Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 7:20 p.m. · 13 items · 25 votes · 13 public comments
What happened
- Rejected salary ranges for city management positions 5-2 (Bates, Lopez, McLaughlin, Rogers, Sandhu dissenting).
- Denied historic landmark status for Oishi and Sakai Nurseries structures 4-5 (Butt, McLaughlin, Sandhu, Thurmond dissenting).
- Approved $550,000 contract with Best Roofing & Waterproofing for city building roof repairs 8-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved 9 routine items including $95,000 for Chevron project legal services and $100,000 disaster preparedness grant.
- Created new city jobs including Port Administrator ($106,000 salary) and Office of Neighborhood Safety.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(4 items)
Designate Oishi and Sakai Nurseries structures as historic landmarks
In Plain English
The city will hold a public hearing to formally recognize certain buildings from the Oishi and Sakai Nurseries as historic resources. These nurseries were part of Richmond's agricultural history. If approved, the structures receive legal protection from demolition and may qualify for preservation grants.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to close the public hearing
to deny the request and provide staff direction to prepare findings and statements for denial
5 to 1
to accept staff's report
4 to 4
Designate Winters Building as official historic resource
In Plain English
The city is considering formal historic protection for the Winters Building. Historic designation protects buildings from demolition and requires special permits for exterior changes. Property owners may qualify for tax credits and grants for restoration work.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to close the public hearing
to support staff's recommendation
8 to 0
Urge Congress to pass Employee Free Choice Act supporting worker organizing rights
In Plain English
The federal Employee Free Choice Act would make it easier for workers to form unions at their jobs. The city has no direct role in federal labor law but wants to formally support the legislation. If approved, Richmond joins other cities asking Congress to strengthen worker organizing protections.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to adopt Resolution No. 41-07
Create program to reduce number of billboards citywide
In Plain English
Richmond currently has billboards throughout the city that some residents consider visual clutter. The proposed program would establish rules and methods to decrease the total number of these advertising signs. If approved, fewer billboards would be visible from streets and neighborhoods over time.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to have staff work with the billboard company to implement the exchange of some billboards in some locations and report back to the Council for review
to direct staff to provide answers and information about the exchange program to the Council
7 to 1
Contracts(2 items)
Contract with Best Roofing & Waterproofing for $550,000 roof repairs at 7 city buildings
In Plain English
The city needs roof repairs at 5 community centers and 2 branch libraries. Best Roofing & Waterproofing will handle replacement and repair work. If approved, the contract costs up to $550,000 and ensures these public buildings stay weatherproof and operational.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to approve the contract
8 to 1
Delay hiring consultants to study Port of Richmond business opportunities
In Plain English
The city planned to hire economic and environmental consultants to explore new business opportunities at the Port of Richmond. Staff now wants to wait about 6 weeks until the city finishes its strategic plan and learns the outcome of current business proposals. If approved, consultant hiring gets pushed back several months.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to accept the report from staff
to extend the meeting five minutes
8 to 1
Personnel(7 items)
Create new Community Service Technician job classification with monthly salary of $3,323-$4,039
In Plain English
The city wants to establish a new employee position called Community Service Technician. This role would handle community-focused tasks and services for residents. The monthly salary ranges from $3,323 to $4,039 depending on experience and qualifications.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to adopt the ordinance
Create new Workforce Program Coordinator job with $53,600-$65,200 salary
In Plain English
The city wants to hire someone to coordinate workforce development programs. This new position would earn between $4,471 and $5,433 per month. If approved, the city can start recruiting for this role to help residents find jobs and training opportunities.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to adopt Ordinance No. 15-07 N.S.
8 to 0
Create new Port Administrator job with salary up to $106,000 per year
In Plain English
The city plans to hire a Port Administrator to manage port operations. This new position would earn between $87,500 and $106,000 annually. The city currently lacks dedicated port management staff for its waterfront facilities.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to adopt Ordinance No. 16-07 N.S.
8 to 0
Set salary ranges for city management positions
In Plain English
The city needs formal pay scales for department heads and other senior managers who are not covered by union contracts. These exempt positions include roles like division chiefs, assistant directors, and confidential staff who handle sensitive information. If approved, the ordinance creates standardized salary ranges to ensure consistent compensation across management roles.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to refer this item to the Finance/Administrative Services Economic Development Standing Committee
to approve this item
3 to 5
Create new Employee Benefits Analyst job with $64,000-$77,000 salary
In Plain English
The city wants to hire someone to manage employee health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits. This new position would earn between $5,328 and $6,438 per month. If approved, the city can post the job and begin recruiting candidates.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to adopt Ordinance No. 13-07 N.S.
7 to 0
Create new Senior Employee Benefits Analyst job classification with $72,000-$87,000 salary
In Plain English
The city wants to add a new job title to handle employee benefits administration. This position would manage health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits for city workers. The salary range starts at $72,000 per year and goes up to $87,000 per year.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to adopt Ordinance No. 14-07 N.S.
7 to 0
Clarify medical premium payments for retired city council members
In Plain English
The city currently pays medical premiums for some retired council members but the rules are unclear. This law would specify exactly which medical plans the city covers for former council members. If approved, retired council members can receive city-paid premiums for both state retirement system plans and private insurance plans.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to approve the first reading of the ordinance
7 to 0
Appointments(1 item)
Appoint 4 people to serve on city commissions
In Plain English
The city fills volunteer positions on 3 advisory boards that help guide city policy. One person gets reappointed to the Economic Development Commission, while 3 new members join different commissions. These volunteers review issues and make recommendations to the city council on topics like business development, senior services, and arts funding.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to approve the appointment of Darlene Rios Drapkin to the Economic Development Commission
to approve the reappointment of Che Soto-Vigil to the Economic Development Commission
8 to 0
to approve the appointments of John Melone to the Commission of Aging and Phillip Mehas to the Arts and Culture Commission, with the understanding that at the next meeting the Council will present a resolution indicating that Board members who are not reappointed will continue to serve until reappointed or not appointed
Public Safety(1 item)
Create Office of Neighborhood Safety to reduce violent crime
In Plain English
The city wants to establish a new department focused on preventing violent crime through community programs. This office would work alongside police using different approaches like mentoring and conflict mediation. If approved, the city begins hiring a director to lead this new anti-violence initiative.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to extend the meeting for half an hour
7 to 0
to authorize the City Manager to begin the process of hiring a director
Approved as a group without individual discussion.