Richmond City Council: May 2024

Thursday, May 16, 2024

Richmond City Council establishes major Investments in Youth Gun Violence Prevention Programs

Richmond City Council / News Release

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Thursday, 16 May 2024

Richmond City Council establishes major Investments in Youth Gun Violence Prevention Programs

Richmond, Virginia (5.16.2024) - In finalizing the Fiscal Year 2025 Richmond Government Budget, Richmond City Council made additional investments aimed at tackling the urgent issue of gun violence involving and harming youth in our city.

Committed to the safety and well-being of our young people, Richmond City Council approved substantial funding to support local innovative programs that are working to support and protect our youth and prevent gun violence. These additional investments to support multifaceted approaches for prevention and intervention strategies include:

$370,000 - We Matter RVA

Risk factors for youth violence

Increased new funding for program focusing on gun violence prevention for at-risk youth with high risk factors for violence, as follows: $85,000 for Challenge Discovery for services supporting youth and families directly associated with gun violence; $85,000 to ChildSavers – Memorial Child Guidance Clinic for services supporting youth and families directly associated with gun violence; $100,000 to Communities in Schools for services supporting youth and families directly associated with gun violence. $100,000 to VA League for Safer Streets Inc. for services supporting youth and families directly associated with gun violence.

$250,000 (Total Investment) - Whitcomb Court Gym

Council established $250,000 in funds to be used for Phase III of a planning process to build a new gymnasium in Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority - Whitcomb Court.

In advocating for the additional funding for the We Matters Program, Councilmember Cynthia I. Newbille, Richmond City Council, Richmond East End 7^th Voter District, emphasized the Council's commitment to creating a safer and more resilient Richmond for all residents.

"Gun violence is a complex and deeply concerning issue that requires a comprehensive and collaborative response," says Councilmember Cynthia I. Newbille, Richmond City Council, Richmond East End 7^th Voter District.

In support of these commitments, Councilmember Ann-Frances Lambert, Richmond City Council, Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District, expressed the importance of successful community programming.

"We need direct action and programs in our community that speak to our young people and helps protect and empower them,” says Councilmember Ann-Frances Lambert, Richmond City Council, Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District.

Richmond City Council invites and encourages Richmond residents, community organizations, and stakeholders to join the collective effort to combat youth gun violence and create a brighter future for all Richmond families.

Contact

Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, Richmond City Council Office of Council Chief of Staff; 804.64.6052 (tel); steven.skinner@rva.gov (email)

Website

https://www.rva.gov/richmond-city-council

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/RichmondCityCouncilVirginiaUSA

Richmond City Council overview

Richmond City Council is the official governing legislative institution of Richmond, Virginia and represents residents in creating and amending local laws/ordinances, providing government policy and oversight, and establishing an annual Richmond Government Budget.

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Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 300 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)

NEW LOCATION: Councilmember Robertson to hold a Richmond Honorary Street Naming Unveiling Ceremony for Rev. Shady Clark, Jr.

Ellen F. Robertson/Councilmember

Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6^th Voter District, Richmond, Virginia

News Release/May 16, 2024

NEW LOCATION: Councilmember Robertson to hold a Richmond Honorary Street Naming Unveiling Ceremony for Rev. Shady Clark, Jr.

Corner of 1601 Littlepage Street and Mechanicsville Turnpike

WHAT Richmond, Virginia (5.13.2024) - Councilmember Ellen F. Robertson, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, will hold a Richmond Honorary Street Naming Unveiling Ceremony commemorating the designation of the corner of 1601 Littlepage Street and Mechanicsville Turnpike in honor of Reverend Shady Clark, Jr., reception to follow.

This honorary street naming designation was established by Richmond City Council Ordinance No. 2024-055 on March 25, 2024. https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6556099&GUID=45E8BD19-BDD8-45B0-9D9F-185FF8FA685A&Options=ID|Text|&Search=shady+clark

WHEN Saturday, May 18, 2024

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Reception to follow

WHERE NEW LOCATION

Sanctuary

Eastminster Presbyterian Church

1601 Littlepage Street, Richmond Virginia

(In the Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District)

Old location Corner of 1601 Littlepage Street and Mechanicsville Turnpike

(In the Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District)

Richmond, Virginia

CONTACT

Councilmember Ellen F. Robertson, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District; 804.646.7964 (office) 804.314.7658 (m); ellen.robertson@rva.gov (email)

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Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Richmond City Council, Mayor celebrate approval of first Collective Bargaining Agreements

Richmond City Council / News Release

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Tuesday, 14 May 2024

Richmond City Council, Mayor celebrate approval of first Collective Bargaining Agreements

City of Richmond becomes southernmost locality in Virginia to commit to collective bargaining

Richmond, Virginia (5.14.2024) - In a historic vote yesterday, Richmond City Council voted to approve several collective bargaining agreements between the City of Richmond and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) 995, the Richmond Coalition of Police (RCOP), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

The City formally established five bargaining units in total:

1. Police, represented by RCOP

2. Fire and Emergency Services, represented by IAFF 995

3. Administration and Technical, represented by SEIU

4. Professional, represented by SEIU

5. Labor and Trades, represented by The Teamsters.

The remaining two units, Professional and Labor and Trades, will start negotiations in the coming weeks.

With this vote, the City of Richmond is now the southernmost locality in Virginia to implement collective bargaining for City employees. These agreements mark a significant milestone in the City's commitment to fostering positive labor relations, recognizing the invaluable contributions of city employees, and supporting the success of its employees. By elevating principles of cooperation, ethics, and organizational excellence, the City of Richmond aims to become an employer of choice, attracting and retaining top talent committed to serving the community.

Councilmember Reva M. Trammell, who was the lead patron of the collective bargaining ordinances on Richmond City Council, noted the importance of collective bargaining. “The approval of these collective bargaining agreements acknowledges the hard work and vital role that all City staff play in making Richmond a safe and beautiful city,” said Councilmember Trammell, Richmond Southside 8^th Voter District. “I have always been an advocate for our City workers and this is an important step toward making sure they know we support and value the work that they do every day.”

Council President Kristen M. Nye, who co-led the collective bargaining efforts with Councilmember Trammell, expressed pride in the City’s work toward collective bargaining. “I am so proud that the City of Richmond has become a true leader in public sector collective bargaining in the Commonwealth,” said President Nye, Councilmember, Richmond Southwest 4^th Voter District. “Collective bargaining is a major step forward for our City and, most importantly, our most crucial asset – our City workers. I am so grateful to my Council colleagues, City Administration, union leaders, and most of all, our City workers for all coming together to make collective bargaining a reality in Richmond.”

Mayor Stoney also celebrated City Council’s vote on these agreements. “As one of the first local elected officials to advocate for the Commonwealth of Virginia to give municipalities the authority to move forward with collective bargaining in 2020, I am proud of how far we have come,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “I thank all members of City Council for moving these important agreements forward. We are better today than we were eight years ago – and I see that each and every day when I come to work with some of the best and brightest public servants in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Over the next three years the City has agreed to commit:

· $29.0 million for Fire, Emergency Services, and Emergency Communications

· $34.0 million for Police

· $20.0 million for Administrative and Technical Employees.

In the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, the following have been allocated to support these bargaining agreements:

· $9.1 million dollars to raise pay for our Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and Emergency Services employees. $3.0 million for our Administrative and Technical employees.

· $3.0 million to provide a 4.0 percent salary increase to all other city employees, and an additional $2.0 million to make targeted pay increases for positions making below the market rate identified through the current class and compensation study.

Together, these strategies help us keep the talent we have, attract the talent we need, and move us toward becoming an employer of choice.

The Richmond City Council and Mayor invite residents and stakeholders to join in celebrating this historic achievement and looks forward to continued collaboration with city employees to enhance the quality of life for all members of the community.

To learn more about the recently approved collective bargaining agreements, visit:

· Ordinance 2024-121

· Ordinance 2024-122

· Ordinance 2024-123