Nederlander National Markets Broadway in Norfolk/Richmond

The current charter is from 1948. | Photo by @takeone.aerial

The current City Charter of Richmond dates back to 1948, but it’s been almost two decades since the city took a good hard look at it. Last March, City Council adopted an ordinance to establish the City Charter Review Commission and tasked it with conducting a comprehensive analysis of the document.

Here are five things you need to know about the project.

🏙 The commission has nine members

City Council appointed the nine members of the commission. It’s chaired by Dr. Thad Williamson, a UR professor and civic activist. According to the ordinance, all members should have “substantial experience in local government” and cannot be a current city employee.

🔍 The review will be comprehensive

History and grammar nerds, unite. The commission will be looking at everything, including outdated text and clerical errors. It’ll also evaluate potential amendments that the Mayor or City Council members suggest.
Expect to see a lot of amendment suggestions to clean up language and grammar — but not just that. The ordinance specifically calls out that the commission could recommend things like staggered terms for City Council and other changes to the city’s “current form of government.”

🗣 Public participation is important

The commission hosted its first public meeting last Thursday. It plans to put several more on the agenda this spring, including monthly work sessions that will be open to the public.

In addition to attending meetings, Richmonders will be able to access an informational website and may be asked to complete short surveys as the review continues.

The first public survey opened on May 19 and will keep collecting responses until June 21. Share your thoughts.

🗓 There’s a deadline

The ordinance says the group needs to sum up its final recommendations in a report to City Council by July 31. Once the final report has been submitted, City Council will have a few months to consider any edits.

City Council won’t be making the changes itself — amendments will have to go to the 2024 session of the General Assembly of Virginia.

Initial Recommendations

On May 23, the commission’s two subcommittees both released reports with recommendations. The Governance Subcommittee focused on suggestions for improvements to the existing Mayor-Council form of government, while the Electoral Subcommittee explored a possible Council-Manager form of government.

The Governance Subcommittee put forward several ideas, each listed with an accompanying goal. Those include increasing the authority and compensation of the mayor, rearranging the City Attorney office, and allowing City Council to provide feedback on the mayor’s budget in advance of its formal introduction.

On the Electoral side, more substantial changes are being explored. These include:

Bringing the mayor on as a voting member of City Council
Switching the mayoral election to be an at-large, citywide election with instant run-off voting rather than requiring five out of nine districts to win
Reducing the size of City Council from nine members to six, not including the mayor
Introducing four-year, staggered terms for City Council
Appointing a City Manager to serve as chief executive officer of the city

Reminder: It’ll be up to the Virginia General Assembly to approve any proposed changes.

What questions do you have about the initial recommendations? Shoot them our way.

QUIZ

What year was Richmond incorporated as a city?
Hint: It’s the same year the first City Charter was legalized.

A. 1742
B. 1782
C. 1842
D. 1870

CLICK TO ANSWER

EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Monday, Jan. 23

Monday Madness Game Night | Monday, Jan. 23-Monday, Feb. 27 | 5-10 p.m. | The 4 Cyber Cafe, 4 W. Broad St., Richmond | Free | Games, wings, and music — name a better combo.
Top Down Comedy | Monday, Jan. 23-Monday, March 20 | Times vary | Bottoms Up Pizza, 1700 Dock St., Richmond | Free | Grab a slice and get your laughs in with host Mary Jane French.

Tuesday, Jan. 24

Darrin Hacquard w/ Brady Heck | Tuesday, Jan. 24 | 7 p.m. | The Camel, 1621 W. Broad St., Richmond | $10 | See the Ohioan multi-instrumentalist with a local opener.

Wednesday, Jan. 25

History Unfolded: U.S. Newspapers & the Holocaust | Wednesday, Jan. 25 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Register to help uncover how Virginia newspapers reported on the Holocaust in the 1930s and 1940s.

Thursday, Jan. 26

Rumours: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute | Thursday, Jan. 26 | 6:30 p.m. | The National, 708 E. Broad St., Richmond | $25-$30 | This tribute act is the stuff of dreams.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

DRINK

Have the party without the hangover

Athletic Brewing Jan 2023 Mini Article (Cropped)

Every beer is non-alcoholic (0.5% ABV or less). | Photo by Athletic Brewing Company

You might even have more fun.

Athletic Brewing Company makes non-alcoholic beer you can drink without sacrificing feeling your best. It tastes great, has all the variety from IPAs to goldens, and has even won awards. (Read: Even beer snobs think it’s good.)

Ready to give dry a try? Subscribe to get 50% off your first month, and get members-only perks (think: early access to new launches + merch). Cheers. 🍻 *

TRY IT FOR 50% OFF

NEWS NOTES

Weather

51º | Morning showers | 53% chance of rain

Coming Soon

A new coffee shop is set to open in early February near the intersection of Broad and Parham. Brick Road Coffee Co. (8055 Shrader Rd.) is located in a converted train car which will have indoor and patio seating. ☕️ (Richmond BizSense)

Theater

Two local theater companies are merging. The New Theatre, headed by artistic director Nathaniel Shaw, will combine with Firehouse Theatre after longtime leader Joel Bassin retires. Shaw will stay on as artistic director of Firehouse. (Style Weekly)

Festival

Tickets are on sale now for JamPacked 2023. The Brown’s Island craft beer and musical festival is set for Saturday, Aug. 12. Headliners Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will be joined by Circles Around The Sun, Eggy, Dogs In a Pile, and Yam Yam. 🎶

Sports

VCU Men’s Basketball emerged victorious in the Capital City Classic on Friday, beating UR 74-62. Jamir Watkins led the Rams with 15 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. With the win, the team improves to 15-5 while the Spiders drop to 11-9. 🏀

Biz

Have a great business idea? Startup Virginia’s Idea Factory could help you turn it into a reality. The free, seven-week program teaches participants how to test, improve, pitch, and launch their ideas. Apply for the spring cohort before Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Concert

Make Valentine’s plans with the Richmond Symphony Pops. On Saturday, Feb. 4, enjoy a concert featuring classic cinematic love songs from films including “West Side Story,” “Titanic,” and “The Way We Were.” Tickets start at $15.

Jobs

Calling all teachers. RPS is hosting a job fair on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School (1000 Mosby St.). All RPS schools will be represented and are hiring in dozens of content areas. Register to attend. 🍎

Arts

This one is for all the kids out there. RPAA’s Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series returns this Saturday, Jan. 28 from 10 a.m.-12:30pm. Head to Henrico High School Center for a morning of workshops and performances featuring some of Richmond’s most talented artists.*

Travel

Scott’s Cheap Flights is going, going...Going. The travel membership that saves you hundreds on flights has a new name, and in honor of the rebrand, you can get 30% off a Premium membership with code 6AMCITY30. What you’ll get: last minute weekend trips, mistake fares, and early deal alerts. Hurry — this offer ends tomorrow, Jan. 24. ✈️*

Number

4 million. The number of subscribers to Morning Brew, a free daily newsletter that covers the latest in business, finance, and tech. Morning Brew is 100% free and takes just five minutes to read (and thanks to its witty, fun tone, you’ll want to open it every morning).*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

EAT

Eat outside all year long

RICtoday_RestaurantsHeatedPatios_ProxiMap

Click the map to explore more heated patios in Richmond. | Map by RICtoday via Proxi

If the past week is any indication, Richmond’s roller coaster weather isn’t going anywhere. Luckily, the River City has plenty of restaurants with heated patios to enjoy a meal, no matter the temperature.

Here are a few reader recommendations — click the button to see our full list, plus an interactive map.

New York Deli | 2920 W. Cary St.
The rooftop has fire pits and a tropical theme to keep you toasty.

Lunch.SUPPER! | 1213 Summit Ave.
Try this: Stuffed portabellos and bacon-onion-parm brussel sprouts.

Pit and Peel Rooftop | 1210 W. Main St.
Enjoy a coffee, tea, or toasted marshmallow and snuggle up with a view.

Citizen Burger Bar | 2907 W. Cary St.
Don’t worry about getting cold on this deck. Did you know? There’s actually no hotter place on earth than the inside of a fried pickle.

MORE HEAT

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Robin.

Editor’s pick: Did you catch Richmond native Lucy Dacus on the cover of Rolling Stone with her supergroup boygenius? I’ve got the three released tracks on repeat until the record comes out March 31. 🎶

Missed our last newsletter? We shared 30+ dog-friendly spots around Richmond.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Robin Schwartzkopf, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

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🏙 The commission has nine members

🔍 The review will be comprehensive

📝 It can recommend changes

🗣 Public participation is important

🗓 There’s a deadline

Initial Recommendations