Richmond City Council Formal Session – April 28, 2026
Richmond City Council Formal Session – April 28, 2026
The Richmond City Council held a formal session on April 28, 2026, beginning at approximately 6:00 PM. The meeting opened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. All council members were present except Councilors Roberts and Lynch, per the clerk's announcement, though Councilmember Lynch later participated in votes and discussion—a discrepancy noted. The meeting included public comments, amendments to the agenda, a consent agenda vote, and approval of several items.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jesus Carpio, a constituent of Councilwoman Trammell, described suffering unfair treatment by the justice system, citing FOIA denials and lack of due process. He requested assistance. Councilwoman Trammell acknowledged his concerns and suggested the police chief could help.
- Aurora Brittany spoke against Flock surveillance cameras, citing an incident in Los Angeles where ICE agents accessed Flock cameras to track protesters. She urged removal of the cameras.
- Michael White detailed Flock Safety's terms and conditions, noting that Flock retains a perpetual license to customer data and has disclosed incidents of employee misuse, including accessing cameras at a children's gym in Atlanta.
- Daniel Tobias, a 6th district resident, opposed Flock cameras, linking them to warrantless surveillance programs and the Trump administration's NSPM-7. He claimed Richmond's Flock systems were improperly accessed by a federal agency for immigration enforcement in 2025, contradicting statements from the mayor and police chief.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent agenda as presented, which included items such as ordinance 2026-060 (special privileges for Dream House nightclub in Shockoe Bottom), ordinance 2026-082 (transparency measure), and several other ordinances and resolutions. During the public hearing on the consent agenda:
- Emma Hartman (3rd district resident) opposed clarifying the definition of bike lanes for parking citations, arguing that narrow lanes create danger for residents exiting parked cars. She urged speed enforcement instead.
- Patrick Ford (building owner on East Grace Street) opposed resolution 2026-R016, which authorized up to $11 million in bonds for a 65-unit senior housing project at 400 East Grace Street, citing lack of community outreach and past mismanagement.
- Casey Miller (7th district renter) supported ordinance 2026-082 for added transparency.
- Sherelle Hampton (RRHA) supported the East Grace project, detailing outreach efforts and the developer's experience in affordable housing.
- Vincent Vinuti and Armando Lugo supported the Dream House nightclub proposal (ordinance 2026-060), describing their Shockoe Shine initiative to improve safety and nightlife in Shockoe Bottom.
- The consent agenda was adopted with all council members voting aye, including Councilmember Gibson who initially expressed concern but later voted in favor after requesting data on bike lane safety.
Discussion Items
- Bicycle Lane Parking Citations (Consent Agenda Item): Councilmember Gibson requested data on the effectiveness of bike lane narrowing and the impact on residents' safety. Vice President Jordan explained that the ordinance aligns with federal/state guidance and aims to improve safety by encouraging proper parking. The item passed.
- Retiree COLA and Budget Amendments: Councilwoman Trammell gave an impassioned speech criticizing the mayor for failing to include a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retired city employees in the proposed FY2027 budget. She noted that retirees have not received a COLA in 16 years and expressed frustration that the mayor was not present. She thanked her colleagues (all but one) for supporting a 1% COLA. Councilmember Lynch committed to a resolution establishing a workgroup to create a COLA formula for future budgets. The council then voted to amend and continue several budget-related ordinances (2026-063, 065, 066, 071) to the May 11, 2026 meeting.
- Opioid Settlement Resolution (2026-R018): The council expedited consideration of a resolution authorizing the city to participate in a settlement of opioid-related claims against multiple pharmaceutical distributors. The resolution was adopted unanimously without public comment.
- Other Agenda Amendments: The council approved motions to amend and continue various items to future meetings (May 11 or June 8, 2026).
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda adopted (all items approved with one abstention initially from Councilmember Gibson on the bike lane item, but she later voted aye; the agenda was approved).
- Budget-related ordinances amended and continued to May 11, 2026, with a commitment to pursue a COLA for retirees.
- Opioid settlement resolution adopted unanimously.
- Multiple agenda items amended and continued to May 11 or June 8, 2026, as specified in the agenda amendments.
- Minutes from April 13, 2026, approved.
- New legislation introduced and will be available on the city website by April 28.
- Next public hearing on the budget scheduled for May 11, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Good evening and welcome to the Richmond City Council's formal council session. At this time, uh Madam Clerk, if you would uh certainly provide uh guidance in terms of Spanish interpretation. 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. La interpretation in espanholic is disponible in la sala del consejo. For favor, acuda un representante in la parte trasera de la cámara by receive el equipo adequado. La interpretación in espanhol también está disponible através de Microsoft Teams para los assistentes virtuales que necessiting este servicio. Thank you. At this time, um, we are pleased to have Pastor Philip Turner of Pine Street Baptist Church to join us and provide the invitation this evening. Welcome, Pastor. Thank you, Council, for the invitation, and thank you for your leadership in our city. May we pray together. Gracious and loving God, we gather in your presence with gratitude for the gift of community and the responsibility of leadership. We thank you for the city of Richmond for its history, its resilience, and the diverse people who call it home. We pray for the members of this council, grant them wisdom as they deliberate, courage as they make decisions, and humility as they listen to one another and to the voices of the community. Help them to seek not only what is expedient, but what is just not only what is popular but what is right, guide their conversations today, where there is disagreement, bring respect, where there is uncertainty, bring clarity. Where there is need, inspire compassion and action. May their work reflect the deep commitment for the well-being of every neighbor, especially those voices which are often unheard. Bless this city with peace, opportunity, and hope, strengthen all who serve the common good, and remind us that we are bound together in shared purpose and mutual care. In your holy name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor Turner. At this time, please I invite you to join me for the Pledge of Alleges. Thank you. Madam andor Mr. Clerk, if you would provide the emergency evacuation plan. Please use the exits to the left or right front of the council chamber or the east or west stairwell outside the rear doors of the chamber. Do not use elevators or escalators. After exiting the building, security will direct everyone down 9th Street to the assembly area located inside the former public safety building parking lot. Able persons should assist visually and hearing impaired visitors with exiting the building. Thank you. If you would now also provide the uh public speaker guidelines. 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. And Madam President, for the record, all members of council are in attendance this evening except councilors Roberts and Lynch. You do have a quorum. If there are individuals standing in the rear of the chamber, they are asked to be seated where seats are available. Also, applause is not permitted during tonight's meeting. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Um, just as we prepare for public comment period, I will just um inform you that the budget uh opportunity for the public hearing and comment on the budget will be May 11th. So feel free to join us at that time for that public hearing. And um Madam Clerk, I'd like to just before we get underway with the um public speaker um public comment period. We have some special guests in the audience that Councilman Breton is going to uh introduce us to, and then we'll get underway with the public comment period. I just wanted to welcome on behalf of the city uh Cubscout Pact 436, who's here with us today, a group of very bright civic-minded young people that I've had the opportunity to meet with earlier today.
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