RNCC Meeting Minutes, June 14, 2010
1. The meeting was called to order at 7 PM by President Bea Roberson.
2. MSP approval of the Minutes of the General Meeting of May 10, 2010.
3. Representatives from 14 neighborhoods introduced themselves and gave a report.
4. Announcements from RNCC PIO: Naomi Williams reported on current events and correspondence in the RNCC binder, which was then passed around for members to view. She noted that there were very few items to notice this month.
5. City Department Heads/City Official Reports:
Planning: Lamont Thompson did not distribute the list of active projects, since there were errors in the list. The Draft Housing Element and EIR will be ready in one month for public review. No date was established when the General Plan revisions will be done. At the last week Design Review Board meeting, the Board noticed and discussed that the Neighborhood Councils were not receiving notices of some items going to them and wanted staff to let the Neighborhood Councils know of the situation. Staff suggested instituting a fee, of 5 to 10 dollars, to mail notifications to those neighborhoods that want them.
Engineering Services: Chad Davisson, the City’s Wastewater Project manager Contract Administrator, notified us that on July 1st the annual Richmond Sewer Lateral Grant Program sign-up will begin at 8:30 AM on a first come first served basis. The program would pay for the sewer replacement of up to $3,000 per household to not exceed a budgeted $100.000 amount. For more information, check out website www.ci.richmond.ca.us , then click “Richmond’s Lateral Grant Program”. He also notified us, that tomorrow night, the City Council will be reviewing the sewer rate increase to those within the Richmond Municipal Sewer District. There were already over 350 written protests filed.
Mayor’s office: Marilyn Langlois handed out a sheet of upcoming events, public hearings and study sessions. Part of her announcements included the first annual Richmond Native American Pow-Wow on June 26th, Richmond Tales/History being done in “the Book”, and the upcoming Juneteenth Festival.
City Manager/Community Coordinator: Rochelle Monk reminded to make sure all Neighborhood Council names and emails are correct. The City has done a newsletter link to the City’s newsletter and the webmaster suggested a little paragraph be written of the neighborhood councils. A question was raised that if the Chevron agreement would be providing funds to the City, and if the City’s budget is better, then can RNCC be folded back with mailing and funding? Rochelle mentioned that this is being assessed. Another concern was raised about the quarterly mailings and coping budget/policy to us, and that the Executive Board should not have made the decisions about the agreement without bringing to the membership at-large for a vote. Members of the Executive Board tried to explain of the City’s presentation of a limited amount of funds to us, to come up with a plan soon, that the Board in the past made decisions for the body, and the alternatives were few. The President said that the Executive Board would discuss this issue at the next Board meeting.
Police Department: Chief Chris Magnus discussed that violent crimes are down 11% and property crimes are down 2%. They are working more closely with the State Parole daily and with the Attorney General’s office on a pilot program regarding monitoring the most violent parolees. More are required to wear the ankle bracelets. So far they have added 20 parolees to wear them and have helped to get repeat offenders off the streets. More efficient methods of catching and convicting criminals have been used. The “Guns with DNA” cases were not getting results, but now they have good help from two in the DA’s office. They are also trying a Vertical Prosecution Program where one District Attorney is assigned for all cases involving one person or gang throughout, whether it is a misdemeanor to felony into court. This has helped greatly with more secure convictions and keeping them off the streets. The police got a State grant for Civil Disorder Preparedness, which will equip and train them appropriately with responsible action.
Environmental Manager: Jenifer Lee passed out sample flyers about a change in the garbage pick-up program where table scraps, and some paper can be stored in a small container for in the kitchen to dispose of in the Green bin with the yard trimmings. The Green bins should be left closed. This will be decomposed for compost. No oil is allowed though.
6. Presentation: There was one presentation.
Council-person Ludmyrna Lopez and Finance Director James Goins talked on behalf of the Richmond City Council Finance Committee, regarding the City’s 2010/2011 Budget. The City has held several meetings citywide in preparation for the July fiscal year City Budget. They presented how the City is doing financially. Compared to the State with its lowest credit rating, the City of Richmond’s rating is very good. The number of foreclosures is down, unemployment is high at 19% (CCC is 9%). As for city hall, there will be no layoffs, there is a 20% reduction proposed to each department, reduced capital spending, frozen vacant positions, offered early retirements. They mentioned that the City has a sustainable level of revenue from various sources, besides Chevron agreement, even when property taxes have been lower, but need to improve on these sources.
7. Old Business: The Chevron tour is coming up soon and the President asked all to bring in the forms to confirm who is going. She will give out information of where to meet that Thursday.
8. New Business: There was no new business.
9. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 PM.
The next General meeting is July 12, 2010 and the next Board Meeting is June 21, 2010.
Thank you to Richmond Annex & Parchester Neighborhood Councils for providing refreshments.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerry Yoshida
Acting Recording Secretary
2010-2011 COPYING AND MAILING POLICY FOR RNCC MEMBERS
THE CITY OF RICHMOND WILL PROVIDE TO RNCC MEMBERS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2010-2011:
COPYING $33,000
MAILING $5,000
TOTAL: $38,000
THE CITY WILL PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE PRINTING AND MAILING OF QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS FOR RNCC NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCILS IN GOOD STANDING. (FIGURES ARE BASED ON THE MAXIMUM OF SIX PAGES COPIED DOUBLE-SIDED TO THREE PAGES), FOR THE APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF RESIDENCES LOCATED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
IN GOOD STANDING, AS DEFINED BY THE BY-LAWS: HAVE PAID RNCC DUES AND HAVE ATTENDED 6 OF THE LAST 12 MEETINGS OR HALF OF THE MEETINGS SINCE BECOMING A NEW MEMBER OF THE RNCC.
THE CITY WILL UPLOAD MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS TO THE CITY’S WEBSITE FOR ALL REQUESTING COUNCILS.