Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 4:44 p.m. · 10 items · 23 votes · 7 public comments
What happened
- Approved purchasing 27 new vehicles for city fleet 7-2 (Bates, Viramontes dissenting).
- Approved allowing developers to round up housing units to even numbers 7-1 (Lopez dissenting).
- Heard appeal of Planning Commission decision on splitting residential lot with no vote taken.
- Approved 18 routine items including $590,250 dispatch software contract and $185,145 police-prosecutor coordination agreement.
- Approved 8 other items including increased Point Molate security and street closures on B Street and Alvarado.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(6 items)
Purchase pre-fabricated concrete restrooms from CXT Incorporated
In Plain English
The city needs new public restrooms for parks or other facilities. Pre-fabricated concrete units are durable and vandal-resistant compared to traditional construction. The purchase amount and installation locations are not specified in available documents.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the purchase of pre-fabricated and set-in-place concrete restrooms
Purchase 27 new vehicles to replace aging city fleet
In Plain English
The city plans to replace 27 old vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life. These vehicles likely include police cars, fire trucks, maintenance trucks, and other city equipment. The city sets aside money each year in an equipment replacement budget specifically for these purchases.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the purchase of vehicles as presented
Approve purchase excluding 10 Ford Fusion Sedans and direct staff to return with environmentally friendlier vehicle purchasing policy recommendations
6 to 2
Increase security services at Point Molate to prevent wire theft
In Plain English
The city already has a security contract with DP Security for Point Molate. Copper wire theft has become a recurring problem at the site. If approved, the city expands security patrols to better protect infrastructure from thieves who target valuable metal.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the amendment to the agreement with DP Security
Approve month-to-month lease for Transitional Living Program house
In Plain English
The city runs a program that helps people transition from homelessness or other situations into permanent housing. This lease covers the house where program participants live temporarily. The month-to-month arrangement gives the city flexibility to end or continue the lease as needed.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the month-to-month lease contract
Amend contract with Swinerton to oversee Hall of Justice temporary improvements
In Plain English
The city needs temporary improvements at the Hall of Justice building, including installing a backup generator. Swinerton currently has a construction oversight contract with the city. If approved, the company adds supervision of these temporary tenant improvements to their existing work scope.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the contract amendment
Direct staff to research funding and support for Richmond Chapter of Girls Inc.
In Plain English
Girls Inc. operates programs for girls in Richmond but may need city assistance. Staff will investigate what funding or other support the city could provide to help the organization continue its operations and programming.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to provide technical assistance to Girls Inc; identify funding; make City resources available in kind including grant writers and recreation staff; partner with Girls Inc. in events and provide space as sponsor
Zoning(3 items)
Close portion of B Street between West Barrett Avenue and Garrard Boulevard
In Plain English
The city plans to permanently close this section of B Street to through traffic. Property owners on both sides of the street requested the closure. If approved, the city transfers ownership of the roadway to adjacent property owners who will maintain it as private property.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Approve the item as presented
Review appeal of Planning Commission decision on splitting residential lot
In Plain English
The Planning Commission approved or denied a request to divide property at 125-127 Western Drive into separate lots. Someone appealed that decision to the city council. If the council reverses the Planning Commission, the opposite outcome takes effect for this residential development.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Allow developers to round up housing units to even numbers
In Plain English
Current density bonus rules sometimes require developers to build an odd number of units, like 23 apartments in a complex. This creates awkward building layouts and wasted space. If approved, developers can round up to the next even number to make construction more practical.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Give ordinance first reading and lay over for second reading
7 to 1
Governance(1 item)
Close portion of Alvarado Street to through traffic
In Plain English
The city proposes to permanently close the section of Alvarado Street between Buena Vista Avenue and Arizona Avenue. This street vacation removes the roadway from public use and typically transfers ownership to adjacent property owners. Residents would need to use alternate routes to travel through this area.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Adopt Resolution of Vacation No. 903
7 to 0
Budget(1 item)
Authorize Finance Team to prepare bond restructuring proceedings
In Plain English
The city wants to restructure 3 older bond issues from 2006-2007 that fund wastewater systems and other infrastructure. Restructuring typically involves refinancing at lower interest rates or extending payment terms. If approved, the Finance Team begins the legal process to potentially reduce the city's debt payments.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the item
Approved as a group without individual discussion.