Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Presiding: Mayor Butt · Called to order: 7:04 p.m. · 2 items · 10 votes · 20 public comments

What happened

  • Approved donating funds to Oakland for public bank feasibility study 6-1 (Butt dissenting).
  • Approved accepting new storm drain and public access easements at Hilltop Mall.
  • Heard updates to policy governing council member travel and expense reimbursements.
  • Approved 7 routine items including hiring 3 transcription firms at $25,000 each.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Minutes

Attendance

Ben Choi(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Ada Recinos(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Jovanka Beckles(Present)
Jael Myrick(Absent)
Tom Butt(Present)
3 substantive items · 7 consent · 1 procedural

Miscellaneous(1 item)

Donate funds to Oakland for public bank feasibility study

5-1Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

Oakland wants to explore creating a government-owned bank that would handle public money instead of private banks. The city is considering contributing money to help Oakland study whether this concept could work. Public banks aim to keep tax dollars local and potentially offer lower-cost services to residents.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approved the City of Richmond to make a $5,000 investment into the process of said feasibility study

Moved by: Councilmember MartinezSeconded by: Vice Mayor Beckles
Passed

5 to 1

Thomas K. ButtNay
Ben ChoiAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Ada RecinosAye
Melvin WillisAye
Jael MyrickAbstain
Jovanka BecklesAye

Infrastructure(1 item)

Accept new storm drain and public access easements at Hilltop Mall

The Hilltop

In Plain English

The city owns an old storm drain easement at Hilltop Mall that no longer works. The property owner is giving the city a new storm drain easement in a better location. The city also gains a new public access easement on the same property.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopted Resolution No. 119-17 and Resolution No. 120-17

Moved by: Councilmember WillisSeconded by: Councilmember Choi
Passed

7 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Ben ChoiAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Ada RecinosAye
Melvin WillisAye
Jael MyrickAye
Jovanka BecklesAye

Governance(1 item)

Review updates to policy governing council member travel and expense reimbursements

Council Travel Policy

In Plain English

The city has rules about when councilmembers can get reimbursed for travel, meals, and other expenses while doing city business. Staff updated these spending rules and wants council feedback. If approved, the new policy sets clearer limits on what taxpayers cover for elected officials' expenses.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Approved as a group without individual discussion.

H-5Approved the minutes of the September 12 and 19, 2017, regular meetings of the Richmond City Council