Council Skips Public Hearing

City Council advertised a public hearing but tried to stop a citizen from speaking.

July 9, 2013

VIA EMAIL TO:
Ms. Lou Brown Ali, Chief of Staff, lou.ali@richmondgov.com

The Honorable Mr. Baliles and Honorable City Council
City of Richmond
900 E. Broad St., Suite 200
Richmond, VA 23219 USA

Re: Public Hearings

Dear Mr. Baliles and Members of Council,

City Council advertised a notice that a public hearing on Ordinance 2013-109 would be held on June 10, 2013. A citizen attended the meeting to speak during the public hearing. After the meeting, I sent an inquiry to Council President Charles Samuels asking him if the hearing was held. I did not receive a response.

On July 8th 2013 Council approved minutes for the June 10th meeting. The minutes indicate that Council did not hold the public hearing as advertised. Council voted to amend and continue the ordinance and did not provide the citizen an opportunity to speak. Later in the meeting, the citizen attempted to speak during the public hearing on the consent agenda. Mr. Samuels attempted to stop him but he persisted and made his statement.

Your public notices state that “[i]nterested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so.” You should keep your commitment if the matter is still pending.

Sincerely yours,

Links: http://cityhallreview.com/2013/07/09/council-skips-public-hearing/

Copy: Better Government Richmond, Press

—– Forwarded Message —–

To: Charles Samuels <Charles.Samuels@richmondgov.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 9:48 AM
Subject: Samuels – Capel – 2013-109
Dear Mr. Samuels,

Was there a public hearing on ordinance 2013-109 at the June 10th council meeting?

Thank you,

—– Forwarded Message —–
From: “Capel, Jean V. – Interim City Clerk” <Jean.Capel@Richmondgov.com>

Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 9:12 AM
Subject: RE: Capel – 2013-109
Mr. Taylor,

Yes, it was advertised on Thursday, May 30th, in the Free Press and Saturday, June 1st, in the Richmond Times Dispatch.

Let me know if I may be of further assistance.

______________________________
Jean V. Capel, CMC
Interim City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk

City of Richmond

900 East Broad Street, Suite 200

Richmond, Virginia  23219

 

Office:  804/646-7955

Cell:  804/201-8648

Fax:  804/646-7736

Web:  www.richmondgov.com/cityclerk

 

 

Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:57 AM
To: Capel, Jean V. – Interim City Clerk
Subject: Capel – 2013-109

Dear Ms. Capel,

 

On May 28th ordinance 2013-109 was amended and continued to June 10th. Was a notice published for a June 10th public hearing on the amended ordinance?

 

Thank you,

 

 

 

64. Ord. No. 2013-109 (Patron: Mayor Jones) – To amend and reordain ch. 78, art. VII of the City Code by adding therein a new section numbered 78-210, concerning a voluntary retirement incentive program, to be effective Jul. 1, 2013, for the purposes of providing for (i) the alternate computation of benefits in connection therewith and (ii) a limited period during which qualified members of the Richmond Retirement System’s defined benefit and enhanced defined benefit plans shall be eligible to retire with a one-time incentive payment. (Amended and Continued to Monday, June 10, 2013)