City Council
Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall
Agenda — 94 items
- 1 Call to Order
- 2 Spanish Interpretation Announcements
- 2 The Honorable Cynthia Newbille, President The Honorable Katherine Jordan, Vice President The Honorable Sarah Abubaker (electronic participation) (late arrival) The Honorable Andrew Breton The Honorable Kenya Gibson The Honorable Stephanie Lynch The Honorable Ellen Robertson The Honorable Reva Trammell (early departure) The Honorable Nicole Jones (electronic participation) (late arrival)
- 3 Members of Council and the audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
- 4 Invocation
- 4 Council President Cynthia Newbille called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m., and presided.
- 5 To be offered by Seminarian Chris A. Hilbert of Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University
- 6 Pledge of Allegiance
- 6 City Clerk Candice Reid stated that Spanish interpretation service was available in the Council Chamber and that attendees should speak with a representative to receive the appropriate equipment. City Clerk Reid also stated that Spanish interpretation service was available virtually through Microsoft Teams.
- 7 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Plan Announcement and Public Speaker Guidelines
- 7 Roxana Talavera-Denson, Language Access Coordinator, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement, then provided Spanish interpretation of City Clerk Reid's announcement.
- 8 Councilmembers Present
- 8 Seminarian Chris A. Hilbert of Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology of Virginia Union University, 1500 N. Lombardy Street, Richmond, Virginia, provided the invocation.
- 9 Action on Appointments and Reappointments
- 10 Awards and Presentations
- 11 20250310 Formal Awards and Recognitions Ceremony Docket
- 11 Upon the President's request, Council Management Analyst Pamela Nichols provided information on the appropriate way to evacuate the Council Chamber in an emergency along with public speaker guidelines.
- 12 Public Comment
- 12 page break
- 13 March 10, 2025 Public Comment Period Speakers List
- 13 Electronic Participation
- 14 Agenda Review and Amendments
- 14 Pursuant to Rule III(D)(4)(b) of Council’s Rules of Procedure, Councilor Sarah Abubaker and Councilor Nicole Jones made requests to participate in the meeting via Microsoft Teams from the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C., due to their participation in a National League of Cities Congregational City Conference that prevented their physical attendance. The Council members present were required to adopt a motion to approve Councilor Abubaker's and Councilor Jones's participation in the meeting by electronic communication means if it appeared to the body that their requests complied with Rule III(D) of Council’s Rules of Procedure. A motion was solicited from those members physically assembled to approve Councilor Abubaker's and Councilor Jones's participation in the meeting by electronic communication means.
- 15 Action Items (Consent Agenda)
- 15 Vice President Katherine Jordan moved to allow Councilor Sarah Abubaker and Councilor Nicole Jones to participate in the meeting by electronic communication means. The motion was seconded and approved: Ayes 7, Breton, Gibson, Robertson, Lynch, Trammell, Jordan, Newbille. Noes None. Abubaker and Jones had not yet joined the meeting.
- 16 Action Items (Regular Agenda and Motions)
- 17 Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings
- 17 There were no appointments or reappointments.
- 18 February 24, 2025 Informal Meeting Minutes
- 19 February 24, 2025 Formal Meeting Minutes
- 19 President Cynthia Newbille and Councilor Ellen Robertson, on behalf of City Council, and Interim Chief Administrative Officer Sabrina Joy-Hogg, on behalf of Mayor Danny Avula, honored and recognized AmeriCorps and proclaimed the second full calendar week of March as Richmond AmeriCorps Week.
- 20 February 27, 2025 Council Retreat Opening Meeting Minutes
- 20 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 21 February 28, 2025 Council Retreat Meeting Minutes
- 22 Introduction of Ordinances and Resolutions
- 22 Councilor Nicole Jones joined the meeting at 6:07 p.m.
- 23 March 10, 2025 Introduction Papers List
- 23 Councilor Sarah Abubaker joined the meeting at 6:08 p.m.
- 24 Reports or Announcements by Members of the Council
- 25 Adjournment
- 26 PAGE BREAK
- 26 Kasey Miller, New Virginia Majority member, addressed Council and requested that the city dedicate $9,000,000 from the upcoming fiscal year budget towards the Family Crisis Fund. Ms. Miller informed Council of her concerns regarding rent burdens and housing affordability in the city.
- 27 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.
- 27 John Gregory addressed Council and stated his support for Ord. 2024-329. Mr. Gregory informed Council that he believed the proposed development would improve walkability in the city, and he requested that Council not act on the fear of residents worried about the loss of street parking.
- 28 Time and Place of Meetings
- 29 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.
- 29 Vice President Katherine Jordan moved to amend the agenda as follows:
- 30 Public Comment Period
- 31 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.
- 32 Guidelines for Public Participation*
- 33 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.
- 33 The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 34 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.
- 35 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.
- 35 The following resolution was considered:
- 36 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.
- 37 * 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.
- 37 Councilor Kenya Gibson asked for confirmation that Council would have approval over any conveyance of city property that is sold.
- 38 PAGE BREAK
- 38 Sharon Ebert, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Planning and Economic Development, confirmed that any conveyance would require Council's approval.
- 39 The Consent Agenda
- 39 There were no further comments or discussions and the Consent Agenda was unanimously adopted.
- 40 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.
- 40 The Regular Agenda
- 1. To authorize the special use of the property known as 3618 Hawthorne Avenue for the purpose of a four-unit multifamily dwelling and six single-family attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. (3rd District)
- 41 There were no Regular Agenda items.
- 2. To authorize the special use of the properties known as 5009 Rear Snead Road, 5015 Snead Road, and 5015 Rear Snead Road for the purpose of up to 180 multifamily dwelling units and a clubhouse, upon certain terms and conditions. (As Amended) (9th District)
- 42 Motions
- 3. To accept and approve the biennial real estate strategies plan entitled “Revised 2024 Biennial Real Estate Strategies Plan for City Owned Surplus Properties.” (As Amended)
- 43 Councilor Ellen Robertson moved to expedite consideration of the following resolution:
- 4. To establish the Civilian Review Board’s policies and procedures pursuant to Va. Code § 9.1-601(D) and City Code § 2-1202.4(f).
- 5. To repeal Res. No. 2024-R016, adopted May 13, 2024, which would terminate the services of Gayle Harris as a Council Liaison for the City of Richmond effective Mar. 7, 2025.
- 45 THE REGULAR AGENDA There are no Regular Agenda items.
- 45 The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 46 There were no comments or discussions and RES. 2025-R011 was unanimously adopted.
- 48 There were no amendments or corrections to the meeting minutes of the Informal and Formal Council Meetings held on Monday, February 24, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.; the Council Opening Retreat held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.; the Council Retreat held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 8:45 a.m.; and Council approved the minutes as presented.
- 55 City Council will hold a public hearing on the following ordinances and resolutions on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.:
- 6. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the purpose of funding green infrastructure improvements at Whitcomb Community Park.
- 7. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond, 1903 Semmes LLC, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable housing development located at 1903 Semmes Avenue and 1905 Semmes Avenue. (5th District)
- 8. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond, 809 Oliver Hill Way LLC, and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond for the purpose of facilitating the construction of an affordable housing development located at 809 Oliver Hill Way. (6th District)
- 9. To designate the property known as 809 Oliver Hill Way as a revitalization area pursuant to Va. Code § 36-55.30:2. (6th District)
- 10. To express the concurrence of the Council with the inducement resolution adopted by the Economic Development Authority of Henrico County and to approve the issuance of revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 for the benefit of Bon Secours Mercy Health, Inc. and Richmond Community Hospital.
- 61 City Council will hold a public hearing on the following ordinances on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.:
- 11. To vacate, pursuant to Va. Code § 15.2-2272(2), that part of the Oxford Addition, Terrace P subdivision plat that reserved 3700 East Weyburn Road, upon certain terms and conditions. (4th District)
- 12. To vacate, pursuant to Va. Code § 15.2-2272(2), those parts of the Oxford Addition, Terrace P subdivision plat that reserved 3601 Sherbrook Road and a portion of 3717 Sherbrook Road, upon certain terms and conditions. (4th District)
- 13. To amend Ord. No. 2008-270-261, adopted Nov. 10, 2008, which amended Ord. No. 2003-296-255, adopted Sep. 8, 2003, which authorized a Community Unit Plan at 1300 Westwood Avenue for a mixed-use development consisting of a maximum of one hundred forty residential units, a community center with reception facility and non-medical office, a preventative healthcare facility, two private schools, and a fifty unit dormitory, and modified the plan for the fence required between the subject property and 1409 Palmyra Avenue, to modify the Community Unit Plan to allow for the development of tennis courts. (As Amended) (3rd District)
- 14. To amend Ord. No. 2021-326, adopted Dec. 13, 2021, which authorized the special use of the property known as 1807 Harwood Street for the purpose of up to three two-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions, to revise the plans, upon certain terms and conditions. (8th District)
- 15. To authorize the special use of the property known as 2701 Garland Avenue for the purpose of adult transitional housing, under certain terms and conditions, and to repeal Ord. No. 97-174-190, adopted Jun. 9, 1997, and all amendatory ordinances thereto. (3rd District)
- 16. To authorize the special use of the property known as 1822 Ingram Avenue for the purpose of up to two single-family detached dwellings. (8th District)
- 17. To authorize the special use of the property known as 2527 Stuart Avenue for the purpose of a food and beverage service establishment, upon certain terms and conditions. (2nd District)
- 18. To amend City Code §§ 2-1199, concerning the duties of the Participatory Budgeting Steering Commission, and 2-1200 concerning administration, for the purpose of providing a stipend to Commission members and allowing the Commission to create ad hoc committees.
- 71 Members of Council provided reports and announcements regarding respective district meetings and activities.
- 72 Councilor Reva Trammell left the meeting at 6:37 p.m.
- 74 There being no further business before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m. ___________________________________ CITY CLERK