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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, November 26, 2024
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
_____________________________________________________________________
A. OPEN SESSION TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION The Richmond City Council Evening Open Session was called to order at 4:33 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: Councilmember Melvin Willis. Councilmember Soheila Bana 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) • City of Richmond v. Riggers Loft Wine Company
C.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of Subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9)
• Two cases
C.3 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code
Section 54957.6)
• Agency Representatives: Sharrone Taylor, Jack Hughes, Lisa Charbonneau 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.4 LIABILITY CLAIMS (Government Code Section 54956.9)
Government Code Section 54956.9
Claimant: Terminal One Development, LLC.
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
Cordell Hindler gave comments in person.
E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
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The Open Session adjourned to Closed Session at 4:36 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
The Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council was called to order at 6:43 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
H. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Gayle McLaughlin, Doria Robinson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent:
Councimember Melvin Willis was absent from the entire meeting.
I. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
J. AGENDA REVIEW
Item O.2.a (To advocate for State legislation that enforces a minimum marriage age of 18 years old with no exceptions) was withdrawn from the agenda.
Item O.2.c (Agreement with Tiny Village Spirit) was withdrawn from the agenda and to return to the city council at a future city council meeting.
Item Q.2 (Resolution Honoring the Task Force and Directing Actions to Address Gender-Based Violence and a Presentation from the Richmond Task Force to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence) was moved up to be heard before Item P.1 (Update on Capital Improvement Projects).
Item Q.4 (Street Calming Measures) was continued to the December 17, 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) • City of Richmond v. Riggers Loft Wine Company
Status report given. No reportable action taken.
C.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of Subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9)
• Two cases
Discussed. No reportable action taken.
C.3 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54957.6)
Agency Representatives: Sharrone Taylor, Jack Hughes, Lisa Charbonneau Employee organizations:
1. SEIU Local 1021 Full Time Unit and Part Time Unit
2. IFPTE Local 21 Mid-Level Management Unit and Executive
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Management Units
3. Richmond Police Officers Association RPOA
4. Richmond Police Management Association RPMA
5. IAFF Local 188
6. Richmond Fire Management Association RFMA
Item under negotiation. Direction given for further negotiations.
C.4 LIABILITY CLAIMS (Government Code Section 54956.9) • Claimant: Terminal One Development, LLC.
Direction given to negotiators on potential settlement. No reportable action taken.
L. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
None.
M. COMMENDATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS
M.1 Proclamation Honoring Commission on Aging on the 25th Anniversary of their Senior Winter Ball
PROCLAMATION Honoring the Commission on Aging on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of its Senior Winter Ball to be held on December 14, 2024 – Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin (510-620-6636) and Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503).
Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin introduced the item and read the proclamation into the record. The recipients of the proclamation gave comments of appreciation for the acknowledgement. Mayor Eduardo Martinez shared comments of appreciation towards the Commission on Aging. Cordell Hindler and Mark Wassberg gave comments in person.
M.2 Proclamation recognizing December 1st as World AIDS Day PROCLAMATION recognizing World AIDS Day, to honor the 700,000 Americans and 40 million lives lost worldwide to AIDS-related illnesses over the years - Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda introduced the item and read the proclamation into the record. Cordell Hindler and Mark Wassberg gave comments in person. Jamin Pursell and Michelle Milam gave comments via teleconference.
N. 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)
The following individuals gave comments in person:
Cordell Hindler gave comments regarding a recent presentation to the city council by Contra Costa College staff. Mr. Hindler also urged the city to work with U.C. Berkeley's Chancellor's Office and the West Contra Costa Unified School District.
Patricia Perez gave comments regarding the loss of Pedie Perez and how his family has been affected.
Beverly Moore gave comments regarding her experiences with the City and property taken through eminent domain.
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Kadija Phillips gave comments regarding her family's experience with property taken through eminent domain.
Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding the First Amendment and free speech.
Antonio Deleon gave comments regarding Item O.2.a (To advocate for State legislation that enforces a minimum marriage age of 18 years old with no exceptions).
Mia Ramirez Victorino gave comments regard traffic calming measures and expressed concerns regarding street safety.
Janet Johnson gave comments in appreciation of the city's Parks Division. Ms. Johnson also urged the council to increase staffing in the Office of Emergency Services.
The following individuals gave comments via teleconference:
Gurvis Phillips, Rodney Alamo Brown, Michelle Milam, and Ashante Phillips gave comments regarding eminent domain and spoke in support of the Moore family.
O. 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.)
Motion by Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
Seconded by Councilmember Doria Robinson
To approve all items on the consent calendar excluding items O.2.a (To advocate for State legislation that enforces a minimum marriage age of 18 years old with no exceptions) and O.2.c (Agreement with Tiny Village Spirit).
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
O.1 City Attorney's Office
O.1.a New Legal Services Agreement with Goldfarb & Lipman LLP for pending land use litigation and related matters regarding Campus Bay APPROVE a legal services agreement with Goldfarb & Lipman for an amount not to exceed $25,000 for a term from August 16, 2024, to June 30, 2026, for representation and counsel in pending land use litigation and related matters regarding Campus Bay – City Attorney’s Office (Kimberly Chin 510-620-6709/Shannon Moore 510-620-6505).
O.1.b Adopt ordinance containing procedures for issuing notice and receiving public comment for water, sewer, and related assessments under Proposition 218.
ADOPT an ordinance (second reading) adding Section 13.08.090 to the Richmond Municipal Code to establish clear procedures for the submittal and consideration of public comments regarding proposed water or sewer rates or assessments and for the exhaustion of administrative remedies of such assessments under Proposition 218 – City Attorney’s Office (Christopher Dykzeul/Dave Aleshire 510-620-6509).
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Adopted Ordinance No. 11-24
O.2 City Council
O.2.a To advocate for State legislation that enforces a minimum marriage age of 18 years old with no exceptions
ADOPT a resolution affirming the City of Richmond's commitment to ending child marriage by advocating for the California State Legislature to enact legislation that enforces a minimum marriage age of 18 with no exceptions - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-620-6743).
Withdrawn from the agenda.
O.2.b City Council approval of Library Commission Bylaws APPROVE the new bylaws of the Richmond Library Advisory Commission, already approved by the Commission on May 16, 2024 - Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin (510-620-6636).
O.2.c Agreement with Tiny Village Spirit
DIRECT City staff to work on an agreement with Tiny Village Spirit (TVS) to allocate $300,000 as a City contribution toward the Tiny House Village Farm and Garden Project to include $166,332 for operational start- up funds as well as $133,668 to be used in finalizing the construction of the Village, slated to open on July 1, 2025; DIRECT staff also to bring the agreement back to City Council for approval by February 4, 2025 – Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565), Councilmembers Gayle McLaughlin (510-620-6636) and Doria Robinson (510-620-6568).
Withdrawn from the agenda.
O.3 Community Development
O.3.a Appropriation of Grant Funds Related to EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Funds
APPROPRIATE the remaining grant funds totaling $260,442.69 related to the EPA Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund to the Housing Budget to issue final payment of the funds allocated to Community Housing Development Corporation of North Richmond and administrative program costs – Community Development Department (Lina Velasco/Charice Duckworth 510-412-2052).
O.4 Fire Department
O.4.a Richmond Fire Department Contract with Lexipol for Fire Industry Best Practices
APPROVE a sole-source contract with Lexipol in an amount not to exceed $40,000, for a three-year term effective November 27, 2024, through November 26, 2027, with a two, one-year extension option not to exceed an additional $20,000 for the extended term – Fire Department (Chief Aaron Osorio 510-307-8021/Den Mark Marcelo 510-307-8038).
O.5 Human Resources
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O.5.a Contract Amendment with Century Group to Increase Payment Limit APPROVE a contract amendment with the Century Group for recruitment and temporary staffing services to increase the payment limit by $50,000, for a new amount not to exceed $150,000 – Human Resources (Nickie Mastay/Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6602).
O.6 Library and Community Services
O.6.a Contract with Richmond Community Foundation for Fiscal Sponsorship of Neighborhood Council Events and Projects
APPROVE a grant-funded contract with Richmond Community Foundation for neighborhood engagement in an amount not to exceed $250,000, and for a term commencing December 1, 2024, and ending December 31, 2025 – Community Services Department (Stephanie Ny 510-620-6563/LaShonda White 510-620-6828).
O.7 Police Department
O.7.a Crime Report from Police Chief
RECEIVE a written crime report from the Police Chief - Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621-1802).
O.8 Public Works
O.8.a October 2024 Abatement Presentation
RECEIVE a presentation on the October 2024 Abatement activities – Public Works Department (Hugo Mendoza 231-3030 / Tawfic Halaby 620- 5482 / Daniel Chavarria 620-5478).
O.8.b Stoel Rives, LLP Legal Services Contract for Baykeeper Settlement Agreement
APPROVE a legal services agreement with the law firm of Stoel Rives, LLP in an amount of $255,000 for three-years with two, one-year options to extend for the period of October 1, 2024, through October 31, 2027, to provide legal advice regarding the City’s court mandated compliance with the Baykeeper Settlement Agreement – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Mary Phelps 510-621-1269).
O.8.c Resolution to Award a Contract with Pinnacle Petroleum, Inc., for Bulk Fuel Delivery Services
ADOPT a resolution to award a three-year contract to Pinnacle Petroleum, Inc., the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, for bulk fuel delivery services, effective January 1, 2025, for a total amount not to exceed $4,500,000 over the three-years with two optional one-year extensions for a total amount of $1,500,000 per year – Public Works Department (Tawfic Halaby 510-620-5482/Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
Adopted Resolution No. 136-24
O.8.d Resolution to Award Contracts for As-Needed Engineering, Design, Project Support Services to Five (5) Engineering Firms for Various City of Richmond Water Resource Recovery Division Projects
ADOPT a resolution authorizing service contracts with five engineering firms for as-needed engineering design, and project support services in an
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amount not to exceed $1,800,000 per firm, over a three-year period, from December 1, 2024, through November 30, 2027, with two optional one- year extension years, for a total amount not to exceed $1,200,000 per firm for the extension period – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 620-5478 / Jeffrey Barich 412-2009).
Adopted Resolution No. 137-24
P. BUDGET SESSION
P.1 Update on Capital Improvement Projects
RECEIVE an Update on Capital Improvement Projects – Public Works Department (Robert Armijo 510-620-5477/Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
Director of Public Works Daniel Chavarria introduced the item. Mr. Chavarria, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer Robert Armijo, and Capital Projects Manager Josef Munoz presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation.
Bruce Beyaert gave comments via teleconference. Discussion ensued. Council suggested the request forms for capital improvement projects be made to be accessible and easy to use for the public.
Q. STUDY AND ACTION SESSION
Q.1 Clinton Circle Park Revitalization Presentation
RECEIVE a presentation by Cosmo Martinez and Nancy Lewis of the Friends of the Circle on the proposed design and cost of improvements to the Clinton Hill Circle Park - Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565).
Vice Mayor Jimenez introduced the item.
(At 10:55 p.m. - a motion by Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Vice Mayor Jimenez, to extend the meeting to finish item Q.1 p.m. passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Bana, McLaughlin, Robinson, Zepeda, Vice Mayor Jimenez, and Mayor Martinez. Noes: None. Absent:
Councilmember Melvin Willis. Abstain: None).
Friends of the Circle organizers Cosmo Martinez and Nancy Lewis presented a presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation.
Discussion ensued. Council suggested that the organizers of the proposed Clinton Hill Circle Park project submit a request form to the Public Works department for consideration to be added to the capital improvement project list.
Q.2 Resolution Honoring the Task Force and Directing Actions to Address Gender-Based Violence and a Presentation from the Richmond Task Force to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence
RECEIVE a presentation from the Richmond Task Force to Eliminate Gender- Based Violence summarizing its impact with recommendations for addressing gender-based violence in Richmond; ADOPT a resolution recognizing November 25, 2024, as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence; APPROPRIATE $6,000 from the General Fund balance for staffing and support; REQUEST the city manager designate a staff person to serve as the official liaison to the Richmond Task Force to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence, to attend all task force meetings and provide technical assistance, advice and support
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to the body, and to provide a follow-up report in approximately six-months’ time to seek the City Council’s support for specific recommendations, workplans, and actions to end gender-based violence in Richmond - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-620-6743).
The Latina Center Director of Policy and Communications Katherine Rife introduced the item. Ms. Rife, West Contra Costa Family Justice Center Director LaShara Johnson, Collective Healing and Transformation Project Codirector Nyabingha McDowell, Rubicon Programs Site Manager John Cunningham, Richmond Task Force to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence member Theresa Russell Greenwood, Yenny Garcia, Crime Prevention Manager Michelle Milam, and Irma Gayosso Peralta presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation.
Cordell Hindler and Mark Wassberg gave comments in person.
Councilmember Bana made a motion to adopt the proposed resolution, Councilmember Robinson seconded the motion with a friendly amendment to remove items number 3 and 4 from the resolution which state the following:
"3. Directs the City Manager to work with the Richmond Task Force to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence to review and consider the recommendations put forward by the task force and develop implementable action items, including but not limited to:
Allocating resources to support survivors of Gender-Based Violence and collective efforts to end GBV that center survivors and community. Collaborating with relevant county agencies and non-profit and other community organizations to implement policies and practices to prevent and respond to Gender-Based Violence.
Supporting community-led initiatives aimed at eliminating Gender-Based Violence in Richmond.
4. Commits to holding itself accountable for progress by requesting a follow-up report from the City Manager by February 3, 2025, outlining specific actions taken and/or to be proposed for consideration for approval by the City Council." Councilmember Bana accepted the friendly amendment made by Councilmember Robinson. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Soheila Bana
Seconded by Councilmember Doria Robinson
To adopt the proposed resolution without items 3 and 4.
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
Adopted Resolution No. 138-24
Q.3 Equitable Allocation of Funding and Mailing Services for All Neighborhoods DIRECT staff to develop a framework for a program that allocates funding and city-supported mailing services to all neighborhoods, regardless of whether they have a recognized Neighborhood Council, Homeowners Association, or neither,
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to support community-building activities and neighborhood improvements – Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-620- 6473).
Continued to the December 17, 2024, meeting.
Q.4 Street Calming Measures
DIRECT staff to immediately evaluate traffic calming measures throughout the City, including along Canal Boulevard, to slow traffic down, and place mitigation measures in at least six locations City-wide to prevent drivers of vehicles from performing “donuts” at these intersections, no later than the end of January 2025 - Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
Continued to the December 17, 2024, meeting.
R. 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) The item was not heard.
S. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:14 p.m., to meet again on December 3, 2024.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor