Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Councilman Charles R. Samuels and Councilman Jonathan T. Baliles release joint statement regarding proposed Shockoe Bottom Baseball Ordinance

Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.  - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Councilman Charles R. Samuels and Councilman Jonathan T. Baliles release joint statement regarding proposed Shockoe Bottom Baseball Ordinance

WHAT          (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District, and The Honorable Jonathan T. Baliles, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond West End 1st Voter District, release the following joint statement regarding the Mayor’s proposed Shockoe Bottom Baseball Ordinance:

                              “We are disappointed that the Administration has decided in favor of yet another delay in providing details of their Shockoe ballpark plan. They introduced the latest version of their plan on May 12 with a requested public hearing date of May 27 and, to date, have not asked for a continuance. A special four hour mid-day meeting was requested only after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, without consulting Council members' schedules. 

                              Council has followed regular procedure and bent over backwards to get more information through all of the hearings over the last six months. The plan has been vetted by multiple Richmond City Council Finance and Land Use Standing Committee meetings and Council as a whole has been continuously patient in allowing the Administration to miss deadlines that they themselves presented to Council. 

                              Only after they were aware the vote might not go in their favor did they appeal for a special meeting. Council has never set a deadline for this plan and is simply following the Administration's date which was to have the public hearing, per their request, on Tuesday evening. 

                              We have kept open minds with everything this Administration proposes. However, after six months with a proposal that has far more questions than answers, as site control is still in doubt and it is already over budget, this plan is not ready. After all, we are talking about $80 million of public debt. In the meantime, we have schools, roads and other issues which require our local government’s attention. We extend the olive branch to the Mayor to work and find solutions to the issues that face our City. "

CONTACT    For more information, please contact:

                        The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council North Central 2nd Voter District, at 804.646.6532 or by email, at charles.samuels@richmondgov.com
and/or
The Honorable Jonathan T. Baliles, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond West End 1st Voter District, at 804.646.5349 (tel), or jonathan.baliles@richmondgov.com (email)

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Steve Skinner
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
____________________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council is to
represent citizens in creating and amending local laws,
 providing government policy and oversight, and
approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.


Friday, May 23, 2014

Councilman Charles R. Samuels and Councilman Jonathan T. Baliles announce planned vote against Mayor’s proposed Shockoe Bottom baseball ordinance

Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.  - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Friday, 23 May 2014

Councilman Charles R. Samuels and Councilman Jonathan T. Baliles announce planned vote against Mayor’s proposed Shockoe Bottom baseball ordinance

WHAT          (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District, and The Honorable Jonathan T. Baliles, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond West End 1st Voter District, today announce that that they will cast votes against the Mayor’s proposed Shockoe Bottom Baseball Ordinance when it comes to the Richmond City Council Formal Meeting for a vote on Tuesday, May 27, 2017.

                              The administration requested a public hearing date of May 27th when they introduced the latest version of the plan on May 12 and, to date, no one has asked for a continuance. The request for another briefing did not come until after 5:00 p.m. on a holiday weekend only three days before the scheduled vote.  

                              "If the Administration wants to revisit this issue in the fall when they may have a complete plan, we would be happy to consider it along with other potential proposals," says Samuels. "But at this time, there is a growing consensus that this slow drip approach of information is not helpful to the City of Richmond. Instead, it is increasingly interfering with more urgent matters that Richmond City Council needs to resolve."

                              "This proposal is still, after seven months, fundamentally incomplete and continues to unravel with almost every presentation. We have kept open minds on this plan since before Thanksgiving, but the time has come for us to move on to more pressing matters," says Baliles. "We can always revisit this or any other plan at a later date.”

CONTACT    For more information, please contact:

                        The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council North Central 2nd Voter District, at 804.646.6532 or by email, at charles.samuels@richmondgov.com
and/or
The Honorable Jonathan T. Baliles, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond West End 1st Voter District, at 804.646.5349 (tel), or jonathan.baliles@richmondgov.com (email)

- E N D -




Steve Skinner
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
____________________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council is to
represent citizens in creating and amending local laws,
 providing government policy and oversight, and
approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.


Councilman Charles R. Samuels and Councilman Chris A. Hilbert to hold Bicycle Lanes Meeting

Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.  - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Friday, 23 May 2014

Councilman Charles R. Samuels and Councilman Chris A. Hilbert to hold Bicycle Lanes Meeting

Regarding lanes proposed on Hermitage Road, Leigh Street and Brookland Parkway: All Area residents invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT          (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District, and The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District, in Richmond, Virginia are holding a meeting with the Richmond Department of Public Works to discuss bicycle lane markings proposed for installation in neighborhoods within the Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District and Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District this summer.

                              Proposed road markings include those on Hermitage Road between Westbrook Avenue and Westwood Avenue, Brookland Parkway between Hermitage Road and Brook Road, and Leigh Street between the railroad tracks near Myers Street and Dinneen Street.

                              The meeting is free and open to the public and all Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District and Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District residents are invited and encouraged to attend.

WHEN          Thursday, May 29, 2014

6:00-7:30 p.m.
         
WHERE         Richmond Public Schools – Linwood Holton Elementary School
1600 W. Laburnum Avenue - Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.

WHO           The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District

                        The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Richmond City Council Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District

                        Richmond Department of Public Works

CONTACT    For more information, please contact Marianne Pitts, Liaison for The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council North Central 2nd Voter District, at 804.646.6532 or by email, at marianne.pitts@richmondgov.com
and/or
The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Richmond City Council Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District, at 804.646.6055 or chris.hilbert@richmondgov.com.


- E N D -




Steve Skinner
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
____________________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council is to
represent citizens in creating and amending local laws,
 providing government policy and oversight, and
approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to hold meeting in the Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District: Let’s Talk City Budget: Richmond Government Budget at a glance; How Your Tax dollars are being spent

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov
                                                            
COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Wednesday, 21 May 2014

Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to hold meeting in the Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District: Let’s Talk City Budget: Richmond Government Budget at a glance; How Your Tax dollars are being spent

All Gateway 6th Voter District residents invited and encouraged to attend
         
WHAT         (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) - The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, will hold a district-wide meeting in the Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District. This is part of the regular meetings she typically holds each month, which include information on her Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District goals and accomplishments; thematic agendas of current interest; and, special guests. These meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District residents are invited and encouraged to attend. Free refreshments will be served. The planned program for this meeting includes the following:

                    Agenda: Let’s Talk City Budget: Richmond Government Budget at a glance; How Your Tax dollars are being spent

Invited Guests

How to do business with the City of Richmond: Business Incentives & Financial Tools offered by the City
Richmond Department of Budget and Strategic Planning
Richmond Department of Procurement Services
   
                              -  Enterprise Zone Program   
                              -  Mayor’s Opportunity Fund
                              -  Commercial Area Revitalization Effort (CARE)                       
                              -  Tax Abatement Credit Incentives
                              -  And many other incentives

WHEN         Saturday, June 14, 2014
10:00 a.m. – Noon
                   
WHERE        Richmond Times-Dispatch Building (downtown Richmond)
                       300 East Franklin Street
                       Richmond, Virginia 23219

WHO          The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman
                  Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District

CONTACT   For more information, please contact The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, at 804.314.7658 (mobile), or ellen.robertson@richmondgov.com (email)


- E N D -


Steve Skinner
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
______________________________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council is to
represent citizens in creating and amending local laws,
 providing government policy and oversight, and
approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.


Councilman Parker C. Agelasto and Rebuilding Together of Richmond to hold an Application Day Event for Swansboro Neighborhood homeowners to apply for free home repairs

Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.  - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Wednesday, 21 May 2014

Councilman Parker C. Agelasto and Rebuilding Together of Richmond to hold an Application Day Event for Swansboro Neighborhood homeowners to apply for free home repairs

Application Process begins now

WHAT         (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District, and Rebuilding Together of Richmond will be holding an Application Day Event for Swansboro Neighborhood homeowners to apply for free home repairs that will be performed by Rebuilding Together of Richmond during special events throughout the year or during their upcoming annual Richmond Rebuilding Day event, which will be held on April 25, 2015.

                               Homes to be repaired are chosen annually from applications submitted to Rebuilding Together of Richmond in the previous year. Criteria for those who would be eligible for the upcoming free home repair event include the following:
           
·         Homeowners in the Swansboro Neighborhood of Richmond
·         Are 55 years of age or older or have disabilities
·         Have a household income of less than $25,000
·         Are living in the property in the selected project area
      (Assessed annually)

                              Examples of repair work include: repairs to heating/cooling systems, roofs, windows, porches, installation of handrails, improved lighting and removal of dangerous fall hazards.

                              Rebuilding Together of Richmond is a local nonprofit that is part of the national Rebuilding Together organization. Repairs are made during special events throughout the year and culminate in a one-day event. Each year a different Richmond-area neighborhood is selected by Rebuilding Together of Richmond and hundreds of volunteers deploy to complete repairs at selected homes. Rebuilding Together of Richmond receives its supplies and funding from local businesses, individuals and entities. A tremendous undertaking, the annual success of the Rebuilding Together of Richmond represents thousands of hours organizing logistics; soliciting and reviewing applications; coordinating funding and supplies; providing public information and communications; coordinating and managing thousands of community volunteers; and, requiring months of preparatory skilled trades work.

WHEN         Saturday, June 14, 2014

                       10:00-11:00 a.m. (Presentation begins at 10:00 a.m.)


WHERE        Swansboro Baptist Church
                       3810 Midlothian Turnpike
                       Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.
         
WHO          The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman
                        Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District

Rebuilding Together of Richmond
                                                                                      
CONTACT   For more information, please contact:
                       The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District, at 804.646.6050 (tel), or parker.agelasto@richmondgov.com (email)
                       and/or
                       Ms. Mary Kay Huss, Rebuilding Together of Richmond, at: 804.447.3841 or via email, at: marykay@rebuildingtogetherrichmond.org; or website, at www.rebuildingtogetherrichmond.org


- E N D -


Steve Skinner
Council Public Information Manager
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
____________________________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council is to
represent citizens in creating and amending local laws,
 providing government policy and oversight, and
approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.