Richmond council directs staff to craft public‑lands policy to require local hiring and labor standards
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Summary
The council unanimously directed staff to develop a public‑lands policy that would attach local‑hire, apprenticeship and family‑sustaining wage standards to developments on city‑owned land; the motion asks staff to return within 90 days.
The Richmond City Council on Oct. 21 unanimously directed city staff to develop a “public lands” policy that would require developers using city‑owned land to meet workforce standards including local hiring goals, use of state‑approved apprenticeship programs and family‑sustaining wages.
Vice Mayor Eduardo Zepeda introduced the item and the council voted to return a proposed policy within 90 days. The policy is intended to close enforcement gaps and ensure city‑owned land generates job opportunities for Richmond residents, supporters said.
The proposal, presented by the Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council and allied unions, would apply workforce rules to projects built on land the city sells, leases or funds. Tim Sobrani, executive director of the Contra Costa Building Construction Trades Council, said the goal is to “utilize [public land] to create more local jobs and opportunities for our community.” EJ Sire of Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 said the measure would “raise job standards” and create a clear pipeline from pre‑apprenticeship to on‑the‑job work.
Presenters described the public‑lands policy as complementary to Richmond’s existing project labor agreement and local hire efforts. They emphasized enforcement capacity: union partners would assist city staff in monitoring job‑site compliance. NorCal Carpenters representative Rick Solis told the council the policy would expand “opportunities to provide work to the residents of Richmond” and cited apprenticeships and family‑sustaining benefits.
Public speakers, including union and community leaders, urged the council to adopt the policy to keep jobs local. Two speakers who said they represent unions — Kevin Tisdale of SEIU and local trades representatives — also voiced support during public comment.
Council members asked about how local‑hire percentages would be set; presenters said the policy would set goals and a compliance plan and that targets could vary by project scope. City staff and presenters noted pre‑existing state and federal funding rules can create exemptions; the policy is meant to limit those loopholes when the city is conveying or investing in land.
Councilmember Claudia Jimenez asked for coordination with existing community benefit policies. City staff said negotiations on unrelated labor Memoranda of Understanding would be prioritized before finalizing the ordinance but that staff could work with unions and the city attorney in parallel. The council added a 90‑day deadline for a return to the council.
The council voted unanimously to direct staff to “develop and deliver a public lands policy that adopts labor standards for development projects that will be constructed on land leased, sold, or otherwise funded by the city,” and to return with draft policy within 90 days.
Next steps include staff discussions with the trades, the carpenters’ union and community stakeholders and a future council hearing on a proposed ordinance or agreement.