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

Voted in favor of:
A proclamation declaring February 2005 as Black History Month. Motion passed.

Adopting Resolution No. 9-05 establishing the classification specification for Community and Economic Development Operations Specialist I/II in the Community and Economic Development Department, Redevelopment Division. There is no fiscal impact on the General Fund. Motion passed.

Adopting Resolution No. 10-05 establishing the new classification specification for Community and Economic Development Finance Manager in the Community and Economic Development Department, Redevelopment Division. There is no fiscal impact on the General Fund. Motion passed.

A proposed status report regarding the development of a City-wide safety program. Phil Batchelor, Interim City Manager, presented the report. Motion passed.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation that the property at 217 West Richmond Avenue (APN 558-164-005) be approved for a General Plan Amendment (GPA) and Rezone. The General Plan Designation for the site would change from Medium Density Residential/918 to Neighborhood Retail/922A. The Zoning Designation would change from MFR-1 Multi-Family residential to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial. Motion passed.

Reduction of the Planning Commission from nine to seven in 2008. Councilmember McLaughlin imitated further discussion on this item the following week, 2/15/05, stating she had since learned it was NOT the Planning Commission’s intent to make a recommendation of reduction. On the basis of misrepresented information, Councilmember McLaughlin subsequently reversed her vote. Motion passed.

An ordinance for a citywide zoning text change to reduce the required parking stall width from 9.5 feet x 18.5 feet to 9.0 feet x 18.5 feet in Zoning Code Section 15.04.850.020A.1, Parking Space Dimensions and Location. Motion passed.

An ordinance amending Chapter 15.04 of the Richmond Municipal Code pertaining to Conditional Use Permits for Alcoholic Beverage first reading and was laid over one week for second reading. Motion passed.

An ordinance establishing wages, salaries, and compensation for the classifications of Community and Economic Development Operations Specialist I/II and amending Management (RMEA) Employees Ordinance No. 40-01 NS. First reading. Motion passed.

Ordinance establishing wages, salaries, and compensation for the classification of Community and Economic Development Finance Manager and amending Management (RMEA) Employees Ordinance No. 40-01 N.S., was presented. First reading. Motion passed.

Mayor’s recommendations for appointments and re-appointments to the following Commissions: Recreation and Parks Commission: Tony Thurmond, term expiring October 26, 2006; Arts and Culture Commission: Sydney Metrick and Catherine DuChene, Incumbents, terms expiring January 31, 2009. Motion passed.

A resolution regarding Pension Obligation Bonds. Phil Batchelor, Interim City Manager, presented the report. He stated that the City of Richmond has an unfunded accrued actuarial liability of approximately $107 million dollars. He stated that Pension Obligation Bonds can be issued to cover the $107 million dollar unfunded liability and issue debt at a rate lower than 7.75%. He stated that if the Bonds are issued, all costs and fees will be paid from bond proceeds and therefore have no fiscal impact on the City’s General Fund. Direction was given to the City Manager, Finance Director, and other appropriate officers and employees of the City, to prepare or cause to be prepared legal proceedings and documents to issue the Bonds only if material cost savings can be achieved, and to submit same to the City Council for consideration at the earliest practical opportunity. Motion passed.

Building a permanent Emergency Operations Center. Phil Batchelor, Interim City Manager, resented the staff report. He requested that the Council approve a temporary Emergency Operating Center at the 1401 Marina Way South location. Approved moving forward with the City Manager’s recommendation. Motion passed.

Directing staff to move forward with reopening the Community Youth Centers Phase One. Motion passed.

Directing the City Manager to continue with the internal audits (i.e., MBNA Credit Card and Cal-Card Audits) and to continue to provide status reports to the Council in the future. Motion passed.

City of Richmond Code of Ethics and directed the City Manager to display the Code of Ethics in prominent places throughout the City workplace and on the back side of employee’s City business cards
Directing the City Manager to reinstitute the Employee Recognition Program. Motion passed.

Amending Resolution No. 82-04 to allow Councilmembers to make requests to place items on an agenda under Reports of Officers. Directed the City Attorney to proceed with amending Resolution No. 82-04 and submit it to the City Council for consideration at the earliest practical opportunity. Motion passed.

A new ordinance regarding the Slavery Era Insurance Disclosure Act and disclosure and divestment of investment earnings from City-sponsored Pension Funds or Investment Funds from
financial and insurance institutions that benefit from international investment in slavery. Directed the City Attorney to proceed with reviewing the draft ordinance. Motion passed.

A local initiative to encourage banks to recognize, the Matricular Consular Card for identification from Mexican Government for identification to open new accounts and request that the Mayor appoint a four member committee to review the feasibility of a local initiative. Four Councilmembers to be appointed to an Ad Hoc Committee to work with a consortium of local banks and financial institutions to review the feasibility of a local initiative. Motion passed.

Voted against:
A proposed ordinance adding Chapter 13.57 to the Richmond Municipal Code pertaining to Neighborhood Improvement and Community Enhancement Districts (NICE). Councilmember McLaughlin commented that the ordinance is unfair and that equitable solutions for economic revitalization should be found. Motion passed.

Gayle's Report of Office:
Thanked Mr. Batchelor and welcomed Mr. Lindsay.
Reported that she attended the Planning Retreat on January 29th and a straw vote taken. She said that she did not participate in the straw vote and stated that it was wrong to conduct a straw vote in a public meeting.
Reported that she placed an item on the agenda several weeks ago. Mayor Anderson continued the matter for two weeks in order to receive a written staff report. She stated that she expected to see the matter on the Open Session agenda. She said that she hopes that a written report will come forth as promised, and will make the delay three weeks.
Asked the Fire Chief why the death of a homeless man was not investigated
Attended the Northern California Black Trade Unionists dinner.

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.