City News

Press Releases and Announcements

MyCheckFree Retirement Announcement

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities is aware of a communication customers are receiving regarding the retirement of MyCheckFree, a bill payment service DPU’s billing partner Kubra utilizes. Current customers are able to utilize this service until it is retired March 13, 2024. DPU is actively pursuing a similar service and anticipating that to be in place by March 13, 2024 to ensure a seamless transfer of customer information. We invite impacted customers to follow this space for updates. Information on other payment options can be found here.

UPDATE 2

MyHQ is now LIVE.

MyHQ is a new eBill option available for enrollment. All customers are encourage to take advantage of this free, easy and paperless electronic billing and payment option to ensure safer delivery of bills and payments.

Click here to access MyHQ.

UPDATE 1
City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities customers
who are using the MyCheckFree platform may receive subsequent reminders informing them of its retirement on March 13, 2024.

This past month, DPU has been working very closely with our billing vendor Kubra to provide a replacement platform which is called MyHQ. The MyHQ platform will have the following features:

  • Notification of current bill
  • Ability to view current and historical bills (up to 36 months, versus the 6 months currently with MyCheckFree)
  • ACH payments
  • Auto pay set up

DPU is anticipating a Go-Live date of February 26, 2024 at which time MyCheckFree customers can establish an account with MyHQ to continue their e-bill options. Future updates will be posted here.

Richmond Soft Launches Real Time Crime Center

Using new technology, the real time crime center will assist officers in the field 

RICHMOND, VA The Richmond Police Department had a soft launch of their inaugural real-time crime center, also known as the Capital City Intelligence Center, earlier this week. While there are still personnel to hire and software and equipment to acquire, the center will begin assisting law enforcement officers to respond quickly to crimes in progress or to those that recently occurred using new technology.

Earlier this year, the City of Richmond received a $750,000 grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia to launch a real time crime center. The center will provide the Richmond Police Department with the ability to capitalize on a comprehensive and expanding range of technologies for efficient and effective policing. The technologies available include security cameras, license plate readers (LPR) cameras, shot detection, officers' body-worn cameras, and more – all tools that will allow officers to respond to calls for service more efficiently, more deliberately, with improved operational intelligence, and with a proactive emphasis on officer, citizen, and community safety.

“The key to a thriving city is a safe city – and day in and day out my administration is working to create a safer Richmond,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “We’re throwing the kitchen sink at this issue. And this is what the kitchen sink looks like. With a Real Time Crime Center officers in the field will have the assistance of modern technology to maximize the efficiency and speed of investigations and most importantly, keep Richmonders safe.” 

"From Las Vegas to Miami, Real-Time Crime Centers have demonstrated their effectiveness and efficiency," said RPD Chief Rick Edwards. "Whether it is to help lock up violent offenders, assist the Commonwealth Attorney's office in the successful prosecution of offenders, locate firearms held by those not lawfully permitted to possess them, the CCIC will be a force multiplier and act as an 'Air Traffic Controller' for our officers. I am proud to see this project come to fruition and look forward to continuing our work of keeping the public safe."

"The bottom line is we need to do more with less. Across the nation, officers are leaving the profession for various reasons. I have to work leaner and smarter. I must use every tool in the toolbox. Police technology, used and leveraged appropriately, can counter labor shortages, and educating the public on our strategic plan to reduce crime in our city improves public trust," said Chief Edwards.

The City of Richmond plans to provide information sessions in the new year on the Capital City Intelligence Center.

 

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Richmond E-Cycle: Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling Event - Saturday, January 13, 2024

Posted: December 18, 2023

~ The event includes paper shredding & the collection of electronics, household hazardous waste items & oil-based paint ~

Who:   The Richmond Department of Public Works and The Clean City Commission

What: 15th Annual City of Richmond Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling Event & More

When: Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: 1710 Robin Hood Road (northeast corner of Robin Hood Road & North Arthur Ashe Boulevard)

Background: The City of Richmond’s E-Cycle Day event offers City residents an efficient option to recycle Christmas trees, paper, electronics, and household hazardous waste items to keep them out of the landfill. Recycling these items also helps keep city waterways, streams, and rivers clean. Recycling Christmas trees allows them to be re-purposed and used as mulch. This free event is available to city residents – proof of residency is required. No commercial or business items will be accepted.

Christmas Tree Recycling Options:

  • Tree Drop-off: Residents can drop off their trees at the following two locations:
  1. 1710 Robin Hood Road on the day of the event or prior to the event
    • Remove all lights and decorations
    • If dropping off prior to the recycling event, please place the tree in the designated area
    • Note: No trees will be accepted at 1710 Robin Hood Road after the event ends at 2 p.m. on January 13, 2024.
  2. East Richmond Road Convenience Center (ERRCC), located at 3800 East Richmond Road
    • Residents can start dropping off Christmas trees after the holiday through January 11, 2024 
    • ERRCC hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday
  • Curbside Collection Instructions – handled by the department’s Bulk and Brush Team:
    • Please place your Christmas tree (with no lights or decorations) beside your recycle cart and it will be picked up on your regular recycle collection day by the bulk and brush team (not by CVWMA). The team will collect Christmas trees curbside after the holiday through Thursday, January 11, 2024. 

Note: All trees collected curbside or dropped off at the ERRCC will be recycled.

Paper Shredding – no charge

  • Up to five (5) paper bags or boxes of paper documents
  • Remove staples and clips
  • Paper shredded onsite

Electronics – various fees apply

  • Computer systems (hard drive or CPU) and accessories (cables, wires, keyboards, mice, speakers, etc.) VCRs, camcorders, stereos, and all phones
  • Televisions, computer monitors and printers
  • Other electronic equipment (almost anything with a plug - see the online list for clarification)
  • To get fees and the full list of electronics go to www.rva.gov/public-works/clean-city-commission and click on the tab for Recycling

Household Hazardous Waste Items – no charge

  • Pesticides, herbicides (Roundup, Weed B Gon, bug spray, rodent poison etc.)
  • Oil-based paints

For more information on DPW, please visit us online at www.rva.gov/public-works or email us at AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! For updates on DPW-related projects, activities and events visit us on Twittter @DPW_RichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

City awarded additional $10.77 Million Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant

Media Advisory

For Immediate Release                                                        

December 12, 2023 

Media Contact: Petula Burks  (804) 646-6311 or (804)  389-7151

 

~ Funding to support Vision Zero safety initiatives and projects creating safer streets for all ~                                                                                                                                  

RICHMOND, VA. – The Department of Public Works (DPW) has been awarded a second grant from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) through their Safe Streets and Roads for All Program (SS4A) this year - this one is for $10.77 million!  The grant covers nine safety improvement priority projects along with four safety planning initiatives. It will expand the city’s efforts to provide systemic safety improvements citywide. It also provides an implementation mechanism for many safety improvements aligned with the city’s Multimodal Strategic Transportation Plan: Richmond Connects.  With more than half of Richmond residents living within forty census tracts, defined according to national standards, as Areas of Persistent Poverty (66.2%) or Historically Disadvantage Communities (37.3%), the City set a goal that 75 percent of all SS4A funds be spent in these census tracts. These improvements will safely connect underserved communities within Richmond, increase access to jobs and services, and create safer conditions for all road users by lowering speeds, mitigating risky behaviors, and reducing conflicts at intersections.

“Traffic calming remains one of my administration's top priorities,” said Mayor Levar Stoney. “Whether you are riding on our newly paved biking paths or driving through our neighborhoods, it is critical we have the necessary safeguards in place to protect Richmonders.  With this infusion of grant funding from the Biden Administration, we can build upon our efforts to create safer streets. I want to applaud the administration for their continued partnership and investment to help improve Richmond’s infrastructure and roadways.”

The grant will focus on the following 12 Safety Improvement Priority Projects:

A. Retroreflective Backplates Upgrade traffic signal heads with High Visibility Signal Backplates (HVSBs). HVSBs improve visibility, conspicuity, and orientation; and create a safer environment for all drivers, especially older and visually impaired drivers. FHWA recommends adopting retroreflective backplates as a standard for signalized intersections across a jurisdiction.

B. Flashing Yellow Arrows (FYA) Upgrade intersections with FYAs. FYAs provide guidance that drivers should proceed with caution when turning left. FYAs are “the best overall alternative to the circular green as the permissive signal display for a left turn movement.

C. LED Street Lights Upgrade street lighting from high pressure sodium fixtures to LED fixtures.

LED fixtures emit a crisper, whiter light with improved Color Rendering Index (CRI) than high pressure sodium fixtures, allowing drivers to better distinguish objects at night and improve visibility for vulnerable road users. Improved lighting can increase pedestrians’ confidence in assessing gaps at uncontrolled crossings, monitor approaching vehicles, and making movements through signalized intersections. FHWA recognizes that “effective pedestrian lighting installations are a means of addressing the vulnerability of pedestrians during dark conditions and improving safety and security of all road users spanning different ages and abilities, including wheelchair and other mobility device users

D. Unsignalized Intersection Infrastructure Three-tiered approach to installing signs and markings at unsignalized intersections to meet Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) standards, including upgrading stop signs (R1-1) and placing stop bars, among other sign and marking treatments, at high risk, stop-controlled intersections.  Stop bars and replacing undersized 24-inch R1-1 signs to new 30 or 36-inch panels will increase intersection and traffic control device conspicuity and reduce approach speeds.

E. Red Light Enforcement Cameras Install red-light running cameras at the locations with the most frequent red-light running fatal and serious-injury crashes. Installation of red-light running cameras to reduce fatalities and serious injuries at intersections. Nationally each year, red-light running (RLR) results in ~1,000 fatal crashes. A CDC report found an overall reduction in crash severity and a reduction in side-impact crashes at sites with red-light cameras.

F. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons Install Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs) at high-risk crossings. PHBs flash when pedestrians are going to cross in a crosswalk, alerting and then stopping traffic while the pedestrian crosses. PHBs are an important step in Richmond’s Vision Zero Action Plan goals to implement “safety treatments on the HIN by upgrading pedestrian crossing treatments.”

G. Transit Stop Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Upgrade ADA infrastructure at transit stops on the HIN. At transit stops on the HIN, elderly, wheelchair users, and other transit users are at highest risk of injury when boarding, alighting, and traveling to and from the transit stops. Improving ADA accessibility at transit stops is a critical step toward achieving the safety and modal shift goals of the Vision Zero Action Plan.

H. Permanent Bike Lane Separation Add concrete barriers to marked separated bike lane. The City will install concrete barrier to marked separated bike lanes to lower bicyclist level of stress on the bike network. This strategy will create safer, more complete streets for vulnerable road users

I. Intersection Improvements Implement left turn hardening and curb extensions.

Left turn hardening reduces turn speeds, prevents “corner-cutting”, and reduces the conflict zone between turning vehicles and other road users. This treatment addresses safe speeds, a cornerstone of the Safe System Approach. Curb extensions and pedestrian median islands are similarly designed to slow approach and turning speeds at high-risk crossing locations. These treatments protect vulnerable users by shortening the crossing distance and increasing sight line visibility.

Five Safety Planning Initiatives

  • Speed Management Plan
    • In 2022, the City recommended the installation of 20 speed safety cameras in 10 school zone locations. These are the City’s first automated speed enforcement cameras, and the City is committed to ensuring equitable delivery of this innovative technology. This proposed budget will fund follow-up stakeholder engagement and collaboration in support of the equitable roll-out of the automated speed enforcement program in Richmond. This will include engagement strategies recommended by the 2022 Neighborhood Traffic Management Program.

  • ADA Transition Plan
    • In 2021, the City successfully conducted an ADA Audit in the downtown area. This budget will expand the City’s ability to conduct ADA Audits by focusing along the HIN and within HDC tracts.

  • High-Risk Impaired Driver Action Plan
    • In 2022, the City completed a High-Risk Impaired Driver Action Plan that focuses on addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with high-risk impaired drivers. The City, alongside the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, will use the SS4A grant funds to act on recommendations from that plan, including pilot programming that addresses upstream mental and behavioral health issues through patient screening and assessment to address substance use disorders prior to a KA crash through appropriate treatments and supervision. The plan will improve street safety for all road users - especially the most vulnerable road users.

  • HIN Roadway Safety Assessments (RSAs)
    • FHWA encourages RSAs as a proactive approach to create safer streets. RSAs are an important element of the City’s Vision Zero Program and will be used to evaluate short, mid-, and long term solutions along high priority, high-risk roadways along the HIN and HDC tracts. RSAs are also a useful tool in taking a multidisciplinary approach to identify opportunities for future safety improvements for all road users.

Grant funding includes $10.77 million in federal funds with $2.69 million matching funds from the city for a total of $13.46 million. Funding will be available in fiscal year 2025. These funds are in addition to the round 1 funding of $762,400 awarded earlier this year.

The Department of Public Works appreciates the partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, the Volpe Center, and the United States Department of Transportation to further its Vision Zero objectives through its Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program. 

Additionally, the Vision Zero Task Force would like to thank the following organizations who supported Richmond’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant application as well as all the other supporters who are involved in changing our built environment to shift our safety culture:

  • AAA Mid-Atlantic
  • Capital Area Partnership
  • Complete Streets Richmond Coalition
  • Drive Smart Virginia
  • Greater Richmond Fit4Kids
  • Mayor Levar M. Stoney
  • Resources for Independent Living
  • Richmond Ambulance Authority
  • Richmond City Council
  • Richmond City Health District
  • Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization
  • Safe and Healthy Streets Commission
  • Sportable
  • Sports Backers
  • State Delegate Dawn M. Adams
  • State Delegate Jeffrey M. Bourne
  • State Delegate Betsy B. Carr
  • State Senator Lamont Bagby, Chair, Virginia Legislative Black Caucus
  • State Senator Ghazala F. Hashmi
  • US Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan
  • US Congressman A. Donald McEachin (posthumously)
  • US Senator Timothy M. Kaine
  • US Senator Mark R. Warner
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • VCU Health Systems
  • Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
  • Virginia Department of Transportation

For more information on DPW, please go to www.rva.gov/public-works or email  AskPublicWorks@rva.gov

We’re Social! Get up-to-date information on the city’s X (Twitter) account, go to @CityRichmondVA

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The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) is one of only 195 currently accredited public works agencies in the United States. DPW’s portfolio comprises a wide array of services to include leaf collection; street, sidewalk and alley maintenance; trash collection; recycling; grass cutting;  graffiti removal; parking enforcement; urban forestry; street signs; traffic signals and pavement markings and civil engineering. In addition, DPW maintains upkeep on most city buildings; issues permits for working in the city’s right-of-way; manages the RVA Bike Share program and maintains the fleet of city vehicles. DPW’s operating budget comes from the general fund of the City of Richmond.  For more information about DPW services, click here or call 3-1-1

The City of Richmond, Virginia, in 1966, codified one of the oldest continuously operating transportation safety commissions in North America - The Safe and Healthy Streets Commission (SHSC). Since its inception, the SHSC has advised the Richmond City Council on all transportation safety matters. The SHSC has a diverse membership and includes citizens, transportation safety professionals, a city council member, the Chief of Police, the Director of Public Works, the Superintendent of Schools, and the City Transportation Engineer.

The SHSC sets annual priorities focused on executive, legislative, budgetary, and cultural changes. These priorities work towards the Richmond City Council’s 2016 goal, backed by Mayor Stoney, to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries to ZERO by 2030. The SHSC’s annual priorities reflect the City’s commitment to Vision Zero, the Safe System approach (SSA), and Complete Streets policies. The SHSC adopted the twelve strategies and five supplemental planning needs, based on their set annual priorities, to improve Richmond’s built environment and strengthen the culture of safety. With its high-functioning Vision Zero organizational structure, Richmond is well positioned to implement these projects and supplemental planning activities that showcase the impact of the SSA using proven safety countermeasures and low-cost, high-impact strategies.

The Safe and Healthy Streets Commission (SHSC) adopted Richmond’s Vision Zero Action Plan in 2018, and is charged with monitoring and reporting progress on the Action Plan. The Mayor and the SHSC established a Vision Zero Task Force, made up of City department leaders, charged with implementing the strategies, projects, and policies set out in the Action Plan.

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