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Informal Meeting

June 8, 2026 ·4:00 PM Final

Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 28 items

  1. 1 Call to Order
  2. 1 Council Members Present
  3. 2 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Announcement
  4. 2 The Honorable Cynthia Newbille, President The Honorable Katherine Jordan, Vice President The Honorable Sarah Abubaker The Honorable Andrew Breton The Honorable Kenya Gibson The Honorable Nicole Jones The Honorable Ellen Robertson (late arrival) The Honorable Reva Trammell
  5. 3 Docket Review Revisited
  6. 3 Absent
  7. 4 Docket Review
  8. 4 The Honorable Stephanie Lynch
  9. 5 Referral of Service Delivery Issues to City Administration
  10. 5 Staff Present
  11. 6 Other Discussion Item(s)
  12. 6 Lisa Braxton, Council Management Analyst, Principal Laura Drewry, City Attorney Kiley Kesecker, Deputy City Clerk Candice Reid, City Clerk Tabrica Rentz, Deputy City Attorney RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff
  13. 7 2026 General Assembly Session Update
  14. 8 Legislative Update Presentation CD.2026.165
  15. 8 Council President Cynthia Newbille called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. and presided.
  16. 9 Adjournment
  17. 10 Upon the President’s request, Council Management Analyst Lisa Braxton provided information on the appropriate way to evacuate the Council Chamber in an emergency.
  18. 12 Council Management Analyst Lisa Braxton reviewed the following agenda items as indicated:
  19. 13 Consent Agenda: 1. Ord. 2026-076 – retained on Consent Agenda 2. Ord. 2026-087 – retained on Consent Agenda 3. Ord. 2026-089 – retained on Consent Agenda 4. Ord. 2026-091 – retained on Consent Agenda 5. Ord. 2026-093 – to be continued to Monday, July 27, 2026 6. Ord. 2026-102 – to be continued to Monday, June 22, 2026 7. Ord. 2026-103 – retained on Consent Agenda 8. Ord. 2026-106 – retained on Consent Agenda 9. Ord. 2026-116 – retained on Consent Agenda 10. Ord. 2026-117 – retained on Consent Agenda 11. Ord. 2026-118 – retained on Consent Agenda 12. Ord. 2026-119 – retained on Consent Agenda 13. Ord. 2026-120 – to be continued to Monday, June 22, 2026 14. Ord. 2026-121 – retained on Consent Agenda
  20. 14 Councilor Ellen Robertson arrived at 4:07 p.m. and was seated.
  21. 15 15. Ord. 2026-122 – moved to Regular Agenda 16. Ord. 2026-123 – moved to Regular Agenda 17. Ord. 2026-124 – moved to Regular Agenda Councilor Kenya Gibson requested that Ords. 2026-122, 2026-123 and 2026-124 be moved to the Regular Agenda to allow for further discussion. Councilor Reva Trammell asked for clarification regarding the reason for the request and noted the property’s potential for retail and mixed-use development that would benefit her district.
  22. 16 Councilor Gibson expressed concern about whether Richmond Public Schools would receive appropriate compensation for the property addressed in Ords. 2026-122, 2026-123, and 2026-124, and questioned the simultaneous transfer and surplus declaration. Councilor Ellen Robertson stated that Ords. 2026-122, 2026-123, and 2026-124 are part of a long-planned redevelopment effort coordinated with Richmond Public Schools, city administration, and the community, and requested the items remain on the Consent Agenda. Councilor Andrew Breton expressed support for moving Ords. 2026-122, 2026-123, and 2026-124 to the Regular Agenda, citing the need for additional public discussion and transparency regarding the land transfers. It was the consensus of Council to move Ords. 2026-122, 2026-123 and 2026-124 to the Regular Agenda for separate consideration. 18. Res. 2026-R023 – retained on Consent Agenda Regular Agenda: 19. Ord. 2025-231 – to be amended and continued to Monday, June 22, 2026 20. Ord. 2025-282 – retained on Regular Agenda 21. Ord. 2026-059 – retained on Regular Agenda Councilor Reva Trammell requested that Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) Chief Executive Officer Chip Decker be allowed to address questions regarding the implementation process and timeline for proposed Ord. 2026-059. CEO Chip Decker stated that RAA is prepared to resume emergency medical dispatch responsibilities under a restored operating model, contingent upon coordination with the Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response. Councilor Nicole Jones stated her support for developing a formal implementation plan outlining backup procedures, responsibilities, and the transition process to better inform the public. Councilor Ellen Robertson requested additional information on the prior dispatch system changes and the anticipated benefits of Ord. 2026-059, suggesting input from city administration before Council action. Councilor Sarah Abubaker stated that Ord. 2026-059 had been thoroughly reviewed by the Public Safety Standing Committee and that she supported advancing the legislation while developing an implementation plan. Vice President Katherine Jordan requested information on the current dispatch system’s implementation, lessons learned, and a transition timeline, emphasizing the need for continuity and reliability in public safety services. Chief Administrative Officer Odie Donald agreed that a detailed implementation plan is essential and stressed the importance of a structured transition process to protect public safety. Councilor Robertson moved to continue Ord. 2026-059, which did not receive a second, and Council agreed to retain the ordinance on the Regular Agenda while continuing discussions on developing an implementation plan. 22. Ord. 2026-090 – to be amended and continued to Monday, June 22, 2026 23. Ord. 2026-092 – to be continued to Monday, June 22, 2026 24. Ord. 2026-096 – to be continued to Monday, June 22, 2026
  23. 19 Devon Cabot, Council lobbyist, Two Capitols Consulting, provided an update of the 2026 Virginia General Assembly Session and its impact on the city. The presentation included the following: • Highlighted key policy areas including paid family leave, housing, data centers, skill games, retail cannabis, and collective bargaining. • Reported the passing of major housing legislation, including delayed inclusionary zoning reforms and changes to eviction, landlord enforcement, affordable housing financing, and nonprofit development rules. • Reviewed city legislative priorities, noting failed anti-rent gouging legislation, approved inclusionary zoning, and ongoing budget discussion of the long-term owner occupancy (LOOP) program. • Summarized additional legislation affecting local government operations, including updates to speed camera rules, vape shop enforcement, PFAS reporting, firearm storage, and environmental compliance. • Noted partial state budget alignment on infrastructure funding, revised water treatment plant plans with regional oversight, and ongoing discussions on school construction financing and budget negotiations. • Outlined the proposed timeline for the 2027 legislative agenda, beginning with a July retreat followed by prioritization, drafting, engagement, and fall adoption.
  24. 20 A copy of the presentation provided has been filed.
  25. 22 Council members requested follow-up on implementation of new laws, further review of housing legislation for local action, clarification of enforcement provisions for recovery residence regulations, and continued analysis of newly granted local authorities, and supported preparation for a July legislative retreat with a draft agenda reflecting key policy priorities.
  26. 24 Councilor Ellen Robertson requested to be added as a co-patron of Ords. 2025-282 and 2026-090. There were no further comments or discussions concerning Consent and Regular Agenda items reviewed.
  27. 26 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
  28. 27 ___________________________________ CITY CLERK