Canines for Clean Streams Photo Contest

From the contest’s FaceBook page:

Enter the “Canines for Clean Streams” photo contest to win gear for your dog from our great sponsors, Holiday Barn Pet Resorts and Doody Calls. Post a picture of your pet and the photo with the most likes by the end of the contest will win prizes including a $100 gift card to Doody Calls and a Holiday Barn Pet Resorts “Barn Basket” with pet toys and accessories and a certificate for a two night vacation at Holiday Barn!

In order to officially enter the contest you must take the pledge to pick up after your pet here: http://www.mjrt.org/canines-for-clean-streams.html

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Belle Isle Cleanup This Sunday

RVA Clean Sweep is scheduled to work on Belle Isle this Sunday:

Belle Isle is in desperate need of a cleanup, this is the time of the year when the highest number of visitors are out and unfortunately they leave a huge mess. We’ll clean the parking area and then do a loop over to the rocks and back around. It shouldn’t take more than 2 hours at the most. I’ll have trash pickers, gloves and trash bags, please bring water and good walking shoes.

Please go here to sign up to volunteer:
http://www.meetup.com/RVA-Clean-Sweep/events/224029643/

The Belle Isle parking lot on Tredegar Street was completely full yesterday evening and it’s no wonder with accolades still pouring in- outdoor sports store REI has named the James River Parks as one of the nation’s six best river parks. This comes three years after Outside Magazine readers voted Richmond as the Best River City in the country. Richmond will again be featured as a travel destination in the September issue of National Geographic Traveler. Their brief feature “Where to go Next” highlights L’Opossum and the James River Park.

Scrollwork

One of the defining characteristics of Oregon Hill architecture is the beautiful decorative sawn scrollwork found on the wooden brackets and balustrades of the porches of the neighborhood. The woodwork provides an elegant and rhythmic pattern that is pleasing to the eye and a source of pride for the builder. Unfortunately, the neighborhood has lost much of its scrollwork in the last few decades when renovators failed to understand the importance of maintaining this distinctive design feature.

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Trash, City Code, and Responsibilities

Councilperson Agelasto withdrew a rental property inspection proposal this past Tuesday, citing lack of support from other City Council members and Mayor Jones. However, he has vowed to keep working on rental property issues, including flagrant public dumping.

From Councilperson Parker Agelasto’s FaceBook page:

The following sections of City Code are relevant to refuse collection and the tenants and property owner’s responsibilities. Please help us share this information so that people can be better informed of their responsibilities.
Sec. 86-81. – Standards generally.
(a) All refuse to be collected by the city shall be limited to containers approved by the director of public works or to bulk or brush items.
Sec. 86-44. – Times and places of collection; bulk items; brush collection; collection of loose leaves.
(a) Refuse receptacles and recycling bins must be placed out for collection by 6:00 a.m. of the scheduled collection day but not earlier than 4:00 p.m. of the day preceding, except for any special times as deemed necessary by the director of public works. The refuse receptacles and recycling bins must be removed by 7:00 a.m. on the day following collection from city property and right-of-ways to include, but not be limited to, sidewalks, alleys and median strips between sidewalks and roadways. Refuse receptacles and recycling bins shall be placed for collection at a location designated by the director of public works. The public utility account holder of any property to which a refuse receptacle has been assigned shall be responsible for removing the refuse receptacle from city property by 7:00 a.m. on the day following collection. Any account holder who allows a refuse receptacle or recycling bin to remain on city property after 7:00 a.m. on the day following collection shall receive a notice from the Department of Public Works advising of the violation and allowing the account holder an opportunity to remove the refuse receptacle or recycling bin. If the refuse receptacle or recycling bin is not timely removed from city property, the Department of Public Works shall cause the account holder to be assessed a civil penalty in the amount of $50.00 for each and every calendar day that each and every refuse receptacle or recycling bin remains on city property beginning with the date of the most recent past scheduled pick up time from the Department of Public Works. Such civil penalty shall be included on the account holder’s monthly utility statement and shall be subject to collection in the same manner as other utility charges including delinquent charges for utilities.
(b) Upon request, the director of public works shall schedule the collection of bulk items such as furniture or similar large items at no charge. However, for same-day collection of bulk items and for collection of appliances, a fee shall be charged as set forth in appendix A to this Code.
(c) Collection of loose tree trimmings less than four inches in diameter, six feet in length; shrubbery trimmings; and loose brush shall be scheduled by the director of public works.
(d) Collection of loose leaves shall be undertaken in accordance with a schedule established by the director of public works. Upon request, loose leaves may be collected outside the established collection period. A fee as set forth in appendix A to this Code shall be charged for service outside the established collection period.
(e) If the director of public works finds that refuse quantities or location, building design or other factors are not compatible for refuse collection by city forces and equipment, the refuse shall be removed by private or contract collectors. The director of public works shall give adequate notice of such noncollectibility or noncompliance, so that other collection arrangements may be made.
(f) Fees for collection may only be waived during city-designated cleanups or declared emergencies.
(g) Real property owners or their agents who file for eviction proceedings with the city sheriff shall remove all property or items which are placed outside during an eviction within 72 hours of the eviction. Notwithstanding the collection fee provided for in subsection (b) of this section, if the evicted tenant, building owner or the owner’s agent fails to immediately remove the property or items after the 72-hour time period has elapsed, the city will cause the immediate removal and assess the building owner a removal fee as set forth in appendix A to this Code.
Sec. 86-46. – Limitations on amounts of refuse per collection; commercial establishments; multifamily properties.
(a) When refuse from commercial establishments exceeds four supercans per collection, the operator of such business is required to remove and dispose of such excess at the expense of the operator.
(b) When refuse from multifamily properties, exclusive of properties owned and operated by a re-development and housing authority organized pursuant to Code of Virginia, § 36-1 et seq., exceeds four supercans per collection, the owner or the managing agent designated for such property shall be required to remove and dispose of any and all excess at the owner’s or agent’s expense, except where such owner or managing agent has made prior contractual arrangements for payment of the cost for collection of excess refuse by the city. Such contractual arrangements shall be upon reasonable terms and conditions as may be determined by the director of public works and shall specifically provide for a monthly charge as set forth in appendix A to this Code over and above the limit of four supercans per collection and shall further provide for the payment of a security deposit in the total amount as set forth in appendix A to this Code by each owner or managing agent as a precondition to city collection of such excess refuse. Any security deposit paid under this subsection and any funds previously paid as a security deposit for city collection of excess refuse shall be deposited into the general fund of the city. Upon termination of contractual arrangements for city collection of excess refuse, any amount due and owing the city shall be deducted from the amount of the security deposit, and the remainder shall be refunded to the contracting party.
Sec. 86-48. – Disposal of building refuse and debris from construction, alteration or demolition operations.
(a) The city shall not be responsible for the collection or hauling of building materials originating from private property preliminary to, during or subsequent to the construction of new buildings or alterations or additions to existing buildings of whatever type or from demolition of existing structures. Such material shall be removed by the owner of the property or by the contractor. No inspection certificate or certificate of occupancy shall be issued until such material has been removed by the owner or contractor. In addition, all contractors must provide refuse receptacles for construction debris and litter to be deposited in at the end of each working day.
(b) Dirt, mud, construction materials and other debris deposited upon any public or private property as a result of construction or demolition operations shall be immediately removed by the contractor. Construction sites shall be kept clean and orderly at all times.
(c) The prime contractor or developer of a construction or demolition site shall be held responsible for maintaining the site as required by this section.
Sec. 86-7. – Abatement by city.
(a) In addition to the other penalties provided in section 1-16, whenever the chief administrative officer determines that there has been a violation of one or more of the sections of this chapter, the chief administrative officer shall give notice in writing of that fact to the owner or occupant or both of the property on which such violation exists, which notice shall state that the owner or occupant or both shall abate such violation within ten days from the date the notice was served. Such notice shall set forth the location and nature of the violation.
(b) Service of notice required to be given under this section shall be made by mailing the notice to the last known street or post office address of the person, agent, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or occupant to whom it is directed by mail or by delivery thereof in person. Proof of so mailing or delivering the notice shall be sufficient evidence that the notice was served, and the date of mailing or delivery, as the case may be, shall be the date of service. The term “proof of mailing” shall include either the use of certified mail or a written affirmation signed by the sender that reflects the date of mailing. If the last known street or post office address of the person, agent, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or occupant is unknown or the notice so mailed is returned undelivered by the post office, service of the notice shall be made by posting the notice on the land or premises on which the violation exists or on the land or premises abutting the sidewalk, street or alley on which the violation exists. Proof of posting the notice shall be sufficient evidence that the notice was served, and the date of posting shall be the date of service.
(Code 1993, § 31-7; Ord. No. 2004-360-330, § 1, 12-13-2004)

Previous posts on this subject: Here, and here. As for public dumping, here are just a few of many: Here, here, and here.

Around the ‘Hood

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City workers have added new street signs to Oregon Hill Parkway’s descent to 2nd Street. I am guessing the ‘yield’ sign at the bottom of the ramp is for bicyclists (who are allowed to go down the street that way). Perhaps there should be ‘No Parking’ signs added?

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A cobblestone alley entranceway on the 500 block of S. Pine Street is getting worked on.

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A mural has been added on the 600 block of Idlewood, as part of the 2015 Richmond Mural Project. However, this piece, signed by “Jerkface”, looks like it has not been completed yet.

Cleanups This Saturday

Two cleanup efforts are happening this Saturday-

First, from Jimmy’s email:

OREGON HILL ALLEY CLEANUP
SATURDAY JULY 11 8-11 am

We will walk thru the alleys to
toss all the discarded furniture into the
trash truck. Come to Pleasants Park (S. Laurel & Albemarle St.) at 8am.

Even if you can only give 30 minutes, we’d love to have you!!

Coming later than 8am?? Call me at 804-335-5808 or simply look in all the alleys til you find us.
If lifting furniture isn’t your thing, we can give you a grabber & bag for you to get the smaller litter.

Seeking anyone who can join the effort. Oregon Hill residents or not. Get some exercise – save on Gym Membership fees!!

If you can join the cleanup THIS SATURDAY, please say so in a reply.

LOTS OF DISCARDED FURNITURE GOT LOST
ON ITS WAY TO THE CITY DUMP!!
YOU CAN HELP US GETTING IT
TO WHERE IT WANTS TO GO!!

thanks, jimmy blackford

Second, from RVA Cleansweep:

Oregon Hill Monthly Cleanup
Saturday, July 11, 2015
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Corner of Cumberland Street & Cherry Street
899 Cumberland Street, Richmond, VA (map)

We will be wearing orange T-shirts on the Corner of Cumberland & Cherry
We will be cleaning along Cumberland Street in Oregon Hill. Please bring your water bottle.

All supplies will be provided. Please wear closed toed shoes.

Please use the MeetUp page to sign up for the RVA Cleansweep effort.
http://www.meetup.com/RVA-Clean-Sweep/events/222805199/

More coordination for future cleanups is something that is being worked on now.

Important Announcement For July 3 Fireworks

From Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, in regard to fireworks on July 3:

On July 3rd:

At around 5 pm, police officers will be stationed at the following intersections:

Laurel and Idlewood, Holly and Laurel, Holly and Pine.

Because of congestion and traffic from the Downtown Expressway, police decided this year to close Laurel Street at Idlewood to everyone but neighbors and guests.

Those without the password or current proof of address will still be able to access the neighborhood at Spring Street until around 7 pm. At 7 pm, the police will start closing down Belvedere and the Lee Bridge.

The Overlook be closed to all but residents and guests. The Oregon Hill Parkway should be closed at the same time 2nd street is closed. The Lee Bridge ramps will be closed also.

Neighbors can get past the police at any time with the password or identification showing that they reside in the neighborhood.

“Oregon Hill Proposed Conditions for Tredegar Green Amphitheater”

The following letter was sent from an attorney hired by the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association on June 17 to members of City Council, the Mayor’s office, Richmond Police Department, and others.

Dear elected and appointed officials of the City of Richmond:

We represent the neighborhood associations of Oregon Hill and the Overlook.

The citizens of Oregon Hill and the Overlook have engaged with Venture Richmond in a series of discussions, and today have provided a set of draft conditions for the consideration of Venture Richmond in their proposed zoning request to the City for the Tredegar Green Amphitheater.

The homeowners and residents of Oregon Hill support (and enjoy) robust public use of the riverfront and specifically do not oppose reasonable use of the Tredegar Green property. However, like any neighborhood of homeowners in the City, they have reasonable concerns about adverse impacts on noise, parking, trash, public safety and the like. And, like any neighborhood of homeowners in the City, they have a legitimate expectations that these adverse impacts will be reasonably addressed by a zoning applicant and by their City officials.

To assist Venture Richmond and the City, we have prepared a proposed set of conditions that we feel reasonably address the adverse impacts of use of the Tredegar Green property. Attached are that set of conditions and an explanatory cover letter to Venture Richmond counsel Bill Axselle.

We look forward to working with Venture Richmond and the City as the zoning application goes forward. In that process, we submit these conditions to allow the uses that Venture Richmond envisions while reasonably protecting the neighbors on Oregon Hill.

We welcome your input and assistance in this regard.

Thank you very much,

Andrew R. McRoberts
Attorney
Sands Anderson PC

From: McRoberts, Andrew R.
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 1:31 PM
To:
Cc:
Subject: Oregon Hill Proposed Conditions for Tredegar Green Amphitheater

Bill, here are our proposed conditions and an explanatory cover letter. We look forward to working with you in addressing the Oregon Hill neighborhood’s reasonable concerns.

We learned this morning – too late to affect these conditions I promised you today – that the Richmond Police Department (“RPD”) may wish for the applications for event management plan approval to go through another department or agency rather than the RPD. Although I have not discussed this with my clients, I anticipate that shifting the receiving/approving agency to another department or office which works better for all would be acceptable to us. As I mentioned in the cover letter, a number of City departments may be involved in review of a proposed event management plan.

Thanks for your assistance,

Andrew

Andrew R. McRoberts
Attorney
Sands Anderson PC

Attachment: Letter to Hon Ralph L. Axselle Jr 6-17-15 (Editor’s note: click here for PDF)