Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Presiding: Mayor Thomas K. Butt · Called to order: 7:10 p.m. · 4 items · 13 votes · 32 public comments
What happened
- Heard public comments on appointing 3 new Citizens Police Review Commission members but took no vote.
- Rejected staff recommendation to abandon North Richmond annexation after 5 public comments.
- Approved citywide ban on gas-powered leaf blowers 6-1 with Bates dissenting.
- Approved 8 routine items including $620,000 for Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bike paths and $300,000 Telecom Law Firm contract.
- Appointed 5 Arts and Culture Commission members and waived business fees for 5 artists.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Governance(3 items)
Waive business license fees for 5 artists waiting for 2019 public art grants
In Plain English
The city awarded public art grants to 5 artists in 2019 but never released their funding. City law requires artists to pay annual business license fees while waiting. If approved, the city forgives all accumulated fees for these artists whose grants remain unpaid after 5 years.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Provide consent and direction to the License Administrator to compromise, in full, the claim associated with the annual business license fee relating to the five 2019 Neighborhood Public Art grantees
7 to 0
Accept staff recommendation to abandon North Richmond annexation
In Plain English
North Richmond is an unincorporated area that relies on Contra Costa County for services like police and parks. City staff studied whether Richmond should annex this neighborhood to provide city services instead. Staff now recommends against annexation, likely due to costs or complications.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Accept the staff recommendation to not proceed with the annexation
6 to 1
Proceed with the LAFCO application process, only if Contra Costa County agrees to pay all or a substantial amount of the approximate $2 million in associated costs
Ban gas-powered leaf blowers citywide
In Plain English
Richmond currently allows gas-powered leaf blowers for landscaping and yard work. These machines produce noise and air pollution that affects neighborhoods. If approved, only electric leaf blowers remain legal for residents and businesses to use.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Request staff to study the feasibility of banning gas-powered leaf blowers city-wide and options to address residents with gas-powered leaf blowers without penalizing them
6 to 1
Appointments(2 items)
Appoint 3 new members to Citizens Police Review Commission
In Plain English
The Citizens Police Review Commission investigates complaints against police officers and reviews department policies. Three seats on the 7-member commission are currently vacant. If approved, Catherine Montalbo, Christopher Whitmore, and Armond Lee would serve 2-year terms ending in November 2022.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Appoint 5 members to Arts and Culture Commission
In Plain English
The Arts and Culture Commission advises the city council on arts programs and cultural events. Two current members get reappointed while 3 new members join the 9-person volunteer board. The commission reviews grant applications and helps plan community festivals and public art projects.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve appointments to the Arts and Culture Commission
7 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.