Tuesday, October 18, 2016

The council approved a 5-year contract with Taser for 160 body cameras and 160 stun guns for police officers. The vote was 6-1, with Martinez voting no. Police currently lack body cameras to record interactions with residents.

The council approved 10 routine items on consent, including a $1.8 million contract to close a gap in the Richmond-Ohlone Greenway and $230,000 to outfit police vehicles with equipment. The consent calendar also increased the Richmond Museum reimbursement by $182,000 for Red Oak Victory ship improvements.

Residents will no longer pay tow fees when police recover their stolen vehicles in Richmond. The council approved unanimously to exempt Richmond residents from these charges, recognizing that they are crime victims.

The council approved unanimously several policy positions, including endorsing Proposition 55 to extend state funding for schools and healthcare. They also urged Congress to create a national carbon tax with revenue returned to taxpayers as rebates.

New rules were approved for bike and pedestrian use of the San Francisco Bay Trail portion running through Richmond. The council also amended cannabis cultivation laws to encourage Richmond resident ownership, with Pimplé abstaining from the vote.