Engage REMINDER: Richmond City Charter Review Commission Public Hearing and New Survey

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

For sharing, forwarding, and posting

22 May 2023

Engage

REMINDER: Richmond City Charter Review Commission Public Hearing and New Survey

Richmond residents invited to share thoughts, ideas, and suggestions

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Richmond City Charter Review Commission reminds and encourages Richmond residents to attend its Public Hearing meeting on Tuesday, May, 23, 2023 to learn more and share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions surrounding potential changes to the Richmond City Charter.

    The Commission also invites Richmond residents to take an important survey about Richmond government, which will run through Wednesday, June 21, 2023, at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/chartercommission2023 (direct link).

    The survey is also available on the Commissions information and engagement website, at https://www.rva.gov/richmond-city-council/richmond-city-charter-review-commission  Printed surveys will also be available at Richmond Public Library Branches throughout the city.

UPCOMING PUBLIC HEARING

Richmond City Charter Review Commission – Meeting

Public Hearing/Public Comments

Public Engagement and Input Highly Invited and Sought! Come out and share your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions!

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Location

Richmond Police Department – Richmond Police Academy

1202 W. Graham Road; Richmond, Virginia 23220

Virtual - Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

 

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 272 737 659 534
Passcode: fx4wFu

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 804-316-9457,,512016270#   United States, Richmond

Phone Conference ID: 512 016 270#

Upcoming meetings and details

https://eservicesb.richmondgov.com/applications/boardsandcommissions/BCCalendar.aspx

Background

Richmond City Council Ordinance # 2021-347 established a Richmond City Charter Review Commission, comprised of nine community members, to conduct a comprehensive review of and make recommendations for revisions to the Richmond City Charter, which enumerates the governmental powers granted to the City of Richmond by the Virginia General Assembly.

     The Richmond City Charter Review Commission is holding multiple public information and engagement sessions and will present various draft Charter recommendations to obtain public input, feedback, and comments.

     Richmond residents are invited and encouraged to participate in this important process and share their thoughts, suggestion, and questions with the Commission.

     The Commission will submit its final recommendations in a report to Richmond City Council and the Mayor later this year.

     Richmond City Council thanks the willingness and dedication of the Richmond City Charter Review Commission Members for their work on behalf of this important project for all Richmond residents.

Contact

For more information, please contact: Thad Williamson, Ph.D., Chair, Richmond City Charter Review Commission, at RVACharterReview@gmail.com (email)

Richmond City Charter Review Commission Members

Thad Williamson, Ph.D., Chair

Rachael Deane, Esq., Vice-Chair

Antoine Banks, Secretary

Daisy Weaver, Member

William “Bill” Echelberger, Member

Kyle Elliott, Member

Travis Gunn, Member

Steven Koski, Member

John Girardi, Member

Special Notes

·       Pursuant to the Constitution of Virginia, the Virginia General Assembly is the final authority on changes to the Richmond City Charter.

·       Richmond Public Schools is outside the scope of the Commission’s work. Richmond Public Schools it not part of the City of Richmond Government. It is a subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia and overseen locally by the Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees and an appointed Superintendent administers day-to-day Schools operations.

Helpful Links

·        Richmond City Charter Review Commission Website Portal

https://www.rva.gov/richmond-city-council/richmond-city-charter-review-commission

·        Richmond City Council Ord. No. 2021-347

https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5360520&GUID=2C0908BD-B69B-4EC2-979A-35A33A2420D2&Options=ID|Text|&Search=2021-347

·        Richmond City Charter Review Commission Membership

https://eservicesb.richmondgov.com/applications/boardsandcommissions/MembersList.aspx?mybckey=195

 

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Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)

Engage - New Richmond City Charter Review Commission Survey and upcoming Public Hearing

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

For sharing, forwarding, and posting

15 May 2023

Engage

New Richmond City Charter Review Commission Survey and upcoming Public Hearing

Richmond residents invited and encouraged to share thoughts, ideas, and suggestions

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – The Richmond City Charter Review Commission will be surveying Richmond residents on their thoughts and ideas surrounding potential changes to the Richmond City Charter.

     All Richmond residents are invited and encouraged to take part in this important survey. Printed surveys will also be available at Richmond Public Library Branches throughout the city.

     The survey will go live on Friday, May 19, 2023, run through Wednesday, June 21, 2023, and be accessible via a survey portal on the Richmond City Charter website, at https://www.rva.gov/index.php/richmond-city-council/richmond-city-charter-review-commission. All

        Richmond residents are also invited and encouraged to attend upcoming Richmond City Charter Review Commission Public Hearing meeting on Tuesday, May, 23, 2023 to learn more and share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions.

Upcoming meetings:

Richmond City Charter Review Commission – Meeting

Thursday, May 18, 2023; 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Location

Richmond City Hall, 5th Floor Conference Room

900 E. Broad Street; Richmond, Virginia 23219

   

Virtual - Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

Click here to join the meeting

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MWJlMTgyNWEtYjhjNy00NGI0LWIxZDItNmUwNDU0ZWU1ZTA0%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%223f56d663-141b-4418-b66c-326033ab9ce1%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%227cd15598-83ad-45eb-96f6-ce2d38898486%22%7d

Meeting ID: 254 440 864 543
Passcode: dzf8iq

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 804-316-9457,,678616618#   United States, Richmond

Phone Conference ID: 678 616 618#

 

Richmond City Charter Review Commission – Meeting

Public Hearing/Public Comments

Public Engagement and Input Highly Invited and Sought! Come out and share your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions!

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

6:00-7:30 p.m.

Location

Richmond Police Department – Richmond Police Academy

1202 W. Graham Road; Richmond, Virginia 23220

Virtual - Join on your computer, mobile app or room device

 

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 272 737 659 534
Passcode: fx4wFu

Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only)

+1 804-316-9457,,512016270#   United States, Richmond

Phone Conference ID: 512 016 270#

Upcoming meetings and details

https://eservicesb.richmondgov.com/applications/boardsandcommissions/BCCalendar.aspx

Background

Richmond City Council Ordinance # 2021-347 established a Richmond City Charter Review Commission, comprised of nine community members, to conduct a comprehensive review of and make recommendations for revisions to the Richmond City Charter, which enumerates the governmental powers granted to the City of Richmond by the Virginia General Assembly.

     The Richmond City Charter Review Commission is holding multiple public information and engagement sessions and will present various draft Charter recommendations to obtain public input, feedback, and comments.

     Richmond residents are invited and encouraged to participate in this important process and share their thoughts, suggestion, and questions with the Commission.

     The Commission will submit its final recommendations in a report to Richmond City Council and the Mayor later this year.

     Richmond City Council thanks the willingness and dedication of the Richmond City Charter Review Commission Members for their work on behalf of this important project for all Richmond residents.

Contact

For more information, please contact: Thad Williamson, Ph.D., Chair, Richmond City Charter Review Commission, at RVACharterReview@gmail.com (email)

Richmond City Charter Review Commission Members

Thad Williamson, Ph.D., Chair

Rachael Deane, Esq., Vice-Chair

Antoine Banks, Secretary

Daisy Weaver, Member

William “Bill” Echelberger, Member

Kyle Elliott, Member

Travis Gunn, Member

Steven Koski, Member

John Girardi, Member

 

Special Notes

·        Pursuant to the Constitution of Virginia, the Virginia General Assembly is the final authority on changes to the Richmond City Charter.

 

·        Richmond Public Schools is outside the scope of the Commission’s work. Richmond Public Schools it not part of the City of Richmond Government. It is a subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia and overseen locally by the Richmond Public Schools Board of Trustees and an appointed Superintendent administers day-to-day Schools operations.

·          

Helpful Links

·        Richmond City Charter Review Commission Website Portal

https://www.rva.gov/richmond-city-council/richmond-city-charter-review-commission

·        Richmond City Council Ord. No. 2021-347

https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=5360520&GUID=2C0908BD-B69B-4EC2-979A-35A33A2420D2&Options=ID|Text|&Search=2021-347

·        Richmond City Charter Review Commission Membership

https://eservicesb.richmondgov.com/applications/boardsandcommissions/MembersList.aspx?mybckey=195

 

 

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Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)

A statement on behalf of Richmond City Council regarding the Richmond City Council Office of Inspector General

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

For sharing, forwarding, and posting

11 May 2023

A statement on behalf of Richmond City Council regarding the

Richmond City Council Office of Inspector General

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – “The Richmond City Council thanks its Office of Inspector General for its work on various cases, including a recent case involving the City of Richmond that was announced by the United States Department of Justice. A City employee pleaded guilty to steering governmental contract awards to herself and her co-conspirators. The Council trusts the legal process and is confident that the city's policies, procedures, and processes will be thoroughly reviewed and amended in response to recent findings.

Dr. Michael Jones, Council President, adds “I am immensely proud of the work done by our Inspector General, our Council Appointee, in solving this case through a thorough and comprehensive investigation. The commitment and dedication shown by the Office of Inspector General in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in the city has been truly commendable. This recent case involving Shaun Lindsey is a testament to the hard work and tireless effort put in by the Inspector General's office. We hope that this sends a clear message to anyone who seeks to engage in unlawful, wasteful, or abusive use of Richmond Government funds, that they will be held accountable for their actions. We remain committed to working with the Inspector General's office to ensure that our city's policies, procedures, and processes are continuously reviewed and amended to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.”

Richmond City Council is proud to recognize and commend the Office of Inspector General for its efforts in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in the city. As an organization that believes in protecting our community assets, providing transparency, and ensuring that local government programs and services are operated efficiently, Council recognizes the importance of the Office of Inspector General in fulfilling these values.

Council further highlights the Office of Inspector General's work in taking tips and investigating allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse. Richmond City Council reminds and encourages Richmond employees and residents to report any reasonable suspicions of unlawful, wasteful, or abusive use of Richmond Government funds to the Richmond City Council Office of Inspector General. Reporting is confidential and can be done by calling its Fraud, Waste, and Abuse hotline, at 804.646.5697 (tel) or by filing a report online, at https://apps.richmondgov.com/applications/OigHotline/default.aspx

In conclusion, the Richmond City Council is proud of the work that the Office of Inspector General has accomplished and looks forward to its continued efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in the city.”

BACKGROUND

Richmond City Council Office of Inspector General

The Richmond City Council Office of Inspector General is authorized to audit, inspect, evaluate, and investigate activities, records, and individuals affiliated with contracts and procurements undertaken by the City and any other official act or function of the City.

 

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Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)

 

Highly effective and efficient: Richmond City Council established the FY 2024 Richmond Government Budget

 

Richmond City Council / News Release

For sharing, forwarding, and posting

10 May 2023

 

Highly effective and efficient:

Richmond City Council established the

FY 2024 Richmond Government Budget

Streamlined process reduced excess meetings by more than 50 percent

Richmond, Virginia – Richmond City Council, during its scheduled Formal Meeting on Monday night, established a well-balanced and responsible Fiscal Year 2024 Richmond Government Budget on behalf of Richmond Residents.

Council’s streamlined process this year was highly efficient, effective, and productive and reduced excess meetings by more than 50 percent. Council’s maximization of meeting efficiencies included realigning meetings and reducing the need for additional separate meetings.

Highlights: FY 2024 Richmond Government Budget

·     Total FY 2024 Richmond Government Budget = $3,007,423,016

The Richmond Government Budget includes the Richmond General Fund, Richmond Capital Improvement Plan, Special Funds, Enterprise Funds, Internal Service Funds, Federal and State funds, and funds provided to Richmond Public Schools

-   Richmond General Fund = $951,923,789

-   Richmond Capital Improvement Plan = $700,931,305

-   Richmond Public Schools = $547,474,228 

·     $2 million for a year-round Richmond emergency housing shelter

·     $8.5 million investments in new Parks Maintenance.

·     $50 million over next five years to increase affordable housing

·     $21 million for Richmond Complete Streets program, which includes infrastructure paving improvements and safety enhancement projects, which include pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, traffic calming/control, speed tables, bike lanes, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), etc.

·     Council safeguarded the Richmond Real Estate Tax Rate to keep it at its lowest rate in more than 40 years, at $1.20 per $100 of assessed value.

     Richmond City Council extends thanks for the hard work, dedication, commitment, and expertise demonstrated throughout the budget process by Richmond City Council staff and City Administration personnel in helping make the process successful.

The Richmond City Council Fiscal Year 2024 Richmond Government Budget Establishment was an open process that encourages public transparency, engagement and involvement.

The FY 2024 Richmond Government Budget begins July 1, 2023 and is effective through June 30, 2024.

BACKGROUND

Webpage: Richmond City Council Richmond Government Budget Establishment

https://www.rva.gov/index.php/richmond-city-council/richmond-budget

OVERVIEW - Richmond Government Budget

Establishing the annual Richmond Government Budget is Richmond City Council’s most fundamental role and responsibility as the governing legislative institution of Richmond, Virginia and serves as the foundation and ultimate act of its policymaking and stewardship of our community’s government operations on behalf of all Richmond residents.   

     As Richmond residents, we pool our resources in order to own and operate our local government and decide what public services we want to invest in; the priority (investment levels) for these services; and, how we pay for them.

     Examples of some of the services we invest in include the management and delivery of such things as clean, safe water; streets, sidewalks, parks, laws, and law enforcement, firefighting, emergency services/rescue; trash and sewage removal; and, our children’s education. Together, we own, operate, use, and benefit from these services on a daily basis. Funding for these services comes from state, local and federal sources, including fees and taxes.

     In order to set the investment levels we want for these services, Richmond City Council establishes an official annual Richmond Government Budget in May of each year for the upcoming Fiscal Year.

     The Richmond Government Budget is based on a Fiscal Year that runs July 1 to June 30 annually and includes the Richmond General Fund, Richmond Capital Improvement Plan, Richmond Special Funds, Richmond Enterprise Funds, Richmond Internal Service Funds, the City Government contribution to Richmond Public Schools, and additional state, federal, and other funds provided to Richmond Public Schools.

     The Richmond Government Budget is established annually and every year a draft proposed budget is submitted to Richmond City Council by the Mayor. Council then reviews, analyzes, and amends it to establish the Official Richmond Government Budget based on the needs and priorities of Richmond residents.

Richmond Residents

While reviewing the many compelling and competing budgetary needs of our city, Richmond residents are invited and encouraged to attend meetings and to share their thoughts, comments, and ideas directly with the individual Councilmember in their district.

CONTACT YOUR COUNCILMEMBER

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

FIND YOUR DISTRICT

The following helpful link can be used by residents, if needed, to further assist in identifying their individual Richmond Voter District:

Richmond Real Estate Property Search Database  https://apps.richmondgov.com/applications/propertysearch/Search.aspx

(note: Click for “Search by Property Address” - Once you’ve entered your address, use the Govt. tab to identify your Voter Districts)

 

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Richmond City Council - Richmond City Hall - 900 East Broad Street, Suite 305 - Richmond, Virginia  23219 U.S.A. - rva.gov/richmond-city-council (web)

 

Councilmember Trammell to hold meeting for the Richmond Southside 8th Voter District

 

Reva M. Trammell/Councilmember

Richmond City Council / Richmond Southside 8th Voter District / Richmond, Virginia

News Release/May 3, 2023

 Councilmember Trammell to hold meeting for the Richmond Southside 8th Voter District

WHAT           Richmond, Virginia – Councilmember Reva M. Trammell, Richmond City Council, Richmond Southside 8th Voter District, will hold a meeting for residents of the Richmond Southside 8th Voter District. The planned meeting agenda is as follows:

AGENDA/SPECIAL GUESTS/SPEAKERS

·       Steven Nesmith, CEO

Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority

·       Natasha Houpe, Interim Program Manager
Richmond Department of Human Services
Office of Aging and Disability Services

·       Toni Beechaum, Program Coordinator
Richmond Department of Human Services
Office of Aging and Disability Services

Richmond Police Department Officers, Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services Firefighters, Commonwealth of Virginia - Richmond Office of the Sheriff Staff, and Richmond Ambulance Authority

Free refreshments are typically served.

 WHEN           Thursday, May 11, 2023

                    6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

WHERE         Satellite Restaurant & Lounge

4000 Richmond Highway, Richmond Virginia

CONTACT    For more information, please contact: Councilmember Reva M. Trammell at 804.240.5050 (mobile); or 804.233.7382 (home); or via email at reva.trammell@rva.gov

     Councilmember Trammell personally holds individual meetings that include her goals and accomplishments, topical agendas, and special guests. She invites all Richmond Southside 8th Voter District residents to attend. Her meeting dates, times, locations, agendas, and special guests are subject to change.

 

 

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