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Informal Meeting

June 9, 2025 ·4:00 PM Final

Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 30 items

  1. 1 Call to Order
  2. 1 Councilmembers 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 Kenya Gibson The Honorable Nicole Jones The Honorable Stephanie Lynch (late arrival) The Honorable Ellen Robertson (early departure) The Honorable Reva Trammell
  5. 3 Prior to the start of the meeting, it was the request of the special use applicant that Ord. 2025-080 be continued to the next Council meeting.
  6. 3 Absent
  7. 4 Docket Review
  8. 4 The Honorable Andrew Breton
  9. 5 6. Ord. 2025-081 – to be continued to Monday, June 23, 2025 7. Ord. 2025-112 – retained on Consent Agenda 8. Ord. 2025-113 – to be continued to Monday, June 23, 2025 9. Ord. 2025-114 – retained on Consent Agenda 10. Ord. 2025-115 – retained on Consent Agenda 11. Ord. 2025-116 – retained on Consent Agenda 12. Ord. 2025-117 – retained on Consent Agenda 13. Ord. 2025-118 – retained on Consent Agenda 14. Ord. 2025-119 – retained on Consent Agendat 15. Ord. 2025-120 – to be continued to Monday, June 23, 2025 16. Res. 2025-R020 – to be continued to Monday, July 28, 2025 Regular Agenda: 17. Ord. 2024-187 – to be continued to Monday, July 28, 2025 18. Res. 2024-R041 – to be continued to Monday, June 23, 2025 After reviewing the proposed amendment to Res. 2024-R041, Councilor Ellen Robertson requested an opportunity to include additional changes and asked that the legislation be continued.
  10. 5 Staff Present
  11. 6 Other Discussion Item(s)
  12. 6 Lisa Braxton, Council Management Analyst, Principal Laura Drewry, City Attorney Candice Reid, City Clerk Tabrica Rentz, Deputy City Attorney RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff
  13. 7 Code Refresh Update
  14. 8 Richmond 300: Code Refresh Presentation CD.2025.203
  15. 8 Council President Cynthia Newbille called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. and presided.
  16. 9 Closed Session
  17. 10 At 4:19 p.m., Vice President Katherine Jordan moved that the City Council go into a closed meeting pursuant to subdivision (A)(3) and (A)(29) of section 2.2-3711 of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to discuss (i) the disposition of publicly held real property for the purpose of the City Center development project and (ii) the award of a contract or contracts involving the expenditure of public funds relating to such City Center development project and the terms and scope of such contract or contracts, because discussion in open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the City. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
  18. 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.
  19. 11 Adjournment
  20. 12 Council Management Analyst Lisa Braxton reviewed the following agenda items as indicated:
  21. 13 Consent Agenda: 1. Ord. 2025-025 – to be amended and continued to Monday, July 28, 2025 2. Ord. 2025-046 – to be amended and continued to Monday, June 23, 2025 3. Ord. 2025-052 – to be continued to Monday, September 22, 2025 4. Ord. 2025-079 – to be continued to Monday, June 23, 2025 5. Ord. 2025-080 – to be continued to Monday, June 23, 2025
  22. 16 Councilor Stephanie Lynch arrived at 4:08 p.m. and was seated.
  23. 17 There were no further comments or discussions concerning Consent and Regular Agenda items reviewed.
  24. 20 Marianne Pitts, Planning and Development Review deputy director, presented the Richmond 300: Code Refresh update, which is the citywide update to the zoning ordinance. Ms. Pitts shared that the zoning code will be revised in three separate modules, along with providing several opportunities for detailed review and discussion by the Zoning Advisory Council and community engagement. A copy of the presentation provided has been filed.
  25. 22 Councilor Kenya Gibson mentioned the importance of concurrently comparing the draft zoning map and having discussions around historic preservation. Ms. Gibson also mentioned the need to invest in infrastructure to support increased density. Ms. Pitts informed Council that she would be available to hold additional open house meetings within Council districts if needed.
  26. 25 Councilor Ellen Robertson departed the closed session and did not return to the meeting.
  27. 26 Councilor Kenya Gibson motioned to exit closed session. The motion was seconded and approved: Ayes 7, Gibson, Jones, Lynch, Trammell, Abubaker, Jordan, Newbille. Noes None. Councilors reconvened in open session at 5:24 p.m.
  28. 27 CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED MEETING June 9, 2025 WHEREAS, the Council has convened in closed meeting on this date pursuant to an affirmative recorded vote and in accordance with the provisions of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act; and WHEREAS, Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the Council that such closed meeting was conducted in conformity with Virginia law: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Council hereby certifies that to the best of each member's knowledge (i) only public matters lawfully exempt from open meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in the closed meeting to which this certifying resolution applies; and (ii) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard, discussed or considered by the Council. WITNESS the following vote of Council members, as recorded by Candice D. Reid, City Clerk: CERTIFYING: DECLINING TO CERTIFY: Cynthia I. Newbille, President Katherine L. Jordan, Vice President Andrew S. Breton (absent) Kenya J. Gibson Sarah M.A. Abubaker Stephanie A. Lynch Ellen F. Roberton (early departure) Reva M. Trammell Nicole Jones
  29. 29 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
  30. 30 ___________________________________ CITY CLERK