Committee advances council-staff appointment ordinance and design-build authorization for Canoe Run CSO; three board appointments approved

The Governmental Operations Standing Committee advanced two papers to the full council and approved a set of board and commission appointments.

Ordinance to change council staff appointment process: The committee voted to forward Ordinance 2025-136, which the committee described as amending city code related to classifications for council liaison, council policy analysts, council budget analysts and council public relations specialists and to provide for appointment of those employees by the council chief of staff. The public hearing on the ordinance produced no in-chamber speakers. A committee member moved to advance the ordinance; the committee vote recorded Chair Jordan and Vice Chair Aberbacher voting “Aye.” The committee announced the motion was approved and the ordinance will proceed to the full council for consideration.

Canoe Run Park CSO storage tank (design-build authorization): The committee voted to forward Resolution 2025-R031, authorizing the use of the design-build procurement method for construction of the Canoe Run Park combined-sewer-overflow (CSO) storage tank project. Robert Stone, deputy director of public utilities, said the city is seeking to accelerate procurement because the Commonwealth appropriated $100 million for Richmond’s CSO program and the state requires timely obligation of funds. Stone described design-build as a two-step procurement that can accelerate schedule and offer earlier price clarity; procurement staff and the deputy director described the method as competitive and required to include price as a significant scoring factor. Public comment was closed with no speakers. A committee member moved to advance the paper; the recorded committee vote was Chair Jordan and Vice Chair Aberbacher “Aye.” The committee announced the motion was approved and the resolution will go to the full council.

Board and commission appointments: The committee approved a block of appointments and reappointments to multiple boards, including one audit-committee applicant and several applicants to the Clean City Commission and Sustainability & Resilience Commission. The committee voted in block; the recorded committee vote was Chair Jordan and Vice Chair Aberbacher “Aye.” The committee announced the motion was approved.

Procedural notes: Public hearings on both the ordinance and the design-build resolution produced no in-room speakers. Committee members asked administration staff to continue community outreach for the Canoe Run project and to notify residents about construction and engagement opportunities when details are available.

Recorded actions, motions and vote tallies are summarized below.