Another Turn at Bat - Administration Continues to Push Football & Bon Secours Deal

Meeting Start Time: 3:04 PM Meeting End Time: 6:38 PM.

The fourth official Council discussion within 8 days pertaining to the Redskins/Bon Secours Hospital deal was called as a Special Meeting at Tuesday's Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Committee meeting. The special meeting was posted today on the Times-Dispatch website and the City Council Calendar as scheduled to be held 4 PM - 5:30 PM, and 4 - 5 PM, respectively. However the meeting actually began at 3 PM and the Redskins discussion took up an hour and half and ended at 4:36 PM.

Council members present included: Chair Doug Conner [9th District], Land Use committee members Charles Samuels [2nd District] and Ellen Robertson [6th District], as well as Council President Kathy Graziano [4th District, unknown arrival time], Bruce Tyler [1st District, 3:07 PM], Reva Trammell [8th District, 3:09 PM], Running a little later were Marty Jewell [5th District, 3:33 PM] and Cynthia Newbille [7th District, 3:34 PM].

Part 1/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Suzette Denslow on Redskins/Bon Secours Deal - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Introductory comments from the Mayor's Chief of Staff, Suzette Denslow on the Bon Secours land deal for the Washington, D.C. Redskins' training field sponsorship back-room deal.

Ms. Denslow goes through the numbers and projected revenues pretty quickly.

Part 2/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Byron Marshall on Redskins/Bon Secours Deal - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Comments from Chief Administrative Officer, Byron Marshall on the Bon Secours land deal for the Washington, D.C. Redskins' training field sponsorship back-room deal.

Part 3/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Council Questions to Byron Marshall - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Chief Administrative Officer, Byron Marshall answered questions asked by Council members.

Part 4/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Jane Ferrara on Westhampton School Site - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

At the request of CAO Byron Marshall, Deputy Director of Economic & Community Development, Jane Ferrara ran through some potential sale values under different scenarios for the land and building associated with the Westhampton School site.

Part 5/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Bon Secours Speaks on Redskins Deal - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Part 6/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Public Comment - Land Use Committee - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

The first hour and a half had been set aside to discuss the proposed Redskins & Bon Secours Hospital deal.

After a twenty minute break, the meeting reconvened and opened with Public Comment Period. There were three speakers. Valerie West spoke in support of urban hens and encouraged the committee to support adopting urban hen legislation [0:40]. Chris Dorsey [1:50] and Silver Persinger [4:16] spoke in opposition to the Redskins/ Bon Secours deal.

Part 7/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Riverfront Development Plan - Land Use Committee - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Council members have a conversation and asked questions of Mark Olinger, Director of the Department of Planning & Development Review for the City of Richmond, Virginia.

The amendments to the Riverfront Plan were continued from Council's last meeting to accomodate the owner/s of Mayo Island who feels the proposed amendment would affect the use and value of their land. The City has a long standing expressed interest in acquiring the island for park land. I believe Mr. Olinger said it had been a stated goal of the city since 1984.

Part 8/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Riverfront Plan - Public Comment & City Council Discussion - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Public Comment:

Opposition:

[0:33] Andy Condlin, Lawyer from Williams Mullen representing owners of Mayo Island
[5:35] Jan Bryan, Project Development Manager, representing USP (Echo Harbor)
[9:17] Alan Shia, co-owner of Mayo Island.

Support:

[12:29] Silver Persinger, Citizen
[14:53] Leighton Powell, Executive Director, Scenic Virginia and member of Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee.

[18:55] Comments from Al Bowers who identified himself as a citizen. Yes, the same Al Bowers who a few years back attempted to sue the City of Richmond for $205 million.

Mr. Bowers spoke in support of "this amendment for USP" to the Riverfront Plan. He stated his reasons: 1200 new jobs will be created, it will generate $4.5 million in tax revenue, public access will be provided.

Part 9/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Review of Papers Cont'd @ Land Use - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Papers under consideration included:

X X X

COMING SOON 11/28/2012

Part 10/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Presentation on HUD Section 3 @ Land Use - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Opening comments from Doug Conner [0:16]

Presentation on Housing and Urban Development [HUD] Requirements for Section 3 by Earl Bradley [1:33] and Otis Brown [5:37] from Bradley Development.

Closing comments from Doug Conner [8:48].

Part 11/11 - 2012 Nov. 20 - Presentation on Green Alleys @ Land Use - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

The last order of business for Councilman Doug Conner's [9th District] last committee meeting of his term was a presentation pertaining to green alleyways. He said in his opening comments that he did not do this to embarrass Councilman Bruce Tyler [1st District], who happens to live near a recently installed green alley. Mr. Tyler's challenger in the November election, Jon Baliles, called the alley the "Taj Mahal of alleys." Mr. Conner and Charles Samuels [2nd District] received a presentation from Michele Virts, Deputy Director from the Dept. of Public Utilities [1:06]. Mr. Conner had many questions after the presentation concluded [7:19].

At the end of the meeting, Bob Steidel, Director of Dept. of Public Utilities, responded to Mr. Conner's statement that his constituents were not able to get flood insurance. Mr. Steidel said that no one may be denied flood insurance. He stated that the Federal Flood Insurance Program is open to all and no one can be denied [16:59]. The meeting ended at 6:38 PM.

Special Council Meeting on the Redskin/Bon Secours Deal Announced

I just saw that the Richmond Times-Dispatch had this notice on their website:

"What: Special meeting to discuss the proposed Washington Redskins training camp site and the Bon Secours hospitals project. When: 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Where: Council Chambers, Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad St."

Also tonight there will be a meeting from 6 - 7:30 PM at St. Mary's Hospital:

"What: Community forum to discuss Bon Secours’ partnership with Richmond for the Redskins training camp, including plans for the Westhampton School property. When: 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Where: St. Mary’s Hospital Auditorium, 5801 Bremo Road"

Alternatives to Incarceration? Get to Work or Go to Jail!

Part 1/4 - Nov. 19, 2012 - Public Comment & Approval of Minutes - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Meeting Start Time: 5:10 PM Meeting Run Time: 1 hour 32 minutes

Richmond City Council's Public Safety Committee meeting was held at the Richmond Police Academy on Graham Street near Virginia Union University. Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille [7th District] chaired the meeting in the absence of the regular chair, Reva Trammell [8th District]. Newbille was joined by committee member Councilman Marty Jewell [5th District], and Councilwoman Ellen Robertson [6th District], who was there to support an ordinance she sponsored to establish a "Citizen Advisory Board on Alternatives to Incarceration." That's what it was called at any rate. See Part 3, for more on the proposed Citizen Advisory Board.

[0:50] The meeting opened with the Public Comment Period. Citing a recent car accident, Council regular Melvin Jones spoke to the committee urging them to do something to enforce the speed limit on Fendall Avenue in Richmond's Northside. Mr. Jones also said he still had a problem with drugs in his neighborhood. He said he had called the Police Chief but had not received a call back.

[4:55] Ms. Newbille asked Mr. Jewell to make a motion to approve the minutes, he did so and the minutes were approved 2-0.

[5:37] There were no presentations or Staff Report, though Mr. Steve Taylor, Richmond City Council Policy Analyst, told Council members what was in the works. I was sitting nearby and had a hard time hearing him.

Part 2/4 - Nov. 19, 2012 - Accepting Money for Emergency Preparedness - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Part 3/4 - Nov. 19, 2012 - Citizen Advisory Board on Alternatives to Incarceration - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

A hour long discussion on the Citizen Advisory Board on Alternatives to Incarceration.

Read the proposed ordinance, Ordinance 2012-16.

[0:31] Five minutes of introductory comments by the ordinance's sponsor, Councilwoman Ellen Robertson [6th District].

[5:38] Ten minutes of comments by co-author of the ordinance, Joyce Davis, Richmond City Council Policy Analyst.

[15:11] Followed by 17 minutes of Council discussion

Public Comment

[32:21] Comments from Rufus Fleming, Department of Justice Services

[36:31] Comments from Silver Persinger

[41:34] Comments from Melvin Jones

[43:16] Further Council discussion

Part 3/4 - Nov. 19, 2012 - Board Vacancy & Canceling Dec. Meeting - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver .

Details of Redskins/Bon Secours Deal Discussed at Finance Committee

At Thursday's Finance and Economic Development Committee meeting five ordinances dealing specifically with the Redskins/Bon Secours deal were considered and discussed by Council members and members of the administration. Video parts 3-5 below show the discussion.

PUBLIC NOTICE:

Bon Secours is sponsoring a Community Discussion on the proposal on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 6 PM at St. Mary's Hospital, Room 163 in the Administration Building.

I hope to have some more reporting on this issue soon.

Part 1/6 - 2012 Nov. 15 - Presentation on Minority Business Participation - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Part 2/6 - 2012 Nov. 15 - Papers for Consideration - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Part 3/6 - 2012 Nov. 15 - Redskins/Bon Secours Presentation & Discussion - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Part 4/6 - 2012 Nov. 15 - Redskins/Bon Secours Public Comment - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

That fellow in the background is the City Attorney, Allen Jackson. Clearly, I am wrong about the 2 year cap on renting from a private entity, but there is a limit. If you know what it is please leave a comment.

Part 5/6 - 2012 Nov. 15 - Redskins/Bon Secours Discussion Cont'd - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver.

Part 6/6 - 2012 Nov. 15 - Papers for Consideration Cont'd - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Redskins/Bon Secours Giveaways & Riverfront Plan Delayed Amid Chaos

Part 1/6 - 2012 Nov. 12 - Prayer, Pledge, Veterans' Day - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

The meeting started late as usual at 6:24 PM. The meeting opened with a prayer by Samuel Patterson, Council woman Cynthia Newbille's Council Liaison [7th District], followed by the Pledge of Allegiance [1:10]. Then City Clerk Alvin Anderson reviewed the evacuation procedure in case of an emergency [1:30]. Council President Kathy Graziano made a special announcement recognizing Veterans' Day and asked veterans to stand and be recognized [2:39].

Part 2/6 - 2012 Nov. 12 - Awards Period - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Award recipients included the YWCA and YMCA, both celebrating their 125th Anniversary. Other honorees included the American Youth Harp Ensemble, Virginia Choristers, Saint Bridget Parish Girl Choir and Parish Boy Choir "to recognize...their accomplishments and being invited to perform at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' prestigious Alice Tull Hall in New York City on April 27, 2013."

Part 3/6 - 2012 Nov. 12 - Redskins & Bon Secours Giveaway - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Richmond City Council approved by a vote of 6 to 2 with Councilmen Bruce Tyler [1st District] and Chris Hilbert [3rd District] in the minority, Resolution 2012-R141 which expressed the Council's support for the proposal to bring the Washington Redskins' training camp to Richmond for 3 weeks a year for the next 8 years and to build for the team a $10 million facility at no cost to the $1.6 Billion NFL team.

Bon Secours has agreed to put up $6.4 million in exchange for naming rights and to receive a "sweetheart" deal to lease the former Westhampton School located at Patterson and Libbie Avenue for $5,000 a year for the next 60 years! The 6.5 acre property is assessed at $7.5 million.

There is a good article on the matter at Style Weekly.

A presentation was made to the Council by Mayor's Chief of Staff Suzette Denslow [1:54].

Citizen Comments opposed to the proposal begin at 26:10 with Chris Dorsey, followed by many others.

Comments in support came from individuals representing the Chamber of Commerce, Jack Berry from the Convention & Visitor's Bureau, Richmond Sportsbackers, and several others beginning at 1:13:00.

Part 4/6 - 2012 Nov. 12 - Mayo Island Owner Delays Approval of Riverfront Plan - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Part 5/6 - 2012 Nov. 12 - Citizen Comment Period - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Part 6/6 - 2012 Nov. 12 - Consent Agenda & Council Announcements - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Raucous Citizen Comment Period Leads to Council Recess

2012 Oct. 22 - Formal Session - Entire Meeting - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Awards Period [5:45] Amendments to Agenda [23:42] Regular Agenda [26:49] Citizen Comment Period [45:41] Consent Agenda

GRTC Offers Public Info Session on Downtown Transfer Center

2012 Oct. 18 - GRTC Info Session on Downtown Transfer Center @ U of R on Broad - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

GRTC (Greater Richmond Transit Company), Richmond's public transportation bus company held an open house format public meeting at the University of Richmond's downtown location at 7th & Broad. There were powerpoint slides on easels showing the process for the site selection for the downtown transfer center, explaining what transfer centers are, and showing examples from other cities. At the end of this video is a video produced by GRTC about Transfer Centers, but the volume was not loud enough to make a good recording but you can get an idea of what they are talking about.

Fan District Association Candidate Forum for the 5th & 2nd Districts

The Fan District Association held a City Council candidate forum on Wednesday night at Fox Elementary for the 5th and 2nd Districts located in the Fan. From the 5th District candidates Parker Agelasto, Marty Jewell, and Lee Shewmake were present. From the 2nd District, Charles Samuels and Charlie Diradour were present.

2012 Oct. 10 - Fan District Assoc. Candidate Forum - 5th District - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Part 2/2 - 2012 Oct. 10 - Fan District Assoc. Candidate Forum - 2nd District - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Formal Session

2012 Oct. 8 - Formal Session - Entire Meeting - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Informal Session: Virginia Municipal League Lawyer Discusses Eminent Domain Ballot Question

2012 Oct. 8 - Informal Session - Entire Meeting - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Council Reviews Budget Process, Citizen Survey, Priorities, and Legislative Agenda

Richmond City Council held a retreat at the Richmond Police Academy on Monday, October 1 to have an early discussion about timeline, process, and priorities for the next City Budget. In Part 2, Chief Administrative Office Byron Marshall explained the results of the 2012 Richmond Community Survey, where a random selection of Richmond residents ranked their satisfaction with various services provided by the City. They also got a talking to by Ron Jordan, the City's hired lobbyist at the General Assembly. He discussed the process and timeline for developing the City's Legislative Agenda in Part 4.

The advertised meeting time was 3 PM - 7 PM. The meeting began at 3:21 PM and ended at X:00 PM. Entering the meeting late were Marty Jewell [5th District], 3:28 PM, Charles Samuels [2nd District] 3:34 PM, and Chris Hilbert [3rd District] 5:36 PM. Reva Trammell [8th District] was not present at the meeting though her liaison, Henry Mease was.

Part 1/4 - Council Retreat 2012 Oct. 1 - Budget Process & Timeline - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Part 2/4 - Council Retreat 2012 Oct. 1 - Community Survey - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Part 3/4 - Council Retreat 2012 Oct. 1 - Council Prioritiies - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

Part 4/4 - Council Retreat 2012 Oct. 1 - Legislative Agenda - Richmond, Virginia from Silver.

School Board Candidate Forum Covers Wide Range of Topics

This event was organized by the VCU Political Science Department, the A. Philip Randolph Institute, The Alliance for Progressive Values, The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, People of Faith for Equality, RePHRAME - Residents of Public Housing in Richmond Against Mass Evictions, Richmond NOW, Sierra Club - Fall of the James, S.O.N.G. Southerners On New Ground, UniteWomen.org - Virginia Chapter, Virginia New Majority - Central Virginia Chapter, and Virginia Organizing.

The Forum started about 8:10 PM. Scott Price, Policy Director for The Alliance for Progressive Values, opened the forum and introduced the moderator for the evening, Kirsten Gray. Kirsten described the format and rules for the evening and then allowed each candidate two minutes to make an opening statement.

Mary Blanchard, 4th District [3:41], Dr. Patricia C. Churchill, 4th District [5:25], Kristen Larson, 4th Distict [7:21], Mamie Taylor, 5th District [9:21], Maurice Henderson, 5th District [10:53], Shondra Harris-Muhammed, 6th District [12:59], Rich Savage, 4th District [14:44], Vaness Womack Easter, 4th District [16:46], Norma Murdoch-Kitt, 3rd District [18:49], Jeff Bourne, 3rd District [20:58], Kim Gray, 2nd District [23:05], Mariah White, 2nd District [25:03], Daisy Weaver, 2nd District [27:11], Trent Park, 1st District [29:36], Glen Sturtevant, 1st District [31:53], Tichi Pinkney-Eppes, 9th District [33:58], and Albertina Carter, 8th District [34:44].

Candidates from the 3rd and 2nd Districts were asked their position the School Board's recent decision to reopen A.V. Norrell, a fifty year old school built on or near an old city landfill for a kindergarten class of 3 and 4 year olds.

Current School Board member Dr. Norma Murdoch-Kitt, 3rd District, supported the decision [1:24]. Jeff Bourne, 3rd District candidate, did not support the decision [3:25]. Current School Board member Kim Gray, 2nd District, was the only School Board member to vote against the decision [5:13]. Mariah White [7:22] and Daisy Weaver [8:56], 2nd District candidates, also were opposed to the decision to reopen Norrell.

The five candidates for 4th District were asked what they thought of the recommendations from the Citywide Task Force on Rezoning and its recommendations for school closures.

Rich Savage [0:40], Kristen Larson [2:34], Vanessa Womack Easter [4:37], Dr. Patricia C. Churchill [6:54], and Mary Blanchard [9:10] responded to the question.

Several candidates were asked "When administrators lack incompetence or misbehave are you comfortable with their being promoted in the system? What would you do to stop this?" The example of the former Blackwell Elementary principal was cited.

Trent Park, 1st District [1:24], Glen Sturtevant, 1st District [3:33], Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District [5:18], Tichi Pinkney-Eppes, 9th District [7:43].

Candidates were asked if they supported incorporating specific language about gender and sexual orientation into the schools' anti-bullying policy.

Maurice Henderson, 5th District [1:05], Mamie Taylor, 5th District [2:56], and Albertina Carter, 8th District [5:26] responded.

"How did our schools get millions of dollars in debt?"..."Was it a good idea to cut plant service transportation jobs and to give 5 day furloughs to all employees in order to balance the budget?"

Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District [1:29], Mariah White, 2nd District [4:08], Daisy Weaver, 2nd District [6:14], and Kim Gray, 2nd District [8:37] responded.

5th District candidates Mamie Taylor [1:53] and Maurice Henderson [3:50] were asked, Why are test scores so low and how can they be improved?

The question: What recommendations of the Mayor's RPS Budget Task Force do you support or oppose? Please be specific.

Tichi Pinkney-Eppes, 9th District [0:55], Glen Sturtevant, 1st District [2:31], and Trent Park, 1st District [4:12] responded to the question.

How can we replicate the success of some Richmond schools in other schools that do not perform so well?

Kristen Larson, 4th District [0:39], Patricia Conn Churchill, 4th District [2:34], Mary Blanchard, 4th District [4:36], Rich Savage, 4th District [5:47], and Vanessa Womack Easter, 4th District [7:40] responded.

Candidates were asked about recent salary increases for the Superintendent in the face of budget cuts for schools.

Jeff Bourne, 3rd District [1:00], Norma Murdoch-Kitt, 3rd District [2:59], and Albertina Carter, 8th District [5:14] responded.

What interest or stake do 1st District Parents and Voters have in devoting its resources to struggling schools in other districts?

First District candidates Trent Park [0:47] and Glen Sturtevant [2:41] responded.

How can Richmond Public Schools become more green?

Daisy Weaver, 2nd District [0:35], Mariah White, 2nd District [2:12], and Kim Gray, 2nd District [3:18] responded.

The question: Traditionally, Superintendents have had a powerful influence on their boards. How will your tenure be different?

Tichi Pinkney-Eppes, 9th District [0:47], Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District [1:51], Maurice Henderson, 5th District [3:43], and Mamie Taylor, 5th District [5:56] responded to the question.

What would you do to make RPS meetings more accessible to the public?

Norma Murdoch-Kitt, 3rd District [0:42], Jeff Bourne, 3rd District [2:10], Vanessa Womack Easter, 4th District [3:35], Rich Savage, 4th District [4:26], Patricia Conn Churchill, 4th District [5:32], Kristen Larson, 4th District [7:22], and Albertina Carter, 8th District [9:25] responded.

Each candidate was given an opportunity to make closing comments.

Patricia Conn Churchill, 4th District [1:06], Kristen Larson, 4th District [1:26], Mamie Taylor, 5th District [2:11], Maurice Henderson, 5th District [3:05], Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District [5:05], Albertina Carter, 8th District [6:34], Tichi Pinkney-Eppes, 9th District [8:27], Glen Sturtevant, 1st District [9:18], Trent Park, 1st District [10:08], Daisy Weaver, 2nd District [10:56], Mariah White, 2nd District [11:52], Kim Gray, 2nd District [12:15], Jeff Bourne, 3rd District [12:58], Norma Murdoch-Kitt, 3rd District [13:44], Vanessa Womack Easter, 4th District [15:55], and Rich Savage, 4th District [16:45] made closing comments.