According to a letter to Mayor Anderson and City Council Members, dated April 4, 2004, from Daniel E. Boatwright of Sacramento Advocates, the City of Richmond’s paid lobbyist, discussions were held with Steve Duran, Jay Corey and Mayor Anderson in March about locating a tribal casino at Point Molate.  Boatwright “recommended an expert in Native American Affairs to advise the City of Richmond relative to siting and obtaining a tribal casino at point Molate.” As a result of the discussions, Sacramento Advocates apparently received direction to assist in preparing special urgency legislation in the California legislature to facilitate a tribal casino at Point Molate. According to the letter, Sacramento Associates subsequently prepared the proposed legislation and delivered it to Assemblywoman Loni Hancock as well as contacting Senator Don Perata’s office “with a view of soliciting the Senator’s co-sponsoring the legislation.” The bill was expected to be in print in mid-April.

Without commenting on the issue of a tribal casino at Point Molate or anywhere else in Richmond, I am disturbed that a substantial public policy initiative involving a request on the City’s behalf for special and urgent state legislation apparently was decided by one member of the City Council (the mayor) and two executive staff members, one of whom is no longer the interim city manager. This matter has never been considered by the entire City Council, and certainly not by even a majority.

The referenced letter may or may not reflect the actual facts, but if it is accurate, both the City Council and the people of Richmond should have been involved in the policy decision that prompted the actions described therein.