Tuesday, June 5, 2007

The council approved an $80 million agreement with Richmond Civic Center Partners for Civic Center Phase 1B construction, passing 6-2 with Mayor McLaughlin and Butt voting no. The council also hired Mack5 as project manager for the construction, approved 5-2 with McLaughlin and Bates dissenting.

A new law describing the city's eminent domain program for redevelopment projects was approved 6-1, with only Mayor McLaughlin voting against. The ordinance formally outlines how the redevelopment agency can acquire private property for public projects when owners refuse to sell.

The council approved 5 routine items on consent, including purchasing 4 self-checkout machines for Richmond Public Library at $68,496. Other consent items included expanding the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and setting wages for a new Recreation Director position.

Several personnel matters were approved, including adding a Recreation Director position to the city's job classifications and adjusting wages for the Code Enforcement Manager. The council also appointed Gloria Vasquez-Alvarez to the Human Relations/Human Rights Commission.

A labor agreement for the Civic Center construction project was approved to establish wage rates and work rules for union workers. Discussion of an appeal for a denied housing development at San Pablo Dam Road was continued to a future meeting.