Category Archives: government

Dear Delegate Carr and Councilperson Lynch (Part 2),

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Dear Delegate Carr and Councilperson Lynch,

I hope you all are doing well and staying healthy. I recognize that the pandemic is not over and I do believe you both should be commended for your public service during this emergency. Councilperson Lynch, I was delighted and relieved to hear that you recovered from your COVID-19 infection. Congratulations to you and your family!

I am writing for two reasons.

One is to follow up on an earlier request for information and attention for the implementation of ranked choice voting. My understanding is that Governor Northam’s budget provides $16.7 million GF in FY 2021 to support and replace the Virginia Election and Registration Information System (VERIS) with more modern systems that must be compatible with RCV ballots. I appreciated your earlier reply but with the replacement of VERIS becoming more viable and the dismissal of the previous City Registrar, I am hoping to hear more on this now.

Secondly, and somewhat related, I was intrigued when I read that Richmond City Council’s Governmental Operations Committee is expected to begin reviewing the city charter, or constitution, for potential amendments.
As you know, this is important as the city charter is Richmond’s governing document and lays out how the local government should function. It also outlines the rules and expectations for elected officials.

In addition to advocating for ranked choice voting as a board member for FairVoteVirginia.org, I am also a supporter of www.MoveToAmend.org, a national group dedicated to amending the federal constitution in order to establish that corporations are not people and that money is not speech. While there is certainly a lot happening on the national level with Congressional Representative Pramila Jayapal’s introduction of the The We the People Amendment, I am very much interested in seeing complimentary local and state level actions.

I will note that the City of Charlottesville’s City Council passed a resolution in support of a federal constitutional amendment back in 2012. Councilperson Lynch, you may remember that I asked specifically if you would introduce and support a similar resolution to Richmond City Council back when you first ran for your seat, and you replied in the affirmative. Now that you are in your second term, so to speak, I think it is fair to make this request again.

Certainly, Virginia is at a crossroads when it comes to campaign finance reform and its leaders putting their allegiance to citizens before corporate power. We are seeing a lot of ‘big money’ already effecting the election race for Governor. Attempts to reign in Virginia’s unusually unrestrictive campaign finance system have so far gone nowhere in the General Assembly. The Commonwealth of Virginia is different from other states in that it does have its own state constitution. Delegate Carr, would you be willing to propose an amendment to the Virginia constitution similar to what MoveToAmend.org and Congressional representative Jayapal are proposing for the federal constitution?

Again, I greatly appreciate any information or attention you can give to my humble requests for Richmond and our Commonwealth.

Sincerely,
Scott Burger

Time To End Some Leases And Protect What Is Public

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Todd Woodson, past OHNA president, past Sierra Club Falls of the James ‘Green Giant’ award winner, and past member of City Council’s Monroe Park Advisory Council, released this post this morning:

NO CITY MONEY FOR THE MONROE PARK CONSERVANCY!
Friends- the writing is on the wall! As Historic Monroe Park falls deeper into dereliction only two years after an $8 million dollar renovation, it has become obvious that even though 2020 set a record for charitable giving, the Monroe Park Conservancy – the group responsible for the Park’s sad condition, is broke and can’t honor their agreement with the City. Alice Massie and treasurer Matthew Stanley have defied federal regulations by refusing to allow their form 990’s to be reviewed by the public. Having exhausted all sources of charitable giving, it is inevitable that this “conservancy” will or have asked the City for a bail out, using tax payer money. It will take millions to repair the damage they and they alone have caused to our most historic park. The answer should be a resounding NO! It is time to terminate the lease and put the historic park back in the hands of the community under our capable Parks Department’s management. Giving Massie and Matthew Stanley (who is also Outreach Director for Richmond Public Schools) more money would be an egregious waste of our hard earned dollars. Reach out to your representatives and ask that they terminate the lease immediately and fix the park with public restrooms, usable pathways and a RESTORED TREE CANOPY!

At this past OHNA (Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association) meeting, Councilperson Stephanie Lynch was asked if there was any news on Monroe Park. She replied that there was none other than rumors of financial difficulty on the part of the Monroe Park Conservancy and she did not know of any City Council requests to rescind the lease (something that OHNA has previously requested).

Given some of the same issues of park use and attempts at privatization, it is noteworthy that near the riverfront side of Oregon Hill, during or shortly after the recent ‘zombie show filming’, a sign went up in the Belle Island (part of the James River Park system) for “private parking”. The city’s lease with Venture Richmond stated that they would retain free parking in the Belle Isle parking lot i.e. public parking.

After citizens made inquiries, Venture Richmond quickly said more recently that the new signs would come down and blamed the towing company for misunderstanding. Many citizens remain skeptical and believe this was yet another attempt to sneak in privatization. Oregon Hill residents, including Todd Woodson, remain vigilant in trying to watch over Venture Richmond and other ‘public-private partnerships’.

And on that score, one other thing- Oregon Hill residents have heard that Dominion is planning to move ahead with its proposed solar array on top of its riverfront parking garage (which, btw, is not shared with the public for parking). While many Oregon Hill residents are very much in favor of renewable energy, this is in violation of the hard won height agreement there (which OHNA, the Sierra Club Falls of the James, and other community and environmental groups are part of). What does this mean if Dominion is not going to be held accountable for its own agreements that are there to protect a public view?

When you look at all that has recently been proposed around the neighborhood, including Richmond300 shenanigans to ‘affordable housing’ initiatives, it is time is to send some universal messages- BACK OFF! AND STOP TRYING TO TAKE FROM THE PUBLIC! Return Monroe Park to the public!

P.S. Please do click through the links in this editorial and appreciate the time and energy that Oregon Hill residents have sacrificed to protect this neighborhood and what belongs to the City and public in whole. The local corporate media often does not give the complete picture in these matters and we need everyone to recognize how corporate hegemony, be it from institutions like VCU, be it from private companies like Dominion, be it from ‘public-private partnerships’ like Venture Richmond, be it from our own compromised City government, is acting against us. (Coming soon to this community news site, more on how we can fight back on the local, city, state, and national level…)

OHNA Meeting Tonight via Zoom

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The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association will be holding its monthly meeting tonight using Zoom. (Ed. note: If you need the Zoom link and password, I suggest contacting OHNA through the OHNA email at the bottom of the agenda.)

Here is the agenda:

Welcome

• Explanation of Zoom procedures, how to ask questions, etc.

• Treasurer’s Report

Community Updates:

1. Lt. Brian Robinson, City of Richmond Police Section Lt, 4 th Precinct

2. Officer Luke Schrader, Police Liaison, VCU

3. Mr. Tito Luna, VCU Liaison

4. Ms. Stephanie Lynch, 5 th District Councilperson

5. Ms. Stephanie Rizzi, 5 th District School Board Representative

6. Ms. Colette McEachin, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney

Updates

1. Proposed Amendments to the Richmond 300 Land Use Plan / Neighborhood Coalition Update

• Move Oregon Hill from Neighborhood Mixed Use to Residential land use category (Randolph is in this category).

• If Planning will not move Oregon Hill to Residential, then change the maximum height in the Neighborhood Mixed Use category from four stories to two stories.

• Remove the clause that allows taller buildings along major streets.

o Idlewood and South Laurel between VCU and Idlewood are designated major streets.

• These amendments are under consideration by City Council 2. We will be sent a link for candidate forums for the offices of:

• City of Richmond Sheriff Sunday 9 April 3pm

• City of Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Sunday 28 March, 3pm

• House of Delegates 69 th District Seat Tuesday 6 April, 6:30pm

Continued Business

1. SUP application for 105 South Laurel Street

• Zoning and Preservation Committee met with owner’s representative on 13 January 2021.

• The project proposes to divide the lot into three parcels, with three new four-bedroom houses (attached), for a total of 12 bedrooms in the project. The applicant proposed four parking spaces, to be located underneath the southernmost building.

• The project will be modified as a result of that meeting, and will be submitted for the February OHNA meeting.

o No revisions were submitted before this meeting

New Business

1. SUP application for 116 South Laurel Street.

• Zoning and Preservation Committee to meet with the owner within the week following this meeting.

• The project proposes to divide the lot into two parcels, with two new six-bedroom houses (not attached), for a total of 12 bedrooms in the project. The applicant proposed 12 parking spaces, to be located behind the building. These will be compact spaces, 8’ wide, in two rows of six.

• The owner proposes to reserve 4 of these spaces for the project, and rent out the other 8.

• As proposed this fails to meet several city design criteria for parking; the site may contain as few as 5 legal parking spaces.

2. Proposed all-way stop on South Pine Street at its intersection with China Street (at Open High School)

• Currently, only northbound traffic on South Pine Street stops at this intersection

• At the November 2020 OHNA meeting, a resolution supporting an all-way stop at South Pine Street and Albemarle Street was approved.

• After this meeting, a survey will be sent to the neighborhood to gauge support for these two stop signs. The results of this survey will be sent to Councilmember Lynch to support legislative efforts to secure these stop signs.

3. Support for Arbor Day Project in Pleasants Park

• We had a meeting this afternoon with Parks and Recreation to talk about replacing the damaged tree in Pleasant’s Park.

• Parks and Recreation will hold an Arbor Day event at Pleasant’s Park on Wednesday 21 April, 4-6 PM – it will be a tree-planting event.

• Parks and Recreation offered to provide 1 1/2″ caliper trees (they should be about six feet high -substantial trees), with mulch, for $250 each. The City would then match us, $125 from us, and $125 from the City per tree.

• We will send out a PayPal link so that anyone who wishes to make a donation to fund trees for the park can do so. Anything beyond what we need for this event will be earmarked for future improvements in Pleasant’s Park.

• Looking for volunteers to help plan the event, and for everyone to come and help plant a few trees.

4. Support for proposed VCU-student-led project to place a self-service food pantry in Oregon Hill

OHNA Monthly Meeting 23 March 2021 Agenda Page 2 • Their final project is to take a hands-on approach in combatting this food insecurity crisis by building little food pantries around the city of Richmond.

• They are funded by a VCU provided grant and actively pursuing additional fundraising in order to reach our goal of 8 pantries installed.

• The pantries would have a 4×4 wooden post cemented into the ground as a base, while the pantry itself is roughly 26” tall and 25” wide. Alternatively, if concrete posts is not ideal to the respective location, we would have a wide base frame to mount the pantry that is chained to a secure location.

• If approved, a committee will be formed to discuss location.

The Next OHNA meeting is scheduled for 7:00pm Tuesday 27 April 2021. That meeting will be held by Zoom; a link will be sent separately.

Bryan Clark Green, President David Cary, Co-Vice-President Jennifer Hancock, Co-Vice-President Chris Hughes, Co-Vice-President Harrison Moenich, Secretary John Bolecek, Treasurer
Richmond, VA
OHNArva@gmail.com

Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association Meeting Next Tuesday

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We look forward to seeing you at the next OHNA meeting! We will send out the meeting URL ahead of the meeting on Tuesday. Please arrive ten minutes before 7pm, if possible, so we can admit everyone and allow for connection issues.
If you haven’t registered, and would like to attend, please fill out the survey:
https://forms.gle/pur5xCB3MKEPUfc69

Deadline quickly approaching for City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities utility relief assistance

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From City press release:

Deadline to apply for the COVID-19 Municipal Utility Relief Program is January 17. DPU representatives available to answer questions and collect applications this week!

Richmond, VA – City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities customers that have fallen behind on their utility bills as a result of an economic hardship due to COVID-19 are encouraged to submit applications for utility relief.

The COVID-19 Municipal Utility Relief Program funding provided by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is being administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and supports municipal utility relief efforts during the pandemic. The utility relief assistance program is designed to be a one‐time opportunity with one payment per household or business. Funding for the program is limited, so don’t delay in applying.

Applications are due by midnight Sunday, January 17. This one-time opportunity is to help customers pay down or pay off high utility bills as a result of COVID-19 and avoid future utility service disconnections at the end of the pandemic’s state of emergency.

The application process is simple and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. Drop by one of these locations to fill out an application or feel free to drop off your completed application. DPU representatives will be on-site to assist from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Tuesday, January 12, Southside Community Services Center, 4100 Hull Street

Thursday, January 14, North Avenue Library, 2901 North Avenue

Friday, January 15, The Market @ 25th, 1330 N. 25th Street

Customers can also request an application via email to DPUCares@richmondgov.com or by calling (804) 646-4646.

To be eligible for funding under this relief program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

· Be a customer (residential or non-residential) of the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities with active utility service;
· Have experienced/been impacted by an economic hardship due to COVID-19;
· Have fallen behind on their City water, wastewater or natural gas utility bill for services during the period of March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020;
· Have not received any other forms of relief or financial assistance for their City utility services; AND
· Submit the completed application so that it is received by DPU on or before January 17, 2021.

With limited funds available and the application deadline quickly approaching, eligible customers are encouraged to apply immediately. More information, including the application, are available at www.rva.gov/public-utilities.

City Council Votes Against Neighborhood To Pass Richmond300 Plan

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Last night Richmond City Council voted unanimously in favor of the Richmond 300 plan, which changes Oregon Hill’s future land use from residential to mixed use.

This happened during holidays when most people are pre-occupied with family matters, in a pandemic emergency, during which the Virginia Attorney General has called on municipalities to suspend all non-life-threatening business, and specifically land-use issues.

City Council voted for this despite opposition from many different parts of the City, but especially from this neighborhood, which has taken part in the process from the beginning, put up with bad online ‘presentations’, and has consistently asked for changes in the plan.

Laurel Street neighbors Scott Burger and Charles Pool wrote prominent letters to the editor in the past few weeks, and outgoing Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association president Todd Woodson wrote a very heartfelt editorial in Style magazine.

It’s worth noting that as a City Council candidate Stephanie Lynch wrote:

“I absolutely pledge to defend the Oregon Hill Community from inappropriate encroachment from surrounding entities like VCU. One of my top priorities will be to work with Oregon Hill residents and the administration at VCU to enter into a longer term agreement regarding future development that is respectful of the needs and wishes of Oregon Hill residents. As a two time VCU grad, I understand all that VCU brings to the Richmond Community, but I also have close ties to Oregon Hill and I recognize that VCU could be a better neighbor to the Oregon Hill neighborhood and its residents. I think it’s imperative that before we approve future expansion plans from VCU, we work with them to enter into MOUs with surrounding communities like Oregon Hill. I additionally support the requests laid out in the OHNA’s written submissions to the Planning Commission and the RVA 300 planning committee. I’m looking forward to working with everyone in Oregon Hill to make sure that the neighborhood is protected and kept intact, housing needs are met, and the neighborhood character is preserved.”

And as Oregon Hill’s elected City Council representative, Stephanie Lynch did write to the Richmond300 planners, sharing neighborhood concerns. So some residents were surprised and taken aback that Lynch did vote for the unchanged Richmond300 plan last night.

What Councilperson Lynch has indicated is that she would be joining other Council members in putting forward amendments in the new year that may help the neighborhood’s cause.

All that said, questions abound. What will these proposed amendments consist of? Will they really get passed by City Council? If passed, will the Planning Commission accept them?

Is this setting up the neighborhood for success (to use Woodson’s wording) or failure?

Dominion’s Proposed Solar Array Would Block Overlook View

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The zoning administrator rubber stamped the request from Dominion ignoring the signed declaration of restrictive covenants that restricted the height at that location. Evidently Dominion’s agreements are not worth the paper that they are printed on. The Sierra Club and Scenic Virginia and many other neighborhood and community groups were part of the covenant that Dominion and the City of RIchmond are now ignoring and breaking.

Land Use Committee Meets Tuesday

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The Richmond 300 plan is in the agenda of the Land Use Committee this Tuesday Nov. 17th at 1pm.
The Councilpersons on the Land Use Committee are Robertson, Gray, Jones and Trammell.

Many Oregon Hill residents are hoping that Councilperson Stephanie Lynch asks the Land Use Committee to amend the Richmond 300 plan in favor of a Residential future land use designation for Oregon Hill. Many cite her pledge from when she was a candidate.

Tax Relief Deadline This Wednesday

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Message from City Hall:

DEADLINE IS THIS WEEK – City Offering Contactless Pick Up of Application and Recertification Materials for the Extended Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Program through Wednesday, October 28th, 2020
In response to the continuing COVID-19 Epidemic which disproportionately threatens Richmond’s more vulnerable populations, the City of Richmond’s Department of Finance is offering curbside contactless document pickup for new applicants and those recertifying for the Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Program. We understand that COVID-19 represents very real barriers to participation with regards to transportation and public health. Continuing and new participants in the program are encouraged to call (804) 646-6015 to arrange for curbside document pickup.
It is the goal of the City of Richmond to include as many eligible participants in this program as possible. To that effect, contactless pick up has been paired with an extension to the application and recertification period through Friday, October 30th. Contactless curbside pickup will be available through Wednesday, October 28th.
Links for all application, recertification, and informational materials can be found using the link below:

http://www.richmondgov.com/Finance/index.aspx

Tax Relief for the Elderly & Disabled Application and Information
Tax Relief for the Elderly & Disabled – Recertification Form
Tax Relief – Authorization Form – 3rd Party or Consent
Tax Relief Brochure
If you have any questions about the program, your eligibility, or wish to arrange for contactless curbside pickup, please call (804) 646-6015 or e-mail us at taxrelief@richmondgov.com as soon as possible.