Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Presiding: Mayor Tom Butt · Called to order: 6:33 p.m. · 6 items · 16 votes · 15 public comments
What happened
- Denied 60-day extension for medical cannabis dispensary to open with Martinez and McLaughlin voting no.
- Approved putting rent control ordinance repeal to voter referendum.
- Heard appeal of Hilltop Apartment Project design permit without taking action.
- Approved 7 routine items including $1.3 million Manson Construction port dredging contract.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(1 item)
Grant 60-day extension for medical cannabis dispensary to open
In Plain English
Richmond Compassionate Care Collective received city approval to operate a medical cannabis dispensary but hasn't opened yet. The business requests 2 more months to start operations. The dispensary must resume paying quarterly permit fees during the extension period.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Deny the extension
3 to 1
Grant a 30-day extension
2 to 2
Public Safety(1 item)
Authorize Assistant Police Chief travel to Scotland for use-of-force training
In Plain English
Assistant Chief Allwyn Brown would attend a November conference with Police Scotland to learn methods for reducing police use of force. The Police Executive Research Forum covers all travel and lodging costs. If approved, the city pays no expenses for this training opportunity.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the item
7 to 0
Zoning(1 item)
Review appeal of approved Hilltop Apartment Project design permit
In Plain English
The Design Review Board approved plans for a new apartment project in the Hilltop area in July. A resident or group appealed that approval to the city council. The council can uphold the original approval, modify it with new conditions, or reverse it and deny the project entirely.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Personnel(1 item)
Allow firefighters and police to pay extra 1% toward retirement benefits
In Plain English
Current firefighter and police union members pay 2% of their salary toward retirement through CalPERS. This change lets them voluntarily pay an additional 1% for better retirement benefits. The city's retirement contract with CalPERS requires council approval for any contribution changes.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Ordinance No. 25-15 N.S.
7 to 0
Budget(1 item)
Direct staff to analyze potential bond rating downgrade costs and prevention measures
In Plain English
The city's credit rating from S&P may be downgraded, which would increase borrowing costs when the city issues bonds for infrastructure projects. Staff will prepare a presentation showing how much extra the city would pay in interest if the rating drops further. The analysis will also outline steps the city must take to prevent a downgrade and create a timeline to implement those measures.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the item
7 to 0
Housing(1 item)
Repeal rent control ordinance or put it to voter referendum
In Plain English
The city passed a rent control law in 2015 that created a rent board and requires landlords to show just cause before evicting tenants. The council can either eliminate this law entirely or let voters decide its fate in a special election. If approved, rental housing returns to market-rate pricing without eviction protections.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Repeal Ordinance 21-15 N.S, and adopt Ordinance 26-15 N.S.
7 to 0
Miscellaneous(1 item)
Receive presentation from JFK High School Information Technology Academy students
In Plain English
Students and teachers from John F. Kennedy High School will present their Information Technology Academy program to the city council. The presentation covers what the academy teaches and how Richmond residents and city government can help support the program's success.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.