Education and Human Services Standing Committee
Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall
Agenda — 82 items
- 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 Nicole Jones - Member The Honorable Ann-Frances Lambert - Council Vice President
- 3 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Plan Announcement and Citizen Speaker Guidelines
- 3 Staff and Others in Attendance
- 4 Public Comment Period
- 4 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst Janet Palmer, Deputy City Attorney Adam Poser, Deputy Council Chief of Staff Candice Reid, City Clerk RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
- 5 Presentation(s)
- 6 There were no presentations.
- 6 Chair Stephanie Lynch called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m., and presided.
- 7 Discussion Item(s)
- 8 Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Update
- 8 Upon the Vice Chair's request, Deputy City Clerk RJ Warren 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.
- 9 Update from the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services
- 10 Children's Funding Project Update
- 10 There were no public comment speakers.
- 11 Paper(s) for Consideration
- 1. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $797,329.00 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families; to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services called the Human Services Integration Special Fund; to appropriate $100,000.00 of the accepted funds to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Office of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services’ Human Services Integration Special Fund by $100,000.00; and to amend the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 General Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the YMCA of Greater Richmond (Social Needs Navigation) line item in the Non-Departmental agency by $697,329.00 of the accepted funds, for the purpose of increasing integration among non-profit organizations and human services agencies to reduce poverty and increase financial self-sufficiency for residents of the city of Richmond.
- 12 There were no amendments or corrections to the meeting minutes of January 11, 2024, and the committee approved the minutes as presented.
- 2. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Lease Agreement between the City of Richmond, as tenant, and The Salvation Army, as landlord, for the purpose of leasing a portion of the property located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue for the operation of a resource center. (3rd District)
- 3. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and The Salvation Army for the purpose of providing funding for the operations of an inclement weather shelter and year-round emergency shelter to be located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue. (3rd District)
- 15 Stephen Batsche, Executive Director at the Salvation Army Central Virginia Area Command, spoke in support of the proposed ordinances, and he stated that the Salvation Army was honored to partner with the city to provide needed resources to residents. Mr. Batsche also addressed the goals of the Center of Hope, located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue.
- 16 Board Vacancies
- 17 February Board Vacancy Report - Education & Human Services
- 17 Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Update
- 18 Board Assignments for the Education & Human Services Standing Committee
- 18 Jason Kamras, RPS Superintendent, provided the committee with an update regarding RPS and recent action taken by the Richmond School Board, which included the appointment of Shavonda Dixon as the interim 9th District Richmond School Board member. Superintendent Kamras also provided an update regarding RPS Lobby Day at the Virginia General Assembly, and he informed members about the possible impacts of the state budget on RPS funding.
- 19 Approval of Minutes
- 19 Chair Stephanie Lynch stated that the committee would be collaborating with RPS to address the Children's Budget, as RPS and the city move forward on the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget.
- 20 January 11, 2024 - Education & Human Services Standing Committee Meeting Minutes
- 20 Vice President Ann-Frances Lambert inquired about how Council and members of the public can lobby the General Assembly of Virginia and the Governor to increase school funding.
- 21 Staff Report
- 21 Superintendent Kamras stated advocacy and engagement information can be reviewed on the RPS website.
- 22 EHS Staff Report - February 2024
- 23 Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst, reviewed board vacancies for the committee’s consideration.
- 24 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 27 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille moved to forward the following board appointment and reappointment applications to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved:
- 28 Advisory Board of Recreation and Parks: Daniel Vetter
- 29 Aging and Disabilities Advisory Board: Bonnie Predd
- 30 Human Rights Commission: Marie Lofty
- 31 J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College Board: Imad Syed
- 32 Maggie L. Walker Initiative Citizens Advisory Board: Joseph Brooks (reappointment)
- 33 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille moved to forward the following board appointment applications to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved:
- 34 Future of Workforce Commission: Brian Douglas Anderson, Sr. Taikein Cooper John Fife Traymanesha Lamy Christina Mastroianni Sarah Scarbrough Martha Shickle
- 35 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille moved to forward the following board appointment application to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved:
- 36 Richmond Behavioral Health Authority: Aria Kirkland-Harris
- 37 Member Nicole Jones moved to forward the following board appointment application to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved:
- 38 Richmond Behavioral Health Authority: Anika Richburg
- 39 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille moved to forward the following board appointment applications to Council with a recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved:
- 40 Social Services Advisory Board: Portia Allman Ann Kramer Nicole Poulin
- 41 Ms. Nichols had additional discussion with the committee regarding boards, commissions and other entities assigned to the Education and Human Services Standing Committee, and she stated that committees have been tasked with reviewing the assigned entities to identify any that could be deemed inactive, and therefore abolished. Ms. Nichols informed the committee that the Citizen Advisory Commission on Alternatives to Incarceration was no longer active and had not been in some time.
- 42 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille stated that she wanted to obtain additional information regarding the Citizen Advisory Commission on Alternatives to Incarceration before moving forward with declaring the commission unnecessary. Vice Chair Newbille also stated she wanted to inquire if the mission and intent of the commission could be achieved through other methods.
- 43 Chair Stephanie Lynch stated that the committee would have additional discussion regarding the Citizen Advisory Commission on Alternatives to Incarceration, and that the committee would seek input from the chief patron of the commission's establishment.
- 45 The following ordinance was considered:
- 47 Traci DeShazor, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinance.
- 48 Public Hearing
- 49 Lisa Ramirez, YMCA Senior Vice President for Community Impact, spoke in support of ORD. 2024-029, and stated the legislation would help the YMCA and other non-profits increase services provided to the city.
- 50 Chair Stephanie Lynch inquired if the funds referenced in ORD. 2024-029, would be used to purchase license rights to the social care software known as Unite Us.
- 51 DCAO DeShazor confirmed that the funds would be used for Unite Us licenses, and she provided additional planned uses for the received funds.
- 52 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille moved to forward ORD. 2024-029 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 53 The following ordinances were considered:
- 56 Traci DeShazor, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services, provided an introduction and additional background information regarding the proposed ordinances. DCAO DeShazor provided members with a presentation handout addressing the two ordinances.
- 57 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 58 Public Hearing
- 60 Vice President Ann-Frances Lambert inquired about the plan to address trash, loitering, and the overall impact the Center for Hope would have on nearby businesses.
- 61 DCAO DeShazor stated that the city had a mitigation strategy that included collaboration with the Richmond Police Department (RPD), increased security, additional services from the Department of Public Works (DPW), and increased support from Human Services staff.
- 62 Vice President Lambert stated her concerns about staff access to data collection for the Human Resource Center, and she requested staff be given permission to input information and data of unhoused individuals receiving services.
- 63 DCAO DeShazor stated that the city was taking the action necessary with the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) to obtain the ability to input data for the Human Resource Center. DCAO DeShazor also stated that she would provide Council with a GRCoC report on providing walk-in services. DCAO DeShazor also provided information regarding the contract between the Salvation Army and the city related to fundraising and city fund allocation.
- 64 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille stated her appreciation for the collaboration between the Salvation Army and the city.
- 65 Member Nicole Jones stated her appreciation for the work of the city's Human Services staff.
- 66 Chair Stephanie Lynch stated her concerns about the GRCoC and a point of entry for unhoused individuals to receive services, and the ineffectiveness of the Homeless Crisis phone line. Chair Lynch also stated point of entry improvements were necessary in order for individuals to receive the services.
- 67 There were no further comments or discussions and Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille moved to forward ORD. 2024-030 and ORD. 2024-031 to Council with recommendation to approve, which was seconded and unanimously approved.
- 68 Vice President Ann-Frances Lambert left the meeting at 3:13 p.m.
- 69 Discussion Items
- 70 Update from the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services
- 71 Traci DeShazor, DCAO for Human Services, provided the committee with a Human Services update regarding how the city was addressing opioid use and recovery, the city's Health Equity fund, the Family Crisis Fund, and a teen summit that will include an estimated 600 teenagers.
- 72 Children's Funding Project Update
- 73 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst, provided the committee with an update regarding the Children's Funding Project, and she informed the committee that a possible presentation may occur at an upcoming Organizational Development Standing Committee meeting.
- 75 Council staff provided the committee with the February staff report.
- 76 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 78 Adjournment
- 79 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:21 p.m.