Click here to access Mayor Levar Stoney's Community Office Hours presentation.

Richmond, VA – The City of Richmond’s Neighbor-To-Neighbor program is looking for 200 volunteers to serve as Richmond Training Camp Ambassadors. The Washington Redskins Training Camp will begin on July 25 and conclude on August 11, held at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center.

The Richmond Training Camp Ambassador program allows volunteers to be the “face” of Richmond. Program participants highlight local tourism destinations, restaurants and other points of interest in the city, answer questions about training camp and help make it a fun and safe event for all attendees.

For Fan Experience Ambassadors, the morning shift will be from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the afternoon shift will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

For Security Ambassadors, the morning shift will be from 7:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the afternoon shift will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

There will be a few dates with only a single practice, resulting in only one volunteer shift.

All volunteers will receive the following general incentives:

• Volunteer recognition certificate
• Free Redskins hat, t-shirt, and cooling towel
• Discount at the Redskins Training Camp Team Store
• 50% Discount with Training Camp food vendors
• Discount on a personalized brick for Brick Walk entrance
• Sports drink and snacks provided daily
• Large group picture with either the owner, coaches & players, and/or special guests

Additional awards will be given to Richmond Training Camp Ambassadors who volunteer for a certain benchmark number of shifts. Specific information about the incentive program (1 shift approximately 5.5 hours) is as follows:

• 1 Shift/5.5 Hours: VIP Parking Pass (daily drawing for 2 parking passes)
• 3 Shifts/16 Hours: Free tickets to the Richmond Squirrels “Redskins Day” home game
• 7 Shifts/38 Hours: Redskins Panel Football and opportunity to attend an exclusive private Redskins Practice
• 8 Shifts/44 Hours: Redskins pullover jacket
• 9 Shifts/49 Hours: Drawing for Ambassador and a guest to win Two Tickets to a Redskins seating in the Club Level; plus 1 parking pass. (Choose one: Lions or Jets Game)
• 10 Shifts/55 Hours: Two upper-level tickets and a parking pass to a 2019 Redskins home game against a Non-NFC East opponent. (Choose one: Jets or Lions Game)
• 11 Shifts/60 Hours: Two Tickets to and 1 parking pass to pre-season Redskins vs Ravens, with the opportunity to be a part of the special On-Field presentation.
• 12 Shifts/66 Hours: VIP Tour of FedExField (On Non-Gameday and Subject to Stadium availability)
• 13 Shifts/70 Hours or more: Two Tickets and 1 parking pass to attend a Redskins home game including tailgate lunch AND a drawing for Ambassador to win a signed jersey or helmet. (Lions Game)

To register to become a 2019 Richmond Training Camp Ambassador and to get a complete list of details about this fantastic volunteer opportunity, please visit http://www.richmondgov.com/NeighborToNeighbor/TrainingCamp.aspx.

Utility rate changes passed by Richmond City Council on May 13, 2019 go into effect with the first utility bills customers receive in July 2019.  Department of Public Utilities (DPU) Director Calvin Farr Jr. stated, “The effective and consistent delivery of quality natural gas, water, and stormwater utility services requires aggressive programs to protect methods of supply, and regular investments to replace and renew infrastructure to enhance service quality and service delivery.”  These rate increases are projected to cost the average customer approximately $6.00 more per month which equates to an approximate four percent increase. 

Here is a breakdown of the utility rates for natural gas, water, wastewater and stormwater rates, as approved:

NATURAL GAS
 3.50 percent increase in the fixed distribution and customer charges for all-natural gas customer classes.  The average residential customer who uses 70 Ccf will pay approximately $1.86 more per month for these fixed costs.  The purchased gas cost (PGC), are not included in this proposal as it is passed on dollar for dollar to the customer, without any markup. 

WATER
A typical water customer using 6 Ccfs (1 Ccf = 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons) of water per month will see an increase of $1.41 on their overall water bill.   This includes monthly service charges and volumetric charge (amount used). 

WASTEWATER
A typical wastewater customer using 6 Ccfs (1 Ccf = 100 cubic feet or 748 gallons) of wastewater per month will see an increase of $2.39 on their overall wastewater bill.   This includes monthly service charge and volumetric charge (amount used)

STORMWATER
Stormwater utility rates are based on the amount of impervious area (surfaces that cannot absorb water or that water cannot pass through) within a property. Roofs, walkways, gravel or asphalt driveways and decks are all categorized as impervious areas.  Single-family residents pay a flat stormwater fee based on the amount of impervious area that a property contains.  Typical residential customers will see a four percent or $0.16 increase in their monthly bill. See the size and fees associated with single-family residential tier below: 

• Tier 1 (1000 or less sq. ft. of impervious area) will pay $2.23 per month 
• Tier 2 (1,001 - 2,000 sq. ft. of impervious area) will pay $4.10 per month 
• Tier 3 (2,001 – 3,000 sq. ft. of impervious area) will pay $6.67 per month
• Tier 4 (3,001 – 4,000 sq. ft. of impervious area) will pay $9.51 per month
• Tier 5 (4,001 sq. ft. or more of impervious area) will pay $13.78 per month.

To assist customers with managing their utility bill, Richmond Gas Works and the Department of Public Utilities offer programs year-round.  Customers are encouraged to seek assistance before bills become unmanageable.  The Equal Monthly Payment Plan (EMPP) helps to avoid large seasonal fluctuations in the monthly utility bill.  More information about EMPP and other programs is available by calling (804) 6464646 or visiting www.RichmondGasWorks.com/residential/your-bill/.

Equal Monthly Payment Program (EMPP) 
Richmond Gas Works, in conjunction with the Department of Public Utilities (DPU), offers this program which spreads payments evenly over 12 months, along with other convenient payment plans.  The EMPP works well because the annual customer natural gas charges is used to calculate an equal payment amount that spreads the cost over the entire year and allows customers to develop a monthly energy budget.  Call Richmond Gas Works’ Customer Care Center at (804) 646-4646 for more information.

MetroCare Heat Bill Pay Assistance Program
This heating bill payment assistance program provides funds to eligible families and individuals who are having trouble paying their primary heating bills due to financial difficulty or other special hardship.  The application period coincides with the heating season and applications are accepted beginning Dec. 15 through April 30 each year.  Residents within Richmond Gas Works' service territory may apply for funds through MetroCare.  For more information, call (804) 646-4646.

FLOW
(For the Love Of Water) Bill Pay Assistance Program – FLOW is the name of DPU’s MetroCare water bill payment assistance program which provides funds to eligible families and individuals who are having difficulty paying their primary water bills due to financial concerns.  There is an application process and ratepayers can receive up to $500 per applicant if approved. For more information, call (804) 646-4646.

FLOW Conservation Program
The FLOW Program has two components to assist DPU water customers (assistance and conservation). The water assistance portion of the program provides financial assistance to eligible customers who are homeowners for plumbing repairs and the replacement of water-inefficient appliances.  FLOW Conserve will repair plumbing and/or replace existing products with EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) WaterSense labeled products to conserve water and reduce wasteful consumption. DPU has partnered with ProjectHomes to assist homeowners interested in this program by purchasing and installing energy-efficient appliances such as low-flow toilets and showerheads. For more information contact ProjectHomes at (804) 233-2827

SeniorCare Program
This program caters to the unique needs of seniors 65 years of age and older in the Richmond metropolitan community. Senior customers can sign up for this program and take advantage of Winter Service Assurance, no late fees, security deposit waiver program, annual weatherization kit giveaways, and third party notification.   For more information, call (804) 646-4646.

DPU’s new E-Z Pay system also makes it easier and more convenient for customers to pay their bill online.  For more information log on to: www.RichmondGov.com/PublicUtilities/PayMyBill/index.aspx
 

The following events celebrate aspects of African and African-American heritage during the summer months. All information for these events was provided by the Elegba Folklore Society. Learn more about the Elegba Folklore Society at http://efsinc.org/.

Juneteenth, A Freedom Celebration
Symposium, Friday, June 14 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Elegba Folklore Society, 101 E. Broad Street

Independence Day Our Way, Saturday, June 15 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Manchester Dock

Homage to Our Ancestors, Sunday, June 16 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit http://efsinc.org/events/festivals/juneteenth/ for more information.

Grand Opening of Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equality
Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture
Admission complimentary, RSVP requested

What is Africa to Me? Perspectives on History and Culture
Community Study Group
Wednesday, June 19 at Elegba Folklore Society

Out of Darkness, Showing and Conversation
Part of the 3rd Saturday Documentary Series
Saturday, July 20, 5 p.m. at Elegba Folklore Society

The Fire Inside, Paintings by Kelly U. Johnson
Showing through August 31 at Elegba Folklore Society

In the Beginning… Virginia, Along the Trail of Enslaved Africans
Cultural History Tour
Visit http://efsinc.org/tours/ for more information.
 

Hurricane season lasts six months, starting on June 1 and ending on November 30. The Richmond Metro Area’s likelihood of experiencing hurricanes peaks in the period of August through September.

Hurricanes that affect the Richmond Metro Area may not be as strong as when they hit the coastline, but heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, and even tornadoes are still a serious threat. The storms can cause damage such as long-term power outages and the destruction of homes and other property.

Hurricane weather experts release predictions each year for the upcoming seasons. A normal hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean consists of 12 named storms and six hurricanes. This year, the researchers are predicting 13 named storms, five of them with the potential to become hurricanes, meaning they have winds of 74 mph or greater. Experts also predict that two hurricanes could reach “major” strength, with winds of at least 111 mph.

Residents and those who work in the city should have a plan for emergencies and disasters. Make sure to be prepared for this hurricane season by having an emergency kit, a family plan, and a way to stay informed.

To learn more about hurricane preparedness, visit www.ready.gov/.
Click here to watch a message from Mayor Stoney.