Richmond Approves $550M Settlement Outreach After Two 3-3 Deadlocks

Richmond is starting to decide how to spend roughly $550 million in Polluters Pay settlement money over 10 years, and the City Council split over how that conversation should begin. On Nov. 10, 2026, the council approved a $299,610 community engagement contract with Dahlberg Consulting on a 5-1 vote, after two amendments to reshape the process each died on 3-3 ties. Later, a separate fight over viewpoint balance left the mayor's pick for the Community Police Review Commission without a seat.

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• Dahlberg Consulting contract approved 5-1 to run public outreach on roughly $550 million in settlement funds
• Two amendments fail on 3-3 ties: a pre-engagement spending framework and a five-month progress update
• Police Review Commission appointment fails 3-2-1 after police union opposition and a debate over balance
• $480,000 RISE Center youth mental health contract passes 6-0 as state CalVIP funding shrinks

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Settlement Outreach Clears Council Without Added Conditions

Why it matters: This process will shape priorities for about $550 million over a decade. Staff and the consultant stressed two points: the money sits in the general fund, and public input is advisory.

Where things stand: Joel Doherty, partner at Dahlberg Consulting, presented a seven-month plan. It includes six district sessions, up to four focus groups, up to four small-business sessions, one-on-one meetings with groups such as APEN and RISE, and an online portal.

"This is consultation. It's not a referendum. It's not a vote. It's not binding," said Doherty.

Councilmember Claudia Jimenez framed the stakes in budget terms: "Right now, 24% of the general fund depends on Chevron revenue." Vice Mayor Doria Robinson asked how the plan prepares Richmond for a post-refinery economy. She called the settlement something that "seems like a profound, once-in-a-generation opportunity." Councilmember Cesar Zepeda asked for online posting of materials, tracking of resident participation, sessions for nonprofits, transportation help and more than six meetings.

The other side: Scott Nanos-Luz, organizer with the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), welcomed the process. He raised concerns about language access and elders who cannot read, since the portal assumes literacy, and said APEN received the presentation late. Public commenter Claudia Citroën asked for hard numbers and urged a focus on traffic emissions. Public commenter Cordell Hendler urged approval so the work could proceed.

Framework first, or listen first: Councilmember Soheila Bana wanted the council and the public to see the same spending options before outreach began. "My suggestion to you is come up with all the options that would be accessible to us to make an informed decision, share them with the community so the community can make an informed decision," she said.

Speed versus reach: Councilmember Sue Wilson argued for a faster track that would still inform the budget cycle. "I think a 5-month timeline actually gives us this information when it's most useful for us," she said. Robinson disagreed: "If you shorten the time to do outreach, you're only going to get the folks that are most vocal, who are already engaged and already involved." Mayor Eduardo Martinez agreed: "I'm gonna urge you not to try to abbreviate the schedule." Mobeen, a city staff member, added: "I would recommend as a staff that let's not put a hard milestone on the timing of the update."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The council took three votes.

• Bana's framework amendment, seconded by Zepeda, failed. For: 3 (Bana, Zepeda, Martinez). Against: 3 (Jimenez, Wilson, Robinson). Absent: 1 (Brown).
• Jimenez's amendment for a five-month update, seconded by Martinez, also failed. For: 3 (Robinson, Jimenez, Wilson). Against: 3 (Martinez, Zepeda, Bana). Absent: 1.
• Martinez then moved the contract as written: not to exceed $299,610 for one year, with the city manager authorized to execute it. It passed. For: 5. Against: 1 (Bana). Absent: 1.

Advocacy groups like APEN gain a structured channel into the process. The council keeps final spending authority.

What's next: Outreach can begin once the contract is executed. There is no fixed update schedule and no pre-set spending framework.

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Police Oversight Seat Stays Empty After Split Vote

Why it matters: A vacancy on the Community Police Review Commission, the body that oversees police conduct, remains open. The council is divided over what "diverse interests" should mean on the panel.

Where things stand: Martinez nominated Crescent Diamond for a term ending Nov. 1, 2029, and defended how he vetted her. "I can only assess what is presented in the application," he said.

Ben Therriault, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, urged a no vote. He cited Diamond's social media posts and alleged that she left her ties to Reimagine Richmond off her application. Citroën also opposed, accusing the mayor of lacking balance and pointing to a design board she said has gone unseated. Hendler urged the council to move the item.

The other side: Bana, Zepeda and Robinson pointed to municipal code language calling for diverse interests on the commission. "We want a balanced Commission with no bias pro or against the police," said Bana, who asked that Diamond appear before the council. Martinez declined. Robinson drew a line on membership: "I don't think that membership in Reimagine Richmond should preclude anyone from being able to serve on a commission."

Jimenez and Wilson defended the applicant and criticized pressure on volunteers. "It's really disrespectful here to just say that they had radical views because they want police accountability," said Jimenez. Wilson warned against a process where "the police union, or any union for that matter, get to veto power over who we appoint."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Jimenez moved the appointment, and the clerk declared it failed. For: 3 (Jimenez, Wilson, Martinez). Against: 2 (Bana, Zepeda). Abstain: 1 (Robinson). Absent: 1 (Brown). The police union's opposition shaped the debate, and the commission loses a member while the fight continues.

What's next: No new nominee or timeline was announced.

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RISE Youth Contract Backfills Lost State Funds

Why it matters: The council approved a sole-source contract with the RISE Center of up to $480,000 for trauma-informed youth mental health care, covering Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2027. A presenter said CalVIP grant funding had been cut sharply and that this contract complements the city's remaining resources. CalVIP is California's violence intervention and prevention grant program.

Where things stand: Staff said a reporting system ensures that only Richmond youth benefit. Citroën opposed the contract, citing executive pay, past spending and conduct allegations. Public commenter Deborah Small supported it, praising RISE's work and its staff's shared lived experience.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Bana moved and Jimenez seconded. For: 6. Against: 0. Absent: 1 (Brown).

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Minor Items

• Do-All Safety contract raised by $184,800, from $480,960 to $665,760, through June 30, 2027. It passed 6-0. Chief Operating Officer Mike Connolly cited 300 trainings reaching 4,100 seats over three years. Citroën flagged mold and leaking roofs in police and fire buildings.
• Consent calendar passed 6-0. Items N3B, N4A and N6A were pulled for separate handling.
• Agenda shifts: The Urban Greening Master Plan (N6A) was continued to Nov. 17. P2 was withdrawn, and the wastewater and stormwater contract process went back to staff for more research.
• Youth soccer fields: Samantha Torres, director of Richmond United Soccer Club, described unsafe, poorly maintained facilities and requested a full permit fee waiver.
• Senior Winter Ball: The 27th annual ball is Dec. 12. The mayor announced the council will buy a table.

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Looking Ahead

Council reports previewed upcoming wildfire "Zone Zero" safety items and December consultant engagement with the McDonald Avenue Task Force. The Urban Greening Master Plan returns Nov. 17.