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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
April 30, 2024, 5:30 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 City Council meeting was called to order at 5:34 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
B. PLEDGE
Mayor Eduardo Martinez led the Pledge of allegiance to the Flag.
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Gayle McLaughlin, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Councilmember Doria Robinson joined remotely from the Moxy Washington Hotel in Washington, DC. Absent: Councilmember Melvin Willis.
D. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
E. AGENDA REVIEW
Item G-2.(Consideration of a possible ballot measure to transition Richmond's municipal voting method to instant runoff elections) was moved to be heard before Item G.1.(Adding Restrictions to the City of Richmond's Investment Policy).
F. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Zepeda recused himself from voting on Item F.1. Resolution in Support of Richmond San Rafael Bridge Trail because he is a member of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) board.
Karen Siller, Jonathan Mencer, and Leisa Johnson gave comments regarding Item F-4 the proclamation declaring Jewish American Heritage Month and stated that the Jewish community was excluded and would have attended the meeting if tonight was not the last night of Passover.
Cordell Hindler stated the Cinco de Mayo parade and festival would be on Saturday, May 4 and 5, 2024.
Jamin Pursell expressed gratitude for the city's support of the Richmond Rainbow Pride events and invited the community to the June 2, 2024, Pride Festival.
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Ayes (6): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Absent (1): Councilmember Melvin Willis
Passed (6 to 0)
F.1 Resolution in support of Richmond San Rafael Bridge Trail ADOPT a resolution in support of Richmond San Rafael Bridge Trail - Councilmember Doria Robinson (510-620-6568) and Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503).
Adopted Resolution No. 33-24.
Councilmember Zepeda recused himself from voting on this item.
F.2 Proclamation Celebrating the 16th Annual Cinco de Mayo Peace and Unity Parade and the Cinco de Mayo Festival
PROCLAMATION celebrating the Cinco de Mayo celebrations and the organizers - Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503) and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
F.3 May is National Bike Month
PROCLAMATION recognizing May as National Bike Month and encouraging residents to participate in biking events – Councilmember Doria Robinson (510- 620-6593) and Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503).
F.4 Jewish American Heritage Month Proclamation
PROCLAMATION recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month in the City of Richmond - Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6593), Councilmembers Gayle McLaughlin (510-620-6636), and Melvin Willis (510-412-2050).
F.5 Budget Increase to City-Sponsored Festivals (Cinco de Mayo, Richmond Rainbow Pride, and Juneteenth)
Jamin Pursell
APPROVE a budget increase for the remaining City-sponsored festivals for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 in a total amount not to exceed $24,000 (Cinco de Mayo Parade budget increase of $5,000 for a total budget of $7,500, Cinco de Mayo Festival budget increase of $5,000 for a total budget of $7,500, Richmond Rainbow Pride budget increase of $4,000 for a total budget of $5,000, and Juneteenth Parade and Festival budget increase of $10,000 for a total budget of $15,000) – City Manager’s Office (Shasa Curl/LaShonda White 510-620-6828).
F.6 Recommendations from the Management and Performance Audit of the Port of Richmond
DIRECT the city manager to appropriate funds in the Fiscal Year 24-25 budget for finance manager and maintenance manager positions for the Port of Richmond; to consider all increased costs associated with these two staff positions and incorporate them when setting future fees, tariffs, and lease rates; and work with all City departments referenced in the Recommendations List of the Port of Richmond Audit to return in September of 2024 with action plans and timelines
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for the listed recommendations - Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6502), Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565), and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510- 620-6593).
G. NEW BUSINESS
G.1 Adding Restrictions to the City of Richmond's Investment Policy DIRECT City staff to review and modify the City of Richmond Investment Policy, eliminating the investment of City funds into industries that facilitate violence, war, oppression, and apartheid - Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620- 6502), Councilmembers Gayle McLaughlin (510-620-6636) and Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-620-6743).
Mayor Martinez gave an overview of the matter. Chief of Staff, Shiva Mishek gave a PowerPoint presentation, which highlighted the following: Precedence and Current Context; City of Richmond Portfolio Management. Local Agency Investment Fund (LAIF) :State of California Pooled Money Investment Account approved Commercial Paper and Corporate Bonds; New Restriction 2: City policy not to invest in companies and their subsidiaries involved in the development and manufacturing of arms and weapons; New Restriction 3: City policy not to invest in companies and their subsidiaries that are involved in the border and mass surveillance industries; New Restriction 4: not to invest in companies and their subsidiaries that are involved in mass incarceration and detention industries; New Restriction 1: not to invest in predetermined list of companies and subsidiaries that are involved in Israel's violations of Palestinian rights; Divest from AirBNB, Caterpillar, CISCO systems; DELL, First Solar, intel, IBM, Microsoft, Motorola Solutions, and WiX.
The following individuals gave comments in person: Abubakr Elgarguri, Salah Elbakri, Bader Aljishi, Nisar Ali, Dov Baum, Huda Shedeh, Keala Uchoa, Ahmad, Farid, Iyas Sartawi, LaRayne Ortega, Hussain Hassane, Jose Cruz, Carolina Avelar, Ed R, Ymeson Yuen, Stan Woods, Rocky Chou, Rohan Sabris, Frank Sterling, Shan Zazi, Ahmad Khan, Rob Lipton, Jaime Young, Mark Wassberg, Ayesha A, Al Dargma, Annie Pennell, Domenichi Morris, Amy Barron, Isabel Gil- Garcia.
The following individuals gave comments via Zoom: Nadav, Mindy Pines, Meytal Ben Yosef, Amber Hatfield, Rogge, Lory Paulson, Emily Ross, Marisol Canty, Danielle, Ester, Sarah L., Yosra Abdelaziz. Ab, Miriam Buzi, Naomi Smoller, Kamila, Humza, Matt Jack, Gulled A., Noshaba Afzal, Devin, Emi Yoko-Young, Naveed Desai, Lila Sheira, Hiba, Fatima Abdel-Wahab, Vish, Vincent Ianiello, Seema Badar, Val, Anne, and Matthew Lewis.
Discussion ensued.
A motion was made by Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Councilmember Willis to direct staff to review and modify the city's Investment Policy and come up with options and recommendations for the four (4) restrictions as presented in the agenda report and the presentation, and for potentially coming up with new socially responsible investments. These options and recommendations can be through coming up with new investment groups.
They should be presented to the City Council by July 2nd (or at least an update as to where we’re at) and subsequently to the HRHRC (Human Rights Human Relations Commission) to come up with a framework to annually review these companies and banks we are restricting and making sure from year to year those restrictions are being implemented and followed. Councilmember Bana made a
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friendly amendment to ask city administrators to write a letter to LAIF, CalTrust and Mechanics Bank informing them of our decision and urging them to divest as well. The friendly amendment was accepted.
Deputy City Attorney Shannon Moore recommended that the following be included in the motion: The proposed restrictions, particularly Restriction #1 is intended as a constitutionally protected protest of the policies of current government of the state of Israel regarding the people of Palestine and the war in Gaza. It shall not allow any discriminatory actions against any person on the basis of religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin or any unlawful basis. That would be incorporated in any sort of further revisions to the City’s Investment Policy. The additional recommendation to the motion was accepted.
Ayes (6): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Abstentions (1): Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Passed (6 to 0)
G.2 Consideration of a Possible Ballot Measure to Transition Richmond’s Municipal Voting Method to Instant Runoff Elections
RECEIVE a presentation on Instant Runoff V oting (IRV) from Cal RCV and DIRECT the City Attorney’s Office to draft 1) language for an IRV ballot measure and 2) ordinance language to allow City Council to place that IRV ballot measure language on the 2024 General Election ballot — Mayor's Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6502).
Mayor Martinez gave an overview of the matter. California Ranked Choice V oting Executive Director Marcela Miranda-Caballero and California Ranked Choice V oting V olunteer Ken White, presented a PowerPoint which highlighted the following: Instant Runoff V oting; What is Ranked Choice V oting?; Why instant runoff RCV?; and Why RCV is good for Richmond. Discussion ensued. (Councilmember Willis arrived during discussion of this item).
Diana Wear, Jamin Pursell, and Sue Wilson gave comments in person. Marisol Cantu gave comments via Zoom.
A motion made by Councilmember Willis, seconded by Councilmember McLaughlin, directed the City Attorney’s Office to prepare a proposed charter amendment for an IRV ballot measure to allow the City Council to place the IRV ballot measure on the 2024 General Election ballot.
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed (7 to 0)
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H. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:34 p.m., to meet again on May 7, 2024.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor