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.
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.