Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Presiding: Mayor McLaughlin · Called to order: 6:33 p.m. · 12 items · 7 votes · 26 public comments
What happened
- Approved fiscal agent agreement to manage $28.5 million Navy cleanup funds at Point Molate 4-1-2 (McLaughlin dissenting).
- Approved green building standards for new construction 5-1 (Bates dissenting).
- Approved 10 routine consent items including $4.4 million construction contract with Ghilotti Brothers.
- Approved daytime curfew law prohibiting students from public places during school hours.
- Approved policies to reduce violent crime through shoreline development and liquor store fees.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(4 items)
Increase legal contract by $95,000 for Point Molate Indian gaming advice
In Plain English
The city hired law firm Scharff, Brady & Vinding in 2024 to advise on Indian gaming issues at Point Molate for $7,500. Legal costs have exceeded expectations as gaming negotiations continue. If approved, the contract increases to $102,500 total, adding $95,000 in spending.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve contract amendment with SB&V
Create fiscal agent agreement to manage $28.5 million Navy environmental cleanup funds at Point Molate
In Plain English
The Navy allocated $28.5 million to clean up environmental contamination at the former Point Molate Naval Fuel Depot. The city needs a fiscal agent to receive and manage these federal cleanup funds on behalf of the developer. First American Fund Control will handle the money flow between all parties during the environmental remediation process.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the fiscal agent agreement
3 to 1
Purchase 2 Go-4 scooters for parking enforcement
In Plain English
The city plans to buy 2 new Go-4 Interceptor III scooters from Municipal Maintenance Equipment. These small vehicles help parking enforcement officers patrol neighborhoods and issue parking tickets more efficiently than walking or driving full-size vehicles.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the purchase of two Go-4 Interceptor III Scooters
Extend Point Molate development agreement through May 2010
In Plain English
The city has a development agreement with Upstream Point Molate LLC that includes monthly payments of $90,000. This extension continues the agreement for a third period until May 20, 2010. Point Molate is a waterfront area where the city is working with a developer on future projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Extend the Point Molate LDA with Upstream
3 to 1
Governance(6 items)
Require green building standards for new construction
In Plain English
Richmond currently has no mandatory environmental standards for new buildings. This law sets green building requirements for all new commercial and residential construction projects. If approved, developers must meet energy efficiency and sustainability standards when building in Richmond.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Ordinance No. 12-10 N.S. with correction to page 10, Section Three, effective May 15, 2010
5 to 1
Create appeals board to review building code decisions
In Plain English
The city currently has no formal way for property owners to challenge building department decisions on permits or code violations. The new board gives residents and contractors a path to appeal when they disagree with the Building Official's rulings. If approved, a 5-member board hears these disputes instead of forcing appeals into court.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Ordinance No. 14-10 N.S.
Support California Democracy Act to restore voting rights
In Plain English
The California Democracy Act aims to expand voting access and restore democratic processes statewide. The city wants Attorney General Jerry Brown to revise the official ballot language for this proposed state law. If approved, Richmond formally endorses this voting rights initiative and asks the state to improve how it describes the act to voters.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt the resolution
6 to 0
Express support for school district bond measure on June ballot
In Plain English
West Contra Costa Unified School District placed Measure D on the June 8, 2010 ballot to raise money for school repairs. The city council is considering a formal statement supporting this bond measure. If approved, the city publicly endorses the school funding proposal but does not commit city money.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 40-10
Repeal law limiting how many bingo games organizations can hold per week
In Plain English
Current city law caps the number of bingo games any organization can run each week. The city wants to remove this restriction entirely. If approved, nonprofits and other groups can host as many bingo games as they want without city limits.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the ordinance for first reading
Revise local hiring requirements for city contractors
In Plain English
Richmond requires contractors on city projects to hire local residents for a percentage of jobs. The current law needs updates to reflect changes in employment practices and federal regulations. If approved, contractors face new rules about documenting local hiring efforts and meeting revised percentage targets.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve ordinance for first reading
Appointments(1 item)
Appoint 3 council members to select lawyers for Point Molate cleanup and development
In Plain English
The city needs specialized legal help for environmental cleanup and future development at Point Molate, the former Navy fuel depot. This committee will interview and choose attorneys with expertise in contaminated site remediation and large development projects. The appointments formalize the selection process for hiring outside counsel.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the appointments
3 to 1
Public Safety(2 items)
Create daytime curfew law prohibiting students from public places during school hours
In Plain English
The city wants to make it illegal for school-age children to be in public places like parks, streets, or shopping areas during regular school hours. The law would include exceptions for emergencies, medical appointments, or when accompanied by parents. Police could stop students found in public during school time and potentially issue citations or return them to school.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the ordinance for first reading as presented
Approve the ordinance with Mayor McLaughlin's friendly amendment and an amendment to exempt first time offenders from any fines
Approve the ordinance with Mayor McLaughlin's friendly amendment
Direct staff to create policies reducing violent crime through shoreline development and liquor store fees
In Plain English
The city council wants staff to develop new policies targeting violent crime in two ways. One approach involves creating recreational opportunities along the shoreline to provide positive activities. The other involves charging fees to liquor stores that generate police calls or other problems.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Move the item as written (both parts a and b)
Approve part (b) of the item (fees for problem liquor stores)
Approve part (a) (shoreline development requirements)
4 to 1
Approved as a group without individual discussion.