Tuesday, December 20, 2022

51 items · 11 votes · 11 public comments

What happened

The council voted down a $40,000 expansion of the homelessness plan contract with Homebase, rejecting 3-4 with Jimenez, Martinez, and Butt voting no. The original $100,000 contract from 2021 took longer than expected due to careful recruitment of a diverse steering committee.

A $89,000 increase for bikeway construction was approved 6-1, with Bates dissenting. The protected bike lanes project along Cutting Boulevard faced delays from railroad permits and design changes. Residents raised concerns about bicycle lanes and construction agreement amendments during public comment.

The council failed to appoint 2 new Design Review Board members in a 3-2 vote, with Jimenez and McLaughlin opposing. The council approved allowing a 4th cannabis retailer license unanimously, with residents discussing cannabis social equity programs and license caps during public comment.

Several contracts passed unanimously, including $50,000 to pay 5 local climate groups for grant paperwork and $78,000 to hire a firm for citywide resident surveys in 2023 and 2025. The council also approved a $250,000 increase for the legal defense contract with Allen Glaessner law firm.

The council approved routine items on consent, including a spending plan for former redevelopment agency obligations. They also adopted the updated 2022 California Fire Code and added $771,000 in unpaid code violation fines to property tax bills.

Auto-summarized from official minutes and vote records

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Attendance

Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Claudia Jimenez(Present)
Demnlus Johnson III(Present)
Gayle McLaughlin(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Tom Butt(Present)
Nat Bates(Present)
51 items · 1 consent
TopIncrease bikeway construction contract by $89,000 due to unforeseen conditions
Passed 6-15 speakersPolice & Community Safety
Consider allowing a 4th cannabis retailer license in Richmond
Passed 6-03 speakersCannabis
Appoint 2 new Design Review Board members
Failed 3-21 speakerDesign Review Board
Hire firm to conduct citywide resident surveys in 2023 and 2025
Passed 7-01 speakerCommunity Survey Contract
Receive report on plan to address state auditor's financial management recommendations
1 speakerPolice & Community Safety
Expand contract for homelessness plan by $40,000, extend through June 2023
Failed 3-3Housing & Homelessness
Pay 5 local groups $10,000 each for climate grant paperwork
Passed 5-1Environmental Justice
Discuss workers' compensation claims from police officer in closed session
Police & Community Safety
Continue allowing virtual participation in housing authority meetings
Housing & Homelessness
Increase legal defense contract by $250,000 for personal injury lawsuits
Passed 7-0Legal Services Contract
Amend City Manager contract to change retirement and benefit payments
Police & Community Safety
Extend IT contract for city's financial software system through June 2024
City Computer System
Accept $3,000 grant to fund National Drive Electric Week event
Electric Vehicle Programs
Appoint Lucy Williams to Commission on Aging
Commission on Aging
Appoint Philena Cosby to Housing Advisory Commission
Housing Advisory Commission
Appoint Samantha Torres to Recreation and Parks Commission
Recreation and Parks Commission
Increase contract with STAND! domestic violence services by $150,000
Police & Community Safety
Purchase police dog to replace recently retired canine for $18,018
Police & Community Safety
Approve 3-year contract for police officer mental health app
Police & Community Safety
Hire counseling group to support police mental health and critical incidents
Police & Community Safety
Buy $184,000 sleeper trailer for exhausted police officers
Police & Community Safety
Apply for $2.7 million in federal grants for 2 bike and pedestrian safety projects
Police & Community Safety
Purchase replacement aerial boom truck for electrical work
Fleet Replacement
Approve 3-year contract for replacement streetlight and traffic signal poles
Streetlight Infrastructure
Hire Julian Tree Care for $30,000 to remove trees at Point Molate Beach Park
Point Molate
Accept November 2022 election results
Political Statements
Continue virtual meetings for city council and other legislative bodies
Police & Community Safety
Approve holiday schedule canceling 2 meetings and setting swearing-in ceremony
Council Meeting Schedule
Acknowledge state law limiting floating home berth rent increases to 5% annually
Floating Home Rent Protection
Approve $325,000 in grants for community programs and nonprofits
Environmental Justice
Release grant applications for youth programs funded by Richmond Kids First
Police & Community Safety
Receive presentation on city department accomplishments from 2022
2022 Accomplishments
Contract with Housing Consortium to help Castro encampment residents find permanent housing
Housing & Homelessness
Increase tax preparation contract by $15,250 for nonprofit corporation
Tax Preparation Contract
Hire RCF Connects to create housing programs for homeless residents
Housing & Homelessness
Move $25,500 from last year's budget to pay for osprey sculpture project
Osprey Bird Sculpture
Increase security contract at Port Terminal One by $210,000 through 2024
Terminal 1 & the Port
Approve $1-per-month lease with Men and Women of Valor for North Richmond community center
Police & Community Safety
Accept $451,000 from housing developer to fund Giant Road sound barrier mural
Giant Road Mural
Receive monthly financial reports showing city investments and overtime costs
Labor & City Workers
Contract with ClearGov for $42,100 to modernize city budget book creation
Budget Book Publishing
Expand contract with NHA Advisors for municipal finance consulting by $100,000
NHA Advisors Contract
Approve $46,267 sole-source contract with Stryker Medical for fire equipment maintenance
Emergency Medical Equipment
Hire Excel ADR to manage alternative workers' compensation program for firefighters
Police & Community Safety
Create director of economic development position and reorganize management roles
Police & Community Safety
Approve alternative process for firefighter workers' compensation disputes
Firefighter Workers' Compensation
Adopt updated 2022 California Fire Code with local safety amendments
Passed 6-0Fire Prevention Code
Add unpaid code violation fines totaling $771,000 to property tax bills
Passed 6-0Police & Community Safety
Receive presentation on switching city vehicles to electric fleet
Electric Vehicle Fleet
Receive presentation from West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council
Fire Safe Council
Receive update from Contra Costa Transportation Authority on programs and future plans
Transportation Authority

Approved as a group without individual discussion.

W.2.cCity Council Meeting Minutes