Meeting - May 15, 2023

Lieutenant Marvin Marsh: no violent crimes YTD in Maymont; no theft from autos reported; one stolen vehicle. Sector (Fan/Randolph) shoplifting up (ABC store); B&E up 5→10 YTD; catalytic converter thefts up; illegal dumping on Texas Avenue (hair-product related); fraud calls to elderly—document parking/towing with photos. Elisabeth Linka (804-646-2905, elisabeth.linka@rva.gov): illegal towing investigation (On-Time Towing, No Limit Towing); $175/day cap vs $400+ charged—call non-emergency with documentation. Question on Westover No Parking signs—Marsh to look into.

Steve Brown (fire marshal): free 10-year smoke detectors via https://www.rva.gov (fire marshal page); test monthly; cooking safety; EDITH home exit drills.

Parke Richeson: ~10,000 students YTD (Jim Crow/Gilded Age teaching); Nature Center ~32k visitors; mansion ~15k; on track for ~750k visitors (down from 876k in 2021). Spanish mansion audio; bilingual signage push. Loud DJ fundraiser—apology; noted for future; raised $400k+. Summer Kick-Off Concerts June 16–17; civic league members can request tickets via info@maymontcivicleague.org.

Stephanie Lynch: city budget passed—affordable housing and homeless services highlights; 91 families on street; $1.75M homeless; $50M affordable housing; $12M parks maintenance vs $35M deferred; $21M Vision Zero; Family Crisis Fund up to $2,500 per family for eviction prevention. Paving resuming next week. “20 is Plenty” locations/timing TBD. Texas Beach bridge RFP out; CSX coordination; hope ~one-year project. Trash/spray paint at Texas Beach—possible parking lot cameras. Two park rangers hired (Belle Isle, Shiplock). Property tax quarterly payments available. Striping Maymont lot—Parke/Stephanie to look into. Adopt-a-tree; sidewalk project plantings. Playground site—Lincoln Saunders willing to walk easement issue; potential CIP/playground funding; Joy noted approval without secured funding yet; kids crossing Colorado to Amelia/Maymont preschool unsafe. September meeting planned vote on requesting 20 mph. Wednesday walks continue 7pm Greenville/Pennsylvania.