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October 8, 2024 ·12:00 PM Final ·Legislative Summit

Library of Virginia, Conference Room - 1st Floor, 800 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219

Official record ↗

Agenda — 26 items

  1. 1 October 8, 2024 Legislative Summit Update CD.2024.316
  2. 1 Councilmembers Present
  3. 2 The Honorable Kristen Nye, President The Honorable Ann-Frances Lambert, Vice President The Honorable Andreas Addison The Honorable Nicole Jones The Honorable Katherine Jordan The Honorable Stephanie Lynch The Honorable Cynthia Newbille The Honorable Ellen Robertson
  4. 3 Absent
  5. 4 The Honorable Reva Trammell
  6. 5 Others in Attendance
  7. 6 The Honorable Lamont Bagby, Virginia Senator, 14th Voter District The Honorable Betsy Carr, Virginia House of Delegates Representative, 78th Voter District Kathy Burcher, Advantus Strategies, Council Lobbyist The Honorable Rae Cousins, Virginia House of Delegates Representative 79th Voter District Suzette Denslow, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Laura Drewry, City Attorney The Honorable Ghazala Hashmi, Virginia Senator, 15th Voter District The Honorable Michael Jones, Virginia House of Delegates Representative, 77th Voter District Candice Reid, City Clerk Tabrica Rentz, Deputy City Attorney Lincoln Saunders, Chief Administrative Officer RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
  8. 7 page break
  9. 8 At 12:14 p.m., President Kristen Nye welcomed attendees, and she introduced individuals participating in the legislative summit.
  10. 9 A copy of all material provided has been filed.
  11. 11 Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Lincoln Saunders addressed the city's previous legislative requests and outcomes, and he also stated that the city's main lobbying efforts would address funding the city's combined sewer overflow (CSO) improvements and legislative action related to a Long-term Owner Occupancy Program (LOOP).
  12. 12 Kathy Burcher, Advantus Strategies Senior Director, Government Relations, provided attendees with a presentation that outlined the upcoming 2025 Virginia General Assembly session schedule, and she addressed how the city's lobbyists would advocate for the city's legislative agenda. Ms. Burcher discussed strategy and possible outcomes related to the city's legislative program and priorities. Ms. Burcher informed attendees that the city's legislative program consisted of the following: Legislative Priorities i. Affordable Housing/LOOP ii. Expansion of Speed Cameras iii. Sales Tax Capture for the Issuance of Bonds Budget Priority i. Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Project Funding
  13. 13 Senator Ghazala Hashmi suggested that the city partner with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health to use grant funding to address gun violence in the city.
  14. 14 Delegate Betsy Carr inquired if the city planned to advocate for the ability to extend the operating hours of school zone speed cameras.
  15. 15 Delegate Rae Cousins inquired if the city supported efforts to address food insecurity on college campuses and among the elderly population in the city.
  16. 16 President Kristen Nye stated that Council supported extending speed camera hours, working with VCU Health to address gun violence, and Delegate Cousins's plans to address food insecurity.
  17. 17 Delegate Michael Jones suggested that Council and city staff testify at Virginia General Assembly committee meetings, because he believed it would help desired policies be implemented, such as expanding the ability to install speed cameras on high-traffic road networks. Delegate Jones also confirmed that the city was not seeking any changes to the City Charter during the upcoming Virginia General Assembly session.
  18. 18 Councilor Ellen Robertson stated her concerns about the opioid crisis, gun violence, skill games, and vape shops in the city.
  19. 19 CAO Saunders stated that the City Planning Commission recently passed a resolution requesting that the city examine possible zoning methods to address the increase of vape shops in the city.
  20. 20 Senator Lamont Bagby stated that the city should review licensing to address the vape shop increase issue.
  21. 21 Delegate Jones inquired about the impact and possible state involvement regarding Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) interest in buying the Altria Center for Research and Technology.
  22. 22 CAO Saunders addressed the potential impact to the city's real estate tax revenue if VCU purchased the research center.
  23. 23 Councilor Andreas Addison addressed the need for the city to incentivize development in downtown to help increase city revenue.
  24. 24 President Kristen Nye thanked attendees for their involvement and advocacy on behalf of the city's legislative priorities.
  25. 25 Adjournment
  26. 26 There being no further business before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 1:26 p.m. ___________________________________ CITY CLERK