Tuesday, December 15, 2020

The council approved the controversial Campus Bay mixed-use project by a 6-1 vote, with Martinez dissenting. The development will be built on the former Zeneca/Stauffer Chemical site, drawing 60 public comments focused on site contamination, democratic process concerns, and public health risks. Many residents argued the toxic cleanup plan was inadequate for the contaminated industrial site.

The council approved 20 routine items on consent, including a $200,000 contract with DNV-GL for energy upgrades, a $175,000 aerial truck purchase, and $100,000 for Terminal 3 lease legal work. The consent calendar also reduced ECIA grant funding from $600,000 to $300,000 and extended an Infrastructure Engineering Corporation contract for $183,080.

The council unanimously approved reducing Measure U tax rates below maximum levels despite 11 public comments. Speakers were divided between supporting city services protection and expressing business impact concerns, with some arguing the changes undermined voter will after 72.5% of residents approved the original measure.

The council approved a 26-year lease of Terminal 3 to T3 Partners, generating at least $440,000 annually for the city. They also unanimously approved housing development at the former Richmond Country Club site and a 3-year spending plan for the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth.

Two items were continued to a future meeting: adding $700,000 to a law firm contract for labor negotiations and allowing the city manager to modify employee positions without council approval.