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

March 21, 2006, RCC Session

Voted in favor of:
Adopting Ordinance amending Police Officer Ordinance No. 46-85 and increasing the salary of Police Officer Trainee from $2,493 per month to $4,000 per month effective January 5, 2006 based on comparison with other Bay Area cities. Motion passed

Amending Section 15.04.810.050 of the Richmond Municipal Code to bring existing City regulations regarding Density Bonus into conformance with recently adopted amendments to the statewide density bonus law. Motion passed

Resolution commending the efforts, goals, and aspirations of the many Richmond residents who have come together to form Solar Richmond, a not for profit local program to encourage more solar energy on residential, business, and public properties in Richmond for the purpose of creating a cleaner environment and to develop job opportunities. The goal is to reach 5 megawatts of solar energy by the year 2010, as well as to create 100 new jobs for Richmond residents. The resolution is an opportunity for the City of Richmond to build on its 2001 energy conservation strategy by committing to utilize solar technology to the greatest extent possible on all Civic Center buildings. This resolution was introduced by Councilmember McLaughlin, who is a co-founder of Solar Richmond, and was passed with a unanimous vote of the Council. Motion passed

Resolution to recognize the Richmond Improvement Association’s efforts and support its goals. Motion passed

Ordinance amending various sections of the Richmond Municipal Code pertaining to Code Enforcement. Motion passed

Ordinance amending Section 9.24.080 of the Richmond Municipal Code for better regulation of vicious dogs and other dangerous. Motion passed

Directing Staff in regard to seeking legal cost reimbursement for Swinerton versus City of Richmond defense costs and directing the City Attorney to send a demand letter to Swinerton, and if Swinerton does not pay in response to the demand letter the City Attorney shall file a lawsuit within a reasonable time period. Motion passed

Directing staff to explore the development of a Technical Assistance program for helping to increase the capacity of securing contracts by Richmond contractors and businesses on City of Richmond funded projects and for staff to use any and all local resources to support local businesses. Motion passed

Discuss Richmond’s Black on Black Crime Summit recommendations. A motion was made by Councilmember Marquez, seconded by Councilmember Rogers, to accept the recommendations from the Richmond Improvement Association and direct staff to find the $200,000. He also asked the Richmond Improvement Association to submit a detailed program and budget. Councilmember McLaughlin voted for this proposal based on its emphasis on facilitating already established programs for the benefit of providing jobs and services to parolees. At a subsequent meeting, Gayle acknowledged that a better process should have been utilized by those bringing this proposal forward and she attempted to reconsider the vote, but was blocked by a minority on the Council. Motion passed

Voted against:
Adoption of a resolution to accept the recommendations as presented by the Rules and Procedures Standing Committee with the following friendly amendment:(Each speaker will be allowed TWO (2) Minutes to address the City Council on non-Public Hearing Items) Gayle felt the amendment reducing public speaker time from 3 minutes to 2 minutes was being made at too late an hour at the meeting, with no notice to the public that this would be discussed. 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, other RCC meetings.