Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Presiding: Mayor McLaughlin (until 8:57 p.m., then Vice Mayor Rogers) · Called to order: 6:35 p.m. · 14 items · 18 votes · 14 public comments
What happened
- Rejected $5.7 million contract to replace San Pablo Creek culvert on Via Verdi 4-2 (Bates, Boozé dissenting).
- Rejected 3-year contract for new City Attorney Bruce Goodmiller 4-2 (Ritterman, Rogers dissenting).
- Approved forensic audit of Office of Neighborhood Safety 4-2 (Boozé, Rogers dissenting).
- Approved allowing up to 6 medical marijuana dispensaries with location rules 4-1 (Butt dissenting).
- Approved routine consent item supporting Delta water ecosystem protection and 11 other items.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Contracts(10 items)
Expand Barrett Avenue bike lane design contract by $64,000
In Plain English
The city hired AN West Inc. in 2023 to design bike lanes on Barrett Avenue from Garrard Boulevard to San Pablo Avenue. The original $81,000 contract needs more work to finalize engineering plans. If approved, the total contract reaches $145,000 using grant money.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 29-11
4 to 1
Approve $5.7 million contract to replace San Pablo Creek culvert on Via Verdi
In Plain English
A culvert under Via Verdi that carries San Pablo Creek needs replacement. The city selected Bay Cities Paving and Grading for the construction work. If approved, the total project budget is $6.6 million including the construction contract and other costs.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt resolution approving final mitigated negative declaration and approve contract with Bay Cities Paving and Grading
3 to 2
Approve $28,023 contract increase for Fire Station 68 restroom and fuel pump upgrades
In Plain English
The city hired Arthuilia Inc. to remodel restrooms and improve fuel pumps at Fire Station 68. Construction revealed additional work needed beyond the original scope. If approved, the contract rises from $800,000 to $828,023 to complete the project.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Accept $1.59 million repayment from Rosie the Riveter Trust for Maritime Center loan
In Plain English
The city previously gave the Rosie the Riveter Trust a bridge loan to help restore the Maritime Center. The trust has now raised enough money to pay back the full loan amount. If approved, the city receives $1,594,069 and closes out this temporary financing arrangement.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Hire Catalog Choice to run junk mail opt-out program for $3,500
In Plain English
Richmond residents currently receive unwanted catalogs, flyers, and phone books with no easy way to stop them. The city wants to hire Catalog Choice, a service that helps people remove their addresses from mailing lists. If approved, residents can use the program for one year to reduce junk mail delivery to their homes.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Continue the item to give City Manager Bill Lindsay opportunity to speak with Recycle More regarding paying for services
Approve the item
4 to 1
Extend contracts with 2 North Richmond nonprofits through March 2014
In Plain English
The city funds Neighborhood House of North Richmond and Community Housing Development Corporation to provide services to residents. Both contracts were set to expire soon. If approved, the organizations continue their current programs for several more months while the city plans for longer-term funding arrangements.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve the amendments for NHNR and CHDC
5 to 0
Approve emergency contract to build concrete slabs deterring wire theft
In Plain English
Thieves have been stealing copper wire from new electrical boxes along Marina Parkway south of Regatta Boulevard. The city wants to pour 31 concrete slabs around these boxes to make theft harder. If approved, the emergency contract costs up to $17,000.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Approve emergency contract with J3C Construction
4 to 1
Approve 3-year contract for new City Attorney Bruce Goodmiller
In Plain English
The city recently appointed Bruce Goodmiller as the new City Attorney. His contract sets his starting salary at $16,786 per month ($201,432 annually). If approved, he receives potential raises each year based on performance reviews.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Continue the item for 30 days to allow Councilmembers Bates, Butt, and any other Councilmembers an opportunity to speak with Mr. Goodmiller regarding his plans for the City Attorney's Office
3 to 2
Approve the contract
3 to 3
Continue item for 30 days or less to allow Councilmembers opportunity to speak with Mr. Goodmiller and direct city manager to convey this delay was not rescinding of contract but courtesy to Councilmembers
5 to 1
Direct city manager to convey to Mr. Goodmiller that his contract would be retroactive to March 8, 2012, when his contract was approved
5 to 1
Make the decision to make the contract retroactive after the Councilmembers have had a chance to meet with Mr. Goodmiller
2 to 2
Join regional partnership to coordinate I-80 traffic improvements
In Plain English
The California Department of Transportation wants local cities to work together on reducing I-80 congestion through Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Richmond would join this partnership to help plan coordinated solutions like better transit connections and traffic signal timing. If approved, the city commits to participating in regional meetings and sharing traffic data with other agencies.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 41-12
6 to 0
Direct city manager to hire outside agency for forensic audit of Office of Neighborhood Safety
In Plain English
The Office of Neighborhood Safety runs violence prevention programs in Richmond. A forensic audit examines financial records and operations to detect fraud, waste, or mismanagement. If approved, an independent agency reviews how the office spends money and follows city policies.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Discontinue debate
3 to 2
Discontinue debate
4 to 2
Budget(3 items)
Apply stormwater fee increase to city-owned former redevelopment parcels
In Plain English
The city owns properties that once belonged to the dissolved Richmond Community Redevelopment Agency. These parcels currently don't pay the stormwater fees that other property owners pay under the 2012 Clean Water Initiative. If approved, the city pays the same stormwater rates on these properties as private owners do.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 30-12
5 to 1
Apply stormwater fee increase to city-owned properties
In Plain English
The city passed a stormwater program rate increase in 2012 as part of the Community Clean Water Initiative. This formal decision extends that same fee increase to properties the city owns. City-owned parcels were previously exempt from the higher stormwater rates that other property owners already pay.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 36-12
5 to 1
Review mid-year budget forecast and approve spending adjustments
In Plain English
The city reviews its budget halfway through the fiscal year to see how actual spending compares to projections. Staff identified areas where the city needs to move money between departments or adjust spending limits. If approved, these changes help balance the budget for the remainder of fiscal year 2011-12.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 40-12
6 to 0
Governance(1 item)
Allow up to 6 medical marijuana dispensaries with location rules
In Plain English
Richmond currently limits medical marijuana dispensaries through a permit system. The new law sets a cap of 6 total permits citywide and prevents too many dispensaries from clustering in one area. Existing dispensaries can apply to move to new locations if approved by the city.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt said ordinance and review in approximately one year
4 to 1
Infrastructure(1 item)
Apply for state grant to fund 2 transportation planning studies
In Plain English
The city wants to create 2 new transportation plans covering different areas of Richmond. The 'Yellow Brick Road' Plan and South Richmond Transportation Plan would study traffic patterns and recommend improvements. If approved, the California Department of Transportation pays for the planning work through grant funds.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Adopt Resolution No. 37-12
5 to 0
Appointments(1 item)
Appoint 5 people to city boards and commissions
In Plain English
The city fills vacant seats on 4 advisory boards with new and returning members. These volunteers help guide city policies on housing, library services, police oversight, and job training programs. Commission members serve without pay and meet monthly to review proposals and make recommendations to the city council.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Approved as a group without individual discussion.