Public Safety Standing Committee
Council Chamber, 2nd Floor – City Hall
Agenda — 69 items
- 1 This meeting will be open to in-person participation; however, the public will have the option to provide their comments by teleconference/videoconference via Microsoft Teams. Interested individuals who wish to take advantage of this option, must do so prior to 10:00 a.m., on Tuesday October 22, 2024, by calling the Office of the City Clerk at (804) 646-7955 and selecting option 3.
- 1 Committee Members and other Councilmembers in Attendance
- 2 Call to Order
- 2 The Honorable Reva Trammell – Chair The Honorable Nicole Jones – Vice Chair The Honorable Kristen Nye – Member The Honorable Ellen Robertson – Council Member (early departure)
- 3 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Plan Announcement and Public Speaker Guidelines
- 3 Staff and Others in Attendance
- 4 Public Comment Period
- 4 Greg Lukanuski, Deputy City Attorney Nahdiyah Muhammad, Assistant City Clerk Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst Candice Reid, City Clerk Steve Taylor, Council Policy Analyst RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
- 5 October 22, 2024 Public Safety Public Comments
- 6 Approval of Minutes
- 6 Chair Reva Trammell called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m., and presided.
- 7 September 24, 2024 - Public Safety Standing Committee Meeting Minutes
- 8 Presentation(s)
- 8 Assistant City Clerk Nahdiyah Muhammad provided information on the appropriate manner in which the Council Chamber is to be evacuated in the event of an emergency along with public speaker guidelines.
- 9 Animal Care and Control Update
- 10 October 22, 2024 - Animal Care and Control Update
- 10 There were no amendments or corrections to the meeting minutes of September 24, 2024 and the committee approved the minutes as presented.
- 11 Police Department and Sound Ordinance Updates
- 12 October 22, 2024 - RPD Crime Updates
- 12 page break
- 13 October 22, 2024 - RPD Sound Ordinance Updates
- 14 Paper(s) for Consideration
- 14 Shelly Montante addressed the committee and stated on February 8, 2024, her son and daughter were crossing the street when her son was hit by a truck, which caused him to be thrown 40 feet and sustain injuries. Ms. Montante also stated that after a recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request of documents from the accident, she discovered unprofessional statements made by first responders and medical staff attending to the accident.
- 1. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and New Life Deliverance Tabernacle for the purpose of funding a voluntary gun buyback event in the city of Richmond.
- 15 Patrick Lanzi addressed the committee and stated on February 8, 2024, he was hit by a truck while attempting to cross the street. Mr. Lanzi also stated that the individual that hit him never apologized for the accident and he expressed his feelings about the accident.
- 16 Board Vacancies
- 16 Sarah Ramsey addressed the committee and stated her concerns regarding her recent public comments and a FOIA request for public comment handouts she provided during the September 24, 2024, Public Safety Standing Committee meeting.
- 17 October 22, 2024 - Public Safety Board Vacancy Report
- 18 Discussion Item(s)
- 18 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 19 There were no discussion items.
- 20 Staff Report
- 20 Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst, reviewed board applications for consideration by the committee.
- 21 October 22, 2024 - Public Safety Staff Report
- 22 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 23 Member Kristen Nye moved to forward the following board appointment application to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved:
- 24 Advisory Board for the Assessment of Towing Fees and the Storage of Vehicles: Sydney Collier
- 26 The following ordinance was considered:
- 28 Chief of Police Rick Edwards, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 29 Chair Reva Trammell inquired about where the guns will be secured after the gun buyback event has ended and how the process will work.
- 30 Chief Edwards stated that the gun buyback event will be advertised. Chief Edwards provided the committee additional information regarding the protocol for the gun buyback event.
- 31 Member Kristen Nye inquired if there will be adequate police present during the gun buyback event to accommodate the amount of traffic.
- 32 Chief Edwards stated that there will be safety protocols in place to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.
- 33 Chief Edwards further discussed the proposed ordinance with the committee.
- 34 Public Hearing
- 35 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 36 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Kristen Nye moved to forward ORD. 2024-270 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 39 Christie Peters, Director of the Office of Animal Care and Control, presented the committee with updates within the department.
- 41 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 42 Chair Reva Trammell asked about whether or not the animal control officers carry firearms. Chair Trammell inquired about potential aggressive animals the officers may encounter.
- 43 Christie Peters stated that the officers do not carry firearms, but carry pepper spray and an Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) baton. Ms. Peters also stated that the Richmond Police Department (RPD) will work with animal control officers on service calls involving an aggressive animal.
- 44 Chair Trammell inquired whether additional funding was raised by Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) to purchase the property referenced in ORD. 2024-251 and ORD. 2024-252.
- 45 Ms. Peters stated all funding that is raised by the RACC Foundation will go towards remodeling and upfitting costs of the new animal shelter. Ms. Peters also stated the funding requested in ORD. 2024-251 and ORD. 2024-252 is to purchase the new building.
- 46 Member Kristen Nye asked if RACC will be able to manage in its current building.
- 47 Ms. Peters stated RACC is beyond capacity and will not be able to continue its work in the current environment.
- 48 Robert Steidel, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Operations, provided the committee with additional information.
- 50 Chief of Police Rick Edwards, provided the committee with Richmond Police Department (RPD) crime and sound ordinance updates.
- 53 Copies of all material provided has been filed.
- 54 Chair Reva Trammell asked about crime occurring on Richmond Highway.
- 55 Chief Edwards stated that Richmond Highway has experienced an increase of homeless individuals and it has affected the crime rate in the area. Chief Edwards also stated that RPD is working to address concerns of drugs and prostitution.
- 56 Councilor Ellen Robertson left the meeting at 1:56 p.m.
- 57 Member Kristen Nye asked for clarification regarding where the gun shot sensors are installed. Member Nye also asked if the gun shot detection sensors will be used in conjunction with phone calls reporting gun shots in the area.
- 58 Chief Edwards stated that the gun shot detection sensors are installed and stabilized on street poles and buildings to prevent damage. Chief Edwards also stated that the Capital City Intelligence Center sends alerts from the gun shot sensors to be investigated before calls are received. Chief Edwards further stated it provides RPD officers with more real time information.
- 59 Chair Trammell requested data regarding speeding in the city be provided at the November Public Safety Standing Committee meeting.
- 60 Deputy Chief Sybil El-Amin Jones provided the committee with a presentation regarding RPD sound ordinance updates.
- 64 Council staff provided the committee with the October Public Safety staff report.
- 66 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 67 Adjournment
- 68 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:14 p.m.