Tuesday, September 13, 2016

The council approved a 45-day emergency freeze on most evictions and rent increases in a close 4-3 vote, with Bates, Butt, and Pimplé voting no. The moratorium takes effect immediately without the usual public hearings because it's classified as urgent.

The council voted down a proposal to reestablish Finance and Public Safety committees by a 3-4 vote, with Beckles and Butt voting no and Myrick and Pimplé abstaining. The specialized committees would have allowed smaller groups to review budget decisions and police matters instead of handling everything in full council meetings.

The council approved 23 routine items on consent, including $600,000 in state grants for police community relations programs and $262,500 annually for violence reduction programs with local groups. Other notable approvals included $190,082 for urgent sewer line repairs and $110,000 for disability access improvements at Richmond Auditorium.

Two new members were appointed to the Point Molate Community Advisory Committee, and the council scheduled three public meetings for community input on redeveloping the former naval fuel depot site.