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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, February 4, 2025
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 4:30 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: Councilmember Doria Robinson was absent from the entire meeting. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda arrived after the roll was called.
C. CLOSED SESSION
C.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) Guillermo Gomez v. John Temple, et al.
C.2 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EV ALUATION (Government Code Section 54957)
Title: City Attorney
C.3 LIABILITY CLAIMS (Government Code Section 54956.9)
Claimant: Terminal One Development, LLC.
C.4 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
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
Cordell Hindler gave comments in person.
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E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Open Session adjourned to Closed Session at 4:32 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 6:27 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
The Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council was called to order at 6:31 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, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: Councilmember Doria Robinson was absent from the entire meeting.
I. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
J. AGENDA REVIEW
Item N.4.b (Comparative Analysis of Drone Shows to Traditional Fireworks as an Alternative to the Third of July Celebration) was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
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) • Guillermo Gomez v. John Temple, et al.
Direction given for settlement negotiations.
C.2 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EV ALUATION (Government Code Section 54957)
• Title: City Attorney
Not Discussed.
C.3 LIABILITY CLAIMS (Government Code Section 54956.9) • Claimant: Terminal One Development, LLC.
Council approved entering into a tolling agreement.
C.4 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
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5. IAFF Local 188
6. Richmond Fire Management Association RFMA
Discussed. No reportable action taken.
L. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
City Manager Shasa Curl provided a report. Fire Chief Aaron Osorio provided an update on weather conditions and recent incidents. Link to view report: City Manager's Report L.1 NEW EMPLOYEE REPORT - 1st Tuesday
Human Resources Director Sharrone Taylor provided a New Employee Report.
Link to view report: 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)
The following individuals gave comments in person:
Cordell Hindler suggested that the City collaborate with the West Contra Costa Unified School District and UC Berkeley. Mr. Hindler also suggested that the City reinstate standing committees.
Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding recent boycotts and immigration.
Jamin Pursell gave comments regarding immigration and expressed appreciation for the City's support of all its residents. Mr. Pursell expressed appreciation for the new employee report and suggested a report on the number of staff leaving be brought forth as well.
The following individuals gave comments via teleconference:
Susan Glendening gave comments regarding the Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer System and Ordinance No. 02-23 N.S.
Jessi Taran gave comments regarding the new presidential administration's policies and expressed concern for vulnerable populations.
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.)
Motion by Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Seconded by Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda
To approve all items on the consent calendar excluding Item N.4.b (Comparative Analysis of Drone Shows to Traditional Fireworks as an Alternative to the Third of July Celebration).
Ayes (6): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Absent (1): Councilmember Doria Robinson
Passed
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N.1 City Manager's Office
N.1.a Contract with Submittable Grants Client Relations Management System APPROVE a three-year contract with Submittable Holdings, Inc. for $210,395 with two one-year extension options for $49,500, annually to provide a grant client relations management services software to the Richmond Department of Children and Youth, Community Services Department, and Economic Development Arts and Culture Division, with an initial expiration date of June 30, 2028 – City Manager’s Office (Patrick Seals 510-307-8016).
N.2 Finance Department
N.2.a Contract with Matrix Consulting Group to develop a Cost Allocation Plan.
APPROVE a contract in the amount of $32,500 with Matrix Consulting Group to develop a Cost Allocation Plan to direct staff from the Finance Department and Richmond Housing Authority to prepare the Indirect Cost Allocation Plan that adheres to Title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200, for a term beginning February 1, 2025, through February 1, 2028, with an option to extend two additional years – Finance Department (Mubeen Qader 510-412-2077/Rita Martinez 510-621-1546).
N.3 Information Technology
N.3.a Consolidate First American Services to one Contract APPROVE a three-year contract with First American, with two, one-year extensions, for a total potential contract term of five years, to provide parcel, mortgage, and deed data, and access to datatree.com and support services. The total contract amount shall not exceed $96,000 over the three-year term with the two, one-year extensions. APPROPRIATE $19,200 in general funds annually for each of the five years – Information Technology Department (Sue Hartman 510-620-6874/Sandi Wong 510- 620-6745).
N.4 Library and Community Services
N.4.a Contract Amendment No. 1 with New York Wired For Education Metrix Learning Management System
APPROVE a first amendment with New York Wired For Education to increase the contract amount by $17,000, for a total not to exceed contract amount of $25,500, and extend the term through January 29, 2027, for online job training and career pathways – Community Services Department (Tamara Walker 510-307-8006/LaShonda White 510-620- 6828).
N.4.b Comparative Analysis of Drone Shows to Traditional Fireworks as an Alternative to the Third of July Celebration
RECEIVE a report regarding the use alternate technology, including drone lighting technology for the annual Third of July celebrations, and ACCEPT City staff recommendation to continue with the traditional display of the fireworks show for the Third of July celebrations – Community Services Department (LaShonda White/Ranjana
Maharaj/Kymberlyn Carson-Thrower 510-620-6789).
Deputy City Manager LaShonda White introduced the item. Ms. White, Community Services Deputy Director Ranjana Maharaj, and Recreation
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Supervisor Kymberlyn Carson-Thrower presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation: Comparative Analysis - Drone Shows/Traditional Fireworks
Julie Freestone gave comments via teleconference. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Sue Wilson
Seconded by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
To accept the report and City staff recommendation to continue with the traditional display of the fireworks show for the Third of July celebrations.
Ayes (5): Councilmembers Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Abstentions (1): Councilmember Soheila Bana
Absent (1): Councilmember Doria Robinson
Passed
N.5 Mayor's Office
N.5.a Appointment of Lashara LaShawn Monique Johnson to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board
APPOINT Lashara LaShawn Monique Johnson to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board, with a term ending December 31, 2025 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
N.5.b 2025 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 2025 - Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
N.6 Public Works
N.6.a Resolution to Appropriate $150,000 to the Emergency Operations – Winterstorm/Landslides Project
ADOPT a resolution appropriating $150,000 from the fund balance in the Emergency Operation and Disaster Recovery Fund to the Emergency Operations – Winterstorm/Landslides Project to cover future emergency operations aimed at mitigating and addressing disaster risks and property damage from any potential winter storm event – Public Works Department (Ana Crespin 510-307-8095/Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
Adopted Resolution No. 11-25
N.6.b Resolution to Approve a Contract with Owen Equipment Sales for the Outstanding Balance and Service Charges
ADOPT a resolution approving a new contract with Owen Equipment Sales for the outstanding balance and service charges from the purchase of the two Vactor Trucks, and the outstanding invoices and service charges for the Street Sweeper Lease, in an amount not to exceed $114,711.78 - Public Works Department (Mary Phelps 510-621-1269/Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
Adopted Resolution No. 12-25
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N.6.c Resolution to accept the construction of the Santa Rita Stabilization Project as complete and authorize Notice of Completion for the project.
ADOPT a resolution to accept the construction of the Santa Rita Stabilization Project as complete and AUTHORIZE the issuance of the Notice of Completion for the Project and the release of bonds and retention payment – Public Works Department (Mike Owyang 510-621- 1363/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477/Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
Adopted Resolution No. 13-25
N.6.d Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Preliminary Engineering Agreement for the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) - Richmond Wellness Trail Phase 2 Project.
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the Public Works Director and the City Engineer to execute a Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Preliminary Engineer Agreement for the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) – Richmond Wellness Trail Phase 2 Project – Public Works Department (Robert Armijo 510-620-5477/Wendy Wellbrock 510-307-8108).
Adopted Resolution No. 14-25
O. BUDGET SESSION
O.1 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024
RECEIVE a report on the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2024 – Finance Department (Andrea Miller/Mubeen Qader/Jerry Chak 510-620-6740).
Director of Finance Andrea Miller introduced the item. Engagement Partner Ahmed Badawi of Badawi & Associates presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation: Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
Discussion ensued. Cordell Hindler gave comments in person. Jessi Taran gave comments via teleconference.
P. 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) Councilmember Jimenez thanked staff, Rising Juntos, and councilmembers that worked on Boorman Park.
Councilmember Brown reported attendance to a League of California Cities Conference in Garden Grove, California. Councilmember Brown reported taking a stand with the immigrant community on February 3, 2025.
Vice Mayor Zepeda reported attendance to the following: Meals for the Unhoused event, Guardians of Justice event, Lunar New Year Lunch, and an immigration march protest on 23rd Street. Vice Mayor Zepeda announced the following upcoming events: Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council's Black History Celebration on February 10, 2025, and the Richmond Library's Black History Program on February 13, 2025.
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Q. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:38 p.m. in honor of Carson Bruno and Clarissa Bruno to meet again on February 18, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor