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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
January 27, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
_____________________________________________________________________
A. SPECIAL OPEN SESSION TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED
SESSION
Mayor Eduardo Martinez called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, 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) Washington v. City of Richmond
Gutzalenko v. City of Richmond, et al.
C.2 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code
Section 54957.6)
Agency Representatives: Sharrone Taylor, Jack Hughes, and Lisa Charbonneau
Employee organizations:
1. SEIU Local 1021 Full Time Unit and Part Time Unit
2. IFPTE Local 21 Mid-Level Management Unit and Executive Management Units
3. Richmond Police Officers Association RPOA
4. Richmond Police Management Association RPMA
5. IAFF Local 188
6. Richmond Fire Management Association RFMA
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
Cordell Hindler gave comments regarding union negotiations.
E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Open Session adjourned at 5:02 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Mayor Eduardo Martinez called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
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G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Eduardo Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
H. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: Councilmember Soheila Bana arrived after the roll was called.
I. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
J. AGENDA REVIEW
Study and Action Session was rearranged as follows: Item P.5 - Update on Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services, Fire Station upgrades and replacements, associated, five-year financial forecast, and develop revenue enhancement recommendations was moved up to be heard first; Item P.3 - Consultant engagement for community input on Polluters Pay Settlement Funds and Item P.4 - Community meetings to gather community input on how to spend the community money, Chevron Community Funds were combined and moved to be heard second; Item P.2 - Contract amendment for the Fiscal Yar 2024-25 Grade 5 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project was moved to be heard third; and Item P.1 - Modification of City Council Liaison appointment cycle for Boards and Commissions was moved to be heard last.
K. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OF FINAL DECISIONS MADE
DURING CLOSED SESSION
C.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (paragraph (1) of Subdivision [d] of Government Code Section 54956.9) Washington v. City of Richmond
Gutzalenko v. City of Richmond, et al.
The item was discussed. No final action was taken.
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
The item was discussed. No final action was taken.
L. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
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City Manager, Shasa Curl presented the report.
Link to the report: City Manager Report
M. COMMENDATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS
M.1 Proclamation Honoring the 2025 Richmond Women of the Year PROCLAMATION recognizing the 2025 Richmond Women of the Year – Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
Mayor Martinez and councilmembers presented the proclamation to the 2025 Women of the Year.
Cordell Hindler, Antwon Cloird, and Harpreet Sandhu gave comments.
N. OPEN FORUM FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
(public comment on items that remain on the Consent Calendar or items not on the agenda - limited to 2 minutes unless otherwise specified - Back and forth dialogue with the Council is prohibited)
Don Gosney gave comments regarding decisions that elected officials make that can affect others negatively.
Cordell Hindler gave comments regarding the workforce analysis and stated that more police officers were needed in the city. Mr. Hindler also stated that students at Salesian College Preparatory should be acknowledged for their participation in their day of service.
Antwon Cloird stated that the City of Richmond has a substandard fire training center.
Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding the situation with immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Mr. Wassberg also stated that the federal government would withhold funds from sanctuary cities.
Fayza Ayyad thanked Mayor Martinez for being strong against the odds and the unfortunate division currently across the world.
Mayor Martinez asked the community to donate to the Snowball Scholarship Fund.
Checks could be sent to the Hurlbut Benevolent Foundation P.O. Box 70902 Richmond, CA 94807 or by e-mailing https://www.hurlbutfoundation.org/snow-ball.
Janice Haugan gave comments regarding zero tolerance for illegal fireworks in the city.
Benjamin Therriault gave comments regarding the leave status of officers who were involved in police officer involved shootings and the need to return the officers to duty.
O. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items placed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial. These items will be enacted upon together with a motion and second, without discussion, of any member of the City Council, and each item shall be deemed to have received the action recommended.)
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Councilmember Soheila Bana
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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 Council
O.1.a Resolution in Solidarity with the People of Iran in Their Struggle for Human Rights, Economic Justice, and Democratic Freedoms ADOPT a resolution expressing the City of Richmond’s solidarity with the people of Iran in their ongoing struggle for human rights, freedom, and economic justice; condemning violence against peaceful protesters; and affirming the City's commitment to a "Hands Off Iran" policy that opposes foreign military intervention and supports the Iranian people’s right to self-determination - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490).
Adopted Resolution No. 7-26.
O.1.b Proclamation Honoring the Legacy of Douglas Ellison and Inez Watson and Recognizing the Work of the Watson Ellison Foundation in Alzheimer's and Dementia Awareness
PROCLAMATION honoring Douglas Ellison and Inez Watson for their distinguished service and lasting contributions to the Richmond community and recognizing the work of the Watson Ellison Foundation in raising awareness and supporting families impacted by Alzheimer's disease and dementia - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490).
O.2 Finance Department
O.2.a Fiscal Year 2025-26 Quarter 1 Budget Report
RECEIVE the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Quarter 1 (Q1) report for the period of July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025 – Finance Department (Emily Combs 510-620-6790/Mubeen Qader 510-412-2077/Jerry Gurule 510-620-6591).
O.3 Human Resources
O.3.a Approve Salary Schedules in Accordance with California Code of Regulations 570.5(a) (2 CCR § 570.5)
ADOPT a resolution amending the salary schedules for all unions to comply with California Code of Regulations, Subchapter 1, Employees’ Retirement System Regulations section 570.5 (a) (2 CCR § 570.5) as required by CalPERS – Human Resources Department (Nickie Mastay/Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6602).
Adopted Resolution No. 8-26.
O.3.b Amend Salary Schedule
ADOPT a resolution amending the salary schedule to add the salary range for the City Attorney classification – Human Resources Department (Nickie Mastay/Sharrone Taylor 510-620-6602).
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Adopted Resolution No. 9-26.
O.3.c Approve Salaries and Benefits of Unrepresented Executive Management Classifications
ADOPT a resolution to approve changes to salaries and benefits of Unrepresented Management employees, consistent with the changes to salaries and benefits of represented management, Executive Management International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) Local 21 Bargaining Unit employees and DIRECT the city manager or their designee to update the publicly available salary schedule – Internal Services (Nickie Mastay 510-620-6602).
Adopted Resolution No. 10-26.
O.4 Library and Community Services
O.4.a Contract Amendment No. 1 with Nor-Cal Moving Services for Additional Moving and Storage Services
APPROVE the first contract amendment with Nor-Cal Moving Services increasing the payment limit to $44,500, and modifying the service plan to include storage services, and extending the contract expiration date to June 30, 2028 - Community Services Department (Kate Eppler 510-610- 5452/LaShonda White 510-620-6828).
O.5 Mayor's Office
O.5.a Proclamation recognizing January 27, 2026, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
PROCLAMATION recognizing January 27th as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in the City of Richmond – Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503) and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593).
O.5.b Proclamation recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month in Richmond
PROCLAMATION declaring February 2026 as Black History Month in the City of Richmond – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510- 620-6503).
O.5.c Appointment of Lorene Ransbottom to the Commission on Aging APPOINT Lorene Ransbottom to the Commission on Aging with a term that expires on May 19, 2030 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.5.d Appointment of Beverly A. Dynes to the Commission on Aging APPOINT Beverly A. Dynes to a vacant seat on the Commission on Aging with a term that expires on May 19, 2030 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.5.e Appointment of Regina Whitney to the Commission on Aging APPOINT Regina Whitney to the Commission on Aging with a term that expires on May 19, 2030 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510- 620-6503).
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O.5.f Appointment of Linda Whitmore to the Richmond Zhoushan Friendship Commission.
APPOINT Linda Whitmore to the Richmond Zhoushan Friendship Commission with a term that expires on December 31, 2028 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.5.g Appointment of Free Brown to the Workforce Development Board APPOINT Free Brown to the Workforce Development Board with a term that expires on March 1, 2030 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.5.h Appointment of Ana Tellez Witrago to the Community Police Review Commission
APPOINT Ana Tellez Witrago to the Community Police Review Commission to fill a vacant seat with an unexpired term ending November 1, 2027 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
O.6 Police Department
O.6.a Richmond Police Department Monthly Crime Report for December 2025 RECEIVE the monthly Crime Report from the Richmond Police Department for December 2025 – Police Department (Chief Tim Simmons 510-621-1802).
O.7 Public Works
O.7.a Reimbursement Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for the Barrett Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE a Reimbursement Agreement for Preliminary Engineering Services with Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR) for minor amendments to the Barrett Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project for a total cost not to exceed $25,000 and AUTHORIZE the public works director to execute the agreement - Public Works Department (Hillal Hamdan 510-620-1612/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
Adopted Resolution No. 11-26.
O.7.b Bicycle Circulation Modifications near West Cutting Boulevard and South Garrard Boulevard
ADOPT a resolution to APPROPRIATE $125,000 from the General Capital Fund (Fund 2001) for circulation modifications at West Cutting Boulevard and South Garrard Boulevard in Point Richmond to improve operational concerns affecting cyclists, pedestrians, and motor vehicles – Public Works Department (Hillal Hamdan 621-1612/Robert Armijo 620- 5477).
Adopted Resolution No. 12-26.
O.7.c Purchase with Jesse Mack Company and Sterling May Equipment Company for Three (3) Fuel-Reduction Mowing Units
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ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE a purchase with Jesse Mack Company and Sterling May Equipment Company for the acquisition of one (1) Green Climber LV600 remote mower and two (2) Raymo Torpedo electric slope mowers (including accessories and one spare battery) in an amount not to exceed $269,747.62 – Public Works Department (Darin Fitzpatrick 510-231-3044/Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478).
Adopted Resolution No. 13-26,
P. STUDY AND ACTION SESSION
P.1 Modification of City Council Liaison Appointment Cycle for Boards and Commissions
DIRECT the 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 the 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). This item was continued from the January 20, 2026, meeting.
Motion by Councilmember Sue Wilson
Seconded by Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Ayes (6): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Absent (1): Vice Mayor Doria Robinson
Passed
P.2 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). This item was continued from the January 20, 2026, meeting.
Adopted Resolution No. 14-26.
Motion by Councilmember Sue Wilson
Seconded by Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Ayes (6): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Absent (1): Vice Mayor Doria Robinson
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Passed
P.3 Consultant Engagement for Community Input on Polluters Pay Settlement Funds
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 Vice Mayor Doria Robinson (510-620-6568). This item was continued from the January 20, 2026, meeting.
This item and Item P .4 - Community meetings to gather community input on how to spend the community money; Chevron Settlement Funds were combined.
Councilmembers Jimenez, Zepeda, and Vice Mayor Robinson, gave an overview.
The following individuals gave comments in person: Cordell Hindler, Zenaida Gomez, Alma Gutierrez, Danyell Menitee, Melvin Willis, Ivette Blandon, Emma Ishi, Hasan A., Marilyn M., Abdullah A., Michelle Chan, Ryan Kazen, Antwon Cloird, and Jamin Pursell.
The following individuals gave comments online: Francisco Ortiz, Sean Staulbaum, Briana Sidney, Kevin Tisdell, Marisol Cantu, Erika Siao, and Arto Rinteela.
Discussion ensued.
Staff would need to be re-prioritized to make this the organizational priority, which would impact timeline for other matters and return to the city council with an update on how this would affect things currently in the queue. Currently there was not a data analytics staff person who could conduct a quantitative or qualitative study.
(9:55 p.m. - a motion by Councilmember Wilson, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to extend the meeting to complete Items P .3 and P .4 and vote on Items P .1 and P .2., passed by the unanimous vote of the City Council).
A May 26, 2026, timeline would be shared with consultants to ascertain if that timeframe could be met and staff would rerun to the March 24, 2026, City Council meeting with an update and a timeline regarding the community input process.
A motion by Councilmember Jimenez, seconded by Vice Mayor Robinson, to approve the item,
Vice Mayor Robinson offered a friendly amendment that the strategy for holding and releasing the funds was obtained from the community. and where the funds should be spent. Councilmember Jimenez accepted the friendly amendment.
Vice Mayor Robinson offered an additional friendly amendment that there was an appropriate timeline to conduct a good Request for Proposals (RFP) process and that these short-term funds were placed into an investment fund and not added to the general fund total budget until the process is completed.
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Councilmember Wilson offered a friendly amendment that consultants would present a plan prior to implementation and that all individuals and community groups should be treated equally in the input process regardless of if they were part of the Maks Polluters Pay Coalition.
Further discussion ensued.
Councilmember Bana made a substitute motion to hire a consultant to provide a high-level vision different strategy options for spending the money and after that is done, then after that is complete, proceed with the community input gathering.
The motion died for lack of a second.
Councilmember Brown offered a friendly amendment to ensure that the maximum amount for the contractor was lowered. Councilmember Jimenez did not accept the friendly amendment.
The original motion with amendments passed by the following vote:
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Vice Mayor Doria Robinson
Ayes (5): Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Noes (1): Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Abstentions (1): Councilmember Soheila Bana
Passed
P.4 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 – Councilmember Cesar Zepeda (510-620-6593). This item was continued from the January 20, 2026, meeting.
This item was combined and heard with Item P-3 - Consultant engagement for community input on Polluters Pay Settlement Funds
P.5 Update on Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services, Fire Station Upgrades and Replacements, Associated Five-Year Financial Forecast, and Develop Revenue Enhancement Recommendations RECEIVE an update on the Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services, Fire Station Upgrades and Replacements, and associated Five-Year Financial Forecast; and DIRECT the city manager to develop revenue enhancement and financing recommendations for City Council consideration – Fire Department/Finance Department/City Manager’s Office (Chief Aaron Osorio 510-307-8021/Emily Combs 510-890-5534/Shasa Curl 510-620-6512).
Fire Chief Aaron Osorio, Finance Director Emily Combs, Deputy Director of Finance Mubeen Quader, and Deputy Fire Chief Rico Rincon presented the PowerPoint.
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Link to presentation: ALS Presentation
Antwon Cloird gave comments in person. Kevin Tisdell gave comments online.
Discussion ensued.
The city council requested that staff identify funds equal to the settlement funds that were in the amount it would cost to fund Advanced Life Support services, develop revenue enhancement ideas, and come back within 60 days with options that do not include the use of the settlement funds.
A motion was made as follows to receive the update as presented and identify how general funds were considered to ensure that the general funds and settlement funds can be looked at in totality of the needs of the city.
Motion by Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Seconded by Councilmember Jamelia Brown
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. REPORTS OF OFFICERS: REFERRALS TO STAFF, AND GENERAL REPORTS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS)(limited to two minutes per Councilmember) None.
R. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:39 p.m., in memory of all those recently killed in Iran, to meet again on February 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor