Oh the thing would be fine.

Oh my god.

Um just put it in the meaning.

Um just perhaps any other bags.

Um I can't believe it.

Oh, it's not gonna be a little bit different.

Good evening, everyone.

Good evening, everyone.

The formal meeting of the Richmond City Council will now come to order.

I will ask Madam Clerk and Mr.

Clerk if we could have our Spanish interpretation announcement.

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.

I would like to introduce our invocation speaker, Reverend Sherman Logan of First Unitarian Universalist Church.

After the invocation, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thank you, Reverend Logan.

May we pray.

Holy one of many names, spirit of life and love.

As evening settles and this day draws to a close, we pause to offer thanks for your goodness and for your mercy that has carried us to this hour.

As we gather to serve the people of Richmond, we remember the sacred trust place in its place.

The decisions made here ripple outward into homes, neighborhoods, and daily lives.

So we ask your blessings not only upon what is decided, but how we arrive there.

Teach us to listen, not just to respond, but to understand so that we may find common ground and the courage to move forward together.

Give us open and steady hearts, committed to the well-being of all.

Grant us wisdom to discern what is just and courage to act upon it.

And the many names that calls us towards love.

And in the spirit that binds us together as one human family, we offer this prayer.

And to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Able persons should assist visually and hearing impaired visitors with exiting the building.

Individuals speaking during public hearings in the 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.

Also, applause is only permitted during tonight's awards and presentation ceremony for this evening.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Chief of Staff Lawson, if you would come forward with a special recognition.

Thank you so much.

President Newville, Vice President Jordan, esteemed members of council, thank you for having me, Lossama J Suria, I'm Chief of Staff, and I'm here on behalf of Mare Vula to present proclamations to our two new poet laureates.

We have Maurice Moflows Brown and Arosa Castellano.

These two talented individuals were announced on Saturday at the Vizarts event, and they at that time were given the opportunity to read some of their poetry and begin to take on this mantle as poet laureates.

But we also wanted council to be able to formally receive their appointment and for the public to know more broadly for them to receive these proclamations here tonight.

So a little context, we have had poet laureates since 2020.

Thanks in enormous part to Patty Parks, whose dedication to the program got it off the ground, even in the middle of COVID.

And our first two laureates, Rosco Burnham's and Joanna Lee, have been extraordinary advocates for the program, their artistic communities, and our city.

We've benefited from them for many years, and now we really looking forward to having the two of you.

So this one's yours, that one's yours.

Everyone's ready for some whereas.

All right.

Whereas April 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of National Poetry Month in the United States, recognizing the vital role poets play in cultivating curiosity, creativity, and play in our civic life.

And whereas both our history and our future are shaped through language, and healthy democracies rely on voices that challenge, inspire, and bring us together.

And whereas poetry fosters literacy and critical thinking, helping community members of all ages and from all backgrounds observe more closely, imagine more deeply, and communicate more richly.

And whereas the city of Richmond is home to poets whose work makes our classrooms, libraries, and streets brighter, who represent our city on national stages and in publications that reach worldwide, and who advance Mare Vula's vision for City of Rich uh Richmond as a city that tells its stories and tells the truth about its past.

And whereas in 1996, the Academy of American Poets, a national nonprofit member supported organization promoting poets and poetry established the month of April to be National Poetry Month in the U.S.

And whereas in 2021, to further exalt the importance of poetry and the breadth of our city's creative culture, Richmond named its first poet laureate who serves a two-year commitment from April through April to promote poetry through our city.

And whereas Richmond's first two poet laureates, Douglas Powell, Rascal Burnham's, and Joanna Lee have been fierce advocates for poetry as a powerful tool for community formation, truth-telling, and envisioning a vibrant future for Richmond.

And whereas the City of Richmond is proud to introduce our two newly appointed laureates, Maurice Moflows Brown and Rosa Castellano, as Richmond's third poet laureate, as they take on the charge of championing the art form, celebrating our city, and creating paths to healing and connection through storytelling.

And now, therefore, I, Dr.

Danny T.K.

Avula, Mayor of the City of Richmond, Virginia, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as Richmond Poetry Month and uplift the value of this essential art form within our communities.

We just okay, it actually is working now.

Just want to say congratulations on behalf of the Richmond City Council.

We are excited to have two new poets and look forward to your work with us.

So we'll be calling upon you.

Just want to let you know different events.

Okay.

But just congratulations, and we're so pleased to have you serve in that capacity for our city.

And we'll take a photo.

Okay.

Great.

Come on.

You guys are inside.

Sure.

Well, that's weird.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.

Clerk, I believe that we are ready for public comment period speakers at this time.

The first speaker is Karen Thomas.

Welcome, Miss Thomas.

How are you doing?

Good evening, all.

My name is Karen Thomas.

First, I would like to thank Councilwoman Reba Tremmel for giving me the opportunity to tell my story.

Ms.

Thomas, can you please speak a little bit more in the house?

Yes, thank you.

Good evening, all.

My name is Karen Thomas.

First, I'd like to thank Councilwoman Riva Treml for giving me the opportunity to tell my story.

It started on August 8th, 2025.

We were living at a Section A house on Richmond South Side.

Everyone in our house was diagnosed with air infections.

My mother had pneumonia twice.

I had consistent breathing problems.

The cause was narrowed down to an odor in the house.

As my mother lived in aid, I reached out to the landlord.

No answer, no reply.

I reached out to Section 8, no answer, no reply.

I reached out to the health department, City Council.

Every number I was given, we cannot help.

11 emergency room visits.

A stay in MCB.

I finally left a message to the mayor's office saying, this house is killing me.

I'm going to die.

They sent out code enforcement on January 2nd, 2026, and determined it was a sewage leak and mole.

Excuse me.

The property they left us there to live out our lease.

The doctors.

It written said I cannot go back.

The house.

My health would get even worse.

We informed the landlord, Izzy Jones, and left 2101 Ward Avenue on January 15, 2026.

I moved my elderly disabled mother, 11-year-old son, and paid for us to stay in different hotels.

As of April 6th, 2026, we had finally found a decent place to live.

No one would help us.

Seeing as disabled should not go through this.

No family, no kids.

No one.

For nothing.

For a house.

And I beg everybody.

Nobody wouldn't listen.

I'm sorry.

I can't do this.

Thank you.

Madam President.

Yes, Ms.

Thomas.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

And I know that there will be someone following up with you.

In addition, Councilmember Trammell, that you have a comment.

I'll call her tonight when I leave here.

I'll give her a call.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Madam Clerk.

The next speaker is Leonard Anderson.

Leonard Anderson.

The next speaker is Charlie Trocklow.

Welcome, Mr.

Troclow.

Hi, good evening.

My name is Charlie Troquel.

I'm a resident and homeowner in the 5th district.

My wife grew up in Richmond and I have lived here for five years, and we bought our home in Randolph in 2024.

We love Richmond.

We love our little brick house, and we're excited to start a family here.

We were only able to afford our home because its lot was split prior to our purchase.

That's why I'm here to speak in support of Code Refresh, especially its smaller minimum lot sizes.

In 2020, its previous owner passed away.

By 2024, when the property was sold, the house was in disrepair.

Thanks to the double lot, the family was able to split the property in half.

The empty lot was sold to a developer and the house to a flipper who fixed it and flipped it to us.

This outcome was a win for everybody.

The family selling their inherited property was able to make more by selling to two investors with different goals.

Our next door neighbors got a new build, we got our home.

Both investors made money by providing more quality housing than was previously in our neighborhood or the city.

If we consider an alternate history where the lot couldn't be split, an investor would look at the large lot and the small house in need of repairs, and they would follow the profit incentive.

They would build a big house out of our price range and out of touch with our neighborhood.

It might be via additions or by tearing down what was there, but it would have been rational for that investor and it would have produced half as many homes.

Situations like this play out all over the city without the benefit of breaking up lots.

Allowing smaller minimum lot sizes will increase the options available to sellers and create lots where smaller, affordable homes are possible and profitable.

Richmond will continue to grow.

Our options are to allow smaller starter homes on littler lots, or watch as houses become bigger and bigger, pricier and pricier.

And it's very clear to me which one would be better for the city.

My request for this council say yes to code refresh when it comes back this summer or this fall.

It is your charge to be representatives, not just for the most vocal critics, but for all the individuals code refresh will benefit, including those who have not yet had the opportunity to make Richmond their home.

You have 30 seconds.

Thank you.

Please have the imagination to see a growing Richmond where greater flexibility creates more of these wins for everybody.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

The next speaker is Ralph Hodge.

Welcome, Reverend Hodge.

Good evening.

Good evening, members of City Council.

Um, I come before you tonight to highlight an issue that some seniors and disabled citizens are having navigating the real estate tax relief process.

Several members of the community have uh reached out to me to share that even though they've been on the tax relief program for over a decade, they recently found themselves unenrolled from the program.

And so tonight I'm coming and on speaking on vote their behalf.

They were some they had hard time, difficult time coming out tonight, so I told them that I would come speak for them.

And I'm asking for some grace concerning their circumstances.

These citizens are good members of the community and they've called Richmond their home for decades.

So when they tried to re-enroll in the tax relief program, they ran into some challenges and obstacles.

These seniors and disabled people are living on limited resources and income.

The tax relief program allows them to stay in their homes and continue uh to call Richmond of their city of choice.

They are barely making it on their Social Security income, and so I'm hoping tonight that the city administration or the council will take the names of the seniors that I have and assist them to get re-enrolled in the tax relief program that they've been on for 12, 13, and other 18 years.

Uh, to my knowledge, as of today, the forms and applications for this year's tax relief program are not available.

And so taxes are due in June, and I hope that these seniors and disabled members of our community can have their situations rectified by then.

So thank you for your understanding and consideration on that matter.

Thank you, Reverend Hodge.

The next speaker is Stephanie Starling.

Welcome, Ms.

Starlings.

Hello.

So my name is Stephanie Starling.

I'm here today to speak on behalf of my mother Anna Tab, who's here with me today, and countless seniors in our city to advocate for changes in the tax relief for elderly application process.

The program is designed to help our vulnerable population age in place and reduce the burden of rising taxes for their property.

To apply, applicants must be 65 years of age or 100% disabled as of December 31st of the previous year.

One thing we know for certain is that if you meet those qualifications each year, your age only increases, and disabilities often remain unchanged.

If those are listed first in the criteria, why are our seniors and disabled residents requested to reapply each year if their income or their qualifications have not changed?

On February the 4th of this year, my mother was hand handed me a letter from the tax relief program.

It was dated November the 21st of 2025.

But the envelope envelope was machine stamped for November the 25th.

There are two things my mother is consistent at.

One is watching gunsmoke, the other is reading her mail.

The letter arrived on February 3rd, stating that our records indicate that you're currently participating in the tax relief program, and to remain active, you must submit an application or recertification application by December the 31st of 2025.

The problem with that deadline is that that was exactly one month and one week earlier.

I immediately called the office on the letter, left a message, and sent an email that included the mayor.

I advised the letter had arrived in February, asked to be provided the documents to file, and urged the city to consider implementing measures that would allow the tax relief to remain permanently or undergo a review every few years rather than annually.

As of today, I received no response for either office.

When I ran for office a few years ago, part of my campaign focused on the aging community, other than Cancel Woman Trammell, who has provided me with literature when I've attended her meetings and all but filled out applications for her seniors because she fights for them, has been consistent in her efforts to direct seniors in her direct in her district towards any city benefits for which they are eligible.

Unfortunately, there are seniors that have not had this experience in Richmond.

My mother is 83, and for 18 years, she has met the age requirement for less than and have received the benefits for less than three years of them.

After over 65 years of paying taxes in both the 8th and 9th district, my mother has contributed greatly to the city's development with no say in how her taxes are spent.

And when she needs help from the city, there's no response.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Darling.

The next speaker is Arla Hargrove.

And Madam President, that concludes the list of public comment period speakers for this evening.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Welcome, Ms.

Hargrove.

Thank you.

Good evening, uh Council members of the City Council and everyone present.

My name is Arna Hargrove, and I would like to address my concerns in reference to tax relief for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

I have been receiving assistance from this program approximately 18 years or more.

In March, I received a letter from the mortgage company informing me that my payment would be increasing to 400 more dollars than I'm already paying for my mortgage because of unpaid taxes.

I called the city to see what the problem was.

They stated I hadn't sent in 2025 research forms.

I informed the lady that I always return anything they send me out, and she replied, everything is here except 2025.

In return, I obtained my folder.

Everything was there except 2025.

I said I never received a letter, reminder, or invoice about taxes due.

After speaking with them on the week of March 17th, all of a sudden I received two letters stating that the reason for my um I needed to pay unpaid taxes was that I did not send in a research for 2025.

Until then, I have not received anything.

I have all my letters in a folder showing the dates and things that have been sent out to me.

And she stated that you know it's too late.

And um, I I think that's I feel like it's it's unfair right now to be treated in that manner.

If I've been consistently sending in, and you all have been consistently sending me a letter, all of a sudden, after all these years, I did not receive a letter.

I think some needs be some consideration and things need to be checked to see what's going on with that.

And then as I go on further, uh I I don't understand that normally we will have received another letter for 2026.

I haven't received anything with that.

So I would appreciate it if you all would look into it.

I'm disabled, I'm on limited income, and I cannot pay $961 a month now.

That's $400 more than I was paying.

I paid my mortgage down with these.

You have 30 seconds to pay even more.

So I just appreciate you all's time, and I hope and pray that you all would take in consideration and reevaluate the situation for us seniors and disabled people, and rectify this problem.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Hargrove.

Madam President, Cookie lives in my district.

She lives in my district.

And I have others that live in my district that could not be here tonight.

This is something that I've been asking about since January.

Since my senior me, that they were taking off the tax relief.

And as she just said, she's not even got a letter for 2026.

Here we are, April the 13th.

And then where are the forms?

And that's what people are calling me up asking me, just like Cookie just said when I went over there to her house.

She didn't have anything to show that they had even tried to notify her as other seniors that I won't mention their names were not able to be here tonight because the disability as you know, she's with the pastor, he brought her here.

But what are we going to do when we're almost in the and you know, this is now going into May.

I hear you.

I've never had we've never had this, not with not with Sheila White, not with, but what how come somebody from finance is not here addressing this when I have been up there asking and begging for the forms when they tell me they're not ready.

Housewoman Travel, I want to say thank you.

I would like to ask Reverend Hodge, you said you have a list if you would get those and Miss Lawson, if you could just have direct who that list should go to and finance.

Ms.

Hargrove, Miss Starling, um, if you would get that information uh to our uh chief of staff and so that then we could have follow-up on that.

There are some others as well from some of the other districts, so we'll make sure to get those to you as well so we can be responsive to uh to our seniors who we care about greatly and their well-being.

So we'll follow up uh Reverend Hodge.

You will follow up with us.

Okay, all right.

And Ms.

Darlings, Ms.

Hargrove, okay.

And just and Councilwoman Lynch, I'm sorry.

Um and and Reva's absolute councilmember Tremble is absolutely right.

Is it's a huge um issue all across our our city for our districts.

We're working on um introducing an ordinance to adjust the timeline we're working with the administration.

We just met uh with them today, and um we'll continue to work with them on some really important updates.

That's why having the the funding for the senior mailings is so important because having that communication out early and often is absolutely critical to informing our our seniors, having it go through our direct mail.

Um hopefully we will have that ordinance introduced before the June um time frame.

So we'll be working with all of you all um to to uh and the administration to get that um ordinance fixed so we can adjust our timeline so that folks have time.

Thank you, Miss Linton.

Again, thank you, Miss Trammell.

And even though Ms.

Thomas has I don't think she's still in the audience, I would like to make sure we follow up with her as well.

Um Ms.

Lawson uh can check with the clerk's office relative to her information to get it to the appropriate staff person.

I just can see you more directly and I know you will direct accordingly.

So I just want to say thank you to um everyone who came to provide us with public comment today.

Thank you.

With that, uh Madam Deputy Clerk, I'd like to go on to the agenda and the amendments for tonight's agenda.

The amendments to tonight's agenda are as follows.

Item three, ordinance 2026 060 will be continued to the Monday, April 27th Council meeting.

Item 7, ordinance 2025 215 will be continued to the Monday, May 11th Council meeting.

Item 8, ordinance 2025 231 will be continued to the Monday, April 27th Council meeting.

Item 9, ordinance 2026 059 will be continued to the Monday, May 11th council meeting.

Madam President, those are all the amendments to tonight's agenda.

Thank you, Mr.

Clark.

Let's um proceed with uh the motion relative to the agenda.

Do I accept I'll need a motion to amend the agenda as read, Council?

So move.

Second.

Council is voting on this evening's agenda amendments as read.

Mr.

Breton?

Aye.

Ms.

Gibson.

Abstain.

Ms.

Jones?

Aye.

Ms.

Robertson.

Aye.

Ms.

Lynch?

Aye.

Ms.

Trammell.

Aye.

Ms.

Abubacher.

Aye.

And President New Bill.

Aye.

That motion has been approved.

The amended agenda is now before you, and this evening's consent agenda consists of the following items.

Item one, ordinance 2026 057.

Item two, ordinance 2026 058.

Item 4, ordinance 2026 061.

Item 5, ordinance 2026 062, and item six, ordinance 2026 072.

Those are all the items on tonight's consent agenda.

Thank you, Mr.

Clark.

We will now have a public hearing, and each person will be accorded three minutes for public comment in favor and or opposition.

So I will first ask if we have persons desirous of speaking in opposition to any of the items on the consent agenda if you would come forward.

Welcome.

Thank you.

Okay.

Good evening, Richmond City Council.

I am Dr.

Cindy Robinson, Principal of the Richmond Virtual Academy.

I return tonight because the city's budget is the ultimate statement.

Madam President, this is not the budget public hearing.

This is the public hearing agenda.

I'm sorry.

We're coming with budget.

You yes, we're gonna get to you.

Okay.

I am we are this is uh public comment on the consent agenda items only at this time and those persons desirous of speaking in opposition to any item on the consent agenda.

I'm confused.

Is this the time to speak about amendments?

No.

I'll I'll let you know.

Okay, thank you.

It will come shortly.

I'm glad to see the enthusiasm here for this.

Okay.

Do I have any persons desire to speaking in favor of any item on the consent agenda?

Okay.

Seeing none, the public hearing on the consent agenda is closed.

Bring it back to council for any discussion.

Question.

Seeing none, uh Mr.

Clark, if you would call the question.

Council is voting on the consent agenda as presented.

Mr.

Breton?

Aye.

Ms.

Gibson?

Yes.

Ms.

Jones?

Aye.

Ms.

Robertson?

Aye.

Ms.

Lynch?

Aye.

Ms.

Trammell.

Aye.

Ms.

Abu Baker.

Aye.

Vice President Jerdon?

Aye.

And President New Bill.

Aye.

Those papers have all been adopted.

Thank you.

Now the next item that we're going to have public hearing on.

As the clerk reads, it will be an expedited resolution.

So not yet on budget.

Let you know on budget.

Okay.

Mr.

Clerk.

Madam President, the paper for expediting consideration this evening is resolution number 2026-R014, which is to approve the issuance by RHA of its multifamily housing revenue bonds and an amount up to $8 million for the acquisition, construction, and equipping of the approximately 48 unit multifamily residential rental housing project at 115 North Jefferson Street.

I will need a motion to expedite consideration of this resolution.

Vice President Jordan, will you make that motion, please?

Councilman Breton, will you second that?

Second.

Thank you.

Council is now voting on the motion to expedite consideration of this resolution.

Mr.

Breton.

Aye.

Aye.

Ms.

Gibson.

I'm voting no on just the exped expediting this.

I just think in general, uh these these types of papers require or benefit from more you know visibility input, those things.

Okay.

Ms.

Jones.

Aye.

Ms.

Robertson?

Aye.

Ms.

Lynch.

Ms.

Trammell.

Ms.

Abbacher.

Aye.

Vice President Jordan.

Aye.

And President New Bill.

Aye.

That paper is before council for consideration.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

At this time, we'll have a public hearing on the paper.

Try to modulate this mic.

I'm told that you can't hear me as well sometimes, right?

You can hear me well?

Okay.

And so we will now have a public hearing.

All of those persons present in the audience desirous of speaking in opposition to this paper, if you would come forward.

Seeing none, all of those present in the audience desirous of speaking in favor of this paper, if you would come forward.

Seeing none, the public hearing is closed.

Bring it back to council for discussion.

Madam Clerk, if you would call the question.

Council is now voting on resolution number 2026-R014 as read.

Mr.

Breton?

Aye.

Ms.

Gibson.

Abstain.

Ms.

Jones?

Aye.

Ms.

Robertson.

Aye.

Ms.

Lynch.

Aye.

Ms.

Trammell?

Aye.

Ms.

Abubacher.

Aye.

Vice President Jordan.

Aye.

And President New Bill.

Aye.

That paper has been adopted.

Thank you.

Now the papers that I suspect many of you are here to speak to.

And so Madam Clerk, if you would proceed to read the budget related papers.

The budget related ordinances on this evening's agenda are item 10, ordinance number 2026-063 through item 18, ordinance number 2026-071.

Those papers are before council.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Would those persons desirous of speaking to any of the budget papers?

Just raise your hands.

Okay.

And so what I will suggest at this point that we will allow two minutes so we can hear from everybody who has raised their hand.

And so with that, we'll get started.

Otherwise, to line up, and if you would come forth and share your comments with us.

Okay.

Welcome again.

Thank you.

I appreciate that.

Good evening, everyone again.

Richmond City Council, I am Dr.

Cindy Robinson, principal of the Richmond Virtual Academy.

Again, I return tonight because the city's budget is the ultimate statement of its values.

I'm calling on this council to decide that the stability of our families is a non-negotiable priority.

And that the lifelines protecting our most vulnerable scholars will never be treated as an optional expense.

I acknowledge the proposed 257 million allocation is a substantial investment.

But meeting the local composite index is simply fulfilling a legal baseline.

Strategic excellent excellence requires more.

When we leave a $3.8 million gap, we are effectively closing the door on students with long-term medical or social emotional needs for whom RVA is the only lifeline.

Without it, families are forced into private market.

Most cannot afford.

Telling our children their education is only a priority if their parents can pay for it.

It is a common misconception that RVA costs our school district millions.

The truth is virtual learning actually saves millions.

Our brick and mortar facilities face nearly 40 million in urgent deferred maintenance.

Meanwhile, RVA operates out of a single office in an existing school.

We serve a student body that would otherwise require its own multimillion dollar building, yet we do so with zero facilities, educating students at less than half the cost of our traditional counterparts.

The cycle of uncertainty must end.

Council, our community has spoken, listen to us.

Our children deserve a seat at the table, not the leftovers of a budget gap.

Stop the compromises, close the gap, fully fund RPS, fully fund RBA.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Good evening, City Council and everyone.

My name is Mrs.

Lofton Pickens.

I'm the instructional compliance coordinator with the Richmond Virtual Academy.

I always feel like I'm too close to this thing.

I would like to begin by thanking you all for listening to RVA.

Um, it's very important to have your voices heard.

Um, your willingness to hear what communities has the community has expressed that matters.

As you consider the amendments presented by Councilwoman Gibson and Councilwoman Tremel, I want to highlight that RVA represents less than one percent of RPS's entire budget.

Um let me see here.

The RPS community has spoken clearly and consistently in support of RVA, even without a formal community engagement survey.

And the collective voice deserves recognition.

I also believe in transparency and stand in support of the third party audit of RPS.

I'm hopeful that in the near future, as there is an expectation to preserve RVA, clearly stated by RPS, the school board, we will also see intentional efforts to ensure RVA is fully embraced, where it's access actively communicated, supported and where RVA stakeholders feel welcome and valued a value part of RPS.

Unity matters.

Forward thinking and recognizing that RVA is one of the divine nine highlighted by the DDLE.

It is essential for RPS to continue to listen as RVA remains a safe haven for students who will also who also can RVA can also self-sustain if we continue to think forward and move forward with the ideas that RVA has.

Thank you for your time and hooty hoop.

God bless y'all.

Thank you.

Good evening, council members.

My name is Dee Winston.

That's D E E.

As a parent, I would like to thank you all for at least trying to consider the budget.

And I would really like to thank you all that have been supporting us.

We really appreciate it.

Also, as a parent, I'm standing here traumatized by my daughter's school still being on the chopping block.

It's been that way for a few years.

My daughter experienced bullying in person school.

And I feel like my school, my daughter's school, and I say my school because we are a family is being bullied too.

When Friedrich Frobel discovered or designed kindergarten, it's supposed to be a garden of play.

It's not supposed to be for bullying.

But yet my child was bullied in person, and I feel like our school is being bullied because we just went through this.

So I'm asking, I'm humbly asking for you all to provide the funding for Richmond Public Schools, Richmond Virtual Academy.

Richmond Public Schools is Richmond Virtual Academy.

Richmond Virtual Academy is Richmond Public Schools.

Also, I have created this book.

It's titled About Richmond Virtual Academy in a snapshot.

Our students and families in the community.

I have brought provided you all an electronic copy in PDF form since I couldn't make a copy for everyone.

As I said the last time this is my daughter, she wants a black history spotlight.

She is thriving in Richmond Virtual Academy.

Please help us save our school.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, and thank you for sharing the book.

You're welcome.

Good evening, Council.

My name is Adam Rose, and I support the advantage of Councilmember Gibson and Trammel, and specifically calling out funding for the Richmond Virtual Academy.

They are the latest in a long line of leaders, but I get it.

They're moved by RVA's community impact and the strategic role in addressing declining RPS enrollment.

They follow the Virginia Department of Education, who named RVA one of its divine nine with a hundred percent graduation rate.

Full accreditation and chronic and low chronic absenteeism.

The school board, who voted six to two to add RVA back, with Representative Hedgepath saying RVA plays an essential role and requires a new mindset to preserve it.

The positive response from journalists, all the major outlets are covering this topic, and the community are asking questions like why is the school that's exceeding RPS goals and with 750 student applicants in the last few years on the chopping block?

Why is an RBA a budget issue when it's less than 1% of the total RPS budget costs half as much to run while other schools are seeing declining enrollment but yet see increasing budgets?

Why are there substantial transition costs to cover RVA in case it were to close for areas needed to fill the gap, like homebound, exceptional ed, special transportation, tuition, and private corporate vendors are ballooning.

30 seconds?

I can't answer these, but an audit could, something Kenny Gibson also calls for.

The superintendent and mayor's unpopular views are why all of us are here.

My advice for them, and this is Steam Council take the win, get behind RVA, grow enrollment, and support this vulnerable community.

The mayor, in releasing his press release about underfunding RPS, said, let's keep it going.

Children deserve a safe, enriching, and full of opportunity learning environments.

I couldn't agree more.

Thank you.

Fund RPS.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Good evening, Casma.

Why am I speaking on the budget?

My name is Felicia Minor.

I am here to speak on my daughter and why Virtual Academy has mattered to so much for our family.

Safety.

When my daughter was attending in school in person, she was bullied.

Her servants felt like they had to protect her.

My daughter would run out of the building.

She will run out of the classroom with no clothes on.

That is not safe.

Dignity.

I would send her to school with clean pull-ups on and mock them.

She will come home wearing the same pull-up.

She left in.

Her clothes would be wet and cut up.

Her nose would be covered with mucals.

Many times she came on the she came home on the bus without a coat.

She was constantly sick.

Every child deserves dignity.

My daughter deserves dignity.

Personal needs.

My daughter does not understand personal space.

She wants to hug and kiss everyone.

She needs supervision and support.

Impact and my ability to work.

I was called every single day while I was trying to work and pay my bills.

I felt like I might as well be a teacher.

I do not get paid for that.

If we are talking about the budgets, then put me in the budget.

Budget and reality.

The only item Richard PS provides for my daughter.

Is a Chromebook.

Every RPS, every RPS student has a Chronicle.

I pay my electric bill.

I pay for my Wi-Fi.

So exactly what are they paying for?

Work and learning.

30 seconds.

Since attending Richmond Virtual Academy, my daughter has grown tremendously.

She can now write her name.

She can do things she never did before.

She is learning, she is thriving what she deserves.

My daughter deserves to graduate with the current classmate.

She deserves to be to graduate in a safe environment.

And I want to ask questions.

Can you guarantee her protection at graduation?

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening.

My name is Dr.

Jacqueline Johnson Wilson, a proud Richmond Virtual Academy parent.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, excuse me, disabilities and individuals with disabilities education act.

My son is entitled to a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

That is the setting that enables him to make meaningful progress alongside appropriate supports.

According to federal law, placement decisions must be based on an individual child's needs and not administrative or funding considerations.

Not providing funding for RBA risks placing vulnerable students in environments that are more restrictive and less appropriate, which would be a violation of federal law.

My son, who has complex health sensory and behavioral challenges, is a student in RBA's intensive support class.

He has attended since its inception and is making meaningful and measurable progress towards his educational goals.

The needs of vulnerable and disabled students are being met in their least restrictive environments at RVA.

RBA has an opportunity to build on proven success in a fiscally responsible manner.

The per pupil cost at RBA is half that of in-person learning.

It will cost the city tens of thousands of dollars in equipment, transportation, and personnel to have my son, just one student, return to in-person learning.

This is an opportunity to take advantage of built-in savings to the division and multiple advantages for students, families, and ultimately the city of Richmond.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, everyone.

My name is Aja Taylor.

I am a former uh graduate student of Richmond Public Schools, and I'm now currently a teacher at RBA.

Um, I want to first off say that when I was a student coming up in RPS, we were always faced with the same questions.

Why we don't have what they have, why we can't get what they have, why do our schools look different from our neighboring school divisions, Henry Co, Chesterfield?

And the one time that we actually have something as Chesterfield and Henrico, which is a virtual academy, want to get rid of it.

I find that insane.

The answers were always given and told to us that it was because taxpayers, our city lacked meeting taxpayers.

And now I look at our neighborhoods that flow into RPS, they're all being gentrified.

So now the taxpayers are there more than they have ever been in the years when I was coming up.

Where's the money going now?

Why can't the money come there, be there for us now?

Why isn't it provided to us now?

Why is it that our virtual academy is looked at as something that's just for COVID when it's actually a new way of learning, teaching and learning?

It's not something that's of the past or that's outdated or it's too ahead.

Our neighboring school divisions have the same virtual academy, and they are not putting theirs in the budget to be cut.

Why is it that RPS always has to lay down and accept and take whatever that's given to us and be told that's all that we can do?

That's the best we can do.

I think that time is now coming to an end.

Our newer generation.

30 seconds.

Our newer generation, our generation is coming up, they are on game to these things, and they're not going to take a lot of the stuff that's was shoved to us coming up that we just we just gotta go with the punches, go with the flow.

These new children are not gonna take it.

They're gonna stand up for themselves, and I want to stand up here for them today that they get to continue to have Virtual Academy as an alternative, as a school to attend versus going to in-person.

We're not a one-size shoe fit-all type of thing.

Everyone doesn't work well in person.

Some people, virtual works for them.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening.

My name is Dr.

Candace Benn, and I'm the proud school counselor at Richmond Virtual Academy.

I want to start and just again piggyback over what a lot of my colleagues, the families and the community have already said that RVA is part of RPS, and funding RPS means funding RVA.

We are part of RPS.

And uh 2011, I wrote a dissertation on non-traditional learners, and we talked about virtue in it.

I talked about virtual education, and that was very new.

Then 2020 came and COVID hit.

RPS responded with a Richmond Virtual Academy program.

That program has now become an accredited school where students make the choice in being here, where parents make the choice in being a part of Richmond Virtual Academy, where virtual learning is not an asynchronous answer because we are engaged with our students.

We see them face to face.

They have in-person activities as well as virtual activities as well.

These students have, as a school counselor, I work with them as grad as they graduate.

They've been with their classmates virtually and successfully working with them, and they want to graduate with them.

So now mental wellness is a big piece.

So now they see that their school might be closing.

What do they do?

Are they gonna see their friends?

And now they're disperse amongst RPS schools.

They've been with their friends, they've been with so long.

So I just wanted to take thank you all for listening, and I believe that you hear us.

Think about COVID.

Now we're moving into the same kind of environment within our world.

And RVA is an answer, and it's a safe space for students to be.

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Hello.

And I was able to, because of our Richmond Public Schools who graduate 5 Beta Capital from Howard University and the University of Maryland.

So I have been going into the schools as a tutor of math and English and reading since 1979.

And I lived in Richmond for a while, but most of my I've been in back in Richmond 20 years, and all I've been doing is working with kids who cannot handle being in Richmond Public Schools full time.

So the Richmond Virtual Academy is so important.

I have one grandson who was in every single high school in Richmond, and he couldn't graduate, but finally, because of the option of the virtual academy, he was able to graduate.

He would be in prison right now.

He would be it's just too much.

So please refund Richmond Virtual Academy.

Thank you.

Hello, council.

My name is Aurora Britt.

I'm here to talk about a contract that the city has with a company called Flock Security.

This is the third time that I've come up to speak about it, and I'm hoping it's the last.

Just recently, we all read a paper about how Danny Avula and his press secretary wanted to fund the uh media with positive stories about Flock.

So let me tell you a negative story about Flock.

Just uh last week, a report by Ben Jordan came out that Flock employees were accessing internal cameras and watching girls' gymnastics classes.

Can you give me one good reason that that would be happening?

I can't think of one.

These cameras are insecure, right?

They are uh I have a list.

Um they are insecure, they don't keep people safe, they are a reactive policing element.

Uh, and they were funded by Peter Teel, uh, who is a fascist billionaire who is currently using these cameras to track down dissidents in LA and Minneapolis and help DHS arrest them.

So you are using our tax dollars to help the fascist billionaires track down dissidents.

Get rid of the cameras.

Thanks.

Thank you.

Good evening.

I'm Martin Wegbright.

I'm a risk member and a former member of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Supervisory Board.

My comments are about amendments to the funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

A new trust fund ordinance was adopted and effective February 23rd.

It requires that starting in fiscal year 2027, the city shall credit two and a half percent of real estate taxes collected during the prior complete fiscal year to the trust fund.

That required amount is 11.7 million dollars.

The budget before you this evening fails to implement the ordinance you passed.

The city administration introduced nine budget papers on March 11.

Not a single one funds the Affordable Housing Trust Fund or even mentions it.

Agenda item 12, page six, shows 10 million dollars to the equitable affordable housing program.

This is not the trust fund and is not subject to citizen oversight or the requirement that 30% of the trust fund must be spent on housing needs for Richmonders at 30% of area median income or below.

Agenda item 10, page 86 shows 1.7 million dollars to a new affordable housing revolving fund.

This also is not the trust fund.

These are not innocent omissions.

Fortunately, council members Gibson and Robertson have proposed amendments clearly stating that these two amounts totaling 11.7 million dollars must be allocated to the trust fund in the upcoming fiscal year and not allocated anywhere else.

On this requirement, risk is in earnest.

We will not equivocate, we will not excuse, we will not retreat one single inch.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Good evening.

I'm Nancy Conkl, a resident of the second district, and I hold risk seat on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund board.

Last time I gave before you, it was in celebration of the compromise ordinance mandating that two and a half percent of real estate tax revenue be assigned to the trust fund.

It seemed that finally, after years of delay, city leaders would truly invest in one of the best tools to address the overwhelming need in our city for affordable housing.

We at risk applauded City Council and the mayor for this accomplishment when you voted unanimously to pass this ordinance.

Imagine our shock and disappointment then when the administration released the draft budget with exactly zero dollars assigned to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

We have been promised this was simply an error, an oversight, but however it happened happened, it is unacceptable and deeply concerning that we citizen watchdogs at risk have to come back to the City Council again to try to write this wrong.

Unfortunately, regardless of the reasons for it, this oversight plays into a pattern of pushing the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the people it serves to the margins.

The previous ordinance also passed unanimously by council that required revenue for expiring tax payments go to the trust fund was never followed.

30 seconds.

And now is where is the two and a half percent of real estate tax revenue?

I am calling on you, City Council, to write this wrong.

Follow up on your unanimous vote to put 11.7 million in the trust fund this year with a unanimous vote to amend the draft budget as proposed by council persons Gibson and Robertson.

Show your constituents, the administration, risk developers, people who are struggling that ordinances you pass have teeth, and you expect them to be followed.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening.

My name is Janice Lacey.

I am a risk board member, team leader, and a member of our affordable housing steering committee.

For five long years, risk has been crying out for real investment in affordable housing.

Five years of stories, five years of families struggling, five years of urging this body to meet the scale of the crisis.

In February, we celebrated that you all voted to adopt ordinance 2026 045.

By law, the 11.7 million dollars must be in this year's budget for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

The mayor's proposed budget does not follow the law.

We have seen an ordinance get adopted and then ignored.

We do not want to see that happen again.

We are here tonight to support Council Member Gibson's and Robertson's language amendment to bring the budget into compliance with ordinance 2026-045.

30 seconds.

And crisis demands action.

It demands courage.

It demands commitment.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening.

My name's William Allman, and I'm a resident of the 5th district.

First of all, I want to thank you for this opportunity to speak.

Your willingness to listen to the general public does not go on notice and is nor is it unappreciated.

I'm a retired accountant.

I became a CPA in 1988.

During my career, I spent 35 years performing internal audits, reviews, forensic accounting reviews, and general corporate risk assessments.

Tonight, I would like to speak to you about FLOC.

Now there's multiple issues here.

Let's set most of them aside for now and focus on one issue, and that's data security.

There have been numerous experts and witnesses who've come here before to regard on how unsecure Flock data is.

I'm not going to go over those facts again.

The facts speak for themselves.

What I do want you to be aware of is that if, and I really should say when data is leaked to the general public, or worse, used in illegal ways.

That lawsuit will cost the city millions of dollars.

Dollars that could be spent on the academy, dollars that could be sent to be placed in the trust fund.

Political responsibility for that liability will be placed on the shoulders of the city administration, including all of you.

Until the serious data security questions are addressed, I urge the city to pause the contract.

Nobody will be criticized for taking their time to for doing further due diligence.

Thank you.

That's your time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, Council members.

My name is Priscilla.

Ms.

Beebles, can you please pull the mic down a little bit?

Ms.

Okay.

Good evening, Councilor Members.

My name is Priscilla Peebles, and known to most as Ms.

P and I live in the 8th District under the Honorable Mr.

Riva Tremor.

And I'm here today to represent myself and SEIU 32BJ.

I want to begin by thanking the Mail's Office, Councilmember Lynch, Councilmember Gibson, and all other council members for the proposed budget and amendment to raise wages for the city contracted janitorial workers.

This investment means a great deal to workers like myself.

I'm here to share my story on how this will change the life of myself and the workers like myself.

This is more provision.

This provision is the budget.

It means essential workers that have left behind too long a living wage and allows us to survive and strive.

I have worked years for cleaning city buildings.

I take pride in what I do, but like most Genesis, I'm living financial number.

I'm very grateful for this proposal budget.

Recognizes the need for the better wages, and I'm here to ask for you to pass the final budget so workers like myself can live with dignity, stay healthy, remain part of the workforce, and keeping the city running.

I want to thank you again for your love, your support, 30 seconds.

Thank you.

Good evening.

I'm back.

Welcome back.

Anyway, um, my name is Cheryl Nietzsche.

I speak a little loud.

I have a hearing impairment, so please don't think that I'm yelling at you.

I'm a retired city of Richmond police officer.

I was ambush attacked and shot in the head in 1984 while serving the city of Richmond.

Instead of retiring at age 25, I came back to work after I miraculously spugged gunshot into my head.

Six months later.

I'm here tonight to speak in support of councilwoman Reva Trammell's COLA amendment for all city employees.

When I started in 1982, salary for a police officer was $8,946.

I was not able to get my retirement because RRS repeatedly gave me inaccurate information, told me I was not eligible.

I finally got it in 2024.

I get $96.34 a month.

That 1.5 colour would give me an additional dollar 45.

But again, I'm not here to speak about me.

This is for all of our city retirees.

I live law enforcement.

I went into social work.

I take retirees to food banks.

They can't afford groceries.

You have homeless retirees living on the streets.

I ask you, please.

The funds are there in RRS.

Don't believe me, please research it.

I ask you to do the right thing.

The state gets annual annual VRS COLAS paying amount of 2.48 to 2.95% every year.

It's been over a decade since the city has given the retirees a cola.

Ms.

Nietzsche, that's your time.

Okay.

At this point, I would like to say thank you and ask anybody and everybody here, retirees, to stand if you're in support of this cola.

Come on, we can do better than that.

Come on.

Come on.

Thank you.

Thank you, everyone.

All right.

Good evening, Council Members.

Thank you for taking the time to hear us tonight.

And thank you to the mayor's office and council member Lynch and Councilmember Gibson for putting forward a proposed budget and proposed budget amendments that includes a wage increase for city contracted janitor workers.

My name is Latrice Gregory, and I'm here with SEIU 32BJ in strong support of this proposal.

But tonight I am not here for myself.

I am here for my mother.

My mother is 72 years old and still working full time as a city contracted cleaner, earning just $15 an hour.

She has shown up as an essential worker for over 36 years and continues to do so today.

She represents so many workers who are dedicated to their lives to this city, but are still struggling to make ends meet.

This proposed wage increase will mean that workers like my mother can finally begin to earn a dignified living wage, one that allows them to plan for their future, to retire with dignity, or simply live without financial stress.

So again, I want to thank you for taking this step to ensure that the workers who have given so much to this city are finally giving this the support they are deser they deserve.

So thank you so much for your time.

Good evening.

My name is Amante Casello, and I live in the 6th district.

I'm here today to request that you please amend the mayor's budget that allocates almost 1.3 million dollars increase for the Flock safety, which includes the Flock safety cameras.

Instead of funding mass surveillance, I think this should this city should fund things that actually benefit the people in this city.

And the proposed amendments by council members, funding for RPS, proposed by Councilmember Kenya Gibson, would fully fund RPS's budget, ensuring Richmond Virtual Academy can remain open, is missing almost 1.8 million dollars.

Richmond Virtual Academy, proposed by Councilmember Reva Trammel, would fund RPS's budget with the stated goal of funding the Richmond Virtual Academy.

It proposes almost 1.9 million, but doesn't have where the money should come from.

You can also fund the affordable housing initiatives that are those are much better uses for funding this.

For funding.

Good evening.

My name is Cameron Concer, and I'm here today to ask for greater clarity regarding the current budget allocation for flock cameras, and to respectfully request that funding for the program be reconsidered for removal until the public has a full understanding of its costs and implications.

We all want safer communities, but safety measures should be balanced with transparency, accountability, and community trust.

Right now, Richmonders don't have this.

While talking to individuals in our community from every walk of life, I found that most people don't even know what flock cameras are and what they do.

Some have never heard of them, and most assume that they're just speeding cameras.

Once educated on their capabilities, these same people became concerned not only about their privacy, but for the safety of themselves and their community.

It's ironic that Flock Safety, the company that Richmond contracts these cameras from, a company with safety in its name, brings Richmonders a feeling of such unsafeness.

I believe that at a minimum, we need to pause all funding on this program until there is a full public transparency, including evidence-based justification for continuing this program and a public vote to give residents a voice and an honest choice on the matter.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Hi, my name's Mark Svair, and I'm here to add my voice in saying that Flock, especially while the federal government is um has agencies like ICE have been deployed to target and kill Americans and also immigrants.

Uh the kind of surveillance that Flock is going to facilitate doesn't do us any favors.

We need to be uh we need to be sending these funds in other directions to education and housing uh and do ourselves a favor.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, council.

My name is Victoria, and like many others here tonight.

Uh, I'm urging that we pause on renewing the city's flock contract and consider reallocating any money that would go to that to a number of different programs that I think could make Richmond safer in real and long-term ways.

True public safety in our budget should reflect what research has consistently shown, and what a lot of people in Richmond know is that's is things that uh fund stability, access, and opportunity.

I can see things tonight on the budget amendments that could strengthen programs that would address disparities in communities in our community that are the root for a lot of our a lot of our instability here.

Things like the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, because we know that housing stability reduces crime by preventing displacement.

Things like uh immigrant and refugee engagement getting translators so that Richmond residents can access city services and participate in public life despite um language barriers.

And I know I've seen educators in our community come out multiple times in the past months to ask for better conditions for teachers and students.

Strong schools and stable educators are another essential part of long-term community safety.

Surveillance, in contrast, reacts to harm after it happens.

Housing, language access, family support, and strong schools all prevent harm before it begins.

So this is not about being soft on crime, but being smart, evidence-based, and fiscally responsible.

Every dollar we allocate does reflect our values, and I believe expanding surveillance at the cost of underfunding housing or crisis support is what keeps Richmond safe.

Thank you.

Consider not funding Flock.

Thank you.

Good evening, Council members.

My name is B Chambers, and I'm a resident of the 6th district.

And I am also here to ask the council uh to put a pause on the uh funding for the flock contract.

I feel like we've heard from a lot of our community members and neighbors this evening about programs that do need funding, and this is one program that your residents are actively telling you to cut funding from.

I feel like in those instances, the answer should be pretty clear.

We've seen the model of social programs raise people up and prevent butt future violence from occurring.

And I feel like investing in schooling, housing, public infrastructure, public programs is a better way to move forward as a city.

And I would want my cat city council to be remembered for the good funding in programs in the city and not for a mass surveillance state.

Thank you.

Good evening.

I am Sheree Shannon, one of the co-founders of South Py Relief.

It's been a minute since I've been up here, but I only come up here for a really good reason.

Uh tonight I am here supporting budget amendments submitted by counselors Brighton and Jones that strengthen our investment in urban forestry and parks as essential infrastructure for healthy and equitable communities.

As we've heard tonight, there are a lot of families that are struggling right now, struggling to make ends meet, folks who are living in substandard housing, begging for their children to have access to high quality education, asking for a livable wage.

All of these things are part of our social drivers of health.

All of these things determine your quality of life and your life expectancy.

And so is the built environment.

We have neighborhoods right now that are much hotter than what they need to be.

We have higher rates of folks going to the emergency department during the summertime.

We've seen a 33% increase, actually, over the last two years are folks who are suffering from heat-related illnesses.

A lot of this can be mitigated with how we invest in our parks and our public spaces as well as our tree canopy cover.

The city has made a commitment to ensuring every resident lives within a 10-minute walk of a public playground or a public park.

And that's not the case right now.

And it's because of redlining and systemic racism.

Meeting these goals require an all-of-the-above approach, which is clear funding, strong implementation, and public visibility into these outcomes.

Without transparent investment and accountability, these benefits remain unevenly distributed.

Environmental justice requires that we identify and fund specific remediation targets and mandate equal access to decision making so we can all live, work, and play in healthy environments.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Good evening, President Newbill and Vice President Jordan.

Nice to see you again.

My name is Lee Williams.

I live in the Fifth District, and I'm the advocacy chair of the Sierra Club Falls of the James Group.

We are also a member of the RVA EJ collaborative.

I would like to align myself with comments previously made about allocating RVA RPS and affordable housing funding and reconsideration of the Flock Safety Camera contract.

Sierra Club would like to express our strong support for many of the proposed budget amendments put forth by council members.

While we are unable to speak to every proposed amendment, the majority of these initiatives reflect a commitment to enhance staffing, oversight, transparency, and accountability while fostering the well-being of our communities and addressing some of our most pressing needs while making meaningful progress towards the city's climate goals.

First, the provision for raising uh contracted custodial workers acknowledges the crucial role they play in maintaining clean and safe public spaces.

These workers face challenging conditions and are essential in maintaining healthy environments in our buildings.

By ensuring fair compensation, we not only recognize their invaluable contributions, but also support a more equitable and sustainable approach to public health.

The proposed reductions and reallocation of gas utility expansion dollars is also noteworthy and will help us realign our budget priorities and focus on critical areas without compromising service quality.

As Richmond aims for a sustainable future, appointing an energy efficiency coordinator is another step forward toward better environmental stewardship, economic growth, and enhanced quality of life for residents.

Like many other cities, Richmond residents face climate change challenges impacting their energy use.

We are about to experience five days of near 90 degree temperatures, and it's only April.

This does not bode well for our cooling bills this summer.

This energy efficiency position will target energy waste, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable practices.

Improving home energy efficiency decreases the share of household incomes spent on utilities, thus alleviating ratepayers' energy burdens.

We are excited about the proposed creation of a staff role to support the public, the work of the public utilities commission.

Thank you gas, water, and wastewater infrastructure is really important.

So much more in your proposed amendments.

Thank you very much for your service.

Thank you.

Hello, um, good evening, council.

Uh, thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.

My name is Maria Deuster, and I work at the Community Climate Collaborative.

We're a local nonprofit fighting for environmental justice in Richmond.

Um, and we are part of the Richmond Environmental Justice Coalition.

Um, and I'm here to speak on a few of the proposed city budget amendments.

I'd like to start by voicing support for the amendment put forward by Councilmember Jordan and co-patroned by Councilmember Lynch that would eliminate um half a million dollars in new funding allocated towards DPU's uh gas new business line item as shared in the budget amendment documents.

Uh, this fund already has 45 million dollars in it, which is significantly more than the projected costs associated with new gas business in this next fiscal year.

Supporting the expansion of natural gas is not in line with the city's long-term climate goals.

And instead of putting fossil or sorry, funds towards fossil fuels, we are requesting that these funds be used to alleviate existing uh residential customers' high bills or go towards uh staffing and energy efficiency coordinator.

And I think it's an exciting first step towards um phasing out line extension allowances forever.

We'd also like to uh voice support for Councilmember Gibson's amendment that calls for a study to explore a transition to city-owned DPU seconds operations, including a transition to a city-owned electric uh utility.

This is an exciting opportunity for the city to deliver cleaner affordable energy to residents suffering from high costs and a lack of ratepayer protections.

Lastly, I'd just like to voice support for a couple of amendments put forward by council member um Breton that really focus on transparency in the budget process, such as codes related to urban forestry um projects and um the transparent street safety spending uh amendment as well.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, Council.

My name is Joe Brancoley, a resident of the first district and chair of the Sierra Club Falls of the James Group.

First, I'd like to commend counselors Roberts and Jordan for their work in the past year in negotiating with the administration and getting a more level playing field where council has a larger voice in the budget process.

And next, I would say that I sincerely appreciate you all for the thoughtful amendments you put in to take advantage of this new opportunity.

The uh amendment supporting the people's budget, which of course gives folks all over the city a voice in how money is spent, and an amendment about street safety, the street safety package, which of course you cannot uh have looked at any news in the last several months and not be aware of.

Finally, I will echo the comments of the previous two speakers, and uh appreciate Councillor Gibson for her study of the transition to city-owned electric utility.

And uh the hope there is to allow homeowners like we have heard, come up to this mic tonight to not be consumed by their bills.

Thank you all for the work you're doing on this budget.

Thank you.

Good evening, uh city council.

My name is Mariah White.

I am a resident of the second district, a homeowner, a parent, and the former school board member for second district.

I'm here today to just talk about that.

The taxpayers has been advocating for RPS budget for year after year and year after year.

And they are not sure really how it's being used.

And some of you probably are not uh don't know how it's being used.

But what I do know about this shortfall budget is every year there is a deficit, and no one has an oversay oversight of this budget.

RPS is losing students based on the ADM, the average daily membership.

Every year, the summer school is on both chopping block when it comes to this council.

Before the budget is finalized, there is a rift.

Who does a RIFT before the budget is even finalized?

Also, you need to know there is a 15 minute $15 million budget for collective budget for for the collective budget agreement every year that RPS is responsible.

And I'm sure that is on your budget also.

But what I would like to ask you all is to fully fund the school budget with no shortfalls.

Next year have a dedicated fixed percentage of income from the city revenue to actually fund the budget, add an independent overseer to ensure the money is spent properly for our student needs.

And I'm gonna say that again because it is guaranteed that this budget is built around meeting student needs, not just to make up a budget.

So we need that, and my next one is safety.

I would like to see more on safety.

Thank you especially.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hello, City Council.

My name is Casey Miller.

I'm a resident in the 7th District, and I'm here to speak about my support of the following general fund amendments as titled number one funding RPS to ensure Richmond Virtual Academy can remain open along with other after school and summer programs.

Study after study shows that if we invest in our youth, our community thrives.

Number two, inspector general audit and an FTE, as we still do not have a legally required publicly accessible payment registrar available to the public.

At this point, we need an audit.

The money stinks.

Number three, increasing funding for family crisis fund.

Families that are currently residing in this city are in crisis now.

This fund is necessary to ensure that nobody is left behind in our city and we don't slip into the number one slot of the cities with the most evictions.

We're currently in number two still and holding strong.

Number four, uh custodial contract wages.

If y'all need these people in your city and you need their services, then pay these workers what they deserve.

Lastly, I'd like to touch on what I approve for the reduction amendment proposal.

One being reduced funding for unfillable police vacancies.

At this point, the minimum requirement for an officer to go through is very embarrassing low.

If y'all can't hire people at this point, that's on y'all.

Let's go ahead and earmark those funds for something else more practical for this community, like the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

30 seconds.

Lastly, um, one line item I wish I would have seen that I did not see was uh blocking the flock camera contract.

Um I have over 13 years of IT experience.

I could belabor and go on and on about how uh unsecure the flock program is, but I'll say I came from a city where people did not listen to their constituents, and a lot of people got fucking hurt, and it it still hurts me to this day how badly people in my community got hurt.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Uh good evening.

Uh Larry Globwell, I live in the museum district.

I'm a retiree from the fire department.

I came to speak in favor of uh Ms.

Tramble's Cola amendment.

Um a lot of uh employees that have been retired for years, especially the older retirees are being crushed by this inflation that's been going on the last six, seven years with no colas.

Um I was also a trustee on the retirement board for six years from uh 2008 to 2014 during the Great Recession, so I have some background with the retirement board.

Um of the things you probably don't know is back when the budget would be prepared back then or a little bit before then, the budget, I mean the retirement board would come, not the board, but the retirement director would come and make a presentation to the city.

And if the funded status of the uh pension fund was 70 percent or more, they would recommend a cola to the city.

Um after probably around 2015 or so they changed it to 80 percent.

But uh four or five years ago, maybe a little bit longer, they just totally stopped making recommendations to the city for colas.

And you see how that's working out for the retirees.

Um as well as uh I know there was a bond referendum that was uh passed to make the funded status of retirement higher.

Um that should be I don't I don't know, I know there's no I don't see Leo here, so I know that he's not here to speak on what the funded status is now.

30 seconds, but I'm sure it's high enough to uh recommend colas for retirees, and I would I would try to get them to be more involved in recommending colas from now on instead of leaving it all up to you guys.

They are the experts in the retirement fund, not you guys.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, Dr.

Newville, Vice President Jordan and members of city council.

Uh I'm gonna I'd like to enter some numbers if I could into the record.

Uh these are COLA raises that have been given by VRS since 2011, all the way up to 2023.

1.28, 3.08, 2.2.07, 1.46, 1.62, 0.12, 1.26, 2.13, 2.1 uh 2.44, 1.81, 1.23, 3.85, and 6.00 on the Richmond retirement side, 2011, 0%, 2012, 0%, 13, 0, 14, 0, 15, 0, 16, 0, 17, 0, 18, 0, 19, 0, 20, 1%, 2021, 0%, 2022, 0%, 2023, 0%.

Between 2011 and 2026, the U.S.

Consumer Price Index experienced a cumulative increase of approximately 46.8% increase, meaning that an item costing 100 in 2011 would cost roughly 146.80 cents in 2026, reflecting a significant decline in purchasing power.

At least uh on the BRS and it is attempting to keep us up with the inflation rate.

As you can hear, this is what brings us before you tonight.

Retirees and need a and are deserving of a COLA increase.

We will never recoup what we're what we've lost in our buying power over the last 15 years, but tonight hopefully begins a new era and appreciating the contributions that our retirees gave of themselves for the benefit and safety of our citizens.

We ask that you take uh this budget amendment paper under consideration and thanks to council member trammel and to President Newville for including the COLA increase in your amendments.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening.

Members of council.

My name is Barbara Starkey Good, and I reside in the 8th district.

And Ms.

Tramble has supported us having getting a cost of living raise for the retirees.

I reside in the 8th district.

I'm here this evening asking that as you finalize your budget that a cola increase be included for the city of Richmond retirees.

I was employed and worked for the City of Richmond for over 30 years.

I retired in 2004.

That was the last year, the City of Richmond.

Retirees received a cola increase.

The City of Richmond retirees have not received a cola increase in over 20 years.

And I don't think that is at fair at all for the retirees, the people that has worked for the city of Richmond for over 30 years or long or even less than that.

So what I'm asking that as you finalize your budget, please, please, please include a cola increase for the City of Richmond retirees in your budget.

I thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, Madam President.

And the honorable staff that we have here.

I am Sylvester Henderson, Richmond firefighter.

Proudly serving Richmond since August 1993, currently working in the district with the honorable Ms.

Bubaker.

And I've also worked diligently with the Honorable Miss Reaver Tramble, and that's why I'm here today on her amendment for the COLA program.

I can only imagine the task that you all have to allocate the funds to make the decisions.

We all come here tonight with some sort of need, and this starts primarily in the financial basis.

But we all understand these are competing finances that we're trying to lobby for.

From the disabilities of the children that's been spoken of, education, virtual school.

Somehow you have to get it.

And I'm going to pray for you all tonight because that's a task to do.

I'm here particularly for the COLA.

When Keith Andy spoke just now of the sequential zeros of COLAS, something has to give.

It's just been too long-standing.

30 seconds.

As I go into my retirement, I want to be able to sustain close to the life that I have.

And I want to be able to provide for my children.

And I want Richmond to appreciate me just like I have and continue to appreciate Richmond.

Thank you kindly and enjoy your day.

Thank you.

William Andrews, uh resident of Rivas 8th District.

Uh moved here when I joined the fire department in 1977.

After 41 years, I retired.

I've been retired eight years now.

So I'm speaking in favor and thanks to Riva for the COLA efforts she's making.

So that way us retirees who live in the city can better balance our budgets when it comes to paying the higher real estate taxes and the higher utility bills.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I am going to ask if we have any other speakers if you will go on and get a line, please.

So we can.

Okay.

Thank you.

I meant beyond the ones who are currently standing.

Yes.

Am I good?

Okay.

Um, hi, I'm Kyra.

Um, I am in Councilwoman Newbill's district, and I come here because I want to stand in, um, ask you guys to put a pause on the flock contract.

Um, being that I'm in Councilwoman Newville's district, I think that she may know good and well as I do that I can't leave my home no matter what street I take without being watched by one of these flock cameras.

Um, it makes me feel very uncomfortable to know that I am constantly surveilled.

Um I want the right to exist without that.

I want the right to privacy.

I want the right to feel like a human being and not something that's constantly being monitored and watched and just something lying in wait to catch me doing something wrong.

Um, and I want to know that everyone else around me has those same rights.

Um I speak as a white woman, and I know that these cameras are also heavily concentrated in areas that are going to know that everyone around me has these same rights afforded to them.

And I know that they're not.

These cameras target and are in higher concentrations in minor minority neighborhoods, and they contribute to predictive policing.

They assign guilt to groups of people who have done nothing more than exist in the skin and circumstances they have.

So, in my opinion, who is RPD and City Council to predetermine who is a criminal?

Reallocate the funds to the systems that actually bring safety to us.

Um I would much rather that funding go to things like what Captain Sylvester was talking about in funding um council around council.

Sorry, um, in funding things like the fire departments.

So I would ask that we meet citizens' basic needs.

That will help safety much more than reactive policing.

Um so keep us safe by helping us exist with things like housing, health care, and clean water.

We are all human beings here.

We are not property to be monitored and controlled.

So please treat us accordingly.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hey, good evening.

My name is Johnny Fuller.

Um, I'm a volunteer organizer with the Richmond chapter of the DSA.

Um, I know when people like me get up here and speak to you guys, you're very like, oh no, another organizer, and you kind of tune out and you dismiss like what we say.

But when you talk to normal people that don't follow council like as a hobby, and you tell them what the flat cameras are, and they're like, wait, what?

That's they're watching me all the time.

I mean, yeah.

They hate this stuff.

Right?

People absolutely hate these cameras, they hate being watched.

Nobody has a problem with like a speeding ticket scanner in a school zone, right?

I think we can all agree that's probably a reasonable thing to do.

It turns off it only you know catches you when you're going a certain speed.

These cameras are on all the time.

The uh the recording devices, right?

The shot scanners, the the who knows if they even work or not, the things that they're billing us for, they're everywhere, right?

Especially in my district in the 7th district, right?

There's hundreds of these cameras.

Somebody's got the numbers behind me, I'm sure.

So when you talk to normal people, they don't know what they are.

I know I didn't know for years.

I would take my dog for a walk and I see this poll, and I'd be like, that's weird, Emily.

What do you think that is?

And we hit like a running game of just trying to figure it out.

Like, and then only years go by, and now we're like, oh my God, it was recording us, right?

It's weird.

So I think that like, yeah, we might be organizers, but we got a lot of new faces right there.

You see, people hate this stuff.

Um, and I think you guys can get an easy W by standing up and saying, How about we give that 1.4 million dollars to the virtual academy?

They're all gone now.

But there's a reason that I'm holding two signs, right?

It's the same struggle.

So uh I was looking at the budget, take that money, give it to my virtual academy.

That would be sick.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, members of council.

My name is Daisy Weaver.

I'm a resident of the third district, uh, recent resident of the third district.

I've also been in the second district.

Um I'm here tonight, first of all, to thank uh City Council for all the support that you have shown for retirees in the past.

I especially want to thank the members of council who've been here for a number of years who are very familiar with the retirement system and with the retirees.

I want to thank Ms.

Trammell, uh President Newb, uh, uh Ms.

Robinson for the support that you've given us.

I'm supporting the 1.5% colour requests uh for retirees.

Um I won't don't want to repeat a lot that's been said.

This is a request that pretty much come to you all every year.

But one thing I would like to suggest is that we give serious consideration to encouraging the retirement system and city finance to try to find a to work together to try to find a formula that we can have uh a regular um cola, even if it's not an annual cola, maybe a semi-annual cola or something of that nature.

I'm sure there's a formula that we could work out so retirees would not have to come back to you every single year and make the same requests.

Thanks for your time.

Thank you.

Hi, my name is Emma Clark, and I'm speaking as a resident of the fourth district.

I want to thank all of council.

I saw so many phenomenal amendments when I was looking through that um I literally don't have time to name them all.

Um, but really, really encouraging.

Uh I saw council member Brenton really did his homework and went through line by line and found a lot of great places where we can save some money by aligning our budgeting with our actual spending.

I was thrilled to see the proposal for a study to explore city owned power.

Um we all know cost for utilities continue to go up and up and up, um, partly because we are getting our power from a state protected monopoly, which is wrong on so many levels.

So this would be a welcome change, and as others have said, would be an opportunity to invest in greener energy.

I'd also like to thank those of you who have supported funding for our schools and for the virtual academies specifically, which we desperately need.

On that topic, I know it is not typically the role of council to audit the school system.

However, when the superintendent shows up with a $31 million budget hole in one year, and no good explanation for why.

It is incumbent upon all of us to do anything within our power to figure out what's going on and to address that problem.

Um I would like for you to to fund RPS, but I would also like for you to fund this audit because it is past time that this city has a clear sense of how school funding is being spent.

Um let's make this the last year that we have to fund RPS with any hesitation or uncertainty about the responsible use of that funding.

30 seconds.

In terms of flock, I saw nothing in the most recent article with the reports from the administration that makes me feel any more secure about that data.

Um I don't think as a company they really have any incentive to keep our data private.

If anything, it's the opposite.

And so I just have a really hard time trusting that.

Um clearly, as a company they haven't really financially invested in keeping that data private, and so I just really think that this is not the right way to go for public safety.

Um, thank you all for all of the investments that you have proposed.

Um, and you know, greener city in our schools in our working class, and please, please, please do not fund those severance extensions.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good evening, Madam President, Madam Vice President, members of council.

My name is Bill Panley.

I'm here on behalf of RCOP, and I will say that I am one of Daisy Weaver's neighbors.

And so uh I really hope that you will hear what she had to say.

That you know, the COLA situation really is important.

And the difference between someone who's in VRS over a number of years and the Richmond retirement system over the same number of years is a vast difference.

Here's how I think you can get there is just a suggestion.

Back in 2015, I was on a certain mayor's transition team, and I was asked to look into this very issue of was there a way to build a call into RRS?

So I went to the experts at that time.

We could talk about names later, and we had a meeting.

At the conclusion of the meeting, what we learned was that by making some subtle tweaks into the funding mechanism and assumptions built into the actuarial studies of the plan, we could potentially get a modest included call.

It may not be a full call, but it would be something built into the system such that they would not have to come to you year after year, hat in hand.

Now, what's happened happened at that point.

But I think this should be revisited.

That's my advice.

And I certainly think that it would be wonderful if council could re-engage your own employees on the Richmond retirement system, not the least of which is Daisy Weaver.

Let's get in a room and see what we can do.

I'm glad to help.

And you just ask.

But I think this is really important and be the right thing to do.

So I support the amendment.

We have a lot of police officers who you know who are going to remain in RRS and need this.

So thank you all very much.

Thank you, Mr.

Pantile.

And thank you all who have come down to speak to the budget items uh this evening.

We hear you.

They are certainly items that we have been considering and will consider uh even further.

At this time, uh the public hearing is closed.

Bring it back to council for any comments at this point.

Seeing none, I will ask to have a motion to continue these papers, items 10 through 18 to the Monday, April 27th council meeting.

So move.

Second.

We council council is now voting on the motion to continue all pending budget-related ordinances to the Monday, April 27th council meeting as stated.

Mr.

Breton.

Aye.

Ms.

Gibson?

Yes.

Ms.

Jones.

Aye.

Ms.

Robertson.

Aye.

Ms.

Lynch.

Aye.

Ms.

Trammell.

Aye.

Ms.

Abu Bakr.

Aye.

Vice President Jordan.

Aye.

And President New Bill.

Aye.

That motion has been approved.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Let's uh proceed to the uh minutes, the approval of the minutes, please.

The minutes to be approved are from the Monday, March 23rd, 2026, informal informal city council meetings at 4 p.m.

and 6 p.m.

If there are no corrections or amendments, then the minutes will be approved as presented.

Those minutes have been approved.

Thank you, Mr.

Clark.

Then let's proceed to the list of uh legislative items for introduction this evening.

Members, the list of legislation for introduction this evening consisting of items two through 23 has been provided to you.

And the legislation on this list is hereby introduced as presented.

A copy of the list is currently available for public inspection at the rear of the council chamber, and an electronic copy and copies of the listed legislation thereon will be available on the city's website no later than Tuesday, April 14th.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

At this time, we'll re uh proceed to reports and announcements, and I'll kick off with you, Councilmember Abbacher.

Thank you, Madam President, and thank you to everyone who um came out tonight to speak on the budget.

Um kicking off this weekend, we have the Friends of the Forest Hill Park annual spring classic bike race this Saturday, April 19th from 11 a.m.

to 3 p.m.

This is one of the most adorable and fun um community events in the fourth district, and you can still there is still time to get signed up and um have your kids in the bike race.

Um also it's been a busy time for annual meetings and events in the fourth district.

Willow Oaks and Trailer State Civic Associations held their annual meetings in the past two weeks, and the Bluff Senior Residential Community held an annual neighborhood cleanup uh this past weekend.

The Cedar Hearst Neighborhood Association will be hosting their cleanup on April 25th.

Oxford Association will be hosting their spring fling on May 2nd, and West Rover Hills will have their annual pickment picnic on May 9th.

Um I'm just really grateful for all the engagement in the community and love coming to all of these community events.

So hope to see everybody there.

That's it for me.

Thank you, Councilmember Amper Bache.

Councilwoman Drammel.

Thank you, Madam President.

I too would like to thank everyone that came down here tonight to speak, especially for the retirees because as I said, they've not had uh um no colour increase since Governor Wilder was the mayor here, and that was like 16 years ago.

And um, so I'm praying that my colleagues will help me support that.

Also, um I'd like to say that um it just breaks my heart when I have people calling me when they can't get no help from the city in reference to um different things like the conditions of of you know their house or the apartment or um the drainage and things like that, and I just wanted to thank Karen for coming here tonight and speaking about that to let us know.

Also, we had our eighth district meeting last Thursday night, which was April the 9th, and Governor Wilder um attended our 8th district meeting, which really surprised me.

No, I swear I did not know he was coming, and it just really really surprised me.

Also, with some of the statements that he made, um, he was speaking the truth about things about our city not being going in the right direction.

Um, I'm quite sure he's gonna have more to say very soon.

Also, I want to thank Anthony McLean, who used to be um used to come to all of our meetings, give us all the information that we needed to be prepared for hurricanes, tornado, all of that, and also give us little flashlights, little things that we could make like like little pack, so that if we had emergency during the middle of the night, we could pick it up because we would have our medicine in there, this and there, even things for our pets.

He would tell us everything.

The other person that came, I don't know what he said or what he had.

I didn't see anything that he had.

Very disappointing.

Also, I want to thank our um city clerk, Candace Reed for attending our eighth district meeting.

She said what's the most fun?

She's never seen a meeting like that.

We're line dancing, having fun, fun, fun.

So thank you, Candace.

Anybody can come to our 8th district meeting.

It's open to anyone, anybody.

Also, um, next Thursday, April the 23rd, we're going to have another senior.

I'm sorry, another senior um spring.

How did you say yours?

Did you say spring fling?

But it's going to be um next Thursday, um, April the 23rd from 11 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

We're going to have all kinds of entertainment.

Also, we're going to have city departments there.

It's going to be a lot of resources.

I'm not going to promise you that we will have the tax relief forms because I don't have them.

I've tried to get them because so many people are calling me up asking me how do we get recertified?

How do we get how can we even get on tax relief?

I don't know.

I don't have them.

That's not my department.

Hopefully, hopefully soon we'll be able to find out.

Also, um if you have any questions about this senior spring fling, you can call my cell at 804-240-5050.

We can call my home at 804-233-7382.

Also, um, this right here is your smoke alarm.

It will save your life.

If you have a working smoke alarm, it will save your life.

And also, all you got to do is go to the nearest fire department.

They'll come there, they'll put up the smoke alarm for you for free.

It doesn't cost anything.

Also, I want to thank Charles Snellings for having his Easter egg hunt on last Saturday.

Had a really really good time.

The firefighters were there.

Um, Chip Decker made sure that we had an ambulance there because I know last year we had a little girl that failed, and she skinned her arms up and her legs, and the text on the the technicians on the rescue squad banished her up.

She had like a little pink dress on, and they just picked her up, banished her, and it was just it just made her feel good.

That's that you know, we had that, you know, the medical person there, and we had our firefighters, and I know the police officers they were on different calls, but they were riding by too.

Again, if you have any questions, you can call my home at 804-233-7382, or my cell at 804-240-5050.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Councilwoman Trammell.

Councilwoman Lynch.

So it's a pleasure going after Councilmember Trammell who delivers the best council announcements in the history of all time.

Um, so and and congratulations to those of you who are in the what I like to call the four-hour club.

You've been here, some of you have been with us all the way since 4 p.m.

at informal public participation and civic associate uh engagement is what makes the world go round.

I'm looking at some of you in the audience.

You've really earned a gold star for participation this evening.

Speaking of participation, the 5th district town hall is coming up this Thursday at um 6 p.m.

And we are delighted to uh be hosted by the first Unitarian Universalist Church that's at 1000 Blinton Avenue on the agenda.

We have um Andy Manow, the uh new Richmond Department Director of Transportation, RDOT.

We have our illustrious chief Rick Edwards with us.

Um, and of course, we will have our uh usual Fifth District updates with lots of question and answer opportunities as well as a special guest appearance from our Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement.

Carla Omenderaz Ramos will be with us.

So we look forward to seeing you all there.

Um the Caroline Civic Association annual meeting is tomorrow night at the first Unitarian Universalist Church.

They're getting a lot of playbills this week that the churches at 6 30 p.m.

The Woodland Heights Civic Association is holding their quarterly meeting on Wednesday, April 15th at 6 p.m.

at the Woodland Heights Baptist Church.

And the Randolph Neighborhood Association is meeting next Thursday, April 23rd at 6.15.

The location is TBD, um, but we'll either be at Common Table Church or Randolph Community Center.

And speaking of Randolph Community Center, thank you in advance for supporting our wonderful, wonderful community center.

Um we are looking forward to all the much needed improvements and equipment that hopefully will be bringing joy to our youth and families that are served by the Randolph uh Community Center.

And of course, good luck to those either running, walking, or rolling in the 10K this weekend.

That's all I got.

Thanks.

Thank you, Councilwoman Lynch, Councilmember Robertson.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um this Saturday, April the 18th from 10 to 12 at the Anhotty Plaza Community Center, um, located at 3300 block Carolina Avenue.

Um the meeting is to discuss the activity that has been taking place in the park and also to organize the community residents to get more involved in the park, making sure that we are providing all of the amenities and services that we are needed uh to have a safe place for residents to have healthy rec recreation, summer camps for our kids and other services.

Please plan to attend that Saturday, April the 18th from 10 to 12.

The inaugurated neighborhood and civic associations summit is being held April the 20th from 5:30 to 7.30 at Main Street Station, 1500 East Main Street.

This is an opportunity for neighborhood and civic associations to meet with city leaders and find out the different resources that are available to assist us in their organization as well as creating new civic organization.

The Hoshesfield Community Center, which has been uh under renovation for quite some time, has having their grand reopening on April the 26th at 12 o'clock.

That's 701 East Brooklyn Park Boulevard.

Um there will be lots of activities going on.

There's a celebration of Earth Day as well as the Capitol Tree folk will be there.

There will be a ripping cutting, and we'll get to see the wonderful renovation that has been done and looking forward to reopening the voting precinct at that location.

Oliver Hill Day.

This is an event to honor the civil rights um pioneers, Oliver White Hill.

The theme is the rule of law in the American Dream.

Uh that event will be held on May the 1st, 20 at May the 1st at 3 o'clock p.m.

at Oliver Hill Courts Building, 1600 Oliver Hill Way.

And the sheriff is, which is in the 6th district, uh, is having a community safety and wellness with food distribution.

This event is every fourth Saturday of the month.

Um you can contact 6460140.

Um that will be this Saturday and every fourth Saturday this Saturday, April the 24th from 9 to 11.

Um, and we also want to celebrate the great ribbon cutting ceremony for the police precinct that has been long overdue and was finally uh had a ripping cutting ceremony a week or so ago.

Also want to remind everyone to go out for the statewide special election.

Early voting is in effect.

Um we ask that you get to the polls uh Saturday on April the uh April the 18th.

All of the polls will be open from 9 to 5.

But the last day is is on April the 18th for the special election, and we want to encourage all to go out for early voting before then, but also on note the 18th is your last day.

As always, you can reach me.

My phone number is 804-314-7658.

And my council liaison's office number is 646-5960.

We look forward to serving you.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Councilwoman Robertson.

Councilwoman Jones.

Thank you, Madam President.

Um thank you to everyone that came out tonight.

Uh, as many of you mentioned, it's been a long evening, and we appreciate everything that you shared and your support for the different things or the many things that are happening during this budget cycle.

And this has actually been a really good budget cycle, I will say.

Get it our day.

Um, this Thursday, April 17th at 6 p.m.

at the Southside Community Center.

We will host our monthly town hall meeting, joined by our CAO, Mr.

Donald.

This is his first meeting with us, so we're looking forward to having him in the Mighty 9th uh Saturday, April 25th.

The City of Richmond Office of Neighborhood Engagement is excited to host community cleanups at multiple locations across the city in celebration of Earth Day.

You can volunteer to help Broad Rock, the Broad Rock Library at CFengage.org.

And May 15th from 11 to 3 p.m.

We will be hosting the Art of Memory at the Southside Community Center.

The Art of Memory is an immersive intergenerational program designed to honor aging as a living embodied art form.

The program centers elders as carriers of wisdom while inviting younger generations into practices that foster respect, listening, and responsibility.

If you have any questions, you can reach out to Tea at my office, Tea.west at RBA.gov.

DPW has kicked off their annual neighborhood cleanup program.

Areas of the 9th district can expect their first cycle to be between May and June.

Book trash can be picked up wherever trash is normally picked up.

And you can visit rba.gov forward slash public utility public works slash neighborhood cleanups for more information.

The Southside Community Center always has something there for all.

And you can check out the Richmond Parks and Rec Digest to learn more about their offerings.

And lastly, our neighborhood library office programming.

Every week at Broad Rock Library, seniors receive one-on-one help with technology.

Students can receive homework and reading help and babies, toddlers, and preschool lives have interactive story time.

Visit Richmond Public Libraries website to learn more about their local library.

As always, my office can be reached at I can be reached at Nicole.gov or by phone 804 646-279.

And if you can't reach me, you can reach Taya West.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman Jones.

Councilwoman Gibson.

Thank you.

So our next district meeting in the third district will be on Wednesday, April 15th at 6 p.m.

at John Marshall High School.

We'll be joined by GRTC to discuss the North South Pulse Line.

And as others have mentioned, there is a special election.

Wanted to know specifically for folks in the third district that if you uh choose to vote on election day and you are in precinct 307, you will now be voting at MAPS Global, uh, which is at 3121 Mosside Avenue.

Um that will be your polling location for this election.

But of course, it's better to vote early.

Um, so check out the Richmond website for details on that.

Bellevue Porchella 2026 is this Saturday from 12 to 6.

There are 36 bands scheduled this year, and it will be all over Bellevue.

You can see a full list of bands, food trucks, and a map and more at Belleview Porchella.com.

As always, please email our office at uh you can email me at Kenya.gibson at RVA.gov and Surrandon R liaison at Sarandon.elliot at RVA.gov with your questions and thoughts.

Um look forward to hearing from you.

And thanks everyone for showing up.

Thank you, Councilwoman Gibson.

Councilman Breton.

So it was great to see the museum district uh really busy at the VMFA.

Uh see yourself here at VMFA community celebration uh yesterday.

Also the Mary Mumford Playground Cleanup the day before.

It was also great to see principal Greg Music shoveling mulch at the playground.

So the man of steel was back at it.

Um our next uh first district meeting will be Wednesday, April 29th.

We have on that agenda, we have um we have the public libraries, we have the people's budget.

Um we also have uh DPU will also be there, as well as the Office of Community Engagement.

So it'll be a very exciting meeting at Mary Mumford, six o'clock on the 29th.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Breton.

Vice President Jordan.

Thank you, President Bell.

And yes, thank you to everyone who came out.

Um, I always remember during budget season that this is how I started coming to council.

Um, it was to advocate for the school's budget, and I stood in that aisle right there, nervous about reading my notes.

Um so everyone who came out, particularly the first timers, you did great.

Uh my announcements for district include a community meeting tomorrow night at Abner Clay Park.

Um, if you're in Jackson Ward, if you love Abner Clay Park, you're welcome to come out Tuesday the 14th, so tomorrow, 5 30 to 7 for a community meeting to discuss improvements in Admiral Clay Park.

Our office is hosting this meeting in collaboration with the Historic Jackson Ward Association and with the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities.

It'll be held in a community room at UNO's, and that is located at 700 North Fourth Street.

There are bus lines, and there's also parking available.

This Wednesday, we're having our district meeting from 6 to 7 30 at the main library in the Gellman Room.

That's on the main floor, main library.

Uh, we will be joined uh by city staff and our representatives to discuss this year's budget, um, the people's budget, General Assembly session from this year, as well as Russian public schools.

Um early voting has been covered, but please, please, please, if you've not already voted, make your voting plan.

Make sure those in your community have a plan and um spread the word.

Civic Association Summit.

The city is hosting the second annual neighborhood and civic association summit Monday the 20th from 530 to 730 at Main Street Station.

The citywide event will bring together neighborhood leaders, residents, and city staff for an evening of connection and collaboration featuring neighborhood 101 workshops, city services, resource fair, food, music, and more.

Tree giveaway.

Um, and yes, it is going to be very hot this year.

South Side Relief is hosting a free tree giveaway event Saturday, April 25th from 10 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

for all Richmond residents.

The event will be at the Liberation Church at 5501 Midlothian Turnpike.

They will have 200 small gallon trees as well as tiny saplings for those who reside in apartments and may not have yards to plant trees.

Southside residents who have challenges with transportation or planting are also able to request a tree to be delivered indoor planted for them.

This is all part of the larger cool the city campaign.

And more info can be found at Southsiderelief.org forward slash tree-giveaway.

If you're having any issues with the cities, especially industriate, please reach out to our office 804-646-6532.

And we will do our best to service you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Vice President Jordan.

Councilwoman Trammell, you have an additional items you want to do.

Thank you, Madam President.

Someone said I forgot to mention your location for our senior event for next Thursday.

It's going to be at the TV Smith Community Center 2009, Rutherford Road, Richmond, Virginia.

That's our brand new TV Smith Community Center.

Next Thursday, April 23rd, from 11 a.m.

to 2 p.m.

Also, I'd like to thank the um director of the library for coming to our 8th district meeting.

He spoke about Scott Farrstein.

He came to our 8th district meeting and he spoke to us about the libraries about how valuable they are to all the citizens to the children and that we need more libraries.

Definitely we need more.

And I know that my colleague over there, she's also been um trying to get um her library done too.

Thank you, Madam President.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman Trammell.

Just a few announcements.

The Fulton Civic Association will uh meet tomorrow, uh, Tuesday, April 14th at 7 p.m.

at the Powered Hand Community Center located at 5051 Northampton Street.

Uh for more information, you can contact Chuck Depree at 804-2446303.

The Office of Children and Families and Office of Equity and Inclusion are co-sponsoring the Color Carnival hosted by Birth in Color this Saturday, April 18th from 12 to 4 p.m.

at the Shimborazo Playground.

As the final event of the Black Maternal Health Week 2026, the playground uh is located 29th and Gray Street.

The event is family focused.

We'll have a DJ, food, games, uh, for the children.

For more information, you can contact Ms.

Jack will inhale at 804-6465183.

I'll just re-emphasize what my council colleague has already shared.

The neighborhood and civic association summit will be held on Monday, April 20th at 530 at uh Main Street Station, 1500 East Main.

Please come out for that event.

And the save the date for our next district meeting, which will be held on Wednesday, uh, April 29th at 6 p.m.

at our new Luxfield Community Center, located at 1925 U Street.

For more information on upcoming events and activities, you can feel free to reach out to my council layers on Sam Patterson at Sam.patison at RVA.gov.

His cell number is 804-2417544.

Or you can reach out to me, Cynthia.newbil at RVA.gov, phone number 804-5437.

Again, I want to thank everyone who came out this evening to provide us with comments and recommendations.

Greatly appreciated and the time that everyone took to do that, uh, which you know certainly conveys your care and concern just as we have for our city, our citizens, our children, our families, our communities.

Thank you all.

With that, members, the agenda items for this meeting have been addressed, and this meeting now stands adjourned.