Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Presiding: Mayor Thomas K. Butt · Called to order: 5:04 p.m. · 12 items · 34 votes · 21 public comments
What happened
- Approved $300,000 for temporary homeless housing 6-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Heard proposal for $325,000 McNabb Construction trash enclosure at Melville Square with no vote.
- Approved 20 routine items including $500,000 in community grants and hiring landscape firms.
- Approved budget update and five-year financial forecast 6-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Declared homelessness a public health emergency unanimously.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Budget(3 items)
Receive budget update and five-year financial forecast
In Plain English
The city presents its proposed spending plan for next year and capital projects through 2023. Staff will finalize budget documents for the June 26 council meeting. The five-year forecast shows projected revenues and expenses to help plan future city services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Directing staff to finalize the budget documents with a $10,000 allocation for the Richmond Youth Council to be used for administrative support, stipends, and meals
5 to 1
Approve 3% increase in Hilltop neighborhood landscaping fees
In Plain English
Property owners in the Hilltop area pay annual assessments to maintain landscaping in their neighborhood. The city proposes raising these fees by 3% for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. If approved, your assessment increases based on your property's size and location within the district.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution 45-18
5 to 0
Approve 3% increase in Marina Bay landscaping and lighting assessments
In Plain English
Property owners in Marina Bay pay annual assessments to maintain landscaping and lighting in their district. The city proposes raising these assessments by 3% for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. If approved, your assessment increases based on your property's current rate.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution 46-18
5 to 0
Housing(3 items)
Declare homelessness a public health emergency
In Plain English
The city would formally recognize homelessness as a public health crisis requiring immediate action. This declaration allows Richmond to access emergency funding and fast-track housing programs. If approved, the city gains more flexibility to address homeless encampments and provide services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To adopt said resolution as written with no changes
7 to 0
Oppose rent increases at Heritage Park senior apartments
In Plain English
Heritage Park at Hilltop houses many low-income seniors on fixed incomes. The apartment complex recently imposed large rent increases. If approved, the city formally objects to these increases but cannot legally stop them.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution 49-18
7 to 0
Continue Richmond Homeless Taskforce and spend $300,000 on temporary housing
In Plain English
The city's Homeless Taskforce has been meeting monthly to study local homelessness issues. The group completed a field study of unsheltered residents and made recommendations. The city will fund temporary housing using $300,000 from fees developers pay when they can't include affordable units in their projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To approve the item
6 to 1
Governance(4 items)
Support state bill requiring disclosure of public employee misconduct records
In Plain English
California law currently keeps most records of government employee misconduct secret from the public. State Bill 1421 would require cities and counties to release records when employees are investigated for serious offenses like excessive force or sexual assault. The city formally supports this transparency measure.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 44-18, in support of SB 1421
5 to 0
Set fees for city services through new master fee schedule
In Plain English
The city currently has fees scattered across multiple documents and departments. This new master schedule consolidates all fees into one place for easier tracking and updates. If approved after a second reading, residents will see standardized fees for permits, inspections, and other city services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Said ordinance received first reading and was laid over for two weeks for the second reading
5 to 0
Pass formal resolution supporting city employee unions
In Plain English
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2018 that government workers cannot be required to pay union fees. This decision weakened public sector unions nationwide by reducing their funding. The resolution reaffirms Richmond's commitment to working with employee unions and supporting workers' rights to organize.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution 50-18
7 to 0
Require coal and petroleum coke facilities to enclose storage areas
In Plain English
The city currently allows coal and petroleum coke to be stored in open areas at industrial facilities. The new law requires companies to fully enclose these storage and transfer operations. It also defines excessive bright lighting as a public nuisance that can be cited by code enforcement.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Said ordinance amending RMC Sections 9.22.040 and 9.22.090 regarding transfer of coal and petroleum coke received first reading, and was laid over for two weeks for the second reading
7 to 0
Said ordinance amending RMC Section 9.22.090 regarding excessive and glaring lights received first reading and was laid over for two weeks for the second reading
7 to 0
Zoning(2 items)
Approve major changes to Miraflores residential development plan
In Plain English
A developer wants to make significant changes to an already-approved housing project called Miraflores. The original plan included details about lot sizes, building designs, and street layouts. If approved, the modified project moves forward with new specifications that differ from what the city previously permitted.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution 47-18
5 to 0
Modify Point Molate development planning process to expand community input
In Plain English
The city is currently planning how to develop the 270-acre Point Molate site, a former naval fuel depot on Richmond's waterfront. The original timeline did not allow enough time for residents to learn about options and provide feedback. If approved, the planning process gets more time and broader outreach so more residents can shape what gets built there.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To approve the item as recommended
7 to 0
Contracts(1 item)
Hire McNabb Construction to build $325,000 trash enclosure at Melville Square
In Plain English
The city needs a new trash enclosure at Melville Square in the Marina Bay area. McNabb Construction will build the structure using Marina funds. If approved, the project costs up to $325,000.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.