On the agenda: new tenant protections, police shooting policy updates

The Richmond City Council on Tuesday, November 4, will consider new rules to regulate “cash for keys” agreements in which landlords pay tenants to move out, while also approving updates to the Police Department’s officer-involved shooting policy and launching a review of the city’s mental health services. The meeting’s consent calendar includes a range of public safety, infrastructure, and community development items, including new fire and police equipment purchases, emergency medical funding, and pension adjustments.

Council to weigh rules on ‘cash for keys’ tenant buyouts

The Richmond City Council is considering new rules to regulate “cash for keys” agreements, deals in which landlords pay tenants to move out of their rental units. This is the only new business item on the calendar.

The proposal from the Richmond Rent Program would establish oversight of these buyout arrangements to prevent coercion, protect renters’ rights, and help preserve affordable housing. The city’s Rent Board voted unanimously in July to recommend a “high level of oversight” policy and asked the council to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance.

A “cash for keys” deal, formally called a tenant buyout agreement, is a voluntary contract in which a tenant agrees to vacate a unit in exchange for money or other compensation. Landlords often offer buyouts to avoid lengthy eviction proceedings, prepare a property for sale or redevelopment, or raise rents to market levels once a protected tenant moves out.

Under the proposed policy, landlords would be required to give tenants written notice of their rights before any negotiations begin and file copies of the notice and agreement with the Rent Program. Tenants would have 45 days to cancel an agreement after signing, and payouts would have to equal at least the city’s relocation assistance amount for comparable units. Noncompliance could lead to fines or legal action.

Officials say the regulations would prevent landlords from using buyouts to sidestep Richmond’s rent control and eviction protection laws. The City Council is expected to review the proposal this fall before deciding whether to move forward with drafting an ordinance.

Updating policy on officer-involved shootings

The council is also set to adopt revisions to the Richmond Police Department’s officer-involved shooting policy and begin a review of local mental health services. This item is on the consent calendar and will be approved without discussion unless it is removed.

The proposal updates Police Department Policy 306 to set clearer timelines and transparency standards for officer-involved shooting communications. The changes require an initial public statement within 24 hours of an incident and regular updates at least every 30 days, even if no new information is available. The first release must identify all investigating agencies, outline the investigation sequence, link to the Community Police Review Commission, and explain how affected individuals can access support services.

The policy also confirms that the release of body-worn camera footage will follow state law, allowing only redactions necessary to protect safety and privacy under Government Code §7923.625 and Assembly Bill 748.

Richmond will start a competitive process to hire consultants to assess its mental health services. The study will include an inventory of available programs, identify service gaps, and recommend ways to improve access and outreach, particularly for residents affected by trauma.

According to the report, a final mental health assessment is expected to be completed by July 2026. Funding details will be determined after the city reviews proposals.

Also on the consent calendar are a series of public safety, infrastructure, and community development measures, including new contracts for emergency services, police equipment, and fire department supplies.

Fuel for the firefighters

Fire Department gains fresh funding, new equipment, and a seat on a regional rescue squad.

The council will authorize the Fire Department to accept up to $229,462 in Measure H funding from Contra Costa County Health Services to support emergency medical programs and approve multiple contracts to maintain and expand firefighting readiness. Those include $1 million in equipment purchases from LN Curtis & Sons, a $120,000 contract for background checks with The Gumshoe Group, and $60,000 for Telestaff personnel management software. Richmond also joins California Task Force 4, a regional urban search and rescue team led by the Oakland Fire Department.

Encrypted and equipped

Police eye pricier radios, new gym gear, and a longer leash on animal services.

Public safety updates also extended to the Richmond Police Department, which seeks approval to buy $350,000 in encrypted radios from Motorola Solutions, purchase $55,000 in fitness equipment, and renew a $1.4 million agreement with Contra Costa County Animal Services through June 2026.

Other police-related actions included a $250,000 contract with STAND! For Families Free of Violence to provide counseling and advocacy services, and a $40,000 agreement with Donnoe & Associates for promotional testing.

Retirees get a raise

A modest pension bump keeps pace with inflation.

The Finance Department is looking for approval for a five percent cost-of-living increase for recipients of the city’s General Pension Fund, combining a three percent discretionary boost with the standard two percent adjustment. The council is also to receive the monthly financial reports for September.

Pedal power and guardrails

Public Works completes one project and funds another to make Richmond safer for walking and cycling.

Public Works has $241,000 in regional transportation funds for the Downtown Point Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Project and finalized the Richmond Parkway Guardrail Replacement Project, awarding a final payment of $42,740 to W.R. Forde Construction.

Climate gets an address

A Nevin Plaza office becomes a home base for the city’s green transformation effort.

Under Economic Development, the council will approve a $16,680 annual lease for office space at 1600 Nevin Plaza to house the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) program, funded by a state climate grant.

Temp work, permanent extensions

Staffing agencies will remain in place through 2027 as Richmond ticks the boxes for regional transport funds.

Additional approvals included contract extensions for temporary staffing agencies TemPositions and AppleOne, each capped at $350,000 through 2027, and adoption of the city’s Measure J Growth Management Program compliance checklist for 2022–2023, required for continued participation in Contra Costa County’s regional transportation funding.

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