Catch up on hot items from the last Richmond City Council meeting below. If you're interested in making public comments as a member of RPA or getting involved, contact us. Meetings are primarily held on the first, third, and fourth Tuesday of each month at 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804.
Equity in Infrastructure and Disaster Preparedness
The Richmond City Council convened for a packed meeting, addressing critical issues facing the community. Discussions focused on ensuring equitable resource distribution for infrastructure projects and improving the City's preparedness for natural disasters, especially wildfires.
Does Increasing Surveillance Lead to Lower Crime?
Councilmember Sue Wilson asked pointed questions about a $1 Million Richmond Police Department request to increase spending on CCTV cameras; a mobile trailer with an Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) system; and drones.
Potential Abuse of Surveillance Technology
Police Chief Bisa French stated that the budget allocation was necessary to respond to "evolving crime trends." As an example, Captain Eric Smith said that using a drone could allow the police to arrive at any scene in just over 80 seconds. "In the event of a critical incident, we can deploy the drone and get instant footage back to either a command center or to responding officers," he shared. Concerningly, Smith did acknowledge that the drone tech has yet to be tested.
Mayor Eduardo Martinez was particularly skeptical about the correlation between increased surveillance and lower crime rates. While Chief French noted that vehicle theft decreased by 9% last year—data analysis has yet to be conducted to determine whether CCTV cameras led to the improvement. She then promised that the police department would follow up at the next Council meeting with "information from [their] cameras."
Councilmember Wilson highlighted the potential for abuse of surveillance technology, asking if the RPD could guarantee that the proposed technology is consistent with Richmond’s Sanctuary City policies. She also wondered if it would be in the City’s interest to codify an official drone policy to protect residents' privacy.
Fake Cameras as a Crime Deterrent
Richmond residents Sara Cantor and Emily Ross raised personal concerns about RPD’s increased surveillance tech budget. Cantor discussed the ongoing threat of extralegal data hacking and access by government agencies. She also mentioned that in cities like Chula Vista, drones have been invasively recording non-crime activities of residents.
Ross asked if the City would consider using decoy cameras as a crime deterrent. She noted that the activities the RPD has been concerned with lately are highly mobile—"Illegal dumping and sideshows can just easily relocate"—so increasing the number of cameras may not necessarily lead to lower crime rates.
Final Decisions
Despite heated discussion, the Council made the disappointing decision to approve the controversial $1 Million budget increase—with Mayor Martinez, Councilmember Claudia Jimenez, and Councilmember Wilson voting no. As the RPD pursues its militarized agenda, the RPA will continue to educate working people on their rights to a surveillance-free environment. If you are interested in mobilizing your neighbors to put more pressure on our electeds, please reach out!
Minimizing Wildfire Risk in Richmond
A contentious debate arose concerning Richmond’s readiness for wildfire risk. First, Councilmember Bana expressed frustration about outdated Municipal Codes and the need for enhanced collaboration between the Fire Department, emergency services, and other mission-critical services.
Mayor Martinez stated support for a more modernized wildfire mitigation plan. "The City needs to update its Municipal Code and be able to do its best in terms of preparation." However, he pointed out that Councilmember Bana had not spoken to the Fire Chief or the Office of Emergency Response.
Councilmember Jimenez shared the Mayor’s sentiments on the need to empower City departments and service providers—rather than assuming that they are not fulfilling their duties. "The fire chief, the police, and the Office of Emergency Response were not spoken to," she emphasized, asking for clarity on what was most feasible and of the highest priority based on their deep understanding of community needs.
Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio patiently explained that many questions that the general public may have can be answered on the City’s website for fire preparedness—as well as the updated 2020 wildfire prevention plan. Chief Osorio explained that his team has been training regularly on the latest firefighting techniques and is an active part of the mutual aid infrastructure in the State of California. "I don't want any of you to think that nothing has been done as climate change, the impacts of climate change have progressed," he added.
Based on suggestions from Councilmember Wilson, the Council ultimately agreed to form an ad hoc committee with City staff and the City Attorney to work on wildfire preparedness and mitigation. The committee will plan on reading out to Richmond residents to assess needs and bring forward proposals for budget and resource allocation.
Vacant Units and Housing Vouchers
Antoinette Terrell, Executive Director of the Richmond Housing Authority, delivered a report on units being upgraded at the Eastern Village complex. 33 units are in need of significant repairs and several Council members expressed concerns about delays and costs.
Mayor Martinez noted that prolonged vacancies could accelerate the housing crisis—and increase crime. "I'm wondering if the length of time we have them open actually will make it even the problems that we need to repair will be worse," he shared.
Councilmember Jimenez also emphasized the importance of retaining housing vouchers to support redevelopment, especially within the context of the incoming presidential administration. Jimenez further requested that the Housing Authority deliver a report on remaining vouchers and a plan for project prioritization.
Equity and Community Engagement
Point Richmond Bicycle Connectivity Project Approved
While the Council approved an enhanced bike connectivity plan for the Point Richmond Area, The Mayor, as well as Councilmembers Jimenez and Robinson expressed concerns that BIPOC neighborhoods are being repeatedly under-prioritized for similar improvements. "It's hard for me to see…more and more money going into an area that is not serving the most underserved," stated Councilmember Robinson.
Councilmember Jimenez criticized the general lack of equity and transparency in the decision-making processes for grants in general. "I feel like equity is not part of the decision-making process," she added.
Adding to the discussion, Councilmember Wilson proposed an amendment to the motion, suggesting flexibility for an ad hoc committee. She noted a "real need for a process for prioritizing which project gets done first…that takes into account equity and need."
A Commitment to Equity and Community Engagement
The meeting reflected the Richmond City Council's dedication to addressing systemic inequities and prioritizing underserved neighborhoods. From accelerating housing renovations to rethinking infrastructure investments and preparing for disasters, Council members emphasized the need for a more inclusive, equity-driven approach.
As the City moves forward, the formation of ad hoc committees and the Council's willingness to revisit existing processes signal a commitment to building a more just and resilient Richmond.
Public Comments
Illegal Fireworks and Wildfire Risks
Richmond resident Terri Hinte raised concerns about the ongoing issue of illegal fireworks in Richmond—pointing to their likely role in the recent Palisades fire. She criticized the Council for failing to implement a 2021 staffing proposal to monitor and prevent the illegal sale and use of fireworks. The proposal included measures such as social moderation, policy review, and a buyback program.
"I'd like to see Richmond take our own risk seriously," she stated. We are not immune.
Proposed Liquor Store Opposition
Ghaliyah Roberts-Palmer, a local merchant, expressed strong opposition to a proposed liquor store at 1015 McDonald Avenue. She urged the Council to consider the negative impact the store would have on the area—from public intoxication and littering to public safety.
Roberts-Palmer also argued that the store would "deter customers from patronizing nearby businesses" in the downtown area. "We feel that this could potentially drive away customers who are seeking a more family-friendly and diverse shopping experience," she added.
Updates from the City Manager
Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl delivered an update on various City events, starting with a successful Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. The City’s 18th annual MLK day event brought together residents, community organizations, faith-based groups, and City staff to beautify the Richmond Greenway and Unity Park.
A Lunar New Year celebration will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 3:00 PM in front of the Richmond Library. The event is free and open to the public—featuring live entertainment and a historical presentation.
Share Your Thoughts at the Next Council Meeting
Missed the latest Richmond City Council meeting? Watch the replay on YouTube here. We're also organizing groups to discuss ideas and share perspectives on making Richmond a better place for all working people. Click here to get in touch with us!