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Organizational Development Standing Committee

December 1, 2025 ·4:00 PM Final

Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 46 items

  1. 1 Call to Order
  2. 1 Members Present
  3. 2 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Announcement
  4. 2 The Honorable Cynthia Newbille, Chair The Honorable Katherine Jordan, Vice Chair The Honorable Andrew Breton, Member The Honorable Kenya Gibson, Member The Honorable Nicole Jones, Member The Honorable Ellen Robertson, Member The Honorable Stephanie Lynch, Member (late arrival, early departure) The Honorable Reva Trammell, Member
  5. 3 Approval of Minutes
  6. 3 Absent
  7. 4 November 3, 2025 - Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting Minutes CD.2025.371
  8. 4 The Honorable Sarah Abubaker, Member
  9. 5 Reports from City Administration, Council Staff, and Other Parties
  10. 5 Others in Attendance
  11. 1. Parks Master Plan ~ Christopher Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities
  12. 6 Tori Cotman, Assistant City Attorney Laura Drewry, City Attorney Kiley Kesecker, Deputy City Clerk Candice Reid, City Clerk RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff
  13. 7 Parks Master Plan Presentation CD.2025.370
  14. 2. Office of the Council Chief of Staff Updates ~ Council Chief of Staff RJ Warren
  15. 8 Chair Cynthia Newbille called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. and presided.
  16. 9 Paper(s) for Consideration
  17. 10 There were no papers for consideration.
  18. 10 Upon the Chair's request, Deputy City Clerk Kiley Kesecker provided information on the appropriate way to evacuate the Council Chamber in the event of an emergency.
  19. 11 Reports of Standing Committees
  20. 12 Consideration of Appointments to Boards, Commissions and Similar Entities
  21. 12 There were no corrections or amendments to the minutes of the Monday, November 3, 2025 Organizational Development Standing Committee meeting at 4:00 p.m., and the minutes were approved as presented.
  22. 13 There were no appointments for consideration.
  23. 13 page break
  24. 14 Adjournment
  25. 15 Discussion Item(s)
  26. 16 There were no discussion items.
  27. 18 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
  28. 19 Christopher Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, gave a presentation on the citywide vision plan for parks, recreation, and facilities. Areas of focus included:
  29. 20 • Timeline for adoption • Areas of engagement that informed the plan • Driving principles and concerns • Standards for quality, maintenance, and training • Next steps in the legislative and engagement process
  30. 21 Member Nicole Jones asked if the reported goal number of community engagement touchpoints was 24,000, and if members could receive information on the feedback provided by Council district.
  31. 22 Mr. Frelke stated that the goal number of community touchpoints from the consultant was 2,400 to 3,000, and the estimated 24,000 touchpoints to date is by far the highest level of engagement for city master plans so far, and an excellent response rate. He also agreed to provide district breakdowns of feedback at a later date.
  32. 23 Member Stephanie Lynch arrived at 4:21 p.m. and was seated.
  33. 24 Member Andrew Breton asked if the master plan will include any analysis of how accessible city parks are in terms of walkability and pedestrian safety.
  34. 25 Mr. Frelke stated that the current metric is ten-minute walkability, and the plan includes goal areas related to sidewalks and the development of safe routes to parks.
  35. 26 Member Kenya Gibson stated that having more information on community feedback would be helpful in making decisions, as well as having more time to review the full document once it is made available.
  36. 27 Member Ellen Robertson stated that new plans should actually make commitments to making things happen, not just simply identify priority areas. She also discussed disparities in areas of investment, especially in historically neglected parts of the city as a result of the ward system put fourth by annexation and implemented by bad policy.
  37. 28 Member Reva Trammell thanked Mr. Frelke for the work his team is doing and stated that more action should be taken to assist economically disadvantaged populations, such as lowering the tax rate.
  38. 29 Member Stephanie Lynch stated that there is an opportunity for collaboration with Richmond Public Schools (RPS) to develop a policy regarding vacant and occupied RPS land and potential investment.
  39. 31 Six Month Progress Report - Council Chief of Staff CD.2025.381
  40. 32 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
  41. 33 Council Chief of Staff RJ Warren presented an overview of accomplishments and priorities during his first six months in office, highlighting the following items:
  42. 34 • Office Restructuring • Major Deliverables • Current Priorities • FY 2027 Budget Development • Policy Team Development
  43. 35 Committee members commended Mr. Warren for his performance and expressed confidence in his leadership and capabilities.
  44. 36 Member Stephanie Lynch left the meeting at 5:14 p.m.
  45. 40 Chair Newbille stated that City Council standing committee updates were provided by submitted documentation prepared by Council staff.
  46. 46 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m.