Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Presiding: Mayor Tom Butt · Called to order: 6:34 p.m. · 5 items · 20 votes · 11 public comments

What happened

  • Heard appeals for Bottoms Property housing subdivision and Central Avenue cell tower antennas without voting.
  • Approved new drone regulations for the city.
  • Approved ban on refrigerated truck compressors near homes during nighttime hours.
  • Approved 15 routine items including $3.8 million in Unity Park construction contracts and Urban Greening Master Plan.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Minutes

Attendance

Ben Choi(Present)
Gayle McLaughlin(Present)
Jael Myrick(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Jovanka Beckles(Present)
Tom Butt(Present)
6 substantive items · 15 consent · 1 procedural

Governance(3 items)

Introduce new law regulating drone use in Richmond

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

Richmond currently has no specific rules governing where and how people can fly drones within city limits. The proposed law would create the city's first regulations for unmanned aircraft systems. If approved after a second reading, drone operators must follow new local rules in addition to federal aviation requirements.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

approved first reading of the ordinance

Moved by: Councilmember MyrickSeconded by: Councilmember McLaughlin
Passed

6 to 0

Ben ChoiAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye
Eduardo MartinezAbstain
Jovanka BecklesAye
Tom ButtAye

Prohibit refrigerated truck compressors near homes during nighttime hours

Community Noise

In Plain English

The city's current noise law does not specifically regulate refrigerated trucks and containers that run loud compressors all night. This change bans using these compressors within 1,250 feet of homes between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. If approved, businesses must move refrigerated trucks farther from residential areas or find quieter alternatives during night hours.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

introduced said ordinance

Moved by: Councilmember WillisSeconded by: Vice Mayor Beckles
Passed

7 to 0

Ben ChoiAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jovanka BecklesAye
Tom ButtAye

Direct staff to write letter supporting state fair hiring law

Political Statements

In Plain English

AB 1008 would ban employers from asking about criminal records until after making a job offer. The city wants to formally support this state bill. If passed, the law would help people with past convictions find work by preventing early screening based on criminal history.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

approved the item

Moved by: Councilmember McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Myrick
Passed

7 to 0

Ben ChoiAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jovanka BecklesAye
Tom ButtAye

Zoning(2 items)

Approve final map for Bottoms Property housing subdivision

Bottoms Property

In Plain English

Shea Homes wants to build houses on the Bottoms Property and has completed all required planning steps. The final map shows exactly where streets, lots, and utilities will go. If approved, the city signs an agreement requiring the developer to install roads, sidewalks, and water lines before selling homes.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Consider appeal of Planning Commission approval for cell tower antennas on Central Avenue building

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The Planning Commission approved adding 3 new cell antennas and radio equipment to a building rooftop at 5221 Central Avenue. A resident filed an appeal challenging this decision. If the appeal succeeds, the antennas cannot be installed without further review.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Proclamation(1 item)

Sub-name portion of South 23rd Street as 'Galileo Club Way'

South 23rd Street

In Plain English

The city wants to add a second name to the stretch of South 23rd Street between Ohio Avenue and Cutting Boulevard. The Recreation and Parks Commission recommended this honorary naming. If approved, the street keeps its original name but also gets recognized as Galileo Club Way on signs.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

approved the item

Moved by: Councilmember WillisSeconded by: Councilmember McLaughlin
Passed

7 to 0

Ben ChoiAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jovanka BecklesAye
Tom ButtAye

Approved as a group without individual discussion.

G-17March 7, 2017 meeting minutes