Tuesday, December 6, 2005

The council approved a $200,000 loan to new Police Chief Christopher Magnus to help him buy a house in Richmond while selling his current home in Fargo. The loan was approved unanimously along with setting the Police Chief salary range at $83,784 to $155,504 annually.

The council urged Governor Schwarzenegger to grant clemency to Stanley Williams, who was sentenced to death for murders in 1979 but later wrote children's books against gang violence. The measure passed 6-1 with Viramontes voting no and Marquez abstaining.

Salaries for five city director positions were set in a 6-1 vote with McLaughlin opposed. The positions include Library and Community Services, Planning and Building Services, Information Technology, Public Works Operations, and City Engineer.

The council approved 11 routine items on consent, including purchasing debt management software from Sympro for $159,066 and accepting a $148,634 state grant for police operations. A house lease for $24,000 to help youth leaving foster care was also approved.

Several public safety discussions occurred without votes, including presentations on anti-violence programs, police foot patrols, and network surveillance technology. Discussion of creating an internal audit program and requiring tobacco retailer licenses was continued to future meetings.