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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
October 28, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
_____________________________________________________________________
A. OPEN SESSION TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda called the meeting to order at 3:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson, and Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda. Absent: Mayor Eduardo Martinez was absent the entire meeting.
C. CLOSED SESSION
C.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) • Agress v. City of Richmond, et al.
C.2 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code
Section 54957.6)
• Agency Representatives: Sharrone Taylor, Jack Hughes, and 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 LIABILITY CLAIMS (Government Code Section 54956.9)
• Claimant: Terminal One Development, LLC Agency Against: City of Richmond
C.4 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
• Property: 1414 Harbour Way South
• Agency Negotiator: Dave Aleshire, City Attorney and Emily Combs, Finance Director
• Negotiating Parties: Orton Entertainment, LLC
• Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment
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SURPLUS PROPERTY AUTHORITY
C.5 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) • Surplus Property Authority of the City of Richmond v. Riggers Loft Wine Company
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
The following individuals gave comments in person:
Cordell Hindler gave comments regarding favorable union negotiations and against the closure of the Rigger's Loft
Michelle Milam, Tiara Gonzales, Josh Amijar Jose Abastida, Rosean Raylan, Stacy Walker, Sean Stalbaum, and Shiela Williams gave comments regarding labor negotiations.
Kevin Tisdale and Fidencio Morales gave comments via Zoom regarding labor negotiations and an open-ended discipline provision currently being negotiated between the city and the union.
E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Open Session adjourned at 3:52 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda called the meeting to order at 6:48 p.m.
G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
H. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson, and Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda. Absent: Mayor Eduardo Martinez was absent the entire meeting.
I. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Councilmember Doria Robinson stated conflict of interest on item O.4.a - Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with RailPros Field Service, Inc. for the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Wellness Trail due to her and her partner being recipients of a TCC grant.
J. AGENDA REVIEW
Item O.2.a. - Resolution in support of the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025 (Senate Bill684/Assembly Bill 243) 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) • Agress v. City of Richmond, et al.
No final action was taken.
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C.2 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54957.6)
• Agency Representatives: Sharrone Taylor, Jack Hughes, and 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
No final action was taken.
C.3 LIABILITY CLAIMS (Government Code Section 54956.9) • Claimant: Terminal One Development, LLC Agency Against: City of Richmond No final action was taken.
C.4 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
• Property: 1414 Harbour Way South
• Agency Negotiator: Dave Aleshire, City Attorney and Emily Combs, Finance Director
• Negotiating Parties: Orton Entertainment, LLC
• Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment
No final action was taken.
SURPLUS PROPERTY AUTHORITY
C.5 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) • Surplus Property Authority of the City of Richmond v. Riggers Loft Wine Company
No final action was taken.
L. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
City Manager Shasa Curl presented the report. Link to report: CITY MANAGER REPORT
M. COMMENDATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS
M.1 Proclamation recognizing the Green Team 94803 for beautifying the El Sobrante Valley neighborhood.
PROCLAMATION recognizing Green Team 94803 and its volunteers for their outstanding service in keeping the El Sobrante Valley clean and beautiful and encouraging the expansion of these community efforts into nearby areas, including the 94806 community - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490).
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Cordell Hindler gave comments.
Vice Mayor Zepeda, Councilmember Bana and councilmembers presented the proclamation.
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)
Cordell Hindler gave comments regarding city employee vacancy rates and the importance of the recruitment of police officers. Mr. Hindler also stated that more economic development was needed in Richmond.
Don Gosney gave comments regarding the public speaking rules at city council meetings.
Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding democratic socialist communists.
Fayza Ayyad gave comments in support of the Palestinian people.
Jamin Pursell gave comments regarding the importance of inclusivity in the community.
Sara Cantor gave comments via Zoom regarding Richmond Area Mutual Aid who assist with grocery delivery and encouraged donations for the organization.
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.)
To approve all items on the consent calendar excluding Item O.2.a. – (Resolution in support of the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025 (Senate Bill 684/Assembly Bill 1243) which was removed from the consent calendar for discussion.
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Councilmember Doria Robinson
Ayes (6): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Sue Wilson, and Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda
Absent (1): Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Passed
O.1 City Clerk's Office
O.1.a Cancellation of the November 25 and December 23, 2025, City Council Meetings and Announce the Council Holiday Schedule
APPROVE the cancellation of the November 25, and December 23, 2025, Regular City Council meetings and the City Council holiday schedule as follows: November 4, November 18, December 2, December 16, 2025, and January 6, 2026, Regular City Council meetings - City Clerk’s Office (Pamela Christian 510-620-6513).
O.2 City Council
O.2.a Resolution in support of the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025 (Senate Bill 684/Assembly Bill1243)
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ADOPT a resolution in support of the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025 (Senate Bill 684/Assembly Bill1243) – Councilmember Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565).
Councilmember Jimenez gave an overview. Jackson Colby and Mia Williams, Environmental Advocates from U.C. Berkeley gave a presentation.
The following individuals gave comments in person: Don Gosney, Dr.
Wendy Bernstein, Isabel Penman, Deborah Bayer, Rauly Butler, David Sharples, Melvin Willis, Brian Hubinger, and Janet Johnson.
The following individuals gave comments via Zoom: Michael Gilksohn, Heidi Harmon, Emma Ishi, Clair Brown, Mikhail Lake, Sean Stalbaum, Sarah Gao, Rod Fujita, Sonal Chakusari, Lujan Al-Saleh, Timothy Jeffries, Blair Nakamoto, Halle Brown, Jiyo Jeong, Kevin Wong, Lin Griffeth, Karuna Gray, Richard Katz, Mark Hughes, Mimi Spreadbury, Emily Ross, Pedro Ruiz, and Sara Cantor.
Following discussion, a motion to approve the item was passed and Resolution No. 150-25 was adopted.
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Councilmember Doria Robinson
Ayes (6): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Sue Wilson, and Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda
Absent (1): Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Passed
O.3 Mayor's Office
O.3.a Appointment of Kelly Robinson to the Arts and Culture Commission APPOINT Kelly Robinson to the Arts and Culture Commission with a term that expires on January 31, 2027– Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.3.b Reappointment of Edward “Don” Thompson to the Economic Development Commission
REAPPOINT Edward “Don” Thompson to the Economic Development Commission with a term that expires on March 30, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.3.c Reappointment of Diana Wear to the Economic Development Commission REAPPOINT Diana Wear to the Economic Development Commission with a term that expires on March 30, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.3.d Reappointment of Michael Gliksohn to the Economic Development Commission
REAPPOINT Michael Gliksohn to the Economic Development
Commission with a term that expires on March 30, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
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O.3.e Reappointment of Alice LoCicero to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board
REAPPOINT Alice LoCicero to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board with a term that expires on December 31, 2026 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.3.f Reappointment of Keri Sullivan to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board
REAPPOINT Keri Sullivan to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board with a term that expires on December 31, 2026 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.3.g Appointment of Amber Hatfield to the Community Crisis Response Program Community Advisory Board
APPOINT Amber Hatfield to the Community Crisis Response Program Community Advisory Board with a term that expires on December 31, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.3.h Appointment of Hope Dixon to the Community Crisis Response Program Advisory Board
APPOINT Hope Dixon to the Community Crisis Response Program Community Advisory Board with a term that expires on December 31, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.3.i Appointment of James Davis to the Historic Preservation Commission APPOINT James Davis to the Historic Preservation Commission with a term that expires on July 31, 2026 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.3.j Appointment of Danyell Manefee to the Community Police Review Commission
APPOINT Danyell Manefee to the Community Police Review
Commission, with a term that expires on November 1, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.3.k Appointment of Rauly Butler to the Workforce Development Board APPOINT Rauly Butler to the Workforce Development Board with a term that expires on March 1, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503)
O.4 Public Works
O.4.a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement with RailPros Field Service, Inc for the Transformative Climate Communities Wellness Trail ADOPT a resolution and AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director and the City Engineer to execute a Preliminary Engineering Services Agreement between RailPros Field Services, Inc., a consultant for the Richmond Pacific Railroad Corporation, for the Transformative Climate Communities– Richmond Wellness Trail Phase 2 Project - Public Works Department (Hillal Hamdan 510-620-1612/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
Adopted Resolution No. 151-25.
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(Councilmember Robinson recused herself from voting on this item due to conflict of interest).
P. STUDY AND ACTION SESSION
P.1 Presentation from Levitree for Nature-Based Solutions for Sea-Level Rise RECEIVE a presentation from Levitree to learn about possible nature-based solutions to help Richmond’s shoreline with sea level rise and ground water infiltration - Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593). This item was continued from the July 1, 2025, meeting.
(Item was withdrawn from the agenda).
Q. REPORTS OF OFFICERS: REFERRALS TO STAFF, AND GENERAL REPORTS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS)(limited to two minutes per Councilmember) Councilmember Jimenez thanked City Manager Shasa Curl and the Multicultural Institute for their support during the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement threats.
Councilmember Brown reported the following: she attended the 26th Annual Council of Business Shoreline Cruise; participated in the Guardians of Justice basketball tournament; announced the Futuro Healthcare mixer and enrollment event on October 29, 2025, in the lobby of 440 Civic Center Plaza.
Councilmember Bana announced that there was a theater called Central Stage on Central Avenue and invited the community to attend the plays at the theater.
Vice Mayor Zepeda reported the following: attended the Halloween Cops and Goblins event, the First Responders Luncheon; an electric vehicle event; the 23rd Street Trick or Treating event; the Parchester Village Halloween event; and the 2025 Woman of the Year event by Congressman Hohn Garamendi.
R. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m., to meet again on November 4, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor
Portal Search...
Meeting Date
Agenda Item
Name
Email
Comment
Position
Status
City Council
10/28/2025 3:30
PM
Resolution in
support of the
Polluters Pay
Climate Superfund
Act of 2025 (Senate
Bill 684/Assembly
Bill1243)
Jane Courant janecourant@gmail
.com
Richmond must
join the many
people of
California in
support of the
popular state
effort, “Make
Polluters Pay.” I
urge you to vote
yes on this
resolution.
For Appro
10/28/25, 2:31 PM richmond.escribemeetings.com/Pages/ReportingPrintFriendly.aspx?reporting-reporttype=PublicComment https://richmond.escribemeetings.com/Pages/ReportingPrintFriendly.aspx?reporting-reporttype=PublicComment 1/1 From: Jeff Ritterman
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: make polluters pay
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 6:30:58 PM
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Speaking in favor of making polluters pay
My name is Jeff Ritterman.
I am a former Richmond City Councilmember, a retired
cardiologist and a Board member of Physicians for Social Responsibility.
If someone came into your house and dumped garbage which was toxic and caused heart disease, asthma, and birth defects to you and your family, wouldn't you want them to pay for the damage to your home and the health of your family.
Let's hold those who make millions and cause toxicity and harm the health of our families accountable.
It's a simple equation.
Make polluters pay!!!!
Dr. Jeff Ritterman
From: kevin wong
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment for City Council Meeting 10/28
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 5:15:38 PM
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Hi, I would like to submit the following comment for the council meeting tonight.
I'm writing to urge the council to pass the resolution in support of CA SB684. The burning of oil and gas has lead to significant impacts on our state, most of which are born by communities like the city of Richmond.
It is basic fairness that companies should be responsible for the negative impacts of their products.
Arguments that the bill would raise prices for consumers are unfounded.
The bill does not tax gas stations and California law tightly regulates the price of gas and prohibits passing on the cost of taxes to consumers.
The only way
prices would go up is if Oil companies break the law.
Meanwhile everyday citizens are left to deal with the costs of burning fossil fuels:
higher food prices as a result of droughts, higher housing costs as a result of rising insurance and wildfire hardening, higher healthcare costs from polluted air and water, and higher energy costs from dealing with extreme heat and the costs of an electricity grid that can withstand extreme weather.
Please, do the right thing and urge Sacramento to pass CA SB684 Thanks,
- Kevin
From: Marilyn Sargent
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: comments on Climate Superfund
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 5:37:43 PM
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
To the Richmond City Council,
I live in Richmond and support the rule to create a superfund to recover from toxins and pollutants which come from fossil fuel production and any other pollution covered by the rule.
I live close to Chevron and close to the building materials plant (Gold) in Point Richmond.
I smell awful chemical
smells and see the flared smoke on a regular basis.
My car parked outside receives much more dust, dirt and debris deposited from the air than in any other location.
We have to consider what these
plants may leave behind in our soil and air.
Most importantly, we have to take care of the health effects on people in the community.
Otherwise, we will be left with the hurt, while they leave with the profits.
We need a Climate Superfund.
From:
Marilyn Sargent, Point Richmond, Richmond CA 94801
--
Marilyn Sargent
From: Mark Orcutt
To: Eduardo Martinez; Jamelia Brown; Cesar Zepeda; Doria Robinson; Soheila Bana; Sue Wilson; Claudia Jimenez; Shasa Curl; City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment Agenda Item #O.2
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 9:03:32 AM
Attachments: image001.png
Richmond_Polluters Pay Resolution_10.28.25.pdf
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Dear Mayor Martinez and Members of the Richmond City Council,
On behalf of the East Bay Leadership Council, I am writing to share the attached letter regarding the resolution in support of the proposed Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act (SB 684 / AB 1243). The letter outlines our concerns about the economic impacts of this legislation and urges the Council to reconsider its support.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Best regards,
Mark Orcutt
---
Mark Orcutt | He/Him
President & CEO | East Bay Leadership Council
O: 925-246-1880 | C: 415-312-1394
www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com
October 28, 2025
Richmond City Council
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
RE: Polluters Pay Resolution
Mayor Martinez and Members of the Richmond City Council:
As a public policy organization representing hundreds of employers across Contra Costa and Alameda Counties, the East Bay Leadership Council (EBLC) knows how essential local governance is to sustaining regional economic vitality and quality of life. For nearly 90 years, EBLC has built a reputation for balanced advocacy that considers the needs of employers, workers, and communities across the region.
We respectfully urge the Council to reconsider support for the proposed Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act (SB 684 / AB 1243). While EBLC supports California’s climate goals, this legislation would assign decades of retroactive financial liability to select industries—costs that would ultimately be passed on to consumers. The California Center for Jobs & the Economy estimates the proposal could add roughly $51.7 billion per year in new costs, or about $3,400 annually per household, with the greatest burden falling on renters and low-income families already struggling with affordability.
Symbolic resolutions like this one may make a statement, but they do not move us closer to real climate progress. Instead, they risk endorsing policies that raise costs for residents and jeopardize local jobs without achieving meaningful emissions reductions.
Industries that have long operated in and contributed to Richmond already play a significant role in supporting the city’s fiscal stability and employment base. Proposals that add retroactive financial penalties risk discouraging investment and reducing resources available for essential public services.
Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to the East Bay’s economic and environmental health. I am available for any questions.
Sincerely,
Mark Orcutt
President & CEO
East Bay Leadership Council