Category Archives: government

Councilperson Agelasto Takes On Illegal Dumping

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WTVR recently had a report on illegal dumping in City neighborhoods.

Excerpt:

Farmer claims this year is the worst yet. She claims as renters move out, their belongings move out to the curb or the alley. Sometimes the items remain in public right of ways for weeks.
“This one has been out here over two weeks,” said Farmer as she points to several old mattresses left in the alley behind her home.
It sometimes takes weeks before someone calls the city for a bulk pick up. Farmer believes it’s wrong to create such a poor reflection of the neighborhood and to assume someone else is supposed to pick up after you.
“I think its people who are used to their parents taking care them,” said Farmer.
City councilman Parker Agelasto recently captured video of an illegal dump near his home.
“it’s out of control essentially,” said Agelasto, who claims he sees similar messes all the time all across Richmond.
He was so appalled by the recent dump however that he called Richmond’s Department of Public Works and the Richmond Police.
“We’re talking huge amounts of garbage that’s not their primary function, that’s cleaning up an illegal activity,” said Agelasto.
Agelasto then stuck around to capture images of the DPW clean- up. He claims DPW is backlogged with calls to pick up what’s been illegally dumped and it’s putting strain on them and the police to have to correct other people’s mistakes. He says it’s time for the city to crack down on those who do it.
“Wherever you’ve moved, we’re going to find you and you’re going to be held accountable for what you’ve done, you can’t do this,” said Agelasto.
Richmond Police also acknowledge a huge problem with illegal dumping in the city, mainly in area where there is a high density of student housing.

From Councilperson Parker Agelasto’s FaceBook page:

Thank you Catie Beck for featuring the issue about illegal dumping in Richmond. Many people are concerned about the timeliness of bulk pick-ups; however, I believe we need to turn attention to the problems that are taxing City resources such that they impeded our regular response times. This includes the illegal dumping that occurs when rental properties turn over near the beginning and end of the school semester.

I ask that all City residents that witness such activity 1) explain that such activity is illegal and request that the individuals correct the issue, 2) document it with your cellphone, and 3) report it to the Richmond Police prior to requesting a bulk pick-up.

As a reminder, garbage must be properly bagged and in placed trash cans. If it is more than can be reasonably accommodated in the trash can, it is the resident’s responsibility to take it to the City dump. You may call for a bulk pick-up; however, there is generally a fee for this service.

If the illegal dumping persists, a lot of “personally identifiable information” can be obtained by simply looking at the garbage. The Richmond Police Department will use this information to investigate and make an arrest for a Class 1 Misdemeanor.

Certainly, this site has reported on on this problem in the past (here, here, here, here, and here) and it is exciting to have our new Councilperson address it. Hopefully his activism will spur more parties (landlords, VCU, THE RENTERS THEMSELVES, etc.) to take some responsibility.

Laurel Street Closure This Saturday

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From City press release:

For Immediate Release
July 31, 2013
For more information, contact:
Sharon North – (804) 646-5607

Street Closure – North Laurel Street
WHO: City of Richmond Department of Public Works

WHAT: Street Closure

WHEN: Saturday, August 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: North Laurel Street between Main Street and South Cathedral Place

BACKGROUND: The aforementioned area will be closed to allow for installation of an HVAC unit using a rubber tire crane.

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“Use of Certain Stones” – City Council Surprise

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I was going to wait until next week and the next Open Source show to report on the latest with the Kanawha Canal controversy, but then I spotted this in the agenda for tomorrow’s SURPRISE City Council meeting:

“Introduction of Proposed Ordinance to Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Richmond and the Richmond Metropolitan Authority Concerning the Use of Certain Stones from the Kanawha Canal.”

4th Precinct CAPS Meeting Tomorrow

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From email announcement:

Good afternoon everyone,

Apologies for the late reminder- I let this one sneak up on me a bit! Needless to say, our monthly 4th precinct CAPS meeting is this Thursday the 18th, 6 pm in the library of Linwood Holton Elementary School. We will have our usual updates from CAPS and RPD, with the addition of a short presentation on the recently enacted budget, and followed by our usual time for you to bring up issues from your neighborhoods.

Thanks as always,
Matt Toner
MPACT
(804) 646-1062
Matthew.toner at richmondgov.com

Letter and Article On Canal Wall Controversy

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Letter sent to Richmond Chief of Police:

Dear Police Chief Tarasovic,

It has been eight months since the demolition of the historic Tredegar wall on city property below Oregon Hill. At a regularly scheduled meeting on June 25, 2013, the membership of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) approved a resolution asking for a thorough investigation into the identity of the entity responsible for the tragic loss of this important historic asset and the processing of this entity through our legal system.

On Tuesday, October 16, 2012, an Oregon Hill resident witnessed a bulldozer purposely demolishing the Tredegar wall on city property. Within an hour of the demolition, contractors were photographed stacking the bricks on pallets, presumably for removal.

According to articles in the Richmond Times Dispatch, contractor Liesfeld admits that it was the contractor that demolished the wall. In the Oct. 20th T-D, Liesfeld identified NewMarket as the firm that hired them to demolish the wall. Later NewMarket, Dominion and Venture Richmond all denied that they hired the contractor to demolish the wall. Who hired Liesfeld to demolish the Tredegar wall on city property and what was the purpose of the destruction of this historic asset?

Dominion was apparently responsible for hiring the contractors for the 2nd Street Connector project, but according to Times Dispatch articles, Dominion states that they did not hire Liesfeld, and Liesfeld was not a sub-contractor for the project. Why was Liesfeld demolishing the 20+ section of the Tredegar wall if they were not a sub-contractor for the project or hired by Dominion?

The historically significant Tredegar wall was on city property and consequently was an important asset belonging to the citizens of Richmond, yet no effort has been made to identify the responsible party or to seek a suitable replacement wall in the exact location. This wall could possibly cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to replace.

The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, a legally registered corporation of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hereby requests that an investigation begin immediately and that the responsible party/parties be identified and subjected to due process under applicable laws of the Commonwealth.

Sincerely
Jennifer Hancock
OHNA, President

Click here to see article that appeared in today’s Times Dispatch.

Click here, here, and here to read some of the previous coverage on this site.

Idlewood Roundabout Plan Becomes Funded and Closer To Reality

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Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association President Jennifer Hancock announced good news in regard to the Idlewood Roundabout proposal by making public an email from Councilperson Parker Agelasto:

Our roundabout is finally going to become a reality thanks to Parker.

Thanks
Jennifer
OHNA

From: Agelasto, Parker C. – Council Member
Subject: Idlewood Roundabout

Hello everyone,

I wanted to provide an update regarding the Idlewood Roundabout. Each and everyone one of you contributed to a campaign to make this a priority. My fellow Councilmembers and the Administration heard you clearly. The project that has been discussed for nearly 15 years is finally going to be a reality.

Thanks to Brian Ohlinger for working with us to secure the $250,000 funding support from VCU for this initiative. This provided the necessary leverage for the project to get the attention of those at City Hall. Likewise the commitment from the St. Andrews Association to permit easements for the project made it very doable. The City has set aside $200,000 in the FY2014 capital improvement budget. This will leverage another $200,000 through VDOT’s revenue sharing program. The project thus has $650,000 and should begin over the next 12 months.

CAO Byron Marshall has been very helpful throughout the process. If you happen to see him, please thank him for his support of the Idlewood Roundabout. In the meantime, I will try to organize a public presentation on the project once the Department of Public Works has more specific information to share.

Sincerely,
Parker C. Agelasto
Richmond City Council, 5th District

Editor’s Note: This corresponds to number 5 of my own top ten issues for the neighborhood. With issues 4,5,6,7 all getting somewhat addressed (and a sincere hearty thanks to those who helped make that happen), it may be time to repopulate the list with some new issues.

Mailbox Improvement Week Arrives in Time for Spring Cleaning

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From Postal Service press release:

The U.S. Postal Service is asking all homeowners to inspect and repair their mailboxes during Mailbox Improvement Week, May 19- 25.

Each year, the Postal Service encourages customers to examine and, where necessary, improve the appearance and function of their mailboxes. Repairing suburban and rural mailboxes improves the appearance of the community and makes delivering and receiving mail safer for carriers and customers.

The Postal Service makes this annual request because of the wear and tear that can occur to mailboxes through normal use every year.

Some of the typical activities that may need to be done include:

· Replacing loose hinges on a mailbox door.

· Repainting a mailbox that may have rusted or started peeling.

· Remounting a mailbox post if loosened.

· Replacing or adding house numbers.

If a homeowner plans to install a new mailbox or replace a worn one, he or she must use only Postal Service-approved traditional, contemporary or locking full/limited service curbside mailboxes. Customers should be careful when purchasing curbside mail receptacles because the use of the unapproved boxes is prohibited. Customers may use a custom-built mailbox, but they must consult with their local Post Office to ensure it conforms to guidelines applying to flag, size, strength, and quality of construction.

For more information on the use of names or numbers on mailboxes, or answers to any other questions, contact your local Postmaster.
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