Public Meetings - Richmond, Virginia

On April 27, 2026, the Richmond City Council held its formal session. The meeting included public comments, a consent agenda with public hearings, budget amendments, and council reports. Notable topics included objections to Flock cameras, a debate over bike lane parking citations, and an emotional plea from Councilmember Trammell regarding cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirees. Consent Calendar - Ordinance 2026-060, 2026-073, 2026-075, and items 6–15 (ordinances 2026-077 through 2026-088) and items 20–23 (resolutions 2026-R013, R015, R016, R017) were approved unanimously, with Councilmember Gibson initially indicating she would abstain on the bike lane item (part of the consent agenda) but ultimately voting in favor after requesting data on safety impacts. Public Comments & Testimony - Jesus Carpio (8th district constituent) requested council assistance with the judicial system, alleging procedural injustices and denial of FOIA requests. Councilmember Trammell offered to connect him with police leadership. - Aurora Britt spoke in opposition to Flock cameras, citing an incident in Los Angeles where ICE agents allegedly used the cameras to track protesters. - Michael White opposed Flock cameras, highlighting terms of service that grant Flock a perpetual license to use customer data and a recent incident where Flock employees accessed cameras at a children's gym in Atlanta. - Daniel Tobias (6th district resident) opposed Flock cameras, citing national surveillance concerns, the Trump administration's NSPM-7, and the disproportionate impact on minority communities. - Emma Hartman (3rd district resident) spoke in opposition to a consent agenda item clarifying bicycle lane definitions for parking citations. She showed photos of her car parked partially over a bike lane buffer and expressed safety concerns about exiting vehicles due to high traffic speeds. She argued that the real problem is speeding, not parking. - Unnamed speaker (opposing Resolution 2026-R016) spoke against the $11 million bond for 400 East Grace Street, citing a history of poor management, lack of community outreach, and high cost ($500,000 per door for 65 units). - Casey Miller (7th district renter) spoke in favor of Ordinance 2026-082, supporting transparency. - Sherelle Hampton (RRHA) spoke in favor of the East Grace Street project, stating that a developer was competitively selected, a virtual meeting was held for businesses, and a public hearing was advertised. The project will provide senior housing. - Vincent Vinuti (owner of Dream House) and Armando Lugo spoke in favor of Ordinance 2026-060, supporting the Shockoe Shine initiative to revitalize Shockoe Bottom by allowing arts and nightlife extensions. Discussion Items - Bike Lane Parking Citation Policy: Councilmember Gibson requested data on whether narrowing lanes reduces speed and the number of accidents from parked cars vs. cyclists. Vice President Jordan defended the policy, stating it aligns with federal/state guidance and aims to slow traffic via road diets. She noted that parked cars next to travel lanes already exist and that the change provides clarity for enforcement. - Budget Amendments and Retiree COLA: Councilmember Trammell gave an impassioned speech criticizing the mayor for not including $6 million for retiree COLAs in the budget. She recounted calls from upset retirees, some crying, and stated that council (all but one member) supported the COLA. She vowed to continue the fight. Councilmember Lynch thanked Trammell and said they will introduce a resolution to establish a workgroup and timeline for a COLA formula to avoid annual budget fights. - Shockoe Bottom Task Force: President Newbill reported that the task force met on April 24 with representatives from police, fire, Commonwealth Attorney, and other entities to improve public safety and quality of life in the area. Key Outcomes - Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (8-0, with Gibson voting aye after initial hesitation). - Amendment and Continuation of Items: Multiple ordinances and resolutions were amended and continued to future dates (May 11, May 26, June 8 council meetings). These included budget-related ordinances (2026-063, 065, 066, 071) which were amended and continued to May 11. All votes were unanimous. - Expedited Consideration: Resolution 2026-R018 (opioid settlement participation) was expedited and adopted unanimously. - Minutes Approval: Minutes from April 13, 2026 were approved. - New Legislation Introduced: A list of 18 items (numbers 8–25) was introduced and will be available on the city website on April 28. - Next Steps: The budget public hearing is scheduled for May 11, 2026 at 6 p.m. Councilmembers committed to working on a COLA resolution and workgroup to ensure future payments for retirees.

The Richmond City Council held an informal meeting on April 27, 2026, beginning in the afternoon. The meeting primarily handled administrative docket items, including consent agenda updates, continuations to future meetings, and a brief exchange regarding retiree cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). All council members were present except Councillors Robertson, Lynch, Auberbacher, and Vice President Jordan. Consent Calendar - Ordinance 2026-060: Planning Commission recommended approval; retained on the consent agenda. - Ordinance 2026-061 to 2026-063: Planning Commission recommended approval (item numbers not fully specified, but mentioned in sequence). - Ordinance 2026-074: Planning Commission recommended approval with an amendment; to be amended later in the evening and continued to the May 11, 2026 council meeting. - Ordinance 2026-089: Continued to June 8, 2026 due to cancellation of the April Governmental Operations Standing Committee meeting. - Order 2026-090: Continued to May 11, 2026 due to cancellation; referred to the May 4, 2026 Organizational Development Standing Committee. - Ordinance 2026-091: Continued to June 8, 2026 due to cancellation. - Resolutions 2026 R015 and R016: Committee referral waived; retained on the consent agenda. - Resolution 2026 R017: Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee recommended approval. - Ordinance 2025-231 (Item 24): Continued to May 11, 2026 per request. - Ordinances 2025-282, 2026-081 (Items 25-26): No action stated; Councilmember Gibson added herself as co-patron to 2025-282 and to Order 2026-090. - Ordinances 2026-063 through 2026-071 (Items 27-35): Budget-related papers; all to be continued or amended and continued to the May 11, 2026 council meeting. Key Outcomes - Councilmember Gibson added as co-patron to Ordinance 2025-282 (deferral of certain real estate taxes) and Order 2026-090 (modifications to collective bargaining). - Councilmember Trammell indicated she would speak later in the meeting about COLAs for retirees, but deferred to allow citizen testimony. The meeting adjourned without further substantive discussion. - Numerous items were continued to either May 11, 2026 or June 8, 2026 due to committee cancellations or pending amendments. - The informal meeting was adjourned shortly after the docket reading and brief council comments.

This work session focused on finalizing amendments to the FY2026 city budget using the FY25 surplus and general fund allocations. Council members discussed salary adjustments, retiree payments, capital projects, and transparency measures, and reached consensus on several items. The meeting also included a presentation from the Richmond Public Schools superintendent on the Richmond Virtual Academy (RVA) and its funding. Discussion Items - Retiree COLA Clarification: Council President Newbill and Chief of Staff Warren clarified that the one-time payment to Richmond Retirement System beneficiaries is the equivalent of a 1% COLA ($716,000 total), not a bonus. It is a one-time payment for this year only, and a permanent COLA solution must be addressed next year. Councilmember Trammell stressed that the word "bonus" should not be used. - Salary Adjustments for City Employees: The administration updated the cost of moving all scheduled January salary adjustments to July 1st (3.25% increase) from $961,000 to $1,296,692. This created a $113,092 gap after accounting for previously agreed allocations. Councilmember Lynch offered to remove her $125,000 request for a Clark Springs feasibility study to cover the gap, leaving $11,908 for additional allocation. - Allocation of Remaining Funds: Council agreed to allocate the remaining $11,908 to the Randolph Community Center for equipment replacement, as proposed by Councilmember Lynch. - Car Wash Budget and TJ High School Lights: Councilmember Breton proposed cutting $100,000 from the Fleet car wash budget (reducing it from $200,000 to $100,000) and redirecting the funds to the Richmond Education Fund to support matching grants for athletic training lights at Thomas Jefferson High School. The council reached consensus on this amendment. - Complete Streets Transparency: Councilmember Breton proposed breaking the $21 million Complete Streets line item into four subcategories (paving, sidewalks, CIP support, engineering/planning) to provide budget transparency. After discussion, CAO O'Donnell suggested providing a supplemental page in the budget book with the breakdown and a note that adjustments may occur. Council agreed to work with administration on this. - Uncertified Revenues and Surplus: Councilmembers Gibson, Lynch, and Breton raised questions about the $3.168 million remaining from the FY25 GAP grant program, originally funded with $3.9 million from recurring revenue. CAO Donald explained that the $12 million in additional revenue from reassessment was a one-time use of recurring funds, and the remaining $3.168 million is the unspent portion. Councilmember Gibson also requested an audit of whether the city budget aligns with the ordinance from November 2024. CAO Donald committed to providing written responses to outstanding questions. - Richmond Virtual Academy (RVA): Superintendent Jason Cameras reported that absent additional funding, RVA cannot continue. He assured council that all current RVA students (including 24.5% with disabilities) will be served in person in existing schools, and the homebound program will continue. The 22 licensed teachers will be placed in vacancies within RPS, realizing $3.2 million in savings. Councilmember Trammell expressed concern about the impact on vulnerable students, and Councilmember Gibson suggested the district could repurpose funding before cutting the program. The council did not restore RVA funding in this session. - Text Amendments: Council agreed to several text amendments, including: directing remaining GAP grant funds toward housing initiatives, fixing affordable housing trust fund language, striking the severance package language from the pay plan, and encumbering remaining funds for Ponticello Park improvements. Councilmember Robertson requested that performance standards with data (replacing "NA" and "TBD" entries) be provided by July 1st, based on 75% of the fiscal year. The transformation office committed to providing that data. Key Outcomes - Consensus on Budget Amendments: Council approved the following package of amendments using the FY25 surplus and general fund: - One-time payment equivalent to 1% COLA for retirees ($716,000) - Salary adjustments moving all employees to July 1st (3.25% increase) – funded by removing Clark Springs funding ($125,000) - $11,908 additional for Randolph Community Center - $100,000 cut from car wash budget, redirected to Richmond Education Fund for TJ High School lights - Additional positions: customer service rep (assessor's office), sustainability coordinator, assistant attorney, proactive investigator, PDR position for Richmond 300, and five inspectors for PDR (funded through application fees) - Ongoing Items: Council staff will work with the city attorney and administration to draft amendments for a procedural vote on Monday, April 27, 2026, with a public hearing and final vote scheduled for May 11, 2026. - Future Commitments: Council will continue discussions on permanent COLA for retirees, complete streets budget breakdown, and uncertified revenue analysis. The transformation office will provide performance measure data by July 1, 2026.

The Planning Commission met on April 22, 2026 (note: official minutes list the meeting as April 21, 2026; this summary uses the specified date). Chair Poole called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All commissioners were present except Burchell Pinnock. The meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m. Consent Calendar - Ordinance 2026-075: Approved unanimously to amend a previous ordinance for a 2.274-acre parcel on Forest Hill Avenue east of Bliley Road, authorizing 18 townhouse condominium units (for sale) with accessory parking. - Ordinance 2026-083: Approved unanimously to accept $10,369,508 from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority for the Diamond District Transportation Infrastructure Project. - UDC 2026-05: Approved concept review of Bryan Park dam removal and stream restoration at 4308 Hermitage Road. - CPCR.2026.002: Approved resolution for a final community unit plan at 1300 Westwood Avenue and 1219 Palmyra Avenue to authorize a field house. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public spoke during the public hearing for either the consent agenda or the regular agenda items. Discussion Items - Item 7 (ORD. 2026-073) – 1215 North 29th Street: Special use permit request for one two-family detached dwelling and one accessory dwelling unit in the Church Hill North neighborhood. Principal Planner Jonathan Brown presented the staff recommendation. Applicant Alessandro Ragazzi (Development Resources) explained that the proposal was revised after community feedback, reducing density from four units to three, lot coverage to 39% (below the 55% R6 threshold), and increasing rear setbacks. The Churchill Central Civic Association was supportive. Commissioner Knight abstained. The commission voted 7-0-1 to recommend approval to City Council. - Item 8 (ORD. 2026-074) – 101 Cowardin Avenue: Special use permit request for a five-story multifamily building with up to 120 units in the Manchester neighborhood. Jonathan Brown presented staff findings that the proposal aligns with Richmond 300 goals for density and walkability. Applicants Will Allen (Harper Associates) and Eric Smith described community outreach, including meetings with the Manchester Alliance and adjacent property owners. Commissioner Knight raised the importance of robust public outreach for larger projects; Chair Poole and Commissioner Robertson acknowledged the applicant's efforts. The commission approved the item with two amendments: (1) include a fire access markup sheet (dated April 14, 2026) and (2) update the schematic concept plan revision date. Additionally, the applicant requested and the commission accepted an amendment to the building facade glazing requirement to match B5 zoning standards (35% glazing, minimum 25% brick veneer, 25% cementitious siding). The vote was 7-0-1, with Commissioner Knight abstaining. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda adopted unanimously. - Item 7 recommended for approval to City Council by a vote of 7-0-1 (Commissioner Knight abstaining). - Item 8 recommended for approval to City Council with two amendments by a vote of 7-0-1 (Commissioner Knight abstaining). - Council action update: Three new special use permits were introduced at the April 13 City Council meeting; two others (North 18th Street, 1705 Commonwealth/Lavender Hill, and Tuxedo Boulevard) remain pending at council. - Meeting adjourned at 6:37 p.m.

The Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Standing Committee met on April 22, 2026, at approximately 2:15 PM. The committee considered several ordinances and resolutions, received presentations from GRTC and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA), and took action on board appointments. Consent Calendar - Minutes Approval: The minutes from the March 17, 2026, meeting were approved without amendments. - Boards and Commissions Vacancies: The committee approved a motion to recommend Daniel Payne for the Commission of Architecture Review and to continue consideration of appointments to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) until July 2026. The RRHA vacancies included reapplications from Kyle Elliott and Eddie Jackson, as well as new applications from Chelsea Higg-Wise, Kevin Marchman, Brittany Watson, and Sally Wiley. Public Comments & Testimony - Item 2 (Bicycle Lane Buffers): John Barkley, a Richmond Public Schools teacher, spoke in support, describing safety risks to his preschool daughter when cars park in bike lane buffers. Louise Lockett Gordon, chair of the Safe and Healthy Streets Commission, also supported, citing prevention of "dooring" accidents and traffic calming benefits. - Items 5 & 6 (Street Honorifics): Michael Graw and Al Hutchinson spoke in support of naming the 2300 block of Rosewood Avenue for James "Jimmy Lee" Bracie, highlighting his founding of the West End Striders youth track program and 40 years of community mentorship. Discussion Items - Energy Efficiency Resolution (R003): Laura Thomas, Director of Sustainability, presented amendments supported by administration, including a 180-day response time for a framework. The committee discussed aligning housing initiatives and voted to forward the amended resolution to council. - Bicycle Lane Parking Ordinance (088): Councilor Jordan introduced the ordinance to clarify that striped buffer areas are part of bicycle lanes and prohibit parking there. Discussion included enforcement plans (training parking enforcement, focusing on central districts and new Southside bike lanes) and a request to prioritize school zones lacking pull-offs, such as MLK Middle School. - Diamond District Transportation Infrastructure (084): Dirana Moore Clark, Deputy Director of Public Works, presented a request for $10.37 million in CVTA funding for multimodal street improvements, transit access, and signalized intersections for Phase 1A. The project timeline is completion by May 2027. No local match is required; the project is funded by CVTA and previously approved GO bonds. - Free Rides to Work Program (085): Daniel Wagner, Department of Transportation, presented a $275,000 VTA grant to continue the free rides program serving TANF-eligible families. The program uses a vanpool service operated by Palms and Pines, currently serving about 60 riders with a waitlist. The committee discussed long-term feasibility. - Street Honorifics (086 & 087): Councilor Lynch spoke in support of both honorifics, recognizing Bill Martin and James "Jimmy Lee" Bracie for their community service. All committee members added as co-patrons. - GRTC Presentation: GRTC presented its FY27 draft budget (approximately $96 million baseline) and an update on the North-South Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The BRT will run 12 miles with 30 stations, with an estimated operating date of FY32. Conceptual designs include dedicated lanes, median adjustments, and tree replacement (2:1 ratio). A transit-oriented design study is underway for six station pairs. A downtown transfer hub RFP is expected in Q2 2026. Questions addressed fare-free ridership, service expansions, and construction impacts. - RRHA Presentation: CEO Nesmith and team provided an extensive overview of RRHA's operations, redevelopment progress, and alignment with the mayor's action plan. Key points: RRHA serves over 10,000 families (6,000 public housing, 4,000 Housing Choice Vouchers). Over three years, RRHA has contributed 1,199 new affordable units, with 951 on the South Side. The agency has a 97% utilization rate for its 4,060 baseline vouchers. For Creighton Court Phase 1, 192 households were relocated; about 50-60% used Tenant Protection Vouchers (TPVs). The committee discussed anti-displacement efforts, the "people plan" for intensive case management, and the need for accurate data on TPV success rates. Key Outcomes - Approved and Forwarded to City Council: - Resolution 2026 R003 (energy efficiency program) with administration's amendments. - Ordinance 2026 088 (bicycle lane buffer parking prohibition) with all committee members as co-patrons. - Ordinance 2026 084 (Diamond District transportation agreement). - Ordinance 2026 085 (free rides to work grant). - Ordinance 2026 086 (Bill Martin street honorific). - Ordinance 2026 087 (James "Jimmy Lee" Bracie street honorific). - Appointments: Daniel Payne recommended for Commission of Architecture Review; RRHA appointments continued to July 2026. - Follow-up Items: Staff will track enforcement rollout of the bike lane ordinance, plan of action for school zones with bike lanes, and success rate of TPVs for Creighton phases 2 and 3. Next committee meeting: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with presentations from Public Works on traffic calming and neighborhood placemaking.

The Richmond City Council held a budget work session on April 22, 2026, to discuss amendments to the Fiscal Year 2027 budget using the FY25 surplus and to address outstanding items. Key topics included clarification of a one-time payment for retirees, reallocation of funding to cover salary increases, budget transparency for complete streets, and the future of the Richmond Virtual Academy (RVA). The council reached consensus on several amendments and set next steps for final adoption. Discussion Items - COLA Clarification for Retirees: Councilmember Trammell addressed confusion in the media, emphasizing that the approved payment for Richmond Retirement System beneficiaries is a one-time payment equivalent to a 1% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), not a bonus. RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff, explained that the one-time payment amounts to $716,000 and is the equivalent of a 1% COLA for one year, but does not commit to ongoing COLAs. Councilmembers agreed to hold a future meeting to explore permanent COLA solutions. - Salary Adjustment Funding Gap: The council learned that moving all city employee salary adjustments (3.25%) to July 1 instead of a phased January start would require an additional $113,092 beyond the remaining $600 available from the surplus. Councilmember Lynch proposed reallocating $125,000 originally earmarked for a Clark Springs feasibility study to close the gap, which would leave $11,908 remaining. The council consensus moved those remaining funds to the Randolph Community Center for equipment replacement. - Transparency and Revenue Questions: Councilmember Gibson questioned the $3.168 million figure from the FY25 amended budget, arguing that $3.9 million in recurring revenue should have been carried forward. CAO Donald explained that the $12 million in additional assessments from FY25 were recurring revenue used for one-time purposes due to assessment-cycle misalignment, and that the $3.168 million remaining is the unspent balance of that one-time allocation. He assured council that the assessment freeze would align future budgets. Councilmember Breton supported Gibson's inquiry, noting that the FY26 budget base did not reflect the FY25 amended amounts. - Complete Streets Budget Transparency: Councilmember Breton proposed breaking the $21 million complete streets line item into four subcategories (paving, sidewalks, CIP support, and engineering/planning) to improve transparency. CAO Donald offered to provide a supplemental page in the budget book detailing the planned breakdown without restricting flexibility. The council appeared supportive, and staff will work with the administration to finalize the approach. - TJ High School Athletic Lights: Councilmember Breton proposed reducing the car wash budget from $200,000 to $100,000 and redirecting the savings to fund athletic training lights at TJ High School. The council agreed to allocate $100,000 to the Richmond Education Foundation (or directly to RPS if necessary) to leverage matching grants and private donations. - Richmond Virtual Academy (RVA): Superintendent Jason Kamras confirmed that without additional funding, RVA will not continue. He stated that all current RVA students (including those with disabilities) will be served in person, and that RVA's 25 staff members (mostly licensed teachers) will be offered positions in other schools. Several councilmembers expressed concern, but Kamras emphasized that nearly all students with disabilities in RPS already attend in-person schools and that the virtual program is not the least restrictive environment for most. Councilmember Gibson noted that transitions are hard and urged the school board to consider a scaled-back version. Councilmember Robertson acknowledged the difficult choices and thanked the superintendent for his work. Key Outcomes - Consensus on Budget Amendments: The council agreed to the following amendments: - Reallocate $125,000 from Clark Springs study to cover the salary adjustment funding gap. - Allocate the remaining $11,908 to Randolph Community Center for equipment. - Cut $100,000 from the car wash budget and direct it to TJ High School athletic lights through the Richmond Education Foundation. - Maintain previously agreed-upon items from the Monday session (e.g., positions for assessor's office, sustainability coordinator, attorney, investigator, PDR; text amendments for gap grant reallocation, affordable housing trust fund language, pay plan severance language, and Ponticello park encumbrance). - Text Amendments: The council will include: (1) directive to use remaining gap grant funds for housing initiatives, (2) correction of affordable housing trust fund language, (3) removal of severance package language from the pay plan, and (4) encumbrance of remaining funds for Ponticello park improvements. A request by Councilmember Robertson for performance measures to be provided by July 1 was accepted, and the administration agreed to update the budget book using three quarters of data. - Next Steps: Council staff will work with the city attorney and administration to draft amendments for the formal council meeting on April 27, 2026. A public hearing and final vote on the budget are scheduled for May 11, 2026.

The Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Standing Committee met on April 21, 2026, at approximately 1:45 PM (EDT) to consider several ordinances, resolutions, and appointments, and to receive presentations from GRTC and the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The meeting lasted about two hours. Consent Calendar - The minutes of the March 17, 2026 meeting were approved without amendment or correction. Boards and Commissions Appointments - Commission of Architectural Review (CARR): The committee voted unanimously to forward the appointment of Daniel Payne to City Council for approval. - Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA): A motion to continue consideration of two vacancies (applications from Kyle Elliott, Andy Jackson, Chelsea Higg-Wise, Kevin Marchman, Brittany Watson, and Sally Wiley) to the July meeting was approved unanimously. Vice Chair Robertson noted ongoing important conversations with the housing authority as justification for the delay. Public Comments & Testimony - Item 2 (Bicycle Lane Parking Clarification): John Barkley, a North Side resident and teacher, spoke in support, describing how parked cars in bike lane buffers force cyclists into traffic and create safety risks for his daughter and himself during daily bike commutes. Louise Acker Corden, Chair of the Safe and Healthy Streets Commission, also spoke in support, explaining that the buffer zone prevents “dooring” and supports road diets that calm traffic. - Items 5 & 6 (Street Naming): Michael Gorey spoke in support of naming the 2300 block of Rosewood Avenue after James “Jimmy Lee” Bracie, founder of the West End Striders, citing Bracie’s mentorship and community impact. Al Hutchinson, a former West End Strider, also spoke in support, crediting Bracie with changing his life and launching his career. No opposition was expressed. Discussion Items - Item 1 – Resolution 2026 R003 (Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Program): Laura Thomas, Director of Sustainability, expressed administration support for the amended version. The committee forwarded the amended resolution to council with a recommendation to approve (3-0). - Item 2 – Ordinance 2026 088 (Bicycle Lane Parking Prohibition): Councilmember Jordan, patron, explained that the ordinance clarifies that buffer areas within bicycle lanes are included in parking prohibitions, aligning city code with federal/state guidelines. Daniel Wagner (Department of Transportation) confirmed the city would conduct enforcement training and prioritize areas like Franklin Street bike lanes and new Southside facilities. Vice Chair Robertson requested updates on implementation and also raised concerns about school zones without pull‑offs adjacent to bike lanes. The committee voted unanimously to approve and added Councilmembers Jones, Robertson, and Breton as co‑patrons. - Item 3 – Ordinance 2026 084 (Diamond District Transportation Infrastructure Project): Dirona Moore Clark (Deputy Director, Public Works) reported that the city received $10.37 million from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) for Phase 1A improvements, including new neighborhood streets, transit access, and signalized intersections. The project is expected to be completed by May 2027. The committee voted unanimously to forward to council. - Item 4 – Ordinance 2026 085 (Free Rides to Work Program): Daniel Wagner presented a $275,000 Virginia Transit Association grant to continue the free rides to work program, which provides vanpool services for TANF‑eligible families, including expanded access to childcare. The program serves about 60 regular riders and has a waitlist. Palms and Pines operates the service. The committee voted unanimously to approve. - Items 5 & 6 – Street Naming Ordinances (Bill Martin and James Bracie): Councilmember Lynch spoke in support of the Bracie designation, highlighting his decades of youth mentorship. The committee voted unanimously to forward both ordinances to council with recommendation to approve, and Councilmembers Jones, Robertson, and Breton added themselves as co‑patrons. Presentations - GRTC (FY27 Budget and North‑South BRT Update): Adrian Torres, Laura Toothman, and Joe Diller presented. The FY27 baseline operating budget is approximately $96 million, assuming 3% inflation and no service expansion. The North‑South BRT project spans 12 miles from the Henrico County line to Chesterfield County line with 30 planned stations; conceptual design includes dedicated lanes on Chamberlayne Avenue, peak‑hour lanes on Lee Street, and center‑running lanes on Midlothian Turnpike. The project is in early environmental design (NEPA) with construction anticipated in 2028–2032; total cost is estimated at under $400 million. GRTC expects to maintain fare‑free service through advertising revenue and regional partnerships. The committee thanked GRTC for the update. - Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA): CEO Nesmith, along with other staff, presented an overview of RRHA’s operations, redevelopment progress, and alignment with the Mayor’s Action Plan (MAP). Key statistics: RRHA serves over 10,000 families (6,000 public housing residents and 4,000 Housing Choice Voucher participants); 80% of funding comes from HUD; the voucher program has a 97% utilization rate (3,967 of 4,060 baseline vouchers). Over the last three years, RRHA has supported 1,199 affordable housing units, 951 of which are on the Southside. Creighton Court Phase A (68 units) was completed in September 2025, Phase B (72 units) is leasing up. Tenant Protection Vouchers (TPVs) are used to prevent displacement; about 50–60% of relocated households at Creighton took TPVs. The committee requested follow‑up data on TPV success rates and discussed the upcoming “people plan” for case management. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar: Minutes approved. - Boards & Commissions: Daniel Payne forwarded to council; RRHA vacancies continued to July 2026. - Item 1 (Resolution 2026 R003): Forwarded to council with amendment, approved (3‑0). - Item 2 (Ordinance 2026 088): Forwarded to council, approved (3‑0); co‑patrons added. - Item 3 (Ordinance 2026 084): Forwarded to council, approved (3‑0). - Item 4 (Ordinance 2026 085): Forwarded to council, approved (3‑0). - Items 5 & 6 (Street Naming): Both forwarded to council, approved (3‑0); co‑patrons added. - Follow‑up Items: Staff will track rollout of buffered bike lane enforcement, provide a plan for school zone pull‑offs, and report TPV success rates for Creighton Court Phases 2 and 3. - Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 19, 2026, with presentations from the Department of Public Works on traffic calming and beautification.

The Richmond City Council held a budget work session on April 21, 2026, to consider amendments to the FY27 budget. Key actions included reallocating $3.168 million from the Gap Grant program to housing initiatives, freeing up general fund dollars for council amendments, and approving multiple funding items by consensus. A major debate centered on providing a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees, ultimately resulting in a one-time payment equivalent to a 1% COLA. The session concluded with a commitment to continue discussions on funding for the Richmond Virtual Academy, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for April 23, 2026. Consent Calendar - Elimination of new funding for gas new business ($500,000): Approved with 8 co-patrons. - Dedicated mailing line item for Office of Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities: Noted as already in the budget; no formal amendment needed. - Transportation and security for RPS after-school programs (Middle School Alliance): Approved at an updated cost of $483,000 (originally $428,000) with 7 co-patrons. - Forest Hill Avenue traffic study ($100,000): Deemed addressed by city administration via existing resources; no amendment required. - Increase for Family Crisis Fund ($100,000): Approved with 7 co-patrons. - 3.25% salary adjustment for all city employees effective July 1: Approved at an approximate cost of $1 million (including benefits), ensuring all employees receive the raise on July 1 rather than a phased approach. - Youth and senior programming at Southside Community Center ($300,000): Approved with 5 co-patrons. - Game room and fitness equipment upgrades at Randolph Community Center ($40,000): Approved with 5 co-patrons. - Richmond Ambulance Authority fleet completion ($800,000): Approved with 4 co-patrons. - Clark Springs Elementary School redevelopment planning ($125,000): Approved with 5 co-patrons after discussion about alignment with Richmond Public Schools. Discussion Items - Reallocation of Gap Grant Funds ($3.168 million): RJ Warren, Chief of Staff, explained that the remaining Gap Grant funds (originally $3.59 million from October 2024) would be redirected to four active housing initiatives (Family Crisis Fund, eviction diversion, real estate freeze, and right to counsel). This releases an equivalent amount of general fund dollars for FY27 amendments. Council members debated whether the funds were one-time or recurring. Clarification was provided that the money was repurposed before being declared surplus, making it available for ongoing programs. - COLA for Retirees: Multiple options were considered: a one-time bonus of $716,400 (equivalent to a 1% COLA for one year) or a permanent 1% COLA costing $971,000 annually for 10 years. Council members expressed strong support for retirees (Councilwoman Trammell advocated for a permanent COLA), while others noted the one-time bonus would provide a flat benefit benefiting lower-income retirees more. The council ultimately reached consensus on a one-time payment of $716,400, equivalent to a 1% COLA, with a commitment to form a working group to develop a long-term solution. - Westover Hills Elementary School External Facility Redesign: Councilwoman Abubaker proposed $500,000 for a joint project with RPS to create parking and drop-off areas due to Jank Road construction. A proposed cut to the Sheriff's Office budget to fund it was rejected; instead, the funds were allocated from the $3.168 million pool. Some council members (e.g., Councilwoman Robertson) questioned whether this was a capital project requiring CIP funds, but it was confirmed that general funds could be used. Consensus was reached. - Richmond Virtual Academy (RVA) Funding: Councilwoman Gibson proposed cuts totaling $2.2 million to fund the virtual academy, including reductions to strategic communications, economic development, and neighborhood services. However, city administration noted that many of those positions were in active recruitment or had been filled, and that the cuts would affect collaboration on other council priorities. After extensive debate, the council agreed to provide $1 million toward RVA, using $200,000 from remaining available funds (from the $3.168 pool and FY25 surplus) and tasking the administration with identifying additional sources. A final decision was deferred to the next meeting on April 23. Key Outcomes - Approved by consensus: Reduction for gas new business ($500k), RPS after-school transportation ($483k), 3.25% raise for all employees ($1M), youth/senior programming ($300k), Randolph rec center ($40k), RAA fleet ($800k), Clark Springs planning ($125k), and the one-time retiree payment ($716,400). The Westover Hills project ($500k) was also approved via the reallocation pool. - No action taken on: Splash pad at Broad Rock Sports Complex ($1.5M) due to insufficient funds and feasibility concerns. Neighborhood displacement investment tax grant ($1.5M) lacked enough funds. - Deferred to April 23: $1 million commitment for Richmond Virtual Academy, pending identification of additional funding sources. - Next steps: A working group will be formed to address long-term retiree COLA. Council staff will provide 30-day follow-ups on budget-neutral agreements with administration. The next budget work session is scheduled for April 23, 2026.

The Richmond City Council held a budget work session on April 20, 2026, beginning at 6:00 PM, to consider proposed amendments to the FY27 budget. The session focused on reallocating $3.168 million from the underutilized gap grant program to free up general fund dollars for council-initiated amendments. The council reached consensus on multiple items, including a one-time retiree benefit, funding for RPS after-school transportation, and several community projects. A major debate over funding for the Richmond Virtual Academy was deferred for further work. Consent Calendar - No separate consent calendar; all items were discussed individually. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were recorded during the session. Discussion Items - Reallocation of Gap Grant Funds: City administration agreed to reallocate $3.168 million remaining in the gap grant program (originally for RVA Stay initiatives) to ongoing pro-housing programs, releasing equivalent general fund dollars for council amendments. Councilwoman Trammell and Robertson sought clarification on the process; it was confirmed that the funds were not one-time but recurring, and the reallocation would free up FY27 dollars. - Elimination of Gas Business Funding: Consensus to eliminate $500,000 in new funding for gas new business (8 co-patrons). - Office of Older Adults Mailing: Initially proposed as a new line item, but city administration confirmed $75,000 was already budgeted for two mailers. Councilwoman Lynch and Trammell raised concerns about outreach effectiveness, especially for seniors unaware of tax relief programs; CAO Lincoln Donald committed to hand-to-hand outreach, website updates, and in-person assistance. - RPS After-School Transportation: Approved $483,000 (updated from $428,000) for transportation and security for RPS middle school alliance after-school programs (7 co-patrons). - Retiree COLA: Lengthy debate between a one-time bonus ($716,400) and a permanent 1% COLA ($971,000/year for 10 years). Councilwoman Trammell advocated strongly for a permanent COLA, citing retirees' needs. Councilman Breton noted a flat bonus would benefit lower pensions more. The council ultimately agreed to a one-time payment equivalent to a 1% COLA ($716,400) with a commitment to form a working group for long-term solutions. - Westover Hills Elementary External Redesign: Approved $500,000 from the $3.168M pool for a joint project with RPS to reconfigure parking/drop-off due to Jahnke Road changes. The previously proposed cut to the Sheriff's Office was removed after Sheriff's Office representatives explained budget increases for janitorial supplies and jury mailing. Consensus reached. - Forest Hill Avenue Traffic Study: Noted as addressed by administration (yellow). - Family Crisis Fund: Increase of $100,000 approved (7 co-patrons). - All Employees 3.25% Raise: Consensus to provide the raise to all employees starting July 1 (cost $1M with benefits), addressing internal equity for non-union staff. Councilwoman Gibson requested a detailed salary comparison. - South Side Community Center Programming: Approved $300,000 for youth and senior programs. - Randolph Community Center Equipment: Approved $40,000 for game room and fitness upgrades. - Clark Springs Elementary Redevelopment Planning: Approved $125,000 for a consultant to plan mixed-use redevelopment including affordable housing and a school. Debate over school board approval; Councilwoman Lynch and Breton indicated support from some board members, while Councilwoman Jones and Robertson noted the board chair was unaware. Consensus reached. - Richmond Ambulance Authority Fleet: Approved $800,000 to complete fleet upgrades, with Councilwoman Trammell highlighting recent large events where RAA provided critical care. - Virtual Academy Funding: Councilwoman Gibson proposed cuts to strategic communications, economic development, and community services to fund $2.2 million for the RPS Virtual Academy, later revised to $1 million. Concerns were raised about the impact of cuts on small business development and vacant positions already in recruitment. No final consensus; the council paused to work with administration to identify $1 million in funding, with plans to reconvene on Wednesday, April 22. Key Outcomes - Consensus reached on most amendments using the $3.168 million reallocated gap funds and FY25 surplus, totaling over $2.5 million in allocations. - Two items (splash pad at Broad Rock Sports Complex at $1.5 million, and full Virtual Academy funding at $3.2 million) remain unfunded due to insufficient resources. - Virtual academy funding of $1 million was deferred for further discussions with administration and RPS superintendent; council will meet again on Wednesday to finalize. - Council members expressed concerns about equity in the allocation process and the informal consensus method, requesting more formal voting in future sessions. - Councilwoman Trammell and Gibson emphasized the need to prioritize vulnerable populations, including retirees, special-needs students, and seniors.