Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Presiding: Mayor Butt · Called to order: 6:31 p.m. · 9 items · 28 votes · 29 public comments
What happened
- Failed to appoint new council member to fill vacant seat with split 2-1-3 vote (Beckles dissenting, others abstaining).
- Approved changes to city sign rules for businesses 5-1 (McLaughlin dissenting).
- Approved 15 routine items including $600,000 contracts with engineering firms and $496,000 for street repairs.
- Approved supporting UC Berkeley campus benefits agreement 5-1 (Bates dissenting).
- Approved requiring landlords to show cause for evictions and opposing trade agreements unanimously.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(4 items)
Adopt resolution opposing 3 international trade agreements
In Plain English
The city council wants to formally oppose 3 proposed international trade deals: the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, and Trade in Services Agreement. These agreements would affect how countries trade goods and services with each other. If approved, Richmond joins other cities taking a stance against fast-tracking these federal trade negotiations.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 17-15
5 to 0
Support Community Benefits Agreement with UC Berkeley Global Campus
In Plain English
UC Berkeley plans to build a new campus facility that could affect local residents. The city wants to negotiate an agreement requiring the university to provide specific benefits to the community in exchange for city support. These benefits typically include local hiring requirements, affordable housing contributions, or traffic mitigation measures.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 18-15
5 to 1
Eliminate 2 standing committees that advise city council
In Plain English
The city council currently has permanent committees for public safety and finance that meet regularly to review issues before full council votes. This law eliminates both committees and sends all business directly to the full council. If approved, council members lose specialized committee roles but may handle agenda items more quickly.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Introduce the ordinance for first reading
4 to 1
Send letter supporting salad bars in Richmond public schools
In Plain English
The West Contra Costa school district is considering adding salad bars to school cafeterias as part of a healthy food campaign. Richmond city council wants to formally support this effort by sending a letter to the school board. If approved, the city expresses backing for healthier meal options that would benefit local students.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to send a letter to the WCCUSD Board in support of the Healthy School Food Campaign to include salad bars in Richmond schools
6 to 0
Appointments(1 item)
Appoint new council member to fill vacant seat
In Plain English
One city council seat became vacant on January 13, 2015. The remaining council members will choose someone to serve until the next regular election. This person will vote on city business and represent residents in their district.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Appoint Sheryl Lane to fill the vacant seat on the City Council
2 to 1
Appoint Vinay Pimplé to fill the vacant seat on the City Council
2 to 1
Zoning(1 item)
Introduce changes to city sign rules for businesses and properties
In Plain English
The city is proposing updates to local laws that control what signs businesses and property owners can display. These rules cover things like sign size, placement, and lighting. If approved after a second reading, the new regulations take effect citywide.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Continue to March 3, 2015
5 to 1
Housing(3 items)
2015 Annual Homeless Workforce Conference Support
Official Agenda Text
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 15-15
6 to 0
Declare intent to contact lenders about nonprofit program preventing foreclosures
In Plain English
The city wants to reach out to banks and other lenders who own delinquent mortgages. A nonprofit program could buy these troubled loans to help homeowners avoid foreclosure. If approved, the city begins formal conversations about creating more affordable housing through this approach.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 16-15
6 to 0
Direct staff to draft law requiring landlords to show cause for evictions
In Plain English
Currently landlords can evict tenants without stating a reason in many cases. The proposed law would require landlords to prove legitimate grounds like nonpayment or lease violations before evicting. Staff will also explore creating a rent board or tenant protection commission to enforce the rules.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to draft an ordinance that best suits the City of Richmond in establishing a Just Cause requirement for evictions
6 to 0
Public Safety(1 item)
Call on Chevron to safely shut down refinery if workers strike
In Plain English
The city wants Chevron to completely shut down the Richmond refinery if permanent employees go on strike, rather than using replacement workers. The resolution asks the county to help enforce Richmond's industrial safety law during any strike. This addresses safety concerns about non-permanent workers operating complex refinery equipment during labor disputes.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt a resolution that calls on Chevron to cooperate in a safe and orderly shutdown of the Chevron Richmond Refinery in the event that its permanent employees, who operate the Chevron Richmond Refinery, exercise their right to refuse work should a strike occur, and further calls on Contra Costa County to take all necessary steps, in cooperation with the City of Richmond, to ensure that Chevron will comply with the Richmond Industrial Safety Ordinance (RISO) during the strike; and direct City of Richmond staff to take all necessary steps, in cooperation with Contra Costa County staff, to ensure that Chevron will comply with the RISO during the strike, and to ensure that Chevron, Contra Costa County, and the United Steelworkers are timely provided a true and complete copy of this Resolution
6 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.