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City manager Shassa Curl outlines parks work, paramedic planning and digital improvements amid farewell remarks
Summary
Richmond city manager Shassa Curl reviewed completed and upcoming parks and library projects, said the city is exploring adding paramedics (ALS) to the fire department, and urged use of technology to streamline services as she acknowledged an uncertain departure date.
Shassa Curl, Richmonds city manager, told neighborhood council members on June 8 that the city has completed several long-running parks projects and is focused on refreshing community centers and opening a new library next year.
"We've really been trying to make significant improvements in the built environment," Curl said, listing recent work at Parkchester, Shields Reed and other community sites and saying the Homekeep project is slated to come online in September. She distributed a "Moving Richmond Forward" packet and offered copies for neighborhood councils.
Curl also flagged two near-term policy and operational items for council consideration. She said the citys contract with Veolia (transcribed Violia) concludes in May next year and staff are preparing for that transition. She outlined a multi-part effort to examine whether Richmond can expand ambulance-level care by adding paramedics to the Richmond Fire Department: "we are looking at ... best practices in terms of funding" and upgrades to stations to accommodate ALS personnel and equipment, she said.
The manager said the city has hired a net of approximately 92 full-time equivalent positions during her tenure and emphasized investments in operations, a new chief innovation officer and technology to make services such as business licensing and permit processing faster and easier for residents.
Residents asked whether bike-lane planning considered emergency evacuation needs and criticized a perceived lack of outreach when plans changed. Curl said adopted council plans guide staff and that any substantive change requires direction from the city council; she encouraged residents to work with their council members and staff for follow-up meetings on specific corridors.
Attendance included sustained praise and farewells. Several speakers thanked Curl for her leadership and requested continuity with staff and community partners if she leaves; Curl said she has not set a firm departure date.
The manager left time for questions and offered to follow up offline on specific concerns, and staff offered contact information for additional copies of the packet and follow-up coordination with departments.
