City Council Updates
The Richmond City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 23, considered two major decisions: one regarding how the city communicates with the public following officer-involved shootings, and another concerning the schedule and timing of its regular meetings.
The most heated discussion of the night centered on a proposal to create rules for releasing information after officer-involved shootings.
Councilmember Doria Robinson introduced a motion directing City Manager Shasa Curl to work with Police Chief Bisa French and the Richmond Police Department to establish a plan for timely and transparent communications. It requires an initial press release within 24 hours of an incident and regular public updates at least every 30 days, even when there are no new developments. Press releases must include the names of the agencies involved, an overview of the investigative process, and information on how families can access body camera footage and support services.
Chief French said she agreed with most parts of the plan, including the timelines for public updates.
“We can issue a press release within the first 24 hours, with a minimum frequency of not more than 30 days for each follow-up communication,” French said.
However, French strongly disagreed with a section of the motion requiring the release of unedited body-worn camera footage, saying edited versions help prevent the spread of misinformation.
“I still believe that it would be irresponsible of us as a police department to put out body-worn camera without any contextual information,” French told the council.
Robinson and co-sponsors of the item, Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson, argued that releasing only raw footage is essential to rebuild trust in the community.
Jimenez said videos edited by the department frame events from a single point of view and can erode public confidence. Robinson added that families affected by police shootings often struggle to get basic information and should not have to “beg for information” in the midst of trauma.
Mayor Eduardo Martinez supported the release of unedited footage, saying it would allow residents to form their own opinions. After a lengthy discussion, Robinson’s proposal passed with a majority of the council voting in favor.
Adjusting the Richmond City Council meeting schedule
Later in the evening, the council debated whether to reduce the number of meetings it holds each month. City staff recommended reducing the number of regular meetings from three to two, citing heavy workloads and the strain of preparing three agendas each month. Deputy City Manager Lashonda White said later start times and earlier adjournments would also help improve public participation and staff morale.
Public speakers were divided. Don Gosney criticized the proposal, linking it to the council’s recent 80 percent pay increase.
“First, unanimously give yourself a whopping 80 percent pay increase,” Gosney said. “Then you unanimously extend your summer hiatus by a month. And now you propose reducing the number of meetings per year by 35 percent over what you had a year ago.”
Michael Fitzhugh, another Richmond resident, argued that there was no evidence that the changes would benefit the public. “Thanks to the 80 percent pay raise that you gave yourselves in January, you are some of the best-paid council members in California,” Fitzhugh said. “This resolution will boost your already generous compensation to more than $400 per meeting, even as you give us, your constituents, less of your time.”
Robinson voiced concerns that reducing the number of meetings could delay critical decisions. “In the three years that I’ve had the honor of serving on city council, I think we only finished our closed session items once,” she said. “We often don’t finish what’s on the table during the course of the meeting, and if we reduce the meetings, I fear it’s going to have a huge impact on what we can review.”
After extended discussion, the council ultimately decided to keep three meetings per month. The new schedule sets closed sessions to begin at 3:30 p.m. and open session at 6 p.m., with meetings ending by 10 p.m. and the option to extend to 11 p.m. with a two-thirds vote. The revised timing will take effect in October.
Following the vote, City Manager Shasa Curl noted that even with three meetings, the total time spent might not decrease.
“So there could be a net increase in meeting time,” Curl said.
City Attorney Dave Alshire reminded the council that Mayor Martinez had never supported reducing the number of meetings. The mayor responded that it is ultimately the council’s own behavior that determines how long meetings run.
“The amount of time that we spend up here depends on us,” Martinez said. “It depends on how much we talk, how efficient we are, and how many items we bring to council that actually need to be done.”
SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM - SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
Grandview Independent needs your financial support to continue delivering the news that matters to our community. Quality journalism costs money, and we can't do it without readers like you.
SUBSCRIBE NOW and get:
• Unlimited access to all articles
• Newsletters with exclusive content
• The satisfaction of backing independent local news that serves your community
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE - Starting at just $10/month
FOLLOW US FOR BREAKING NEWS:
• Twitter: @GrandviewIndy
• Instagram: @GrandviewIndependent
• Facebook: @Grandview Independent
Copyright © 2025 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.
Members Discussion