Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Presiding: Mayor Tom Butt · Called to order: 6:33 p.m. · 5 items · 17 votes · 24 public comments
What happened
- Denied appeals of 155-unit affordable housing project at 5620 Central Avenue in split 4-2 vote (Martinez, Beckles supporting appeals).
- Approved opposing coal and petroleum coke transport through Richmond waterways 4-1 (McLaughlin dissenting).
- Heard proposals for rent increase moratorium and expanded street paving with Measure U funds without voting.
- Approved $5.8 million loan agreement for public housing repairs and revised 2015 committee appointments.
- Approved 11 routine items including $125,000 annual police vehicle contract and Chevron climate plan funding changes.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Zoning(1 item)
Consider appeals of approved 155-unit affordable housing project at 5620 Central Avenue
In Plain English
The Planning Commission already approved a 155-unit affordable housing development with reduced parking, less open space, and increased height. Both the developer and the Richmond Annex Neighborhood Council are appealing this decision to city council. The council will decide whether to uphold, modify, or overturn the original approval.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Reject both appeals and uphold the Planning Commission's recommendations
3 to 3
Reject both appeals and uphold the Planning Commission's recommendations and add that the creek corridor be naturalized and restored and forego setbacks on Central and San Mateo, and also include the friendly amendments by Councilmember McLaughlin to revise the resolution language, and add a further condition about inclusion of a commercial element on the first floor
3 to 3
Refer the item back to the Planning Commission
2 to 2
Environment(1 item)
Oppose transporting coal and petroleum coke through Richmond waterways
In Plain English
The city wants to take a formal stance against shipping hazardous fossil fuel materials like coal and petroleum coke through local waterways and neighborhoods. Richmond sits along major shipping routes where these materials currently travel. If approved, the city asks regional air quality regulators to create stricter rules for storing and moving these materials.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Continue to May 5, 2015
4 to 1
Housing(2 items)
Amend loan agreement to provide $5.8 million for public housing repairs
In Plain English
The city previously loaned money to RHA Housing Corporation for affordable housing projects. RHA now needs to rehabilitate 2 public housing sites under a federal program called Rental Assistance Demonstration. If approved, the city modifies existing loan terms to allow up to $5.8 million for repairs at Friendship Manor and Triangle Court.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 40-15
Establish 45-day moratorium on rent increases
In Plain English
The city wants to temporarily stop landlords from raising rents for 45 days. This pause gives city council time to create new tenant protection policies. If approved, no rent increases can happen during this period while officials work on longer-term rules to prevent displacement.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Infrastructure(1 item)
Review options for expanded street paving program using Measure U funds
In Plain English
The city council will discuss how to use Measure U tax revenue to pave more streets beyond the regular annual program. Measure U is a local sales tax that voters approved to fund city services and infrastructure. The council needs to decide which streets to prioritize and how much money to spend on additional paving work.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appointments(1 item)
Revise appointments to regional and ad hoc committees for 2015
In Plain English
The city council makes appointments to various committees that represent Richmond's interests in regional issues like transportation and housing. Some of these appointments need to be changed or updated. If approved, different council members or residents will serve on these committees for the remainder of 2015.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve revisions to 2015 appointments to Regional Committees, Ad Hoc Committees and Liaison Positions and postpone the appointment of the Police Commission liaison for one month
4 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.