[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"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","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,74,86,98,110],{"_32":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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6458234,"mediaKeyId","5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90","parentId",5823171,"title","Richmond Public Works outlines operations, illegal-dumping crackdown and tree-plan timeline","audioSeconds",1382,"startMs",1539000,"endMs",2921000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90&start=1539&end=2921","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90/thumbnail_1539000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6458234/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-Public-Works-outlines-operations-illegal-dumping-crackdown-and-tree-plan-timeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458234-014db62dfa53d31c4e9564fd5ca0f7a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1769654791&Signature=ltKipNLvtPAzYpURXwJMIESTV2fqIKZW1o0icREX7Xrm0wTnMxmxhnu2pczejoTrrM~mTmPkvvy1Oey0l4Uu38bVnZVFhsLonG4l-iEboGKLWv5O~s30dLU55anK~eXUeSge9Wc~aTh4LrdfZXHRjN6u1~AZJtH0dAVNFNrwg~9qZdOFgm65wsyU~Rg08DBRmqCykebXm26rSoumG1B9XcfPLLL8z7~VuIHB8eJuLXF7BnYyGUE3ykhSvGctr2OXxzmDtAcZmxGcnzk6fhKRb-kRZgVkqMAtqvvgTSGtuTmsEAbi6tGuw-xOjqCdqokxWndAmJq3k2yVIjJFjY8W~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-09-24T00:00:00Z","article","The Richmond Department of Public Works told the Government Operations Committee on Oct. 1 that its operations and maintenance division manages core services across urban forestry, street cleaning, grounds and roadway maintenance, solid waste and streetlight systems while responding to several open audit recommendations.

DPW Deputy Director Terrence Robinson and Director Bobby Vincent presented staffing, workload and program details and answered committee questions about illegal dumping, tree canopy work and audit follow‑ups. Robinson said operations and maintenance includes six major divisions, roughly 382 full‑time equivalents and 30 funded vacancies. He described divisions that maintain more than 76,000 occupied tree sites (roughly 120,000 total tree sites), 5,000 lane miles swept annually, about 80 miles of bike lanes today that the department expects to grow to more than 100 miles of separated lanes by 2028, and grounds maintenance that covers roughly 3,000 acres across parks, medians and 68 school sites.

Robinson told the committee the city’s solid waste program manages curbside service for about 65,000 residents, recycling for about 62,000 residents and collects roughly 76,000 tons of trash annually. Streetlight staff operate substations and a distribution network the department described as about 300 miles of primary and 700 miles of secondary lines with roughly 45,000 streetlights; DPW said about 14,000 lights have already been converted to LED.

On illegal dumping, Robinson said DPW is pursuing a multipronged approach that includes partnering with Richmond Police Department and code enforcement, placing surveillance cameras at hotspots led by John Walsh’s team, and public awareness campaigns developed with the Office of Strategic Communications. Robinson said DPW recently began prosecuting an individual for illegal dumping, which he described as the first prosecution of its kind in five to ten years.

On graffiti removal, Vincent said the function moved from grounds maintenance to street cleaning and that the program’s annual removals have increased from roughly 500 locations to more than 1,300, with staff dedicated year‑round to the effort. On streetlight contract issues raised in an audit, Robinson said DPW has submitted responses and is working with the city attorney’s office to recoup costs, while also training designated employees to manage contracts and bringing more line technicians on staff after adjusting salary ranges to compete with private utilities.

Urban forestry staff described next steps for a citywide tree plan: Urban Forester Michael Webb said the tree‑canopy assessment will kick off in November with community engagement during Tree Week and aims for completion in 2026. Robinson clarified curbside vacuum leaf pickup begins in November, unlimited bag collection in November–December, and vacuum services start in October.

Robinson walked the committee through several open audit items that touch DPW functions (graffiti removal, streetlight maintenance and contract management). He said the department has submitted standard operating procedures and metrics in response to audit recommendations and is waiting for audit office review on whether those responses will close the findings; some cost recovery efforts remain ongoing and involve the legal department.

Committee members asked for status columns on future audit follow‑up materials and pressed on timeline questions for the tree plan and for public outreach about prosecutions and enforcement. DPW officials said they will provide additional detail in follow‑up materials and thanked the committee for a recent tour of operations.

Ending: Committee members praised the department’s front‑line services and acknowledged outstanding audit and implementation work, while asking DPW to return with more detailed status updates on open audit recommendations, contract‑management changes and a community engagement timeline for the tree‑canopy assessment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Governmental Operations Standing Committee on 2025-09-24 1:00 PM - To access the meeting via Microsoft Teams, please use the following link: https://go.rva.gov/GovOps-Sep24 or dial *67-804-316-9457 and enter ID:487 492 940#","oneSentenceSummary","Department of Public Works officials briefed the Government Operations Committee on daily services, progress on audits, a new urban tree-canopy assessment and steps to curb illegal dumping, including surveillance and prosecutions.","taxTitle","Richmond City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":75,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":76,"_40":77,"_42":78,"_44":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6458220,"Committee hears public support for FOIA library and administration requests more time to refine proposal",3081,6089000,9170000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90&start=6089&end=9170","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90/thumbnail_6089000.jpg","/articles/6458220/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-hears-public-support-for-FOIA-library-and-administration-requests-more-time-to-refine-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458220-cfeccce4369b31c10caa10fab9b3f352/orig.mp4?Expires=1769654791&Signature=HHzIsGH1USpnl74HDxB4dTifSj7lF4N8oMaJv09YnQuw-8TLAJgulr7cmujdIB5BTC7BFg7-BPeN-spUzTlSQruDf~31FQWExY9M7iV31-879z~wgM6TMT5NphTBU4JeNaAQ9vDAYBJbboM9Tyrm-MXYKajgkteVRYqKXYc4T-k~R6P3cbHMnnYhhLgTxPRex74y1KFkihru2PvdpFSWTrdNw3wADAtav1SMnzFoRzHKqYFbncEAJWtiLfXE7XlnbK1-PZDj1eoDHTsx6GIHmH1bUzCdjwxVTVdGPqxLBiC-ziWHbFNAAF0tCTKkNRoRgNBMtKoGglR02kXwN4NEZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Committee on Oct. 1 heard extensive public support for proposed ordinances to create a citywide Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) library and related open‑data tools and then voted to continue the measures so administration and council sponsors could refine scope, staffing and liability questions.

Councilors proposed three related transparency ordinances, including an ordinance to establish an online FOIA library. Numerous residents and civic groups — including Electrify RVA, Richmond for All and individual journalists and community organizers — urged the committee to adopt the FOIA‑library measure and related transparency items, saying a public repository would speed information access and reduce duplicative FOIA requests. Commenters said typical problems include long delays, fragmented responses and high fees for requested records. Several speakers noted the city had already purchased FOIA management software (referred to at the meeting as JustFOIA) and urged the city to deploy it promptly.

Administration presenters including the Office of Strategic Communications said they support a FOIA library in principle and noted the city began work on a FOIA library previously; they asked for more time to define the operational rubric for which records would be posted, to align implementation with the new FOIA software and to address potential legal and privacy exceptions. Ross Catron of the Office of Strategic Communications explained that not every record requested under FOIA is suitable for a public archive because exemptions and redactions — for example in active criminal investigations, human‑services records or ambulance and fire reports — may apply. Catron said the city receives roughly 5,500 FOIA requests annually and described administrative estimates that implementing a full public archive, as written in the ordinance, could require staffing support and review capacity beyond current departmental FOIA workflows.

Committee members and administration agreed more detail and legal review were needed. The committee voted to continue the FOIA library ordinance (Ordinance 2025‑210) to the Government Operations Committee meeting on Oct. 22, 2025, so sponsors, legal counsel and administration could coordinate on the scope, use of the JustFOIA tool, redaction rules and staffing. A related ordinance to codify open‑data definitions (Ordinance 2025‑211) was also continued to Oct. 22. The committee recorded the continuance votes on the record.

Ending: Committee staff said they would schedule a demonstration of the FOIA software and collect follow‑up data about FOIA volumes and request types; sponsors said they want a public, durable FOIA library and the administration said it will work with councilors to craft clearer implementation language.","Council members and dozens of residents urged the Government Operations Committee to pass ordinances creating a FOIA library and open‑data tools; administration officials asked for more time to define scope and to align technology and staffing. Committee continued the FOIA and open‑data papers to the Oct. 22 meeting.",{"_32":87,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":88,"_40":89,"_42":90,"_44":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6458225,"Richmond inspector general seeks peer review, highlights fraud investigations and staffing upgrades",1022,4635000,5657000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90&start=4635&end=5657","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90/thumbnail_4635000.jpg","/articles/6458225/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-inspector-general-seeks-peer-review-highlights-fraud-investigations-and-staffing-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458225-3cb6daf7c18e50744450e22a8ac23af7/orig.mp4?Expires=1769654791&Signature=iSgCmcYJYqrCh-NtN596f1eaDa8y4ZFSr6m69QozaF0BYdHc~LOgFE7DsXu6XHJQMau7169U9rxzeuAXW~s7fNN197YJrTbcBqz~forrRHB5cXeTHfBr7RMsrNZlv2Ul8z1bvKl~T-VXhOTRBf~YtR9DLpRjov~GxqUlm2a5wvFye-kYbInlcNu~c5RYgUM8uDvQnhNZdH9X9Yj1v80uAHZfUba3XTcmE5ZqbghBdf8053VjvQR0YfsC8FUyrFhdVagTYB9ADE4nTMRCqzVqUxgpj0TSNvPiyMjYjcTyHvlj62RIqkiG3ZzczpUEpoOqux26g8gtwv~V-KEebsVpdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of the Inspector General told the Government Operations Committee on Oct. 1 that it has improved web complaint handling, added investigative technology and databases and is expanding staff with experienced investigators to strengthen fraud and abuse investigations.

An inspector identified in the meeting as Curtis told the committee his office has retooled web complaint responses, eliminated a dormant app, improved cooperation with federal, state and local law‑enforcement partners and added software that converts bank records to analyzable spreadsheets. He said three investigative databases have been acquired to improve asset and identity analysis.

Curtis described personnel changes and named staff who have joined or supported the office: management analyst Shatabra Powell; interim investigations manager Brittany Clift; investigator George Ash; an investigator Wingo and investigator Benjamin Canning. He said investigators bring years of federal and state experience and that some staff will complete certified inspector general investigator training by March 2026 and certified fraud examiner training by September 2026.

On caseload composition, Curtis said 43% of investigations in the year were fraud/theft related and 27% involved alleged abuse; the remainder were referrals or matters outside the OIG’s jurisdiction. He said the office is seeking to fill a deputy inspector general position and a criminal analyst with open‑source intelligence and link‑analysis expertise. Curtis told the committee the OIG lacks dedicated vehicles for surveillance and plans to request vehicles and equipment as part of the FY27 budget process.

Curtis said the OIG has not been peer reviewed and intends to request a peer review by the Association of Inspectors General by December 2025. He said an annual OIG report has not recently been issued and that producing that report is a priority, to show taxpayers the office’s work and recoveries.

Ending: Committee members commended the OIG’s work and asked staff to include the OIG in 311 referral planning and to pursue an outside peer review; the OIG said it will seek to be peer reviewed by December and to professionalize training and reporting.","Acting Inspector General Curtis briefed the committee on hotline improvements, investigative tools and staffing additions, and said the office seeks an Association of Inspectors General peer review by December 2025.",{"_32":99,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":100,"_40":101,"_42":102,"_44":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6458229,"Richmond city auditor reports 72 recommendations, $10.8 million in financial exceptions in FY25",959,2952000,3911000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90&start=2952&end=3911","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90/thumbnail_2952000.jpg","/articles/6458229/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-city-auditor-reports-72-recommendations-108-million-in-financial-exceptions-in-FY25","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458229-2273a0d998523e5bab882bdaf52eba90/orig.mp4?Expires=1769654791&Signature=bnVadHrcqgtf7Zm23SBz0-mE4axiSIpVNELb~qVd6OLMozSi-exreynDL3VXQ5UZ6s58Cee6gRUgZE12c-vu-cdGsTYba0BuJmumlya6-wuFFedDYwFeDcZpmLE0iQpNw9sqA0ixVjUgvaEDFMHFh5w3Ru1WMyPgDmqJwnRdpjTVSSh0OCCdq7vynvrMqanRUBCBzqtBx8OoZWBPOuqkW961IcpmqzOWdJxGKUaggBZ6fCEdkuctPQoTNaE~okuxayB3gdmRktqghzeq-oaPF0ZX75oVxsEQFVS9~yOyKoLBBvUjfiregZ0vuKSwLLHzwnryfbdcCXsDDtY46uzKVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richmond City Auditor Riyadh Ali presented the Office of the City Auditor’s annual update to the Government Operations Committee on Oct. 1, summarizing fiscal‑year 2025 work, audit types and follow‑up activity.

Ali said his office issued 11 reports in FY25 — six audits, four recommendation follow‑up reports and one special project — and made 72 recommendations to city management. He told the committee 68 recommendations were agreed to and four were partially agreed; 49 of the recommendations were classified as high priority. The auditor said staff verified implementation of 59 recommendations and the city reported recovering $228,000 in FY25 from prior audits.

Ali described the office’s role under city code, including development of an annual audit plan approved by the audit committee, and said audits follow Government Auditing Standards (the “Yellow Book”) and include fraud‑risk assessments and procedures. He said fiscal‑year reports identified financial exceptions totaling roughly $10.8 million, of which about $6 million was referred to the Office of the Inspector General for further investigation. The auditor said the city closed a number of recommendations tied to warehouse operations, waste and streetlight contract issues; the city ended a vendor contract tied to the streetlight audit.

On staffing, Ali said the OCA has a professional audit team with certifications (CPAs, CIAs, CFE, CISA) and that the office had vacancies: two senior auditor positions and a manager position that he said were in active recruitment. He reported his office passed a peer review by the Association of Local Government Auditors with no findings.

In response to committee questions, Ali acknowledged it is difficult to directly convert audit recommendations into an annualized budget savings figure and said the office will keep trying to include annualized estimates where feasible. He also said the office is working with administration on tools and a dashboard to improve monitoring and live reporting of open recommendations.

Ending: Committee members praised the audit office’s work and asked the auditor to continue improving tracking and to include more detail where possible on the budgetary impact of audit recoveries and recommendation implementation.","City Auditor Riyadh Ali told the Government Operations Committee his office issued 11 reports in FY25, made 72 recommendations (49 high priority), identified about $10.8 million in financial exceptions and referred roughly $6 million to the Office of the Inspector General.",{"_32":111,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":112,"_40":113,"_42":114,"_44":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6458215,"Committee forwards $100 million Virginia DEQ wastewater grant for Canoe Run storage tank to full council",162,8825000,8987000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90&start=8825&end=8987","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5823171-4c1d279ffd9458665faa162c47eb8c90/thumbnail_8825000.jpg","/articles/6458215/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Committee-forwards-100-million-Virginia-DEQ-wastewater-grant-for-Canoe-Run-storage-tank-to-full-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6458215-de29bfc2f36701f89e2b8b73b816f8e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1769654791&Signature=Kk9vyci8mjW3Bp4HLq7h7-K2YfIfWQqhPvB2kn9LAEiBp8O9MC8yUmNTdBA99~mu7MxgdAVkjWrrB8Cl7FkWsuhs6x7kbUAY0SvKRRRQPp2CTEKoIAeGMyDtRyeSCnf1JUbhPI9y4Pd1MdPhlrp3QzuTDqhtTv~mwMrYjwzB7XBb50Yv4C8j~wRqQcW4DXK7eYdj4DKkMrW86lv5XkS6svlyA0sL-CR34I0BnveJy7bK8hLnEzuo8Drj7r3F9phe1Li7LYMHf23GYl9CF86qDXzKnEpHe-2MzkUcnoL8d1n~3QzEOCqxGG6cZBdz1ebTXd-0sYAHW1oinlUwfKWDSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Government Operations Committee voted on Oct. 1 to forward to full council an ordinance authorizing the chief administrative officer to accept $100 million from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for the Canoe Run Park Storage Tank Project and to appropriate the funds into the FY25‑26 wastewater utility budget.

Madam Clerk read Ordinance 2025‑223 into the record; the measure authorizes acceptance of the grant and increases estimated wastewater receipts and appropriations by $100,000,000 for the Canoe Run storage tank project. No public speakers signed up in opposition or support during the committee hearing; committee members moved the measure to the full council with a recommendation to approve.

The committee recorded the motion to forward the ordinance; the measure will proceed to the full council for final approval and appropriation action.

Ending: The committee approved forwarding Ordinance 2025‑223 to the full council with recommendation to approve.","The Government Operations Committee voted to forward an ordinance that authorizes acceptance of $100 million from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality into the wastewater utility budget to fund the Canoe Run Park Storage Tank Project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Richmond Public Works outlines operations, illegal-dumping crackdown and tree-plan timeline

Committee hears public support for FOIA library and administration requests more time to refine proposal

Richmond inspector general seeks peer review, highlights fraud investigations and staffing upgrades

Richmond city auditor reports 72 recommendations, $10.8 million in financial exceptions in FY25

Committee forwards $100 million Virginia DEQ wastewater grant for Canoe Run storage tank to full council