Tuesday, July 24, 2018

The council approved 16 routine items on consent, including a $339,000 contract with PES Environmental to clean up contaminated sites and $210,000 for food rescue programs. Other notable items included declaring a climate emergency and placing a luxury home transfer tax measure on the November ballot.

A development agreement for city-owned land near downtown was approved unanimously. SAA-EVI Richmond Partners will develop housing on the vacant property bounded by Nevin Avenue, Macdonald Avenue, and 11th and 13th Streets. All four speakers during public comment expressed support for the project.

The council received the annual report on the city's rent control program for 2017-18 but took no action. Five residents provided comments during the Rent Program Annual Report discussion. The program oversees rent control laws that limit annual rent increases.

Sewer service charges for 2018-19 were approved to be collected through property tax bills. The vote passed 6-0 with Beckles abstaining. The charges cover both sanitary sewer and stormwater fees for the fiscal year.