Richmond City Council Formal Meeting - June 9, 2026
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting - June 9, 2026
The Richmond City Council held its formal meeting on June 9, 2026, at approximately 6:00 PM. The meeting included appointments, public comments, approval of a consent agenda, and several regular agenda items. Key actions included adopting a street renaming, a sidewalk snow and ice removal ordinance amendment, a Mosby Court South redevelopment preliminary plan, property sales for a major south side development, a real estate tax deferral program, and a change to emergency medical call routing.
Consent Calendar
- Appointments: Council approved a slate of board and committee appointments as recommended by the standing committees (unanimous vote).
- Consent Agenda Items (adopted unanimously):
- Ordinance 2026-087: Renaming the 2300 block of Rosewood Avenue as "James Jimmy Lee Bracey Way" to honor the late coach and mentor.
- Ordinance 2026-089: Updating the city's sidewalk snow and ice removal ordinance, changing penalties from a criminal fine of up to $250 to a civil penalty of $100, with carveouts for seniors and persons with disabilities, and exemption during declared states of emergency.
- Ordinance 2026-106: Approving the Mosby Court South Redevelopment Preliminary Community Unit Plan (CUP) for approximately 478 units on a 12.7-acre site. The plan includes a tenant bill of rights and a commitment to ongoing community engagement every 90 days. Planning Director Kim Vonk confirmed the plan aligns with the Richmond 300 Master Plan and is a framework for future phased final plans.
- Other consent items (ordinances 2026-076, 2026-091, 2026-013, 2026-116 through 2026-119, 2026-121, and resolution 2026-R023) were approved without discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Martin Gary (Shaco Arts and Culture Corporation) spoke in support of designating the Shaco district as an official arts and culture district, emphasizing economic growth and community connection.
- Mark Ollinger (resident, Oakwood Avenue) spoke in opposition to the Mosby South redevelopment plan (Item 8), citing insufficient community outreach, lack of green space and tree preservation, and lack of clarity on affordable housing for households at 40-80% of area median income. He noted the illustrative plan showed up to 500 units but lacked promised amenities.
- Roderick Nesmith (RRHA CEO) and Cheryl Hampton (RRHA Senior VP) spoke in favor of the Mosby South plan, highlighting tenant support, a tenant bill of rights, and that the plan is preliminary with future design refinements.
- Thomas Courtney (resident and landlord) spoke in favor of the sidewalk snow/ice ordinance (Item 3), citing non-compliance by institutional landowners like VMFA Foundation during January storms.
- Al Hutchinson, Charlene Hinton, Warren Goldsboro, Diane Cottman, and Mary Richardson spoke in favor of the street renaming for James Bracey, sharing personal stories of his mentorship and impact on youth athletics and life skills.
Discussion Items
- Mosby Court South Preliminary CUP: Councilmembers discussed the plan's parking, green space, and tree canopy concerns. Councilmember Gibson questioned alignment with the Master Plan and requested conditions; Director Vonk noted parking was overestimated due to financing requirements and that future final plans could improve green space. Councilmember Robertson emphasized the long community process and income mixing for residents.
- Sidewalk Snow/Ice Ordinance: Councilmember Trammell expressed concern about burdening seniors and disabled residents; Vice President Jordan clarified the ordinance is complaint-driven, shifts to civil penalty, and includes emergency exemptions. The council accepted explanations.
- Commerce Road Property Sale (Items 15-17): Director Andrew Rogers presented three ordinances to accept a quitclaim deed from the school board and declare surplus and sell two parcels at 1461 and 1451 Commerce Road to City Central LLC for $4.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively, for a mixed-use development with over 3,000 multifamily units, nearly 1,000 for-sale units, and grocery/community amenities. Councilmember Gibson opposed, citing city code requiring competitive bidding (Section 8-60) and past undervaluation of school property. The motion passed 8-1, with Gibson voting no.
- Real Estate Tax Deferral Program (Item 20): Ordinance 2025-282, patroned by Councilmember Abubaker, created a deferral program for certain real estate taxes per state code, intended as an anti-displacement tool ahead of a property tax assessment unfreeze in two years. Adopted unanimously.
- E911 Call Routing to RAA (Item 21): Ordinance 2026-059, patroned by Councilmember Trammell, requires the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) to route emergency medical service calls to the Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA). Discussion highlighted data showing DEC's non-compliance rate of 29% vs RAA's 6% (based on International Academies of Emergency Dispatch standards) for the period October 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025. CAO Donald supported the change but emphasized co-location for long-term efficiency and cost savings (~$2-3 million). Councilmembers Lynch and Gibson noted the data was alarming and that implementation should be thoughtful. The ordinance includes a 30-day implementation period with flexibility. Adopted unanimously.
- Amendments and Continuations: Several items were continued to later meeting dates, including ordinance 2026-093 to July 27, ordinances 2026-102 and 2026-120 to June 22, and ordinances 2025-231 and 2026-090 (collective bargaining) amended and continued to June 22.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (9-0) including the street renaming, sidewalk ordinance amendment, Mosby South preliminary CUP, and other items.
- Commerce Road Property Sale (Items 15-17): Adopted 8-1 (Councilmember Gibson voted no).
- Real Estate Tax Deferral Program (Item 20): Adopted unanimously.
- E911 Call Routing to RAA (Item 21): Adopted unanimously. Implementation to be coordinated with administration; public safety committee to return with a co-location implementation plan.
- Appointments: Approved.
- Minutes: Minutes from May 26, 2026, meetings approved as presented.
- New Legislation: Items 3-27 introduced and will be available online June 10, 2026.
- Next Steps: The public safety committee will work with the administration on a detailed implementation timeline for the E911 change and co-location. Community meetings for Mosby South will continue every 90 days. The sidewalk ordinance becomes effective after publication.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Good evening, everyone. The formal meeting of the Richmond City Council will now come to order. Madam Clerk, if you would invite the 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. Good evening, Madam President and uh colleagues and friends on the Richmond City Council. Join me for a word of prayer. Most gracious God, thank you for allowing us to gather here today. We thank you, God, for these people who you have set apart to lead our great city. Now, God, as we go about the business of the night, help us to keep you first in everything that we say and do. Bless us, God, as we move forward, and trying to lead with wisdom and knowledge and understanding so that we may make this a prosperous city. Most of all, God, bind us together in a spirit of love which surpasses all things. It is in your omnipotent name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Pastor. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation and to God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Mr. Clark, if you would provide us with the emergency evacuation and public speaker guidelines at this time. 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 stairwells 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 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, all members of council are in attendance this evening. Also, if there are individuals standing in the rear of the chamber that are not authorized, they are asked to be seated where seats are available. Also, applause is not permitted at any time during tonight's meeting. Thank you for adhering to those guidelines. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Let's proceed with appointments and or reappointments for this evening. Members, you are provided with board appointment and reappointment recommendations from your governmental operations and public safety standing committees. Is there a motion to approve the appointments as read? So we'll second. Thank you. Council is now voting on the appointments as presented. Mr. Breton. Aye. Ms. Gibson. Yes. Ms.
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