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Governmental Operations Standing Committee

July 24, 2024 ·1:00 PM Final

Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 94 items

  1. 1 Committee and Other Council Members in Attendance
  2. 2 Call to Order
  3. 2 The Honorable Katherine Jordan - Chair The Honorable Ann-Frances Lambert - Vice Chair (late arrival) The Honorable Andreas Addison - Council Member (late arrival and early departure via Microsoft Teams)
  4. 3 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Plan Announcement and Public Speaker Guidelines
  5. 3 Absent
  6. 4 Public Comment Period
  7. 4 The Honorable Stephanie Lynch - Committee Member
  8. 5 Approval of Minutes
  9. 5 Staff and Others in Attendance
  10. 6 June 26, 2024 Governmental Operations Meeting Minutes CD.2024.245
  11. 6 LaTanja Davenport, Council Budget Analyst Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst Laura Drewry, City Attorney Susan McKenney, Senior Assistant City Attorney Kimberly Morris, Assistant City Clerk Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst Candice Reid, City Clerk RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
  12. 7 Presentation(s)
  13. 8 Sustainable Design Standards for City Facilities Update
  14. 8 Chair Katherine Jordan called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m., and presided.
  15. 9 Sustainable Design Standards CD.2024.254
  16. 10 Paper(s) for Consideration
  17. 10 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
  18. 1. To amend City Code § 11-36, concerning exemptions to sound control, for the purpose of modifying the hours during which [the City’s] refuse collection and sanitation services shall be exempted from the requirements of the City’s sound control provisions. (As Amended) ORD. 2024-094 recommended for approval
  19. 11 page break
  20. 2. To authorize the utilization of the construction management procurement method for the construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Main Pump Station Improvement projects. RES. 2024-R025 recommended for approval
  21. 3. To declare that equal access to high-speed gigabit internet access in every home; educational and training facility; and business of the City is a public necessity for all residents and to request that the Chief Administrative Officer develop and implement a “Digital Equity [Assessment and] Implementation Plan” to provide access to high-speed gigabit internet access to all residents. (As Amended) RES. 2024-R026 recommended for approval with amendment
  22. 13 J. Maurice Hopkins addressed the committee regarding support of honorary street designations for Oliver White Hill and Spottswood Robinson.
  23. 14 Board Vacancies
  24. 14 Vice Chair Ann-Frances Lambert arrived at 1:04 p.m. and was seated.
  25. 15 Board Vacancy Report-Governmental Operations CD.2024.250
  26. 15 Chair Katherine Jordan suggested that Mr. Hopkin's request be communicated to the History and Culture Commission.
  27. 16 Discussion Item(s)
  28. 17 Council's Honorary Street Sign Policies Update and Next Steps
  29. 18 August Committee Meeting
  30. 18 There were no amendments or corrections to the meeting minutes of June 26, 2024, and the committee approved the minutes as presented.
  31. 19 Staff Report
  32. 22 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
  33. 23 Laura Thomas, Office of Sustainability Director, provided a presentation regarding sustainable design standards.
  34. 24 Vice Chair Ann-Frances Lambert inquired why the code rewrite is not every three years, instead of every five years.
  35. 25 Ms.Thomas stated it was settled on five years to learn how well the process is going and if it is technology neutral.
  36. 26 Vice Chair Lambert inquired if collective bargaining and workforce compensation were considered in the sustainable design standards.
  37. 27 Ms.Thomas stated workforce compensation would be integrated into future conversations.
  38. 28 Vice Chair Lambert requested that Council be made aware of any state regulations that need to be addressed as Council establishes its legislative agenda.
  39. 29 Ms. Thomas stated there is a short list of policies but no specific regulations.
  40. 30 Chair Katherine Jordan inquired as to when the standards will be applied and how were the thresholds were established.
  41. 31 Ms.Thomas stated two half-day sessions were held to determine the thresholds, and that city administration is going to have another internal conversation about being uniformed on standards.
  42. 32 Chair Jordan asked what other localities are doing and what thresholds they have adopted.
  43. 33 Ms.Thomas stated that few Virginia localities are using sustainable design standards and thresholds.
  44. 34 Chair Jordan stated she would like to know what percentage of project dollars the sustainable design standard will capture.
  45. 35 Ms. Thomas stated she will provide the information.
  46. 37 The following ordinance was considered:
  47. 39 Chair Katherine Jordan provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
  48. 40 Public Hearing
  49. 41 There were no public speakers.
  50. 42 Vice Chair Ann-Frances Lambert inquired about the start time for refuse collection.
  51. 43 Adam Hohl, Senior Policy Advisor for the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Operations, stated the administration is appreciative of the amendment, however, there are specific elements that still need to be considered.
  52. 44 Bobby Vincent, Department of Public Works Director, stated his department and the industry are still questioning why the hours will need to be modified in reference to the noise concerning solid waste collection.
  53. 45 Chair Jordan stated the goal of the ordinance is to go back to the policy of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) granting exceptions.
  54. 46 Mr. Vincent stated the way to proceed will be to make a request to administration to sign a waiver for city staff, as well as for private firms, that will adhere to the noise ordinance.
  55. 47 Robert Stiedel, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Operations (DCAO), stated administration will be going back to a blanket approval, and the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the private sector will meet about approved schedules. DCAO Stiedel also stated that the CAO has the ability to provide written waiver of the 7:00 a.m. start time for safety and health purposes.
  56. 48 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward ORD. 2024-094 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Lambert, Jordan. Noes None.
  57. 49 The following resolution was considered:
  58. 51 Bob Stone, Deputy Director of Public Utilities, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed resolution.
  59. 52 Councilor Andreas Addison joined the meeting at 1:33 p.m.
  60. 53 Public Hearing
  61. 54 There were no public speakers.
  62. 55 Vice Chair Ann-Frances Lambert inquired what will be the fiscal impact of the resolution if it is not approved.
  63. 56 Mr. Stone stated the fiscal impact will be that the project must be funded by a Department of Public Utilities bond or a revolving loan instead of grants.
  64. 57 Vice Chair Lambert stated she wanted to be clear because American Rescue Plan Act funds are being used.
  65. 58 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward RES. 2024-R025 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Lambert, Jordan. Noes None.
  66. 59 The following resolution was considered:
  67. 61 Councilor Andreas Addison provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed resolution.
  68. 62 Public Hearing
  69. 63 There were no public speakers.
  70. 64 Robert Steidel, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Operations (DCAO), stated that Council adopted Res. No. 2021-R068, and that the Mayor's Equity Agenda imbeds the issue of affordable and equitable broadband access to all citizens, including all community centers and public spaces. He also stated the ecommerce gap analysis report has been provided to Council staff.
  71. 65 Councilor Addison inquired what is the best way to work with internet providers, and how does the city leverage internet equability city-wide. He also stated that the challenge is that broadband access does not have enough capacity to support all citizens.
  72. 66 DCAO Steidel stated Councilor Addison is correct about Richmond not having city-wide internet access and that the city needs to work with internet providers to obtain their support.
  73. 67 Vice Chair Ann-Frances Lambert inquired if city parks are internet ready.
  74. 68 DCAO Steidel stated he is confident all city parks can access city of Richmond wireless internet, and that the importance should be focused on getting internet into homes.
  75. 69 Vice Chair Lambert asked if the paper could be amended to address gaps identified in the ecommerce study.
  76. 70 Chair Katherine Jordan inquired about the ecommerce study results.
  77. 71 Mr. Steidel stated using data that was available, they were able to see where holes are in coverage. Mr. Steidel also stated the city plans to work with developers and interested parties to increase coverage through economic development projects.
  78. 72 Councilor Addison suggested possibly amending the Digital Equity Assessment Plan to a Digital Equity Implementation Plan. He also stated it is important libraries, public housing and other public entities be considered in the implementation.
  79. 73 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward RES. 2024-R026 to Council with a recommendation to approve with amendment, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Lambert, Jordan. Noes None.
  80. 74 Councilor Andreas Addison left the meeting at 1:55 p.m.
  81. 76 Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst, was available to review board applications for consideration by the committee.
  82. 78 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
  83. 79 Vice Chair Ann-Frances Lambert moved to forward the following board appointment and reappointment applications to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Lambert, Jordan. Noes None.
  84. 80 Central Virginia Waste Management Authority: Elizabeth Hall (reappointment) Robert McMillen
  85. 81 City Personnel Board: Patrice Carpenter
  86. 82 Sister Cities Commission: Nicolai Shuman (reappointment) Linda Freeman Catherine Nexsen
  87. 83 page break
  88. 86 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst, provided the committee with options and recommendations about Council's Honorary Sign Policy. Ms. Davis suggested that a fair and equitable process should include an application process, cultural and historical significance of the nominee and their contribution to the community.
  89. 87 Chair Katherine Jordan inquired if the History and Culture Commission are currently meeting.
  90. 88 Ms. Davis stated she will confirm with her contact and report the information to Chair Jordan.
  91. 90 It was the consensus of the committee to cancel the August Governmental Operations Standing Committee meeting.
  92. 92 There was no staff report.
  93. 93 Adjournment
  94. 94 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:16 p.m.