Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 7:10 p.m. · 6 items · 12 votes · 15 public comments
What happened
- Rejected hiring a law firm for election and legal advice 5-2 (Boozé, Bates dissenting).
- Approved permit transfer for medical marijuana dispensary to new location 4-3 (McLaughlin, Beckles, Butt dissenting).
- Approved new council meeting rules for start times and agenda limits 5-2 (Boozé, Bates dissenting).
- Approved plastic bag ban with 5-10 cent paper bag fee at stores.
- Approved $10 million housing revenue bonds public hearing and renamed 15th Street to Village Lane.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Zoning(1 item)
Approve permit transfer for medical marijuana dispensary to new location
In Plain English
Richmond Compassionate Care operates a medical marijuana dispensary and wants to move from its current location to 425 South 2nd Street. The new location requires a different type of business permit because it sits in a C-2 commercial zone instead of a C-3 zone. If approved, the dispensary continues operating under the same regulations at the new address.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
close the public hearing
7 to 0
deny the transfer of the permit and direct Mr. Valdes to continue to look for a better location within the permitted zones
4 to 3
hold the matter over until the first City Council meeting in July and direct Mr. Valdes to meet with the neighborhood council and then report back to the City Council whether a regulated marijuana dispensary would reduce the crime rate in the area
4 to 3
Governance(3 items)
Ban plastic bags and require 5-10 cent fee for paper bags at stores
In Plain English
Stores would no longer provide free plastic bags to customers. Paper bags cost you 5-10 cents each. The law also bans stores from selling foam containers and plates. Violations result in immediate citations for businesses.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
that the fine for violation of the ordinance be reduced to $100, and that senior citizens on social security be exempt
4 to 0
to introduce said ordinance as recommended by staff
4 to 0
Rename 15th Street to Village Lane in Metro Walk neighborhood
In Plain English
Residents in the Metro Walk neighborhood asked the city to change the name of 15th Street between Nevin Plaza and Macdonald Avenue. The street would become Village Lane if the city council approves the request. This affects only the specific stretch of 15th Street in that residential area.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
close the public hearing
6 to 0
adopt Resolution No. 60-13
6 to 0
Update city council meeting rules for start times and agenda limits
In Plain English
The city council currently follows informal practices for meeting schedules and agenda items. This formal decision sets regular meetings to start at 6:30 p.m. and end at 11:00 p.m. If approved, presentations get limited to 3 per meeting and unfinished business automatically moves to the next meeting.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
adopt Resolution No. 61-13
5 to 2
Contracts(1 item)
Hire law firm for election law advice and general legal assistance
In Plain English
The city needs specialized legal counsel for elections, campaign finance laws, and other municipal matters. The contract allows the city to spend up to $30,000 on these services through June 2014. If approved, Renne Sloan Holtzman & Sakai will provide legal guidance when city staff needs expertise beyond routine matters.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to approve the contract
5 to 1
to reduce the contract to $15,000
2 to 5
Housing(1 item)
Hold public hearing on $10 million housing revenue bonds
In Plain English
The California Statewide Communities Development Authority wants to issue up to $10 million in bonds to finance affordable housing development. Federal law requires a public hearing before local governments can approve tax-exempt bonds. This hearing lets residents comment before the city decides whether to support the bond issuance.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
close the public hearing
7 to 0
adopt Resolution No. 59-13
7 to 0