Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Presiding: Mayor Irma L. Anderson · Called to order: 7:13 p.m. · 7 items · 16 votes · 13 public comments
What happened
- Heard proposal to hire planning firm to update Richmond's General Plan for $1.6 million.
- Approved 8 routine consent items including $338,998 federal grant for fire department equipment.
- Approved $111,375 contract with Ross Recreation for playground equipment at La Moine Park.
- Approved charging property owners for city cleanup of neglected lots and buildings.
- Approved reducing time limit for construction permits from 2 years to 1 year.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(3 items)
Reduce time limit for completing permitted construction projects from 2 years to 1 year
In Plain English
The city currently gives property owners 730 days to finish construction after getting a building permit. The new law cuts this to 365 days and reduces extensions from 2 to 1. If approved, developers must complete projects faster or risk losing their permits.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Include language that states the revocation of a building permit for projects with square footage of 100,000 and over shall be appealed to the City Council at the end of 365 days, and pass first reading
7 to 0
Hold strategic planning session to identify Council priorities for 2006
In Plain English
The city council wants to meet separately from regular meetings to discuss and agree on their main goals for the coming year. This planning session helps council members focus their time and the city's resources on shared priorities. If approved, the session provides residents with clearer direction on what the council plans to accomplish.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Appoint a committee that includes Vice Mayor Viramontes, Councilmembers Bates, and Thurmond
Change council meeting structure and add rebuttal time for public hearings
In Plain English
The Rules Committee wants to reorganize how city council meetings run. They also propose letting people who appeal planning decisions or apply for permits speak twice during hearings. Currently, speakers get one chance to address the council during public comment periods.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to make changes to meeting procedures
7 to 0
Follow the Planning Commission format for public hearings: eight minute presentation for the appellant and the applicant, two minutes for all others, hear all proponents at the same time and all of the opponents at the same time
7 to 0
Appointments(2 items)
Appoint council members to city committees and regional boards
In Plain English
The mayor assigns council members to serve on various committees that handle specific city business like budget planning and public safety. Council members also represent Richmond on regional boards that coordinate services across multiple cities. These appointments determine which council members will focus on different policy areas for the coming year.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the Mayor's appointments
8 to 0
Elect a vice mayor for 2006
In Plain English
The city council chooses one of its members to serve as vice mayor for the year. The vice mayor runs meetings when the mayor is absent and represents the city at events. This is a yearly tradition that rotates among council members.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Elect Councilmember Maria Viramontes as Vice Mayor for 2006
8 to 0
Contracts(2 items)
Hire planning firm to update Richmond's General Plan for $1.6 million
In Plain English
The city's General Plan guides all future development and zoning decisions. Richmond's current plan needs updating to reflect modern growth patterns and community needs. If approved, Moore Iacofano Goltsman will spend 18 months rewriting this master planning document.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Contract with Ross Recreation for $111,375 playground equipment at La Moine Park
In Plain English
The city plans to install new playground equipment and rubber surfacing at La Moine Park. The 6-month contract runs from January through June 2006. If approved, the total cost is $111,375.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the contract
8 to 0
Public Safety(1 item)
Charge property owners for city cleanup of neglected lots and buildings
In Plain English
The city performed cleanups, inspections, and building boarding on certain properties whose owners failed to maintain them. Property owners now owe the city for these services plus administrative fines. If approved, these costs become special assessments added to property tax bills until paid in full.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Refer the following individuals present at the meeting to staff for resolution: De Wanda Joseph, Ernestine Martin, George Shers, Daphne Primes, and Virginia Burleigh, and adopt Resolution No. 13-06 for Lot Cleanup Notifications, and Resolution No. 14-06 for Administrative Citations
8 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.