Richmond City Council Formal Meeting – June 22, 2026
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting – June 22, 2026
The Richmond City Council met formally on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting opened with an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a public comment period. The council considered a consent agenda, a special use permit for a residential development, and two ordinances to establish citizen review commissions for the ongoing code refresh process. The council also approved multiple items on the consent agenda and continued several items to a future meeting.
Consent Calendar
- All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously (8-0) after a public hearing. The consent agenda included: Ordinances 2026-125 through 151, Resolution 2026-R025, and Ordinance 2026-090 (an amendment to the city's collective bargaining ordinance).
- Ordinance 2026-090 was moved from the regular agenda to the consent agenda after receiving full patronage from all councilmembers and the mayor.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tanita Caleb (resident of 872 Jessamine Street) spoke during the public comment period about a proposed 16-unit project by Baker Development Resources next to her home. She expressed concerns about density, trash, and rodent issues from a nearby affordable housing project (Citadel of Hope) and asked the developer to reduce the number of units and scale the building to two stories.
- Bill Pantley (Richmond Coalition of Police, RCOP) and Brendan Levy (RCOP president) spoke in favor of Ordinance 2026-090, thanking the council and administration for clarifying the collective bargaining ordinance regarding promotion and vacancy processes. They stated this amendment restores the original intent of the ordinance passed four years ago.
- Keith Andes (president, Richmond Professional Firefighters Association Local 995) supported Ordinance 2026-090, praising the improved employer-employee relationship under collective bargaining.
- Latissa Williams (vice chair, SEIU Richmond Chapter) and Felicia Boney (chapter chair, SEIU Virginia 512) also expressed support for the collective bargaining amendment, stating it shows the city is uniting employees.
- Juan Braxton (speaking as a deacon at Trinity Baptist Church) spoke in favor of naming the 2800 block of Pendall Avenue after the late Pastor James, a separate consent item.
- Michael Berlotas (resident of 3213 Tuxedo Boulevard) and Laura Stevens (Sherwood Park resident) spoke in opposition to Item 34 (special use permit for 3219 Tuxedo Boulevard). Berlotas cited a petition signed by 16 neighbors, concerns about parking on the narrow loop street, and the demolition of an existing affordable home. Stevens detailed procedural issues, rising property assessments (68% increase since 2021), and the lack of an alley. Both argued the project does not fit the neighborhood and would remove existing affordability.
- Multiple speakers addressed Items 37 and 38 (proposed citizen review commissions). Speakers in favor included: a representative of West Hampton Citizens Association, Betsy Gardner (Stonewall Court), Errol Somay (Museum District), Pierce Homer (Floyd Avenue), Donna Hughes (Sherwood Park Civic Association), John Gaas (homeowner), David Mayer (Sherwood Park), Robert Hood (Sherwood Park), Kevin Randizi (8th district), Jacob Peters (2nd district), Tanita Caleb (again, as a homeowner), Reverend Jeanette Brown (Westwood), Tammy Rose (1st district), and Juan Braxton (5th district). They argued for transparency, resident input, and slowing the code refresh process.
- Speakers against the commissions included: Maria Deuster (Community Climate Collaborative, speaking for Homes for All Our Neighbors coalition), Tavarus Spinks (North Church Hill), Flora Worthington (1st district renter), and Miles Kojel (renter). They argued that the commissions would replicate existing inequities, exclude renters and working families, and delay needed zoning reforms. They urged the city to conduct better direct outreach instead.
- Councilmember discussion on the commissions included remarks from Councilmembers Jones, Abubaker, Jordan, Trammell, Breton, Robertson, Gibson, and President Newbill. Many highlighted the need for deeper resident engagement but disagreed on creating new bodies, suggesting instead that the city use existing offices (e.g., Office of Neighborhood Engagement, Participatory Budgeting) to improve outreach.
Discussion Items
- Item 34 – Special Use Permit for 3219 Tuxedo Boulevard: The applicant sought to build four single-family detached homes on a lot zoned for two. Planning staff (Kevin Vonk) reported that the original proposal for five homes was denied by the Planning Commission. After Councilmember Trammell met with residents and the developer, the number was reduced to four. Councilmember Trammell stated she walked the street and heard that five was too many. The council voted on the ordinance after closing the public hearing.
- Item 37 – Ordinance 2026-092 (Code Refresh Commission): Proposed by Councilmember Trammell to establish a commission to develop recommendations for the zoning rewrite based on best practices and community input.
- Item 38 – Ordinance 2026-096 (Resident Planning Review Commission): Proposed by Councilmember Gibson to establish a commission to advise the council on the implementation of the master plan (Richmond 300), including annual reporting and ensuring alignment with zoning changes.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda adopted (8-0) with all items approved, including the collective bargaining amendment (Ordinance 2026-090).
- Item 34 (special use permit for 3219 Tuxedo Boulevard) adopted with a vote of 6-0-2 (Councilmembers Gibson and Abubaker abstained). The permit allows four single-family detached homes on the site.
- Item 37 (Ordinance 2026-092) failed with a vote of 2-6 (Councilmembers Trammell and Abubaker in favor; Breton, Gibson, Jones, Robertson, Jordan, Newbill opposed).
- Item 38 (Ordinance 2026-096) failed with a vote of 2-6 (Councilmembers Gibson and Abubaker in favor; Breton, Jones, Robertson, Trammell, Jordan, Newbill opposed).
- Several items were continued to the Monday, July 27, 2026 council meeting: Ordinances 2026-102, 2026-109, 2026-113, 2026-120, 2026-081, and Resolutions 2026-R024 and 2026-R019.
- The minutes from the June 8, 2026 meetings were approved as presented.
- New legislation (items 1-13) was introduced.
- Councilmembers made announcements about upcoming district meetings, community events, and public safety concerns.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Good evening. The formal meeting of the Richmond City Council will now come to order. And this evening, the invocation will be offered by Reverend Dr. Daniel E. Glaze of River Road Church, after which I'll ask that you will join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. Madam President, would you first like me to read the Spanish interpretation announcement? Yes, please. Let's go on. 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. Gracias. At this time, we will have the uh invocation now by Reverend Dr. Daniel Glaze of River Road Church, after which please join me in the Pledge of Alatance. Welcome, Reverend Glaze. Good evening, members of the Council, city leaders, beloved members of the community of Richmond. I invite you to join me in prayer. Holy one, creator of every nation and every neighborhood. We pause at the beginning of this meeting to give thanks for the city that we love, for the river that runs through it, and for the many beautiful people who together make Richmond their home. We remember that public service is sacred work. In this chamber where budgets are weighed and policies are shaped, real lives beyond these walls are affected. So we ask that your spirit would move within us, not as some distant authority, but as a steady presence calling us toward what is right. We give thanks for the leaders of this council and for all who labor so that Richmond might flourish, those who keep the water running and the lights on, those who teach our children, tend our parks, and answer the call in the night. Bless their work and the work to be done this evening. Grant these council members clear minds and courageous hearts. When the choices are complex and the pressures are great, anchor them in wisdom that listens carefully, discerns honestly, and acts boldly on behalf of all, especially those who often find their voices ignored. Grant them the kind of grace that collaborates and the compassion that widens the circle of all who belong. In all things, may this body do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Reverend Glace. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation, unto God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk. Madam President, I do believe we need to read the emergency evacuation announcement in the public speaker guidelines. That would be it. Thank you. 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 and 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 except for Councillor Lynch. You do have a quorum. If there are unauthorized individuals standing in the rear of the chamber, they are asked to be seated where seats are available.
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