Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Presiding: Mayor Tom Butt · Called to order: 6:31 p.m. · 6 items · 15 votes · 31 public comments
What happened
- Rejected changes to Police Commission operations 5-2 (Pimplé, Butt supporting).
- Approved housing initiative adoption instead of putting it on ballot.
- Approved 9 routine items including banning jargon in meetings and scheduling meat plant hearing.
- Heard presentations on youth Minecraft program and Community Wi-Fi Project.
- Approved requiring staff disclosure of contract bidding details before votes.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(2 items)
Revise laws governing how the Police Commission operates
In Plain English
The Police Commission oversees police department policies and investigates complaints about officers. The city wants to update the rules that created this commission and guide how it conducts business. If approved, changes could affect how the commission reviews police conduct or makes recommendations to the city council.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Send the ordinance to the Police Commission for review and input and then return to the city council for approval
6 to 0
Strike Sections 3.54.080 B, and 5C through B10, regarding conducting a public hearing
2 to 4
Require staff to disclose contract bidding details before council votes
In Plain English
City staff currently presents contracts to the council without showing who else bid or why they chose the winner. If approved, staff must reveal all competing bids and explain their selection process before the council votes on any contract.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt the resolution and direct staff to provide the information in Items #1, #2, and #3
Schedule a study session in January 2016 regarding the contracting and purchasing procedures
5 to 0
Zoning(2 items)
Decide whether to adopt housing initiative or put it on ballot
In Plain English
Residents submitted an initiative to change city zoning rules to allow a 59-unit housing project on Marina Way South. The city must either adopt the initiative as written or call a special election to let voters decide. If approved, the project can move forward under the new zoning rules.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Send this matter to the ballot to be voted on the June 7, 2016 Primary Election
6 to 0
Review best practices for improving compatibility between different zoning areas
In Plain English
The city wants to study how other cities handle the boundaries between different zoned areas, like where residential neighborhoods meet commercial districts. These transition zones often create conflicts over noise, traffic, and building height. Staff will research solutions that other cities use to reduce these problems.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to review current best practices to improve compatibility between residential and industrial in transitional areas of zoning districts and to work with both the residents and business community
6 to 0
Infrastructure(1 item)
Receive presentation on Community Wi-Fi Project with school district and nonprofits
In Plain English
City staff will present details about a partnership to expand internet access in the community. The project involves the West Contra Costa school district, Internet Archive, and Building Blocks for Kids nonprofit. The presentation covers how these groups plan to work together to bring Wi-Fi to underserved areas.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Miscellaneous(1 item)
Receive presentation on Summer of Minecraft youth training program
In Plain English
City staff will present results from a summer program that taught local youth using Minecraft in July 2015. The presentation covers what participants learned and how the program worked. This is an informational update with no action required from the council.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.