[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6540286,"mediaKeyId","3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e","parentId",3429276,"title","Economic development staff outline projects; council asks for measurable goals, market analysis for Altria site","audioSeconds",2317,"startMs",4799000,"endMs",7116000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e&start=4799&end=7116","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e/thumbnail_4799000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6540286/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Economic-development-staff-outline-projects-council-asks-for-measurable-goals-market-analysis-for-Altria-site","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540286-34f2de688c92b9aba64ad25fdba2d078/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199381&Signature=XRAXA4VOhBrWBzi0ThKsMlsxDhT6dOj0bXZw1suQyTJ06Llgdmp0hpW4uJtplgi4E~IhpUmEXGBsODa~hDPHRtubGT8GwGCf3TRSs9cwvSJ-MU92ZtK-FbumTz7Tn6eWwS5Fk7bqNzZUp7gFktIMywFT4Ms47Z19954xMW6g0lDzfL80T8j7ogHtunWRD-B~F~J2xP9iNlFr8UuvED~-VzbVBA2qRWEJ-AWuLrzm74muJlrVMBEnkdK913pcaIRiXP27d0qXFpUmcebpLkRmUWuMd0YBkmVMlj7MGhrn~bJ6HP35hnalUgFLZekqhfDAUfYkqeIH5eRNTihB9qSmUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","Acting Director of Economic Development Matt Welch presented a broad update on recent and upcoming development activity and programs, and council members pressed the department for a clearer set of measurable objectives and a timetable to convert city‑owned assets into revenue-generating development.

Welch summarized recent activity and major projects the department is tracking, including projects on the riverfront, an amphitheater opening, and several larger developments the department described as contributing to downtown commercial and multifamily growth. He said staff are working on performance-grant agreements, corridor work, small-business supports and a forthcoming enterprise-zone update.

Council members sought specifics: Chair Carolyn Robertson and other council members asked for a report that connects targets from the city’s master plan and economic development strategy with staffing levels, budget allocations and expected revenues over a multiyear horizon. Council members said they want to see explicit goals — for example, targets for commercial real estate value, job creation, and timelines for turning vacant city-owned parcels over to private taxable roles — and asked that the department present a detailed five‑year projection.

On the city’s recently purchased Altria site, staff confirmed the purchase price discussed in the meeting: $10,000,000, with $5,500,000 drawn from a key-acquisitions fund, leaving $4,500,000 available for other acquisitions; an earlier appropriation of $1,750,000 also remains available for other acquisitions. Staff said operations teams will begin site preparation and that the department plans a market analysis to determine highest-and-best uses for portions of the parcel.

Council directed staff to return with a more detailed, metrics-driven economic development report and asked to be engaged individually in advance so the department can deliver the specific benchmarks the council expects. Staff agreed to follow up with a more targeted presentation and data.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee on 2025-05-21 2:00 PM - To access the meeting via Microsoft Teams, please use the following link: https://go.rva.gov/Finance-May21 or dial *67-804-316-9457 and enter ID: 538 382 758#. - May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Economic development staff presented recent project activity and site development work. Council members asked for clearer measurable objectives, staffing and funding to convert vacant property into revenue‑generating uses and requested a follow-up report with targets.","taxTitle","Richmond City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540291,"Committee asks CAO for study on requiring city contractors to pay $20 minimum; union urges immediate ordinance",293,3480000,3773000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e&start=3480&end=3773","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","/articles/6540291/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-asks-CAO-for-study-on-requiring-city-contractors-to-pay-20-minimum-union-urges-immediate-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540291-fd9486c53efd8cb5ecfb881778cd5700/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199381&Signature=JeDtKZtZIr1hfVb6nV8Cb0~ClxA8~pnLVyh5i44Bm2v~vJuIvSv2oFrYqSUABr7lodLz63w5pYtKoeu0ZLF-yumarfZZ-ox577yFrNvtPQj5Az2m14YH4InaUpGRFNdK5i42OlRtPk147otfT7eZPmEX9SEy5rJRG8cl0S-7sDYvD5v0kzow82epYwn-jPLavlEdujYPqW-6-0BREvxFfBOTY7wnYZa8pzwitrjQXlCvR0WJit0EJtoxGm3AnQtYrYAKDzsljzssUPDTEGmy4G7tBRTPDxn2dV5jKa3ezmKvexnBinXZtB1DufqhHPs9fCnzvCFKTY3iVFHTLBprDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee voted to forward a resolution asking the city’s Chief Administrative Office to study the fiscal, operational and legal considerations of requiring janitorial and security contractors under city contracts to pay Richmond’s city minimum wage (currently $20 per hour) and to provide recommendations for implementation by Nov. 1, 2025.

Tremaine Johnson, lead organizer with SEIU 32BJ, gave public comment in support of a living-wage ordinance and urged the council to adopt an ordinance this summer rather than converting the proposal into a study. Johnson said a study risks “unnecessary delays in delivering life-changing wage increases” for workers who are already organizing and cited union-submitted cost analyses showing limited fiscal pressure on the city.

During committee discussion, members emphasized they expect the CAO study to provide detailed cost estimates, timing options and implementation alternatives — including whether contracting rules and procurement scoring could be adjusted to prioritize contractors that pay union wages or meet the city minimum wage. Several members asked the administration to consider limiting contract durations for upcoming procurement cycles so new contracts do not lock in lower wages before the committee’s work is concluded.

The committee voted to forward Resolution 2025-R19 to Council with a recommendation to approve and asked that the CAO deliver the requested study and recommendations by Nov. 1, 2025. Several councilmembers said they supported inclusion of the city minimum wage requirement in future contracts as a policy objective; the resolution itself directs the CAO to assess methods and costs rather than immediately changing procurement rules.","The committee approved a resolution directing the CAO to study fiscal, operational and implementation options for requiring janitorial and security contractors working for the city to pay Richmond's $20/hour minimum wage and to return recommendations by Nov. 1, 2025. SEIU urged immediate legislative action in public comment.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540295,"Committee delays vote on budget-publication ordinance; work group to produce additional analysis",1052,1995000,3047000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e&start=1995&end=3047","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e/thumbnail_1995000.jpg","/articles/6540295/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-delays-vote-on-budget-publication-ordinance-work-group-to-produce-additional-analysis","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540295-388135263f0dd556f9de700d0822f075/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199381&Signature=TfEZP0j66pTt1dxi4VhuP~HctK0lKfKiKdzdY8Gup7l7mB1CIQhV8VGNLaIyrDrONH0LA~rjAONYlJ5Zl027sABFAyPzEvedKqqPibt5OxGMoVaBdZUgqegwT3KHKU06KDnvhucdJMk2CK5RKyGNVdH8UrEsGeblKA2eTdynha2MK4IJi7~R3WOHHp479li-l2lSChUpXGr2JIk5T71DRBR~KbDk34bkZteN5hiiBHC244Z~IQex3a64nzQ24z3CF5CeP7Qs2G0u9JyLuTWbSAG2k62dL40rqQiZ6jM2S-Xgj6o4zq6RHX18nAzLV~UJWsErOazTWEyk1Xi0ERZclw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee voted to continue consideration of an ordinance that would require agency-level budget submissions be published earlier and to produce a side-by-side comparison with the mayor’s proposed budget. The continuation is intended to allow further conversations between council members, administration staff and a newly formed work group before deciding whether to send the ordinance to full council.

Lauren Kirk of the Budget Department told the committee the administration requested a continuance to allow further discussion of how the proposed changes would fit into the city’s broader budget process. Councilmembers discussed the measure at length: supporters said the change is intended to provide council and the public better ‘‘line-of-sight’’ into departmental requests and new funding items earlier in the fiscal cycle; others urged including the measure as part of a broader work program to redesign the annual budget timeline.

Councilmember Carolyn Robertson and other members described plans to form a subcommittee including herself and Vice Chair Jordan (and others) to work with the administration; the committee agreed to a 60‑day continuance to the July 16, 2025 meeting and to provide periodic updates to the full council during the interim. Councilmembers asked the administration to provide concrete timelines and to bring back the ordinance with any inter-departmental changes and an implementation plan that could fit the upcoming budget cycle.

The committee’s continuance preserves the ordinance as a possible amendment to next year’s budget process while the work group studies operational, timeline and legal considerations.","A proposed ordinance requiring agencies to submit line‑item budget requests earlier and a side‑by‑side comparison with the mayor’s proposed budget was continued for further discussion and work‑group formation; the committee set a July 16, 2025 date to revisit the paper.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540300,"Committee backs city adoption of state-enabled 5¢ plastic bag fee to take effect Jan. 1, 2026",156,1712000,1868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e&start=1712&end=1868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e/thumbnail_1712000.jpg","/articles/6540300/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-backs-city-adoption-of-state-enabled-5-plastic-bag-fee-to-take-effect-Jan-1-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540300-2648a1700e688a7c2289d1d57639a849/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199381&Signature=oaFraLDbIXoqYfw8Xf4fD5xZwynPIMZGoD2R0Lo2IEZhs-EG~OlY3vOC8RrHxbAsMjStZ-DxJFk2Nu2uy2qmwLliAUaw1wxV70TKkZhRfQ4KMAddeL-UcSUDVno0nWC~7AoNoILMyTjVf7R7k8L11zPy06ZR6xbCzuwoblZQKgXOMGXrbaOR3xyFue1TY8-O1wUDedwEzTB00bky2dQEMyF~gFlkg9x3kJDNnpz5ILOvAEqUJGyXwat-5EONTWSvLvI4Wh8TG3TAAdY7xG4j8EvUmanmLC0Go8GM2SH2SRY8tEQYrfuw4afg4ilmje-nHQ9xeDm4nFRq--38OuBXuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee voted to forward an ordinance to City Council that would implement a state-enabled disposable plastic bag fee in Richmond, with an anticipated effective date of Jan. 1, 2026 if the council adopts it.

Office of Sustainability Director Laura Thomas told the committee that the state authorized localities to adopt such fees and that 10 other localities in Virginia have already done so. The fee is 5 cents per single-use disposable bag, Thomas said; 4 cents would be remitted to the city and 1 cent would remain with the retailer. Thomas said the state’s Department of Tax administers the program, collects retailer reports, and reimburses localities on a monthly basis.

Thomas said the city estimates first-year revenue “a little less than $400,000” and projected a lower amount in year two — roughly $100,000 to $150,000 — while noting those figures are estimates based on other localities. State law limits how jurisdictions may use the revenue, Thomas said: funds are restricted to litter cleanups, environmental education, distribution of reusable bags to SNAP and WIC participants, and related activities.

Thomas said the city will spend the summer prior to implementation on outreach and education to affected businesses, with a particular focus on small convenience stores and retailers. She said the administration would distribute reusable bags so community members would not be required to purchase them.

The committee voted to forward the ordinance to full council with a recommendation to approve.","The committee voted to forward an ordinance that would implement a state-enabled disposable plastic bag fee. Staff said the fee is self-reported to the state, which administers the program; the city would receive 4¢ per bag and retailers 1¢.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":92,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6540305,"Committee forwards package of grants, loans and ordinances to full council; one budget transparency paper continued",1858,1189000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e&start=1189&end=3047","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429276-1796417d825d6b646cd370c5f17cf16e/thumbnail_1189000.jpg","/articles/6540305/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-forwards-package-of-grants-loans-and-ordinances-to-full-council-one-budget-transparency-paper-continued","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6540305-4a710a1aa3c3435c0e3f35a168274171/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199381&Signature=FSwrNL28LGCu5jmSJKHiVj4oZNOcwHGcoq3FF2xLnsxcduyTCBivk1jTH-0WhASZhOQMR4mGeDIUj~NMlR1OzmI~pHav1zMqqsApC2pCBeW6A3iDHCaQO0v-~WTBpjDON7plUPYaRKCBIoLFjWnKPvfDJkFdcFN6c4hN7y4BbOgtB1T3K7HEHAH0bF-WCs1tJR1wHVZEED7HXGVKymeRIYKYpkjPygEW~WKUtQIFRS5RB0wFUD4LY4Uk9VVUEUlSozCGEnV7OB-vrjqtA0dHCLN751mt-9EoGHDus55OvsAr49iTCbNdXPrS6hFBcRUlZAVbDQ3f4-dhDd3Y~5JJTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee voted on a set of ordinances, grants and a resolution and forwarded them to the full City Council with recommendations to approve.

The items approved by the committee included grant acceptances, a low-interest financing package for a wastewater plant project, contracts to fund substance-use and peer-recovery programs, funding to equip sheriff vehicles with cameras, and several city code amendments. One ordinance — requiring earlier publication of agency-level budget submissions and a side-by-side comparison with the mayor’s proposed budget — was continued to the committee’s July meeting for further work.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 20250-032 (EDA grant agreement to facilitate construction of affordable housing at 5009–5015 Snead Road): Motion forwarded to council with recommendation to approve. Committee recorded votes: Councilmember Lynch (Aye), Vice Chair Jones (Aye), Chair Carolyn Robertson (Aye). Outcome: approved by committee.

- Ordinance 20250-097 (Amend FY25 general fund: accept $25,000 from the Regents of the University of California for Commonwealth's Attorney participation in anonymized research on plea agreements): Motion forwarded to council with recommendation to approve. Committee recorded votes: Vice Chair Jones (Aye), Chair Robertson (Aye). Outcome: approved by committee.

- Ordinance 20250-098 (Accept $160,000 from the Virginia Department of Forestry to create a tree maintenance team for East End and Evergreen Cemeteries): Motion forwarded to council with recommendation to approve. Committee recorded votes: Vice Chair Jones (Aye), Chair Robertson (Aye). Outcome: approved by committee.

- Ordinance 20250-099 (Establish a disposable plastic bag fee under state enabling law; effective 01/01/2026 if adopted): Motion forwarded to council with recommendation to approve. Committee recorded votes: Vice Chair Jones (Aye), Chair Robertson (Aye). Outcome: approved by committee.

- Ordinance 20250-100 (Require publication of agency-level budget submissions and a side-by-side comparison with the mayor’s proposed budget): Committee voted to continue the paper to the 07/16/2025 Finance and Economic Development meeting (motion to continue for 60 days). Committee recorded votes on the continuance: Vice Chair Jones (Aye), Chair Robertson (Aye). Outcome: continued to 2025-07-16 committee meeting.

- Ordinance 20251-107 (Accept $75,000 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and designate a $25,000 match to equip sheriff fleet vehicles with camera equipment): Motion forwarded to council with recommendation to approve. Committee recorded votes: Vice Chair Jones (Aye), Chair Robertson (Aye). Outcome: approved by committee.

- Ordinance 20251-108 (Accept $1,500,000 from the Virginia Resources Authority for wastewater plant thickening and dewatering improvements) and Ordinance 20251-109 (Execute a $28,500,000 financing agreement with the Virginia Resources Authority on the same project): Motions forwarded to council with recommendation to approve. Committee recorded votes: Vice Chair Jones (Aye), Chair Robertson (Aye). Outcome: approved by committee.

- Ordinance 20251-110 (Richmond Ambulance Authority agreement to fund peer recovery specialists) and Ordinance 20251-111 (Health Brigade grant agreement to fund a substance use disorder treatment program): Motions forwarded to council with recommendation to approve. Committee recorded votes: Vice Chair Jones (Aye), Chair Robertson (Aye). Outcome: approved by committee.

- Resolution 2025-R19 (Request CAO study on requiring janitorial and security contractors to pay the city minimum wage and recommendations for implementation by 11/01/2025): Motion forwarded to council with recommendation to approve. Committee recorded votes: Vice Chair Jones (Aye), Chair Robertson (Aye). Outcome: approved by committee.

What the committee vote means

Committee approval sends the listed ordinances and resolution to the full City Council with a recommendation to adopt. The continued ordinance on budget publication will return to the Finance and Economic Development committee on July 16, 2025, for further work and potential endorsement.","The Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee voted to forward a set of funding ordinances and grant agreements to Richmond City Council with recommendations to approve, and continued consideration of a budget-transparency ordinance to the July meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Economic development staff outline projects; council asks for measurable goals, market analysis for Altria site

Committee asks CAO for study on requiring city contractors to pay $20 minimum; union urges immediate ordinance

Committee delays vote on budget-publication ordinance; work group to produce additional analysis

Committee backs city adoption of state-enabled 5¢ plastic bag fee to take effect Jan. 1, 2026

Committee forwards package of grants, loans and ordinances to full council; one budget transparency paper continued