RMA   

  

The plan that I proposed shows that if we invest the City's money ($63 million) today, it would yield the greatest return. Our plan uses these funds to retire outstanding debt and invest in important city projects. Most importantly, our plan invests in the City's undesignated fund balance - thereby, moving us closer to AAA bond rating.

Under the alternative "infrastructure concessions" approach that some explored, private investors would assume the role of the RMA and act as the third-party operator for the City of Richmond. When in fact,the sole purpose the General Assembly established the RMA was to serve as third party operator. The RMA is a regional authority with board members who represent Richmond, Chesterfield County, Henrico County and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unlike a private enterprise, the RMA is a public entity with local accountability to the people - rather than corporate investors - who likely would increase tolls.

My Administration provided financial data showing that the return of these funds has no loss in future financial value. Getting our money back now does not change the status of our ownership of the asset today, or in the future. Getting our money back today in no way compromises our ability to explore prudent options in the future.

 

 

 

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Neighborhood Stabilization  

We are working to address issues related to poverty on so many fronts. Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of a taking a walking tour of several blocks in our city's East End with Secretary Shaun Donovan, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and City Councilmember Cynthia Newbille. This is the same area where we held charrettes and engaged the community to think about and plan the area's future. Our strategy is to put vacant properties back to productive use, block-by-block, with our Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The City currently manages $2.4 million in NSP funds as a sub-recipient to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The City's NSP program goals are to acquire and rehabilitate 24 houses that will provide 18 affordable home-ownership units and six affordable rental units. Working with three non-profits and one private developer, 21 foreclosed houses have been acquired to date. Of these, one rental unit has been completed and is occupied, and seven units sold for home ownership. I was extremely proud to be able to show Secretary Donovan several newly renovated homes that are owned by teachers and other middle-income residents who are now proud residents in our city's East End.
  
Recently, President Barack Obama announced American Jobs Act, which includes Project Rebuild. Project Rebuild is a $15 billion initiative designed to achieve, on a broader scale, the type of impact we're seeing from our investments in the East End. If approved, this program will help us continue to transform those areas hardest hit by the problems of vacant and foreclosed properties. We need efforts like this not only in the East End, but also in neighborhoods within North and South Richmond.

 

Last week, I wrote to Senators Webb and Warner requesting their support of President's Obama's American Jobs Act. I strongly support the Jobs Act and believe that it will help our city and nation by jump starting our economy and putting more Americans back to work. I am hopeful that Congress passes this bill and I encourage you to view it in its entirety by visiting www.whitehouse.gov. 

 

City Council Vice President Ellen Robertson joined me in opening our City's first neighborhood based workforce development site, One Stop Resource & Missions Center, at Fifth Street Baptist Church in Highland Park, 2800 Third Avenue.

As the first joint workforce development center in the City, the center will offer services and resources to residents to better prepare them for employment searches. The center is partnering with RESOURCE, the Capital Region Workforce Investment Board, to teach classes on resume writing, interview skills, and networking. Trained volunteers will staff the center and serve as career agents and job coaches for interested residents looking for work.

 

We know that many Richmonders are struggling, and we are committed to assisting people to improve and align their skills with the needs of employers in our region. The City of Richmond is proud to partner in this effort.

 

The One Stop Resource & Missions Center is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Fifth Street Baptist Church Clothing Ministry, "Dress for Success" initiative will also provide clothing for individuals to prepare for interviews. The One Stop Resource & Missions Center is seeking volunteers and donations to continue the mission and success of the center. For more information or to volunteer for the One Stop Resource & Missions Center call (804) 321-5115.

 

 

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Sustainability  

 

Recently I participated as a speaker at a symposium on sustainability that was co-hosted by Hitachi International and the Brookings Institute. This event brought local leaders together with climate change experts and national policy makers such as U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, for a dialogue on how cities have begun implementing measures to promote and encourage sustainability. I was invited to participate because of our city's sustainability efforts and our related initiatives on making Richmond a more bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly city.

 

I am pleased to congratulate the Science Museum of Virginia and Children's Museum of Richmond, who were recently named by Ford Motor Company as one of the 20 Cool Places to Charge Your Electric Vehicle. As electric vehicle charging stations are popping up all over the country, this distinction was based on a charging location's proximity to a scenic view, landmark/attraction, or dining and shopping centers.

 

I am pleased that the American Planning Association (APA) recently named Maymont as one of 10 Great Public Spaces for 2011 under the organization's Great Places in America program. This distinction exemplifies exceptional character and highlights the role planners play in creating communities of lasting value. APA singled out Maymont, a 100-acre cooperative venture between the City of Richmond and the nonprofit Maymont Foundation, as a place where art and architecture harmoniously blend with the surrounding plants, animals, and water elements. The property is a model of public-private management and remains free and open to all. 

      

In early October, I had the honor of accepting the Gold award in the 2011 Virginia Municipal League (VML) Green Government Challenge. The Green Government Challenge is part of VML's Go Green Virginia Initiative to promote environmental responsibility among its members. The Challenge enables localities to earn awards and recognition by implementing practices that reduce carbon emissions such as energy efficiency, green buildings and recycling. The City's participation in the Challenge supports our on-going efforts under the Green Richmond Initiative to reduce energy use, operate more efficiently and produce cost savings. In this year's Challenge, the City received points for many innovative initiatives including the following:

• Green Government Order that called for City agencies and employees to create more efficiency and less waste in City government and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from government operations
• A Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station and the City's new refuse truck fleet
• Five roof replacement projects on City facilities with new white reflective roof systems that reduce energy consumption by 30%

 

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Closing

Thank you for taking the time to view this newsletter. I hope you found it informative and insightful and that you will share it with others in your family and community.

For more information on the City of Richmond, please visit www.RichmondGov.com.