Tuesday, June 30, 2020

5 items · 17 votes · 6 public comments

What happened

  • Approved final budget projections for 2020-21 despite opposition from Martinez and Bates after 3 public comments.
  • Approved plan to create new policing model with fewer officers 5-2 (Bates, Butt dissenting).
  • Approved 11 routine items including $1.6 million contract with POGO Park for Harbour 8 expansion.
  • Approved contracts to 3 firms for construction management and inspection services.
  • Heard proposal to establish fees for Master Fee Schedule with no vote taken.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Agenda

Attendance

Nat Bates(Present)
Jael Myrick(Present)
Demnlus Johnson III(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Ben Choi(Absent)
Melvin Willis(Absent)
Tom Butt(Present)
6 substantive items · 11 consent · 1 procedural

Budget(2 items)

Accept final budget projections for 2020-21 operating costs and 5-year capital projects

3-4Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city created spending plans for daily operations in 2020-21 and major projects through 2025. These final projections show expected costs for services like police, parks, and road repairs. If accepted, these numbers become the official budget baseline for tracking actual spending.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt the budget as presented, and add back the Dispatcher II in the amount of $137,533 by reducing the overtime budget in that amount

Moved by: Jael MyrickSeconded by: Demnlus Johnson III
Failed

3 to 4

Thomas K. ButtNay
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Jael MyrickAye
Eduardo MartinezNay
Melvin WillisNay
Nat BatesNay

Continue the item for one week and that staff return with a revised budget that shows the overtime clearly and separately from the salaries line item; the necessity for the Dispatcher II position; and the justification for the Office of Neighborhood (ONS) staffing

Moved by: Nat Bates
Failed

That the City Council operate under a continuing resolution

Moved by: Thomas K. ButtSeconded by: Jael Myrick
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Adopt the budget as presented and eliminate the furloughs for employees who make less than $90,000 per year by obtaining the difference from the overtime budget, and look into the overtime spending

Moved by: Melvin WillisSeconded by: Jael Myrick
Passed

5 to 2

Thomas K. ButtAye
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye
Eduardo MartinezNay
Nat BatesNay

Set legal spending limit for city budget year 2020-21

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

California law requires cities to calculate a maximum amount they can spend each year. This limit prevents government spending from growing faster than population and inflation. The city must formally adopt this calculated limit before finalizing its annual budget.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt Resolution No. 71-20

Moved by: Jael MyrickSeconded by: Demnlus Johnson III
Passed

7 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Nat BatesAye
Jael MyrickAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Ben ChoiAye
Melvin WillisAye

Public Safety(1 item)

Direct staff to create plan for new policing model with fewer officers

5-2Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

Richmond currently uses a community policing approach that requires more officers to work closely with neighborhoods. The city now has fewer police officers than before. Staff will research alternative policing methods that work better with a smaller force and recommend a new approach by June 2021.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve the item; direct staff to create a transition accountability task force composed by members of the public, including community organizations, individuals who were impacted by law enforcement, and law enforcement. The task force would have access to legally allowable City data, have standing meetings with the city manager and police chief; require the task force to convene within two weeks and report back to the City Council by September 15, 2020, and then monthly thereafter

Moved by: Jael MyrickSeconded by: Melvin Willis
Passed

5 to 2

Thomas K. ButtNay
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jael MyrickAye
Melvin WillisAye
Nat BatesNay

Contracts(1 item)

Award contracts to 3 firms for construction management and inspection services

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

The city needs contractors to oversee and inspect construction projects like road repairs and building renovations. These firms will be available when needed rather than hired for specific projects. The city can call on any of the 3 companies to manage projects and ensure work meets safety standards.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve the item

Moved by: Nat BatesSeconded by: Jael Myrick
Passed

6 to 0

Thomas K. ButtAye
Ben ChoiAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Jael MyrickAye
Nat BatesAye
Melvin WillisAbsent

Governance(1 item)

Introduce law establishing fees for proposed Master Fee Schedule

Master Fee Schedule

In Plain English

The city wants to create a single document listing all fees residents and businesses pay for city services. Currently these fees are scattered across different departments and documents. If approved, the city can charge the fees listed in this master schedule for permits, inspections, and other services.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Miscellaneous(1 item)

Details

In Plain English

This agenda item lacks any description or details about what the council will discuss or decide. Without more information, residents cannot know what this item involves or how it might affect them.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Approved as a group without individual discussion.

F-8Meeting minutes approval