Richmond City Council Regular Meeting – June 22, 2026

The Richmond City Council convened at 6:00 PM for a formal meeting that included public comments, a consent agenda, and several regular agenda items. Key topics included a collective bargaining ordinance, a special use permit for a housing development, and proposals to establish citizens’ review commissions for the city’s zoning rewrite (Code Refresh) and master plan implementation. All council members were present except Councilmember Lynch.

Consent Calendar

• Items 5–15, 16–25, 26–31, and 33 (Resolution R025) were approved as part of the consent agenda.
• Item 36 (Ordinance 2026-090) was moved from the regular agenda to the consent agenda after receiving full support from council and the mayor. This ordinance relates to collective bargaining processes for city employees.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Comment Period: Tanita Caleb, a Richmond resident at 872 Jessamine Street, expressed opposition to a pending 16‑unit project by Baker Development Resources near her home. She asked for a reduction in units and height, citing concerns about density, trash, and rodents in the neighborhood.
• Consent Agenda – Collective Bargaining: Several union representatives spoke in favor of Ordinance 2026-090: Bill Pantle (SEIU Local 512), Brendan Levy (Richmond Coalition of Police), Keith Andes (Richmond Professional Firefighters Association Local 995), Latissa Williams (SEIU Richmond Chapter), Felicia Boney (SEIU Virginia 512), and Eric Radman. All thanked council for supporting collective bargaining and improving employee relations.
• Consent Agenda – Street Naming: Juan Braxton spoke in favor of naming the 2800 block of Pendall Avenue after the late Pastor James, representing Trinity Baptist Church.
• Item 34 (Tuxedo Boulevard SUP): Michael Berlotus (resident at 3213 Tuxedo) and Laura Stevens (Sherwood Park) spoke in opposition. They cited parking congestion, neighborhood fit, loss of naturally occurring affordable housing, and the planning commission’s initial denial. A petition with 16 signatures was submitted. No speakers spoke in favor.
• Items 37 & 38 (Citizen Commissions): Dozens of community members spoke. Supporters included Betsy Gardner, Errol Somay, Pierce Homer, Donna Hughes, John Gass, David Mayer, Robert Hood, Tanita Caleb (second appearance), Rev. Jeanette Brown, Tammy Rose, and Warren Braxton. They argued for more transparency, resident input, and protection against displacement. Opponents included Maria Deuster (Community Climate Collaborative, Homes for All Our Neighbors), Tavara Spinks, Flora Worthington, and Miles Kojel. They warned that unpaid commissions would disenfranchise renters and low‑income residents, and urged the city to conduct deeper outreach rather than creating new bodies.

Discussion Items

• Collective Bargaining (Item 36): Councilmember Gibson praised Richmond’s leadership on collective bargaining, noting reduced turnover. Councilmember Trammell thanked colleagues and the CAO. CAO Odie Donald commended council for working with administration and highlighted low vacancy rates and historic investments. President Newbill echoed thanks and noted the landmark moment. The item was adopted unanimously.
• Tuxedo Boulevard SUP (Item 34): Kevin Vonk (Planning & Development Review) explained the project was reduced from five to four homes after councilmember Trammell walked the neighborhood. The planning commission had denied the original five‑unit proposal. Councilmember Gibson expressed concern about not hearing from supporters. The ordinance was adopted with votes 7 aye, 2 abstentions (Gibson and Abbacher).
• Code Refresh Commission (Item 37) & Resident Planning Review Commission (Item 38): Councilmembers Trammell and Gibson, the patrons, argued that citizens need a formal role in the zoning rewrite and master plan implementation. Councilmember Jones stressed the city already has offices (Neighborhood Engagement, Participatory Budgeting, Communications) that should be used for outreach. Councilmember Abbacher agreed but thought commissions could help slow the process for better engagement. Vice President Jordan worried that new layers would confuse and narrow involvement. Councilmember Breton said he is acting as a watchdog and passing resident questions to administration. Councilmember Robertson, who served on the advisory board, opposed the papers, calling for clear engagement percentage targets and answers to prior questions. President Newbill emphasized using existing engagement infrastructure to get broad resident input. Both ordinances failed on floor votes: Item 37 received 2 ayes, 6 noes; Item 38 received 2 ayes, 6 noes.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: All items approved unanimously.
• Ordinance 2026-090 (Collective Bargaining): Adopted unanimously.
• Ordinance 2025-231 (Tuxedo Boulevard SUP): Adopted, 7‑0‑2 (Gibson abstained, Abbacher abstained).
• Ordinance 2026-092 (Code Refresh Commission): Defeated, 2‑6 (Trammell and Abbacher in favor; others opposed).
• Ordinance 2026-096 (Resident Planning Review Commission): Defeated, 2‑6 (Gibson and Abbacher in favor; others opposed).
• Next Steps: Councilmembers agreed to revisit engagement strategies using existing city infrastructure. Councilmember Trammell announced she is pursuing a referendum on Code Refresh, allowing voters to decide.
• Minutes: The minutes from the June 8, 2026 meetings were approved as presented.
• New Legislation: Items 1–13 on the introduction list were introduced and will be available on the city website.
• Announcements: Several district meetings and community events were announced, including a public safety committee meeting the next day regarding the courthouse incident.