The Public Notice, Comment, and Hearing Procedures for Rules and Regulations is under proposal to be adopted. The DPU Director will hold a hearing on August 20, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 730 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219 at which time any person may appear and be heard for or against the adoption of the amendment. Written comments may be provided to Lee Crowell (lee.crowell@rva.gov) prior to the hearing.

Public Notice, Comment, and Hearing Procedures for Rules and Regulations

Richmond, VA - Through Summer 2025, the City of Richmond’s Human Services portfolio has added new staff positions in the area of neighborhood and community engagement. The new hires, some of whom take the lead on newly formed offices within the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS), will advance the City’s efforts to work closely for and alongside priority populations and neighborhoods.

The Department of Neighborhood and Community Services plays a critical role in strengthening the fabric of our city by serving as a bridge between local government and the communities it serves. NCS works to foster safe, connected, and empowered neighborhoods by providing access to vital resources, supporting resident-led initiatives, and coordinating community engagement efforts. Whether through neighborhood revitalization programs, youth and senior services, or partnerships with local organizations, the department ensures that all city residents have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive. At its core, NCS is about building relationships, uplifting community voices, and creating spaces where every resident feels seen, heard, and supported.

“As we’re focusing on thriving together, we need to partner with communities and in communities both to hear what you all need from the city and to learn from you,” said Amy Popovich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services. “We’re working to hear from you, to encourage you to be involved, to understand what’s happening at the city, and to help us make it better.”  

New offices and staff members include the following:  

• Greg Hopkins leads the newly formed Office of Gun Violence Prevention. 

• Anna Jones joins the City as the Opioid Response Strategist for the Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response.  

• Aneesah Smith will begin her tenure as the Equity and LGBTQIA+ Liaison on August 11, 2025.  

• Alyson Saylors has been named Manager of the Office of Homeless Services.

These new arrivals will contribute to ongoing efforts across the City’s Neighborhood Services offices. These include the following:  

• Office of Immigrant and Refugee Experience 

• Office of Aging and Disability Services 

• Office of Children and Families 

• Office of Neighborhood Engagement 

“At NCS, our mission is to meet people where they are—both literally and figuratively,” said Tiffany Ford, Director of the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. “The addition of new staff and offices allows us to deepen our connection to communities and expand our capacity to respond to the unique needs of Richmond’s residents. Whether we’re supporting families, addressing public health crises, or strengthening neighborhood leadership, our goal is always to build relationships rooted in trust, equity, and action. This is how we help make Richmond a city where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

“This investment in our Human Services team reflects a deep commitment to building a city where every neighborhood—and every neighbor—can thrive,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “The addition of these new roles and offices within the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services strengthens our ability to listen, respond, and partner with Richmonders, especially those who have too often been overlooked. Whether it’s gun violence prevention, opioid response, or ensuring LGBTQIA+ equity, these efforts are about more than service delivery—they’re about showing up, building trust, and working together to create a more connected and compassionate Richmond.”

During the next two weeks, the City of Richmond will highlight each area of focus across our social media platforms and website. Residents are encouraged to learn more about these offices and the communities they engage by following @rvagov on Instagram or Facebook or visiting www.rva.gov.   

Richmond, VA - The City of Richmond is proud to announce several improvements to the visitor experience on City Hall's first floor. The changes, which are part of a broad effort to improve accessibility and transparency between government and the public, include improvements to City Hall wayfinding, re-opening of the Marshall Street entrance, the addition of first floor service kiosks, improved security measures, and the re-introduction of a staffed concierge desk to assist visitors.

"City Hall is the people's building," said Director of General Services Gail Johnson, who is overseeing the improvements. "Richmonders should be able to walk through those doors and safely and conveniently find the services they're looking for; our improvements are meant to ensure just that."

"These changes are part one of a multi-step effort to realize a vision of City Hall that is more accessible and more valuable to the residents we serve, said Mayor Danny Avula. When I envision a thriving City Hall, I see a building teeming with the work of city government, where citizens can walk through the doors to find the resources they need, when they need them."

Among the changes visitors can expect to see when they enter City Hall:

Improved Security Measures

Frequent visitors to City Hall may have already noticed the installation of new weapons detectors at our 9th Street entrance. These next generation Evolv sensors, located just outside of the building's entrance, offer enhanced detection capabilities, beyond what is available with standard metal detectors.

The detectors allow for enhanced security screening precision and reduced wait times, thereby improving ease of access to the facility.

Updated Wayfinding

Once inside the building, visitors will notice new signage throughout the main floor. The signs are color-blocked and make use of clear iconography to aid visitors in the location of various first floor services:

• Green
  • Tax and Utility Payments
• Orange
  • Assessments
• Blue
  • City Treasurer
  • Human Resources
  • Public Utilities
• Pink
  • Permits, Inspections, and Zoning

Please see the linked map, complete with the color-blocked zones, for a more in-depth look at the wayfinding updates. This map and an accompanying breakdown of available services will be printed and available in both English and Spanish at City Hall entrances and at the Concierge Desk early next month.

Staffed Concierge

Beginning on Monday, visitors now have a full-time, staff member available during normal business hours at the Concierge Desk, just inside the Marshall Street entrance. The staff member, who is bilingual (English, Spanish) will be able to assist visitors in quickly locating the services they need and is yet another resource the City is providing to better meet the needs of its residents.

Additional improvements to the City Hall experience, including a thoughtful consolidation of in-person planning and permitting processes, the addition of more foreign language signage, and the inclusion of public art, are expected later this year.

Any input on the City Hall experience? Please email AskOSC@rva.gov and let us know!

RICHMOND, VA- Beginning September 1, 2025, updates to the City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities PromisePay payment plan terms will go into effect to support the upcoming transition to a new customer portal in early 2026.

Key Changes:

• New PromisePay plans established on or after September 1, 2025, will be eligible for repayment terms of up to 12 months (reduced from current 36 months). Customers with existing payment plans established before September 1, 2025 can keep their existing repayment terms.
• Customers in good standing will have one opportunity to add an additional balance to their current PromisePay Payment Plan balance.

Customers needing longer repayment terms for significant past due balances are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity now!

These updates reflect an effort to streamline services ahead of the upcoming launch of DPU’s upgraded customer portal, designed to improve customer experience and account management. Additional financial assistance options are available at rva.gov/public-utilities/billing, including MetroCare assistance programs.

PromisePay Payment Plans are a convenient, flexible payment option available to residential and commercial gas or water utility customers with a past-due balance. The PromisePay portal offers a range of payment plan options, an automatic payment feature, opt-in payment reminders and other account notifications through text messaging.

On Wednesday, July 30, at approximately 7:03 a.m., Richmond Police Department officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Clarkson Road for the report of a missing person, an adult male. When officers arrived they observed agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were operating in the area of the Southwood neighborhood.

RPD officers consulted with the agents who confirmed the subject of the missing person report was in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. RPD officers contacted the individual who reported the male missing to advise that the male was in federal custody.

RPD did not participate in the activity of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as is standard practice for the Richmond Police Department.

To locate a detained individual, use the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Online Detainee Locator System: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search

Actividad confirmada del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) de EE UU en Vecindario de Richmond

Esta mañana alrededor de las 7:03 a.m. oficiales del Depto. de Policía de Richmond (RPD) respondieron a un reporte de una persona extraviada, un hombre adulto, en la cuadra de 1500 Clarkson Road. Al llegar los oficiales, observaron la presencia de agentes del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) de Estado Unidos en el vecindario de Southwood.

Los oficiales de RPD consultaron con los agentes, quienes confirmaron la detención y custodia de la persona reportada como extraviada. Oficiales de RPD prosiguieron a contactar al individuo que hizo el reporte para notificarle que dicho hombre estaba en custodia de agentes federales.

De acuerdo con las normas de la Ciudad, el Departamento de Policía de Richmond no participó en la actividad de ICE.

Para localizar a cualquier persona detenida por ICE, use el sistema de localización del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas de los Estados Unidos: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search