Public Support does not Affect Council Vote on Schools' Budget

Monday's meeting lasted over 5 hours. The main topic of discussion was the City's Budget. Citizens spoke for 80 minutes in opposition to the proposed budget which does not fully fund Richmond Public Schools.

Full house because of all of the awards being given out tonight, not because of a genuine interest in the adoption of the City Budget, though there were some people here for that too (see Parts 4 - 6, below). In Part 1, you can experience the Prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, an explanation of the Evacuation Instructions in case of an emergency, and a moment of silence in honor of Councilman Chris Hilbert's mother who passed away that day. All members were present with the exception of Mr. Hilbert.

Part 2 is the Awards Period.

A majority of the people spoke in support of fully funding the public schools. Speakers in Part 4 included Thad Williamson [2:00], Angela Dews [5:32], John Reed [9:15], Thomas Hartman [12:47], Lola Van McDowell [14:46], Dave Ballard [18:42], Kirsten Gray [22:17], and Barbara Haas [26:13].

Speakers in Part 6 included Shirley L. Harvey [0:16], Vivek Jain [2:54], Chris Dorsey [7:22], Teddy Parham [11:20], Benony Tony Amekudzi [15:05], Dr. Angela Renee Jones [19:43], David Napier spoke supportively of the Council's efforts [22:09], Jill Brown? [23:12], Donny "Dirt Woman" Corker provided comic relief [26:16], and Donald Hatcher [27:43].

A few comments of support for the City Budget from interested parties [0:17] followed by Council discussion [12:43] and then a quick vote on the C.I.P. [Capital Improvement Program] Budget [48:26].

Several speakers during the Citizen Comment period spoke in support of changing the law to allow residents to keep chickens in their yards. I spoke to encourage folks to run for elected offices. At the end of the comment period Charles Samuels [2nd District] said he was bring forward an ordinance for such a thing, Marty Jewell [5th District] said he wanted to be a co-patron on the paper.

One paper was amended and continued, Ord. 2012-79 pertaining to the Landmark Theatre. On the Consent Agenda, there were just few items, mostly small Council member expenditures which were approved, followed by Approval of Minutes [4:46] and Reports and Announcements from Council members: Doug Conner, 9th District [5:42], Charles Samuels, 2nd District [6:46], Bruce Tyler, 1st District [7:13], Reva Trammell, 8th District [7:51], Cynthia Newbille, 7th District [8:43], Marty Jewell, 5th District [10:07], Ellen Robertson, 6th District [12:56], Kathy Graziano, 4th District [15:42].

The Introduction of New Papers was the last order of business [18:13], I just filmed the beginning of it because after 5 hours I was ready to go.

Formal Meeting

Richmond City Council • 2012 Feb. 27 • Entire Formal Meeting from Silver Persinger.

At this meeting Council approved Bruce Tyler's [1st District] resolution to appoint a member of Council to the Capitol Region Airport Commission. [9:00] The vote was 5 - 3. Doug Conner was absent, against Hilbert, Jewell, and Graziano.

Citizen Comment Period [37:30]

Irene Feltner spoke on bus route concerns.

Elizabeth Fraizer, owner of the Richmond Raiders, gave an update on the team.

Benony Tony Amekudzi spoke on "General Comments."

Informal Session - Convention Center / 2nd Street Connector / Unassigned Fund Balance / Budget Timeline / Docket Review

Part 1/2 - 2012 Feb. 27 • Convention Center/ 2nd St. Connector • Informal Session • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Richmond City Council's Informal Session began at 3:14 PM.

Jack Berry, President & CEO of the Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors' Bureau showed a 4 minute, $150,000 video that had recently been produced and gave Council an update about the Convention Center. [0:55]

Jeannie Welliver, Project Development Manager, discussed the proposed 2nd Street Connector. [20:00]

Part 2/2 - 2012 Feb. 27 • Unassigned Fund Balance /Budget Timeline /Docket Review • Informal Session • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

A Short Meeting for Council

Formal Meeting 2012 Feb. 13 • Richmond City Council • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

There was not much substance at Monday's meeting. I arrived 5 minutes late, missing the prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. A summary of the meeting, as well as the Informal Session, should be posted over the weekend. In the meanwhile, you can watch the video.

At Informal Session - Juvenile Justice Center

Entire Informal Session 2012 Feb. 13 • Richmond City Council • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

The Informal Session opened with Docket Review at 3:15 PM [0:35].

Dr. Carolyn Graham, Deputy CAO of Human Services, gave an update on the Juvenile Justice Center [3:10]. She discussed corrective actions that had been taken to address issues raised by a recent City audit and the Commonwealth. Issues included repairing defective door locks, reactivating intercoms, installing 32 new cameras, installing a new server, a camera recording system and new monitors, correcting water pressure, distributing hair brushes to female residents, TB testing for staff and staff training, replacing chairs, "no evidence of bed bugs found," and the medical mismanagement of child "unfounded."

[13:40] Charles Samuels [2nd Distict] for several minutes asked questions related to the medical management and was not satisfied with Dr. Graham's responses. A girl made an initial complaint in February 2011 and Mr. Samuels alleged that the treatment was not given until November/December. Dr. Graham disputed that claim with information from a report. Then Mr. Samuels pursued a line a questioning about hair brushes [20:00]. Then Mr. Samuels asked about bug bites [21:45]. He also asked about the replacement of 35 mattresses and a "funny question" about the use of anti-itch cream to treat acne.

[23:58] Ellen Robertson [6th District] asked if any resident has filed a complaint. Dr. Graham said that no complaints had been filed.

[26:10] Marty Jewell [5th District] asked about timelines for work completion, the intercom system, and the door locks. 39 youths are currently in the facility and capacity is 60.

[38:00] Review of Council Priorities.

Informal Session - Eggleston Plaza, Tax Exempt NonProfits, CAFR Review, Juvenile Justice Center

Part 1/4 - 2012 Jan. 23 - Docket Review - Informal Session - Richmond City Council, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Most of the evening's docket was reviewed with little discussion. However, in this segment there is a major discussion of the Special Use Permit for the Eggleston Hotel site at 2nd and Leigh Streets in Jackson Ward, Ordinance 2011-211.

Part 2/4 - 2012 Jan. 23 - Docket Review Cont'd - Informal Session - Richmond City Council, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Conclusion of the Docket Review, including a discussion on reopening the tax-exemption application process for nonprofit organizations, Ordinance 2012-1.

Part 3/4 - 2012 Jan. 23 - CAFR Presentation - Informal Session - Richmond City Council, VA from Silver Persinger.

Interim Director of Finance, Wayne Lassiter reviewed the Fiscal Year 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report [CAFR].

Part 4/4 - 2012 Jan. 23 - Juvenile Justice Center Presentation - Informal Session - Richmond City Council, VA from Silver Persinger.

Council Approves Use of Inmate Labor on City-Owned Property

My 2¢: Richmond City Council Approves Use of Inmate Labor on City-Owned Property from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

At Richmond City Council's Formal meeting of February 28, 2011, I spoke in opposition to Ordinance 2011-21 which authorizes the use of inmate labor on City-owned property such as rights of way along highways, streets, alleyways, parks, City owned cemeteries and vacant lots. Such work on public property SHOULD be done by City employees paid a LIVING WAGE which is $10.19 an hour adopted by Council in 2008.

In 2006, Richmond City Council approved the use of City Jail inmate labor to clean up neglected PRIVATE property.

The Council approved the ordinance unanimously. Council members Marty Jewell [5th District], Reva Trammel [8th District], and Cynthia Newbille [7th District] offered comments in response to my comments.

Special Use Permit for Carriage House on Northside Stirs Neighborhood Debate / Towing Rates Retroactively Increased with Little Public Opposition

Part 1/6 - Richmond City Council - Opening & Awards Period - Nov. 22, 2010 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

This portion of the meeting included an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, the Awards Period, and amendments to the evening's Agenda.

Awards

(1.) To Sgt. David Naoroz [RPD, 4th Precinct, Sector 11], Sgt. Jean-Guy LeGouffe [RPD, 4th Precinct, Sector 11], Officer Jill Simons, Capt. Melvin V. Liverman, III [Fire & Emergency Services], and Mr. Daryl and Mrs. Glenda Nelson, who reported the fire and attempted to help.

For saving the life of an 80 year old woman whose house was on fire at 1004 Edge Hill Road in Richmond's Northside.

Presented by Mayor Dwight Jones, Councilman Chris Hilbert [3rd District], and President Kathy Graziano [4th District].

(2.) Official Community Service Award presented to Homeward's Richmond Regional Project Homeless Connect, presented by Councilman Hilbert [3rd District] and Councilman Charles Samuels [2nd District].

Part 2/6 - Citizens Speak in Support of Community Gardens on City Land - Richmond, Virginia City Council - Nov. 22, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Though the papers had been continued, a public hearing was held on the papers because people had come to the meeting to speak on the papers.

Three citizens spoken in support of Ordinance 2010-229 and Resolution 2010-R181. The ordinance establishes a permitting process by which community groups may utilize city owned real estate for community gardens.

The resolution charges the City to determine what parcels of City-owned real estate are already devoted to and not immediately needed for public use and may be used for community gardens for periods not to exceed one year at a time.

Part 3/6 - Special Use Permit for Carriage House on Northside - Richmond, Virginia City Council - Nov. 22, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Above, Ordinance 2010-130 received the most attention of the night. Many neighbors were present to both support and opposed the special use permit which would allow a Northside carriage house to be used as a four-unit multifamily dwelling.

Part 4/6 - Regular Agenda Cont'd - Towing Fees, Maggie Walker, End of CDA, Legislative Agenda - Richmond, Virginia City Council from Silver Persinger.

Ordinance 2010-230 - To retroactively increase towing fees from public property. The city's towing services are contracted with Seibert's Towing. The city has contracted with Seibert's for over 25 years, and Seibert's has operated as the City's impound lot for the last 17 years.

I was the only person to speak in opposition to this bureaucratic mistake that Council sought to legitimize the criminal behavior of Seibert's Towing. Seibert's Towing was illegally over-charging Richmonders $95 when they were only legally authorized by the Council to charge $65. Remember this was an issue last year when Council raised the towing rate from PRIVATE property, towing companies were charging more than the allowable $65, the new ordinance [Ordinance 2009-227-223 adopted Dec. 9, 2009] made it a Class 1 misdemeanor for anyone that charged over the legal maximum rate.

From June 1, 2010 to November 12, 2010, it was stated that Seibert's had charge the higher fee on 1713 vehicles (if that is an accurate number) for a total of $51,390 in illegal profit which the city received its additional cut of $5139.

Ordinance 2010-213 - To purchase assets from the Broad Street CDA.

Resolution 2010-R171 - To support Maggie L. Walker statue.

Resolution 2010-R174 - To support Richmond's Legislative Agenda to the General Assembly

Part 5/6 - Citizen Comment Period/Consent Agenda/Expedited Resolution - Richmond, VA City Council - Nov. 22, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Speakers:

Richard Worssam on "Sustainable Development."

Lillie Waller on GRTC.

Wayne Baker on James River Bus strike.

My Two Cents - Silver Persinger @ Richmond, Virginia City Council - Nov. 22, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

A compilation of comments I made during the citizen comment periods at Richmond City Council's Nov. 22, 2010 formal meeting on a wide range of subjects including retroactively increasing the towing rate, gross incompetence, instant runoff voting, representative government, marijuana decriminalization, roundabouts, "love lights," and much more.

Malfunctioning Equipment Allows Citizens More Time to Comment

In a rare humorous moment at Richmond City Council, the equipment malfunctioned which plays the automated message, "You have 30 seconds, please begin to summarize your comments." At the beginning of the meeting the message played randomly to humorous effect. Later on, it remained silent and it was up to President Kathy Graziano [4th District] to cut speakers off after their time had expired. She admitted after the meeting that it was difficult to cut speakers off.

Part 1/3 - Richmond City Council - Nov. 8, 2010 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

This portion of the meeting included an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and an expedited resolution recognizing the Richmond Police Department for achieving special certification that only 10% of police departments nationwide have achieved.

There were 3 appointments to the Green City Commission. They are Sandra L. Earley, Chris Earley, and Daniel K. Slone.

AWARDS PERIOD

Mayor Dwight Jones, President Kathy Graziano, and Councilman Charles Samuels [2nd District] made an Official Joint Proclamation declaring November 2010 as "Richmond Adoption Awareness Month." The proclamation was presented to Judge Angela Roberts, Richmond Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, Doris Moseley, Director of Social Services, Martha Patrick, Social Worker - Adoption Unit, and Pamela Piero, Social Worker, Foster Parent Training.

Council President Graziano and Mayor Jones presented an Official Joint Proclamation declaring November 15, 2010, "Richmond Recycling Awareness Day." The proclamation was presented to representatives of Central Virginia Waste Management Authority.

Vice President Ellen Robertson [6th District] recognized members of Boy Scout Troop #476 who were in attendance as part of their requirements for the Citizenship Merit Badge.

Councilman Marty Jewell [5th District] ate up 15 minutes of the meeting showing a video about the 2010 Marty Jewell 3rd Annual Metrolitan Junior Baseball League Invitational Baseball Tournment. This was followed by comments from many others extolling the virtues of Coca Cola and the importance of introducing young people to baseball. I thought this portion of the meeting was total bullshit, a protracted political advertisement for Marty Jewell paid for by City taxpayers because the video was produced by Steve Skinner, Council's Public Information Manager. No, thank you. For the heck of it I'll extract this segment into its own video because it is a good example of gross abuse of the bully pulpit. Citizens that come to the microphone are prohibited from campaigning, shouldn't this rule also apply to sitting Council Members/incumbents? Just my opinion!

Marty Jewell Baseball Award - Richmond City Council - Nov. 8, 2010, Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 2/3 - Richmond City Council - Regular Agenda / Citizen Comment Period - Nov. 8, 2010 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

There were only one item on the Regular Agenda, Resolution 2010-R141-173 which revised the process for the appointment of tenant representative to the Board of Commissioners of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority [RRHA]. Donald Hatcher spoke in support of it, I spoke against it, and recommended that more tenant representatives should be appointed to the board.

Donald Hatcher on Racism - Nov. 8, 2010 - Citizen Comment Period - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

City Council Regular, Donald Hatcher spoke to Richmond City Council about racism and how it continues rob and deny black people of equal and fair treatment in society and Richmond, Virginia.

This is the best speech I have heard Mr. Hatcher deliver.

Byrd Park Area Residents Object to Go Ape Rope Course - Citizen Comment Period - Nov. 8, 2010 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Three citizens from the 5th District, Mr. Jewell's district, spoke during the Citizen Comment Period to raise their objections to plans recently announced by the City to install a "rope course" through Byrd Park. A United Kingdom company, Go Ape, is proposing to partner with the City to bring this for profit venture to Richmond's Byrd Park.

The residents who spoke against this proposed partnership were Sharon J. Hill with Friends of William Byrd Park, Debbie Flippen, a resident of the 5th district, and William H. Daughtrey with the Kanawha Trace Association.

It has been announced there will be a public meeting to discuss the proposed project on Thursday, November 18, 2010 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM at The Carillon at Byrd Park, 1300 Blanton Avenue.

From the City's Press Release: "City officials, along with representatives from Go Ape, will provide details on the ropes course, receive public comments and answer questions... Go Ape, an outdoor treetop adventure company with 31 ropes courses in the United States and the United Kingdom, has proposed construction of a ropes course for Richmond that would be located in the wooded area behind the Carillon."

Part 3/3 - Richmond City Council - Consent Agenda / Reports & Announcements / New Papers - Nov. 8, 2010 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 3 contains the Consent Agenda followed by Reports & Announcements from Council Members. There were only two papers on the Consent Agenda.

Ordinance 2010-216-193 which authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer to accept $937,576 from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and to appropriate the amount to the Department of Public Works for the purpose of funding capital improvements at Main Street Station.

Donald Hatcher spoke in opposition to this paper.

Resolution 2010-R138-175 which amends the Rules of Procedure for the Council for the purpose of providing that ordinances and resolutions relating to expenditures of Council districts funds and to the appropriation of funds not exceeding $25,000 received from grants shall not be referred to a standing committee for review prior to Council action.

Here is an interesting article written by former Mayor Wilder policy advisor, Isaac Graves, regarding City Council District expenditures.

I spoke in opposition to this paper without fully understanding the paper. See my comment below in the "My 2¢" section.

Reva Trammell's Unabashed Support for Echo Harbor - Nov. 8, 2010, Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

During Reports and Announcements, Councilwoman Reva Trammell announced that she was planning to hold her monthly town hall meeting at the Satellite Restaurant on Thursday November 18, 6 PM where Mark Yates, Vice President of Development from Echo Harbor will make a presentation seeking support for their project from residents of the 8th District, which is located in South Richmond, far away from the location of Echo Harbor, the site is located below and to the east of Church Hill at the bend of the James River for which Richmond is named.

There is at least one supporter from the 8th District, Councilwoman Trammell.

If you notice Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille's eyebrows go up that's because she is the Councilperson for the 7th District, where the Echo Harbor project is proposed to be located. I was watching the reaction of President Graziano and Vice President Robertson and they too were also visibly disturbed by Ms. Trammell's statement.

My 2 Cents - Tenant Representation on RRHA Board & Councilperson Expenditures Should Go to Committee - Nov. 8, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

I had not planned on speaking against Resolution 2010-R138-175 but when Donald Hatcher spoke in opposition to the previous paper, it gave me a little bit of time to review the paper and I did not like what I saw. I have learned by my years of attendance at City Council meetings that I should get up to speak if I have a gut feeling about the paper. This was one such instance. Though I muddled the facts and figures, I still stand by my opposition. Through the ensuing discussion I learned that Council Members annually have $10,000 which is allotted for discretionary spending by Council Members for their respective districts. I also learned that Council's policy is that only expenditures over $1000 have to come before the Council for Council approval, sums under $1000 do not. This paper waives the committee hearing on papers related to Council expenditures, therefore the only time members will consider such requests will be their formal meetings. I believe Council Members' expenditures should be reviewed by the appropriate Committee.

Here is an interesting article written by former Mayor Wilder policy advisor, Isaac Graves, regarding City Council District expenditures.

Informal Session - Alley Access Parking

Informal Session - A Parking Lot Only Accessible by the Alleyway from Silver Persinger

Docket review.

Mayor & Council Joint Luncheon Talk

Columbus Day 2010.

Mayor Dwight Jones quietly ate his lunch, gave a speech, and took questions from members of Richmond City Council.

Mayor-City Council Joint Lunchtime Meeting - Oct. 11, 2010 - Richmond, Virignia from Silver Persinger.

Council Approves Mayor's Budget Amendments/ Richmond Transit Riders Union Urge Implementing Previous GRTC Study Recommendations

Above, is a new feature I call "My 2¢." I will now present my comments to Richmond City Council in digest form, hoping to highlight what I consider to be the most important issues covered at each meeting. This is a first effort. My goal is to eventually figure out a way to edit the videos into encapsulated summaries of the meeting.

I spoke to Richmond, Virginia City Council in support of Ordinance 2010-179 and Ord. 2010-180 which effectively abolished the Broad Street Community Development Authority [CDA] and authorizes the Directors of Finance to sell bonds to repay the initially bond investors.

In 2003 the CDA sold bonds valued at $66.7 million in order to finance tearing down the 6th Street Marketplace, demolishing the parking deck at 6th and Grace and a block of old buildings on Broad Street between 4th and 5th Streets which were replaced by surface parking lots and a restoring the street where the Marketplace once stood between Marshall and Grace Streets.

The ordinances authorized the Director of Finance to make a new issue of bonds for $67.1 million in order to pay off the bond original bondholders. This is $400,000 more than the initial bond issuance in 2003.

Optimistic projections and outright incorrect information were used to support the financing of these projects

Part 1

Part 1/2 - City Council Formal Meeting - Sept. 27, 2010 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 2

Part 2/2 - City Council Formal Meeting - Sept. 27, 2010 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

City Council Security Review and Proposed Upgrades @ Public Safety

Council Security Discussed @ Public Safety - Sept. 20, 2010 - Richmond, Virginia City Council from Silver Persinger.

Bobby Stith [Security Supervisor, Dept. of Public Works] discussed Council's current security procedures and recommended security enhancements for Council's work areas including installing more cameras at City Hall.

At minute 35:00, the committee discussed Delegate Loupassi's bill which proposes to seize an individual's car immediately after running from the police. I spoke in opposition to the bill, House Bill 1403, at the beginning of the meeting. Committee discussion devolved to nonsensical comments about County police not being trained to drive in Richmond's urban environment, rather than directly commenting on the proposed law.

Finance Committee Review Mayor's Budget Amendments

Finance - Sept. 16, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

I was unable to stay for the entire meeting because I had to attend RePHRAME's 3rd Annual Community Forum. This clip includes discussion of several papers and Committee discussion of Mayor Dwight Jones' proposed budget amendments for spending recently announced surplus funds.

Bond re-financing and dissolving the Broad Street CDA discussed from minutes 10:40 - 30:30.

The fund balance and Mayor Jones' recommended budget amendments discussion begins at minute 33:00 until the end of the video.

Informal Session - City Registrar Showalter Discusses Redistricting Plan

Informal Session- Full Meeting - Sept. 13, 2010 - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Complete video of the September 13, 2010 Informal Session of Richmond City Council. City Registrar Kirk Showalter discussed redistricting that will occur as a result of the 2010 Census [1:00 - 31:50], Docket Review of the evening's papers for the next half hour [32:00 - 1:03], the last 10 minutes of the meeting were spent deciding what time and date would work out for everyone for their Fall Retreat, they finally settled on October 12, 2010, 9:30 AM - 1 PM. Location to be announced.

A Glimpse of how the Local News Media Interact with Our Government

Behind the Scenes: After the Meeting with the Mayor, Council Members Speak with Local Television News - Jan. 11, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Noise Ordinance / Scooter Laws / Prohibiting Ex-Felons from Fire Dept. @ Public Safety - January 19, 2010

Part 1/4 - Citizens Comment in Support of Noise Law @ Public Safety Jan. 19, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Finally catching up on a backlog of meetings. Above, during the Citizen Comment Period three of five speakers addressed the Noise ordinance, Ordinance 2009-236, asked questions of the committee to see if it could address their particular issues. One woman spoke of her next door neighbors, obnoxious college students who drink, party and cuss constantly and are ruining her quality of life. Another woman spoke about her neighbor's HVAC machine that made a lot of sound and impacted the quality of her life.

Part 2/4 - Scooter Traffic Laws @ Public Safety Jan. 19, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Part 3/4 - Noise Law - Ord.2009-236 @ Public Safety Jan. 19, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Part 4/4 - Prohibiting Ex-Felons from Serving as Fire Fighters @ Public Safety Jan. 19, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

$600,000 Grants for Millionaire Ronald Stallings' Hippodrome Theater / Taylor Mansion Project / Abolish Admissions Tax Revenue Now?

Here are a couple of recent worthwhile articles on the Hippodrone deal written by Isaac Graves, a former aid to Mayor Douglas Wilder.

Hippodrome deal merits further Council scrutiny as City finances become constrained

Ron Stallings and The Hippodrome; the final act or only intermission in a lengthy play?



At Thursday's Finance Committee meeting, I spoke in opposition to Ordinance 2009-217. It would give a $600,000 grant to millionaire Jackson Ward developer Ronald Stallings' Hippodrone Theater and Kelvin Hanson's Taylor Mansion. By chance, Kelvin Hanson's name was on the agenda, named as a reappointment to the Economic Development Authority. The summary of Ordinance 2009-217 reads, "To authorize the CAO to execute a Development Agreement between the City of Richmond, Virginia and the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond, Virginia for the purpose of implementing economic development and HOME grants for a mixed use development..."

Does something sound wrong? Should a developer who is a member of the Economic Development Authority also be a primary developer in a project financed by the Authority?

Part 1A - Marcus Jones on Future Economic Outlook for Richmond @ Finance - Jan. 21, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Part 1B - Byron Marshall on Budget Process for FY 2011 @ Finance - Jan. 21, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Finance Committee Discusses $600,000 Grants for Hippodrone Theater - Jan. 21, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Above, listen to the entire Council discussion of the ordinance. The final vote from the Committee was 2-1 . Mrs. Ellen Robertson [6th District] and Mr. Charles Samuels [2nd District] in the affirmative and Mr. Bruce Tyler [1st District] voted in the negative.

Silver Persinger Speaks Against Exemption from Admission Tax for Business - Jan. 21, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Ordinance 2009-237 proposes to abolish admissions taxes on complimentary tickets. I spoke in opposition to the paper. This paper was inspired by the Virginia Automotive Dealers Association not being happy to pay the $7000 for handing out 20,000 complimentary tickets. So they sent their representative to their friend Mr. Doug Conner [9th District], a friendly ear in the auto body repair business, himself.

Why should businesses be exempt from paying the same taxes that us regular citizens have to pay? When I buy two tickets, I am paying the admissions tax. This is the cost of doing business. Perhaps there are better ways they can spend their marketing dollars. Corporations and business organizations should not have so much influence creating legislation.

As you can see from the existing legislation, there are already exemptions for children under 12 and for free admission to "museums, botanical gardens, or zoos."

Part 2- Shall Business be Exempted from Tax? Jan. 21, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Above, watch the entire discussion on abolishing the admission tax on complimentary tickets, the discussion starts around 3 minutes, 30 seconds [3:30].

Part 4 - Consolidation of Departments Discussed / Bond Issuance Rushed to End Meeting Quickly - Jan. 21, 2010 from Silver Persinger.

Councilwoman Newbille Holds Her First 7th District Meeting

Ms. Cynthia Newbille was elected to Richmond City Council on November 3, 2009. She replaced Betty Squire who served as a Council appointed interim after long-time Councilwoman Delores McQuinn stepped down to seek Dwight Jones' former House of Delegates seat [70th District].

Ms. Newbille held her first 7th District Meeting on Saturday from 10:30 - 12:30 PM at the East District Initiative Center on 25th Street in Church Hill. It was well attended by neighbors of the district.

Until I write my own report of this meeting, John Murden's from Church Hill People's News will suffice.

7th District Meeting - Dec. 12, 2009 - Part 1 from Silver Persinger.

7th District Meeting - Dec. 12, 2009 - Part 2 from Silver Persinger.

Post to the www.TimesDispatch.com re: City Auditor's Policies

Here is a comment I left on an article in today's Times-Dispatch regarding their article " City Auditor’s work won’t be as publicized " about City Council devising a policy to prohibit the City Auditor from announcing the completion of audits and investigations.

My comment:

Ineptitude at City Council should hardly be surprising. Open government and transparency are best practices in the field of government. It leads to accountability. When the public can see how decisions are made, they can understand why decisions were made and WHO is accountable for the decisions made.

I asked Council members earlier in the year if they supported open government and many of them did not seem familiar with the concept, though they said they said they supported it.



Since when should our government seek to emulate the government of Chesterfield and Henrico.

Especially, when what you seek to emulate is keeping information secret. The City Auditor works for the citizens of Richmond; not the City Council or the Mayor.

The news coverage of city government is already apathetic. Press releases from the Auditor's Office help inform the public. It cost relatively nothing for the auditor's office to email press releases and even to hold a press conference to allow the City Auditor to explain the findings to the media, who need all the help they can get. City Council members should also try to attend City Auditor Press Conferences, so they will know the questions from the media and know more directly the results of Audit Reports.

This article comes on the heels of tomorrow's interviews with appointees for the GRTC Transit System Board. See the Times-Dispatch article, "GRTC board appointments a point of contention" Oct. 2, 2009,

By WILL JONES

Published: October 2, 2009

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones wants one of the city's new administrators to help run the GRTC Transit System.

But City Councilman Bruce W. Tyler is pushing back and expressing concern over a role the city could play in a sale of GRTC's coveted headquarters property near the Fan District.

Jones wants the 6.8-acre site to go to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority for private development guided by the city through a review of proposals.

The council is scheduled to appoint three members to the GRTC board this month. This week, the list of 13 applicants was pared to eight finalists, including Peter H. Chapman, the city's new deputy chief administrative officer for economic and community development.

Another is former Chief Administrative Officer Sheila Hill-Christian, who has worked as a consultant to the Jones administration. She previously held executive positions with GRTC and RRHA.

Tyler said he's concerned about the possible appointments.

"I don't believe it should be anybody from the administration or with close ties to the administration," he said. "That body needs to be independent and it needs to report to council."

The Jones administration sees no conflict and nothing unusual in having one of its members on the GRTC board, said Tammy D. Hawley, the mayor's press secretary.

"Our motive is to have the highest amount of experience to move the transit system forward," she said.

John M. Lewis Jr., CEO of GRTC, said residency from the appointing locality is the only requirement for the GRTC board. While directors have historically been local civic and business leaders, many public-transit agencies are governed by elected and appointed officials, he said.

Chesterfield County, which owns GRTC with the city, also is set to make its three appointments to the six-member board.

The city's other finalists for appointment are the current representatives -- Linda G. Broady-Meyers, James M. Johnson and Michael Rohde, as well as Robert P. Englander Jr., a real estate developer and principal of The CathFord Group; Mark Romer, president of James River Equipment Co.; and Grindly Johnson, chief of business and employee opportunities for the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Tyler said he's bothered that candidates recommended by him -- developer Paul W. Kreckman [Editor's note: the same fellow from Highwoods Properties that was pitching the stadium in Shockoe Bottom], architect Robert C. Burns and attorney R. Webb Moore -- won't be interviewed. The council's Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee will meet Monday to conduct closed-door interviews.

Chesterfield County Administrator James J.L. Stegmaier had no comment on the city appointments or on how the GRTC property might be developed.

"We think it's important that the property be sold at fair market price and those resources be used to enhance the quality of public transportation in the region," he said.

The property, at 101 S. Davis Ave., has been appraised at more than $5 million but could require substantial environmental cleanup.

Tyler said he sees no reason for the city and RRHA to play a prominent role in the site's future. He said the city has a poor record of guiding development and cited several projects, including the city-requested and now-withdrawn proposal offered by Kreckman's firm for a ballpark in Shockoe Bottom.

Tyler said the city would be able to control whatever happens on the GRTC site because the council's approval would likely be needed for any development.

GRTC is expected to vacate the property by early December when it moves to a new operations and maintenance center on Belt Boulevard in South Richmond. Lewis said no sale offers are pending, and there's no timetable for a decision.

"That's up to my board of directors," he said.

Council has said it would be a closed door session on Monday Oct. 5, 2009 from 8 AM to 10:30 AM -- though I can't understand the grounds for closing the meeting to the public. All candidates have received the questions in advance. This is not a discussion of discipline, legal issues, or discussion about employment.

This is about appointing members to a public board that deals with the City's bus system and future development of a light rail system. The term is for one year.

What are you afraid of City Council? People deserve to know what you are doing on our behalf and in our names. You represent us and we deserve to know how and why you make decisions. This is known as Open Government.

-Silver Persinger

Below, watch the last Governmental Operations meeting of September 24, 2009 where the proposed policy was discussed.

Governmental Operations Discusses Auditor's Reporting Policies - Sept. 24, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Below, watch the July 23, 2009 Governmental Operations meeting where the policy was first discussed.

City Auditor's Office Policies Discussed at Governmental Operations - July 23, 2009 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.