The Organizational Development Standing Committee of the Richmond City Council met on June 2, 2026, at 5:15 PM. The committee addressed two ordinances proposing new citizen commissions related to the city's zoning code refresh and master plan implementation, heard public testimony, and received reports from Reynolds Community College and the National Community Survey. A motion to forward both ordinances to full council without recommendation was approved.
Public hearing was held on both ordinances (2026-092 and 2026-096) together. Speakers expressed the following positions:
Good afternoon, everyone. Good afternoon. The Organizational Development Standing Committee of the Richmond City Council will now come to order. Mr. Clerk, if you would provide us with the chamber emergency evacuation plan announcement and public speaker guidelines. Upon activation of the emergency alarm signal, all persons should immediately exit the building. Please use the exits to the left or right front of the council chamber or the north or south 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 fenced area located between Clay and Lee Streets. Able persons should assist visually and hearing impaired visitors with exiting the building. Individuals wishing to speak during public hearings are generally allowed three minutes to speak. Persons appearing before the committee 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 committee chair. Failure to adhere to the guidelines may result in speakers forfeiting any remaining time and further disciplinary action as necessary, which could include borrowing from attendance at future committee meetings for a period of six months. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Let's proceed with the approval of minutes and then the papers on the docket. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Let's uh proceed with this info pursuant to rule 3D 4B of council's rules of procedure. Member Andrew Breton has made a request to participate in this meeting via Microsoft Teams from his home in Richmond, Virginia, as he is providing care for a sick child, thereby preventing his physical attendance. The committee members present must adopt a motion to approve Mr. Breton's participation in this meeting by electronic communication means if it appears to the body that this request complies with Rule 3D of Council's Rules of Procedure. At this time, pursuant to Rule 3D 4B of Council's Rules of Procedure, I will now solit solicit a motion from those members physically assembled to approve Mr. Breton's participation in the meeting by electronic communication means. So move. Committee is voting. Is there a second? Second. Committee is voting on a motion to allow member Andrew Breton to participate in the meeting by electronic communication means. Ms. Gibson. Yes. Ms. Jones? Aye. Ms. Robertson. Aye. Ms. Trammell. Aye. Ms. Abubacher. Aye. And President Newbill. Aye. That motion has been approved. Thank you.