Education and Human Services Standing Committee
Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall
Agenda — 78 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 citizens who wish to take advantage of this option, must do so prior to 10:00 a.m., on Thursday, March 14, 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 Ellen Robertson - Council Member
- 3 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Plan Announcement and Citizen Speaker Guidelines
- 3 Absent
- 4 Public Comment Period
- 4 The Honorable Nicole Jones - Member
- 5 Presentation(s)
- 5 Staff and Others in Attendance
- 6 There were no presentations.
- 6 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst Greg Lukanuski, Deputy City Attorney Kim Morris, Assistant City Clerk Adam Poser, Deputy Council Chief of Staff Candice Reid, City Clerk RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
- 7 Discussion Item(s)
- 8 Richmond Public Schools (RPS) and Richmond School Board Updates
- 8 Chair Stephanie Lynch called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m., and presided.
- 9 Update from the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services
- 10 Recertification of Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) Families and Evictions
- 10 Upon the Chair's request, Kim Morris, Assistant City Clerk provided information on the appropriate manner in which the Council Chamber is to be evacuated in the event of an emergency along with citizen speaker guidelines.
- 11 RRHA - Handout
- 12 Paper(s) for Consideration
- 12 Makayla Ross addressed the committee, and stated her concerns regarding Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) evictions due to miscalculated resident rental contributions.
- 1. To amend City Code § 2-744, concerning the duty of the Mayor to submit reports on City’s comprehensive poverty reduction initiative, for the purpose of modifying reporting requirements.
- 13 Brian Bills addressed the committee, and stated his concerns regarding residents of RRHA experiencing evictions due to miscalculated rent.
- 2. To amend City Code § 2-850 for the purpose of revising the membership composition of the Future of Workforce Commission to include representatives from businesses located without the corporate City limits that serve the residents of the city of Richmond.
- 3. To express support for the City’s acquisition, designation, and establishment of a portion of the property located at 405 West 6th Street and commonly known as Manchester Green as an official City park. (6th District)
- 15 The following ordinance was considered:
- 16 Board Vacancies
- 17 There were no board vacancies.
- 17 Public Hearing
- 18 Approval of Minutes
- 18 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 19 None
- 19 Councilor Ellen Robertson provided the committee with an introduction regarding ORD. 2024-047.
- 20 Staff Report
- 20 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille inquired if reports will still be made and provided before Council.
- 21 March 2024 Staff Report
- 21 Councilor Robertson stated that the presentation will still be made before the full body during Council's formal meeting.
- 22 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Newbille moved to forward ORD. 2024-047 to Council with the recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Newbille, Lynch. Noes 0.
- 23 The following ordinance was considered:
- 25 Public Hearing
- 26 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 27 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille inquired if the adoption of the proposed ordinance will allow expansion to business representatives outside of city limits.
- 28 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Newbille moved to forward ORD. 2024-054 to Council with the recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Newbille, Lynch. Noes 0.
- 29 The following resolution was considered:
- 31 Public Hearing
- 32 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 33 Councilor Ellen Robertson provided the committee with an introduction regarding RES. 2024-R008.
- 34 Traci DeShazor, DCAO for Human Services, stated that the Department of Human Services is still reviewing the proposed resolution and will continue to work with Councilor Robertson regarding the resolution.
- 35 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille inquired if the property stated in the proposed resolution is currently abandoned.
- 36 Councilor Robertson stated that the property is currently vacant. Ms. Robertson also stated that the project will be beneficial to the area's development.
- 37 Vice Chair Newbille inquired if the property listed in the proposed resolution is owned by CSX Transportation. Vice Chair Newbille stated that there may be an opportunity for collaboration with CSX Transportation.
- 38 Councilor Robertson stated that they are open to the conversation of possible partnerships with CSX Transportation.
- 39 Chair Stephanie Lynch stated that the proposed resolution is thoughtful in providing green spaces.
- 40 Committee members had continued discussion regarding the proposed resolution.
- 41 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille moved to forward RES. 2024-R008 to Council with the recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Newbille, Lynch. Noes 0.
- 46 Jason Kamras, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent, provided the committee with an update regarding Richmond Public Schools (RPS).
- 47 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille expressed appreciation to RPS for their continued work and progress.
- 48 Chair Stephanie Lynch inquired about when RPS will deliver their budget for the fiscal year, 2025.
- 49 Superintendent Kamras stated RPS will present their budget to Council at the appropriate time.
- 51 Traci DeShazor, DCAO for Human Services, provided the committee with an update regarding Human Services.
- 52 DCAO DeShazor introduced Jacqueline (Jackie) Hale as the new Early Childhood Specialist for the Office of Children and Families.
- 53 Members stated they look forward to working with Ms. Hale in her new role with the Office of Children and Families.
- 54 Chair Stephanie Lynch inquired about previous requests to establish advisory councils.
- 55 DCAO DeShazor stated that there are opportunities for individuals and organizations to come together for the needs of the community. DCAO DeShazor also stated that there is no group in place to facilitate and provide services that are needed in the community.
- 56 The committee had continued discussion with DCAO DeShazor regarding Human Services update.
- 58 Steven Nesmith, RRHA Chief Executive Officer, and Kenyatta Green, RRHA Senior Vice President of Affordable Housing, provided the committee with an update regarding RRHA operations.
- 59 Councilor Ellen Robertson left the meeting at 2:50 p.m.
- 60 Chair Stephanie Lynch inquired about the minimum monthly rent requirements for RRHA public housing. Chair Lynch also inquired about the average family monthly income.
- 61 Ms.Green stated that the monthly rent requirements differ based on household income. Ms. Green also stated that the monthly rent can range from $50-$1,700 per month, with the highest average income of $90,000 per year.
- 62 Chair Lynch inquired about the action needed to bring down the balances of owed rent.
- 63 Ms. Green stated that 30% of individuals that go into a payment agreement usually default. She also stated that when a family is placed into a payment agreement, the factors of income are still considered.
- 64 The committee had continued discussion with Mr. Nesmith and Ms. Green regarding recertification of RRHA families.
- 66 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 70 There were no minutes to be approved.
- 72 Council staff provided the committee with the March Education and Human Services staff report.
- 73 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 75 Adjournment
- 76 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:22 p.m.