Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Presiding: Mayor McLaughlin · Called to order: 6:05 p.m. · 5 items · 3 votes · 24 public comments
What happened
- Approved drafting law to license and tax large marijuana farms 5-2 (Bates, Viramontes dissenting).
- Approved advisory ballot measure on North Shoreline development 4-2 (Butt, McLaughlin dissenting, Rogers abstaining).
- Approved allowing sewer fees collection through property tax bills 6-1 (Viramontes dissenting).
- Approved 25 routine items including $771,000 software contract and $265,000 Psomas sewer mapping contract.
- Approved three marijuana-related measures: ballot measure for 10% business license fee and law allowing medical collectives.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Zoning(1 item)
Submit advisory ballot measure on North Shoreline development to voters
In Plain English
The city wants to ask Richmond voters whether they support adding low-intensity shops and recreation to the North Shoreline area. This advisory measure would appear on the November 2010 ballot. If voters approve, the city would then incorporate these commercial and recreational uses into its General Plan, which guides all future development decisions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Extend the meeting 15 minutes
Tabled the item
4 to 2
Governance(4 items)
Direct staff to draft law licensing and taxing large marijuana farms in industrial areas
In Plain English
The city currently has no rules for large marijuana growing operations. Staff would create a licensing system similar to Oakland's that allows big farms in industrial zones. These farms would supply the city's dispensaries, and the city would collect taxes from the operations.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Directed staff to research the idea of farming and investigate what Oakland has done as well as other cities that allow marijuana cultivation for presentation of a study session to the City Council in January 2011
5 to 2
Place ballot measure setting 10% business license fee for marijuana businesses
In Plain English
The city wants voters to decide on a special business license fee for marijuana businesses. If the ballot measure passes, these businesses pay 10% of their total sales to the city. The city council could later change this rate without another vote.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Set the business license tax rate at 5%, and adopted Resolution No. 98-10
Add new law allowing medical marijuana collectives to operate in Richmond
In Plain English
Richmond currently has no specific rules governing medical marijuana collectives. The new law creates a legal framework for these patient cooperatives to operate within city limits. If approved, collectives must follow specific regulations for location, security, and patient verification.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Limited marijuana collectives to three; the permit program will be administered by the Chief of Police or his/her designee; restrict marijuana dispensaries to C-3 zones only; require applicants to comply with a Request For Proposal (RFQ) competitive bid process; continue the restriction of dispensaries near parks, community centers, childcare centers, schools, etc.; require a lab or independent testing process for mold and other criteria, limit to 1 ounce of cannabis per day per collective or aggregate collectives; establish a security plan; and require a separate intake room
Adopt formal decision supporting California Jobs Budget
In Plain English
The state legislature is considering a budget proposal called the California Jobs Budget. The city council wants to formally endorse this state-level spending plan. If approved, Richmond joins other cities supporting this budget, though the formal decision has no direct impact on city services or spending.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 97-10
Budget(1 item)
Allow sewer fees to be collected through property tax bills
In Plain English
The city currently bills residents separately for sewer services. This change lets the county collect these fees along with property taxes. Property owners will see sewer charges added to their annual tax bill instead of receiving separate bills.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 96-10
6 to 1
Approved as a group without individual discussion.