What happened
- Approved wastewater rate increases of 5-7% annually through 2025, despite opposition from Martinez and Butt.
- Approved budget cuts and cost savings to balance city finances 5-2 (Martinez, Butt dissenting).
- Approved rescinding the 6 p.m. curfew order 6-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved 15 routine items including $4.2 million state grant for Boorman Park revitalization.
- Heard discussion on George Floyd statement and several items without voting.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: AgendaAttendance
Budget(4 items)
Set wastewater rates with annual increases of 5% to 7% through 2025
In Plain English
The city proposes a 5-year rate schedule for sewer services starting in 2020. Annual increases would be 5% in year one, then 6% and 7% in following years. Your sewer bill would rise each year under this schedule.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Ordinance No. 09-20 N.S.
4 to 2
Choose budget cuts and cost savings to balance city finances
In Plain English
The city faces a budget shortfall and needs to reduce spending to balance its books. Staff has prepared multiple options for cutting costs and saving money. City Council will decide which cuts to make and give staff direction on implementation.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
To not include 75 layoffs, and included the following additional costs savings: additional vacancies for hiring freeze; additional reductions to department operating budgets, elimination of replacement of fire pumper and street sweeper; and moved one Code Enforcement Officer to Planning fund
5 to 2
Approve 3% assessment increase for Hilltop Landscape Maintenance District
In Plain English
Property owners in the Hilltop area pay annual assessments to maintain landscaping in their neighborhood. The district wants to raise these mandatory fees by 3% for the 2020-21 budget year. If approved, your assessment bill increases based on your property's size and location within the district boundaries.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve 3% increase in Marina Bay property assessments for landscaping and lighting
In Plain English
Property owners in the Marina Bay area pay special assessments to fund landscaping and lighting maintenance in their neighborhood. The city proposes raising these annual fees by 3% for the 2020-2021 budget year. If approved, your assessment bill increases based on your property size and type.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Public Safety(1 item)
Ratify and rescind emergency order for 6 p.m. curfew
In Plain English
The city imposed an emergency curfew requiring residents to stay indoors after 6 p.m. Emergency curfews typically respond to civil unrest, natural disasters, or public safety threats. If approved, the council formally acknowledges the curfew was necessary but also ends it immediately.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Suspended the rules and extended the meeting until the conclusion of the current item and Item G-11
6 to 1
Declined to ratify and rescinded the 6 p.m. curfew order for the city of Richmond, and kept the time at 8p.m., consistent with Contra Costa County's curfew order
6 to 1
Personnel(2 items)
Create new Assistant Police Chief position with $148,000-$235,000 salary
In Plain English
The city wants to add a second-in-command role to help manage the police department. The new Assistant Police Chief earns $148,000-$235,000 annually. If approved, the Police Chief's salary also increases to $163,000-$250,000.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve full pay for city employees unable to work due to COVID-19
In Plain English
City employees who cannot work because of COVID-19 currently face potential income loss. The policy requires employees to use their saved sick days and vacation time first. If approved, all city staff receive full compensation during COVID-related absences regardless of available time off.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Contracts(2 items)
Approve 4 on-call concrete repair contracts worth up to $500,000 each per year
In Plain English
The city needs contractors ready to fix broken sidewalks, curbs, and other concrete infrastructure quickly. These 4 companies would be pre-approved for emergency and routine repairs. If approved, each contractor can receive up to $500,000 in work annually for 3 years, with possible 2-year extensions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Extend Mark43 software contract for 5 more years at $1.5 million
In Plain English
The city currently has a 5-year contract with Mark43 worth $1.5 million that expires soon. If approved, the contract extends for 5 more years at an additional $1.5 million. The total 10-year agreement would cost $3 million, doubling the current spending on this software system.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Governance(1 item)
Amend Measures E and K ballot language to cap general fund spending
In Plain English
The city wants to change how much money it can spend from voter-approved Measures E and K each year. The amendment would limit spending to match revenue increases from Measure H. Residents would vote on this change in November 2020.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Housing(1 item)
Replace current rent control law with new affordable housing ordinance on November ballot
In Plain English
Richmond currently has rent control and eviction protection rules called the Fair Rent ordinance. The proposed ballot measure would completely remove these protections and create a new affordable housing law instead. Voters would decide in November whether to make this change.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Proclamation(1 item)
Discuss official city statement on George Floyd incident and local response
In Plain English
Vice Mayor Bates and Interim Police Chief French want the council to consider releasing an official city statement. The statement would address the George Floyd incident and any related local incidents or responses. The city currently has no official position on these matters.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Extended the meeting 30 minutes
The City Council and the City of Richmond condemned the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, demanded that the police officers that stood and observed were held accountable for Mr. Floyd's death also, and that the city stood for the individuals protesting this injustice in moving America closer to its goals of being a Country for all
Infrastructure(1 item)
Approve $325,000 agreement for bike and pedestrian safety improvements on Harbour Way South
In Plain English
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission offers funding to improve safety for cyclists and walkers along Harbour Way South. The city needs to sign a funding agreement and contribute $325,000 to access these improvements. If approved, the project adds bike lanes, crosswalks, or other safety features to this busy street.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Miscellaneous(1 item)
Details
In Plain English
This agenda item has no description or details provided, making it impossible to explain what the council will be discussing or deciding. Residents would need to contact city staff or attend the meeting to learn what this item covers.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.