The Richmond City Council held a formal meeting on March 23, 2026, with all members present except Councillors Jones and Lynch. The meeting included an invocation, pledges, appointment approvals, a consent agenda, extensive public hearings on the FY27 budget, reconsideration of a consent item, and reports from council members. The public hearing on the budget drew over 30 speakers, with dominant themes of fully funding Richmond Public Schools (RPS), particularly the Richmond Virtual Academy (RVA), and opposition to the city's Flock surveillance camera contract.
On the Consent Agenda:
On the Budget Papers (Items 14-22, Ordinances 2026-063 through 2026-071): Over 20 speakers addressed the council. Key positions included:
Formal meeting of the Richmond City Council will now come to order. Madam Clerk, if you would uh make the Spanish interpretation announcement, please. Yes, Madam President. Spanish interpretation is available in the Council chamber. Please see a representative at the rear of the room to receive the appropriate equipment. Spanish interpretation is also available through Microsoft Teams for virtual attendees in need of this service. Thank you, Madam Clark. Ms. Roxanne Talavera Dent will provide us with comment there. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you. We have with us Pastor Christopher Carr of First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, who will be our invocation speaker. Welcome, Pastor. Thank you. My congregation began as a faith community of German immigrants, including indentured servants who 150 years ago changed the name to First English, and our mission is to be in the city for good because God is in the city for good. All of this informs my prayer this evening. Let us pray. Gracious God, bless our city. Make Richmond a place of safety and life for all people, rich and poor, young and old, and regardless of race, physical ability, gender, gender identity, language, political party affiliation, or citizenship status. Give us grace to work for a city where neighborhoods remain vibrant and whole, where the lost and forgotten are supported, and where the arts flourish. By your spirit, break down divisions that we might be a model of racial healing. Make the diverse fabric of our city a delight to all who live and visit here, and a strong bond uniting us around common goals for the good of all. Bless this city council and all leaders with wisdom and mercy in their deliberations and their decisions. May those who hold power understand that it is a trust from you to be used, not for personal glory or profit, but for the service of the people. Thank you, Pastor Carr. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. 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. Madam Clerk, or I'm sorry, uh Deputy Clerk, if you would please read the emergency evacuation announcement plans. Upon activation of the emergency alarm signal, all persons should immediately exit the building. Please use the exits to the left or right front of the council chamber or the east or west stairwell outside the rear doors of the chamber. Do not use elevators or escalators. After exiting the building, security will direct everyone down 9th Street to the assembly area located inside the former public safety building parking lot. Able persons should assist visually and hearing impaired visitors with exiting the building. Individuals speaking during public hearings and public comment period are generally allowed three minutes to speak. Persons appearing before council are not allowed to campaign for public office, promote private business ventures, use language of a personal nature which insults or demeans any person, including comments directed at public officials or staff members that are not related to their official duties, or address or question staff members directly. All questions are to be directed to the President of Council. Failure to adhere to the guidelines may result in speakers forfeiting any remaining time and further disciplinary action as necessary, which could include barring from attendance at future meetings of City Council for a period of six months. And Madam President, for the record, all members of council are in attendance this evening except for Councillors Jones and Lynch. You do have a quorum. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Let's proceed with the appointments and reappointments. Also, I'd like to address a couple of other items. If there are individuals standing in the rear of the chamber, they are asked to be seated where seats are available unless they are authorized personnel. Also, no applause is permitted during tonight's meeting. Thank you. Members, before you for consideration this evening is uh provided board appointment recommendations from your standing committees. Is there a motion to approve the appointment recommendations as presented? Miss Abu Baker, will you please make the motion? So moved.