City Launches “Change for RVA Schools” Campaign

Dine in. Take out. Build Schools. Click here to watch Mayor Stoney’s video.

Today the City of Richmond launched a new campaign, “Change for RVA Schools”, to promote and encourage dining in Richmond restaurants as a means to support funding for new school facilities in the city.

“The conditions in many of Richmond’s aging city schools detract from the positive learning environment our kids deserve,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “Making a difference and creating positive change for our kids is deliciously simple; eat city food, help city schools.”

Every time someone visits a Richmond restaurant, 1.5% of their bill will go toward building revenue for new school facilities.

Residents will see ads on GRTC buses and messages posted via social media encouraging them to visit restaurants throughout the city.

For more information, visit ChangeForRVASchools.com and follow the campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Virginia Municipal League and Mayor Stoney Call for State to Fund the True Cost of Education

On October 2, 2018, the Virginia Municipal League (VML) adopted its 2019 legislative program, which includes support for funding the true cost of public education.

Specifically, VML calls for the Commonwealth of Virginia to recognize that the current Standards of Quality do not acknowledge the actual cost of educating students, which includes pupil transportation, school support staff, access to broadband and other necessary technology and competitive staff salaries. These operational costs are in addition to the necessary facility maintenance and construction costs borne by school systems across the state. 

Since 2009, local governments have taken on a much larger share of the funding, which has resulted in approximately $4 billion above the required local effort for Standard of Quality programs in 2016 and 2017.

“I applaud VML for acknowledging that the Commonwealth of Virginia needs to fund the true cost of education,” said Mayor Stoney. “Since 2009, Virginia has decreased state funding for K-12 education by an estimated $378 million per year. Expecting localities to make up the difference is unsustainable and irresponsible, and does an injustice to our children.” 

Mayor Stoney today announced that he will submit a resolution on October 8, 2018 that, if adopted by city council, would call upon the Virginia General Assembly to fulfill its constitutional obligation to adequately fund the true cost of education in Virginia.

“I am calling on leaders in other localities to join us and adopt similar resolutions that underscore our unified commitment to our kids,” the mayor said. “Localities need more money, for better schools, to build stronger students. Our children are counting on us, and it’s time for the General Assembly to step up.”

Mayor Introduces Legislation to Establish Richmond History and Culture Commission

Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced he will submit legislation to City Council for its October 8 meeting establishing the Richmond History and Culture Commission. 
 

“I think it is important that a city with such a rich culture and complex history as Richmond have an entity dedicated to understanding, evaluating and advancing its significant sites and landscapes,” said Mayor Stoney.

In recent years, the City of Richmond has undertaken serious efforts to determine how to effectively tell a more holistic and inclusive narrative of its history, from the work of Slave Trail Commission, to the Monument Avenue Commission, to the recent Urban Land Institute Rose Fellowship focus on Shockoe Valley.

“In order to take the next steps forward, we need to create a broad and coherent framework that will seek out the voices of local Richmonders and guide us as we embark upon these important projects,” the mayor added.

Commissions dedicated to historic resources exist in many cities across the country, including Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia. Fredericksburg and Virginia Beach are among those with similar bodies in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 
 

If approved by city council, the History and Culture Commission would focus on items such as honoring and memorializing the history of Shockoe Bottom, and providing guidance on the recommendations of the Monument Avenue Commission regarding the reinterpretation of the Confederate statues on Monument Avenue, among others. 
 

“This is the latest step in the city’s evolution to understand its past, tell its full story and by doing so, move us forward to a brighter future,” the mayor said. 
 

The 13-member commission would serve as an advisory body to the mayor and be staffed by the Department of Planning and Development Review. 
 

Mayor Stoney’s proposal also calls for two Richmond Public School high school students to serve on the commission, in addition to a member of city council, an assigned staff member and nine appointees. 
 

“It is crucial to have young voices involved in these important conversations,” Mayor Stoney said. “They are the future of the City of Richmond and should have a say in what happens.”

Mayor Announces New Location for 2018 - 2019 Cold Weather Overflow Shelter

Working with the City of Richmond’s Department of Social Services, Mayor Levar Stoney today announced the City’s 2018 - 2019 Cold Weather Overflow Shelter will operate from the Conrad Center, 1400 Oliver Hill Way.

“Allowing some of our most vulnerable residents to spend another winter in the deplorable conditions of the old Public Safety Building is unacceptable,” said Mayor Stoney. “That is why the City of Richmond will step up and relocate programs and services to a more suitable and accommodating city building as a temporary solution to provide safety and warmth this winter.

“The ultimate long-term goal is to find permanent, suitable housing for all of our citizens year-round, so that we don’t have to have this same challenge every year,” the mayor continued. “That is why I am pleased to support Councilwoman Robertson’s ordinance that would require the city to develop a strategic plan to address homelessness.”

The City of Richmond has previously operated the cold weather shelter at the city’s Public Safety Building, 501 N. 9^th Street, to help prevent the possibility of hypothermia of citizens during extremely cold weather, when wind chill or temperature forecasts reach or drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, from October 1 through April 15. The Conrad Center, which is currently being used by the Office of Community Wealth Building (CWB), will have suitable restrooms, reliable heat and enough sleeping space to accommodate 150 to 175 persons. During the coming winter season, CWB services will transfer to the East District Initiative, located at 701 N. 25^th Street.

“In an ideal scenario, we would have an organization or a ministry that would have been able to step up and commit to providing shelter from the extreme cold for people during the winter months, and that organization or ministry would have access to a site in a neighborhood filled with residents who embraced the opportunity to help people in need,” said Reggie Gordon, Interim DCAO for Human Services. “That did not happen. Therefore, the city will step up with the Conrad Center and we will rely on the existing shelter providers in the homeless services system, hoping that they, too, will be able to expand their bed space on the coldest nights.”

Gordon said citizens should make plans now for the cold weather or take advantage of existing bed space in the homeless services system, so they will not have to rely upon the Cold Weather Overflow Shelter, which should be used as a last resort.

Additional Information:

Single adults needing overnight shelter are to call the Housing Crisis Line at (804) 972-0813 for a referral to the appropriate shelter. Single adults residing in the City of Richmond who are not eligible for existing shelter or are advised all available beds have been filled, should report to Commonwealth Catholic Charities (511 West Grace Street) to receive a referral to the Cold Weather Overflow Shelter.

Individuals seeking access to the Overflow Shelter must have a referral. Food will not be provided and pets are not allowed.

The Department of Social Services provides emergency assistance with gas and electric disconnection notices for City residents who qualify. Residents may also call the Fuel Line at (804) 646-7046.

The elderly or residents with disabilities should contact Senior Connections for assistance at (804) 343-3000, Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Office of Community Wealth Building Career Center services, previously offered at the Conrad Center will now be available at the East District Initiative, located at 701 North 25th Street.

Limited client services provided by the Department of Social Services at the East District Initiative will now be available at Marshall Plaza, located at 900 East Marshall Street.
 

Mayor Stoney Commends Passage of First-Ever Public Art Master Plan

On Monday, Richmond City Council unanimously approved the city’s first-ever Public Art Master Plan, a 145-page document expanding avenues to fund public or publicly displayed art and providing a clear vision for art in Richmond over the next decade.

“I am grateful to City Council for approving this important Public Art Master Plan,” said Mayor Levar M. Stoney. “This plan will provide more ways to further enrich Richmond with art and to expand options for funding public art in our city.” 

Public Art Commission chairwoman Sarah Cunningham said the final approval is a positive step forward for the city. “Public art is one of the most tangible ways the story of a city is told. Long after everyone has forgotten technical legislative battles, public art provides a lasting legacy for the greatness of what happened here or what can and will happen in this great city. We are grateful to everyone who participated in making this happen.” 

The Public Art Master Plan defines goals and priorities for Richmond's public art program, expands the definition of public art to include a much wider array of media and projects (both permanent and temporary), identifies new strategic partnerships and expanded opportunities for artists and enables the PAC to pursue additional outside funding in further efforts to reach all parts of the city.

“This thorough, deliberate and comprehensive plan supports and features art as an essential ingredient of our thriving city, and at a perfect time during Richmond’s national emergence as a creative capital in the United States,” said Mark Olinger, Richmond’s Director of Planning and Development Review under which the Public Art Commission operates.

Development of Richmond’s Public Art Master Plan began three years ago when the city selected the nationally known consulting team of Gail Goldman and Gretchen Freeman to work with the commission to create a custom-tailored plan for the city.

The team gathered input through numerous stakeholder and public meetings, public surveys and proactive engagement with city staff and PAC members to assemble the plan, which was approved previously by the PAC and then by the Planning Commission this past June.

For more information, click here to read the plan.

Mayor Stoney Proposes Free GRTC Rides in City on Election Day

Watch the mayor’s video here.

Today Mayor Levar Stoney announced he will submit an ordinance to City Council proposing free rides on the city’s GRTC transit system on Election Day, November 6, 2018. 

“We know for many it can be difficult to get to polling locations on Election Day,” said Mayor Stoney. “With this proposal, we are hoping to increase electoral and civic participation by removing transportation as an obstacle. Our democracy is not a spectator sport. Every vote matters. So I’m asking residents to please get registered, get involved and voice your support for free public transit to the polls.”

Many voting precincts are within a few blocks of GRTC service, which can provide riders who wish to vote access to polling places across the city.

The ordinance will be introduced at the upcoming City Council meeting Monday, September 24, 2018.

Mayor Introduces Legislation to Establish Motorized Dockless Scooter and Bicycle Pilot Program

Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced he will submit legislation to City Council for its September 24 meeting establishing a regulatory framework for the operation and use of motorized dockless scooters and bikes in the city. 

“I support innovative transportation options for Richmonders – such as the previously established RVA Bike Share Program that helps residents ‘go the last mile,’” said Mayor Stoney. 

“Dockless scooters are a unique addition to Richmond’s transportation options. However, just as with any mode of transportation – whether car, bus, or bicycle – proper safety and operation guidelines are a must.”  

A Motorized Dockless Scooter and Bicycle Share Pilot Program will be introduced to City Council on September 24 that, if approved by City Council, would allow dockless scooters to legally operate in the City of Richmond’s right-of-way as an extension of the public transportation system.

This permit program will:

• Require a non-refundable application fee of $1,500 for scooter companies and an annual permit fee, which will be based on the number of scooters; 
• Require dockless scooter companies to provide customer service during all hours of scooter operation;
• Educate riders on legal parking requirements. Scooters must be parked standing upright and outside the path of travel on sidewalks. Upon notification, improperly parked scooters are required to be removed by the company in a timely manner; and, 
• Establish necessary safety practices (e.g. promoting the use of a helmet) and features (such as front and rear lights).

After one year, the Department of Public Works will review and evaluate both the permit program and application process.

“Richmond will do this the right way,” said Mayor Stoney. “We will implement a legal and appropriate dockless scooter and bicycle program with proper safety regulations to protect scooter users, pedestrians, and other citizens.”