Richmond CA City Council
Richmond City Council will review a report on critical structural issues at Point Potrero Marine Terminal, consider a revived Ciclovia proposal, and unveil a $306M draft budget for FY 2025–26 on Tuesday, May 6. Mayor Eduardo Martinez has also proposed an Ad Hoc committee on police oversight reforms.
Council to review structural condition of historic port terminal
The City of Richmond will receive an initial presentation on the condition of the Point Potrero Marine Terminal, a historic waterfront facility now in use for automobile imports.
The assessment, led by engineering firm Moffatt & Nichol, found extensive structural issues at several sections of the terminal, including Berths 5 and 6, which were described as being in “poor to critical” condition. According to the report, slab sagging from beam failures, missing timber piles, and pavement erosion were among the key concerns in these areas.
Berths 7 and 8, currently leased by Auto Warehousing Company for importing vehicles from Korea and Japan, also showed signs of deterioration, including corrosion damage and cracking in some concrete piles due to structural overloads.
The assessment, authorized by the council in October 2024, is intended to guide long-term planning for maintenance, upgrades, and potential operational expansion at the site. The 65-acre terminal, built during World War II as Shipyard No. 3, was transformed into a modern roll-on/roll-off port in 2009.
The city’s consultants also reviewed the terminal’s graving basins and finger piers, which date back to the 1940s. While the interior columns of the graving basins were generally in good condition, the exterior columns showed “moderate to major” damage, including cracks, delamination, and exposed reinforcing steel. The finger piers exhibited mixed conditions, with severe pile damage in two areas and delamination in several beams.
Liftech Consultants, ENGEO, and Power Engineering Construction inspectors conducted visual and confined space evaluations between February and March. The Whirley Crane, a terminal landmark, also underwent visual inspection.
Officials anticipate substantial investment needs over the next five to ten years to maintain operations and support economic growth at the terminal.
Another attempt to discuss the Ciclovia project
Councilmember Claudia Jimenez’s Ciclovia project is back on the agenda after it was continued from the April 22 and 29 meetings. The proposal calls for staff to develop a design, budget, and implementation plan to temporarily close selected city streets to vehicle traffic, allowing for cycling, walking, and community-centered activities.
Richmond unveils $306 million budget draft amid economic uncertainty
Richmond city officials will present a draft $306.2 million operating budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 on Tuesday, highlighting cautious optimism in the face of national economic volatility and possible threats to federal funding.
Despite a projected $48.5 million general fund surplus, driven by increased property taxes and a 22.3 percent rise in revenue, the draft budget proposes a 3.4 percent decrease in expenditures compared to the previous year. City officials emphasized restraint, citing national instability and an executive order from President Trump that targets sanctuary cities like Richmond.
Three options for using the surplus were outlined: holding the funds in reserve, investing in capital improvement projects such as sidewalks and parks, or strengthening long-term fiscal health by addressing pension liabilities and internal infrastructure needs.
The City Council is scheduled to adopt the final budget on June 24, following public study sessions in early and mid-June.
On the consent calendar
All items placed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and noncontroversial.
Ad hoc committee to review CPRC Recommendations
Mayor Eduardo Martinez has proposed forming an ad hoc committee to review the CPRC’s procedures and recommendations for improvement. According to a report from Mayor Martinez, the CPRC has spent several months reviewing and discussing thirteen recommended changes to its current operations. Eleven changes may require updates to the Richmond Municipal Code, and seven may require a “meet and confer” process with the Richmond Police Officers Association.
The CPRC's recommendations include proposals for hiring a permanent investigative officer, increasing time limits for complaints, annual reporting, expanding investigation authority, publishing records, changing standards of proof, redaction, subpoena authorization, and training programs.
The ad hoc committee members would include the Chief of Police, a CPRC representative, the City Attorney, the mayor, and Councilmembers Claudia Jimenez and Sue Wilson.
Meanwhile, Councilmember Soheila Bana said she tried to introduce an agenda item to hire a third-party legal expert to investigate allegations of ethical breaches and bias within the CPRC. This move was in response to a resignation letter from Jerry Threet, the former Confidential Investigative and Appeals Officer (CIAO) of the CPRC.
Resigning investigator criticizes police commission’s ability to review complaints against officers
Threet said he no longer believes the commission can be relied upon to reach a valid finding on allegations of officer misconduct based on an objective, unbiased view of the evidence.
Soren Hemmila
In his letter, Threet raised concerns about the CPRC’s ability to function lawfully, fairly, and credibly. He cited a “steady erosion” in adherence to objective, evidence-based evaluations, instances where evidence was ignored, and commissioners reaching findings of misconduct without proper review of evidence. Threet also alleged that commissioners often reviewed case files mere hours before closed sessions and sometimes failed to watch all relevant body-worn camera footage.
Threet’s letter stated, “I no longer believe the commission can be relied upon to reach a valid finding...based on an objective, thorough, and unbiased view of the totality of the investigative evidence,” and that continuing in his role would require him to support a body that does not adhere to the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE) Code of Ethics.
Bana’s agenda item called for an investigation to determine whether misconduct, bias, or bad faith influenced the CPRC’s findings, to recommend appropriate corrective actions, and to help restore public trust.
Councilmember Jamelia Brown, who said she co-sponsored Bana’s item, was initially unclear why it was not placed on the agenda, only to later learn that it would have directly conflicted with the mayor’s ad hoc item.
“While I’m not drawing any conclusions, the timing is certainly noteworthy,” Brown posted on social media.
Rent Program annual report for fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24
The Rent Program is scheduled to present its annual report on rental housing to the City Council. This report is required by the Fair Rent Ordinance. Here is a video the rent program created.
In fiscal year 2023-2024, Richmond had 7,857 fully rent-controlled units and 10,485 partially rent-controlled units, which include 4,430 governmentally subsidized units like Section 8 and 6,046 units exempt due to the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.
Purchase of a Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid
Picture This, members of the Crime Prevention Unit are placing an order for a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in van to lead community engagement and outreach campaigns.
As-needed code enforcement services
The council is slated to approve a contract with 4LEAF, Inc. for as-needed code enforcement services, not exceeding $550,000, running from April 22, 2025, to January 30, 2027.
Sanctuary city contracting & investment policy update
The Finance Department will provide an update on the Sanctuary City Contracting and Investment Policy Ordinance, and the council is expected to adopt a resolution waiving Ordinance No. 12-18 requirements as applied to Motorola Solutions. The council will also receive the city’s Investment and Cash Balance Report, Monthly Overtime Reports, and Documentary Transfer Tax Report for March 2025, and the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Quarter 3 budget report.
$300k to expand Richmond Moves shuttle program city-wide
The Richmond Moves shuttle program may expand city-wide, thanks to a $300,000 Clean Mobility Options grant. The council will consider a contract amendment with Nomad Transit, LLC (Via) to facilitate this expansion, potentially bringing the total contract limit to $6,535,000, extending to July 7, 2027.
A third amended contract with Trans Metro Inc. to support paratransit van services for seniors and individuals with disabilities, not exceeding $250,000, for a total contract amount not to exceed $650,000, extending through June 30, 2026, is also up for approval.
$450,000 contract with OverDrive
The council will also consider a three-year, $450,000 contract with OverDrive, Inc., for Library patrons to access the Libby application for digital e-books and magazines from January 10, 2025, to January 9, 2028. (W.5.c)
Mayor’s board and commission appointments
The mayor’s office has several board or commission reappointments, including Isabel C. Ramos Zaragoza and O’Neill Fernandez to the Human Rights and Human Relations Commission, Whitney Tipton to the Richmond Rent Board, and Connie He to the Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission. There are two new appointments: Kate Baker to the Richmond Library Commission and Liz Bittner to the Urban Forest Advisory Committee.
Proclamation honoring the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival
The City of Richmond will honor the Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival, a celebration commemorating the historic Battle of Puebla, Mexico, that has grown into a vibrant expression of Mexican-American culture and community spirit. Held in partnership with the City of San Pablo, this year’s festivities on May 4 bring together residents through music, dance, food, and art, highlighting the richness of Mexican heritage.
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