Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 5:09 p.m. · 10 items · 21 votes · 13 public comments
What happened
- Rejected paid volunteer leave for city employees to work in schools 5-3 (Bates, McLaughlin, Viramontes dissenting).
- Approved gift basket business with wine sales at 1099 Essex Avenue despite appeal 6-2 (McLaughlin, Thurmond dissenting).
- Approved stronger financial oversight with expanded audits and purchase reviews 8-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved 12 routine items including $309,056 contract with California Skateparks for Nicholl Park skatepark.
- Approved new $1,000 daily fines for unmaintained foreclosed properties and expanded enforcement powers.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Personnel(1 item)
Allow city employees 5 hours monthly paid leave to volunteer in Richmond schools
In Plain English
City employees currently use personal time to volunteer in local schools. This program gives workers up to 5 hours per month of paid time off specifically for school volunteering. If approved, employees can tutor students, help with events, or assist teachers during work hours.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the item
4 to 3
Governance(8 items)
Condemn police union mailer and support community peace group
In Plain English
The Richmond Police Officers Association recently sent a mailer that council members consider offensive and inaccurate. A local group called Richmond Community United for Peace has made demands in response. The council wants to formally criticize the police union's mailer and back the community group's right to pursue their goals.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Denounce the mailer sent out by the Richmond Police Officers Association (RPOA)
Denounce the mailer sent out by RPOA with the addition of denouncing the e-mail sent out by Councilmember Butt regarding racist statements towards minority Councilmembers
Recognize the right for Richmond United for Peace to pursue their demands
Direct the city manager to issue an immediate administrative order banning the use of city seals and other city identified material on campaign materials; direct city attorney to prepare an ordinance to make such use of city seals on campaign materials illegal
8 to 0
Direct staff to clarify campaign materials do not represent city views
In Plain English
Someone recently used the city seal or other official Richmond materials in election campaign mailers. The city wants to make clear these materials do not reflect official city positions. If approved, staff will issue a public clarification and create rules to prevent candidates from using city symbols in future campaigns.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Strengthen financial oversight with expanded audits and purchase reviews
In Plain English
The city wants tighter controls over credit card spending and department purchases. Current auditors would check more credit card transactions randomly. A forensic auditor would specifically review the Mayor's Office purchases. Finance staff would verify department purchases more thoroughly and committee would review monthly budget reports.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the recommendations of staff
8 to 1
Direct city to hire Richmond construction companies as general contractor on future projects
In Plain English
The city currently hires outside general contractors who then choose their own subcontractors. This policy requires city staff to identify projects where Richmond can serve as its own general contractor. If approved, the city hires local construction companies directly as subcontractors on these projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the item
Approve guidelines for new Emergency Grant Program
In Plain English
The city is creating a new program to give emergency grants to residents or organizations during crises. City Council needs to approve the application process and rules for who qualifies. If approved, staff will set up a review committee to decide which applications get funded.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Refer this item back to the Finance Committee to work out details
Appoint four members, two from the Finance Committee and two from the Programs Committee (Councilmembers Rogers, Lopez, Bates, and Sandhu) to meet with the city manager and city attorney to implement guidelines and criteria and bring back recommendations back to the Council
6 to 0
Create civil fines up to $1,000 per day for unmaintained foreclosed properties
In Plain English
Banks and mortgage companies that foreclose on Richmond homes often abandon them without basic upkeep like lawn care or security. The city currently has no way to fine these companies for creating neighborhood blight. If approved, the city can issue daily fines to force property owners to maintain foreclosed homes.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 24-08 N.S.
8 to 0
Update property maintenance law to clarify what counts as a public nuisance
In Plain English
The city's current law defines certain unmaintained properties as public nuisances but needs clearer language. The updated law specifies exactly what property conditions violate city standards. If approved, code enforcement officers have clearer guidelines for citing property owners who don't maintain their buildings or yards.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
First reading and hold over two weeks for second reading
8 to 0
Expand city enforcement powers over unmaintained vacant properties
In Plain English
The city currently has limited tools to force property owners to maintain vacant buildings and lots. This law change gives code enforcement officers stronger authority to cite violations and require cleanup. Property owners who let vacant buildings deteriorate or accumulate trash face faster enforcement action.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
First reading and hold over two weeks for second reading
9 to 0
Zoning(1 item)
Review appeal of permit for gift basket business with wine sales at 1099 Essex Avenue
In Plain English
The Planning Commission approved a permit in September for a business combining gift basket assembly, online sales, and a small liquor store. A resident appealed this decision to the city council. The council must now decide whether to uphold or overturn the commission's approval.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Continue to October 28, 2008, and have conditions of approval in place
Deny the appeal and proceed with the staff's recommendation and conditions presented by Councilmember Viramontes
5 to 2
Public Safety(1 item)
Discuss proposal to create Safer Schools Program with local school districts
In Plain English
The city wants to partner with West Contra Costa Unified School District and Contra Costa College on a new safety program for schools. No details about specific safety measures or costs are provided yet. If approved, city staff will work with the school districts to develop and launch the program.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to collaborate with the West Contra Costa Unified School District and Contra Costa College for the development and implementation of the Safer Schools Program and report back to the Council within 60 days with a progress report
Approved as a group without individual discussion.