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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, February 3, 2026
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
_____________________________________________________________________
A. SPECIAL OPEN SESSION TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED
SESSION
The Richmond City Council Evening Special Open Session was called to order at 4:30 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda (Via Zoom pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449), Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: Councilmember Jamelia Brown arrived after the roll was called.
Councilmember Soheila Bana arrived after the Council adjourned to Closed Session.
C. CLOSED SESSION
C.1 LIABILITY CLAIMS (Government Code Section 54956.9)
• Claimant: Sharziad Abushi Agency Against: City of Richmond C.2 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
• Property: 1414 Harbour Way SouthAgency Negotiator: Lina Velasco (Community Development Director), Emily Combs (Finance Director), Dave Aleshire (Special Counsel)Negotiating Parties: Orton Entertainment, LLCUnder Negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment 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
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
None.
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E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
The Open Session adjourned to Closed Session at 4:32 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
The Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
H. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda (Via Zoom pursuant to Assembly Bill 2449), Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: None.
I. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
J. AGENDA REVIEW
Item N.2.a (Authorize the City Manager to Develop Recommendations Pertaining to the Cannabis Sector for City Council Discussion in approximately 60 days.) was pulled from the consent calendar for discussion.
K. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OF FINAL DECISIONS MADE
DURING CLOSED SESSION
Interim City Attorney Shannon Moore reported the following:
Item C.1 (liability claims), Item C.2 (conference with real property negotiator), and Item C.3 (conference with labor negotiators) were discussed. No reportable action was taken.
L. 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 L.1 NEW EMPLOYEE REPORT - 1st Tuesday
Director of Human Resources Sharrone Taylor presented a PowerPoint. Link to view report: New Employee Report
M. 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:
Robert Linhart gave comments regarding his experience as a landlord providing housing for unhoused residents in collaboration with the City.
Nana Johnson and Chukamaka Garcia gave comments regarding their housing and City funds for the unhoused. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Garcia expressed concerns regarding potential eviction from their place of residence.
Cordell Hindler gave comments regarding a recent appointment to the Economic Development Commission. Mr. Hindler also suggested more City staff be hired and gave comments regarding the Raftelis Workforce Analysis previously conducted for the City.
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Don Gosney expressed concerns regarding vandalism along Interstate 80.
Tarnel Abbott suggested the Council set aside funds from the Chevron settlement agreement to digitize library records. Ms. Abbott also suggested solar panels be placed in City parking lots.
Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding current political events going on around the country.
The following individuals gave comments via teleconference:
Don Nelson and Michael Pagaling gave comments regarding labor negotiations between the Police Officer's Association and the City. Mr. Nelson and Mr. Pagaling also gave comments regarding officers recently placed on leave and police officer retention.
Danyell Menifee expressed concern with how the City funds public safety and how funds from the Chevron settlement agreement will be used.
Enrik Melgoza, Florencio Rivera, and Khoa Nguyen gave comments regarding labor negotiations between the Police Officer's Association and the City. Mr. Melgoza, Mr.
Rivera, and Mr. Nguyen also gave comments regarding officers recently placed on leave and police officer retention.
Vanessa Thill expressed concerns regarding Flock cameras and urged the Council to revisit the topic. Ms. Thill also gave comments on police officers recently placed on leave.
Daniel Sanchez, Nicholas Remick, and Alexander Caine gave comments on labor negotiations between the Police Officer's Association and the City. Mr. Sanchez, Mr.
Remick, and Mr. Caine also gave comments on officers recently placed on administrative leave and police officer retention.
Eva Crisanti gave comments regarding local law enforcement and illegal actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Ms. Crisanti also gave comments regarding recent controversial statements made by Mayor Martinez.
Claudia Citroen expressed concerns regarding the types of items placed on the consent calendar.
N. 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 Jamelia Brown
Seconded by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
To approve all items on the consent calendar excluding Item N.2.a (Authorize the City Manager to Develop Recommendations Pertaining to the Cannabis Sector for City Council Discussion in approximately 60 days).
Ayes (7): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Passed
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N.1 City Clerk's Office
N.1.a Meeting Minutes
APPROVE the minutes of the December 16, 2025, January 20, and January 27, 2026, regular City Council meetings - City Clerk's Office (Pamela Christian 510-620-6513).
N.2 Finance Department
N.2.a Authorize the City Manager to Develop Recommendations Pertaining to the Cannabis Sector for City Council Discussion in approximately 60 days.
AUTHORIZE the city manager to develop recommendations pertaining to the cannabis sector and return to the City Council within 60 days for initial discussion – Finance Department (Shasa Curl/510-620-6512/Emily Combs 510-620-6740/ Mubeen Qader 510-412-2077/Antonio Banuelos 510-620- 6741).
The item was read into the record. Claudia Citroen gave comments via teleconference. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Sue Wilson
Seconded by Councilmember Soheila Bana
To approve the recommended action.
Ayes (6): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Absent (1): Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Passed
N.3 Mayor's Office
N.3.a Economic Development Commission Appointment – Jamin Pursell APPOINT Jamin Pursell to an unexpired term on the Economic Development Commission, term expires, March 30 ,2027 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
N.3.b Richmond Arts and Culture Commission Appointment – Cata Aviña APPOINT Cata Aviña to an unexpired term on the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission, Term Expires January 31, 2027 – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
N.3.c Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force Appointment – Ruthie Dineen APPOINT Ruthie Dineen to the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force, with a term expiring December 31, 2026. The appointment includes an option for extension should the Task Force be continued – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
N.3.d Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force Appointment – Bryan Alvarez APPOINT Bryan Alvarez to the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force, with a term expiring December 31, 2026. The appointment includes an option for extension should the Task Force be continued – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510-620-6503).
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N.3.e Recognition of Longstanding Black Community Leaders and Neighborhood Council Contributors in Celebration of Black History Month
PROCLAMATION recognizing Doris Mason, A.J. Jelani, J.C. Farr Jr., and Nat Nathaniel Bates as longstanding Black community leaders and Neighborhood Council contributors in celebration of Black History Month in the City of Richmond – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Eduardo Martinez 510- 620-6503), Vice Mayor Robinson (510-620-6568), and Councilmember Zepeda (510-620-6593).
N.4 Public Works
N.4.a December 2025 Abatement Report
RECEIVE a report on the December 2025 abatement activities – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Darin Fitzpatrick 510-231-3044/ Hugo Mendoza 510-231-3030).
O. NEW BUSINESS
O.1 Contract with Liftech Consultants, Inc. for Planning and Design Services for the Relocation of the SS Red Oak Victory
APPROVE a contract with Liftech Consultants Inc. in the amount of $299,797 for planning and preliminary design of the relocation of the Red Oak for a term ending June 30, 2027 - Economic Development Department/Port (Charles Gerard 510-620-6792). This item was continued from the December 16, 2025, meeting.
Port Director Charles Gerard introduced the item. Mr. Gerard presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation: SS Red Oak Victory Don Gosney, Karen Buchanan, and Michael Hibma gave comments in person.
Frederick Klink gave comments via teleconference.
Discussion ensued. The Council suggested and/or requested the following: further analysis on whether the annual credit received by the Port for housing the SS Red Oak Victory, and the offset to its loan from the City, complies with the public trust doctrine; a cost benefit analysis on all the possibilities available including leaving the ship in place, moving it, or returning it to its owners.
Motion by Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Seconded by Councilmember Soheila Bana
To bring the item back in two months.
Ayes (5): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Noes (1): Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Abstentions (1): Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Passed
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O.2 ICE-Free Zone Ordinance and Citywide Protocol
DIRECT the city manager and city attorney to report to the City Council on March 3, 2026, regarding the City’s ongoing and planned efforts related to federal civil immigration enforcement actions, including ICE raids, and to return within 45 days with a proposed ICE-Free Zone Ordinance: The proposed ordinance shall restrict the use of City-owned or City-controlled property, facilities, personnel, and resources for federal civil immigration enforcement; establish non- cooperation and resource-denial policies consistent with applicable law; and require the development of a coordinated implementation strategy, including interdepartmental protocols, staff training, and a community-facing preparedness and communications plan - Councilmember Claudia Jimenez (510-620- 6565)/Vice Mayor Doria Robinson (510-620-6568).
Councilmember Bana made a motion to reduce public comment time to one minute per speaker. The motion died for lack of a second.
Councilmember Jimenez introduced the item. Councilmember Jimenez presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation: ICE Free Zone
Jessica Karadi, Tarnel Abbott, Mark Wassberg, Lorayne Reza, Carolina Avelar, Kathleen Marte, Sam Cleare, Chris Taffe, Helen Haggerson, Andrew Melendez, Melvin Willis, Alejandro Villegas Vasquez, Sonia Decker, Cristian, Joselyn, Ivette Blandon, Pedro Ruiz, Cordell Hindler, Raquel Antolin, and Rob Lipton gave comments in person. Jane Courant, John Evans, Rocky Chau, Katherine Lee, Annie Panell, Douglas Spalding, Anne Norton, Amber Hatfield, Nguyen, Marisol Cantu, and Vanessa Thill gave comments via teleconference. Discussion ensued.
A motion made by Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Bana, to call the question to end debate failed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Bana, Jimenez, and Mayor Martinez. Noes: Councilmembers Brown, Wilson, Zepeda and Vice Mayor Robinson. Absent: None. Abstain: None. (At 9:40 p.m. - a motion by Mayor Martinez, seconded by Councilmember Bana, to suspend the rules and extend the meeting to complete Item O.3 (Presentation from Sustainable Economies Law Center regarding corporate land grab practices) and Item N.2.a (Authorize the City Manager to Develop Recommendations Pertaining to the Cannabis Sector for City Council Discussion in approximately 60 days) passed by the following vote: Ayes:
Councilmembers Bana, Brown, Jimenez, Wilson, Vice Mayor Robinson and Mayor Martinez. Noes: None. Absent: None. Abstain: Councilmember Zepeda.).
Discussion resumed. The Council requested and/or suggested the following: that the proposed ordinance include provisions prohibiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from wearing masks on City property and requiring they identify themselves upon entry; establishment of a regional response plan to connect with other local jurisdictions that have ICE free zones.
Motion by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
Seconded by Vice Mayor Doria Robinson
To direct the city manager and city attorney to report to the City Council on March 3, 2026, regarding the City’s ongoing and planned efforts related to safeguard residents from federal civil immigration enforcement actions, including ICE raids, and to return within 45 days with a proposed ICE-Free Zone Ordinance. The proposed ordinance shall restrict the use of City-owned or City- controlled property, facilities, personnel, and resources for federal civil immigration enforcement; including staging areas, processing or detention
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locations and operation bases; and establish non-cooperation and resource-denial policies consistent with applicable law; and require the development of a coordinated implementation strategy, including interdepartmental protocols, staff training, and a community-facing preparedness and communications plan.
Ayes (6): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Abstentions (1): Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Passed
O.3 Presentation from Sustainable Economies Law Center regarding corporate land grab practices
RECEIVE a presentation by the Sustainable Economies Law Center regarding corporate land grabs and DIRECT the City Attorney’s Office to evaluate the legal risks associated with enacting legislation to ban corporate land grab practices in Richmond - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-5242).
Councilmember Bana introduced the item. Sustainable Economies Law Center Representatives Mohini Mookim, Hasmik Geghamyan, and Tobias Damm-Luhr presented a PowerPoint. Link to view presentation: Land Grab Practices Mwende Hinojosa and Alejandro Villegas Vasquez gave comments in person.
Jubilee Martinez, River Allen, Douglas Spalding, Melvin Willis, and Claudia Citroen gave comments via teleconference. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Councilmember Soheila Bana
Seconded by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
To receive the presentation by the Sustainable Economies Law Center regarding corporate land grabs and direct the city attorney's office to collaborate with the Sustainable Economies Law Center to evaluate the legal risks associated with enacting legislation to ban corporate land grab practices in Richmond.
Ayes (6): Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
Absent (1): Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Passed
P. REPORTS OF OFFICERS: REFERRALS TO STAFF, AND GENERAL REPORTS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS)(limited to two minutes per Councilmember) The item was not heard.
Q. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:43 p.m., in recognition of Elena Velasquez and her achievement in receiving the Contra Costa County Youth Humanitarian Award, to meet again on February 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor