Richmond City Council: October 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

Richmond City Council official meeting schedule for November 2011

Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille to hold meeting in the East End 7th District

Friday, October 28, 2011

Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson invites Richmond Eastview Neighborhood homeowners to apply now for free home repairs provided by Rebuilding Together o

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Richmond City Council considering two 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting District Boundary Plans

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Thursday, 27 October 2011

Richmond City Council considering two 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting District Boundary Plans

Public Hearing and vote to be held during Richmond City Council Formal Meeting on Monday, November 14, 2011

WHAT Continuing on a year-long public process for the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting that began in August 2010, Richmond City Council is now formally considering two proposed 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting District Boundary Plans. The two proposed District Boundary plans (attached) were introduced as Richmond City Council Ordinances on Monday, October 24, 2011.

The plans represent the first part of a comprehensive 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan, as they include proposed changes to Richmond Voter District boundaries, but not subsequent adjustments that will need to be made to Richmond Voting Precincts and Richmond Voting Locations (Polling Places) once the voter district boundaries are approved.

Once Richmond City Council officially adopts a 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting District Boundary Plan, they will adjust Richmond Voting Precincts and Richmond Voting Locations boundaries (to coincide with the approved plan) and introduce and vote on those at a later date.

The two proposed District Boundary plans include: Richmond City Council Ordinance Number 2011-184, that was introduced by The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Gateway 6th District, and Richmond City Council Ordinance Number 2011-185, that was introduced by The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, North Central 2nd District.

The only difference between the two proposed District Boundary plans (in addition to changes to the existing Richmond Voter Districts) is that the plan introduced by Councilman Samuels would move a portion of the Monroe Ward Neighborhood (in downtown Richmond) out of the North Central 2nd Voting District and into the Gateway 6th Voting District.

Two detailed representations of the District Boundary plans also are attached. Entitled Redistricting District Plan Patron Robertson and Redistricting District Plan Patron Samuels, they include maps of the plans, population numbers and deviation percentages.

The next step in the process is for the proposed Ordinances to be reviewed in the Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting, on Monday, November 7, 2011, beginning at 5:00 p.m., in the Richmond City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 900 E. Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Richmond City Council is scheduled to hold a Public Hearing and vote on the proposed Ordinances during the Richmond City Council Formal Meeting on Monday, November 14, 2011, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in Richmond City Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Once Richmond City Council officially adopts a Richmond Voter District Boundary Plan, they will adjust Richmond Voting Precincts and Richmond Voting Locations boundaries and introduce and vote on those at a date to be determined.

It is anticipated that a comprehensive plan (including Richmond Voter District Boundaries and Richmond Voting Precincts and Richmond Voting Locations/Polling Places) will be approved and in place by December 31, 2011.

The meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to attend

CONTACT For more information and/or to discuss the Richmond City Council 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting plans or process, Richmond citizens should contact the Richmond City Council Councilmember (contact information below) that represents them or Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, Richmond City Council Office of the Council Chief of Staff, at 804.646.6052 (o); or, steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

BACKGROUND __________________________________________________________________________

2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
We, as Americans, govern ourselves at the state, local and national level and choose (elect) fellow citizens to assist us with the ownership and operation of our government. In order to do this, we organize ourselves into geographical areas (districts) based on population and we use these "voter districts" to determine where we vote, which positions we vote for and who we wish to represent us. This self-governance includes deciding how tax monies are invested; what laws are needed; and, what types of services are provided and how they are managed.

As populations shift over time, we redraw (redistrict) these areas to reflect population changes and help ensure everyone is represented as fairly as possible. Thus, every 10 years (decennially), we perform a United States Census to gather statistical information about ourselves and we use this (in accordance with state, local and federal guidelines) to update the boundary lines of our voting districts.

In 2011, Richmond City Council will redraw (redistrict) the existing nine Richmond Voter District boundaries that we use to elect our local Richmond Elected Government Officials (which include: Members of Richmond City Council, Mayor of Richmond, Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees) in response to results of the 2010 U.S. Census. Adjustments to voting precincts and locations may also be made at this time.

New Richmond Voter Districts are to be based on the 2010 Census population figures for Richmond (available from U.S. Census website, at www.census.gov) and the following criteria (the first five of which are mandatory) and the following four were adopted by Richmond City Council, by Council Resolution on February 28, 2011:

1. Equal population (Making voter districts, as near equal population as possible.)
2. Compactness (Making voter district shapes as closely packed as possible.)
3. Contiguity (Making voter district physically encompassed/connected, which may include spanning water.)
4. Avoidance of split U.S. Census Blocks (Not dividing the smallest geographic unit of census data when forming precincts/districts.)
5. Compliance with the Voting Rights Act (Redistricting Plan must comply with the U.S. Voting Rights Act and be approved by the U. S. Department of Justice
6. The 2011 redistricting plan should, if possible, avoid splits of voting precincts between the Council, School Board, state legislative and congressional election districts.
7. The 2011 redistricting plan should maximize voter convenience and the effective administration of elections.
8. The 2011 redistricting plan should preserve communities of interest.
9. The 2011 redistricting plan should, if possible, consolidate smaller voting precincts so that the number of registered voters in each precinct is at least the statewide average of 2,013.

As Richmond citizens, we use our Richmond Voter Districts to elect the following positions that are established in the Richmond City Charter:

Richmond City Charter Officials
• A Mayor (who must receive the most votes in at least five of the nine Richmond Voter Districts and who serves a 4-year term)
• Members of Richmond City Council (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)
• Richmond Public Schools Board Trustees (elected by Richmond Voter District to serve four-year terms)

Virginia Constitutional Officers (Elected Government Officials)
Additional local positions we elect persons to include Virginia Constitutional Officers, which serve at the Richmond level but are established by the Virginia Constitution and are independent of local government. These positions are elected in Richmond citywide (not by district) but voting may be affected due to changes to voting precincts and locations, they include:

• A Richmond Sheriff (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)
• A Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney of Richmond (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)
• A Richmond Clerk of the Court (elected citywide to serve an 8-year term)
• A Richmond Treasurer (elected citywide to serve a 4-year term)

National and State Elected Government Officials
Voting for the following national and state positions may also be affected due to changes to Richmond voting precincts and locations (Note: Decennial redistricting of voter districts in which these positions are elected will be performed in 2011 by the Virginia General Assembly:
• A President/Vice President of the United States of America (elected nationally to serve a 4-year term)
• Members of the United States Senate (elected statewide to serve 6-year terms)
• Members of the United States House of Representatives (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)
• Members of the Virginia State Senate (elected by state districts to serve 4-year terms)
• Members of the Virginia House of Delegates (elected by state districts to serve 2-year terms)

2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Input
The 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting will be a year-long open public process that will include a comprehensive array of public information communications and numerous opportunities for Richmond Citizens to learn more, provide input and participate, which will include many Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings, and Public Hearings. All Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to learn more about the process and to participate during each step of the way. Some of the many ways to engage in this process include:

1. Contacting the Richmond City Council Councilmember that represents you via
phone, email, meeting or letter (contact information below)

2. Sending a letter to Richmond City Council
2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
Richmond City Hall; 900 E. Broad St., Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219

2. Attending Public Information Meetings, Council Public Meetings and Public Hearings to learn more, ask questions and make suggestions (dates, times and locations listed below)

3. Visiting the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting website to learn more. The website is located on the City of Richmond website under the “Highlighted Information” button by clicking the word Redistricting. The direct address is: http://www.richmondgov.com/Redistricting/index.aspx. The Redistricting website contains information and documents regarding Richmond’s redistricting process and will be updated with new information throughout the year as the process proceeds. Richmond citizens are invited an encouraged to visit the site, provide input, and to attend all Redistricting meetings scheduled for the process.

4. Asking questions, learning more, and sending suggestions or information by email to steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

5. Sending suggestions or asking questions by sending a fax to 804.646.5468

6. Learning more, asking questions and providing suggestions by calling 804.646.6052

7. Signing up for information and Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meeting and Public Hearings email updates/alerts, by sending a request email to: steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

Six Stage Process _______________________________________________________________________
The 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting process will be organized into six stages. In the First Stage, Richmond City Council will choose what redistricting criteria are to be used, which will include Public Input and Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. During this First Stage, Council will implement a multi-faceted and comprehensive Public Information communications plan to help ensure Richmond citizens are aware of the Redistricting process. This Public Information is critical to the process and will continue throughout the process. In the Second Stage Council will vote to adopt their selected criteria, which will include Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. In the Third Stage, Richmond will receive 2010 U.S. Census Data for Richmond. In the Fourth Stage, Council will use the criteria and Census Data to draft a 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan (This will probably include three proposals to choose from.), which will include Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. In the Fifth Stage they will vote to adopt a Plan, which will include Public Hearings. New Richmond Voter Districts are to be adopted by December 31, 2011. In the Sixth Stage, they will seek approval (clearance) required from the United States of America Department of Justice per the U. S. National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 1973–1973aa-6).

Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings
Throughout this six-stage process, Richmond City Council is implementing a multi-faceted and comprehensive Public Information communications plan to help ensure Richmond citizens are aware of the Redistricting process. As part of this plan, Council will hold and publicize a number of Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings to help provide information, discuss, receive input, and answer questions regarding the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting. These meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond Citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. All meeting locations are located on a GRTC bus line and are accessible by people with disabilities. The meetings will include the following topics, dates, times and locations (which are subject to change):

STAGE 1 – Choosing Richmond Redistricting Criteria
Richmond City Council will choose from among a number of criteria to decide which ones they want to use to base their redistricting changes to Richmond Voter Districts. In the first stage of the process they will choose the criteria. There are a number of Mandatory Criteria that must be used. There will be a number of Public Information Meetings and Public Council meetings held with regard to this important part of the process.

Mandatory Redistricting Criteria that Council must use include the following:

Mandatory Redistricting Criteria
1. Equal population (Making voter districts, as near equal population as possible.)
2. Compactness (Making voter district shapes as closely packed as possible.)
3. Contiguity (Making voter district physically encompassed/connected, which may include spanning water.)
4. Avoidance of split U.S. Census Blocks (Not dividing the smallest geographic unit of census data when forming precincts/districts.)

Council, at its discretion, may choose (or choose not to) add other Traditional Redistricting Criteria, which may include some, all, none and/or other types of examples of criteria listed below:

Other Traditional Redistricting Criteria
1. Avoidance of splits of voting precincts
2. Preservation of communities of interest
3. Preservation of shape of existing district
4. 4. Protection of incumbents and avoidance of pairing of incumbents
5. Political fairness or competitiveness
6. Voter convenience and effective administration of elections

The following Stage 1 Richmond City Council Public Information Meetings will be held to present and discuss the different redistricting criteria that Richmond City Council may choose to use to base their redistricting changes to Richmond Voter Districts:

Public Input and Pubic Information Meetings to Present and Discuss Redistricting Criteria
The following Stage 1 Richmond City Council Public Input and Public Information Meetings will be held to present, discuss and receive public input on the legal redistricting requirements and the different criteria that Council may choose from to base redistricting changes to Richmond Voter Districts:

Friday, January 14, 2011 Richmond Southside Social Services Center
6:00-7:30 p.m. 4100 Hull Street; Richmond, Virginia 23224
(Richmond’s Southside)

Monday, January 17, 2011 Richmond Police Department - Police Academy
6:00-7:30 p.m. 1202 W. Graham Road; Richmond, Virginia 23220
(Richmond’s Northside)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 Richmond Public Schools – Martin Luther King Jr.
6:00-7:30 p.m. Middle School
1000 Mosby Street; Richmond, Virginia 23223
(Richmond’s East End/Gateway)

Wed., January 19, 2011 Richmond Public Schools - Lucille Murray Brown
6:00-7:30 p.m. Middle School
6300 Jahnke Road; Richmond, Virginia 23225
(Southwest Richmond)

Thursday, January 20, 2011 Richmond Public Schools – Thomas Jefferson
6:00-7:30 p.m. High School
4100 West Grace Street; Richmond, Virginia 23230
(Richmond’s West End)

Results of Richmond City Council Public Information Meetings presented to Council
Results of the Richmond City Council Public Information Meetings will be presented to Council during the following Public Council Informal Meeting:

Monday, January 24, 2011, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Informal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Richmond City Council discussion of redistricting criteria
Richmond City Council will discuss the criteria they want to choose from during the following Public Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting:

Monday, February 7, 2011, 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room
900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Richmond City Council discussion of redistricting criteria
Richmond City Council will discuss the criteria they want to choose from during the following Public Council Informal Meeting:

Monday, February 14, 2011, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Informal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Richmond City Council Introduction of Redistricting Criteria Resolution
Richmond City Council will introduce a Resolution that selects the criteria they want to choose from during the following Public Council Formal Meeting

Monday, February 14, 2011, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

STAGE 2 – Public Hearing and Adoption of Richmond Redistricting Criteria
Richmond City Council will hold the following Public Hearing and vote to officially adopt Richmond Redistricting Criteria during the following Richmond City Council Formal Meeting:

Monday, February 28, 2011, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

STAGE 3 – 2010 U.S. Census Data for Richmond received
Richmond City Council will receive the 2010 U.S. Census Data for Richmond and make them available to the public.

February or early March 2011
Data estimated to be received/available from U.S. Census Office in late February or early March 2011

STAGE 4 – Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings regarding Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan
Richmond City Council will use their officially adopted redistricting criteria and the 2010 U.S. Census Data to draft a 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan. As part of this process, Richmond City Council will hold Public Information Meetings, Public Council Meetings and Public Hearings. These will include information regarding legal requirements for redistricting, criteria selected by Council, Richmond population shifts over the past 10 years and the approval (clearance) required from the United States of America Department of Justice per the U. S. National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 1973–1973aa-6).

Initial Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan worked on by Council
Richmond City Council works on plan for redistricting - meetings and locations to be scheduled as needed and shared with the public.
March-July 2011

Council reviews and informally “OKs” a Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan to present at Public Information Meetings

Monday, Tuesday July 19, 2011; 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Redistricting Work Session
Richmond City Hall, 5th Floor Conference Room
900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Council Informally “OKs” a Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan to present at Public Information Meetings

Monday, July 25, 2011; 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Public Information Meetings to Discuss
Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan
The following Richmond City Council Public Input and Public Information Meetings will be held to present the Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan to the public to present, discuss and receive public input.

Monday, August 8, 2011 Richmond Police Department - Police Academy;
6:00-7:30 p.m. 1202 W. Graham Road, Richmond, VA 23220
(Richmond’s Northside)

Tues., August 9, 2011 Richmond Public Schools - Lucille Murray Brown
6:00-7:30 p.m. Middle School; 6300 Jahnke Road; Richmond, VA 23225
(Richmond’s Southwest)

Wed., August 10, 2011 Richmond City Council Chambers
6:30-8:00 p.m. Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor
900 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia

Thurs., Aug, 11, 2011 Richmond Public Schools – Thomas Jefferson High
6:00-7:30 p.m. School; 4100 West Grace Street; Richmond, VA 23230
(Richmond’s West End)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011 Richmond Southside Government Services Center
6:00-7:30 p.m. 4100 Hull Street; Richmond VA 23224

Richmond City Council Discussion of public comments received during the five Richmond City Council Public Information meetings regarding the Richmond City Council Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan
Richmond City Council will discuss public comments received during the five Richmond City Council Public Information meetings regarding the Richmond City Council Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan that were held across Richmond during the two-week period of August 8 -16, 2011. May include changes to the draft plan.

Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011; 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council
Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting
Richmond City Hall - 2nd floor Large Conference Room
900 E. Broad Street; Richmond, Virginia 23219

Richmond City Council Discussion of public comments received during the five Richmond City Council Public Information meetings regarding the Richmond City Council Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan
Richmond City Council will discuss public comments received during the five Richmond City Council Public Information meetings regarding the Richmond City Council Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan that were held across Richmond during the two-week period of August 8 -16, 2011. May include changes to the draft plan.

Monday, Sept. 12, 2011; 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Informal Meeting;
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Council Reviews/Makes Any Final Adjustments to Draft Plan and Determines Final Plan to be Introduced

Monday, October 10, 2011, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Informal Meeting;
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

STAGE 5 - Public Hearing and Adoption of 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan

Richmond City Council Introduces Final 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan as an Ordinance

Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Proposed Ordinances to be reviewed in the Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee Meeting

Monday, November 7, 2011, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Organizational
Development Standing Committee Meeting
Richmond City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room, 900 E. Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219

Richmond City Council Public Hearing/Adoption of 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting Plan
Richmond City Council will hold a the following Public Hearing on the Draft 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan and vote to officially adopt it during the following Public Richmond City Council Formal Meeting:

Monday, November 14, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council Formal Meeting
Richmond City Council Chambers
Richmond City Hall, 2nd Floor, 900 E. Broad Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23219

STAGE 6 – Approval of the U. S. Department of Justice
Richmond City Council will send a copy of the adopted 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter Redistricting Plan (which will be provided to the public) to be approved (cleared) by the United States of America Department of Justice per the U. S. National Voting Rights Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. § 1973–1973aa-6). Anticipated clearance to be received by December 31, 2011

Member of the 2009–2012 RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL ______________________________

PRESIDENT (2009-2010 and 2011-2012)
The Honorable Kathy Graziano
Councilwoman, Richmond City Council - Southwest 4th District
804.320.2454 (office tel); 339.8393 (mobile)
kathy.graziano@richmondgov.com (email)

VICE PRESIDENT (2009-2010 and 2011-2012)
The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson
Councilwoman, Richmond City Council - Gateway 6th District
804.646.5724 (office tel); 314.7658 (mobile)
ellen.robertson@richmondgov.com (email)

West End 1st District
The Honorable Bruce W. Tyler, Councilman
Richmond City Council - West End 1st District
804.357.6007 (mobile)
bruce.tyler@richmondgov.com (email)

North Central 2nd District
The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman
Richmond City Council - North Central 2nd District
804.646.6532 (office tel); 690.0898 (mobile)
charles.samuels@richmondgov.com (email)

Northside 3rd District
The Honorable Christopher A. Hilbert, Councilman
Richmond City Council - Northside 3rd District
804.646.6055 (office tel) 306.0875 (mobile)
chris.hilbert@richmondgov.com (email)

Central 5th District
The Honorable E. Martin Jewell, Councilman
Richmond City Council - Central 5th District
804.646.5724 (office tel); 332.3654 (mobile)
marty.jewell@richmondgov.com (email)

East End 7th District
The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman*
Richmond City Council - East End 7th District
804.646.3012 (office tel)
cynthia.newbille@richmondgov.com (email)
*Elected November 3, 2009 in special local election

Southside 8th District
The Honorable Reva M. Trammell, Councilwoman
Richmond City Council - Southside 8th District
804.646.6592 (office tel); 240.5050 (mobile)
reva.trammell@richmondgov.com (email)

South Central 9th District
The Honorable Douglas G. Conner, Jr., Councilman
Richmond City Council - South Central 9th District
804.646.6592 (office tel); 512,0500 (mobile)
doug.conner@richmondgov.com (email)

MAILING ADDRESS/WEBSITE

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219 - 804.646.7955
www.council.richmondva.gov (website)

Richmond City Council __________________________________________________________________

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.

CONTACT _______________________________________________________________________________
For more information and/or updated schedule, Richmond citizens should contact the Richmond City Council Councilmember that represents them or Steve Skinner, Council Public Information Manager, Richmond City Council Office of the Council Chief of Staff, at 804.646.6052 (o); or, steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

- e n d -

______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
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
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________

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, October 26, 2011

Councilwoman Reva Trammell to hold a 2011 Richmond Southside 8th District Senior Information and Resource Fair

Thursday, October 20, 2011

A statement regarding the Mayor and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority

Canceled: Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Council – Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, VA 23219 - www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO BE FORWARDED AND SHARED
Thursday, 20 October 2011

Canceled: Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission meeting scheduled for tonight has been canceled

Rescheduled date: Thursday, November 3, 2011; All Citizens invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission scheduled for tonight has been canceled. The rescheduled date for the meeting will be Thursday, November 3, 2011.

The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission holds meetings throughout the year regarding the work and ongoing projects of the Richmond Slave Trail Commission in helping to preserve and present the history of slavery in Richmond. The meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. The typical agenda for the meetings include the following:

• Welcome
• New Business
• Updates
• Committee Reports
• Charette
• Upcoming Events
• Closing Remarks/Adjournment

WHEN OCTOBER MEETING CANCELED
Thursday, 20 October 2011
4:00-5:30 p.m.

WHERE Richmond East District Initiative Government Services Building
701 N. 25th Street (In Richmond’s Historic East End)

WHO The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn, Chairman, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates 70th District,

The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council East End 7th District, Member, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission

CONTACT For more information regarding the Richmond Slave Trail Commission, please contact The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn, Chairman, Richmond Slave Trail Commission (Member, Virginia House of Delegates -70th Voter District) at 804.698.1070, or deldmcquinn@house.virginia.gov
or
The Honorable Cynthia I. Newbille, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council East End 7th District, Member, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission, at 804.646.3012; or cynthia.newbille@richmodngov.com.

Background _________________________________________________________________________

Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission
The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is a government entity of Richmond City Council that was established by Resolution Number 98-R 102-107, adopted July 13, 1998, as amended by Resolution No. 2000-R111-109, adopted July 24, 2000, as amended by Resolution No. 2003-R132-123, adopted July 14, 2003, as amended by Resolution No. 2003-R155-141, adopted September 8, 2003, as amended by Resolution No. 2004-R125-131, adopted June 28, 2004.

The purpose of the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is to assist Council with oversight and assistance in helping to preserve and present the history of slavery in Richmond. The Commission meets monthly and includes 17 members that are appointed by Council to serve for three year terms. The composition of membership is as follows:

The Commission shall be composed of seventeen (17) members. Such persons shall be appointed by the Council and shall serve for terms of three (3) years. The membership of the Commission shall include at least one (1) member of City Council, not less than three (3) members of the “Hope in the Cities” organization and a representative from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. Any appointed Council members shall be given the first option of serving as the Chair of the Commission in order of their appointment. Five members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for meetings.

Over the years, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission has worked on a number of important projects, which have included:

• 2011
Unveiling of 17 Richmond Slave Trail Markers located throughout the Shockoe Bottom area of Richmond, marking sites that help tell the historic journey, human impact, and the role Richmond played in the tragic history of slavery.

The Richmond Slave Trail Markers will serve to recognize the regrettable time in our nation’s history when parts of the United States allowed the enslavement of fellow human beings and an estimated 8 percent of U.S. families owned slaves just before the U.S. Civil War. The site of the event and location of one of the 17 markers, Lumpkin's Slave Jail was the largest slave-holding facility in operation in Richmond, Virginia from 1840 until the end of the U.S. Civil War in 1865. During that time, Richmond was home to the largest domestic slave export business in the United States. The Confederate Army surrendered Richmond, the Capital of the Confederacy, on April 3, 1865.

Following shortly after the end of the U. S. Civil War, which ended in Virginia on April 9, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States of America Constitution was adopted on December 6, 1865. This amendment officially abolished slavery. A precursor for this amendment was the Emancipation Proclamation, an Executive Order signed by President Abraham Lincoln, on January 1, 1863, which proclaimed the freedom of slaves living in states under Confederate control.

• 2009
Development of the conceptual Richmond National Slavery Museum
Richmond City Council provides annual staff assistance and financial support for the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission. Council staff support includes providing fiscal management, public information, writing, publication creation, graphic design, special event and project management, promotions and fundraising. Additional staff support is provided by the Richmond City Administration through the Richmond Department of Economic Development, which includes project engineering and management.

• 2009
Development of the Richmond Slave Trail Marker Program, Signage and
Commemorative Site: Lumpkin’s Slave Jail

• 2008
Discovery of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail historic foundation and architectural
artifacts.

• 2008 – 2009
Phase II Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment: which
included engineering and storm water engineering

• 2007
Richmond International Unveiling of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue on Friday, March 30, 2007, erected at 15th and E. Main Streets. Included design and construction of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statute plaza and erection of the statue. This project was part of a global initiative placing three statues in three countries. Dedicated to slavery reconciliation, the installation of the statue represents nearly 10 years of work between the City of Richmond, Virginia, USA (North America), Liverpool, England (Europe), and the Republic of Benin (Africa). A statue was erected in Liverpool in 1989 and the Republic of Benin in August 2005.

• 2006
Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment
Lumpkin's Slave Jail was the largest slave holding facility in operation in Richmond, Virginia from 1840 until the end of the U.S. Civil War in 1865. During that time, Richmond was home to the largest domestic slave export business in the United States. Owned by Robert Lumpkin, the jail was a place that tens of thousands of African men, women and children were "stored" before being transported to slave owners living in states where slavery was legal. Following Lumpkin's death shortly after the Civil war, his common law widowed wife Mary Lumpkin, who was African-American, inherited the estate. In 1867, she leased the jail to Reverend Nathaniel Colver, who established a school for freed slaves at the site. Founded by the American Baptist Home Missionary Society and the National Theological Institute, the school grew into what is now Virginia Union University.

• 2003
Acquisition of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue. For three quarters of the 18th Century, Virginia (North America), Liverpool, England (Europe), and the Republic of Benin (Africa) represented one of the largest global commercial trade triangles of enslaved Africans. Liverpool's shipbuilding industry provided the vessels that sailed to the Kingdom of Dahomey, now the Republic of Benin, where Africans were loaded on ships and transported to the Americas, with Richmond, Virginia being one of the major recipients.

Support
Richmond City Council provides annual staff assistance as available and financial support for the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission. Council staff support includes providing fiscal management, public information, writing, publication creation, graphic design, special event and project management. Additional staff support is provided by the Richmond City Administration through the Richmond Department of Economic Development, which includes project engineering and management.
Council financial support is provided through appropriations in the Richmond City Budget. This includes appropriations in the Richmond City Budget Capital Improvement Plan, Non-Departmental budgets and Departmental budgets. Funding is predicated on requests made by the Commission and as determined by Council.

Examples of Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission financial investment support, per Fiscal Year (FY), include:

• FY 2011- $6,000
For general Commission support

• FY 2010- $6,000
For general Commission support

• FY 2009 - $75,000
For general Commission support ($30,000 - spent $5,124) and for development of the Richmond Slave Trail Marker Program; signage and commemorative site; Lumpkin’s Slave Jail; development of conceptual National Slavery Museum; and, paid sponsorship for Symposium at the University of Richmond for the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

• FY 2008 - $370,000
For general Commission support ($30,000 - spent $7,748) and for Phase II of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment, which included $155,000 for earthmoving and $35,000 for engineering and stormwater engineering (floodplain and proximity to I-95 berm) and $150,000 for archaeological services to hire a vendor.

• FY 2007 - $511,000
For general Commission support ($11,000) and design and construction of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statute plaza; erection of the statue; and, the International Unveiling of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue

• FY 2006 - $35,000
For Richmond Slave Trail Brochure Creation/Printing Phase I of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment

• FY 2003 - $119,000
For acquisition (purchase) of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue and freight
from the United Kingdom

Additional financial, staff and archeological support has also been provided by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods, and a number of corporate, nonprofit and individual financial sponsors.

- E N D -

______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
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
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
____________________________________________

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, October 19, 2011

Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to hold news conference regarding bulldozed Whitcomb Court Playground Equipment

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Councilman Conner to hold meeting in South Central 9th District: To include G. H. Reid Elementary School 2nd Annual Health and Harvest Festival

Monday, October 17, 2011

Resolution calls for no action to be taken by the Mayor or City Administration on Richmond Metropolitan Authority refinancing

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Richmond City Council Annual Work Advance Meeting to be held: Meeting to focus on FY 2013 Richmond Government Budget

Richmond City Council