Organizational Development Meeting

Organizational Development 2012 Sept. 4 - Entire Meeting - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Items on the meeting's agenda. A report from Deputy City Auditor Amarilis Hernandez on the process the Auditor's office follows when conducting investigations and issuing reports.

Tax Exemption Papers (Ord. No. 2012-112 to Ord. No. 2012-138)

Setting the date for the 2012 Budget Retreat.

Current GRTC Members were reappointed with little discussion.

Council Approves 2nd Street Connector

Formal Meeting 2012 July 23 - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

I haven't written a report of this meeting yet. The major event of the night was Council's unanimous approval the Second Street Connector which will run from Second Street on the backside of the Virginia War Memorial down to the riverfront Tredegar Street, for the benefit Dominion Power's trading floor, Meadwestvaco, the Richmond Federal Reserve, and visitors to the Tredegar American Civil War Center. Watch the passage of Ord. 2012-152 and Ord. 2012-153 [11:14] The property was conveyed to Venture Richmond. More details soon.

Read more about the 2nd Street connector on C. Wayne Taylor's website, www.cityhallreview.com.

GRTC Task Force Discusses Site Selection for Downtown Transfer Center

GRTC and Transit Study Task Force - 2012 July 12 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

The Task Force held its regular monthly meeting at 4:00 PM on Thursday, July 12 at the Department of Economic Development's offices located on the third floor of Main Street Station.

The first order of business was the approval of minutes from two previous meetings. Scott Burger asked that the minutes be amended to reflect him asking about additional members for the Task Force. The amendment was adopted and the minutes were approved. [0:23]

The largest part of the meeting was a presentation from Stephen McNally, GRTC Project Administrator about the process for the site selection for a Transfer Center located in the downtown area located between 14th, Belvidere, Leigh, and Canal. [1:50]

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

[41:28] Montigue Magruder from the User Services Subcommittee gave a report of their last meeting.
[52:16] Jack Berry [Richmond Convention & Visitors Center] talked about the recent event Paralyzed Veterans Wheelchair Games, then discussed a June 26 meeting with Bob Crum from the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission.
[56:00] Miscellaneous Discussion

Formal Meeting 2012 July 9 - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

Very interesting meeting. I began recording about 35 minutes after the meeting began. The video begins with the Citizen Comment Period. Teddy Parham was the first speaker [0:17]. In an unprecedented move, President Kathy Graziano [4th District] called a 5 minute recess when Teddy would not stop talking even after they cut her mic. Scott Burger talked about the high charge of the minimum water rate in the City [21:53].

President Graziano tried to cut off Councilman Marty Jewell [15:02] which he did not appreciate. The two had another tussle when Mr. Jewell was asking clarifying questions of Scott Burger [28:15].

[30:18] Robert "Bob" Stiedel, Direct of Public Utilities, spoke to the Council about the Water Utility

[42:22] Amend and Continue, Item 6, Ord. 2012-103 -- the digital signal started breaking up while the clerk was reading the amendments. [45:10] Mr. Bruce Tyler noted he had a conflict of interest on the paper and would not participate in the vote or discussion.

 [46:15] Consent Agenda. Tyler abstain from Item 5, Ord. 2012-102, because of a Conflict of Interest [51:32].

[52:28] Expedited Resolutions. 2012-R100 and 2012-R101.

[55:07] Approval of Minutes

[56:00] Reports and Announcements. Many Council members lamented the loss of Council regular and active community member Ruby Turner.

Doug Conner [56:07]
Charles Samuels [58:34]
Chris Hilbert [1:00:14]
Marty Jewell [1:04:48]
Cynthia Newbille [1:08:02]
Reva Trammell [1:09:43]
Bruce Tyler [1:16:30]
Ellen Robertson [1:18:41]
[1:25:14] Additional comments from Tyler, Hilbert, and Trammell
Kathy Graziano [1:28:03]

[1:29:23] Introduction of New Papers Meeting End Time: 8:20 PM

[1:37:45] Comments from Dick Harmon

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.

Wanted: City Clerk/ Request from City Attorney/

2012 March 5 • Organizational Development Committee - Entire Meeting • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Richmond City Council's Organizational Development meeting began at 5:04 PM. All Council members were present for the entire meeting. This video ends when the body moved to go to closed session to discuss the appointment of a RRHA commissioner.

The meeting opened with a presentation from Interim Deputy Chief of Staff Steve Taylor [formerly, Council Policy Advisor] and Deputy City Clerk Jean Capel reporting the results of their research into combining the positions of City Clerk and Council's Chief of Staff. Their recommendation was to keep the positions separate. Though it was not stated explicitly in the meeting, I realized that City Clerk Lou Ali will become the Council's Chief of Staff and the Council will need to hire a new City Clerk.

[32:18] City Attorney Allen Jackson requested that the deadline for submitting requests for legislation be moved from 12 noon on Wednesday before the Monday Formal Meeting to the end of the day on two Fridays before the Formal Meeting. He said that this would provide his office with an additional half day and allow the Council members ample time to review the legislation and make any desired changes, prior to its introduction.

Introducing Bob Zullo • Times-Dispatch's latest Council Beat Reporter • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Before the Organizational Development Committee went into closed session, Michael Martz from the Richmond Times-Dispatch (who has been filling in since reporter Will Jones left) introduced Robert "Bob" Zullo as the new Council beat reporter. Martz said Zullo had spent the last five years in Louisiana.

A brief google query turns up that he was recently writing for houmatoday.com He was City Editor for The Courier and Daily Comet in Terrebonne and Lafourche Parishes in Louisiana. Today was his first day.

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.

Land Use

Part 1/ • 2012 Feb. 21 • Public Comment • Land Use Committee • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 2/ • 2012 Feb. 21 • Review of Papers • Land Use Committee • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 3/ • 2012 Feb. 21 • Review of Papers Cont'd • Land Use Committee • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 4/7 • 2012 Feb. 21 • Review of Papers Cont'd • Land Use Committee • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 5/7 • 2012 Feb. 21 • Coliseum Lease Renewal • Land Use Committee • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 6/7 • 2012 Feb. 21 • Status Report on RRHA • Land Use Committee • Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 7/7 • 2012 Feb. 21 • Board Vacancies & Appointments • Land Use Committee • 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.

No Love for Skateboarders in Southside Richmond Park

On Friday afternoon at 3 PM, Richmond's Department of Parks, Recreation, & Community Facilities issued a Press Statement asking that skateboard ramps in Carter Jones Park be removed by February 15. It seems like there is a need for a skate park in Richmond. It's a healthy physical activity that is a fun for children and adults.

The press release is below:

Department Issues Statement on Removal of Skateboard Ramps

Richmond, VA – The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has asked users of the skateboard ramps placed on the tennis courts at Carter Jones Park, located at 2813 Bainbridge St., to remove the ramps by Wednesday, February 15. The public notice also advises that if the ramps are not removed by that date, they will be removed by the City.

“While the department supports skateboarding as a recreational activity, we have determined that the ramps are being used after the park is closed to the public at sunset and late into the night, which has resulted in continuing complaints from the neighborhood,” said Dr. Norman C. Merrifield, director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. “It is unfortunate that the situation has come to this, however we have found that there is no other way to prevent this activity after hours in the park other than to remove the equipment. We will be meeting with the skateboarders for discussion with them in hopes of getting their understanding and cooperation,” Merrifield said.


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