Public Meetings - Richmond, Virginia

The Richmond City Council Education and Human Services Standing Committee met on March 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM for a streamlined "rocket docket" session focused on Richmond Public Schools (RPS) facilities and maintenance, parks and recreation planning, and updates on the school funding formula. The meeting lasted approximately one hour. Public Comments No members of the public spoke or signed up to address the committee on non-agenda items. Discussion Items 1. RPS Facilities and Maintenance Planning Report Patrick Harrell, Chief Operating Officer of RPS, presented an update on the Facilities Condition Assessment completed in 2024, which identified approximately $7 million in urgent capital needs for that year and projected over $36 million in deferred maintenance costs for the current year and nearly $40 million for the following year. He noted that the capital improvement plan (CIP) and operational budget are connected, as deferred capital work increases operational pressure. The annual CIP request to the city is about $10 million, but historically only about $2.5 million is received. The mayor's proposed budget for FY2027 includes $9 million in CIP funding (front-loaded), which Superintendent Jason Kamras described as a good-faith effort. Harrell also detailed a 10-year roofing schedule, noting that replacing the roof at Armstrong High School alone would cost over $3.5 million, exceeding the annual CIP allocation. On maintenance operations, RPS has about $6.3 million annually for maintenance (about $4.3 million for preventative and $2 million for unanticipated needs), serving 52 buildings and 22,000 students, amounting to 0.7–0.8% of budget versus industry standard. A new maintenance prioritization system (high/medium/low) was implemented, with high-priority health/life/safety items targeted for response within two business days. Over the three-month period (November 2025–January 2026), nearly 2,000 facility requests were received; about 75% were completed. Top request categories included carpentry, electrical, HVAC, and roofing. Council members expressed concerns about the balance between new construction (e.g., the new Richmond Technical Center) and maintaining existing aging buildings, with Councilmembers Lynch and Jones questioning prioritization and the need for enrollment-driven planning. Superintendent Kamras noted that the school modernization sales tax referendum (awaiting governor's signature) could provide additional funds. 2. Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Dr. Amy Popovich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, reported that after the 90% draft plan was posted on December 19, 2025, eight community meetings were held with 254 in-person participants, and the online draft was reviewed by 1,600 people with 170 comments. The public comment period closed March 6; staff will review and finalize the plan by April 15 before it goes through the legislative process, with a target of late May/early June to come before council. 3. Teen Summit Update Dr. Popovich announced that 1,000 teens registered for the fourth annual Teen Summit in two hours. The event will occur on the upcoming Saturday, and council members were invited to attend or volunteer. 4. School Funding Formula Update Council members requested an update on the funding formula work group. Lincoln Cale, Chief Administrative Officer, explained that the collaborative task force agreed to use a growth model for FY2027, where RPS funding grows at the same percentage as the city's revenue growth. This year, that resulted in an additional $8.2 million for RPS. The group will reconvene in summer 2026 to refine the model, including consideration of enrollment changes, capital investments, and affordable housing impacts. Council members stressed the need for a simple, clear, public-facing document memorializing the formula. Mr. Cale committed to providing a summary. Additionally, he announced that the Annual Financial Report (AFR) for FY2025 would be delivered early (March 12), with an unmodified audit opinion. Key Outcomes - The committee approved the minutes of the January 8 and February 12, 2026 meetings. - Mr. Cale pledged to follow up with a public-facing document summarizing the school funding formula (related to Resolution 2025-R023). - Future meeting updates: April meeting will include Human Rights Commission and Richmond-Henrico Health District updates; the homeless shelter transition after-action review was moved to May.

The committee met on March 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM to discuss Richmond Public Schools (RPS) facilities maintenance and capital improvement needs, updates on the parks and recreation master plan and the Teen Summit, and the status of the joint RPS–city funding formula. The meeting was conducted as a "rocket docket" due to inclement weather, aiming to finish in under an hour. Consent Calendar - Approved the minutes from the January 8, 2026, and February 12, 2026, meetings as presented. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were offered; no one signed up to speak virtually before the 10:00 AM deadline. Discussion Items - RPS Facilities and Maintenance Report – Patrick Harrell, Chief Operating Officer for RPS, presented an overview of the facilities condition assessment, capital improvement projects (CIP), and maintenance work. Key points: - A 2024 comprehensive assessment identified $7 million in urgent capital needs for that year, with projected deferred maintenance climbing to $36 million in 2025 and nearly $40 million in 2026. - The annual CIP allocation has historically been about $2.5 million, but the mayor’s proposed budget for the upcoming year front-loads $9 million for CIP, which was described as a good-faith effort to address critical needs. Superintendent Jason Kamras clarified that the $9 million is separate from the $200 million bond for new school construction (e.g., Richmond High School for the Arts and the new CTE center). - Operational maintenance funding is approximately $6.3 million per year, equating to about $0.70–$0.80 per square foot across 5 million square feet in 52 buildings, well below the industry standard. - A new maintenance prioritization system (high/medium/low) was implemented two months ago; high-priority items (health, life, safety) are targeted for response within 48 hours. From November 2025 to January 2026, nearly 2,000 requests were received, with 75% completed. Albert Hill Middle School (over 100 years old) and Huguenot High School (a large, heavily used building) had the highest request counts. - Harrell noted that the 10-year roof replacement schedule is unrealistic given current funding; e.g., replacing Armstrong High School’s roof alone would cost over $3.5 million, exceeding the annual CIP allocation. - Council members raised questions about the balance between maintaining aging buildings and building new ones. Councilmember Lynch asked about enrollment projections and the need for a comprehensive facilities plan that identifies which buildings to replace, renovate, or consolidate. Councilmember Jones expressed concern about building a new CTE center while existing schools have unmet needs and overcrowding, particularly south of the river. Superintendent Kamras responded that the CTE center replaces an outdated facility and will serve thousands of students citywide, but acknowledged the need for the broader facilities plan to address overcrowding and deferred maintenance. - Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update – Dr. Amy Popovich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, reported that the 90% draft plan has been posted online since December 19, 2025, with 1,600 online reviews, 170 comments, and eight in-person community meetings (254 attendees). One more meeting is scheduled for the 7th District. The public comment period closed March 6, 2026. The final plan is expected to be presented to council in late May or early June. - Teen Summit Update – Dr. Popovich announced that the regional Teen Summit is in its fourth year; registration for a thousand teens filled within two hours. The event is scheduled for this Saturday (March 14, 2026). Volunteer opportunities are available through Jackie Hale. - RPS Funding Formula Update – The city’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) provided an update on the joint funding formula work group. The group had agreed to use the “growth model” for the current budget cycle: when city revenues grow, RPS funding grows by the same percentage. This year, that translated to $8.2 million in additional funding for RPS. The CAO stated that the goal is to reconvene this summer to refine the formula, incorporating real estate assessments, capital investments, and housing density changes. Council members requested a clear, public-facing document summarizing the formula and its current status. The CAO committed to producing a one-page summary and to follow up with the committee. Councilmember James noted that the mayor’s budget already reflects the spirit of the formula, and the key is to memorialize the agreement. - Annual Financial Report (AFR) Announcement – The CAO announced that the city’s AFR for the previous fiscal year will be posted online that day, with an unmodified (clean) audit opinion. Hard copies were hand-delivered to council members after the meeting. Key Outcomes - The committee approved the January and February meeting minutes. - Staff (Mr. Donald) will follow up on the funding formula request from Resolution 2025-R023, producing a public-facing memo summarizing the agreement and next steps. - The April EHS meeting will include updates from the Human Rights Commission and the Richmond and Henrico Health District; the homeless shelter transition update is rescheduled for May. - The committee acknowledged the staff analysis on the RPS master facilities plan, with special thanks to Whitney for the research.

Mayor Danny Buller presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget to the Richmond City Council during a special meeting on March 11, 2026. The budget, developed under constrained fiscal conditions due to a pause in real estate assessments and federal funding uncertainty, focuses on four pillars: transforming local government operations, creating thriving neighborhoods, supporting thriving families, and fostering thriving economies. Council members introduced the budget ordinances, suspended Rule 6 to bypass committee review, and scheduled a public hearing and work sessions. Council members offered preliminary comments praising the budget's alignment with shared priorities. Discussion Items - Mayor's Budget Presentation: Mayor Buller highlighted key investments including $263.5 million for the city workforce (a $22.1 million increase from FY26), $11.7 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, $1.8 million in affordable housing performance grants, $10.1 million for anti-displacement strategies, $1.6 million for Creighton Court redevelopment, $450,000 for Gilpin Court transformation, $257 million for Richmond Public Schools (an $8.2 million increase), $9.3 million in front-loaded capital maintenance for RPS, nearly $3 million for child care and after-school programs, and over $5 million for thriving economies. He emphasized progress in procurement, 311 service, and public housing redevelopment. - Councilmember Comments: Councilmember Trammell asked whether the budget included funding for retirees. Council President Newville noted that questions would be directed to the administration. Councilmember Gibson praised the investment in collective bargaining, affordable housing, and school funding. Councilmember Jones expressed hope and thanked city staff. Councilmember Breton commended the new collaborative budget process and highlighted pedestrian safety as a citywide issue. Vice President Jordan acknowledged the difficulty of budget decisions and appreciated resident input from town halls. Councilmember Robertson focused on affordability, high-and-best-use of land, and support for low-income residents. - Budget Process and Schedule: Council voted to suspend Rule 6 to allow budget ordinances to be reviewed during a special budget process rather than standing committees. The first work session is scheduled for March 18, 2026, and a public hearing for March 23, 2026, at 6 p.m. Council staff will collect questions for the administration. Key Outcomes - Motion to Suspend Rule 6: Approved unanimously (9 ayes) to allow budget ordinances to bypass committee review and be considered during the council's budget work sessions and public hearing. - Budget Introduction: Budget ordinances (items 1–9) were introduced and will be available online by March 12, 2026. - Next Steps: Council will hold a budget work session on March 18, 2026, and a public hearing on March 23, 2026, at 6 p.m. Councilmembers will submit questions to the chief of staff for the administration's response.

The Richmond City Council held a formal meeting on March 11, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included an invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, appointments, public comments, consent agenda, regular agenda items, and reports. Key topics included pedestrian safety, city store closures, the Richmond Retirement System (RRS) surplus allocation, and community events. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda, comprising items 2-14, was adopted unanimously without discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - Brantley Tyndall (Director of Bike Walk RVA at Sportsbackers) presented data on pedestrian fatalities: Richmond has the worst pedestrian fatality rate in Virginia per capita. He criticized the lack of infrastructure improvements (e.g., no speed limits lowered to 20 mph, no pedestrian-only signal phases) and noted that since 2014, Richmond's fatality rate increased over 200%, while New York City's decreased 31% after Vision Zero. He urged the council to adopt proven safety measures. - Fatima Kamara (1st District resident) shared personal experiences of near-misses and called for infrastructure changes, such as narrowing lanes and lowering speed limits, rather than blaming pedestrians. She noted that at least three recent deaths occurred in crosswalks and two on sidewalks. - Kathy Burrell (9th District resident, mother of Lauren Burrell who was killed by a driver on November 29, 2025) criticized the lack of charges against the driver and called for legal reforms to treat pedestrian deaths as crimes. She stated, "When you hit my 126-pound daughter with a car that weighed over 3,000 pounds, it's not an accident. It's a crime." - Carol Adams (representing Engine Company 9 and Associates, retired Black police officers, NOBLE) invited the council to a May 8, 2026 ceremony honoring the 80th anniversary of the first African American police officers hired by Richmond in 1946. She highlighted the challenges they faced. - A speaker (name not fully captured) praised New York City's recent homeless shelter expansions and called for a walk-in family shelter in Richmond, stating, "We still don't have a walk-in shelter for families in Richmond." - Ezen Al-Assad (representing local convenience store owners) spoke against "Operation Vaporize," which he said is shutting down small neighborhood stores. He argued these stores are community backbones and warned against repeating history (citing Jackson Ward's Black Wall Street). He said, "Small neighborhood stores are not the enemy of this great city." - Sarita Mankata (organizer with Party for Socialism and Liberation) called for a local resolution opposing war on Iran, citing supply chain disruptions, tax costs ($1 billion/day), and impact on small businesses. - Gamdan Alashari (store owner for 10+ years) described his store being shut down for over a month due to alleged violations, losing seven employees, and being unable to enter his own business. He asked for an opportunity to fix issues before closure. Councilmember Trammell responded to the store owners, expressing concern and stating she would work with the CAO and police chief to understand the closures and seek reopening. Discussion Items - Appointments to RRHA and EDA: A motion was made and approved (7-0) to refer appointment recommendations back to respective standing committees for reconsideration alongside new applicants at their April meetings. - Ordinance 2026-017 (Retirement Surplus Allocation): This ordinance would amend city code to automatically direct 10% of future annual surpluses to a one-time payment to Richmond Retirement System recipients. Councilmember Trammell, the patron, argued that retirees have not received a cost-of-living adjustment since 2006. Chief of Staff RJ Warren clarified the ordinance would not affect the current surplus. Councilmember Gibson expressed interest in a broader review of surplus allocation and abstained. Councilmember Lynch noted concerns about tying hands for future rebates or needs. After debate, the ordinance failed with a vote of 3 in favor (Jones, Robertson, Trammell), 3 opposed (Breton, Jordan, Newbill), and 2 abstentions (Gibson, Lynch). - Amendments to Other Ordinances: Two items (2025-258 and 2026-042) were amended and continued to the March 23 council meeting. Both motions passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - Consent agenda adopted (all items passed). - Appointment referral motion passed (7-0). - Ordinance 2026-017 failed (3-3-2). - Ordinances 2025-258 and 2026-042 amended and continued to March 23, 2026. - Minutes from March 2, 2026 meetings approved as presented. - List of legislation introduced (items 3-13) for future consideration. - Reports and announcements included upcoming district meetings, community events, early voting for the April 21 special election, and reminders about the city budget presentation on March 12, 2026 at 3 PM.

This informal meeting of the Richmond City Council on March 11, 2026, focused on the docket review of consent and regular agenda items, followed by a detailed presentation and discussion on the annual update of the Richmond Retirement System (RRS). Council members engaged in extensive questioning about the funded status, investment performance, and the possibility of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees. No votes were taken during the meeting, but several requests for information were made. Consent Calendar - The consent agenda included 14 items (ordinances 2025-258 through 2026-050). Several items were noted for amendments or continuations: Ordinance 2025-258 and 2026-042 were scheduled to be amended and continued to the March 23, 2026 council meeting. Ordinance 2026-003 was continued to March 23, 2026 per the patron's request. Items 2025-270 and 2026-019 were retained on the consent agenda after amendments at the February 23, 2026 meeting. Items 10-14 (2026-046 to 050) had committee referral waived and were retained. - Councilman Breton questioned item 12 (ordinance 2026-048) regarding a lease renewal for Under Crown Kitchen. Parks and Recreation Director Chris Frelke explained it was a five-year lease renewal, a positive partnership, and that the lease was set to expire on March 12, 2026, adding urgency. After discussion, Breton agreed to keep it on the consent agenda. Discussion Items - Richmond Retirement System (RRS) Annual Update: Leo Griffin, Executive Director of RRS, and Kia Johnson, Senior Deputy Director, presented the update. Key points: - Investment returns (net of fees) as of June 30, 2025: one-year return of 10.5%, exceeding the assumed rate of return of 7%. Five-year annualized return of 8.2%. Portfolio outperformed its benchmark by 20 basis points in the last fiscal year, and by 80 basis points annualized since a 2020 restructuring. - Funded status as of June 30, 2025: 84.9%, up from 80.9% in fiscal year 2024. The net pension liability was $157 million, down from $193 million in 2024. - Membership composition: 4,051 retirees, 1,055 active defined benefit plan members, and about 1,700 vested terminated members. - Projected funded status shows reaching near 100% by 2034. Employer contributions are projected to decline from approximately $39 million in FY2027 to about $15 million by 2033. - The increase in funded status from 2023-2024 was largely attributed to the issuance of pension obligation bonds (POBs) by the city, which injected $120 million into the plan, plus good investment returns. Key Outcomes - Councilmember Trammell expressed strong dissatisfaction with the lack of a COLA for retirees, noting that the last ad hoc COLA was 1% on January 1, 2020, and the last bonus (supplement) was $300 flat in August 2024. She argued that retirees are struggling with rising costs and called for more action. She requested: - The specific amount retirees received from the $300 bonus after taxes. - The exact increase in the city's actuarially determined contribution (ADC) if a 1% COLA were granted without pre-funding. - Councilmember Robertson asked about the cost of the pension obligation bonds (interest rates) and requested that information from the finance department. - Vice President Jordan asked about the possibility of a targeted COLA for lower-income retirees and questioned why the plan could not accept a slightly lower funded status (e.g., 85%) to provide a COLA. The actuaries (Dan Homan and Bill Reed from Sage View Consulting) explained that granting an unfunded COLA would reduce the funded status and increase the ADC, and that there is no single correct funded percentage for granting a COLA. They noted that the 85% threshold was a prior board decision. - Councilmember Hamilton asked how often Richmond retirees get COLA compared to VRS participants (e.g., Henrico, Chesterfield). Griffin stated that VRS provides annual COLA up to a maximum, which is pre-funded, while RRS uses ad hoc COLAs. - Councilmember Breton inquired about the relationship between plan assets, liabilities, and employer contributions. He clarified that the POBs are repaid by the city's general fund, not from plan assets, and that the plan does not pay bondholders. - The RRS representatives committed to providing the requested information on the cost of a 1% COLA and the net bonus amounts as soon as possible. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned after the RRS presentation and questions.

The Richmond City Council held a special meeting on March 11, 2026, to receive the Mayor's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. The meeting included the Mayor's presentation, council comments, and a procedural vote to suspend council rules for the budget review process. Council member Lynch was absent. Mayor's Budget Presentation - Mayor presented the FY2027 budget, emphasizing four pillars: transforming local government, housing affordability, thriving families, and thriving economies. - Key investments include: $263.5 million for city workforce with a $22.1 million increase for collective bargaining agreements; $11.7 million for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; $1.8 million in affordable housing performance grants; $10.1 million for anti-displacement strategies; $1.6 million for Creighton Court redevelopment and $450,000 for Gilpin Court transformation; $257 million for Richmond Public Schools (an $8.2 million increase) plus $9.3 million front-loaded capital maintenance; nearly $3 million for child care and youth programs; and over $5 million for thriving economies. - Mayor highlighted progress in government operations, including procurement awards, 311 improvements, and audit findings closures. - Budget developed in a constrained fiscal environment due to paused real estate assessments and federal funding uncertainty. Council Comments - Councilmember Trammell: Asked whether the budget includes funding for retirees; no direct answer given, but questions will be directed to administration. - Councilmember Gibson: Thanked for early start; praised investments in collective bargaining, affordable housing, public housing, eviction diversion, rental inspection program, homeless services, and Richmond Public Schools; expressed hope for funding for Richmond Virtual School. - Councilmember Jones: Acknowledged staff and expressed hope that the budget is people-led; committed to due diligence. - Councilmember Breton: Grateful for new collaborative process; emphasized shared values such as pedestrian safety and affordable housing; noted importance of government that works. - Vice President Jordan: Appreciated staff and resident engagement in town halls; acknowledged difficulty of budget decisions. - Councilmember Robertson: Thanked mayor and staff; highlighted priorities: affordability (cost of living), highest and best use of land, and addressing needs of low-income residents; noted single-family homeowners carrying disproportionate burden. Motions and Votes - Council voted unanimously to suspend Rule 6 of council's rules of procedure for all budget-related ordinances, allowing them to bypass standing committee review and be heard during budget public hearings scheduled for March 23, 2026 at 6 p.m. - The first budget work session is scheduled for March 18, 2026. - Council members directed questions to the chief of staff for responses from the administration. Key Outcomes - The proposed FY2027 budget was formally introduced and will be reviewed during work sessions and public hearings. - The motion to suspend Rule 6 passed with all present members voting in favor (8-0, with Councilmember Lynch absent). - No further business; the meeting adjourned.

The Richmond City Council held an informal meeting on March 10, 2026, primarily to receive the annual update on the Richmond Retirement System (RRS). The meeting included a brief review of the consent agenda and a detailed presentation by RRS leadership, followed by extensive questions from council members regarding the system's funded status, potential cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs), and retiree benefits. Consent Calendar - Item 1 (Ordinance 2025-258): Planning commission recommended approval with an amendment; scheduled to be amended later and continued to March 23 council meeting. - Item 2 (Ordinance 2025-270): Amended at the February 23 council meeting. - Item 4 (Ordinance 2025-287): Continued to March 23 council meeting per patron request. - Item 6 (Ordinance 2026-019): Amended at the February 23 council meeting. - Item 12: Discussion about a lease renewal with a community partner; Councilmember noted the five-year term is the longest allowed, but the partner has been effective. The item was kept on the agenda due to urgency (lease expiring March 12) and no objection to proceeding without a subcommittee hearing. - Item 15 (Audit 2025-231): Continued to April 13 council meeting. - Item 16 (Ordinance 2026-017): Finance and Economic Development Committee recommended approval; retained on the regular agenda. Discussion Items - Richmond Retirement System Annual Update: Leo Griffin (Executive Director) and Kia Johnson (Senior Deputy Director) presented the annual update. Key points: - Investment returns (net of fees) as of June 30, 2025: 1-year return 10.5%, exceeding the assumed rate of 7%; 5-year annualized return 8.2%. The portfolio outperformed its benchmark by 20 basis points in the last fiscal year and by 80 basis points annualized over the past 4.75 years since a 2020 restructuring. - Funded status: 84.9% as of June 30, 2025, up from 80.9% in fiscal year 2024, primarily due to strong investment performance and a $120 million pension obligation bond infusion in June 2024. Net pension liability is $157 million. - Membership composition: 4,051 retirees, 1,055 active defined benefit plan members, 1,800 active in 401(a) DC plan, 1,700 vested terminated members. - Projected funded status: Expected to reach near 100% within a decade (by 2034) if the city contributes the actuarially determined contribution (ADC) and the assumed 7% return is achieved. - Projected employer contributions: Expected to rise to about $30 million in 2032 and then decline to about $10 million by around 2034, due to the payoff of a legacy liability amortization. - Councilmember Questions and Discussion: - Councilmember Trammell raised concerns about the lack of a COLA for retirees since an ad hoc 1% COLA in January 2020. She criticized the RRS board for not recommending a COLA despite the funded status improving to 84.9%, and noted that retirees are struggling with rising costs. She asked at what funded level a COLA would be recommended and requested data on the last bonus (supplement) given to retirees. - Actuary Dan Homan (SageView) stated there is no correct funded percentage for issuing a COLA; pre-funding a 1% COLA costs $6.6 million upfront, and a 3% COLA would cost about $20 million. He noted that granting an unfunded COLA would lower the funded status and increase future ADC. - Councilmember Bracken clarified the relationship between funded status, assets, liabilities, and the ADC. He asked about the pension obligation bonds; Mr. Griffin deferred to finance on bond payments but confirmed that the bonds were a substitution of debt and the city likely benefits from arbitrage. - Vice President Jared asked about the median funded status for municipal plans (around 77.7% for state plans) and whether a lower funded status could be accepted to provide a COLA. He also asked about targeted COLAs (e.g., for lower-income retirees). Mr. Griffin noted that targeted COLAs are possible and would reduce the cost. The actuary (Bill Reed) stated that the 85% threshold was a board decision, and that the current 84.9% is just below that; they did not recommend a COLA this year but may reconsider next year. - Councilmember Robertson asked about the drop in projected employer contributions between 2032 and 2033, which was explained by the payoff of the legacy liability amortization. She also asked if the funded status improvement is directly related to the shift to VRS; Mr. Griffin clarified that the pension obligation bonds were the primary driver for the 2023-2024 jump. - Councilmember Trammell requested the specific dollar amount of the last bonus (a $300 flat payment in August 2024) and asked for the net amount retirees received after taxes. She expressed frustration that the bonuses were inadequate. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions were taken during the informal meeting. - RRS committed to provide: 1. The increase in the city's ADC required to fund a 1% COLA if not pre-funded (pay-as-you-go cost). 2. The net amount retirees received from the $300 bonus after taxes. - Councilmember Robertson requested details on the cost and interest rate of the pension obligation bonds from the finance department. - The meeting adjourned after the RRS presentation.

The Richmond City Council met on March 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included public comments on pedestrian safety, business closures, and other community issues, followed by discussion and a vote on a proposed ordinance to allocate surplus funds to the retirement system. Several routine items were approved, and multiple ordinances were continued to future meetings. Consent Calendar - Items 2–14 on the consent agenda were adopted unanimously without discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - Brantley Tendall (Director of Bike Walk RVA at Sportsbackers) expressed concern about pedestrian safety, stating that Richmond has the worst pedestrian fatality rate in Virginia per capita. He criticized the lack of infrastructure improvements such as lower speed limits, daylighting intersections, and pedestrian-only signal phases. He called for innovative solutions to save lives. - Fatima Kamara (First District resident) shared personal experiences of drivers failing to yield and called for urgent action on pedestrian safety, including immediate deployment of electronic message boards to warn drivers. She opposed blaming pedestrians and noted that high crash corridors are disproportionately in historically redlined areas. - Kathy Burrell (Ninth District resident, mother of a pedestrian killed in November 2025) expressed grief and frustration that the driver was not charged. She called for changes in law to protect pedestrians, comparing the lack of charges to penalties for harming animals. - Carol Adams (representing retired black police officers and Engine Company Nine) invited the council to the 80th anniversary celebration honoring the first African American police officers hired by the city on May 1, 1946. The event will be held on May 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM at Main Street Station. - Anna Mackowicks cited New York City's rapid shelter openings as an example of progress and called for Richmond to open a walk-in shelter for families. She expressed feeling powerless and urged action on homelessness. - Ezine Al-Assad (representing local neighborhood convenience store owners) opposed what he described as targeting of small businesses under "Operation Vaporize." He argued that these stores are the backbone of neighborhoods, hired locally, and that policy decisions risk destroying a small business class. He referenced the history of Jackson Ward as a cautionary tale. - Gamden Alashari (store owner for 10+ years, store in location for 30+ years) described his store being shut down for over a month due to alleged electrical and plumbing issues that he claims never existed. He stated he lost seven employees, had his business broken into, and cannot access his property. He asked for an opportunity to fix issues instead of immediate closure. - Sarita Mancata (organizer with Party for Socialism and Liberation) called for a local resolution opposing the war on Iran, citing negative effects on supply chains and small businesses, and the cost of one billion dollars per day in tax money while facing cuts to social programs. Discussion Items - Appointments to RRHA and EDA: A motion was made to refer the appointment recommendations back to the respective standing committees for reconsideration at their April meetings, alongside additional applications. The motion passed unanimously. - Ordinance 2026-017 (Surplus Allocation to Retirement System): Councilmember Trammell expressed frustration that the retirement system had not provided adequate information on providing COLAs to retirees. The ordinance would have amended city code to automatically allocate 10% of future surplus funds to a one-time payment to Richmond Retirement System recipients. Councilmember Gibson abstained, preferring a broader review of the surplus allocation formula. Councilmember Lynch also expressed concern about tying hands for future needs. Vice President Jordan suggested first examining the retirement system's own options. Councilmember Trammell argued strongly that retirees have not had a raise since 2006 and deserve support. The ordinance failed on a vote of 3-3-2 (Mr. Breton no, Ms. Gibson abstain, Ms. Jones yes, Ms. Robertson yes, Ms. Lynch abstain, Ms. Trammell yes, Vice President Jordan no, President Newbill no). - Amendments and Continuances: Two ordinances were amended and continued to the March 23, 2026 council meeting: Ordinance 2025-258 (special use for Daytona Drive) and Ordinance 2026-042 (special use for West Carey Street). Both motions passed unanimously. Key Outcomes - The motion to refer RRHA and EDA appointment recommendations back to committees for April meetings was approved unanimously. - The consent agenda (items 2–14) was adopted unanimously. - Ordinance 2026-017 (automatic surplus allocation to retirement system) failed to pass (3 yes, 3 no, 2 abstain). - Ordinance 2025-258 and Ordinance 2026-042 were amended and continued to the March 23, 2026 council meeting. - Minutes from the March 23, 2026 meetings (informal and formal) were approved. - Legislation items 3–13 were introduced as presented. - Councilmembers announced upcoming district meetings, events, and community resources.

The Richmond City Planning Commission met on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the 5th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. The meeting lasted approximately 21 minutes, adjourning at 6:21 PM. All six present commissioners (including one virtual participant) voted unanimously on all agenda items. The agenda included a consent calendar with four items and one regular agenda item for a special use permit. No public speakers appeared during the hearing. Consent Calendar - CPCR.2026.001 – Resolution approving a final community unit plan amendment for Stony Point Shopping Center to authorize a second drive-thru lane at 9006 West Huguenot Road. Approved. - ORD. 2026-042 – Amendment to a 1994 special use ordinance for 2107–2119 West Cary Street (originally limited to 2107–2117) to allow construction of 12 multifamily units and six single-family attached dwellings. Recommended for approval to City Council with an amendment to update all references to include 2119 West Cary Street. - ORD. 2026-043 – Amendment to a 2024 special use ordinance for 1515 Chamberlayne Parkway to modify plans and conditions for a mixed-use building with up to 91 dwelling units. Recommended for approval. - ORD. 2026-044 – Rezoning of 1240 Ingram Avenue from M-1 Light Industrial District to TOD-1 Transit-Oriented Nodal District. Recommended for approval. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public offered comments, either in person or virtually, on any consent or regular agenda item. Staff noted that one letter of opposition from a nearby resident was received regarding the Daytona Drive special use permit, but the writer did not appear. Discussion Items - Director’s Report: The Director reported on the February 27 visioning workshop for the 7th Court Hall Plan (focused on the Opportunity 300 corridor) and noted a community survey is open on the city website. Commissioner Greenfield asked about the timeline for the Cultural Heritage Stewardship Plan; the Director indicated a specific date is not yet set and that the next plan coming to the Commission will likely be the Jackson Ward Community Plan. - Regular Agenda – ORD. 2025-258 (Daytona Drive): Principal Planner Jonathan Brown presented a proposal to authorize a special use for three properties at 6320, 6330, and 6340 Daytona Drive for up to five single-family detached dwellings (reduced from an originally proposed eight). The applicant, Alessandro Ragazzi of Baker Development Resources, explained that the lots are in the R-3 Single-Family Residential District but do not meet minimum lot area and width requirements. The revised plan includes a nine-foot public easement for future alley access, a five-foot sidewalk, and driveways accommodating two cars each. Staff found the use consistent with the Richmond 300 Master Plan and recommended approval with conditions. No public speakers appeared. The motion to recommend approval as amended carried unanimously. Key Outcomes - All four consent agenda items were approved or recommended for approval without opposition. - ORD. 2025-258 was recommended for approval to City Council with amendments: (1) update all references from eight to five dwellings; (2) replace the site plan with a version revised February 23, 2026; (3) set minimum off-street parking at five spaces; (4) require conveyance of a nine-foot public easement for the five lots. - Commissioner Knight’s request to participate virtually from Arizona (due to travel for work) was approved unanimously. - The minutes of the February 17, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously. - The Council Action Update (from February 23, 2026) noted that three special use permits were adopted, five ordinances were continued, and one new special use permit was introduced (which will be on the March 17, 2026 agenda).