Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Presiding: Mayor Eduardo Martinez · Called to order: 6:05 p.m. · 22 items · 10 votes · 10 public comments
What happened
- Rejected emergency resolution to censure Mayor Martinez despite unanimous 7-0 vote.
- Heard liability claim filed by Allwyn Brown against the city.
- Approved $4.4 million contract for 13th Street bike lane construction project.
- Approved contracts with 13 financial consulting firms to analyze real estate deals.
- Created community committee to guide Black Resiliency Project and awarded $50,000 in grants.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: AgendaAttendance
Contracts(13 items)
Increase design contracts by $110,000 and create Black Resiliency Project advisory committee
In Plain English
The city wants to add $110,000 to existing contracts with 2 design companies for citywide projects. Justin Page Design Co. gets $10,000 more for a $20,000 total. Folger Graphics gets $100,000 more for a $235,000 total. The city also creates a new community advisory committee for the Black Resiliency Project.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Expand 2 design and printing contracts by $110,000 for citywide use
In Plain English
The city currently has separate contracts with Folger Graphics ($135,000 for Recreation Department printing) and Justin Page Design ($10,000 for one project). This expands both contracts to serve all city departments and adds Spanish translation services. If approved, Folger Graphics increases to $235,000 and Justin Page Design to $20,000.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Authorize $500,000 contracts for on-call financial consulting services
In Plain English
The city needs expert financial analysis for housing projects, port operations, and economic development deals. Multiple departments currently lack in-house expertise for complex financial reviews. If approved, the city hires consulting firms as needed over 3 years instead of staffing full-time analysts.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Hire 13 financial consulting firms to analyze real estate deals and development projects
In Plain English
The city currently lacks quick access to financial experts when evaluating housing and commercial developments. If approved, 13 firms become available on-call to review developer proposals and negotiate property deals. Developers pay the consulting costs, not taxpayers.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Approve 3 contracts totaling $550,000 for Red Oak relocation planning and restaurant public art
In Plain English
The city plans to relocate the historic Red Oak tree and needs engineering studies costing $300,000. Separately, a new Allen Brothers restaurant must fund $250,000 in public art as part of its development agreement. If approved, artists create a mural and mosaic tabletops at the restaurant site.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Hire Liftech Consultants to plan relocation of SS Red Oak Victory ship museum
In Plain English
The WWII-era ship currently sits at Point Potrero Marine Terminal where few visitors can reach it. The Port wants to move it near the ferry terminal and Rosie the Riveter park for better public access. If approved, the $299,797 contract covers planning and preliminary design for a new dock to hold the historic vessel.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Hire 2 artists to create mural and mosaic tables at Allen Brothers restaurant
In Plain English
A private developer paid $250,000 for public art at the new Allen Brothers Steak and Seafood restaurant on West Cutting Boulevard. The city selected Hungry Ghost Productions to paint a 250-foot mural for $210,000 and Debra Koppman to create 8 mosaic tabletops for $40,000. The original mosaic artist withdrew after failing to get required contractor licensing.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Approve 3-year contract with Jet Dock Systems for fire boat lift repairs
In Plain English
The fire department's floating boat lift at Marina Bay needs repairs after 13 years of use and saltwater exposure. The lift allows firefighters to quickly deploy their rescue boat in about 3 minutes and keeps the vessel out of water when not in use. If approved, the contract costs up to $100,000 over 3 years with optional 2-year extension.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Award $50,000 in community grants and hire contractor to track local hiring compliance
In Plain English
The city awards grants annually from fees paid by developers under environmental agreements. 5 local organizations receive funding this year. The city also hires LCP Tracker for $28,000 to monitor whether businesses follow Richmond's requirements to hire local workers and use local contractors.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Award $50,000 in community grants to 5 local organizations
In Plain English
The city receives $90 million over 10 years from Chevron under a 2014 agreement, with $6 million set aside for community grants. This funding round gives Category 3 grants to organizations that applied for regular grants but were not initially selected. If approved, 5 organizations receive grants to support community programs and youth services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Contract with LCPtracker for software to monitor local hiring compliance
In Plain English
Richmond requires construction companies to hire local workers and use local businesses through 2 city laws. The city currently lacks a digital system to track whether companies follow these rules. If approved, this $28,000 contract provides web-based software to monitor compliance and generate reports.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Contract with 5 towing companies for city-wide rotational tow services
In Plain English
Police and Public Works need reliable towing for traffic accidents, abandoned cars, and crime scenes. The city currently lacks formal contracts with tow companies. If approved, 5 companies rotate towing duties equally, preventing favoritism and ensuring 24/7 coverage for $250,000 annually.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Approve $4.4 million contract for 13th Street bike lane construction project
In Plain English
The city plans to transform 13th Street from Harbour Way to Costa Avenue by removing 2 car lanes and adding protected bike lanes in both directions. The project also widens sidewalks and improves bus stops. If approved, the work costs $4.4 million using federal grants and city funds.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Governance(3 items)
Emergency Item - Resolution to Censure Mayor Martinez
Official Agenda Text
Votes
Motion to add an emergency item to adopt a resolution of the Richmond City Council formally censuring Mayor Eduardo Martinez for antisemitic conduct and for actions inconsistent with the duties and standards of the office, to be heard before approval of the Consent Calendar
7 to 0
Create community committee to guide Black Resiliency Project and Fund
In Plain English
The city approved $1.5 million in June 2025 to study conditions for Black residents and create a grant program. This committee guides how that money gets spent and ensures community input shapes the project. If approved, 11 residents join the committee to review grant applications and oversee the State of Black Richmond report.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Direct staff to draft law requiring fire-prone HOAs to allow non-combustible fences
In Plain English
Many Richmond neighborhoods in high fire risk areas have homeowners associations that currently require or prefer wooden fencing. Wooden fences act like fire ladders, helping flames spread between homes through wind-blown embers. If approved, staff studies new state fire safety laws and returns in 60 days with a draft requirement for these HOAs to update their rules allowing metal fencing.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Public Safety(2 items)
Approve $100,000 contract with Jet Dock Systems for fire department equipment
In Plain English
The fire department needs specialized dock systems for water rescue operations. The 3-year contract runs from 2026 through 2029 with optional 2-year extensions. If approved, total spending could reach $140,000 over 5 years for this sole-source provider.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve 3-year contracts with 5 towing companies for city vehicle services
In Plain English
The city needs towing services for police impounds, abandoned vehicles, and city fleet breakdowns. Five local companies will rotate handling calls under contracts worth up to $50,000 each per year. If approved, total annual towing costs reach $250,000 starting January 2026.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Litigation(1 item)
Review liability claim filed by Allwyn Brown against the city
In Plain English
Allwyn Brown filed a legal claim against Richmond for an unspecified incident. The city council discusses these claims in closed session to protect legal strategy. If the city rejects the claim, Brown can file a lawsuit within 6 months.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Infrastructure(1 item)
Approve $4.4 million contract for 13th Street Complete Street Project construction
In Plain English
The city selected Bauman Landscape and Construction to rebuild 13th Street with bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and improved crossings. The $4.4 million contract includes a 10% contingency fund for unexpected costs during construction. If approved, work begins on transforming 13th Street into a complete street design.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Budget(1 item)
Receive Port of Richmond financial overview report
In Plain English
The Port of Richmond operates independently from the city budget and funds itself through fees charged to ships and cargo plus rent from companies using port facilities. Port staff will present how they generate revenue, set shipping fees, and fund major infrastructure projects. The port handles car imports and cargo shipments as one of 5 public ports in the Bay Area.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Miscellaneous(1 item)
Receive independent evaluation of Richmond Fund for Children & Youth programs
In Plain English
The city contracted WestEd to evaluate how effectively $9.1 million in grants to 46 local organizations served Richmond children and families from 2021-2024. This represents the first complete review since voters approved the Richmond Kids First Initiative in 2018. The city charter requires regular independent evaluations to ensure grant money produces meaningful results for youth programs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.