City Council
Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall
Agenda — 70 items
- 1 Interested persons that wish to provide comments by teleconference/videoconference via Microsoft Teams, must register prior to 10:00 a.m., on the day of the meeting, by calling the Office of the City Clerk at (804) 646-7955 and selecting option 3.
- 2 Spanish interpretation service (SIS) is now offered in-person and virtually during Richmond City Council Formal meetings. Please visit the SIS station in the Council Chamber for assistance or select the language interpretation option when joining the Microsoft Teams meeting.
- 3 Order of Business
- 4 Invocation
- 5 To be offered by Reverend John D. Rohrs of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
- 6 Pledge of Allegiance
- 7 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Plan Announcement and Public Speaker Guidelines
- 8 Roll Call
- 9 Action on Appointments and Reappointments
- 10 Awards and Presentations (Applause permitted during this portion of the meeting only)
- 11 Public Comment
- 12 January 26, 2026 Public Comment Period Speakers List
- 13 Agenda Review and Amendments
- 14 Action Items (Consent Agenda)
- 15 Action Items (Regular Agenda and Motions)
- 16 Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings
- 17 January 12, 2026 Informal Meeting Minutes
- 18 January 12, 2026 Formal Meeting Minutes
- 19 Introduction of Ordinances and Resolutions
- 20 Reports or Announcements by Members of the Council
- 21 Adjournment
- 22 PAGE BREAK
- 23 City Council is Richmond City's local legislative body and is composed of one council representative elected from each of the city's nine voter districts. Council members are elected to serve a four year term of office. Council elects one of its own to serve as the president and presiding officer for a two year term.
- 24 Time and Place of Meetings
- 25 The public is invited and encouraged to attend and participate in the City Council meetings. The City Council meets in the City Hall second floor Council Chamber, in informal work session at 4:00 p.m., and in formal session at 6:00 p.m., on the second and fourth Monday during the months of January, February, March, April, May, June and September and only on the second Monday during the months of October, November and December. In the month of July, one such meeting is held on the fourth Monday of the month and in the month of August, no such meetings are held. All meetings of the Council are open to the public.
- 26 Public Comment Period
- 27 The Public Comment Period is an opportunity for persons to address Council concerning the services, policies and affairs of the city and to discuss issues not on the agenda for the business meeting.
- 28 Guidelines for Public Participation*
- 29 The maximum time allotted to persons speaking to any matter under consideration by the Council shall not exceed thirty (30) minutes for proponents and thirty (30) minutes for opponents. Speakers should state their full legal name, any organization(s) they represent and any economic or professional relationship(s) that would benefit by the adoption of the paper(s) they are addressing.
- 30 Speakers are not permitted to address or question the Council Chief of Staff, the City Attorney, the City Clerk, or any staff member directly. Questions should be directed to the President who may, at his/her discretion, solicit a response. Applause is permitted during the “Awards and Presentations” period only.
- 31 Persons speaking regarding agenda items are generally limited to three (3) minutes; however, no individual from the public may speak for more than ten (10) minutes total during the business meeting. Individuals may express their views in writing in lieu of an oral presentation.
- 32 Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with a disability. Individuals are encouraged to contact the City Clerk’s Office at 804-646-7955 for a “Request for Reasonable Accommodation” form, which must be completed to receive assistance.
- 33 * The full text of the Council's Rules of Procedure is available on the City Clerk's website at www.rva.gov/office-city-clerk or in the Office of the City Clerk located in City Hall at 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200.
- 34 PAGE BREAK
- 35 THE CONSENT AGENDA
- 36 Items listed on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and non-controversial. The Consent Agenda provides a method for the expeditious handling of items that do not require discussion and will be approved unanimously by a single roll-call vote of the Council. The public may speak to any item on the Consent Agenda when the public hearing is announced by the President.
- 1. To authorize the special use of the property known as 3923 Grove Avenue for the purpose of [a] five single-family detached [dwelling] dwellings and [16] six single-family attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. (As Amended) (1st District)
- 2. To authorize the special use of the properties known as 1103 Carlisle Avenue and 1105 Carlisle Avenue for the purpose of up to four single-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. (As Amended) (7th District)
- 3. To declare surplus and direct the conveyance of the City-owned real estate known as 500 North 10th Street, consisting of 3.010± acres, for nominal consideration to the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the redevelopment of such parcel as part of a transit-oriented, mixed-use project known as “City Center.”
- 4. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Lease Agreement between the City of Richmond, as landlord, and Virginia Community Voice, as tenant, for the purpose of leasing certain real property located at 2015 Ruffin Road.
- 5. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Master Agreement for Use of Commonwealth Transportation Funds between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for the purpose of utilizing grant proceeds from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.
- 6. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement Under the Fiscal Year 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program between the City of Richmond and the United States Department of Transportation for the purpose of funding the implementation of Vision Zero safety program activities.
- 7. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Lease Agreement between the City of Richmond, as landlord, and Bakery RVA L.L.C., as tenant, for the purpose of overflow parking and creating a designated area for ride share drop-off and pick-up at 212 North 18th Street. (7th District)
- 8. To amend City Code § 12-11, concerning the deadline for submission of budget to Council, for the purpose of changing the deadline for submission from March 27 to March 11.
- 9. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a First Amendment to Coliseum Parcel Redevelopment Cooperation Agreement between the City of Richmond, Virginia and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the development of a mixed-use City Center.
- 10. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Cooperation Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the redevelopment of the City-owned property located at 500 North 10th Street. (6th District)
- 11. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $127,032.00 from the Commonwealth’s Development Opportunity Fund, to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Economic Development entitled “PPD Special Fund,” and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Economic Development’s PPD Special Fund by $127,032.00, for the purpose of providing PPD Development L.P. with incentives to establish a bioanalytics laboratory facility at 737 North 5th Street in the city of Richmond. (6th District)
- 12. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation to provide funding for the Gillies Creek Greenway Phase IV project.
- 13. To declare surplus and direct the conveyance of the City-owned real estate known as 301 Boroughbridge Road, consisting of 3.636± acres, 201 Covington Road, consisting of 1.284± acres, 209 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres, 301 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres, 307 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres, and 313 Covington Road, consisting of 0.367± acres and commonly known as Sankofa Community Orchard, for nominal consideration to Central Virginia Agrarian Commons for the purpose of facilitating urban agriculture.
- 14. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $173,565.00 from the Virginia Department of Transportation, to amend Ord. No. 2025-058, adopted May 12, 2025, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and determined a means of financing the same, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Capital Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Works’ Major Bridge Improvement Program project in the Transportation - Federal/State/Regional category by $173,565.00 for the purpose of funding the East Richmond Road Over Stony Run bridge replacement project.
- 15. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $325,040.00 from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and to amend Ord. No. 2025-058, adopted May 12, 2025, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and determined a means of financing the same, by (i) establishing a new project for the Department of Public Works in the Transportation category called the “Pedestrian Beacon-24th and Main Project” and (ii) increasing estimated revenues from the funds received from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and the amount appropriated to the new Department of Public Works’ Pedestrian Beacon-24th and Main Project in the Transportation category by $325,040.00, all for the purpose of funding the planning, design, construction, and installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon at the intersection of 24th Street and Main Street.
- 16. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $960,896.00 from the Virginia Department of Transportation, to amend Ord. No. 2025-058, adopted May 12, 2025, which accepted a program of proposed Capital Improvement Projects for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and the four fiscal years thereafter, adopted a Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and determined a means of financing the same, to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Capital Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Works’ Major Bridge Improvement Program project in the Transportation - Federal/State/Regional category by $960,896.00 for the purpose of funding the East Richmond Road Over Gillies Creek bridge replacement project.
- 17. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $150,000.00 from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Economic Development entitled “Capital Access Special Fund” and appropriating the increase to the Department of Economic Development’s “Capital Access Special Fund” by $150,000.00 for the purpose of providing funding to the Metropolitan Business League and Bridging Virginia for the Capital Access Program.
- 18. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $619,950.00 from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority; to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by creating new special funds for the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services called the “VCU Operation STOP Special Fund” and the “Operation STOP Special Fund;” to appropriate a portion of such increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services’ “VCU Operation STOP Special Fund” by $25,000.00 to fund a government to government purchase with Virginia Commonwealth University; and to appropriate a portion of such increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services’ “Operation STOP Special Fund” by $594,950.00 to provide sub-grants in the amount of $594,950 to eligible entities, all for the purpose of implementing the Authority’s Operation Specifically Targeted Overdose Prevention program to combat the opioid crisis.
- 19. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $2,704,000.00 from the Federal Railroad Administration, to accept funds in the amount of $540,800.00 from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Public Works called the “Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) - Broad Rock Grade Separation Special Fund,” and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Works’ “Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) - Broad Rock Grade Separation Special Fund” by the total amount of $3,224,800.00 to provide funding for the feasibility analysis, environmental clearance, and preliminary engineering of a grade separation project on Broad Rock Boulevard.
- 20. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute an Atlantic Outreach Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Atlantic Outreach Group for the purpose of providing bed fee scholarships for clients with opioid use disorder in their recovery residences.
- 21. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a ChildSavers Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and ChildSavers - Memorial Child Guidance Clinic for the purpose of providing trauma informed clinical counseling services to youth whose caregiver or family member has experienced overdose in the City of Richmond.
- 22. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Daily Planet Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Daily Planet Inc. for the purpose of providing bed fee scholarships and referrals for clients with opioid use disorder in accredited recovery residences.
- 23. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Daily Planet Health Services Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Daily Planet Inc. for the purpose of developing and presenting prevention and education services to law enforcement and policy makers addressing the opioid crisis in the City of Richmond.
- 24. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Health Brigade Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Health Brigade for the purpose of supporting harm reduction and outreach efforts for residents suffering from opioid use disorder in the city of Richmond.
- 25. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Richmond Behavioral Health Foundation Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Richmond Behavioral Health Foundation for the purpose supporting quarterly community events and harm reduction supplies in designated “safe zones.”
- 26. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Coliseum Parking License Agreement between the City of Richmond, as licensor, and Virginia Commonwealth University, as licensee, for the purpose of leasing 200 parking spaces at the City-owned parking facility located at 501 North 7th Street. (6th District)
- 27. To request that the Virginia Department of Transportation amend the street mileage inventory for the City of Richmond.
- 28. To commit to working with the City’s Administration to [development and implement] develop a [comprehensive] City-wide energy efficiency program that [reduces the] advances equitable reductions in energy burden [and cost of living for vulnerable households, supports small businesses, assists in the preservation of housing and the stabilization of neighborhoods, and makes meaningful], accelerates progress [towards the City’s climate goals] toward Richmond’s 2050 net-zero goals, and institutionalizes interdepartmental coordination across housing, utilities, and community development. (As Amended)
- 29. To request that the Mayor (i) propose an annual budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 that recommends $1,131,800 in funding to increase wages and benefits for contracted janitorial workers and (ii) pursue an amendment of the City’s Janitorial Services contract during Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to add a requirement that the City’s janitorial services contractor pay its employees at least the City’s minimum wage and to request that the Chief Administrative Officer, upon the approval of the aforementioned budget appropriation, pursue an amendment of the City’s janitorial services contract to include a requirement that the City’s janitorial services contractor pay the City’s minimum wage to its employees who are performing services under the City’s janitorial services contract beginning Jul. 1, 2026.
- 66 THE REGULAR AGENDA
- 30. To authorize the special use of the property known as 1705 Commonwealth Avenue for the purpose of a space for outdoor events, upon certain terms and conditions. (As Amended) (1st District)
- 31. To amend ch. 26, article V, div. 2 of the City Code by adding therein a new section 26-370, concerning a deferral program for certain real estate taxes pursuant to and in accordance with Code of Virginia § 58.1-3219. (As Amended)
- 32. To amend City Code §§ 12-242, concerning the disposition of calculated general fund surplus and reporting, to require that ten percent of each year’s surplus amount go to a special purpose reserve to support the Richmond Retirement System Total Retirement Fund to fund bonuses for retired members of the Richmond Retirement System and 12-265, concerning special purpose reserves to establish a special purpose reserve fund to support the Richmond Retirement System Total Retirement Fund.
- 33. To request that the Mayor (i) propose an annual budget for Fiscal Year [2026-2027] 2027-2028 that recommends a real estate tax levy of $1.16 per $100 of assessed value as a means of tax relief for residents who pay real estate taxes and as affirmation of the City’s commitment to live within its fiscal means, and (ii) provide estimates of additional revenue and planned expenditures if the real estate tax levy for Fiscal Year 2027-2028 were $1.20 per $100 of assessed value. (As Amended)