Education and Human Services 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 Thursday, October 10, 2024, by calling the Office of the City Clerk at (804) 646-7955 and selecting option 3.
- 1 Committee and Other Council Members in Attendance
- 2 Call to Order
- 2 The Honorable Stephanie Lynch - Chair The Honorable Cynthia Newbille - Vice Chair The Honorable Nicole Jones - 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 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst Kimberly Morris, Assistant City Clerk Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst Janet Palmer, Deputy City Attorney Candice Reid, City Clerk Steven Taylor, Council Policy Analyst RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
- 5 Presentation(s)
- 6 There were no presentations.
- 6 Chair Stephanie Lynch called the meeting to order at 2:29 p.m., and presided.
- 7 Discussion Item(s)
- 8 Richmond Public Schools (RPS) and Richmond School Board Updates ~ Jason Kamras, RPS Superintendent, Dawn Page, Richmond School Board Chair, and Liz Doerr, Richmond School Board Vice Chair
- 8 Upon the Chair's request, Assistant City Clerk Kimberly Morris 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 Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) Report ~ Traci DeShazor, DCAO for Human Services
- 10 Paper(s) for Consideration
- 10 There were no public comment speakers.
- 1. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Standard Project Administration Agreement between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Transportation for the purpose of funding a safe routes to schools program.
- 12 Board Vacancies
- 13 October 10, 2024 Education and Human Services Board Vacancy Report
- 14 Approval of Minutes
- 14 Update from the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services
- 15 September 17, 2024 - Education and Human Services Standing Committee Special Meeting Minutes
- 15 Traci DeShazor, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services, provided the committee with an update regarding the Office of Community Wealth Building's 10-year anniversary, the commemorative luncheon for the Anti-Poverty Commission, the Mayor's press conference concerning city youth, funding from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, homeless services initiatives, the launch of the Community Resource and Training Center, the city's response to the increase in unsheltered residents, and Richmond Public Library card sign up month.
- 16 September 19, 2024 - Education and Human Services Standing Committee Meeting Minutes
- 16 Council Member Ellen Robertson left the meeting at 2:37 p.m.
- 17 Staff Report
- 17 Chair Stephanie Lynch asked DCAO DeShazor to address the committee about the food served to the unhoused community at the Salvation Army shelter.
- 18 October 10, 2024 - Education and Human Services Staff Report
- 18 DCAO DeShazor stated the Salvation Army has hired a food services manager who will check expiration dates and assess funding to ensure the best quality service. She also stated her office is in communication with the Salvation Army to possibly expand services to a year-round walk up shelter for residents.
- 19 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille acknowledged the human services portfolio for the Out of School Time program, reducing youth violence by 64 percent.
- 20 Chair Lynch stated the Education and Human Services Standing Committee, in collaboration with Richmond Public Schools, will discuss the Out of School Time program at the November 14, 2024 Education and Human Services Standing Committee meeting.
- 22 The following ordinance was considered:
- 24 Eva Colen, Senior Policy Advisor and Manager of the Office of Children and Families, provided the committee with an introduction and background regarding ORD. 2024-253.
- 25 Public Hearing
- 26 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 27 There were no comments or discussions and Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille moved to forward ORD. 2024-253 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 29 Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst, reviewed board vacancies for the committee’s consideration.
- 30 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 32 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille asked about opportunities to increase the number of students who can participate on the Human Rights Commission.
- 33 Traci DeShazor, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services, provided the committee with background on the selection process for the Human Rights Commission concerning students.
- 34 Chair Stephanie Lynch inquired if the Human Rights Commission will have a staff person and the duties of that position.
- 35 DCAO DeShazor stated the position will be part-time and funding is currently allocated for the Human Services Commission to fill the position. She also stated Human Services is providing assistance for the phones, inbox and website for the commission.
- 36 J.D. Ratliff, Policy Advisor, Neighborhood and Community Services, provided the committee with additional information regarding the job description and role of the position.
- 37 Vice Chair Newbille asked if students can receive an honorarium for serving as commissioners.
- 38 DCAO DeShazor stated an honorarium can be researched.
- 39 Chair Lynch stated a full- time person may be the best practice.
- 40 DCAO DeShazor stated the commitment is to have a fully operating commission and then revisit to see if the position will need to be full time.
- 41 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille moved to forward the following board appointment and reappointment applications to Council with a recommendation to approve, and to continue the RPS student vacancy on the Human Rights Commission to the November 14, 2024, Education and Human Services Standing Committee meeting, and the remaining vacancy on the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority to the January 9, 2025, Education and Human Services Standing Committee meeting, which was seconded and unanimously approved:
- 42 Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks: Charlie Williams (reappointment) Human Rights Commission City Resident: Elle Merkle Christopher Pittman Davion La’Chelle Washington J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Board: Paul Logan Maggie L. Walker Initiative Citizens Advisory Board: Zenobia Cardwell Richmond Behavioral Health Authority: Diane Sheehey
- 43 Discussion Item(s)
- 44 Richmond Public Schools (RPS) and Richmond School Board Updates
- 45 Jason Kamras, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent, provided the committee with an update regarding RPS.
- 46 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille congratulated the success of the Standard of Living program.
- 47 Superintendent Kamras stated the wellness priority of the strategic plan is to reduce bullying and promote wellness.
- 48 Member Nicole Jones congratulated Superintendent Kamras on the recent successes of RPS.
- 49 Chair Stephanie Lynch asked when will RPS exit the state memorandum of understanding (MOU).
- 50 Superintendent Kamras informed the committee that the state is working on a revision of the MOU, due to changes in accreditation.
- 51 Chair Lynch inquired why Pre-K is not in the Dreams4RPS Strategic Plan.
- 52 Superintendent Kamras stated Pre-K is still a focus item.
- 53 Vice Chair Newbille asked how can RPS ensure universal Pre-K to help students reach reading goals by 3rd grade.
- 54 Superintendent Kamras stated it will need to be a regional effort to ensure Pre-K for all income levels.
- 56 There were no corrections or amendments to the meeting minutes of the Tuesday, September 17, 2024 special meeting and the Thursday, September 19, 2024 committee meeting, and the committee approved the minutes as presented.
- 60 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst, provided the committee with the October Education and Human Services staff report.
- 61 Chair Stephanie Lynch provided additional information developed from the Education and Human Services Standing Committee September 17, 2024 Special meeting.
- 62 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 63 EHS Staff Report, Oct 2024
- 64 Adjournment
- 65 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.