[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6545722,"mediaKeyId","3441812-0726acb0ca81dd8ecfb535f2a7db45d5","parentId",3441812,"title","Council rejects pause order; split vote follows heated debate over Community Police Review Commission oversight","audioSeconds",5591,"startMs",11525000,"endMs",17116000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441812-0726acb0ca81dd8ecfb535f2a7db45d5&start=11525&end=17116","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441812-0726acb0ca81dd8ecfb535f2a7db45d5/thumbnail_11525000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6545722/Richmond/Contra-Costa-County/California/Council-rejects-pause-order-split-vote-follows-heated-debate-over-Community-Police-Review-Commission-oversight","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545722-d3211e039c839df76e14fa35d5f981c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158864&Signature=FOseCtcsAxK527Y2rKFJhqG14gecP6~Y4-EceeD6XtyQfqt8H78t~M6oi9Y9MDdSmgMTyZo8ZnBbUdNmgBG3qOcS8bzToHbSPLAS7mQX3gheOxnEs3ME~g-WpRNbnnmY8G5QPPP7tZF1yuy-Au7pycjmuddeggufNgmphuJHX7~2gUT6wJiWNphcOFvGnOeMQWcxbL~Im7x~Q8GcnoQuGYixfUlnTPP59p9vvqRV1LG9QK69jgmNzVD1LZWOplf-6Lk10fezsOeYHFfnWDGlegdNGUJjbcy9B3~7BJdqbi9eBjq-4Ckul53w6ulmW8e6GqiDCa3C~uSpg9QTHTRUkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-22T07:31:53.55Z","article","A City Council motion to direct staff to hire an independent third‑party legal expert to investigate allegations in a resignation letter from the CPRC’s former confidential investigator was debated for hours and failed on a 3–4 roll call on May 20.

The motion, as moved by Council Member Baana and seconded by Council Member Brown, asked staff to (1) hire an independent legal expert to investigate allegations raised by former confidential investigative and appeals officer Jerry Threatt in his September 2024 resignation letter and (2) determine whether the Community Police Review Commission had engaged in conduct reflecting bias or failures to meet quasi‑judicial obligations such as due‑process protections and objective investigative standards. Sponsors removed an original clause that would have advised the CPRC to refrain from adjudicating cases involving police officers while the investigation proceeded; after amendment, the item asked only that an investigation be opened.

The measure prompted extensive public comment. Supporters — including community leaders and several members of the CPRC — said an outside review was necessary to restore trust and to address training and procedural gaps identified in Threatt’s letter. \"If those concerns are unfounded, then an independent investigation will validate the commission and restore confidence,\" Councilmember Bonner said during the item’s introduction. Several CPRC commissioners and members of community organizations asked the council not to pause the commission’s work, saying the commission had already begun addressing training and procedural reforms; they warned that an indefinite pause would strip the community of oversight avenues.

Law‑enforcement associations urged a thorough outside review. Ben Theriault, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, said Threatt's resignation highlighted \"bias, disregard for evidence, and lack of due process within the CPRC\" and called for an independent look. The attorney who had served as the commission’s confidential investigator, Jerry Threatt, had written that commissioners sometimes reached decisions without reviewing body‑worn camera footage or full investigative files and alleged a steady erosion of evidence‑based evaluation.

Council debate split along procedural and evidentiary lines. Supporters of an investigation argued the allegations — reportedly touching on six of nine NACOLE ethical principles mentioned in Threatt's letter — merited an independent review. Opponents argued the resignation letter and the elapsed time since it was written did not, on their face, justify a full outside investigation and warned that the motion could be used to stall reforms; some council members suggested targeted training and internal reforms, noting the commission had produced a package of 13 recommendations for improved operations.

Roll call on the amended motion was: Brown — Yes; Bonner — Yes; Baana — Yes; Jimenez — No; Wilson — No; Robinson — No; Vice Mayor Cepeda — Yes; Mayor Martinez — No. The motion therefore failed 3–4. (Note: roll‑call labels correspond to council recorded roll at the time of vote.)

Ending: The debate prompted council direction to staff to prepare training and administrative follow‑up; several members asked staff to bring the commission’s recommendations and a plan for commissioner training back to council for prompt consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City Council 5/20/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A motion to commission an independent legal investigation of allegations about the Community Police Review Commission failed 3–4 after several hours of public comment and council debate on May 20.","taxTitle","Richmond, Contra Costa County, California","taxId",4317,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6545727,"Council introduces ordinance updating Richmond's master fee schedule; most fees rise with 3.6% ECI adjustment",602,10800000,11402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441812-0726acb0ca81dd8ecfb535f2a7db45d5&start=10800&end=11402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441812-0726acb0ca81dd8ecfb535f2a7db45d5/thumbnail_10800000.jpg","/articles/6545727/Richmond/Contra-Costa-County/California/Council-introduces-ordinance-updating-Richmonds-master-fee-schedule-most-fees-rise-with-36-ECI-adjustment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545727-66728908a56d41529843607c6423453b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158864&Signature=lx32nMHg5C-1mkyLW3WLwYYHgaCD3ZkeGvNMg78P8sRpbRy1Lg~SgnD0QHgEa826ngOMqF8K5Ctqo42qAnHe9X8GSVJkZymXr3t04A57bz7gFvEExnCFTL1b9ngQ2RK8e2wZBWR~Y46cuMJ2GwMoKmBB5Mh-A2KEuBNG5lFTn3bysAeTsK5d7PvLB7KNBdRDys7TY-YLAmU~Q4wzJ2xSv9PwSyZYcFfyuPGg72IEX31iVOce3jzJsYUXRT9Q8cIzwAndaozuRMeA7WuscjJf0W5BA7RgDeRTy-dcJhPJQuroWv2hoLT8rwn8epkhy2EfbVH4qJzLw3FrWYPOK9q7NQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Council held a public hearing May 20 and introduced an ordinance for first reading that updates the city's master fee schedule, applying the Employment Cost Index (ECI) adjustment of 3.6% to most fees and adding two new fire‑related inspection fees.

City staff explained that the master fee schedule is updated annually to reflect rising costs and to ensure fees better align to service delivery. The majority of fee categories will be adjusted by 3.6% (the ECI for the year), while other fees set by regional bodies (for example, subregional traffic mitigation and rental registry fees) remain controlled by those agencies. The staff memo and presentation noted that the traffic impact fee structure will move from a per‑unit basis to a per‑square‑foot approach to comply with Assembly Bill 602 and to make impact fees more equitable for smaller homes.

Two new fees proposed by the Fire Department would cover: (1) building‑owner/parent permanent fee to account for inspections and fire‑life‑safety system maintenance responsibilities of building owners who lease space to tenants; and (2) a fire hazard severity zone inspection fee for exterior fire hazard inspections required by policy, law or at homeowner request.

Staff said the ECI change would generate an estimated $373,000 in additional revenue citywide if permit volume and activity remain at current levels; most of that increase would come from community development (planning and building) fees. The ordinance introduction was followed by a second‑reading schedule: the ordinance will return for final adoption and an associated resolution setting the specific amounts at the next scheduled meeting.

Council voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance and to continue the process toward adoption. Staff noted ongoing work on related rate and impact studies (transportation and storm drainage) that will be completed later in FY26.

Ending: The council’s introduction begins the formal process; the second reading and resolution adopting fee levels will be scheduled for a future meeting.","The City Council opened a public hearing and introduced an ordinance for first reading to update the master fee schedule. Most fees were adjusted using the 3.6% Employment Cost Index; two new fire department inspection fees were proposed. The council set the second reading for a later meeting and voted to introduce the ordinance unanimously.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6545732,"Richmond council keeps recreation fees unchanged after cost-of-service review; consultant warns of declining cost recovery",3629,7113000,10742000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441812-0726acb0ca81dd8ecfb535f2a7db45d5&start=7113&end=10742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441812-0726acb0ca81dd8ecfb535f2a7db45d5/thumbnail_7113000.jpg","/articles/6545732/Richmond/Contra-Costa-County/California/Richmond-council-keeps-recreation-fees-unchanged-after-cost-of-service-review-consultant-warns-of-declining-cost-recovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545732-af38a98431e93f53a1dd7be0208e19fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158864&Signature=YqaxUqQyCFGieW50q4bIScorcL9NlpRB4dES-3ymaJlwL452lSxp-oCM1E1GIQvdYT9qgTkO03WANgusZvJ5LUhmH3ZyslFJvx-StfDXPlQCFNhTOWRMmbaHvu~5~CbznGt7OJFu2dnzOQ2Am0ePNfAh0xYS0mWOhEWeUnQzZUXR2tW8LZ-SK-eYgAF~sfV7XUZfAVuhRjFeZmtd6GO14XROIpTkd07paX7-7pLSe2TzKKx5IJ2Er8W3FZs90QG4jqgiIFnqaP5daiQsGbc8li8UIET~vlvNTn5XJTUrRu-2KVtaNA~TwtCAb6tdA5r4KxOzXT7Fl-~CRJBy4hS5AA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Council voted unanimously on May 20 to keep recreation fees at current levels for fiscal year 2025–26 after receiving a cost‑of‑service analysis and community engagement summary from consultant Barry Dunn.

City staff and consultants presented a multi‑year review that examined operating revenues and expenses for recreation facilities and programs, including community centers, general recreation, aquatics and the convention center. Jesse Moyett of Barry Dunn told the council the analysis covered fiscal years 2022–2028 (projections partly modeled) and showed a downward trajectory in cost‑recovery percentages, driven largely by payroll and benefit increases and some non‑personnel costs. \"When we add some additional expenditures, mainly that is in that administrative bucket... it naturally pushes things down,\" Moyett said during the presentation.

The report said aquatics account for roughly half of annual recreation revenue; aquatics cost recovery was comparatively strong (near 40–50 percent in the consultant's analysis), while community centers and general recreation recover a much smaller share of total costs. The staff recommendation, endorsed unanimously by the council, was to leave recreation fees unchanged for FY25–26 and to continue annual reviews of fee schedules while pursuing non‑fee revenue and engagement strategies.

Deputy City Manager LaShonda White and Recreation Deputy Director Rajna Maharaj presented additional context. Maharaj told the council the city has adopted fee‑waiver and partnership policies and has issued fee waivers to nonprofits totaling $12,797 in FY23–24 and $8,866.50 so far in FY24–25. Council members asked for more detail on utilization by facility, a plan to increase lifeguard recruitment to expand pool hours and a clearer breakdown of parks revenue versus maintenance costs (maintenance sits in Public Works' budget).

Councilmember questions also touched auditorium repairs. Public Works Director Daniel Chavarria said an earlier assessment estimated roughly $8–9 million (several years ago) for substantial auditorium repairs and that a more comprehensive facilities needs assessment is under way.

The council voted 7–0 to accept the staff recommendation to keep recreation fees unchanged for the coming fiscal year and asked staff to return with more granular usage and maintenance metrics and a training and implementation timeline for fee‑waiver and partnership policies.

Ending: The consultant estimated the city would need to generate approximately $175,000–$200,000 in additional annual revenue by fiscal 2028 to move cost recovery materially higher under a mid‑range scenario; council members directed staff to develop follow‑up metrics and to pursue grant opportunities to support programming.","After a consultant presentation and community engagement review, the Richmond City Council voted unanimously to keep recreation fees unchanged for fiscal year 2025–26. The study found aquatics programs generate most recreation revenue but overall cost recovery has fallen and staff flagged options for modest revenue increases in future years.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6545736,"Richmond residents urge council to invest $550 million settlement in health, jobs and a \"just transition\" beyond Chevron",277,801000,1078000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3441812-0726acb0ca81dd8ecfb535f2a7db45d5&start=801&end=1078","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3441812-0726acb0ca81dd8ecfb535f2a7db45d5/thumbnail_801000.jpg","/articles/6545736/Richmond/Contra-Costa-County/California/Richmond-residents-urge-council-to-invest-550-million-settlement-in-health-jobs-and-a-just-transition-beyond-Chevron","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6545736-076084a019337091df4559f005a55772/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158864&Signature=HjARmrF8~o3BHN6C1RTc-iofULiarMNqVvcGju~2h2I2o-DIri5FLVt~xtxUvUfN1~xaEjFiYsMcjZEHLinPKzuX0lBpS-tI0fMY3EfMr3Ld3JzVvcen6b89S-flGvuEUC5ibxbXtLp3X-E6KccC8HC1GCkqvJGWkqYKCSPpt83cgXJT39AsJEBt0gcWAUsrLz1Qpi8XFlp3UhuQw0zQppeVE5rxh-Fk1Sb0dsURZJfBncOk7vmcSFvjn8yGtNehkpfcCDHiE4QHKci~ko1vnYOILEMKi7CQCUBKdGUWHZ43ssC0lk7LTBo4jlrthxv75-8YmpgpPity9Po7lQ0k~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of Richmond residents and community groups urged the City Council on May 20 to prioritize the $550,000,000 the city secured through the Polluters Pay campaign for both immediate services and a long-term transition away from fossil fuels.

Speakers representing neighborhood groups, youth organizers, environmental justice groups and community nonprofits described health harms from refinery pollution and called for investments in parks, libraries, youth programs, clean‑energy jobs and brownfield cleanup. \"We fought for this,\" said Carrie Garen Sheehy, staff attorney at Communities for a Better Environment, referring to the coalition that negotiated the settlement. \"Now we need to start planning now to build a healthier future for Richmond,\" said Martine Johansson, a researcher with Communities for a Better Environment.

The calls for a dual approach — meeting immediate needs and creating a plan for a just transition — came from a broad cross section of speakers. Catherine Lee, senior youth organizer at the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, recounted living through refinery flaring and the 2012 Chevron explosion and urged new resources to \"invest new resources this year in meeting Richmond residents' day to day needs and prioritize funds to plan for a just transition away from fossil fuels.\" Young speakers and teachers described children with asthma and urged public-health investments and community-driven planning. Community Land Trust Richmond Land requested funding for community-controlled housing approaches; Pogo Park and other neighborhood advocates asked the council to fund parks and community spaces as part of reinvestment.

Speakers also pressed the council for intentional community engagement. Several urged the city to center youth, frontline residents and workers in planning and budgeting. \"We shouldn't have to wait a minute longer for our elected officials to make the necessary decisions that will benefit our community and our health,\" said Catherine Lee.

Council members did not vote on a budget allocation for the settlement during the meeting. The public-comment period focused on policy expectations and priorities; speakers repeatedly asked the council to adopt a resident-driven process for deciding how the settlement funds will be spent.

Clarifying details mentioned during public comment: the settlement amount cited repeatedly by speakers was $550,000,000; advocates asked the council both to fund near-term needs (parks, road repairs, libraries, recreation centers, youth programs) and to create dedicated funding and programs for a \"just transition\" (green jobs, cleanup of polluted sites, economic diversification away from Chevron). Some speakers cited previous City Council action, including an \"intent resolution\" (No. 105‑24) passed by the council committing settlement funds to transition planning and community-led decision making.

Council members did not take immediate action to allocate settlement dollars at the meeting. The public record shows wide support among community groups for a two-part approach — immediate investments plus a multi‑year transition plan led by residents — and multiple speakers asked the city to begin planning during the current budget cycle.

Ending: The council received the public comments; no formal vote on settlement spending occurred at this meeting. Multiple speakers asked the city to develop a resident-driven budget process and to bring detailed proposals back to the council in upcoming budget discussions.","Scores of Richmond residents, youth organizers and community groups urged the City Council during public comment to use the $550 million settlement from the Polluters Pay campaign to fund immediate community needs and to plan for a transition away from fossil-fuel dependency.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council rejects pause order; split vote follows heated debate over Community Police Review Commission oversight

Council introduces ordinance updating Richmond's master fee schedule; most fees rise with 3.6% ECI adjustment

Richmond council keeps recreation fees unchanged after cost-of-service review; consultant warns of declining cost recovery

Richmond residents urge council to invest $550 million settlement in health, jobs and a "just transition" beyond Chevron