract for the Port's Riggers Loft project and $7.3 million in leftover funds for Port capital projects. Other notable consent items included $50,000 for the Richmond Main Street Initiative and $6,000 for the Port Executive Director to travel to China for business development.

Several grant agreements were approved unanimously, including $343,291 for the Lifeline Transportation Program that provides discounted bus passes to low-income residents. The council also accepted $300,000 in federal mental health grant spending and $28,627 for a sobriety checkpoint program.

A 5-year agreement with Richmond Art Center for $375,000 annually was approved unanimously to formalize the city's funding relationship. The council also approved hiring D & H Landscaping to maintain Point Molate grounds for $99,000.

Two governance changes were approved: repealing the law that banned solicitation from people in vehicles and updating rules for removing abandoned vehicles from city property. Discussion of priority pavement repairs for four city streets was continued without a vote.