Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Presiding: Mayor Tom Butt · Called to order: 7:13 p.m. · 7 items · 16 votes · 12 public comments
What happened
- Approved 5-year contract with Taser for 160 body cameras and stun guns 6-1 (Martinez dissenting).
- Approved 10 routine items including $1.8 million Richmond-Ohlone Greenway contract and police vehicle equipment.
- Approved exempting Richmond residents from tow fees for stolen vehicles recovered in the city.
- Approved endorsing Proposition 55 to extend state funding for schools and healthcare.
- Scheduled public hearing on 20-year oil pipeline franchise for SFPP.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(1 item)
Sign 5-year contract with Taser for 160 body cameras and stun guns
In Plain English
Police officers currently lack body cameras to record interactions with residents. The contract provides 160 body cameras, 160 stun guns, and software to store video evidence. If approved, officers wear cameras during shifts and the city can review footage when complaints arise.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To approve the contract
To hold the item over until the Police Department identified a funding source or budget cut to offset the expenditure
To approve the contract with the stipulation that the City Council does not approve a future budget that reduces $190,000 from another department
To approve the contract with the stipulation that the City Council will not add an additional $190,000 to the budget as a result of the contract expenditure
6 to 1
Governance(5 items)
Schedule public hearing on 20-year oil pipeline franchise for SFPP
In Plain English
The city plans to grant SFPP permission to operate oil pipes under city streets for the next 20 years. A public hearing on December 6 will allow residents to comment before the city council makes this decision. The franchise controls how the company can use public right-of-way for their pipeline infrastructure.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Exempt Richmond residents from tow fees for stolen vehicles recovered in the city
In Plain English
Residents currently pay towing and storage fees when police recover their stolen cars, even though they are crime victims. If approved, Richmond residents no longer pay these charges when their registered vehicles are stolen and found within city limits. This policy change removes financial burden from theft victims.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To adopt Resolution No. 98-16
7 to 0
Endorse Proposition 55 to extend state funding for schools and healthcare
In Plain English
Proposition 55 appears on the November 2016 state ballot and would extend California's temporary tax increases on high earners. The measure funds K-12 schools and community colleges statewide. If the city endorses this measure, it takes an official position supporting the proposition but does not change any local policies or spending.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To adopt Resolution No. 99-16
7 to 0
Create rules for bike and pedestrian use of San Francisco Bay Trail
In Plain English
The city's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee wants new rules for the San Francisco Bay Trail portion that runs through Richmond. The trail currently serves walkers, joggers, cyclists, and other users without specific guidelines. If approved, staff will draft an ordinance establishing rules for how different groups can safely share the trail space.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To direct staff to prepare proposed ordinance
7 to 0
Amend cannabis cultivation law to encourage Richmond resident ownership
In Plain English
The city's current cannabis cultivation rules don't require or encourage local resident involvement in ownership. This change would add language promoting Richmond residents as owners or partners in cannabis growing businesses. If approved, future cannabis cultivation permits would favor applicants who include local residents in their ownership structure.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To direct staff to bring back language within 60 days amending RMC Chapter 7.102
6 to 0
Environment(1 item)
Urge Congress to create national carbon tax with revenue returned to taxpayers
In Plain English
The city wants to formally ask Congress to tax carbon emissions nationwide. Under this approach, companies pay fees for pollution but all tax revenue gets returned to citizens as rebates. Richmond cannot create carbon taxes itself since only federal government controls interstate commerce.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To adopt Resolution No. 100-16
7 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.