Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 3:47 p.m. · 12 items · 25 votes · 8 public comments
What happened
- Rejected city board and commission appointments 5-3 (Bates, Lopez, Marquez, Sandhu, Viramontes dissenting).
- Approved job programs for formerly incarcerated residents 5-2 (Bates, Rogers dissenting).
- Approved Easter Hill senior housing project appeal 6-1 (Viramontes dissenting).
- Approved 6 routine items including $200,000 contract with Moreland and Associates for wastewater audits.
- Approved consultant to explore creating 10 charter schools 5-1 (McLaughlin dissenting).
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(5 items)
Purchase $77,925 fire safety education trailer from sole vendor
In Plain English
The city wants to buy a custom 32-foot trailer equipped for teaching fire safety to residents. Only one company manufactures these specialized educational trailers. If approved, the city spends $77,925 on equipment that brings safety training directly to schools and community events.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approved the purchase of a 32 foot, custom manufactured Fire and Safety Educational Trailer
8 to 0
Purchase 3,500 disaster preparedness kits for $27,215
In Plain English
The state will pay for emergency supply kits that the city can distribute to residents during disasters. Each kit costs about $8 and contains basic supplies like water, food, and first aid materials. If approved, residents receive free emergency kits to help them prepare for earthquakes, fires, or other emergencies.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approved the purchase of 3,500 disaster preparedness kits from the ProPac Company
8 to 0
Add $191,000 to ADT contract for port security cameras
In Plain English
The city hired ADT Security to install cameras at the port for safety monitoring. The project now needs additional work beyond the original plan. If approved, the contract increases from $2.4 million to $2.6 million using grant money rather than city funds.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Extend the meeting to 12:30 a.m.
6 to 2
Approved the contract amendment with ADT Security
8 to 0
Approve contracts with 15 firms for architectural and engineering services
In Plain English
The city needs architects and engineers for various projects but doesn't know exactly which ones or when. These contracts let the city quickly hire any of 15 pre-approved firms without going through the full bidding process each time. If approved, each firm can receive up to $350,000 in work over 3 years.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 21-08
8 to 0
Hire consultant to explore creating 10 charter schools
In Plain English
Richmond currently relies on West Contra Costa Unified School District for elementary education. The city wants to study whether it can legally create its own charter schools instead. If approved, a consultant will spend up to $10,000 researching this option and report back within 90 days.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Hire an educational consultant with amendment to look at an option for the City of Richmond to create an independent school district that includes elementary schools
5 to 1
Appointments(1 item)
Reappoint and appoint members to city boards and commissions
In Plain English
The city operates multiple boards and commissions that advise the council on issues like planning, parks, and public safety. These volunteer positions typically serve 2-4 year terms. The council fills vacant positions and renews expiring terms to keep these advisory groups functioning.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Hold the appointment of Charles Duncan to the Planning Commission until the merger of the Design Review Board and the Planning Commission is completed
5 to 3
Approve the mayor's recommendation
3 to 5
Governance(2 items)
Direct staff to find new job programs for formerly incarcerated residents
In Plain English
The city currently contracts with Richmond Improvement Association to help formerly incarcerated people find jobs. The city's population of people returning from prison continues to grow. If approved, staff will research other organizations that could provide these employment services instead of extending the current contract.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve $40,000, close out the contract, and move to an RFP going forward
Extend the contract to the end of the fiscal year with an additional $90,000
Approve a two-month extension of the current contract with the understanding that the City of Richmond is not determining to continue or not continue to fund RIA at the end of the contract; it is a chance to work out details
Close out the current contract with RIA and give direction to staff to come back to the City Council with a report on recommendations for an RFP process for multiple re-entry programs
5 to 2
Take formal position on school district's proposed cuts to Richmond schools
In Plain English
The West Contra Costa school district is considering cuts to Richmond schools from its bond program. The city council will discuss whether to oppose these cuts and send an official letter to the district. If approved, the mayor writes a letter stating the city's position on the proposed reductions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Have staff return on Tuesday, February 29, 2008, with a resolution indicating the City of Richmond's displeasure with the following proposed options: two (defer Leadership Public School (LPS) Charter School and Gompers along with Kennedy High School and Richmond College Prep); three (defer Pinole Valley High School and LPS/Gompers); and five (defer Nystrom, RCP and LPS)
7 to 0
Zoning(1 item)
Consider appeal of Planning Commission approval for Easter Hill senior housing project
In Plain English
A developer wants to build senior housing at 3601 Cutting Boulevard. The Planning Commission already approved the project with special permits for extra density and design exceptions. Someone has appealed that approval to the city council, asking them to overturn the decision.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Allow Naomi Williams to speak as the major opponent
8 to 0
Closed the Public Hearing
8 to 0
Deny the applicant's appeal
Deny the appeal without prejudice and direct staff to draft an amendment to the zoning ordinance that would allow adding one unit to the density bonus rounding up odd-number units to the next even number with a conditional use permit
5 to 1
Personnel(2 items)
Create new Park Steward job classification with $12.21-$15.07 hourly pay
In Plain English
The city wants to hire Park Stewards as a new type of city employee. These workers would earn between $12.21 and $15.07 per hour. The city currently has no official Park Steward position, so this creates the job category and sets the pay scale.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Ordinance No. 3-08 N.S.
8 to 0
Set salary range for new Custodial Maintenance Supervisor position
In Plain English
The city created a new supervisor role to oversee custodial staff at city facilities. The position does not currently exist in the city's pay structure. If approved, the salary ranges from $5,129 to $6,209 per month depending on experience.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Ordinance No. 4-08 N.S.
8 to 0
Budget(1 item)
Review mid-year budget forecast and proposed spending adjustments
In Plain English
The city examines how actual revenues and expenses compare to what was budgeted 6 months ago. Staff presents updated financial projections and recommends moving money between departments or programs. If approved, the adjustments help ensure the city stays on track financially for the rest of the fiscal year.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 22-08 accepting the mid-year budget forecast and proposed Fiscal year 2007-2008 mid-year budget adjustments
8 to 0
Infrastructure(1 item)
Remove dangerous eucalyptus trees behind Groom Drive homes
In Plain English
Several eucalyptus trees on city property behind Groom Drive homes pose safety risks. The trees sit on a public utility easement that the city maintains. If approved, the city removes the hazardous trees to prevent potential damage to nearby properties.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Authorize the removal of the hazardous eucalyptus trees in the area of property located on Groom Drive using the most effective legal method
7 to 0
Extend the meeting by 15 minutes
8 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.