Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 5:07 p.m. · 9 items · 10 votes · 8 public comments
What happened
- Rejected two ballot measures to expand utility taxes to gas users and industrial customers.
- Approved 5 routine items including $1.06 million payment to Auto Warehousing Company for development work.
- Approved $17,152 contract with Motorola for new base radios and $10,000 for shoreline festival.
- Heard plans for using $600,000 in federal homelessness prevention funds and BART station development.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Housing(1 item)
Direct staff to create plan for using $599,735 federal homelessness prevention funds
In Plain English
The federal government awarded Contra Costa County $599,735 to prevent homelessness in Richmond and other cities. The county needs Richmond's help to decide how to spend this money effectively. If approved, city staff works with county officials to create a spending plan for rental assistance, utility help, and other services that keep people housed.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Budget(4 items)
Acknowledge receipt of proposed 2009-2010 city budget and 5-year capital plan
In Plain English
The city manager has delivered the proposed annual budget for the upcoming fiscal year plus a 5-year plan for major infrastructure projects. This acknowledgment is a formal procedural step before budget hearings begin. The city council will review spending priorities and make changes before final approval.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Acknowledge receipt of the proposed Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Annual Operating Budget and proposed Fiscal Year 2009-2014 Five-Year Capital Improvement Budget
Ask voters to expand utility tax to cover all gas usage and industrial users
In Plain English
Richmond's utility tax currently exempts some large industrial users and certain types of gas consumption. The proposed ballot measure closes these loopholes so all residents and businesses pay the same tax rate based on actual usage. If approved by voters, the city collects more revenue from utility bills.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt the resolution with an amendment to the language that reads 'Shall the City of Richmond amend the Utility Users' Tax Ordinance to eliminate the provision that allows large industrial users to pay a lower tax rate and require them to pay the same rate as other tax payers for utility use' and direct the city attorney to capture as much of the statement as legally possible
6 to 0
Approve Items G-3 and G-4 as two separate ballot measures for the November 2010 election
Submit ballot measure requiring all utility users pay tax based on actual usage
In Plain English
Currently, large industrial users pay utility taxes differently than residents and small businesses. The proposed ballot measure would make all users pay the same way based on their actual utility consumption. If voters approve in November 2010, large industrial users would pay taxes calculated on their real electricity, gas, and water usage rather than the current method.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt the resolution with an amendment to the language that reads 'Shall the City of Richmond amend the Utility Users' Tax Ordinance to eliminate the provision that allows large industrial users to pay a lower tax rate and require them to pay the same rate as other tax payers for utility use' and direct the city attorney to capture as much of the statement as legally possible
6 to 0
Approve Items G-3 and G-4 as two separate ballot measures for the November 2010 election
Allocate $10,000 to fund North Richmond Shoreline Open Space Festival
In Plain English
The city plans to contribute $10,000 toward a festival celebrating the North Richmond shoreline open space area scheduled for September 26, 2009. The funding supports community events that promote local environmental areas. If approved, this expense gets added to the city's annual operating budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the allocation with the condition that none of the money can be used for political purposes
5 to 0
Environment(2 items)
Apply for federal energy grant to support Greenprint environmental program
In Plain English
The city wants to seek federal stimulus funding from the Department of Energy for its Greenprint initiative. Staff will work with Glen Price to prepare the application. The city also plans to ask Congressman Miller to include this project in upcoming transportation legislation.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the item
6 to 0
Receive update on Chevron Hydrogen Renewal Project construction status
In Plain English
Chevron is building a hydrogen production facility at its Richmond refinery. City staff will report on construction permits issued so far and upcoming construction phases. The update covers whether Chevron is following required environmental protections and permit conditions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Receive the update of the Chevron Hydrogen Renewal Project
Contracts(1 item)
Formalize 2007 approval of environmental review consulting contracts
In Plain English
The city approved contracts in July 2007 for environmental consultants to review development projects under state law. Each consultant can receive up to $400,000 per project over 3 years. The city now needs to create a formal written record of this earlier approval.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the item with a technical revision to change Steve Hurst's service area to artist
Delete obsolete individuals and direct staff to provide justification of individuals that are of concern to the Councilmembers and allow staff to provide an updated list on May 19, 2009
5 to 0
Zoning(1 item)
Discuss ways to better use empty land near Richmond BART station
In Plain English
Large areas of land around the Richmond BART station sit empty or underused despite the prime transit location. The city council wants to explore options like new housing, retail, or office development. Better land use near BART could bring more residents, businesses, and tax revenue to Richmond.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.