1 RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
January 24, 2023, 4:30 p.m.
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
_____________________________________________________________________
A. OPEN SESSION TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION The meeting was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez via teleconference.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent:
Councilmember Melvin Willis arrived after the roll was called.
C. CLOSED SESSION
A motion was made by Councilmember Zepeda, seconded by Councilmember Willis, added a Closed Session item to discuss possible threat of litigation regarding the Housing Element, passed by the unanimous vote of the City Council.
C.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) Arriaga v. City of Richmond
City of Richmond v. Pacific Gas & Electric
C.2 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code
Section 54957.6)
Agency Representatives: Sharrone Taylor and Jack Hughes Employee organizations:
1. SEIU Local 1021 Full Time Unit and Part Time Unit
2. IFPTE Local 21 Mid-Level Management Unit and Executive Management Units
3. Richmond Police Officers Association RPOA
4. Richmond Police Management Association RPMA
5. IAFF Local 188
6. Richmond Fire Management Association RFMA
C.3 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
• Property: South 45th Street to the west, Wall Avenue to the south, Interstate 80 to the east, and the BART tracks to the north Agency negotiators: Anita Luck, Lina Velasco, and Jesus Morales Negotiating parties: Miraflores Community Devco, LLC
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
2 • Property: 1324 Canal Boulevard (General Warehouse, Port of Richmond) Agency negotiator: Dave Aleshire and Lizeht Zepeda
Negotiating parties: Richmond Grown
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION
None.
E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The meeting adjourned at 4:35 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m.by Mayor Eduardo Martinez via teleconference.
G. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Melvin Wilis, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Absent: None.
H. PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
The Public Comment Instructional Video was shown.
I. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
J. AGENDA REVIEW
Item O.2.c. - (2023 Appointments to Committees and Liaison Positions) was moved to be heard after Public Comment. Item R.2 (Presentation of the Richmond Greenway Gap Closure Study) was heard after Item O.2.c (2023 Appointments to Committees and Liaison Positions).
K. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OF FINAL DECISIONS MADE
DURING CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Dave Aleshire reported the following:
C.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) · Arriaga v. City of Richmond
· City of Richmond v. Pacific Gas & Electric
City Council directed staff to proceed with settlement agreements.
C.2 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54957.6)
· Agency Representatives: Sharrone Taylor and Jack Hughes Employee organizations:
1. SEIU Local 1021 Full Time Unit and Part Time Unit
2. IFPTE Local 21 Mid-Level Management Unit and Executive Management Units
3. Richmond Police Officers Association RPOA
4. Richmond Police Management Association RPMA
5. IAFF Local 188
6. Richmond Fire Management Association RFMA
A status report was given, and the item was continued to a future meeting.
C.3 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
3 • Property: South 45th Street to the west, Wall Avenue to the south, Interstate 80 to the east, and the BART tracks to the north Agency negotiators: Anita Luck, Lina Velasco, and Jesus Morales Negotiating parties: Miraflores Community Devco, LLC
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
• Property: 1324 Canal Boulevard (General Warehouse, Port of Richmond) Agency negotiator: Dave Aleshire and Lizeht Zepeda
Negotiating parties: Richmond Grown
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
Not discussed.
L. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
City Manager Shasa Curl reported that the Youthworks Job Readiness Workshops would meet Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 330 25th Street. More information could be obtained by calling 510-412-2040. Ms. Curl also informed that the Sewer Lateral Grant Program was open for Fiscal Year 22-23. More information could be obtained by calling 510-620-6554.
M. CRIME REPORT FROM POLICE CHIEF - 4th Tuesday (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
M.1 Richmond Police Department’s Crime Statistics Trend and Reporting Changes.
RECEIVE a presentation from the Police Department regarding a five-year historic crime trend and the change from Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) to National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) – Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621-1802).
Police Chief Bisa French presented a PowerPoint which highlighted the following: 5-Year Progression Report; Violent Crime Summary; Property Crime Summary; Homicides; Aggravated Assaults; Robberies; Burglaries; 1.354 Thefts; 1,077 Vehicle Thefts; Violent Crime Summary; Property Crime Summary; and explanation of how National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS) is superior to Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) SRS. Discussion ensued. An update report would be given at a future meeting with comparisons between the two reporting types.
N. OPEN FORUM FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Naomi Williams welcomed the newly elected councilmembers and asked if crime reports would be given by district or neighborhood.
Mark Wassberg stated that Vice Mayor McLaughlin should not be vice mayor because she already served two terms as mayor.
Don Gosney stated crime statistics are not always accurate because some crimes were not reported.
Sara Cantor stated that perceptions of crime were very different from actual crimes.
Deborah Small gave comments regarding police department vacancies. Ms. Small also suggested that the agenda packet have a table of contents in order to have the ability to go directly to the item of interest.
Steve Bischoff asked what part of the crime statistics were actually followed up on verses those being reported.
4 Jamin Pursell stated the new reporting system would not track actual number of crimes as compared to a singular incident with many crime types.
O. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Ayes (6): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Absent (1): Councilmember Melvin Willis
Passed (6 to 0)
O.1 Finance Department
O.1.a Contract for Cost Allocation Plan
APPROVE a contract in the amount of $17,290 with Matrix Consulting Group to develop a Cost Allocation Plan to direct staff from the Finance Department and Richmond Rent Program to prepare the Full Cost Allocation Plans that adheres to both Government Code Section 50076 and Richmond Municipal Code Section 11.100.060(l), for a term beginning January 18, 2023 through January 17, 2025 – Finance Department (Shasa Curl/Nicolas Traylor/Mubeen Qader 510-412-2077).
This item was continued from the January 17, 2023, meeting.
O.2 Mayor's Office
O.2.a National Human Trafficking Awareness Month
PROCLAMATION declaring January 2023 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month – Office of the Mayor (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510- 620-6503)
O.2.b Black History Month – February 2023
PROCLAMATION declaring February 2023 as Black History Month in the City of Richmond – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510- 620-6503).
O.2.c 2023 Appointments to Committees and Liaison Positions APPROVE appointments for the Mayor and Councilmembers to Regional Committees, Ad-Hoc Committees and Liaison Positions for the year of 2023 - Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
Mayor Martinez made corrections to the appointment to Committees and Liaison positions.
The information is as follows:
Boards, Commissions and Committee Liaisons:
Arts and Culture Commission:
Bana
5 Citizens Police Review Commission: Jimenez
Commission on Aging: McLaughlin
Design Review Board: Martinez
Economic Development Commission: Zepeda
Historic Preservation Commission: Bana
Housing Advisory Commission: Zepeda
Human Rights and Human Relations Commission:
Willis
Library Commission: McLaughlin
Personnel Board: Willis
Planning Commission: Jimenez
Public Art Advisory Committee: Robinson
Recreation and Parks Commission: Jimenez
Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission: Zepeda
Richmond-Zhoushan Friendship Commission: Martinez
Richmond-Regla Friendship Committee: McLaughlin
Richmond Youth Council: Martinez
Urban Forest Advisory Committee: Robinson
Workforce Development Board: Martinez
City of Richmond Ad Hoc Committees
NURVE Policy Ad Hoc Committee Members: Robinson
Alternate: Jimenez
ECIA Environmental and Community Investment Ad Hoc Committee Members: Bana, Zepeda, Willis
Alternate: Robinson
Regional Committees
West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (RecycleMore) Members: Robinson,
McLaughlin, Zepeda
Alternate: Willis
West County Agency
(JPA between the City of Richmond and the West County Wastewater District)
Members: Zepeda, Martinez Alternate: Bana
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Representative Members: Jimenez
Alternate: Martinez
East Bay Regional Parks Members: McLaughlin, Martinez Alternate:
Jimenez
6 Gilman Street Sport Complex Members: Bana
Alternate: Willis
League of CA Cities East Bay Division Members: Zepeda
Alternate: Bana
League of CA Cities Voting Representative Members: Martinez Alternate: Zepeda
MCE Clean Energy Representative Members: Martinez
Alternate: McLaughlin
North Richmond Mitigation Fee Joint Committee Members:
Robinson, Willis, Martinez
Alternate: Jimenez
West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) Members: Bana, Zepeda, Martinez
Alternate: Jimenez
West Contra Costa Unified School District Liaison (WCCUSD) Members: Martinez
Alternate: Jimenez
Councilmember Zepeda stated he would agendize an item for consideration of the possible reestablishment of the Finance Committee and consideration of the establishment of a charter amendment committee.
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Passed (7 to 0)
O.2.d Electric Vehicle Fleet
RECEIVE a written report from MOTIV PS on the benefits of transitioning to an electric fleet – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).This item was continued from the November 22, 2022, December 6, 2022, and December 20, 2022, meetings.
O.3 Public Works
O.3.a I-80 Central Avenue Interchange Improvements Phase II project ADOPT a resolution approving the Central Avenue at Interstate 80 Local Road Improvement Project Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration and associated Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP), and authorizing the city manager to execute a first amendment to the Contra Costa County agreement for real property right of way services, in the amount of $1,000,000, for a new total amount of $1,050,000 – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
Adopted Resolution No. 6-23.
P. BUDGET SESSION
7 P.1 Mid-Year Budget Presentation
RECEIVE budget presentations from the city manager and the Police and Fire departments – Finance Department (Shasa Curl 510-620-6512/Bisa French 510- 621-1802/Angel Montoya 510-307-8041/Mubeen Qader 510-412-2077).
City Manager Shasa Curl gave an overview. Chief Bisa French and Chief Montoya presented the Police and Fire Department Mid-Year Budgets.
Discussion ensued. Councilmembers requested data regarding building inspections and how many have been inspected and require inspection. CalPers and OPEB costs would be discussed at a City Council meeting in February.
Leisa Johnson, Deborah Smalls, and Jamin Pursell gave comments via teleconference.
Q. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Q.1 6th Cycle Housing Element Adoption Hearing
ADOPT a resolution adopting the Addendum to the Richmond General Plan 2030 Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2008022018), adopting a General Plan Amendment to repeal the Richmond General Plan 2015-2023 Housing Element, and adopting the Housing Element Update for the 2023-2031 (6th cycle) planning period (PLN22-130) – Community Development Department (Lina Velasco 510- 620-6841/Hector Rojas 510-621-1220).
Director of Community Development Lina Velasco presented the item. Jen Murillo, LWC, Margarita Lin, Just Cities, presented a PowerPoint which highlighted the following: Housing Element Introduction; Community Engagement; Housing Element Components; Process 2022-2023; Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing; Community Engagement Formats; Regional Housing Needs Allocation; Sites Inventory Table; Goals; Related General Plan Amendments - Environmental Justice Element, Housing Element, and Safety Element. Discussion ensued.
Mayor Martinez opened the public hearing. Sally Tobin, Tarnel Abbott, Leisa Johnson, and Jamin Pursell gave comments via teleconference. Mayor Martinez closed the public hearing.
Adopted Resolution No. 7-23, adopting the Addendum to the Richmond General Plan 2030 Environmental Impact Report (SCH#2008022018), adopting a General Plan Amendment to repeal the Richmond General Plan 2015-2023 Housing Element, and adopting the Housing Element Update for the 2023-2031 (6th cycle) planning period (PLN22-130) with the following amendment to the EIR Addendum on Page 3 of the resolution at the third whereas, and at the end of the third whereas paragraph: "however the city council would not move forward at this time with the environmental justice element, public safety element, and noise element, which will be reviewed at a later date, along with associated impacts of these elements".
Motion by Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin
Seconded by Councilmember Soheila Bana
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed (7 to 0)
8 R. STUDY AND ACTION SESSION
R.1 Report by the West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council
RECEIVE a presentation from West Contra Costa Fire Safe Council (WCCFSC) regarding its mission, objectives, and achievements – Fire Department (Chief Angel Montoya 510-307-8041). This item was continued from the December 20, 2022, meeting.
CONTINUED to the February 28, 2023, City Council meeting.
R.2 Presentation of the Richmond Greenway Gap Closure Study RECEIVE a presentation; and ADOPT a resolution adopting the Richmond Greenway Gap Closure Study – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria/Patrick Phelan 510-307-8111).
Patrick Phelan gave an overview of the item. Karina Schneider, Fehr & Peers presented a PowerPoint, which highlighted the following: Community Engagement; Transportation Improvements. Park Improvements; Implementation Steps; Potential Funding Sources. Discussion ensued. Councilmembers requested that District 3 projects were added on the project improvements list.
Naomi Williams, Sara Cantor, and Dani gave comments via teleconference.
A motion was made to take the list of additional traffic improvement measures recommended as part of the Bridge Study and include them in the existing list of Street Safety Improvements list that is currently in place and prioritized for near term funding.
Motion by Councilmember Doria Robinson
Seconded by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed (7 to 0)
R.3 Community Crisis Response Program Update
RECEIVE an update regarding the development of a Community Crisis Response Program – Community Services Department (LaShonda White/Patrick Seals 510- 620-6512).
CONTINUED to the February 28, 2023, City Council meeting.
S. REPORTS OF OFFICERS: REFERRALS TO STAFF, AND GENERAL REPORTS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS)
Mayor Martinez reported that he would speak at the Fairmede Hilltop Neighborhood Council meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Councilmember Zepeda stated he spoke with the residents of the Seaview hillside landslide.
T. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:48 p.m., to meet again on February 7, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.
9 Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor