Tuesday, December 11, 2007

The council approved a controversial Canyon Oaks II development despite strong opposition, with Butt, McLaughlin, and Thurmond voting no in a 5-3 split. The planning commission had initially approved the project, but an appeal was filed asking the council to reverse that decision.

The council hired Renne Sloan Holtzman & Sakai as the new City Attorney for two years at $38,500 per month, with only Butt voting against the contract. The firm will handle lawsuits, review contracts, and provide legal advice to replace the current attorney arrangement.

The council approved 11 routine items on consent, including accepting $481,379 from the county waste fund for North Richmond projects and purchasing $473,359 in police and fire radio equipment. Other consent items included hiring Paul Hastings law firm for $75,000 to help transfer Point Molate property and increasing the city's living wage to $14.55 with benefits.

Several items were continued to future meetings, including directing staff to help Toll Brothers acquire property rights for Point Richmond Shores development and hiring Psomas Dodson for a $300,000 stormwater study. The council also approved research into workforce housing programs for police, firefighters, and teachers to help them afford local housing.