Amending the Downtown Master Plan - Villains and Heros

Above, footage from Monday night's Council meeting held on July 13, 2009 includes the complete discussion of the proposed amendments to Richmond's Downtown Master Plan. This is as exciting as it gets for a City Council meeting. Enjoy it.

The clip opens with Brooke Hardin from the Department of Community Development describing the proposed changes, followed by comments from the public. Council discussion began with Councilman Marty Jewell (5th District) immediately seconding the request made by the attorney for Echo Harbor to strike language they did not like. Mr. Jewell's reckless motion was seconded by the Reva Tramell (8th District) and supported by Bruce Tyler (1st District) and Doug Conner (9th District).

Charles Samuels (2nd District) was the hero of the evening -- delivery a worthy speech at a crucial moment. The final vote was 4 - 4. The motion failed, thankfully.

The final Public Hearing on the Amendments to the Downtown Master Plan will be held on Monday July 27, 2009.

The First Two Hours of this Almost Four and a Half Hour Meeting



This unedited portion of video includes the meeting prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, Roll Call, Amendments to the Agenda, the Awards Period [at 9:00, which is broken out and detailed below]. At 37:20, Council President Graziano introduced Peter H. Chapman, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer [CAO] for Economic and Community Development, he didn't say much.

Highlights:

Citizen Comment Period begins at 38:30
Approval of Minutes [56:30]
Standing Committee Reports and Announcement from Council Members [57:30]
Review of Items on Consent Agenda [1:16:30]
Citizen Comment on the Consent Agenda [1:21:30]


the Consent Agenda,

Marty Jewell's Comments



Above, Councilman Marty Jewell argued for striking the language from the Downtown Master Plan as requested by the attorney from Echo Harbor and offered a motion to that effect. Councilwoman Reva Trammell seconded the motion. Bruce Tyler and Doug Conner also voted to support the motion. However, the motion failed on a vote of 4 to 4.

What the Echo Harbor Attorney Said and What a Couple of People Said



Above, comments from USP Echo Harbor, LLC attorney Jim Theobald to Richmond City Council during the public hearing on proposed amendments to the Downtown Master Plan. His comments are followed by comments from Thad Williamson and Eugenia Anderson Ellis, both citizens of Richmond, Virginia.

Awards Period



Above, many awards on this night.

Council President Kathy Graziano (4th District) and new CAO Byron C. Marshall presented an Official Joint Proclamation, officially declaring July 2009 as Richmond Public Park, Recreation and Community Facilities Month. J. R. Pope, director of the Department, accepted the award on behalf of the employees of the department, many of whom were in the audience.

Councilwoman Ellen Robertson (6th District) presented an Official Welcome to the 2009 Richmond Microscopy & Microanalysis Conference that will be held at the Richmond Convention Center July 26 - 30, 2009. The welcome was received by Carolyn Marks and Edwina "Winnie" Westbrook [the wife of John Westbrook, Ellen Robertson's Legislative Assistant], two of the four organizers of the Conference. A free event, open to the public, will be held on June 29 at 8:30 AM entitled "Microscopy in the Classroom."

Councilwoman Reva Trammell presented a Community Service award to the Mr. Yong Hak Lee and Mrs. Keum Ho Lee, owners of the Satellite Restaurant and Lounge / Crab House for their willingness to host community meetings at their restaurant [such as the one last week organized by Councilwoman Trammell for business owners to discuss the recent robbery and shooting and other recent crime on the Southside].

Councilman Charles Samuels presented an Official Recognition to the Braille Circulation Library founded in 1925. The recognition was received by Rev. Brian J. Barton, Sr., Executive Director and Board Members, Melody Lindsey and Maurice Bray.

Councilman Samuels also presented an Official Recognition to WDYL (Y101) celebrating their 10th Anniversary and their service to the Richmond-Metro area.