Tuesday, October 5, 2021

9 items · 19 votes · 9 public comments

What happened

  • Heard city department reorganization and pay scale updates with 3 public comments but took no vote.
  • Approved $375,000 for executive recruitment services across 5 contracts, 6-1 (Butt dissenting).
  • Approved $100,000 agreement for dedicated prosecutor to handle Richmond cases, 6-1 (Bates dissenting).
  • Approved three sewer repair contracts with Veolia Water totaling $1.66 million.
  • Approved 12 routine items including $320,000 contract increase with Larry Walker Associates for water inspections.

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)
9 substantive items · 12 consent

Contracts(6 items)

Authorize hiring municipal advisors for land-secured financing districts when needed

6-1Land Financing Districts

In Plain English

The city wants pre-approved firms ready to advise on special financing districts that use property values to fund infrastructure. These districts help pay for roads, utilities, and other improvements in new developments. If approved, the city can quickly hire one of 3 firms when a financing district opportunity arises.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Exclude landscaping and lighting districts, community facility districts, and tax-exempting financial mechanisms

Moved by: Councilmember MartinezSeconded by: <UNKNOWN>
Failed

Adopt Resolution No. 120-21 with an additional whereas clause after the tenth whereas clause stating, '…and; WHEREAS, the City Council shall review the benefits and risks of any proposed land-secured financing district prior to initiation of Municipal Advisor consulting services and may approve, disapprove, revise, amend or cancel the nature and scope of work'

Moved by: Councilmember McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Martinez
Passed

6 to 1

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

Approve $100,000 agreement for dedicated prosecutor to handle Richmond cases

6-1Community Prosecutor

In Plain English

The city pays for a deputy district attorney who focuses exclusively on Richmond cases rather than handling countywide work. This prosecutor works directly with Richmond police on local crimes and community issues. The $100,000 annual cost continues an existing arrangement through June 2022.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve said agreement

Moved by: Vice Mayor Johnson IIISeconded by: Councilmember McLaughlin
Passed

6 to 1

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

Authorize Veolia Water to manage $474,275 in sewer pipeline repairs

Sewer Infrastructure

In Plain English

The city uses Veolia Water to oversee its sewer system maintenance contracts. This approval lets Veolia hire 3 engineering firms to replace or fix specific damaged sewer lines. If approved, the repairs cost up to $474,275 and prevent sewage backups in affected neighborhoods.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt Resolution No. 115-21

Moved by: Vice Mayor Johnson IIISeconded by: Councilmember Willis
Passed

5 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Claudia JimenezAbstain
Eduardo MartinezAbstain
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye

Approve $224,750 contract increase for sewer pipeline repairs

Sewer Pipeline Repairs

In Plain English

Bay Hawk Inc. discovered additional sewer problems while working on planned repairs from the city's 2018/2019 risk assessment. The company needs $224,750 more to fix these unexpected issues, bringing the total contract to $598,750. The city uses money from 2019 wastewater bonds to pay for the extra work.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt Resolution No. 116-21

Moved by: Vice Mayor Johnson IIISeconded by: Councilmember Willis
Passed

5 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Claudia JimenezAbstain
Eduardo MartinezAbstain
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye

Authorize Veolia Water to manage $956,440 in sewer pipeline repairs

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city uses Veolia Water to oversee major sewer infrastructure projects. This authorization lets Veolia manage contracts with 3 construction companies to replace or fix damaged sewer pipelines throughout the city. The work costs up to $956,440 and prevents sewage backups in neighborhoods.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt Resolution No. 117-21

Moved by: Vice Mayor Johnson IIISeconded by: Councilmember Willis
Passed

5 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Claudia JimenezAbstain
Eduardo MartinezAbstain
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye

Approve 5 contracts worth $75,000 each for executive recruitment services

6-1Executive Recruitment

In Plain English

The city needs help finding senior executives like department heads and city managers. These 5 recruiting firms will help identify and screen candidates over 3 years. If approved, the city can spend up to $375,000 total on executive searches through September 2024.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve said contracts

Moved by: Councilmember WillisSeconded by: Vice Mayor Johnson III
Failed

Lowered the authorized contracts amounts from $75,000 to $50,000

Moved by: Councilmember MartinezSeconded by: Councilmember Bates
Passed

6 to 1

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

Budget(1 item)

Direct staff to negotiate refinancing deals for 2005 city bonds

4-1Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city issued bonds in 2005 that need refinancing along with related financial agreements called swaps. Staff will negotiate new terms with City National Bank and Royal Bank of Canada. If approved, the deals could reduce the city's borrowing costs and change payment terms.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Move forward with finding a firm to conduct a peer review, by sole-source or emergency procurement if either of those categories moved the process faster, and bring back the analysis to the Council for a final decision

Moved by: Councilmember McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Jimenez
Passed

4 to 1

Thomas K. ButtNay
Nathaniel BatesAbstain
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAbstain

Personnel(1 item)

Approve reorganization of city departments and update employee pay scales

City Staff Reorganization

In Plain English

The city manager wants to restructure how certain departments are organized and change how some positions are paid. The proposal includes a detailed list showing current staffing across all departments. If approved, some employees may see job title changes or different reporting structures as part of the reorganization.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Miscellaneous(1 item)

Details

In Plain English

This agenda item lacks any description or details, making it impossible to explain what the council will be discussing or voting on. Residents should contact the city clerk's office for clarification about what "Details" refers to on this agenda.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Approved as a group without individual discussion.