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RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, June 1, 2021 the Richmond City Council RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA, June 1, 2021 The Richmond City Council Evening Open Session was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Mayor Thomas K. Butt via teleconference. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Contra Costa County and Governor Gavin Newsom issued multiple orders requiring sheltering in place, social distancing, and reduction of person-to-person contact. Accordingly, Governor Gavin Newsom issued executive orders that allowed cities to hold public meetings via teleconferencing (Executive Order N-29-20). DUE TO THE SHELTER IN PLACE ORDERS, attendance at the City of Richmond City Council meeting was limited to councilmembers, essential City of Richmond staff, and members of the news media. Public comment was confined to items appearing on the agenda and was limited to the methods provided below. Consistent with Executive Order N-29-20, this meeting utilized teleconferencing only. The following provides information on how the public participated in the meeting. The public was able to view the meeting from home on KCRT Comcast Channel 28 or AT&T Uverse Channel 99 and livestream online at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3178/KCRT-Live and http://www.youtube.com/user/KCRTTV. The methods to submit public comment were via mail, email to [email protected], teleconference, and telephone during the meeting. Written comments received by 1:00 p.m. on June 1, 2021, were put into the record and considered before council action. Written comments received after 1:00 p.m. and up until the public comment period on the relevant agenda item closed, were also put into the record. Attached herewith all written public comments received. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Nathaniel Bates, Eduardo Martinez, Gayle McLaughlin, Vice Mayor Demnlus Johnson III, and Mayor Thomas K. Butt. Absent: Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Melvin Willis arrived after the roll was called. CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54957.6): Agency Representatives: Jack Hughes Employee organizations: 1. SEIU Local 1021 Full-Time Unit 2. SEIU Local 1021 Part-Time Unit 3. IFPTE Local 21 Mid-Level Management Unit 4. IFPTE Local 21 Executive Management Unit 5. Richmond Police Officers Association RPOA 6. Richmond Police Management Association RPMA 7. IAFF Local 188 8. Richmond Fire Management Association RFMA PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION There were no public speakers via teleconference. cc1Jun2021 Page 1 of 7 sl/prc The Open Session adjourned to Closed Session at 5:32 p.m. Closed Session adjourned at 7:02 p.m. The Regular Meeting of the Richmond City Council was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Mayor Butt via teleconference. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmembers Bates, Jimenez, Martinez, McLaughlin, Willis, Vice Mayor Johnson III, and Mayor Butt. Absent: None. PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO The Public Comment Instructional Video was shown. STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST Teresa Stricker announced her recusal from item J-1 because her formal law partner was mentioned in the staff report. Ms. Stricker advised that Senior Assistant City Attorney James Atencio was acting on her behalf for Item J-1. AGENDA REVIEW Item J-3 was moved for discussion immediately following the Consent Calendar. Item H-6 was removed from the Consent Calendar for discussion at the end of the agenda. REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY ON FINAL DECISIONS MADE DURING CLOSED SESSION City Attorney Teresa Stricker stated there were no final actions to report. REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER City Manager Laura Snideman made the following announcements: The Hacienda affordable housing development was officially moving forward. The City of Richmond was hosting a community budget meeting scheduled on June 3, 2021. The City of Richmond and GRID Alternatives were hosting a virtual workshop scheduled on June 10, 2021, regarding no-cost solar energy. Community Development Director Lina Velasco presented a Powerpoint that highlighted the Rydin/Castro Safe Parking Program update and next steps. Discussion ensued. The council requested the following: Staff to send the Powerpoint presentation to the full council; support for the unhoused community members with pets; and the percentage of Richmond residents that were occupying the Rydin Road and Castro Street sites. OPEN FORUM FOR PUBLIC COMMENT The following individuals gave the following comments via teleconference: Mark Wassberg gave comments regarding former Richmond Police Captain Mark Gagan. Mr. Wassberg announced that the Fourth Street Market in Richmond was shut down. Mr. cc1Jun2021 Page 2 of 7 sl/prc Wassberg expressed concerns regarding the proposed services for unhoused individuals in Richmond. Judy Weatherly gave comments regarding a distressed family living in the Civic Center neighborhood and the conditions in that area. Ms. Weatherly urged the council to seek community feedback for its community decisions such as safe parking sites. John Halfacre gave comments in support of affordable housing for seniors. Mr. Halfacre inquired about low-income housing programs in Richmond for veterans and disabled individuals. Alix Mazuet thanked the City of Richmond for the services that it was providing to the unhoused community in Richmond. Luis Padilla gave comments in honor of Memorial Day and Richmond’s key role during the 1940s wartime era. Mr. Padilla announced that the Richmond Fire Department had eight veterans. Mr. Padilla requested the City of Richmond to compensate its reserve veterans and not penalize them by taking away their recruit time. Tarnel Abbott thanked Councilmembers McLaughlin, Martinez, and Willis for their letter to the Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) regarding the Richmond AstraZeneca site. Ms. Abbott advised that the DTSC extended the public comment period to June 15, 2021. Ms. Abbott announced that the virtual DTSC public meeting was scheduled for June 3, 2021. Ms. Abbott urged the community to request DTSC to extend the public comment period to August 2, 2021. Victoria Kahlan expressed concerns regarding fireworks and fire safety in Richmond. Ms. Kahlan reported that there was an event held over the Memorial Day weekend located at 15th Street and Macdonald Avenue that may not have been permitted. Ms. Kahlan questioned if Councilmember Willis attended the event. Naomi Williams gave comments in support of increasing City of Richmond staff. Ms. Williams announced that the Richmond Juneteenth celebration was scheduled on June 19, 2021, and encouraged the community to participate in the parade. Shawn Dunning gave comments in support of more community services. Mr. Dunning expressed concerns that decreasing the Police Department’s budget would increase crime. Leisa Johnson expressed concerns regarding the encampments of unhoused individuals, vehicle dwellers, and illegal dumping throughout Richmond. Ms. Johnson recommended Richmond police officers cite the vehicles and notify the Code Enforcement Division. Ms. Johnson reported significant illegal dumping at Hoffman Boulevard and South 1st Street in Richmond. Randy Joseph expressed concerns regarding the upcoming expiration of the Richmond moratorium on tenant evictions. Mr. Joseph requested a plan to keep tenants housed. Yenny Garcia encouraged the community to work together to improve Richmond. cc1Jun2021 Page 3 of 7 sl/prc Nancy Burke expressed concerns regarding nightly fireworks and fire danger in the May Valley Neighborhood. Ms. Burke requested help to resolve the issue. Michelle Marshall expressed concerns regarding the visual appearance of the Richmond Hilltop district. Ms. Marshall requested for her quality of life to equal the taxes and assessments she paid. Ms. Marshall advised that the Hilltop district’s infrastructure, landscape, and lighting needed improvements. Cesar Zepeda announced the celebrations held on June 1, 2021, in honor of Richmond Rainbow Pride and Juneteenth. Mr. Zepeda invited the community to the Digital Pride Show scheduled on June 6, 2021, and to visit www.RichmondRainbowPride.org for more information. Deborah Bayer expressed concerns regarding the responsible party in the prospective purchase agreement that the DTSC was expected to execute with Hilco Redevelopment Partners/Campus Bay LLC. Ms. Bayer recommended that the City of Richmond investigate this matter. Melvin Willis clarified that he attended the event located at 15th Street and Macdonald Avenue on May 29, 2021, and that he was unaware that the event was not permitted until after the police arrived. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR On motion of Councilmember Willis, seconded by Councilmember Jimenez, the items marked with an (*) were approved by the unanimous vote of the City Council. *H-1. Approved to amend standing purchase orders to increase additional funding to (1) Omega Pacific, (2) Azco Supply, and (3) JAM Services to provide street and traffic light poles, and related products on an as-needed basis to replace damaged street and traffic light poles throughout the City of Richmond in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per vendor for the remaining of the five-year standing purchase order which expired on June 30, 2022. *H-2. Adopted Resolution No. 62-21 authorizing participation by Villa Mira Vista Homeowners Association in the City of Richmond's private sewer lateral grant program, and award private sewer lateral grants to the developments in a manner that was consistent with the current grant program guidelines. *H-3. Approved a construction contract amendment and payment for the final change order for roof replacement at the City of Richmond’s
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