On the agenda: Richmond City Council to review aging sewer, financial policies, budget, and hiring trends
Richmond City Council will consider a 45-day moratorium on a new Keller Beach sewer connection on Tuesday, citing risks from the aging pipeline. The council will also receive updates on financial policies, budget timing, and hiring trends.
Another moratorium on Keller Beach Sewer connections
The Richmond City Council is poised to adopt a new 45-day moratorium on building permits requiring connections to the aging Keller Beach Sanitary Sewer. The urgency ordinance, set for a vote on February 18, would temporarily halt new sewer connections to the 66-year-old pipeline, which officials say is on the brink of failure. The ordinance cites significant environmental and public health risks posed by the deteriorating system.
According to a staff report by Daniel Chavarria, Richmond's Director of Public Works, the sewer, constructed in 1959, spans approximately 5,392 linear feet of concrete-encased cast iron pipe, extending from Keller Beach into the San Francisco Bay. Over the decades, the pipeline has suffered severe corrosion, structural instability, and sagging due to tidal activity, making it increasingly vulnerable to failure. A 2021 study commissioned by the city confirmed the pipeline's poor condition, warning that continued use without significant repairs or replacement could lead to sanitary sewer overflows into the Bay, posing environmental hazards and regulatory violations.
The proposed moratorium follows a series of previous temporary bans on new sewer connections, the most recent of which is set to expire on February 19, 2025.
Budget sessions
Financial policies and administrative policy updates
The Finance Department has reviewed Richmond's financial policies to ensure they align with current requirements and best practices. It has identified five policies that require updates and proposed a new Unclaimed Funds Policy policy.
- OPEB Funding Policy - Update
- Pension Funding Policy - Update
- Travel Expense Policy and Procedure - Update
- Debt Policy - Update
- Grants Management Policy - Update
- Unclaimed Funds Policy - New
Because the council must adopt a budget in June of every year, it is impractical to recalculate the documentary transfer tax in June and adopt the budget simultaneously. To remedy this timing issue, city staff proposes changing the month to April.
Funds that remain unclaimed for at least three years will become the property of the City of Richmond after the procedures identified within the policy have been followed.
The 2024 Annual Report of the Personnel Board
One in 58 applications results in a hire
The City of Richmond's Personnel Board will submit its 2024 Annual Report to the City Council. The report outlines key activities in classified services, including recruitment, employment, and personnel rules. Highlights from the report include 71 recruitments conducted, 6,437 applications reviewed, and 111 new hires alongside 62 employee promotions.
Investment and cash, overtime, and documentary transfer tax reports for December 2024
The Richmond City Council will receive a presentation on December 2024 financial reports, including investment, overtime, and tax reports.
The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates three times in 2024: by 50 basis points in September, 25 basis points in November, and 25 basis points in December. The final target interest rate range was 4.25 percent - 4.5 percent. These rate cuts have slightly decreased the city's rate of return.
December 2024 Documentary Transfer Tax collections totaled $448,976.50, reflecting Richmond property sales.
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