1 RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
October 1, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
_____________________________________________________________________
A. OPEN SESSION TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION Open Session was called to order at 5:02 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Gayle McLaughlin, Doria Robinson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: Councilmembers Soheila Bana and Melvin Willis arrived after the council adjourned to Closed Session.
C. CLOSED SESSION
C.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) Thomas Butt v. Eduardo Martinez
Thomas Butt v. Gayle McLaughlin
Norma Elias v. City of Richmond
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: 12th and Macdonald
Agency Negotiators: Nannette Beacham Negotiating parties: SAA-EVI Richmond Partners, LLC
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
Cordell Hindler stated that the 12th and Macdonald site would be a good location for affordable housing.
E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
2 Open Session adjourned to Closed Session at 5:05 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Eduardo Martinez at 6:35 p.m.
G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Eduardo Martinez led the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.
H. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Gayle McLaughlin, Doria Robinson, Melvin Willis, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Absent: None.
I. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
J. AGENDA REVIEW
Item P .4 - (Presentation of the Richmond Green Blue New Deal Opportunities Report) was heard after Item P .1. - (Arts Corridor Project Strategic Plan Presentations); continued Item N.5.a. - (Amend the position control list and allocate the necessary funding as required) to the October 15, 2024, City Council meeting.
K. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OF FINAL DECISIONS MADE
DURING CLOSED SESSION
C.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) · Thomas Butt v. Eduardo Martinez
· Thomas Butt v. Gayle McLaughlin
Tentative rulings were given in favor of the city. The final ruling in the matter of Thomas Butt v. Eduardo Martinez involved the signature of the vice mayor instead of then Mayor Thomas Butt on the Terminal 1 amended Land Disposition Agreement. The agreement was ruled valid and the lawsuit was ruled unfounded.
The matter of Thomas Butt v. Gayle McLaughlin involved a March 7, 2023, city council meeting where Mayor Butt was absent. The lawsuit claimed that due to term limits, Vice Mayor McLaughlin could not act as mayor. The city prevailed on procedural grounds and also on the fact that Vice Mayor McLaughlin was not serving as the mayor, rather in her capacity as vice mayor.
Norma Elias v. City of Richmond - direction was given on a settlement agreement.
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
3 A status report was given. No reportable action was taken.
C.3 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 12th and Macdonald
Agency Negotiators: Nannette Beacham
Negotiating parties: SAA-EVI Richmond Partners, LLC
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
A status report was given. No reportable action was taken.
L. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
City Manager Shasa Curl presented a PowerPoint.
Link to view presentation: CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
L.1 NEW EMPLOYEE REPORT - 1st Tuesday
Human Resources Director, Sharrone Taylor, gave the new employee report.
Link to review: SEPTEMBER 2024 NEW EMPLOYEE REPORT
M. OPEN FORUM FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(public comment on items that remain on the Consent Calendar or items not on the agenda - limited to 2 minutes unless otherwise specified - Back and forth dialogue with the Council is prohibited) - PLEASE KEEP YOUR COMMENTS RESPECTFUL!!
Cordell Hindler gave comments regarding the city council's behavior at the last meeting.
Eugenia Lunnie, Felicia King, and Crystal Polidore gave comments regarding the murder of their loved one and stated that the Richmond Police Department was not trying to bring the persons responsible to justice.
Solomon Ervin gave comments about the upcoming 3 on 3 Basketball tournament and asked for a fee waiver to use city facilities to hold the event.
Antwon Cloird gave comments regarding the city providing relocation assistance for the family of a young lady murdered in Richmond.
Jamin Pursell stated that the Community Crisis Response Team, and the Office of Neighborhood Safety, are among some of the programs and services that assist victims of crime.
Soheila Bana Invited the community to Fire Station 64's Open House on Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Councilmember Bana also stated that she would not attend the October 15, 2024, City Council meeting.
Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding Islam and the upcoming November election.
Jessi Taran gave comments regarding the need for long term housing for the chronically homeless.
Ben Therriault gave comments regarding the effectiveness of community policing and how it could not be successful with the current number of officers and the defund the police movement.
4 N. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items placed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial. These items will be enacted upon together with a motion and second, without discussion, of any member of the City Council, and each item shall be deemed to have received the action recommended.)
The approval of the Consent Calendar did not include Item N.5.a - (Amend the position control list and allocate the necessary funding as required).
Motion by Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
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 1)
N.1 City Attorney's Office
N.1.a New Legal Services Agreement with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore for Employment Litigation
APPROVE a new legal services agreement with Liebert, Cassidy, Whitmore, for an amount not to exceed $300,000, for a term beginning September 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026 – City Attorney’s Office (Kimberly Chin 510-620-6709/Beth Arnese 510-620-6848).
N.2 City Manager's Office
N.2.a On-call List for Qualified Consultants for Grant Writing, Grant Seeking, and Other Grant Related Service
ADOPT a resolution approving eighteen (18) firms to provide on-call grant writing, grant seeking, or other grant-related services to City departments, on an as-needed basis, for a three-year term expiring September 30, 2027, with two one-year options to extend, and a not to exceed total expenditure of $100,000 per firm annually – City Manager’s Office (Patrick Seals 510-307-8016).
Adopted Resolution No. 106-24.
N.2.b 2024 Richmond Fund for Children & Youth Community Needs Assessment & Fiscal Year 2025-2028 Strategic Investment Plan RECEIVE the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth 2024 Community Needs Assessment Report and the Fiscal Year 2025-2028 Strategic Investment Plan – City Manager’s Office (Patrick Seals 510-307- 8016/LaShonda White 510-620-6828).
N.2.c 2023 Richmond Community Survey Results
RECEIVE a report on the City of Richmond's 2023 Community Survey results – City Manager’s Office (Patrick Seals 510- 307-8016/LaShonda White 510-620-6828).
5 N.3 Community Development
N.3.a Repeal of Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 9.64 - Prohibition of Natural Gas Infrastructure in Newly Constructed Buildings ADOPT an ordinance (second reading) repealing Chapter 9.64 to the Richmond Municipal Code (RMC), which bans natural gas infrastructure in new construction - Community Development Department (Lina Velasco/Avery Stark 510-620-6714).
Adopted Ordinance No. 09-24 N.S.
N.4 Economic Development
N.4.a Additional work to complete the 2024 Pavement Repair at Point Potrero Marine Terminal.
APPROVE a construction amendment with W.R. Forde and Associates in the amount of $120,000 for additional improvements and maintenance at the Point Potrero Marine Terminal for a total amount of $406,750 with a term ending June 30, 2025 - Economic Development Department (Charles Gerard 510-620-6792).
N.4.b Partial Funding of CARB-Approved Emissions Control Solution (CAECS) to Meet CARB At Berth Regulations for Roll-on/Roll-off Ships.
ADOPT a resolution to APPROPRIATE $500,000 from the Port fund to the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget to support the funding to deploy a CARB- Approved Emissions Control Solution (CAECS) barge at the Port of Richmond; and AUTHORIZE the Port to complete its evaluation of potential vendors and negotiate an agreement with the selected CAECS provider for an amount not-to-exceed $500,000 – Economic Development Department (Charles Gerard 510-620-6792).
Adopted Resolution No. 107-24.
N.5 Human Resources
N.5.a Amend the position control list and allocate the necessary funding as required.
ADOPT a resolution to amend staffing and position control list and allocate the necessary salary, wages, and benefits as required – Human Resources Department (Nickie Mastay/Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6602).
Item continued to the October 22, 2024, City Council meeting.
N.6 Library and Community Services
N.6.a Contract with Epic Limousine for Youth Outdoors Richmond Transportation
APPROVE a contract with Epic Limousine to provide transportation services for the Youth Outdoors Richmond Program in the amount of $29,300 for a term beginning October 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025 – Community Services Department (Tetteh Kisseh 510-620-6919/ Ranjana Maharaj 510-620-6972/Jene Levine-Snipes 510-307-8132).
6 N.7 Mayor's Office
N.7.a Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week – Second Week of October PROCLAMATION declaring the second week of October as Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week in the City of Richmond – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
N.7.b Appointment of Nathaniel Bates to the Richmond/Zhoushan Friendship Commission
APPOINT Nathaniel Bates to the Richmond/Zhoushan Friendship Commission with a term that expires December 31, 2026 - Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
N.7.c Reappoint Mindy Pines to the Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission
REAPPOINT Mindy Pines to the Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission with a term that expires on January 18, 2027 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
N.8 Police Department
N.8.a Crime Report from Police Chief
RECEIVE a written crime report from the Police Chief - Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621-1802).
N.8.b Three-year contract with Chaplin & Hill Investigative Services LLC APPROVE a three-year contract with Chaplin & Hill Investigative Services LLC, for third-party administrative investigative services in an amount not to exceed $300,000, for a term beginning October 2, 2024, and expiring on October 1, 2027 – Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510- 621-1802).
N.9 Public Works
N.9.a Resolution to amend the contract with Ghilotti Bros., Inc. for the Yellow Brick Road Project
ADOPT a resolution to approve a second amendment to a construction contract with Ghilotti Bros., Inc. for the Yellow Brick Road Project in the amount of $40,000 for the final change order that addresses unforeseen project conditions, for an amended total contract amount not to exceed $7,717,134.37; ACCEPT the Yellow Brick Road Project as complete to enable the City to release the contractor’s bonds and retention payment, transfer funds in the General Capital Fund from the Yellow Brick Road Project (29113) to the Yellow Brick Road – Clean, Green and Beautiful Project (23032) in the amount of $23,521.36; and APPROPRIATE $54,439.32 from General Capital Fund Balance for Project 23032 - Public Works Department (Robert Armijo 510-620-5477/Wendy Wellbrock 510- 307-8108).
Adopted Resolution No. 108-24.
7 O. BUDGET SESSION
O.1 Fiscal Year 2023-24 Quarter 4 Financial Report and Administrative Budget Adjustments
RECEIVE the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Quarter 4 report for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024; ADOPT resolutions to APPROPRIATE proposed administrative year-end budget adjustments in FY 2023-24; ADOPT a policy regarding Unspent Funds Appropriations; and APPROPRIATE Unspent Funds in FY 2024-25 – City Manager’s Office/Finance Department (Shasa Curl 510-620- 6512/Andrea Miller 510-620-6790/Mubeen Qader 510-412-2077).
City Manager Shasa Curl, Finance Director Andrea Miller, Deputy Finance Director Mubeen Quader, and Revenue Manager Antonio Banuelos presented a PowerPoint which highlighted the following: Fiscal Challenges; General Fund Revenue and Expenditure; Non-General Fund Revenue and Expenditure; Proposed Budget Adjustments; General Fund Reserve and Unspent Funds; and Unspent Funds Appropriations.
Link to view presentation: QUARTER 4 FINANCIAL REPORT
Cordell Hindler, Ralph Payton, and Daniel Barth gave comments in person. Jessi Taran gave comments via Zoom.
Discussion ensued. City Council requested storm drain funding for Parchester Village, street calming measures for sideshows, and an allocation of $100,00 for a dog park in the El Sobrante area.
A motion was made to approve the item and to appropriate Option B for the unspent funds for FY 2024-25. Councilmember Robinson made a friendly amendment to allocate the $13,000 from Poet Laureate to allocate $2,000 to El Sobrante Pride and $3,000 to El Sobrante Stroll. City Manager Curl stated that the entire $13,000 would be allocated to the festivals budget line item. The friendly amendment was accepted.
Resolution 109-24 and Resolution No. 110-24 were adopted.
Motion by Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
Seconded by Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed (7 to 0)
P. NEW BUSINESS
P.1 Arts Corridor Project Strategic Plan Presentations
RECEIVE a presentation from Ceres Policy Research team and Richmond Renaissance team regarding the Arts Corridor Project Strategic Plan; RECEIVE direction regarding the finalization of the criteria used by City Council to select the final vendor; and DIRECT staff to return to City Council on October 15, 2024, with results of the scoring and award of the contract to either the Ceres Policy Research team or the Independent Arts and Media as Fiscal Agent for Richmond Renaissance to develop a Strategic Plan for a sustainable Art Corridor, in an amount not to exceed $50,000 - Economic Development Department (Nannette Beacham/Winifred Day 510-620-6952).
8 Economic Development Director Nanette Beacham and Deputy City Manager LaShonda White gave an overview.
Link to view presentation: ARTS CORRIDOR PROJECT
Cordell Hindler, Kate Sibley, and Jamin Pursell gave comments in person. Ruthie Dineen, Amanda Eicher, and Jacob Brickens gave comments via Zoom.
Discussion ensued.
A motion was made to approve Richmond Rennaissance for the Arts Corridor Project Strategic Plan.
Motion by Councilmember Soheila Bana
Seconded by Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed (7 to 0)
P.2 Receive Performance Improvement Plan for the Measure J funded R-Transit Program and Lower the Cost Pool Rate for R-Transit
RECEIVE a presentation regarding the Richmond Paratransit Audit commissioned by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority; APPROVE the City of Richmond’s responses to the Audit and the Performance Improvement Plan; and AUTHORIZE the reduction of the cost pool amount allocated to the Richmond Paratransit Program by $351,000 in Fiscal Year 2024-25 which would increase the General Fund’s obligation by $351,000 – Community Services Department (LaShonda White 510-620-6828). This item was continued from the September 24, 2024, meeting.
Deputy City Manager Lashonda White gave an overview.
Emily Ross gave comments via Zoom. Discussion ensued.
A motion was made to approve the item as recommended (RECEIVE a presentation regarding the Richmond Paratransit Audit commissioned by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority; APPROVE the City of Richmond’s responses to the Audit and the Performance Improvement Plan; and AUTHORIZE the reduction of the cost pool amount allocated to the Richmond Paratransit Program by $351,000 in Fiscal Year 2024-25 which would increase the General Fund’s obligation by $351,000. The council also requested a report at a future city council meeting on the Paratransit program.
Motion by Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
Seconded by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
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 1)
9 P.3 Rename Virginia Playlot to Floria Evans Park
ADOPT a resolution of intention to rename Virginia Playlot to Floria Evans Park and waive cost recovery fees, and SET a Public Hearing for October 15, 2024 – Councilmember Doria Robinson (510-620-6568).
Councilmember Robinson gave an overview.
Cordell Hindler, Charles Evans, Pam Saucer, Luther Evans, and Andre Jackson gave comments in person.
Adopted Resolution of Intent No. 925
Motion by Councilmember Doria Robinson
Seconded by Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed (7 to 0)
P.4 Presentation of the Richmond Green Blue New Deal Opportunities Report RECEIVE presentation on the Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Opportunities Report; and RECEIVE the draft Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Implementation Plan - Economic Development Department (Samantha Carr 510-620- 5407/Nannette Beacham 510-621-1306/Tamara Walker 510-307-8006/Lizeht Zepeda 510-620-6653).
Environmental Manager Samantha Carr and Justine Burk from Appraccel, LLC. presented a PowerPoint.
Link to view presentation: RICHMOND GREEN BLUE NEW DEAL
PRESENTATION
Cordell Hindler, and Jamin Pursell gave comments in person. Diana Wear, Don Thompson, and Kerby Lynch gave comments via Zoom.
Discussion ensued.
(At 10:52 p.m. - a motion made by Vice Mayor Jimenez, seconded by Councilmember McLaughlin, extended the meeting to complete Items P .4, P .5, and vote on Item P .2., passed by the unanimous vote of the City Council).
Further discussion ensued.
(At 11:29 p.m. - a motion by Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Vice Mayor Jimenez, suspended the rules to complete Item P .4, Item P .5. and vote on Item P .2., passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Bana, McLaughlin, Robinson, Zepeda, Vice Mayor Jimenez, and Mayor Martinez.
Noes: None. Absent: Councilmember Willis. Abstain: None.
A motion was made to receive the presentation and the draft Richmond-Green Blue New Deal Implementation Plan, and authorized staff to move forward with the public process. The matter will return to a future city council meeting after the community input process with a more comprehensive implementation plan of various projects with the possibility of hiring a consultant to draft a marketing plan.
Motion by Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
Seconded by Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez
10 Ayes (4): Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Noes (1): Councilmember Doria Robinson
Abstentions (1): Councilmember Soheila Bana
Absent (1): Councilmember Melvin Willis
Passed (4 to 3)
P.5 Iranian New Year known as Nowruz
APPROVE the City’s celebration of Chaharshanbeh-Soori in tandem with Nowruz, supporting the cultural event and encouraging local food businesses to participate in showcasing the City’s diverse culinary offerings, and MOVE the March 18, 2025, City Council meeting to March 11, 2025 - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-620-6743).
Councilmember Bana gave an overview.
A motion was made to approve the item. The council meeting schedule would be reviewed at a later date to determine if any adjustments to meeting dates would be made.
Motion by Councilmember Soheila Bana
Seconded by Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez
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 1)
Q. REPORTS OF OFFICERS: REFERRALS TO STAFF, AND GENERAL REPORTS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS)(limited to two minutes per
Councilmember)(public comments allowed under Open Forum) None.
R. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:20 a.m., to meet again on October 15, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor