Richmond Begins Next Step in Three-Year Administrative Turnaround

July 25, 2024

Dear Team Richmond, 

I’m writing to thank you for your hard work in transforming the City of Richmond—and to say that we are just getting started.

When I became Chief Administrative Officer during the pandemic, key City offices were vastly understaffed, administrative processes were outdated, and recruitment needed to be improved. This slowed down delivery of basic services, and it prevented improvements in customer service. It put too much pressure on you. 

So together, we launched a 4-step turnaround plan: Hire more professional administrators, ensure recruitment and hiring practices that target qualified candidates, establish modern internal controls, and continuously monitor progress.  The plan is working, and it’s delivering results. For example, our current budget:  

• Right sizes the Departments of Finance, Procurement, Social Services, and the City Attorney’s Office with additional positions.
• Sets the minimum wage at $20/hour for all employees (one of the highest in the Commonwealth and certainly higher than the state’s $12 minimum wage and nearly three times the federal minimum wage of $7.25).
• Provides an average of 7.0% pay increase for Sworn police and fire personnel.
• Increases starting pay of Step 1 police officers and firefighters from $53,470 to $58,076.
• Continues with salary competitiveness for eligible General Employees with a 4.0% increase.
• Begins a multi-phased plan for market adjustments.
• Supports citywide short- and long-term disability insurance as of January 2025.
• Supports the new employee health clinics operated by Marathon health. 

Steps like these support everything we do in local government. For example, a professional credentialed Human Resources team enables us to fill hundreds of vacancies and attract qualified public servants. A better work environment leads to better services for residents, and that makes Richmond an even stronger city.   

Continuous improvement is the heart of our turnaround plan. We constantly measure how we’re doing, and we make adjustments along the way. That’s why Mayor Stoney has asked for an update of the 2017 assessment of City operations. Internally, we began the Internal Control Assessment in April and are now beginning the Procurement Services Assessment, which is authorized by the City’s FY 2025 budget that took effect July 1. As results come in, we will analyze them, make adjustments and keep moving.  

This administrative turnaround is designed to continuously improve operational performance, aiming to ensure a seamless transition as residents elect a new Mayor, City Council, and School Board in November. This is another sign of a thriving organization. 

It’s important to understand that this work is yielding clear results, and people are noticing. We can all be proud that Richmond earned its first ‘AAA’ bond rating last month. This is the country’s highest financial standard, and we have worked for many years to achieve it. This designation places us among the top tier of cities and counties around Virginia and around the country.  

Even so, steps like these rarely earn headlines. So, I want you to know that we will be telling this story more aggressively to the news media, starting this week. This includes setting the record straight about recent coverage that has been inaccurate at times. I also strongly believe that everyday City workers should not be targeted in news articles, when they are simply doing their jobs. 

That’s why, when I meet with reporters, I will start with your work. I will tell them how much I deeply appreciate your commitment to public service. I will show them how our watchwords are trust, respect, transparency, and accountability. 

And I will tell them how much more we must do. Public transit continues expanding around the region. Southside is growing fast, and it needs more services—from sidewalks to trees to entertainment, programming, and more. It’s simply not enough for everything to continue to be concentrated north of the river. 

All these projects can move faster, thanks to the stable foundation that we are building. 

I deeply appreciate your commitment to public service in the City that we all love so much. Your dedication inspires me. I want you to know that I see it, I hear it, and I value it.  

As we move forward, may we all continue committing to our shared vision and values. Let us continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in everything we do. Most of all, please remember that our work matters – it’s what keeps our beloved City of Richmond thriving and a cherished place to live.  

Once again, thank you.  

Yours in service,  

J.E. Lincoln Saunders

~Mayor Proposed Internal Controls Assessment in March, City Council Endorsed in May~
~Progress Affirmed by City’s First-Ever AAA Bond Rating, Earned Last Month~
~Administrators Preparing for Seamless Transition to New Mayor & City Council~

July 25, 2024

RICHMOND, VA – City of Richmond administrators said today that they are beginning the next steps in the City’s three-year operational turnaround, as the City continues systematically putting in place the foundational building blocks of a highly-functioning city government. The steps are yielding clear results, as demonstrated by Richmond earning its first ‘AAA’ bond rating last month after years of working to achieve the country’s highest financial standard.

City leaders said the administrative turnaround is designed to continuously improve operational performance, aiming to ensure a seamless transition as residents elect a new Mayor, City Council, and School Board in November.

“Richmond residents have long called for improvements in basic city services. We want to make this government better than it has ever been,” said Mayor Levar Stoney.

Download and read the full release here.

Just Four Virginia Entities Among 194 National Honorees Last Year

Richmond, VA — The City of Richmond’s Department of Procurement Services was notified this weekend that it had earned the prestigious Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Award from the National Procurement Institute, which honors agencies that demonstrate a commitment to excellence in procurement. This award recognizes the Department’s efforts to provide “best in class” procurement services to partners in City agencies, contractors, and Richmond residents. 

“This prestigious award represents our team’s focus to continually improve our approach, processes, and customer focus,” said Rene Almaraz, Director of Department Procurement Services. “We look forward to building on this milestone by incorporating more best practices, leveraging technologies, and continuing to grow a professional staff who are committed to serving the residents of Richmond. 

“I cannot thank our team enough for their hard work and diligence toward making DPS one of the best procurement organizations in the nation,” Almaraz said. “Their achievements include implementing OpenGov, our new procurement system, our focus on enabling departments to operate with greater autonomy, and proactively working with departments to plan larger acquisitions. These accomplishments also underscore the support we’ve received from City leaders to drive our mission.” 

The award follows the recent interview in CPOstrategy Magazine, which profiled Almaraz as a national leader in the complex procurement field: https://bit.ly/CityofRichmondBrochure.  

Almaraz came to Richmond with 33 years of experience in the Department of Defense and the private sector, including experience as head of contracting for the San Diego Unified School District, which serves 100,000 students and employs more than 10,000 people. 

The National Procurement Institute designed the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement program to recognize organizational excellence in public procurement. This prestigious annual award is earned by those organizations that demonstrate excellence by obtaining a high score based on criteria designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership attributes of the procurement organization. The AEP continues to be recognized as the premier award in the public procurement profession.

~ Community-supported project scheduled to begin next month, weather permitting ~

RICHMOND, Va. –  The Department of Public Works is scheduled to begin construction on an enhanced multi-modal project along Forest Hill Avenue from 34th Street to Semmes Avenue and the intersection of Forest Hill Avenue and Semmes Avenue next month, weather permitting.

Project plans include: 

• Phase I:
  
  • Removing the traffic signal at the intersection of Forest Hill Avenue, Semmes Avenue and Dundee Avenue
    
    • To control traffic, a temporary signal will be installed at the intersection of 34th Street and Semmes Avenue
  • Installing sidewalks
  • Converting the westbound lane of Forest Hill Avenue between 34^th Street and Semmes Avenue into 23 back-in parking spaces and utilizing the remaining lane as a one-way eastbound lane
  • Adding crosswalks and curb ramps
• Phase II:
  
  • Installing a new permanent traffic signal at the intersection of 34th Street and Semmes Avenue
  • Adding a pedestrian crossing with a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) on Forest Hill Avenue, west of Carson Street
    
    • PHBs are pedestrian actuated traffic signals that remain dark until activated (typically by a pushbutton). They help increase driver attention to pedestrians crossing the roadway and improve safety

During construction, residents and businesses may experience minor disruptions, but every effort will be made to minimize inconveniences. The contractor will provide continued access for patrons and deliveries to businesses. Please be patient and give construction workers extra space and slow down when you see orange cones and work zones.

Weather permitting, construction is expected to be completed by July 2025.

This project supports the City’s Vision Zero Action Plan by using the complete streets approach to improve safe access for all. This process was driven by community input through a series of surveys and public engagements. Community feedback provided valuable input throughout the design process.

For information on the department go to www.rva.gov/public-works or send an email to  AskPublicWorks@rva.gov.

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on Twitter @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1.

UPDATE: Advisory Lifted

City of Richmond Update to Tredegar Pipeline Trail Pipe Repair

August 1, 2024

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is lifting the recreational water advisory for the James River beginning at the Manchester Bridge (9^th Street) in the City of Richmond and ending at Osborne Landing in Henrico County. The advisory was issued July 17, due to a sewer release near the Pipeline Trail, along the James River.

The City has met regularly with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and VDH since this incident, and DEQ and VDH have been actively monitoring the situation. Water quality sampling results collected by DEQ on July 29 and July 30, indicate bacteria concentrations in the James River in the prior advisory area are at levels acceptable for all recreational water use.

The City of Richmond continues to address the 42” failed pipe at the Tredegar Pipeline, which is a combined sewer system pipe. Long term and short-term actions include the following:

1. Installation of two large 42” inflatable plugs [COMPLETED]
   1. The plugs are designed to close off segments of the sewer line from any flow while repairs are taking place.
   2. Both plugs have been installed.
2. Temporary patching to the impacted areas of the pipe [COMPLETED]

• Consisting of epoxy and steel plates which are designed to seal all leakage points.
  
  • The temporary patch installations are complete.

3. Isolation of the damaged line segment to prevent any additional flow into the pipe [IN PROGRESS]
   1. A welder was onsite July 18, 2024 to assess the feasibility of a more permanent option. The assessment identified the solution to install metal flanges, which will be welded in place to completely isolate both ends of the pipe.
   2. This work will begin the week of August 5, 2024.        

The longer-term and more permanent solution requires an in-depth engineering design and coordination process as this 42” pipe is elevated above the river, where access and the ability to mobilize repair crews is a challenge.

 The City of Richmond is an old city with aged infrastructure. The Department of Public Utilities is responsible for a territory which includes 5,000 miles of water, sewer and gas pipes as well as 200,000+ other assets (i.e. fire hydrants, meters, valves). Condition assessments help to inform repair, rehabilitation and replacement schedules.

Residents, businesses and visitors rely upon the James River as a water supply source, an economic driver and a recreational resource. The City continues to undertake significant construction projects to protect and preserve the James River while partnering with stakeholders to help identify and prioritize ways to enhance the river.

VDH Lifts Recreational Water Advisory for the James River - Newsroom (virginia.gov)

July 24, 2024 

The City of Richmond continues to work with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regarding two isolated events which occurred during July 2024 at the Tredegar Pipeline Trail. These are two separate incidents and not a continual leak. Initial investigation showed that the first leak on July 2 was related to a wet weather event and was exacerbated by a stormwater connection from an adjacent commercial property. The City reported this to DEQ within 24 hours as required. The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities confirmed there were no leaks on July 3. There were also no citizen reports of the pipe leaking for the two weeks between the two incidents. The July 2 incident has been closed by DEQ.

The second incident was reported to the City on July 15, and the city immediately responded. The repairs are ongoing and the updates are outlined below.

The Department of Environmental Quality and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) continue to monitor the impacts to the river. Sampling will continue to determine when the Recreational Water Advisory for the James River from Manchester Bridge to Osborne Landing will be lifted by VDH, when VDH determines bacteria levels are acceptable for recreational contact. The City is meeting regularly with DEQ and VDH to continue collaborative conversations regarding repairs.

Repair Updates

The City of Richmond continues to address the 42” failed pipe at the Tredegar Pipeline, which is a combined sewer system pipe. Long term and short-term actions include the following:

1. Installation of two large 42” inflatable plugs
   
   • The plugs are designed to close off segments of the sewer line from any flow while repairs are taking place.
   • Installation of the large inflatable plugs started July 18, 2024 and one plug was successfully installed. Installation of the second plug is in process.
2. A temporary patch to the impacted area of the pipe (i.e. under the belly of)

• Consisting of epoxy and steel plates which are designed to seal all leakage points.
  
  • This work began Monday, July 22, 2024 and has been challenging as crews have had to consider workarounds based on the location and complexity of the impacted area.

3. Isolation of the damaged line segment to prevent any additional flow into the pipe
   
   • A welder was onsite July 18, 2024 to assess the feasibility of a more permanent option. The assessment identified the solution to install metal flanges, which will be welded in place to completely isolate both ends of the pipe. This work is expected to begin the first week of August 2024.               

The longer-term and more permanent solution requires an in-depth engineering design and coordination as this 42” pipe is elevated above the river, where access and the ability to mobilize repair crews is a challenge.

The City of Richmond is an old city with aged infrastructure. The Department of Public Utilities is responsible for a territory which includes 5,000 miles of water, sewer and gas pipes as well as 200,000+ other assets (i.e. fire hydrants, meters, valves).  Condition assessments help to inform repair, rehabilitation and replacement schedules.

July 17, 2024

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) issued a recreational water advisory for the James River beginning at the Manchester Bridge (9^th Street) in the City of Richmond to Osborne Landing in Henrico County. For the safety of people and pets, VDH is advising that recreational water activities, such as swimming, wading, tubing, and whitewater kayaking (where submersion in the water is likely), should be avoided.  

The City of Richmond’s drinking water is upstream from the impacted site and is not impacted.  

This advisory is being released out of an abundance of caution due to a leak in a sewage pipe on the Pipeline Trail, which was reported on July 16. City crews joined with the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), immediately responded to assess the site, and performed testing which confirmed high levels of bacteria. Investigation revealed that a bypass pumps had gone off-line. Crews were able to re-establish the bypass pumping operation to remove all flow from the pipe thereby severely diminishing the sewage release. Repairs of this 42” pipe will begin within the next 24 hours. Repairs include installation of large inflatable plugs, isolation of the damaged line segment to prevent any additional flow, and a temporary patch to the impacted area of the pipe. The City believes this immediate response will eliminate further impacts to the river. The long-term solution requires more in-depth design and coordination as this 42” pipe is elevated above the river, where access is a challenge. 

Signage has been installed at the public access points. Public access points to the James River in the impacted area include Great Shiplock Park and Chapel Island, 14th Street Takeout, Dock Street Park, Wharf Street / Intermediate Terminal, Ancarrow’s Landing, and Osborne Landing.  

FAQs 

 As a City of Richmond resident, should I be concerned about my drinking water? 

No. The City of Richmond’s drinking water source is not impacted. Drinking water samples continue to meet Virginia Department of Health (VDH) standards.  

Should I swim in the river? 

Not until the advisory is lifted. Recreational water activities, such as swimming, wading, tubing, and whitewater kayaking (where submersion in the water is likely), should be avoided. However, activities, which are not likely to result in water submersion (boating, fishing, canoeing), may continue with proper caution to avoid contact with the water. 

Why did this happen? 

The pipe has been identified as being put into service over 50 years ago and is further environmentally compromised based on its exposure to the elements and its location – which is suspended above the river.  

What is the City doing to prevent this from happening in the short-term? 

The City is working with a contractor for both temporary and permanent repairs. The temporary repairs include installation of large inflatable plugs, isolation of the damaged line segment to prevent any additional flow, and the service of a welder to create a temporary patch to the impacted area of the pipe.  

What is the City doing to prevent this from happening in the long-term? 

The long-term solution requires an in-depth engineering design and coordination as this 42” pipe is elevated above the river, where access is a challenge.