Gayle's Richmond City Council (RCC)
Votes, Actions, and Comments

Voted in favor of:
Awarding a Sole Source contract to Vali Cooper and Associates to provide project/construction management services during the bidding and construction of the western segment –Phase II of the Central Richmond Greenway Bicycle Trail. The total amount of the contract will not exceed $200,000. Motion passed

Amendments to the Consolidated Action Plans Fiscal Years 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 Budgets for the following: a. Resolution authorizing an amendment to the 2004/2005 Consolidated Action Plan to assist in the development of affordable housing and street improvements. b. Resolution authorizing an amendment to the 2005/2006 Consolidated Action Plan to assist in the development of affordable housing and technical assistance to women-owned businesses. Motion passed

Commending all employees for their willingness to assist the City of Richmond in its financial recovery and confirming that all employees are treated equally by extending to Unrepresented Management Employees the same benefits as those provided to Represented Employees. Motion passed

Authorizing the Public Works Department to allocate to the Easter Hill HOPE VI Project $866,909 of the 1999 Sewer Bond Funds to replace the sewer lines at the Easter Hill Public Housing site and allocate $95,000 of Gas Tax Funds for repaving of portions of 29th and 30th Streets at the project site. Motion passed

Amending Chapter 2.56 of the Richmond Municipal Code, extending the Local Employment Ordinance from October 2005 through April 30, 2006. Motion passed

Authorizing the City Manager to direct the Engineering staff to complete installation of stop signs, crosswalks, and speed undulations on Chanslor Avenue at 8th Street. City Engineer stated that the stop signs are the issue, and a traffic study will be conducted and should be concluded in November. Motion passed

Appointments to Standing Committees, Councilmember Thurmond to the Finance, Administrative Services, and Economic Development Standing Committee and the Rules and Procedures Standing Committee; and as liaison to the Youth Commission. Motion passed

Extending the Business Opportunity Ordinance from October 2005 to April 30. First reading. Motion passed

Voted against:
Items regarding Anchorage at Marina Bay, a proposed development at 1689 Regatta Boulevard, a portion of the DiCon Fiber Optics site. a. Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve a General Plan Amendment and Rezoning to Planned Area, PA, for an existing ±11.42 acre vacant site located at 1689 Regatta Boulevard for development of 208 residential townhouses. b. Appeal by Pulte Homes Corporation of the Planning Commission’s denial of the proposed Anchorage at Marina Bay Tentative Map, Conditional Use Permit, and request for a Landscape Buffer Exception, and Design Review Application to develop 208 townhomes at 1689 Regatta Boulevard, a portion of the DiCon Fiber Optics site. Multiple Motions failed. (Bill Lindsay, City Manager, recommended the Council continue the discussion at the next City Council meeting). Items will continue at Oct. 18 session.

Urgency ordinance restricting ground-floor uses to certain retail uses in specified areas of Macdonald Avenue, 23rd Street, and the vicinity of Hilltop Mall. First reading. Gayle voted against this stating that too many uses were being restricted and that although she supported retail uses in these areas, other uses, such as community programs and services and entertainment uses, should not be excluded. Motion passed

For Gayle's votes, actions, and comments at other Richmond City Council meetings, go to the previous RCC meeting, the next RCC meeting, or other RCC meetings.