03 Jul Richmond Decides Not to Poll Voters on Infrastructure Bond Measure

“I do worry that so much of our budgeting is whatever is the squeakiest wheel, the loudest advocate,” said Richmond City Council member Doria Robinson, “and it doesn’t seem to have the amount of planning, the amount of reason that I would like.”  (Screenshot captured by Samantha Kennedy / The CC Pulse)

By Samantha Kennedy

Richmond City Council on Tuesday decided not to move forward with a voter poll on a bond measure that looks to upgrade city facilities, including a new public safety building and expansion of the main library. 

Council members opposed the poll, which would have cost $50,000 and asked the City Attorney’s Office to draft ballot language, because of its timing at the council’s last meeting before recess and uncertainty around costs and needs for improving infrastructure. But council members said that doesn’t mean they want to ignore city infrastructure needs.

“This is too tight of a timeframe,” said council member Gayle McLaughlin, explaining her opposition to the poll. “I think it was worth a discussion. I think it plants seeds in everyone, but I cannot support this. I don’t think it’s fair to anyone.” 

Council would have had to hold two special meetings — first before July 16 and then before July 31 — during the recess, which began after Tuesday’s meeting and ends Sept. 10, to consider and adopt language for the bond measure. 

Funding from the bond would address necessary upgrades at fire stations that have “millions of dollars in deferred maintenance” and community centers like the Nevin Community Center, according to the accompanying report from council member Cesar Zepeda. 

“Much of our infrastructure is outdated and needs to be upgraded. As our community continues to grow, we must step up to the call of creating the best city we can for our residents,” the report reads. “We have had years of deferred maintenance in our critical infrastructure, and we must start investing in it now to have a healthy and thriving community.” 

Zepeda at the meeting echoed those needs and referred to previous meetings where costs to upgrade various departments were presented, including $4 million for the Richmond Main Library expansion and $3 million for Station 63 of the Richmond Fire Department. 

Certain other figures for facilities that could benefit from the bond, such as those for Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, were outdated and would have to be updated before their cost is known.

But current opposition to the poll doesn’t mean considering using a bond to fund city facilities should be ignored completely, according to council members. 

Council member Doria Robinson, who expressed concern about giving residents an additional thing to pay for, proposed having staff do a facilities assessment plan to help get a better understanding of how to plan for projects. 

“I do worry that so much of our budgeting is whatever is the squeakiest wheel, the loudest advocate,” said Robinson, “and it doesn’t seem to have the amount of planning, the amount of reason that I would like.” 

A facilities needs plan will be done over the recess. 

The Richmond City Council will return from recess on Sept. 10.