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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, November 18, 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 3:32 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson (Via Zoom pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449), Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: None.
C. CLOSED SESSION
C.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION (Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of Subdivision (d) [as applicable] of Government Code Section 54956.9) One case
C.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) • City of Richmond v. Royal Bank of Canada and JPMorgan Chase • City of Richmond v. Royal Bank of Canada, JPMorgan Chase, Public Resources Advisory Group, and the Majors Group
C.3 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.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
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Negotiating Parties: Orton Entertainment, LLC
Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment
C.5 LIABILITY CLAIMS (Government Code Section 54956.9)
• Claimant: Terminal One Development, LLC
Agency Against: City of Richmond
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
Cordell Hindler gave comments in person.
E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Open Session adjourned to Closed Session at 3:36 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
F. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE RICHMOND HOUSING AUTHORITY
The Special Meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority was called to order at 6:24 p.m. by Chairperson Eduardo Martinez.
G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairperson Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
H. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson (Via Zoom pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449), Vice Chairperson Cesar Zepeda, and Chairperson Eduardo Martinez. Absent: Tenant Commissioner Jaycine Scott.
I. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
J. REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Housing Authority Director Antoinette Terrell presented the report. Link to report: Report from the Executive Director
K. AGENDA REVIEW
None.
L. HOUSING AUTHORITY OPEN FORUM
Cordell Hindler gave comments in support of the approval of the Housing Authority Consent Calendar.
M. HOUSING AUTHORITY CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Chairperson Eduardo Martinez
Seconded by Vice Chairperson Cesar Zepeda
To approve all items on the Housing Authority Consent Calendar.
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Ayes (7): Commissioners Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson (Via Zoom pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449), Vice Chairperson Cesar Zepeda, and Chairperson Eduardo Martinez.
Absent (1): Tenant Commissioner Jaycine Scott
Passed
M.1 Contract with Integrated Pest Control Management, Inc. for Pest Control Services for Richmond Housing Authority
ADOPT a resolution and APPROVE a two-year contract with Integrated Pest Control Management, Inc. to provide pest control services for the Richmond Housing Authority in an amount not to exceed $40,000, commencing November 19, 2025, and ending November 19, 2027 – Richmond Housing Authority (Antoinette Terrell/Nanette Beachem/Gregory Palomino 510-621-1300).
Adopted Resolution No. 2221
M.2 Contract with Bay Hawk, Inc. for Pavement, Curbing, Sidewalk and Walkway Restoration Services
ADOPT a resolution and APPROVE a two-year contract with Bay Hawk, Inc. for pavement, curbing, sidewalk, and walkway restoration in an amount not to exceed $275,200, commencing November 19, 2025, and ending November 19, 2027 – Richmond Housing Authority (Antoinette Terrell/Greg Palamino/Nannette Beacham 510-621-1300).
Adopted Resolution No. 2222
M.3 Meeting Minutes
APPROVE the minutes of the October 7, 2025, regular Housing Authority meeting - City Clerk's Office (Pamela Christian 510-620-6513).
N. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
O. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
The Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council was called to order at 6:29 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
P. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson (Via Zoom pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449), Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: None.
Q. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
R. AGENDA REVIEW
The following items were pulled from the consent calendar for discussion:
Item V .3.a (Update on Black Resiliency Project and Fund) Item V .4.c (Annual Report for Richmond Industrial Safety Ordinance) Item V .6.a (Agreement with the West Contra Costa Unified School District for use of Booker T. Anderson Community Center)
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S. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OF FINAL DECISIONS MADE
DURING CLOSED SESSION
Chief Assistant City Attorney Shannon Moore reported the following:
Item C.1 (conference with legal counsel, anticipated litigation) was discussed. No reportable action was taken.
Item C.2 (conference with legal counsel, existing litigation) was discussed. No reportable action was taken.
Item C.3 (conference with labor negotiators) was discussed. No reportable action was taken.
Item C.4 (conference with real property negotiator) was discussed. No reportable action was taken.
Item C.5 (liability claims) was not discussed.
T. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
City Manager Shasa Curl provided a report. Link to view report: City Manager's Report U. 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 urged the City Council to conduct a class and compensation study. Mr.
Hindler also gave comments regarding Riggers Loft and the Raftelis workforce analysis conducted in prior years.
Nageeb Alnagar gave comments regarding the City's denial of a tobacco license for his business.
Claudia Citroen gave comments regarding the Community Police Review Commission's agenda notification methods, public comment procedures, and conflicts of interest.
Don Gosney gave comments regarding Neighborhood Councils in the City.
Irania DeLaMora expressed her desire to participate in local government.
Janice Haugan gave comments regarding the dangers of illegal fireworks.
Marie Anyiam gave comments regarding the 2024 Stege Elementary School building shutdown and the relocation of its students to Dejean Middle School. Ms. Anyiam urged the City Council to support families facing difficulties with accessing after school programs as a result of the relocation.
Courtney Cummings thanked the City Council and City staff for their support of the 15th annual Richmond Powwow.
Fayza Ayyad gave comments regarding the current political climate in the country.
Jamin Pursell thanked the City for raising the Transgender Flag in front of City Hall. Mr.
Pursell gave comments regarding Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance.
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Sergio Tostado invited the public to Richmond SOL's first annual crab feed fundraiser on January 24, 2026.
Raul Garcia expressed concern regarding a lack of safe public fields in the City. Mr.
Garcia also gave comments regarding vandalism at the MLK soccer field.
Diego Garcia urged the Council to improve the City's public fields. Mr. Garcia also requested an item be placed on a future agenda regarding public field improvements.
Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding his efforts to help children during the holidays.
The following individuals gave comments via teleconference:
Michael Fitzhugh expressed concern regarding the Terminal Rail Expansion and Truck Rack Improvements Project and the impact on residents in the area.
Ben Therriault, Enrik Melgoza, and Khoa Nguyen gave comments regarding labor negotiations between the Police Officer's Association and the City. Mr. Therriault, Mr.
Melgoza, and Mr. Nguyen also gave comments regarding two officers recently placed on leave.
Michael Mejia expressed appreciation for Councilmember Bana's email updates to the public. Mr. Mejia also gave comments regarding fireworks.
Arto Rinteela thanked the city manager for including him in the interview process to select the new police chief. Mr. Rinteela also thanked Chief Bisa French and Lieutenant Donovan Decious for their contributions to the City.
John Ecker, Nathan Lonso, and Michael Pagaling gave comments regarding labor negotiations between the City and the Police Officer's Association. Mr. Ecker and Mr.
Lonso also gave comments regarding two officers recently placed on leave.
Sara Cantor gave comments regarding Neighborhood Councils. Ms. Cantor also gave comments regarding a recent officer involved shooting.
Alexander Caine gave comments regarding morale in the Police department and labor negotiations between the City and the Police Officer's Association. Mr. Caine also gave comments regarding two officers recently placed on leave.
V. 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 Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda
To approve all items on the consent calendar excluding Items V .3.a (Update on Black Resiliency Project and Fund), V .4.c (Annual Report for Richmond Industrial Safety Ordinance), and V .6.a (Agreement with the West Contra Costa Unified School District for use of Booker T. Anderson Community Center).
Ayes (7): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Passed
V. 1 City Attorney's Office
V .1.a Legal Services Agreement (LSA) with Orbach Huff & Henderson, LLP (Orbach) for Legal Representation
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APPROVE a new legal services agreement with Orbach Huff & Henderson, LLP, for a total contract amount not to exceed $400,000, for a term beginning November 18, 2025, and ending June 30, 2028, to continue representing the City in tort and police cases – City Attorney’s Office (Kimberly Chin 510-620-6709/Shannon Moore 510-620-6509).
V. 2 City Clerk's Office
V .2.a Meeting Minutes
APPROVE the minutes of the October 21 and October 28, 2025, regular City Council meetings - City Clerk's Office (Pamela Christian 510-620- 6513).
V. 3 City Manager's Office
V .3.a Update on Black Resiliency Project and Fund
RECEIVE an update on the State of Black Richmond Report and Black Resiliency Fund – City Manager’s Office (Lashonda White 510-620- 6828/Yahna Williamson 510-650-6574).
Deputy City Manager LaShonda White introduced the item. Management Analyst Yahna Williamson presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation: Black Resiliency Project & Fund
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Councilmember Doria Robinson
To approve the item.
Ayes (7): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Passed
V. 4 Community Development
V .4.a Contract Amendment No. 2 with Pronto, Inc., dba Infilla APPROVE a second amendment to the contract with Pronto, Inc. dba Infilla to add an additional $125,000, for a total payment limit of $134,995, and extending the term through June 30, 2030, to create a Forum Software for planners to document interpretations of the Zoning Ordinance & a Fee Calculator module for the public, to be paid using applicant fees – Community Development Department (Lina Velasco/Avery Stark 510-620-6706).
V .4.b Authorize Contracts for On-Call Civil & Land Development Plan Check and Inspection Services
ADOPT a resolution authorizing on-call Civil & Land Development Plan Check and Related Inspection Services contracts with: (1) 4Leaf, Inc.; (2) Bureau Veritas; (3) CSG Consultants; (4) Ghirardelli Associates; and (5) West Coast Code Consultants (WC3) for as-needed services, in an amount not to exceed $500,000 per firm, from November 18, 2025, to June 30, 2028, with two additional one-year extension options - Community Development Department (Lina Velasco/Avery Stark 510-620-6706).
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Adopted Resolution No. 159-25
V .4.c Annual Report for Richmond Industrial Safety Ordinance RECEIVE the 2024 Fiscal Year Annual Performance Review and Evaluation Report from Contra Costa Health regarding the Richmond Industrial Safety Ordinance report pursuant to Richmond Municipal Code Section 6.43.160 - Community Development Department (Lina Velasco 510-620-6706).
Claudia Citroen gave comments via teleconference. Community Development Director Lina Velasco introduced the item. Ms. Velasco and Director of Contra Costa Health's Hazardous Materials Programs Nicole Heath presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation: Industrial Safety Ordinance Annual Report
(At 9:57 p.m. - a motion by Councilmember Jimenez, seconded by Mayor Martinez, to suspend the rules and extend the meeting to complete Item V .4.c (Annual Report for Richmond Industrial Safety Ordinance), passed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Bana, Brown, Jimenez, Robinson, Wilson, Vice Mayor Zepeda and Mayor Martinez. Noes: None. Absent: None. Abstain: None).
Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Seconded by Councilmember Soheila Bana
To approve the item.
Ayes (7): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Passed
V. 5 Economic Development
V .5.a Accept Artwork Gifted from Christopher Peterson into the City’s Public Art Inventory
APPROVE and ACCEPT the gifted artwork “Mond An-ex” by
Christopher Peterson’s to be added to the City of Richmond Public Art Inventory; and AUTHORIZE the city manager, or their designee to execute the Transmittal of Artwork Agreement and any other documents necessary to finalize the acceptance of the artwork to the City – Economic Development Department (Nannette J. Beacham 510-621-1306/Jordon Nesbitt 510-620-9082).
V. 6 Library and Community Services
V .6.a Agreement with the West Contra Costa Unified School District for use of Booker T. Anderson Community Center
APPROVE a land use agreement between the City of Richmond and the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), AUTHORIZE a fee waiver to use Booker T. Anderson Community Center for Stege Elementary School’s after school programs and parent meetings for academic years 2024-2026, and RECEIVE an update on the WCCUSD
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Facility Use Permitting Process – Community Services Department (LaShonda White/Ranjana Maharaj/Tetteh Kisseh 510 620-6919).
Deputy City Manager LaShonda White introduced the item.
Councilmember Wilson discussed the reasons she pulled the item from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Samantha Torres and Cordell Hindler gave comments in person. Cheryl Cotton gave comments via teleconference. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Soheila Bana
Seconded by Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda
To approve the item.
Ayes (7): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Passed
V. 7 Mayor's Office
V .7.a Amend the 2025 Appointments to Committees and Liaison Positions AMEND the appointments for the mayor and councilmembers to Regional Committees, Ad Hoc Committees, and Liaison Positions for the year 2025 to include the Macdonald Avenue Task Force and the Black Resiliency Fund Ad Hoc Committee, and to include Councilmember Claudia Jimenez in the Macdonald Avenue Task Force as appointed by Mayor Eduardo Martinez - Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620- 6503).
V. 8 Public Works
V .8.a Abatement Report from the Public Works Director
RECEIVE a written abatement report from the public works director - Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
V .8.b Accept the Booker T. Anderson Community Center Fire Restoration, Infrastructure, and HV AC Projects as Complete
ADOPT a resolution accepting the construction of the Booker T. Anderson Community Center Fire Restoration, Infrastructure, and HV AC Projects as complete; AUTHORIZING the city clerk to record the Notice of Completion with the Contra Costa County Recorder; and AUTHORIZING the city engineer to release applicable bonds and retention – Public Works Department (Josef Munoz 510-620-6671/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
Adopted Resolution No. 160-25
V .8.c Contract with Xebec Data Corporation for Conversion of Electronic Data to an Importable Format for the Utility Bills
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE a sole-source contract with Xebec Data Corporation for conversion of electronic data to an importable format, for a three-year term, in an amount not to exceed $30,000, with an option to extend for two additional one-year terms, in an amount up to $10,000 per year – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Ana Crespin 510-307-8095).
Adopted Resolution No. 161-25
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V .8.d Construction Agreements with Six On-Call General Contractors for Citywide Construction and Maintenance Services
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE contracts with ATI Restoration, LLC, Bay Hawk, Inc., Marinship Development Interest, LLC, SDM Construction, Surf to Snow Environmental Resource Management, Inc., and Yerba Buena Engineering and Construction, Inc., each in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000, over a three-year term from November 19, 2025, through November 20, 2028; and AUTHORIZE the city manager or their designee to execute agreements with the option to extend each agreement for up to two additional one-year terms, at $500,000 per year – Public Works Department (Wendy Wellbrock 510-307-8108/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
Adopted Resolution No. 162-25
V .8.e Cooperative Agreement with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to Appropriate $180,000 in Measure J Program Funds
ADOPT a resolution AUTHORIZING the city manager to execute Cooperative Agreement No. 28W.05 with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), participating West County jurisdictions, and transit providers; and ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE $180,000 in Measure J Program 28b funds to support programmatic sidewalk improvements and other eligible transportation safety projects - Public Works Department (Hillal Hamdan 510-620-1612/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
Adopted Resolution No. 163-25
W. NEW BUSINESS
W.1 Update on Officer-Involved Shooting Policies, Body-Worn Camera Standards, and Richmond Mental Health Services Assessment ADOPT revisions to Richmond Police Department Policies 306 and 429 to: (1) establish required timelines and content for officer-involved shooting public communications; and (2) confirm that body-worn camera (BWC) release standards are aligned with state law, including California Government Code §7923.625 and Assembly Bill 748 and RECEIVE an update on the plan to conduct an assessment of mental health services in Richmond – City Manager’s Office/Richmond Police Department/Community Services Department (Shasa Curl 510-620-6512/Tim Simmons 510-620-1802/LaShonda White 510-620- 6828).
Deputy City Manager LaShonda White and Assistant Chief Timothy Simmons introduced the item. Assistant Chief Timothy Simmons and Deputy City Manager LaShonda White presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation: RPD Policies Update
Mark Wassberg gave comments in person. Andrew Melendez and Sara Cantor gave comments via teleconference. Discussion ensued. The Council suggested that the assessment be conducted using a broad scope to determine what services are already available and where there are gaps that may need to be filled.
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Councilmember Jamelia Brown
To approve the item.
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Ayes (7): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Passed
W.2 Purchase of Encrypted Mobile Radios from Motorola Solutions for the Police Vehicles and Motor Unit
APPROVE the purchase of up to 45 police radios (combination of mobile and portable) from Motorola Solutions for an amount not to exceed $350,000, which includes a 7.5 per contingency – Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621- 1802).
Assistant Chief Timothy Simmons introduced the item and presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation: Motorola Solutions Encrypted Radios Mark Wassberg and Jamin Pursell gave comments in person. Andrew Melendez, Hansel Aguilar, Carlos Juarez, and Sara Cantor gave comments via teleconference. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda
Seconded by Councilmember Jamelia Brown
To approve the item.
Ayes (7): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Doria Robinson, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Passed
X. REPORTS OF OFFICERS: REFERRALS TO STAFF, AND GENERAL REPORTS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS)(limited to two minutes per Councilmember) The item was not heard.
Y. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:28 p.m., to meet again on December 2, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor
You don't often get email from [email protected]. Learn why this is important From: Lina Velasco
To: Tawfic Halaby; Jason Lacey; Michele Morris; LaShonda White; Daniel Chavarria; Shasa Curl; Michelle Milam Cc: City Clerk Dept
Subject: FW: Council meeting MLK turf
Date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 7:30:32 PM
All,
I am not sure who received this email but wanted to pass along.
@Michelle Milam
Can CORE visit the MLK park?
-Lina
From:
Bianca Paez <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 2:20 PM
To: Lina Velasco <[email protected]>
Subject: Council meeting MLK turf
This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
To whom it may concern,
As a parent, I am unable to attend tonight's council meeting, but I wish to express my concerns about MLK tuf. Richmond CA is where I was raised and where I live now. Back then, we had few safe fields since they were all grass with holes; I myself played soccer on them when I was young. here in the city of Richmond/ San Pablo. For the past two years, my daughter has been practicing at MLK turf and playing for Richmond Sol. My observations on the field have shown several hazards, including glass bottles from beers and holes. Our girls were so cautious about looking at the ground that no one ever fell on glass and moved it from the field.
Additionally, the players did not have access to restrooms, which is another health concern for the community. There were a lot of homeless people around the area, some of whom had mental problems that scare a lot of our young players. During practice, men would just hang out drinking and sexualizing our girls, so as parents, we started walking with the girls during conditioning to make sure they were safe. It is unfortunate that we still do not have a safe location for our youth soccer teams, when as parents we want to see our youth grow to become better for themselves and keep them out of harm's way, but there are still setbacks and lack of resources for our kids to practice just for the love of the sport they play.
From: [email protected]
To: Shasa Curl; Dave Aleshire; Jamelia Brown; Cesar Zepeda; City Clerk Dept User; Eduardo Martinez; Soheila Bana Subject: Public comment open forum council meeting 11.18.25 Date: Monday, November 17, 2025 8:39:12 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.
Re: Brown Act Violations, Procedural Misconduct, Conflicts of Interest, and Governance Failures by the Richmond Citizens Police Review Commission (CPRC) To:
Richmond City Attorney,
Richmond City Council,
City Manager
This letter serves as a formal
Cure and Correct Demand
under
Government
Code §54960.1
regarding extensive and ongoing violations of the
Ralph M.
Brown Act
, the Richmond Municipal Code, FPPC conflict-of-interest standards, the CPRC Handbook, and the Richmond Charter. These violations obstruct public participation, violate statutory rights, and reflect severe governance failures within the CPRC.
1. FAILURE TO ESTABLISH A REQUIRED DATA SYSTEM FOR
COMMISSIONER TRAINING COMPLIANCE
The CPRC has failed to create and maintain a required system for tracking mandated commissioner training, in violation of the CPRC Handbook.
Participating without required training compromises legal authorization undermines all commission action. Chair Martinez’s refusal to agendize this matter—despite repeated commissioner requests—violates
Gov. Code §54954.2
,
which prohibits obstructing agenda items needed for legal compliance.
2. IMPROPER AGENDIZING CONTROL, RETALIATION, AND
NEPOTISM BY CHAIR MARTINEZ AND COUNCIL LIAISON
Chair Carmen Martinez, assisted by Marisol Cantù , systematically blocks other seated commissioners from placing lawful oversight issues on future agendas.
This conduct violates
Gov. Code §54954.3
,
Gov. Code §54952.2(b),
Richmond
Municipal Code §3.54, and CPRC Handbook requirements for neutral facilitation. CPRC member Dan Lawson openly admits to privately discussing agendas with his city council spouse Sue Wilson. Wilson’s adamant denial
of that
practice at a recent council meeting contradicts actual evidence. Unchecked spousal relationship and failure to excuse herself from related council agendas creates a structural conflict of interest violating
Gov. Code §87100
and FPPC
regulations. The council liaison Claudia Jimenez ignores her duty to report misconduct or intervene in violations, enabling retaliation against commissioners raising lawful concerns.
3. FAILURE TO USE THE CITY’S OFFICIAL PUBLIC NOTICE
SYSTEM
For at least six months, CPRC has not used the City’s required automated notification system. But instead distributed agendas through a selective private email list. As a result over one hundred signed up residents weren’t notified and didn’t receive agendas packages in timely manner. This violates Gov. Code
§54954.1
,
Gov. Code §54954.2(a), and
Richmond Charter §§2.12 and 2.16.
Any meetings held without proper public notice are invalid.
4. PROCEDURAL AND CONDUCT VIOLATIONS BY MARTINEZ,
CANTÙ, AND LAWSON
CPRC leadership has repeatedly violated required meeting procedures.
Disrespectful and inappropriate interruptions during a presentation were extremely unprofessional toward
RPD Representative Tim Simmons and
in
violation of
Gov. Code §54954.3(c). Additionally
selective enforcement of rules
to silence certain commissioners, and disregard for parliamentary procedure mandated by the CPRC Handbook are common occurrence. These actions violate the Brown Act’s requirement for fair, unbiased public meetings.
5. OBSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC COMMENT RIGHTS
Public commenters have been cut off, interrupted, or subjected to selective time limits not applied to others. This violates the viewpoint-neutrality requirement of
Gov. Code §54954.3(a). Any action taken during meetings where public comment was unlawfully restricted is subject to nullification.
6. FAILURE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS
Documents distributed to commissioners were not made simultaneously available to the public as required by
Gov. Code §54957.5
. This denies the public the right
to review materials considered during meetings and constitutes a direct Brown Act violation.
7. SERIAL MEETINGS AND PRE-MEETING DECISION-MAKING
There is evidence of improper coordination between CPRC member Lawson , council Wilson, and select commissioners outside public meetings, especially in conjunction with Reimagine Richmond and RPA steering committees. Any private communication used to control agendas or predetermine outcomes violates
Gov. Code §54952.2(a)
, which prohibits serial meetings and consensus-
building outside publicly noticed sessions.
8. RETALIATION AND OBSTRUCTION AGAINST COMMISSIONERS
Commissioners who continue to raise concerns about legal compliance or procedural fairness are subjected to retaliation, including suppression of their agenda requests, hostile treatment, and efforts to silence dissent. This violates the Richmond Charter, the CPRC Handbook, and the principles of lawful public governance.
9. CHAIR MARTINEZ’S CONTINUED OBSTRUCTION OF POLICE
BUDGET REVIEW
Chair Martinez habitually and repeatedly interferes with standard police budget review processes, a pattern reflected in recent
Contra Costa County Civil
Grand Jury findings
documenting CPRC dysfunction. Such interference
violates
Gov. Code §54950
,
Gov. Code §54954.2(b), and
Richmond Municipal
Code §3.54, which require orderly and impartial execution of required duties.
10. FAILURE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PROVIDE REQUIRED
OVERSIGHT
Despite clear violations and repeated grievances filed by concerned residents, the City Attorney continues to blatantly ignore those and fails to deliver corrective action or ensure commission compliance, in violation of Gov. Code §41801
and
the oversight responsibilities outlined in
Gov. Code §54960.1
. This oversight
break down encourages and enables ongoing unlawful conduct.
DEMAND FOR CURE AND CORRECT
Under
Gov. Code §54960.1, the City must take the following actions:
1. Acknowledge all violations identified in this letter
2. Nullify all actions taken under defective notice, serial meetings, or unlawful agenda control
3. Restore equal access to agenda setting for all commissioners
4. Immediately correct all public notice practices and use the official City notification system
5. Provide withheld documents in compliance with §54957.5
6. Implement a lawful commissioner training-tracking system
7. Require Brown Act, ethics, and FPPC conflict-of-interest training for CPRC leadership and the liaison
8. Initiate an independent investigation of CPRC leadership conduct
9. Direct the City Attorney to fully monitor and enforce CPRC compliance moving forward
Failure to cure these violations within
30 days
will result in escalation,
including referral to the District Attorney, submission to the Civil Grand Jury, and filing of an action for injunctive and declaratory relief under Gov.
Code §§54960 and