Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin placed the following  item on the December 7, 2021 Agenda:

M-4.

DIRECT staff to return with a contract amendment with Housing Consortium of the East Bay (HCEB) to allow additional time for unhoused vehicle dwellers at Rydin Road and at Castro Street to be relocated and provide on-site services (with month-to-month reports to the City Council on progress via the Reimagining Task Force's overall monthly updates); and APPROVE and APPROPRIATE $50,000 for flex funds for repair, preparation for transfer or removal, registration, storage and towing for RVs and vehicles and for temporary storage of personal belongings, to assist in relocation efforts - Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin (510-620-6636).

 The City Council was unable to debate the item because a supermajority of the City Council voted to cut off debate before it even started. There were about 18 public speakers, most of whom were critical of the services already being provided by Housing Consortium of the East Bay under contract with the City of Richmond.

Councilmember McLaughlin made her motion, and it was seconded. Councilmember Bates made a substitute motion, seconded by Johnson (“No evictions, mayor to appoint committee of stakeholders to determine how to move forward with a program”). The motion carried with Bates, Johnson, Martinez, and Butt, Yes, and Jimenez, McLaughlin, and Willis abstaining.

Subsequently, I appointed an ad hoc committee of Bates, Martinez and myself to meet with stakeholders and recommend a path forward. We plan to begin with a visit to the Rydin Road camp on Monday, December 13.