Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Presiding: Vice Mayor Lopez · Called to order: 6:37 p.m. · 8 items · 24 votes · 6 public comments
What happened
- Approved $15,000 for legal defense against United Trustees lawsuit 5-2 (Bates, Butt dissenting).
- Approved reviewing Civic Center project with $1.9 million remaining 5-2 (Bates, Butt dissenting).
- Approved adding movable bulkhead to Richmond Natatorium renovation 5-1 (Bates dissenting).
- Approved 13 routine items including banning foam food containers and $40,000 police dispatch software.
- Heard findings on business opportunity law that expires in January.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(4 items)
Contract with STOP organization for $30,000 to oversee YouthWORKS academic program
In Plain English
The city runs YouthWORKS, a program that provides academic support for young people. Straight Talk on Prison (STOP) would handle program coordination and oversight. If approved, the city pays up to $30,000 for these services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve contract with Straight Talk on Prison (STOP) for YouthWORKS academic program oversight and coordination in amount not to exceed $30,000
6 to 0
Award contract to BBJ Electric for La Moine Park lighting project
In Plain English
La Moine Park currently lacks adequate lighting for evening use and safety. The city selected BBJ Electric through a competitive bidding process to design and install new lighting throughout the park. If approved, residents gain better access to park facilities after dark.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve contract with BBJ Electric, Inc. for lighting design and installation project at La Moine Park in amount not to exceed $66,819.27
6 to 0
Award contract to improve drainage and landscaping at Shields-Reid Park
In Plain English
The city will hire JDB Construction to fix drainage problems at Shields-Reid Park. The work includes grading the land to prevent flooding, tearing down old unused buildings, and installing new landscaping. The park currently has water pooling issues during storms that make some areas unusable.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve contract with James Burke, dba JDB Construction, for improvements at Shields-Reid Park in amount not to exceed $40,404
6 to 0
Add $15,000 to legal contract defending United Trustees Association lawsuit
In Plain English
The city hired Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger law firm to defend against a lawsuit filed by United Trustees Association. The original contract was $10,000 but legal costs have grown. If approved, the contract increases to $25,000 total to continue the defense.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve second amendment to contract with Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger, LLP increasing amount by $15,000 for total contract amount of $25,000
4 to 2
Budget(2 items)
Confirm city investment policy as recommended by auditors
In Plain English
The city's auditors reviewed how Richmond invests public money and recommended confirming the current policy. This policy guides where the city can put taxpayer funds when not immediately needed for operations. If approved, the city continues following the same investment rules it uses now.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 132-09 confirming the City of Richmond Investment Policy
6 to 0
Review financial status of Civic Center project with $1.9 million remaining
In Plain English
The city's Civic Center renovation project has $1.9 million left unspent in its budget. Staff will present a report on how the project money was used so far. The council will then decide what to do with the remaining funds.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Accept staff's report and no additional scope of work on the Civic Center can be added unless staff comes back to the Council with its request; leave the 1.9 million left in the project budget until the mid-year review and deal with the security costs for the 2010-2011 budget
6 to 0
Extend meeting for 15 minutes
4 to 2
Infrastructure(1 item)
Discuss adding movable bulkhead to Richmond Natatorium renovation project
In Plain English
The city is renovating the Richmond Natatorium pool facility, also known as the Plunge. Staff wants council input on whether to include a movable bulkhead in the renovation plans. A movable bulkhead divides a pool into sections for different activities like lap swimming and water aerobics.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Support the bulkhead for the Richmond Natatorium renovation
5 to 1
Extend meeting to 11:30 p.m.
5 to 1
Governance(1 item)
Review findings on business opportunity law that expires in January
In Plain English
The city passed a law in 2006 requiring certain businesses to provide specific opportunities to local residents and companies. This law expires on January 29, 2010. Staff researched how well the law worked and will present their findings to help council decide whether to renew, change, or end the program.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.