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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA,
April 21, 2026, 3:30 p.m.
Community Services Building
440 Civic Center Plaza
Richmond, CA 94804
_____________________________________________________________________
A. OPEN SESSION TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION Mayor Eduardo Martinez called the meeting to order at 3:30 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.
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda joined the entire meeting via Zoom due to illness.
C. CLOSED SESSION
C.1 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EV ALUATION (Government Code Section 54957)
Title: City Manager
C.2 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code
Section 54957.6)
• Agency Representatives: Sharrone Taylor, Jack Hughes, and Lisa Charbonneau Employee organizations:
1. SEIU Local 1021 Full Time Unit and Part Time Unit
2. IFPTE Local 21 Mid-Level Management Unit and Executive Management Units
3. Richmond Police Officers Association RPOA
4. Richmond Police Management Association RPMA
5. IAFF Local 188
6. Richmond Fire Management Association RFMA
C.3 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 1414 Harbour Way South
Agency Negotiator: Dave Aleshire (Special Counsel)
Negotiating Parties: Orton Entertainment, LLC
Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment
D. PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)
Cordell Hindler gave comments in support of a positive evaluation of the city manager and union negotiations.
Ben Therriault stated that the city manager should receive a 360-performance evaluation.
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Don Nelson gave comments regarding favorable RPOA union negotiations.
E. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
Open Session adjourned at 3:39 p.m. Closed session adjourned at 6:06 p.m.
F. REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
The meeting was called to order at 6:08 p.m. by Mayor Eduardo Martinez.
G. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Eduardo Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
H. ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent:
None.
Councilmember Cesar Zepeda joined the entire meeting via Zoom due to illness.
I. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None.
J. AGENDA REVIEW
None.
K. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OF FINAL DECISIONS MADE
DURING CLOSED SESSION
C.1 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EV ALUATION (Government Code Section 54957)
Title: City Manager
C.2 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54957.6)
Agency Representatives: Sharrone Taylor, Jack Hughes, and Lisa Charbonneau Employee organizations:
1. SEIU Local 1021 Full Time Unit and Part Time Unit
2. IFPTE Local 21 Mid-Level Management Unit and Executive Management Units
3. Richmond Police Officers Association RPOA
4. Richmond Police Management Association RPMA
5. IAFF Local 188
6. Richmond Fire Management Association RFMA
C.3 CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)
Property: 1414 Harbour Way South
Agency Negotiator: Dave Aleshire (Special Counsel)
Negotiating Parties: Orton Entertainment, LLC
Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment
No final action was taken on any of the Closed Session items.
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L. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)
City Manager Shasa Curl presented the report.
Link to report: CM Report
City Manager Curl stated she would retire once the city completed the renovations of Boorman, Wendell, and Shields-Reid parks.
M. COMMENDATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS
M.1 American Public Works Association (APWA) NorCal Best Project Award RECEIVE the American Public Works Association (APWA) Northern California Chapter Best Project Award in the Transportation Category (Projects Under $5 Million) for the Ferry to Bridge to Greenway (F2B2G) Project - Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
Public Works Director Daniel Chavarria and Brian Balvo from the American Public Works Association gave an overview.
The following individuals gave comments: Cordell Hindler, Hillal Hamdan, Wendy Wellbrock, Josef Munoz, Daniel Chavarria, Bruce Brubaker, Bruce Beyaert, and Patrick Phelan.
Discussion ensued and the award was received.
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)
The following individuals gave comments in person:
Cordell Hindler gave comments regarding various possible uses of the $550 million from Chevron to improve the city.
Don Gosney invited applicants to join the Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 342. More information could be obtained by contacting Don Gosney at 510-685-2403 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Lily Rahema gave comments regarding Chevron's community action plan.
Cindy Haden thanked the city council for returning Detective Hodges to duty.
Elizabeth Woods gave comments regarding structural concerns with the Nevin Plaza reconstruction.
Michael Hibma requested traffic calming infrastructure on Grant Avenue.
Margarita Mitas gave comments regarding recent projects planned at Marina Bay which would impact residents negatively.
Lynne Therriault expressed concern about her inability to reach Councilmember Wilson regarding issues related to Marina Bay.
Mark Wassberg played an audio of Martin Luther King.
Ashton Demond urged the city t install audio crossing signals for visually impaired persons.
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Bielle Moore introduced herself as the new PG&E point of contact for West Contra Costa Ben Therriault gave comments regarding the police department staffing levels.
The following individuals gave comments via Zoom:
Julie Freestone gave comments regarding the elimination of illegal fireworks in the city.
Samantha Torres from the Richmond United Soccer stated that there was a Club Fifa Fans Watch party in partnership with the SS Red Oak Victory and East Brother Beer Company. Ms. Torres also reinforced the need for the Macdonald mini field project.
Susan Lustig stated that the landscaping at Marina Bay was neglected due to lack of personnel available to perform the work.
Annie King-Meredith stated that the restrooms at the Earth Day at Wildcat Creek event were not maintained and were very dirty.
Arto Rinteela invited everyone to the Mayoral Conference hosted by the Fairmede- Neighborhood Council on April 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Hilltop Community Church.
Mark S gave comments regarding the Richmond Progressive Alliance.
Claudia Citreon stated City Manager Shasa Curl did a good job. Ms. Citreon also stated better solutions for speeding in the North and East neighborhood were needed.
Lori Hart thanked the city manager for her achievements, leadership and accomplishments.
Tarnel Abbott gave comments regarding the threats of artificial intelligence 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 Vice Mayor Doria Robinson
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 Establishing a Commitment to Caste Equity and the Prevention of Caste- Based Discrimination
ADOPT a resolution establishing a Commitment to Caste Equity and the Prevention of Caste-Based Discrimination and INTRODUCE an ordinance (first reading) amending sections 3.58.010, 3.58.020, and
3.58.060 of the Richmond Municipal Code to add caste as a protected category within the jurisdiction of the City’s Human Rights and Human Relations Commission – City Attorney’s Office (Shannon Moore 510-620- 6505/Dallae Chin 510-620-5517/Brandi Robinson 510-620-5518).
Adopted Resolution No. 49-26.
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O.1.b Amending Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 2.30 regarding Use of City Resources for Civil Immigration Enforcement
ADOPT an ordinance (second reading) amending Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 2.30 to clarify limitations on the use of city property, personnel, and resources for civil immigration enforcement and develop implementation procedures, including communications plans, and reporting requirements – City Attorney’s Office (Shannon Moore 510-620- 5509/Kimberly Chin 510-620-6709).
Adopted Ordinance No. 05-26 N.S.
O.2 City Clerk's Office
O.2.a Records Retention and Destruction Schedule Update ADOPT a resolution approving updates to the City-wide Records Retention and Destruction Schedules, excluding the Police Department, which will be brought back to City Council for adoption at a later date – City Clerk’s Office (Pamela Christian 510-620-5413). This item was continued from the March 24, and April 7, 2026, meetings.
Adopted Resolution No. 50-26.
O.3 City Council
O.3.a Letter to Governor Gavin Newsom to Stop the Illicit Importation of Illegal Fireworks from Nevada
ADOPT a resolution to DIRECT the city clerk to send a letter to California State Governor Gavin Newsom in support of developing a task force to explore an interstate compact between California and Nevada to stop the illicit importation of illegal fireworks from Nevada into California via a shared database of recorded sales - Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565) and Sue Wilson (510-609-2111).
Adopted Resolution No. 51-26.
O.3.b Support for 2026 Mother’s Day event at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium
APPROVE the co-sponsorship of the May 9, 2026, Mother's Day event, and AUTHORIZE the one-time use and fee waiver of the Richmond Auditorium to support a community-led Mother’s Day Event celebration organized by the United Business Organization - Vice Mayor Doria Robinson (510-620-6568), Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490), and Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503).
O.3.c Support for Senate Bill 959 Regarding Local Fire Agency Authority and School Safety Measures During Wildfire Emergencies
ADOPT a resolution supporting California Senate Bill 959 to empower local fire agencies to determine major safety hazards and protect school funding during extreme wildfire emergencies - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490).
Adopted Resolution No. 52-26.
O.4 Community Development
O.4.a Potential Moratorium on Data Centers
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DIRECT the city manager and city attorney to work with Planning staff to develop and bring forward a proposed moratorium on data centers – City Manager’s Office/Community Development Department/City Attorney’s Office (Shasa Curl 510-620-6512/Lina Velasco 510-620-6841/Shannon Moore 510-620-6509).
O.5 Community Services
O.5.a Contract with West Contra Costa Public Education Fund for Free Youth Achieve Summer Camp Program
APPROVE a contract with West Contra Costa Public Education Fund to offer the Achieve Summer Camp Program, providing free programs to youth through an 8-week summer camp in partnership with Community Services–Recreation, for the term of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $600,000 – Community Services Department (Troy Porter/Ranjana Maharaj/LaShonda White 510-620- 6793).
O.5.b California State Library – Lunch at the Library Grant ACCEPT $9,000 in California State Library grant funding and APPROPRIATE the funds into the Library’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 operating budget; and AUTHORIZE the city manager or their designee, to execute grant agreements and certify grant reports - Community Services Department (Christopher Larsen 510-620-5524/Kate Eppler 510-620- 5452).
O.6 Finance Department
O.6.a Update on the Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Policy Ordinance
RECEIVE a written update regarding the steps taken to ensure compliance with the Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Policy Ordinance – Finance Department (Emily Combs, Mubeen Qader, Antonio Banuelos, Ofelia Alvarez 510-620-6699).
O.7 Public Works
O.7.a Accept the 7th Street Bike Lane Improvement Project as Complete ADOPT a resolution to ACCEPT the 7th Street Bike Lane Improvement Project as complete, AMEND the construction contract with Rapid Grading increasing the payment limit in the amount of $121,202.70 for an amount not to exceed $420,038.73, DIRECT the city clerk to record the Notice of Completion, and AUTHORIZE the city engineer to release applicable bonds and retention – Public Works Department (Hillal Hamdan 510-621-1612/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).
Adopted Resolution No. 53-26.
O.7.b Purchase of K-Rails and Natural Stone Boulders from First Vanguard Rentals & Sales, Inc. and Blue Angel International, LLC ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE the purchase of K-rails and natural stone boulders for City-wide encampment mitigation, right-of-way protection, and site hardening efforts from First Vanguard Rentals & Sales, Inc. and Blue Angel International LLC, each for a three-year term in an amount not to exceed $450,000, with the option to extend for two
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additional one-year terms in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per year, subject to city manager approval – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/ Darin Fitzpatrick 510-231-3044).
Adopted Resolution No. 54-26.
O.7.c March 2026 Abatement Report
RECEIVE a report on the March 2026 abatement activities – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Darin Fitzpatrick 510-231- 3044/Hugo Mendoza 510-231-3030).
O.7.d Contract with Larry Walker & Associates for Wastewater and Stormwater Regulatory Compliance Support
ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE a sole-source contract with Larry Walker & Associates, Inc., to provide wastewater and stormwater regulatory compliance support services, in an amount not to exceed $900,000 ($806,400 in anticipated costs plus an 11.6% contingency for unanticipated regulatory responses) for a three-year term from April 22, 2026, through April 21, 2029, and AUTHORIZE the city manager to execute the contract and any related documents – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Robert Armijo 510-620- 5477/Tawfic Halaby 510-620-5482/Bradley Harms 510-307-8094).
Adopted Resolution No. 55-26.
P. NEW BUSINESS
P.1 Revenue Enhancement and Financing Recommendations for Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services and Fire Station Upgrades RECEIVE a report on revenue enhancement and financing options to support Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services and fire station upgrades and replacements, and PROVIDE DIRECTION to the city manager on preferred revenue and financing pathways, including whether to proceed with preparation for a potential November 2026 funding measure – Fire Department/Finance Department/City Manager’s Office (Chief Aaron Osorio 510-307-8021/Emily Combs 510-890-5534/Shasa Curl 510-620-6512).
City Manager Shasa Curl gave an overview.
Fire Chief Aaron Osorio and Finance Director Emily Combs presented a PowerPoint.
Link to presentation: ALS First Responder Report
Supervisor John Gioia and Irania De La Mora gave comments in person.
Tarnel Abbott gave comments via Zoom.
Discussion ensued.
The city council requested the following information: the number of Richmond residents that are uninsured; can those that make more be taxed more; and what is the cost of the seismic upgrades for Station 61 dormitories.
A motion was made as follows to direct the city manager to proceed with polling the public on preferred revenue and financing pathways for ALS and capital needs.
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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
P.2 Approval of the Donation Agreement for Leasehold Interests and Joint Escrow Instructions for Craneway Property.
ADOPT a resolution approving a Donation Agreement between the City of Richmond and Orton Entertainment, LLC for the donation of said leasehold interests and related personal property located at 1414–1422 Harbor Way South, and authorizing the Mayor or designee to execute the agreement and all necessary documents, including escrow instructions, and to take all actions necessary to complete the transaction – Special Counsel, Dave Aleshire (949) 223-1170.
Special Council Dave Aleshire and Anne Lanphar presented a PowerPoint.
Link to presentation: Craneway Property Donation
Cordell Hindler and Irania de La Mora gave comments in person.
Tarnel Abbott gave comments via Zoom.
The updated resolution was posted online and available in the council chambers.
A motion was made as follows to deny the donation agreement between the City of Richmond and Orton Entertainment, LLC for the donation of said leasehold interests and related personal property located at 1414–1422 Harbor Way South failed by the following vote:
Motion by Councilmember Soheila Bana
Seconded by Councilmember Jamelia Brown
Ayes (3): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, and Councilmember Cesar Zepeda
Noes (3): Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Abstentions (1): Vice Mayor Doria Robinson
Failed
A motion was made as follows to accept the donation agreement between the City of Richmond and Orton Entertainment, LLC for the donation of said leasehold interests and related personal property located at 1414–1422 Harbor Way South, and authorizing the mayor or designee to execute the agreement and all necessary documents, including escrow instructions, and to take all actions necessary to complete the transaction failed by the following vote:
Motion by Councilmember Sue Wilson
Seconded by Councilmember Claudia Jimenez
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Ayes (3): Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez
Noes (4): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, and Vice Mayor Doria Robinson Failed
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 10:38, to meet again on April 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Clerk of the City of Richmond Mayor