Police Officers and Fire Fighters Want More Money

Part 1/4 - 2013 January 29 - Papers for Consideration - Public Safety - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

The Public Safety Committee considered several papers.

[1:34] 1. Ord. No. 2013-2 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To amend and reordain City Code § 110-37, concerning taxicab rates, for the purpose of providing that, for a trip originating at Richmond International Airport, the rate shall be $10.00 or the charge registered on the meter, whichever is greater, plus $2.00.

I spoke in opposition to this paper because I did not feel that residents or visitors to the city should pay an excessive minimum charge for taxi rides originating at the Richmond Airport. My point was irrelevant however because the stated minimum charge of $10 would have been reached on any fare further than 3 miles from the the Richmond Airport and the Richmond City limits is about 5 miles from the airport. This fact was not clearly stated until after much needless discussion had occurred. Thanks to Greg Lukanuski from the City Attorney's Office. Discussion of the paper was put off of a bit until a member of the Airport Commission arrived. The discussion resumed at [18:59].

[10:43] 2. Ord. No. 2013-3 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept $50,000 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services by $50,000 for the purpose of a Richmond MSA Public Outreach and Education Project.

[39:33] 3. Ord. No. 2013-12 (Patron: Mr. Agelasto) - To amend and reordain ch. 102, art. VI, div. 1 of the City Code by adding therein a new section numbered 102-246 and to amend and reordain City Code § 102-243, concerning parking violations and penalties for noncompliance with certain parking requirements, both for the purposes of requiring that the curbside wheels of vehicles parked on streets parallel to a curb shall be no more than 12 inches from such curb and imposing a fine for the violation of such requirement.

[16:04] 4. Ord. No. 2013-18 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $135,185 from the United States Department of Homeland Security and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services by $135,185 for the purpose of providing for the purchase of computer hardware and software to increase critical information sharing and collaboration efforts between the City and other entities at the Port of Richmond and generally within the city of Richmond.

Part 2/4 - 2013 January 29 - Public Comment Period - Public Safety - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Citizen comments from Melvin Jones, who is tired of the drug dealing going on in front of his house[0:33], Charles Willis, Execute Director, Citizens Against Crime, on the Nightclub ordinance [4:43], Jodi Strange, President, Friends of Richmond K9 urging Council to support a new building for the city's K9 Unit [10:10], Rosetta Torrence discussing her petition to keep Police Chief Norwood in the City of Richmond [12:03].

Part 3/4 - 2013 January 29 - Police & Fire Discuss Salaries & Career Advancement - Public Safety - Richmond, VA from Silver.

[0:53] Captain Keith Andes from the Richmond Fire Department gave the main presentation in support of increasing salaries and improving career opportunities for member of the Richmond Police and Fire Department. Council woman Reva Trammell [8th District] said if there was any retaliation in response to their demand she wanted to hear about it. She offered her telephone numbers in case anyone wants to call her. Her home phone number is 233-7382 and her cell number is 240-5050.

[10:25] Capt. Andes was followed by Stacy Rogers, President of Richmond Coalition of Police, who talked about losing officers to localities that offered a few thousand dollars more and described the generally hopelessness that officers felt and stated that many men and women in the department were struggling to get by.

Ms. Trammell addressed the audience [16:00] and invited others to speak to have their concerns heard. Other speakers included Sergeant John Barkley, Richmond Police [20:26], Police Officer Trishonda Gill[22:19], Homicide Detective Mack Ewards [24:35], Firefighter Jennifer Curran [28:24], Firefighter Joe Signorelli [31:08], Firefighter Lt. Ray Neville [32:20], and retired firefighter Tom Bray? [42:26].

[34:00] Additional comments from Keith Andes and Stacy Rogers, Ms. Trammell asked them to give her their top four demands.

Comments from Council persons Cynthia Newbille [38:14], Chris Hilbert [39:10], and closing comments from Ms. Trammell [43:13].

Part 4/4 - 2013 January 29 - Minutes Approved, Appointments, Staff Report - Public Safety - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

The final bit of the meeting included the approval of minutes from a previous meeting, discussion of the appointment of Carly Sorrento? to Community Criminal Justice Board, and a brief staff report from Steve Taylor.