Tuesday, June 27, 2023
31 items · View official: Agenda
Minutes not yet published by the City Clerk — vote and comment data typically appear 4–6 weeks after the meeting.
Contracts(17 items)
Hire 2 law firms for $150,000 to handle Point Molate and land use lawsuits
In Plain English
The city faces ongoing legal challenges over Point Molate development approvals and other land use decisions. Richmond already pays Downey Brand $1.05 million for Point Molate litigation and Goldfarb & Lipman $300,000 for general land use cases. If approved, the city adds $75,000 to each contract to continue legal defense through June 2025.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Add $75,000 to law firm contract for Point Molate development lawsuits
In Plain English
Richmond approved a housing project at Point Molate in 2020, but environmental groups sued the city claiming the approval violated state law. The city hired Downey Brand law firm to defend the lawsuits and has already spent $1.05 million. If approved, the total contract reaches $1.13 million to handle ongoing appeals.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Extend law firm contract for land use lawsuits through June 2025
In Plain English
The city has used Goldfarb & Lipman since 2021 to defend against lawsuits over housing developments and zoning decisions. The firm charges $390 per hour for partners and $345 for associates. If approved, the contract gets $75,000 more funding and runs through June 2025.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve 20-year lease extension with Marine Spill Response Corporation and award $89,589 in artist grants
In Plain English
The city extends its lease with Marine Spill Response Corporation through 2043, potentially generating rental income for 2 decades. The Richmond Arts and Culture Commission selected 12 artists to receive grants totaling $89,589 for projects running from August 2023 through June 2024. These grants support local artists and cultural programming in the community.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Extend Marine Spill Response Corporation lease through 2043
In Plain English
Marine Spill Response Corporation has leased Finger Pier Number One since 1993 for oil spill response operations. The current lease expires June 30, 2023. If approved, the city receives $396,000 to $553,000 annually with inflation adjustments through 2033, plus 2 optional 5-year extensions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Award $89,589 in mini grants to 12 local artists for neighborhood public art projects
In Plain English
The city's Arts and Culture Commission selected 12 artists to receive small grants for public art projects in neighborhoods. The grants total $89,589 and fund projects from August 2023 through June 2024. If approved, the artists create artwork in Richmond communities with city funding.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Place liens on properties with unpaid garbage collection fees
In Plain English
Some property owners have not paid their garbage collection bills to Republic Services. The city can place liens on these properties, which means the unpaid fees get added to property tax bills. Property owners must pay these fees before they can sell their homes.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve 3 information technology contracts totaling $383,294
In Plain English
The city needs to extend cybersecurity training, phone system support, and advanced threat detection services. Two existing contracts with Maze & Associates get extended through June 2025, adding $151,890 for employee security training and cyber defense systems. A new $60,329 contract covers the city's internet-based phone system through December 2024.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Expand cybersecurity training contract by $17,790 through June 2025
In Plain English
The city currently pays Maze and Associates $22,075 for cybersecurity awareness training for employees. The expansion adds $17,790 to continue this training through June 2025. If approved, the total contract value reaches $39,865 to help protect city computer systems from hackers.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $60,329 sole-source contract for city phone system maintenance
In Plain English
The city uses a Voice Over Internet Protocol phone system that requires specialized maintenance and licensing. Packet Fusion provides the only compatible support services for this system. If approved, the 18-month contract runs through December 2024 with options for additional extensions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Expand cybersecurity contract with Maze & Associates by $134,100
In Plain English
The city has used Maze & Associates for cybersecurity defense since 2020 to protect against hackers and ransomware attacks. The current system flags suspicious activity but requires staff to respond manually. If approved, the upgraded system automatically blocks cyber attacks without human intervention using artificial intelligence.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $31,000 for police team building workshop at Sacramento hotel
In Plain English
The Police Department wants to send officers to a Peace Officers Standards and Training workshop in Sacramento. The city covers hotel rooms, conference space, travel, and meals for the event. The state reimburses $5,579 of the total cost, leaving the city to pay $25,421.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve 3-year contract with Richmond Veterinary Hospital for police services
In Plain English
The police department needs veterinary care for its K-9 units and other animals in custody. Richmond Veterinary Hospital would provide medical services including routine checkups and emergency care. If approved, the city pays up to $40,000 over 3 years with options to extend 2 more years.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $30 million in road materials contracts and waive competitive bidding for fleet vehicles
In Plain English
The city needs ongoing supplies of asphalt and concrete to maintain streets and repair potholes. Three companies will provide these materials over 3 years at $10 million each, with options to extend. The city also wants to skip competitive bidding when buying emergency vehicles to speed up purchases during supply shortages.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Waive competitive bidding rules to buy city vehicles faster
In Plain English
Supply chain problems mean city vehicles now take years to deliver through normal bidding. The city lost 5 Ford Rangers in March because council approval took too long. If approved, staff can buy vehicles immediately when available through 2024 without further council votes.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $30 million in contracts for asphalt materials over 3 years
In Plain English
The city needs asphalt to fix potholes and repave roads throughout Richmond. Three companies will supply materials under separate contracts worth $10 million each over 3 years. If approved, the city can extend each contract for 2 more years at $5 million per vendor.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $100,000 contract for boiler chemical treatment at city buildings
In Plain English
The city operates steam and hot water boilers in multiple buildings that require chemical treatment to prevent corrosion and maintain efficiency. This 3-year contract with Tahoe Instruments covers routine maintenance and chemical services. If approved, the city can extend the contract for 2 additional years at $70,000.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Budget(5 items)
Adopt annual financial policies for cash reserves, pension funding, and housing authority agreement
In Plain English
The city must annually review policies that govern emergency cash reserves, employee retirement funding, and administrative services with Richmond Housing Authority. State auditors recommended the city increase its emergency reserve target after finding fiscal risks in 2022. If approved, these policies guide financial decisions for the next 2 years.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Set annual fee of $220 per controlled rental unit and $125 per partially covered unit
In Plain English
The city operates a Rent Program that enforces rent control laws and protects tenants from unfair evictions. This program is funded entirely by fees paid by landlords who own rental properties. The Rent Board studied program costs and recommended these fee amounts to cover staff salaries, technology, and other operating expenses for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve community survey results and North Richmond waste fee spending plan
In Plain English
The city commissioned a survey in 2023 to measure resident satisfaction with city services. The council also needs to approve how North Richmond will spend mitigation fees collected from waste facilities. These fees compensate the community for hosting waste operations. If approved, the spending plan covers programs from July 2023 through June 2024.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve spending plan for North Richmond waste facility mitigation fees
In Plain English
The city collects fees from the North Richmond waste facility to fund community improvements that offset impacts from the facility. A joint committee recommends how to spend these mitigation fees during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. If approved, the plan authorizes specific projects and funding amounts for North Richmond residents.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Adjust city fees across departments except recreation fees
In Plain English
The city last updated most service fees several years ago. This resolution increases fees for permits, licenses, and other city services to cover rising costs. Recreation rental fees stay the same while staff studies whether those need changes too.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Governance(3 items)
Approve minutes from June 15, 2023 special meeting
In Plain English
The city clerk prepared written records of what happened at a special city council meeting in June. State law requires the council to formally approve these minutes before they become official. This is routine paperwork with no impact on city services or spending.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Schedule joint meeting with school district to explore collaborations
In Plain English
The city council wants to meet with West Contra Costa school board members this fall. The meeting would focus on updates from both organizations and potential partnerships. Staff will coordinate with the school superintendent to find a date and location.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Place liens on properties with unpaid garbage collection fees
In Plain English
The city can add unpaid garbage bills to property tax records when residents don't pay. This forces payment when the property is sold or refinanced. If approved, the county collects these debts along with property taxes and sends the money to the city.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Miscellaneous(3 items)
Direct staff to schedule joint meeting with school district board
In Plain English
Vice Mayor McLaughlin wants city staff to coordinate with the school district superintendent to plan a fall meeting. The Richmond City Council and school board would meet together to discuss updates and potential partnerships. The city and West Contra Costa Unified School District currently operate separately despite serving the same residents.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Release 2023 resident survey about city services and quality of life
In Plain English
Richmond has surveyed residents every 2 years since 2007 to measure satisfaction with city services and overall quality of life. The city hired Polco/National Research Center for $78,000 in December 2022 to conduct the 2023 survey. If approved, the 20-minute survey goes out to randomly selected residents and results help guide city budget decisions.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Receive East Bay Municipal Utility District presentation on water plant upgrades
In Plain English
East Bay Municipal Utility District plans to replace aging equipment at the Sobrante Water Treatment Plant in El Sobrante. The project increases water capacity from 40 to 80 million gallons per day through 2 phases starting in 2027. The upgrades ensure reliable water service during droughts and improve water quality for Richmond residents.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Housing(2 items)
Set annual fees for rental housing units under rent control
In Plain English
The city charges property owners fees to fund its rent control program. Controlled units face the full $220 annual fee while partially covered units pay $125. If approved, these rates apply to the current fiscal year ending June 2024.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approve $31,000 for police training hotel stay and $40,000 veterinary contract
In Plain English
The police department needs hotel rooms and conference space in Sacramento for officer training workshops. The city also contracts with Richmond Veterinary Hospital to provide medical care for police dogs and other animals. If approved, the 3-year vet contract costs up to $40,000 total while the state reimburses $5,579 of training costs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Personnel(1 item)
Conduct closed-session performance review of City Manager
In Plain English
The city council will privately evaluate the City Manager's job performance. State law requires these annual reviews to happen in closed session to protect employee privacy. The council may discuss salary, goals, or contract terms but cannot take any public action during the closed meeting.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.