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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
January 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
_____________________________________________________________________
A. OPEN SESSION TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION Mayor Martinez called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
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 LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) • Mendoza v. City of Richmond
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
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
Cordell Hindler gave comments in favor of positive labor negotiations.
E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Open Session adjourned to Closed Session at 5:02 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 5:43 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Eduardo Martinez called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
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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. ELECTION OF THE VICE MAYOR FOR 2026
I.1 Election of the New Vice Mayor
The Richmond City Council shall elect from among its members a vice mayor to serve for 2026. In the absence or disability of the mayor, the vice mayor shall serve as the mayor. The vice mayor shall also represent the mayor upon the mayor's request. The vice mayor shall serve for a term of one year - Mayor's Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503). PUBLIC COMMENT ON
THIS ITEM MAY BE ALLOWED UNDER OPEN FORUM
A motion by Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Brown, nominated Councilmember Soheila Bana as vice mayor.
A substitute motion by Councilmember Jimenez, seconded by Councilmember Wilson, nominated Councilmember Doria Robinson as vice mayor.
The substitute motion passed by the following vote:
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Councilmember Sue Wilson
Ayes (4): Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Doria Robinson, Councilmember Sue Wilson, and Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda.
Noes (3): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Passed
J. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
K. AGENDA REVIEW
Item O.7 b - Modification of City Council Liaison Appointment Cycle for Boards and Commissions was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Item O.7.c - Appointment of Ana Tellez Witrago to the Community Police Review Commission and Item O.8.b - Contract amendment for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Grade 5 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project were continued to the January 27, 2026, city council meeting.
A motion was made as follows to hear Item Q.4 - Formal censure of Mayor Eduardo Martinez for antisemitic conduct and for actions inconsistent with the duties and standards of the office after approval of the Consent Calendar or at the beginning of New Business, failed by the following vote:
Motion by Councilmember Jamelia JBrown
Seconded by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
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Ayes (2): Councilmember Jamelia Brown and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda Noes: (5) Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Failed
A motion was made as follows to combine Item Q.3 - Restorative process with the Mayor and the Richmond Jewish Community and Item Q.4 - Formal censure of Mayor Eduardo Martinez for antisemitic conduct and for actions inconsistent with the duties and standards of the office; Item Q.5 - Consultant engagement for community input on Polluters Pay Settlement Funds and Item Q.6 - Community meetings to gather community input on how to spend the community money; Chevron Settlement Funds, failed by the following vote:
Motion by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Seconded by Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Ayes (3): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Noes: (4) Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Failed
L. 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) • Mendoza v. City of Richmond
Item was discussed. No reportable action was given.
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
Item was discussed. No reportable action was given.
M. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
None.
N. OPEN FORUM FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
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(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:
Harry Weiner gave comments regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Richmond and how residents could be protected.
Charlene Engle gave comments regarding her appointment to the Community Police Review Commission.
Don Gosney gave comments regarding increased vandalism throughout Richmond.
Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding the recent shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Cordell Hindler thanked the mayor and city council for conducting the recruitment of a city attorney and spoke about the need for a strategic working plan to help retain employees.
Tarnell Abbott thanked the members of the City Clerk's, City Council, Richmond Police, and Richmond Fire Departments for managing the last city council meeting well. Ms.
Abbott also spoke against the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Richmond.
Joe Puleo gave comments in support of how certain Richmond organizations have changed the city in a positive direction.
Councilmember Bana spoke in support of Chief Bisa French leading the Family Justice Center and invited former Police Bisa French and current Police Chief Tim Simmons to a zoom community gathering meeting. The meeting link can be accessed either by e- mailing Councilmember Bana or on her Facebook page: Soheila Bana for Richmond.
The following individuals gave comments online:
Emily Ross expressed appreciation to the City Clerk's Office, KCRT, and the Richmond Police and Fire Department staff for their hard work managing public meetings.
Barry Taranto stated that disturbances at the city council meetings during public comment should not be permitted.
Nance spoke in support of Item O.3.b - Letter of support for Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Clean Energy and Healthy Home Project.
Arto Rinteela congratulated Councilmember Robinson on her role as Vice Mayor. Mr.
Rinteela also invited everyone to the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council Black History Month Celebration on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers.
Claudia Citreon gave comments regarding crime statistics in Richmond and the city's underfunding of public safety.
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
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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 O.7 b - Modification of City Council Liaison Appointment Cycle for Boards and Commissions was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion.
Item O.7.c - Appointment of Ana Tellez Witrago to the Community Police Review Commission and Item O.8.b - Contract amendment for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Grade 5 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project were continued to the January 27, 2026, city council meeting.
Motion by Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Seconded by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed
O.1 City Attorney's Office
O.1.a Legal Services Agreement Amendment No. 1 with DCI Group APPROVE a legal services agreement first amendment with DCI Group to increase the payment limit by $30,000, for a total amount not to exceed $40,000, with a term ending June 30, 2026, for confidential personnel investigative services – City Attorney’s Office/Human Resources Department (Shannon Moore/Nickie Mastay/Sharrone Taylor 510-620- 6600).
O.2 City Clerk's Office
O.2.a Meeting Minutes
APPROVE the minutes of the December 2, 2025, and January 6, 2026, regular City Council meetings - City Clerk's Office (Pamela Christian 510- 620-6513).
O.3 City Council
O.3.a Request for Proposals for the City Attorney Recruitment APPROVE the proposed Request for Proposals, for a new city attorney, and its publication – Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503), Councilmember Doria Robinson (510-620-6568), and Councilmember Sue Wilson (510-609-211).
O.3.b Letter of Support for Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Clean Energy and Healthy Homes Project
REQUEST the city manager provide a letter of support for the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) work with the Building Decarbonization Coalition (BDC) and Association for Energy Affordability (AEA) to build support for neighborhood-scale decarbonization - Councilmember Doria Robinson (510-620-6568).
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O.4 City Manager's Office
O.4.a Celebration of Life Event for Betty Reid Soskin in Conjunction with Black History Month
APPROVE the waiver of fees associated with the use of the Richmond Auditorium in the month of February 2025 to host a celebration honoring the life of Betty Reid Soskin; AUTHORIZE City staff to support the planning and hosting of the historical acknowledgement; APPROVE the use of City funds to support the public event during Black History Month; and APPROPRIATE an amount not to exceed $12,000 – City Manager’s Office (Shasa Curl 510-620-6512).
O.4.b Release the Fiscal 2026-27 Environmental Community and Investment Agreement (ECIA) Competitive Grant
ACKNOWLEDGE the release of the Request for Application and Guidelines for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Environmental and Community Investment Agreement (ECIA) Competitive Grant Program for Categories 1-4, with an annual allocation of $715,000 – City Manager’s Office (Jora Atienza Washington/Nicholas Delgado/Guadlupe Morales/Kaitlen Burnom/ Patrick Seals 510-620-6512).
O.5 Finance Department
O.5.a Investment and Cash Balance Report, Monthly Overtime Reports, Documentary Transfer Tax Report, and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) and Pension Report for the Month of November 2025 RECEIVE the City’s Investment and Cash Balance Report, Monthly Overtime Reports, Documentary Transfer Tax Report, and Other Post- Employment Benefits (OPEB) and Pension Report for the month of November 2025 – Finance Department (Emily Combs 510-620-6740).
O.5.b Contract Amendment No. 3 with DebtBook Management Software for Debt, Lease, and Subscription Accounting
APPROVE a third contract amendment with DebtBook for software using the National Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (NCPA) contract, to aid the City in meeting Governmental Accounting Standard Board (GASB) 87 Accounting for Leases and GASB 96 Subscription-based Information Technology Arrangements for a term of one year beginning March 16, 2026, through March 15, 2027, and increasing the payment limit by $15,748, for a total contract amount not to exceed $70,829 – Finance Department (Emily Combs 510-620-6740).
O.6 Fire Department
O.6.a Contract with On Duty Health, PC to Perform Annual Physicals and Wellness Exams
APPROVE the contract with On Duty Health, PC to perform annual physical examinations and medical screenings in an amount not to exceed $270,000, for a three-year contract term effective January 21, 2026, through January 21, 2029, with two one-year extension options not to exceed an additional $100,000 per year for the extended term – Fire
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Department (Chief Aaron Osorio 510-307-8021/Deputy Fire Chief Rico Rincon 510-307-8041/Battalion Chief Anthony Woodards 510-620-6989).
O.7 Mayor's Office
O.7.a Proclamation recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day PROCLAMATION recognizing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and his contributions to the civil rights movement – Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503) and Councilmember Doria Robinson (510-620-6568).
O.7.b Modification of City Council Liaison Appointment Cycle for Boards and Commissions
DIRECT city clerk to work with the Mayor’s Office to implement a two- year council liaison appointment cycle for boards and commissions, aligned with the council election cycle, while maintaining the Mayor’s authority to appoint or remove liaisons at their discretion, and DIRECT that current liaisons remain in effect through December 31, 2026, with new appointments to be made in the first quarter of 2027 following installation of new City Council – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
Item was continued to the January 27, 2026, City Council meeting.
O.7.c Appointment of Ana Tellez Witrago to the Community Police Review Commission
APPOINT Ana Tellez Witrago to the Community Police Review Commission to fill the seat currently held by Commissioner Carol Hegstrom, whose term has expired, with a new term ending November 1, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
Item was continued to the January 27, 2026, City Council meeting.
O.7.d Appointment of Charlene Engle to the Community Police Review Commission
APPOINT Charlene Engle to the Community Police Review Commission to fill the seat currently held by Commissioner Oscar Garcia, whose term has expired, with a new term ending November 1, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.7.e Reappointment of Ellen Seskin to the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission
APPOINT Ellen Seskin to the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission with a term that expires on March 30, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.7.f Appointment of Alexander Rony to the Recreations and Parks Commission
APPOINT Alexander Rony to fill a vacant seat on the Richmond Recreation and Parks Commission, with the term ending on October 26, 2028 - Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.8 Public Works
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O.8.a Agreement with Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District for the Wildcat Creek Fish Passage Project ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE an agreement with the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District to remit $780,000 to satisfy the City’s permit obligations associated with the Via Verdi Project and AUTHORIZE the city manager or their designee to execute necessary documents - Public Works Department (Hillal Hamdan 510- 621-1612/Tawfic Halaby 510-620-5478/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
Adopted Resolution No. 5-26.
O.8.b Contract Amendment for the Fiscal Year 2024–25 Grade 5 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project
ADOPT a resolution and APPROVE the issuance of Task Authorizations to Veolia Water, on behalf of the City, to manage subcontracts with APB General Engineering, VW Housen, and Questa Engineers for additional sanitary sewer line replacement and rehabilitation work, with a contract amendment amount of $4,030,385, thereby increasing the total payment limit to $6,554,348, including applicable markups – Public Works Department (Bradley Harms 307-8094/Robert Armijo 620-5477).
Item was continued to the January 27, 2026, city council meeting.
O.8.c Contract with J. Majors & Associates for Public Outreach Services for Capital Improvement Projects
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE an After-the-Fact (ATF) contract with J. Majors & Associates to allow payment of outstanding invoices for public outreach and public information officer services in an amount not to exceed $108,160 – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 620- 5478/Ana Crespin 307-8095).
Adopted Resolution No. 6-26.
P. STATE OF THE CITY
P.1 Update to the State of the City Report by Mayor Eduardo Martinez RECEIVE a presentation of the Annual State of the City Report from Mayor Eduardo Martinez – Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503).
Mayor Martinez presented the State of the City Report.
Link to report: State of the City
Cordell Hindler, Jamin Pursell, and Claudia Citreon gave comments.
Q. NEW BUSINESS
Q.1 Port of Richmond Enterprise Fund Financial Overview Report RECEIVE the Port of Richmond Financial Report and presentation, which provides an overview of Port revenue sources, tariff structures, and funding mechanisms for larger infrastructure projects – Economic Development Department/Port (Charles Gerard 510-620-6792/Rita Martinez 510-621-1546).
This item was continued from the December 16, 2025, and January 6, 2026, meetings.
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Port Director Charles Gerard and Finance Director Emily Combs presented the report.
Link to report: Port Financial Overview Presentation
Cordell Hindler and Jamin Pursell gave comments.
Discussion ensued.
A motion was made to receive the report as follows:
Motion by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Seconded by Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed
Q.2 Evaluation Report by WestEd on the Richmond Fund for Children & Youth RECEIVE the WestEd evaluation report, a third-party external evaluator, assessing the impact of the Richmond Fund for Children & Youth grant programs from Fiscal Years 2021–2024 – Richmond Department of Children & Youth (Patrick Seals/LaShonda White 510-307-8016). This item was continued from the December 16, 2025, and January 6, 2026, meetings.
Administrative Chief Patrick Seals, Deputy City Manager LaShonda White, Alexis Grant and Nicole Tirado-Strayer from WestED presented the report.
Link to report: WestED Presentation
Cordell Hindler gave comments in person.
Leisa Johnson gave comments via Zoom.
Discussion ensued.
The city council requested the following: include more specific granular data for goals that are measured by organizations; include other objective measures; map of the service locations; include address of locations of C-3 locations that are spread out more evenly; and provide more quantitative data on the individuals who were assisted.
A motion was made to receive the report and was passed as follows:
Motion by Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Seconded by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed
Q.3 Restorative Process with the Mayor and the Richmond Jewish Community ACKNOWLEDGE the Mayor’s participation in an antisemitism training led by trainers recommended by Temple Beth Hillel leadership, offer City Council
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members the option to attend voluntarily, DIRECT the Mayor to meet with Rabbi Saxe-Taller at least two additional times in the first quarter of the year, and DIRECT the Mayor to issue a public apology at a City Council meeting and in a local newspaper - Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
Mayor Martinez gave an overview and issued a public apology.
The following individuals gave comments from the Richmond Auditorium.
Those in support of the Mayor Martinez participating in an antisemitism training were as follows: Joe Keffer, Mark Loy, Debbie Bayer, Elizabeth Grassetti, Michael Leedie, and Negeen Mosaed. The following individuals were opposed to Mayor Martinez participating in antisemitism training: Stefanie Guynn, Ilene L, and Itamar L.
The following individuals gave comments from the City Council Chambers.
Those in support of the Mayor Martinez participating in an antisemitism training were as follows: Julie Saxe-Taller, Zoe Panagopoulos, Rob Lipton, Karen Franklin, Vanessa Thill, Kate Laster, Tarnel Abbott, Sam Saxe-Taller, Kathleen Erwin, Joe Puleo, Emma Knisbacher, Josh Anigar. The following individuals were opposed to Mayor Martinez participating in antisemitism training: Robert Bonam, Linda W., Levi Meir Clancy, Barbara Schieck, Shulamit, Kim F., Elaine S., Laurie, Emunah M., Sarah Cohen, Beatrice, Susan Kahn, Lisa Disbrow, Jamin Pursell, and Michael Devine.
The following individuals gave comments online. Those in support of the Mayor Martinez participating in an antisemitism training were as follows: Cheryl Davila, Elsa Stevens, Maha Dayem, and Tamar Krigel. The following individuals were opposed to Mayor Martinez participating in antisemitism training: Alan Meyer, Cheng, Michelle Sahlab, Karen Fiss, Michelle Kofman, Rabbi David Cooper, Rachelle Bitton, Mati Tieblum, Michael Fitzhugh, Satish, Michael Harris, Shaun Shocron, Sinai Krigel-Armstrong, Steven London, Sara Cleveland, Joseph Munaretto, Susan Cohen Grossman, Oren Rubenstein, Madi, Michael Gliksohn, Rita Fabi, Paula Lavine, Amon Armstrong, Laura G., Yifah, Maria Wong, Diana Wear, Joseph Munaretto, Barry Taranto, David Gordon, and Tamar Krigel.
Discussion ensued.
A motion was made by Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Bana, to approve the item as presented with the modification in the language to read that the City Council members were required to attend the antisemitism training.
The language in the recommended action was changed to read that the antisemitism training was voluntary that councilmembers attend the antisemitism training.
A friendly amendment was offered by Councilmember Wilson that the language in the recommended action be revised to read that "the councilmembers have agreed to attend the training voluntarily". Mayor Martinez accepted the friendly amendment.
Further discussion ensued.
Councilmember Wilson revised her friendly amendment to read that "most of the city councilmembers have agreed to attend" the antisemitism training. Mayor Martinez accepted the revised friendly amendment.
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Councilmember Brown offered a friendly amendment to say that the training be mandatory for the mayor and voluntary for the councilmembers. Mayor Martinez did not accept the friendly amendment.
Councilmember Zepeda, seconded by Councilmember Brown made a motion to amend to include the prior motion made by Mayor Martinez and the friendly amendments and to include the following: that the city council formally censors Mayor Eduardo Martinez for engaging in conduct that reinforced antisemitic narratives, caused harm to the Jewish community, and fell below the standards of care, judgement and responsibility required of the mayor's office, and unequivocally condemns antisemitism, including conspiracy theories, collective blame, and normalizes or excuses violence to Jewish people and affirms that such conduct has no place in the City of Richmond.
(9:55 p.m.- A motion by Vice Mayor Robinson, seconded by Councilmember Bana, extended the meeting until 11:00 p.m. to hear Items Q.3 and Q.4, passed by the unanimous vote of the city council).
Mayor Martinez did not accept the amended motion and called for the question.
Mayor Martinez withdrew his call for the question.
The amended motion failed by the following vote:
Motion by Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Seconded by Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Ayes (3): Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson
Noes (4): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Failed
The original motion passed by the following vote:
Motion by Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Seconded by Councilmember Sue Wilson
Ayes (6): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Noes (1): Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Passed
Q.4 Formal Censure of Mayor Eduardo Martinez for Antisemitic Conduct and for Actions Inconsistent with the Duties and Standards of the Office ADOPT a resolution formally censuring Mayor Eduardo Martinez for antisemitic conduct and for actions inconsistent with the duties and standards of the office - Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593)/ Councilmember Jamelia Brown (510- 412-2050).
Item was continued to a future meeting.
Q.5 Consultant Engagement for Community Input on Polluters Pay Settlement Funds
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DIRECT the city manager to engage a consultant to collaborate with City staff, City Council, and community stakeholders to conduct community engagement and gather input on a framework for the expenditure of new General Fund revenues generated by the Polluters Pay Settlement, with the consultant reporting back to the City Council by May 26, 2026 - Councilmember Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565), Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503), and Councilmember Doria Robinson (510-620-6568).
Item continued to the January 27, 2026, city council meeting.
Q.6 Community Meetings to Gather Community Input on How to Spend the Community Money; Chevron Settlement Funds
DIRECT the city manager, or their designee, to schedule and lead a minimum of six community meetings each year, all around the City in each district, to gather input from the community on how to spend The Community Money: Chevron settlement funds, prior to the annual budget meeting – Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
Item was continued to the January 27, 2026, city council meeting.
R. REPORTS OF OFFICERS: REFERRALS TO STAFF, AND GENERAL REPORTS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS)(limited to two minutes per Councilmember) None.
S. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:53 p.m., to meet again on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor
From: Claudia Citroen
To: City Clerk Dept User; Shasa Curl; Shannon Moore; Jamelia Brown; Cesar Zepeda; Mayors Office Subject: Public comment open forum council meeting 01.20.26: critical failures by council to focus on public safety Date: Monday, January 19, 2026 6:33:10 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.
You are hereby notified of the Critical Failures by Council to focus on Public Safety The City Council demonstrably fails to fulfill its legal and fiduciary responsibilities to ensure public safety. Under the Richmond City Charter, the Council is required to adopt policies, appropriate funds, and provide oversight to protect life, safety, and property. By persistently underfunding essential public safety programs, delaying action on encampment-related fire hazards, and neglecting effective strategies to reduce shootings, the Council has committed a gross dereliction of duty, violating its legal obligations and exposing residents to ongoing violent crime, uncontrolled encampment fires, and cumulative community trauma.
At the recent Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council meeting (01.12.26) the RPD Chief and Fire Department Chief explicitly stated that reductions in certain incident categories do not mitigate the persistent daily impact of violent crime and repeated shootings involving Richmond residents. RPD currently has 16 active violent felony investigations. Over the past 90 days, approximately 50 shooting-related incidents occurred. All shots fired at or near people, vehicles, and building produce and deepen ongoing community trauma.
In 2025, the Fire Department responded to 736 encampment fires and 39 vegetation fires, the latter carrying significant risk of spreading to homes and structures. The 2025 total of 14,284 incidents and 8,386 EMS/medical aid calls comprise the majority of department workload, highlighting the critical strain on emergency services caused by insufficient council support in the past.
The following 2025 public safety data confirms the severity of these failures. It does NOT INCLUDE not reported incidents!!
2025 Crime Data – Richmond Police Department (city www) Crime Category 2025 Total Weekly Average
Murder / Homicide 6 0.12
Sexual Assault 139 2.67
Robbery 251 4.83
Aggravated Assault 812 15.62
Larceny‑Theft 1,429 27.48
Motor Vehicle Theft 863 16.60
Arson (all causes) 39 0.75
Index Crimes Total 3,899 75
From: Claudia Citroen
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Open forum / public comments council meeting 01.20.26 Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 9:19:41 AM
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.
Subject: City council consent agenda 0.8.b remove and place as new business
Council agenda 01.20.26 consent calendar item 0.8.b open forum / public comments}
Additional Sanitary Sewer Line Replacement and Rehabilitation Contract (Over $4 Million)
I respectfully oppose Consent Calendar Item 0.7.b.
This item seeks approval of over $4 million in additional funding for sanitary sewer line replacement and rehabilitation work without specifying which pipe segments will be replaced, where the work will occur, or how the additional scope was identified. Approving a contract of this magnitude and undefined scope through the consent calendar prevents meaningful review, undermines fiscal transparency, and limits public accountability.
The item includes an excessive number of attachments, making it difficult for the public and Council members to review in a timely and meaningful way. Combined with no prior public consultation, this raises serious concerns regarding compliance with the California Brown Act (Gov. Code §54950 et seq.), which guarantees the public the right to observe and participate in decision-making.
Council members also have a fiduciary duty under the Richmond City Charter (Charter §200 et seq.) and general municipal law to ensure public funds are expended responsibly, with sufficient review of scope, necessity, and cost. Approving a large, open-ended contract without full disclosure or discussion may constitute a breach of that duty.
While the Keller Beach project is still in the planning phase, residents have already raised concerns regarding:
Potential financial burdens and uncertainties related to project costs
Environmental impacts and protection of natural resources Public access and construction disruptions
Communication gaps between City staff and the community These concerns highlight the importance of transparent planning, public engagement, and careful prioritization of infrastructure projects. In addition, future construction projects should evaluate alternatives such as decentralized systems or septic tanks, as proposed by Keller Beach residents, to reduce environmental impact, minimize costs, and improve community outcomes.
Furthermore, all significant future projects must comply with CEQA requirements, including the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) where appropriate, to ensure environmental impacts are fully assessed before approvals are granted.
Approving large, undefined contracts as routine consent items also sets a troubling precedent. Without clear scope and detailed review, it weakens procedural safeguards, reduces public oversight, and increases financial risk, including potential cost overruns. Ignoring resident input and transparency obligations also erodes public trust and complicates future project implementation.
A contract of this size and indeterminate scope should not be approved as a routine consent item. At a minimum, the Council should require:
1. Identification or mapping of proposed additional pipe segments
2. Clear criteria used to select these segments
3. A comparison of original cost estimates to the proposed increase
4. Explicit acknowledgment of Keller Beach planning concerns and how they will inform future infrastructure planning
5. Evaluation of alternative solutions, including decentralized or septic systems for all relevant future projects
6. Compliance with CEQA, including completion of an EIR where required
7. Adequate time for public review and meaningful engagement to comply with Brown Act requirements
For these reasons, I urge the Council to remove Item 0.7.b from the consent calendar, provide a full staff presentation, and allow informed public discussion before authorizing additional expenditures.
Legal and procedural references:
California Brown Act, Gov. Code §54950 et seq. (open
meetings and public participation)
Richmond City Charter §200 et seq. (Council fiduciary duty and oversight of public funds)
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Pub. Resources Code §21000 et seq. (required environmental review)
Standard municipal procurement rules (require defined scope, cost breakdown, and transparency)
Procedural safeguards for consent calendar items (ensure public deliberation for substantial contracts)
Public infrastructure investment requires clarity, accountability, responsiveness to community input, careful evaluation of alternatives, strict adherence to environmental and fiduciary standards, and preservation of public trust, especially when residents face financial and logistical uncertainties.
From: Claudia Citroen
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Council agenda 01.20.26 consent calendar item 0.8.b open forum / public comments Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 9:23:28 AM
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.
Council agenda 01.20.26 consent calendar item 0.8.b open forum / public comments}
Subject: Remove and place as new business Council meeting 01.2.26 consent calendar item 0.7.b
Modification of City Council Liaison Appointment Cycle for Boards and Commisdions.
The proposed directive raises multiple legal conflicts under the Richmond City Charter and the California Brown Act, which are exacerbated by its placement on the Consent Calendar.
Directing the
City Clerk
to implement policy (“DIRECT city clerk to work with
the Mayor’s Office…”) risks unlawful council interference with administrative functions absent express charter authority or proper routing through established administrative hierarchy.
Establishing a
mandatory two-year council liaison appointment cycle, while purporting to preserve mayoral discretion, creates internal inconsistency and risks encroachment on the Mayor’s charter authority if liaison assignments are treated as an extension of appointment power rather than internal council organization.
The directive further
locks in current liaison assignments through December
31, 2026
, impermissibly constraining the discretionary authority of future councils and mayors following municipal elections, contrary to settled principles prohibiting one council from binding its successors absent clear charter or ordinance authority.
The item fails to clearly distinguish
council liaison roles
from
charter-governed
board and commission appointments, creating legal ambiguity and risk of implied charter overreach.
Deferring new appointments until
first quarter 2027
further compounds this
issue by delaying the exercise of authority by newly seated officials without articulated legal justification.
Placement of this item on the Consent Calendar presents independent and substantial
Brown Act violations
. The directive constitutes a material governance
and policy change, not a routine or ministerial action, and its adoption via consent deprives the public of meaningful notice, deliberation, and opportunity to comment in violation of Government Code §§ 54954.2 and 54954.3.
Bundling multiple substantive actions—policy restructuring, extension of existing assignments, delayed future appointments, and administrative direction—into a single consent item raises improper
logrolling and single-subject concerns
and
heightens voidability risk.
Any advance coordination among councilmembers, the Mayor’s Office, or staff regarding liaison assignments outside a noticed meeting further exposes the City to
serial meeting violations
under the Brown Act.
Collectively, these defects render the action subject to cure-and-correct
demands and potential invalidation
under Government Code § 54960.1, with
increased litigation exposure if similar governance actions are routinely placed on the Consent Calendar.
Concise Basis to Pull Item From Consent (Optional)
This item must be removed from the Consent Calendar because it effects substantive governance and appointment policy changes, directs administrative action, extends current assignments beyond election cycles, and implicates mayoral and future-council authority. Adoption via consent violates the Brown Act’s notice and public participation requirements and exposes the action to cure- and-correct and invalidation under Government Code § 54960.1.
From: Claudia Citroen
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Open forum / public comments council meeting 01.20.26 Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 9:19:41 AM
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.
Subject: City council consent agenda 0.8.b remove and place as new business
Council agenda 01.20.26 consent calendar item 0.8.b open forum / public comments}
Additional Sanitary Sewer Line Replacement and Rehabilitation Contract (Over $4 Million)
I respectfully oppose Consent Calendar Item 0.7.b.
This item seeks approval of over $4 million in additional funding for sanitary sewer line replacement and rehabilitation work without specifying which pipe segments will be replaced, where the work will occur, or how the additional scope was identified. Approving a contract of this magnitude and undefined scope through the consent calendar prevents meaningful review, undermines fiscal transparency, and limits public accountability.
The item includes an excessive number of attachments, making it difficult for the public and Council members to review in a timely and meaningful way. Combined with no prior public consultation, this raises serious concerns regarding compliance with the California Brown Act (Gov. Code §54950 et seq.), which guarantees the public the right to observe and participate in decision-making.
Council members also have a fiduciary duty under the Richmond City Charter (Charter §200 et seq.) and general municipal law to ensure public funds are expended responsibly, with sufficient review of scope, necessity, and cost. Approving a large, open-ended contract without full disclosure or discussion may constitute a breach of that duty.
While the Keller Beach project is still in the planning phase, residents have already raised concerns regarding:
Potential financial burdens and uncertainties related to project costs
Environmental impacts and protection of natural resources Public access and construction disruptions
Communication gaps between City staff and the community These concerns highlight the importance of transparent planning, public engagement, and careful prioritization of infrastructure projects. In addition, future construction projects should evaluate alternatives such as decentralized systems or septic tanks, as proposed by Keller Beach residents, to reduce environmental impact, minimize costs, and improve community outcomes.
Furthermore, all significant future projects must comply with CEQA requirements, including the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) where appropriate, to ensure environmental impacts are fully assessed before approvals are granted.
Approving large, undefined contracts as routine consent items also sets a troubling precedent. Without clear scope and detailed review, it weakens procedural safeguards, reduces public oversight, and increases financial risk, including potential cost overruns. Ignoring resident input and transparency obligations also erodes public trust and complicates future project implementation.
A contract of this size and indeterminate scope should not be approved as a routine consent item. At a minimum, the Council should require:
1. Identification or mapping of proposed additional pipe segments
2. Clear criteria used to select these segments
3. A comparison of original cost estimates to the proposed increase
4. Explicit acknowledgment of Keller Beach planning concerns and how they will inform future infrastructure planning
5. Evaluation of alternative solutions, including decentralized or septic systems for all relevant future projects
6. Compliance with CEQA, including completion of an EIR where required
7. Adequate time for public review and meaningful engagement to comply with Brown Act requirements
For these reasons, I urge the Council to remove Item 0.7.b from the consent calendar, provide a full staff presentation, and allow informed public discussion before authorizing additional expenditures.
Legal and procedural references:
California Brown Act, Gov. Code §54950 et seq. (open
meetings and public participation)
Richmond City Charter §200 et seq. (Council fiduciary duty and oversight of public funds)
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Pub. Resources Code §21000 et seq. (required environmental review)
Standard municipal procurement rules (require defined scope, cost breakdown, and transparency)
Procedural safeguards for consent calendar items (ensure public deliberation for substantial contracts)
Public infrastructure investment requires clarity, accountability, responsiveness to community input, careful evaluation of alternatives, strict adherence to environmental and fiduciary standards, and preservation of public trust, especially when residents face financial and logistical uncertainties.
From: Claudia Citroen
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Council agenda 01.20.26 consent calendar item 0.8.b open forum / public comments Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 9:23:28 AM
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.
Council agenda 01.20.26 consent calendar item 0.8.b open forum / public comments}
Subject: Remove and place as new business Council meeting 01.2.26 consent calendar item 0.7.b
Modification of City Council Liaison Appointment Cycle for Boards and Commisdions.
The proposed directive raises multiple legal conflicts under the Richmond City Charter and the California Brown Act, which are exacerbated by its placement on the Consent Calendar.
Directing the
City Clerk
to implement policy (“DIRECT city clerk to work with
the Mayor’s Office…”) risks unlawful council interference with administrative functions absent express charter authority or proper routing through established administrative hierarchy.
Establishing a
mandatory two-year council liaison appointment cycle, while purporting to preserve mayoral discretion, creates internal inconsistency and risks encroachment on the Mayor’s charter authority if liaison assignments are treated as an extension of appointment power rather than internal council organization.
The directive further
locks in current liaison assignments through December
31, 2026
, impermissibly constraining the discretionary authority of future councils and mayors following municipal elections, contrary to settled principles prohibiting one council from binding its successors absent clear charter or ordinance authority.
The item fails to clearly distinguish
council liaison roles
from
charter-governed
board and commission appointments, creating legal ambiguity and risk of implied charter overreach.
Deferring new appointments until
first quarter 2027
further compounds this
issue by delaying the exercise of authority by newly seated officials without articulated legal justification.
Placement of this item on the Consent Calendar presents independent and substantial
Brown Act violations
. The directive constitutes a material governance
and policy change, not a routine or ministerial action, and its adoption via consent deprives the public of meaningful notice, deliberation, and opportunity to comment in violation of Government Code §§ 54954.2 and 54954.3.
Bundling multiple substantive actions—policy restructuring, extension of existing assignments, delayed future appointments, and administrative direction—into a single consent item raises improper
logrolling and single-subject concerns
and
heightens voidability risk.
Any advance coordination among councilmembers, the Mayor’s Office, or staff regarding liaison assignments outside a noticed meeting further exposes the City to
serial meeting violations
under the Brown Act.
Collectively, these defects render the action subject to cure-and-correct
demands and potential invalidation
under Government Code § 54960.1, with
increased litigation exposure if similar governance actions are routinely placed on the Consent Calendar.
Concise Basis to Pull Item From Consent (Optional)
This item must be removed from the Consent Calendar because it effects substantive governance and appointment policy changes, directs administrative action, extends current assignments beyond election cycles, and implicates mayoral and future-council authority. Adoption via consent violates the Brown Act’s notice and public participation requirements and exposes the action to cure- and-correct and invalidation under Government Code § 54960.1.
From: Contra Costa Jewish Democrats
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Agenda Items #Q.3 AND Q.4 - Public Comment
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 9:28:22 AM
Attachments: image.png
CCJD Statement Q.3 and Q.4.pdf
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Dear Clerk of the Board,
Please record the public comments from the club, Contra Costa Jewish Democrats, on agenda items Q.3 AND Q.4 for tonight's meeting. Comments are provided below and in the attachment.
Thank you.
Renee Zeimer, Board President
Contra Costa Jewish Democrats
www.ccjewishdems.org
[email protected]
[email protected]
(925) 212-3239
-------------------------------------------
January 20, 2026
RE: Agenda Items Q3 & Q4; SUPPORT for Q4
Statement from Contra Costa Jewish Democratic Club
As a Democratic club
with members from Richmond, Contra Costa Jewish Democrats join with more than 80 current and former mayors, council members, trustees, and community leaders from across the Bay Area in condemning social media posts by Mayor Eduardo Martinez promoting “false flag” conspiracies for the murders of celebrants at a menorah lighting in Syndey, Australia.
These posts
do not exist in isolation. Mayor Martinez has a documented history of glorifying Hamas and engaging in disturbing antisemitic rhetoric that is inflammatory and a distortion of facts.
While legitimate criticism of governmental policies and robust debate are essential components of democratic discourse and our First Amendment rights, rhetoric that promotes disinformation and dangerously assigns collective blame to Jews or any other group undermines the safety and well-being of the entire community. By doing so, Mayor Martinez has failed in his sworn duty to impartially execute the duties of the office.
In light of the seriousness and ongoing nature of his conduct and its impact on the public trust, we support
the proposed censure resolution. Unlike the Mayor’s proposal, the censure resolution is clear, specific and timebound. The censure resolution is an appropriate and authentic response to a serious issue that has caused heightened risk and harm to the Richmond Jewish community.
Sadly,
we are witnessing the grave consequences of political violence caused by lies, distortions and conspiracies posted on social media and amplified in the public square. It must stop!
###
Submitted by Renee Zeimer
Board President Contra Costa Jewish Democrats
From: Diana Wear
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comments—Open Forum
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 12:59:25 PM
Attachments: Support Mayor Martinez 1.20.26.docx
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.
Email [email protected]
Subject: Public Comments—Open Forum
January 20, 2026
To Mayor and City Council,
I support Mayor Martinez. I have known the mayor for over a decade. For years the mayor has opposed war; he has supported protection for refugees and immigrants; and he has championed the cause for the Palestinian people—this last issue fuels the current crisis moment.
This should not, however, deflect from Mayor Eduardo’s notable and productive accomplishments. The Mayor valiantly negotiated the half-billion-dollar settlement with Chevron, he has stood by unions as well as worked well with them, including our police, fire fighters, and teachers—respecting them personally and professionally.
Mayor
Martinez helped save Point Molate from reckless development that would have cost the city millions of dollars.
He has presided over a balanced budget all the years of his term and he has led our Council to be more conciliatory and civilized behavior after years of Council discord.
Those are just a few of his achievements.
Mayor Martinez’s recent social media posts were harmful and wrong. He apologized and offered to listen, learn, dialogue, and forge lines of peace. This opposition against Mayor Martinez is both misguided and misdirected. He is not, nor has he been antisemitic. The well-oiled, super-funded efforts of local groups and AIPAC has swooped in with a vengeance—condemning him for publicly pointing out Israel’s horrors using our U.S. tax- paying dollars to fund rampant killing and destruction.
Criticizing Israel’s heinous
actions is not antisemitism.
The apology and repair is still Mayor Martinez’s job. But let’s be clear—conversation about the wrongdoing, including apology and community healing demonstrates strength not weakness.
We would do well to follow the example of Mayor Martinez and become sources of solidarity for those who want a lasting ceasefire, justice, and freedom for the Palestinian people.
That’s who Mayor Martinez is—a stalwart and courageous warrior for peace.
Sincerely,
Diana Wear
Richmond resident
From: Forrest Cioppa
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment for Jan 20 Council Meeting
Date: Monday, January 19, 2026 10:30:59 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.
Dear
City Council Members,
Mayor Martinez has apologized for his inappropriate comments and has set out a plan for reconciliation.
Any further demands are a part
of a well-funded, well organized Zionist movement to instill fear in anyone who dare criticize the genocidal state
of Israel. If the mayor is ousted the Zionists win.
I hope the Richmond City Council will not support this nationwide Zionist plot to squelch our First Amendment rights.
Sincerely,
Forrest Cioppa
From: Henry Norr
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment agenda item #Q4
Date: Sunday, January 18, 2026 9:07:11 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.
Hello. I'm not a resident of Richmond, but I live in the East Bay and I'm in Richmond often to visit friend and relatives who do live in your city, to go to Kaiser, and so on. I was born and bred Jewish, including being bar-mitzvah'd at a Conservative synagogue, but I'm writing to urge you not to censure Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Some of his re-posts may have been wrong, but the important thing is that he's trying to stand up for justice for the Palestinians and to break through the fog of lies Israel and its supporters promote about its genocide in Gaza, ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, and gross discrimination against Palestinians (and other people of color) who live in Israel itself. For the sake not only of the Palestinians but also of Jews and for that matter everyone else, we need more political leaders with the kind of courage Mayor Martinez has shown.
FWIW I know whereof I speak: I first visited Israel as a guest of the state, which put my family up in the presidential suite of the famous King David Hotel, but since I began to understand the realities there, I have spent many months as a volunteer in both Gaza and the West Bank.
Bottom line: please don't fall for the illusion that the JCRC represents all or even most Bay Area Jews, and please VOTE NO on any effort to censure Mayor Martinez.
Henry Norr
-------------
Now let us rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter — but beautiful — struggle for a new world.
Martin Luther King, Jr., 1967
------------
From: Joan Peters
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public comments agenda item # Q.4
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 12:45:25 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.
OUR Mayor Eduardo Martinez made a mistake on social media, a mistake that social media pushes us all to make these days. AND he apologized for it. Who among us has not made a mistake?
The failed attempt to get around the Brown act by submitting an emergency agenda item was dirty politics because there was NO emergency -- no criminal activity by our mayor, no fire, no explosion, no crisis of any kind, which by the way is unlike the situation in Palestine at this time.
The people who submitted that emergency agenda item were trying to avoid being transparent about their issue. A few citizen-voters of Richmond are trying to use a hot-button issue to force an honest mayor out of office. This is NOT about antisemitism, which has been confused with anti-Zionism. It is not even about Palestine. It is a hot-button issue being used to silence a mayor who has been working hard to improve our city. It is about disrespecting the democratic process of electing mayors then letting them do their jobs. Those who oppose Mayor Martinez cannot be bothered to wait until election day to vote him out; they can’t be bothered with carrying out a recall election against him. Instead they are trying to use the
short-cut of forcing him to resign.
Let’s call for transparency from those who are pressuring him to resign. Who is backing the outcry of a few unhappy Richmond voters? To be clear it is NOT an objection from ALL of the Jewish citizens who live in Richmond; it is only from some of them; it is NOT about also upsetting some Richmond voters who are not Jewish but abhor antisemitism.
It IS ABOUT vilifying a mayor who has been part of a
coalition that has made changes that moneyed interests in Richmond object to, POSITIVE changes on social justice issues long not addressed by our Richmond government. Big corporations and other business people here are angry about being held accountable for abuses of Richmond citizens in the past and the abuses that are continuing today – environmental abuses, immigration-control abuses, and more. I ask those who put this on the agenda to be transparent about who is actually supporting them.
Mayor Martinez should NOT RESIGN!!! STOP BULLYING him. If you don’t like what the Mayor is doing, respect the democratic process and VOTE in the next election. I WILL BE VOTING FOR MAYOR MARTINEZ!!!!!
Sincerely,
Joan Peters
1816 Carlson Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804
510-529-4986
From: Karen
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment Agenda item #Q4
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 7:06:47 PM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Thank you to Mayor Eduardo Martinez for supporting human rights for Palestinians and opposing ethnic cleansing and genocide.
I denounce the defamation and slander of him by the Bay Area Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC).
Also
thank you to Richmond City Council for being the first city in the USA to pass a resolution calling for an end to Israeli ethnic cleansing
of Palestinians and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Karen Perkins
Walnut Creek
From: Michael Angelo
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment Agenda Item #04
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 6:23:26 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.
As a witness, I was in Detroit, when Mayor Martinez spoke to thousands at the People’s Conference on Palestine and heard Mayor Martinez condemn the 78 year Zionist Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine and with the Zionist destruction of the Gaza Strip and ongoing Zionist Genocide on Palestinian. Mayor Martinez did not condemn Jews.
As one who has kept the Jewish Shabbat through my life I also condemn 78 years of Zionist terrorism on Palestinians by severe and extremely documented ethnic cleansing to genocide on Palestinians.
I work in Richmond and request to testify in the City Council for #04 on Tuesday, January 20th.
Michael Wesolowski
925-965-0174
Sent from my iPhone
From: Miguel Gravelle Izaguirre
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comments – Open Session for January 20 City Council Meeting Date: Friday, January 16, 2026 10:59:08 AM
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 Richmond City Council,
After attending the meeting and reading the emergency packet.
I am pleased that the Mayor
and Rabbi Julie Saxe-Taller are in healing conversation and that the Mayor has been making amends.
Rather, than following the resolution in the emergency packet, I think that Rabbi
Saxe-Taller and Mayor Martinez should continue their conversations and issue an official joint statement together about the results of their collective healing journey.
From the public comments, we could see that the vast majority were in favor of Mayor Martinez continuing to be Mayor and not be censured publicly, as he has made amends and is continuing to do so, where amends are due.
Regarding the taking of the Mayor's pay for charity, it would be a better idea for the City Council to increase corporate taxes on the wealthiest 1% of corporations and property taxes on the wealthiest 1% of Richmond residents and give that money towards upgrading services in the City that uphold social and economic justice for all, such as addressing the huge piles of trash that were brought up last meeting, fixing more potholes, and continuing to address the root causes of economic insecurity that causes other problems.
Lastly, I want to encourage the City Council to continue to pursue justice and thriving for all humans on earth and to center the needs, while amplifying the voices of the most marginalized people of Richmond.
It would bring me great joy to see unity on the City Council on this issue.
I would like to see continued work for Palestinian human rights, Sudanese Human Rights, Congolese human rights, Venezuelan human rights, Haitian human rights, the the rights of all oppressed nations and residents of those nations, especially from oppression by their own governments, imperialist/colonial terror, and corporate exploitation, and the list goes on. I look forward to continued opposition to the Federal Government's crimes against our and other nations as well as the crimes that our nation continues to commit against marginalized peoples living in the USA due to ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc.
We must do our best to oppose ICE terrorism and uplift the immigrant community that makes our nation strong.
As the son of a Mexican immigrant, this is very near and dear to my heart, although of equal importance as the equal respect for the human rights and the right to thrive for all humans on our planet.
Regarding the Richmond sister city of Sebastia, West Bank, Palestine, the good Council should continue to advocate for justice for the people of Sebastia in-spite of the nation of Israel's plans to bulldoze Palestinian homes in Sebastia to make home for illegal settlers
to
steal more Palestinian land.
Towards a world of justice and thriving for all peoples on Earth!
Sincerely,
Miguel Gravelle Izaguirre Xóchihua
From: Rick Sterling
To: City Clerk Dept User
Subject: Public Comment agenda item #Q4
Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026 2:19:30 PM
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This email originated from outside of the City's email system. Do not open links or attachments from untrusted sources.
Thank you to Eduardo Martinez and the Richmond City Council for speaking out for the rights of Palestinians and trying to STOP the genocide which continues to this day!
Shame on the JCRC for refusing to denounce Israel's genocide and slandering Eduardo.
Rick Sterling
Walnut Creek
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