Richmond commission approves hires and change orders, celebrates new businesses and living-history turnout

At its regular meeting, the Richmond City Board of Commissioners approved a slate of personnel orders, several construction change orders and ceremonial items, and heard community presentations highlighting a new local business and growth in a living-history program.

Personnel and change orders: The board approved Order 26-72 to hire Emma Fultz as curator for the battlefield department (effective May 25, pay grade 4). It approved Order 26-69 promoting an administration intern to full-time economic development coordinator (Grayson Eaves, pay grade 4) and Order 26-75 hiring Zachary Martin as assistant director for parks operations (pay grade 5, effective June 1). The commission also adopted a change order for the Richmond Regional Sports Complex (Order 26-66) adding approximately $100,855.65 for multiple bid-package adjustments and extending contract time by 23 days, and a net change order for Gibson Bay Golf Course irrigation (Order 26-71) that the city manager said will be paid from the city’s general obligation bond series.

New business and events: Carrie Hensley introduced Vanessa Velasquez, who spoke for Amy’s Ice Cream — a family-owned shop at 112 Saint George Street that opened about three weeks earlier. “We are so excited to be welcomed here,” Velasquez said, encouraging residents to visit the shop open daily noon–9 p.m. The board also received a report from the Battle of Richmond Association: George Ridings and other presenters said living-history participation doubled since 2025, serving 324 students this year and listing plans for expanded two-day programming and reenactment weekends.

Public comment: Jennifer Spock urged the city to investigate suspected non-selective herbicide damage along Lancaster Avenue between High Cliff and Eastway. She said large trees that were healthy last autumn are now dead and quoted an EKU expert suggesting triclopyr or imazapyr as likely causes; she offered photos to the clerk for review. The clerk asked Spock to provide the photographs to the city.

Other business: The commission accepted ceremonial resignations from employees in public works, police (Tyson Yancey) and codes enforcement (Scott Kaler), and approved promotions in the fire department (Matthew Haney to Firefighter 3). The board also accepted the municipal road-aid contract for FY beginning July 1, 2026, and discussed the impact of reduced fuel-tax receipts on future allocations.

Why it matters: The approvals staff the city’s expanded parks and preservation efforts, keep capital projects on schedule, and highlight small-business activity and historic programming that draw visitors and students to Richmond.

What’s next: Staff will implement hires, finalize change-order work with contractors and continue outreach on the herbicide complaint.