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

April 4, 2006, RCC Session

Voted in favor of:
Amending sections of the Richmond Municipal Code pertaining to Code Enforcement with an amendment to augment the Deferred Loan Program. Motion passed

Resolution directing staff to prepare proceedings in connection with the refunding of the City’s Wastewater Revenue Bonds, Series 1999, and the financing of capital improvements to the City’s wastewater system and appointing an Underwriter, Bond and Disclosure Counsel, and Financial Advisor. Motion passed

Raise the dollar limit on individual Environmental Impact Report (EIR) contracts from $200,000 to $400,000 per project, to more accurately reflect the actual cost associated with EIR contracts for the normal scope of work for larger projects. Motion passed

Adopting the Ahwahnee Water Principles for resource-efficient land use and for sustainable developments with focus on efficient water use. Motion passed

In the matter to discuss the Richmond Improvement Association (RIA) proposal to implement community-based programs and direct staff to prepare a funding agreement with the RIA to provide $200,000 in City financial support for such programs Councilmember Rogers stated that at the last meeting of the City Council the item was listed on the agenda as a discussion of the recommendations from the Black on Black Crime Summit on the agenda but was not indicated as an action item, and he believes that there was a violation of the Brown Act. Following discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Rogers to direct staff to prepare a funding agreement with the Richmond Improvement Association (RIA) to provide $200,000 in City financial support for programs, including identifying City funding sources for subsequent approval by the Council assuming that the RIA and the City Manager can develop a plan that is suitable in terms of specificity and accountability.

A substitute motion was made by Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Councilmember Butt, to reconsider the March 21, 2006, vote. John Eastman, City Attorney, addressed the proposed motion for reconsideration. He said that a motion for reconsideration has to be made at the same meeting or the next meeting. He said that the motion was not made at the same meeting and following that meeting there was a Special Meeting, placing the matter beyond the window of opportunity for making a motion for reconsideration. Councilmember McLaughlin stated that this meeting is the next regular meeting of the City Council. She respectfully requested to reconsider the matter. Mayor Anderson stated that the meeting of March 21, 2006, was an official meeting and ruled the motion out of order. A motion was made by Councilmember McLaughlin, seconded by Councilmember Butt to suspend the rules.

On the motion to suspend the rules (which requires a 2/3 vote) the vote failed by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmembers Butt, Thurmond, Rogers, McLaughlin, and Viramontes. Noes: Councilmembers Bates, Griffin, and Mayor Anderson. Absent: Councilmember Marquez. Abstentions: None.

Motion failed. Councilmember McLaughlin was attempting to “reconsider the vote” on this RIA proposal to assure that a good process be followed. Although she was blocked in reconsidering this vote by a minority on the Council, Gayle has provided input to the City Manager’s office to assure that a detailed and fair process be implemented in evaluating all proposals for violence prevention, including the evaluation of the RIA proposal, before any funds are allocated.

Voted against:
Deny appeals by Richard Lompa and Peter Meier, the developer, of the Design Review Board’s approval of signs and design modifications to the Macdonald 80 Regional Shopping Center with the exception of making an amendment on Condition 16 prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy on the Plan Pad C and allow for the double line sign format on the Plan Pad C; and, direct staff to prepare a resolution for approval of this by the council. Motion passed

Rules and Procedures Standing Committee Report:
Councilmember McLaughlin announced the next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at 4:00 p.m.

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.