Tuesday, June 22, 2021

7 items · 6 votes · 23 public comments

What happened

  • Approved contract expansion with SCI Consulting Group for vacant parcel tax plan 6-1 (Bates dissenting).
  • Approved 8 routine items including $600,000 for legal defense against developers and Campus Bay litigation.
  • Approved pilot program allowing property owners to host up to 4 vehicle households.
  • Approved placing liens on properties with unpaid garbage collection bills.
  • Directed staff to analyze Racial Equity Action Plan and reparations initiatives.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Agenda

Attendance

Demnlus Johnson III(Present)
Claudia Jimenez(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Gayle McLaughlin(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Tom Butt(Present)
Nat Bates(Present)
8 substantive items · 8 consent · 1 procedural

Contracts(3 items)

Expand contract with SCI Consulting Group to develop vacant parcel tax plan

6-1Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city hired SCI Consulting Group to study a potential tax on vacant parcels. The original contract needs more work to create an implementation plan and draft the actual tax law. If approved, the contract increases by $55,270 to a total of $65,270 and extends through June 2022.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve contract amendment

Moved by: Thomas K. ButtSeconded by: Melvin Willis
Passed

6 to 1

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesNay
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye

Approve $109,135 contract to help implement Measure U business tax

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

Measure U creates a new tax on business gross receipts that voters approved. The city needs outside expertise to set fair tax rates for small and large businesses. Management Partners will help city staff develop the tax structure and implementation process through June 2022.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve contract and direct staff to bring unions and organizations involved in working to pass Measure U to the table

Moved by: Gayle McLaughlinSeconded by: Claudia Jimenez
Passed

7 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye

Approve $34,158 contract for fencing at Point Potrero Marine Terminal

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city needs new fencing and related improvements at the Point Potrero Marine Terminal. NBC Construction & Engineering would handle the work for up to $34,158. This item was withdrawn from the agenda and did not receive a vote.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Governance(2 items)

Place liens on properties with unpaid garbage collection bills

Garbage Collection Liens

In Plain English

Property owners who haven't paid their garbage collection fees will have liens placed on their homes. The city can add these unpaid bills to property tax records, where they earn interest until paid. If approved, the county collects the debt when property taxes are due.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt Resolution No. 73-21

Moved by: Melvin WillisSeconded by: Nathaniel Bates
Passed

7 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye

Direct staff to analyze draft Racial Equity Action Plan and reparations initiatives

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city's Race and Equity team presented a plan to address racial disparities in Richmond. The proposal includes hiring a race and equity officer and creating reparations programs. If approved, staff will study the plan's details and costs before bringing specific recommendations back to council.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Accept the GARE team's recommendations, and allow staff to look further into the Reparations, Equity, and Inclusion Plan

Moved by: Demnlus Johnson IIISeconded by: Claudia Jimenez
Passed

6 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAbsent
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye

Miscellaneous(2 items)

Details

In Plain English

This appears to be a placeholder or incomplete agenda item with no details provided. Without additional information about what is being discussed or decided, residents would need to check with the city for clarification on this agenda item.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Receive update on short-term plan to help local businesses recover from COVID-19

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city hired HR&A Advisors to create a recovery plan for Richmond businesses hurt by the pandemic. The consulting firm will present their findings on COVID-19's impact and recommendations for supporting small businesses. Council members want more local business owners involved in planning groups and data on which Richmond businesses received federal pandemic loans.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Housing(1 item)

Create pilot program allowing property owners to host up to 4 vehicle households

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

Richmond currently prohibits people from living in vehicles on private property. The pilot program lets property owners volunteer to host families living in RVs or cars for limited periods. Council wants funding included for Streets Team support services.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt urgency Ordinance No. 10-21 N.S.

Moved by: Melvin WillisSeconded by: Gayle McLaughlin
Passed

6 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAbstain
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye

Approved as a group without individual discussion.

I-3Approved the minutes of the May 1, 2021, Special Meeting of the City Council