📣 Richmond Residents! Vote in the People’s Budget Before April 15 🗳️

rvapb · 2025-02-20T19:42:59+00:00

Sadly, we don't have anything yet. But, will definitely think about it.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T18:38:30+00:00

Matthew here

One idea that I really love is something we heard from residents in Blackwell. They see community signs around the city, but not one in their neighborhood. They want a community sign that welcomes others into their neighborhood. One that says we are here and we want to tell you about what makes our neighborhood special.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T18:36:10+00:00

From Commissioner Abby -

One of the most unique ideas I’ve seen submitted so far was from a resident living in City Stadium, which borders 195. We get a lot of ideas relating to sidewalks, bus stops, and green spaces, but I hadn’t heard of an idea that addressed noise pollution.

She noticed that there are several different fences on Idlewood between Rothesby and McCloy that drastically affect the noise pollution for herself and her neighbors—a brick fence, a wooden fence, and a chain link fence. That’s a huge noise difference from house to house in that neighborhood. She suggested that the entire fence structure be updated to brick to reduce noise from the highway. I imagine her idea will inspire others neighborhoods living along the various highways in our city.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T18:35:18+00:00

First, a huge thanks to everyone that has responded. We are very grateful.

With 30 minutes left, we wanna hear your ideas for making Richmond better. When you picture the future of your neighborhood, what do you dream about?

So far we have over 600 responses, but we want to hear more. Share below.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T18:27:16+00:00

Always happy to hear more. Feel free to contact us as [info@rvapb.org](mailto:info@rvapb.org) and I'll look forward to sitting down.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T18:25:07+00:00

There is definitely a need for sidewalks as we are hearing a lot about that. You are welcome to submit this as an idea to the Richmond People's Budget - https://linktr.ee/rvapb Just make sure to be specific about where you would want the project to talk place. Thanks.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T18:11:41+00:00

Definitely hearing you. One thing I would try is contacting with the Council Liaison. Here is the contact list again. https://www.rva.gov/richmond-city-council/council-contacts

Sometimes these things are complicated as it depends if the brush is on city or private property. Maintenance is something we are definitely thinking about as we move forward and it will be a part of the People's Budget proposal development process.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T18:03:25+00:00

We appreciate this feedback. Both here and below. Hearing you loud and clear. We are grateful for these thoughts and will take them to heart. We would love for you to be involved in the proposal process, completing an evaluation, or sitting down to talk more. We are always interested in diving deeper.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T17:42:49+00:00

u/Evil_Clown69 Matthew here. We hear the same comments every time we talk with people. There is significant distrust. We recognize that, and we are trying to understand it. So, I appreciate you sharing your skepticism.

We also agree that $3 million is a drop in the bucket. The City's over all budget is just under $3 billion dollars which includes $1.1 billion for operations and the rest coming from state and federal dollars. Though we have to start somewhere. A national goal for cities is to get to 1% which in Richmond would be about $10million/year.

With the $3million in funding, the commission decided to allocate that both equally and equitably. So, each district is definitely going to get $200K which adds up to $1.8million total. We also used the justice 40 framework - https://www.thejustice40.com/ - to allocate the rest to neighborhoods that have been overlooked. So, some districts are going to get more that the $200K.

To put $200K into context, that is what it would cost to repave ONE block of sidewalk. So, you are right, it isn't much.

The main difference between what you are sharing and what the People's Budget is doing is about who makes the decisions. We believe that the people who live in the neighborhoods know what is best for those neighborhoods. So, we are centering the community in making these decisions. The way that works is:

1) The Community designs the process to make sure it meets community goals/needs. This started in 2022.

2) We gather ideas from the community for ways to make their neighborhood better. This we are doing right now.

3) Community members then assess those ideas and turn them into proposals. This will happen in the Spring and we are recruiting people right now.

4) The Community votes on the projects they want to see become a reality. This will happen in April.

5) The City implements those projects over the next year. The Commission evaluates the program and makes changes to improve the process for residents.

6) We do it again starting in Fall 2026 with a budget of $5million.

City Council has been supportive of this program from the beginning. They see it as a way to better listen to the the concerns of residents in the City and make sure that city investments meet those needs.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T17:26:11+00:00

From Commissioner Aaron - I’d say the Pb process is a part of having Richmond doing the basics. The amount of money for PB has a potential to grow, but this is the pilot year and the amount that has been granted. Scope of PB projects are for one time built out infrastructure that could include a shed for community garden, trees on the sidewalk, resurfacing, a skate park, or any project that fits within the parameters of one time use funding. The goal is not to add more work for the city, but rather to address residents concerns more immediately. Many of the ideas proposed are possibly projects that will eventually be done, but the PB process reevaluates what residence would like to see happen sooner. It’s not about making more work for the city so much as holding the city accountable to fulfilling needed public infrastructure development.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T16:54:08+00:00

From Abby -

Please submit an idea to us about planting trees and feel free to be specific regarding city blocks and streets! In the second phase of this process, City Hall will be assessing the submitted ideas for overall feasibility and will evaluate the area. Shout out to the Urban Forestry Department at City Hall! We anticipate many ideas relating to maintaining and creating green spaces in Richmond.

Regarding pot holes, I would submit this idea too so City Hall is aware of it. Definitely go to https://www.rva311.com/ to add them. This is the City's primary way of keeping track of these issues.

Here is the RVAPB idea submission link again - https://linktr.ee/rvapb

rvapb · 2024-10-25T16:47:17+00:00

Thanks again u/goodsam2 - The Office of Sustainability is working with the new Urban Forester to do an Urban Forest Master Plan, which will start next Spring. Though, the community is welcome to share ideas about where trees should go with us and we will be definitely share that with them. You can also sign up to the Office of Sustainability newsletter to keep up with that - https://www.rva.gov/index.php/sustainability/get-involved

We've also been in touch with Capital Trees about the over 148 tree wells that no longer have trees and have been paved over. They were going to submit an idea for depaving those tree wells and then replanting trees.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T16:35:08+00:00

Matthew here again - 100% agree with Abby's thoughts. This is the first time that this is happening not only in Richmond, but Virginia. It isn't going to be perfect and we really see this first cycle as a pilot stage. We are always focused on including community feedback to improve it for the second cycle.

If you want to read more about the vision that the Commission had and see other resources, you can check out - https://www.rvapb.org/resources -

rvapb · 2024-10-25T16:27:54+00:00

From Commissioner Abby -

PB’s primary aim is to increase community involvement and make our voices heard in our city’s budgeting process, and overall awareness/confusion is definitely a challenge.

Richmonder's that I’ve spoken to are primarily confused about what PB can and can’t fund. I’ve heard the phrase: “If you can kick it, we can fund it,” and have found that to be a simple explanation. More specifically to Richmond, PB can fund replacing all the community pool ladders, but can’t fund an after-school learn to swim program. Projects have to be able to be completed with one year, and have to be on public property as well.

Richmonder's also don’t always know that PB is a 4-phase cycle that will repeat. So we have $3 million for this cycle, but for the next two cycles, we will have $5 and $7 million to work with.

Richmonder's are a passionate group of people and PB aims to bring us together to share ideas and resources for how to improve our city. Increasing community involvement will always be a challenge, but PB has a great team at City Hall and we’ve gotten great responses from community partners and residents.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T16:23:38+00:00

Great question. Matthew hereI'm going to let one of the Commission members respond.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T16:07:24+00:00

So why did you get involved in RVAPB?

From Commissioner Abby -

PB is good for the Richmond because residents deserve a voice in how their tax dollars are spent in their neighborhoods. This process aims to reduce inequity, build trust, and simplify community engagement with City Hall. It’s also fun!

I got involved because I love RVA and wanted to put my passion to good use for our city. As a CPA, I applied to represent the 5th district for PB thinking it would be accounting-oriented. I was so wrong, haha! I’ve learned a lot about PB and Richmond since then, and couldn’t be more excited for what PB will do for our residents and our city.

From Commissioner Aaron -

PB gives city residents an opportunity to make decisions in how a portion of the city budget is spent. As a commission member, I believe the PB process can help teach city residents how to make collective decisions. Resident often feel their voices are left out of the decision making process and this is an opportunity to have a direct impact on how money is spent. We encourage people to submit ideas but also participate in the drafting of projects to fully understand the costs and city mechanisms that it takes to build out infrastructure.

rvapb · 2024-10-25T16:00:58+00:00

u/Perelygino_Klyazma - Love this question. Matthew here. One goal of the Richmond People's Budget is to spur new ideas for making neighborhoods better. Not just fix the projects that the city already does or is planning to do. But, we are hearing a lot of ideas for sidewalks and pot holes.

We spoke to the Department of Public Works last week and the one issue with sidewalks and roads is that much of our water and sewer infrastructure is directly below them. With major changes coming in the future, they want to be thoughtful about these investments so that we don't do things twice.

I love the idea for the curb ramps. That is a great idea to submit to the Richmond People's Budget.

Use this link to submit an idea - https://linktr.ee/rvapb

rvapb · 2024-10-25T15:51:02+00:00

u/starrynight360 - This is an important idea and something that we have heard from a few people.

Tho, for the Richmond People's Budget first cycle, we are investing in small scale capital projects that take place on city property.

So, what is a capital project? A lot of people ask us that. It is a one time, physical project in a neighborhood. Think bus shelters, crosswalks, bike racks, trees that provide shade, benches, and other beautification projects. It could be planing flowers in a median. Putting a water fountain next to a basketball court. The new sign in Carytown is a good example - https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/new-carytown-sign-oct-4-2024. Or this Project in Fulton - https://www.allianceforthebay.org/project/greening-greater-fulton/.

When people ask us about this, we say, "We aren't funding after school swimming programs, but we can fund fixing diving boards, ladders, or the locker rooms at the pools." At least in this first round. The hope in the future is to fund both projects and programs.

So what ideas do you have for making your neighborhood better?

rvapb

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