Tuesday, January 20, 2026

The council required Mayor Eduardo Martinez to complete antisemitism training and issue a public apology after he shared social media posts containing antisemitic ideas. The measure passed 6-1, with Jamelia Brown voting no. 65 residents commented on this item, with speakers divided between supporting the restorative process and calling for formal censure.

A formal censure resolution against the mayor was introduced but received no vote. Vice Mayor Zepeda and Councilmember Brown sought to formally criticize the mayor for the same antisemitic social media conduct. Some speakers defended the mayor's support for Palestinian rights, while others emphasized the harm of antisemitic conspiracy theories to Jewish community safety.

The council elected Cesar Zepeda as vice mayor for 2026 in a 4-3 vote. Martinez, Brown, and Bana voted against the selection. The vice mayor fills in when the mayor is absent and represents him at events.

Several major contracts were approved, including $270,000 to On Duty Health for firefighter physicals over three years and a $30,000 increase to DCI Group for workplace investigations. The council also approved $780,000 in environmental payments to satisfy permit requirements for the Via Verdi slope stabilization project.

The council approved several community-focused items, including a celebration of life for Betty Reid Soskin at Richmond Auditorium during Black History Month and releasing applications for $715,000 in community grants from the Chevron settlement. They also supported the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment clean energy project and appointed new members to various city commissions.