001Anyhow, we'll call this meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance and the invocation. I pledge allegiance to the flag 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. >> Roll call, please. Allen here, Lefor >> here, >> Mr. Avich, >> Ricks >> here, >> Schultz >> here, >> Warren >> here, >> Yelinich >> here. >> We need a motion to excuse uh Mike Mr. Avich from tonight's meeting being out of town. >> Make a motion. >> Support. >> Motion made in support. Any discussion? >> I'm sure much warmer
002weather. >> All in agreement with the motion say I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. We move on to uh approval of minutes for the regular meeting of February 16th. Is there a motion? >> I'll make the motion. >> Support. >> Motion been made and supported. Any discussion on those minutes? Being not. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. Moving on. Audience comments. Gentlemen are here. Uh you're on the agenda. Uh I'm sure there's probably nothing else you want to bring up tonight. Uh okay. So, we'll uh we'll move on to adoption of agenda. Mr. City Manager, any changes? >> No changes. >> Okay. City council, any changes? Motion to accept the agenda as presented be in order. >> I'll make the motion. >> Support. >> Motion made supported.
003Any discussion? >> All in favor of the motion signified by saying I. >> I. I. >> Against. Motion does pass. Do we have a motion for the consent agenda? >> Make a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Support. >> Most been made and supported. There is no discussion on the 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 this evening. We have six. The first one being consideration of special event request national day of prayer. Mr. City Manager. >> Council is scheduled to consider a request from the Richmond area pastors who recognize Thursday, May 7th, 2026 as the National Day of Prayer. In previous years, the city has recognized the National Day
004of Prayer by allowing the Richmond area pastors to publicly pray in front of city hall. Uh, Pastor Wise, who's here with us tonight, will be coordinating the event. And the Richmond Good Days Festival has once again agreed to provide a pizza lunchon immediately following. >> Pastor, >> yeah, this is uh I can't believe another year is uh already passed and we're preparing for May. It's always the first Thursday of May and it's here at 12:30. That'll be May 7th this year. Uh the theme, National Day of Prayer, it's nationwide, the theme is glorify God among the nations, seeking him in all generations. And then out of 1st Chronicles 16:24, the scripture uh verse that is the theme, tell of his glory among the nations, his wonderful deeds among all the peoples. So that is what
005we'll be doing. We involve pastors from uh the Richmond area. Uh we've included just down the road Lennox. There's been one of the pastors helps with that. So >> very good. >> Willing to do that again this year. Look forward to it. >> Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the proclamation recognizing Thursday, May 7th, 2026 as National Day of Prayer and to invite members of the public to pray beginning at 12:20 p.m. >> Supportment made and supported. Any discussion or questions? We appreciate you putting this together again for us. Been a few few years now and >> yes, >> hopefully you continue to >> absolutely >> stay here. >> Glad to be here. >> And it's 12:20. Good correction on that. I said 12:30, but 12:20. >>
006All right. >> All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. Motion does pass. >> We will see you, I'm sure, before, but if not, excuse me, we will see you on uh the National Day of Prayer. Um, item number two is consideration and confirmation of the fire chief. Mr. City Manager, >> council is scheduled to consider confirming the appointment of Rob Randell as fire chief for the city of Richmond. According to the city charter, the city council confirms the appointment of the fire chief who is selected by the fire department so long as it remains a volunteer department. Members of the Richmond Volunteer Fire Department held an election on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, and elected Rob Randall as the fire chief. >> Thank you, sir. Bob, do you think
007that? >> Yeah. No, it's been a um pretty crazy first year. Been uh exciting. I just I brought a couple stats up for you just to give council a quick brief. Uh so back in 2024 was one of our busier years. We had uh 569 calls. Well, this past year, 2025, we were up to 685 runs. So it was a quite a considerable increase in runs. And so far in 26, we're outpacing our 25 total. So, it's been a lot of uh strain and stress on the membership, but we've answered the call and we will continue to answer the call. Um, speaking of membership, uh just an update with council as of right as of today, we have 25 members, one active reserve and two trainees. There are a few new applicants that we're sorting
008through right now and uh setting up the interview with them to see if they're uh the right fit and able to do the job because it's not getting any easier. Um between training training requirements uh just like the call volume itself, the need from all the communities, it's uh it's been pretty busy, but uh excited to do it. Got a great group of guys, got a great command staff, and uh happy to answer the call. >> Very good. Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to confirm and appoint the appointment of Rob Reindell as fire chief for the city of Richmond in accordance with section 7.13 of the city of Richmond charter for one-year term commencing March 1st, 2026 expiring February 20 28, 2027. >> Supportment made and supported. Any discussion? Well, again, thank
009you for this past year, Rob. Uh sounds like you guys uh are getting busier and busier every year now. >> Tom, community is not getting any smaller evidently. >> Yeah. No, it's >> seeing more and more. >> Yeah. And this is not one particular type of call. It's just >> Yeah. >> overall the service and more demand on the service and uh >> Yeah. >> Um just quick note too, uh it should be by the end of this month both trucks will be back in service. The two new ones that the uh council had bought for the department. Uh the water truck we just certified that with the manufacturer had a 8 hour training last week. It's out getting its graphics put on now. So we're hoping by even by the end of the week
010and same with the rescue truck. It's just waiting to get the license sirens put on from the company and I'll keep you posted on that. But they're moving forward. So the welcome additions to our fleet. >> Very good. We got Nick here on the city council too. Uh Chief Three now. >> Yeah. and uh everybody else, you know, thank them on behalf of the community. >> Absolutely. >> For all their volunteerism there. >> Certainly appreciate it. You guys are second to none. There's no doubt about that. >> We appreciate councils and city manager support on all the things we do and ask for. So >> yeah, >> guys appreciate it. >> Very good. Okay. Did we vote on that? I lost myself. Yep. >> We did vote on it already. You >> on the motion?
011Okay. I didn't mark it down on my paper. I get lost there. Um, anything else? Okay. Thank you, Rob. >> All those in favor? >> We We didn't vote. >> You didn't vote. >> You did the Okay. >> You did the motion. Now >> All in favor of the motion signify by saying I >> I >> against motion does pass. I didn't think he had. I usually mark Mark it because I get lost in the conversation, you know. >> Okay. Uh, it's not my age, Rob. It has nothing to do with my age. Okay. uh consideration of special request for project graduation senior banners. Mr. City Manager, >> city council is scheduled to consider approving a request from Laura Freley and Emily Allen on behalf of the senior class parent committee to utilize the existing
012banner arms on the light poles to place banners supporting the class of 2026 students. Uh this tradition started with the class of 2020 when CO interfered with many of the events for that uh graduating class and has continued uh since then. Uh this year they are requesting uh a little bit earlier start uh and have the banners up from April 6th through May 29th. Uh we also always have a couple conditions on the request that the project graduation committee uh furnish the banners and necessary zip ties and that uh there's no guarantee on exact placement of the banners. >> Very good. Very good. Is there a motion? >> Anybody? I'll make a motion to approve the request to utilize the polls and uh banner arms from Division Road to the railroad tracks to place banner
013recognizing the students of the class of 2026 from April 6 through May 29th and to authorize DPW to install the banners with following conditions. That the project graduation will f will furnish the banners and all necessary zip ties. And there are no guarantees for exact placement of students on particular polls or like locations. >> Support must been made and support. Any discussion on this? >> I guess I have a question for Emily. Uh since you volunteer for this also um why the three weeks early? Is there any particular reason? >> That was um Laura suggested doing that. Okay. Um, mainly because when I spoke to John about filling out the application, he recommended to have them come down earlier. Like in years prior, they stayed up like into June, >> but a lot of parents
014want them for the graduation parties. So, we shortened it, but then yeah, we kind of to go kind of early. >> Going early, but leaving early also. Okay, makes sense. Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. We often start to get calls from parents saying, "Hey, can you take my >> my child's banner down?" Because our our we have an early graduation party and we usually take them all down at once. That's kind of, you know. >> Yeah. What happens since you have two people on one banner, two different people on one B? >> There's no They're single-sided banners. >> Oh, they are? >> Yeah. Oh, I thought I read that they were put >> There'll be two banners on each pole. There's two single that that's why we do the zip ties and why they're a little
015bit shorter than our banners because they actually don't go through the loop. They're just zip tied at the top and bottom. >> I didn't realize that. I thought they were one banner with two faces on it. Okay. >> Didn't know that. See, day shouldn't go by. You don't learn something, right? >> Okay. Anything else on this? >> All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Motion does pass. Item number four is consideration of purchase agreement with the Methodist Church parking lot. Mr. City Manager. Council's scheduled to consider approving a purchase agreement with the First United Methodist Church for half of their parking lot between the first between the fireh hall and the and the church. The city and church have a long history of cooperation uh with this parking lot.
016Uh but the parking lot is in very poor condition and the city of and church have been in discussions on how to fund the reconstruction of the parking lot. This past winter, the city and church came to an agreement that the city would fund the reconstruction of the entire parking lot in exchange for the church selling the city half of the parking lot for $1. And so uh this uh purchase agreement that's before you uh tonight's been back and forth between the city and the church several times. Uh it was approved uh at the uh church council meeting last Thursday. Uh once approved by council, I'll I'll sign it. Uh Glenn's already signed it and uh then I'll contact the attorney to have the uh title work and closing documents created. >> We uh our
017public service director has already begun work on the bid documents for the reconstruction. So uh we we can uh issue those shortly. >> Very good. Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to approve the purchase agreement with the First United Methodist Church selling the city half of the parking lot in exchange for $1 and the city repaving the parking lot and to authorize the city manager to sign the agreement on behalf of the city. >> Support most made and supported. Any discussion on this item? This is something we've been talking about as the city manager said for a number of years now. Um certainly the uh fire department is in need of more space also, but the church found itself in a position where the parking lot was falling apart and uh it was
018going to be quite an expense to the church. So um this this is a win-win for both of us. Uh and uh I'm glad to see that it finally uh uh came to a a decision at the at the church there. And um it's going to be nice. It also gives us that little bit of extra room that we might be able to put another uh uh what do I want to say? Another >> Extension. Yeah. Which was badly needed right now. So yeah, Dennis, >> I was just going to say and then the parking arrangements haven't changed. They'll still get to use the whole parking lot on Sundays and >> Yeah. >> same events. Uh everything will be the same. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Yeah. Anything else, council? Anything? Either one of you gentlemen
019have anything? No. Okay. Back to the table. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Against. Motion does pass. >> Item number five is consideration of establishing budget workshop meeting dates. Mr. City Manager. Council being requested to consider scheduling approximately three to four budget workshop meeting dates during the months of April and May to review and make necessary changes to the city manager's proposed budget. Recently, city council has tried to schedule the budget workshops for the council's second meeting in April and the two meetings in May. Um in the past, if those regular meeting dates didn't work, then the budget workshops were often scheduled on the uh off Mondays. Um if council wishes to continue uh with the scheduling of the budget workshops on the same manner, it would
020be April 20th, May 4th and May 18th. Uh but we have uh included the April and May calendar dates uh in your packet in case those dates don't work. >> Thank you. Uh is council ready to make a motion or would council like to uh drop our rules and have a conversation on this? have conversation. Just conversation just I have consensus. We'll drop our rules and we have an open conversation before a motion is had. >> Yep. Okay. Yeah, >> that's good for me, but I just want to make sure it's okay for everybody else. Those dates >> look good. >> Yeah, looks good to me. >> You're not in Jamaica, Schultz? >> Um, I'll send you a postcard. >> Okay. >> You can carry on with a meeting without >> you. You head down
021sometimes uh that time of year. Are you good with those three dates? >> Yep. >> Okay. >> And I know the city treasurer this was one of the few years that all lines up well with spring break and everything. So yeah, we're all good on our end too. >> Very good. Okay. Are we ready for a motion? >> Okay. I'll make a motion to schedule the following budget workshop meeting dates to review and modify the city manager's proposed fiscal year 2026 2027 city budget as necessary on April 20th 2026 May 4th 2026 and May 18th uh 2026 beginning at 5:30 p.m. >> support made and support. Any other discussion on this item? Being not all in favor of the motion signify by saying I >> against motion does pass. And uh just for the public
022those meetings are open to the public. Um the that is when a lot of discussion is had on where the city council and administration is going to recommend uh the uh tax monies uh coming into the city are going to work starting July 1st through the uh June 30th of of 27. Uh we're in 26 27 budget discussions here. So, uh, they are open to the public and, uh, at any time you want to, uh, have any questions on the future budget, uh, contact city hall here and I'm sure the city manager can, uh, find answers for you if not >> absolutely >> off the top of his head. So, um, given that, we move on. Item number six, consideration, special request, Grace Community Church, vacation Bible school. Council is scheduled to give consideration on
023a request from Grace Community Church to have a 20 by20 tent in conjunction with their vacation bible school from Monday July 27th through Friday July 31st. Uh the tent is being proposed along the Friday street right away or Friday street side of the property and will encroach into the rightway by approximate approximately six feet. Uh the church in the past has redirected this the sidewalk and walk walkway around that encroachment. Uh and we have not had any issues over the years. Uh the tent will be put up after services on Sunday, July 26th and taken down on Saturday, August 1st. Very good. Pastor, anything? >> Yes. Uh we're pleased to uh our congregation's having there more and more babies being born and uh this is a way for us to expand outside of the building.
024And so, uh, we just send out a, uh, a thankfulness to all of our neighbors that, uh, have put up with our our parking and we are continuing to grow. And, uh, for the foreseeable future, we'll be meeting at the Richmond High School auditorium, which will alleviate much of the on this Sunday traffic for parking. We just didn't have enough parking and enough space. But this is for vacation Bible school. And so for our church building, our youth ministry, uh still meeting there, Bible studies, men's Bible studies, women's Bible studies, um if we have funerals, weddings, our church life, you know, can still function from Forest and Friday, but it just allows us on Sundays to grow and then uh we'll see how many uh children and young people come for our vacation Bible school.
025But that tent does help us to have a little more room outside of the building. >> Very good. Very good. Is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion to approve the special event application for a tent in conjunction with Grace Community Church's vacation Bible school from July 27th through July 31st with the following request. 20x 20 tent encroaching into Friday Street right ofway. temporary fence adjacent to the tent along Friday street. >> Support most been made and support. Any discussion on this workfl >> How many years has this been? >> I think we did this for about three or four years before CO. >> Okay. >> Then CO came and that reshuffled the deck and we had to go back to Okay, now what are we going to do? And I think we've done
026it again since maybe 2022. >> Yeah. Okay. Maybe we we brought it back and yeah, I think I think I'm right on that. Maybe 2021, but I think 2022. >> Very good. >> So, >> all right. All in favor of the motion signify by saying I. >> I. >> Against. >> Motion does pass. We just want you to sit through an entire council meeting. You know, we have, you know, we have to sit through your national day of prayer, you know. So, we just want you to go through the whole council meeting today. You know, I saw that. I said, "John, are you sure you want to do that that way?" I said >> that's fair. That's good. You You got me for company for the whole night. >> There you go. Thank you. >>
027Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Miscellaneous matters from the city manager. Sir, >> uh just before you tonight, I did lay out some additional information uh for the uh solid waste amendment to the county solid waste plan. just so you have time to review it before the next meeting. If you have questions on any of that information, even prior to the getting the background brief next time, please feel free to reach out to me. >> Yeah, appreciate that, John. >> Okay, we move on to council comments. Dennis, >> nothing tonight. >> Jimmy, >> nothing tonight. Mayor >> Jim, >> nothing. Thank you. >> John, >> nothing. Nick, >> all set. >> Let's go to the calendar. Um, today is the first Monday of March, March 2nd. We uh will be changing uh the uh clocks this
028coming Sunday, the 8th. Uh also, our fire department reminds you to change your smoke detector batteries. Uh on the 9th, that's a week from tonight, the library board will be meeting at the library at 5:30 for their monthly meeting. Cable commission will be meeting here at city hall. On the 10th, the planning commission uh is having the meeting on uh the 12th at 7 o'clock right here at city hall. And two weeks from this evening will be our next regular city council meeting. Um March 28th, that is on a Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2 at the Lois Wgner Memorial Library meeting room is the jigsaw puzzle sale. and they have tons of these uh puzzles. It's uh donations will be accepted uh also during normal hours of the operation. It's sponsored by the friends
029of the library and um it's a it's an annual uh mad dash there for those puzzles. They've got some really good puzzles there. Uh city of Richmond uh recreation department on behalf of the city will be hosting the Easter egg scramble. Uh, it's our annual. It will be held on Saturday, March 28th. It will be at BB Park off of Festival Drive. It will begin at 10:30 sharp. Um, there'll be age groups 3 to 4, 5 to 6, and 7 to 10. Bring your own basket and bag. Now, that is uh that is going to again be on Saturday, March 28th. We uh have an ongoing seniors let's talk coffee and conversation at the odd. It uh is on Wednesdays um first and third and third Wednesdays of the month and that's at the odd
030starting at 900 a.m. from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. I happened to stop there and had a coffee and a donut. It was pretty good uh last week. Paul walking with the uh Richmond Recreation Department is held uh again annually at the Richmond Lee Elementary. It's held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 6 to 8. There is a $1 charge. Uh and you can walk for two hours there for a buck. Senior Expo Funday trip, uh that's going to be this Thursday. Um I don't know if there's any spots is that that's current. So there are only two spots left. Um they will uh be going down I believe is it uh where are we here? The partnership with Smart Bus. Uh they'll be transported from the Odd to the Italian American Cultural Society and
031Banquet Center. I think that's in Warren. >> I think so. >> Is it seems so? >> I believe it's down there. Um there's no charge for this. Uh you can make a donation uh to the smart bus if you care to. Uh there are only uh 12 spots open. Uh this is uh hopefully the beginning of senior uh trips. Uh we'll see how this one goes and we'll go from there. See what we can do. Uh any questions on that? You can call the odd at 586-4304950. And uh if there's not an answer there, you can call the recreation center at 7273064. Talk to Margot. Uh is there anything else that we should be uh putting on the calendar at this time? If not, we'll move on. There is no closed session. Is there any
032other business of this city council this evening? If not, uh somebody needs to make an adjournment motion since Mike's gone. >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Support. >> Motion's been made in support. There's no discussion according to our rules. All in favor say I. I. >> Against. Motion does pass. Thanks for being with us. Heat. Hey, Heat.