Read Mayor Levar Stoney's April 10 memo to Richmond City Council

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DATE:              April 10, 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 Update

Last week I provided my third weekly COVID-19 response and recovery update to members of the Richmond City Council and public.[1] This fourth memorandum will build upon what was described last week as part of my administration’s comprehensive response to combat COVID-19. 

To date, Richmond has 139 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and six tragic COVID-19-related deaths.[2] Public health projections assume that more residents will be impacted before this crisis is abated, which is why my message to the public has remained “we are safer and stronger at home.” I encourage you to share this message within your respective districts to ensure that we all do our part to flatten the curve of this pandemic. 

Furthermore, last week I described how my administration and our community partners are providing assistance to our most vulnerable populations during this health crisis. Here are our updates on actions taken this week. 

1.     On April 6th, the Richmond Economic Development Authority launched the Richmond Small Business Disaster Loan Program, which will offer interest-free emergency loans of up to $20,000 to small businesses within city limits. The program is intended to provide relief to small businesses who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can learn more here;

2.     Last week, we launched the RVAStrong website, which centralizes support for our neighbors who need it and amplifies those who are willing to offer it. This week I shared a story that a Richmond residentsubmitted via the “tell us your story” webpage. Please share the RVAStrong website with your constituents and encourage them to tell their stories as they maneuver through this pandemic;

3.     Last week, my administration provided a $500,000 match to the Robins Foundation Family Crisis Fund. The money will fund relief payments to families in the City of Richmond. This week, the Office of Community Wealth Building began processing intake forms. For information on qualification, please call the Office of Community Wealth Building: 804-646-6464 or fill out an intake form on this page of RVAStrong;

4.     RPS launched its RPS@Home program on Monday, April 6th. This program provides grade-specific resources, including daily learning schedules with instructional videos for grades PK-8; and online learning modules for high schoolers. You can find additional information about this innovative program here;

5.     This week the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities opened an emergency childcare site at Carver Elementary for children (ages 5-14) of essential local government employees. There is no fee for this program. All employees will receive registration information by email, or they can email RVASPECIALEVENTS@richmondgov.com for more information; 

6.     My administration is working with Smart Beginnings, Child Care Aware, ChildSavers, the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, and Governor Northam’s Administration to continue to monitor emergency childcare needs and respond accordingly;

7.     YMCA of Greater Richmond continues to register new participants in Camp Hope, their emergency childcare program for essential employees of all sectors;

8.     On April 8th, I held a press conference with Dr. Danny Avula to update Richmonders on the current state of COVID-19 in the city. I also emphasized that, based on the national disaggregated data available, COVID-19 is expected to impact Black communities at a higher rate than others across the country. My priority has always been to look out for the vulnerable. That is why I have asked the Richmond City Health District, working alongside the State Health Commissioner’s Office, to disaggregate their COVID-19 data by race so that we can understand the full picture of how this disease is impacting Richmonders, and in a timely manner, to safeguard our most vulnerable communities;

9.     The Richmond Economic Development department has recommended the establishment of a tax amnesty program for small, local businesses. We will introduce this ordinance at the April 13th city council meeting offering amnesty for all penalties and interest on most local taxes due March 13 – June 30;

10.  My administration will present FY21 budget amendments to the previously proposed FY21 budget along with a presentation to City Council on April 13, 2020. The proposed amendments will address the reduction in revenues due to COVID-19 as well as corresponding reductions in the proposed expenditures;

11.  On April 14th, I will host a conference call with members of the Richmond Tenants Organization to share updates, see how RRHA community members are faring during this challenging time, answer questions the RTO may have of my administration, and offer support where needed; 

12.  Members of my administration and community organizations are analyzing data to predict and plan for the growing need for food security support. We are also connecting with leaders in the grocery industry to monitor their challenges and any potential issues with their supply chain. Additionally, we have reached out to our restaurant community to discuss their challenges, their experiences with the SBA loan process, and their current operations;

13.  On April 9, we announced that NFL player and proud Richmond native Clelin Ferrell has generously agreed to donate $100,000 to two local relief efforts. $50,000 will go to support the city’s Eviction Diversion Program and the other $50,000 will support Richmond’s Family Crisis Fund, which provides one-time grants to families who have experienced income loss due to COVID-19;

14.   The Office of the Press Secretary continues to update the city COVID-19 webpage on a daily basis; and, 

15.  Updates to available city services can be found here.

Additionally, I have continued to advocate for numerous policies and efforts at the state level.

1.     As you may remember, on March 27th I sent a letter to Governor Northam expressing my support of authorizing the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to allow the selling of mixed beverages for delivery and pickup by restaurants in the City of Richmond and across the Commonwealth of Virginia. On April 7, Governor Northam issued an executive directive authorizing the Virginia ABC to allow establishments with mixed beverage licenses, such as restaurants and distilleries, to sell mixed beverages through takeout or delivery, effective on April 9 at midnight. This will allow our local restaurants to collect more revenue from meal sales.

2.     My administration continues to supported efforts taken by Governor Northam, such as his mandated stay-at-home order, to help flatten the curve. We are committed to enforcing his executive order in the City of Richmond. To report non-compliance, please call the RPD non-emergency number: 804-646-5100. Additional information on local enforcement can be found here.

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.