Richmond City Council Formal Meeting – May 11, 2026

The Richmond City Council convened on May 11, 2026, for a formal meeting that included an invocation, approval of remote participation for Councilor Lynch, board and commission appointments, a public comment period, adoption of the consent agenda, a public hearing on budget-related items, and a contested special use permit for Lavender Hill. The meeting featured extensive public testimony on the city budget, affordable housing, mass surveillance (Flock cameras), pedestrian safety, Richmond Virtual Academy, and the proposed event venue.

Consent Calendar

• Adopted unanimously: Items 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 (ordinances and resolution) as listed. No opposition speakers.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Melvin Jones (District 3) spoke about oversight of non-departmental funds, alleged misuse of money, and called for accountability. He also expressed support for city workers receiving a raise greater than 3.2%.
• Chris Suarez (District 9) spoke on behalf of an ad hoc group advocating for safer streets, referencing 13 pedestrian fatalities in 2024 (the deadliest year in a decade). He urged continued support for Vision Zero initiatives.
• Maria Deucer, Carolyn Pugh, Annika Shun, and Lori Hunter (Community Climate Collaborative, HOME, etc.) spoke in support of Resolution 2026 R003 for an energy efficiency program, citing Richmond's high energy burden and the need for weatherization.
• Multiple speakers opposed continued funding for Flock safety cameras, alleging privacy violations, security risks, misuse by law enforcement, and sharing of data with federal agencies. Speakers referenced incidents in Milwaukee, Mountain View, and Richmond where officers accessed data improperly. Some called for reallocation of funds to sidewalks, affordable housing, and public safety.
• Reverend Derek Star Redwine, Deacon Janice Lacey, Steve Salzberg, Marty Wigbright, Brenda Hawkins, Pastor Ralph Hodge (RISC) spoke in support of the $11.7 million budget amendment for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, noting that 30% of funds must serve households earning 30% or less of area median income ($23,000/year for individuals, $34,000 for family of four). They highlighted that the trust fund had been underfunded for years.
• Students and parents of Richmond Virtual Academy (RVA) spoke passionately against proposed closure, citing bullying, health issues, and the need for alternative education. Speakers included Kia, Elijah Kersey, Felicia Minor, D. Winston, Dr. Jacqueline Wilson, Latasha Smare, and Tamara Lofton Pickens. They noted that RVA costs less than 1% of RPS's budget.
• Maya Dora and others advocated for increased sidewalk repair funding, citing a backlog of over 2,000 repair requests since 2017.
• Eric Vento, Victoria, and others opposed Flock cameras, calling them incompatible with liberty and noting that cities like Charlottesville and Staunton are ending contracts.
• Sydney Bragg, Adam Young, Victoria Young, Story Hinckley, Nicholas Feb, Amanda Murphy, and others spoke in opposition to the special use permit for Lavender Hill (1705 Commonwealth Ave), citing noise, parking, and impact on families with young children. They noted that the property is within 25 feet of residences and that past events had caused disruptions.
• Raven Jarvis, Nadia Anderson (owner), Aaron Foster, James Henry Harris, Megan Rollins, Will Rollins, Michael Wei, Christina Dick, Michael Raven, Damon Davis, Tamara Jones, Aubrey Fountain, Denine Harris, Grace Carter spoke in favor of the SUP, highlighting the business's community value, economic impact, and good faith efforts to compromise. They noted that Lavender Hill had hosted only 17 outdoor events in 5 years with zero noise violations.

Discussion Items

• Budget Amendments (Items 14-22): Several council members commented on the budget process. Councilwoman Gibson thanked the public and highlighted key amendments: $11.7 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, funding for after-school transportation, additional DSS workers, and staff for the Inspector General. She noted that funding for Richmond Virtual Academy was not included due to budget miscalculations. Councilwoman Trammell expressed frustration over the lack of COLA for retirees and the potential closure of RVA. Councilwoman Jones emphasized the need for systemic change. Vice President Jordan noted progress in school funding but called for more state help. Councilwoman Robertson acknowledged unmet needs but praised the increased affordable housing funding. Councilman Breton thanked advocates for safer streets and noted increased transparency in the budget.
• Special Use Permit for Lavender Hill (Item 7): Extensive discussion. Councilman Breton recounted failed negotiations, noting that residents offered a proposal for 26 events without amplified music, but the applicant needed large events (weddings) to be profitable. Councilwoman Jones expressed concern about the process, noting that new issues (tax delinquency, violations) surfaced late. Councilwoman Robertson asked the applicant if she would support an amendment of 20 events with ≤50 people and 10 events with ≤100 people, with noise limits. The applicant confirmed. However, Councilman Breton opposed any continuance, stating negotiations had been exhausted. The council voted to call the question; the ordinance failed 0-7 (with one abstention? Actually the vote recorded: Breton no, Gibson no, Jones no, Robertson no, Trammell no, Abubaker no, Jordan no, Newbill FC (presumably abstain)). The SUP was denied.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda adopted unanimously.
• Budget Ordinances (Items 14-22) adopted unanimously, including the $11.7 million Affordable Housing Trust Fund amendment and other amendments.
• Special Use Permit for Lavender Hill denied (7-0-1). The applicant may reapply with a new SUP or operate within existing zoning.
• Agenda amendments approved: Several items continued to future meetings (e.g., ordinances continued to May 26, June 8, etc.).
• Board appointments approved with one referral back to committee for the participatory steering budgeting steering commission.
• Remote participation approved for Councilor Lynch.
• Public comments on Flock cameras and RVA will be taken under advisement; no separate votes were taken.