Meeting - September 18, 2023
September 18, 2023
Board Members Present
- Joy Rogers (President)
Community Members Present
- Neighbors attended (names not fully listed in PDF extract)
- Krista Weatherford, Kathy Garrett-Cox, Parke Richeson (Maymont)
- Torrence Robinson and Carla Childs (City of Richmond DPW)
- Stephanie Lynch (5th District Councilmember)
- Amy Robins (5th District liaison)
Police Department Updates
No police staff attended; neighbors mentioned one recent car theft and some cars rifled.
5th District and Maymont Updates
Maymont ($10M EDA grant): preservation (mansion roof/HVAC/fire suppression), education (bobcat, fox, raptor valley, bears behind-the-scenes, porcupine, coyote exhibits), accessibility. Start after EDA signs off. No species removed. Energy audit grants being explored. Most animals from rehab/DWR. 100th anniversary 2025–2026—oral history project; contact long-time neighbors. Supportive of Shirley Street entrance safety—no specific city plan yet.
DPW (Robinson/Childs): leaf bag collection from curb starting October 1 (10 bags or fewer; biodegradable preferred); November $30 vacuum service through March; composting encouraged; unlimited bag pickup Nov–Dec; snow goal clear roads within 48h.
Sidewalks: Phase 1 complete; Phase 2 design—Colorado segments with arborist; Phase 3 funding; possible rubberized walks. Storm cleanup—311 for brush. Speed tables expected by June 2024 including two on Hampton; neighborhood requested one on Texas leaving Texas Beach lot. Riverview field—future playground; mowing and boulder moves requested. Zone 7 cleanup rescheduled (storm).
Stephanie Lynch / Amy Robins: lock cars; Kia/Hyundai wheel locks. Ida Cheatham honorary street naming thanks. Senior tax assessment abatement; year-round elderly relief enrollment; retroactive senior credit; free leaf collection for seniors (goal). E-cycle/biodegradable bags 9/30 10am–2pm Robinhood Road; senior back-door trash service (enroll online). October 2 last day to contest 2024 tax assessment. Homelessness focus—Thursday 5th District meeting Byrd Park roundhouse. Texas Beach bridge—plywood tampering; cameras installed; $2.1M secured; construction bid process; spring 2024 start target.
Speed limits: state law allows below 25 mph locally; enforcement limited outside high-injury network; ~$2.3M for citywide sign swap not funded; delegate may retry statutory change; 311 can request 25→20 mph on a block. Neighbor asked flashing crosswalk Kansas/Texas. Neighborhood decision needed on 20 mph request and photo speed ticketing expansion—vote planned November meeting.
General Community Notes
- Garden Glow October 19–November 12 Wed–Sun; neighbor tickets from Maymont.
- Recent neighbor deaths—notify board for condolence card.
- Halloween orange door tags returning.
- Meals on Wheels / Feed More drivers needed.
- Preference for Westover Building meetings (lighting).
- January meeting date shifted off MLK holiday—TBA.
- Meeting signs sometimes say “Maymont Neighborhood Meeting”—still officially Maymont Civic League.
Meeting adjourned 8:30pm.