Tuesday, December 21, 2021

7 items · 33 votes · 15 public comments

What happened

  • Approved $50,000 for Rydin and Castro resident relocation help 5-2 (Bates, Butt dissenting).
  • Approved hiring interim city attorney for 6 months 4-2 (Martinez, Bates dissenting).
  • Approved temporarily hiring retired CalPERS employee Bruce Soublet for up to $94,916 6-1 (Butt dissenting).
  • Approved $850,000 contract for Hilltop area planning and accepted $750,000 regional grant.
  • Approved 24 routine items including $2 million for rental housing inspections and $700,000 increase for Ghilotti Bros construction.

Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records

View official: Agenda

Attendance

Claudia Jimenez(Present)
Eduardo Martinez(Present)
Gayle McLaughlin(Present)
Melvin Willis(Present)
Demnlus Johnson III(Present)
Tom Butt(Present)
Nat Bates(Present)
8 substantive items · 24 consent · 2 procedural

Housing(2 items)

Allow small landlords to reduce business taxes by Rent Board fees paid

6-1Rent Board & Tenants

In Plain English

Small landlords who own 4 or fewer rental units currently pay both Rent Board fees and gross receipts tax to the city. This law lets them subtract their annual Rent Board fees from their business tax bill. The change reduces city tax revenue but helps small property owners manage regulatory costs.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt Resolution No. 159-21

Moved by: Councilmember McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Willis
Passed

6 to 1

Nathaniel BatesNay
Thomas K. ButtAye
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye

Support independent advisory committee and allocate $50,000 for Rydin and Castro resident relocation help

4-2Political Statements

In Plain English

The city plans to relocate residents from the Rydin and Castro areas. This creates an independent committee of housed and unhoused residents plus community leaders to advise on the process. The $50,000 covers vehicle repairs, storage costs, and help moving personal belongings for affected residents.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Allow time for study and homeless road map plan and include unhoused residents in decision-making body

Moved by: Councilmember JimenezSeconded by: Councilmember McLaughlin
Passed

4 to 2

Nathaniel BatesNay
Thomas K. ButtNay
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAbsent

Governance(1 item)

Motion to overrule Mayor Butt regarding Item K-1 Measure U continuation

3-2Governance

Official Agenda Text

Councilmember Jimenez moved to overrule Mayor Butt's decision to split Item K-1 and continue the Measure U matter to January 2022

Votes

Motion to overrule Mayor Butt

Moved by: Councilmember JimenezSeconded by: Councilmember McLaughlin
Failed

3 to 2

Nathaniel BatesNay
Thomas K. ButtNay
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAbsent
Demnlus Johnson IIIAbstain

Contracts(2 items)

Accept $750,000 regional grant and approve $850,000 contract for Hilltop area planning

Environmental Justice

In Plain English

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission awarded Richmond $750,000 to plan development in the Hilltop area. The city hired Environmental Science Associates to create this neighborhood plan. If approved, the contract increases to $850,000 total to complete the work using grant funds.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt Resolution 158-21

Moved by: Councilmember McLaughlinSeconded by: Councilmember Willis
Passed

6 to 0

Nathaniel BatesAye
Thomas K. ButtAye
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAbsent

Hire law firm to serve as interim city attorney for 6 months

4-2Interim City Attorney

In Plain English

The city needs temporary legal leadership while searching for a permanent city attorney. The agreement runs from December 2021 through June 2022 at a cost of $380,000. Dave Aleshire from the hired firm becomes the interim city attorney during this period.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Approve the agreement

Moved by: Councilmember WillisSeconded by: Vice Mayor Johnson III
Passed

4 to 2

Nathaniel BatesNay
Claudia JimenezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Eduardo MartinezNay
Demnlus Johnson IIIAbsent
Thomas K. ButtAye

Appointments(1 item)

Temporarily hire retired CalPERS employee Bruce Soublet for up to $94,916

6-1Soublet Appointment

In Plain English

CalPERS allows retired employees to return as temporary workers under specific rules. The city needs temporary help and wants to hire Bruce Soublet, a CalPERS retiree. If approved, his pay cannot exceed $94,916 during this temporary assignment.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt Resolution 157-21

Moved by: Councilmember MartinezSeconded by: Councilmember Willis
Passed

6 to 1

Nathaniel BatesAye
Thomas K. ButtNay
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye

Budget(1 item)

Approve budget for dissolved redevelopment agency's remaining obligations

Police & Community Safety

In Plain English

Richmond's redevelopment agency was dissolved in 2012, but the city still manages its leftover debts and commitments through a successor agency. This budget covers the agency's expenses from July 2022 through June 2023. The successor agency primarily pays off old bonds and maintains properties the original agency owned.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Votes

Adopt Resolution No. 21-1

Moved by: Councilmember MartinezSeconded by: Vice Mayor Johnson III
Passed

7 to 0

Nathaniel BatesAye
Thomas K. ButtAye
Claudia JimenezAye
Eduardo MartinezAye
Gayle McLaughlinAye
Melvin WillisAye
Demnlus Johnson IIIAye

Miscellaneous(1 item)

Details

In Plain English

This appears to be a placeholder or incomplete agenda item with no details provided. Without additional information about what is being discussed or decided, residents cannot know what action the council may take on this item.

Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.

Approved as a group without individual discussion.

J-18Approved minutesMeeting ExtensionMotion to extend meeting past 11:00 p.m. to discuss Item M-1 only