City Council — Tuesday, 19 May 2026
Regular meeting
It follows the City Council minutes, May 19, which control every motion and vote below, checked against the Council agenda, May 19 and the KCRT video. Video times are approximate, taken from the automatic captions.
Attendance
- Before closed session: Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda (Via Zoom pursuant to California Government Code Section 54953.8.3(c)(4)), Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: None.
- Regular meeting: Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda (Via Zoom pursuant to California Government Code Section 54953.8.3(c)(4)), Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: None.
Closed session
- C.1 — Conference With Labor Negotiators.
- C.2 — Liability Claims.
Statement of Conflict of Interest
- None.
Agenda Review
- Item N.1.c (Contract with Thomson Reuters Enterprise for Legal Research Subscription Services) was continued to the May 26, 2026, City Council meeting.
City Attorney’s report from closed session
- Interim City Attorney Shannon Moore reported that no final decisions were made regarding Item C.1 (conference with labor negotiators) and Item C.2 (liability claims). REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum) City Manager Shasa Curl provided a report.
Open Forum for Public Comment
- Public comment was taken. Speakers are listed in the minutes; the Monitor does not name members of the public.
City Council Consent Calendar
- These items will be enacted upon together with a motion and second, without discussion, of any member of the City Council, and each item shall be deemed to have received the action recommended.) Motion by Councilmember Jamelia Brown Seconded by Councilmember Soheila Bana To approve all items on the consent calendar with the inclusion of the added Emergency Item (resolution expressing profound sorrow, condolences, and solidarity with the Muslim community following the tragic May 18, 2026, mosque and school shooting in San Diego) and excluding Items N.1.c (Contract with Thomson Reuters Enterprise for Legal Research Subscription Services), N.5.a (Grant Award from Chevron Community Engagement Foundation), N.6.a (Downtown Richmond Property and Business Improvement District Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Assessment Levy), N.7.a (Approval of Write-Off of Uncollectible Accounts Receivables), N.12.b (Contract with Richmond Rod and Gun Club for Shooting Range Facility Rental), N.13.b (Complete Streets Improvement Elements Project Funding Allocation Plan), N.13.e (Contract Amendment No. 3 with Charleston Mobility for Electric Bikeshare Operations), and N.13.f (Introduce Ordinance Amending Sidewalk Vendor Regulations (RMC Chapter 7.42)).
- Passed Emergency Item (added to the Consent Calendar) ADOPT a resolution expressing profound sorrow, condolences, and solidarity with the Muslim community following the tragic May 18, 2026, mosque and school shooting in San Diego, explicitly rejecting racial hate and violence, and formally endorsing the joint statement signed by Richmond faith and community centers, including Masjid Al-Noor and Masjid Al-Rahman.
- Motion to approve the consent calendar (with the exceptions above) — moved by Brown, seconded by Bana. Passed 7–0.
Consent items of note ($100,000 and up, or pulled or continued)
- N.1.a — Legal Services Agreement No. 4 with Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC. Approve a fourth amendment to the legal services agreement with Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC, for legal representation related to the Winehaven Legacy litigation and related matters, to increase compensation by $75,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $450,000, extend the term through December 31, 2027, and appropriate $75,000 from the General Fund to cover associated legal fees.
- N.1.b — Legal Services Agreement with Ellis Investigations for Confidential Personnel Investigations. Approve a legal services agreement with Ellis Investigations to conduct confidential personnel investigations for a term of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, for a total amount not to exceed $150,000
- N.1.c — Contract with Thomson Reuters Enterprise for Legal Research Subscription Services. Approve a contract with Thomson Reuters for legal research subscription services for Westlaw and CoCounsel Legal in an amount not to exceed $110,000 for the term of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2029, subject to non-substantive revisions approved by the City Attorney’s Office; and authorize the city manager or their designee to execute the contract
- N.4.a — On-Call Contracts with Nastich Law and Robert M. Snider, Attorney at Law for Administrative Hearing Officer Services. Adopt a resolution authorizing on-call contracts with Nastich Law and Robert M. Snider, Attorney at Law, to provide Administrative Hearing Officer services, for an amount not to exceed $300,000 per firm, for a three-year term Adopted Resolution No. 64-26
- N.6.a — Downtown Richmond Property and Business Improvement District Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Assessment Levy. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City of Richmond to levy assessments on property owners subject to the Downtown Richmond Property and Business Improvement District through the County of Contra Costa property tax rolls for Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Motion: Robinson, seconded by Martinez. Passed 7–0.
- N.6.b — Contract Amendment with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center for Small Business Beautification Pilot Program. Approve the first amendment to the contract with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to increase the total contract amount by $60,000 for a revised amount not to exceed $400,000, extend the term through June 30, 2027, and support payment administration for eligible businesses participating in the Small Business Beautification Facade Improvement Program
- N.7.a — Approval of Write-Off of Uncollectible Accounts Receivables. Adopt a resolution authorizing the write-off of delinquent and/or uncollectible accounts receivable in the amount of $535,499.12
- N.8.b — Interagency Agreement Amendment with Contra Costa County Health Services for Emergency Medical Services Program. Adopt a resolution to: (1) approve and authorize the city manager, or designee to execute an amendment to the agreement with Contra Costa County Health Services for Emergency Medical Services Program, extending the term of the current interagency agreement through June 30, 2027; and (2) accept and appropriate funds in an amount not to exceed an additional $229,462 in Measure H funding from the Contra Costa County Hea… Adopted Resolution No. 68-26
- N.12.a — Contract with Verizon Connect for Police Vehicle GPS Service. Approve a contract with Verizon Connect for monthly GPS tracking and management in an amount not to exceed $150,000 over a three-year term from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2029, plus two one-year extension options not to exceed $50,000 per year
- N.12.c — Agreement with Contra Costa County Animal Services Department for Ongoing Animal Control Services. Approve and authorize a contract with Contra Costa County Animal Services Department in an amount not to exceed $7,200,000 for the continuation of Animal Control Services for Fiscal Year 2026–2027, with an additional three-year term for Fiscal Years 2027–2028, 2028– 2029, and 2029–2030, for a total contract term of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2030
- N.13.b — Complete Streets Improvement Elements Project Funding Allocation Plan. Approve the Complete Streets Improvements (Pavement Management, Streetscape Improvements, etc.) funding allocation plan Motion: Bana, seconded by Brown. Passed 4–3 (noes: Wilson, Jimenez, Robinson).
- N.13.c — Fiscal Year 2026–27 Senate Bill 1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Fund Project List. Adopt a resolution approving the Fiscal Year 2026–27 Senate Bill (SB) 1 Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (rmra) project list and appropriate $3,251,983 in rmra funds to SB 1 Fund 1019 Adopted Resolution No. 70-26
- N.13.d — Appropriate Funds for the Santa Fe Avenue Slope Stabilization Project. Adopt a resolution to ratify the transfer of $72,623.62 from the Santa Rita Road Stabilization Project; appropriate $205,502.81 from the Quick-Build project funded through California’s Active Transportation Program for Cutting/Hoffman Project to fund design and geotechnical services; and appropriate $1,000,000 from the Insurance Reserve Fund to the General Capital Fund in the Fiscal Year 2026–27 budget for constructi… Adopted Resolution No. 71-26
- N.13.e — Contract Amendment No. 3 with Charleston Mobility for Electric Bikeshare Operations. Approve a third contract amendment with Charleston Mobility in an amount not to exceed $390,000 for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $3,540,341, to support the continued operation of the citywide electric bikeshare program till the end of the fiscal year to allow time to determine the future of the program during the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget process; and appropriate $390,000 from the Environmental and Commu… Motion: Wilson, seconded by Jimenez. Passed 7–0.
- N.13.f — Introduce Ordinance Amending Sidewalk Vendor Regulations (RMC Chapter 7.42). Introduce an ordinance (first reading) amending Chapter 7.42 of the Richmond Municipal Code (Sidewalk Vendor Ordinance) to update administrative procedures, waiver provisions, and enforcement mechanisms Motion: Wilson, seconded by Brown. Passed 7–0.
- Also on consent (routine, under $100,000 or no dollar figure): N.2.a Meeting Minutes; N.3.a Waiver of Auditorium Fees, Staffing Costs, and Other Associated Costs to Support the West Contra Costa Unified School District Latino/x Graduation at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium and Convention Center; N.4.b Contract with Makanai, LLC for Budget and Reporting Support for Housing Programs; N.5.a Grant Award from Chevron Community Engagement Foundation; N.7.b Setting Tax Rate for the Pension Tax Override Fund for Fiscal Year 2026- 27; N.7.c Donation Acceptance Policy; N.8.a Designating Officials Authorized to Execute and Submit Application for Federal and State Financial Disaster Assistance; N.8.c Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations; N.9.a Annual Compensation Adjustment for the City Clerk; N.10.a Ad-Hoc Committee to Amend City Council Rules of Procedure and Order; N.11.a Appointment of Darcy A. Wheeler to the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board; N.11.b Appointment of Aleena Ornelas to the Richmond Youth Council; N.11.c Appointment of Cameron Smith to the Design Review Board; N.11.d Reappointment of Samantha Torres to the Recreation and Parks Commission; N.11.e Expansion of the Macdonald Avenue Corridor Task Force Membership; N.11.f Recognizing National Public Works Week May 17-23, 2026; N.12.b Contract with Richmond Rod and Gun Club for Shooting Range Facility Rental; N.13.a Acceptance of the Lincoln Elementary School Safe Routes to School Improvement Project.
Budget Session
O.1 — Fiscal Year 2026-27 Draft Budget Department Presentations and Budget Updates
- As agendized: Receive an update on departmental presentations from Community Services, Economic Development, and Fire Departments as part of the continued review of the draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Annual Operating Budget and FY 2026-31 FiveYear Capital Improvement Plan, with discussions upon completion of all departmental presentations; and receive updated financial and operational considerations.
- Presentation or report received; the minutes record no vote.
Public Hearings
P.1 — General Plan and Zoning Text Amendments Related to 6th Cycle Housing Element Program Implementation
- As agendized: Hold a public hearing; introduce (first reading) an ordinance, as recommended by Richmond’s Planning Commission, amending Articles 15.04.104, 15.04.201, 15.04.202, 15.04.203, 15.04.602, 15.04.607; Sections 15.04.610.180, 15.04.610.360, 15.04.805.040 and 15.04.806.040 of the Richmond Municipal Code (RMC); and adopt a resolution, as recommended by Richmond’s Planning Commission, amending the General Plan 2030 Land Use ….
- Presentation or report received; the minutes record no vote.
P.2 — Levy of Special Assessments for Unpaid Administrative Citation and Nuisance Abatement Costs
- As agendized: Hold a public hearing; and adopt a resolution authorizing the levy of special assessments against certain properties with unpaid invoices related to administrative citation fees, and nuisance abatement costs pursuant to Richmond Municipal Code Chapters 2.62, 6.38, 9.22, and 11.76.
- Presentation or report received; the minutes record no vote.
P.3 — Master Fee Schedule Update
- As agendized: Hold a public hearing; and introduce an ordinance (first reading) establishing certain fees for the proposed Master Fee Schedule.
- Presentation or report received; the minutes record no vote.
P.4 — Annual Public Hearing on Vacancies
- As agendized: Hold a public hearing and receive a presentation on the status of vacancies and the City’s recruitment and retention efforts in 2025.
- Presentation or report received; the minutes record no vote.
New Business
Q.1 — Opposition to Proposed CO2 Waste Dumping Projects & CO2 Pipelines in Richmond, Contra Costa, and Solano Counties
- As agendized: Receive a presentation on proposed Montezuma CO2 Hub, a carbon waste dumping project, that would require a massive build out of pipelines through Richmond, risking the health and safety of Richmond residents and adopt a resolution that opposes the proposed Montezuma Carbon Sequestration Hub's CO2 pipeline waste dumping projects and CO2 pipelines in Richmond, Contra Costa, and Solano Counties.
- Motion: To approve the item. — moved by Martinez, seconded by Jimenez. Passed 5–0 (abstained: Brown, Bana). Result announced about video 4:08:44.
- Item begins about video 3:43:26.
Q.2 — Presentation from Richmond Promise: Helping to build a stronger Richmond by deeply supporting Richmond students to access and successfully complete post-secondary education (not only 4 year college)
- As agendized: Receive a presentation from Richmond Promise on the organization’s current scope of services, how it supports youth before, during, and after post-secondary education, and the impact it has achieved to date and to highlight the program’s current needs as it continues to serve Richmond students; and direct staff to explore funding to support scholarships for Richmond youth.
- Presentation or report received; the minutes record no vote.
Reports of Officers
- Councilmembers gave reports and referrals; see the minutes.
Adjournment
- There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:54 p.m., to meet again on May 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Not yet confirmed
- Nothing flagged. The minutes record a motion or outcome for each item listed.