Richmond City Council Meeting - April 13, 2026

The Richmond City Council held a formal meeting on the evening of April 13, 2026, beginning with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting included a proclamation recognizing new poet laureates, public comment periods, approval of a consent agenda, consideration of a resolution for multifamily housing revenue bonds, and a lengthy public hearing on budget-related ordinances. Key topics included funding for the Richmond Virtual Academy, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the Flock Safety camera contract, and a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for city retirees.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda, consisting of items 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 (ordinances 2026-057, 2026-058, 2026-061, 2026-062, 2026-072), was approved unanimously with one abstention from Councilmember Gibson.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Karen Thomas described her family’s health crisis due to a sewage leak and mold in their Section 8 rental at 2101 Ward Avenue, stating that despite numerous emergency room visits and calls to city agencies, no help was provided until code enforcement determined the cause in January 2026. She expressed frustration that the landlord and Section 8 did not respond, and that she had to move her elderly mother and son into hotels. Councilmember Trammell promised to follow up.
• Charlie Troquel, a resident and homeowner in the 5th district, spoke in support of the Code Refresh initiative, specifically smaller minimum lot sizes. He described how splitting a double lot allowed his family to afford a home, arguing that more flexibility would create affordable housing options.
• Reverend Ralph Hodge raised concerns that seniors and disabled citizens were being unenrolled from the real estate tax relief program without notice, and that 2026 application forms were not yet available. He requested assistance for seniors on limited incomes.
• Stephanie Starling spoke on behalf of her mother, Anna Tab, and other seniors, advocating for changes to the tax relief application process. She noted that an important letter arrived after the deadline, and that annual reapplication is burdensome for those whose qualifications do not change. She called for permanent or multi-year relief.
• Arla Hargrove, a disabled resident from the 8th district, stated she had received tax relief for 18 years but was recently unenrolled for 2025 without receiving a renewal letter. Her mortgage payment increased by $400 per month. She asked for reconsideration and noted that she had not yet received a 2026 application form.
• Dr. Cindy Robinson, Principal of the Richmond Virtual Academy (RVA), argued that the city’s budget should fully fund RVA, stating that the proposed $257 million allocation is a legal baseline but leaves a $3.8 million gap. She said virtual learning saves millions compared to brick-and-mortar schools and called on council to close the gap.
• Mrs. Lofton-Pickens, instructional compliance coordinator at RVA, expressed support for budget amendments that fund RVA and called for a third-party audit of Richmond Public Schools (RPS). She emphasized that RVA serves less than 1% of RPS's budget and that the community has spoken clearly in support of the school.
• Dee Winston, a parent, thanked council for considering the budget and shared her daughter’s positive experience at RVA after being bullied in person. She asked for full funding of RPS and RVA, presenting a book about the school.
• Adam Rose supported amendments by Councilmembers Gibson and Trammell to fund RVA, noting that RVA has a 100% graduation rate, full accreditation, and low chronic absenteeism. He questioned why a school that exceeds RPS goals is on the chopping block when it costs half as much to run.
• Felicia Minor spoke about her daughter’s safety and dignity at RVA after severe bullying and unmet needs in in-person school. She noted that RPS provides only a Chromebook for her daughter, while she pays for utilities and internet. She asked whether RPS can guarantee her daughter’s protection at graduation.
• Dr. Jacqueline Johnson Wilson, a parent, argued that RVA provides the least restrictive environment for her son under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and that closing RVA would violate federal law. She stated that RVA’s per-pupil cost is half that of in-person learning.
• Aja Taylor, a former RPS student and now a teacher at RVA, said that neighboring school divisions have virtual academies and questioned why RPS is cutting theirs. She argued that the new generation will not accept the status quo and that virtual learning is a necessary alternative.
• Dr. Candace Benn, school counselor at RVA, emphasized that RVA is part of RPS and that virtual learning is not just asynchronous but involves face-to-face engagement. She warned that closing the school would harm students’ mental wellness and community.
• A senior tutor (name not clearly given) stated that she has worked with RPS students since 1979 and shared that her grandson was able to graduate only because of RVA, which kept him out of prison.
• Aurora Britt spoke against the Flock Safety camera contract, citing a recent report that Flock employees accessed internal cameras to watch girls’ gymnastics classes. She called the cameras insecure and a tool for fascist surveillance, urging the city to remove them.
• Martin Wegbreit, a former member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Supervisory Board, stated that the city’s budget fails to implement the ordinance requiring 2.5% of real estate taxes ($11.7 million) to be credited to the trust fund. He supported amendments by Councilmembers Gibson and Robertson to allocate the required amount.
• Nancy Conklin, a resident of the 2nd district and a board member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, expressed shock that the mayor’s budget allocated $0 to the trust fund despite the unanimously passed ordinance. She called on council to amend the budget to comply with the law.
• Janice Lacey, a board member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, reiterated that the ordinance requires $11.7 million to be in the budget and that the mayor’s proposed budget does not follow the law. She supported the Gibson/Robertson amendment.
• William Allman, a retired CPA and 5th district resident, urged the city to pause the Flock contract due to data security concerns, stating that a data breach could expose the city to costly lawsuits that would divert funds from education and affordable housing.
• Priscilla Peebles, a member of SEIU 32BJ, thanked council for the proposed budget amendment to raise wages for city contracted janitorial workers, stating that it would allow workers to live with dignity.
• Cheryl Nietzsche, a retired Richmond police officer who was shot in the line of duty, spoke in support of Councilmember Trammell’s COLA amendment for all city employees. She noted that she receives only $96.34 per month in retirement and that many retirees are homeless or struggle to afford groceries. She stated that the state VRS provides annual COLAs of 2.48-2.95%, while the city has not given a COLA in over a decade.
• Latrice Gregory, a member of SEIU 32BJ, spoke in support of wage increases for contracted janitors, sharing that her 72-year-old mother still works full-time at $15/hour after 36 years of service.
• Amante Casello, a 6th district resident, requested that the $1.3 million increase for Flock cameras be reallocated to RPS and affordable housing initiatives, supporting amendments by Councilmembers Gibson and Trammell.
• Cameron Concer asked for greater clarity on the Flock camera budget and requested a pause on funding until there is full public transparency and a public vote. He stated that most residents do not know what Flock cameras are and feel unsafe knowing they are constantly surveilled.
• Mark Svair opposed Flock funding, arguing that surveillance facilitates ICE operations and that funds should go to education and housing.
• Victoria urged the city to pause the Flock contract and reallocate funds to programs that address root causes of crime, such as affordable housing, immigrant engagement, and strong schools. She argued that surveillance is reactive, while housing and education prevent harm.
• B Chambers, a 6th district resident, asked council to cut funding for Flock, noting that residents are actively telling council to do so. He said investing in social programs is a better way to move forward.
• Sheree Shannon, co-founder of Southside ReLeaf, supported budget amendments by Councilmembers Breton and Jones that strengthen investment in urban forestry and parks. She cited a 33% increase in heat-related illnesses over two years and argued that tree canopy and park access are essential for health equity.
• Lee Williams, advocacy chair of the Sierra Club Falls of the James Group, expressed support for many proposed amendments, including raising wages for custodial workers, reallocating gas utility expansion funds, and creating an energy efficiency coordinator position. He noted that Richmond is about to experience five days of near 90-degree temperatures, making energy efficiency crucial.
• Maria Deuster, from the Community Climate Collaborative, supported Councilmember Jordan’s amendment to eliminate $500,000 in new funding for DPU gas expansion, advocating for a transition to city-owned electric utility. She also supported amendments for transparency in urban forestry and street safety spending.
• Joe Brancoley, chair of the Sierra Club Falls of the James Group, commended Councilmembers Robertson and Jordan for leveling the playing field in the budget process and supported amendments for the People’s Budget, street safety, and a study of city-owned electric utility.
• Mariah White, a former school board member, called for full funding of RPS with no shortfalls, a dedicated percentage of city revenue to schools, and an independent overseer to ensure money is spent on student needs. She also requested more safety funding.
• Casey Miller, a 7th district resident, supported amendments to fund RPS and RVA, conduct an inspector general audit, increase funding for the Family Crisis Fund, and raise custodial wages. He opposed funding for unfillable police vacancies and the Flock camera contract, citing IT security concerns.
• Larry Gladwell, a retired firefighter, spoke in favor of the COLA amendment, stating that the retirement board stopped recommending COLAs after 2015 even though the fund is likely well-funded. He noted that unlike VRS, the Richmond Retirement System has not provided COLAs in years.
• Keith Andy presented a list of VRS COLA increases from 2011 to 2023 (ranging from 1.28% to 6.00%) and contrasted them with Richmond Retirement System COLAs, which were 0% every year from 2011 to 2023 except for 1% in 2020. He stated that the CPI increased 46.8% cumulatively, severely eroding retirees’ purchasing power.
• Barbara Starkey Good, a retired city employee of over 30 years, stated that the last COLA for city retirees was in 2004, over 20 years ago. She pleaded with council to include a COLA in the budget.
• Sylvester Henderson, a Richmond firefighter, spoke in support of the COLA amendment, noting the competing budget needs but urging council to address the long-standing issue of zero COLAs.
• William Andrews, a retired firefighter, supported the COLA amendment to help retirees balance rising real estate taxes and utility bills.
• Kyra, a resident of the 1st district, asked for a pause on the Flock contract, stating that she feels constantly surveilled in her neighborhood. She argued that the cameras target minority neighborhoods and contribute to predictive policing, calling for funding to go to housing, health care, and fire departments.
• Johnny Fuller, a volunteer organizer with the Richmond DSA, opposed Flock cameras, stating that most people are unaware of the constant surveillance. He suggested reallocating the $1.4 million to the virtual academy.
• Daisy Weaver, a resident of the 3rd district, supported the 1.5% COLA request and suggested that the retirement system and city finance work together to establish a regular formula for COLAs so retirees do not have to appeal annually.
• Emma Clark, a resident of the 4th district, thanked council for many amendments, including those for schools, a study of city-owned power, and an audit of RPS. She opposed funding for Flock and gas utility expansion.
• Bill Panley, on behalf of RCOP, supported the COLA amendment and suggested revisiting subtle tweaks to the retirement system’s funding mechanism to build in a modest COLA, as was explored in 2015.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation: The council recognized two new poet laureates, Maurice Moflows Brown and Rosa Castellano, for April 2026 as Richmond Poetry Month. Council congratulated them and looked forward to their work.
• Resolution 2026-R014: Approved the issuance of up to $8 million in multifamily housing revenue bonds by RHA for a 48-unit project at 115 North Jefferson Street. The motion to expedite consideration passed 8-1 (Councilmember Gibson voted no on expediting). The resolution was then adopted 8-0-1 (Gibson abstained).
• Budget ordinances (items 10-18): After a lengthy public hearing, the council voted unanimously to continue all budget-related ordinances to the Monday, April 27, 2026 council meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of consent agenda (unanimous, one abstention).
• Adoption of resolution 2026-R014 for multifamily housing bonds (8-0-1).
• Continuation of all budget ordinances (items 10-18) to April 27, 2026 (unanimous).
• Councilmembers committed to following up on the tax relief issues raised by seniors and the housing complaint from Karen Thomas.
• Several councilmembers announced upcoming district meetings and community events, including the second annual Neighborhood and Civic Association Summit on April 20, 2026.