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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
October 28, 2025, 3:30 p.m.
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
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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
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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).
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).
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Adopted Resolution No. 151-25.
(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