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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
January 7, 2025, 4:30 p.m.
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
_____________________________________________________________________
A. OPEN SESSION TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION Mayor Eduardo Martinez called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Doria Robinson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin arrived after the roll was called. Councilmember Melvin Willis arrived after adjourning to Closed Session.
C. CLOSED SESSION
C.1 LIABILITY CLAIMS (Government Code Section 54956.9)
• Claimant: Terminal One Development, LLC.
C.2 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EV ALUATION (Government Code Section 54957)
• Title: City Attorney
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
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
Cordell Hindler spoke in favor of a positive evaluation for City Attorney Dave Aleshire.
E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The meeting adjourned at 4:33 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Eduardo Martinez called the meeting to order at 6:42 p.m.
G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Eduardo Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
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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 N.3.a - Resolution urging the Federal Government to support the immediate recognition of the Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation, Muwekma Tribe and Ohlone Tribe's Federal status was continued to a future City Council meeting.
Item N.7.a Introduce an ordinance amending the monthly salary for the Mayor and introduce an ordinance amending the monthly salary for City Councilmembers; N.8.a - Resolution for on-demand photography services from a pool of certified vendors; and Item N.9.a - AB 481 " Military Equipment Uses" Annual Report were removed from the consent calendar for discussion.
A correction was made to Item N.10.a - Resolution to award a contract to Forster & Kroeger Landscape Maintenance, Inc. for vegetation management services at Point Molate that the beginning date on attachment 3 of the draft contract should be January 1, 2025.
Item O.1 - Equitable allocation of funding and mailing services for all neighborhoods; Item O.2 - Street calming measures; and Item O.3 - Sanctuary City compliance exception for software applications by LexisNexis were withdrawn from the agenda.
K. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OF FINAL DECISIONS MADE
DURING CLOSED SESSION
C.1 LIABILITY CLAIMS (Government Code Section 54956.9) Claimant: Terminal One Development, LLC.
Item was discussed. No reportable action was taken.
C.2 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EV ALUATION (Government Code Section 54957)
Title: City Attorney
Item was not discussed.
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
Item was discussed. No reportable action was taken.
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L. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
City Manager Shasa Curl presented the report.
Link to view report: City Manager's Report
L.1 NEW EMPLOYEE REPORT - 1st Tuesday
Human Resources Director Sharrone Taylor gave the report.
Link to report: December 2024 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)
Cordell Hindler encouraged the council to reinstate the standing committees.
Don Gosney gave comments regarding the limited time allowed for public speakers at city council meetings.
Michelle Hayes and Gayle McLaughlin thanked Kimberlyn Carson-Thrower for her assistance with the Commission on Aging.
Rene Gutierrez Garcia, Sally Hindman, Deanne Pearn, O'Neill Fernandez, Dana Carl, Dennis Perez spoke in support of the establishment of Tiny Villages in Richmond and thanked the city council for its support.
Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding sanctuary cities.
David Sharples thanked staff and the city council for passing the updated rental inspection ordinance.
Patricia Perez gave comments regarding her grandson Pedie Perez.
Richie Cook thanked the city for its decorum and public service.
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 motion to approve the consent calendar did not include the following items:
Item N.3.a - Resolution urging the Federal Government to support the immediate recognition of the Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation, Muwekma Tribe and Ohlone Tribe's Federal status; Item N.7.a Introduce an ordinance amending the monthly salary for the Mayor and introduce an ordinance amending the monthly salary for City Councilmembers; N.8.a - Resolution for on-demand photography services from a pool of certified vendors; and Item N.9.a - AB 481 " Military Equipment Uses" Annual Report.
Motion by Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
Seconded by Councilmember Melvin Willis
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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
N.1 City Attorney's Office
N.1.a Ordinance Creating New Business Activity Classification, “Class Q – Automobile Dealerships” and the Corresponding Rates
ADOPT an ordinance (second reading) amending Chapter 7.04.103 of the Richmond Municipal Code by creating a new Business Activity Classification, Class Q – Automobile Dealerships, and the corresponding rates – City Attorney’s Office (Dave Aleshire 510-620-5454/Andrea Miller 510-620-6790).
Adopted Ordinance No. 01-25 N.S.
N.2 City Clerk's Office
N.2.a Meeting Minutes
APPROVE the minutes of the November 19, November 26, and December 3, 2024, regular City Council meetings - City Clerk's Office (Pamela Christian 510-620-6513).
N.3 City Council
N.3.a Resolution Urging the Federal Government to Support the Immediate Recognition of the Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation, Muwekma Tribe and Ohlone Tribe’s Federal Status
ADOPT a resolution urging the U.S. Congress, the White House, the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to acknowledge and federally recognize all of the Chochenyo speaking tribes of the East Bay, including the Muwekma, the Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation and the Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area – Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin (510-620-6636), Councilmember Doria Robinson (510-620-6568), and Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez (510- 620-6565).
Item was withdrawn and continued to a future city council meeting.
N.3.b City contribution to Hope Solutions to provide supportive services for the Richmond Tiny Village Farm and Garden project.
DIRECT City staff to work with Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing, Inc. (dba Hope Solutions) to prepare a contract and any other necessary agreements to provide supportive services for the Richmond Tiny House Village Farm and Garden project at 175 23rd Street for calendar year 2025 and bring these documents to the City Council for final approval by February 18, 2025 – Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin (510-620-6636), Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565), and Councilmember Doria Robinson (510-620-6568).This item was continued from the November 26, 2024, meeting.
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N.4 Community Development
N.4.a Residential Rental Inspection Program Ordinance Amendments ADOPT an ordinance (second reading) amending Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 6.40 Residential Rental Dwelling Unit Inspection and Maintenance to eliminate the self-certification process, expand units covered, including certain affordable housing units, and add other amendments to enhance the program – Community Development Department (Lina Velasco 510-620-6841/George Kabaivanov 510-620- 6649).
Adopted Ordinance 02-25 N.S.
N.5 Economic Development
N.5.a Contract with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to Administer the Small Business Building Beautification Pilot Program.
APPROVE a contract with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center for small business assistance in an amount not to exceed $340,000, with a term beginning on January 7, 2025, and ending on December 31, 2026 – Economic Development Department (Nannette Beacham 510-621- 1306/Lizeht Zepeda 510-620-6653/Kyle Lam 510-620-6802).
N.5.b Contract with Empower Soul Studios for Events and Marketing Services for Buy Local Campaign
APPROVE a contract with Empower Soul Studios for event and marketing consultant services for the Buy Local Campaign in an amount not to exceed $156,000, for the term January 7, 2025, through December 31, 2026 – Economic Development Department (Nannette Beacham 510- 621-1306/Lizeht Zepeda 510-620-6653/Kyle Lam 510-620-6802).
N.5.c Contract with Bludot Technologies, Inc. for Buy Local Software Platform APPROVE a contract with Bludot Technologies, Inc. for a Buy Local software platform, in an amount not to exceed $200,000, for the term January 7, 2025, through December 31, 2026 – Economic Development Department (Nannette Beacham 510-621-1306/Lizeht Zepeda 510-620- 6653/Kyle Lam 510-620-6802).
N.5.d Public Health Institute CivicSpark AmeriCorps Program Contract APPROVE a sole-source contract with Public Health Institute for one full- time CivicSpark AmeriCorps fellow for a total contract amount not to exceed $36,000, with a term ending on December 31, 2025 – Economic Development Department (Samantha Carr 510-620-5407/ Nannette Beacham 510-620-1306).
N.6 Finance Department
N.6.a Approval of Write-Off of Uncollectible Accounts Receivables ADOPT a resolution authorizing the write-off of delinquent and/or uncollectible accounts receivable in the amount of $376,246.42 – Finance Department (Andrea Miller 510-620-6790/Mubeen Qader 510-412- 2077/Antonio Banuelos 510-620-6741).
Adopted Resolution No. 1-25.
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N.7 Human Resources
N.7.a Introduce an Ordinance Amending the Monthly Salary for the Mayor and Introduce an Ordinance Amending the Monthly Salary for City Councilmembers
INTRODUCE an ordinance (first reading) amending the monthly salary for City Council members; and INTRODUCE an ordinance (first reading) amending the monthly salary for the Mayor – Human Resources (Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6803)/City Attorney's Office (Shannon Moore 510-620- 6505).
Deputy City Manager Nickie Mastay gave an overview.
Elsa Stevens, Don Gosney, Debbie Bayer, and Terri Hinte gave comments.
Discussion ensued.
The ordinances were introduced.
A motion was made to introduce an ordinance amending the monthly salary for City Council members.
Motion by Councilmember McLaughlin
Seconded by Councilmember Willis
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.
No (0)
A motion was made to introduce an ordinance amending the monthly salary for the Mayor.
Motion by Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
Seconded by Councilmember Melvin Willis
Ayes (6): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, and Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez Abstentions (1): Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Passed
N.8 Information Technology
N.8.a Resolution for On-Demand Photography Services from a pool of certified vendors
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the Department of Information Technology to use standing orders/outline agreements for on demand photographers from two pre-approved vendors in an amount not to exceed $50,000 per year per vendor for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 with review and approval from City Attorney’s Office – Information Technology Department (Sue Hartman 510-620-6874).
Deputy City Manager Nickie Mastay gave an overview.
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Don Gosney gave comments.
Discussion ensued.
Adopted Resolution No. 2-25.
Motion by Councilmember Melvin Willis
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
N.9 Police Department
N.9.a AB 481 “Military Equipment Use” Annual Report
ADOPT a resolution accepting the 2023 annual military equipment report, determining that the military equipment in 2023 complied with Richmond Police Department Policy 707 and determining that policy 707 will be accepted with recommended amendments; and RECEIVE staff recommendations for additional resources - Police Department (Bisa French 510-621-1802). This item was continued from the December 17, 2024, meeting.
Police Chief Bisa French, Assistant Police Chief Tim Simmons, and Captain John Lopez, gave an overview.
Mark Wassberg, Jamin Pursell, Andrew Melendez, Rosie Rendon, Dennis Perez, Davjanee Tillis, John Lindsay-Poland, Debbie Bayer, and Autum Adeyan gave comments.
Discussion ensued.
A motion made by Councilmember Zepeda, seconded by Councilmember Bana to approve the item.
A substitute motion by Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Vice Mayor Jimenez to adopt the resolution accepting the 2023 annual military equipment report and when the 2024 report comes back to Council it should include a process for tracking and reporting both the displaying and deployment of military equipment in 2025.
Councilmember Robinson offered a friendly amendment to focus first on deployment of military equipment only.
Following discussion, Councilmember Robinson, rescinded her friendly amendment offer and the substitute motion was approved.
Adopted Resolution No. 3-25.
Motion by Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin
Seconded by Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez
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Ayes (5): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin, Councilmember Melvin Willis, Vice Mayor Claudia Jimenez, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Abstentions (2): Councilmember Doria Robinson, and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Passed
N.10 Public Works
N.10.a Resolution to Award a Contract to Forster & Kroeger Landscape Maintenance, Inc. for Vegetation Management Services at Point Molate ADOPT a resolution to award a three-year contract with Forster & Kroeger Landscape Maintenance, Inc. beginning on January 1, 2025, and ending on December 31, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $360,000, with two optional one-year extensions for a total amount of $240,000 for both extension years – Public Works Department (Wade Finlinson 510-621- 1301/Tawfic Halaby 510-620-5482/Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
The beginning date of the draft contract was corrected to January 1, 2025.
Adopted Resolution No. 4-25.
O. NEW BUSINESS
O.1 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, to support community-building activities and neighborhood improvements – Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-620- 6473). This item was continued from the November 26, 2024, meeting.
Item was withdrawn from the agenda.
O.2 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). This item was continued from the November 26, 2024, meeting.
Item was withdrawn from the agenda.
O.3 Sanctuary City Compliance Exception for software applications by LexisNexis
APPROVE a request for LexisNexis to waive the requirement to sign and comply with the Sanctuary City Compliance form, in order for LexisNexis to provide software application services to Richmond Police Department staff – Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621-1802). This item was continued from the December 17, 2024, meeting.
Item was withdrawn from the agenda.
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O.4 Temporary Moratorium on Parklets in the City of Richmond DIRECT the City Attorney’s Office to draft a temporary moratorium on parklets and amendments no later than October 2025 to Richmond Municipal Code section 14.46.090 to address: 1) inconsistencies or lack of clarity in the building permit versus easement process, 2) issues with the citing of parklets (both number in and area and permitted locations), 3) the length of time parklets are allowed considering the cost of constructing a parklet, 4) the impact parklets may have both positively on the economy due to encouraging a pedestrian and active transportation culture that tends to patronize small businesses, and negatively due to further limiting availability of parking spaces, and 5) improve clarity on non- exclusive use by any one or more businesses or their patrons - Councilmember Doria Robinson (510-620-6568) and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620- 6593).
Councilmembers Robinson and Zepeda gave an overview.
Cordell Hindler gave comments.
Discussion ensued.
Following discussion, a motion was made to approve the item.
Motion by Councilmember Doria Robinson
Seconded by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
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
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 Zepeda thanked everyone that organized the Snow Day at Nicholl Park.
Councilmember McLaughlin announced the following: it was her last day at an official city council meeting; encouraged people to continue to go to the Marina Bay Farmer's Market; she would continue to work on the Neighborhood Scale Electrification project and was seeking funding and grants; and would also work on the sea level rise plan and solutions for the unhoused.
Q. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:21 p.m., to meet again on January 14, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor