Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The council approved a $2.6 million contract with the school district for police officers at Richmond schools as part of 16 routine items on consent. The consent calendar also included $573,395 and $139,494 in federal law enforcement grants and a $300,000 contract with a crime lab to process police evidence.

A $100,000 increase to the legal contract for Point Molate Navy transfer documents was approved 5-2, with Butt and McLaughlin voting no. The contract with Paul Hastings law firm has now grown from $470,000 to $570,000 through multiple amendments.

The council approved returning $1.9 million in leftover construction funds and reimbursing $5 million in unforeseen costs for the Civic Center project, passing 4-2 with Butt and Lopez voting no. The project was completed using Redevelopment Agency funds.

A 230-unit Miraflores housing development with creek restoration was approved 6-1, with McLaughlin voting no. The project includes 80 affordable senior apartments and 150 single-family homes on contaminated land near Baxter Creek.

The council voted to ban medical marijuana dispensaries citywide and created new regulations for alcohol sales with window and inspection requirements. They also approved reconsidering adding a movable bulkhead to the Richmond Natatorium renovation project.