Richmond City Council

Friday, December 21, 2012

Councilman Marty Jewell will not hold previously scheduled meeting in the Central 5th Voter District

Monday, December 17, 2012

Richmond City Council on the Connecticut School Shooting

Friday, December 14, 2012

Richmond to receive wreath honoring departed U.S. Military Veterans: Part of Wreaths Across America tribute

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

Friday, 14 December 2012

Richmond to receive wreath honoring departed U.S. Military Veterans: Part of Wreaths Across America tribute

Delivered by convoy of motorcycle riders that includes members of the Richmond Police Department Police Motorcycle Unit, local motorcycle groups and individual riders

WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) -- The Honorable Reva M. Trammell, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Southside 8th Voter District will accept a wreath at Richmond City Hall on behalf of Richmond residents as part of the annual Wreaths Across America tribute honoring the service and sacrifice of departed United States of America Military Veterans.

The presentation to Councilwoman Trammell is part of official Richmond-area events that will culminate in a Noon ceremony being held at Richmond National Cemetery (located at 1701 Williamsburg Road, Richmond, Virginia).

Established in 1992 by the Worchester Wreath Company (Harrington, Maine), this annual tribute is one in which thousands of volunteers transport an estimated 200,000 wreaths and place them at more than 500 state, local and federal locations worldwide on a Saturday in early December.

In commemoration of these events, hundreds of official ceremonies are held simultaneously across the world, beginning at Noon, U.S. Eastern Standard Time (1700 Zulu). The main ceremony is held at the U.S. Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Due to a tremendous outpouring of support, a Wreaths Across America nonprofit organization was created in 2007 to coordinate these efforts. Costs are paid for by individual wreath sponsors, corporate donors and volunteers.

The Richmond tribute will include a large motorcycle convoy that includes members of the Richmond Police Department Police Motorcycle Unit, local motorcycle groups and individual riders.

WHEN Saturday, December 15, 2012 - APPROXIMATE RICHMOND SCHEDULE

10:30-10:45 a.m. Convoy departs Cox Transportation (Ashland, Virginia)

(1044 Dow Gil Road, Ashland, Virginia).

Travels I-95 South en route to Richmond, Virginia

10:50-11:15 a.m. Wreath Presentation Richmond City Hall

Branch of convoy presents wreath

Richmond City Hall

900 E. Broad Street (9th Street Entrance)

Richmond, Virginia 23219

The Honorable Reva M. Trammell, Councilwoman, Richmond City Council, Southside 8th Voter District to receive wreath on behalf of Richmond Residents

Noon Ceremony held at Richmond National Cemetery

1701 Williamsburg Road, Richmond, Virginia

Official worldwide ceremonies begin simultaneously

at Noon, U.S. Eastern Standard Time (1700 Zulu)

WHERE Richmond City Hall (Wreath Presentation to Richmond Residents)

Richmond City Hall

900 E. Broad Street (9th Street Entrance)

Richmond, Virginia 23219

WHO The Honorable Reva M. Trammell, Councilwoman

Richmond City Council, Southside 8th Voter District

CONTACT For more information, please contact Councilwoman Reva Trammell, at 804-240-5050 (mobile); or, 233-7382 (home), or via email, at reva.trammell@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.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force meeting tonight canceled

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, 12 December 2012

Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force meeting tonight canceled

Meetings to resume January 2013

WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) -- The Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force meeting, scheduled for tonight (Thursday, December 13, 2012), has been canceled. The Task Force will resume its meetings (typically the second Thursday of the month) in January 2013.

The purpose of the Task Force is to make recommendations to Richmond City Council with regard to enhancing mass transit in the Metro-Richmond area and the efficiency and effectiveness of the GRTC Transit System. The meeting is free and open to the public and all residents are invited and encouraged to attend.

WHEN Meeting tonight canceled

WHO Members of the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force

CONTACT For more information, please contact Marianne Pitts, at 804.646.5935;

or marianne.pitts@richmondgov.com.

Background ____________________________________________________________________________

Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force

Richmond City Council established the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force on September 27, 2010 by Richmond City Council Ordinance No. 2010-173-166.

The objective of the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force is to provide a report to Council within in a year of its first meeting which recommends the following:

1. Any legislation, plans, policies, and programs that promote efficient mass transit in the city;

2. Economic development, economic growth, employment and tourism strategies that include public transportation; and,

3. Public relations and education programs to increase public use of mass transit.

4. The Task Force shall also work with interested private organizations to improve the service and efficiency of the GRTC.

- 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, December 12, 2012

Richmond City Council mourns loss of Former Bishop Walter F. Sullivan

Councilman Chris A. Hilbert on behalf of the loss of Former Bishop Walter F. Sullivan

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

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

Councilman Chris A. Hilbert on behalf of the loss of Former Bishop Walter F. Sullivan

Former Bishop Walter F. Sullivan, died Tuesday, December 11, 2012

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) – "It is with deep sadness that my wife and I learned of the passing of Bishop Walter F. Sullivan. I have always respected him and his lifelong dedication to serving others. His passing is a great loss to Richmond and to the many families he assisted over his many years of leadership.

During his term in Richmond, Bishop Sullivan was considered as one of the most progressive leaders in the Catholic Church and was known for his ecumenical work with all faiths, minorities and groups and I think his lesson is one that is well worth recognition and emulation.

Bishop Sullivan led a life of profound grace and I was proud to have him living in my District for many years prior to his death. As we mourn the loss of his great spirit and intellect we also celebrate his works and the impact he had on so many in Richmond and beyond."

- The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman

Richmond City Council, Northside 3rd Voter District

CONTACT For more information, please contact The Honorable Chris A. Hilbert, Councilman, Richmond City Council Northside 3rd Voter District,

at 804.646.6055 or chris.hilbert@richmondgov.com.

Background

Former Bishop Walter F. Sullivan served as head of the Catholic Diocese of Richmond from July 19, 1974 to September 16, 2003. His 29 years of services as the leader of the Diocese was the longest on record for that Catholic post in America. Established in 1820, the Diocese includes an estimated 220,000 Catholics and stretches a distance of 535 miles.

- 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.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Rescheduled: Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission meeting scheduled for tonight to be held next week

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, 6 December 2012

Rescheduled: Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission meeting scheduled for tonight to be held next week

New date: Thursday, December 13, 2012

WHAT (Richmond, Virginia U.S.A.) -- The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission meeting originally scheduled to be held tonight (Thursday, December 6, 2012) has been rescheduled to Thursday, December 13, 2012. This meeting is free and open to the public and all Richmond residents are invited and encouraged to attend.

The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission typically holds monthly meetings regarding its work and ongoing projects in helping to preserve and present the history of slavery in Richmond. These meetings are typically scheduled to be held the first Thursday of each month, beginning at 4:00 p.m., at the same location. The agenda for these meeting typically include the following:

• Welcome

• New Business

• Updates

• Committee Reports

• Charette

• Upcoming Events

• Closing Remarks/Adjournment

WHEN Thursday, December 13, 2012; 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 Voter District

CONTACT For more information regarding the Richmond City Council 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

Background ____________________________________________________________________________

Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission

One of Richmond City Council's more than 55 official boards, task forces and commissions that it has created and that assists with providing oversight of certain projects and priorities, 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.

- end -

______________________________________

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