Richmond Regional Candidates’ Forum

Richmond Regional Candidates’ Forum - Sept. 30, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Above, watch the entire meeting. The forum opened with comments from Jay Squires, President, Gay Community Center of Richmond and Jon Blair, Equality Virginia. The forum was moderated by Kathy Benham of Benham Consulting.

September 30, 2009
7pm to 9pm
Gay Community Center of Richmond
Richmond, VA 23220

One of the first candidate forums of the 2009 campaign season.

Candidates present: Robert N. Barnette, Jr. [55th District], James O. Towey [56th District], Lashrecse D. Jones, Representing Delegate Rosalyn R. Dance [63rd District], William K. "Bill" Grogan [68th District], Henry Otis Brown [70th District], Delores McQuinn [70th District], Jennifer McClellan [71st District], Silver Persinger [71st District], Jimmie P. Massie, III [72nd District], Tom J. Shields [73rd District], Joe D. Morrissey [74th District]

Sponsoring Organizations

Equality Virginia
Fan Free Clinic
Gay Community Center of Richmond
Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Richmond
Gay Pride Virginia
LGBT Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party
Log Cabin Republicans of Virginia
Metropolitan Community Church of Richmond
Mothers and Others
PFLAG Richmond
People of Faith for Equality in Virginia
Richmond Lesbian Feminists
ROSMY
Virginia Organizing Project
Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club

Below, watch opening remarks from the candidates.

Candidates' Opening Remarks at Forum - Sept. 30, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Questions were offered to candidates prior to the forum. The question are presented below.

1. Do you believe that employees of state and local government should be protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in state and local employment? Will you co-patron and support legislation (like HB 2385, 2008) to ban such discrimination?

2. Do you believe that GLBT people should be protected from violence directed at them because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression? Will you co-patron and support legislation to extend Virginia’s hate violence law to include such violence?

3. Do you believe that students should be able to form Gay Straight Alliances in Virginia public and private schools that strive to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression? Will you oppose legislation that seeks to ban such organizations in schools?

4. Do you support comprehensive training for all Virginia youth and family service providers and Family Life Education and guidance programs in public schools that offer age-appropriate, medically accurate, evidence based information on sexuality, tolerance, homosexuality, gender identity, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS?

5. Do you believe that GLBT couples should have equal rights to government recognized marriage and all of its benefits, some other form of relationship recognition, or no legal recognition? Please explain your position and the reasons for it. Will you support repeal of all or part of the constitutional amendment banning any and all relationship recognition, including recognizing lawful marriages entered into in other states? Please explain your position and the reasons for it.

Written questions from the audience.

Formal Session - Sept. 28, 2009

Watch the entire meeting.

Richmond City Council - Sept.28, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

* * * Hi-Lights * * *

Citizen Comment Period

Citizen Comment Period - Sept. 28, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

The speakers this evening were the following:

Karen Atkinson, Owner, The Umbrella Market
European style Farmers Markets in City Parks

Kurt Crampton
on Removal from CARITAS with Nowhere to Go

Ray Muhammad
Discrimination at Staples Mill AMTRAK Train Station

Clarence Kenney
Fired from City job for Running for Council

Seldon Richardson
City Neglect of Leigh Street Armory

Melvin Jones
Drainage Concerns

Informal Session - Sept. 28, 2009 - Car Port / Curb Cut Discussed

Informal Session Sept. 29, 2009 - Regular Agenda Discussed from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

As a part of the Docket Review during Council's Informal Session which began at 3:22 PM, Council discussed three items on the Regular Agenda. Ord. 2008-189 was continued, Ord. 2009-80 was striken by members of Council, with Councilmen Bruce Tyler [1st District] and Charles Samuels [2nd District] supporting the paper. Ord 2009-138 was withdrawn and a new paper will be introduced.

Ordinance 2008-189 [Hilbert] opposing the installation of a turning circle at Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road was continued to the Oct. 26 meeting.

Ordinance 2009-80 [Tyler] sought to revoke the permit which allowed the installation of a concrete driveway at 3304 Stuart Avenue. The paper was struck from the Agenda.

Ordinance 2009-138 [Hilbert] to establish procedures and policies for maintenance and removal of trees on City owned property. The paper was withdrawn.

Watch the entire meeting.

Richmond City Council - Informal Meeting - Sept. 28, 2009 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

Informal, indeed.

City Announces "Blight Reduction Program" / Expansion of Inmate Labor Program?

In a press release today, Mayor Dwight C. Jones' Office announced their new Urban Blight Reduction Program. The program proposes private property be maintained by the Richmond's Department of Public Works. The negligent property owners will be assessed a fee, a lien on their property, and one could easily imagine late fees, interest, and other penalties to the point where they can no longer afford the property and lose it to the City.

The City's Inmate Labor Program [budgeted by a part of the city's Community Development Block Grant (CDGB)] where inmates are paid $10 a day for 8 hours of labor for clearing weeds will be incorporated into the Dept. of Public Works' program.

And Richmond City Employees are so stupid, they haven't organized a union to represent their interests to their employer, as they are entitled to under Virginia State Code, Section 40.1-57.3. They aren't making a fuss now that their jobs are being outsourced to inmates who work for $10 a day. Slavery by another name is just an inexcusable today as it was 200 years ago. Where do you draw the line? I'm not telling you, I'm asking you?

The complete press release is reprinted below:

CITY OF RICHMOND News Release

For Immediate Release Contact: Tammy Hawley (804) 646-3110

September 28, 2009

City Implements Urban Blight Reduction Program
Immediate benefits of organizational restructuring realized

Richmond, VA – As part of the recent reorganization of several city of Richmond departments, the city has implemented a new program aimed at reducing urban blight. The new program, being orchestrated by the Department of Public Works (DPW) will address the maintenance needs of vacant properties in four city precincts. To date, more than 250 privately owned properties, which previously came under the purview of the Department of Community Development (DCD), will now be mowed and maintained by DPW.

“I believe this new program follows Mayor Dwight Jones’ dedication to ensure the best use of taxpayer dollars and implementing operational efficiencies,” said city Chief Administrative Officer Byron Marshall. “The Mayor takes great pride in the city, its beauty and rich history. As such, all neighborhoods will receive the same level of service to maintain the aesthetics and integrity of our community, as we work toward making Richmond a tier one city.”

This phase of the program, which began on September 23, 2009, includes mowing and removal of overgrown vegetation and refuse from all four precincts. Three of the precincts (108 properties in total) will be completed by September 30, 2009. The remaining 132 properties in Precinct 1 will be completed no later than October 31, 2009.

Subsequent phases of the program include, but are not limited to:
• Coordinating efforts with other city departments to identify and address other areas in need of maintenance.
• Implementing a system for routine maintenance of lots in need of maintenance
• Working with the City Attorney's Office to increase pressure on those property owners with significant amounts due to the city for work performed on their properties to recover the amount due.

The city's division of code enforcement will continue to inspect and identify potential code violations. Once it has been determined that a property has reached the level of non-compliance and the property owner has failed to address the deficiency, DPW will manage the maintenance of such properties. DPW plans also include the use of local inmate labor to bring cited properties back into compliance. Also liens will be placed on each property in an effort to ensure that the city will be compensated by the owners for the work performed.

An advisory group, consisting of the City Attorney’s Office, DPW, and code enforcement, will determine the best method of returning these vacant properties to productive use, as well as developing a system of recouping any costs incurred by the city as a result of code violations.

Governmental Operations - September 24, 2009

Governmental Operation Committee - Sept, 25, 2009 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

Meeting start time 4:13 PM

Agenda

Draft Audit Reporting and Draft Investigative Reporting Policies - Umesh Dalal, City Auditor

Charter Review Commission Presentation of Recommendations - John Douglass, Chairman

Standing Committee Staff Report - Valerie Salaam, Council Policy Analyst

There were no papers for consideration

Discussion Items

Functioning of Boards, Authorities, Commissions and Committees
2010 General Assembly Review Process (Timeline)
2010 Legislative Agenda Items
Review of Vacancy & Turnover Report – FY2009 4th Qtr.

Turning a Circle Around a Confederate Monument / Curb Cut in the Museum District is a Big Deal

Land Use, Housing & Transportation Committee Sept. 22, 2009 - Confederate Roundabout / Museum District Driveway / Part 1 of 2 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

In video above you can hear comments made during the Citizen Comment Period to Richmond City Council's Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Committee chaired by Councilman Doug Conner [9th District]. Other members of the committee are Council Vice President Ellen Robertson [6th District, 3:08 PM] and Councilman Charles Samuels [2nd District, 3:07 PM]. Councilman Bruce Tyler [1st District] was present when Mr. Conner called the meeting to order at 3:05 PM. Council President Kathy Graziano also joined the meeting at 3:54 PM, during the discussion of Ord. 2009-80 to revoke a permit to install a driveway on Stuart Avenue issued by the Dept. of Public Works.

Mrs. Robertson explained the reason she was late was because she had been attending the Audit Committee's meeting which began at 2:00 PM. Ron Jordan, Managing Partner, Advantus Strategies and the City's hired lobbyist to the General Assembly presented to the committee a brief report on Council's 2010 Legislative Agenda.

Next was the citizen comment period which was mostly made up of individuals speaking to an item that had been removed from the Agenda and continued, Ordinance 2008-189 to prohibit the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Hermitage Road and Laburnum Avenue sponsored by Councilman Chris Hilbert [3rd District] were the intersection is located. I also spoke to complain about short notice on the Committee's Agenda, it had just been sent out via email 22 minutes before the meeting. And I complained again about the meeting starting at 3 PM instead of after 5 PM.

At 35:45 begins the story Ordinance 2009-80 where the City granted a building permit and a permit to encroach on the "public right of way" [AKA "the sidewalk" and "23 feet of on street parking"]. It's a long and interesting story. What do you think the Council should do? It would be great to get some comments on this story.

Land Use, Housing, & Transportation Committee - Part 2 - Sept. 22, 2009 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

In the second part of the meeting they discuss the following:

Public Works

Res. No. 2009-R118 (Patron: Mr. Tyler) - To impose enhanced speeding penalties pursuant to the City Code *** to authorize the placement of signs giving notice thereof on the portion of Cary Street Road located between Cameron Street and Three Chopt Road.

Ord. No. 2009-154 (Patron: Mayor Jones, By Request) - To amend *** Ord. No. 94-17-32 *** which authorized the special use of the property known as 5409 Hull Street Road as a Single Room Occupancy housing facility, to authorize a building addition with 21 additional units and other site improvements ***.

Real Estate

Ord. No 2009-162 (Patron: Mayor Jones, By Request) - To *** acquire, at a tax delinquent judicial sale, the property located at 1209½ West Leigh Street and to authorize the conveyance of such property to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority for the purposes of eliminating blight and making such property available for redevelopment.

Rec. & Parks

Res. No. 2009-R137 (Patron: Mr. Conner) - To express support for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ application for a reimbursement grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Virginia Recreational Trails Program for the development and protection of the Reedy Creek Greenway.


Board Vacancies

City Planning Commission –Robert C. Burns, Doug Cole, Mark S. Linsey, Lynn McAteer, Jonathan W. Shultis and Fara E. Jenkins Steves, Meghan Z. Gough and Dom Nozzi

Building Code Boards of Appeals – General Division – John L. Bock

Monroe Park Advisory Council – John Peters, Terence Britt Smith

Greater Richmond Transit Company – Paul W. Kreckman, David Rennolds, R. Webb Moore, Robert C. Burns, Staci L. Boone, Robert P. Englander, Jr. , Mark Romer, Peter Chapman

Upcoming Richmond City Council Meetings in October

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.

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.

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)

Towing Rates Up, People with Disabilities Speak Up, 911 = $3.5 M Shortfall, Crimes Against the Homeless

Councilwoman Reva Trammell [8th District] held a nearly 3 hour long Public Safety Committee meeting. Councilpersons Betty Squire [7th District], Chris Hilbert [3rd District], and Marty Jewell [5th District] were also present.

Public Safety Committee - Sept. 21, 2009 Part 1 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

Above, watch the Citizen Comment Period and a report from the Richmond Towing Advisory Board where they recommend raising the price of towing from private property from $65 to $125.

Public Safety Committee - Sept. 21, 2009 Part 2 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

In Part 2, watch Linda Broady-Myers' presentation on issues affecting people with disabilities. She reported 42,000 people in Richmond have some disability. The majority of her comments dealt with curb cuts [AKA wheelchair ramps on sidewalk] that are not correctly made, do not exists, are not properly maintained, or blocked by illegally parked cars. She also spoke about the blind who walk into traffic signal boxes attached to poles and into trees that are not maintained above sidewalks, among many other items. Kellie High-Foster, Deputy Director, Financial Services Division from the Police Department, gave a report on the City's 911 Emergency Communication System and proposed expenditures and shortfalls. Major Eric English of the Richmond Police Department spoke about recent crimes committed against homeless individuals. Ron Jordan, Managing Partner, Advantus Strategies and the City's hired lobbyist to the General Assembly gave a presentation on the City's proposed 2010 Legislative Agenda.

Richmond School Board Work Session on Committee Structure - Sept 19, 2009

Richmond School Board Work Session on Committee Structure - Sept 19, 2009 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

My favorite part of the meeting is near the beginning where School Board members discussed the goals and objectives each of the members hoped to accomplish.

Finance Committee Meeting -September 17, 2009

Finance Committee - September 17, 2009 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

A couple of firsts at this meeting. I believe this was the first time Council's youngest and newest member Charles Samuels [2nd District] chaired a committee meeting. This was also the first time (to my knowledge) Joe Young appeared before the Council. He identified himself as being the Volunteer Coordinator with Youth & Work Force Development, under the Department of Economic Development.

Health, Human Services, & Education Committee - September 16, 2009

Above, I offered comments during the Citizen Comment Period. I reiterated the demands of RePHRAME [Richmond Public Housing Residents Against Mass Eviction] that were presented the night before at the 2nd Annual Community Forum on Public Housing held at Faye Towers in North Jackson Ward. The demands of RePHRAME are 1. One to one replacement of public housing 2. Right to return for all current residents without having to be re-screened and 3. To increase tenant representation on the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority [RRHA] Board from 1 to 3 members.

I also complained about Ordinance 2009-143-161 which had been approved at the most recent Council meeting of Sept. 14, 2009 and allows the construction of electric fences in Richmond, Virginia in areas zoned M1 and M2 Industrial, and B3, general business. Previously all electric fences had been banned in the City.

Watch the Entire Meeting Below

Health, Human Services, & Education Committee - September 16, 2009 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

This meeting starts off with Councilman Chris Hilbert [3rd District] speaking to me about starting the meeting late. At a previous meeting Mr. Hilbert pledged for every minute he started a meeting late he would donate $2 to the charity of my choice. Today's meeting started 2 minutes late, so that was $4 for the Black History Museum in Jackson Ward.

UPDATE 09/17/09 - Mr. Hilbert gave me a check for $25 made out to the Black History Museum of Virginia. I told him, he just owed me $4 and he said he didn't want to make out a check for just $4. Well, good enough. Maybe this will serve as an incentive to start the meetings on time.

RePHRAME - 2nd Annual Community Forum on Public Housing - Sept. 15, 2009

RePHRAME September 15, 2009 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

The Second Annual Community Forum on Public Housing organized by RePHRAME [Richmond Public Housing Residents Against Mass Eviction]