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Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Special

Presiding: Mayor Thomas K. Butt · Called to order: 4:31 p.m. · 3 items · 3 votes · 39 public comments

What happened

  • Approved 5-2 ballot measure changing business tax from per-employee to percentage of receipts (Bates, Butt dissenting).
  • Received update on county's plan to buy Hilltop Marriott for supportive housing.
  • Approved agreement with county for COVID-19 testing site at city parking lot.
  • Approved 2 routine items including updated building code and city position salaries.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Minutes | Agenda

Attendance

Ben Choi(Present)
Demnlus Johnson III(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Jael Myrick(Absent)
Tom Butt(Present)
Nat Bates(Present)
3 substantive items · 2 consent

Budget(1 item)

Place ballot measure to change business tax from per-employee to percentage of gross receipts

4-2Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

Richmond currently taxes businesses based on number of employees. The proposed ballot measure switches to taxing businesses 0.06% to 5% of their gross receipts instead. If voters approve in November, the city collects business taxes differently but the total amount raised stays roughly the same.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt Option 1 with amendments: use Berkeley's rental tax rate model; small landlords with four units or less receive credits for rent board payments; franchisee exemption language; addition of employee definition; addition of warehouse and wholesale distributors category with same rate schedule as business and personal services

Moved by: Councilmember WillisSeconded by: Councilmember Martinez
Passed

4 to 2

Thomas K. ButtNay
Nathaniel BatesNay
Ben ChoiAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAbstain

Contracts(1 item)

Authorize agreement with county for COVID-19 testing site at city parking lot

COVID-19 Testing Site

In Plain English

The county wants to set up a COVID-19 testing site in the city parking lot at 24th and Barrett Avenue. The city manager needs formal approval to negotiate the agreement details with Contra Costa County Health Services. If approved, residents gain easier access to COVID testing in their neighborhood.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve the item

Moved by: Councilmember WillisSeconded by: Councilmember Johnson III
Passed

Housing(1 item)

Receive update on county's plan to buy Hilltop Marriott for supportive housing

Housing & Homelessness

In Plain English

Contra Costa County is considering purchasing the Courtyard by Marriott hotel on Hilltop Drive to convert into supportive housing for homeless individuals. The city has no role in this purchase decision since the county controls it. If approved, the city manager will write a letter asking the county to create a detailed plan for involving the community in discussions about this project.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Approved as a group without individual discussion.