Features

The Richmond City Council will make two key decisions tonight (Tuesday) on the proposed 269-condo Westshore Marina Project at Marina Bay. 

During a public hearing, councilmembers will be asked to approve the final environmental impact report (EIR) on the project and to issue conditional approval for Toll Brothers’ plans for the site. Toll Brothers, a home-building company based in Horsham, Pa., is one of the Bay Area’s largest builders and a major builder of new homes in Richmond. 

The state Department of Toxic Substances Control, which has final say over all Marina Bay projects, has ordered removal of antimony-contaminated soil from part of the site that is not slated for housing. 

A large and divided crowd appeared at the council to argue for and against the project last month. 

The project site once housed a Ford Motor plant that made cars and, during World War II, military equipment. The site also housed buried fuel tanks. 

Other matters 

The council will consider paying up to $75,000 a year more to increase the city’s Internet band width. 

The council will also consider creating a number of new city positions, including Deputy Police Chief-Human Resources at a salary to be determined, City Prosecutor at a salary range of $59,880 to $111,204, Law Office Supervisor ($57,108 to $68,700), Legal Secretary ($46,334 to $56,340) and Engineering Operations Administrator ($48,684 to $58,224). 

The council has also scheduled a discussion of the Richmond Improvement Association’s plans to spend the $200,000 the council awarded the group last week to fund anti-violence programs. 

The council voted to award the funds last week over the strong objections of Councilmember Tom Butt, who said he was alarmed at the lack of specifics of the faith-based groups’ proposal. Butt charged that the vote was conducted in violation of the spirit of the Brown Act, which governs public meetings in California. 

The appropriation wasn’t listed on the council agenda as an action item, and was listed only for discussion, Butt said in an e-mail to constituents. 

Tonight’s (Tuesday) meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in council chambers at the temporary city hall at 1401 Marina Way South..