Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 7:08 p.m. · 11 items · 21 votes · 25 public comments
What happened
- Rejected $200,000 contract with Richmond Main Street Initiative for downtown revitalization 4-1 (Beckles, McLaughlin, Ritterman dissenting, Butt and Rogers abstaining).
- Approved $45,000 contract with Solar Richmond for energy program marketing 5-2 (Bates, Boozé dissenting).
- Wrote off $1.4 million in unpaid debts owed to the city unanimously.
- Approved 9 routine items including $294,000 shuttle service contract with Trans Metro and $163,000 vegetation management increase.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(5 items)
Extend legal contract with Holland & Knight for Chevron project environmental review
In Plain English
The city hired Holland & Knight law firm to handle legal issues related to Chevron's environmental impact report for their facility renewal project. This extends that existing contract to continue the same legal work. The city needs ongoing legal representation as the environmental review process continues.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the second amendment to the Agreement for Legal Services with Holland & Knight
6 to 1
Expand energy efficiency training for RichmondBuild job program participants
In Plain English
RichmondBuild trains Richmond residents for construction careers. The city currently contracts with Rising Sun Energy Center to teach some energy efficiency skills. This amendment adds more training hours to help participants learn solar panel installation, weatherization, and other green building techniques that are increasingly in demand.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve amendment to the grant-funded contract with Rising Sun Energy Center
6 to 0
Approve $200,000 contract with Richmond Main Street Initiative for downtown revitalization
In Plain English
The Richmond Main Street Initiative works to revitalize downtown Richmond through business support and community events. This contract provides $200,000 in city funding for their programs from July 2011 through June 2012. The city chose a sole-source contract, meaning they negotiated directly with RMSI instead of seeking competitive bids.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve a sole-source contract with the Richmond Main Street Initiative (RMSI) in the amount of $200,000
5 to 2
Continue the item to a future meeting in order to research better ways to share the redevelopment funds throughout the City of Richmond
2 to 3
Approve $45,000 contract with Solar Richmond for energy program marketing
In Plain English
The city wants to hire Solar Richmond to promote its energy efficiency and solar programs to residents. Solar Richmond is a local nonprofit that helps homeowners access clean energy upgrades. If approved, the city pays up to $45,000 for marketing services to increase participation in existing energy programs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 51-11
5 to 2
Approve construction contract for traffic safety improvements with Republic ITS
In Plain English
The city plans to hire Republic ITS to build traffic safety improvements around town. The project was budgeted in the 2010-2011 fiscal year but requires council approval to move forward. If approved, work begins on installing new traffic signals, crosswalks, or other safety features at various locations.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the contract
7 to 0
Budget(3 items)
Write off $1.4 million in unpaid debts owed to the city
In Plain English
The city has $1.4 million in old debts that residents and businesses never paid for services like utilities, permits, or fines. These accounts are now considered impossible to collect after repeated attempts. Writing them off removes the unpaid amounts from the city's books while allowing continued collection efforts.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the write-off of delinquent, uncollectable accounts receivable in the amount of $1,402,944.88 and request a report in 90 days
7 to 0
Transfer cash between city funds
In Plain English
The city moves money between different budget accounts to cover expenses and capital projects. These routine transfers help balance the General Fund, which pays for daily operations like police and parks. The resolution does not specify which funds or dollar amounts are involved.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 50-11
6 to 1
Increase property assessments for Marina Bay landscaping and lighting maintenance
In Plain English
Marina Bay property owners pay annual assessments to maintain landscaping and lighting in their neighborhood through a special district. The city proposes raising these assessments for the 2011-2012 budget year. If approved, your Marina Bay property tax bill includes a higher assessment for local maintenance services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt the resolution for the proposed increase in annual assessments for the Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District for the 2011-2012 Fiscal Year
6 to 1
Governance(2 items)
Recommend keeping Richmond in Contra Costa County Congressional District
In Plain English
California redraws congressional district boundaries every 10 years after the census. Richmond currently sits in the congressional district that covers most of Contra Costa County. The city wants to formally ask state redistricting officials to keep Richmond in this district rather than moving it to a different one.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt a resolution recommending that the California Citizens Redistricting Commission keep the City of Richmond in the Contra Costa County Congressional District and appoint Vice Mayor Butt to work with the city manager to develop a committee, and recommended Mr. Gosney for the committee, to represent the attitude of the City Council
5 to 0
Strengthen anti-smoking law for apartment buildings and condos
In Plain English
Richmond currently bans smoking in multi-unit housing like apartments and condos. The city wants to update this 2-year-old law to make definitions clearer and give code enforcement officers stronger tools to issue citations. If approved, landlords and the city get better ways to stop smoking violations that affect neighbors.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Said ordinance received first reading and was laid over for two weeks for second reading
6 to 1
Public Safety(1 item)
Accept $15,000 grant for Office of Neighborhood Safety programs
In Plain English
The East Bay Community Foundation offered Richmond $15,000 to support the Office of Neighborhood Safety's work. The ONS runs violence prevention programs and provides emergency services to residents affected by crime. If approved, the grant provides flexible funding for general operations and emergency support services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Accept the report
6 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.