What happened
- Approved 6-1 quick street safety fixes before long-term plan is ready (Butt dissenting).
- Approved 6-1 annual fees landlords pay to fund rent control program (Butt dissenting, Martinez abstaining).
- Heard privately with union negotiators about employee contracts.
- Approved designating mayor and councilmember as League of California Cities conference delegates.
- Approved creating underground utility district on Pierce Street and San Mateo Street.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: AgendaAttendance
Public Safety(1 item)
Direct staff to implement quick street safety fixes before long-term plan is ready
In Plain English
Parents report near-misses crossing Carlson Boulevard near Nomura Preschool with toddlers. Residents also complain about sideshows at Key Boulevard & Barrett Avenue and other locations. The city has $750,000 budgeted for street safety but is waiting for a comprehensive plan to be completed.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To call the question to end debate and bring the matter to an immediate vote
To approve the item and direct staff to evaluate traffic safety and return to the council with a recommendation for locations and the type of traffic calming measures for the council to consider
6 to 1
Budget(1 item)
Set annual fees landlords pay to fund rent control program
In Plain English
The city charges landlords annual fees to fund rent control enforcement and tenant services. The Rent Board recommends $226 per controlled rental unit and $127 per partially covered unit for 2022-23. The General Fund previously contributed $106,000 to $130,000 annually, but this budget eliminates that subsidy.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To approve the item
5 to 1
Personnel(2 items)
Meet privately with union negotiators about employee contracts
In Plain English
The city negotiates contracts with 6 employee unions covering police, fire, and general city workers. State law allows city councils to discuss salary, benefits, and working conditions in private meetings. These closed-door sessions help both sides prepare for formal contract talks without public pressure.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Create senior electrician position and update deputy director salaries
In Plain English
The city currently has basic electrician positions but needs senior-level roles for complex electrical work. If approved, one senior electrician position gets added with duties including underground service alerts. Annual cost increases by $50,100 for the upgraded electrician positions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Infrastructure(2 items)
Direct staff to create interim street safety fixes before formal plan is ready
In Plain English
The city is developing a comprehensive Local Road Safety Plan, but it's not yet finalized or funded. Councilmembers want staff to immediately address specific safety problems while waiting for the full plan. These include dangerous pedestrian crossings on Carlson Boulevard and illegal sideshows at Key Boulevard & Barrett Avenue and May Road & Santa Rita Road.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Create underground utility district on Pierce Street and San Mateo Street
In Plain English
The city wants to bury power lines on 2 streets as part of a larger Interstate 80 traffic improvement project. Pacific Gas & Electric pays for moving the main lines underground using their Rule 20A program. The city pays $250,000 to convert individual homes and businesses to underground service at no cost to property owners.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To adopt said resolution
7 to 0
Appointments(1 item)
Designate mayor and councilmember as League of California Cities conference delegates
In Plain English
The League of California Cities holds an annual meeting where member cities vote on statewide policy. Richmond needs official delegates to participate in this decision-making. If approved, Mayor Butt and Councilmember Martinez attend the September conference at city expense.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Miscellaneous(1 item)
Designate mayor and council member as city delegates to statewide conference
In Plain English
The League of California Cities holds an annual conference where member cities vote on statewide policy issues affecting local government. Richmond needs official delegates to cast the city's votes at this year's meeting in Long Beach. Mayor Butt would serve as the primary voting delegate with Martinez as backup.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Housing(3 items)
Allow small landlords to use Rent Board fees as tax credits and offer tax amnesty
In Plain English
Small landlords who own 4 or fewer rental units can use their Rent Board fees to reduce their gross receipts tax. The city also offers a 6-week amnesty program for rental property owners with unpaid business licenses. If approved, these landlords avoid penalties during the amnesty period from July to August 2022.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Allow small landlords to credit rent board fees against business tax
In Plain English
Small landlords with 4 or fewer rental units currently pay both rent board fees and business tax to the city. If approved, they can subtract rent board fees from their business tax bill. This reduces city business tax revenue by $1.6 million per year but the budget already accounts for this loss.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Create new electrician jobs and extend consultant contract by $300,000
In Plain English
The city needs more skilled electricians to maintain public buildings and infrastructure. This creates a senior electrician position and updates pay scales for electrical workers. The city also extends its contract with Regional Government Services through 2025, raising total payments to $700,000 for human resources and financial consulting.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Contracts(3 items)
Expand consulting contract by $300,000 for temporary HR, finance, and accounting help
In Plain English
Richmond uses Regional Government Services consultants to fill gaps when city departments lack staff or expertise. The original $400,000 contract from 2021 has been mostly spent on budget development and financial reporting projects. If approved, the contract increases to $700,000 total, with over $100,000 reimbursed by grants and developers.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve 3-year contract for mandatory water backflow testing in city buildings and parks
In Plain English
State water regulations require the city to test backflow prevention devices annually to keep contaminated water from entering the drinking water system. The city currently handles this testing in-house. If approved, Community Fire Protection will test devices at city buildings, parks, and other facilities for $32,448 over 3 years.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Hire Community Fire Protection for mandatory backflow testing at city buildings and parks
In Plain English
EBMUD requires annual testing of 112 backflow devices at city buildings and parks to prevent contamination of the water supply. The city currently pays $4,816 per year for testing and $6,000 for repairs when devices fail. If approved, this 3-year contract costs $32,448 total, with Community Fire Protection offering the lowest bid at $43 per test.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Governance(1 item)
Renew Downtown Richmond Property and Business Improvement District for 7 years
In Plain English
Property owners in downtown Richmond pay special fees to fund extra cleaning, safety patrols, marketing, and improvements beyond basic city services. The current district expires and needs renewal to continue these programs. If approved, the city pays $39,305 annually for its downtown properties at 15 cents per square foot.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.