Tuesday, October 20, 2020

7 items · 24 votes · 14 public comments

What happened

  • Approved residency requirements for City Council candidates 5-2 (Bates, Butt dissenting).
  • Approved $100,000 agreement for dedicated prosecutor assigned to Richmond 6-1 (Bates dissenting).
  • Approved 19 routine items including $1.9 million federal bridge grant and $745,000 design contract.
  • Approved zoning updates for backyard apartments and affordable housing developer requirements.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Agenda

Attendance

Ben Choi(Present)
Demnlus Johnson III(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Jael Myrick(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Tom Butt(Present)
Nat Bates(Absent)
7 substantive items · 19 consent

Contracts(3 items)

Increase Acting City Manager Steven Falk's contract payment limit to $35,000

Acting City Manager Contract

In Plain English

Steven Falk has served as Acting City Manager since October 7, 2020, under a one-month contract. The city needs to raise his payment limit from the original amount to $35,000 to cover his full compensation. If approved, Falk continues in the role through November 7, 2020.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

To approve said contract amendment

Moved by: Vice Mayor BatesSeconded by: Councilmember Willis
Passed

7 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAye
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye

Approve $250,000 contract amendment for legal review of wastewater operations

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city contracts with Veolia to run its wastewater treatment plants and sewer system. Gordon & Rees law firm is reviewing how well Veolia performs this work. If approved, the legal review contract grows from $525,000 to $775,000 total.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Approve $100,000 agreement for dedicated prosecutor assigned to Richmond

6-1Community Based Prosecutor

In Plain English

The city pays the county district attorney's office to station one prosecutor exclusively in Richmond. This prosecutor focuses on local crime issues and works directly with Richmond police. The agreement continues existing services for another year at $100,000.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

To approve said sole-source agreement

Moved by: Councilmember ChoiSeconded by: Councilmember Johnson
Passed

6 to 1

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesNay
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye

Governance(1 item)

Adopt residency requirements for City Council candidates

5-2City Council Districts

In Plain English

The city currently has no formal rules about where council candidates must live. This policy would establish specific residency requirements that candidates must meet to run for office. The requirements would likely include living within city limits for a certain period before filing to run.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

To table the matter indefinitely

Moved by: Councilmember MyrickSeconded by: Councilmember Choi
Passed

5 to 2

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

Housing(1 item)

Update housing rules requiring developers to build affordable units or pay fees

Housing & Homelessness

In Plain English

Richmond requires new housing developments to include affordable units or pay fees instead. The city is updating these rules and fee amounts. The changes also add new fees for office buildings and other non-residential projects. If approved, developers face different requirements and fee structures.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

To receive the first reading of said ordinance and adopt said resolution

Moved by: Vice Mayor BatesSeconded by: Councilmember Choi
Passed

7 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye
Nathaniel BatesAye

Zoning(1 item)

Update zoning rules for backyard apartments and small accessory units

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

Richmond's current rules for accessory dwelling units need updating to match new state laws. The changes cover parking requirements, building heights, and rental rules. If approved, property owners get clearer guidelines for adding small apartments or studios to their lots.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

To give first reading to said ordinance with modification and lay over to November 10, 2020, for the second reading

Moved by: Councilmember MyrickSeconded by: Councilmember Johnson
Passed

6 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nathaniel BatesAbsent
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye

Miscellaneous(1 item)

Details

In Plain English

This appears to be a placeholder agenda item with no description or details provided. Without additional information, it's not possible to explain what the council will be discussing or deciding on this matter.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Approved as a group without individual discussion.