Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The council rejected an attempt to overrule Mayor McLaughlin's decision to send two agenda items to the Human Rights Commission. The motion failed 4-3, with Boozé, Bates, and Butt voting to bring the items back for direct council consideration.

The council approved giving the police chief authority to decline mutual aid requests for civil unrest response in other cities. The measure passed 5-2, with Boozé and Bates voting no.

The council voted down changes to public testimony rules at Planning Commission meetings for General Plan proposals. The reform aimed to ensure all residents could speak on major zoning decisions but failed with Boozé and Bates opposing.

The council accepted a $313,036 grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and extended the shuttle service contract with TransMetro Inc. The council also approved a 3.17% increase in garbage collection rates to match inflation.

The council approved 3 routine items on consent, including $150,000 in upgrades to KCRT public access TV equipment and hiring a law firm to draft an appeals court brief against BNSF Railway for $25,000."}