Council recognizes Richmond Blue Sox, gives up authority to approve bus routes

City Council returned from their summer hiatus and got back down to business–including giving up the authority to approve bus routes.

September 10, 2013; 6:45 AM • by John Murden

City Council recognized the national champion Richmond Blue Sox, authorized SUPs for Monument Avenue and Grace Street, removed the requirement for Council approval of bus routes, and arranged for stones from the Kanawha Canal to be used at Great Shiplock Park.

— ∮∮∮ —

Recognition

Monday’s City Council meeting began with a recognition of: September 2013 as “Workforce Development Month; the accomplishments of Richmond’s City Dance; and much applause for the national champion Richmond Blue Sox. The Richmond Blue Sox beat the Bahamas All Stars 5-3 to win the Black World Series for players 12-and-under in the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League’s Inner-City Classic in late July.

— ∮∮∮ —

Citizen comment period

There were five speakers during the open comment period and one in opposition to items on the consent agenda, who are paraphrased below:

Pixie Curry — “There is a litter problem in the city. Violators should be fined. Programs should be put in place for more frequent trash removal.”
Marie Morton Hart — Next month is my “58th anniversary. Husband says, “leave those city people alone.” She says: “Grounds maintenance at city cemeteries is woefully lacking. Please keep the grass cut, and do something with the dead grass left over.”
Charles Alexander — “The Bugs Yo Let It Go” is violence prevention program. Richmond needs this. Reva Trammell took offense at how Alexander described Richmond’s need for this, feeling that he slighted the efforts of the Richmond Police Department.
Paul Hammond — “Introducing the Richmond Downtown Residents Association. We need to think of downtown as not just a business center, but also as a residential community. We need to make downtown well and truly safe.”
Derek Austin — There needs to be better lighting downtown. LED lights would be more efficient, and the energy savings would pay for more lights.”
Chris Dorsey (with his flip cam for the duration, apparently recording the moment) — “Citizens should have an opportunity to speak before bus routes are changed. There are still questions to be raised about what happened with the canal stones. ”

— ∮∮∮ —

Appointments

Passed unanimously, with Samuels abstaining from Res. No. 2013-R165 (He and Krista M. Samuels are “related by marriage”).

Res. No. 2013-R161 — To appoint Erin Leigh Delp as a member of the Social Services Advisory Board for a term commencing upon adoption of this resolution and terminating Apr. 23, 2015, succeeding Gloria E. Green.

Res. No. 2013-R162 — To appoint Vaughn Whitney Garland as a member of the Urban Design Committee (member of a recognized local organization in one of the various fields of static arts) for a term commencing upon adoption of this resolution and terminating Sept. 9, 2016, succeeding Paul DiPasquale.

Res. No. 2013-R164 — To appoint Barleen Parker as a member of the Audit Committee (Member of the Business Community) for a term commencing upon adoption of this resolution and terminating Sept. 28, 2015, succeeding George E. Calvert, Jr.

Res. No. 2013-R165 — To reappoint Krista M. Samuels as a member of the Community Criminal Justice Board (At-Large Member) for a term commencing upon adoption of this resolution and terminating Sept. 9, 2015.

Res. No. 2013-R166 — To appoint Robert D. Smith as a member of the Urban Design Committee (member of the faculty of the arts division of a local college or university) for a term commencing upon adoption of this resolution and terminating Sept. 9, 2016, succeeding Rab McClure.

— ∮∮∮ —

Passed

Ord. No. 2013-156 — To authorize the special use of the property known as 2501 Monument Avenue for the purpose of a museum for architecture and design and a lodging unit, upon certain terms and conditions, and to repeal Ord. No. 2001-308-305, adopted Oct.22, 2001.

Ord. No. 2013-163 (Patron: Mayor Jones) — To amend Article I of the pay plan adopted by Ord. No. 93-117-159 on May 24, 1993, as previously amended, to add therein a new section 2B for the purpose of awarding a one-time increase to eligible City employees during Fiscal Year 2013-2014.

Ord. No. 2013-170 — To authorize the special use of the property known as 2620 W. Grace Street for the purposes of four (4) two-family attached dwelling units and a parking area, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ord. No. 2013-174 (Patron: Mayor Jones) — To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Richmond and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority concerning the use of certain historic stones from the Kanawha Canal in connection with improvements to Great Shiplock Park.

Ord. No. 2013-144 — To amend and reordain City Code §§ 110-119 and 110-122, concerning the designation of and changes to routes for the motorbus system and intraurban buses, for the purpose of removing the requirement for Council approval of the designation or changing of such routes.

— ∮∮∮ —

Continued

These items were continued to later meetings of City Council.

Ord. No. 2013-96 — To amend ch. 2, art. III, div. 2 of the City Code by adding therein a new section 2-104, concerning reports to Council on economic development and lease matters, for the purpose of requiring certain activity reports with regard to negotiations relating to certain economic development and lease matters.

Ord. No. 2013-97 — To amend ch. 2, art. III, div. 2 of the City Code by adding therein a new section 2-104, concerning reports to Council on temporary assignments of employees, for the purpose of requiring certain activity reports with regard to temporary assignments of employees.

Ord. No. 2013-112 — To amend Ord. No. 2004-216-272, adopted Oct. 11, 2004, which authorized the special use of the property known as 2623 E. Broad Street for the purpose of converting an existing main building for use as three (3) dwelling units and a commercial space and converting the existing accessory building on such property into a dwelling unit, to reduce the restrictions placed upon the commercial space within the building, upon certain terms and conditions. (Amend and Continue to Monday, September 23, 2013 Council meeting)

Ord. No. 2013-154 — To amend and reordain ch. 2, art. VI, div. 1 of the City Code by adding therein a new § 2-1120 for the purposes of, to the extent now or hereafter permitted or required by law, recognizing same sex marriages that have lawfully occurred in other states and requiring the City to extend all of the benefits offered to the spouses of City employees in heterosexual marriages to the partners of City employees in same sex marriages that have lawfully occurred in other states. The Recommendation from Governmental Operations to continue to September 26 Governmental Operations meeting. (Continue to Monday, October 14, 2013 Council meeting)

Ord. No. 2013-155 — To authorize the special use of the property known as 1210 Huntland Road for the purpose of a day nursery for up to 12 children, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ord. No. 2013-166 — To amend City Code § 2-31, concerning Council Liaisons, for the purpose of providing for the appointment of Council Liaisons by the Council Chief of Staff rather than by resolution of the Council and for the supervision and evaluation of Council Liaisons by the Council members to whom they are assigned, and City Code §§ 2- 33, 2-34 and 2-35, concerning the classifications Council Policy Analyst, Council Budget Analyst and Council Public Relations Specialist, respectively, for the purpose of providing for the appointment of employees in such classifications by the Council Chief of Staff rather than the Council.

Ord. No. 2013-167 — To declare a public necessity for and to authorize the acquisition of the parcel of real property owned by the Richmond Metropolitan Authority and known as 901 E. Canal Street for the purpose of public parking. (Amend and Continue to Monday, September 23, 2013 Council meeting)

Ord. No. 2013-171 — To authorize the special use of the properties known as 309 Cowardin Avenue, 311 Cowardin Avenue, 313 Cowardin Avenue,th 313 1/3 Cowardin Avenue, 313 2/3 Cowardin Avenue, 315 Cowardin Avenue, 310 W. 15th Street, 314 W. 15th Street, 1514 McDonough Street, 1508 McDonough Street, 1506 McDonough Street, 1504 McDonough Street and 1502 McDonough Street for the purpose of retail use, upon certain terms and conditions. Recommendation from Planning Commission to continue to October 7th Planning Commission meeting. (Continue to Monday, October 14, 2013 Council meeting)

Ord. No. 2013-141 — To amend and reordain City Code § 110-136, concerning bus fares, for the purpose of increasing the CARE service fare and providing that CARE paratransit service will only be provided to the extent required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Recommendation from Organizational Development to forward to Monday, September 9th Council meeting with no recommendation.

Ord. No. 2013-142 — To amend and reordain City Code § 110-136, concerning bus fares, for the purpose of increasing the CARE service fare and providing that CARE paratransit service not required by the Americans with Disabilities Act will be provided only from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and that such service shall not be provided on Saturday, Sunday or holidays observed by the Greater Richmond Transit Company. Recommendation from Organizational Development to forward to Monday, September 9th Council meeting with no recommendation.