Richmond City Charter Review Commission Subcommittee Meeting Canceled

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

Richmond City Hall

900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200

Richmond, Virginia  23219

www.council.richmondva.gov



WHAT    The previously scheduled Richmond City Charter Review Commission subcommittee meeting to discuss city charter requirements related to the city budget process has been canceled. Previously scheduled for Friday, September 18, 2009, the meeting had been rescheduled to meet Wednesday, September 23, 2009.
                               
The subcommittee process was established by the Commission to assist members with their review of the Richmond City Charter. Consisting of three Commission members each, the members of this subcommittee include:
                               
•    Dr. Robert Holsworth, Subcommittee Chairman
•    Mr. Orran L. Brown, Esq.
•    Dr. John Moeser

        The ongoing review of the Richmond City Charter, which began in 2008, has been an open public process. The Richmond City Charter Review Commission has held numerous public meetings and has a website and email to help ensure that the entire process is open to the public.

WHEN             CANCELED
WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2009 FRIDAY 18 SEPTEMBER 2009
9:30-11:00 a.m.

WHERE            Richmond City Council Large Conference Room
    Richmond City Council Office Suite
Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, 3rd floor

CONTACT     For more information, please contact Daisy E. Weaver, Richmond City Council Chief of Staff, at 804.646.5921, or daisy.weaver@richmondgov.com




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Richmond City Council Summary of Official Public meetings to be held in October

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

Richmond City Hall

900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200

Richmond, Virginia  23219

www.council.richmondva.gov



All Richmond residents invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT    Richmond City Council holds an average of 12 official monthly public meetings to discuss, deliberate, and act on laws and policy on behalf of the community. Citizens are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings, which include (but are not limited to) two “Council Formal” Meetings, two “Council Informal” meetings, six Council Standing Committee meetings, and Public Hearings/Special Events/Commission meetings held on an as-needed basis. Meeting times and dates are subject to change. For more information and/or assistance, please call 804.646.7955.

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL: 2009 OCTOBER SUMMARY OF OFFICIAL PUBLIC MEETINGS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council COMMISSION ON ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW TASKFORCE
The purpose of the Taskforce is to review the process and guidelines of the Richmond City Council Commission of Architectural Review, which provides oversight and review regarding erection, reconstruction, alteration or restoration of buildings or structures within designated Richmond Historic Districts as to architectural compatibility with existing historic landmarks, buildings or structures. Citizens wishing to speak are required to register prior to Noon on Thursday, October 1, 2009 by contacting the Clerk’s Office, at 804.646.7955.

LOCATION       
Richmond Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street

Frequency    
New Taskforce plans to meet the first Thursday of the month until completion.
        
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Richmond City Council FALL RETREAT (Being held in place of Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee)

LOCATION       
Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street, 2nd Floor, Conference Room

Frequency       
Typically meets in the fall of the year.




- M O R E -
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2009; 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council INFORMAL MEETING
Responsible for reviewing information and preparing for “Formal” Council meetings. Meetings may include presentations from city administration or private entities.

LOCATION       
Richmond Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street

Frequency    
Typically the second and forth Monday of each month; 3:00-5:30 p.m.
(With the exception of August, when no Informal meetings are held, and holidays)
        
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2009; 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council FORMAL MEETING
Responsible for deciding official Council action, which includes discussing, adopting, rejecting, and amending laws and approving the budget. Formal meetings include a time for pubic comment and are televised live on the local PBS station and are replayed in Richmond on Government Access Channel 17, beginning at Noon and 7:00 p.m. daily.

LOCATION       
Richmond Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street

Frequency       
Typically the second and forth Monday of each month; 6:00-8:30 p.m.
(With the exception of August, when no Formal meetings are held, and holidays)
        
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council FINANCE STANDING COMMITTEE
Responsible for oversight, monitoring and recommending laws and policy regarding city fiscal operations, which includes the budgetary process, annual/biannual fiscal plan budgets, revenue and expenses and internal fiscal controls.

LOCATION       
Richmond Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
    
Frequency       
Typically the third Thursday of each month; 4:00-5:30 p.m.    
        
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2009; 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council PUBLIC SAFETY STANDING COMMITTEE
Responsible for oversight, monitoring and recommending laws and policy regarding judiciary, law enforcement, fire and emergency response and prevention, ambulance services and emergency communications. Location recently changed from Council Chambers to Police Academy.

LOCATION       
Richmond Police Academy - 1202 W. Graham Road (Richmond’s Northside)

Frequency       
Typically the third Monday of each month; 5:00-6:30 p.m.
        
TUESDAY, OCTOBER, 20, 2009; 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council LAND USE, HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Responsible for oversight, monitoring and recommending laws and policy regarding real estate, housing, environmental issues, and public transportation.

LOCATION       
Richmond Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
    
Frequency       
Typically the Tuesday following the 3rd Monday of each month; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
- M O R E -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2009; 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
Responsible for oversight, monitoring and recommending laws and policy regarding public mental and physical health, social services, recreation, and the public library. The Committee balances the primary role of the Richmond Public Schools Board regarding oversight of Richmond Public Schools against Council’s responsibility for appropriation of public funds.

LOCATION       
Richmond Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street
    
Frequency       
Typically the third Wednesday of each month; 5:00-6:30 p.m.    
        
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS STANDING COMMITTEE
Responsible for oversight, monitoring and recommending laws and policy regarding Richmond City Council Standing Committees/Boards/Commissions; and, all other items not related or assigned to or by other Council Standing Committees.

LOCATION       
Richmond City Hall, 2nd fl; 900 E. Broad St., 2nd Floor, Conference Room

Frequency       
Typically the Fourth Thursday of each month; 4:00-5:30 p.m.
        
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2009; 3:00-5:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council INFORMAL MEETING
Responsible for reviewing information and preparing for “Formal” Council meetings and may include presentations from city administration or private entities.

LOCATION       
Richmond Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street

Frequency    
Typically the second and forth Monday of each month; 3:00-5:30 p.m.
(With the exception of August, when no Informal meetings are held, and holidays)    
        
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2009; 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Richmond City Council FORMAL MEETING
Responsible for deciding official Council action, which includes discussing, adopting, rejecting, and amending laws and approving the budget. Formal meetings include a time for pubic comment and are televised live on the local PBS station and are replayed in Richmond on Government Access Channel 17, beginning at Noon and 7:00 p.m. daily.

LOCATION       
Richmond Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 2nd floor; 900 E. Broad Street

Frequency       
Typically the second and forth Monday of each month; 6:00-8:30 p.m.
(With the exception of August, when no Formal meetings are held, and holidays)
        
CONTACT          For more information, please contact Steve Skinner, at 804. 646.6052 or steven.skinner@richmondgov.com

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Councilmen Charles Samuels and Chris Hilbert invite citizens to celebrate 100th Year Anniversary of the Ginter Park Residents Association

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

Richmond City Hall

900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200

Richmond, Virginia  23219

www.council.richmondva.gov

Cozy Northside Richmond neighborhood: Home of four Virginia Governors (John Garland Pollard, James H. Price, L. Douglas Wilder, and Tim Kaine)

WHAT    Councilman Charles R. Samuels, North Central 2nd District, and Councilman Chris A. Hilbert, Northside 3rd District, Richmond City Council, invite citizens to join them in celebrating the 100th Year Anniversary of the Ginter Park Residents Association.

“Neighborhood residents associations are great ways for families to come together, work together, and share time together in helping to make and keep our community clean, safe and beautiful,” says Councilman Samuels. “The Ginter Park Residents Association serves as an excellent example of the outstanding work being done by Richmond in helping to make our city an even better place to live, work, learn, play, visit, and raise a family.”

Established September 28, 1909, the Ginter Park Residents Association is a volunteer civic organization comprised of citizens living in Richmond’s historic Ginter Park Neighborhood, much of which was conceived in the late 1800’s by the wealthy industrialist, Major Lewis W. Ginter, and came in to being with the sale of the first home in 1898.

“Our neighborhood associations bring together thoughts, ideas and solutions that respond to the great many things that help to improve and increase the quality of life of all Richmond citizens,” says Councilman Hilbert. “The Ginter Park Residents Association is one of the great examples of how we, as citizens, show our love, care and commitment to our community.”

Located in parts of the North Central 2nd District and Northside 3rd District of Richmond, the Ginter Park Residents Association represents one of the nation’s first planned suburban neighborhoods, and is renowned for its cozy tree-lined streets, grand residences and architectural styles.

Among the oldest residents associations in Richmond and the United States, the Ginter Park Residents Association is also one of the most progressive; ensuring the right to vote to both male and female members more than a decade before the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1920, which ensured women the right to vote in the United States.

The Ginter Park Residents Association is actively involved in historic preservation, neighborhood beautification and safety, and embracing the diversity of its estimated 2,500 residences.

Covering an area of only .54 square mile, the Ginter Park Residents Association is considered to be one of the most prosperous and influential neighborhood associations in Virginia, as its past and present residents include noted authors, artists, civic leaders and four state governors (Which includes: His Excellencies: John Garland Pollard, James H. Price, L. Douglas Wilder, and Tim Kaine).

On September 14, 2009, Richmond City Council honored the Ginter Park Residents Association during its Formal Meeting with an Award of Official Recognition. The award was sponsored by Councilman Chris Hilbert. Councilman Hilbert and his wife are 14-year residents of the Ginter Park neighborhood.

    Citizens are invited to join in the celebration of the Ginter Park Residents Association 100th Year Anniversary Celebration, which will follow the Association’s General Meeting.  The Celebration will honor the past, present and future of the organization.

WHEN             THURSDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2009
                        Celebration Program 7:00 -8:00 p.m.

WHERE     St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church
        3602 Hawthorne Avenue Richmond
        (Hawthorne Avenue and Walton Avenue

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

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

CONTACT     For more information, please contact:

    Meg Lawrence, President, Ginter Park Residents Association
    804.266.2794 tel; president@historicginterpark.org email

    Mary Elfner, Vice President, Ginter Park Residents Association
    804.335.9049 tel; vicepresident@historicginterpark.org email

    Tim Holtz, Immediate Past President, Ginter Park Residents Assn.
    804.321.7642 tel; pastpresident@historicginterpark.org email

    Councilman Charles R. Samuels, North Central 2nd District, Richmond City Council: 804.646.6532 tel; charles.samuels@richmondgov.com

    Councilman Chris A. Hilbert, Northside 3rd District, Richmond City Council: 804.646.6055 tel; chris.hilbert@richmondgov.com


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Councilman Chris Hilbert to hold Northside 3rd District meeting

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

Richmond City Hall

900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200

Richmond, Virginia  23219

www.council.richmondva.gov


Entire Northside 3rd District invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT    Richmond City Councilman Chris A. Hilbert, Northside 3rd District, will hold a meeting in the Northside 3rd District. Councilman Hilbert holds regular meetings throughout the year that include information on his goals and accomplishments on behalf of the district and special guests. The meeting is free and all Northside 3rd District citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. The agenda for this meeting will include:

•    Richmond City Council Sister Cities Commission

•    Safety Update

WHEN                WEDNESDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2009
        6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
       
WHERE        Richmond Police Department Training Academy, Room 245
        1202 W. Graham Road (In Richmond's Northside)
        (1 Block west of Brook Road – Near Virginia Union University)
   
WHO        The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Northside 3rd District
   
CONTACT          For more information, please contact the office of Councilman Chris
        Hilbert, at 804.646.6055, or chris.hilbert@richmondgov.com.


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Councilman Doug Conner to hold South Central 9th District meeting and Dinner: Follow-up on New Richmond Stormwater Management Utility Program

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

Richmond City Hall

900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200

Richmond, Virginia  23219

www.council.richmondva.gov


NEW LOCATION – NEW DATE: All South Central 9th District citizens invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT        Richmond City Councilman Doug Conner, South Central 9th District,
    Richmond City Council, will hold a meeting in the South Central 9th District. The meeting will include follow-up information on the new Richmond Stormwater Management Utility Program that will be managed by the Richmond Department of Public Utilities.

        Councilman Conner typically holds monthly meetings that include information on his goals and accomplishments, a thematic agenda of current interest, special guests, and dinner. (Meetings are typically Held on the on the third Tuesday of the month.) The meeting and dinner are free and all South Central 9th District citizens are invited and encouraged to attend.  The agenda for this meeting will include:

•    New Richmond Stormwater Management Utility Program Follow-up
5:00-6:30 p.m.

•    South Central 9th District Dinner
6:30-7:00 p.m.

WHEN    TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 2009
    5:00-7:00 p.m.

WHERE    Metropolitan African-American Baptist Church
    5263 Warwick Road, Richmond, Virginia  23224

WHO        The Honorable Doug G. Conner, Jr. Councilman, South Central 9th District, Richmond City Council

CONTACT     For more information, please contact Councilman Doug G. Conner, Jr.,
    at 804.233.8288, or doug.conner@richmondgov.com or website: www.southsiderichmond.org

BACKGROUND
The new Richmond Department of Public Utilities Stormwater Management Utility Program, recently approved by Richmond City Council, will target local flooding problems and include preventive maintenance, repair and improvements to the City’s storm drain system. With this program, entire storm drain systems in large areas of the City will be systematically cleaned before serious problems can occur.  Funding for the new Stormwater Management Utility Program will come from a fee, which will apply to all developed properties in Richmond, including homes, businesses, and non-profit organizations. The collected funds will be dedicated specifically for stormwater systems needs.
####

Councilman Charles Samuels expresses concern for recent events this week in the vicinity of Maggie Walker Governor’s School

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

Richmond City Hall

900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200

Richmond, Virginia  23219

www.council.richmondva.gov


(Richmond, Virginia)  -- Councilman Charles R. Samuels, North Central 2nd District, Richmond City Council, releases the following statement regarding recent events this week in the vicinity of Maggie Walker Governor’s School, located in the North Central 2nd District.

“Recent events this week in the vicinity of Maggie Walker Governor’s School are of great concern to me. These events include: a suspicious package being found (empty tool box) in the school parking lot; a fire at a homeless encampment near School Street that the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services extinguished promptly; and, the discovery of a body in a ravine in the 1000 block of Lombardy Avenue.

The body has been identified by the Richmond Police Department as Joseph C. McCray, 54, of no fixed address, and is being investigated as a homicide due to death by blunt force trauma.

Each of these events is sufficient to cause great concern for those who attend Maggie Walker Governor’s School and the neighbors in the Newtowne West Community.  Should the neighbors, families or community organizations wish to come together for solace and understanding of these events, I will support them in any way that I can.

I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. McCray and ask that anyone with any information regarding this incomprehensible act to call Richmond Crime Stoppers, at 804.780.1000. 

I would also like to share with residents that there are a number of services for the homeless within the city that can assist those in need. Some of which include:

•    Richmond Police Department Homeless Outreach Partnership Enforcement (HOPE) patrol (804.646.4395 tel)

•    Richmond Department of Social Services (804.646.7212 tel)
Provides child, family, adult, employment and financial assistance services.

•    Freedom House (804.233.4064 tel)

•    Community Shelter (804.232.1949 tel)
Providing a stable environment for residents to begin to address issues that led to their homelessness and set goals for a better future.

•    The Conrad Center - Conrad Center (804.225.1853 tel)
Serving breakfast and dinner to Richmond 's homeless and working-class poor.

•    Daily Planet (804.783.0678 tel)
Operates free standing health care center in the area providing primary health care to the homeless, uninsured and underinsured regardless of their ability to pay.  Additionally, Daily Planet provides a 12-week job training and placement program to the unemployed homeless and offers at no charge to those in need:  eye care, dental care, mental health and psychiatric care, laundry and shower facilities, case management, mail and substance abuse services.  



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Councilwoman Betty Squire to hold East End 7th District meeting

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL

Richmond City Hall

900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200

Richmond, Virginia  23219

www.council.richmondva.gov



All East End 7th District citizens invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT        Richmond City Councilwoman Betty Squire, East End 7th District, Richmond City Council, will hold a meeting in the East End 7th District. The meeting is free and all East End 7th District citizens are invited and encouraged to attend. Councilwoman Squire holds periodic meetings that include information on her goals and accomplishments, a thematic agenda of current interest, and special guests. The agenda for this meeting will include:

•    United States 2010 Census: “Let’s Stand Up and Be Counted”
•    Carthan Currin, Director, Richmond Department of Economic
    Development
•    Community Comments, Questions and Concerns
 
WHEN    SATURDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2009
    10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

WHERE    Peter Paul Development Center
    1708 North 22nd Street, Richmond

WHO    The Honorable Betty Squire, Councilwoman
    East End 7th District, Richmond City Council

CONTACT    For more information, please contact Sam Patterson, at 804.646.3012, or 241.7544 (mobile), or sam.pattersonl@richmondgov.com