Richmond, CA – City Council – Dec 16, 2025

Richmond's final council meeting of 2025 delivered a mix of celebration and transition: a trailblazing police chief received the city's highest honor, arts advocates won promises of streamlined grant processes, and the council moved to fill a sudden vacancy in the city attorney's office—all while navigating a packed agenda that stretched past 11 p.m.

• Chief Bisa French receives Key to the City after 27 years of groundbreaking leadership in Richmond policing.

• $50,000 carved out for façade design support as council approves year-end budget adjustments and allocates $7.5 million in unspent funds.

• Arts hiring process ordered overhauled after artists and advocates call for transparency and faster payments.

• 13 neighborhood public art mini-grants approved, totaling up to $160,000 with an additional $50,000 appropriation.

• Interim City Attorney appointed as council accepts resignation and launches recruitment.

• RecycleMore presents new post-collection rates, with fixed increases locked in for three years.

• Motion to cut public comment time fails 4–2, falling short of required five votes.

The council paused from policy business to recognize Police Chief Bisa French, who is stepping down after more than 27 years with the Richmond Police Department. Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda, presiding in Mayor Eduardo Martinez's absence, presented French with a proclamation and the Key to the City—the highest honor the council can bestow.