[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6543643,"mediaKeyId","3429277-8941d6da70a6619f1d84f5b31e0bb5f6","parentId",3429277,"title","Committee forwards resolution asking CAO to study requiring city contractors to pay $20 minimum wage","audioSeconds",801,"startMs",2470000,"endMs",3271000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429277-8941d6da70a6619f1d84f5b31e0bb5f6&start=2470&end=3271","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429277-8941d6da70a6619f1d84f5b31e0bb5f6/thumbnail_2470000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6543643/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-forwards-resolution-asking-CAO-to-study-requiring-city-contractors-to-pay-20-minimum-wage","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543643-4d608c1ccd9622babb8e9e90b213b055/orig.mp4?Expires=1770794223&Signature=Q5rr-sXhHZ~crqJwFhNyu8kuaFaDPt00MKrQ2stlU70L77mrLVUkddfRQAx5G02mKAU9rgzFYviqx-aI3jDYk1sfyxq~JYFHvwgIDZdtJ9tIxVwvc4GYhrbSRMmfqriCYHsX4IKNE1l0IV9qKgLQLBXVAAXWO4Ir8aUXAkk9AiFHjVT~~9AFonlSKBBv8sjl5fNav6bk7lTSmnAfwyUgVQ1rYaBtVURA81a4Zcckdwd9Ld0obctLwRo7Nns0O-TlViFACMaBh0XsgTc84W~ZbIY0fp2YxavYmrDYVk7KHVZUrksefCkAPgNfVKeF~0LvJNTAfD-OL6uimEI6LHr-Tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-05-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee voted to forward Resolution 20 25 R019, which asks the Chief Administrative Officer to study fiscal, operational and other considerations associated with requiring janitorial and security contractors under city contract to pay the city’s $20-per-hour minimum wage, and to return recommendations to council by Nov. 1, 2025.

Public comment and concerns: Tremaine Johnson, lead organizer with SEIU 32BJ, spoke in support of immediate ordinance action rather than a study, saying a study risks unnecessary delay and urging council to pass a living-wage ordinance this summer. Johnson said union analysis shows raising wages for contracted janitors and security guards would cost less than 0.05% of the city’s budget and that delay “withholds long overdue life changing wages.”

Council discussion and clarifications: Councilmembers and staff acknowledged the urgency raised by public comment. Committee members stressed the resolution’s intent is to gather a fiscal estimate and implementation options that will allow the council to budget any required funds in the next fiscal cycle. Committee members also discussed procurement timing for relevant contracts (noting some security contracts are under review in July) and suggested staff consider procurement tools (shorter contract durations, procurement scoring that favors responsible contractors or unionized labor) as part of the study. The chair stressed that the council expects the study to produce cost estimates, options for implementation, and potential procurement changes so the council can act with sufficient information.

Vote and next steps: The committee voted to forward the resolution to City Council with a recommendation to approve. The resolution requests the CAO return a report by Nov. 1, 2025; committee members indicated they expect the study to include counts of contracted positions, current wage rates, differential costs at the $20 minimum, procurement options and timelines so any budget actions can be scheduled in the mayor’s next budget submission.

What the record does not show: The transcript captures the committee’s request for a study and the public comment urging immediate ordinance action, but it does not include the CAO’s analysis or any final fiscal figures; the resolution as adopted by committee is for a study and not a wage ordinance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Finance & Economic Development Standing Committee Meeting - May 21, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. - May 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After public comment from SEIU 32BJ and discussion among councilmembers, the committee forwarded a resolution asking the Chief Administrative Officer to study operational and fiscal implications of requiring janitorial and security contractors to pay the city's $20 hourly minimum and return recommendations by Nov. 1, 2025.","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},6543648,"Council asks economic development staff for metrics-driven strategy after overview of recent projects and site inventory",1700,3747000,5447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429277-8941d6da70a6619f1d84f5b31e0bb5f6&start=3747&end=5447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429277-8941d6da70a6619f1d84f5b31e0bb5f6/thumbnail_3747000.jpg","/articles/6543648/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-asks-economic-development-staff-for-metrics-driven-strategy-after-overview-of-recent-projects-and-site-inventory","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543648-f222b2ab7953d3158b1af2450d0d67e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770794223&Signature=Zk0sE9h672ZyLPdh1wxYK7PPZAgGJjGAgfEktOkXLXyv3-qytWZ3eY-A5ij01VEDUFTxRbNjQxZ5DSA~J-xBerrhNMx2MQd3L2NYQlAJesKNFaeVGP9uhe-yrFiVuKb2CYInCN4hrjvJas8XY0i7lubHiIOFAffvyRALK~82t1ph49qTJn2WpsPFM5ZyroRrsdchK5sWfftqoILThG9bMFBJFK1S8-gsC1EqKSIa~QUAD3pC7bKApogwAQDyzXKTQKqjUPYy~qAb3jqp4TefJnuyuFqAz3k~2pGC3b6AQzxMdur3czb21vBDit9fgg1hKVWP36N41sIRReTlBA5RMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Economic development staff presented an overview of recent project activity, revenue trends and site inventory to the Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee and were asked by councilmembers to provide a more strategic, metrics-driven report tailored to council priorities.

Acting Economic Development Director Matt Welch summarized recent private and public projects — including CoStar, the amphitheater, Halion, the Diamond District work, and the city’s purchase of the former Altria site — and presented high-level metrics: private-sector employment recovery since the pandemic, increases in private-sector wages, and growth in taxable commercial real estate value and multifamily completions. Welch also summarized the department’s use of performance grants and enterprise-zone and commercial rebate programs and provided examples of how incentives have generated incremental real estate tax revenues.

Council reaction and requested follow up: Multiple councilmembers said they appreciated the overview but asked for a more strategic document that sets measurable short- and medium-term goals, clarifies target nodes for development and shows how economic-development investment will increase non-residential revenue (reducing dependence on residential real-estate taxes). Councilmember Perkins (and others) requested a report that ties department staffing, budgets and specific targets to expected revenue outcomes. The council asked staff to provide a more detailed analysis of city-owned parcels, potential revenue from targeted redevelopment (including downtown blocks and the Marshall Street Plaza site) and analyses of the Altria site’s market potential. Several councilmembers also asked for clear benchmarks and five-year revenue and job targets tied to the already-adopted city economic plan.

Staff commitments: Staff said they will prepare more detailed analyses and working materials, including a longer-term inventory/analysis of active projects going back further than the three-year snapshot presented, and a market study request for the Altria site. Staff also described ongoing corridor work, small-business supports and enterprise-zone boundary work intended to spur commercial corridor revitalization.

Why it matters: Council requested clearer goals, measurable benchmarks and a fiscally oriented plan so it can consider targeted investments (including staffing and budget increases) that would shift the city’s revenue mix over time and help address poverty and affordability through job growth and commercial tax-base expansion.

What the record does not show: Staff said more detailed reports will be developed and returned to the committee; the transcript does not include the future report’s final metrics or precise revenue projections.","Economic development staff presented recent project activity, revenue impacts and site opportunities (including the Altria purchase). Council members asked for a clearer strategy with measurable goals, a prioritized land inventory and revenue projections and requested a follow-up report tailored to council's strategic questions.",{"_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},6543652,"Committee continues budget-transparency ordinance, forms subcommittee to craft broader budget reforms",1051,936000,1987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429277-8941d6da70a6619f1d84f5b31e0bb5f6&start=936&end=1987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429277-8941d6da70a6619f1d84f5b31e0bb5f6/thumbnail_936000.jpg","/articles/6543652/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-continues-budget-transparency-ordinance-forms-subcommittee-to-craft-broader-budget-reforms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543652-c1749969d56fa552ab7ff4cf033d4f07/orig.mp4?Expires=1770794223&Signature=DXnlDAKslg3GRIKaNgNaKLnQUdS5h1Zv8FWMdRp7wm3Gt1TF8v2I5pEAALepoO6ZuN7HZ-K8edTT-kodTF4gZac4BBv6t671oFpNYvyQHyultg-typxJNggfV-p5QjiGlkr8cVGQ99lt1H3a6UCYDCFDfdBolncHUZEu8GZEJMl31DBDNkb~pi45n9SRmR7~NSG1R1LUU39JQmFgPj3hD8eQ4qdfawN--QdFoxAGEc~wgQAmMBFRAzXcuXO2EpiyywKvZrH4mlxzomRoX-79JLSEi8Lr1~GVBym3Ag2aL~cM5lJdF3pDHmf3dhpRs2g1JXRATuijY0MWb-XFcT0y2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposed ordinance to change the form of the budget submitted to City Council — requiring publication of a side-by-side comparison of agency-level budget requests and the mayor’s proposed budget — was continued by the Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee to the July 16, 2025 meeting to allow more collaborative work with a newly formed subcommittee.

Why it matters: The measure aims to increase council and public transparency in Richmond’s budget process by giving councilmembers earlier access to agency-level budget submissions and justifications, modeled in part on state-level practices described during the meeting.

What the committee decided and why: Lauren Kirk, senior manager in the Department of Budget, said the administration requested a continuance to allow further discussion. Councilmember patrons of the ordinance (speaking by phone and in person) described the measure’s intent as increasing “line of sight” into department requests earlier in the fiscal cycle, identifying new funding requests and full-time-equivalent (FTE) changes well before the mayor’s introduced budget. The patrons noted similar statewide practices where agencies post submission materials publicly.

Council leadership asked for the ordinance to be included in a broader reform effort. Council President Newbill tasked Vice Chair Jordan and Chair Robertson (the finance committee chair) to form a subcommittee to work with the administration and produce incremental reports back to the full council, with a target timeline running toward September for a comprehensive proposal. The committee ultimately voted to continue the ordinance to the July 16, 2025 committee meeting, with a recommendation that the subcommittee consider and, where appropriate, incorporate the ordinance’s transparency provisions into the broader reform.

Key clarifications from the meeting:
- The ordinance’s implementation date in current draft is January 15 (year not specified in transcript), which patrons said could influence whether the change would affect the next budget year or require waiting an additional year. Patrons asked the committee to preserve the option to pull the ordinance out of the workstream and move it forward earlier if desired.
- The subcommittee will provide incremental updates to the full council (approximately every 30 days, per committee discussion) and may present a final recommendation by September; the committee voted to continue the ordinance to the July 16 meeting as part of that process.

What the record does not show: The transcript does not include finalized language changes, a detailed cost estimate for publishing agency-level materials, or a final implementation schedule. The committee asked staff and the subcommittee to produce those details in follow-up work.","An ordinance that would require publication of side-by-side agency budget requests with the mayor's proposed budget was continued to the July 16 committee meeting; council leaders agreed to form a working group to integrate the proposal into broader budget-process reforms.",{"_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},6543657,"Finance committee forwards a package of grants, loans and ordinances to full council",2074,186000,2260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429277-8941d6da70a6619f1d84f5b31e0bb5f6&start=186&end=2260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429277-8941d6da70a6619f1d84f5b31e0bb5f6/thumbnail_186000.jpg","/articles/6543657/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Finance-committee-forwards-a-package-of-grants-loans-and-ordinances-to-full-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543657-5994494f8a2fb60698660c7f75c53a0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770794223&Signature=a-LfaBOaLLcGdX0N761xbpQrGWTcH56kpy9WyNQDdKsgvaVFFOCS8YeU2K~9On3ZzpfCbILXOVT5VHUdLuZo-Q1rF9A6myuIVq9TdhjID0eXC0ZyBvg8MVYV7FYxnMiEgFq0GvYDBNyiBUx~Gmd2zKwnKlxXVBpFa1cggyKUd0~JFS9161XuLQXdkM8VQ-wHkFkxPHiieXXy~1mXq8i6Vapm6DPGH5zf3bbNQWmCnNH8OJNpHWitVG2AdCSQECNag7S0ADrU2xiwaujSKhF-04j6GQ-siCr4JE0r7SgjP0p9xeoCc6yP70F~BkPbbqRcTFdx0ycakSlnPz7RI6Kg0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee on an administrative agenda voted to forward multiple funding and policy items to City Council with recommendations to approve, and continued one ordinance for additional review.

The committee moved quickly through routine acceptances of grants and financing agreements, then approved forwarding to council: an anonymized-research partnership payment for the Commonwealth’s Attorney ($25,000); a $160,000 Virginia Department of Forestry grant to create a Tree Maintenance Team for East End and Evergreen Cemeteries; a plastic bag fee ordinance enabled by state law (5¢ per bag, with 4¢ to the city and 1¢ to the retailer); a $100,000 program to equip city sheriff fleet vehicles with in-car cameras (a $75,000 DCJS grant plus a $25,000 local match); a Virginia Resources Authority package for the wastewater treatment plant thickening and dewatering project (a $1.5 million grant and a $28.5 million, 0.5% 25-year loan); two opioid-abatement grants for peer recovery specialists and a comprehensive harm-reduction package (via the Richmond Ambulance Authority and Health Brigade); and a grant/EDA agreement to facilitate construction of an affordable housing development at Snead Road. The committee also approved forwarding a resolution requesting a study of requiring janitorial and security contractors to pay the city minimum wage ($20/hr) and set an implementation/analysis timeline.

Most motions were routine and passed by voice vote with recorded affirmations by Vice Chair Jones and Chair Robertson/Robinson (transcript shows those two named members responding “Aye” on multiple motions). Where the record captures additional votes, the transcript notes Councilmember Lynch voting “Aye” on ordinance 20 25 0 32. Where specific mover/second names or full vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript, the committee minutes read as the motion being approved by the committee and forwarded to full council for final action.

Why it matters: The package moves funding for public safety equipment, wastewater infrastructure, environmental and cemetery maintenance, harm-reduction services and an affordable housing project forward for final council consideration; several of the items include state or external financing that creates matched local obligations or long-term repayment schedules.

Key items and immediate next steps:
- Ordinance 20 25 0 97 (Commonwealth’s Attorney partnership) — forwarded to council with recommendation to approve.
- Ordinance 20 25 0 98 (VDof Forestry grant, $160,000) — forwarded to council with recommendation to approve; creates a Tree Maintenance Team special fund for cemetery tree care and workforce training.
- Ordinance 20 25 0 99 (disposable plastic bag fee) — forwarded to council with recommendation to approve; if enacted at the stated schedule it would take effect 2026-01-01 and be administered by the state Department of Tax; estimated Year 1 city share ~<$400,000 (estimate provided in presentation).
- Ordinance 20 25 1 07 (DCJS vehicle camera grant; $75,000 grant + $25,000 local funds) — forwarded to council with recommendation to approve; Sheriff reported the match is available in the sheriff’s fund.
- Ordinances 20 25 1 08 (VRA grant $1,500,000) and 20 25 1 09 (VRA financing $28,500,000 loan) — forwarded together to council with recommendation to approve; funding package supports wastewater treatment plant thickening and dewatering improvements.
- Ordinances 20 25 1 10 and 20 25 1 11 (opioid-abatement funding for peer recovery specialists and Health Brigade harm reduction services) — forwarded to council with recommendation to approve.
- Ordinance 20 25 0 32 (grant agreement to facilitate affordable housing construction at 5009–5015 Snead Road) — forwarded to council with recommendation to approve after a public hearing; staff reported commitments that sidewalks will be installed and a multi-year timeline for certain infrastructure.
- Resolution 20 25 R019 (request CAO study to assess requiring janitorial and security contractors to pay $20/hr) — forwarded to council with recommendation to approve; the resolution asks the CAO to return recommendations by November 1, 2025.

What the record does not show: The transcript records the committee’s recommendations and some named “Aye” votes (notably Vice Chair Jones and Chair Robertson/Robinson) but does not include full roll-call tallies for every member. Full council action and any required contract or financing closings remain pending.","The Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee voted to forward a series of ordinances, grant acceptances and financing agreements to City Council with recommendations to approve, and continued one budget-transparency ordinance for further work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee forwards resolution asking CAO to study requiring city contractors to pay $20 minimum wage

Council asks economic development staff for metrics-driven strategy after overview of recent projects and site inventory

Committee continues budget-transparency ordinance, forms subcommittee to craft broader budget reforms

Finance committee forwards a package of grants, loans and ordinances to full council