Education and Human Services Standing Committee
Council Chamber, 2nd Floor - City Hall
Agenda — 93 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, January 11, 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 Cynthia Newbille - Vice Chair The Honorable Nicole Jones - Member
- 3 Chamber Emergency Evacuation Plan Announcement and Citizen Speaker Guidelines
- 3 Absent
- 4 Public Comment Period
- 4 The Honorable Stephanie Lynch - Chair
- 5 Presentation(s)
- 5 Staff and Others in Attendance
- 6 Needs Assessment for Older Adults
- 6 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst Nahdiyah Muhammad, Assistant City Clerk Janet Palmer, Deputy City Attorney Candice Reid, City Clerk RJ Warren, Deputy City Clerk
- 7 Needs Assessment for Older Adults - EHS Presentation
- 8 Children's Funding Project Update
- 8 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m., and presided.
- 9 Discussion Item(s)
- 10 Update from the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services
- 10 Upon the Vice Chair's request, Assistant City Clerk Nahdiyah Muhammad 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 Richmond Outdoor & Prosperity Fund (ROPF) Update
- 11 Electronic Participation
- 12 Richmond Public Schools and Richmond School Board Updates
- 12 Pursuant to Rule III(D)(4)(b) of Council’s Rules of Procedure, Committee Chair Stephanie Lynch made a request to participate in the meeting via Microsoft Teams from her home, due to a medical condition that prevented her physical attendance. The committee members present were required to adopt a motion to approve Chair Lynch's participation in the meeting by electronic communication means if it appeared to the body that her request complied with Rule III(D) of Council’s Rules of Procedure. A motion was solicited from those members physically assembled to approve Chair Lynch's participation in the meeting by electronic communication means.
- 13 page break
- 13 Member Nicole Jones moved to allow Chair Stephanie Lynch to participate in the meeting by electronic communication means. The motion was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Jones, Newbille. Noes None.
- 14 Paper(s) for Consideration
- 14 Chair Stephanie Lynch did not join the meeting via Microsoft Teams.
- 1. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Fulton Montessori School grant contract between the City of Richmond and Fulton Montessori School for the purpose of stabilizing, continuing, and expanding operations of a licensed early childhood care and education program in Fulton Hill.
- 2. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Nurture grant contract between the City of Richmond and The OmMama Resource Center, Inc., doing business as Nurture, for the purpose of developing and promoting a web-based directory containing a searchable database of local pregnancy, birth, and early parenting resources.
- 16 Kimberly Ann Myers addressed the committee regarding homelessness in the city and the lack of a sufficient inclement weather shelter. Ms. Myers also addressed her recent experience with homelessness.
- 3. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract Southside ReLeaf, a Non-Stock Corporation between the City of Richmond and Southside ReLeaf for the purpose of providing workforce development opportunities through the creation of greenspaces in the southside of the city of Richmond.
- 17 Rhonda Sneed, Blessing Warriors Executive Director, addressed the committee regarding the impact of severe weather on the homeless population within the city, and the need for more inclement weather options for unhoused families in the city.
- 4. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract Groundwork RVA, Inc. between the City of Richmond and Groundwork RVA, Inc., for the purpose of providing workforce development opportunities through the creation of greenspaces in the southside of the city of Richmond.
- 18 Nancy Williams, Three Gifts to You Ministries, gave thanks to Council for allowing collaboration with the city to address emergency shelter needs. Ms. Williams stated that there is a need for more services that offer showers for the unhoused population.
- 5. To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract Virginia Community Voice, a Non-Stock Corporation between the City of Richmond and Virginia Community Voice for the purpose of providing workforce development opportunities through the creation of greenspaces in the southside of the city of Richmond.
- 19 Bridgette Whitaker stated appreciation to Council for moving forward with addressing homelessness in the city, and she stated her concerns about the need for continued work in the future.
- 20 Board Vacancies
- 20 Cassie Knight addressed the committee regarding the unhoused population in the city, and she stated her concerns about barriers preventing residents from securing permanent housing.
- 21 Board Vacancy Report - Education & Human Services
- 21 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille stated her appreciation for individuals that provided comments to the committee. Vice Chair Newbille also stated that progress has been made, but that more work will be necessary.
- 22 Approval of Minutes
- 23 November 9, 2023 - Education & Human Services Standing Committee Meeting Minutes
- 23 There were no corrections or amendments to the meeting minutes of the Thursday, November 9, 2023, and the committee approved the minutes as presented.
- 24 Staff Report
- 25 Education & Human Services Staff Report
- 26 Pamela Nichols, Council Management Analyst, informed committee members that Chair Stephanie Lynch had requested that the committee continue its review of board vacancies and applications to the February 8, 2024 Education and Human Services Standing Committee meeting.
- 27 Member Nicole Jones moved to continue consideration of applications for appointment and reappointment to the February 8, 2024 Education and Human Services Standing Committee meeting, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Jones, Newbille. Noes None.
- 29 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 30 Presentations
- 32 Traci DeShazor, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Human Services, introduced Natasha Houpe, Office of Aging and Disability Services Program Manager.
- 33 Natasha Houpe, Office of Aging and Disability Services Program Manager, provided the committee with a presentation regarding a needs assessment for older adults.
- 34 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 36 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille gave thanks to the Office of Aging and Disability Services for their work with the aging population.
- 37 Member Nicole Jones gave thanks to Natasha Houpe for her presentation, and she stated she looked forward to future collaboration.
- 38 Vice Chair Newbille stated that she looks forward to more strategy being developed to assist the aging population in areas with the highest concentration and greatest need.
- 40 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst, provided the committee with an update regarding the Children's Funding Project.
- 42 Jason Kamras, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent, and Stephanie Rizzi, Richmond School Board Chair, provided the committee with an update regarding Richmond Public Schools (RPS).
- 43 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille gave thanks to Superintendent Kamras and School Board Chair Rizzi for their continued work with RPS.
- 44 Member Nicole Jones stated that she hoped her experience with RPS can help bridge collaboration between the city and RPS.
- 45 page break
- 47 Traci DeShazor, DCAO for Human Services, provided the committee with an update regarding Human Services. DCAO DeShazor also provided an update regarding the Richmond Outdoor and Prosperity Fund. DCAO DeShazor also stated she would follow up with individuals that provided comment during the meeting's Public Comment Period.
- 49 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 50 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille inquired if organizations that previously received funding from for the Richmond Outdoor and Prosperity Fund could reapply for additional funding.
- 51 DCAO DeShazor stated that she will provide the committee with additional information at a later date.
- 53 The following ordinance was considered:
- 55 Eva Colen, Manager of the Office of Children and Families, provided the committee with an introduction regarding ORD. 2023-371.
- 56 Public Hearing
- 57 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 58 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille stated that the findings from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) study suggested a need for more early childhood care within the city.
- 59 Eva Colen stated that city administration will continue to work closely with organizations and agencies that provide support to early childhood education and care.
- 60 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Nicole Jones moved to forward ORD. 2023-371 to Council with the recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Jones, Newbille. Noes None.
- 61 page break
- 62 The following ordinance was considered:
- 64 Eva Colen, Manager of the Office of Children and Families, provided the committee with an introduction regarding ORD. 2023-372.
- 65 Public Hearing
- 66 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 67 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille stated action was needed to address the recent increase in infant mortality and youth health conditions. Vice Chair Newbille also stated that having different types of access to available health information was important. Vice Chair Newbille inquired about Spanish language accessibility regarding resources.
- 68 Leslie Lytle, Nurture RVA Executive Director and Founder, confirmed that they are in the process of language translation of health resources.
- 69 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Nicole Jones moved to forward ORD. 2023-372 to Council with the recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Jones, Newbille. Noes None.
- 70 The following ordinances were considered:
- 74 Ryan Rinn, Economic Development Business Services Manager, Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, provided the committee with an introduction regarding ORD. 2024-003, ORD. 2024-004 and ORD. 2024-005.
- 75 Public Hearing
- 76 There were no public hearing speakers.
- 77 Member Nicole Jones stated that she looks forward to learning more about the upcoming projects in the 9th District.
- 78 Vice Chair Cynthia Newbille inquired if the green spaces will be used for agricultural growing.
- 79 Ryan Rinn stated that each community will decide what will be done with the new green spaces.
- 80 Vice Chair Newbille inquired about the remaining resources to continue the project once the pilot is completed. Vice Chair Newbille also inquired about student engagement.
- 81 Ryan Rinn stated that the pilot was supported by funds received from the United States Department of Labor. Mr. Rinn also stated that if the pilot program is successful, there will be more access to more funding. Mr. Rinn further stated that there will be student engagement.
- 82 There were no further comments or discussions and Member Nicole Jones moved to forward ORD. 2024-002, ORD. 2024-003 and ORD. 2024-004 to Council with the recommendation to approve, which was seconded and approved: Ayes 2, Jones, Newbille. Noes 0.
- 83 page break
- 85 Joyce Davis, Council Policy Analyst, provided the committee with the meeting staff report.
- 87 A copy of the material provided has been filed.
- 88 Adjournment
- 89 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:06 p.m.