Richmond City Council suspends rules to reconsider and adopts ordinance 2026‑003 after initial shortfall in votes

Richmond City Council clarified the outcome of an item on the consent agenda and adopted ordinance number 2026‑003 after an initial vote fell short of the required seven affirmative votes.

After the consent‑agenda roll call produced six affirmative votes for ordinance 2026‑003, the deputy clerk explained the ordinance required seven affirmative votes to pass. The city attorney advised that council rules allow a motion to reconsider but that only a prevailing party may move for reconsideration; because there was no prevailing side the council could first suspend that rule. Council therefore voted to waive rules and reconsider the paper. The motion to suspend rules and to reconsider passed, and the subsequent roll call produced sufficient affirmative votes to adopt the ordinance.

Earlier in the meeting the council approved board appointment recommendations and adopted the amended consent agenda. The council also voted to continue all budget ordinances (items 14–22) to a Monday, April 13 public hearing on council amendments.

Votes at a glance: - Appointments and reappointments (consent): adopted (voice/roll call). - Ordinance 2026‑003: initial vote 6 affirmative (failed for lack of seven); after suspension of rules and reconsideration, the ordinance was adopted (final roll call recorded as affirmative votes including President Newbill; exact final tally recorded in minutes). - Motion to continue budget papers to April 13: passed by roll call.

What happens next: Ordinance 2026‑003 is adopted; budget ordinances will be considered again on April 13 with another public hearing on council amendments.