Richmond City Council Formal Meeting - March 23, 2026
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting - March 23, 2026
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.
Consent Calendar
- Items 1-9 (Ordinances 2025-258, 2026-003, 2026-042, 2026-051 through 2026-056) were initially considered as a block. One speaker, Marty Gary, spoke in favor of an honorary street sign for Sister Rosetta Tharpe (a consent agenda item). No speakers opposed. The consent agenda was adopted with one noted abstention: Councilmember Gibson abstained from Item 2 (Ordinance 2026-003) but voted yes on the others. However, the clerk later clarified that Item 2 required seven affirmative votes and had only received six, so it was rejected. Council then voted to waive rules and reconsider. After a new public hearing (no speakers), the council voted again: Gibson abstained, and the other six members voted aye, giving seven votes and adopting the ordinance. (Item 2 concerned surplus city property; Councilmember Jones expressed support, noting it supports community gardens and food access.)
Public Comments & Testimony
On the Consent Agenda:
- Marty Gary (Shaco Records) spoke in favor of an honorary street sign for Sister Rosetta Tharpe, highlighting her Richmond ties and musical influence.
On the Budget Papers (Items 14-22, Ordinances 2026-063 through 2026-071): Over 20 speakers addressed the council. Key positions included:
- Support for RVA (Richmond Virtual Academy): Multiple speakers (parents, teachers, staff) urged full funding. Melvin Jones (parent) called RVA "a trailblazing, fully accredited K-12 virtual school" and a cornerstone of RPS's future. Dr. Jacqueline Johnson Wilson (parent of a student with disabilities) argued that eliminating RVA would violate IDEA and the least restrictive environment requirement. Dee Winston (parent) said RVA is not separate from RPS. Shalita Sally (parent of a medically fragile, aggressive child) emphasized safety for her son and other students. Sandra Porti (RVA virtual learning coordinator) distinguished RVA from temporary homebound instruction. Tamara Lofton Pickens (RVA instructional compliance coordinator) called RVA a fully accredited school (number 1322) and said the community has chosen RVA. Emma Clark (former RPS teacher, REA organizer) praised RVA's culture and academic model, noting it retains students. Dr. Candace Benn (RVA school counselor) described RVA as a safe haven for students who struggle in traditional settings. Emily Yen (Teamsters 322) urged full funding of RPS budget including RVA.
- Opposition to Flock Surveillance Cameras: Multiple speakers condemned the $1.3 million proposed for Flock contract and license plate readers. Emily Grimes (7th district) said the money should go to community safety and schools. Lisa DeLeo (Huguenot teacher, REA) called for canceling the contract and auditing RPS. A speaker (anonymous) demonstrated that Flock cameras are publicly accessible (a YouTube video with 5 million views). Michael Rufferty (Polish-American) compared Flock to Gestapo surveillance. Selina Jimenez (Richmond resident) noted that 13% of law enforcement agencies share data with out-of-state agencies and 6% with federal agencies, and pointed to Charlottesville’s cancellation of Flock. Jaden White (resident) criticized AI flaws and privacy violations. Madeline McHelgan (7th district) said the budget prioritizes surveillance over community needs.
- Support for Retiree Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA): Tyrone Davis (retiree) requested a minimum automatic annual COLA of 1.5%, noting that many retirees served during low-salary periods.
- Support for Office of Community Wealth Building (OCWB): Kai Banks (former AmeriCorps participant) shared how OCWB transformed her life. George Brown (former city ambassador) said OCWB programs have helped people gain employment. Anthony Ciani (LIUNA) praised the OCWB construction training cohort. Wes Smith (Virginia Manufacturers Association) highlighted manufacturing career pipelines via OCWB.
- Support for Environmental Justice and Transit: Carolyn Pugh (Community Climate Collaborative) asked for continued funding of the Neighborhood Climate Resilience Grant Program, fare-free GRTC transit, and pedestrian/bike infrastructure. Maria Deuster (C3) requested reallocation of gas utility "new business" funds to residential energy assistance, and funding for an energy efficiency coordinator.
- Concerns About RPS Budget and Audit: Several speakers (Egon Shroud, Lisa DeLeo, Chloe Tremper) called for a third-party forensic audit of RPS, citing questionable spending, over-budgeting on compensation, and lack of transparency. Egon Shroud (Westover Hills teacher) detailed RPS budget inconsistencies.
- Other: Beth Hosett (RPS teacher) supported the superintendent’s proposed budget. Norissa Rahman (Equality Virginia) asked for a city fund to protect health care for vulnerable populations. Kai Banks (again) and others shared personal stories of impact from city programs. One speaker (unidentified) accused the city of facilitating genocide via connections to ICE and Israel. Another speaker criticized the budget’s housing investment as misleading.
Discussion Items
- Appointments: Council approved board appointment recommendations from standing committees on a unanimous vote.
- Agenda Amendments: Items 10 (R2026-003), 11 (R2026-013), and 13 (O2025-282) were continued to April 27, 2026; Item 12 (O2025-215) was continued to April 13, 2026.
- Budget Continuation: Council voted unanimously to continue all budget-related ordinances (Items 14-22) to the Monday, April 13, 2026 meeting, at which time the council will present its budget amendments.
- Reconsideration of Item 2: After the initial vote failed, council voted to waive rules and reconsider, then adopted the ordinance.
- Reports: Council members announced upcoming district meetings, community events, and safety reminders (e.g., free smoke alarms from fire department).
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda Adopted (with Item 2 initially failing, then reconsidered and passed). Councilmember Gibson abstained on Item 2.
- Appointment Recommendations Approved unanimously.
- Agenda Amendments Approved (four items continued to April 13 or April 27).
- Budget Papers Continued to Monday, April 13, 2026, for a public hearing on council’s budget amendments (unanimous vote).
- Ordinance 2026-003 (Surplus Property) Adopted after reconsideration (7-0, with Gibson abstaining).
- Special Election Reminder: Vice President Jordan noted early voting for the constitutional amendment; election day is April 21, 2026.
- Next Steps: Budget amendments will be discussed at the April 13 council meeting; additional community meetings on the budget are scheduled throughout the city.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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