PLEASE NOTE: HYBRID MEETING FORMAT

- OPEN SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
- REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 3:30 P.m. - 11:30 P.m.

Community Services Building

440 Civic Center Plaza

Richmond, CA 94804

Members:

• Eduardo Martinez, Mayor at Large
• Jamelia Brown, Councilmember District 1
• Cesar Zepeda, Councilmember District 2
• Doria Robinson, Vice Mayor, District 3
• Soheila Bana, Councilmember District 4
• Sue Wilson, Councilmember District 5
• Claudia Jimenez, Councilmember District 6

NOTICE:   MASKS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED!!

 

***REGISTER TO VOTE HERE!!***

https://registertovote.ca.gov/

The last day to register to vote for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election is May 18, 2026

The last day to register to vote for the November 3, 2026, General Election is October 19, 2026

Link to City Council Agendas/Packets
http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/4157/City-ofRichmond-Council-Meetings

 

Register to receive notification of new agendas, etc.
http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/list.aspx

 

 

HOW TO WATCH THE MEETING FROM HOME:

1. KCRT – Comcast Channel 28 or AT&T Uverse Channel 99
2. Livestream online at http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/3178/KCRT-Live

 

HOW TO SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENTS:

 

In Person: Anyone who desires to address the City Council on items appearing on the agenda, including Open Forum, must complete and file a pink speaker’s card with the City Clerk prior to the City Council’s consideration of the item.  Once the City Clerk has announced the item, no person shall be permitted to speak on the item other than those persons who have submitted their names to the City Clerk.  Each speaker will be allowed up to TWO (2) MINUTES to address the City Council on NON-PUBLIC HEARING items listed on the agenda. Speakers are allowed up to THREE (3) minutes on PUBLIC HEARING items.

 

Via Zoom: Anyone who desires to address the City Council on items appearing on the agenda, including Open Forum, must raise their hand once public comment is open.  The public speakers attending in person will be called first, followed by Zoom participants.  Only those public speakers that have their hand raised once the speakers are called will be recognized.

 

Open Session and City Council: Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://zoom.us/j/99312205643?pwd=MDdqNnRmS2k4ZkRTOWhlUldQOUF1Zz09

 

Passcode: ccmeeting

 

By iPhone one-tap:  US: [phone],,99312205643#  or [phone],,99312205643# 

By Telephone:   Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):  US: [phone] or [phone] or [phone] or [phone] or [phone] or [phone] 

 

Webinar ID: 993 1220 5643

 

International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aehrwCgISx

 

To comment by video conference: click on the Participants button at the bottom of your screen and select the “Raise Your Hand” button to request to speak when Public Comment is being asked for. When called upon, press the unmute button. After the allotted time, you will then be re-muted.  **

 

To comment by phone: you will be prompted to “Raise Your Hand” by pressing “*9” to request to speak when Public Comment is asked for. When called upon, you will be asked to unmuted by pressing *6.  After the allotted time, you will then be re-muted. Instructions of how to raise your hand by phone are available at: 

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362663 -Joining-a-meeting-by-phone. **

 

**The mayor will announce the agenda item number and open public comment when appropriate. 

 

Via mail: received by 1:00 p.m. the day of the meeting, sent to 450 Civic Center Plaza, 3rd Floor, Office of the Clerk, Richmond, CA 94804.

 

Via eComments: eComments are available once an agenda is published. Locate the meeting in "upcoming meetings" and click the comment bubble icon. Click on the item you wish to comment on. eComments can be submitted when the agenda is published and until the conclusion of public comments for the agenda item. Email your comment to  should you have difficulty submitting an eComment during a meeting.

 

Via email: to by 1:00 p.m. the day of the meeting.

Emails MUST contain in the subject line 1) public comments – Open Session prior to Closed Session; 2) public comments – Open Forum; or 3) public comments agenda item #__ [include the agenda item number]. 

 

Properly labeled public comments will be considered a public record, put into the official meeting record, available after the meeting as supplemental materials, and will be posted as an attachment to the meeting minutes when the minutes are posted: http://www.ci.richmond.ca.us/Archive.aspx?AMID=31

 

The City cannot guarantee that its network and/or the site will be uninterrupted. To ensure that the City Council receives your comments, you are strongly encouraged to submit your comments in writing in advance of the meeting.

 

Procedures for Removing Items from the Consent Calendar: Members of the public who request to remove an item from the consent calendar must first discuss the item with a staff member by phone or a back-and-forth email discussion, and state the name of the staff member when requesting removal of the item from the consent calendar (by 2 p.m. the day of the meeting).  The procedures for discussion do not apply to items sponsored by the mayor or councilmembers.

 

Any member of the City Council who would like to remove an item from the consent calendar must notify the appropriate staff person and the City Clerk’s Office prior to the meeting. Although members of the City Council are encouraged to ask questions and share concerns with staff ahead of the meeting, they are not required to do so.

 

The Clerk’s Office must be informed of any requests to remove items from the Consent Calendar. Items removed from the Consent Calendar shall be placed at the end of the agenda for consideration.

 

CONDUCT AT MEETINGS:  Richmond City Council meetings are limited public forums during which the City strives to provide an open, safe atmosphere and promote robust public debate. Members of the public, however, must comply with state law, as well as the City’s laws and procedures and may not actually disrupt the orderly conduct of these meetings. The public, for example, may not shout or use amplifying devices, must submit comment cards and speak during their allotted time, may not create a physical disturbance, may not speak on matters unrelated to issues within the jurisdiction of the City Council or the agenda item at hand, and may not cause immediate threats to public safety.

 

Click here for City Harassment Policy

 

Accessibility for Individuals with Disabilities:  Upon request, the City will provide for written agenda materials in appropriate alternative formats, or disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services and sign language interpreters, to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in and provide comments at/related to public meetings. Please submit a request, including your name, phone number and/or email address, and a description of the modification, accommodation, auxiliary aid, service or alternative format requested at least two days before the meeting.  Requests should be emailed to or submitted by phone at 510-620-6513, ext. 9, or 510-620-6509.  Requests made by mail to City Clerk’s Office, City Council meeting, 450 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804 must be received at least two days before the meeting. Requests will be granted whenever possible and resolved in favor of accessibility.

 

Unless otherwise noted in an agenda description, all actions taken by the Council include a determination that CEQA does not apply (i.e., the action is not a project and therefore exempt from CEQA).

 

Disclaimer:  The City Clerk's Office translates agendas to enhance public access.  Translated agendas are provided as a courtesy and do not constitute legal notice of the meeting or items to be discussed.  In case of discrepancy, the English agenda will prevail.

 

 

 

---

A.

OPEN SESSION TO HEAR PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION

3:30 p.m.

B.

ROLL CALL

C.

CLOSED SESSION

C.1

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (Government Code Section 54957)

• Title: City Manager

C.2

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Government Code Section 54957.6)

•    Agency Representatives: Sharrone Taylor, Jack Hughes, and Lisa Charbonneau

Employee organizations:

1. SEIU Local 1021 Full Time Unit and Part Time Unit
2. IFPTE Local 21 Mid-Level Management Unit and Executive Management Units
3. Richmond Police Officers Association RPOA
4. Richmond Police Management Association RPMA
5. IAFF Local 188
6. Richmond Fire Management Association RFMA

C.3

CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code Section 54956.8)

• Property: 1414 Harbour Way South
  Agency Negotiator: Dave Aleshire (Special Counsel)
  Negotiating Parties: Orton Entertainment, LLC
  Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of Payment

D.

PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE CLOSED SESSION (limited to items on the Closed Session agenda only)

E.

ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION

________________________________________________________

F.

REGULAR MEETING OF THE RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

6:00 p.m.

G.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

H.

ROLL CALL

I.

STATEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

J.

AGENDA REVIEW

K.

REPORT FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY OF FINAL DECISIONS MADE DURING CLOSED SESSION

L.

REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER (public comment allowed under Open Forum)

M.

COMMENDATIONS, PRESENTATIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS

M.1

American Public Works Association (APWA) NorCal Best Project Award

• RECEIVE the American Public Works Association (APWA) Northern California Chapter Best Project Award in the Transportation Category (Projects Under $5 Million) for the Ferry to Bridge to Greenway (F2B2G) Project - Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).

N.

OPEN FORUM FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

(public comment on items that remain on the Consent Calendar or items not on the agenda - limited to 2 minutes unless otherwise specified - Back and forth dialogue with the Council is prohibited)

O.

CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR

(All items placed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial. 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.)

O.1

City Attorney's Office

O.1.a

Establishing a Commitment to Caste Equity and the Prevention of Caste-Based Discrimination

• ADOPT a resolution establishing a Commitment to Caste Equity and the Prevention of Caste-Based Discrimination and INTRODUCE an ordinance (first reading) amending sections 3.58.010, 3.58.020, and 3.58.060 of the Richmond Municipal Code to add caste as a protected category within the jurisdiction of the City’s Human Rights and Human Relations Commission – City Attorney’s Office (Shannon Moore 510-620-6505/Dallae Chin 510-620-5517/Brandi Robinson 510-620-5518).

O.1.b

Amending Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 2.30 regarding Use of City Resources for Civil Immigration Enforcement

• ADOPT an ordinance (second reading) amending Richmond Municipal Code Chapter 2.30 to clarify limitations on the use of city property, personnel, and resources for civil immigration enforcement and develop implementation procedures, including communications plans, and reporting requirements – City Attorney’s Office (Shannon Moore 510-620-5509/Kimberly Chin 510-620-6709).

O.2

City Clerk's Office

O.2.a

Records Retention and Destruction Schedule Update

• ADOPT a resolution approving updates to the City-wide Records Retention and Destruction Schedules, excluding the Police Department, which will be brought back to City Council for adoption at a later date – City Clerk’s Office (Pamela Christian 510-620-5413). This item was continued from the March 24, and April 7, 2026, meetings.

O.3

City Council

O.3.a

Letter to Governor Gavin Newsom to Stop the Illicit Importation of Illegal Fireworks from Nevada

• ADOPT a resolution to DIRECT the city clerk to send a letter to California State Governor Gavin Newsom in support of developing a task force to explore an interstate compact between California and Nevada to stop the illicit importation of illegal fireworks from Nevada into California via a shared database of recorded sales - Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez (510-620-6565) and Sue Wilson (510-609-2111).

O.3.b

Support for 2026 Mother’s Day event at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium

• APPROVE the co-sponsorship of the May 9, 2026, Mother's Day event, and AUTHORIZE the one-time use and fee waiver of the Richmond Auditorium to support a community-led Mother’s Day Event celebration organized by the United Business Organization - Vice Mayor Doria Robinson (510-620-6568), Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490), and Mayor Eduardo Martinez (510-620-6503).

O.3.c

Support for Senate Bill 959 Regarding Local Fire Agency Authority and School Safety Measures During Wildfire Emergencies

• ADOPT a resolution supporting California Senate Bill 959 to empower local fire agencies to determine major safety hazards and protect school funding during extreme wildfire emergencies - Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-3490).

O.4

Community Development

O.4.a

Potential Moratorium on Data Centers

• DIRECT the city manager and city attorney to work with Planning staff to develop and bring forward a proposed moratorium on data centers – City Manager’s Office/Community Development Department/City Attorney’s Office (Shasa Curl 510-620-6512/Lina Velasco 510-620-6841/Shannon Moore 510-620-6509).

O.5

Community Services

O.5.a

Contract with West Contra Costa Public Education Fund for Free Youth Achieve Summer Camp Program

• APPROVE a contract with West Contra Costa Public Education Fund to offer the Achieve Summer Camp Program, providing free programs to youth through an 8-week summer camp in partnership with Community Services–Recreation, for the term of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $600,000 – Community Services Department (Troy Porter/Ranjana Maharaj/LaShonda White 510-620-6793).

O.5.b

California State Library – Lunch at the Library Grant

• ACCEPT $9,000 in California State Library grant funding and APPROPRIATE the funds into the Library’s Fiscal Year 2025-2026 operating budget; and AUTHORIZE the city manager or their designee, to execute grant agreements and certify grant reports - Community Services Department (Christopher Larsen 510-620-5524/Kate Eppler 510-620-5452).

O.6

Finance Department

O.6.a

Update on the Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Policy Ordinance

• RECEIVE a written update regarding the steps taken to ensure compliance with the Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Policy Ordinance – Finance Department (Emily Combs, Mubeen Qader, Antonio Banuelos, Ofelia Alvarez 510-620-6699).

O.7

Public Works

O.7.a

Accept the 7th Street Bike Lane Improvement Project as Complete

• ADOPT a resolution to ACCEPT the 7th Street Bike Lane Improvement Project as complete, AMEND the construction contract with Rapid Grading increasing the payment limit in the amount of $121,202.70 for an amount not to exceed $420,038.73, DIRECT the city clerk to record the Notice of Completion, and AUTHORIZE the city engineer to release applicable bonds and retention – Public Works Department (Hillal Hamdan 510-621-1612/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477).

O.7.b

Purchase of K-Rails and Natural Stone Boulders from First Vanguard Rentals & Sales, Inc. and Blue Angel International, LLC

• ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE the purchase of K-rails and natural stone boulders for City-wide encampment mitigation, right-of-way protection, and site hardening efforts from First Vanguard Rentals & Sales, Inc. and Blue Angel International LLC, each for a three-year term in an amount not to exceed $450,000, with the option to extend for two additional one-year terms in an amount not to exceed $150,000 per year, subject to city manager approval – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/ Darin Fitzpatrick 510-231-3044).

O.7.c

March 2026 Abatement Report

• RECEIVE a report on the March 2026 abatement activities – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Darin Fitzpatrick 510-231-3044/Hugo Mendoza 510-231-3030).

O.7.d

Contract with Larry Walker & Associates for Wastewater and Stormwater Regulatory Compliance Support

• ADOPT a resolution to APPROVE a sole-source contract with Larry Walker & Associates, Inc., to provide wastewater and stormwater regulatory compliance support services, in an amount not to exceed $900,000 ($806,400 in anticipated costs plus an 11.6% contingency for unanticipated regulatory responses) for a three-year term from April 22, 2026, through April 21, 2029, and AUTHORIZE the city manager to execute the contract and any related documents – Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-5478/Robert Armijo 510-620-5477/Tawfic Halaby 510-620-5482/Bradley Harms 510-307-8094).

P.

NEW BUSINESS

P.1

Revenue Enhancement and Financing Recommendations for Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services and Fire Station Upgrades

• RECEIVE a report on revenue enhancement and financing options to support Advanced Life Support (ALS) First Responder Services and fire station upgrades and replacements, and PROVIDE DIRECTION to the city manager on preferred revenue and financing pathways, including whether to proceed with preparation for a potential November 2026 funding measure – Fire Department/Finance Department/City Manager’s Office (Chief Aaron Osorio 510-307-8021/Emily Combs 510-890-5534/Shasa Curl 510-620-6512).

P.2

Approval of the Donation Agreement for Leasehold Interests and Joint Escrow Instructions for Craneway Property.

• ADOPT a  resolution approving a Donation Agreement between the City of Richmond and Orton Entertainment, LLC for the donation of said leasehold interests and related personal property located at 1414–1422 Harbor Way South, and authorizing the Mayor or designee to execute the agreement and all necessary documents, including escrow instructions, and to take all actions necessary to complete the transaction – Special Counsel, Dave Aleshire [phone]. 

Q.

REPORTS OF OFFICERS: REFERRALS TO STAFF, AND GENERAL REPORTS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS)(limited to two minutes per Councilmember)

R.

ADJOURNMENT