Tuesday, September 23, 2014
JointPresiding: Mayor McLaughlin · Called to order: 6:44 p.m. · 3 items · 3 votes · 11 public comments
What happened
- Approved $15,000 for public outreach about Measure U sales tax 6-1 (Boozé dissenting).
- Approved annual housing report to federal government for 2013-2014.
- Approved directing staff to prepare social impact bonds for housing rehabilitation program.
Auto-generated summary from agenda items and vote records
View official: MinutesAttendance
Budget(1 item)
Authorize $15,000 for public outreach about Measure U sales tax
In Plain English
Measure U is Richmond's half-cent sales tax that funds essential city services. The city wants to spend up to $15,000 on public information campaigns to educate residents about how this tax revenue gets used. If approved, the money pays for materials and events explaining Measure U's impact.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Support three informational mailings to likely voters: (1) general information about the sales tax; (2) street paving programs; and (3) general programs related to public safety, public health and wellness programs, and city youth programs, and authorize expenditures for public information and outreach in the amount of $15,000 with a contingency within reason
6 to 1
Housing(2 items)
Approve annual housing report to federal government for 2013-2014
In Plain English
The city must submit an annual report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development showing how it spent federal housing grants. This report covers the 2013-2014 year and details which housing programs received funding. Federal law requires cities to hold a public hearing before submitting the report.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Close the public hearing
Adopt Resolution No. 82-14
Direct staff to prepare social impact bonds for housing rehabilitation program
In Plain English
The Richmond Community Foundation runs a program that helps homeowners repair their houses. The city wants to explore using social impact bonds to fund this program. Social impact bonds let private investors pay upfront costs and get repaid only if the program succeeds. If approved, staff begins working with the foundation to set up this funding structure.
Auto-generated summary. Source: official agenda documents.
Votes
Bring the issue back to the City Council before vacant properties are included in the Richmond Community Foundation's Housing Rehabilitation Program
6 to 0