Monday, March 16 - Public Safety Committee. 6 PM at Richmond Police Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road, near Virginia Union University. Reva Trammell (8th District), Chair.
Tuesday, March 17 - Land Use, Housing and Transportation Committee. 3 PM in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall (900 E. Broad St.) Doug Conner (9th District), Chair.
Richmond Crusade for Voters - 7 PM at the Letter Carrier Building, 2416 Chamberlayne Avenue. They will host their quarterly City Council Forum. All candidates for statewide office have been invited to attend.
Wednesday, March 18 - Health, Human Services, and Education Committee. 5 PM in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall (900 E. Broad St.) Chris Hilbert (3rd District), Chair.
Thursday, March 19 - Finance Standing Committee. 2:30 PM in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall (900 E. Broad St.) Ellen Robertson (6th District), Chair.
* * * * NEXT WEEK * * * *
Monday, March 23 - Informal Session. 3 PM in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall (900 E. Broad St.)
Formal Session 6 PM in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall (900 E. Broad St.)
Thursday, March 26 - Governmental Operations Committee. 4 PM in Large Conference Room, 2nd Floor City Hall (900 E. Broad St.) Marty Jewell (5th District), Chair
Councilman Charles Samuels will hold a 2nd District town hall meeting from 6 - 7:30 PM. This will be his first district meeting since being elected. Richmond Police Department, 4th Precinct. 2219 Chamberlayne Avenue.
Friday, March 27 - Mayor Jones presents his proposed budget to City Council. 3 PM in Council Chambers, 2nd Floor City Hall (900 E. Broad St.)
Monday, March 16, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Mayor Jones speaks to 6th District Saturday, March 14, 2009
Mayor Dwight C. Jones addressed citizens of the 6th district at Ellen Robertson's monthly town hall meeting held on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at the Bank of America building in downtown Richmond, Virginia.
With introductory comments Vice President Ellen Robertson explained her new meeting schedule for the 6th District. In addition to her regular monthly meeting at the Bank of America Building (Second Saturday of each month), since January she has been holding additional district meetings, that alternate monthly between the North and South Sides. The focus of the Southside meetings is improving education for children. The Northside meetings will emphasize the issues of housing, abandoned property, blight and illegal rooming houses.
At 6:00 minutes, Mayor Jones took the podium and opened with a prayer. Mayor Jones referred to Mrs. Robertson as "an energizer bunny" that "is handling the business." Mayor Jones said "City Council meetings are not fun. They take a lot of time." Mayor Jones recalled Mrs. Robertson's early support for him as a mayoral candidate, "When things were not going so well during the last four years, she was one of the first ones who came and said, We gotta do something and you oughta be the one to do it."
Mayor Jones repeated the mantra of his administration, "Collaboration, communication, and cooperation." The mayor said a vast majority of the city's 4,000 employees are "good, competent people who want to do a good job." Mayor Jones said he wanted employees, as well as City Council and the School Board, to know that they are valued.
At 9:00 minutes, Mayor Jones spoke about the Dove Court development and cited goals of decentralizing poverty and acknowledging "our need and responsibility to those who need affordable housing." At 10:00 minutes, Mayor Jones discussed his decision to drop the appeals filed by former Mayor Douglas Wilder which had cost the city $1.2 million dollars over the last couple of years. Mayor Jones expressed his hope that the Charter Review Commission would iron out any ambiguities that currently exist in the charter.
Then Mayor Jones repeated his goal of establishing a Tripe A bond rating for the City of Richmond to dispel "the perception of being inept and improperly managed."
At 14:00 minutes, Mayor Jones said that he had "inherited the need for a new city jail." The current city jail has a designed capacity for 800 but it currently holds 1500 prisoners. Mayor Jones said, "I'm not going to accept the projections of a jail that's so huge, that what we'll do is just keep on filling up the beds... I refuse to build a jail that is so huge." "We're going to find a way to handle the mentally ill by not sending them to jail, that's not where they belong." Mayor Jones also mentioned alternatives for non-violent offenders (ie. non-payment of child support, traffic violations) such as ankle bracelets as a means of saving money.
At 17:15, Mayor Jones spoke again about the need for regional cooperation. Mayor Jones told us he had been participating in regional meetings and working with county managers and supervisors. Working with Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Hopewell, and Petersburg.
[18:30] Mayor Jones discussed working with the City Auditor to implement suggestions made by the auditor, and his support for implementing the recommendations of the City Master Plan.
At 20:00, Mayor Jones got a question about affordable housing. Mayor Jones responded, "We don't [want to] replace these depositories or concentrations of poverty with other concentrations of poverty." "The plan is to spread affordable housing out," mixing affordable housing with market rate housing. "Our goal is to make sure that we have affordable housing but that you don't know where it is."
The mayor's comments wrap up around 24:00 minutes, followed by four more minutes of Vice President Ellen Robertson. Mrs. Robertson said we would be seeing more in the way of regional cooperation because of Mayor Jones' initiative in working with other local governments. She also talked about the mayor appointing her to the Regional Workforce Commission and the previous way workforce development had been handled in the past with Richmond receiving just over a million dollars a year and the 8 surrounding counties collectively receiving about half a million dollars.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Introducing "Telegraph Raw and Uncut" - Informal Session of March 9, 2009 - 'Financial Tsunami'
Good evening readers. This post is something of an experiment. I am currently editing this afternoon's meeting and hope to be uploading it shortly. This is the first of what I hope will become a regular feature of this blog -- full video of Council meetings and their committee meetings. Of course, this is something I believe our local government should be doing already. However it is not; and it is not likely to occur in the foreseeable future. So I humbly present to you the Informal Session of Richmond City Council of March 9, 2009. The Informal Session is the meeting that occurs before the televised meeting. The major topics of the meeting are 1) David Rose from Davenport and Company presenting the mayor's plan to raise the city's bond rating to AAA; 2) Rayford Harris, Jr., Director Department of Finance on the state of the city's finances (1:27); 3) Council's Proposed Tax Rates on Real Estate (2:08).
President Kathy Graziano opened the meeting at 3:10 PM. She introduced Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones. He opened his comments by saying that the following presentation was one of the most important aspects of his plan for Richmond's financial future. The mayor said, "We are in a unique moment in time. We are in a dire economy, the worst economy since the great depression."
Mayor Jones introduced the Tier One Plan. The basic plan is to upgrade the City's Bond Rating to "Triple A." The Mayor said that it would not be easy and it would take several years. He also called on citizens and government to "tighten our belts" and " to make tough choices." Mayor Jones said that bond rating agencies look at several factors when determining a city's bond rating: 1) does the Mayor and the Council work together collaboratively, 2) crime rates, and 3) level of poverty. According to recent statistics I've heard, most recently from Councilwoman Ellen Robertson, Richmond's current rate of poverty is 23%. Mayor Jones said, "We have moral and financial reasons to address these problems." Mayor Jones introducing the consultants from Davenport & Company was a little reluctant to mention Roland Kooch's (former RMA Board Member) name which ensued a moment of levity.
The presentation was given by David Rose of Davenport & Company (begins 6:19 minutes into the video). Here is a copy of the document (minus Appendices) he presented to the Council which he references during his presentation. Mr. Rose told us that Davenport and Company has worked with the City of Richmond for about ten years. Mr. Rose made this presentation to the mayor the week before and to all department heads the Friday before this Monday meeting.
He said he would be presenting an executive briefing on the state of the city, future city investments, and the city's debt capacity, and the compliance with self-imposed and financial best practices. Mr. Rose mentioned being "shovel-ready" with projects to take advantage of stimulus money (10:00 minutes) and "formally introduc[ing]" the Council and the Mayor to the national credit rating agencies.
Here is a compilation of interesting statements gleaned from the presentation. Richmond enjoys a "very strong" credit rating and has received 4 credit rating upgrades since 2001. Richmond's concentration of poverty is second only to New Orleans in the South Eastern United States. Richmond currently borrows $70-75 million annually to continue city operations. It cost the city about $2 million in interest for this annual short term loan. At 22:00 minutes, Mr. Rose said that the city should look at twice a year real estate billing as a way to avoid annual "revenue anticipation" loans beginning in 2011 or 2012.
The "Rainy Day Fund" (also called the "Undesignated Fund Balance") is currently set at 7% of the General Fund Budget and is valued at $47 million; Mr. Rose suggested raising it to 10%. $380 million in Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) have been identified. It is currently proposed to borrow $360 million to fund the Capital Improvement Program. At 31:00 minutes, Mr. Rose told Council the city had a debt capacity of $300 - $400 million for the next 5 years and it would cost about $72 million per year to finance.
On Dec. 31, 2008, the City Finance Department estimated that the city budget would have a $13 million shortfall.
Questions from City Council begin at 42:00 minutes with Chris Hilbert (3rd District) asking about how poverty affects the bond rating and the ability of the city to pay a premium for AAA rating. At 48:00 minutes, Ellen Robertson (6th District) said she was excited by the discussion on twice a year real estate billing, and discussed the anti-poverty commission, COLA for retirees, and stimulus funding impact. At 53:00 minutes Marty Jewell (5th District) lamented rising juvenile crime, reduced spending on Parks & Rec for 20 years, lack of opportunities for youth employment, and preventing homelessness. At 56:25, Bruce Tyler (1st District) thanked Mr. Rose for "the most comprehensive presentation I've seen on finance since I've been on the Council." He agreed with the need to "reign in borrowing" but was concerned about the impact of twice a year tax collections.
At 58:55, Mr. Tyler asked about Capital Improvement Projects and got Mr. Rose talking (around 1:01) about a new city jail, "that big elephant in the room" that Mr. Rose states could be funded by debt.
Here's a link to the minutes of Wise County Board of Supervisors meeting from March 21, 2001 where Mr. David Rose and Mr. Roland Kooch presented "on the findings and recommendations of the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Task Force for Establishing the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority." Don't be surprised to hear similar proposals for Richmond from these two soon.
At 1 hour 4 minutes, Richmond City Clerk Lou B. Ali reviewed upcoming appointees to Council's Boards, Commissions and Authorities. There were 9 reappointments and 10 new appointments. Proposed appointments included: Thomas A. Silvestri (President and Publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch) for the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau replacing Nicole G. Hood who resigned; Reappointments of James H. Harris, Clarence N. Jenkins, David E. Cheek, J. Stephen Buis, Wilson J. Washington, Susan D. Hansen, Kelly K. Horne, and Esther J. Windmueller to the Community Criminal Justice Board; Appointments of Matthew P. Geary (succeeding John Hugh Moss, PhD) and Irving C. Wright (succeeding Willie B. Fuller) as members of the Capital Area Alcohol Safetly Action Program (ASAP) Policy Board; Appointing Glenn Hudson, Robert W. "Robin" Miller Jr., G. Andrew Nea Jr., and Marcia Reid Woody as members of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Oversight Board. Mr. Hilbert reported that he had a conflict of interest with the appointment of Robin Miller so he would not be discussing or voting on Miller's appointment. For the City Planning Commission, reappointment of Charles W. Wray and appointment of Amy Howard. Reappointment of Napoleon L. Peoples and new appointment of Jodi Mincemoyer to the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA).
A very interesting dialogue with Mr. Rayford Harris, Jr., Director of Department of Finance, City Economist Jonathan Cohodas, and the Council begins at 1 hour 27 minutes and continues for half an hour.
Then came the interesting display of Council members discussing tax policy, from Mr. Tyler's adamant insistence for the lowest tax rate to voiced sympathies of hard times. With no input from the public, the city's budget is being drafted by Mayor Jones' administration, and the Council is contemplating setting a tax rate in the face of declining revenues, questionable housing values, growing unemployment, and with no budget in hand. Every 1¢ change in the real estate tax rate (which is currently $1.20 for every $100 of your home's assessed value) represents a $2 million change in revenue to the city. The "roll back rate" which is set by the state is $1.19. Council agreed to introduce papers for the rates between $1.17 - $1.21.
Council Chief of Staff Daisy Weaver closed out the last ten minutes of the meeting starting at 2 hours 27 minutes with a report to the Council.
President Kathy Graziano opened the meeting at 3:10 PM. She introduced Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones. He opened his comments by saying that the following presentation was one of the most important aspects of his plan for Richmond's financial future. The mayor said, "We are in a unique moment in time. We are in a dire economy, the worst economy since the great depression."
Mayor Jones introduced the Tier One Plan. The basic plan is to upgrade the City's Bond Rating to "Triple A." The Mayor said that it would not be easy and it would take several years. He also called on citizens and government to "tighten our belts" and " to make tough choices." Mayor Jones said that bond rating agencies look at several factors when determining a city's bond rating: 1) does the Mayor and the Council work together collaboratively, 2) crime rates, and 3) level of poverty. According to recent statistics I've heard, most recently from Councilwoman Ellen Robertson, Richmond's current rate of poverty is 23%. Mayor Jones said, "We have moral and financial reasons to address these problems." Mayor Jones introducing the consultants from Davenport & Company was a little reluctant to mention Roland Kooch's (former RMA Board Member) name which ensued a moment of levity.
The presentation was given by David Rose of Davenport & Company (begins 6:19 minutes into the video). Here is a copy of the document (minus Appendices) he presented to the Council which he references during his presentation. Mr. Rose told us that Davenport and Company has worked with the City of Richmond for about ten years. Mr. Rose made this presentation to the mayor the week before and to all department heads the Friday before this Monday meeting.
He said he would be presenting an executive briefing on the state of the city, future city investments, and the city's debt capacity, and the compliance with self-imposed and financial best practices. Mr. Rose mentioned being "shovel-ready" with projects to take advantage of stimulus money (10:00 minutes) and "formally introduc[ing]" the Council and the Mayor to the national credit rating agencies.
Here is a compilation of interesting statements gleaned from the presentation. Richmond enjoys a "very strong" credit rating and has received 4 credit rating upgrades since 2001. Richmond's concentration of poverty is second only to New Orleans in the South Eastern United States. Richmond currently borrows $70-75 million annually to continue city operations. It cost the city about $2 million in interest for this annual short term loan. At 22:00 minutes, Mr. Rose said that the city should look at twice a year real estate billing as a way to avoid annual "revenue anticipation" loans beginning in 2011 or 2012.
The "Rainy Day Fund" (also called the "Undesignated Fund Balance") is currently set at 7% of the General Fund Budget and is valued at $47 million; Mr. Rose suggested raising it to 10%. $380 million in Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) have been identified. It is currently proposed to borrow $360 million to fund the Capital Improvement Program. At 31:00 minutes, Mr. Rose told Council the city had a debt capacity of $300 - $400 million for the next 5 years and it would cost about $72 million per year to finance.
On Dec. 31, 2008, the City Finance Department estimated that the city budget would have a $13 million shortfall.
Questions from City Council begin at 42:00 minutes with Chris Hilbert (3rd District) asking about how poverty affects the bond rating and the ability of the city to pay a premium for AAA rating. At 48:00 minutes, Ellen Robertson (6th District) said she was excited by the discussion on twice a year real estate billing, and discussed the anti-poverty commission, COLA for retirees, and stimulus funding impact. At 53:00 minutes Marty Jewell (5th District) lamented rising juvenile crime, reduced spending on Parks & Rec for 20 years, lack of opportunities for youth employment, and preventing homelessness. At 56:25, Bruce Tyler (1st District) thanked Mr. Rose for "the most comprehensive presentation I've seen on finance since I've been on the Council." He agreed with the need to "reign in borrowing" but was concerned about the impact of twice a year tax collections.
At 58:55, Mr. Tyler asked about Capital Improvement Projects and got Mr. Rose talking (around 1:01) about a new city jail, "that big elephant in the room" that Mr. Rose states could be funded by debt.
Here's a link to the minutes of Wise County Board of Supervisors meeting from March 21, 2001 where Mr. David Rose and Mr. Roland Kooch presented "on the findings and recommendations of the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Task Force for Establishing the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail Authority." Don't be surprised to hear similar proposals for Richmond from these two soon.
At 1 hour 4 minutes, Richmond City Clerk Lou B. Ali reviewed upcoming appointees to Council's Boards, Commissions and Authorities. There were 9 reappointments and 10 new appointments. Proposed appointments included: Thomas A. Silvestri (President and Publisher of the Richmond Times-Dispatch) for the Richmond Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau replacing Nicole G. Hood who resigned; Reappointments of James H. Harris, Clarence N. Jenkins, David E. Cheek, J. Stephen Buis, Wilson J. Washington, Susan D. Hansen, Kelly K. Horne, and Esther J. Windmueller to the Community Criminal Justice Board; Appointments of Matthew P. Geary (succeeding John Hugh Moss, PhD) and Irving C. Wright (succeeding Willie B. Fuller) as members of the Capital Area Alcohol Safetly Action Program (ASAP) Policy Board; Appointing Glenn Hudson, Robert W. "Robin" Miller Jr., G. Andrew Nea Jr., and Marcia Reid Woody as members of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Oversight Board. Mr. Hilbert reported that he had a conflict of interest with the appointment of Robin Miller so he would not be discussing or voting on Miller's appointment. For the City Planning Commission, reappointment of Charles W. Wray and appointment of Amy Howard. Reappointment of Napoleon L. Peoples and new appointment of Jodi Mincemoyer to the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA).
A very interesting dialogue with Mr. Rayford Harris, Jr., Director of Department of Finance, City Economist Jonathan Cohodas, and the Council begins at 1 hour 27 minutes and continues for half an hour.
Then came the interesting display of Council members discussing tax policy, from Mr. Tyler's adamant insistence for the lowest tax rate to voiced sympathies of hard times. With no input from the public, the city's budget is being drafted by Mayor Jones' administration, and the Council is contemplating setting a tax rate in the face of declining revenues, questionable housing values, growing unemployment, and with no budget in hand. Every 1¢ change in the real estate tax rate (which is currently $1.20 for every $100 of your home's assessed value) represents a $2 million change in revenue to the city. The "roll back rate" which is set by the state is $1.19. Council agreed to introduce papers for the rates between $1.17 - $1.21.
Council Chief of Staff Daisy Weaver closed out the last ten minutes of the meeting starting at 2 hours 27 minutes with a report to the Council.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Oakwood Heights discussed at Richmond City Council February 23, 2009
Richmond, Virginia City Council meeting of Feb. 23, 2009. The topic of debate in this video was whether or not Council should override the Commission of Architectural Review's [CAR] denial of a "Certificate of Appropriateness" because of concerns with "massing" of a 33 unit condominium, known as Oakwood Heights, located at the end of East Broad Street in the Chimborazo Old and Historic District.
Here is a full record of the Council's discussion. At this meeting, Council President Graziano made the unusual request to suspend Council's Rules of Procedure, which normally allow 30 minutes for each side and allow citizens to be heard. There were many people to speak in support of upholding CAR's decision that were denied an opportunity to speak because President Graziano proposed setting a 15 minute time limit for each side.
Jim Hill, Richmond Department of Community Development and Secretary of the Commission of Architectural Review, began the discussion by reporting the conclusions of the Commission and the recommendations from city staff. Mr. Hill was peppered by questions from Council members throughout his presentation.
At [14:00] minutes, Mary Hunton, member of the Commission of Architectural Review [CAR], spoke and responded to questions from Council members. At [28:30] minutes Vice-Chair of CAR, Mimi Saddler, offered additional comments.
Comments in Support of Condominium Development
At [32:00] minutes, attorney Andy Condlin from Williams Mullen spoke on behalf of the developer, Margaret Freund of Fulton Hill Properties. Margaret Freund spoke on her own behalf beginning at [39:00] minutes, and followed by Rebecca Aarons-Sydnor, a green building consultant at [45:00] minutes.
Comments in Opposition to Condominium Development as proposed
James Thorsen representing Neighbors for Compatible Development began at 48:30 minutes, followed by Mastine Braswell, a 51 year resident of the neighborhood [52:42].
Bo Fairlamb, a former resident of the neighborhood and licensed architect, presented scale models of his house and of the Oakwood Heights Condominiums. David Herring, Director of the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods [ACORN] spoke [56:15], followed by Evelyn McCargo [58:40]. Comments from Deanna Lewis [59:30], John Johnson, President of Church Association [1:00:50], Kristen Hughes [1:02:18], and Mary Jane Massett Hogge finished the off the shortened 15 minute period afforded for citizen comments.
City Council "discussion" wrapped up with a question from Bruce Tyler [1:03:40] to President Graziano, Doug Conner in support [1:04:30], Reva Trammell [1:05:45] said she wanted a two week continuance and more discussion between the developer and the neighbors, Marty Jewell [1:07:45] said, "This is a tough one" then seemed to argue in support by said that the property was at the extreme end of the Historic District,
Council overrode CAR's recommendation on this matter by a vote of 8 with 1 abstention; Reva Trammell.
The same time limitation was applied to another matter considered that night, the installation of a salvaged cast iron fence and period style brackets above the front door at the home of Walter and Jennie Dotts, which CAR disapproved of because of concerns with "false historicism." Council also overrode CAR's recommendation on this matter by a vote of 8 to 1, Hilbert dissenting.
Here is a full record of the Council's discussion. At this meeting, Council President Graziano made the unusual request to suspend Council's Rules of Procedure, which normally allow 30 minutes for each side and allow citizens to be heard. There were many people to speak in support of upholding CAR's decision that were denied an opportunity to speak because President Graziano proposed setting a 15 minute time limit for each side.
Jim Hill, Richmond Department of Community Development and Secretary of the Commission of Architectural Review, began the discussion by reporting the conclusions of the Commission and the recommendations from city staff. Mr. Hill was peppered by questions from Council members throughout his presentation.
At [14:00] minutes, Mary Hunton, member of the Commission of Architectural Review [CAR], spoke and responded to questions from Council members. At [28:30] minutes Vice-Chair of CAR, Mimi Saddler, offered additional comments.
Comments in Support of Condominium Development
At [32:00] minutes, attorney Andy Condlin from Williams Mullen spoke on behalf of the developer, Margaret Freund of Fulton Hill Properties. Margaret Freund spoke on her own behalf beginning at [39:00] minutes, and followed by Rebecca Aarons-Sydnor, a green building consultant at [45:00] minutes.
Comments in Opposition to Condominium Development as proposed
James Thorsen representing Neighbors for Compatible Development began at 48:30 minutes, followed by Mastine Braswell, a 51 year resident of the neighborhood [52:42].
Bo Fairlamb, a former resident of the neighborhood and licensed architect, presented scale models of his house and of the Oakwood Heights Condominiums. David Herring, Director of the Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods [ACORN] spoke [56:15], followed by Evelyn McCargo [58:40]. Comments from Deanna Lewis [59:30], John Johnson, President of Church Association [1:00:50], Kristen Hughes [1:02:18], and Mary Jane Massett Hogge finished the off the shortened 15 minute period afforded for citizen comments.
City Council "discussion" wrapped up with a question from Bruce Tyler [1:03:40] to President Graziano, Doug Conner in support [1:04:30], Reva Trammell [1:05:45] said she wanted a two week continuance and more discussion between the developer and the neighbors, Marty Jewell [1:07:45] said, "This is a tough one" then seemed to argue in support by said that the property was at the extreme end of the Historic District,
Council overrode CAR's recommendation on this matter by a vote of 8 with 1 abstention; Reva Trammell.
The same time limitation was applied to another matter considered that night, the installation of a salvaged cast iron fence and period style brackets above the front door at the home of Walter and Jennie Dotts, which CAR disapproved of because of concerns with "false historicism." Council also overrode CAR's recommendation on this matter by a vote of 8 to 1, Hilbert dissenting.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Charter Review Commission Seeking Public Input
The Charter Review Commission is making an effort to get public input. Early on the commission decided that it's duty was merely to clean up the Charter's language and clear up ambiguities in the roles of Council and the Mayor. It's function was not to change the form of government.
View the Charter Review Commission's website
The Commission is chaired by John Douglass, non-resident of Richmond and Dean of the Law School at the University of Richmond who was selected by Commissions eight other members. Mayor Wilder appointed former state Senator Benjamin J. Lambert, Ms. Jeannie Baliles (wife of former Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles and mother of Wilder press office staffer, Jonathan Baliles), Ms. Jacqueline G. Epps (Lawyer at Morris & Morris, appointed by Gov. Wilder to head the Virginia Retirement System 1990-1994, former board member of Richmond Renaissance), and Dr. Robert Holsworth (former Dean of VCU School of the Humanities, who resigned during the investigation in to Police Chief Rodney Monroe's degree, and my Political Science 101 professor at VCU in 1991. )
City Council appointed Mr. Orran L. Brown, a lawyer, Mr. Frederick Marsh, a lawyer who represented City of Richmond School Board in suits involving Mayor Wilder, Dr. John Moeser, a professor, and Mr. John Thompson, another lawyer and former member of Richmond City Council.
View the Charter Review Commission's website
The Commission is chaired by John Douglass, non-resident of Richmond and Dean of the Law School at the University of Richmond who was selected by Commissions eight other members. Mayor Wilder appointed former state Senator Benjamin J. Lambert, Ms. Jeannie Baliles (wife of former Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles and mother of Wilder press office staffer, Jonathan Baliles), Ms. Jacqueline G. Epps (Lawyer at Morris & Morris, appointed by Gov. Wilder to head the Virginia Retirement System 1990-1994, former board member of Richmond Renaissance), and Dr. Robert Holsworth (former Dean of VCU School of the Humanities, who resigned during the investigation in to Police Chief Rodney Monroe's degree, and my Political Science 101 professor at VCU in 1991. )
City Council appointed Mr. Orran L. Brown, a lawyer, Mr. Frederick Marsh, a lawyer who represented City of Richmond School Board in suits involving Mayor Wilder, Dr. John Moeser, a professor, and Mr. John Thompson, another lawyer and former member of Richmond City Council.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Information about Betty L. Squire, Council's selection for 7th District
Below are reprinted my reply's on Church Hill People's News post entitled "Council goes for Squire?"
February 4, 2009 8:02 pm
Here are the materials submitted by Mrs. Squire to the City Council.
If anyone one is interested in seeing the same materials submitted by another candidate please let me know which candidate and I’ll upload it as soon as I can. This material was publicly available at this past Monday’s Organizational Development meeting (02/02/2009) before they went into closed session.
The best thing about Mrs. Squire is her forthrightness in her application about not wanting to run for election. She wrote, “I have no intention to run. I believe that the ‘appointee’ should serve for a specified period of time only. After that time, I feel that the citizens should be able to elect a person of their choice to fill the remainder of the unexpired term.”
February 4, 2009 8:12 pm
What this whole exercise demonstrates is the Council’s comfort with conducting business behind closed doors because they feel they are acting in the citizens’ best interests. Talking to Council members before the meeting it became apparent that a few of the members don’t seem understand the important concept of “Open and Transparent Government.”
Watch the video here.
This should serve as a warning to citizens and motivate us to criticize how Richmond City Council conducts its business.
February 4, 2009 8:02 pm
Here are the materials submitted by Mrs. Squire to the City Council.
If anyone one is interested in seeing the same materials submitted by another candidate please let me know which candidate and I’ll upload it as soon as I can. This material was publicly available at this past Monday’s Organizational Development meeting (02/02/2009) before they went into closed session.
The best thing about Mrs. Squire is her forthrightness in her application about not wanting to run for election. She wrote, “I have no intention to run. I believe that the ‘appointee’ should serve for a specified period of time only. After that time, I feel that the citizens should be able to elect a person of their choice to fill the remainder of the unexpired term.”
February 4, 2009 8:12 pm
What this whole exercise demonstrates is the Council’s comfort with conducting business behind closed doors because they feel they are acting in the citizens’ best interests. Talking to Council members before the meeting it became apparent that a few of the members don’t seem understand the important concept of “Open and Transparent Government.”
Watch the video here.
This should serve as a warning to citizens and motivate us to criticize how Richmond City Council conducts its business.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Upcoming Meetings
On Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 6 - 8 p.m. RRHA will hold its final public master planning meeting for the revitalization of Dove Street (formerly Dove Court). Mayor Jones, Councilwoman Robertson, Councilman Samuels, and Executive Director of RRHA Anthony Scott will be in attendance. The meeting will be held at Overby-Sheppard Elementary School located at 2300 First Avenue.
The Charter Review Commission will hold its fifth meeting since its inception, Thursday, February 5, 2009 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. in the Large Conference Room on the 2nd Floor of City Hall.
On Monday Feb. 9, City Council will hold its Informal Session at 3 p.m. and its Formal Session starting at 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of City Hall. The agenda is available here.
On Wednesday Feb. 11, the Public Safety Committee chaired by Councilwoman Reva Trammell will be held at the Richmond Police Academy near Virginia Union University located at 1202 W. Graham Road starting at 6 p.m.
All meetings are free and open to the public.
The Charter Review Commission will hold its fifth meeting since its inception, Thursday, February 5, 2009 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. in the Large Conference Room on the 2nd Floor of City Hall.
On Monday Feb. 9, City Council will hold its Informal Session at 3 p.m. and its Formal Session starting at 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of City Hall. The agenda is available here.
On Wednesday Feb. 11, the Public Safety Committee chaired by Councilwoman Reva Trammell will be held at the Richmond Police Academy near Virginia Union University located at 1202 W. Graham Road starting at 6 p.m.
All meetings are free and open to the public.
Monday, February 2, 2009
7th District Selection behind Closed Doors
I attended the Organizational Development committee meeting held on Feb. 2, 2009 at 4 pm. I was the only citizen and member of the media in attendance. Despite the fact that the meeting was being advertised as a closed session, Council members met openly to discuss the format to be used during the interview process.
Here's a little video I filmed before the meeting began. And yeah, I know, I said "OK" too many times. I'm new to this, so hopefully my style and content will improve with practice. I'll try to do another post tomorrow with additional information about this process and the candidates involved.
Here's a little video I filmed before the meeting began. And yeah, I know, I said "OK" too many times. I'm new to this, so hopefully my style and content will improve with practice. I'll try to do another post tomorrow with additional information about this process and the candidates involved.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
A Note on My Blogging
As with so much in my life, it is in my character to be reluctant to do things. I aspire to do nothing but feel compelled to participate in my government to the extent that I do because few citizens engage enthusiastically in our government. Democracy requires active participation and it is lacking in Richmond, as I imagine it is suffering throughout the world. It is not nonexistent, but we could have and should have a much more engaged and well informed citizenry.
Because I feel that the none of the City's newspapers are doing an adequate job covering the local government, I am driven to do a blog. I don't feel as though I have the requisite diarrhea of the hand to be a good blogger.
Though I am lazy and would prefer to do other things; I write this blog with the hope that I may offer some insight into the functioning of our government, to document our history, mark the notable, shame the disgraceful, entertain and educate my city mates, inspire good citizenship and to serve as an example of what can be accomplished by consistent citizenship.
Before my blog entry tonight, I had been feeling negligent in my duties as a blogger. I had attend 6 meetings since my last blog entry. And not written about one. And there are note-worthy things to mention in all of those meetings. I am uncertain for how long I can keep this up, but it is a worthwhile experiment and truly does demonstrate the power of THE PRESS and free speech.
Because I feel that the none of the City's newspapers are doing an adequate job covering the local government, I am driven to do a blog. I don't feel as though I have the requisite diarrhea of the hand to be a good blogger.
Though I am lazy and would prefer to do other things; I write this blog with the hope that I may offer some insight into the functioning of our government, to document our history, mark the notable, shame the disgraceful, entertain and educate my city mates, inspire good citizenship and to serve as an example of what can be accomplished by consistent citizenship.
Before my blog entry tonight, I had been feeling negligent in my duties as a blogger. I had attend 6 meetings since my last blog entry. And not written about one. And there are note-worthy things to mention in all of those meetings. I am uncertain for how long I can keep this up, but it is a worthwhile experiment and truly does demonstrate the power of THE PRESS and free speech.
Lack of Open Government, Again?
"Out of their own mouths shall they be condemned."
Listen to this amazing exchange of our city government . The laughter at the beginning is because President Kathy Graziano said "we are going to be interviewing candidates for Ellen's seat" instead of correctly saying Delores McQuinn's seat. Give it a listen, it's just under 15 minutes. This is from today's informal session which began at 3:17 pm, this portion of audio comes from two hours and 12 minutes into the meeting. At forty seconds into this recording Valerie Salaam, Council policy advisor (one of Council's four policies advisors), describes the process that will be used to select the next Council person from the 7th District. Ms. Salaam delivers the bombshell at 2:40 in the recording, "The interviews, as well as any further discussion and consideration of candidates will all be held in Closed Session." The supposed reason for this according to President Graziano (6:00) was that since the same questions would be asked of each candidate there was a chance for a later candidate to get the questions in advance. It is possible.
Then Mr. Bruce Tyler said that Council members should return the draft questions which had been circulated among Council members five minutes before and President Graziano agreed and told Council members not to share the questions.
Mr. Chris Hilbert (8:20) said, "I find this whole process to be distasteful. No one in the 7th District elected any one of us. I find it particularly awkward to have to pick a representative for the residents of that district.... This process is going to be rife with potential pitfalls and pratfalls. And to the extent that it is closed we are going to invite that much more abuse to be heaped upon us. I would say that I rather this process to be open."
President Graziano defended her position (9:50) by saying that such political appointments are "made in backrooms, with no interviews, no questionairres" and cited recent national events such as the Rod Blagojevich scandal.
I would counter, there is not much difference in a decision made by one person or eight people, it is simply undemocratic. And why would you want to obscure citizen participation in the process and the desireable goal of open government. President Graziano says she wants to put the candidates on a level playing field. Why not provide all questions to all candidates. That would test a candidate's ability to prepare and find information. A valuable skill for a politician. If you want to make it more difficult give it to them 24 hours before, so they can cram like students before a final exam.
Mr. Hilbert asked "Is this the only discussion we are going have on the process?" (11:10) President Graziano said it was unless he wanted to have a special meeting. Mr. Hilbert started to offer a motion, but Graziano interupted and offered to do a poll -- 3 polls were performed at the informal session today. Turns out only Mr. Hilbert and Mr. Charles Samuels were the only individuals on City Council who supported an open process. I wonder if the people of the 7th District would prefer? If you live in the 7th District, leave a comment.
Mr. Marty Jewell, my Councilman, said, "It's not going to trouble me one way or the other, I'm just curious about the rationale for the open process."
Mr. Hilbert responded, "I think there's been all sorts of discussions about some kind of backroom deal and blah, blah, blah ... I would rather us just have an open meeting about it... under the principle, Let's be as transparent as we possibly can be about this indelicate situation."
Mr. Jewell doesn't mind the task at hand because "we've a process that appears to me to be a lot cleaner than what we're looking at nationally. So, I'm alright with it."
Mr. Tyler chimed in, justifying that this was the same process he (as former-chair of Governmental Operations along with Mr. Doug Conner and Mr. Jewell) used in the selection of the members to the Charter Review Commission, another public body operating nearly in secret in plain sight and open to the public. He also used the lame defense about the last person to interview having the opportunity of taking notes while others were answering questions (13:40).
Do you know what is seriously lacking in decisions such as this and other Council matters? There are discussions that go on where there is absolutely no opportunity for citizens to tell the Council members where they are going wrong. Without the benefit of public comment, they are neither called out nor held accountable for actions that involve more than just themselves. This is a fundamental flaw in our government and as it is stated I hope others will become aware of the problem.
Listen to this amazing exchange of our city government . The laughter at the beginning is because President Kathy Graziano said "we are going to be interviewing candidates for Ellen's seat" instead of correctly saying Delores McQuinn's seat. Give it a listen, it's just under 15 minutes. This is from today's informal session which began at 3:17 pm, this portion of audio comes from two hours and 12 minutes into the meeting. At forty seconds into this recording Valerie Salaam, Council policy advisor (one of Council's four policies advisors), describes the process that will be used to select the next Council person from the 7th District. Ms. Salaam delivers the bombshell at 2:40 in the recording, "The interviews, as well as any further discussion and consideration of candidates will all be held in Closed Session." The supposed reason for this according to President Graziano (6:00) was that since the same questions would be asked of each candidate there was a chance for a later candidate to get the questions in advance. It is possible.
Then Mr. Bruce Tyler said that Council members should return the draft questions which had been circulated among Council members five minutes before and President Graziano agreed and told Council members not to share the questions.
Mr. Chris Hilbert (8:20) said, "I find this whole process to be distasteful. No one in the 7th District elected any one of us. I find it particularly awkward to have to pick a representative for the residents of that district.... This process is going to be rife with potential pitfalls and pratfalls. And to the extent that it is closed we are going to invite that much more abuse to be heaped upon us. I would say that I rather this process to be open."
President Graziano defended her position (9:50) by saying that such political appointments are "made in backrooms, with no interviews, no questionairres" and cited recent national events such as the Rod Blagojevich scandal.
I would counter, there is not much difference in a decision made by one person or eight people, it is simply undemocratic. And why would you want to obscure citizen participation in the process and the desireable goal of open government. President Graziano says she wants to put the candidates on a level playing field. Why not provide all questions to all candidates. That would test a candidate's ability to prepare and find information. A valuable skill for a politician. If you want to make it more difficult give it to them 24 hours before, so they can cram like students before a final exam.
Mr. Hilbert asked "Is this the only discussion we are going have on the process?" (11:10) President Graziano said it was unless he wanted to have a special meeting. Mr. Hilbert started to offer a motion, but Graziano interupted and offered to do a poll -- 3 polls were performed at the informal session today. Turns out only Mr. Hilbert and Mr. Charles Samuels were the only individuals on City Council who supported an open process. I wonder if the people of the 7th District would prefer? If you live in the 7th District, leave a comment.
Mr. Marty Jewell, my Councilman, said, "It's not going to trouble me one way or the other, I'm just curious about the rationale for the open process."
Mr. Hilbert responded, "I think there's been all sorts of discussions about some kind of backroom deal and blah, blah, blah ... I would rather us just have an open meeting about it... under the principle, Let's be as transparent as we possibly can be about this indelicate situation."
Mr. Jewell doesn't mind the task at hand because "we've a process that appears to me to be a lot cleaner than what we're looking at nationally. So, I'm alright with it."
Mr. Tyler chimed in, justifying that this was the same process he (as former-chair of Governmental Operations along with Mr. Doug Conner and Mr. Jewell) used in the selection of the members to the Charter Review Commission, another public body operating nearly in secret in plain sight and open to the public. He also used the lame defense about the last person to interview having the opportunity of taking notes while others were answering questions (13:40).
Do you know what is seriously lacking in decisions such as this and other Council matters? There are discussions that go on where there is absolutely no opportunity for citizens to tell the Council members where they are going wrong. Without the benefit of public comment, they are neither called out nor held accountable for actions that involve more than just themselves. This is a fundamental flaw in our government and as it is stated I hope others will become aware of the problem.
Well citizens of the 7th District, you certainly don't deserve this.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Land Use Meeting Chaos
Presiding at his first meeting, as chair of the Land Use, Housing, and Transportation committee [formerly chaired by now-Council President Kathy Graziano (4th)], Mr. Doug Conner [9th] called the meeting to order at 4:13 PM. Also present were fellow committee members Mr. Charles Samuels [2nd] and Mrs. Ellen Robertson [6th]. Mr. Bruce Tyler [1st] came in at 4:20 PM and Mr. Chris Hilbert [3rd] joined the meeting at 4:47 PM. Meeting end time, 5:11 PM.
Public Comment
I offered the only public comment at the beginning of the meeting. I suggested that Mr. Conner follow the agenda which has the public comment period before the approval of minutes. Just before my comment the committee had adopted the minutes from the previous meeting. The purpose being that would give the public an opportunity to offer changes or corrections to minutes before they are approved. Secondly, I requested that the agenda be made available several days in advance in order that the public have the opportunity to know what business would be before the Committee. For Tuesday's meeting the agenda was not prepared until 2 hours before the meeting.
The meeting lasted just less than an hour and was marred by disorganization, confusion, and procedural wrangling. No other reporters were present at the meeting. Starting with an agenda of 17 items, two were withdrawn by the Jones administration, Ord. 2008-258 and Ord. 2008-259, which had been sponsored by Mayor Wilder. These ordinances sought to create a new Department of Permits & Inspections and to reclassify the Commissioner of Buildings [currently Mr. Arthur "Art" Dahlberg] as an agency head. Ten other items on the agenda were continued until next month's committee meeting.
The remaining agenda consisted of:
Ord. 2008-265 directs the Planning Commission to consider amendments to the Downtown Master Plan. During this discussion, Mrs. Robertson asked about former Tarmac property along the river front and wanted to ensure it had been designated as a development area. Mr. Brooke Hardin, Deputy Director of Community Development, confirmed that had been clarified on page 4.48 of the Master Plan. Mr. Hardin said the development standards would be similar to the standards developed for the New Market site. New Market is the parent company of Afton Chemical, formerly the Ethyl Corporation (which specialized in fuel additives). New Market owns the large white mansion style building, located at 3rd and E. Byrd Streets, just above Tredegar Iron Works on the site of Gimbles Hill Park, a former city park. Mr. Tyler asked about page 4.63 pertaining to the preservation of the Main Street Station site, and in particular the Lumpkins Jail site. He requested that a drawing that accompanies the section be changed to indicate that the area is not a development site. This property is owned by the city. A motion was made my Mrs. Robertson to declare the Lumpkins Jail site a historic site where development would not be allowed.
Ord. 2008-312 requires the mayor's administration to submit within 2 weeks of the ordinance's passage detailed criteria used by the city to determine when trees on city property or the public right of way shall be cut down and provides an exemption from the moratorium on tree cutting, and directs the Director of Public Works to "remove City-owned trees located within the four medians on Kingcrest Parkway, bordered by Antrim Avenue on the east and Willetta Drive on the west."
Ord. 2009-1 transfers the granting of permission to cut down city trees from the Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to the Director of Public Works;
Ord. 2009-2 enters the City of Richmond into a Maintenance Agreement with the Woodlawn/Kingcrest Association which authorizes the Association to maintain, prune, trim, remove, and plant new trees on the four medians along Kingcrest Parkway. All costs of maintance shall be born by the Association, with the notable exception of Ord. 2008-312 above where the initial removal of trees shall be performed by and paid for by the City.
Ord. 2009-3 accepts $167,298 from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to "further establish the multi-modal transportation center at the Main Street Station facility."
Although Ord. 2008-235 was continued until next month's meeting, several citizens (4 or 5) were present and wished to comment but were denied from doing so because the paper had been continued until the next meeting. This ordinance would grant a special use permit for 107 South Colonial Avenue which would allow a new multi-family dwelling of no more than four units. The applicants for the special use permit are Mr. Paul Spears of Richmond Enterprises, LLC and local architect, Mr. Michael Pellis.
Public Comment
I offered the only public comment at the beginning of the meeting. I suggested that Mr. Conner follow the agenda which has the public comment period before the approval of minutes. Just before my comment the committee had adopted the minutes from the previous meeting. The purpose being that would give the public an opportunity to offer changes or corrections to minutes before they are approved. Secondly, I requested that the agenda be made available several days in advance in order that the public have the opportunity to know what business would be before the Committee. For Tuesday's meeting the agenda was not prepared until 2 hours before the meeting.
The meeting lasted just less than an hour and was marred by disorganization, confusion, and procedural wrangling. No other reporters were present at the meeting. Starting with an agenda of 17 items, two were withdrawn by the Jones administration, Ord. 2008-258 and Ord. 2008-259, which had been sponsored by Mayor Wilder. These ordinances sought to create a new Department of Permits & Inspections and to reclassify the Commissioner of Buildings [currently Mr. Arthur "Art" Dahlberg] as an agency head. Ten other items on the agenda were continued until next month's committee meeting.
The remaining agenda consisted of:
Ord. 2008-265 directs the Planning Commission to consider amendments to the Downtown Master Plan. During this discussion, Mrs. Robertson asked about former Tarmac property along the river front and wanted to ensure it had been designated as a development area. Mr. Brooke Hardin, Deputy Director of Community Development, confirmed that had been clarified on page 4.48 of the Master Plan. Mr. Hardin said the development standards would be similar to the standards developed for the New Market site. New Market is the parent company of Afton Chemical, formerly the Ethyl Corporation (which specialized in fuel additives). New Market owns the large white mansion style building, located at 3rd and E. Byrd Streets, just above Tredegar Iron Works on the site of Gimbles Hill Park, a former city park. Mr. Tyler asked about page 4.63 pertaining to the preservation of the Main Street Station site, and in particular the Lumpkins Jail site. He requested that a drawing that accompanies the section be changed to indicate that the area is not a development site. This property is owned by the city. A motion was made my Mrs. Robertson to declare the Lumpkins Jail site a historic site where development would not be allowed.
Ord. 2008-312 requires the mayor's administration to submit within 2 weeks of the ordinance's passage detailed criteria used by the city to determine when trees on city property or the public right of way shall be cut down and provides an exemption from the moratorium on tree cutting, and directs the Director of Public Works to "remove City-owned trees located within the four medians on Kingcrest Parkway, bordered by Antrim Avenue on the east and Willetta Drive on the west."
Ord. 2009-1 transfers the granting of permission to cut down city trees from the Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to the Director of Public Works;
Ord. 2009-2 enters the City of Richmond into a Maintenance Agreement with the Woodlawn/Kingcrest Association which authorizes the Association to maintain, prune, trim, remove, and plant new trees on the four medians along Kingcrest Parkway. All costs of maintance shall be born by the Association, with the notable exception of Ord. 2008-312 above where the initial removal of trees shall be performed by and paid for by the City.
Ord. 2009-3 accepts $167,298 from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to "further establish the multi-modal transportation center at the Main Street Station facility."
Although Ord. 2008-235 was continued until next month's meeting, several citizens (4 or 5) were present and wished to comment but were denied from doing so because the paper had been continued until the next meeting. This ordinance would grant a special use permit for 107 South Colonial Avenue which would allow a new multi-family dwelling of no more than four units. The applicants for the special use permit are Mr. Paul Spears of Richmond Enterprises, LLC and local architect, Mr. Michael Pellis.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Mayor Dwight Jones sworn-in Dec. 31, 2008
Here is a video of the complete swearing-in of Mayor Dwight Jones. According to the Times-Dispatch [01/01/08] it had initially been planned to be "invitation-only" and held in the Clerk's office. Instead it was moved to the Council Chambers and opened to the public. Following the swearing in, Mayor Jones took five minutes of questions from the assembled newspaper and television reporters. The mayor reiterated his support for a 1.5% increase in the Cost of Living Allowance [COLA] for retired City employees.
The ceremony was attended by friends, family, and supporters of Mayor Jones and Congressman Robert "Bobby" Scott, Virginia Senator Henry Marsh, Virginia Delegates Frank Hall, Kenneth Alexander, and Jennifer McClellan. Ellen Robertson was the only member of Richmond City Council to be present. The oath was administered by Judge Marilyn C. Goss, 13th Judicial District-Richmond, Virginia.
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