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

Voted in favor of:
Resolution No. 35- 05 providing for the issuance of Pension Funding Bonds, approving the form of, and authorizing the execution and delivery of an Indenture, Bond Purchase Agreement, and Letter of Instruction, and authorizing certain other actions in connection therewith. Motion passed

Recommendations for appointments and reappointments to the following: Arts and Culture Commission: Ronna Space, term expiring January 31, 2008, completing an unexpired term; Human Relations Commission: Joseph Washington and Rock Brown, terms expiring March 30, 2008; Design Review Board: Robert Avellar, Incumbent, term expiring October 1, 2007; and Recreation and Parks: Lones T. Stern-Banks, term expiring October 26, 2006, completing an unexpired term. (Councilmember McLaughlin abstained on the Arts and Culture Commission recommendation because she had not yet received a copy of the application/resume). Motion passed

Review and discussion on proposed policy and process for responding to Public Records Act requests with an amendment to change the exemption for copies from $1 to $2. Motion passed

Consider recommendation to approve the draft Council Travel/Debit Card Policy.
A motion to approve the policy with the condition that upon the next review, the City Manager should provide staff’s travel policy and provide a comparison. Motion passed

Consider approving a recommendation regarding Councilmembers submitting requests to place items on the City Council Agenda to the City Manager’s Office. Councilmember’s will make all agenda requests through the City Manager’s Office, with the City Manager having responsibility to make sure all Councilmember’s requests are placed on the agenda, and Trina Jackson, Council Assistant, will work with the City Manager for processing documentation and background materials. Motion passed

Consider approving a recommendation to move “Referrals to staff from the City Council” from Reports of Officers and place it as a separate item on the City Council agenda. Motion passed

Consider approving replacing the Councilmember’s’ Code of Conduct with the City of Richmond’s Code of Ethics. Motion passed

Consider a recommendation to rescind Councilmember Thurmond’s appointment to the Rules and Procedures Committee and approve a recommendation to appoint Councilmember Thurmond to the Finance Committee and as liaison to the Youth Commission. Motion passed

Consider having a special planning session to address violence in the City of Richmond. (1) Convene a special strategy planning session to develop long-term and short-term solutions to address violence and crime in the City of Richmond, (2) the Council will be responsible for developing the agenda for the session, and, (3) direct the City Manager to provide a financial report on the Richmond Rises above the Violence conference including source of funds. Motion passed

Councilmember McLaughlin commented that until funding issues are resolved it would be an academic exercise. She again stated her support of removing the Utility Users Tax Cap to help stem the violence. She also recommended that police officers “walk the beat” and implement the 17 conditions recommended in 2002 by the Community Involved Policing Group.

Voted against:
Decision regarding an overpass at Marina Way or Harbour Way South and directing staff to return with a financial analysis of the cost and source of funding. Following discussion, on motion of Councilmember Bates, seconded by Councilmember Marquez, to stop any investigation underway regarding Harbour Way and to continue the investigation of the Marina Way alternative for an overpass or underpass. Motion failed

Reports:
Rules and Procedures Standing Committee Councilmember McLaughlin announced that at the last meeting the Committee elected her as Chairperson. The next meeting will be held on December 28, 2005, at 8:30 a.m. She also stated she participated in two rallies against violence. One was sponsored by the Latina Center and the other sponsored by MASK (Mothers Against Senseless Killing).

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.