Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The council approved 8 routine items on consent, including a $35,000 delegation trip for Councilmember Bates to visit sister cities in China and Japan. Other notable approvals included raising the City Clerk salary to $10,500 per month plus a $24,000 bonus and increasing garbage bill late fees from $30 to $45.

The council authorized $125,000 per year contracts with qualified grant writing consultants to help city departments secure funding. They also approved contract increases for Wesco Graphics by $15,000 to print recreation guides and for Straight Talk on Prison by $55,000 for youth job training programs.

A lease amendment with Alcatraz Cruise for Point Potrero Marine Terminal dock space will generate $60,000 in annual revenue for the city. The council also proclaimed October 19, 2013 as Richmond's official Arbor Day.

Ten major items were continued to future meetings, including a $25 million bond for affordable housing repairs, discussions about alcohol billboard bans near schools, and updates on the Richmond Bay Campus Project. Other postponed items included greenhouse gas reduction requirements for the Chevron refinery project and fee reductions for residential solar panel permits.