Tuesday, July 30, 2013

The council approved $2 million in contract increases for Point Molate cleanup and demolition work as part of the consent calendar. The council also accepted a $4 million state grant application for Miraflores senior housing infrastructure and increased a law firm contract by $75,000 for environmental legal work.

A proposal to ban criminal background checks by city contractors during hiring passed 6-1, with Butt voting no. The policy prevents contractors from asking about criminal history until after making a conditional job offer.

The council approved moving a medical marijuana permit to a new location on South 2nd Street in a 5-2 vote, with Boozé and Rogers opposing. Richmond Compassionate Care will relocate their collective to a different commercial zone.

Several community improvement projects received approval, including $50,000 in grants to 11 local nonprofits and a $300,000 transit grant to expand shuttle services with TransMetro Inc. The council also approved a new restroom building for Booker T. Anderson Park and park improvements along the Richmond Greenway.

A 45-day moratorium on new Cash for Gold businesses passed unanimously while the city studies stronger regulations. Discussion of investigating hazardous conditions at the Chevron refinery was continued to a future meeting."}