[{"_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",6531033,"mediaKeyId","3626717-15295ccb995c14be2705dc7ddc242207","parentId",3626717,"title","Richmond council approves 5¢ disposable plastic bag fee effective Jan. 1, 2026","audioSeconds",2146,"startMs",3518000,"endMs",5664000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626717-15295ccb995c14be2705dc7ddc242207&start=3518&end=5664","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626717-15295ccb995c14be2705dc7ddc242207/thumbnail_3518000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6531033/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-council-approves-5-disposable-plastic-bag-fee-effective-Jan-1-2026","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531033-23c351c553b23c805e032d30a3770f2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152454&Signature=bjk3eDZIASItDzwGMrSKUh469Bde7OBh2il~F18-iP0VaU0NmgxgJupNsYLwqJGBfyIUtMk61qi6YwjElbyQgNYpyKLod3ApzkfnbIkXDlh2jTUoE7MqSzZNUnzIktT3Nkt3v2gZY69iYIRtB2kxZuVPOGOHIj3m0UMM1xELhhFz7vVgeg79PGWw6KziMVxP8JLiOzklI-~nK7ZJaTOAQ12mRuWPgg31n1tnDyJiSrf5nw08aSMrTWd7CNzWMzzSg3RCh3QtH1TF9If4F0P7893bOOveHi~PjvpfpfshV5ItEAjxGFs8Fi~Gj7-phzg~26YiXZvMjfhneglR5Kzbvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-06-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Richmond City Council on Monday adopted an ordinance establishing a 5¢ fee on single-use checkout plastic bags distributed by grocery stores, drugstores and convenience stores in the city, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.

City Director of the Office of Sustainability Laura Thomas told the council the fee would send 4¢ per bag to the city and 1¢ per bag to the retailer and that the city anticipates about $400,000 in year‑one revenue and roughly $100,000–$150,000 in subsequent years as bag usage declines.

Supporters said the fee is intended to reduce litter and stormwater impacts and to fund environmental cleanups and reusable bag distribution to SNAP and WIC participants. Steve Marzoff, chair of Richmond’s Clean City Commission, told the council the commission fully supports the ordinance. Ashley Coles, a Clean City Commission member, also spoke in favor during a virtual public comment.

Why it matters: Council members repeatedly tied the proposal to infrastructure and public cleanliness concerns. Thomas said state law limits how municipalities may use revenue from such fees; under those restrictions the city’s share is restricted to litter and waste reduction programs, environmental cleanup, education designed to reduce pollution and the direct distribution of reusable bags to SNAP and WIC recipients.

Council debate focused on equity and implementation. Councilwoman Trammell and others said the fee could be regressive for seniors and other residents on fixed incomes; Trammell urged the administration to ensure seniors would not face new costs. Thomas said the administration plans outreach and education, that retailers may either pass the fee to customers or absorb it, and that the Office of Sustainability intends to provide reusable bags — with procurement and distribution funded in part by the fee revenue for SNAP/WIC recipients and by the office’s operating funds for other vulnerable groups.

The ordinance specifies exemptions written into state law, including: thicker reusable plastic bags (4 mil or greater), bags used solely to contain ice, meat, fish, poultry, produce or other perishable items, bags used for dry cleaning or prescription drugs, and multi‑pack bags intended for garbage, pet waste or leaf removal. Thomas said prepackaged food and thicker store bags are exempt.

The measure drew mixed comments from the public and council. Councilmember Lynch said she had come around to supporting the fee after seeing litter and river pollution firsthand; Councilman Gipson and Councilman Brecken also voiced support. Councilmember Robertson asked for and received a commitment from the administration to provide a detailed outreach calendar and a list of businesses that would be subject to the fee. Councilmember Trammell said she could not support the ordinance without stronger assurances the city would shield seniors and other vulnerable residents from new charges.

Vote: The ordinance passed. Recorded votes in the transcript included:Mr. Breton — Aye; Ms. Gibson — Yes; Ms. Robertson — No; Ms. Lynch — Aye; Ms. Trammell — No; Ms. Abubaker — Aye; Vice President Jordan — Aye; President Newbill — Aye. (One member’s individual vote is not clearly recorded in the transcript excerpt.)

What’s next: The fee will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, allowing roughly six months for outreach to retailers and residents. The administration said it will return with an outreach and education calendar and a more detailed list of affected businesses and distribution plans for reusable bags.

Ending note: The council’s discussion emphasized both environmental goals and concerns about burdens on low‑income and senior residents; several members requested follow‑up reporting on distribution plans and how revenue will be spent under the state’s restrictions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Richmond City Council Formal Meeting on 2025-06-02 6:00 PM - Jun 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Richmond City Council on Monday adopted an ordinance establishing a 5¢ fee on single‑use checkout plastic bags distributed by grocery stores, drugstores and convenience stores in the city, with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026.","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},6531018,"Residents press Richmond council on drinking water safety, rental inspections and contractor wages during public comment",315,759000,1074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626717-15295ccb995c14be2705dc7ddc242207&start=759&end=1074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626717-15295ccb995c14be2705dc7ddc242207/thumbnail_759000.jpg","/articles/6531018/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Residents-press-Richmond-council-on-drinking-water-safety-rental-inspections-and-contractor-wages-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531018-2cbe43cd94f9e2e10b4e850b07347e2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152454&Signature=U1NfGWf0Bf2USuOnJa0E81ZdaGUXji9VHxn5mHF-1K6jxye1ZsPEEuc18E8MbBZWeFg8hDNCy3HfMQhoRl3~rT-HOyTWsB9kc3luKNIJQUJFIa4HBTmCknTOkvG5LeEiQgPyKMvLIDaQnzt6~HTgf1ASQRjXOgI2Fd8v0mYiVEFaRdeHaWD0DUJlT7Nrf6kXn5KmwsizdDGTYYCvLQIu4ypxsTwWyx9zugSU2VkVeG4viu7YwHTiEeMXtYhBIE0HniLcmacasuAOFVrIqRb8UVWvvvjnmGlsNO0eXRxCs~UxZMMW6656vTrH5OS117biyRK02CcCh~TTow1u5Ho1uQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers during Monday’s public comment period urged the Richmond City Council to take faster and clearer action on several quality‑of‑life issues: recurrent water problems, tenant safety through proactive rental inspections, and higher pay for city contractor workers.

Water infrastructure: Resident Andre Toleras said Richmond residents had been forced to boil water twice in five months and described the Department of Public Utilities as “synonymous with dysfunction,” citing unanswered complaints and a lack of transparency. He urged the council to “build competence” and accountability in the department rather than relying on funding alone.

Rental inspection ordinance: Two renters, Danielle (Danny) Smith (who said she lives in Councilmember Gibson’s district) and William (Will) Ryan (speaking on behalf of DSA), spoke in support of adopting a proactive rental inspection program. Smith described childhood experience with toxic black mold and said proactive permitting and inspection could prevent similar harm; she said she had worked in housing for seven years and offered to assist staff. Ryan argued the inspections would help tenants assert rights to safe housing and presented a financial argument that a proactive enforcement regime could protect public resources.

Living wage for contract workers: Latrice Gregory, a 51‑year‑old city contractor who cleans a social services building, asked the council to adopt a living wage for contracted janitors and security guards rather than converting the pay increase into a study. Gregory said a study “won’t put food on my table” and asked the council to include wage increases in the FY 2027 budget.

Other public comments and events: Melvin Jones urged council members to sign a birthday card and help with logistics for a planned celebration of Maggie Walker; Carol Adams and members of Engine Company No. 9 announced a commemorative event honoring the city’s first Black firefighters; several retired firefighters introduced themselves and described the July 2025 event at Main Street Station.

Why it matters: Commenters tied these issues to public health (safe drinking water and mold hazards), housing safety, and economic security for low‑paid municipal contractors. Several speakers offered to provide evidence or technical assistance to staff and requested that council prioritize action rather than further study.

Council response: Council acknowledged the public comments; council members later discussed related agenda items in committee and with the administration. No immediate council policy actions were taken during the meeting on the issues raised during public comment, though several members said they wanted administration follow‑up on water system performance and enforcement outcomes from existing rental and housing code activity.

Ending note: Commenters asked for tangible next steps: a public accounting of water system fixes and complaints, formal consideration of a proactive rental inspection ordinance, and inclusion of contractor wage increases in budget planning.","Several residents used the public comment period to urge action on water system failures and long‑term infrastructure, to support a proactive rental inspection ordinance, and to press council to adopt a living wage for city contractor workers rather than studying the issue.",{"_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},6531023,"Council appoints Foster Curtis as interim inspector general amid council tensions",439,6022000,6461000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626717-15295ccb995c14be2705dc7ddc242207&start=6022&end=6461","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626717-15295ccb995c14be2705dc7ddc242207/thumbnail_6022000.jpg","/articles/6531023/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Council-appoints-Foster-Curtis-as-interim-inspector-general-amid-council-tensions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531023-9bf5dc983ac2b53b44067f4cf9e631c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152454&Signature=jvb2ZoIKrt6gRAegPvThzKF4t-0DTwfojqEp58GqObxkcd1qIZE7Lintxgz2x~jW9wzw2m-YFGbVtPrp9MBiyBUExoltiW8wbGJMLPF2weOhCTBAnq3EOZluAzCUvSpVagiFteSEb7A5TRVriAWE1deLNnwktiIyUXz~XN9KgjMXhx4JWxHRZVlv5oSjuqv6O1NCxKkNWjXhB4GBDkm5GED0MbJbIqqrL84API27Qn2ZJbh5umv54JeDgn0s~K079hhgU7FkLKF63ifzQiS3W8bPPmW-kT-vhL66kUtfu-7nvEFOFG7m1cItK41j2072QT~NvOYChpDIL8k6fhp7zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Council on Monday appointed Foster Curtis as interim inspector general in a vote recorded as unanimous.

Councilmembers said the interim appointment was needed to maintain continuity in the inspector general’s office while the council oversees a leadership transition. The council expedited and adopted the resolution appointing Curtis, who will serve in an acting capacity at the inspector general’s pay scale, according to the administration; council members said there was no special or additional salary beyond standard acting‑role adjustments discussed in the meeting.

The appointment followed a heated exchange in which Councilmember Trammell criticized the council’s prior handling of the inspector general’s office and said the earlier decision (to remove or place the prior IG on leave) was wrong. Trammell told colleagues she had been out of town and objected to the timing of earlier actions; other members pushed back and emphasized that a majority of the body had acted. Trammell nonetheless voted in favor of the interim appointment.

Why it matters: The inspector general’s office conducts investigations and oversight of city operations; an interim appointment keeps the office operating while the council manages ongoing staffing and any outstanding inquiries.

Implementation details and compensation: Council members asked whether the interim appointment included additional pay. The chair confirmed Curtis will receive the standard pay for the IG role during the interim period and that no special extra compensation was offered beyond the standard acting‑capacity arrangement; an exact salary figure was requested but not read into the record during the meeting.

Action: The resolution to appoint Foster Curtis as interim inspector general was adopted with a unanimous recorded vote.

Ending note: Several council members asked for clarity about the office’s ongoing investigations and for additional briefings; the meeting record shows the council intends to continue oversight and to provide more information to the public where appropriate.","The council voted to appoint Foster Curtis as interim inspector general. The appointment passed on a recorded unanimous vote after contentious remarks by Councilmember Trammell about the council’s earlier action on the inspector general’s office.",{"_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},6531028,"Richmond council continues resolution on photo speed monitoring devices pending implementation plan",1716,1777000,3493000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3626717-15295ccb995c14be2705dc7ddc242207&start=1777&end=3493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3626717-15295ccb995c14be2705dc7ddc242207/thumbnail_1777000.jpg","/articles/6531028/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-council-continues-resolution-on-photo-speed-monitoring-devices-pending-implementation-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6531028-61824b8f52255040b2a38db073cd14d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152454&Signature=ajkI1IxMKPYlDig4T79KpL4Aj1yBMZ7UI4gJpzcncQB5KrbjegY6tyxNzFXHdLwouE2UC9~F1DIkNEuJZTjUXdf4KLHlZR-Qvjhu4MdBOnIJz5udQjRu5VF6xAKuV1fkcNpWNg2XNmtfzPGmoj7AiyFtQaeHVRbVEmsJ~WxolQ912cdUTjO48xW74ky5Lq98--7ocFU8M-Y1h7109rvgmDF9QbbVH-OSX50wwUcH~0d-uh7vaLAL0Prmm0UVLPnU3qZ-YUmopGigrxuInbxCuZdlF1hbDnHOvQ8uSgn8rC-wnP0soUspugzIl-CLW1IVFONFWNT6joU36mvlol3HXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richmond City Council on Monday voted to continue consideration of a resolution urging the study and installation of photo speed monitoring devices at several high‑risk locations, asking the administration to return to the council on June 9 with implementation details and the completed study.

Councilmember Lynch, the lead patron, said the original study requested by the council had been completed but that passage of a resolution would signal the body’s political will to keep implementation on the administration’s priority list. Lynch and other sponsors framed the resolution as a policy endorsement that would push the city from study to installation.

Members and public speakers said the devices are one tool among many for reducing speeds and traffic fatalities. Momin Khan, a Fifth District resident, said passing a resolution would bolster confidence that the city will move from study to action. Several council members emphasized they want an equity analysis and clear cost and timeline estimates before wider deployment, expressing concern about concentrating cameras in particular neighborhoods without community notification.

Why it matters: The council previously discussed a 2024 Virginia General Assembly law that allows jurisdictions to install photo speed enforcement near school zones where a fatality has occurred; council members said they want the administration’s completed study, the recommended priority areas, procurement and cost estimates, and an analysis of how revenue and enforcement will be administered.

Councilmember Robertson urged the administration to present the highlights of the study, including high‑risk areas the administration identified, installation requirements, expected costs and revenue administration. Councilmember Jones asked for evidence of whether existing cameras have reduced speeds or crashes before expanding the program.

Action: The council voted unanimously to continue resolution 2024‑R‑041 to the June 9 council meeting for amendment and to allow the administration to present the requested implementation information.

Next steps: Council members asked staff to circulate the completed study to full council and to prepare a presentation summarizing costs, timing, equity analysis, and recommended priority locations for deployment. The council’s continued vote serves, sponsors said, as a signal to the administration to proceed to the implementation planning stage.

Ending note: Discussion combined policy support for speed cameras with repeated requests for greater transparency, an equity analysis and measurable implementation milestones before broad installation.","Councilors agreed to continue a resolution urging study and installation of photo speed monitoring cameras to the June 9 meeting and asked the administration for an implementation plan, equity analysis, costs and the completed study report.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Richmond council approves 5¢ disposable plastic bag fee effective Jan. 1, 2026

Residents press Richmond council on drinking water safety, rental inspections and contractor wages during public comment

Council appoints Foster Curtis as interim inspector general amid council tensions

Richmond council continues resolution on photo speed monitoring devices pending implementation plan