Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Special

Presiding: Mayor Eduardo Martinez · Called to order: 5:00 p.m. · 2 items · 12 votes · 14 public comments

What happened

Heard proposal to pause new tobacco retailer permits for 45 days with no vote taken.
Approved policy preventing council members from appointing family to city boards.
Approved $55,000 contract for race equity training series through 2026.
Approved 9 routine items including $225,000 for legal defense contracts and police motorcycle maintenance.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Minutes | Agenda

Attendance

Eduardo Martinez(Present)

Claudia Jimenez(Present)

Melvin Willis(Present)

Cesar Zepeda(Present)

Soheila Bana(Absent)

Gayle McLaughlin(Absent)

Doria Robinson(Absent)

3 substantive items · 9 consent · 1 procedural

Governance(2 items)

Pause new tobacco retailer permits for 45 days

Tobacco Retailers

In Plain English

Richmond has received numerous complaints about unlicensed smoke shops and tobacco retailers violating city rules. The city currently has 78 licensed tobacco retailers but many others operate without proper permits. If approved, no new tobacco retail permits can be issued for 45 days while staff studies stronger regulations.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Create policy preventing council members from appointing family to city boards

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

Richmond currently has no rules preventing city council members from appointing relatives to boards and commissions that advise on city policy. Past elected officials have appointed family members to these positions. If approved, council directs staff to write a formal anti-nepotism policy similar to rules already used in Westminster and Santa Monica.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Continue item to April 16, 2024, City Council meeting for further discussion

Moved by: Vice Mayor Claudia JimenezSeconded by: Councilmember Cesar Zepeda

Passed

4 to 0

Melvin WillisAye

Cesar ZepedaAye

Claudia JimenezAye

Eduardo MartinezAye

Soheila BanaAbsent

Gayle McLaughlinAbsent

Doria RobinsonAbsent

Contracts(1 item)

Approve $55,000 contract for race equity training series through 2026

Race Equity Training

In Plain English

Richmond has been working on a Race Equity Action Plan since joining a national program in 2016. The city wants to hire Race Forward to train employees, elected officials, and community partners over 2 years. If approved, 4 training sessions cover topics like using equity tools and leading for racial justice.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve the contract with Race Forward

Moved by: Councilmember Melvin WillisSeconded by: Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez

Passed

4 to 0

Melvin WillisAye

Cesar ZepedaAye

Claudia JimenezAye

Eduardo MartinezAye

Soheila BanaAbsent

Gayle McLaughlinAbsent

Doria RobinsonAbsent

Approved as a group without individual discussion.

W.2.aCancellation of April 23, 2024, Regular City Council meeting to hold a special in-person meeting called by the Mayor to be held in the Bermuda Room