Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 5:07 p.m. · 10 items · 13 votes · 8 public comments
What happened
- Rejected proposal to change council meeting times and procedures to finish business faster.
- Approved consulting agreement with North^Star for city branding process 5-2 (Butt, Ritterman dissenting).
- Approved making driver's license checkpoints a low priority for police 4-1 (Bates dissenting).
- Approved the city's annual operating budget and 5-year capital improvement plan.
- Approved 2 routine items including $251,000 contract extension for Point Molate vegetation control.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(3 items)
Support adult education and English language programs in local school district
In Plain English
The West Contra Costa Unified School District runs classes for adults who want to finish high school or learn English. The city council is formally backing these programs to help ensure they continue. These classes serve Richmond residents who need job skills or citizenship preparation.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 58-09
7 to 0
Support efforts to exclude Interstate 80 from express lane consideration
In Plain English
Assembly Bill 74 could allow express lanes on Interstate 80 through Contra Costa County. Express lanes charge drivers fees to use faster-moving lanes during rush hour. The city opposes this unless the bill changes to protect local communities from increased traffic impacts.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 60-09
7 to 0
Change city council meeting times and procedures to finish business faster
In Plain English
The city council wants to adjust when meetings start and end, change the order of agenda items, and combine some board meetings with council meetings. The changes also limit when residents can pull routine items for separate discussion. The goal is to make meetings run more efficiently and end on time.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Refer this item to the Administrative Finance Committee for further review and bring it back to the Council when the item more complete
3 to 1
Approve the item and the above mentioned changes with the exception of leaving the public's right to remove items from the Consent Calendar
3 to 1
Contracts(3 items)
Hire Nichols Consulting Engineering to map the city's storm drain network
In Plain English
The city lacks complete records of where all its storm drains are located. Nichols Consulting Engineering will spend 10 months creating detailed maps showing every pipe and inlet. If approved, the maps help city staff plan repairs, track pollution sources, and prepare for flooding emergencies.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approved a 10-month contract with Nichols Consulting Engineering
6 to 0
Purchase 4 trucks to replace worn vehicles in Parks and Landscape Division
In Plain English
The city's Parks and Landscape Division needs new trucks to replace old vehicles that maintain Richmond's parks and green spaces. The current fleet has become unreliable due to age and wear. New trucks ensure crews can continue daily maintenance like mowing, tree trimming, and repairs across the city's park system.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approved the purchase of four trucks for the Parks and Landscape Division
6 to 0
Reconsider and approve consulting agreement with North^Star for city branding process
In Plain English
The city council previously made a decision about hiring North^Star consulting firm. Council members now want to revisit that decision. If approved, North^Star would lead community meetings to help Richmond develop its unique brand identity and marketing message.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Reconsider
5 to 2
Approve the item
Delay the item for further study and evaluation
5 to 2
Public Safety(1 item)
Make driver's license checkpoints a low priority for police
In Plain English
The police department currently conducts roadside checkpoints to check if drivers have valid licenses. This formal decision directs officers to focus on other public safety priorities instead. If approved, police spend less time and resources on license checkpoint operations.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt resolution with following changes: (1) direct chief to institute a proportionately larger numbers of dui stops and less of the driver license check points, and (2) Do driver license checkpoints in randomly geographic locations throughout the City
Adopt the resolution
4 to 1
Personnel(1 item)
Create new Cable Television Manager job with set salary
In Plain English
The city wants to establish a new position to oversee cable television operations. This role would handle cable TV services and programming for residents. The ordinance sets the official pay scale and adds this job to the city's employee classification system.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Referred the item to the Finance Standing Committee
7 to 0
Proclamation(1 item)
Support Youth of Promise mentoring program for at-risk teens
In Plain English
The city wants to formally endorse a local nonprofit that pairs adult mentors with at-risk youth in Richmond. Youth of Promise currently operates throughout West Contra Costa County helping teenagers avoid trouble and stay in school. If approved, the city encourages more Richmond residents to volunteer as mentors.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 61-09
6 to 0
Budget(1 item)
Adopt city's annual operating budget and 5-year capital improvement plan
In Plain English
The city sets its spending plan for the next year and maps out major projects like road repairs and park improvements for the next 5 years. The operating budget covers day-to-day expenses like police, fire, and maintenance services. If approved, these budgets become the city's official financial roadmap through 2014.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the budget with the correction of the Office of Neighborhood Safety, assuring that they have General Fund commitment, restoration of the current Chevron funds, and direct staff to present proposals to the Council on what the City will do if funds from Chevron in the amount of $5 million are lost in the next 30 days
6 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.