Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Presiding: Mayor McLaughlin · Called to order: 6:43 p.m. · 7 items · 10 votes · 14 public comments
What happened
- Approved urging Planning Commission to vote on Chevron Modernization Project by June 25, passing 4-3 (Bates, Boozé, Butt dissenting).
- Approved directing staff to study policies for maintaining affordable rental housing, passing 5-2 (Bates, Boozé dissenting).
- Approved introducing law to raise Richmond's minimum wage above state level.
- Heard proposal to transfer certain development decisions from city council to planning commission without voting.
- Approved 5 routine items including $3,300 increase for Recreation Department tennis programs and Chevron environmental study funding.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Zoning(2 items)
Review appeal of approved 2,820 square-foot house at 70 Belvedere Avenue
In Plain English
The Design Review Board approved a permit for a new single-family home in Point Richmond. A resident appealed this decision to the city council. The city council now decides whether to uphold or overturn the board's approval.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Deny the appeal
5 to 0
Urge Planning Commission to vote on Chevron Modernization Project by June 25
In Plain English
The Planning Commission has been reviewing Chevron's plan to modernize its Richmond refinery for months. City council wants commissioners to finish their environmental review and make a final decision by late June. If approved, the project would allow Chevron to process different types of crude oil at the facility.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the item with Council preparing all necessary documents to enable the City Council to take action on these matters on or about July 29th with votes to be taken by the City Council no later than July 31, 2014, and if deadline not possible Council will delay August recess until vote can be taken
Adopt the resolution as presented in the agenda report, without the Council possibly meeting in August
4 to 3
Table this matter
3 to 4
Urging all Councilmembers, if needed, to be willing to meet in August, if the matter is not settled prior to July 29, 2014, with an option of joining the meeting via teleconference
4 to 3
Housing(1 item)
Direct staff to study policies for maintaining affordable rental housing
In Plain English
The city council wants to explore new ways to keep rental housing affordable for residents. Staff will research potential policies and present options at a future meeting within 120 days. This could lead to new programs or rules affecting landlords and renters citywide.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 47-14
5 to 2
Governance(2 items)
Introduce law to raise Richmond's minimum wage above state level
In Plain English
Richmond currently follows California's $16 per hour minimum wage. The proposed law would set a higher local minimum wage for businesses operating in Richmond. City council aims to end ongoing disputes about wage levels by adopting a compromise between different proposed amounts.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Introduce said ordinance and combine the Mayor's revised minimum wage ordinance to be combined with Councilmember Rogers' e-mailed changes sent June 3, 2014
Introduce said ordinance with the revisions
Transfer certain development decisions from city council to planning commission
In Plain English
The city council currently makes some development decisions that other cities delegate to their planning commissions. This change would move those decisions to the planning commission to streamline the approval process. If approved, developers would get faster decisions on certain projects without waiting for monthly council meetings.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Budget(2 items)
Raise property assessments 2.45% for Hilltop neighborhood landscaping
In Plain English
Property owners in the Hilltop Landscape Maintenance District pay special assessments to fund landscaping services in their neighborhood. The city adjusts these assessments annually based on inflation. If approved, your assessment increases by 2.45% to match the Consumer Price Index.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Continue the public hearing to the June 17, 2014, City Council meeting
Set annual property assessments for Marina Bay landscaping and lighting district
In Plain English
Marina Bay property owners pay special assessments to maintain landscaping and streetlights in their neighborhood. The city sets these rates annually based on property size and type. If approved, assessments increase by 3% for the 2014-2015 fiscal year as allowed under the district's original formation rules.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Adopt Resolution No. 45-14
Approved as a group without individual discussion.