Richmond City Council: City Services, Housing, and Community Voices in Focus (Week of May 9, 2025)
- Voice !t Staff
- May 9
- 3 min read
This week, Richmond City Council focused on the essentials—community services, infrastructure, and how to better serve our seniors, families, and neighbors in need. A series of committee meetings offered insight into where city leadership is heading—and why it matters to you.
🚰 Water Treatment Plant: A Work-in-Progress
Richmond is working hard to modernize its Water Treatment Plant — because clean water isn't something to take for granted.
Here’s what’s happening:
Done: Switched the plant to Summer Mode, added a backup power system, and planned for emergencies.
In Progress: Key procedures are due by June, with design work and construction coming later in 2025.
Upgrades Ahead: Filter system improvements are on the way, plus updates to safety plans and emergency manuals.
State Inspection Issues: Inspectors found leaks, broken meters, and missing safety features. Fixes are underway — with new meters coming in July and other repairs in progress.
Next Steps: The city is creating a Corrective Action Plan to address 12 major state-flagged issues and is still working on follow-ups from a 2022 EPA report.
Why it matters to you: This is about your drinking water. Richmond is tackling long-standing problems to make sure what comes out of your tap is safe, clean, and up to standard.
🧣 Older Adults Need More Support
A citywide assessment showed Richmond seniors are struggling with housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and loneliness. Despite over 900 services being available, many older adults don’t know about them or can't access them.
Actions underway include:
Expanding CNA training to grow the caregiving workforce.
Increasing food pantry availability in senior-heavy neighborhoods.
Boosting communication efforts with paper mailers.
Launching wellness check-in calls through the "Are You Okay?" program by the Richmond City Sheriff's Office, which makes weekly phone calls to check on isolated elders, report abuse, and connect people to resources.
Improving outreach with community resource fairs and annual surveys.
Why it matters to you: Whether it’s your parent, neighbor, or future-you, this is about building a city where aging doesn't mean falling through the cracks.
Need help or know a senior who does? Call the City Help Line at (804) 646-1082.
📚 Support for Newcomer High Schoolers
The Education and Human Services Committee recommended approving a grant-funded program that helps newcomer high school students adjust and thrive in Richmond Public Schools.
If passed by full Council, this initiative will give our young neighbors extra support — to help refugees settling in Richmond thrive by promoting school attendance and academic success.
Why it matters to you: Supporting these students helps families integrate into our community and keeps our schools strong and inclusive.
🏗️ Planning Commission: Affordable Housing, School Upgrades, and Vacating Old Lots
The Planning Commission had a packed meeting. Key highlights include:
Affordable Housing in Highland Park: Council is looking to transfer several city-owned lots to Eden Village of Richmond to build affordable homes.
Rebuilding Woodville Elementary: A new 72,000 sq. ft. building is in the works with updated drop-off lanes, trails, and stormwater protections — all while keeping the current school running.
Vacating Unused Land: Council is also clearing the way for development by vacating land no longer needed for public use in multiple neighborhoods.
Overall Planning Commission Direction: The Commission broadly recommended moving forward with projects that prioritize affordable housing, improve educational infrastructure, and repurpose underused land to better serve community needs.
Why it matters to you: These changes impact where people can live, how traffic flows, and where your kids might go to school. It’s also a big step in addressing housing costs and improving public infrastructure.
💵 Real Estate and Tax Talk
City Council debated a proposal to adjust the real estate tax rate — but the idea was ultimately withdrawn.
They’re hiring a communications firm to help explain future changes to assessments (and ease public confusion/frustration).
Why it matters to you: Property taxes shape city budgets and your wallet. Transparency and public education here = less surprise when the bill comes.
🔥 Fire & EMS: Fast and Busy
Interim Fire Chief Jeff Segal reported 5,222 EMS calls and nearly 300 fire incidents in the last quarter, with an average response time under 5 minutes. That’s fast.
Why it matters to you: When emergencies hit, speed saves lives. Continued investment in our first responders makes everyone safer.
💭 Final Thoughts
Staying tuned into City Council might not sound glamorous, but it's how potholes get filled, parks get built, and your neighbor’s kids get a better shot at life.
Richmond runs on meetings, and these meetings run our city.
Let’s stay informed, stay involved, and stay a little nosy — because when we pay attention, we get to speak up. And trust us, Richmond listens louder when we all voice it.
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