What happened
- Rejected two appointments to city boards with split votes of 3-2-1 (Jimenez, Martinez, McLaughlin voting no).
- Approved contract extension with Rebuilding Together East Bay North for homeless services 6-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved $6 million state grant for violence prevention programs through 2025.
- Approved transferring Richmond Marina operations to Safe Harbor Marinas for remaining 33 years.
- Approved routine consent item updating building codes to match 2022 state standards.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: AgendaAttendance
Appointments(3 items)
Appoint 2 new members to Design Review Board
In Plain English
The Design Review Board has 2 vacant seats after previous volunteers resigned. The board reviews building projects to ensure they meet design standards and fit the community. If approved, Umoja Akbar and David Plotkin join the 7-member board that evaluates new construction and major renovations citywide.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To approve said appointments
3 to 3
Appoint Cate Burkhart to county Advisory Council on Aging
In Plain English
Richmond currently has a vacant seat on the county council that advises on senior services. Burkhart serves on Richmond's Commission on Aging and believes West County lacks representation on regional boards. If approved, her term runs through September 2024.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Bhavin Khatri to Planning Commission seat
In Plain English
Seat #5 on the Planning Commission is vacant and needs to be filled. Khatri works as a program manager for San Francisco's transit agency and previously served on Richmond's Design Review Board. If approved, he serves until June 30, 2024.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To approve said appointment
3 to 3
Contracts(11 items)
Hire law firm to sue over PCB contamination on contingency basis
In Plain English
The city wants to join lawsuits against companies that made PCB chemicals, which contaminated Richmond's waterways and soil for decades. Sher Edling specializes in these environmental cases and works on contingency, meaning the city pays nothing unless they win. If successful, the city could recover millions to help pay for PCB cleanup costs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Hire law firm to sue Monsanto for PCB contamination cleanup costs
In Plain English
The city must spend millions removing toxic PCBs from storm drains under federal water permits. Richmond opted out of a nationwide class action settlement to pursue individual litigation against Monsanto, the chemical manufacturer. If approved, the law firm works for free unless the city wins money from the lawsuit.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve consent calendar
7 to 0
Approve 3-year contract with Data Ticket for parking citation software and payment collection
In Plain English
The city's current parking citation contract with T2 Systems expires December 31, 2022. After reviewing 6 vendors, staff recommends Data Ticket because it costs $366 less per month and charges $0.45 per citation versus T2's $0.75. If approved, the city spends up to $30,000 over 3 years for software that lets officers write tickets and residents pay online.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Extend security contract at 3 city facilities through December 2023
In Plain English
The city currently pays Allied Universal Security to guard City Hall, the library, and Booker T. Anderson Community Center. Crime increased at these locations over the past 2 years, including car vandalism and burglaries. If approved, the contract extends through December 31, 2023 at a cost of $835,000.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Extend contract with Rebuilding Together East Bay-North through January 2023
In Plain English
The city contracts with this nonprofit to provide services at homeless encampments and create job opportunities for unhoused residents. The contract extension adds $166,505 in funding. If approved, the total contract value reaches $1.15 million.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Extend contract with Rebuilding Together East Bay North for homeless services by 2 months
In Plain English
The city currently pays Rebuilding Together East Bay North to provide cleanup, showers, toilets, and job training at homeless encampments like Castro. The contract expires November 30, but city staff need more time to review applications for new homeless service providers. If approved, the extension runs through January 31 and costs an additional $166,505.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To approved said contract amendment
6 to 1
Extend insurance claims contract and adjust 2 city employee salaries
In Plain English
George Hills Company handles liability claims when residents sue the city or report injuries on city property. The city needs to extend their contract through June and add $270,108 for continued services, bringing the total cost to $868,668. The city also retitles Payroll Supervisor to Payroll Manager and adjusts salary ranges for that position and Deputy Director of Public Works.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Extend contract for processing liability claims filed against the city
In Plain English
When residents file injury or property damage claims against the city, an outside company handles the paperwork and investigations. The current 3-year contract with George Hills Company expires soon. If approved, the contract extends through June 2024 with an additional $270,000, bringing the total to $869,000.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $20,300 contract for new bookmobile design and accept $6 million violence prevention grant
In Plain English
The city's current bookmobile needs replacement and requires specialized design consulting. The separate $6 million state grant funds violence intervention programs through 2025. If approved, local organizations like RYSE Center and Richmond Police Activities League receive funding to reduce community violence through mentorship and support services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Hire consultant to design and buy new Bookmobile for $20,300
In Plain English
The library won a $250,000 state grant in April to create a new Bookmobile that brings books to neighborhoods. The city needs specialized help to design the vehicle and oversee construction. If approved, the consultant costs $20,300, with $19,100 covered by the grant and $1,200 from library fees.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Transfer Richmond Marina operations to Safe Harbor Marinas for remaining 33 years
In Plain English
Richmond Bay Marina wants to sell its lease to Safe Harbor Marinas, a marina operator with facilities across northern California. The city signed the original 55-year lease in 2000, with 33 years remaining until 2055. If approved, the city receives $480,000 in property transfer tax and maintains free use of the boat launch and 6 boat slips for police and fire boats.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To approve said lease assignment and the amended and restated lease
7 to 0
Budget(3 items)
Accept $1,003,250 air quality grant for Port Division economic development
In Plain English
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District awarded Richmond this grant to support economic development projects at the city's port. The Port Division will use these funds for unspecified development activities. If approved, the city receives the full grant amount with no local matching funds required.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Accept $1 million grant to install shore power at 2 port berths
In Plain English
The port received a $1 million grant from pollution settlement funds to install electrical hookups at Berths 7 and 8. Ships currently burn diesel fuel while docked to power onboard systems. If approved, the shore power lets ships plug into the electrical grid instead, reducing air pollution from the port.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Accept $6 million state grant to fund violence prevention programs through 2025
In Plain English
Richmond's Office of Neighborhood Safety received this 3-year grant to support local anti-violence programs. The funding pays 5 community organizations including RYSE Center and Richmond Police Activities League to provide street outreach, mentoring, and support services. The programs target youth and adults at high risk of gun violence involvement.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To adopt said resolution
5 to 0
Proclamation(2 items)
Declare November 26, 2022 as Small Business Saturday in Richmond
In Plain English
Small Business Saturday encourages residents to shop at local stores instead of big chains during the holiday season. Richmond has over 2,500 small businesses that employ local residents and generate tax revenue. If approved, the city formally recognizes the day to boost the local economy.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Declare November 20, 2022 as Transgender Day of Remembrance
In Plain English
This annual remembrance day honors transgender people killed by violence. At least 32 transgender people were murdered in the United States in 2022. The proclamation recognizes Richmond's transgender residents and reaffirms the city's commitment to protecting them from discrimination.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Personnel(3 items)
Conduct annual performance review of City Attorney in closed session
In Plain English
The city council evaluates the City Attorney's job performance each year in a private meeting. This closed-door review is required by state law for all public employee evaluations. The council discusses work quality, goals, and potential salary adjustments before returning to public session.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve 5% cost of living raise for 4 city retirees from 1950s
In Plain English
The city has 4 retirees with an average age of 102 who worked before 1953 and receive pensions instead of CalPERS. They automatically get a 2% annual raise, but city council must approve an additional 3% each year. If approved, their average monthly pension rises from $6,193 to $6,503.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Update job titles and raise salary ranges for payroll and engineering positions
In Plain English
The city struggles to hire for a vacant payroll supervisor role, so staff wants to upgrade it to payroll manager with higher pay. The deputy director of public works position also gets a salary boost to attract engineers who can tackle Richmond's aging infrastructure problems. Both changes aim to fill hard-to-recruit positions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Zoning(1 item)
Appoint 5 residents to city boards and issue 2 proclamations
In Plain English
The mayor fills vacant seats on the Design Review Board, Planning Commission, and county aging council. The Design Review Board approves building designs and signs throughout Richmond. The Planning Commission reviews major development projects. The city also formally recognizes Small Business Saturday and Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Governance(5 items)
Allow Housing Authority board to keep meeting virtually for 30 more days
In Plain English
The Richmond Housing Authority board has been meeting virtually since March 2020 due to COVID-19. State law requires the city council to renew this permission every 30 days. If approved, board members can continue joining meetings remotely instead of gathering in person.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Continue teleconferencing for city meetings and approve October meeting minutes
In Plain English
The city allows residents to join council meetings remotely through video calls under state law. This keeps that option available for all city meetings. The council also approves written records from 2 meetings in October and November 2022.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Continue virtual meetings for City Council and other city boards
In Plain English
State law requires the city to renew its approval for virtual meetings every 30 days. The city has held virtual meetings since March 2020 due to COVID-19. If approved, all city boards can keep meeting online for another 30 days while still allowing public participation.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Direct staff to study ways to regulate loud Port industry noise
In Plain English
Marina Bay residents complain that Port industries operate around the clock with loud shipments of coal and industrial oils. The noise has grown worse over 2 years as rail traffic and shipments increased dramatically. If approved, staff returns in December with options to regulate the noise through the city's noise law or Port lease conditions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To approve said direction to staff
7 to 0
Approve 5% cost of living increase for city pension recipients
In Plain English
Retired city employees currently receive a 2% annual cost of living increase on their pensions. The city proposes adding an extra 3% increase for one year, bringing the total to 5%. This helps retirees keep up with higher inflation and living costs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Public Safety(1 item)
Approve contracts for parking ticket software and security guard services
In Plain English
The city needs software to issue parking tickets and collect payments electronically. The 3-year contract with Data Ticket costs up to $30,000 total. The city also extends its contract with Allied Universal for security guards at city buildings through December 2023, adding $834,555 to bring the total contract value to $2 million.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Miscellaneous(1 item)
Direct staff to study regulating noise from port industries
In Plain English
Councilmember McLaughlin wants city staff to research options for controlling loud noise coming from port industrial operations. Staff will report back in December with possible regulations or enforcement tools. The port area generates complaints from nearby residents about disruptive industrial noise throughout the day and night.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.