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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
January 28, 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 The meeting was called to order at 4:37 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Absent: None.
C. CLOSED SESSION
C.1 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 425 24th Street, Richmond, CA 94804 (Homekey Program at Motel 6 location)
Agency Negotiators: Nannette Beacham, Lina Velasco, Jesus Morales Negotiating Parties: Novin Development, Insight Housing Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
C.2 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.3 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EV ALUATION (Government Code Section 54957)
Title: City Attorney
C.4 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (PARAGRAPH (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) The Guidiville Rancheria of California, et al., v. The United States of America, et al.
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D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
Cordell Hindler gave comments in favor of a positive evaluation for City Attorney Dave Aleshire and also in support of the labor negotiations.
Mark Wassberg spoke against the Homekey Program at Motel 6.
E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The meeting adjourned at 4:42 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 6:31 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Eduardo Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
H. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Absent: None.
I. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
J. AGENDA REVIEW
Item N.4.a - Budget book compilation and publishing services to prepare this policy document under Government Finance Officers Association guidelines was continued to the February 18, 2025, City Council meeting. Item N.7.a - Crime Report from Police Chief and Item N.7.c - Three-year contract with Allied Universal Security Services was removed from the agenda for discussion.
K. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OF FINAL DECISIONS MADE
DURING CLOSED SESSION
C.1 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 425 24th Street, Richmond, CA 94804 (Homekey Program at Motel 6 location)
Agency Negotiators: Nannette Beacham, Lina Velasco, Jesus Morales Negotiating Parties: Novin Development, Insight Housing Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
A status report was made, and direction was given to the city negotiators.
C.2 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
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4. Richmond Police Management Association RPMA
5. IAFF Local 188
6. Richmond Fire Management Association RFMA
Not discussed.
C.3 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EV ALUATION (Government Code Section 54957)
Title: City Attorney
Not discussed.
C.4 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (PARAGRAPH (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) The Guidiville Rancheria of California, et al. v. The United States of America, et al.
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 the report.
Link to the report: City Manager's 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 expressed concern for the late-night city council meetings that city staff have to attend. Mr. Hindler also stated that he attended the Richmond Chamber Commerce mixer and no officials from the City of Richmond attended.
Don Gosney gave comments regarding the consent calendar and the process to remove items for discussion.
Liz Woods and Philina Cosby stated the Nevin Plaza construction was hazardous to residents who reside there.
Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and deportations.
Joe Puleo spoke in favor of the measures being taken by the city regarding sideshows.
Kathleen Wimmer thanked the city council for providing additional legal protections to undocumented immigrants who reside in Richmond and for adopting an interim urgency ordinance regarding moratorium on parklets.
Sara Cantor spoke in support of protections for undocumented immigrants and suggested safe zones, and a clear prohibition of city collaboration with ICE.
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 excludes the following items:
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Item N.4.a - Budget book compilation and publishing services to prepare this policy document under Government Finance Officers Association guidelines was continued to the February 18, 2025, City Council meeting. Item N.7.a - Crime Report from Police Chief and Item N.7.c - Three-year contract with Allied Universal Security Services was removed from the agenda for discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Doria Robinson
Seconded by Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed
N.1 City Attorney's Office
N.1.a Interim Urgency Ordinance re Moratorium on Parklets within the City APPROVE the Interim Urgency Ordinance to establish a 45-day moratorium on the establishment of new Parklets, expansion of existing Parklets, or the extension of the term of existing Parklets within City limits to allow for the City’s review and adoption of permanent zoning regulations for such uses to ensure public health, safety, and welfare - City Attorney’s Office (Dave Aleshire 510-620-6509).
Adopted Ordinance No. 05-25 N.S.
N.2 City Council
N.2.a Explore providing additional legal protections to undocumented immigrants who reside in Richmond
N.3 Economic Development
N.3.a Contract with CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, Inc.
N.4 Finance Department
N.4.a Budget book compilation and publishing services to prepare this policy document under Government Finance Officers Association guidelines APPROVE a contract with Govdollars Consulting to provide Budget Book compilation services, in an amount not to exceed $66,000, over a three- year term from February 1, 2025, through January 31, 2028, with an option to extend the contract an additional two years – Finance Department (Andrea Miller 510-620-6790/Mubeen Qader 510-412- 2077/Jerry Gurule 510-620-6591).
Item continued to the February 18, 2025, City Council meeting.
N.5 Human Resources
N.5.a Amend Staffing (Position Control)
ADOPT a resolution amending staffing (position control) to reallocate existing positions – Human Resources Department (Nickie Mastay/Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6602).
Adopted Resolution No. 9-25.
N.5.b Parental Leave Enhancement for all Bargaining Groups
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ADOPT a resolution approving side letters with all bargaining groups increasing Parental Leave from one week to four weeks for 37.5- hour/week and 40-hour/week employees and eight shifts for 56-hour/week employees – City Manager’s Office/Human Resources Department (Shasa Curl 510-620-6512/Nickie Mastay/Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6803).
Adopted Resolution No. 10-25.
N.6 Library and Community Services
N.6.a Approve a Sole-Source Contract Amendment with Charleston Mobility for Electric Bikeshare Operations
N.7 Police Department
N.7.a Crime Report from Police Chief
RECEIVE a written crime report from the Police Chief - Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621-1802).
Councilmember Bana asked for information on the reason for the recent increase in arsons and how they occurred. The city council requested the following: that misdemeanor crime, quality of life crimes and sideshows were included on future reports; the number of unsolved homicides in 2021; and a comparison of the last four years of the old way of reporting compared to the new crime data since 2021.
Jamin Pursell gave comments.
Motion by Councilmember Soheila Bana
Seconded by Councilmember Sue Wilson
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Passed
N.7.b First Contract Amendment with Napa Solano SANE/SART APPROVE the first contract amendment with Napa Solano SANE/SART to add funds of $100,000 for a total contract value not to exceed $148,000 for a contract term through February 28, 2027 – Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621-1819).
N.7.c Three-year contract with Allied Universal Security Services.
APPROVE a three-year contract with Allied Universal Security Services to provide security services throughout the City of Richmond for a total estimated cost not to exceed $1,916,153.99, which includes a five percent contingency, for the contract term January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, with two one-year extensions, if mutually agreed upon – Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621-1802).
Councilmembers requested the following: an analysis to determine if city employees could do the security work; a report from staff on what the city was using contractors for; what it would take to bring contractors in as city employees; and what the cost would be to transfer cost of security services to city staff as well as other services the city contracts out; limit the
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contract to a one-year contract and return with data to perform the jobs in house with city staff; provide opportunities to get Richmond businesses hired; and conduct community outreach to local businesses.
Jamin Pursell gave comments.
The contract was approved as a one-year contract from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, so staff could explore and bring data back to the city council for in house staff for outside contractors and include this data in the class and compensation study. The cost should also include a cost benefit analysis of all positions that could be brought in house.
Motion by Councilmember Sue Wilson
Seconded by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Passed
N.8 Public Works
N.8.a December 2024 Abatement Presentation
N.8.b Contract Amendment No. 1 for Swinerton Management & Consulting for Terminal 4 Wharf Removal
O. STUDY AND ACTION SESSION
O.1 Presentation on Human Trafficking in Richmond and Proclamation RECEIVE a presentation from the Family Justice Center, the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force Director, and the Richmond Police Department on the current state of and collaborative efforts to combat human trafficking in Richmond and PROCLAMATION declaring January 2025 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the City of Richmond - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490).
Councilmember Bana gave an overview. LaShara Johnson, Center Director, Family Justice Center West (Richmond), Katrina Natale, Director, Contra Costa Human Trafficking Task Force, and Seargent Florencio Rivera, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Unit, Richmond Police Department, gave the presentation.
Link to presentation: Human Trafficking in Richmond
Cordell Hindler, Mark Wassberg, and Sara Cantor gave comments.
The city council received the report and requested the following: how many individuals were helped, their outcomes, and what services were given; the budget for the phase 2 illumination along allies and progress on cutting bushes, trees, etc.
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 Robinson reported that she attended the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) meeting regarding the Richmond
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Parkway Plan. She also reports that the Urban Forestry Advisory Commitee was revising a list of trees, expanding urban canopy not funded by grants. Over 600 trees were planted and 72 removed. Create standardized mulch and compost program. Working to coordinate greening efforts with shared organizations. Donations for native plants to urban forestry committee.
Vice Mayor Zepeda reported that he attended the following: Rosie the Riveter 25th Anniversary; the Richmond Fire cadet training; and the snowball event.
Mayor Martinez attended the snowball event and requested scholarship donations for future snowballs events.
Councilmember Brown reported the following: she attended the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Rosie the Riveter events; the liquor store that requested a liquor license withdrew their application due to community opposition; and thanked the youth for working on the food ordinance.
Q. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m., in memory of Pedie Perez's mother, Julie Perez, to meet again on February 4, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor