Mayor Stoney to introduce ordinances requiring reporting of lost or stolen firearms and prohibiting driving while distracted by a mobile device

At the October 14 meeting of the Richmond City Council meeting, Mayor Levar M. Stoney will propose two ordinances promoting public safety: an ordinance requiring the reporting of lost or stolen firearms and an ordinance prohibiting driving while distracted using a handheld communication device.

Any person who loses a gun or has one stolen in the City of Richmond will be required to report the loss or theft to the Richmond Police Department within 24 hours. Failing to do so will result in a civil penalty.

The goal of the ordinance is to help reduce the trafficking of lost and stolen guns, which are more likely to be used in criminal offenses. So far this year, 354 firearms have been reported stolen in the City of Richmond, 186 firearms from vehicles alone.

“Unreported gun loss and gun theft lead to gun crime,” said Mayor Stoney. “We all need to play a role in keeping our communities safe, and we can no longer wait for the General Assembly to act. This piece of legislation will be another tool in the toolbox of our police department that will help reduce crime and improve public safety.”

Currently, state law defines the theft of any firearm, regardless of value, as grand larceny. However, the Virginia General Assembly has repeatedly failed to pass a firearm loss or theft reporting requirement. This ordinance relies on the police powers provision granted to localities under the Code of Virginia. As written, the city’s ordinance would take effect immediately upon passage by the Richmond City Council.

“Stolen guns often end up in the hands of those who shouldn’t have them, threatening the safety of our communities,” said Kristin DuMont, a Richmond resident and volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. “It’s imperative these thefts are reported to law enforcement to protect our city and combat the trafficking of illegal guns. We’re grateful to Mayor Stoney for recognizing this problem and taking action.”

Lori Haas, Senior Director for Advocacy with the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, said "Mayor Stoney's ordinance to require the reporting of lost and stolen guns within 24 hours is a step in the right direction of solving gun crimes and saving lives. I applaud them for this effort and encourage the ordinance's passage by the Richmond City Council."

Mayor Stoney also announced plans to introduce another public safety ordinance on Monday that would penalize motor vehicle operators who drive distracted while using a handheld communication device. While a driver cannot be pulled over simply for using a handheld device, Richmond Police officers would ticket offenders under the new ordinance if they witness evidence of distracted driving, such as speeding, swerving or running a stop sign.

Under the ordinance, driving while distracted by a handheld communication device will result in a fine of $125.00 for the first offense and $250.00 for any subsequent offenses.

“Driving while holding a phone is just not a smart thing to do,” said Mayor Stoney. “And under this ordinance, distracted driving with a cell phone is going to cost you. As a city, we must take the necessary steps to address the dangers of distracted driving, and we will not stand idly by as pedestrians, bicyclists, transit-users and fellow drivers are put in harm’s way.”  

In 2018, 73 distracted driving crashes were the result of using a cell phone while driving. Due to underreporting, the actual number of motor vehicle crashes related to handheld communication devices is likely much higher.

Passage of the ordinance would increase the safety of motorists and pedestrians and protect property along Richmond’s roadways. “It is time to shift our existing habits behind the wheel and grow our safety culture,” said Michael Sawyer, the city’s coordinator for Vision Zero.  “This ordinance will help us do just that.”

According to Ruth Morrison, Policy Director with the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, one in twelve drivers in Virginia today are classified as “phone addicts,” and that number is expected to climb to one in five by 2022. This makes Virginia the most dangerous state in the United States when it comes to distracted driving.

“Instead of waiting for the next life lost, the next child or mother, teacher or neighbor, to be killed or injured by a distracted driver, our city is working proactively to make safety on our streets a priority,” Morrison said.

“Distracted driving is the new drunk driving, and it’s a public health crisis we can fix,” said Louise Lockett Gordon, Director of Bike Walk RVA. “Just as we have prohibited driving under the influence, prohibiting driving while distracted by a handheld device is a common-sense measure to protect the lives of our neighbors, including our most vulnerable people: those walking, biking, and accessing transit.”

“Every bus rider begins and ends their trip as a pedestrian. Penalizing distracted driving will help keep Richmonders safe as they move around the city by bus, bike, or on foot,” says RVA Rapid Transit Executive Director Ross Catrow. “The Mayor has taken a good first step towards keeping Richmonders safe, and we're looking forward to even stronger legislation from both the city and the state to further protect all people who use our streets.”

“No phone call or text is worth risking a human life,” says Janet Brooking, Executive Director of Drive Smart Virginia. “This ordinance is a big step in the right direction, helping drivers do the right thing and put the phone down.”

Currently, Virginia Law prohibits any person from operating a motor vehicle while using any handheld communication device to manually enter numbers or letters in attempt to communicate with another or read any email or text stored within the device. Under state law, it is still legal to use a handheld communication device to browse the internet, use social media, watch videos and use GPS mapping features and other functions while driving.

Should City Council pass this ordinance, Richmond will join Spotsylvania County and the City of Hampton as the only Virginia localities to enact laws targeting distracted driving due to a handheld device. The new law would go into effect six months after adoption in order to allow for an educational period.

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Mayor Stoney announces new Director of Department of Justice Services

Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced today the appointment of Dawn Barber as the Director of the City of Richmond Department of Justice Services.

A former assistant police chief for the City of Newport News, Barber brings more than 31 years of professional experience in justice services and law enforcement to the City of Richmond Department of Justice Services.  Most recently, Barber served as the Director of Juvenile Services for the City of Newport News. In addition to her experience in city government, she serves as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Reserves.

In her new role, Barber will oversee the city’s services for adults facing potential incarceration and youth who are either at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system or who have been formally processed by the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. These services include prevention and diversion efforts, in-home services, monitoring and surveillance, secure confinement, counseling and case management. Barber will report directly to Reginald E. Gordon, DCAO for Human Services.

“The Department of Justice Services has the challenging task of supporting Richmonders at a critical inflection point in their lives,” said Mayor Stoney. “Dawn’s experience in both public safety and justice services programming gives her the right balance of discipline and compassion needed for the job.”

Barber obtained a Bachelor of Science in Governmental Administration and Criminal Justice Administration from Christopher Newport University. She is also a certified PREA Auditor through the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. 

“I am both humbled and excited to be selected to serve as the Director of Justice Services. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to and partner with the other city agencies and the community at-large to ensure the department provides the highest level of service to the citizens of Richmond,” said Barber.

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Statement by Mayor Levar M. Stoney on passage of Resolution No. 2019-R028, to support the prohibition of conversion therapy practices

“A city that values diversity, equity and inclusivity can’t stay silent about a barbaric and abusive practice that targets LGBTQ+ youth.

“I am proud that members of Richmond’s City Council joined me in opposing the inhumane and regressive practice of conversion therapy and affirming the sexual orientation and identities of all Richmonders.”

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City Hall to host “Growing Up in Civil Rights Richmond” public art exhibit, September 4 to November 22

An exhibit exploring the themes and activists of the Civil Rights movement will be on display in Richmond’s City Hall from September 4 to November 22, 2019. The exhibit, titled “Growing Up in Civil Rights Richmond: A Community Remembers,” will include 28 photographic portraits in total, 25 displayed on the first floor of City Hall and three in the lobby of the Mayor’s Office. 

The photography exhibit seeks to amplify the diverse faces and voices that fueled the local civil rights movement. For the exhibit, photographer and visual journalist Brian Palmer photographed 30 Richmond locals whose childhoods were impacted by the civil rights movement, and University of Richmond history professor Laura Browder gathered oral histories through interviews with the subjects. Excerpts of the interviews will accompany and contextualize the photographs. Ashley Kistler, longtime Richmond-area curator and Chair of the Public Art Commission, and Dr. Browder conceived of the project originally.

“These compelling portraits and insightful narratives tell deeply personal stories of an important and pivotal time in our city’s history,” said Mayor Stoney. “I applaud the Public Art Commission for bringing this exhibit to City Hall and providing the opportunity to experience these stories at the intersection of our civic life, where they can be seen and heard and resonate with all Richmonders.” 

Displayed on the heels of the 2018 passage of the Public Art Master Plan, this exhibit signals the renewal of Richmond’s public art program and a replenished commitment to exploring Richmond’s identity through public art. Running concurrently with the show will be a separate exhibition of eight painted portraits of Richmond activists by local artist Hamilton Glass. 

The Richmond Public Arts Commission recently welcomed six new members and appointed a new Public Art Program Coordinator and Secretary to the Public Art Commission, Susan Glasser. The Commission is currently in the selection process for a new commissioner. 

“My fellow Public Art Commissioners join me in thanking Mayor Stoney for his enthusiastic support of this exhibition in City Hall, the ideal venue for extending its reach into the community,” said Kistler. “The powerful personal stories assembled here, told with courage and conviction, illuminate critical present-day challenges as they expand our understanding of a historic era.”
For more information on the exhibit, please contact Ashley Kistler at akistler@vcu.edu or (804) 363-6448.
 
 

The exhibit, which was originally displayed at the Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art at the University of Richmond from January 2019 to May 2019, is a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office, the Public Art Commission of the City of Richmond, the Richmond Department of Human Services, and the University of Richmond Museums.

To learn more about the Public Art Commission, please visit: http://www.richmondgov.com/CommissionPublicArt/index.aspx

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Mayor Stoney announces projected $15 million surplus to close FY 2019

Mayor to submit an ordinance to council proposing $6.2 million for Cost of Living Increase for Richmond retirees, the first in a decade

Mayor also proposes $1 million in investments for community centers and two ADA accessibility projects to improve access to the James River and riverfront parks

Thanks to increased tax revenues above projections, improvements in tax collection, and savings from efficiencies in departmental operations, the City of Richmond is projected to end Fiscal Year 2019 with an estimated $15 million surplus.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney today announced he will propose an ordinance at the September 9th meeting of the Richmond City Council to dedicate $6.2 million of the surplus to fund a 1% increase in the Cost of Living Adjustment paid to city retirees – the first such increase paid to former city employees in more than a decade.

The proposal makes good on the mayor’s commitment to use budgeted surplus funds to provide a retirement boost to city retirees, which, due to a lack of resources during the budget process, was not included in the FY2020 Proposed or Adopted Budget.

The mayor is also proposing to allocate an additional $1 million of the surplus to further reduce the unfunded liability of the Richmond Retirement System (RRS).

“After years of dedicated public service, we must invest in the lives of our retirees,” said Mayor Stoney. “I’m pleased that our revenues and collection rates have exceeded projections, and that the efficiencies and savings we were able to find throughout the administration will allow us to give our retirees the increase they not only need but surely deserve,” the mayor said.

Mayor Stoney is also proposing to dedicate roughly $1 million to fund Capital Improvement Program projects, including accessibility enhancements along the James River, which were cut by city council earlier this year to balance the FY20 budget. 

These include: 

• $500,000 for enhancements to Community Centers, many of which have not been upgraded in years and require major renovations to meet the needs of our residents;

• $282,558 for the Tredegar/Brown’s Island Accessibility Project, which will provide an ADA-accessible path, covering an area of approximately 3,000 feet of new walkway, including ramps across Tredegar St. near Brown’s Island to support and provide access to ALL visitors of the Riverfront amenities on Brown’s Island;

• $180,000 for universal access ramps at Huguenot Flatwater. Currently, there is only one ADA compliant river access point in the middle at Reedy Creek which is primarily for whitewater access. The proposed universal access ramp at Huguenot Flatwater will change that by connecting the upper 4 miles of James River with ADA compliant access points at both ends.

“With this surplus, we can begin to restore some of the funding that was cut from the adopted budget to fund much-needed capital improvements, which are crucial to ensuring our city is welcoming and inclusive of all its residents and provides access to one of our greatest assets – the river and riverfront areas,” the mayor said.

The Mayor also announced that collections of the city’s 1.5% addition to the meals tax is expected to exceed projections, with the city projected to collect roughly $9.3 million, above its projection of $9.1 million. Approved last year, the meals tax increase is solely dedicated to the funding for construction of Richmond Public Schools facilities, three of which are under construction: George Mason Elementary School, E.S.H. Greene Elementary School, and a replacement for Elkhardt-Thompson Middle School.   

“I’m very encouraged by our projected meals tax revenue increases,” said Mayor Stoney. “Not only do they prove that this was a sound approach to finance school facilities that are sorely needed today, but it also demonstrates that both Richmond residents and diners outside of the city alike are more than willing to put their money where their mouths are and invest in our kids. I’m grateful to them and to the great restaurant owners in our city for adding yet more value to Richmond’s dining experience.”

City officials identified several factors behind the projected surplus, including a projected savings of $6.6 million in operating efficiencies from the departments of city government and an increase in the Finance Department’s collection of real estate and personal property tax levies beyond what was previously projected.

A strong local economy in the fourth quarter produced increased revenues in such categories as sales taxes and lodging taxes, and concerted revenue administration efforts from delinquent collections, business audits, and tax enforcement also led to enhanced revenues.

In addition to the funding priorities identified by the mayor, 50% of the remaining surplus, per city council ordinance, would go to "rainy day" funds, which includes the unassigned balance and the Budget and Revenue Stabilization Contingency Reserve; 40% would go to the Capital Maintenance Reserve, and the remaining 10% would go to special purpose reserves.

The mayor’s announcement today drew support from a variety of city stakeholder, including retirees, environmental and accessibility advocates, as well as the nonprofit community.

Glenwood Burley, Retired Richmond Police Officer – “Today is a milestone moment for retirees. For decades, we have been in need of a cost of living increase. Mayor Stoney has been bold with this, he’s been committed to it, the administration has been supportive of it, so it’s a great day for all the retirees in the City of Richmond.”

Daisy Weaver, Former Richmond City Council Chief of Staff – “Mayor Stoney has kept his promise. Retirees are very mindful of the competing needs, priorities, and challenges facing the city. We are very much aware of today’s unpredictable financial climate. We’re especially grateful that consideration was still given to retirees. We ask City Council to support the mayor in this proposal.”

Keith Andes, President of the Richmond Fire Association – “This is a great day for the City of Richmond, for the city workforce, and for the city retirees.”

Sally Wetzler, Board Member, James River Outdoor Coalition – “The James River Outdoor Coalition has been working with the parks system to go ahead and get an accessible ramp put in. Right now, we’re lacking good access. We’re ready to get going, and I just wanted to say thank you very much.”

Chris Frelke, Director, Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities – “Just spending about 20 minutes outside improves the quality of life of individuals in our community. Today we take a huge step forward to give our community the ability to get outside for 20 minutes and enjoy it.”

Lisa Sims, CEO, Venture Richmond – “The area around Tredegar and Brown’s Island sees well over a million visitors each year. We could not be more pleased today that the mayor is recommending surplus funds be used to provide safe access to our downtown riverfront.”

Justin Doyle, Community Conservation Manager, James River Association – “I want to thank Mayor Stoney and his administration for their commitment to funding the Huguenot Flatwater Accessibility Project and Tredegar Street Accessibility Project. On behalf of the James River Association and a coalition of organizations that have been advocating for these projects, thank you very much Mayor Stoney.” 

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Statement by Mayor Levar M. Stoney on Virginia Crime Commission Hearings

"The Virginia General Assembly already has all the evidence it needs to reach the conclusion most Virginians reached years ago. We need action on commonsense gun safety laws, not more deliberation by the Virginia Crime Commission.

The epidemic of gun violence and the role Virginia's lax laws play in the proliferation of and access to firearms by those who should not have them will continue unabated until our lawmakers make the commitment to act on behalf of their constituents -- not the gun lobby -- and propose commonsense laws to protect the people they were elected to serve.

In the City of Richmond, 40 people have been shot and six killed since the day the Republican leadership in the General Assembly turned a special session called by the governor after the tragedy in Virginia Beach into a dismissive charade, spending all of 90 minutes before adjourning without discussing one of the 60 gun violence reform bills before them. Instead, they punted the issue to the Virginia Crime Commission to hold two days of hearings and then not convene again until after the November elections.

Further discussion is delay, and delay means another day that our residents, law enforcement and local elected leaders do not have the basic protections they need to keep our communities safe. Universal background checks, allowing localities to ban firearms from public places and imposing penalties for failing to report stolen firearms are simple steps supported by a majority of Virginians. Most importantly, they will save lives.

We owe it to all of those families and communities who have been traumatized by gun violence to do everything we can to keep firearms out of the hands of people who should not have them and away from places where children play and citizens conduct business. Let's hope the Commission's efforts are not another Republican charade, and that lawmakers will finally have the spine to implement these commonsense gun control laws.  Actions speak louder than words. Every Richmonder and every Virginian deserves to feel safe."

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Administration formally introduces legislation for Navy Hill Project

The city administration today formally introduced ordinances memorializing the proposed negotiated agreement with the Navy Hill Development Corporation to revitalize downtown Richmond, create economic opportunity, and provide necessary funding for the city’s priorities, including education, housing, and neighborhoods. Also introduced was a resolution outlining the Mayor’s funding priorities for the estimated $1 billion in surplus revenue to be generated by the proposed project.

The legislation, which will be officially posted to the Richmond City Clerk’s Legistar page, can also be found at the following link on the city website:

http://www.richmondgov.com/Mayor/downtown.aspx

The documents being released today include the following:

·      The ordinance binder package, which includes the legal documents, the OR Request, and the Fiscal Impact Statement

·      The Original Proposal from NHDC

·      The NHDC Response to Request for Clarifications

The previously posted City of Richmond Request for Proposal (RFP) and other related previously published documents may also be found on the city’s website.

 
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