The Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee considered multiple ordinances and one resolution on March 1 and voted to forward each to City Council with a recommendation for approval.

Key papers forwarded (committee votes recorded in chambers):

- Items 2 and 3 (ordinance 20 25 0 27 and 20 25 0 28): Ordinances to accept $37,371,000 from the Virginia Transit Association and to authorize the CAO to execute a cooperation agreement for a free rides-to-work program were forwarded to council with a recommendation to approve (Vice Chair Jones: Aye; Chair Robertson: Aye).

- Items 5, 6, 9 and 10 (ordinance 20 25 0 30; 20 25 0 31; 20 25 0 42; 20 25 0 43): Four affordable housing-related ordinances — amendments and grant agreements to facilitate construction of affordable developments at specified addresses (Swansboro Place/2008 Hall Street and 2021 Decatur Street; Saint Elizabeth at 10314/11114 Queen Lane; 1903/1905 Sims Avenue; 809 Oliver Hill Way) — were forwarded as a block with recommendation to approve (Vice Chair Jones: Aye; Chair Robertson: Aye). Committee discussion summarized project sizes and funding; staff described unit counts, income targeting and total development costs.

- Item 4 (ordinance 20 25 0 29): An amendment to accept $150,000 from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and rename a parks special fund for Belle Meade Park Improvements (to cover design, permitting and park site updates) was forwarded with a recommendation to approve (Vice Chair Jones: Aye; Chair Robertson: Aye).

- Item 8 (ordinance 20 25 0 33): Authorization to accept $2,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to study downtown assets and the feasibility of a transfer station and courthouse site was forwarded with recommendation to approve (Vice Chair Jones: Aye; Chair Robertson: Aye).

- Item 11 (resolution 20 25 0 13): A resolution expressing Richmond’s concurrence with an inducement resolution adopted by the Henrico County EDA and approving issuance of revenue bonds not to exceed $15,000,000 for the benefit of Bon Secours/Mercy Health, including work at Richmond Community Hospital, was forwarded with a recommendation to approve (Vice Chair Jones: Aye; Chair Robertson: Aye).

Votes at the committee level were recorded by roll call on the dais and in each case the committee vote recorded in the transcript was two ayes (Vice Chair Jones and Chair Robertson); the clerk announced each motion as approved and the papers as forwarded to council.

Ending: Most items were noncontroversial in committee and will proceed to full City Council for final consideration.