Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 2:15 p.m. · 7 items · 5 votes · 16 public comments
What happened
- Approved hiring attorney for police code enforcement 6-2 (McLaughlin, Butt dissenting).
- Approved ending city's plastic water bottle use 6-1 (Bates dissenting, Marquez abstaining).
- Approved $208,000 YouthWORKS Division budget increase using city advance.
- Approved 8 routine items including $80,448 for speed bumps and $50,000 Attic Consulting budget contract.
- Approved 3.29% trash rate increase and designating Santa Fe Trainmaster's Office as historic resource.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(1 item)
Hire attorney for police code enforcement and drug house cases
In Plain English
The city needs specialized legal help for police work involving property violations and drug houses. The 7-month contract runs from December 2007 through June 2008. If approved, the city pays attorney Trisha Aljoe $75,000 for these legal services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the contract
5 to 2
Environment(2 items)
End city's use of plastic water bottles
In Plain English
The city currently uses plastic water bottles in offices and at events. Council wants to eliminate this practice to reduce waste and environmental impact. If approved, staff will draft a law requiring the city to use alternatives like refillable bottles or water fountains.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the recommendation and give direction to staff
6 to 1
Direct staff to research waste reduction and compostable restaurant materials requirements
In Plain English
Cities like Oakland, Berkeley, and San Francisco require restaurants to use compostable containers and utensils instead of plastic or styrofoam. Staff will research how to implement similar rules locally. If approved, restaurants would eventually need to switch to biodegradable packaging, which typically costs more but reduces landfill waste.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Staff provide a report in 60 days with recommendations for ways to reduce waste and increase the use of compostables including removal of styrofoam from restaurants and any other sources possible. There should also be input solicited from the business community and the Goldman School.
7 to 0
Governance(3 items)
Designate Santa Fe Trainmaster's Office at 4 West Richmond Avenue as historic resource
In Plain English
The city considers formally protecting the old Santa Fe railroad building on West Richmond Avenue. Historic designation prevents demolition and requires special permits for major changes. Property owners must follow preservation guidelines for exterior modifications.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Approve the designation
Raise trash collection rates by 3.29% to match inflation
In Plain English
The city adjusts trash collection rates annually based on the Consumer Price Index to account for inflation. This year's 3.29% increase reflects rising costs for fuel, labor, and equipment. If approved, your monthly trash bill increases by the inflation rate.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Approve first reading of the ordinance
Discuss plan to prevent vacant properties from becoming loan collateral
In Plain English
Some Richmond properties sit vacant for years because owners use them as collateral for large loans, making the buildings economically useless. The city wants to develop a plan to stop this from happening to more properties. If approved, staff creates intervention strategies to keep buildings active and productive.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Forward this matter to staff for further research
Get a legal opinion from the city attorney to determine if it is possible for the City of Richmond to participate in developing a private equity real estate fund to look at high-risk properties in Richmond
Budget(1 item)
Increase YouthWORKS Division budget by $208,000 using city advance
In Plain English
The city's YouthWORKS Division needs additional funding for job training programs this fiscal year. The city advances $208,000 from its general fund to cover the shortfall. Future development fees from new construction projects will repay this advance to the city.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Support the staff report
7 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.