Tuesday, November 28, 2023

28 items · 2 votes · 8 public comments

What happened

The council approved sending a letter asking Heritage Park apartments to cancel a 5% rent increase for seniors, with Jimenez and Martinez absent from the vote. Senior residents testified that the December 1 increase would force them to cut necessities like food and medication.

The city discussed allocating $8.6 million in federal COVID relief and Chevron settlement funds to cover project shortfalls including road repairs and building upgrades. Two residents spoke about the funding needs during public comment.

The council received a presentation on AC Transit's draft bus service redesign plans affecting Richmond routes. The transit agency is reducing service due to ridership dropping to 75% of pre-pandemic levels and ongoing driver shortages.

Staff presented plans to lease motels for temporary homeless housing using $8.6 million in state funding to move 115 homeless residents from freeway encampments. County shelters are at capacity, requiring alternative temporary housing solutions.

The council honored Diane Richwine for reviving Richmond's disaster preparedness program after it closed during COVID. She organized training classes that taught 20 residents skills like fire safety and search and rescue.

Auto-summarized from official minutes and vote records

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Attendance

Soheila Bana(Present)
Doria Robinson(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Cesar Zepeda(Present)
Gayle McLaughlin(Present)
Claudia Jimenez(Absent)
Eduardo Martinez(Absent)
28 items
TopSend letter asking Heritage Park apartments to cancel 5% rent increase for seniors
Passed 5-05 speakersRent Board & Tenants
Allocate $8.6 million in federal and Chevron funds to cover city project shortfalls
2 speakersEnvironmental Justice
Honor Diane Richwine for leading community emergency response training
1 speakerPolice & Community Safety
Discuss 2 ongoing lawsuits against the city in closed session
The Hilltop
Accept $50,000 state grant for free neighborhood dumpster days
Dump Days Program
Make annual contribution to Shuumi Land Tax supporting Indigenous land trust
Shuumi Land Tax
Issue formal proclamation recognizing Diwali Festival of Lights holiday
Police & Community Safety
Authorize staff to lease motels for temporary homeless housing
Housing & Homelessness
Add $1.1 million to housing assistance contract with Richmond Community Foundation
Housing First Programs
Review monthly investment and overtime reports for September 2023
Labor & City Workers
Hire firm to audit businesses and verify tax payments
Police & Community Safety
Change business tax due date from July 1 to April 1 and add 30-day grace period
Business Tax
Receive annual report on developer fees collected from new construction projects
Police & Community Safety
Receive quarterly spending report and approve $2.4 million in budget adjustments
Quarterly Budget Report
Add 4 firefighter positions and upgrade 2 staff roles in other departments
Labor & City Workers
Authorize agreements with 2 tech vendors for emergency communications repairs
Police & Community Safety
Extend audio/video maintenance contract for City Council chambers through December 2024
Council Chambers Technology
Receive draft report on Community Crisis Response Program model options
Police & Community Safety
Apply for up to $700,000 state grant to fund outdoor programs for Richmond youth
Youth & Community Programs
Join PG&E program to upgrade electrical infrastructure for city vehicle charging stations
Police & Community Safety
Update spending plan for North Richmond cleanup fees collected from waste facility
Police & Community Safety
Appoint Melissa Garvey to Urban Forest Advisory Committee
Urban Forest Committee
Extend police phone data extraction tool contract through 2026
Police & Community Safety
Approve $25,000 software contract to digitally track police training records
Police & Community Safety
Purchase police dog and 8-week training to replace retiring canine
Police & Community Safety
Fix clerical error in animal services agreement payment formula
Police & Community Safety
Increase cannabis retail permits and add delivery-only licenses
Cannabis
Receive presentation on AC Transit's draft bus service redesign plans
AC Transit Routes
P.1.aCity Council Meeting MinutesP.10.aAbatement Report from the Public Works Director