Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Presiding: Mayor Tom Butt · Called to order: 6:33 p.m. · 5 items · 36 votes · 14 public comments
What happened
- Approved rental regulations including rent mediation and eviction protections 5-1 (Pimplé dissenting, Butt abstaining).
- Heard proposal for 45-day freeze on rent increases while creating rent control policy.
- Approved 18 routine items including $600,000 contract with Richmond Police Activities League for youth programs.
- Approved contract with county for dedicated prosecutor assigned to Richmond.
- Approved selection of lobbying firm to help secure federal and state funding.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Housing(2 items)
Establish 45-day freeze on all rent increases while city creates rent control policy
In Plain English
Richmond currently has no limits on how much landlords can raise rent. The city is working on a permanent rent control policy but needs time to finalize it. If approved, no landlord can increase rent for 45 days, giving the council time to pass the new rules.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Discuss rental regulations including rent mediation and eviction protections
In Plain English
The city council is reviewing two different approaches to regulate rental housing. Option C would create a mediation board to help resolve disputes between tenants and landlords. Option D would limit rent increases and require landlords to show valid reasons before evicting tenants. The council will decide which components to include in new housing laws.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Regarding exemptions for Option C, Rent Mediation Board Plus Enhanced Monitoring and Community Education (Option A), directing staff to not include any exemptions
4 to 0
Regarding Option D – Rent Control and Just Cause for Eviction Plus Enhanced Monitoring and Community Education (Option A), to not include any exemptions beyond Costa-Hawkins
4 to 0
Regarding Option D - Just Case for Eviction Exemptions directing staff to not include any exemptions, and expand to all units including Section 8
4 to 0
Regarding Option C – Rent Mediation Board to approve staff's recommendation of five members
3 to 0
Regarding Option D – potential Rent Control Board composition – to have the City Council function as Rent Board until November 2016
4 to 0
Regarding Option C – Rent Mediation Board, directing staff to include an aggregate of seven percent over one year
3 to 0
Regarding Option D - Rent Control and Just Case for Eviction, proposed a 60% of CPI in terms of allowable increases
4 to 0
Regarding Option D - Fee Pass-through, applying all costs associated with the ordinance to include all units covered for Just Cause for Eviction and no fees allowed to pass through to tenant except sewer rates
4 to 0
Regarding Option D – Relocation Payments – to apply to all units - relocation payments of two months rents at market rate plus $1,000 for all no-fault evictions
4 to 1
Increasing code enforcement on rental units
4 to 1
To require notification to tenants about the Just Case and Rental Control Ordinance
5 to 0
To not include a rental registry and levy maximum legal penalties including a private right of action by tenants
4 to 1
Directing staff to establish a special fund to receive fees received by landlords and not start wrapping up the staffing of the Rental Board until the fees are collected
4 to 1
Contracts(2 items)
Contract with county for dedicated prosecutor assigned to Richmond
In Plain English
The city would hire a deputy district attorney to work specifically on Richmond cases. This prosecutor would focus on community-based prosecution rather than handling cases from multiple cities. If approved, Richmond gets its own dedicated legal advocate for criminal cases.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approved a contract with the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office for the dedicated services of a Deputy District Attorney
5 to 0
Select lobbying firm to help secure federal and state funding
In Plain English
The city wants to hire professional advocates to lobby federal and state governments for grant money. These firms specialize in navigating government funding programs and building relationships with legislators. If approved, the firm helps the city compete for grants to pay for local projects and programs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Authorizing the city manager to extend the contract with Holland & Knight for three months through September 30, 2015, and continued the item to July 21, 2015
6 to 0
Governance(2 items)
Introduce law setting fees for city services in new master fee schedule
In Plain English
The city plans to create a single master list of all fees residents and businesses pay for permits, inspections, and other city services. Currently these fees are scattered across different departments and documents. If approved, the new schedule consolidates all fees in one place and may adjust some amounts.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Closed the public hearing
Said ordinance received first reading and was laid over two weeks for second reading
6 to 0
Directed staff to limit the fees for an appeal to $50 for appeals endorsed by the Neighborhood Councils
6 to 0
Review whether eliminating 2 city committees improved council operations
In Plain English
The city previously dissolved its Public Safety committee and Finance committee to streamline decision-making. Council members will assess whether this change made meetings more efficient or created problems. If the review shows issues, the committees could be restored to handle specialized topics before full council votes.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.