Tuesday, July 21, 2020

3 items · 18 votes · 15 public comments

What happened

  • Approved extending COVID-19 eviction protections 5-2 (Bates, Butt dissenting) until council sets end date.
  • Approved placing November ballot measure to change business tax structure.
  • Approved 14 routine items including $4.9 million wastewater treatment contract and $30,000 environmental grants.
  • Heard proposal to cut 2 Office of Neighborhood Safety positions saving $228,000.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Agenda

Attendance

Ben Choi(Present)
Demnlus Johnson III(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Jael Myrick(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Tom Butt(Present)
Nat Bates(Present)
4 substantive items · 14 consent · 1 procedural

Housing(1 item)

Extend COVID-19 eviction protections until council sets end date

2-5Rent Board & Tenants

In Plain English

The city's emergency director already extended tenant protections from COVID-related evictions. The council must now formally approve this extension. If approved, renters keep protection from eviction for unpaid rent during the pandemic until the council votes on a specific end date.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Support the County's measure, and request that county & state congressional legislators enact relief action for landlords

Moved by: Vice Mayor Nathaniel BatesSeconded by: Mayor Thomas K. Butt
Failed

2 to 5

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Ben ChoiNay
Demnlus Johnson IIINay
Eduardo MartinezNay
Jael MyrickNay
Melvin WillisNay

Approve Option 1 and extend the moratorium until September 30, 2020

Moved by: Councilmember Melvin WillisSeconded by: Councilmember Jael Myrick
Passed

5 to 2

Thomas K. ButtNay
Nathaniel BatesNay
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye

Budget(2 items)

Place measure on November ballot to change business tax structure

Business Tax Structure

In Plain English

The city currently taxes businesses based on how many employees they have. The proposed ballot measure would let the city tax businesses based on their gross receipts instead, with rates from 0.075% to 1.395%. If voters approve, the city gains flexibility to adjust business tax rates within this range.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve the item; recommend the Oakland model; direct staff to engage the business community and Council of Industries; and return the matter to the July 28, 2020, City Council meeting or at a special meeting in August, if necessary

Moved by: Councilmember Jael MyrickSeconded by: Councilmember Melvin Willis
Passed

7 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye

Cut 2 positions from Office of Neighborhood Safety to reduce budget by $228,000

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city plans to eliminate 2 Neighborhood Change Agent jobs from the Office of Neighborhood Safety. These positions work directly with community members to prevent violence and support at-risk residents. If approved, the $228,000 savings helps close the city's budget gap.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Miscellaneous(1 item)

Details

In Plain English

This appears to be a placeholder or incomplete agenda item with no details provided. The council may address this item during the meeting, but residents cannot know what will be discussed based on the available information.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Approved as a group without individual discussion.

G-16Meeting minutes approval