Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Presiding: Mayor Thomas K. Butt · Called to order: 6:32 p.m. · 6 items · 5 votes · 17 public comments
What happened
- Approved new zoning rules for Northshore area to preserve open space and agriculture.
- Approved citizen petition options to change Richmond Hills zoning rules.
- Approved new fee on private developers to fund public art projects.
- Received updates on organic waste problems at West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill.
- Approved one routine item including payment schedule for dissolved redevelopment agency debts.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Environment(2 items)
Receive update on organic waste problems at West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill
In Plain English
The West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill has been experiencing ongoing problems with how it handles organic materials like food scraps and yard waste. Staff will present an update on the current situation and any steps being taken to address these issues. This landfill serves Richmond residents, so problems there could affect your trash and recycling services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Receive annual report on greenhouse gas and community programs funded by environmental agreement
In Plain English
The city has an Environmental & Community Investment Agreement that funds local environmental and community programs. Staff completed their annual report covering fiscal year 2015-16 activities and spending. The report details which greenhouse gas reduction and community programs received funding and their results.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the annual report
Governance(2 items)
Consider options for citizen petition to change Richmond Hills zoning rules
In Plain English
Residents submitted a petition with enough signatures to force a vote on new zoning restrictions for Richmond Hills. The city council can either adopt the proposed zoning changes directly, put the measure on the November 2018 ballot for voters to decide, or request a detailed report analyzing the petition's impacts before choosing.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to prepare a 9212 report
Adopt the ordinance without alteration
6 to 0
Create new fee on private developers to fund public art
In Plain English
Richmond currently has no requirement for developers to contribute to public art. The proposed law would charge a fee on new private construction projects. If approved, developers pay into a city fund that purchases art for parks, buildings, and streets.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Extend the meeting to complete discussion for Item J-5
5 to 0
Direct staff to prepare options for insertion into a single ordinance with and without housing production trigger
5 to 0
Zoning(1 item)
Change zoning rules for Northshore area to preserve open space and agriculture
In Plain English
The city wants to rezone the Northshore area to allow only parks, farms, and public buildings instead of housing or commercial development. This change would permanently protect the area from dense development. The council also plans to pass an emergency rule in February to immediately block any conflicting projects while the rezoning process continues.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Proceed with the staff recommendation
6 to 0
Infrastructure(1 item)
Receive annual report on sewer district operations and water quality improvements
In Plain English
The city must provide regular updates on sewer system performance under a 2006 legal settlement with environmental group San Francisco Baykeeper. The settlement requires ongoing monitoring and reporting to prevent sewage spills into San Francisco Bay. This presentation shows current operations and any recent improvements to protect local water quality.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.