Read Mayor Stoney's memo to Richmond City Council - April 3, 2020
DATE: April 3, 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 second weekly COVID-19 response and recovery update to members of the Richmond City Council and public.[1] This third 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 81 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three 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 this week 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 2, the Richmond Economic Development Authority created 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. Monies will go toward paying employee wages, empowering local, small businesses to continue operating and keep employees on their payroll. The application will be available starting Monday, April 6 and applications will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can learn more here.
2. Today, we launched the RVAStrong website, which centralizes support for our neighbors who need it and amplifies those who are willing to offer it. There are resources for everyone on RVAStrong– from those who need help finding diapers, to small business support options, to those who want to volunteer at a food distribution site. I encourage you to share this resource with your constituents.
3. My administration also announced today that we will provide a $500,000 match to the Robins Foundation Family Crisis Fund. The money will fund relief payments to families in the City of Richmond. You can read the city’s announcement on that here.
4. 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. Please see the attached memo from Acting City Administrative Officer Lenora Reid for additional information.
5. Working with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, we decided to temporarily close all public playgrounds and athletic courts to help combat COVID-19. Additionally, activities at the James River are restricted; no swimming, sunbathing or gathering in groups will be allowed, though patrons may still use the area for exercise, such as biking, walking, running and hiking. You can read my full statement here.
6. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities also decided to close the main parking lots that provide access to the James River on weekends. This policy will remain in effect for the duration of Governor Northam’s stay-at-home order.
7. The YMCA of Greater Richmond is now operating five emergency childcare sites across the region for children (ages 5-14) of all essential personnel. This week, they significantly discounted their daily fee to $15 per day per child; $10 for each additional child. More information is available here.
8. Starting next week, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will open 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.
9. YWCA Richmond’s Sprout School, a non-departmental grantee, re-opened its downtown preschool this week to serve children (18 months-5 years) of essential personnel. More information and registration are available by email at sprout@ymcarichmond.org.
10. RPS has continued to expand its approach to serving meals by utilizing buses to transport meals to locations across the city, making food more accessible. RPS now has 10 school-based sites and 43 “grab and go” sites serving meals. You can locate the sites here;
11. My administration initiated a conversation with immigrant and refugee service providers to ensure that these vulnerable populations are receiving the services and information they need during this pandemic. My office will continue to engage and support these providers and populations during these challenging times.
12. The Richmond Economic Development department has recommended the establishment of a tax amnesty program for small, local businesses. We will introduce an ordinance at the next scheduled city council meeting offering amnesty for all penalties and interest on most local taxes due March 13 – June 30;
13. The Office of the Press Secretary continues to update the city COVID-19 webpage on a daily basis;
My administration is also continuing to explore how we can provide additional support. Specifically, we are:
1. Working with community partners to ensure our most vulnerable populations have access to food.
Additionally, I have continued to advocate for numerous policies and efforts at the state level.
1. This week, I wrote a letter to Governor Northam and began conversations with finance and banking leaders in the Richmond-region encouraging partnership to determine options available to support financially-challenged Virginians. You can read my full letter here.
2. My administration has also supported recent efforts taken by Governor Northam, such as his recent 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 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.
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