The Richmond City Council held a formal meeting on September 15, 2026, beginning at approximately 2:15 PM. The council approved a consent agenda, heard public comments on police surveillance and zoning reform, and processed numerous continuances of legislative items.
Good evening, everyone. Good evening. The formal meeting of the Richmond City Council will now come to order. Madam Clerk, if you would uh have the Spanish interpretation announcement, uh, followed by the introduction of the invocation speaker. 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 the service. I services the interpretation alespaniol disponible in a camera del Consejo. For favor, consult con representante ubicada in la parte posterior de la camera para receber el equipo correspondiente. La interpretación al Espanyol también está disponible através de Microsoft Teams para las personas que participan in manera virtual and necessiting services. Thank you. At this time, we'll have the invocation speaker, Reverend Chris Crowley of Grace Baptist Church. Welcome, Pastor. Thank you for the invitation. I invite you all to pray in your tradition as I pray in mine. As a music minister of music, that's how I pray. Hear these words originally written by Tony Alonso. How good it is when people live together. How wonderful to live as one to shape communities of caring and reveal the love we've known to reverence by our common sharing this blessed land we call our home. How good it is when people stand together in daily joy and daily strife. And from our many very talents, weave a tapestry of care where differences are claimed and cherished, and forgiveness is our prayer. So bless us God, sustain us for the future to go and serve the last and least, till every hungry heart is nourished, and the searching find their place till peace and justice ever flourish. May our lives reflect your grace. Amen. Thank you, Reverend Crowley. With that, I'll ask if you will uh join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Madam Clerk, if we could have the emergency evacuation plan followed by the 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 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. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Pursuant to Rule 3D 4B of Council's rules of procedure, Councillor Andrew Breton has requested to participate in this meeting via Microsoft Teams due to a personal matter. He is attending an out-of-town work retreat, preventing his physical attendance today. He will be participating from the location at 240 Representative John Lewis Way North, Nashville, Tennessee, 37219. The council 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 council's adopted policy on electronic participation. Pursuant to Rule 3D 4D of council's rules. Is there a motion from the members physically assembled approving his participation in this meeting by electronic communication means? So move. Second. Council's now voting to allow Mr. Brighton to participate in this formal meeting via Microsoft Teams.