001Call this meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance and the invocation following. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Dear God, please bless our elected officials. Grant them the wisdom to know in the courage to do what is right for all citizens. Amen. >> Amen. [snorts] >> Roll call, please. >> Alan here. Lafur >> here. >> Mr. Ravich >> here. >> Rick >> here. >> Schultz >> here. >> Warren >> here. >> Yellen >> here. Good to see everybody here. Tonight, approval of minutes for the city council meeting of November 3rd. Motion be in order. >> Motion support. >> Motion to May and support. Any discussion? Being
002[snorts] not. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Against. >> Motion does pass. Is do we have a motion for the joint meeting with the library board on November 10th. Is there a motion? >> Motion. >> Any discussion? >> Be not. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. And we also have the city council organizational meeting on November 10th. Is there a motion for those minutes? >> Motion >> support. >> Motion been made and supported. Any discussion? Being not. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. >> Motion does pass. We move on to audience comments on non-aggenda items. If anybody like to address the city council, we ask you come to the podium, state your name and address for the record and
003hold the three minutes. Anybody like to address council at this time? John O'Hara, 68721 South Maine, here in Richmond for the last 12 years. Here to talk about the uh project on Maine, um which I think we can all agree has not gone as smooth as maybe each and every one of you hoped. Uh I can assure you it has in our house. Uh we've had sewage uh back up into our house. Um we've had uh promises from the contractor, from the city back and forth that that was going to be cleaned up. never did. We still So, we've uh cleaned that up on our own. Um Jim was at our house today. Spoke with Mr. uh with Mr. Moore today as well uh this morning. And uh this is at the top of my
004list now as a resident and as a business owner. I can promise you that. Um we had grass seed laid just today, which is a beautiful time to put down. Uh so now we're going to have a house full of uh straw and mud for uh the winter. So, my wife is uh very much looking forward to that. And my son, who has an asthma uh condition, he uh you know, there's also mold in the basement now from that sewage. We are not expert cleaners. I'm a business owner, but I don't um my expertise is not in disaster cleaning. Um I'm not sure if anybody can speak on that. Is anybody a disaster cleaning expert here on city council? >> We are not, sir. Okay, cool. >> Time for comments. >> Okay, >> questions. >>
005So, um, well, there'll be more questions. I can promise you that. >> So, um, so that's hopefully being addressed. I would hope so. Where are we out of my time? >> You just keep on letting you know. >> So, they the city's talking to me, the contractors are talking to me. I got a wife who's concerned about my uh 8-year-old son who has asthma. I've talked to John this morning. Um, he knows I'm not happy, so I said I would be here tonight. Just coincidence. uh that there's a um a meeting tonight. The other thing is uh I like the relationship that the old funeral home that you folks used to own that went to uh uh that's been abandoned since I've lived here for 12 years. Uh that sits as an eyesore on Main
006Street that uh should be condemned, which I talked to Mr. Moore about today that I'd appreciate the city look at that as a as a process with the city attorney. Uh that is a building that needs to come down. The owner of Laser Mark in town here, I let her know that it is unacceptable as a fellow business owner myself on Maine that I have to get up and look at that every single morning and then also that she's now doing business must be with the contractor because all of the equipment and you folks are using it as a yard on Maine. [snorts] So, I've asked her if she's been compensated and she says no. I've asked John if the city's compensating her for her time as an abandoned uh building in town that she
007hasn't put a nickel in. takes up for sale, put or puts up for sale, takes down for sale. I know the game. I'm not your average citizen. So, that is my docket items tonight. Is the blight enrichment. I know that you have a 2526 blight initiative. I would hope that the city would see that as a number one issue on our main drag, the old Oesi funeral home. Does everybody know which building I'm talking about? We're fully aware of this. >> Okay. So, >> fully aware. >> And it's a building that you used to own, correct? >> No, never owned that building. >> Okay. So, why hasn't the business owner I guess I can't ask questions. This is time for comment. >> Mhm. >> But now you know my feeling and I know you don't
008get a lot of residents in here like this. >> But there's things that need to be said here in Richmond. >> Mhm. And I think I've earned that right, Mr. Ricks. after 12 years. I know you're a generational man here. >> Careful now. Careful. >> I know you're a generational man. Careful. >> Careful with my comments or careful walking down the street? >> No. Careful with your comments, sir. >> Okay. >> You have anything else? >> I don't think so. Not tonight. >> Appreciate it. Thank you very >> much. >> Anybody else like to address council at this time? Okay, we move on. Uh, adoption of agenda. Mr. City Manager, any changes? >> No changes. >> Council, any changes? >> No. >> Being not, let's uh have a motion to accept the agenda as presented.
009>> Make a motion. >> Support. >> Any discussion? Being not. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. Do we have a motion for the consent agenda? >> Make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Support. >> Motion made [clears throat] in support. There's no discussion according to our rules. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> against. Motion does pass. We move on to items for consideration. We have two this evening. Consideration of volunteer recognition. Mr. City Manager. Council [snorts] is scheduled to present a volunteer recognition recognition certificate to Michelle Novak for her volunteer efforts at the Roosevelt Civic Auditorium, also known as the Odd. Uh Michelle began volunteering at the Odd uh a year ago. Uh both the recreation programmer, Lisa
010Elliot, and our recreation director, Margot Vanhov, are both here tonight to speak to uh volunteerism and the volunteer uh that we're recognizing tonight uh during this along with uh Michelle is also here and there is a motion in your packet. >> Presentation, please. [snorts] Good evening everyone. Tonight is about celebrating the people who make our recreation center such a special place among those who have gone above and beyond this past year. One person stands out of out of their dedication. One person stands out for their dedication, energy, and genuine love for our community. Our incredible pickle ball volunteer Michelle Novik. Over the past year, Michelle has been the heart of our pickle ball program. From organizing games and welcoming new players to keep the courts running smoothly, and making sure that the odd is well
011taken care of, her commitment and dedication has made a lasting impact. Whether it's showing up early to set up the net, staying late to clean, or taking time to teach beginners basics, Michelle has done it all with a smile and a spirit of teamwork. Um because of her efforts, our pickleball community has grown very strong, more connected, and more fun than um than ever before. Michelle has helped create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, whether they're picking up a paddle for the first time or competing in an exciting match. On behalf of the recreation center, the Roosevelt Auditorium, thank you, Michelle, for your outstanding service, your kindness, and your passion. Your volunteer work has truly made a difference, and we are so grateful for everything you've done to make this year a success. So, please
012join me in giving her a big round of applause. A true champion both on and off the court. [applause] >> Margot, would you like to speak? >> Um, I'm going to speak on behalf of the recreation department and um part of what we need for people to understand is that our community thrives on volunteerism. Um, we're looking for volunteers to help keep our programs running. Whether you have a little of time or a lot of time, if you have any free time that you want to give, um, just give us a call at the recreation department, um, at 586-7273064, or you can call the Roosevelt Civic Auditorium, the Odd, um, 586-430-4950, and we will get you guys set up to help us volunteer. Lots of programs. We've got pickle ball, youth basketball, coming, a league.
013We need coaches. Um, and we're always looking for volunteers. So, yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Don't leave, Michelle. >> City Council, is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to present a volunteer recognition certificate to Michelle Novak for her volunteer efforts at the AUD >> support. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. We have something for you, Michelle. you are awfully special. I believe this is probably 30 years first time one of these been given out. >> Oh my goodness. >> So you're you're starting a new tradition. I think what's going to happen here, but they talk so highly of you and everything that you did for the odd and uh we we really appreciate that. the people of the city of Richmond that we
014represent. Appreciate it and we want to give you this plaque that you didn't put in memory of uh your service to the community and to the odd especially. So, >> well, I you know, I appreciate the services that Richmond offers to us through the odd and I would encourage people to check out what is available. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Well, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Don't stop volunteering. [laughter] Okay. Item number two is consideration of establishing our quarterly meeting date. Mr. City Manager, sorry. Council is being asked to schedule the next quarterly roundt meeting. The roundt meetings serve provide an opportunity for the city council to discuss specific areas of concern and detail in workshop format without taking formal action on those matters. They are normally scheduled for the months of January, April,
015July and October. Uh for the uh for the upcoming January uh roundt uh the two dates would be January 5th and 19th. uh as we've often done with the January roundt meeting uh administration due to the holidays would prefer that it not be the 5th just because it makes a little difficult uh with the holidays to get that packet out. So uh if the 19th doesn't work there are other uh we did provide the calendar uh pages for January and February need to go to another date. >> Would council like to drop our rules and take a look at this for a motion. >> Okay. >> [snorts] >> the uh 19th looks like a pretty good option there if council so wishes uh or go into February. >> I think we go for the 19th
016and then have February as a backup. >> Yeah, [snorts] >> 5:30 >> schools are closed. >> Yeah, Martin. >> [snorts] >> Okay, schools are closed. Is that going to be a problem for those who still have young children? Okay, does 19 sound good? >> Okay. And uh 5:30. >> 5:30 is good. >> Still good for everybody? >> Okay. Well, let's have a motion then. I'll make a motion to schedule a special quarterly roundt meeting for the city council January 19th, 2026 at the city hall beginning at 5:30 p.m. >> Support. >> Motion made any support. Is there any other discussion on that? We go to the audience. Is there any discussion on that? Back to the table. >> All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass.
017Moving on. a miscellaneous managers from city manager. Sir, >> uh the paving contractor for the uh water main project was in town today uh completing the patches uh throughout uh the project. U they completed that. Uh previously all the concrete was completed. Uh so they're now switching over and are are working on both uh yard restoration and um brick paper uh replacement. Uh so uh Jim did make the decision to put down uh seed in a mulch blanket uh knowing that it would be dormant through the winter, but in the spring often times with wet weather we're not able to get on yards. If if you with with that being there, there's a good chance that we'll get some grass growing quicker than if we had waited till spring. So >> very good. >> Um
018with that, [snorts] um >> yeah, I'll leave it there. >> Got it. >> Uh oh, sorry. One more thing. We did have a uh recreation event, a uh toy sale at the odd that went very well. Uh Lisa put that together. Um and uh the department uh hosted that at the odd and I think people were very pleased with with the outcome. >> Very good. Michael, >> uh nothing tonight. Thank you. >> Nothing. >> Jim, want to wish everybody a happy Thanksgiving. >> We won't see till afterwards. Sure. Yeah. Emily? >> Nope. Thank you. John, >> all good. Dick. >> All set. I'm all set with the exception of announcements here. Hall walking with Richmond Recreation Department at the Lee Elementary. That's been going on uh since November 4th. Will run through April 16th only
019on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:00 to 8. Uh there is a drop in fee, a dollar. Any questions on that one? 7273064. Uh the teen open gym is now uh open on Sundays from 2:00 to 4:00 and the adult open gym follows at from 5 to 7. That's every Sunday unless otherwise noted. Again, any questions on that? 7273064. We got a welcome back to the odd every Tuesday. Started uh this past week. >> Actually, it starts tomorrow. There was >> starting tomorrow. It's an afterchool program. Um, okay. That one you want to, you know, you can contact 7273064 or the audit itself at 5864304950 for any questions you may have. And again, that's uh every Tuesday at the odd afterchool program running from 3:00 to 5:00. Volleyball skills and development with coach Piper at
020the odd, grades 6 through 8th cost is $45 for four sessions. The first session starts November 26 and follows uh the December 22nd, December 30th and January 19. This again is at the odd 5864304950. And of course we are getting into the home for the holidays. Uh the Chris Kringle market uh at Maniachi's will start with food vendors uh outside in the parking lot and some indoor uh uh vendors. There'll be trolley rides uh available through the community. Uh the historical village will open at the park. Um Mrs. Claus will be over there until Mr. Claus has to be up at the Santa parade which will start uh at 5:30. That starts in the Willy parking lot and comes uh north on Main Street. There will be Christmas carols uh at the Veterans uh Pocket
021Park. That's between uh Many's and Jay's J. Yeah, Jay's. Um and uh Parks and Rec will have hot chocolate light refreshments and I believe Many's will have uh uh some refreshments also. [snorts] Uh the tree lighting itself uh is at 6:00. Little Miss Richmond will light that up and uh Santa will arrive uh by our uh 1925 firet truck. Um you driving that this year? >> I am. >> You are. There you go. Dress warm. It's going to be nice out. Uh there is a Christmas cash drawing. There's a lot going on. Um 7273064 uh would probably be the place to call on a lot of this. And um andor city halls 7277571. I believe that's it for all of those. And we also have uh uh cable meeting tomorrow at 6:30 right here at
022city hall. EDC will meet here at 7 o'clock on the 19th. city hall. Uh TIFF will meet on the 25th and then city uh the library will close at 5 on the 26th uh in observance of Thanksgiving. City hall will be closed um through the uh Thanksgiving weekend and that takes us into December 1st already and city council will have its next regular meeting on December 1st. Also to note, there will be no overnight parking from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. on curb streets. That will begin on Monday, December 1st. Anything else that we need to add to the calendar? >> Uh just a reminder that the last day of yard waste collection is a week from tonight, November 24th. Uh so if you like to do your leaves on the weekend, uh this upcoming
023weekend is uh your last weekend to do that. Uh just because of the way the the calendar falls this year. Uh so uh November 24th is the last day of yard waste collection. >> Very good. Very good. Hopefully uh we get one more quick rain. >> Yep. >> Knock the rest of those leaves down. It's [clears throat] pretty they're they're down pretty well now. >> Yeah. Yeah. With the wind and the rain and the snow, a lot did come down. So >> yeah. Okay. All right. We move on. Uh there is no Is there any other business to the city council this evening? [snorts] If not, >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Support. >> All in favor say I. >> I. against. Motion does pass. And again, happy Thanksgiving to everybody in our
024community.