City Preparing to Eliminate Friday Solid Waste Collection

For the past couple years the City has been reviewing ways to cut costs in the Division of Solid Waste, while enhancing resident services. A major change that will be implemented in July 9, 2012 is the elimination of Friday trash collection. Residents who currently have Friday pick-up will be placed in other week days. Beginning this week, bright green notification stickers will be placed on supercans alerting residents who are impacted of their new collection day.  Elderly and disabled residents who are registered for ‘backdoor’ service will continue to receive it. The Department of Public Works will conduct community outreach aimed at educating the public so the transition will run as smoothly as possible. Also, beginning                June 1, residents will be able to go to the City’s website and key in their address to find out their collection day. 

This change to a four day operation for the Division of Solid Waste will reduce the City’s collection routes from 113 to 90 collection routes, which will require fewer City employees and temporary workers. No lay-offs will occur as positions currently open will not be filled. In addition, during weeks in which a holiday falls on Monday, trash collection can be rescheduled for Friday without the City incurring overtime costs.  

Other cost saving measures include last year’s purchase of a new fleet of solid waste trucks.  The new vehicles are larger than the previous fleet and are able to compact more trash; which means they are on their routes longer because they do not need to be emptied as often.  Another plus is these trucks operate on compressed natural gas (CNG), which is not more expensive than diesel and is friendlier to the environment.  By operating the fleet four days a week instead of five, the wear and tear on the trucks will be better managed due to the division’s ability to conduct preventive maintenance each Friday.

The changes being introduced will help the City realize savings of nearly $250,000 dollars annually.

To learn more about City services and programs, please visit, www.RichmondGov.com.    

Mayor Partners With VCU & VUU Student Presidents In Asking Congress to Prevent College Loan Interest Rates From Doubling

Mayor Dwight C. Jones and Student Government Association (SGA) Presidents from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Monroe Park Campus and Virginia Union University (VUU) joined a conference call today that was hosted by President Barack Obama to encourage Congress to prevent college loan rates from doubling. During the national call, the President encouraged students and public officials to request Congressional action to prevent student loan rates from doubling for more than 7.4 million students, adding an average of $1000 to their debt. The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote on college interest loan rates on May 8. Students participating on the President's call were asked to spread the word by using social media and the hashtag #DontDoubleMyRate to encourage Congress to act.

"We need to do everything we can to put higher education within reach of every resident," said Mayor Jones. "Higher education cannot be a luxury that is obtainable by only a small few. Access to higher education is something that every family must be able to afford."

Kiara Lee, current VUU SGA President said, "Raising the current college loan interest rates means I have to pay back more money as I am seeking employment at the very beginning of my career. How can Virginia or our Nation compete internationally in science and math when students can't afford to go to school?"

Michael Evans, 2012-2013 VUU SGA President stated, "Raising college loan rates doesn't make sense, especially when I think of my situation coming from a large family. Rising tuition costs also puts families and students at a disadvantage, and accompanied with high interest rates may cause some not to attend institutions of higher learning."

Asif Bhavangri, current VCU Monroe Park Student Government Association President stated, "I couldn't agree more with what President Obama is doing. My parents came to this country from India with little to nothing in their pockets and have really engrained in our heads the value of what a good education can do for you in this country."

Jae Lee, 2012-2013 VCU Monroe Park SGA President said, "I think that the Obama administration is doing great work in helping lower our costs. With increases in work study and Pell Grants, President Obama is clearly on our side. I personally think that it is vital for us as students and residents of Richmond to be more informed on how we can both contact our legislatures and be more efficient with our personal income. Hopefully, we as students can do our part in voting to help lower our tuition and loan costs."

City Announces RVA Parks Mobile Phone Application

Mayor Dwight C. Jones has announced the launch of the city of Richmond’s first smart phone application. RVA Parks was launched during the ‘Get Healthy – Stay Healthy’ Health Expo at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Saturday, April 28. This easy to use application provides searchable information, maps and directions to city parks, playgrounds and community centers using the following search criteria: 

·         Athletic Fields

·         Baseball/Softball Fields

·         Basketball Courts

·         Community Centers

·         Lighted Areas

·         Playground Shelter or Park house

·         Restrooms

·         Swimming/Spray Pools

·         Tennis Courts

·         Tot Lots, and Walk/Exercise Trails

“This mobile app allows city residents and visitors alike to gain detailed information about our city’s great parks, facilities and amenities, while re-emphasizing the City’s efforts of developing new technologies to enhance our customers’ service experiences,” said Mayor Jones. “RVA Parks also provides walking and driving directions along with bus routes from each user’s current location which further enhances the experience.”

RVA Parks was created by the City’s Department of Information Technology following a review of smart phone usage to access city parks information on the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities website. The application can be used on Apple iPhones, Apple iPads and Android phones. The application is available for download in the Apple Store or in the Google Play Store.

RVA Parks also provides a new mobile medium to communicate with the City about the parks system. City residents can report issues using 3-1-1 and the Citizens’ Request systems, and now they can use RVA Parks as well. Residents now have the ability to provide parks and facilities feedback to the City and report concerns by taking a picture and sending it by email directly from their smart phone.

City Closes Richmond Juvenile Detention Center

Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced today that the city of Richmond will close the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center and place most operational staff on administrative leave until further notice. Richmond city youth requiring juvenile detention will be housed at neighboring facilities throughout the surrounding area.

The decision follows a series of mounting concerns related to staff and management shortcomings and allegations of criminal behavior. “After our last visit to the State Board of Juvenile Justice, I indicated that additional changes in management and operations would be forthcoming,” said Mayor Jones. “My determination at this time is that it would be in the best interest of the future operation of the Juvenile Detention Center if we voluntarily relinquish the license for at least one year while we work to reestablish the facility.”

The city of Richmond is expected to relinquish its license by close of business Friday, April 27, 2012. The relocation of residents began today. Parents and guardians have been notified of the status of the facility and relocation of the juveniles. Employees have been given notice and normal human resources procedures are being employed.

 “Relinquishing our license is an extraordinary measure, but one, in my estimation, that is the best approach for us to take at this time,” the Mayor said. “I feel strongly that if we had not taken this action, the State almost certainly would be looking at decertification of this facility. This is not an action that I take lightly or without grave deliberation. This is an action I’m taking to move us in the direction of having a facility that is properly run and well-managed.”

Richmond City Council was notified of the closure decision today during a previously scheduled budget work session.  

 “My primary focus has always been on what is in the best interest of the children,” Mayor Jones said. “My confidence in the management and operations of this facility has diminished to the point that I have no choice but to take this action.”

Mayor’s Task Force Closes Schools’ Budget Gap

~ Long-term issues to be addressed as work continues ~

The Mayor’s Schools Accountability and Efficiency Review Task Force today completed the first phase of its review of the Richmond Public Schools’ budget gap of $23.8 million, and closed the gap with recommendations that exempted teacher layoffs and focused on non-instructional efficiencies.

In its report the Task Force prioritized efficiencies in non-instructional programs and recommended several areas for managed competition. Some managed competition initiatives could take more than a year to implement, but will provide for long-term savings.

The recommendations include, in part:

 - Immediate hiring freeze to place the decision of filling each position subject to the review and approval by the Superintendent;

-  Reduction of 50 non-teacher positions across the school system, of which up to 27 are vacant;

  - Immediate in-house reform of transportation to reduce the number of routes and reduce overtime hours;

-  Engaging in a managed competition process for plant management services and security services;

- Elimination of the proposed employee bonus;

- Renegotiation of the ten largest vendor contracts;

 - Continued review of shared services and department consolidations with the City of   Richmond; and

- Audits of the procurement and transportation departments.

Also included in the recommendations was $500,000 for an Education Investment Fund endorsed by the Mayor.

The Task Force, co-chaired by James W. Dyke, Jr., and Eva Teig Hardy, was commissioned to review the schools’ spending and operations to identify efficiencies, potential consolidations with the city government, and other changes to management practices that could yield savings to the system. The Task Force then secured the services of the Robert Bobb Group and Alvarez and Marsal, and preliminary recommendations were presented last week.

The Task Force singled out two recommendations for added action through additional State or City funds. These items were:

-  A potential reduction of 25 instructional aides; and

- A potential elimination of General Fund support of summer school

These two items would have saved a total of $1.7 million, but the Task Force and the Mayor agreed that they would seek the additional funding to remove them from consideration.

“The recommendations that were brought forward today illustrate what can happen when fiscal issues are addressed with a sense of innovation and urgency. I’m pleased that we have a set of recommendations that should not affect any currently employed teacher or negatively impact classroom learning,” said Mayor Jones. “The Task Force and the Robert Bobb Group have worked quickly and decisively, and we are now preparing to present our recommendations to City Council.”

As part of the Task Force’s second phase, it will look at academic benchmarks, and ways to improve educational achievement and outcomes.

Full details of the Task Force’s work will be presented to City Council on Thursday, April 19, at 5 p.m.

Mayor Jones Announces New CEO for Richmond 2015

Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced today that the Board of Directors of Richmond 2015, the organization that will produce the 2015 Road World Cycling Championships, has appointed Wilson H. Flohr, Jr., as its Chief Executive Officer.

Richmond 2015 is Co-chaired by Mayor Jones and Thomas Farrell, the Chairman and CEO of Dominion Resources.

  

In making the announcement on behalf of the 2015 Board, Mayor Jones said, “Wilson’s experience as a tourism leader and business executive makes him ideally suited for this important role in our community.” “Wilson will bring the leadership and focus that we need as we prepare for Richmond to be on the international stage in 2015,” he added.

Mr. Farrell said, “Wilson has demonstrated his abilities in a similar role with Richmond Region 2007, where corporate and community financial support was critical for its success.”  He added that “Richmond 2015 will be an even larger event where major local and national sponsorships will be required.” “With studies showing a potential economic impact of $135 million, this will truly be a transformational event for our region and state.”

Mr. Flohr was formerly Vice President and General Manager of Kings Dominion for 15 years.  He was the CEO of Richmond Region 2007, heading the commemoration and celebration of the Richmond Region’s 400th anniversary.  This initiative produced seven major events including the first James River Adventure Games, and provided the funding for the National Folk Festival, which has become the Richmond Folk Festival.  Additional events included the African American Trail Blazers Awards program and the Godspeed Tall Ship Sail at the Intermediate Terminal.

Mr. Flohr will take over from Jack Berry, Executive Director of Venture Richmond, who served for the past six weeks as the Interim CEO during the organization phase.

Last month, the board engaged Medalist Sports, an Atlanta-based firm that produces the Tour of California, to manage the event.

Medalist Sports is an international sports management company with experience over the last 20 years planning, promoting and managing events such as the Tour DuPont, Goodwill games, Tour of China, USA Cycling Professional Championships, Amgen Tour of California, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s LIVESTRONG Challenge Series.

Benedetti & Farris, a local fundraising and events firm, has been retained to develop the fundraising plan, which will rely largely on national sponsorships and corporate contributions to fund the $25 million event.

Tim Miller, who developed and managed the former CapTech Classic Cycling event, is the organization’s Chief Operating Officer. 

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Championships were awarded to Richmond on September 21, 2011.  The event is expected to generate 450,000 on-site spectators and a worldwide television audience of 300 million viewers.

Mayor Jones to Unveil City's Sustainability Plan

Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” Rain Barrel project to be showcased during season opener of 17th Street Farmer’s Market 

WHO:             Dwight C. Jones, Mayor

Alicia Zatcoff, Sustainability Manager

George Bolos, 17th Street Farmers’ Market Marketing Manager

 WHAT:           Release of the RVAGreen Sustainability Plan

Showcase of the “Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” Project 

Official Season Opening of the 17th Street Farmers’ Market

WHEN:          Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 10 a.m.

WHERE:       17th Street Farmer’s Market

100 N 17th Street

Richmond, VA

Please join Mayor Dwight C. Jones on Saturday, April 14 at 10 a.m. for the season opener of the 17th Street Farmers’ Market and the unveiling of the RVAGreen Sustainability Plan.  Artwork from the “Build a Barrel – Save the Bay” project will also be showcased at the market as part of the season opener.

BACKGROUND:

RVAGreen Sustainability Plan: 

The Sustainability Plan is part of Mayor Jones’ Green Richmond Initiative, created to support the City’s sustainability goals. These goals are to improve the quality of life for residents, create a healthy environment and enhance economic opportunity in the city of Richmond. The five focus areas of the plan are economic development, energy, environment, open space and land use, and transportation. 

The City enlisted many groups and stakeholders in the development of the plan and hosted two community-wide workshops to gain input and insight into the implementation of the plan.

Copies of the plan will be issued to media at this event and the Mayor will provide a summary of the recommendations of the plan.

Build a Barrel – Save the Bay:

The city’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Stormwater Division partnered with Richmond Public Schools to educate students about storm water pollution. The Build a Barrel – Save the Bay project was targeted to elementary school students to provide each science classroom a rain barrel to construct and decorate. The Virginia Partnership for Meaningful Watershed Education awarded a grant to purchase the rain barrels and rain barrel kits for all 5th grade elementary school classes and for an additional 9 middle schools.

The Build a Barrel – Save the Bay Rain Barrel Project was a teaching tool for several areas of instruction. The rain barrel project was the beginning of science lessons on water conservation, watersheds, the impact of pollution and current laws and regulation on storm water runoff.  Volunteers will judge the decorated rain barrels and the top six will be announced on Saturday, April 24, 2012 at the Science Museum of Virginia.

17th Street Farmers’ Market:

The market will open for another exciting season filled with festivals, special events, and of course – fresh vegetables, meats, and baked goods! The 17th Street Farmers’ Market is open Saturdays and Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – now until November. For more information on the market, visit www.RichmondGov.com/farmersmarket.