Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Presiding: Mayor McLaughlin · Called to order: 6:42 p.m. · 15 items · 8 votes · 16 public comments
What happened
- Approved urging Governor Brown to veto energy consulting bill 5-2 (Bates, Boozé dissenting).
- Approved $669,000 from oil spill settlement for Marina Bay Trail repairs 5-2 (Bates, Boozé dissenting).
- Approved Industrial Safety Ordinance changes 5-2 (Bates, Boozé dissenting).
- Approved renaming Breuner Marsh as Dotson Marsh 6-1 (Boozé dissenting).
- Approved 9 routine items including $635,000 George Hills Company contract extension and $179,000 domestic violence grant.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(7 items)
Vehicle Abatement ordinance amendment
Official Agenda Text
Send letter urging Governor Brown to veto AB 976 on energy consulting contracts
In Plain English
AB 976 would change rules for how community choice energy programs can hire consultants. The city wants the governor to reject this bill. Community choice programs let cities buy electricity directly instead of through private utilities like PG&E.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to submit a letter to Governor Jerry Brown, reflecting the vote of the City Council, urging him to veto AB 976 (Hall)
4 to 2
Join California Municipal Finance Authority to enable $11 million loan to Tissue Banks International
In Plain English
The city must become a member of the California Municipal Finance Authority before the authority can issue an $11 million loan to Tissue Banks International, a medical tissue processing company. Municipal finance authorities help private companies access lower-interest financing for projects that benefit communities. Richmond pays no costs and assumes no financial risk from this arrangement.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
6 to 0
Adopted Resolution No. 109-12
Affirm that campaign disclaimer rules apply to all ballot measure mailings
In Plain English
Richmond requires disclaimers on mass political mailings, but the law's scope is unclear. Some committees might claim exemption from disclosure rules. If approved, all groups sending mass mailings about Richmond ballot measures must include disclaimers identifying who paid for them.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Rename Breuner Marsh as Dotson Marsh
In Plain English
The city council will vote to formally request changing the name of Breuner Marsh to Dotson Marsh. This wetland area would honor a different person or family through its official name. The name change requires approval from other agencies that manage the marsh.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopted Resolution No. 110-12
6 to 1
Amend Industrial Safety Ordinance for safety operations and assessments
In Plain English
The city's Industrial Safety Ordinance sets safety rules for local industrial facilities like refineries and chemical plants. The proposed amendments would change how companies conduct safety operations and assessments. If approved, facilities must follow updated safety procedures and reporting requirements.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to begin discussions with county staff regarding the creation of a Bench-Marking Report-Card System and direct staff to prepare the amendments to the ordinance concerning strengthening the human factors programs, and consider requiring periodic safety-cultural assessments
5 to 2
End discussion
5 to 2
Endorse 2 school district ballot measures for $360 million bond and parcel tax extension
In Plain English
The West Contra Costa Unified School District asks the city to publicly support 2 measures on the ballot. Measure E lets the district borrow $360 million over 10 years for school improvements. Measure G extends the current parcel tax beyond its 2014 expiration date. City endorsements help promote ballot measures to voters but do not commit city funds.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Litigation(2 items)
Reallocate $669,000 from 2007 oil spill settlement to Marina Bay Trail repairs
In Plain English
The city received $669,000 in 2012 from a lawsuit over the Cosco Busan oil spill that damaged San Francisco Bay in 2007. The city council originally decided how to spend this money 12 years ago. If approved, some funds redirect to fixing the Marina Bay Trail instead of their current designated projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve reconsideration of the July 31, 2012, City Council action
6 to 0
Revert to staff's original recommendation to allocate $235,000 to complete the Shipyard 3/Brickyard Cove Bay Trail Gap Closure, and $434,000 to partially fund the Marina Bay Trail Rehabilitation Project
Keep the July 31, 2012, City Council action allocating the $669,000 from the Cosco Busan Oil Spill settlement with modifications: reduce Point Molate Beach Park Operation to $115,000, remove $26,000 for safety railing at Point Molate, add $50,000 from Eddie Orton and $100,000 from LED Lighting Project for $215,000 total allocation for Marina Bay Trail Rehabilitation Project
5 to 2
Receive report on costs of hiring outside lawyers for beverage tax lawsuit
In Plain English
The city hired attorneys Louise Renne and Randy Riddle to defend against a lawsuit filed by the Community Coalition Against Beverage Taxes. The city attorney will report how much taxpayer money was spent on this legal representation. Council will decide whether to give staff new direction about these legal costs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Contracts(3 items)
Add $425,000 to DP Security contract for 2 civic buildings through June 2013
In Plain English
The city currently contracts with DP Security to guard 440 and 450 Civic Center Plaza. The existing contract needs additional funding to continue security services. If approved, the city spends up to $425,000 more on security guards for these 2 government buildings through June 30, 2013.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve 2-year contract with HALO Group for police firearms training range
In Plain English
The Police Department needs a facility where officers can practice shooting and qualify with their weapons. HALO Group Inc. operates a firearms range that the city wants to use. If approved, police officers train at this facility from July 2012 through June 2014.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Receive report on Salt Water Construction's contract compliance for harbor dredging
In Plain English
Salt Water Construction is working on a dredging project to maintain the Marina Bay Yacht Harbor. Staff will report whether the company is meeting its contract requirements and timeline. The harbor needs regular dredging to remove sediment buildup that makes it too shallow for boats.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Direct staff to write a letter to Salt Water Construction urging Island Tug and Barge to perform a self-audit, initiate a process to debar them if the audit showed findings, and reconvene the stakeholders meetings to review the Local Hiring Ordinance
Budget(3 items)
Set pension fund tax rate at 0.14% for fiscal year 2013
In Plain English
The city collects a separate property tax to help pay for employee pensions. This formal decision sets that tax rate at 0.14% of assessed property value for the upcoming fiscal year. Property owners pay this tax in addition to regular city property taxes.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve annual housing program report for federal submission
In Plain English
The city must file this annual report with the federal housing department to keep receiving federal grants for affordable housing and community development programs. The report covers how Richmond spent federal housing funds during the 2011-12 fiscal year. If approved, the city meets its federal reporting deadline and maintains eligibility for future grants.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Adopted Resolution No. 108-12
Approve revised budget for fiscal year 2012-13
In Plain English
The city needs to update its spending plan for the current fiscal year. Budget revisions typically happen mid-year when actual revenues differ from projections or unexpected expenses arise. If approved, the changes adjust how much the city can spend on services like police, parks, and street maintenance.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Public Safety(1 item)
Receive update on federal investigation of 2012 Chevron refinery fire
In Plain English
The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board is investigating the August 6, 2012 fire at the Chevron refinery that sent thousands of residents to hospitals and prompted shelter-in-place orders. Federal investigators will present their findings so far to the city council. The investigation examines what caused the fire and how to prevent similar incidents.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.