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Education and Human Services Standing Committee

July 11, 2024 ·2:00 PM Final

Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 80 items

  1. 1 Committee and Other Council Members in Attendance
  2. 2 Call to Order
  3. 2 The Honorable Stephanie Lynch - Chair (late arrival) The Honorable Cynthia Newbille - Vice Chair The Honorable Nicole Jones - Member The Honorable Ann-Frances Lambert - Council Vice President (late arrival and early departure) The Honorable Ellen Robertson - Councilmember (early departure)
  4. 3 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Plan Announcement and Public Speaker Guidelines
  5. 3 Staff and Others in Attendance
  6. 4 Public Comment Period
  7. 4 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst Laura Drewry, City Attorney Greg Lukanuski, Deputy City Attorney Kimberly Morris, Assistant City Clerk Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst Adam Poser, Deputy Council Chief of Staff Candice Reid, City Clerk RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
  8. 5 Presentation(s)
  9. 6 Tamara Jones, Population Health Manager, Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, provided the committee with a presentation regarding engaging impacted families in the immediate aftermath of firearm injury or death.
  10. 6 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille called the meeting to order at 2:08 p.m., and presided.
  11. 7 Trauma Healing Response Network CD.2024.242
  12. 8 Discussion Item(s)
  13. 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.
  14. 9 Traci DeShazor, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services
  15. 10 Jason Kamras, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent, provided the committee with an update regarding (RPS).
  16. 10 Allen Rogers addressed the committee regarding the Richmond Public Schools (RPS) clear back pack policy. Mr. Rogers stated it is commendable that the School Board passed the clear back pack policy in the interest of staff, faculty and students safety, however, it does not make an impact.
  17. 11 August Education and Human Services Standing Committee Meeting
  18. 11 Chair Stephanie Lynch arrived at 2:12 and was seated.
  19. 12 page break
  20. 12 Yasmin Mahmood, owner and landlord of the Gate Oaks Apartments, addressed the committee regarding her concerns about a nearby motel, and she stated the 2900 block of Chamberlayne Avenue is in a human health crisis due to prostitution, drugs and gun violence. She also stated it is becoming increasingly difficult to operate her apartment complex that is located next to the establishment.
  21. 13 Paper(s) for Consideration
  22. 13 Chair Stephanie Lynch asked Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services, Traci DeShazor, if she could meet with Ms. Mahmood, and if she could follow up with Kevin Vonck, Director of Planning and Development Review, to schedule a visit to the referenced motel. Chair Lynch also stated the motel has been a long standing issue and she would like a resolution.
  23. 1. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a First Amendment to Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and The Salvation Army for the purpose of modifying the City’s payment obligation of grant funds to The Salvation Army for the operations of an inclement weather shelter and year-round emergency shelter located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue. (3rd District) ORD. 2024-173 recommended for approval
  24. 14 Ms. Mahmood stated that code enforcement cites the motel regularly, but the owner sells the property to relatives when the limit of citations is reached.
  25. 2. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a First Amendment to Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Emergency Shelter, Inc., doing business as HomeAgain, for the purpose of modifying the City’s payment obligation of grant funds to HomeAgain for the operations of a 50 bed, year-round emergency shelter located at 7 North 2nd Street. (6th District) ORD. 2024-174 recommended for approval
  26. 15 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille suggested in addition to code enforcement, that the City Attorney's office, along with the Richmond Police Department (RPD), be included in conversations about the motel.
  27. 16 Board Vacancies
  28. 16 Timothy Glenn, founder and owner of the Fisher's of Men Transition Assistance Organization, addressed the committee regarding homelessness in the city, and provided information regarding how his organization is helping the homeless.
  29. 17 Board Vacancy Report - Education & Human Services CD.2024.235
  30. 17 Susan Rivers, volunteer with Blessing Warriors, addressed the committee and stated she would like to know who is accountable for money that has been earmarked for homelessness services in the city.
  31. 18 Approval of Minutes
  32. 18 Rhonda Sneed, Blessing Warriors Executive Director, addressed the committee about how a hospital is discharging a patient with only a hospital gown as attire. She also inquired about the showers and systems that are in place at the Salvation Army Shelter site.
  33. 19 June 13, 2024 - Education & Human Services Standing Committee Meeting Minutes CD.2024.231
  34. 20 Staff Report
  35. 21 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
  36. 23 page break
  37. 24 Public Hearing Trauma Healing Response Network
  38. 25 Members of the Trauma Healing Response Network provided additional comments regarding action taken by the network.
  39. 26 Chair Stephanie Lynch thanked everyone for sharing their testimonies and stated grassroots organizations, such as the Trauma Healing Response Network, need adequate support and funding for staff.
  40. 27 Member Nicole Jones stated that the Trauma Healing Response Network should be commended for building a solid system that needs more support. She also stated that it is imperative that the organization's work is recognized, and she suggested implementing the system into city school programs.
  41. 28 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille thanked the Trauma Healing Response Network for working diligently in the community. She also stated the strategic intentionality of building and funding the organization will have a positive impact on the community.
  42. 30 Richmond Public Schools (RPS) and Richmond School Board Updates
  43. 32 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille thanked Superintendent Kamras and Richmond School Board Chair Dawn Page on behalf of the children and families in the city.
  44. 33 Chair Page thanked the committee for the continued partnership and collaboration with the school board.
  45. 34 Update from the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services
  46. 35 Traci DeShazor, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services, provided the committee with an update regarding the Community Resource and Training Center, the timeline and annual budget for year-round services for unsheltered residents, and a follow-up on non-departmentals.
  47. 36 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille inquired if the Community Resource and Training Center will function as a day center.
  48. 37 DCAO DeShazor stated bathrooms are in the process of being installed, and she noted that shower installation is still a challenge, however, several places of worship are offering showers for residents to use. She also stated support for laundry service is being considered.
  49. 38 page break
  50. 40 It was the consensus of the committee to cancel the August Education and Human Services Standing Committee meeting.
  51. 42 The following ordinance was considered:
  52. 44 Traci DeShazor, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services, provided the committee with an introduction and background regarding ORD. 2024-173.
  53. 45 Public Hearing
  54. 46 There were no public speakers.
  55. 47 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Nicole Jones moved to forward ORD. 2024-173 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Jones, Newbille. Noes, None. Lynch was excused.
  56. 48 The following ordinance was considered:
  57. 50 Traci DeShazor, DCAO for Human Services, provided the committee with an introduction and background regarding ORD. 2024-174.
  58. 51 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille inquired about the opportunity for families with children to have bed accommodations.
  59. 52 DCAO DeShazor stated the fifty bed shelter will provide accommodations for children.
  60. 53 Public Hearing
  61. 54 There were no public comment speakers.
  62. 55 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Nicole Jones moved to forward ORD. 2024-174 to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Jones, Newbille. Noes, None. Lynch was excused.
  63. 57 Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst, was available to review board applications for consideration by the committee.
  64. 59 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
  65. 60 Chair Stephanie Lynch moved to forward the following board appointment and reappointment applications to Council with a recommendation to approve, and to continue consideration of Richmond Behavioral Health Authority to the October 10, 2024 Education and Human Services Standing Committee meeting, which was seconded and unanimously approved:
  66. 61 Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks: Samuel Stephen Jones Samantha Hudson
  67. 62 Community Policy and Management Team: Daniella Halbleib
  68. 63 Richmond Public Library Board: Cynthia Hinds
  69. 64 Social Services Advisory Board: Timika Cousins (reappointment) Joshua Mathews-Ailsworth
  70. 66 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst, provided the committee with the July Education and Human Services staff report.
  71. 67 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
  72. 68 EHS Staff Report July 2024 CD.2024.253
  73. 69 Chair Stephanie Lynch stated she would like to discuss with members a work plan and focus points for the upcoming year. She also stated she would like to discuss what is the cause of the dissolution of the Richmond Public Schools (RPS) K-5 After School Care Program that was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and what will be the resolution.
  74. 70 Eva Colen, Senior Policy Advisor for Human Services, provided the committee with background information regarding Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Pre-K after school care funding. She stated American Rescue Plan Act funds have ended and research is being done to determine what resources will be available to support the program.
  75. 71 Chair Lynch stated it is a big impact to working families who depend on the after care program and the committee will inquire with RPS and Superintendent Jason Kamras to discuss.
  76. 72 Vice Chair Newbille stated the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC), study concluded the additional need for childcare across the city's footprint is still a huge factor, and that there are possible options and opportunities to address it. She also stated it is critical that all resources all pulled together for desired outcomes.
  77. 73 Ms.Colen stated Human Services is working on how best to implement a trust fund created from American Rescue Plan Act funding and how to resolve the issue of lack of information from the state regarding the projected wait list for the Department of Social Services.
  78. 75 There were no amendments or corrections to the meeting minutes of June 13, 2024, and the committee approved the minutes as presented.
  79. 77 Adjournment
  80. 78 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:52 p.m.