Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The council approved placing a paramedic and public safety tax measure on the June 2010 ballot, passing 4-1 with Lopez voting no. The measure would fund emergency medical services and public safety programs if voters approve it.

A new fee on liquor stores to fund crime and nuisance response programs was approved 4-1, with Lopez again dissenting. The council also banned tobacco sales in drug stores with pharmacies, creating what they called a health conflict policy, passing 4-1 with Lopez voting no.

The council accepted a $400,000 state grant for gang violence prevention programs through the Office of Neighborhood Safety. They also approved unanimously leasing parking lot space to the Richmond Certified Farmers Market Association for weekly Friday markets on Barrett Avenue.

New rules restricting street digging after road resurfacing passed 5-1, with Butt voting no to protect newly paved streets from utility work. The council also approved unanimously declaring Richmond a Human Rights City to promote civil liberties and equality through local policies.

The council approved 1 routine item on consent, including accepting up to a $3 million state loan for city building energy upgrades."}