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Informal Meeting

March 10, 2025 ·4:00 PM Final

Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall

Agenda PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 27 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 Andrew Breton The Honorable Kenya Gibson The Honorable Stephanie Lynch The Honorable Ellen Robertson (late arrival) The Honorable Reva Trammell
  5. 3 Councilor Ellen Robertson arrived at 4:16 p.m. and was seated.
  6. 3 Absent
  7. 4 Docket Review
  8. 4 The Honorable Sarah Abubaker The Honorable Nicole Jones
  9. 5 Councilor Stephanie Lynch stated that she would like to see more RPS students enrolled in the early college academy, and asked whether students are aware of the ECA program. Councilor Kenya Gibson posed several questions regarding post-graduation metrics and challenges faced by both the college and students, and asked how the city could support. Dr. Pando informed Council that Virginia’s community colleges are the lowest funded among higher educational entities within the Commonwealth, while educating individuals with the highest need and typically requiring wrap-around support services.
  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 Matthew Slaats, Interim Council Chief of Staff RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
  13. 7 J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Annual Update
  14. 8 J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Presentation CD.2025.069
  15. 8 Council President Cynthia Newbille called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m. and presided.
  16. 9 Paving Plan
  17. 10 FY26 Paving, Infrastructure and Traffic Calming Program Presentation CD.2025.070
  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. 2025-014 – to be continued to Monday, March 24, 2025 2. Ord. 2025-025 – to be continued to Monday, April 14, 2025 3. Res. 2024-R040 – retained on Consent Agenda 4. Res. 2025-R010 – to be continued to Monday, April 14, 2025 Regular Agenda: There were no Regular Agenda items. There were no comments or discussions concerning Consent Agenda items reviewed.
  22. 16 Dr. Paula Pando, president, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, provided an update of the college’s enrollment, retention and credentials rates, point of pride programs and skilled trades, collaboration with (RPS) Richmond Public Schools’ early college academy (ECA) or dual enrollment courses for college credits, and workforce training for city residents. Dr. Pando acknowledged the college’s board members in attendance. A copy of the presentation provided has been filed.
  23. 20 Councilor Ellen Robertson thanked Dr. Pando and the college for its dedication and commitment to the community and asked how Council could best aid with lobbying for higher funding. Councilor Andrew Breton inquired regarding the city’s budget allocation to the community college and its measurement of a successful retention rate. Councilor Breton asked that Council be provided the college’s metrics of success so that he too could track results.
  24. 22 Bobby Vincent, director of Public Works, provided Council with a paving plan update, which included information regarding the department’s mission and overview, fiscal year 2026 paving, infrastructure and traffic calming programs, the history of city sidewalks and maintenance analysis, and other major construction projects. A copy of the presentation provided has been filed.
  25. 24 Councilor Andrew Breton posed several questions regarding the installation of speed tables, the city’s paving schedule, speed management, and sidewalk maintenance. Councilor Kenya Gibson inquired regarding the installation of ADA-compliant (Americans with Disabilities Act) sidewalks. Councilor Reva Trammell requested an update regarding a tree in her district whose branches are falling, and roots are damaging the sidewalk. Councilor Stephanie Lynch requested that encumbered funding for rejected speed table installations be reallocated for other traffic calming measures within her district. Councilor Ellen Robertson thanked Mr. Vincent and the department for their willingness to assist residents.
  26. 26 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:29 p.m.
  27. 27 ___________________________________ CITY CLERK