Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The council approved 24 routine items on consent, including a $55,000 architect contract to rebid the Richmond Natatorium renovation project and several new city positions with salaries ranging from $64,000 to $106,000.

A proposed Bay Trail project as part of the Long Wharf lease renewal was voted down. The trail would have offset environmental impacts from the waterfront facility lease, but the council rejected the proposal.

The council approved charging property owners $39,132 for unpaid lot cleanup and building repairs, plus $43,927 in unpaid code violation fines by adding these debts to property tax bills. Both measures passed to collect money the city spent on cleaning up blighted properties.

The council approved overturning the Planning Commission's decision to restrict Wingstop Restaurant's alcohol sales hours. The restaurant can now serve alcohol beyond the original 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. limit, with Lopez and McLaughlin abstaining from the vote.

The council banned curb painting services that demand payment from homeowners who never requested the work. Companies had been painting address numbers on curbs and then billing surprised property owners.

Discussion of a hazardous materials transportation law for trains passing through Richmond and review of the March 9 community forum on city permitting were both continued to future meetings.