Council amends agenda, continues budget ordinances and adopts opioid-settlement resolution; consent agenda approved

At its formal session, the Richmond City Council took several procedural and substantive actions: it approved the consent agenda (which included resolutions and ordinances placed on the consent list), adopted an expedited resolution authorizing Richmond’s participation in proposed opioid-related settlements, and voted to amend and continue multiple budget- and land-use items to the Monday, May 11 council meeting.

On the consent agenda, public comment included opposition to a proposed bond or related financing for renovation of 400 East Grace Street. Patrick Ford, a building and business owner on East Grey Street, said he and neighbors want a pause and clearer outreach before moving forward. Cheryl Hampton of RRHA told council the agency competitively selected a developer for the 400 East Grace project (which RRHA described as senior housing), said the bond amount is up to $11,000,000, and said RRHA held a virtual meeting, hand-delivered notices to nearby businesses, and advertised a public hearing. The consent papers were adopted during the meeting.

Council approved multiple motions to amend and continue items: ordinance 2026-074 (special use for 101 Coordinate Avenue, up to 120 dwelling units) and other ordinances were continued to May 11; a set of budget-related ordinances (including the annual budget ordinance 2026-063, capital improvement plan 2026-065, pay plan 2026-066, and the HUD consolidated plan 2026-071) were taken up for amendment and continuation to May 11 after debate.

Council also voted to expedite consideration of resolution 2026-R018, to participate in proposed opioid-related settlements with several distributors and direct the city attorney to execute settlement documents; the council then adopted that resolution under expedited consideration.

During budget discussion, Councilwoman Reba M. Trammell pressed for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for retirees and city employees and said constituents were upset that the mayor’s proposed budget did not include a retiree COLA; several council members supported forming a work group to develop a COLA formula to inform next year’s budget process.

The meeting concluded with district reports, community announcements, and adjournment. Several items were explicitly continued to the May 11 meeting for additional review and public hearing.