Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The council rejected a $200,000 contract with Richmond Main Street Initiative for downtown revitalization. The proposal failed 3-4, with McLaughlin, Beckles, and Ritterman voting no while Butt and Rogers abstained.

The council approved 9 routine items on consent, including a $294,000 shuttle service contract with Trans Metro to reduce air pollution. Other consent items included $163,000 for vegetation management at Point Molate and $40,690 for firefighter rope rescue training with CMC Rescue.

The council voted to write off $1.4 million in unpaid debts owed to the city. These old accounts for utilities, permits, and fines were deemed impossible to collect after repeated attempts.

A $45,000 contract with Solar Richmond for energy program marketing was approved 5-2, with Bates and Boozé voting no. The council also strengthened the city's anti-smoking law for apartments and condos 6-1, with only Bates dissenting.

The council extended a legal contract with Holland & Knight for Chevron project environmental review and approved increased property assessments for Marina Bay landscaping maintenance. Both measures passed 6-1 with Bates casting the lone no vote.