1 RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
December 12, 2023, 5:00 p.m.
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
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A. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL The Special Meeting was called to order at 5:09 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Doria Robinson, Melvin Willis, Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, and Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin.
D. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
E. AGENDA REVIEW
None.
F. NEW BUSINESS
F.1 Presentation by Veolia Water North America Staff regarding Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Odors
RECEIVE a presentation from Veolia Water North America regarding the Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) odors that were emitted from the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Plant December 4 – 6, 2023; and PROVIDE direction to City staff – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
Public Works Director Daniel Chavarria, Mary Phelps Project Manager Water Resource Recovery Division presented a PowerPoint, which highlighted the following: Agencies with Regulatory Oversight of the Richmond Wastewater Treatment Plant; Richmond Service Area; Veolia Contract History; Summary of recent events; Graphs of Hydrogen Sulfide Levels; Veolia Water. Discussion ensued. Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer Robert Armijo presented speakers, Melissa Sandoval, Veolia Regional Vice President, presented PowerPoint, which highlighted the following: Odor Complaint & Mitigation Summary Report; Obsolete exhaust fan connected to the temporary odor scrubber; new exhaust fan and suction piping being installed; Secondary clarifier #1 offline, secondary clarifier #2 in operation; Health effects of H2S. Discussion ensued. The council requested timing of incident and when alerts were given, how many clarifiers have been put down in other communities, forecast of future projects, and written communication in surrounding areas. It was recommended that health agencies join in to coordinate the alert and messaging system to the community.
2 The following individuals gave comments in person: James Cheshareck, Edie Sellers, Philip Rosenthal, and Alfredo Angulo. The following individuals gave comments via Zoom: Jenny Balisle, Maureen Decombe, Shannon, Nancy Peace, Leisa Johnson, Marisol Cantu, and Jane Courant, Cecil Calban, and Joy Diaz- Noriega. Further discussion ensued. The city council recommended redundancy with notifications on releases, such as informing Project Manager Mary Phelps, the city manager, city attorney, and the mayor and councilmembers.
Councilmember Robinson, seconded by Councilmember Willis, directed city staff, specifically the City Attorney's Office to 1) enforce the contract wherever and however possible; 2) to explore potential grounds for breach of contract; 3) investigate the claims of fraudulent charges; and 4) look into the possibility of starting a process for a more responsible provider. Councilmember Zepeda made a friendly amendment as follows: that Veolia submit a technical report to the city by January 8, 2024, that outlines the reason for the odor event, why the odor issues took place, what went wrong, and for Veolia to make assurances that they will take corrective steps to permanently resolve the odor issues. The report should cover the last year of information. The report should include advance notice of activities that may result in odor releases that would include physical postings, communication with city staff and residents regarding alerts, and procedures for addressing odor releases. Once staff evaluates the report, city council requested a meeting on January 23, 2024, to discuss the report with Veolia and to invite other relevant agencies, including the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and the County Health Department to join the January 23, 2024, meeting. A second friendly amendment was made by Councilmember Bana to direct city staff to work with the Contra Costa County to provide the possibility of using the community warning system for Veolia as well. Mayor Martinez made a third friendly amendment that a forensic audit be performed with Veolia. Councilmember Robinson accepted all the friendly amendments. Further discussion ensued. City council requested a quarterly report from Veolia that would also include storm drain information. The motion passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Bana, Robinson, Willis, Zepeda, and Mayor Martinez. Noes: None. Absent: Councilmember Jimenez, and Vice Mayor McLaughlin. Abstain: None. None.
Ayes (5): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Absent (2): Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, and Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin Passed (5 to 0)
G. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m., to meet again on December 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor