Tuesday, December 22, 2020

3 items · 15 votes · 30 public comments

What happened

  • Approved $700,000 contract extension for labor negotiation legal services 4-1 (Martinez dissenting).
  • Approved allowing city manager to reorganize employee positions without council approval 4-1 (Martinez dissenting).
  • Approved declaring 85 city-owned properties as surplus land for potential sale 4-1 (Martinez dissenting, Myrick abstaining).
  • Approved 11 routine items including $2.5 million police equipment contract with Axon Enterprise.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Agenda

Attendance

Ben Choi(Present)
Demnlus Johnson III(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Jael Myrick(Present)
Melvin Willis(Absent)
Tom Butt(Present)
Nat Bates(Present)
4 substantive items · 11 consent · 1 procedural

Personnel(1 item)

Allow city manager to reorganize employee positions without council approval

4-1Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city manager currently needs council approval to move or reorganize any employee position. This change lets the manager shuffle positions as long as the total budget stays the same. The manager still needs council approval for any changes that cost more money.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

adopt said resolution with an amendment to the third whereas statement, "WHEREAS, the City Manager would like authority to modify the position control, as necessary, as long as there is no net negative impact to the City's Operating Budget or transfer of funding from one department to another"; and another amendment to the last statement, "NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Richmond City Council authorizes the City Manager to modify the position control within budgeted department, in order to meet the operational needs of the City"

Moved by: Eduardo Martinez
Failed

adopt said resolution as presented with no changes

Moved by: Nathaniel BatesSeconded by: Ben Choi
Passed

4 to 1

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezNay
Jael MyrickAbsent
Melvin WillisAbsent

Contracts(1 item)

Approve $700,000 contract extension for labor negotiation legal services

4-1Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city hired Liebert, Cassidy, Whitmore law firm to handle union contract negotiations and other legal work. The original contract has grown from $175,000 to $875,000 total. If approved, the firm continues representing the city in labor talks through June 2022.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

approve said contract amendment

Moved by: Ben ChoiSeconded by: Nathaniel Bates
Passed

4 to 1

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezNay
Jael MyrickAbsent
Melvin WillisAbsent

Governance(1 item)

Declare 85 city-owned properties as surplus land available for potential sale or development

4-1City Property Inventory

In Plain English

State law requires cities to regularly inventory their properties and label unused ones as surplus land. The city identified 85 parcels it no longer needs for municipal operations. This formal designation allows the city to eventually sell or redevelop these properties, with affordable housing developers getting first opportunity to purchase.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

adopt said resolution with the exception of the parcel located at 45 1st Street

Moved by: Jael MyrickSeconded by: Nathaniel Bates
Failed

approve said resolution as presented, incorporate the friendly amendment to focus on affordable housing, and direct staff to identify the utilizers of the parcel at 45 1st Street to help find another location

Moved by: Thomas K. ButtSeconded by: Nathaniel Bates
Passed

4 to 1

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezNay
Jael MyrickAbstain
Melvin WillisAbsent

Miscellaneous(1 item)

Details

In Plain English

This agenda item lacks any description or details about what the council will discuss or decide. Residents cannot determine what action, if any, the council plans to take on this item based on the information provided.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Approved as a group without individual discussion.

G-3Approve meeting minutes