Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Presiding: Mayor McLaughlin · Called to order: 6:50 p.m. · 11 items · 11 votes · 10 public comments
What happened
- Approved paramedic and public safety tax measure for June 2010 ballot 5-1 (Lopez dissenting).
- Approved new fee on liquor stores to fund crime response programs 5-1 (Lopez dissenting).
- Approved new rules restricting street digging after road resurfacing 6-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved ban on tobacco sales in drug stores with pharmacies 5-1 (Lopez dissenting).
- Received police report on 2009 Richmond High School sexual assault investigation without voting.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(5 items)
Send letter supporting Cybertran's federal funding request for smart light rail
In Plain English
Cybertran wants federal TIGER Program money to develop smart light rail technology. The company asked Richmond to write a support letter for their funding application. If approved, the city manager sends the letter but Richmond provides no actual funding.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
directed the city manager to work with Cybertran to provide letters of support to promote Cybertran
6 to 0
Authorize special property tax assessments for unpaid city fines
In Plain English
The city issues fines to property owners for code violations like overgrown weeds or abandoned buildings. When owners don't pay these fines, the city can add them to property tax bills as special assessments. If approved, unpaid citation fees become liens that must be paid when properties are sold or refinanced.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to accept staff's recommendation, minus the names removed from the special assessment listing
6 to 0
Declare Richmond a Human Rights City
In Plain English
The Human Relations and Human Rights Commission recommends this formal declaration. Human Rights Cities commit to protecting civil liberties and promoting equality through local policies. If approved, Richmond joins a network of cities that prioritize human rights in municipal decisions and community programs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
adopted Resolution No. 126-09
6 to 0
Create new rules restricting street digging after road resurfacing
In Plain English
The city wants to protect newly paved streets from being torn up too soon. The proposed law would temporarily ban utility companies and contractors from digging in streets after they get resurfaced. If approved, the city has 3 different versions of this rule to choose from.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to approve alternative number three
to accept alternative number one and direct staff to come up with ways to assist with funding for low income
to approve alternative number two and direct staff to review if there is a nexus with the encroachment permit fees that could absorb the cost to the City of Richmond
5 to 1
Ban tobacco sales in drug stores that have pharmacies
In Plain English
Drug stores with pharmacies currently sell cigarettes and other tobacco products alongside prescription medications. This law creates a health conflict policy by prohibiting tobacco sales in these locations. Independent tobacco shops and gas stations can still sell tobacco products.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to introduce an ordinance for first reading
4 to 1
Public Safety(3 items)
Create fee on liquor stores to fund crime and nuisance response programs
In Plain English
The city wants to charge liquor stores a special fee to pay for programs that address crime and nuisance problems around these businesses. Many cities use similar fees when certain businesses create extra costs for police and code enforcement. If approved, the city develops a specific fee amount and program details later.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
approved the introduction of an amended version of a plan
4 to 1
Receive police report on 2009 Richmond High School sexual assault investigation
In Plain English
Richmond police will present their findings from investigating a sexual assault that occurred on Richmond High School campus on October 23, 2009. The council is receiving this report as part of their oversight role. No action is required from the council at this meeting.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Accept $400,000 state grant for gang violence prevention programs
In Plain English
The California Emergency Management Agency offered Richmond $400,000 through the California Gang Reduction and Intervention Program. The Office of Neighborhood Safety runs anti-violence programs in high-crime areas. If approved, the grant funds expanded gang intervention services for 2 years.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to approve the grant award to the Office of Neighborhood Safety with the understanding that the Bay Area Peace Keepers were a part of Phase I and II of the Program
6 to 0
Budget(1 item)
Place paramedic and public safety tax measure on June 2010 ballot
In Plain English
The city council is considering asking voters to approve a tax measure to fund paramedic services and public safety programs. The measure would appear on the June 2010 primary election ballot. If approved by council, residents will vote on whether to tax themselves to pay for these services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to direct staff to bring back a measure that considers different ways that a tax may be implemented and submit the information to the Council for consideration; Councilmembers interested in making changes should communicate their ideas to the staff
4 to 1
Contracts(1 item)
Lease parking lot space to Richmond Certified Farmers Market Association for weekly Friday market
In Plain English
The city owns a parking lot on Barrett Avenue between 24th and 25th Streets. The Richmond Certified Farmers Market Association wants to use the northern section every Friday for their weekly farmers market. If approved, the city formally leases this space to the market operators.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
to approve the Land Use Agreement and allow the live chicken vendor to remain a part of the Farmer's Market as long as the vendor can pass inspections and also relocates his stand away from the Louis and Kraft Mortuary
6 to 0
Zoning(1 item)
Approve splitting residential lot at 367 Western Drive into 2 smaller lots
In Plain English
A property owner wants to divide one large lot in Point Richmond into two separate lots for future homes. The Planning Commission already approved this split, but someone appealed that decision. The city council now decides whether to allow the subdivision with additional conditions both sides agreed to.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
approved the item and adopted Resolution No. 128-09
7 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.