[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6671693,"mediaKeyId","2154679-91c80fc18124eef6b03700f9a97cd1a3","parentId",2154679,"title","Interim CAO introduces new interim public utilities director as council addresses recent outages","audioSeconds",2552,"startMs",606000,"endMs",3158000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154679-91c80fc18124eef6b03700f9a97cd1a3&start=606&end=3158","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154679-91c80fc18124eef6b03700f9a97cd1a3/thumbnail_606000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671693/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Interim-CAO-introduces-new-interim-public-utilities-director-as-council-addresses-recent-outages","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671693-3c846075efccb8495cd0f5f250d16cd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166556&Signature=dB-WDd7T7KmnQAyVSaqU1Eem-8qBBhgjhiwEIWYQ57jGkT1hKvDTKEW9Nfmi~OUzmbKEMnOkMOzK4f-Y~SVRl1Ud77T6Zk1VOxb0kZADmuAMmQyRms7qN2cIDQqlDRGtplCs7vtUBe4pqpw6xEYcA1Yi-mUdN8FDWpIsEIUwZdHtYZk3mVEIu5ctAeeGt9~I6PliqMW70RTvfbrW~mQxLxtQsAHDiCbTU8Le4Kr3n-s06d6bvA8Tjfc4UDHsZL26mHF~XadE36gllV1SQEl1YPZHIR5wwEaFefdzkGbFFlAyp0AmSuwulwzygU~8XnUE6oFVS53yfN~YCLiDMmWOtA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richmond City","date","2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","article","Interim Chief Administrative Officer Sabrina Joy Hogg introduced Scott Morris as Richmond’s interim Public Utilities Director. Morris, who joined the city about two weeks earlier, said he was \"looking forward to working through the Department of Utilities and putting us on a path of excellence,\" after administrators noted his prior municipal and state environmental experience.

Council members praised the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for recent rapid responses to a gas main issue, a water main break, and other outages in several districts. Council Member Oppenbacher thanked DPU for restoring heat and service after a water-main event and noted the department’s communications efforts. Council Member Trammell and others relayed constituent calls about higher utility bills and said they were working with interim DPU leadership to get answers.

Deputy Director Diana Moore Clark told the council the administration received notice that the federal competitive grant program the city is applying to has been renamed and that the city’s amendment to Resolution 2025 R008 was a technical correction to match the notice of funding opportunity. Clark said the project—described in meeting materials as a local replacement project—remains eligible and that the same pool of federal funds remains available.

The council was also told the Public Utilities and Services Commission will meet Jan. 30 and will discuss the city\u0000s water crisis response and the commission\u0000s role; the council previously requested a third-party analysis of the water response from the firm HNTB, which had briefed a government-operations committee.

Ending: The council continues oversight of utility issues; interim leadership and a third-party review were presented as steps to restore service and public confidence while council members urged continued transparency on data and remediation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Richmond City - Richmond City Council Formal Meeting on 2025-01-27 6:00 PM - Jan 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Interim CAO Sabrina Joy Hogg introduced Scott Morris as interim Public Utilities Director; council members praised prompt DPU responses to recent outages and the city has an upcoming public utilities commission meeting and third-party HNTB review of the water response.","taxTitle","Richmond City (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",5755,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671700,"Residents urge Richmond council to revoke SUP for 615 Maple; raise concerns about VMFA site acquisitions",409,780000,1189000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154679-91c80fc18124eef6b03700f9a97cd1a3&start=780&end=1189","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154679-91c80fc18124eef6b03700f9a97cd1a3/thumbnail_780000.jpg","/articles/6671700/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Residents-urge-Richmond-council-to-revoke-SUP-for-615-Maple-raise-concerns-about-VMFA-site-acquisitions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671700-8e6b781c6388a89ed323b5f83464c0a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166556&Signature=bsPw-9cvI-rTjp1IWlwPjd9t0XtCJ-as3wwIhqFhmiKt9lfbZqebkg9Q1dTCXTunvnx86FNjbMop3x~RNPGwAGI-DeqiJlM7Blqs3L~uoxlYv6JEAZFAoKR~dFSoHmlTREQndAcpogc~6n0SE1lqaUg~oWU8b5qx04CVx0fmbI4b15FmL-TKjMZVlt6-kKGvoH4AFK-ZJs6~wpPOrZROO0nFwyru9DevOMY4p6~G~U30Xy1gJtfXoqMc1QL6YK5LQfYR6bGQ6y93RL8TK8Qs1cQafewzQqu-4khqCXCqigxH2y2oHwCjszwhA1X2YbkE8UnjEFVakM5WoAC7VItCQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two public commenters told Richmond City Council the city should enforce existing zoning rules and consider revoking a special-use permit (SUP) ordinance related to a residential project, and they urged greater transparency in the permitting process.

Paige Pruitt said she lives at 614 Arley Street and asked the council to revoke Ordinance 2023-283, which she said derived from an SUP at 615 Maple. \"I'm here to ask city council to revoke ordinance 2023 dash 283,\" Pruitt said, and she told council members the ordinance’s Section 5(e) allows revocation. Pruitt told the council she and neighbors had new evidence from ongoing enforcement and consent processes, including an existing consent order and a second one pending. She alleged multiple violations, including an encroachment of 1.9 feet into the rear setback, an unreported height violation she estimated at 3 to 5 feet, and a fireplace and other encroachments. Pruitt also said survey documents submitted during permitting used planned values rather than measured as-built values and that multiple sealed reports were issued despite the alleged issues.

Thomas Courtney, representing neighborhood interests, asked the council to enforce earlier ordinances from 1976 and 1987 that he said limited a parcel in the Museum District to parking and landscaping for a commercial corner lot (now a school) and opposed construction of what he described as an \"industrial warehouse on residential land\" associated with the VMFA Foundation. Courtney said the foundation had acquired several residential parcels and that the project had been withheld from formal public notice. He asked the zoning and planning department to review the project and enforce applicable ordinances.

Why it matters: Both speakers framed the issues as long-standing protections of residential character and argued the city should use its code-enforcement and SUP-revocation authority where permittees failed to disclose accurate as-built conditions. Pruitt asked council to enlist the planning commission in the matter; council members responded that some items were in litigation and could not be discussed publicly from the dais.

Council reaction and next steps: The clerk and council noted the items raised in public comment and said staff from the administration and council offices would review submitted materials. The president noted that some items raised are subject to litigation, limiting public discussion from the podium. Pruitt said she expected the matter to return to planning commission review.

Ending: The council did not take any immediate action on the SUP revocation during the meeting; commenters were told staff would review and that litigation limited public deliberation from the council chamber.","Neighbors asked council to revoke Ordinance 2023-283 and to enforce zoning after alleged as-built and setback violations at 615 Maple; a second speaker asked the city to enforce older ordinances to prevent a VMFA-related warehouse on residential land in the Museum District.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671702,"Public speakers press Richmond council on homelessness; propose land remediation pilot for affordable housing",361,1157000,1518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154679-91c80fc18124eef6b03700f9a97cd1a3&start=1157&end=1518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154679-91c80fc18124eef6b03700f9a97cd1a3/thumbnail_1157000.jpg","/articles/6671702/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Public-speakers-press-Richmond-council-on-homelessness-propose-land-remediation-pilot-for-affordable-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671702-0ffc60b25bd0165d17c1b168f74d236c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166556&Signature=Lj5Y~XP5Y8AnnXrt3Ta9s2DUOni0xVNu-FbFKROHeezyfWEtOCzNSZJH0NMvTWfCCXjSeRm9GIWCr5TL1smmCzjdoerTO~zY-VMLs~hawr8IiSWOxX0zJWGPbifa5HibrkpV9gLTA9hSPvZh1OpeqWelI5vhIBDXQIQV5pCo4yMmWIZfEOh3a~wK5-9crljn~36m4xfKjDfbnzunASO8~8KDlPri-MHQ-~cErcngMn9gylMLdgcIKKtWvlUEKExeQwbpgYQBWdelhqRNnn85GP1PBdpkzTyYs6y2tWTsext7Z7-zuRGEv3J4yf5J92Az5GzqCDR~7bsTK9FhIHetZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the council's public-comment period to press for more action on homelessness and to propose a city pilot pairing land remediation with affordable housing.

Tony Johnson spoke on behalf of the city’s homeless population, describing recent cold-weather harms and asking the council to expand shelter capacity. \"When you leave out here tonight to go home to your homes, you'll probably on my way here, I pass 5 homeless people,\" Johnson said, adding reports that people experienced frostbite and that at least one person had died during the recent cold snap. He asked why hotels, underused city facilities or the Arthur Ashe Center were not being used to shelter people and urged more affordable housing and shelter capacity.

Monisha Hicks Whitaker proposed a two-phase community-centered initiative to address both environmental remediation and housing supply. She suggested the city designate underused, possibly contaminated parcels for a pilot program that would first remediate land using natural methods such as phytoremediation and then repurpose remediated lots for energy-efficient, affordable housing. \"I respectfully ask that the board consider launching a working group or feasibility study to explore this proposal,\" Hicks Whitaker said.

Why it matters: Speakers linked homelessness and vacant or underused land, framing remediation as a way to expand affordable housing and relieve shelter demand. Council staff and members acknowledged homelessness as an ongoing concern; one staff member present (city liaison) was invited to follow up with a speaker after the meeting to discuss existing homelessness strategies.

Council response and context: The president directed a staff member, Tracy DeSheshire, to follow up with Tony Johnson after his remarks. Several council members later referenced homelessness as part of district announcements and thanked local organizations and pastors who provide shelter services. Council members also highlighted related votes earlier in the meeting, notably the $500,000 appropriation for tenant legal representation, which advocates said could reduce evictions and downstream homelessness.

Ending: Speakers asked for concrete follow-up; the transcript records invitations for staff to meet with commenters and for the council to review feasibility for the remediation-and-housing pilot.","Public commenters urged the council to increase shelter capacity and affordable housing and proposed a two-phase pilot to remediate vacant contaminated land for sustainable affordable housing development.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671707,"Richmond City Council adopts consent agenda, funds legal aid and approves board appointments",433,1688000,2121000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2154679-91c80fc18124eef6b03700f9a97cd1a3&start=1688&end=2121","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2154679-91c80fc18124eef6b03700f9a97cd1a3/thumbnail_1688000.jpg","/articles/6671707/Richmond-City-Independent-City/Virginia/Richmond-City-Council-adopts-consent-agenda-funds-legal-aid-and-approves-board-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671707-e15ae642a21f82f80cbf6663de2dab93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166556&Signature=TpkcdMhsVJ7wPlnULSsDxqEsnsVPPMsU4fIe3U21WBaDVVsnUhU1g5F0loyEq353un0B4C9mnYIKSTNGupMFwg6~G9BW4ns3BpBMbDpYMsI1ZgVes4s9hPWqtHrvQxwqZqMJwEnJZppDrDUPItWRO~hQJ-3MWGX~IZbsmNOVtg7u15tpjInENrYVVmrC4mGkuCAzEXzjAPPykGxoXm3D380cZ7DNLEAaqELvlOSn8fm11VCpIguwcY-33vDFBbONQbLIVDy0OXlbk6r6CuJB7upvfK7VUuE8zh5cQAMsX0QwcidFqlY2BUYIY4zw4c42V47R~aewzr7ZZT8EHY8HAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richmond City Council on Jan. 27 adopted its consent agenda and several individual measures, including a $500,000 allocation to Central Virginia Legal Aid Society to provide attorneys for tenants facing eviction, an amended resolution supporting a federal infrastructure grant for a locally named replacement project and appointments to represent the city on the Greater Richmond Transit Company board.

The council voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda, which included multiple ordinances listed on the meeting packet and a resolution to fund tenant legal services. Martin Wegbrite of Central Virginia Legal Aid Society and the organization's executive director, Steve Dickinson, addressed the council in support of the legal-aid funding before the vote. Wegbrite told the council the funding will help “hundreds of families” remain stably housed and invited council members to observe eviction court to see how representation affects outcomes.

Why it matters: The $500,000 allocation is intended to supply attorneys for tenants in eviction proceedings in Richmond’s general district court, which city speakers and council members described as a frequent source of housing instability. The council’s action adds local funding to an ongoing policy effort by advocates to increase legal representation for low-income tenants.

Among other actions, the council approved a technical amendment and then adopted a resolution supporting the city’s application to a U.S. Department of Transportation competitive program whose name was recently changed by the federal government; administration staff described the amendment as a technical update to reflect the federal notice of funding opportunity. The council also expedited and approved a resolution removing two named directors from the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) board and appointing Nicole Jones and Sharon Ebert as two of the city’s directors through the 2025 shareholders meeting.

The meeting record shows council members voted in favor of routine procedural motions, including allowing Council Member Stephanie Lynch to participate remotely due to a medical condition. The clerk read the votes aloud for several motions; for the consent agenda and the individual measures the chair recorded unanimous “aye” votes.

What’s next: The adopted appropriation for tenant representation will be administered through the city’s normal contracting processes; council members who spoke in favor urged continued oversight and follow-up to ensure the funding meets demand. The city will proceed with the federal grant application under its revised program name and representational changes to GRTC take effect immediately and continue until the 2025 annual shareholders meeting.

Ending: Council members closed the public hearing on the consent agenda, completed minutes approvals for several January meetings and moved on to committee reports and local announcements.","Council members unanimously approved the consent agenda including a $500,000 allocation for tenant legal representation, amended a federal grant-support resolution for a local infrastructure project and appointed two city directors to the Greater Richmond Transit Company.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Interim CAO introduces new interim public utilities director as council addresses recent outages

Residents urge Richmond council to revoke SUP for 615 Maple; raise concerns about VMFA site acquisitions

Public speakers press Richmond council on homelessness; propose land remediation pilot for affordable housing

Richmond City Council adopts consent agenda, funds legal aid and approves board appointments