Nov. 13 Newsletter: City Council's big night
Weather: Fall is here, high of 56.
On this date in 1985, the U.S. House of Representatives passes a bill to authorize a $94.5 million floodwall along the James River in Richmond.
Today's newsletter sponsored by: Virginia Commonwealth University.
People vs. pets debate precedes city's purchase of new animal adoption center
City Council approved a proposal to spend $2 million on a new animal adoption center after an emotional debate over whether the city was prioritizing the needs of animals over humans.
- “This is not why I came to council. Not for this,” said Stephanie Lynch, one of two votes against the proposal.
- Councilor Ellen Robertson questioned how the city could fund a nice new adoption center when people in her district are struggling to get sidewalks, drainage projects and other badly needed capital investment.
Dozens of supporters spoke in favor of the center, arguing that animals improve the lives of people.
“The goal is to get animals adopted and not have to euthanize otherwise healthy animals,” CAO Lincoln Saunders said.
Read more on the debate, and the late-night vote, here.
Tax rate stays unchanged, rebate approved after lengthy council debate over living costs
A proposal to permanently lower Richmond's real estate tax rate failed on a 5-4 vote Tuesday night.
The five members who opposed the rate reduction said they felt there was too much risk involved.
- There won't be assessments in 2027 to sync up the assessment and budget cycles.
- Collective bargaining has resulted in salary increases for city employees
- Katherine Jordan (2nd District) said that "we have no idea what the next president is going to do," contributing to an environment of uncertainty.
Read more about the tax compromise here.
Billboard's future uncertain as Richmond designates Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground a cemetery
The dispute continues between the city and the owners of a billboard that stands on a spot where free and enslaved African people were buried between 1816 and 1879.
- Lamar Advertising has stopped running ads on the billboard, but is asking the city to provide it with an alternate location in exchange for taking the billboard down, noting that the city approved construction of the billboard more than 20 years ago.
Richmond's City Council declared the land a cemetery on Tuesday night, which would make the billboard illegal, as advertising is not allowed in cemeteries. However, the exact impact of the declaration remains unclear. Read more, including a locator map, here.
Richmond school enrollment numbers show increases among Hispanic students and students with disabilities
RPS continued to report stable enrollment with its most recent figures.
Demographically, the largest increase was in the number of Hispanic students, and the largest decrease was among Black students, which is in line with the city's demographic changes over that period of time.
See which schools had the biggest enrollment changes this year.
Today's sponsor:
Welcome to Campus. Now Get Out of the Classroom.
VCU President Michael Rao says university students are more career-ready when they receive valuable experiences in and out of the classroom.
Rao shared his perspective recently in an article published by the Chronicle of Higher Education stating universities should do more to connect intellectual development with professional development. That we need to teach skills that are career-related. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to evolve how we fulfill our most basic mission: to give students the best preparation for the world in which they will live and work. Read more.
In other news...
- Henrico's top prosecutor says 'unprofessional' handling of Irvo Otieno case hampered ability to investigate (CBS 6)
- Chesterfield residents offer feedback on future of Route 10 corridor (VPM)
- Thrift store chain Uptown Cheapskate lands in former Ledbury storefront downtown (BizSense)
The editor's desk
Nobody needs to sell me on the joys of thrift stores. They're cheap, fun, and generally good for the environment. Still, it feels that we have an Important Richmond Moment on our hands as a thrift store moves into what was formerly Ledbury's flagship location on Broad Street.
Thrifting is having a moment, and though I am not nearly young or cool enough to participate in it, I'll cheer it on from a distance. While wearing my Ledbury shirt.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
