Eggleston Plaza Approved & Tax Exemption for Nonprofits Reopened

Part 1/7 - 2012 Jan. 23 - Prayer, Pledge, Appointments - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

The second formal meeting of the year began at 6:19 PM, Monday, January 23, 2012.

The meeting opened with a prayer spoken by Rev. Chambliss, "that we may be about the business of revitalizing and energizing our city," followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and Chamber Evacuation instructions.

APPOINTMENTS [6] First time Appointees are required to appear in person before the Council.

Res. No. 2011-R171-2012-4 (Patron: All Members of Council) - To appoint Stacy L. Burrs [pictured above, right] to the Minority Business Enterprise and Emerging Small Business Advisory Board.

Resolution 2011-R172-2012-5 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To appoint Tracey G. Jeter [pictured above, left] to the Minority Business Enterprise and Emerging Small Business Advisory Board (MBE Representative).

Resolution 2011-R174-2012-6 (Patron: All Members of Council) To appoint Latoya Hawks to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority [RRHA], Tenant Representative.

Resolution 2011-R176-2012-7 (Patron: All Members of Council) To appoint Oliver R. Singleton to the GRTC and Transit Study Task Force.

Resolution 2011-R177-2012-8 (Patron: All Members of Council) To appoint Jonathan Coleman to the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Resolution 2012-R2-9 (Patron: All Members of Council) To appoint Bruce W. Tyler to the GRTC and Transit Study Task Force.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Tony Benony Amekudzi spoke.
Cora Hayes spoke in support of the appointment of Latoya Hawks to the RRHA Board.

Marty Jewell abstained from the vote on Latoya Hawks to the RRHA Board [6:25].

And President Kathy Graziano wished Councilwoman Reva Trammell "Happy Birthday."

Part 2/7 - 2012 Jan. 23 - Awards & Amending Agenda - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

AWARDS PERIOD

Part 3/7 - 2012 Jan. 23 - Regular Agenda - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

REGULAR AGENDA

Eggleston Plaza and Kelvin Hanson [pictured above]

11. Ordinance 2011-211-2012-6 (Patron: Mayor Jones, By Request) - To authorize the special use of 535½, 537 and 541 North 2nd Street for the purpose of waiving parking, building height, maximum residential floor area and setback requirements for the construction of a mixed-use building with up to 31 dwelling units and uses permitted in the underlying zoning district. (As Amended) [0:27]

Reopening Tax Exemption Process for Non-Profits [30:52]

12. Ordinance 2012-1-7 (Patrons: Mr. Jewell, Mr. Tyler and Mr. Samuels) - To repeal City Code for the purpose of authorizing the City Assessor to accept applications for tax exemptions by classification and designation, and to extend the filing deadlines for applications to March 1, 2012, effective for the tax year beginning Jan. 1, 2012, for the purpose of temporarily permitting the filing and acceptance of applications.

Part 4/7 - 2012 Jan. 23 - Citizen Comment Period - Richmond City Council - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD

Vivek Jain [pictured above], a member of Occupy Richmond, urged City Council to pass a resolution against war with Iran. [0:51]

Charles Willis, Executive Director of Citizens Against Crime, asked City Council for financial support of "immediate need of at least $300" for candles, typing paper, bereavement cards, printer ink, frames, pins, stamps, etc. [4:14]

Part 5/7 - 2012 Jan. 23 - Consent Agenda /Expedited /Minutes Approved - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver Persinger.

CONSENT AGENDA

13. Ordinance 2011-201-2012-8 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of Procurement Services to execute a contract between the City and Harris & Harris, Ltd. for collection agency services.

14. Ordinance 2011-202-2012-9 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of Procurement Services, to execute a contract between the City and Professional Recovery Consultants, Inc. for collection agency services.

15. Ordinance 2011-208-2012-10 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a Lease Agreement to allow New Cingular Wireless PCS LLC to operate telecommunication equipment at 4515 North Avenue.

16. Ordinance 2011-212-2012-11 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a Project Agreement for Use between the City and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for the purpose of receiving a grant of $62,073 to fund capital improvements at Main Street Station.

17. Ordinance 2011-214-2012-12 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept $5,000 from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and to appropriate the amount to the Non-Departmental Budget for the purpose of providing grants of $2,500.00 to the Richmond Boys Choir and $2,500.00 to the 1708 Gallery.

18. Ordinance 2012-3-13 (Patrons: Mr. Conner and Vice-President Robertson) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of the City making a donation of $10,000 to assist the Partnership for Smarter Growth in applying for a grant for the James River Branch Rails-to-Trails and Cannon Creek Greenway projects.

19. Ord. No. 2012-6-14 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to execute a Revocable Sublicense Agreement to allow Richmond 20 MHz, LLC to operate and maintain telecommunications equipment on a portion of 4827 Old Warwick Road.

26. Res. No. 2011-R166-2012-10 (Patrons: All Members of Council) - To request that the Richmond Metropolitan Authority install mile markers at appropriate intervals along the Powhite Parkway and the Downtown Expressway.

27. Res. No. 2011-R109-2012-11 (Patron: Vice-President Robertson) - To approve a timeline of critical milestones leading up to the adoption of the City’s Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget. (As Amended)

EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION

Resolution 2012-R3-12 (Patrons: All Members of Council) - To amend the “2012 City of Richmond Legislative Proposals for the Virginia General Assembly” and request the Richmond delegation to the General Assembly of Virginia to support Senate Bill 41, concerning relief for Thomas E. Haynesworth, and legislation to improve the methods of compensating persons who have been wrongfully incarcerated.

The minutes of the previous meeting were unanimously approved. [25:04]

Part 6/7 - 2012 Jan. 23 - Reports & Announcements - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver Persinger.

REPORTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ellen Robertson [0:24]

At 5:33, Mr. Jewell asked Mrs. Robertson about the Workforce Investment Board, he wanted to know if Richmond was planning to pull out of the Regional Alliance because of the perception that Richmond was getting little return on it's investment. President Graziano said this was a topic better suited for a committee meeting, Mr. Jewell insisted it was important for constituents to know where they could go to look for work.

Doug Conner [9:49]

Charles Samuels - No Report. [11:08]

Chris Hilbert [11:33]

Marty Jewell [17:57]

Cynthia Newbille [25:33]

Reva Trammell [27:30]

Bruce Tyler [31:20]

Kathy Graziano [32:20] She said her district had 48% of the leaves in the city.

Mr. Hilbert encouraged citizens to call their legislators to oppose House Bill 107 which would dilute Richmond's voting majority on the RMA Board. Hilbert called the bill "a complete attack on the sovereignty of the City of Richmond." [34:45]

Part 7/7 - 2012 Jan. 23 - Introduction of New Papers - Richmond City Council - Richmond, VA from Silver Persinger.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW PAPERS

City Council will hold a Public Hearing on the following Ordinance and Resolution on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 6 PM:

1. Ord. No. 2012-8 (Patron: Mr. Tyler) - To approve an amendment to the Master Plan for the City of Richmond, which Master Plan was adopted by the City Planning Commission on Nov. 6, 2000, and approved by the City Council by Ord. No. 2000-371-2001-11 on Jan. 8, 2001, for the purpose of changing designations on the Land Use Plan for the Patterson/Libbie/Grove area generally bounded by Park Avenue to the north, York Road to the south, Maple Avenue to the west and Dunbar Street to the east.
(COMMITTEE: Organizational Development, Monday, February 6, 2012, 5 PM)

2. Res. No. 2012-R4 (Patron: Ms. Newbille) - To approve an expenditure in the amount of $1,500.00 from the Council Districts Funds for the Seventh District to make a donation to the East District Family Resource Center for the Camp Diva Annual Date with Dad Dinner ($1,000.00) and for Parent Resource Network parenting events ($500.00).

City Council will hold a Public Hearing on the following Ordinances on Monday, February 27, 2012 at 6 PM:

3. Ord. No. 2012-9 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Project Agreement for Use of Commonwealth Transportation Funds –Fiscal Year 2012 between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for the purpose of granting the City $100,000 for the purpose of continuing the City of Richmond Employee Trip Reduction Program.
(COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, February 16, 2012, 3 PM)

4. Ord. No. 2012-10 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $500,000 from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Works by $500,000 for the purpose of continuing the City of Richmond Employee Trip Reduction Program.
(COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, February 16, 2012, 3 PM)

5. Ord. No. 2012-11 (Patron: Mayor Jones) - To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute an Agreement for the Use of Federal Highway Administration Congestion Mitigation Air Quality – Fiscal Year 2012 between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation for the purpose of granting the City $400,000 for the purpose of continuing the City of Richmond Employee Trip Reduction Program.
(COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, February 16, 2012, 3 PM)

6. Ord. No. 2012-12 (Patron: Mr. Tyler) - To amend Ord. No. 2010-173-166, adopted Sep.
27, 2010, which establishes a GRTC and Transit Study Task Force, to remove certain limitations on the Task Force’s membership so that persons who are officers or
employees of the City and persons whose employers hold contracts with the City or subcontracts of such contracts may be appointed to the Task Force.
(COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing and Transportation, Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 3 P.M.)

7. Ord. No. 2012-13 (Patron: Mayor Jones, By Request) - To conditionally rezone the property known as 1031 Fourqurean Lane from the R-5 Single-Family Residential
Disrict to the R-53 Multifamily Residential District (Conditional), upon certain proffered conditions.
(Planning Commission, Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 1:30 P.M.)

8. Ord. No. 2012-14 (Patron: Mayor Jones, By Request) - To authorize the special use of the properties known as 3200 West Clay Street and 3204 West Leigh Street for the purpose of a multifamily dwelling with up to one hundred thirty-nine (139) units, uses permitted in the B-6 Mixed-Use Business District, and a parking area to serve the multifamily dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions.
(Planning Commission, Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 1:30 P.M.)

9. Ord. No. 2012-15 (Patron: Mayor Jones, By Request) - To amend Ord. No. 95-35-44, adopted Mar. 13, 1995, which authorized the special use of the property known as 1500
North Lombardy Street for the purpose of expansion of an existing educational institution through the construction and use of a library, to allow for an increase in the area of signage permitted to be attached to the library, upon certain terms and conditions.
(Planning Commission, Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 1:30 P.M.)

City Council will hold a Public Hearing on the following Ordinance on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 6 PM:

10. Ord. No. 2012-16 (Patron: Vice-President Robertson) - To amend and reordain ch. 2, art. V of the City Code by adding therein a new div. 3 (§§ 2-906—2-908), for the
purpose of establishing a Citizen Advisory Commission on Alternatives to Incarceration.
(COMMITTEE: Public Safety, Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 5 P.M.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eggleston Hotel Special Use Permit & Occupy Kanawha Park

Part 1/ - Drainage Improvement Update - Land Use Committee - Jan. 17, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Robert "Bob" Steidel [Director of Public Utilities] and Rosemary Green [Deputy Director, Technical Services, Dept. of Public Utilities] (pictured above) gave a presentation on the "South Kinsley and Leake Avenues Drainage Improvement Projects" to Council members Doug Conner, Ellen Robertson, and Marty Jewell.

Part 2/ - Papers for Consideration - Land Use Committee - Jan. 17, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

During discussion of the first paper, I objected to Mr. Conner's intention to forward a paper to Council without opening the discussion to Citizen Comment. I asserted that Citizens are entitled to comment on all legislation that comes before the committee. When Mr. Conner called for a public hearing there was no one there to speech in favor or opposition to the paper, Ord. 2012-3 [Patrons: Conner & Robertson] City to donate $10,000 to the Partnership for Smarter Growth to assist in applying for a grant for the James River Branch Rail-to-Trails and Cannon Creek Greenway projects.

During the Citizen Comment Period, I raised the issue I have raised many times in the past that holding meetings at 3 PM, precludes 85% of working people from attending Committee meetings.

Pamela Porter [Real Estate Specialist, Dept. of Public Works] presented on a couple of papers dealing with cellphone companies leasing tower space. Another paper to requested the RMA install mile markers on the Powhite Parkway and the Downtown Expressway.

Eggleston Hotel Special Use Permit @ LAND USE - Jan. 17, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Discussion of Ord. 2011-211. More to come soon.

Part 4/5 - Discussion about Kanawha Plaza - Land Use Committee - Jan. 17, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

The last two papers for consideration were Resolution 2011-R165 and Ordinance 2011-206. Res. 2011-R165 would reverse a decision of the Commission of Architectural Review [CAR] which denied a Certificate of Appropriateness for the painting scheme of a home located at 402 N. Allen Ave.

Ord. 2011-206 would add a new section to the City Code concerning Kanawha Plaza removing the prohibition on camping, and allow the park to be open 24 hours a day. Currently all city parks prohibit camping and all parks close at sunset.

Charles Samuels [2nd District] introduced the resolution to overturn the Commission of Architectural Review's decision but requested he wanted to continue the paper 30 days.

Catherine Easterling, Secretary of CAR, informed the Committee that the Commission was planning to discuss the issue the following day.

Minutes from the previous meeting were approved. [4:45]

Marty Jewell introduced Ord. 2011-206 with a ten-minute speech [6:00]. Representing Mayor Dwight Jone's administration, Carolyn Graham, Deputy CAO, Dept. of Human Service [17:38], Norman Merrifield, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities [23:45], and Larry Miller, also from Parks and Rec. [24:41], spoke in opposition to the ordinance and argued that protracted camping in public space "would be problematic from a health and safety standpoint."

Alan Schintzius [28:04] and I, Silver Persinger [31:34], spoke in support of the paper. I offered an amendment that would require tents to be removed by 9 AM to prevent "visual blight" downtown. Thinking back on that now, I regret saying that. Perhaps, I was trying to accomodate the official position but realize now I was advocating a half-measure. Oh well, live and learn. I also talked about Occupy Richmond and other things.

After much discussion, Mr. Jewell proposed to continue his paper with amendments, though no specific amendments were proposed at the time [47:55].

Council President Kathy Graziano commented that this paper was not about Occupy Richmond, but was about allowing camping in the park [51:07].

Part 5/5 - Board Vacancies - Land Use Committee - Jan. 17, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

My Two Cents - Comment Period, Time of Meetings, Eggleston Hotel, Free Speech Park - Jan. 17, 2012 @ Land Use from Silver Persinger.

I spoke upon a range of issues at Richmond City Council's Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Standing Committee on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

During discussion of the first paper, I objected to Mr. Conner's intention to forward a paper to Council without opening the discussion to Citizen Comment. I asserted that Citizens were entitled to comment on all legislation that came before the committee. When Mr. Conner called for a public hearing there was no one there to speak in favor or opposition to the paper, Ord. 2012-3 [Patrons: Conner & Robertson] City to donate $10,000 to the Partnership for Smarter Growth to assist in applying for a grant for the James River Branch Rail-to-Trails and Cannon Creek Greenway projects.

During the Citizen Comment Period, I raised the issue I have raised many times in the past that holding meetings at 3 PM, precludes 85% of working people from attending Committee meetings. [2:41]

I spoke in opposition to Ord. 2011-211, a Special Use Permit for the Eggleston Hotel project in Jackson Ward by developer Kelvin Hanson. My opposition is based in Council's disregard for the Planning Commission's recommendations, the lack of parking spaces the developer will have to provide, and that this paper is being rushed through with lack of public input. [4:31]

Also notable is that the biggest supporter of the project, Ellen Robertson, has not yet disclosed that she has received $1000 cash campaign contribution from the developer in 2004. I feel she should recuse herself from the discussion and the vote. I feel that she hasn't because it would appear "unseemly."

Finally, I spoke in support of Mr. Jewell's paper, Ord. 2011-206, to allow Kanawha Plaza to be a 24 hour park for free speech and camping [7:46]. I expressed my concern that it could lead to a permanent encampment, as a compromise I offered that tents should be removed daily by 9 AM. I went on to talk about my participation with Occupy Richmond, invited Council members to attend a General Assembly, and told them I felt like "a part-time slave" because "I need money to exist."

Council's First Meeting of the Year - Tragic, Humorous, & Corrupt

Part 1/7 - Prayer, Pledge, Appointments - Jan. 9, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

The first Formal meeting of the new year was very unique for a number of reasons. First, it was my first meeting back, after taking the year 2011 off from attending Council meetings. Though last year I probably attended at least 6 Council meetings.

Another unique quality was that most of Council's "unusual regulars" were there, including myself, Luis Pantophlet, Donald Hatcher, Melvin Jones, Tony Benony Amekudzi, Ruby Turner, Teddy Parham, Chris Dorsey, and Ms. Jones. The only folks missing were Irene Jennings and Charles Hughes, Sr.

It was also Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Will Jones last time attending Richmond City Council as a reporter. He got a new job in Henrico County's Public Relations and Media Services Department. You can watch the Council send off in Part 5 below at 8:44.

As is customary, the meeting opened with a prayer spoken by Jason Helmlinger from The Richmond Outreach Center [ROC], followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and Chamber Evacuation instructions.

APPOINTMENTS [First time Appointees are required to appear in person before the Council]

Res. 2011-R173: Appointed Samuel S. Young, Jr. [pictured above] as Commissioner on the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority [RRHA].

Five papers were continued because the individuals called out were not present.

REAPPOINTMENTS [2]

Res. 2011-R170: Reappointed Susan Nolan to Sister Cities Commission.

Res. 2011-R178: Reappointed Joseph P. McMenamin to Richmond Ambulance Authority.

Part 2/7 - Awards, Amending Agenda - Jan. 9, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Thomas Haynesworth [pictured above] was given an award by the Council because he had recently been released from prison after serving 27 years in prison for crimes he did not commit. DNA evidence was used to prove his innocence.

From truthinjustice.org:

"For 25 years, Thomas Haynesworth of Richmond, VA said he was not the man who raped a church day-care worker at knifepoint. "Nobody ever listened to me," he complained. They're listening now. Thanks to the late Mary Jane Burton, a crime lab worker who kept small samples of DNA evidence in the files she worked on, Thomas has been excluded as the assailant, and the real rapist has been identified.

The foregoing news account was published on March 19, 2009. As of February 2, 2011, Thomas Haynesworth was still in prison. DNA proved him innocent of most of the rapes he was convicted of committing, and even one of which he was acquitted. But there were two rapes with no physical evidence, nothing to test. Finally, freedom is in sight.

UPDATE: March 18, 2011 - The Parole Board has voted to release Thomas Haynesworth on parole. His actual innocence petition is still pending before the Virginia Court of Appeals."

Ken Cuccinelli, General Attorney or the Commonwealth of Virginia was present and also received an award. Cuccinelli was instrumental in helping get Thomas Haynesworth out of prison.

The third award was presented to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Richmond & Tri-Cities.

Part 3/7 - Regular Agenda - Jan. 9, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

There was only one paper on the Regular Agenda and it was amended and continued.

Ord. 2011-211 [Patron: Mayor Jones, By Request] - To authorize the special use of *** 535½, 537 and 541 North 2nd Street for the purpose of waiving parking, building height, maximum residential floor area and setback requirements for the construction of a mixed-use building with up to 31 dwelling units and uses permitted in the underlying zoning district.

There was an unusual procedural incident that occurred during the discussion of the amendment. At the Informal Session earlier in the day, the original amendment had been discussed. I assume it had been crafted by the City's Planning Department to address issues that the Planning Commission had with the project proposed for the Eggleston Hotel site by developer Kelvin Hansen.

Council discussed the item for 25 minutes, then killed the proposed amendments from the Planning Commission, and supported their own amendments which Council had only created a few hours before the meeting. In all of their discussion they never opened the debate to the public even though they were VOTING. I felt that it was very wrong for the Council to assert their preference on the issue, essentially ham-stringing the public's ability to support the amendments proposed by the Planning Commission by only offering the Council's preferred amendment in the upcoming Land Use Committee meeting.

Ellen Robertson [pictured above] spoke in support of the project [14:46] for nearly six minutes and never once mentioned she had received a $1000 cash campaign contribution from the developer, Kelvin Hanson in 2004. I think she should recuse herself from the final vote and discussion. This is an example of how even relatively small amounts of money have a questionable effect on our government.

Here's the differences between the amendments proposed by the Planning Commission and the Council.

Planning Commission's Amendments, which were killed by a vote of the Council with no opportunity of Citizen Comment.
• Waives parking requirements for permitted commercial uses. It was stated that there might be a restaurant "hopefully Croaker Spot" that could accomodate 100 people.
• Require 1 parking space for each unit, for a total of 31 for a projected 37 bedrooms.
• Allow for 23 of the spaces to be located within 1000 feet of the property. Within 300 feet is the normal requirement.
• Require use of Brick Veneer where currently the plan calls for Fiber Cement Panels.

Council's Amendments

Part 4/7 - Citizen Comment Period - Jan. 9, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Speakers for Citizen Comment Period included:

Melvin Jones [pictured above], President of Maggie Walker Statue Foundation, spoke on setting aside money to support the Walker Statue. 1:14

Deborah Driver, Block Leader in East View Community, the neighborhood located on the hill overlooking the City Jail wants crime addressed in her neighborhood. Vandals have been breaking neighbors' car windows and throwing bricks and bottles through windows of people's homes, and gunfire can be heard every night. 7:37

Robert Humphrey from Hilltop Promises/Frogs Place had signed up to speak but cancelled.

Vivek Jain had signed up to speak about Free Speech and Poverty but yielded his time.

Ben Loomis, Board member of the Assembly of God, complained about drainage problems near his church. It is contributing to problems with flooding, snakes, mosquitos, and rodents. 15:34

Teddy Parham told Council local companies were ripping people off. Companies she cited included Capitol Oil, Elderhomes, and the Salvation Army. She described a program operated by the Salvation Army where they collect trees that fall on city property and distribute wood to help people heat for the winter. 22:33

Chris Dorsey said the government at every level is not serving people. He said government is serving the interests of the Federal Reserve, the Bank for International Settlements, and Dominion Power. Other topics included Pollution from Dominion, threat posed by damaged nuclear reactor located on a fault line, the illegitimacy of government, 9-11, illegal wars, Governor McDonnell, Israel, and criminality. 29:47

Willie Earl Bradley, Owner, Bradley Development had signed up to speak on "Neighborhood Stabilization" but was not present.

Part 5/7 - Consent Agenda - Richmond City Council - Jan. 9, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 6/7 - Reports & Announcements - Richmond City Council - Jan. 9, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 7/7 - Reports & Announcements - Richmond City Council - Jan. 9, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Bonus Footage - Mr. Tyler on Capping Expenditures on Public Art - Jan. 9, 2012 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Bruce Tyler [1st District] spoke to anchor/reporter Kerri O'Brien from WRIC 8News about an ordinance patroned by himself and President Graziano to cap the expenditure on public art for any project at $250,000 instead of "1% for Art" program established by Ord. 97-3-41 adopted on Jan. 27, 1997. At the end of the interview O'Brien asked about a similar paper introduced by Graziano that proposed the cap at $100,000.

Richmond City Council, Where Are You? Richmond, Virginia 2012 from Silver Persinger.

I made a short 19 second advertisement to encourage people to attend Richmond City Council meetings.

Occupy Richmond First Organizational Meeting

Part 1/2 - First Organizational Meeting of Occupy Richmond - Oct. 6, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Occupy Richmond held its first organization meeting on Thursday, October 6 at 5:30 PM in Monroe Park in Richmond, Virginia. There were approximately 250 individuals there. -SP

Continue the discussion by leaving a comment.

You can get involved. facebook.com/​occupyrichmond

Below is the report from occupyrichmondva.org as it appeared on 10-08-2011 3:42 PM.
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General Assembly, 5:30–Sundown,
Monroe Park, VCU, 10/6
Posted on October 7, 2011

At 5:30 p.m. on 10/6/11, OccupyRichmond met up for its first General Assembly in Monroe Park. A couple hundred very passionate, very excited people gathered in the center of the park to discuss the movement and logistics of future activities. After a brief introduction to such GA communication tools as hand signals and the People’s Mic, the assembly broke into smaller groups to discuss the proposed dates and locations for the actual Occupation.

Not every moment went as smoothly as we hoped, but we got off to a good start. Breaking into smaller groups in order to come to a modified consensus proved very effective. These sub-groups allowed people to discuss the date of the future event, as well as some of the more personal reasons for why they showed up.

On a basis of modified consensus (90% in favor), OccupyRichmond settled on the date of October 15 to hold the first main event. One concern for this day was that there was already another protest (for womens’ health rights) scheduled at Monroe Park on this same day. OccupyRichmond decided to support this protest by convening in Monroe Park from 1-3. At 4:00, another General Assembly will be held to reach modified consensus of our occupation location and move toward that location.

By 6:45, it was getting dark, and we realized that we would need to wrap things up since technically, the park closes at sunset. It was announced that the group could move to the VCU compass (located between the Hibbs dining hall and Cabell Library) to continue further discourse. About 50+ people showed up to further the discussion. All in all, the entire evening’s events proved that Richmond is excited about this movement and willing to put their shoulders together for this brave new experiment in community solidarity.

–Whitney

Part 2/2 - First Organizational Meeting of Occupy Richmond - Oct. 6, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

After it got too dark for the meeting to continue in Monroe Park (the public park closes at sunset), about 80 people interested in continuing the discussion met at the VCU Compass located between Hibbs Hall and the VCU Library.
A wide range of topics was discussed.

Continue the discussion by leaving a comment.

You can get involved. facebook.com/​occupyrichmond

Below is the report from occupyrichmondva.org as it appeared on 10-07-2011 9:23 PM.

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General Assembly, 10/6
Posted on October 7, 2011

(EDIT (Friday, 7:00pm) 50+ people met at The Compass on VCU Campus shortly following the General Assembly meeting to continue community discourse regarding the Occupy Richmond movement. This gathering did not make any decisions on behalf of the community, but through modified consensus, proposes the following “agreements and tools” as a starting point to work from in future Assembly structure. Again, this is NOT an official stance of the Occupy Richmond movement but rather an offer of some starting points that must be ratified, in General Assembly, through modified consensus, before their official adoption by The Movement. Please make revisions and suggestions, post them here in the comments (we will have a forum operational in the next few days… contact us at “occupyrichmond@gmail.com” if you can help with this!), discuss amongst other organizers, and perhaps evolve it into a format to propose at the General Assembly on October 15th in Monroe Park. This a collective movement, and the only way to reflect the opinions of all is for all to voice their opinions/concerns/ideas. -Josh)

Preface

After dark, on 10/6/2011, the Occupy Richmond community continued conversation at the VCU compass directly after the 5:30 meeting at Monroe Park. Out of this discussion, the community arrived at consensus on the following, very general points of identity and in regards to tools we find effective for the facilitation of respectful and effective communication and decision making in a large group.

We offer up these agreements and tools to future, hopefully larger gatherings of the General Assembly for continued discussion, knowing that as the Assembly and community grows, these Agreements and Tools may change and be added to.

Identity Agreements

1) We stand in solidarity with the occupy movement, on Wall Street, around the country and around the world.

2) We are together.

3) We are nonviolent, in action, word and in our relationships.

4) We are the 99%.

Tools We Use

1) We gather in General Assembly to make decisions.

2) We make decisions by modified consensus (90%).

3) We utilize a “stack” to queue speakers. We respect the speaker and the stack.

4) When in General Assembly, we find it productive for the group to sit while the speaker stands.

5) We use the people’s mic and hand gestures to communicate effectively, without amplification, in groups.

Glossary

General Assembly | The Occupy Richmond Community, gathered for the purpose of group discussion, collective decision making, and solidarity.

Stack | the queue of people who would like to speak to the group, either on a new subject, or in response to a previous point. The stack on the evening of 10/6 formed as a standing line of people

People’s Mic | A tool used to spread a speaker’s words across a crowd without artificial amplification. The speaker yells “mic check” at which point the Assembly responds “mic check!” The speaker then begins to speak in units of about 4-8 words, then pauses briefly, at which point the Assembly repeats together what the speaker said. This ensures everyone in the Assembly both hears (audibly) and listens (processes) the speaker’s words and ideas.

Hand Gestures | The Assembly uses a number of hand gestures to signal agreement, disagreement, the desire to respond directly, etc. Hopefully, clear demonstrations of these hand gestures will be posted soon.

VCU Solidarity Rally with 700 Arrested on Brooklyn Bridge

Part 1/5 - VCU Occupy Wall Street Solidarity Rally - Oct. 7, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Video starts off a little rough, as I was getting settled. It is interesting to note from these videos how the "media", the television crews were just there at the very beginning. They did not stay for all the speakers.

Free speech comments from VCU students and community members in support of the Brooklyn Bridge 700.

Help make this video description better by summarizing speakers' comments and leaving a comment on this video. Thanks!

Facebook event description:
facebook.com/​event.php?eid=202378983164291

"Bringing Occupy Wall Street to VCU - Rally in Support of the 700 Arrestees

Time: Friday, October 7 · 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Park Plaza at VCU (in between the Hibbs Building and the Singleton Center aka the theater building) Richmond, VA
Created By: Julia Arnone, Josh Kadrich, Joe Woods, Trina Christina Tyler

THIS EVENT IS FOR VCU AND SURROUNDING RESIDENTS. You don't have to be a VCU student to attend. For a map of where the plaza is, click here: maps.vcu.edu/​pdfs/​mp_map.pdf The space is between buildings #92 and #49 off Park Ave.

Please note: this is not the forum for hate speech. Nobody cares about how you don't want to participate or what you think of the protesters. Such posts will be removed.

It's time for VCU to start rallying to support those who are occupying Wall Street. 700+ people were arrested and detained throughout New York City on Saturday October 1st, 2011 following a march on the Brooklyn Bridge. This is the first time in decades that a movement is spreading so rapidly and intensely across the nation.

Let's show VCU, Richmond, and Virginia that we stand in solidarity with protesters in New York, and that we will fight for workers' rights.

It's important we get as many people as possible to show up, local media will be alerted of the rally. Invite as many people as you know, and let's tell New York that VCU and Richmond are behind them 100%!

I'll be bringing already-made posters, as well as blank ones (as many as I can afford) and markers so people can create their own messages. I'll be passing around multiple pads of paper to collect email addresses and get a handle on who's willing to do what.

See you all there, and remember - Peace, Love, and Revolution."

Part 2/5 - VCU Occupy Wall Street Solidarity Rally - Oct. 7, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 3/5 - VCU Occupy Wall Street Solidarity Rally - Oct. 7, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 4/5 - VCU Occupy Wall Street Solidarity Rally - Oct. 7, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part 5/5 - VCU Occupy Wall Street Solidarity Rally - Oct. 7, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

RePHRAME holds Housing Forum at Richmond Convention Center

The forum "Is PETRA good for Richmond?" was held in room B-10 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia on Saturday, June 25, 2011 from 10:30 AM - 12:20 PM

The event was organized by RePHRAME, its partners NAACP and Virginia Organizing Project, and co-sponsored by RRHA.

Part 1/8 - RePHRAME Forum: Is PETRA good for Richmond? - June 25, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Part one includes Opening Comments from Antoinette Baylor [RePHRAME Member], Opening Prayer by Rev. Sylvester T. Smith [Pastor at Good Shepherd Baptist Church], Welcome by Andrew Schoeneman [Doctoral Student, VCU School of Social Work], Introductions of the panel by Cathy Woodson [Virginia Organizing Project, RePHRAME Partner] and Drusilla Bridgeforth [NAACP, RePHRAME Partner], and Cora Hayes [Co-Founder, RePHRAME] answers the question, "What is P.E.T.R.A.?" [The Preservation, Enhancement & Transformation of Rental Assistance Act]

Part 2/8 - RePHRAME Forum: Congressman Bobby Scott - June 25, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

U.S. Representative Bobby Scott spoke to the assembled crowd on items related to housing policy.

Part 3/ - RePHRAME Forum: Diane Yentel from HUD - June 25, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Diane Yentel, Director of the Public Housing Management and Occupancy Division in HUD in Washington, D.C., spoke first.

Part 4/ - RePHRAME Forum: Linda Couch - June 25, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

The next speaker was Linda Couch, Senior Vice President of Policy for the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Part 5/8 - RePHRAME Forum: Cora Hayes - June 25, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Cora Hayes, Co-Founder of RePHRAME/Resident Engagement Group, enumerated demands including the right of tenants to organize and tenants' rights.

Part 6/8 - RePHRAME Forum: Cora Hayes - June 25, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Marilyn Olds, RRHA Tenant Commissioner and President of the Richmond Tenant Organization asked questions about perceived waste.

Part 7/8 - RePHRAME Forum: Question & Answer Period - June 25, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Panelists took written questions from the audience.

Part 8/8 - RePHRAME Forum: Comments from Newbille & Hilbert - June 25, 2011 - Richmond, Virginia from Silver Persinger.

Councilwoman Cynthia Newbille and Councilman Chris Hilbert made a few brief comments at the end of the meeting followed by a few more comments from Cora Hayes and Andrew Schoeneman. The meeting was closed with a prayer made by Marion Jones.

Mayor Jones announces RMA repayment of $60.3 Million

From the Mayor's Office:

CITY OF RICHMOND
News Release


For Immediate Release Contact: Tammy Hawley
Tuesday, June 21, 2011 (804) 646-3110
Tammy.Hawley@Richmondgov.com


Mayor Successfully Negotiates $60.3 Million Repayment to City
~RMA could return funds to the city before year end~

Richmond, VA – Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced the impending repayment of monies to the city in the amount of $60.3 million from the Richmond Metropolitan Authority (RMA). The RMA is an independent authority and political subdivision that was created in 1966. It was formed originally to build and maintain a toll expressway system to serve the Richmond metropolitan area. Its members include Richmond as well as Chesterfield and Henrico counties. In its formative years, the city of Richmond was the only member of the partnership to contribute land and provide financial support to RMA.

“There are many things this administration has been working to set right for the city of Richmond. Where our financial picture is concerned, the city’s financial operation has been structurally unbalanced in many ways and we've been working to correct things like moving to twice a year tax collections and eliminating the need for revenue anticipation notes for example. Another matter that has been unattended to for some time pertains to millions of dollars that was lent to the RMA by the city of Richmond,” explained Mayor Jones. “I asked my team to explore how and when this money could be returned to the city and the RMA Board has chosen to act on our request.”

The RMA voted unanimously today for the return of monies owed to the city of Richmond in the amount of $60.3 million. It is anticipated that the funds would become available in November of this year once the RMA issues the bonds necessary to pay off the subordinated debt owed to the city.

“We’ve been working with the RMA for more than a year on a way to eliminate this outstanding debt owed the city,” said CAO Byron Marshall. “This plan won’t hurt the credit standing of the RMA, won’t increase tolls, and will return to the city some badly needed funds that can be directed toward some of Richmond's immediate and future needs."

This one-time money will go to the city’s General Fund. Citing the tremendous social and economic costs associated with the history of how these funds came to be owed the city, particularly as it relates to how the expressway affected the neighborhoods it bisects, Mayor Jones said he wanted the city to use this opportunity wisely and prudently. “As we consider the use of these funds, there are some guidelines I feel we should be governed by. These funds can help to repair some of the issues caused by displacement of families and businesses, and can also help to move us closer to a AAA bond rating. We have the opportunity to invest wisely by doing things like getting our undesignated fund balance to 10% and paying off some of our own outstanding debt."

Initially, Richmond was the only jurisdiction to provide financial assistance or subsidies to the expressway system. Moving forward, Mayor Jones said, "We will begin working with RMA and other jurisdictions to look at a more regional approach to transportation and public transportation. As we work regionally, we must also put Richmond first and make investments that will put the city on par with our neighbors who already enjoy a AAA bond rating. Further, paying down debt will free up debt capacity for future catalytic projects and allow us to save on interest payments while we plan for those projects."

It is anticipated that the Mayor would like to focus on future projects like riverfront public space, the baseball diamond, and development that will generate a return on investment in the areas of job creation, workforce development and an enhancing the tax base.

Aside from strengthening the city’s financial picture, the Mayor also indicated an obligation to focus on social needs. “We must also consider the tremendous social cost that is connected to the history of this money, said Mayor Jones. “New roadway systems that were designed to relieve traffic congestion and increase the ease of commuters flowing in and out of the city came with a price tag of displaced residents and businesses. Massive relocations were undertaken, eminent domain laws were used to seize property and communities were torn apart. The communities impacted the most were the lower income areas and the poor.”

The Mayor indicated that he would like to see a plan developed that will make a noticeable dent in poverty in the city and focus on some longstanding concerns. “Such a plan could deal with outstanding issues like the fact that the Blackwell Hope VI development has remained unfinished since 1997, or longstanding needs of our infrastructure like the repaving of Jefferson Davis Highway which has been in disrepair for years, for example. Perhaps there are some things we can do with Creighton Court; things that can help us reduce concentrated poverty are what I’d like to see and what the City Council has asked us to focus on."

The unfinished Blackwell area has impeded the City’s ability to be successful with other projects like Choice Neighborhoods funding applications and Hope VI. Problem public housing areas like Creighton Court are a byproduct of the massive relocations that resulted from the expressway systems.

The Jones Administration will be working to prepare a detailed proposal for the use of funds that will require City Council approval. “I commend the RMA Board for doing the right thing and acting to return these monies to the city of Richmond," continued Mayor Jones. “It is now incumbent upon us to do the right thing with the planned use of these funds and I will be encouraging everyone to make the best use of this unique opportunity.”

Mayor's Task Force on Redistricting

Mayor Jones' Task Force for Redistricting met on Tuesday. The meeting had initially been slated to be their last but after some discussion they decided they would meet again the following week. The task of the group is to prepare recommendations for the Council to consider before they conclude their own efforts at redistricting. The group discussed a wide range of topics: including the percentage of Asians living in Richmond in a chart of the racial make up of Richmond, salaries of Council members being a "living wage" and comparable to surrounding localities, dividing the districts in such a way that all members have a share in representing poor constituents and addressing poverty, and the possibility of partisan elections.

Land Use, Housing and Transportation

My Two Cents - Armories, Council Process, and Public Information @ LAND USE

I spoke during the Citizen Comment Period to request that the City "do something" about the City-owned armories at Sixth Street and Leigh Street which continue to be neglected by the City.

I spoke again later in the meeting in reference to Resolution 2011-R19 sponsored by Bruce Tyler [1st District] which request CAO Byron Marshall "to study whether the City's zoning ordinance should be amended to change the existing zoning classifications of the properties bounded by Monument Avenue to the north, Kent Road to the east, Patterson Avenue to the south, and Malvern Avenue to the west."

I commended Mr. Tyler for following the process and objected to Mr. Conner's statement that "these things become far too formal" and that Council could simply request the Planning Dept. to meet with the Civic Association. I said that a resolution was an appropriate way for the Council to request such information. Unrelated to the paper specifically, I also objected that the FULL LANGUAGE of the resolutions and ordinances under consideration was not available for Public Review. This was only my second committee meeting after taking nearly 4 months off from attending Richmond City Council meetings. In the past, the Clerk's Office normally prepares a packet that includes the full language of the ordinances and resolutions and attachments associated with each paper which is labeled "Public Copy."

You're welcome.

Public Invited to Design Redistricting Maps

From a press release dated April 6, 2011:

Richmond City Council invites residents to submit proposed Richmond Voter District maps to assist the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting process

Proposals to be submitted by 5:00 p.m. April 15, 2011; New Redistricting Plan to be adopted by December 31, 2011

(Richmond, Virginia U.S.A) – Richmond City Council invites Richmond residents to submit proposed Richmond Voter District maps for consideration by 5:00 p.m. on April 15, 2011. Proposed maps will assist Council in determining Richmond Voter District boundaries as part of the 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting process. This is part of the ongoing open public process in which Richmond City Council is working to adopt a new 2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting plan, which will be used as new Richmond Voter District boundaries for the next 10 years, by December 31, 2011.

Proposals are to be based on the 2010 Census population figures for the City of Richmond (available from the U.S. Census website, at www.census.gov). Proposed boundaries should be clearly identifiable and include a listing of census blocks that are assigned to each District. Each district must be as close as possible to the ideal population of 204,214, ideally with a zero percent overall population variance, but preferably no more than 10 percent.

Additionally, proposals are to meet the following criteria (the first five of which are mandatory):

1. Equal population (Making voter districts, as near equal population as possible.)
2. Compactness (Making voter district shapes as closely packed as possible.)
3. Contiguity (Making voter district physically encompassed/connected, which may include spanning water.)
4. Avoidance of split U.S. Census Blocks (Not dividing the smallest geographic unit of census data when forming precincts/districts.)
5. Compliance with the Voting Rights Act (Redistricting Plan must comply with the U.S. Voting Rights Act and be approved by the U. S. Department of Justice
6. The 2011 redistricting plan should, if possible, avoid splits of voting precincts between the Council, School Board, state legislative and congressional election districts.
7. The 2011 redistricting plan should maximize voter convenience and the effective administration of elections.
8. The 2011 redistricting plan should preserve communities of interest.
9. The 2011 redistricting plan should, if possible, consolidate smaller voting precincts so that the number of registered voters in each precinct is at least the statewide average of 2,013.

Proposed Richmond Voter District maps may be submitted the following ways:

1. Sending to: Richmond City Council
2011 Richmond Decennial Voter District Redistricting
Richmond City Hall; 900 E. Broad St., Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
2. Faxing to 804.646.5468
3. Emailing to steven.skinner@richmondgov.com