Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Presiding: Mayor Gayle McLaughlin · Called to order: 5:34 p.m. · 7 items · 9 votes · 12 public comments
What happened
- Denied funding for youth track team's travel to national championships 4-3 (Beckles, Butt, McLaughlin, Rogers dissenting).
- Approved $2.1 million contract with Ghilotti Brothers for street repairs 5-1 (Boozé dissenting).
- Approved partnership with CyberTran International for ultra light rail transit system.
- Approved $1.2 million increase to Employment and Training Department budget and $15 million borrowing authority.
- Approved routine consent item amending sewer discharge laws for $24,000.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Budget(4 items)
Approve funding for youth track team's travel to national championships
In Plain English
The Richmond Half Steppers track team qualified for the AAU Junior Olympic National Championships in New Orleans. The city needs to decide whether to help cover their travel expenses. If approved, taxpayers fund transportation and lodging costs for local youth athletes to compete nationally.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Take funds from various agenda items to cover track team trip costs
Direct staff to locate funding source for the group's $17,000 airfare
5 to 1
Direct city staff to find necessary funds to cover cost of groups air fare
2 to 4
Increase Employment and Training Department budget by $1.2 million
In Plain English
The Employment and Training Department received $1.2 million in additional grant funding during the fiscal year. The city must formally adjust its budget to match the new grant revenue with approved spending. If approved, the department can use these federal or state grants for job training programs and employment services.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 74-11 adjusting Employment and Training Department Budget
6 to 0
Allow sewer fees to be collected on property tax bills
In Plain English
The city currently bills residents separately for sewer services. This resolution lets the county collect these fees alongside your annual property taxes instead. If approved, you receive one combined tax bill rather than separate sewer bills from the city.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution 77-11 allowing sewer fees collection on tax rolls
7 to 0
Authorize borrowing up to $15 million through tax anticipation notes
In Plain English
The city collects most property taxes in December and January but pays expenses year-round. Tax anticipation notes let the city borrow against future tax revenue to cover operating costs during months when tax income is low. If approved, the city can borrow up to $15 million and repay it when property taxes arrive.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 78-11 authorizing Tax and Revenue Anticipation Notes
7 to 0
Contracts(2 items)
Increase Bay Cities Paving contract by $132,066 for Via Verdi channel work
In Plain English
The city needs additional work on temporary water channel improvements along Via Verdi street. The original paving contract with Bay Cities Paving did not include enough funding for this project. If approved, the contract value increases by $132,066 to complete the channel work.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve contract Amendment No. 2 with Bay Cities Paving and Grading, Inc.
6 to 0
Hire Ghilotti Brothers for $2.1 million street repair project
In Plain English
The city plans to rehabilitate deteriorating pavement across multiple neighborhoods during 2010 and 2011. Ghilotti Brothers submitted the winning bid to resurface streets, fill potholes, and apply protective sealants. If approved, the project costs up to $2.1 million from the city's infrastructure budget.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve contract with Ghilotti Brothers, Inc. for pavement rehabilitation project
5 to 1
Governance(1 item)
Support partnership with CyberTran International for ultra light rail transit system
In Plain English
CyberTran International manufactures automated rail cars that run on elevated tracks above streets. The city wants to explore this technology as a potential transit option for Richmond. If approved, this resolution shows the city's interest in working with the company but does not commit any funding.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 76-11 supporting partnership with CyberTran International
7 to 0
Approved as a group without individual discussion.