City Council Updates
The Richmond City Council will meet Tuesday to review a sweeping redevelopment plan for the 143-acre Hilltop Mall site, consider new rules for public communication and counseling services after officer-involved shootings, and receive updates on rising property crime. The agenda also includes designating delegates for the League of California Cities conference, approving multiple public works and development contracts, and accepting $1.08 million in grant funding for bike and pedestrian improvements in downtown Point Richmond.
City seeks feedback on 143-acre mixed-use project to transform former shopping center
The Richmond City Council will review a comprehensive redevelopment plan that could transform the Hilltop Mall and surrounding 143 acres into a vibrant mixed-use community featuring thousands of new homes, retail spaces, and parks.
The Hilltop Horizon Specific Plan, funded by $1.25 million in state and regional grants, envisions transitioning from high-intensity residential density in the “Gateway District” near Interstate 80 to medium-density housing that better aligns with existing neighborhoods.
Planner unveils Hilltop Horizon vision, residents voice concerns over density
“We do not support high-density housing,” said Bhavin Khatri, president of the Hilltop District Neighborhood Council. “What we need is more retail, entertainment, and open space. All we have in this area is housing.”
Soren Hemmila
“The City’s vision for the Hilltop area is for a highly visible and accessible regional district, blended with a mix of vibrant uses,” according to the staff report from Community Development Director Lina Velasco.
The draft plan designates four zones with varying housing densities, from 15-40 units per acre in mid-density areas up to 80-200 units per acre in the proposed Gateway District near Klose Way and Garrity Way. The plan also includes a new neighborhood park, trail network connecting to Hilltop Lake Park, and a transit hub.
Planning Commission members expressed general support for the tiered approach during an August study session, emphasizing the need for adequate infrastructure, including schools, utilities, and public safety services. Several residents voiced differing opinions on housing density, with some favoring moderate development and others supporting higher-density housing to advance affordability goals.
The plan could help Richmond make progress on its state-mandated housing goals. The city has permitted only 326 of its required 3,614 new housing units for the current planning cycle, representing just 9 percent of its Regional Housing Needs Allocation.
Environmental review is expected to begin following the presentation, with final adoption hearings tentatively scheduled for late 2026.
New communication protocol, counseling services for officer-involved incidents
The Richmond City Council will consider a proposal to overhaul how the city communicates with the public following officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths.
Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson are sponsoring the initiative, which would shift responsibility for public communications from the Richmond Police Department to the city manager’s office and establish counseling services for affected families and witnesses.
The proposal comes after two fatal officer-involved shootings earlier this year, including the August 4 death of Angel Montano, a 27-year-old Richmond resident who was killed while holding two knives on his front porch.
Richmond police fatally shoot armed man outside home, investigation underway
Richmond police officers fatally shot a man Monday evening who they say confronted them with at least one knife outside a home where he had allegedly been threatening to kill people, authorities said. Officers responded just after 5 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an armed individual inside a
Soren Hemmila
“To maintain public trust in the event of certain critical incidents involving law enforcement and the public, there is a need to update and revise the communication protocol,” the councilmembers wrote in their proposal.
Wilson, who reflected on the city’s response in a recent newsletter to constituents, was particularly critical of how the police department handled public communications.
“I was disturbed to see that the Richmond Police Department was allowed to release a highly edited version of body cam footage,” Wilson wrote. “There is no such thing as an objective edited video.”
Wilson was particularly harsh in her criticism of the department’s narrative.
Richmond Police address shooting at press conference
At a press conference Monday, Richmond Police Chief Bisa French said 27-year-old Angel Magallan Montaño was fataly shot by officers last week after he advanced rapidly toward them while holding knives in both hands.
Linda Hemmila
“The RPD should not have released a video intended to demonstrate that lethal force was justified before any investigation has taken place. That kind of ‘shaping the narrative’ should not be allowed from a city department,” Wilson said.
The proposal aims to address what both councilmembers identified as significant shortcomings in the city’s response to recent incidents. Jimenez, in an email newsletter following the Montano shooting, called the edited police video “highly disturbing” and criticized how it “altered the narrative of what happened.”
Under the proposed changes, the city manager would be required to issue a press release within 24 hours of an officer-involved shooting, including details about the investigation process, timelines for public statements, and available resources for witnesses and family members.
The protocol would also ensure strict compliance with California’s AB 748, which requires the release of officer body camera footage within 45 days of critical incidents. The city would commit to releasing only raw, unedited footage with minimal redactions as required by law.
Wilson acknowledged that the city currently provides no resources to help families and witnesses get counseling after officer-involved shootings.
“The worst part of the 911 audio recording comes at the end, when you hear Angel Montano’s brother and mother crying and calling out his name after he was shot,” she wrote in her newsletter. “As far as I know, the city offers no resources to help family, friends and neighbors get counseling when they are directly impacted by an officer-involved shooting. We should.”
A key component of the proposal involves issuing a Request for Proposal to provide trauma-informed counseling and therapeutic services for families and witnesses directly affected by such incidents. The counseling services would be provided by trained mental health professionals using a victim-centered approach, with providers required to reflect Richmond’s cultural and linguistic diversity.
If approved, city staff will begin the RFP process and return to the council with contract recommendations and funding requests.
The proposal aims to “promote community safety, rebuild trust between residents and law enforcement, and affirm the city’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and care for its residents and staff.”
Qualified to represent at the LBC
The Richmond City Council will designate voting representatives for the League of California Cities’ annual conference, October 8-10 in Long Beach.
The League’s General Assembly allows each member city one vote on proposals ranging from local control issues to state regulations. Richmond’s representatives will join hundreds of municipal officials at the Long Beach Convention Center for the policy debates.
The council must make selections by September 24. Existing mayor and council member travel budgets will cover travel and registration costs.
Police chief’s monthly report
Property crime jumped 20 percent in Richmond during July 2025, even as violent crime decreased by 5 percent, according to Richmond Police Chief Bisa French’s monthly report released to the council.
The city recorded its first homicide of the year on July 10 in the 900 block of 9th Street, where a victim was found with fatal gunshot wounds. Despite this incident, overall violent crime dropped from 95 to 90 incidents compared to June, driven largely by a 38 percent decrease in sexual assaults.
Property crime told a different story, with burglaries spiking 38 percent from 24 to 33 incidents, and thefts rising 25 percent to 171 cases. Vehicle thefts also climbed seven percent to 78 incidents.
“These statistics offer a snapshot of crime trends in Richmond for July 2025, highlighting areas of concern as well as notable improvements,” French said.
Significant incidents included a July 5 vehicle pursuit where five suspects in a stolen vehicle struck a patrol car before fleeing on foot, and a July 22 domestic violence call where officers used a drone to locate a stabbing suspect.
The department’s Fourth of July enforcement operation resulted in one arrest, 15 citations, and the seizure of more than $10,000 worth of illegal fireworks. Officers also recovered three firearms during the holiday weekend.
All six police districts saw increases in calls for service, with District 6 experiencing the largest jump at 18 percent.
On the consent calendar
The Richmond City Council will consider approving a $15,170 contract amendment with Carahsoft/DocuSign to continue providing e-signature and contract routing services through September 2026.
Two Community Development contracts are up for amendment. Hillmann Development Advisors could receive an additional $160,000 to oversee construction and post-construction phases of the city’s Homekey Project, bringing the total contract to $169,500. PermiTech Solutions’ agreement could be increased by $140,000, with two optional one-year extensions, to support wireless permit application review.
The council will vote on changes to the Port of Richmond’s Federal Maritime Commission Tariff No. 3 to add environmental compliance language, establish new fees tied to California Air Resources Board regulations, and raise selected rates.
Councilmembers are set to receive the city’s July financial reports, including investment balances, overtime costs, pension obligations, and documentary transfer tax data.
Public Works is seeking approval for several items, including a 25-year license agreement with the East Bay Regional Park District for a portion of the Point Molate Bay Trail. Contracts are also proposed for roll-up door and automatic gate repairs ($225,000), elevator services ($225,000), and a $168,000 environmental awareness program with Earth Island Institute.
The council will consider accepting $1.08 million in grant funding for the Downtown Point Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Project and approving a $254,665 design contract with CSW-ST2.
Finally, the Cutting, Hoffman, and Harbour Way South Cycletrack Project could be accepted as complete, allowing the release of contractor bonds and final payments.
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