City Council — Tuesday, 21 July 2026
Regular meeting
It follows the City Council minutes, Jul 21, which control every motion and vote below, checked against the Council agenda, Jul 21 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, Vice Mayor Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: None. Vice Mayor Robinson joined the meeting remotely from Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown 110 6th Avenue N. Seattle, WA
- Regular meeting: Present: Councilmembers Soheila Bana, Jamelia Brown, Claudia Jimenez, Sue Wilson, Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez. Absent: None. Vice Mayor Robinson joined the meeting remotely from Hyatt Place Seattle Downtown 110 6th Avenue N. Seattle, WA
Closed session
- C.1 — Liability Claims.
- City Attorney’s report: C.1: reportable action was taken.
Statement of Conflict of Interest
- None.
Agenda Review
- Councilmember Bana requested that Item Q.5 - (Implementing Wildfire Taskforce recommendation regarding enforcing weed abatement ordinance) was moved to the Consent Calendar and requested that she was appointed to the ad hoc committee in relation to agenda Item N.5.a - (Ad hoc committee formation for City Council Rules of Procedure and Order amendments).
- Mayor Martinez stated that the items would have to be pulled from the Consent Calendar in order to consider Councilmember Bana's appointment.
- A motion was made as follows to move Item Q.6 after item Q.2 — moved by Zepeda, seconded by Brown. Passed 5–2 (noes: Bana, Martinez).
- A motion was made as follows to move Item Q.5 before Item Q.3 - (Contract amendment No,2 with Just Cities, LLC for completion of the Housing Equity Roadmap as specified in the Housing Element) — moved by Bana, seconded by Brown. Failed 3–4 (noes: Jimenez, Wilson, Robinson, Martinez).
- A motion was made as follows to remove Item N.5.a - (Ad Hoc Committee formation for City Council Rules of Procedure and Order Amendments) from the Consent Calendar — moved by Bana, seconded by Brown. Passed 6–1 (noes: Martinez).
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.) To approve all items on the consent calendar with the exception of Item N.5.a (Ad Hoc Committee Formation for City Council Rules of Procedure and Order Amendments), which was removed from the agenda for discussion.
- Motion to approve the consent calendar (with the exceptions above) — moved by Jimenez, seconded by Wilson. Passed 7–0.
Consent items of note ($100,000 and up, or pulled or continued)
- N.2.a — Contract with Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions, Inc. to Support Annual Compliance Report Monitoring. Approve a contract with Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions, Inc. for an amount not-to-exceed $263,400, to support the Planning Division’s annual review of the Chevron Richmond Refinery Modernization Project conditional use permit compliance monitoring, for a term ending June 30, 2031
- N.3.a — Contract with Nichols Consulting Engineers for Environmental Consulting Services. Approve a sole-source contract with Nicholls Consulting Engineers for environmental consulting services associated with Operable Unit 1, Operable Unit 2, and other environmental compliance and monitoring activities at the Port of Richmond, in an amount not to exceed $120,487, for a term expiring December 31, 2027
- N.3.e — Contract with NV5 Environmental, L.P. for Environmental Reporting Services at Marina Bay to the Department of Toxic Substances Control. Approve a sole-source contract with NV5 Environmental, L.P. for environmental consulting services related to Area FM, Area T, and nine deed-restricted properties in Marina Bay, including $196,140 for general environmental consulting services for Area FM, $83,400 for enhanced groundwater remediation, monitoring, and reporting for Area T, and $110,460 for annual inspections and a five-year review of the Marina Bay deed…
- N.5.a — Ad Hoc Committee Formation for City Council Rules of Procedure and Order Amendments. Appoint the mayor, vice mayor, city attorney, city clerk, and city manager to an ad hoc committee to develop proposed amendments to the City Council Rules of Procedure and Order, along with other operational refinements, to bring forward to the full City Council for approval within 60 days of its formation Item was removed for discussion; however, it was not discussed due to lack of time and was continued to the July 28, 2026, City Council meeting.
- N.6.b — Accept and Appropriate the California Department of Transportation Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant for the Richmond Greenway Gap Closure Project. Adopt a resolution to accept and appropriate the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant award in the amount of $700,000 for the Richmond Greenway Gap Closure Project; appropriate $90,693 in Measure J as matching funds, for a total project budget of $790,693; and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute the grant agreement, any amendments thereto, and related documents with Caltrans necessar… Adopted Resolution No. 124-26
- N.6.c — Appropriate Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District Fund Balance Reserves for Emergency Lighting Repairs. Adopt a resolution to appropriate the Marina Bay Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District (mbllmd) fund balance reserves in an amount not to exceed $141,746.00 for emergency lighting repairs associated with wire theft and vandalism within the Marina Bay area and authorize the city manager or their designee to take any further actions necessary to complete the repairs Adopted Resolution No. 125-26
- Also on consent (routine, under $100,000 or no dollar figure): N.1.a Canvass of Returns, June 2, 2026, Primary Municipal Election; N.1.b Meeting Minutes; N.3.b Proposed Updates to Port Tariff No. 3 Rates and Fees; N.3.c Contract with Community Fire Protection for Fire Flow Testing; N.3.d Standard Voluntary Agreement for Marina Bay Environmental Reporting with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC); N.3.f Contract with All Star Painting KD Inc. for Graffiti Removal of Historic Concrete; N.4.a Contracts with Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP and Vasquez & Company LLP, for on-call Financial and Grant Auditing Services; N.5.b Appointment of Amanda Campbell to the Richmond Fund for Children and Youth Oversight Board; N.6.a Roadway Modification at Glenn Avenue and McBryde Avenue for the McBryde Avenue Safe Routes to Park Project.
Budget Session
O.1 — Resolution Determining Necessity and Introduction of an Ordinance Ordering the Submission of a General Obligation Bond Measure for Fire Station Improvements
- As agendized: Adopt a resolution determining that the public interest and necessity demand the acquisition, construction, and improvement of certain municipal improvement projects and their financing through the issuance of general obligation bonds; and introduce an ordinance (first reading) ordering the submission of a proposition authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds to the qualified voters of the City of Richmond….
- Adopted Resolution No. 126-26
- A motion was made as follows to adopt the resolution, introduce the ordinance, and to return to the city council with options for a lease revenue bond in case the voters do not pass the bond measure. After further discussion, Councilmember Zepeda withdrew the second part of his motion regarding lease options. Adopted Resolution No. 126-26 — moved by Zepeda, seconded by Bana. Passed 7–0.
Public Hearings
P.1 — Zoning Text Amendments Related to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units
- As agendized: Hold a public hearing; and introduce (first reading) an Ordinance, as recommended by the Planning Commission, amending Sections 15.04.104.020, 15.04.201.030, 15.04.201.050, and 15.04.610.020 of the Richmond Municipal Code updating the regulations for accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units to conform with State law.
- A motion was made as follows and first reading of the ordinance was approved. — moved by Zepeda, seconded by Martinez. Passed 7–0.
- Item begins about video 3:04:06.
P.2 — Ordinance Modifying Chapter 12.19 of the Richmond Municipal Code entitled “Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems.”)
- As agendized: Introduce an ordinance (first reading) amending Chapter 12.19 of the Richmond Municipal Code entitled "Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems" to establish temporary sewage holding tank construction standards and a permitting process for properties unable to connect to the sanitary sewer system.
- No motion or outcome is recorded in the minutes for this item.
New Business
Q.1 — 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report
- As agendized: Adopt a resolution approving the Richmond Police Department’s 2025 Annual Military Equipment Use Report and authorizing the continued use of approved military equipment consistent with Government Code sections 7070 through 7075, Policy Manual section 707, and the findings required by Government Code section 7071(d).
- A motion was made as follows to accept the report with the following amendments: that the police department return to the city council regarding the option of the acquisition of an armored Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) instead of a Bearcat vehicle; to modify Section 5 of the resolution to direct the police chief to work with the Community Police Review Commission regarding an updated drone policy and patrol rifle policy. Councilmember Robinson offered a friendly amendment that staff return to the city council with all vehicle types for the armored vehicle, not limited only to SUV type vehicles. — moved by Wilson, seconded by Jimenez. Passed 7–0.
Q.2 — Resolution to Establish a Public Lands Policy
- As agendized: Adopt a resolution that establishes a Public Lands Policy and direct the city manager and city attorney to deliver and implement the policy effective immediately.
- A motion was made as follows to table the matter and bring it back once there was a better understanding and a timeline of the matter which would allow city staff and the unions the opportunity to discuss the differences — moved by Martinez, seconded by Robinson. Passed 6–1 (noes: Zepeda). Result announced about video 4:53:34.
- Item begins about video 3:19:58.
Q.3 — Contract Amendment No. 2 with Just Cities, LLC for completion of the Housing Equity Roadmap as specified in the Housing Element
- As agendized: Approve a second contract amendment with Just Cities, LLC to support completion and implementation of the Housing Equity Road Map increasing the payment limit by $49,999, for a total payment limit of $209,994, and extending the term through December 31, 2027– Community Development Department.
- A motion was made as follows to extend the meeting until 11:00 p.m. to complete Items Q.3 and Q.5, and if time permitted, Items Q.4 and N.5.a. also. — moved by Jimenez, seconded by Bana. Passed 7–0.
- A motion was made as follows to extend the meeting until 11:00 p.m. to complete Items Q.3 and Q.5, and if time permitted, Items Q.4 and N.5.a. also. Motion by Councilmember Jimenez Seconded by Councilmember Bana Ayes (7): Councilmember Soheila Bana, Councilmember Jamelia Brown, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember Sue Wilson, Councilmember Cesar Zepeda, Vice Mayor Doria Robinson, and Mayor Eduardo Martinez Passed — moved by Wilson, seconded by Jimenez. Passed 7–0.
- Item begins about video 4:53:48.
Q.4 — 23rd Street Ciclovía Pilot Project Public Works Director Daniel Chavarria and Senior Transportation PlannerGail Payne gave a presentation. Link to presentation: Ciclovia Pilot Project
- No motion or outcome is recorded in the minutes for this item.
- Item begins about video 5:04:45.
Q.5 — Implementing Wildfire Taskforce Recommendation Regarding Enforcing Weed Abatement Ordinance
- As agendized: Adopt the recommendations of the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee and direct the City Attorney's Office, in collaboration with the City Administration, to implement the following actions and return to the City Council within 90 days with any necessary ordinances, resolutions, contracts, budget appropriations, and additional implementation plans: 1. Defensible Space Appeal Process Direct the City Attorney's Offi….
- A motion was made as follows to direct staff to bring a draft ordinance to the City Council by the end of the year to include the Con-Fire model, with an implementation outline; the legality of weed abatement in very high fire severity zones within 90 days; and to also include the source of the budget during the mid- year budget review process. — moved by Bana, seconded by Jimenez. Passed 6–1 (noes: Martinez).
Q.6 — Richmond Government Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics Act (Richmond GATE Act) Placing a Ballot Initiative on the November 2026 Ballot to Adopt an Ordinance that Establishes an Independent Ethics
- As agendized: Receive a presentation on the Richmond Government Accountability, Transparency, and Ethics Act (Richmond gate Act); direct the city attorney to prepare an ordinance and related ballot measure documents for City Council consideration; and direct staff to calendar this item to adopt the ballot initiative resolution on July 21, 2026 and in no event later than July 28, 2026, to meet the November 2026 ballot deadline, thi….
- A motion was made and the item — moved by Brown, seconded by Zepeda. Failed 3–4 (noes: Jimenez, Wilson, Robinson, Martinez).
Reports of Officers
- Councilmembers gave reports and referrals; see the minutes.
Adjournment
- There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 p.m., to meet again on July 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Not yet confirmed
- P.2 Ordinance Modifying Chapter 12.19 of the Richmond Municipal Code entitled “Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems.”): no motion or outcome recorded in the minutes.
- Q.4 23rd Street Ciclovía Pilot Project Public Works Director Daniel Chavarria and Senior Transportation PlannerGail Payne gave a presentation. Link to presentation: Ciclovia Pilot Project: no motion or outcome recorded in the minutes.