Councilman Parker C. Agelasto to hold a meeting for the Richmond Central 5th Voter District: Back to School Supply Drive

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

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, 31 July 2015

Councilman Parker C. Agelasto to hold a meeting for the Richmond Central 5th Voter District: Back to School Supply Drive

NOTE: This meeting was previously schedule to be held at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond - Southside Club, but will now be held at the Richmond Government Services Center at Southside Plaza: All Richmond Central 5th Voter District residents invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT         (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District, will hold a district-wide meeting for the Richmond Central 5th Voter District. This meeting will include a 2015 Richmond Central 5th Voter District School Supply Drive and all individuals wishing to donate school supplies for children for the upcoming school year are invited and encouraged to bring them to the meeting. The most needed school items include the following:

·         #2 Pencils

·         Crayons

·         Colored Pencils

·         Boxes of Tissues

·         Scissors

·         Rulers

·         2 Pocket folders

·         3 ring binders

·         Spiral Notebooks

·         Loose Leaf Paper

·         Composition Notebooks

·         Elmer’s Glue/Glue Sticks

                              This is part of regular meetings Councilman Agelasto holds, which include information on his Richmond Central 5th Voter District goals and accomplishments; a thematic agenda of current interest; and, special guests. These meetings are free and open to the public and all Richmond Central 5th Voter District residents are invited and encouraged to attend. The planned agenda/discussion topics for the upcoming meeting include:

·      Richmond Public Schools - Update

Dr. Dana T. Bedden, Superintendent, Richmond Public Schools

and “Executive Cabinet Members”

·      Groundwork RVA - Presentation

Ms. Giles Harnsberger, Executive Director, Groundwork RVA

·      Reedy Creek – Update on upcoming work

Ms. Rosemary Green, Deputy Director, Richmond Department of Public Utilities

·      Questions, Comments and/or Concerns

The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman
Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District

WHEN         Wednesday, August 5, 2015

                       6:30-8:00 p.m.

WHERE        New Location:

                  Richmond Government Services Center at Southside Plaza

                       4100 Hull Street; Richmond, Virginia

      

WHO          The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto, Councilman

                        Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District

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)

Councilman Agelasto’s Future Richmond Central 5th Voter District Meetings

  

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

World War Memorial Carillon

0 S. Boulevard, Richmond, Virginia

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

HOLIDAY PARTY

Virginia War Memorial

621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, Virginia

                                                                                

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______________________________________________________________

Steve Skinner

Council Public Information Manager

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

OFFICE OF THE COUNCIL CHIEF OF STAFF

Richmond City Council Executive Offices

Richmond City Hall

900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305

Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A.

804.646.6052 (tel)

804.937.1386 (home/mobile)

804.335.4054 (mobile)

804.646.5468 (fax)

steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)

www.council.richmondva.gov(website)

www.facebook.com/RichmondCityCouncilVirginiaUSA (facebook)

______________________________________________________________

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.

A Statement by The Honorable Michelle R. Mosby: Regarding: A Proposed Ordinance to establish a Council Compensation Review Advisory Committee

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

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

Thursday, 30 July 2015

A Statement by

The Honorable Michelle R. Mosby

Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond South Central 9th Voter District

Regarding: A Proposed Ordinance by Councilwoman Mosby introduced Monday, July 27, 2015 to establish a Council Compensation Review Advisory Committee to conduct an independent review of the compensation structure for Richmond City Council members.

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) –  “Long before I became a member of Richmond City Council, Richmond residents were asking why, with all the work Councilmembers do, is the stipend for them so low. People say that an increase is way past due.

     People have also questioned the low rate as not being fair to those interested in serving and that an increase would mean that even more individuals would be interested in running.

     In response to those questions, and rather than arbitrarily asking for the stipend to be increased, I think that the fiscally responsible and prudent thing to do is to convene an independent advisory committee to study the issue and to find out if in fact this is the case.

     If the committee thinks the current rate is fine then there would be no change, if they think it needs to be increased then that will be considered as well.

     The last time the stipend was increased was about 18 years ago, in 1997. Since that time Richmond has seen major changes. This has included establishing a brand new form of government, changing from a Council-Manager to a Council-Mayor Form of Government, which makes it the only city government like it in Virginia. Richmond also serves the distinction as being the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia.  

     If an update is needed, it has to go through a quite lengthy local and state public approval process. For example, if anything was decided today - it would have public hearings and need Council approval, then would need to be introduced at the state legislative level, have additional public hearings and receive state approval.

     Through all the process, any changes wouldn't go into effect for about two years down the road. This would not affect the current Councilmembers serving the 2013-2016 Richmond City Council Term.

     I don't know of many people who would expect a rate to stay the same for 20 years. For example, since 1990 even the slow-to-increase federal minimum wage rate has gone up seven times.

     The Committee should compare this in light of the amount of time that Councilmembers spend attending Official Richmond City Council Meetings as required by law and other work representing constituents.

     To help ensure accuracy, the review should be comprehensive and should include the annual stipend amount, reimbursement for expenses, health, retirement, and other benefits.

     We should also take a look at what other jurisdictions of comparable population and governmental structure to Richmond are doing. This will be a public process and the committee will hold public hearings in multiple locations around the city to receive public comment on their findings. Once again, if the committee recommends no changes, then no changes would be made.

     The Committee would submit a written report to Council by November 2, 2015, which would allow time, if needed, for any proposed recommendations to be requested for the 2016 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Session. The changes of which would not go into effect until the summer of 2017.

     The next time an increase would be possible after that would be around the year 2021."

CONTACT   For more information, please contact

                  The Honorable Michelle R. Mosby, Councilwoman

                       Richmond City Council, Richmond South Central 9th Voter District,

                       at 804.912.6465 (tel), or michelle.mosby@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)

steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)

www.council.richmondva.gov(website)

www.facebook.com/RichmondCityCouncilVirginiaUSA

____________________________________________________

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.

A Joint Statement by Councilman Baliles and Councilman Samuels: Regarding: Resolution to advance a Request for Qualifications for City-owned Boulevard Property; Amending and continuing proposed Richmond City Council Resolution Number 2014-R184

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

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

Monday, 27 July 2015

A Joint Statement by

The Honorable Jonathan T. Baliles

Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond West End 1st Voter District

and

The Honorable Charles R. Samuels

Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond North Central 2nd Voter District

As released July 25, 2015 by Councilmen

Regarding: Resolution to advance a Request for Qualifications for City-owned Boulevard Property; Amending and continuing proposed Richmond City Council Resolution Number 2014-R184

WHAT          (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – “Because we support improving health care for children in our region, we are amending and continuing our Boulevard development Request for Qualifications (RFQ) resolution until the December Council meeting. The Commonwealth of Virginia requires that all new hospitals apply for a Certificate of Public Need, therefore we will be able to evaluate the important details of the children’s hospital plan at that time before we reconsider our resolution.

                              Based on our understanding of the state’s requirements, the plan for the Children’s Hospital will require a letter of intent that is to be submitted on or around December 2, 2015. Per state code, the letter of intent is the first step and “…shall identify the owner, the type of project for which an application is requested, and the proposed scope (size) and location of the proposed project.” The state then has seven days to transmit an application, which would then be due on or about January 2, 2016 and include important information about the project, including methods of financing. It is also our understanding that at this time, the letter of intent process is moving forward with all these vital details required by the state and it should be better known by December if this project will move forward. In the interim, the two of us look forward to collaborating with our colleagues on Council and friends in the surrounding localities in building a regional partnership that would help make this effort successful.

                              Should the children’s hospital application not advance as conceived, we stand by our resolution that the Boulevard should be developed to its highest and best use for the City with all options on the table. That process should be transparent and include participation, especially from surrounding neighborhoods and a thorough public process. That process should begin as soon as possible, pending the outcome of the state’s decision on the planned Certificate of Public Need application for a new children’s hospital.

                              We think it is important to note that the Request for Qualifications merely seeks to identify potential companies that have the vision and financial wherewithal to develop this 61 acre tract of City-owned land. This would position the City to move toward identifying potential qualified developers – but not specific uses – if the hospital’s application process is not successful.

                              We are eager to learn more details about the effort to bring a freestanding children’s hospital to Richmond, and the health system partners and other entities that would be financially responsible for its development.”

CONTACT    For more information, please contact:

                        The Honorable Charles R. Samuels, Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond 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)

steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)

www.council.richmondva.gov(website)

www.facebook.com/RichmondCityCouncilVirginiaUSA

____________________________________________________

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.

A Statement by The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto: Regarding: Withdrawal of Proposed Council Resolution No. 2014-R158 requesting Richmond Chief Administrative Officer to develop a program that establishes rental inspection districts and requires inspection of residential real estate dwelling units

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

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

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

A Statement by

The Honorable Parker C. Agelasto

Councilman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Central 5th Voter District

Regarding: Withdrawal of Proposed Council Resolution No. 2014-R158 requesting Richmond Chief Administrative Officer to develop a program that establishes rental

inspection districts and requires inspection of residential real estate dwelling units within such districts pursuant to Va. Code § 36-105.1:1 and to submit a proposed ordinance setting forth the particulars of such program to the Council for its consideration and adoption.

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – "As residents of the 5th District have repeatedly expressed concerns about rental properties and the negative impacts of absent landlords in their neighborhoods, I was disappointed that Richmond City Council and the Administration of Mayor Jones would not support looking further into a city rental inspection program.

      Due to their lack of support, I have withdrawn my proposed resolution that would have sought the Administration to develop criteria for establishing an effective rental inspection program, which ultimately would have included additional public input and an Ordinance adopted by Richmond City Council.

      Nonetheless, I stand committed and will continue to look at ways to further enhance Richmond laws to make building and property code enforcement more effective.

      I strongly believe that property owners must take responsibility for their tenants and enforce the terms of their leases, such as those requiring tenants to properly maintain a property. For example, it is categorically unacceptable that the Richmond Department of Public Works, Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review Office of Code Enforcement, or any other city government departments is being forced to absorb cleanup costs when tenants move out.

      Please help me and our community combat this issue by reporting violations to the Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review Office of Code Enforcement, at 804.646.4169. When reporting, please provide a specific property addresses and photos if you can and, if you have access to the internet, use the City's database to research property records and include the name of the property owner and any contact information that is available.

      Let's also share all this information publicly. I highly encourage everyone to post their pictures and any other details on Facebook and/or other social media to bring even greater awareness to these individual properties.

      For those who need to know how to become more responsible, Richmond Law/City Code requires that trash be placed in receptacles. Please also bag it and, if it cannot fit into the trashcan, it is best to take the larger items to one of the two Richmond dumps/landfills, which are located at 3520 N Hopkins Road, 804.232.8488 (tel), and 3800 E Richmond Road, 804.646.4706 (tel).

      It is not the job of City sanitation workers to clean up trash, litter and debris that is not properly placed for collection, they work hard to keep our City clean but it is impossible when others are not doing their part. Those responsible should be held accountable, tenants need to do better and certain landlords need to pay to clean up the messes left behind from vacated tenants.

      Calling 311, reporting to SeeClickFix, or asking the Richmond Department of Public Works to do all the work is shifting a tenant and landlord’s cost responsibility to that of the taxpayer. Security deposits and leases are structured for this very reason and it is about time that landlords and tenants live up to their responsibilities.

      Some of Richmond's key laws regarding residential trash can be found in the Richmond Code of Laws/Ordinances: Chapter 86; Article 1 through IV, at https://www.municode.com/library/va/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances

      Once again, while I have withdrawn my current rental inspection proposal, I am actively looking at alternative legislation to make Richmond building and property Code Enforcement more effective. Thank you everyone for their work and support in helping to rid our city neighborhoods of this problem."

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)

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Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to hold a South of the River Meeting for the Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District: “Why Lock’em Up – More Police?”

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

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

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson to hold a South of the River Meeting for the Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District: “Why Lock’em Up – More Police?”

All Richmond 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 South of the River Meeting for the Richmond Gateway 6^th 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/agenda for this meeting includes the following:

                 

                  PROGRAM/AGENDA

“Why Lock’em Up - More Police?”

The Impact of Incarceration on Your Community; Hosted by the Richmond City Council Citizen Advisory Commission on Alternatives to Incarceration

·      Invited Guest

     The Honorable C. T. Woody, Sheriff of Richmond

·      Panel

     Foster Care - Pipeline to Prison - Drug Addiction and Mental Health

·      Exhibits

     Richmond Behavioral Health Authority

Richmond Department of Social Services - Foster Care (aging out of foster care)

     Richmond Sheriff’s Office (jail exhibit)

     Rubicon (drug rehab)

     The Healing Place

     Richmond Public Library

WHEN         Thursday, July 30, 2015

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

                   

WHERE        Bellemeade Community Center

                       (Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities)

1800 Lynhaven Avenue - Richmond, Virginia  23224

WHO          The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman

                  Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District

CONTACT   For more information, please contact Mr. Michael Winborne, Liaison for The Honorable Ellen F. Robertson, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Richmond Gateway 6th Voter District, at 804.646.7964 (tel), or michael.winborne@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)

steven.skinner@richmondgov.com (email)

www.council.richmondva.gov(website)

www.facebook.com/RichmondCityCouncilVirginiaUSA (facebook)

______________________________________________________________

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.