1892478561,,,cc14Dec2021 - DRAFT(1)
ud/prc
RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, December 14, 2021
The Richmond City Council Special Meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. by Mayor Thomas K. Butt via teleconference.
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Contra Costa County and Governor Gavin Newsom issued multiple orders requiring sheltering in place, social distancing, and reduction of person-to-person contact. Accordingly, on September 15, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Assembly Bill 361 that allowed cities to continue to hold public meetings via teleconferencing.
DUE TO THE SHELTER IN PLACE ORDERS, attendance at
the City of Richmond City Council meeting was limited to councilmembers, essential City of Richmond staff, and members of the news media. Public comment was confined to items appearing on the agenda and was limited to the methods provided below.
Consistent with Assembly Bill 361, this meeting utilized teleconferencing only. The following provides information on how the public participated in the meeting.
The public was able to view the meeting from home on KCRT Comcast Channel 28 or AT&T Uverse Channel 99 and livestream online at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3178/KCRT-Live and http://www.youtube.com/user/KCRTTV.
The methods to submit public comment were via mail,
email to [email protected], teleconference, and telephone during the meeting. Written comments received by 1:00 p.m. on December 14, 2021, were put into the record and considered before council action. Written comments received after 1:00 p.m. and up until the public comment period on the relevant agenda item closed, were also put into the record. Attached herewith all written public comments received.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez, Eduardo
Martinez, Gayle McLaughlin, Melvin Willis, Vice Mayor Demnlus Johnson III, and Mayor Tom Butt. Absent: Councilmember Nathaniel Bates arrived after the roll was called.
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
The Public Comment Instructional Video was shown.
STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
City Attorney Teresa Stricker stated conflict of interest on Item E-1 because she was the involved employee.
AGENDA REVIEW
Item E-6 was continued to the January 11, 2022, City
Council meeting.
COUNCIL AS A WHOLE
E-1. The matter to adopt a resolution commending
outgoing city attorney Teresa Stricker for her service and professionalism; and renouncing and condemning statements about the city attorney made by Mayor Tom Butt was presented by 1892478561,,,cc14Dec2021 - DRAFT(1)
ud/prc
Councilmembers Jimenez and Willis. This item was continued from the December 7, 2021, meeting. Terri Hinte, Mark
Wassberg, and Lisa Cody gave comments via teleconference.
Discussion ensued. A motion was made by Councilmember Willis, seconded by Councilmember Jimenez to adopt the resolution. A substitute motion was made by Councilmember Bates to remove the phrase “renouncing and condemning of the mayor” from the resolution. The motion failed for lack of a second. The original motion passed and Resolution No. 149-21, was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Jimenez, Martinez, McLaughlin, Willis, and Vice Mayor Johnson III. Noes:
Councilmember Bates and Mayor Butt. Absent: None. Abstain:
None.
E-2. The matter to approve a $40,000 amendment to the
legal services agreement with the law firm of Burke Williams, & Sorensen, LLP for general municipal and personnel matters for a total amount not to exceed $140,000 was presented by Attorney Heather McLaughlin. This item was continued from the
December 7, 2021, meeting. Discussion ensued. A motion made by Councilmember Willis, seconded by Councilmember Martinez, approved the amendment by the following vote: Ayes:
Councilmembers Bates, Jimenez, Martinez, McLaughlin, Willis, and Vice Mayor Johnson III. Noes: Mayor Butt. Absent: None.
Abstain: None.
E-3. The matter to approve (1) a $50,000 amendment to
the legal services agreement with the law firm of Burke Williams, & Sorensen, LLP for general municipal and personnel matters for a total amount not to exceed $100,000 and (2) an additional appropriation of $50,000 from the general fund to pay for a portion of the second contract amendment was presented by Interim City Attorney Heather McLaughlin. This item was continued from the December 7, 2021, meeting. Discussion ensued. Mark Wassberg gave comments via teleconference. A motion made by
Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Willis, to approve the amendment, passed by the following vote: Ayes:
Councilmembers Jimenez, Martinez, McLaughlin, and Willis.
Noes: Mayor Butt. Absent: Vice Mayor Johnson III. Abstain:
Councilmember Bates.
E-4. The matter to approve (1) a $75,000 amendment to
the legal services agreement with the law firm of Meyers Nave, LLP for general municipal law advice and litigation for a total amount not to exceed $85,000 and (2) an additional appropriation of $75,000 from the general fund to pay for the first contract amendment was presented by Interim City Attorney Heather McLaughlin. This item was continued from the December 7, 2021, meeting. Discussion ensued. A motion made by
Councilmember Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Jimenez, to approve the amendment passed by the following vote: Ayes:
Councilmembers Jimenez, Martinez, McLaughlin, and Willis.
Noes: Councilmember Bates and Mayor Butt. Absent: None.
Abstain: Vice Mayor Johnson III.
E-5. The matter to receive a presentation on a draft summary proposal for a new city-wide Community Benefits Policy was presented by Interim City Manager Shasa Curl, and Julian Gross, and Taliah Mirmalek from Renne Public Law Group. This item was continued from the November 23, and December 7, 2021, meetings. The presentation included a PowerPoint, which highlighted the following:
Engagement Summary; Policy Overview; Coverage, and Requirements; Existing Laws; Enhancement and Categories of Community Benefits; 1892478561,,,cc14Dec2021 - DRAFT(1)
ud/prc
and Recommended Policy Procedures. Discussion ensued. In January 2022, the city council would receive a draft city-wide community benefits policy, enhanced procedures, and the community benefits baseline list, with the opportunity to add additional benefits.
E-6. Continued to the December 21, 2021, City Council
meeting, to receive an update staffing presentation from the Police Department to include changes and/or modifications to the services provided to the community based on resource allocations due to financial and efficiency considerations. This item was continued from the December 7, 2021, meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m., to meet again on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at 6:30 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond
(SEAL)
Approved:
Mayor