Tuesday, March 24, 2026
32 items · 46 public comments · View official: Agenda
Minutes not yet published by the City Clerk — vote and comment data typically appear 4–6 weeks after the meeting.
Review charter requirements for Richmond Fund for Children and Youth renewal
In Plain English
The Richmond Fund for Children and Youth expires in 2028 after 10 years of operations. The fund currently receives 3% of city general revenue annually, totaling about $99 million over the next 10 years if renewed. City council must decide by December 2027 whether to extend the program for another decade.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Direct city staff to plan major upgrades to Cheese Park including permanent restrooms and playground safety improvements
In Plain English
Cheese Park is the only community park east of Interstate 80, serving over 12,000 residents. The park currently lacks permanent restrooms and has safety concerns including playground equipment needing repair and an unfenced toddler area. If approved, staff will create a plan for permanent restrooms, drinking fountains, playground restoration, safety fencing, and new sports courts.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Rename Cesar Chavez Day to United Farm Workers Day
In Plain English
The city currently observes Cesar Chavez Day as a paid holiday on March 31. Recent sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez prompted this proposal to honor the broader farmworkers movement instead. If approved, city employees keep the same paid holiday benefits under the new name.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Receive report on city's efforts to protect residents from federal immigration enforcement
In Plain English
The city council directed staff in February to report on safeguarding residents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. Richmond has sanctuary city laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Staff will present current protocols, employee training programs, and a draft response plan to coordinate city departments during enforcement actions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Meet privately with lawyers about 2 ongoing lawsuits against the city
In Plain English
The city faces lawsuits from residents named Dorn and Jackson. City council will discuss legal strategy in closed session with their attorneys. California law allows cities to meet privately about active court cases to protect legal strategy.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Meet privately with union negotiators to discuss employee contracts
In Plain English
The city regularly negotiates contracts with 6 employee unions representing police, fire, and other city workers. These closed-door sessions allow officials to discuss wages, benefits, and working conditions before reaching public agreements. Current contracts cover about 800 city employees across all departments.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Negotiate sale price and payment terms for 1414 Harbour Way South property
In Plain English
The city owns property at 1414 Harbour Way South that Orton Entertainment wants to buy. City negotiators will meet privately to discuss the sale price and how payments would be structured. If approved later, the sale would remove this property from city ownership and generate revenue.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Hire private investigator for police misconduct cases
In Plain English
The Community Police Review Commission investigates complaints against police officers. The city needs an outside investigator to handle confidential cases when the commission cannot use city staff. If approved, the contract costs up to $100,000 for 5 months starting February 2026.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Extend contract with private investigator to handle police complaint cases
In Plain English
The city hired Bill Whalen and Associates in 2024 after its staff investigator resigned, leaving 36 pending complaints about police misconduct. The city recently hired a new permanent investigator who started in January. If approved, the contractor continues working through June to finish ongoing cases and help train the new employee.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve meeting minutes and update city records retention rules
In Plain English
The city clerk needs council approval for routine meeting minutes from February and March. The city also updates its rules for how long different types of documents must be kept before destruction. Police department records will be handled separately at a future meeting.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Update city-wide rules for keeping and destroying old records
In Plain English
The city currently uses outdated record-keeping rules from 1999 that create duplicate files and waste storage space. Multiple departments store copies of the same documents in overflowing offices. If approved, new schedules standardize which department keeps each type of record and when to destroy old files.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Direct city manager to create Blue Envelope Program for residents with disabilities
In Plain English
The Blue Envelope Program helps people with disabilities communicate safely with police during traffic stops or emergencies. Participants receive blue envelopes containing their medical information and emergency contacts to show officers. The program aims to prevent misunderstandings when disabilities affect how someone responds to police commands.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Create Blue Envelope Program to help police interact with residents who have disabilities
In Plain English
People with autism, dementia, anxiety, deafness or other disabilities often struggle during police encounters. The program provides blue envelopes, decals, lanyards and other items that signal to officers the person may need extra time or different communication methods. If approved, the city distributes these items free at police stations and other locations.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Pass formal statement opposing U.S. war on Iran and Israeli arms transfers
In Plain English
The resolution condemns reported U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian civilians, schools, and hospitals. It calls these strikes violations of international law and urges Congress to stop unauthorized military action. If approved, Richmond joins cities taking positions on federal foreign policy during ongoing Middle East conflicts.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Add caste as protected category under city anti-discrimination law
In Plain English
The city currently prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, and other categories but not caste. Caste is a hereditary social ranking system that can lead to workplace and housing discrimination. If approved, residents can file complaints about caste-based discrimination with the Human Rights Commission.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Add historic landmark protection to John Haley Studio at 771 Ocean Avenue
In Plain English
The city wants to officially recognize the John Haley Studio as a historic landmark and list it on Richmond's Historic Register. This adds a special overlay zone that protects the building from demolition or major alterations without city approval. Property owners must now get permits before making exterior changes to preserve the building's historic character.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Add historic landmark designation to John Haley Studio at 771 Ocean Avenue
In Plain English
The 1932 John Haley Studio served as home and workspace for an influential UC Berkeley art professor who helped create the "Berkeley School" painting style. The building features Second Bay Tradition architecture and a 1949 addition designed by respected architect Roger Lee. If approved, the landmark designation protects the property's historic character while allowing continued residential use.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Issue proclamation and appoint 8 residents to city boards and commissions
In Plain English
The city maintains 15 volunteer boards and commissions that advise the council on topics like parks, arts, and economic development. These positions recently became vacant due to expired terms or resignations. If approved, the new appointees serve multi-year terms reviewing projects and making policy recommendations.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Recognize April as American Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Month
In Plain English
Richmond has 3 active mosques serving over 30,000 Muslim residents in Contra Costa County. Masjid Al-Rahman feeds the community twice weekly regardless of faith, while other mosques provide education and spiritual services. The proclamation celebrates Muslim contributions while acknowledging rising discrimination complaints nationwide.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Kaelen Van Cura to Arts & Culture Commission
In Plain English
The Arts & Culture Commission has a vacant seat that needs filling. Van Cura previously served on this commission and wants to help local artists access grants and funding. If approved, her term runs through January 2030.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Reappoint Ben Kellman to Design Review Board for 4-year term
In Plain English
Ben Kellman currently serves on the Design Review Board, which reviews building designs for new construction and major renovations citywide. He has worked on local projects including City Hall renovation and Unity Park development. If approved, his new term runs until March 2028.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Asfar Ali to Economic Development Commission through 2029
In Plain English
The Economic Development Commission has a vacant seat that needs filling. Asfar Ali, a data scientist with a Doctor of Engineering degree, applied for the position. If approved, he serves a 3-year term ending March 2029.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Florence Wiley to Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force
In Plain English
The task force works on development plans for the Macdonald Avenue area. Florence Wiley is a downtown Richmond resident who wants to support local artists and encourage artist housing. If approved, her term runs through December 2026.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Vivian Gomez to Recreation and Parks Commission
In Plain English
The city has a vacant seat on the Recreation and Parks Commission that advises the council on parks and recreation programs. Vivian Gomez applied for the position and brings 3 years of experience in recreational baseball. If approved, she serves until October 2029 and focuses on supporting youth programs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Michelle Bailey-Vaughn to RFCY Oversight Board through December 2028
In Plain English
The RFCY Oversight Board has a vacant seat that needs filling. Michelle Bailey-Vaughn applied for the position based on her background in nutrition, finance, and community service. If approved, she serves a term ending in December 2028 to help oversee programs for children and youth.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Gabriel Saeyang to Richmond Youth Council
In Plain English
A seat on the Richmond Youth Council is currently vacant. Gabriel Saeyang applied to fill this position and represent young people's voices in city decisions. If approved, his term runs until October 2026.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Diana Benitez to the Planning Commission
In Plain English
The Planning Commission has a vacant seat that needs to be filled. Diana Benitez is an urban planner with a master's degree from UCLA and serves on regional planning councils. If approved, she serves a 4-year term reviewing development projects and zoning changes that affect neighborhoods citywide.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $400,000 increase for Shields-Reid Community Center construction repairs
In Plain English
The city hired Azul Works in 2023 to build improvements at Shields-Reid Community Center. Construction revealed additional maintenance problems that require more work. If approved, the total contract cost rises from $4.9 million to $5.3 million to complete all needed repairs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Add $400,000 to Shields-Reid Park construction contract for community center maintenance
In Plain English
The city awarded Azul Works $8 million from state grants to renovate Shields-Reid Park. The park construction is 95% complete but $100,000 in grant funds remain. The city wants to use these funds plus $400,000 in city money for maintenance work at the adjacent community center including painting, roof repairs, and sidewalk fixes.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Accept 2024 slurry seal street project as complete
In Plain English
The city treated 23 miles of roads with slurry seal coating to improve pavement conditions. The $3.4 million project extended street life by 4-7 years and was completed within budget. If approved, the contractor receives final payment and bond release.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $90,000 contract with Enterprise Rent-A-Car for recreation program van rentals
In Plain English
The city expanded from 1 van to 4 vans to transport kids to 6 summer camps and 5 after-school programs. Staff already rented 3 vans from Enterprise but spent more than allowed without council approval. This contract covers $42,536 in unpaid bills from July 2025 plus $42,536 projected through June 2026.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Update city fire safety laws to match new 2025 state standards
In Plain English
California updates its fire safety codes every 3 years, and the new version took effect January 1, 2026. Richmond must adopt these updated standards to continue enforcing fire safety rules. The city adds local requirements for Richmond's specific risks like narrow hillside streets, earthquake zones, and industrial hazards that state standards don't fully address.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.