001All right, I'll call this meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge and and the invocation following. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag >> [clears throat] >> of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Dear God, please bless our elected officials. Grant them the wisdom to know and the courage to do what is right for all citizens. Amen. >> Amen. >> [clears throat] >> Roll call, please. >> Allen? Here. LaFour? >> Here. >> Mr. Rabich? >> Here. >> Ricks? >> Here. >> Schultz? >> Here. >> Warren? >> Here. >> Yovanovich? >> Here. >> Good to see everybody here tonight. We just came out of our budget workshop and we'll be going back into it after the
002this meeting is over with. Always open to the public. Approval of the city council minutes from May 18th. Motion will be in order. >> I'll make the motion. >> Support. >> Motion been made and supported. Is there any discussion on those minutes? Being not, all in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against? Motion does pass. We also need the approval of the budget meeting minutes from the same date. Is there a motion? >> I'll make that motion. >> Support. >> Motion been made and supported. Any discussion on the motion or the minutes? Being not, all in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against? Motion does pass. We want to move on to audience comments and any non-agenda items. We ask that you come to the
003podium, state your name and address to the clerk. >> [snorts] >> Good evening, everyone. My name is Drew DiGiovanni. Um I come here with Priority Waste. Um just to introduce myself, I've been with Priority Waste for a little over 2 and 1/2 years now. Um I started in the company as a logistics driver coordinator. Um if you guys aren't familiar with that program, those are the individuals that are in communication with the drivers every day throughout the community during your service. Um from that point, I did move on to the new role now, um which is the municipal account manager, one of the municipal account managers for Priority Waste. Uh so, I'm here to talk about some of the service issues that you guys and the residents have been experiencing. Um I don't want to
004take too much of your time, so I did type up an acknowledgement letter just to read off to you guys real quick. All right, so first and foremost, I want to acknowledge the service issues and delays that many residents in the community have experienced. We understand the frustration these challenges have caused, and we recognize that the level of service provided has not consistently met the standards that you rightfully expect and deserve. For that, I sincerely apologize. Please know that we are committed to correcting these issues. We have been actively working with our management team to identify the root causes of these service disruptions, implement meaningful improvements. In addition, we recognize the importance of communication in our focus on providing more timely, transparent, and effective updates whenever service challenges arise. Looking ahead, our goal is not
005only to address current concerns, but to create a better overall experience for the community. This includes strengthening our maintenance staff, investing in improved equipment, enhancing our operational process, and ensuring we have the resources necessary to deliver reliable service on a consistent basis. We understand that our responsibility is to fill the terms of our contract while providing the level of service that reflects the expectations of this community. We take that responsibility seriously and dedicated to earning back your confidence through our actions and continued improvements. I appreciate your time and patience and the opportunity to address these concerns. And at this time I feel that it's deserving for you guys to have the floor to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. >> City Council, do you have any questions? I think basically you, you
006know, you've already stated it. We have a grave concern, you know, for >> Absolutely. >> the type of service that we've been getting. I still think we made the right choice when given the choice. The services that you will be rendering to us on a weekly basis were not going to be given to the inhabitants of our community. It was going to be quite a difference in the service that we were going to get from our previous account compared to yours. And we felt at that time, we still I believe feel that way that, you know, you're going to get yourself together here and you're going to give us the good service that we expect. >> Absolutely. >> So, that's why we will continue to work with you and our city manager has kept us
007informed on a regular basis on what's going on. We we completely understand and we represent the people in this town. And some of us have had our garbage out there for 2 days. And we're not happy about that, but we understand you're having issues that maybe you didn't know about when you your company purchased that that company with the the inability of the vehicles to even get around our community in 1 day. >> Right. >> So, we're hoping that we've seen some changes at the top in your company. We're hoping there's some money being infused from what we were told. >> Absolutely. >> equipment and we're hoping that that is sooner than later that we can get back to the good service that we were used to in our community. Um and uh you know,
008we wish you the best to get get us there sooner than later. >> I appreciate that and I I I can attest I've I've been in communication with John. Um I take pride with communicating. I feel that you guys and the residents of course deserve that. Um especially if there's any sort of delay within service, you guys need to know. You know, you transparency is key and you guys deserve that. You deserve um exceptional service and it's my goal to get to that point. So, I again I appreciate you guys' time um and I look forward to making these changes. >> We thank you for being here tonight. >> Thank you, absolutely. >> Yeah. Um and I'd just like to make a statement, I think no one's more frustrated than than council and myself on
009on the service issues that we're having. Uh and I've been very transparent with Drew on on my concerns. Uh I will say uh Drew came on as our kind of our municipal rep a couple months ago, I I think. >> Yeah, I'm fairly new in this role, so this this is one of my first council uh meetings. So, you guys are the lucky ones. >> I will say his communication and his you know, he's been texting me at 9:00 at night, you know, and and taking phone calls from me at 9:00 at night. Uh and starting again the next morning at 7:30. Um and some of those have not been pleasant calls, but he's picked up the phone uh and so the communication has has improved and and I thank Drew for that. Um we
010still have you know, clearly uh service issues that we're working through and um I would say that uh Drew's previous role as one of those uh >> logistic driver coordinators >> Thank you. We used to call them route managers, but now it's that that title. Um gives him advantage that uh previous uh municipal rep didn't always kind of fully comprehend that part of the job. I think Drew having that experience has helped him kind of explain to me what's actually happening versus when you know it's hard being that middle person. Uh so I do appreciate Drew keeping that line of communication. Do I think we're having service issues 100%? And And again, we're all frustrated. I know Drew's frustrated. Um but uh as you may have mentioned, Mayor WM was going to be changing their
011service model. Uh I have explained that to several residents when they've called, "Why can't we go back?" It's like the service you were going to be getting from them is not the service that you're getting uh as far as like what you can put out to the curb, the cost of that, those sorts of things. So um sometimes when residents hear that, they do acknowledge that you know, okay, I understand why you made that move. Other times they don't, you know. Just they're frustrated, I'm frustrated as as council. So >> it's keeping that line of communication. That's why uh when we had the issue last week, I said, "Hey, I need you at the council meeting. You can come." And I appreciate Drew coming tonight. >> Yeah. >> And just to piggyback off of John's
012comments, um that's one of the main reasons why I'm so excited to see the changes that the community deserves to see. Um that stems from the change in leadership, the change in management. That's one of the reasons why they brought me on this team is because I have that logistic experience um within being a coordinator. So I'm familiar with that 3rd Eye system we use. I understand the expectations that you guys rightfully expect. Um and again, it's my goal to get us there. >> Yeah. Very good. Very good. Well, we appreciate your time and efforts out here uh on behalf of uh our community, too. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Everybody have a good night. >> See you. Anybody else like to address council at this time? No, you're >>
013[laughter] >> I see. Wendy's. Okay, I see. Yeah, there we go. >> That one's going to be on the agenda. >> Yeah, yeah. >> [laughter] >> Okay, we move on. Uh adopt agenda, Mr. City Manager, any changes? >> Yes, I have one tonight. I did uh email it out earlier and I laid it on the table tonight. Um a special event request for a mobile food vendor from Wendy's uh for a event they're having Monday, June 15th. >> Council, any changes? Most next uh to amend the agenda to include number four. >> I'll make that motion. >> Support. >> Any discussion? All in favor of the motion, signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against? Motion does pass. We have a new agenda. Uh do we have a motion for the consent agenda? >> Make
014a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Support. >> Motion has been made and supported. There is no discussion on the consent agenda motion according to our rules. All in favor of the motion, signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against? Motion does pass. We move on to items for consideration. We have four. The first one being consideration of an introduction and first reading text amendment 156-36 uh section 1802 site plan review. Mr. City Manager. >> Council is scheduled to consider giving introduction and first reading of ordinance 156-35, which amends the site plan review uh requirement section of the zoning ordinance to adjust how temporary, special event, and other uses are reviewed by the city. Uh the planning commission from time to time will look at sections of the zoning ordinance uh that
015may haven't been looked at in some time. Uh most recently they reviewed the site plan review section of the zoning ordinance. And during that review, it was discovered that the zoning ordinance currently requires all temporary special event and other uses to be reviewed by the planning commission as a site plan review. Um that hasn't been how we've been doing it. I think what we found over the years that it was problematic. People would come forward with a special event and they would miss the time deadline because planning commission only meets once a month. And so we began reviewing some of those things that were only held on private property administratively. I think everyone signed off on that. We just never went back and changed the ordinance. We did meet with they held a public hearing
016on this. What we're doing is for those events that truly occur entirely on private property like Moer Fest. Some of the events that Vans Tires has done. Those were are typically in under this new ordinance would be allowed to be reviewed administratively. As always any special event that does utilize public property whether it's parking or the closure of a a street the use of a park those do come to city council. Under the charter of the council has the right to make determination on public property. But this kind of changes the ordinance to more accurately follow how we've been handling these things. So any outdoor special event you know like the tent sale that is occurring right now down at TSC those sorts of things are typically reviewed by the planner. He'll get other department
017directors involved if he needs to but making them go through planning commission even the planning commission felt was unnecessary that it could be held administratively. >> Thank you. Troy anything to add to that? >> Uh no, I >> Pretty much covered it, didn't he? >> John covered it. >> He's on a roll. >> There is a typo in the first uh paragraph, but the motion is correct. >> Very good. Do we have a motion? >> I'll make a motion to introduce and give first read of ordinance uh 156-36 which amends section 18.02 site plan review required to adjust how temporary special event and other uses are reviewed by the city. >> Support. >> Motion made and supported. Is there any discussion on this item? >> The only thing that I would ask since we are
018changing this is that council's made aware of it. >> Uh I'm sure. >> You know, upon >> Any Any special events that come >> combination. Just a FYI if you could on your month uh your weekly, you know, or whatever you you know, however you'd like to do it, John. Just so that if there is something that somebody has heard, they can give you what they've heard in the community. >> Absolutely. >> You know, if it's not something real positive or so. >> Yeah. And I can change the wording I use in the weekly update. If something comes in that it's able to be done through the weekly update, I'll probably do that, but I'll make note that this was reviewed administratively. Uh if it's something that kind of is you know, not going to
019be in time for a weekly update or I'll I'll I think you need I'll I'll do it in email. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Yeah. So we know what's going on. Any other discussion on this item? >> [cough] >> Any public comment on this item? Back to the table. All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Against? Motion does pass. Item number two, consideration of approving assessing contract, Mr. City Manager. >> Council is scheduled to consider approving a proposed contract extension with assessment administration services to provide assessing services to the city of Richmond. Uh the city has contracted with AAS to provide services assessing services since August of 2023. Um this switch was made when uh the previous uh assessor retired. Uh originally we had Mitchell Elrod uh assigned to
020us and now we have Andrew Yankee uh assigned to us. Uh the three-year contract that we originally signed is coming up in August and so uh they provided us with an extension. Uh Andrew's been doing a good job with both uh residents uh coming to council when he needs to on like the budget uh explaining the Headlee Amendment. Um and then uh also with the board of review. Um and and so uh our recommendation is to approve the the four-year contract extension. >> Thank you. >> Or I'm sorry, three-year >> Three years. >> Is there [clears throat] a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the proposed three-year contract extension with Assessment Administration Services LLC in the amount of $33,096 with 4% increases annually. >> Support. >> Motion's been uh made and supported. Is
021there any discussion on this item? You know, good review by our uh chief administrator there. So sounds good. They've done a good job. >> Yeah. >> Very good. Any audience comments on this item? Back to the table. All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Against? Motion does pass. Item number three is consideration approving smart community credit. Mr. City Manager. >> Council is scheduled to consider adopting resolution number 2026-10, which will approve the smart municipal credit and community credit contracts for fiscal year '27. Uh as we've done in the past, we take the smart funds and turn them over directly to Richmond Lennox EMS. Um He was here at our last budget workshop and these are all pretty much the same. I think there's a slight increase this year. We're
022getting $5,501 in municipal credits and another $15,632 $32 in community credits which will be turned over to Richmond Lennox EMS as payment for their community transit services. >> Thank you, sir. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to adopt resolution number 2026-10 which approves the smart municipal credit and community credit contract for fiscal year 2027 and agreed to the transfer of the amounts of $5,501 in municipal credits and $15,632 in community credits to the Richmond Lennox EMS in payment for their community transit service. >> Support. >> Motion made and supported. Any >> discussion on this? >> Of course, what a great service it is. >> Um They've done a great job. It gets better. Every year it seems like he tries to add some type of service to smart. So, um it is
023good to see. Um I don't know how we lived without it before. Um but he certainly moves people around that need the help and uh and those that don't necessarily need the help that get uh rides to doctors and and uh even the airport. >> Um >> A lot of us that are getting a little bit older, we don't want to drive down 94 to the airport anymore. So, it's a great service um that it that uh they provide over there for us. >> Well, anything else from the council? Any audience comments on this? Back to the table. All in favor of the motion, signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against? Motion does pass. Item number four on our amended motion is the Wendy's request. Mr. City Manager? >> City Council scheduled to consider
024a special event request for a mobile food vendor from Wendy's in Richmond to have a mobile food vendor, Cloud Candy, on-site on Monday, June 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Uh today uh at the counter I had uh the Wendy's manager, Rachel Cain, stop in to find out um what was required to have uh a food truck uh for their event in 2 weeks. And I mentioned that uh you need Council approval. So, uh she was unaware of that and uh got me all the paperwork uh this afternoon. Uh they are doing a promotional tie-in with Minions, uh if you know uh Minions and Monsters, which is a new movie coming out, and they were hoping to have uh cotton candy, snow cone uh uh uh carnival trailer there uh to give out blue
025and yellow snow cones and cotton candies to the cotton candy to the kids. Um and uh Rachel is here to um talk about her event. >> First of all, thank you guys all so much for having me. This is my first time in anything like this, and this is amazingly awesome. Um we are having a Minions and Monsters promotion. It's going to run for about 2 weeks. Um we have adult bags with um like souvenirs and stuff for the adults, and we have kids meals with uh little Minion toys and stuff. Half of our staff is going to be dressed as Minions, and my sister has a cotton candy wagon. Cotton candy, pretzels, popcorn, snow cones, um and we were hoping to have her there for the blue and yellow cotton candy and the snow
026cones. So, can make it a little fun, a little sugary, a little sweet. >> Very good. Very good. Any questions? Council? Pretty straight forward. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the special event request for the mobile food vendor Cloud Candy for Wendy's for the Minions promotion on Monday, June 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. >> Support. >> Motion has been made and supported. Is there any discussion? Comments? >> I think it's fun about >> Sounds like fun, though. >> Yeah. >> That's good. >> It's going to be >> Okay. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against? Motion does pass. See how simple that was? >> You guys are amazing. >> [laughter] >> We shouldn't have made it hard on her, you know.
027Calls today, you know. City Manager calls me, is it okay to put it on the agenda? Yeah. >> We got the mulch in the ground already. They're going to make it nice and pretty. >> Well, good luck on your event there. Miscellaneous matters for the City Manager, sir. >> Uh it looks like the uh Gratiot Avenue project will actually begin next week. Uh so, they're >> I saw I saw a bulldozer or something down there. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think at least as of today they were more looking at next week um with the mail and everything. Uh and then just a reminder, I will be off this Friday. >> Thank you, sir. Uh moving on to council comments. Michael? >> Uh nothing today. Thank you. >> Nothing. >> Jimmy? >> Nothing tonight. >> Yeah.
028>> I Yeah, surprise, surprise. I want to say thank you to the city for all their help with the project graduation event, the all-night party, but also um the DPW. So, many parts of the city. Um DPW for putting up the banners, taking the banners down. Um John for listening to me and answering all my calls and questions. And then again, of course, the recreation, Lisa and Marco, they were wonderful with us helping us every step of the way. So, very grateful for our community. >> Yeah, very good. Very good. John? >> I'm all set. >> Dick? >> All set. >> Okay. Um we have some uh things to announce here from I think this is Parks and Rec. Is it Don? >> Uh yes. >> Uh adult mahjong every Thursday. That's a Is that
029some type of a card game or something? >> Yeah, it's becoming popular, yeah. >> Okay. Uh they are doing that at the Richmond Community Center on Festival Drive every Thursday beginning at 1:30. All are welcome. And it says you don't have to know how to play. I don't even know what it is, but sounds interesting. Any questions on 972-730-64? Uh we're going to have a tennis camp this year. It starts Monday, June 8th uh through June 11th and then again in August. Uh it's grade it's grade 6th through 4th uh in the morning and then uh grades 5th through 8th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Uh there is a cost. Uh the camp will be coached by the varsity tennis coach, uh Coach Kat. Um if you have a racket, bring it. If not,
030we have them to loan. This is going to be held at the Bailey Park tennis courts. Uh and again, any questions, 972-730-64. We also have a preschool sports sampler at the Odd. This is for ages 3 to 5. This is going to uh first session is June 16th through the 25th. The second session is [clears throat] August 4th through the 13th. This is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 in the morning till 11:15. There is a cost. Uh questions on this, uh 727-3064 or the Odd itself is 586-430-4950. We also have from Parks and Rec uh Sunshine and Kitties Camp at the Odd. Uh it says looking for some summer fun for your little one. Join us for a mini summer camp experience filled with crafts, games, activities, and spells. Sounds like fun. Uh this
031is for ages 4 to 5 years old. It's from 10:30 to 11:30 in the morning. There is a cost. Uh sessions are on July 7th and 9th and July 14th and 16th. Um kids will enjoy crafts, games, activities, and making new friends in a fun and welcoming environment. Again, questions uh Community Center 727-3064. We go to the calendar. Today being the first day of June already, we uh have the last day of school is a half day this Friday. Watch for the kids. They'll be out and about all summer long. The Richmond Little League will be holding the Blue Devil Invitational Tournament uh over at our park. Uh we wish them well on that. We have a Did you tell me we do have a BZA? >> Uh yes. Yep. >> Yes. Okay. So, uh
032Thursday the 11th starting at 7:00 will be a BZA meeting and immediately following that will be the normal uh Planning Commission meeting. And our first uh social district concert is going to be held a week from this Friday, the 12th. That's in the municipal parking lot between uh Menashe's and Who's in that building now? >> J Jason >> J Solsky, yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um and that uh that concert is going to be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the parking lot. That'd be in the front of the parking lot, so there's plenty of parking all over. And do we know who our first concert is? >> the Toby Keith tribute >> Toby Keith tribute. So, he's very popular. >> Yes. >> Um and this is a free concert. This was put on by
033our tax increment finance authority and the EDC, I believe, might be involved in it also. Um so, we're looking forward to that first concert. That is going to be the second Friday of the month and I believe the we have two more this year. >> Yes. >> And um they're not on the city calendar, but it would be the second Friday in July. >> the July isn't on the calendar, but the August is. The July was a late add because July is Air Margaritaville uh that became available uh and then August is Tom Petty, all all three tribute uh bands. >> Okay. >> But yep. >> Concert. >> So, it's something to look forward to uh the second Friday of June, July, and August. They have great concerts up in the social district there. Uh
034Don't forget the 14th of June is uh National Flag Day. Fly that flag. And 2 weeks from tonight is the next regularly scheduled city council meeting. And just a reminder, our Hometown Hero uh organization is going to have a uh get-together. I think it's called a hoedown. Uh that is going to be held on Saturday the 20th. That will be behind Commercial House uh in the parking lot uh behind Commercial House there on uh Monroe and Main. So, that's on the 20th from 5:00 to 10:00. Is there anything else we need to add to the calendar, Tony? >> Uh just one thing I forgot, Mr. Mayor. Uh the farm market starts this Thursday. >> Oh, okay. >> that starts 4:00 to 7:00 or thereabouts. >> Used to Used to be 4:00. >> Yeah, the the
035the city is uh has uh is now running that uh through our parks and recreation department. And uh they have a number of vendors already. >> Yes, they do. Yep, we're still working on on getting farmers uh to it, but we do have uh some food vendors and artisans and and yeah I think 14 vendors I believe for this this time out. >> Yeah good. And that that is held every Thursday at the municipal parking lot that we just talked about where the concerts are between Manassas and Jay Silk Screen on the north north end of Main Street. Again that's free to get in and there's many vendors there for people. Is there anything else? If not there is any other business of the city council during our regular meeting cuz we got a lot
036of business to go back in the workshop to talk about on the budget. If not motion to adjourn be in order. >> I'll make a motion to adjourn. >> Support. >> Motion's been made and supported there's no discussion. All in favor say aye. >> Aye. >> Against? Motion does pass. Thanks for being with us.