City Council Preview — Dec. 1

At Tuesday’s meeting the City Council is scheduled to discuss guns, pot and The Plunge swimming pool.

But before the council dives into the meat of the meeting, Mayor Gayle McLaughlin will honor three local restaurants: La Plazuela, La Selva Taqueria and Pepito’s Deli and Mexicatessen as small businesses of the month.

It’s illegal to carry gun magazine clips that can hold more than 10 rounds in the City of Richmond under a 2007 city ordinance, but the ban may not be constitutionally valid, according to a report by City Attorney Randy Riddle.

He said Richmond is the only city in California that bans these magazines, but the city is only allowed to charge people violating the law with misdemeanors. In addition to the constitutional issues, some have expressed concerns about the law’s effectiveness.

The council is considering strengthening the law at a meeting next year, and Riddle has recommended the city repeal the ban in the meantime.

There are at least three medical marijuana dispensaries in Richmond, but council member Tom Butt is trying to prevent more dispensaries from opening, according to a report by Director of Planning and Building Services Richard Mitchell.

This isn’t the first time the city has passed a moratorium on new dispensaries; the City Council unanimously approved one in 2005. Mitchell said the planning department hasn’t approved any permits for medical marijuana businesses, but it’s unclear why the city is seeking a second ban.

The new moratorium would last 45 days, the longest period allowed under state law, or until the city approves new zoning policies on dispensaries. Mitchell said those new policies would either completely ban the shops or establish new rules for these collectives and cooperatives.

Finally, the council will consider committing to providing therapeutic, handicap and senior citizen programs at The Plunge swimming pool.

At the last meeting the council tentatively agreed to spend $350,000 on a pool divider that would allow the pool to offer competitive swimming. While many nearby residents spoke on behalf of the investment at that meeting, residents from other parts of Richmond have said they plan to call on the council to reconsider that decision.