Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 7:43 p.m. · 18 items · 18 votes · 19 public comments
What happened
- Rejected bids for 2007-08 street repaving projects.
- Approved ABC Security Service contract for library security 8-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved new Recreation Director salary range 8-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved special assessments on properties with unpaid fines 8-1 (Bates dissenting).
- Approved 5 routine items including $157,500 contract for Shields-Reid Park playground renovation.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(6 items)
Call for construction bids for 2007-08 street repaving projects
In Plain English
The city plans to repave streets as part of its annual road maintenance program. This authorization allows staff to seek contractor bids for the work. The council will also discuss requiring contractors to hire local workers for these projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Request the city attorney to establish and implement penalties when individuals do not respond favorably to employment request, including sanctions of more than $1000 a day
8 to 0
Hold the item over for one week for city attorney to develop sanctions for contractors regarding Richmond local employment
Contract with ABC Security Service for Richmond Public Library security
In Plain English
The library currently needs security services to ensure patron and staff safety. The new contract covers unarmed security guards for the main library building. If approved, the city pays up to $65,000 this fiscal year for these services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the contract
Extend the meeting 15 minutes
0 to 1
Contract with Boom Boom, Inc. for $25,000 fireworks show at Marina Bay Park
In Plain English
The city plans to hire Boom Boom, Inc. to provide fireworks for the July 3rd celebration at Marina Bay Park. The contract costs $25,000 for the 2007 event. If approved, residents can attend the free public fireworks display on Independence Day weekend.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the contract
Extend contract with Susan M. Wright & Associates through September 2007
In Plain English
The city's current contract with this consulting firm expires before September 2007. The original contract had a $10,000 spending limit. If approved, the contract extends through September 30, 2007 and the spending limit increases to $25,000.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Authorize amendment to the contract
Hire Mejorando Group to train city employees on customer service
In Plain English
The city plans to spend up to $50,000 on training for employees across all departments. Mejorando Group will work with staff to improve how residents are treated when they visit city offices or call for services. If approved, the training aims to make interactions with city workers more helpful and efficient.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the contract with corrections to Exhibit B and proper insurance requirements
Discuss Richmond resident and minority hiring by Bay Cities Construction
In Plain English
Bay Cities Construction holds contracts with the city for various projects. The city wants to review how many Richmond residents and minorities the company has hired for this work. Local hiring requirements help ensure city contracts benefit the community that pays for them.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Zoning(3 items)
Approve permits for Point Richmond Shores condominium development
In Plain English
A developer wants to build condominiums at the corner of Dornan Drive and Brickyard Cove Road in Point Richmond. The project needs city approval for its site layout and building design. If approved, construction can begin on the residential development.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Adopt all staff recommendations, approve Vesting Tentative Map and Design Review Permit with amendments regarding Final Project Plans review, trail connection, utilities preservation, and pier guardrail design
Modify zoning rules to clarify what can be built in buffer zones
In Plain English
The city's current zoning rules don't clearly specify what types of buildings and businesses can operate in buffer zones between different neighborhoods. Staff will draft new language to remove confusion for developers and residents. If approved, property owners will have clearer guidelines about what they can build in these transition areas.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to return to the City Council with a draft modification of existing zone text and supporting ordinances to clarify land uses in the buffer zone
7 to 2
Extend the meeting 30 minutes
0 to 1
Review emergency access road and approve Canyon Oaks II residential subdivision
In Plain English
Canyon Oaks II is a proposed residential subdivision that needs city approval to move forward. The project includes an emergency vehicle access road connecting to the existing Canyon Oaks I neighborhood. If approved, the city changes zoning laws to allow the new homes and certifies that environmental impacts have been properly studied.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Certify a Final Environmental Impact Report for the project; adoption of a Project Mitigation and Monitoring Report, approve a General Plan Amendment and Rezoning, approve a Tentative Subdivision Map for the Project, incorporate the modifications to Canyon Creek Drive and specify its use for emergency access and direct staff to return with a resolution and an ordinance reflecting the Council's action
7 to 0
Personnel(2 items)
Set salary range for new Recreation Director position
In Plain English
The city created a new Recreation Director job classification to oversee parks and community programs. This ordinance establishes the official pay scale for whoever gets hired into this role. The position will manage recreational facilities and coordinate youth and adult programming across the city.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Ordinance No. 20-07 N.S.
8 to 0
Extend the meeting 10 minutes
0 to 1
Review salary surveys and discuss management compensation changes
In Plain English
The city regularly studies what other employers pay similar positions to keep salaries competitive. Staff will present updated salary data for city employees and discuss potential pay changes for managers and executives. If approved, compensation adjustments could affect the city budget and employee retention.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt item one
Extend the meeting five minutes
Public Safety(2 items)
Levy special assessments against properties with unpaid citation fines
In Plain English
The city issues administrative citations for code violations like overgrown weeds or illegal dumping. Some property owners ignore these fines completely. If approved, the city adds unpaid citation amounts directly to property tax bills, ensuring collection when properties are sold or refinanced.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Establish a policy for June 19, 2007, to allow residents present tonight, who have not gone through the appeal process, to be given the opportunity to do so
7 to 1
Close the public hearing
Adopt Resolution No. 61-07
8 to 1
Issue request for proposals to buy license plate reading cameras
In Plain English
The police department wants to install cameras that automatically scan and record license plates of passing vehicles. These systems help officers locate stolen cars and investigate crimes by tracking where specific vehicles have been. The city needs proposals from companies to compare costs and technology options before making a purchase decision.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to issue an RFP
7 to 0
Governance(1 item)
Charge property owners for city cleanup and boarding costs
In Plain English
The city cleaned up trash or boarded up dangerous buildings on private properties after owners ignored violation notices. Property owners now owe the city for these cleanup costs. If approved, the city adds these unpaid bills to property tax assessments so the county collects the money when taxes are due.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Establish a policy for June 19, 2007, that allows residents that are present tonight that have not gone through the appeal process be given the opportunity to do so
7 to 1
Close the public hearing
Adopt Resolution No. 62-07
8 to 1
Budget(2 items)
Amend 2005 pension bond agreement terms
In Plain English
The city issued these bonds in 2005 to help fund employee pensions. The original agreement included specific terms about how the bonds work. The city now needs to adjust some of these terms, though the specific changes are not detailed in available documents.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 60-07
Accept engineer's report for Hilltop neighborhood landscape maintenance fees
In Plain English
The city requires an annual engineer's report to justify special fees that Hilltop residents pay for landscape maintenance in their neighborhood. This report calculates how much each property should pay based on the benefit they receive. The public hearing allows residents to comment before the city accepts the report and sets the fee amounts for the upcoming year.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Adopt the report
7 to 0
Appointments(1 item)
Appoint 2 councilmembers to committee on planning review process changes
In Plain English
The city wants to change how it reviews new construction and development projects. Councilmembers Butt and Viramontes would work with city staff to restructure this process. The committee will likely recommend new rules for how residents and developers navigate building permits and design approvals.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Proclamation(1 item)
Install memorial bench for cyclist Daniel Weinstein near Overlook Park
In Plain English
The city will work with the Weinstein Memorial Committee to place a bench on Clarence Street at Grand View. This honors Daniel Weinstein, a cyclist who died in the area. If approved, the bench provides a permanent memorial near Overlook Park.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Authorize City staff to work with the Weinstein Memorial Committee to erect a memorial bench in memory of cyclist Daniel Weinstein
Approved as a group without individual discussion.