Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 6:17 p.m. · 14 items · 12 votes · 18 public comments
What happened
- Rejected pavement repair contract with Bay Cities Paving for Area B streets 5-3 (Bates, Rogers, Thurmond dissenting).
- Failed to advance ballot measure taxing employers with few Richmond residents 2-5 with many abstentions.
- Approved ban on large-capacity gun magazines 7-1 (Bates dissenting) and required reporting stolen firearms 7-1.
- Approved pavement contract with Top Grade Construction for Area A and $50,000 for Gilman Street sports lighting.
- Approved 1 routine consent item appointing new Youth Commission members.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(4 items)
Pause all new cell tower and wireless facility applications temporarily
In Plain English
The city wants to stop accepting new applications for cell towers, small cell antennas, and other wireless equipment while it updates its rules. Current wireless facilities can continue operating normally. If approved, no new wireless projects can be submitted until the city finishes revising its approval process.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt the Urgency Ordinance with amendment to Section nine requiring petitions for relief be heard by Planning Department and appealable to City Council
8 to 0
Ban possession of large-capacity gun magazines
In Plain English
The city would make it illegal to own ammunition magazines that hold more than a certain number of rounds. This is the first of two required votes before the law takes effect. If approved, residents who own these magazines would need to remove them from the city or face penalties.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Said ordinance received first reading and laid over for four weeks for second reading
6 to 1
Require gun owners to report lost or stolen firearms to police
In Plain English
Richmond currently has no law requiring gun owners to report when firearms go missing. The new law would make it mandatory to notify police when guns are lost or stolen. If approved, gun owners who fail to report missing weapons could face penalties.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Said ordinance received first reading and laid over for four weeks for second reading
7 to 1
Support state constitutional amendment to limit eminent domain powers
In Plain English
ACA8 would change California's constitution to give homeowners, small businesses, and churches stronger protection when government wants to take private property. The city cannot use eminent domain to seize property just for economic development projects. If approved, Richmond formally endorses this proposed constitutional amendment.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Budget(2 items)
Set May and June deadlines for city budget process
In Plain English
The city currently has no formal deadlines for when the budget must be submitted and approved each year. This law requires the city manager to submit the budget by the first Tuesday in May. The city council must then adopt the final budget by June 30.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Said ordinance received first reading and laid over for two weeks for second reading
8 to 0
Discuss ballot measure to tax employers with few Richmond residents
In Plain English
The city is considering a November 2008 ballot measure that would tax employers who don't hire enough Richmond residents. This would create a new revenue source while encouraging businesses to hire locally. If approved by voters, companies not meeting minimum local hiring requirements would pay additional taxes to the city.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to research and bring back a proposal for a payroll tax and tax credit for hiring Richmond residents
2 to 2
Contracts(2 items)
Award pavement repair contract to Top Grade Construction for Area A
In Plain English
The city needs to repair deteriorated streets in a section called Area A. Top Grade Construction submitted the winning bid for this work. The contract covers resurfacing roads that have reached the end of their useful life.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Award construction contract to Top Grade Construction in the amount of $5,397,778.00
8 to 0
Award pavement repair contract to Bay Cities Paving for Area B streets
In Plain English
The city plans to repave streets in Area B as part of its 2007 pavement rehabilitation program. Bay Cities Paving and Grading won the construction contract through the bidding process. The work will repair deteriorated street surfaces to improve driving conditions and extend pavement life.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Award construction contract to Bay Cities Paving and Grading, Inc. in the amount of $1,911,793.40
4 to 3
Public Safety(1 item)
Receive police report on rising violence and give direction to department
In Plain English
The police department will present data on recent violent crime trends in Richmond. City council members can then direct the department on specific strategies or priorities. This gives residents insight into public safety challenges and how the city plans to respond.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
(1) convene a meeting of non-profit organizations to develop a short-term plan to reach out to those who are likely to commit a violent act, (2) work with youth to develop a one-Richmond campaign, (3) City Council take personal responsibility for working with the City Council and the police chief and anyone interested in working in an oversight group to continue to have dialogue about how we move solutions forward until we have a coordinator for the Office of Neighborhood Safety
Refer this matter to the city manager to review and discuss and come back with a plan to implement that deals with the violence in Richmond
7 to 0
Accept the original motion without the friendly amendment, and give direction to staff to look at opportunities for job training
Infrastructure(2 items)
Receive status report on speed bumps installed on Costa Avenue
In Plain English
The city installed speed bumps on the 2200 block of Costa Avenue to slow traffic. Staff will update the council on how the installation went and whether the speed bumps are working as intended.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $50,000 to install sports field lighting at Gilman Street
In Plain English
The city plans to use existing capital improvement funds to add lights to sports fields on Gilman Street. If approved, teams and leagues can play games and hold practices after dark. The lighting installation helps maximize use of city athletic facilities during evening hours.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approved using $50,000 from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget
8 to 0
Housing(1 item)
Provide emergency funding to Greater Richmond Interfaith Program for homeless services
In Plain English
The Greater Richmond Interfaith Program runs local homeless support services but faces an immediate funding shortfall. The organization provides shelter, meals, and other assistance to people experiencing homelessness in Richmond. If approved, the city covers emergency costs to keep these services running.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approved a $50,000 matching grant and authorized the Mayor to assist GRIP with writing letters to all the relevant people to gather support
8 to 0
Personnel(1 item)
Revise pay scales and create new job classifications for city engineers
In Plain English
The city is updating how much it pays engineers and creating new engineering job titles. Current pay scales may not be competitive with other employers. If approved, the city can better recruit and retain engineering staff for projects like road repairs and water system maintenance.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Said ordinances received first reading and laid over for two weeks for second reading
8 to 0
Zoning(1 item)
Deny General Plan amendment for 327 South 4th Street property
In Plain English
A property owner requested permission to change how their land at 327 South 4th Street can be used under city zoning rules. The city planning staff recommends rejecting this request. If denied, the property must continue operating under its current zoning restrictions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.