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Richmond council approves budget amendment, nuisance-code changes and authorizes waterline project
Summary
At its May 27, 2025 meeting the Richmond City Council adopted a budget amendment and an update to the city's nuisance (weeds/high grass) code, authorized a contract for a waterline replacement with a tentative July 7 start, accepted a police training grant, approved fire engine repairs, contracted building boarding services, and adopted updated Community Development procedures.
Richmond— The Richmond City Council on May 27, 2025 adopted a fiscal-year budget amendment, approved changes to the municipal nuisance code governing weeds and high grass, and authorized contracts and expenditures related to waterline work, public-safety equipment and property maintenance.
Mayor Mike Wright called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and the council established a five-member quorum. City Administrator Tonya Willim told the council that FY26 budget preparations are underway, five-year and capital improvement plans have been distributed to department heads, and that a preconstruction meeting for the city's waterline replacement project had been held; staff and the city's engineering reviewer recommended formal authorization for contracts with VF Anderson Builders and the council approved the contract. Willim said work is tentatively scheduled to begin July 7, 2025, starting at State Highway T/S Camden and progressing north; resident notifications will be issued before construction begins.
On legislative business the council conducted first and second reading by title and then adopted Bill No. 25-11, amending Ordinance 2656 to reflect revisions to revenues and expenses for FY2024-25. The council also conducted readings and adopted Bill No. 25-12 to amend Chapter 220 (Weeds, High Grass or Other Vegetation) of the municipal code. Both ordinances were recorded as adopted on roll call votes of 5-0.
Councilors approved several administrative and public-safety items. The council authorized execution of the contract with VF Anderson Builders for the Watermain Replacement Project; accepted a FY2024 Local Law Enforcement Block Grant subaward totaling $8,103.22 to purchase advanced tactical training equipment and authorized the mayor to sign the subaward agreement; and approved additional repairs to Pumper 5 (a 1998 Freightliner) after staff reported a needed drive-shaft replacement in the pump gearbox, approving an additional $5,386.32 for a revised not-to-exceed repair amount of $23,982.00.
The council also approved a $4,989.05 contract with 1-800-BoardUp to secure a structure at 105 S. College / 122 W. Franklin that had been declared a dangerous building; the city will pay the cost from nuisance-control funds and file a lien against the property to recover expenses. Councilors asked staff to work with the contractor to minimize any visual impact facing downtown and the city attorney prepared a superseding addendum to the contract.
Finally, the council adopted Community Development Policy and Procedures 2025-01 through 2025-08, which formalize existing application processes for rezoning, variances, minor and final plats, conditional use permits, and vacating alleys/streets/utilities, and align the procedures with recent code updates approved on May 13, 2025.
Votes at a glance: Bill No. 25-11 (budget amendment) — adopted, recorded 5-0; Bill No. 25-12 (nuisance code amendment) — adopted, recorded 5-0; VF Anderson contract — approved, recorded 5-0; LLEBG subaward ($8,103.22) — accepted, recorded 5-0; Pumper 5 additional repairs (not to exceed $23,982.00) — approved, recorded 5-0; 1-800-BoardUp contract ($4,989.05) — approved, recorded 5-0; Community Development policies 2025-01 through 2025-08 — adopted, recorded 5-0.
The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
