Public Safety Standing Committee
Council Chamber, 2nd Floor – City Hall
Agenda — 45 items
- 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 (late arrival)
- 3 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Announcement and Public Speaker Guidelines
- 3 Others in Attendance
- 4 Public Comment Period
- 4 LaTanja Davenport, Council Budget Analyst Greg Lukanuski, Deputy City Attorney Candice Reid, City Clerk Steve Taylor, Council Policy Analyst RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
- 5 Public Comment Handout
- 6 Approval of Minutes
- 6 Chair Reva Trammell called the meeting to order at 1:09 p.m., and presided.
- 7 February 27, 2024 - Public Safety Meeting Minutes
- 8 Presentation(s)
- 8 City Clerk Candice Reid 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 There were no presentations.
- 10 Paper(s) for Consideration
- 10 Sarah Ramsey addressed the committee and stated her concerns regarding what she believed were public safety and criminal violations in reference to the Granite Swim and Tennis private pool and tennis club facility. Ms. Ramsey also stated that she believed the Richmond Police Department and city should take action to address the issues she raised.
- 1. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $3,320,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, and to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Justice Services called Safer Communities Special Fund, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Special Fund Budget by increasing revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Justice Services’ Safer Communities Special Fund by $3,320,000.00, for the purpose of funding the implementation of the Safer Community Program.
- 11 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 12 Discussion Item
- 13 Noise Ordinance Enforceability
- 13 Simone Snyder, Scissors Hair Studio Owner, addressed the committee and stated her concerns regarding illegal activity outside of her business establishment. Ms. Snyder also informed the committee about property damage to her businesses from nighttime activity.
- 14 Courthouse Security
- 14 Chair Reva Trammell stated that she would follow-up with Ms. Synder regarding her concerns.
- 15 Board Vacancies
- 15 Zahid Hussain, BP Gas Station owner, addressed the committee and stated his concerns regarding the Richmond Police Department's response to address a public safety event at his business location. Mr. Hussain also stated that he did not receive any help from city administration or the city's court system.
- 16 There were no board vacancies.
- 16 Member Kristen Nye arrived at 1:23, and was seated.
- 17 Staff Report
- 17 Chair Trammell stated her appreciation for individuals that provided comments during the public comment period.
- 19 There were no amendments or corrections to the meeting minutes of February 27, 2024 and the committee approved the minutes as presented.
- 23 Richmond Circuit Court Chief Judge William R. Marchant addressed the committee and discussed his concerns about the safety of judges and staff located at the John Marshall Courts building. Chief Judge Marchant informed the committee about certain safety concerns, and he also addressed requested safety improvements submitted to city administration, that he believed had not been addressed.
- 24 Chair Reva Trammell stated her concerns regarding the delay in addressing the safety improvements requested by the city's courts staff.
- 25 Member Kristen Nye requested that the committee be provided an update at the next Public Safety Committee meeting regarding the safety concerns raised during the discussion.
- 29 The following ordinance was considered:
- 31 Rhonda Gilmer, Department of Justice Services Deputy Director, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 32 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Kristen Nye moved to forward ORD. 2024-093 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 33 Discussion Item
- 35 Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards provided the committee with an update regarding the Richmond Police Department's (RPD) enforcement of the city's noise ordinance.
- 36 Member Kristen Nye confirmed with Chief Edwards that RPD and the Finance Department had addressed previous issues regarding the city's collection of noise violation fines.
- 37 Vice Chair Nicole Jones inquired how RPD was working with minority owned businesses in the Shockoe Bottom area regarding noise control enforcement.
- 38 Police Chief Edwards stated that RPD meets with the Shockoe Bottom Business and Neighborhood Association and other nonaffiliated businesses regarding enforcement of the city's noise ordinance.
- 42 Council staff provided the committee with the March Public Safety Standing Committee staff report.
- 43 Member Kristen Nye requested that the committee be provided an update at the next committee meeting regarding city-owned vehicles receiving tickets for parking violations.
- 44 Adjournment
- 45 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2:01 p.m.