Tuesday, January 27, 2026
32 items · View official: Agenda
Minutes not yet published by the City Clerk — vote and comment data typically appear 4–6 weeks after the meeting.
Proclamation(4 items)
Adopt formal statement supporting Iranian protesters and opposing military intervention
In Plain English
Richmond has historically passed statements supporting global human rights movements. Iran has experienced widespread protests since 2025 over economic hardship and political repression. If approved, Richmond formally condemns violence against peaceful Iranian protesters while opposing foreign military intervention in Iran.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Honor Douglas Ellison and Inez Watson and recognize the Watson Ellison Foundation
In Plain English
Douglas Ellison was Richmond's second Black police officer and first Black sergeant, serving 27 years starting in 1946. Inez Watson provided childcare and community support for decades after moving to Richmond in 1967. Their granddaughter founded the Watson Ellison Foundation to help families dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Recognize January 27, 2026, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day
In Plain English
January 27 marks the anniversary of the Soviet liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The city joins a global observance to honor 6 million Jewish victims and millions of others murdered by Nazis. The proclamation encourages residents to learn about Holocaust history and combat antisemitism in the community.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Declare February 2026 as Black History Month in Richmond
In Plain English
Richmond formally recognizes February as Black History Month, following a national tradition that began in 1976. The city acknowledges African Americans who moved to Richmond to work in shipyards and shaped the community. The 2026 theme is "A Century of Black History Commemorations."
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Public Safety(4 items)
Issue proclamations and appoint 6 residents to city commissions
In Plain English
The city issues ceremonial proclamations recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day and Black History Month. Six residents receive appointments to various city commissions that advise council on issues like aging services, police oversight, and workforce development. These volunteer positions help ensure community input in city decision-making.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Receive monthly police crime report for December 2025
In Plain English
Police Chief Tim Simmons presents the latest crime statistics and trends from December. These monthly reports track incidents like theft, assault, and property crimes across Richmond neighborhoods. The data helps residents understand public safety conditions in their area.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Receive police crime statistics for December 2025
In Plain English
Police Chief Tim Simmons presents monthly crime data showing mixed trends. Violent crimes rose 3% to 122 incidents, driven by a 63% spike in robberies from 16 to 26. Property crimes increased 7% to 244 incidents, mainly due to a 59% jump in thefts. Homicides remained steady at 2 incidents.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Receive update on Advanced Life Support first responder services and fire station upgrades
In Plain English
The city council directed the fire department in May 2025 to start providing Advanced Life Support medical services instead of just basic first aid. This would let firefighters provide more advanced emergency medical care before paramedics arrive. The update covers progress on this transition plus needed fire station improvements and their costs over 5 years.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Contracts(6 items)
Increase moving services contract to $44,500 and add storage through 2028
In Plain English
The city currently uses Nor-Cal Moving Services for relocating equipment and materials. The original contract covered only moving services with a lower spending limit. If approved, the contract adds storage services and increases the total payment limit to $44,500 through June 2028.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Expand Main Library moving contract to include storage services
In Plain English
Richmond Main Library is preparing for a $34 million renovation that requires moving its entire collection. The city already hired Nor-Cal Moving Services to relocate books to the temporary library at the Memorial Auditorium. If approved, the contract increases from the original amount to $44,500 and adds storage services for books that cannot fit in the temporary space.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $25,000 agreement for Union Pacific Railroad to review Barrett Avenue bike lane project
In Plain English
The city received a $2 million state grant to add protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks on Barrett Avenue. Union Pacific Railroad must review the project plans because the improvements affect their tracks and operations. The railroad charges $25,000 to inspect their facilities and evaluate safety impacts before approving the design.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Purchase 3 specialized mowing units for fuel reduction and fire safety
In Plain English
Public Works crews currently use manual brush-cutting on steep slopes for fire prevention, which creates safety risks for workers and limits coverage during fire season. The 3 new remote-controlled and electric mowers handle steep terrain safely and can clear more acreage. If approved, the equipment costs $269,748 from the approved budget.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $4 million to expand sewer line replacement project
In Plain English
The city must replace 2 miles of old sewer lines annually under a 2018 legal settlement. Construction problems and material delays meant the original $2.5 million contract couldn't finish enough work by the June 30 deadline. If approved, the city spends an additional $4 million to complete required repairs and avoid legal penalties.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Hire consultant to gather community input on spending $550 million Chevron settlement
In Plain English
Richmond will receive $550 million over 10 years from a settlement with Chevron for pollution damages. The city council wants residents to help decide how to spend this money on projects that reduce dependence on the oil company. If approved, the consultant costs up to $300,000 and reports back by May 2026.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Governance(2 items)
Express solidarity with Iranian protesters and honor local Alzheimer's advocates
In Plain English
The city would make formal statements on 2 separate issues. The first supports Iranian people protesting for human rights while opposing any foreign military action in Iran. The second honors Douglas Ellison and Inez Watson for their community work through the Watson Ellison Foundation, which helps families dealing with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Require 6 annual community meetings to get resident input on Chevron settlement spending
In Plain English
The city receives settlement money from Chevron each year. City Council previously directed staff to gather community input on how to spend these funds. If approved, the city manager holds at least 6 meetings annually across all districts before budget discussions begin.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Litigation(1 item)
Hold closed meeting with lawyers about 2 ongoing lawsuits
In Plain English
The city faces 2 active lawsuits filed by Washington and Gutzalenko. City council will meet privately with attorneys to discuss legal strategy. California law allows closed meetings for litigation discussions to protect the city's legal position.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appointments(7 items)
Appoint Lorene Ransbottom to the Commission on Aging
In Plain English
The Commission on Aging has a vacant seat that needs to be filled. Lorene Ransbottom applied for the position and wants to help improve services for seniors and people with disabilities. If approved, she serves a 4-year term ending in May 2030.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Beverly A. Dynes to Commission on Aging
In Plain English
The Commission on Aging has a vacant seat that needs to be filled. Beverly A. Dynes applied for the position and shows strong interest in senior issues. If approved, she serves until May 2030 advising the city on programs and policies affecting older residents.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Regina Whitney to the Commission on Aging
In Plain English
The Commission on Aging has a vacant seat that needs to be filled. Regina Whitney works with SEIU Local 1000 and applied for the position. If approved, she serves a 4-year term ending in May 2030.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Linda Whitmore to the Richmond Zhoushan Friendship Commission
In Plain English
The Richmond Zhoushan Friendship Commission has a vacant seat that needs to be filled. Linda Whitmore applied for the position and works as a drama and dance instructor with many Chinese students. If approved, she serves until December 2028 and helps promote cultural exchange between Richmond and its sister city Zhoushan, China.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Free Brown to the Workforce Development Board
In Plain English
Free Brown is a downtown business owner who applied to serve on the board that helps shape local economic development. The Workforce Development Board focuses on supporting small businesses and equitable economic growth. If approved, her term runs until March 2030.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint Ana Tellez Witrago to Community Police Review Commission
In Plain English
The Community Police Review Commission has a vacant seat that needs filling. This commission investigates complaints against Richmond police officers and holds the department accountable to residents. If approved, Tellez Witrago serves until November 2027.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Extend council liaison appointments to boards and commissions from 1 to 2 years
In Plain English
The city currently reassigns council members to serve as liaisons to boards and commissions every year. This frequent reshuffling limits continuity even when assignments stay the same. If approved, liaisons serve 2-year terms aligned with council elections, starting in 2027.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Personnel(4 items)
Update salary schedules to comply with state retirement rules and add city attorney pay range
In Plain English
California's pension system requires cities to update how they document employee salaries. The city must also create an official pay range for the city attorney position, which currently lacks one. Unrepresented managers will receive the same salary and benefit changes recently approved for union employees.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve salary schedules to meet CalPERS retirement system requirements
In Plain English
CalPERS requires cities to formally adopt salary schedules in public meetings to process employee retirement benefits. The city last approved these schedules in June 2025. This routine approval ensures Richmond employees continue receiving proper retirement credit for their pay.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Add city attorney salary range to official pay schedule
In Plain English
The city hired an interim city attorney in December 2025 at $341,392 per year while searching for a permanent attorney. City law requires council approval to add new job classifications to the public salary schedule. If approved, the city attorney position gets a pay range from $249,360 to $341,392 annually.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve salary increases for non-union executive managers to match union managers
In Plain English
The city recently negotiated 5% annual pay raises for unionized executive managers through 2027. Non-union executives in similar roles currently receive different compensation. If approved, non-union executives get the same raises and benefits starting this July, costing $145,146 over 3 years.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Budget(3 items)
Receive quarterly financial report for July through September 2025
In Plain English
The Finance Department presents the city's financial performance for the first 3 months of the current budget year. The quarterly report shows actual revenue and spending compared to budget projections. Council receives this routine update to track whether the city stays on budget throughout the year.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Receive quarterly financial report showing city revenue and spending through September
In Plain English
The city tracks its budget performance every 3 months to ensure spending stays on track. This report covers July through September 2025, the first quarter of the fiscal year. The city collected $100.4 million in revenue during this period, which is 32.5% of the annual budget.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Spend $125,000 to fix bike lane problems at West Cutting and South Garrard
In Plain English
The city built a new bike lane along Cutting Boulevard in 2024 that connects the Richmond Ferry Terminal to downtown Point Richmond. Staff and residents identified safety concerns where the bike lane meets West Cutting and South Garrard boulevards. If approved, the city makes striping and signage changes to improve traffic flow for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Infrastructure(1 item)
Approve $419,748 for bike path changes, intersection improvements, and slope mowers
In Plain English
The city needs $25,000 to modify bike path plans after Union Pacific Railroad requested changes to the Barrett Avenue project. Another $125,000 fixes traffic flow problems at West Cutting Boulevard and South Garrard Boulevard in Point Richmond. The remaining $269,748 buys 3 remote-controlled mowers for maintaining steep hillsides that are dangerous to mow manually.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.