Read the text of Mayor Stoney's memo to council on COVID-19
DATE: March 20, 2020
TO: Members of the Richmond City Council
FROM: Mayor Levar M. Stoney
CC: Lenora Reid, Acting City Administrative Officer
RE: COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiatives
The City of Richmond, and localities across the United States, are experiencing a public health emergency due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. While only five[1] COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in the City of Richmond (as of March 20), public health projections assume that more residents will be impacted before this crisis is abated. As such, we wanted to provide members of City Council with a comprehensive summary of our current and evolving actions to combat COVID-19.
Firstly, my administration is part of an unprecedented regional effort to “flatten the curve” in Central Virginia, with a priority on protecting our vulnerable populations. The state, our locality, and surrounding localities have all declared states of emergency, a legal status that allows governments to more efficiently serve residents. The Central Virginia Incident Management Team has convened since March 5, and Fire Chief Melvin Carter is reporting back to us at least twice daily. We have also partially activated the city’s Emergency Operations Center.
My administration’s top priority is ensuring city services continue without sacrificing the health and safety of city staff and residents. For example, the utilities that the city provides will continue regardless of any city closure. This pandemic will affect vulnerable populations disproportionately. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a home to stay in or a job to work remotely.
Here’s how we’re supporting the people who need us most:
1. DPU has suspended shutting off water for non-payment;
2. RPS has begun its meal distribution program at 20 sites around the city;
3. The Greater Richmond Continuum of Care is providing emergency shelter beds or alternatives as well as healthcare to the homeless, including the encampment of folks outside the Giles Center;
4. Finance department has proposed extending the Elderly Tax Relief program deadline to April 30;
5. Economic Development department has recommended the establishment of a tax amnesty program for small, local businesses. We will introduce an ordinance offering amnesty for all penalties and interest on most local taxes due March 13 – June 30;
6. My administration worked with GRTC to ensure that they would implement fare-free rides during our state of emergency;
7. The city, along with community partners like the YMCA, have launched plans to provide childcare centers for essential personnel. Please see the recent press release here for additional details.
8. The Office of the Press Secretary is managing a COVID-19 webpage, where current updates are shared; and,
9. City departments worked to compile a comprehensive list of city services that will continue while city government is closed to the public. That list can be found here.
My administration is also exploring how we can provide additional support. Below are several items we are actively researching and evaluating:
1. A low-interest loan program for small businesses;
2. Halting evictions at every level (on the court’s docket, about to be put on the docket, scheduled for enforcement by the Sheriff, and ongoing); and,
3. Lastly, we will be working with the Economic Vitality Task Force to establish policy and program recommendations to support the recovery of our local economy.
Additionally, I have advocated for numerous policies and efforts both at the federal, state, and community level.
1. I, along with other mayors, have called on the federal government to provide relief funding, not only for city governments to use to help our most vulnerable populations, but also aid for our small- and medium-sized businesses. Local governments cannot handle the financial burden caused by COVID-10 alone.
2. My administration has also supported efforts taken by Governor Northam, such as his call for childcare centers to remain open and his Public Health Emergency Order to limit gatherings to 10 people or under. We will be working in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health to ensure establishments within city limits abide by this order.
3. Lastly, I have supported efforts lead by the Virginia Poverty Law Center and the Virginia Housing Alliance calling on landlords to stop issuing pay or quit notices, filing unlawful detainers and seeking writs of eviction until COVID-19 is abated.
We are in uncharted territory and are taking these measures out of an abundance of caution.
My administration remains committed to working with the Richmond City Council and providing timely updates during these ever-changing times. This is an opportunity for us to come together and do what we were elected to do: serve our constituents when they need us most.