Tuesday, July 12, 2005

The council approved a one-time employee bonus using state vehicle fee refunds, passing unanimously with Butt abstaining. California refunded vehicle license fees the city previously paid, and staff proposed giving every city employee a bonus instead of putting the money in general funds.

A request for the governor to commute Santos Reyes' prison sentence under the Three Strikes law was voted down. The measure received 3 yes votes but failed due to 4 absent or abstaining council members, including Marquez abstaining and John Bates, Nat Bates, and Butt absent.

The council approved placing property liens for unpaid garbage collection fees, with Marquez abstaining. This legal tool helps the city collect overdue sanitary service fees and administrative costs from residents who don't pay their bills.

The council established a process to fill the vacant council seat left by Mindell Lewis Penn, who vacated her position on July 1st. The measure passed 4-0 with McLaughlin, John Bates, and Nat Bates abstaining.

A marijuana dispensary moratorium was approved unanimously, temporarily banning new permits while the city reviews regulations. The council also accepted a donated World War II crane for historical display and vacated an unimproved 40-foot section of Fall Avenue.

The council approved 2 new business analyst job classifications with set salary ranges on consent."}