City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, it is now time to open, to start the open session, to hear public comment before closed session. May we have a roll call?

Public comment is closed, and we will now retire to closed session.

It is now time for a special meeting of the Richmond Housing Authority. We'll begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,

With that, then this meeting is adjourned. Thank you for joining us.

So now we will proceed with the regular meeting of the Richmond City Council. We'll begin with the roll call.

Yes, I would like to move Y4 to the beginning of the study and action session. Y4 is a presentation from AC Transit on Agency Deficit Projection Services and Workforce Reductions.

All right. Can we start off with having Ms. Maxine join us? It sounds like there's a handful of people here that know Ms. Maxine. For those that may not know of her or maybe you didn't know of her but you were in the Point Richmond area and you saw a wonderful human being helping people cross safely from one side to the other, especially the kids, that was Ms. Maxine. Today we come together declaring the Maxine Finley Week beginning August 23rd, 2026. Whereas the safety, reverency, and strength of the City of Richmond are built upon the dedication of exemplary community members who serve our c

The entire city, that individuals can remain deeply productive, capable, and impactful at any stage of life as long as they are willing and able. Now, therefore, be it resolved, I, Eduardo Martinez, Mayor of the City of Richmond, California, do hereby proclaim the week beginning August 23, 2026, as Maxine Finley Week in the City of Richmond. And I urge all residents, community organizations, and local businesses to join in honoring her extraordinary contribution, her years of service, and her status as a cherished treasure of our community.

Phillip Rosenthal. Excuse me, a question for legal. Asking people to lock and load, would that be considered sedition?

Right. But he's made them several times before. So this is not a one-time thing. It's something that happens time and time again. So.

With that number of syllables. So do we have a motion?

Thank you so much. Yeah. We'll do questions after public comment.

With the conclusion of the presentation, we'll go to public speakers.

May I ask slide 13, the text of the ballot show while the speakers talk?

I think it's disrespectful of the speakers to be doing two things at once. So we can show it when it's time for questions. Go ahead.

Okay. Once again, what was the slide that you wanted?

Thank you. I believe it was page 13, the text. 13. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you. All right. Now it's time for questions and comments. Yes.

I kind of started with some of my questions. So the wording, did you have test groups? I don't know who designed the text. of this ballot measure. Is this what was read in the poll?

I appreciate that explanation. I believe there's no comma needed after rapid. Also, would it be possible to somehow include the wording that in case of an earthquake or fire stations collapse? Because wording is very important.

All I'm saying now is maybe we could have a test group with different options awarding.

I don't agree with you respectfully because, for example, to support rapid 911, assuming the comma goes, it is to have rapid 911. We don't have rapid 911 emergency response right now to support it.

With all respect, I'm just sharing my opinion. That's why I'm sitting here as a city council member. I understand your position. Am I allowed to share my opinion? It may be taken or not. It's okay.

You have shared your opinion and you've said it multiple times to the point where it's becoming a debate as opposed to a suggestion.

Okay. I don't want to debate. I just want to share my opinion because the wording is very important. 46% of our residents are immigrants. English is a second language. It should be very clear to the point to get their yes. I mean, if it's academic, legal, and not clear how important and urgent it is, it may not go through. And it's essential for us. So it's important to put energy and time on that. That's all.

I perfectly understand. And I know how hard you've been working on it, Chief. I don't argue with that. But to me, residency, the word collapse, for example, it's a lot more persuasive than improving support. Anyway, I'm going to pass, leave it up to you that if you can improve it, that would be great. I'm confused about the type of bond we're going to have. You explained different types of bond. Which one is it?

Could you explain what it is again? You went through it very fast. It's the first time I'm dealing with bonds.

This is what you talked about last time. I don't understand why you had that. Is the plan in place, is that general obligation bonds, is plan a, if it doesn't go through, we have a plan b?

Yeah, but aren't we supposed to approve it tonight?

That's what I'm trying to do. Thank you.

Please, mayor. I would like to ask the city attorney about the budget, can the city legally have budget to campaign for this in favor of it? That's part a and part b. We as city council members can we campaign for it? I mean, can we advocate it?

I'm talking from now until November, can the city spend money on educating the voters?

Got it. I'm done with my questions for now. Thank you.

Thank you. Anyone else? Yes. Thank you for the presentation. Just a quick clarifying, I want to make sure that people understand. There's a difference between the poll that was done and the survey that was done. The survey did not necessarily give the data that was in there. Will you mind just clarifying that?

Thank you. So in case, the worst case it's rejected, what are the impact, what is the impact of it on its success on the second time you put it on the ballot in two years?

Is it shown? I mean, is it, do we have data about it, how polls perform?

Okay. Thank you. And may I ask the city manager, is there a plan b if it doesn't go through?

I can't see Council Member Wilson. Does she want to speak?

Sorry, I thought it was up. Can you hear me?

Okay. So I'm 100% convinced that the city needs to fully fund and then begin and then complete the renovation on the fire stations now. That we must be the city lineup, you know, the city council lineup. that puts that plan into motion. It's been too long. It's not acceptable how we've forced the firefighters to work in those conditions. The firefighters who spoke tonight have made it clear that they would like the chance to go to Richmond voters and ask them to approve this bond measure to raise money for that project. Fire department management the finance department and the city manager off

Yeah, thank you so much for the information. Thank you for actually giving us the perspective of like what the city needs and he's now just if a fire station needs ongoing revenue for all the things and the capital improvement plan is it's a big money that we need to start thinking about how we start making improvements in that. So I believe, yeah, we have the settlement that we fought to bring. But as we say, it's not enough. So we are trying to make decisions about how also we bring more revenue. And the thing is that it's overdue, not only the fire stations, but many other things. But we kn

Thank you. Any other speakers? If not, then I will move to adopt an ordinance. Actually, there's a different motion.

There was a different motion that was made?

Yeah. Okay. Well, then. I'll read the motion that was .

In the future, this needs to be done through the chair and not via text or

Then it needs to be done through the chair.

The mayor. Shannon. I made the motion as as explained by the City of legal okay, and then the second.

I'm sorry. I have a quick question So are we approving the text of the ballot measure too? Yeah, that's part of the resolution Can I ask you to remove that comma after rapid it doesn't make sense?

I don't think council is the place to do proof reading.

The mayor is nice to me. Mr. Mayor, may I?

So I would like to thank the presenters who are going to introduce themselves and present. AC Transit reached out to me and they've been sharing and communicating about budget cuts, service cuts that are going to affect the community and to inform the community of the extent and depth of the crisis that AC Transit is facing. We are having this presentation. Please go ahead.

Thank you. So do we have any council members, comments, questions? If not, yes.

I just wanted to thank you for the presentation. Really appreciate it. We understand the difficult times. And we'll do our share of informing the public to vote in favor of this important service to the public. And hopefully our communities will get those Coddisfans back. Is that the plan, that if the measure is approved, those cuts will go back to the way they were?

They're not in effect at this time. Okay. And I have a quick question on this side. So there are big buses with not too many riders. Why doesn't AC Transit use many buses to save costs? on the routes that are essential but not many users.

Just one aside, isn't the cost in the drivers? So if you had minibuses, you would need much more drivers upping up the cost?

All right. Thank you for the presentation. I was wondering when you were going to get around to Richmond. I know you've been to many other city councils, and we've seen you at WITTAC and other places. So thank you.

Thank you. So the ad hoc committee is a privilege of mayor to appoint. And we need to review our procedure and order for Richmond City Council. So the rules concerning the conduct of public meetings are set forth in Government Code 5 four nine five four D which states that each legislative body or of a local agency shall provide by ordinance resolution by law or whatever other rules is required for the conduct of business by that body the time and place for holding regular meetings so the city council has recognized the necessity to review and refine the rules of procedures and orders to impro

So Mr. Mayor and my fellow council members, as a council member who has often found myself in the minority, I have at times felt that my perspectives were overlooked and that interactions have been unnecessarily adversarial. For that reason, I believe it's important that I serve under rules, ad hoc committee, the ad hoc committee for rules and regulations. My participation would ensure that the committee benefits from a broader range of perspectives and that its recommendations reflect fairness, transparency, and most importantly, inclusivity for all members of the council. Thank you. So with

It is my prerogative to appoint and I say that Doria Robinson and myself will be the council members on this committee.

Well, I'm bringing a new motion to the council because the council is to approve. So I'm asking. I have one question.

Yes. Is there a limitation to the members on the IHOP committee? Because I know you said yourself and Vice Mayor Robinson.

There is not, but it is my prerogative to decide. And I have decided on Councilmember, I mean Vice Mayor Robinson and myself.

So there isn't any room to add anyone because it's your prerogative?

We need to get this done as soon as possible.

I'm just asking because Councilmember Bond is a willing participant. I know.

I second the motion that Soheila Banna put it there so she can be allowed to be part of that.

You can do that, but I make the appointments. Can I have legal counsel on this?

I make the motion which was the original recommended action.

that... the mayor vice mayor city attorney city clerks in the manager... make up the ad hoc committee to develop proposed amendments to the city council rules and procedures and order spec mayor council member wilson has her hand

Personally, I think you should just add Sohaila because she's expressed an interest in it. But procedurally, I thought that it is just the mayor who makes appointments. I didn't think that it was possible for a majority of the city council to say, we've decided to make this appointment. So is that really what we're doing here? So in the spirit of collaboration, I think you should just appoint our mayor. But I also don't think we have the ability to force you to do that.

May I? So... In order to move it the way I'm suggesting, we would say no to the mayor's appointment and then start over again? How does it go? It doesn't make sense that if something comes to the city council, I'm still talking, if it comes to city council for the council's approval, the council needs to have a say in it. I understand your position supporting the mayors, but can we have the legal speak?

Mr. mayor, may I ask you to please appoint me to this ad hoc commission, too?

So just adding on the charter. So the charter says that the mayor shall have the authority at any regularly scheduled meeting of the city council, which we are in to make appointments to, or remove us from all city boards, commissions and committees with the concurrence of at least three other members of the city council. So yes, the mayor does have that, but he does need the concurrence of three others. So, And then I just want to put out there for the record, I think everyone knows I am the one that's been more on the rules and charter. I wanted to be on the commission as well, but I underst

And follow them. My answer is still no. So you can either approve or it's done.

So may I, Mr. Mayor, can I ask a question from the legal counsel? So can the counsel decide that the ad hoc committee would have three members? How do we go about this?

Well, so I don't remember this. Oh, sorry. I think I don't remember this ever happening with appointments to an ad hoc, but I definitely remember this happening with appointments to boards and commissions. And what would happen is if the mayor was appointing someone that the majority of the city council did not agree with they would just vote no on the appointment and then the mayor would there'd be no appointment until such a time that the mayor brought back some person that was acceptable to the group. And so that might be the sort of the action of tonight is if a majority of us would like t

Yeah, I just, I feel like having a different perspective, no, the majority will be good in that committee. I have been in committees with Soheila and Doria, hasn't been easy, but it has brought different perspectives to discuss. I just don't see the point to not have her when it's also a work that city clear and city attorney and city staff are going to be part of. You will be nice with everybody, right?

Yeah, and everybody will be very nice with me as usual. Mr. Mayor, I believe what we're witnessing now shows that it's important and imperative that I be on that ad hoc committee to have a different voice. So I'm asking you again to please reconsider.

Yes. Are we able to do a, I don't know if this requires closed session, but can we do a study session during the break? And that way, because we need to get the rules done. There's no three people that are going to vote on this way, so it's... Well concurrence according to our charter so maybe we just meet over and has this has work already started on this because I think there's already work been started on the updating of the rules maybe we could all just get feedback over email to miss christian and at the next council meeting we just I mean we're still going to have to hash it out here at

When Attorney Moore suggested ways that you could have input. I was thinking of the Brown Act and I knew that you couldn't email me. But I like the suggestion of emailing things to the city clerk. So if everyone could agree to do that, then the two council member ad hoc would work and everyone would have their input.

It wouldn't. As a matter of principle, we should be as inclusive as possible, especially when we're talking about rules and regulations. We need to make them inclusive.

Yeah. So we have speakers before. Can we make a motion or do we have the speakers come?

Because I'm just thinking that I'm agreeing with Councilmember Bonner. I think the ability to have a diversity on the ad hoc committee is so important. And with refusal, it's showing like a lack of, collaboration, a lack of leadership when you refuse to have a different perspective. I just think that it's, I mean, I just want us to go on this break and really just reconsider some things because it seems like every week or every council meeting we come here, it's a battle, it's a war zone. It's us against them. And it's so frustrating and so disheartening that that's the representation that the

It's just... Can we take... What if we take a test to see who knows the rules right now and whoever gets the highest score gets to be on it?

Excuse me. You're speaking out of turn. This is the council's time, not your time. So let's take a vote. Do we have speakers? Oh, okay.

Mr. mayor, can I just make a quick clarification?

Sure. I am an American of choice. Excuse me. You're not supposed to speak to the but you were responding to something that was said by the speaker. You're not to do that. I know that I've lost a lot of political capital by being strong on this. But I have been strong on this because I do have a lot of complaints about my fellow council members. I don't air them. I don't talk about them. But they know what they are because I tell them. There needs to be rules, not only rules written but rules followed. People know, council members know what the rules are and they refuse to follow them. I want s

Mr. Mayor? Well, I was just subject to a personal attack by our mayor for my personality. Excuse me, I have to finish. I'm not going to defend myself. I'm just going to say what you just said.

I did not make a personal attack on you.

You're making the issue of inclusivity a personal issue.

You do not have the chair. I did not give it to you.

It's my time to talk, and I don't appreciate being interrupted. You allowed me to talk. Let me finish, please. You turned it into a personal issue and attacked me personally. I do not appreciate it. It is wrong. It is wrong, Mr. mayor. You said I didn't follow the rules because a proclamation went over 10 minutes into 13 minutes. Is that a good reason to exclude me from rules and regulations committee? Anyway, for the third time, I'm asking you to please consider including me. Otherwise, the vote is no.

By me. Okay. That was the alternate motion.

Sorry, I second the one that Councilmember Banner made, but not this.

Councilmembers, anyone? Yes, Councilmember Brown.

Yes, thank you for bringing this item forward and for all the hard work that's gone into it. It has gone through a few iterations and so I'm really pleased to see what has come. I was excited to hear when the county did approve this ordinance and I think that mirroring the language and all the necessary modifications in order to inherit their support with the enforcement component because that was the holdup in Richmond. It was that we didn't have any enforcement so it just sat there. And this isn't anything that adults brought to the city council. These are young high school students who are

Thank you. Thank you for coming back and bringing this update. I'm just looking at the comparison between what the original draft and then what we would, it looks like what we would have to align with with the county. So our original draft says large retailers defined at 4,000 square feet and the county is 2,000 square feet. When we were presenting, I believe there was a list of potential retailers that will be impacted. What, because we're essentially halving it. So now that it's 2,000, what other retailers will be impacted? Do we know? Or how many more?

So 33. And are these, I mean, we don't have any grocery stores. So are they, these are mom and pop shop at the corner stores or?

Thank you. And then I want to make sure that I also understand the definition within the square footage is the whole store, even if Target, for example, they only have a little bit of a section of grocery. The rest of it is clothing or whatever else they sell. So we're still defining that even if it's only a small section of it. Thank you. And then a question in regards to the red dye. Proposition to include language to exempt food or reverges with red dye. I'm trying to remember, did we really say we want to exempt red dye or add red dye because red die is a bad thing so I don't know that we

Thank you. Any other council members? Council Member Bonham.

Yeah, I remember when the youth came to my office, I think two, three years ago. I wish we could get back to them and say, hey, we are passing it. Wonderful. And I'm glad actually the county's version is a bit more restrictive than ours. So I would like to make a motion that we pass this item with the amendment that you check out the red die.

So, I guess we have to start anew in terms of conversation. Do we have any speakers?

You're a speaker, right? All right. Go ahead. Hello again. We're not at midnight here almost. Thanks for being here again. Thank you for the presentation. In general, I think it's great to be able to have this. San Francisco has programs like this closing down the streets. They've been doing it for a long time. When this came forward, I was in support of it. I think in general it's good. But then looking at the cost, And I think if I remember correctly from last meeting, I think it was Council Member Brown who might have said, if I'm wrong, but 145,000, that is almost a full budget that we're

Excuse me, senior manager. I think we should allow the council to have their say at this point. You'll be able to speak after council's finished. Councilmember gimenez.

Thank you for the presentation and the work. I believe when we were talking about the budget and the cost, you also mentioned that these are all the costs that an event will do. that other events like Cinco de Mayo, we put some money for the event, but there is also other costs that are not there, right? Is that right?

Well, this is a question that I will... Well, no, no, I'm trying to make sure we follow the rules.

We are following. You were not asked a question previously. You chose to speak unsolicited. Thank you for clarifying. When counsel asks you a question, it is your responsibility to answer. Thank you.

Thank you. So my question is that what I understood about the budget that it was presented was that is putting all the other things that usually other events we had to spend, so it's not just only the money that we put on the budget for the event, but actually there is also other heating cost that is not budgeted, right?

That is not my question. It's about the budget.

Okay, if there is any staff person that can.

Okay, well, it would be good to have for each event, what is the actual cost that we are putting because what I am trying to get here is that the other events also cost more than we are putting. So by putting this here is saying, oh, this is going to cost that much, well, other events cause damage, right? And what we are trying to have here is to create a space for the community to enjoy. I agree that, like, for instance, fiestas patries to close, so I agree with council member Zepeda that might be another opportunity in the Halloween. But for me, it's more about we bought it to create another

No. I think like for me is that we, and I am flexible with this. I am not going to impose anything. But what is frustrating is that we did it to the staff to design this long time ago. And it was unanimous. And it wasn't part of the budget. when it was directed. So I think the issue had been in the budget for the events and tell us whether we wanted to support it or not. That wasn't a conversation in the budget. So I will, like, that, if these, if staff is really actually following through with direction of staff, One example of this is that this should have been in the budget and allow us to

In response to councilmember Jimenez Noted I want to get to council members first so councilmember Brown Thank you so much for the update and thank you for the updated numbers and I mean I just

Even with Cinco de Mayo, which is one of our largest, largest events, like thousands and thousands of people come from everywhere for Cinco de Mayo, the Cicla Via event still, even with the numbers that you presented tonight, still exceeds that event. I don't know what the... anticipated turnout for a Ciclovia event would be, but I know Cinco de Mayo is huge, double stage, blocks and blocks, and it seems like the numbers given tonight still, the Ciclovia exceeds our Cinco de Mayo event. So to me, that raises an eyebrow with, actually exceeds both of our largest events, Juneteenth and Cinco de

So I think more so what I'm trying to get at, because I know we talked about, I think I remember during the presentation as well, but I know before it was like three hours before or three hours after, and those were going to be like where the cost was starting to rise because we would have to pay for like all of this additional staffing costs. whether we did it before or after, what I'm saying is during the event, could there be a designated area where Cikla Via activities can take place so we're not trying to find money for an event that is piggybacking off of an existing event.

No, I agree. I think I'm just asking, is there a cost associated with having a designated area within a current event for the Seek Libya activities?

thank you, Mr. mayor. Thank you for the presentation. I would like to thank councilmember Jimenez for bringing this item forward. When you travel to other countries, especially in europe, you know, those closed streets are the funnest part that the tourists go. So I wish Richmond would have them, but honestly with our budget status, I don't think if we can afford it at this time, so hopefully in the future. I had to fight very hard for the budget for Hilltop Green emergency exit. The fire chief's recommendation for $200,000 for grants of $2,500 to households didn't go through because the city

Thank you. So you mentioned 2.6 miles or so. I'm trying to figure out what other streets we've closed that are that long of a route. That thing is just Cinco de Mayo and Juneteenth, right? For Cinco de Mayo, because I've helped set up the event in years past, We close it on Saturday because they're starting to prep because the event is fairly large. So we're already closing it on Saturday for the Sunday event. In years past, we used to do the parade on Saturday. So the streets will be closed. They would kind of start setting up some stuff and then kind of reopen temporarily for the parade to p

Okay. Thank you. Does Councilmember Wilson want to speak?

Yes, thank you. Go ahead. I share Councilmember Jimenez's concern with the fact that even though we did approve this a while ago last year, it wasn't included in the budget that we just approved in June. And I just, again, want to sort of highlight that I don't, I mean, maybe that is something after I finish speaking that the city manager could address of how come that wasn't funded or even like proposed as a potentially funded item. And I also think that Richmond can and should have nice things and I think this is a really nice thing I think it's absolutely worth doing I don't think it has to

I need to speak. Yes. At the last meeting, I mentioned all the planning and assessments that city staff are making and I think I need to reiterate them because we seem to forget how much we've piled onto our staff to do. There's a sea level rise adaption plan, there's a facility condition assessment, there's a mental health assessment, there's a port economic impact, there's offshore wind study, Chevron settlement funds assessment, Facility Needs Assessment, Black Resiliency Assessment, Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Assessment, the HUD Annual Plan, the City Assist Plan. Along with that,

I'm just going to make a motion that we get the idea that council member Zepeda for next year in the Saturday before the sinco de Mayo and that it is on the budget for the next fiscal year so we can approve it or not. So we will have a year to do that. So this is my motion.

Absolutely. Okay, thank you. I second. I have a question.

From the boarder. Yes. Clarifying question. I just want to know how much would that cost with what is being proposed?

So that's what I want to understand. Are we voting for the... this to come back with those alternatives, or are we, because I feel like there's, if we vote yes, there's cost associated with it, and you all have reiterated that we don't have the money, so I'm just trying to understand what I'm voting on before I say yes or no.

I would like to make an alternate motion, and that is for staff to consider various options, from Dirt World to the Bike to Work event, you know, and Fiesta Patria or Cinco de Mayo or Juneteenth. And I know that asking you to do that many things is asking you to do many more hours than you would if you just considered one. Maybe before I make my motion, you can help me think of which one of those would be best in terms of staff time.

Could we do one on the bayside trail? That would be the cheapest way to do it.

I will be amendable to make my motion that we will look at the all existence events and other alternatives.

The bay trail. Yes. And we are looking for cooperation. So.

The alternate motion did not receive a second. I added that we include other.

So this motion is to, just so I'm clear, this motion is. Just so I'm clear, this motion is to just come back with alternative solutions to the CECLA via.

And then put it on the, like the budget will be reflected on fiscal year 26, 27. So the $145,000 that's included.

If we vote to do so. I know, but she's including it in it.

That's why I want to understand. I think what the staff is going to bring is the different auctions, the different budgets, but that is included in the budget, and you can vote no or yes after, but that is included in the budget because we voted last time for these, and it wasn't included in the fiscal budget.

It wasn't including the fiscal budget because we had no idea how much it would cost.

This is what they will have to bring how much it's going to cost and put it in the budget.

If we vote on it. So if we're voting tonight, if a yes vote means that we're including money, that's what I want to understand.

If it's including money in the suggestions, we will have the option of voting yes or no when it's presented to us. We'll be given many options, and one of those options is no.

It's not going to be in this fiscal year. It's in the next fiscal year. 27-28. 27-28. And you will have the right to say no if you don't want it. I will. Oh, no, you don't, but you.

And you might. We're going to make it back in January.

Or next week. We can have a special meeting next week. Just kidding. I made a motion.

Just to confirm, is it coming back sometime early next year or with options and whatever now?

Yeah, it should be coming back in January at least. So we don't have this at the last minute.

Yeah. I just want to make sure the time frame and what it is. Okay. Yes.

So as a member of the hazardous material commission, I would like to report that there's a town hall or public forum in September, and I will bring more information, actually, that sp-954 that councilmember zabeda sponsored was one of the items we discussed there, yeah, along with some other items. We'll be inviting the public to that town hall in September.

Yes. So this is for future. So in August, August 18 through August 21, we are going to be celebrating our 65th anniversary with our sister city, Shimada. They'll have a delegation visiting us. There'll be various events happening throughout that week. They'll be attending various meetings and occasions. But there will be some events open to the public. So if you want to come and meet, and celebrate with us our 65th anniversary. Please come and do so. It's going to be between August 18th and 21st. keep an eye out for the list of events.

Anyone else? Well, I would like to celebrate a trip to our sister city, Zhoushan. We sent 60 students from Richmond, from the Bay Area. Many of them were from Arpao. So it was very eventful and we hope to continue doing that in the future years. So thank you. With that, if there are no other people, this meeting is adjourned.