Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The council approved an $860,000 design contract with Auto Warehousing Company for car facility improvements at Point Potrero Marine Terminal. The project will upgrade facilities to handle Honda vehicle shipments. Mayor McLaughlin cast the sole dissenting vote.

A hiring freeze for all vacant city positions failed to pass until budget approval. The measure would have paused hiring across all city departments except for emergency situations. Lopez, Sandhu, and Viramontes voted no, while several members abstained.

The council allocated an additional $45,000 for the Juneteenth Parade and Festival, bringing total festival costs to $65,000. Viramontes cast the only opposing vote on the June 21 celebration funding.

Several consulting contracts were approved, including $99,000 to Psomas for sewer system evaluation and $90,000 to planner Dennis Carrington for General Plan review. The council also approved a $25,000 contract with Boyles and Associates for graffiti removal services.

The council approved 9 routine items on consent, including a $75,000 contract with Richmond Art Center for neighborhood art grants and $63,000 for library furniture. Other items included extending the Glen Price Group contract for $50,000 and purchasing $20,713 in firefighter protective gear.