Richmond City Council Reporter and Telegraph

Two More Department Directors Named Today - Procurement & IT

2009-12-21T18:12:00.002-05:00

Press Release from Mayor Dwight Jones' office:

Monday, December 21, 2009

New Procurement Director Named

RICHMOND, VA - Cheryl Wright has been named Director of the city’s Department of Procurement Service. Wright possesses more than 18 years experience in leading procurement and diversity programs with numerous governmental entities throughout Chicago, Illinois. Most recently, she worked as a Business Development Procurement Consultant for the U.S. Department of Commerce in Charlotte, NC, providing business development for the Minority Business Development Agency. Wright had previously served as Chief Procurement Officer for the Chicago Housing Authority, Chicago, IL; Director of Purchasing for the Chicago Park District, Chicago, IL; Manager of Contract Administration for Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL; and Senior Contract Compliance Officer for the city of Chicago, IL. She obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University’s School of Technology and a Masters in Project Management from Keller Graduate School in Chicago, Illinois.

Information Technology Acting Director Made Permanent

Annette Flowers has been named Director of the city’s Department of Information Technology (DIT). She previously served as DIT Manager for the Applications Solutions Division for the city of Richmond and other various technology roles over the past 27 years. As director, she will oversee all technology resources and agency employees. Her responsibilities include technology planning, maintaining business operations, and managing technology services for all city agencies. Flowers obtained an Information Technology Networking degree from the University of Phoenix. Her professional memberships include: Project Management Institute (PMI) and Virginia Association of Local Government IT Executives (VALGITE). Flowers had been serving as the city’s Acting Director of Information Technology since October of 2008.

"We welcome these two additions to the leadership team of the city of Richmond. Both individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will benefit the city and enhance our management efforts," said Chief Administrative Officer Byron C. Marshall.

Tammy D. Hawley
Press Secretary to the Mayor
Office: 804-646-3110
tammy.hawley@richmondgov.com

Trash Collection Canceled for Tuesday; Other Days Delayed 1 day

2009-12-21T15:08:00.003-05:00

Department of Public Works
Richmond, Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Solid Waste Collection Canceled for Tuesday

Solid waste collection is being delayed by one day due to inclement weather. There will be no trash pick-up for city residents on Tuesday, December 22. The schedule for the remainder of the week is as follows:

* Tuesday collections will take place on Wednesday
* Wednesday collections will take place on Thursday
* There is no collection on Friday due to the Christmas holiday
* Thursday and Friday collections will take place on Saturday and Sunday

Residents who normally receive trash collection on Monday will receive service on Tuesday, December 22 if their trash was not picked up today.

For more information on city services and schedules, please visit us on line at www.RichmondGov.com or call the Customer Care Center at 3-1-1.

Contact: Sharon North
Phone: (804) 646-5607

Cannon Creek Greenway gets Greenlight / Carillon Advisory Committee Wants to Drop Deadbeat Members

2009-12-16T23:00:00.003-05:00

Dec. 16, 2009 - Health, Human Services, & Education Committee from Silver Persinger.

Only one paper on the agenda for this meeting, Resolution 2009-R190 (Patrons: President Graziano, Vice-President Robertson, Mr. Hilbert, Mr. Jewell - added) -To support the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ grant application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for Transportation Enhancement grant funds for the construction of a bicycle and pedestrian commuter trail, family recreation and environmental education features, landscaping, and scenic beautification of the Cannon Creek Greenway; and to express the Council’s commitment to work cooperatively with the City Administration to either identify appropriate matching funds in the current Capital Improvement Plan or to include such matching funds in the 2011-2015 Capital Improvement Plan.

There was a presentation on the Carillon Advisory Committee by Barbara Brock and veteran member Ryland Yancey Bailey. Ms. Brock explained to the committee that several members do not attend the meetings regularly and the Advisory Committee is unable to achieve a quorum to conduct business. They desire new members to be appointed. The committee is made up of 8 members. One position is vacant. Only 3 members attend meetings regularly. By deduction, the non-participating members are Richard G. Steele [appointed Feb. 26, 2007], Thomas Wagstaff [appointed Oct. 25, 2004], Shawn Freude [appointed Oct. 25, 2004], Ezra Hitzeman [appointed Nov. 8, 2004].

Ms. Brock recommended the Council recognize Larry Robinson who has played the Carillon bells for the last 50 years as of 2010.

Joyce Davis, City Council Policy Adviser, gave the standing committee staff report.

Robin Robinson, formerly a candidate in the Nov. 2009 election for the 7th District City Council seat, spoke to the committee.

Council Hikes Towing Fees, City Jail Accredited, Richmond Now Economic Recovery Zone

2009-12-14T23:00:00.004-05:00

Dec. 14, 2009 - City Jail Accredited / Farewell City Attorney Sales/ Carolyn Graham Introduced from Silver Persinger.

Richmond City Council Unanimously Raises the Towing Rate from Private Property - Dec. 14, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Dec. 14, 2009 / Citizen Comment / Consent Agent / Announcements / Introduction of New Papers from Silver Persinger.

Dept. of Public Works to Hold Info Session on Forest Hill Ave. Road Widening

2009-12-14T15:41:00.004-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 14, 2009

Public Meeting Scheduled to Discuss Improvements to Forest Hill Avenue
Citizen Information Meeting for Forest Hill Avenue Improvement Project

Thursday, December 17, 2009, 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Presentation at 6 p.m.

St. Luke Lutheran Church - 7757 Chippenham Parkway

BACKGROUND: This project is being conducted by the City of Richmond to consider improvements along a one-mile section of Forest Hill Avenue from west of Powhite Parkway to east of Hathaway Road. The city is examining ways to improve neighborhood access, add landscaping, lighting and pedestrian facilities, drainage improvements and promote pedestrian and bike use. The project is currently in the preliminary design and study phase. The project is expected to take approximately one year to complete.

For more information on the project, visit the project website: www.ForestHillProject.com

Contact: Sharon North
Phone: (804) 646-5607
sharon.north@richmondgov.com

Councilwoman Newbille Holds Her First 7th District Meeting

2009-12-12T16:00:00.005-05:00

Ms. Cynthia Newbille was elected to Richmond City Council on November 3, 2009. She replaced Betty Squire who served as a Council appointed interim after long-time Councilwoman Delores McQuinn stepped down to seek Dwight Jones' former House of Delegates seat [70th District].

Ms. Newbille held her first 7th District Meeting on Saturday from 10:30 - 12:30 PM at the East District Initiative Center on 25th Street in Church Hill. It was well attended by neighbors of the district.

Until I write my own report of this meeting, John Murden's from Church Hill People's News will suffice.

7th District Meeting - Dec. 12, 2009 - Part 1 from Silver Persinger.

7th District Meeting - Dec. 12, 2009 - Part 2 from Silver Persinger.

Organizational Development - December 7, 2009

2009-12-07T23:00:00.003-05:00

City Redistricting Discussed @ Organizational Development - Dec. 7, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Phase 2 for the Charter Commission Discussed @ Organizational Development - Dec. 7, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

The Rest of the Meeting - Organizational Development - Dec. 7, 2009 from Silver Persinger on Vimeo.

Finance Committee Annual Retreat Discusses Economic Development

2009-12-03T22:00:00.004-05:00

Part 1 - Finance Committee Retreat - Dec. 3, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Above

Part 2 - Finance Committee Retreat - Dec. 3, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Part 3 - Finance Committee Retreat - Dec. 3, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Richmond Public Schools to Hold Public Hearing on Facilities

2009-12-02T02:26:00.005-05:00

Tonight marks the first of four opportunities for public hearings the Richmond School Board will hold in an effort to hear from the community what they want to see built into proposed Phase 1 Schools/Community Facilities.

The School Board recently announced their approved construction plan which the City Council signed off on at their last meeting, November 23. The School Board's "top tier priorities" are Huguenot High School and Broad Rock Elementary School; Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, Oak Grove Elementary School are "second-tier priorities." Elkhardt Middle School and E.H.S. Greene Elementary School are considered "third-tier priorities." Amelia Street and Capital City Program still remain on the list. However, CCP is proposing a PPEA ["Public Private" agreement?] for joint funding.

Meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. as follows:

Dec. 2: Richmond Technical Center – 2020 Westwood Avenue
Dec. 3: Franklin Military High School – 701 North 37th Street
Dec. 9: Thomas Jefferson High School – 4100 West Grace Street
Dec. 15: Lucille Brown Middle School – 6300 Jahnke Road

For more details, contact Angela Lewis at 780-7716.

Chapman on Economic Development & Community Development Department Reorganization

2009-11-30T23:00:00.003-05:00

Opening of Governmental Operations - Nov. 30, 2009 - Citizen Comment & Supporting Vo-Tech from Silver Persinger.

Chapman Speaks Language of Efficient Bureaucrat - Nov. 3, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

On Monday, November 30, Peter Chapman, Deputy CAO for Economic and Community Development spoke to the Governmental Operations Committee about four ordinances related to the restructuring/combination of the Department of Community Development with the Department of Economic Development.

Jim Duval, City Debt Manager on Recovery Zone Bonds & the Rest of the Meeting - Nov. 30, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Union Hill Historic District Approved / $600,000 for Stallings' Hippodrome delayed / Towing Fees paper continued

2009-11-23T23:00:00.000-05:00

The meeting began at 6:13 PM. The meeting opened with a prayer by Pastor Dr. Randy Clipp of Monument Heights Baptist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, Fire Evacuation Instructions, Acknowledging Visiting Students from St. Paul's College and their professor/Brunswick County Board of Supervisor, Marc Finney, "O' Virginia" sung by students of George Mason Elementary School [written by Pauron and Pauline Wheeler, also present], Awards and Presentations Period, Appointments and re-appointments to Boards and Commissions, Amendments to the Agenda.

Beginning of Nov. 23, 2009 Richmond, Virginia City Council Meeting from Silver Persinger.

The Awards Period recipients for Nov. 23, 2009 included:

Richard Minter, for his dedication to beautifying the Ginter Park Neighborhood. Presented by Councilman Chris Hilbert [3rd District].

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Lorae Ponder, Vice President, Programs and Operations, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia;

Paula Sherman, Coordinator, Lending Protection, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia;

Keith Combs, Area Director, ClearPoint;

Michele Watson, Director of Home Ownership Programs, Virginia Housing Development Authority;

Kelly Gill-Gordon, Manager, Home ownership Virginia Housing Development Authority;

Dianna Herdon, Executive Director, Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation;

Tanya Davis, Housing Counselor, Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation.

These individuals were "officially recognized" for their assistance with the 2009 Richmond Homeowner Foreclosure Prevention Program held Saturday in October.

Union Hill Discussed and Approved by Richmond City Council - Nov. 23, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Bonus Footage

Students from George Mason Elementary School sang "O' Virginia" just prior to the Council meeting starting at 6:13 PM. I think this was a better performance than the one that occurred during the meeting. It's also nice because the lights are on.

$600,000 Grant to Ron Stallings?

2009-11-19T23:00:00.002-05:00

At Thursday's Finance Committee meeting the committee discussed Ordinance 2008-217 which proposes a grant of $600,000 to help finance the redevelopment of the Hippodrome Theatre. This money would not be paid back to the City but it is expected the City would see a return on its investment through increased assessments, meals and admission taxes, and theoretically the theatre would act as a stimulus to other development on Second Street. The project is being headed by Ron Stallings and another developer Kelvin Hansen. Mr. Hansen owns the property next door, formerly the Elks' Lodge, at 526 N. 2nd Street. The total project is valued at $12.1 million. This discussion follows on the heels of Mayor Jones' announcement this week that the City is expecting to see a projected revenue shortfall of $10 million for FY 2010.

Watch the discussion.

$600,000 Grant for Ron Stallings? from Silver Persinger.

View the original ordinance from 2004 which was patroned by former City Manager Calvin Jamison and proposed to give $800,000 to the developers, Ordinance 2004-246-247.

Mr. Stallings has contributed money to the campaigns of City Council members Bill Pantele [former 2nd District], Chris Hilbert [3rd District], and Ellen Robertson [6th District]. More details here.

This is also interesting to consider: How did Mr. Stallings get The Hippodrome Theatre in 2006 for $0 when it is currently assessed at $520,000?

Also interesting to note, $600,000 is the same amount RRHA is projecting as a shortfall for their Housing Voucher Program. Wouldn't this money be better spent assisting low income folks with housing than helping a developer with his for profit development?

School Construction Plan Being Rushed with Little Opportunity for Council Oversight

2009-11-18T23:00:00.003-05:00

On Monday, Richmond City School Board approved a schedule of schools to be built. At City Council's Land Use, Housing & Transportation Committee Meeting on Tuesday, the committee receive a presentation from John Winter, the City's Special Capital Project Manager and Jim Damm, Public School's Interim Chief Operations Officer. Mr. Winter and Mr. Damm also appeared at Wednesday's Health, Human Services & Education Committee meeting and made another presentation. Wednesday's presentation is below.

Accelerating School Construction Plan - Nov. 18, 2009 @ Health, Human Services, & Education from Silver Persinger.

Historic Designation for Union Hill / Fast Track for School Construction @ Land Use, Housing & Transportation

2009-11-17T23:00:00.000-05:00

Ordinance 2009-216 To convey City owned property on Dock St. to ICM Enterprises from Silver Persinger.

Ord. 2009-203 To establish Union Hill as an Old & Historic District from Silver Persinger.

Richmond Public School Construction Plan Discussed Nov. 17, 2009 @ Land Use, Housing & Transportation from Silver Persinger.

Bonus Footage - Council Members take a Break during Nov. 17, 2009 Land Use Meeting from Silver Persinger.

Public Safety Committee - Raising Towing Rates, Fire Dept. Overtime, & Tethering Ordinance

2009-11-16T23:00:00.002-05:00

Towing Rates Debate Continues - Nov. 16, 2009 @ Public Safety from Silver Persinger.

Fire Dept. Overtime & Staffing - Nov. 16, 2009 @ Public Safety from Silver Persinger.

Enforcing the Tethering Ordinance - Nov. 16, 2009 @ Public Safety from Silver Persinger.

Mayor Jones Announces new Deputy CAO of Social Services and Two Directors

2009-11-16T17:37:00.008-05:00

Mayor Dwight Jones' executive team is now complete with the appointment of Carolyn N. Graham, lately of Washington, DC, to the position of Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services.

Mayor Jones also apointed Doris D. Moseley to the position of Director of Richmond City Department of Social Services, and Charles J. Kehoe, Superintendent of the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center, has been appointed Director of the Department of Justice Services, replacing Doris Moseley.

Learn more about the individuals by reading the Mayor's Press Release.

Read a corrective press release issued three days later which corrects misinformation in the initial press release about Ms. Graham's educational background.

Towing, Democracy & Citizenship

2009-11-09T23:00:00.010-05:00

Richmond City Council - Nov. 9, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Above, view the entire meeting.

* * * Hi-Lights * * *

The most important business of the evening was discussion of Ordinance 2009-186 to raise maximum allowable fees on towing and storage fees. From $65 to $125 for towing and from $20 to $35 per day to store your car after the first 24 hours.

Ord. 2009- 186 To Raise Towing & Storage Fees for Cars towed from Private Property from Silver Persinger.

Listen to the discussion. The paper was continued until the next meeting. Council persons did not object to the fees but said they wanted clarification on issues related to signage and penalties for towing companies that violate the law.

Citizen Comment Period

Citizen Comment Period - Nov. 9, 2009 - Football / Veterans / Citizenship / Roundabout from Silver Persinger.

Speakers included Bernice Travers and Darryl L. Badley, Jr. speaking about the upcoming Armstrong & Walker Classic Football Game to be held at Virginia Union on November 14. Cliff Troutman spoke on Wreaths Across America. Silver Persinger spoke against Council's recent decision to move the Citizen Comment Period later on the Agenda. Sue Barlett, owner of BEX Logistics, spoke in opposition to the proposed roundabout for Holly Springs Avenue and Maury Street.

Awards & Presentations

Awards & Presentation Period - Nov. 9, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Groups receiving Community Serice Awards included HandsOn Greater Richmond, Friends of Chimborazo Playground, Radio One, and Virginia Voice. Valerie M. Salaam, a Council Policy Analysis who is leaving her position was also given a Public Service Award in private and did not receive the award publicly.

Informal Session - November 9, 2009 - Storm Water Fee / Weaver Report

2009-11-09T17:30:00.002-05:00

Informal Session - Nov. 9, 2009 - Storm Water Fee / Boards & Commissions / Weaver Report from Silver Persinger.

Includes Deputy CAO of Operations Christopher Beschler discussing the storm water fee and how it is derived. Docket Review for the evening's meeting. Council discussion of Boards, Commissions and Authorities, which to abolish and how to manage. Chris Hilbert [3rd District] recommended that applicants be asked if they do business with the city; to avoid potential conflicts of interests and to promote transparency.

Discussion by City Clerk Lou B. Ali on developing orientation for new Board and Commission appointees and holding a recognition ceremony for volunteers in April 2010.

Council Chief of Staff Daisy Weaver gave a report. Discussed the CIP [Capital Improvement Program] Budget. Bruce Tyler [1st District] asked about the cost of the City Jail. Ms. Weaver reported the administration was late in delivering three reports to the Council. Reva Trammell [8th District] mentioned briefly a deal she was working on for the Model Tobacco building, possibly a bond financed through RRHA.

Ms. Weaver announced her desire to hire Ralph Harris, who currently serves as one of Council's Fiscal Analysts, as her Deputy Chief of Staff. Ms. Trammell offered some protest to the proposed "promotion."

There have been other recent changes to Council's staff recently. Felicia Craighead, until recently served as a Deputy City Clerk. Three employees under the supervision of Ms. Weaver have recently left their positions. Angela Montgomery, formerly a Policy Analyst left her position in August, and recently Valerie Salaam [Policy Analyst] and Anthony Dale [Budget Analyst] have left what had formerly been described as the "Department of Legislative Services." The handling of this department by Council's Chief of Staff Ms. Weaver, has been an object of constant criticism by this blogger.

The Department is supposed to have a Director and it did briefly in the person of Ellen Bowyer, the only individual fired by former Mayor Douglas Wilder and Acting CAO Harry Black for not re-applying for her job with the Council. Since that time, Ms. Weaver has assumed the duties of the Director and also continues in her role as Council's Chief of Staff.

In my opinion, Ms. Weaver is an ineffective manager who lacks leadership in her direction of legislative policy. She merely exhibits a semblance of formality and process. Ms. Weaver worked for twenty years in the City's Budget Office, but I don't think that is an adequate qualification for directing legislative policies.

I think the lack of an effective Director of Legislative Services is the greatest contributor to the lack of success and effectiveness of the Richmond City Council.

Organizational Development Meeting - November 2, 2009

2009-11-02T23:00:00.000-05:00

Organizational Development - Nov. 2, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Mayor Jones Holds Second Town Hall Meeting on Northside

2009-10-29T23:00:00.001-04:00

Mayor Dwight Jones' Town Hall Meeting - Oct. 29, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Richmond City Council - October 26, 2009

2009-10-26T23:00:00.002-04:00

Part 1

Richmond City Council - Oct. 26, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Part 2

Richmond City Council - Oct. 26, 2009 Part 2 from Silver Persinger.

Informal Session - October 26, 2009

2009-10-26T17:30:00.000-04:00

Informal Session - Oct. 26, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Vote for the Other Guy

2009-10-25T17:42:00.007-04:00

The Richmond City Council Reporter & Telegraph is proud to announce our 2009 Candidate Selections for the November 3, 2009 Election.

For Virginia Governor: Creigh Deeds

For Virginia Lt. Governor: Jody Wagner

For Virginia Attorney General: Steve Shannon

House of Delegates

55th District, Part of Hanover: Robert Barnette

56th District, Goochland, Louisa, and Henrico: James Towey

65th District, Part of Chesterfield: Gary Reinhardt

70th District, Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield: Delores McQuinn

71st District, Richmond and Henrico: Silver Persinger

73rd District, Henrico and Richmond: Tom Shields

74th District, Charles City, Henrico, Prince George, Hopewell and Richmond: Joe Morrissey

We are supporting the above candidates though we are not truly happy with any of them. We desire better candidates, different canidates, and more candidate choices. We are simply picking among some of the available candidates running.

New Scandal Rocks Richmond City Council - Marty Jewell Arrested for DUI

2009-10-24T12:52:00.007-04:00

Less than an hour ago, from Richmond Police Department:

> Date: October 24, 2009 11:57:10 AM EDT
> Subject: 102409 Jewell Arrest DW.doc
>
> Attached is information about the arrest of Councilman Marty Jewell.
> Thank you for your attention.
>
> Dionne Waugh
> Public Affairs Unit
> Richmond Police Department.

E-mail Advisory 10/24/09

Richmond Police Department

Jewell Arrest

This morning at approximately 1:30 a.m., Richmond Police arrested Councilman Marty Jewell for Driving Under the Influence. The arrest was made near Byrd Park. Because this case will be heard in court, no details related to this incident will be disseminated to the media.

The Richmond Police Department has increased the total number of DUI arrests over the past couple of years. In 2006, there were 410 arrests for for DUI.

Last year there were 653 DUI arrests and this year to date there have been 609 DUI arrests. Along with enforcement, the Department has developed numerous awareness campaigns as well to deter drunk driving.

WCVE 88.9 Candidate Forum - Richmond Area House of Delegates Candidates

2009-10-22T23:00:00.010-04:00

WCVE 88.9 Candidate Forum - Oct. 22, 2009 from Silver Persinger.

Above, you can watch the entire forum.

On Thursday, October 22, 2009, WCVE hosted a live radio candidate forum. The forum was organized by League of Women Voters, Partnership for Housing Affordability, Leadership Metro Richmond, Richmond First Club, and WCVE. The forum began at 7:06 PM and lasted a little over an hour. The first five minutes of this video is an hourly news updated from NPR News, I left it in there because I thought it would be interesting to hear again in future years to give a flavor of the day's news.

Below, view select clips by individual districts.

55th District - John Cox [Republican] and Robert Barnette [Democrat]

56th District - James Towey [Democrat] and Bill Janis [Republican] - Not Present

65th District - Gary Reinhardt [Independent] and Lee Ware [Republican] - Not Present

68th District - Bill Grogan [Independent] and Manoli Loupassi [Republican] - Not Present

69th District - L. Shirley Harvey [Independent]; Betsy Carr [Democrat] - Not Present; Ernesto Sampson [Republican] - Not Present

70th District - Delores McQuinn [Democrat] and Henry Otis Brown [Independent] - Not Present

71st District - Jennifer McClellan [Democrat] and Silver Persinger [Independent]

73rd District - John O'Bannon [Republican] and Tom Shields [Democrat]

74th District - Joe Morrissey [Democrat] and Michael Gage [Republican]