Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Presiding: Mayor McLaughlin · Called to order: 7:09 p.m. · 16 items · 33 votes · 11 public comments
What happened
- Approved $3.6 million more for Hall of Justice improvements 6-2 (Bates, Butt dissenting).
- Approved raising mayor's salary from $37,200 to $72,000 over two phases (Butt dissenting).
- Approved raising council member salaries from $13,464 to $16,830 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved 100 TASER devices for police officers (McLaughlin dissenting).
- Approved 14 routine items including $97,500 interim city attorney extension and $100,000 alcohol enforcement grant.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Personnel(7 items)
Add Environmental Manager job classification to city staff positions
In Plain English
The city currently lacks a dedicated environmental management position in its official job classification system. This creates a new Environmental Manager role that the city can hire for in the future. The position would handle environmental compliance, sustainability programs, and related duties across city departments.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 77-07 adding Environmental Manager classification
8 to 0
Increase mayor's salary from $37,200 to $72,000 over two phases
In Plain English
The mayor currently earns $37,200 per year. If approved, the salary jumps to $54,000 in September 2007, then to $72,000 in July 2008. This represents a 94% increase over the current pay rate.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve first reading of ordinance increasing Mayor's salary
5 to 1
Increase city council member salaries from $13,464 to $16,830
In Plain English
Council members currently earn $13,464 per year for their service. If approved, their annual salary rises to $16,830 starting in fiscal year 2007-08. This represents a 25% increase in compensation for elected officials.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Introduce ordinance for first reading increasing Councilmember salaries
6 to 1
Create new salary plan for city managers over 3 years
In Plain English
The city struggles to recruit and keep managers because current salaries are more than 10% below market rates. This new pay structure would raise management salaries to competitive levels over 3 years. If approved, the city also gets permission to negotiate similar raises with union employees who are underpaid.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Introduce ordinance for first reading implementing management salary plan
7 to 1
Create new Public Safety Technology Supervisor job classification
In Plain English
The city wants to add a new job title to its official list of positions. This classification covers supervising technology systems used by police, fire, and emergency services. If approved, the city can hire someone for this role or promote an existing employee to manage public safety tech operations.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 74-07 adding Public Safety Technology Supervisor classification
8 to 0
Create new Neighborhood Safety Director position classification
In Plain English
The city wants to add a new job category called Neighborhood Safety Director to its official list of positions. This classification would set the job duties, qualifications, and pay range for this role. If approved, the city can hire someone for this position to oversee neighborhood safety programs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 75-07 adding Neighborhood Safety Director classification
8 to 0
Set salary range for new Neighborhood Safety Director position
In Plain English
The city created a new Neighborhood Safety Director job but has not yet established official pay rates. This law sets the salary range at $5,950 to $11,050 per month ($71,400 to $132,600 annually). If approved, the city can begin hiring for this position.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Introduce ordinance for first reading establishing Neighborhood Safety Director salary
8 to 0
Contracts(3 items)
Renew automatic aid agreement with nearby fire departments
In Plain English
The city shares fire and emergency response resources with Contra Costa County and neighboring cities Pinole, Rodeo, and Hercules. The current automatic aid agreement expires and needs renewal. If approved, Richmond firefighters continue responding to emergencies in partner areas when they are closest, and partner departments do the same for Richmond calls.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the renewal of the Automatic Aid Agreement
8 to 0
Hire Gregory B. Bragg & Associates to manage workers' compensation claims
In Plain English
The city needs a company to handle workers' compensation claims when employees get injured on the job. Gregory B. Bragg & Associates would process paperwork, investigate claims, and manage payments to injured workers. If approved, the city pays $565,167 this year, rising to $655,000 by 2009/10.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Grant the contract to JT2 as the lowest bidder
Approve the contract with Gregory B. Bragg & Associates
6 to 0
Purchase 100 TASER devices for police officers
In Plain English
The police department wants to buy 100 TASER stun guns from Proforce Marketing for $86,436. These conducted energy devices give officers a non-lethal option during confrontations. If approved, the city spends about $864 per TASER unit.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve contract with Proforce Marketing for TASER purchase
7 to 1
Budget(1 item)
Increase budget for temporary Hall of Justice improvements by $3.6 million
In Plain English
The city is renovating space at 1689 Regatta Boulevard to serve as a temporary courthouse. The original budget proved insufficient for the tenant improvements needed. If approved, total spending on the project rises from $2.9 million to $6.5 million.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 78, approve contract with Rubecon General Contracting, Inc. and approve Amendment No. 3 to Swinerton Management contract
6 to 2
Public Safety(2 items)
Establish Office of Neighborhood Safety in City Manager's Department
In Plain English
The Mentoring Center completed a study on creating a new city office focused on violence prevention. This office would operate under the City Manager and use community-based approaches to reduce violence. If approved, Richmond joins other cities using this model to address public safety through intervention rather than just law enforcement.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the staff recommendations
9 to 0
Direct staff to publicize reward provisions for theft or vandalism of city property
In Plain English
The city already offers rewards for information leading to arrests for theft or vandalism of city property. Staff needs council direction on how to advertise these rewards to residents. Better publicity could help catch people damaging parks, stealing equipment, or vandalizing buildings.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve recommendations to publicize reward provisions
9 to 0
Governance(2 items)
Approve public art installations for the Civic Center
In Plain English
The city's Public Art Advisory Committee and Arts Commission have selected specific art pieces for the Civic Center building or grounds. The installations follow the city's public art policies for selecting appropriate works. If approved, the chosen art elements will be installed at the Civic Center for residents and visitors to view.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve Civic Center Public Art elements
9 to 0
Require green building standards for all city construction projects
In Plain English
The city currently has no environmental requirements for its own building projects. This law sets green building standards that city projects must meet. If approved, future city buildings use less energy and water, reducing operating costs and environmental impact.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the first reading of the ordinance establishing Green Building requirements
9 to 0
Zoning(1 item)
Close portion of 12th Street permanently to traffic
In Plain English
The city is considering shutting down part of 12th Street and transferring ownership to adjacent property owners. Street vacations typically happen when roads are no longer needed for public access or when private development requires the space. If approved, vehicles can no longer use this section of 12th Street.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
9 to 0
Adopt Resolution of Vacation for portion of 12th Street
9 to 0
Infrastructure(1 item)
Direct staff to seek funding for Port drydock repairs to clean mothball fleet ships
In Plain English
The federal government stores dozens of old Navy ships in Suisun Bay that need their hulls cleaned. Richmond's Port has drydocks that could do this work but they need repairs first. The city wants to hire lobbyists to help secure federal funding for the drydock rehabilitation project.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Give staff direction to explore rehabilitation of drydocks
9 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.