Council Overview
Citizens of Richmond govern themselves at the state, local and federal level through a process known as
Representative Democracy. Representative Democracy is a form of government in which the people choose (elect)
fellow citizens to act on their behalf in running their government. The foundation of a representative democracy is
serving the mutual interests of all citizens and is based on inclusion, transparency, and participation.
In 2004, Richmond changed its local government from a Council-Manager form (which had been in place for more than
50 years) to a Mayor-Council form of government. While the change to a new government system did not significantly
alter day-to-day Executive Branch administrative operations, it resulted in the creation of a totally new and
separate legislative branch of government. In the Council-Manager form of government, Council members elected a
mayor from among its members and Richmond operated as a single governmental entity.
This is the first government legislative body of its kind - as the one before it had been a alderman/Common Council
form of Government and not a purely district representative council form.
Council Structure
In Richmond's new form of government, Council members are elected by members of their district to represent them in
creating and amending local laws, providing policy and government oversight, appointing members to boards and
commissions, and approving the annual city budget and a mayor is elected "at-large" by all citizens to lead the
day-to-day Executive Branch government operations.
As a citizen legislature, council members serve in a part-time capacity and many have full-time regular jobs. In
general, monthly Council member work includes meetings with district citizens and community leaders, participation
in two formal and two informal, two to three standing committee meetings, district meetings, emergency meetings, and
meetings with civic and community associations, police and schools; and, attending and representing Council when
speaking at state and local events and conferences. To assist them with their duties, each council member has one
full-time staff member who assists with citizen requests, research, representative of Council on behalf of Council
action and working with the administration.
Council generally holds two public meetings a month (except August and only once in December) in which city
business, priorities and issues are discussed and decided on.
Richmond City Council Official Public Meetings
Richmond City Council holds an average of 12 official monthly public meetings to discuss, deliberate, and act on
laws and policy on behalf of the community. Citizens are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings, which
include (but are not limited to) two "Council Formal" meetings, two "Council Informal" meetings, six Council
Standing Committee meetings, and Public Hearings/Special Events/Commission meetings held on an as-needed basis.
Meeting times and dates are subject to change. For more information and/or assistance, please call (804)646-7955.
Standing Committee structure
In addition to holding two public Council meetings twice a month (each second and forth Monday), Richmond City
Council has six public Standing Committees. The Standing Committee structure was established in 2004 to increase
efficiency and mirrors the state and federal process in which proposed legislation is sent to a committee for
in-depth discussion and review.
Richmond City Council Standing Committees represent six general government areas and include Finance; Health,
Human Services and Education; Land Use, Housing and Transportation; Governmental Operations; Organizational
Development; and, Public Safety. In Richmond, the President of Council reviews all proposed legislation and assigns
it to a Council Standing Committee based on which area it most closely relates.
Committees are comprised of four Council members who hold public Committee meetings once a month. After the
Standing Committee completes its review, it sends its recommendation to a Council meeting. Recommendations could
include approval; rejection; continuance; referral; striking (removal of the legislation), or no recommendation.
Resolutions, Ordinances, Awards and Proclamations
Richmond City Council Ordinance
An ordinance has the effect of local law in the city of Richmond. The Charter of the city of Richmond requires that
certain actions of the Council be only by ordinance. Richmond City Charter - 4.08. Examples of such actions
include the following.
"creating, altering or abolishing any department or creating, altering, assigning or abolishing any bureau,
division, office, agency or employment, fixing the compensation of any officer or employee of the city, making an
appropriation, authorizing the borrowing of money, levying a tax, establishing any rule or regulation for the
violation of which a fine or penalty is imposed, or placing any burden upon or limiting the use of private property."
Ordinances of general and permanent application are codified in the Code of the city of Richmond. Richmond City
Charter - 4.13.. Adoption of an ordinance requires the affirmative votes of at least five members of the Council.
Richmond City Charter - 4.07. The Council may not vote on an ordinance until at least seven days after its
introduction. Richmond City Charter - 4.10. Unlike some other localities, an ordinance is not signed by the
presiding officer. Instead, after adoption, a true copy of each ordinance is attested by the City Clerk and
maintained in the Office of the City Clerk. See Richmond City Charter - 4.13. Ordinances are reviewed as to form
and legality by the City Attorney prior to introduction.
Richmond City Council Resolution
A resolution is an action by the Council that generally does not have the effect of law. A resolution generally
expresses the Council's will, intent or policy on a particular matter. Also, the Council generally appoints
individuals to serve on authorities, boards and commissions and creates some ad hoc boards, commissions and
committees by the adoption of a resolution. Council Rules of Procedure V(C). Adoption of an ordinance requires the
affirmative votes of at least five members of the Council. Richmond City Charter - 4.07. Unlike an ordinance, the
Council may adopt a resolution on an expedited basis at the same time it is introduced. Council Rules of Procedure
V(B). Unlike some other localities, a resolution is not signed by the presiding officer. Instead, as with ordinances,
a true copy of each adopted resolution is attested by the City Clerk and maintained in the Office of the City Clerk.
Resolutions are reviewed as to form and legality by the City Attorney prior to introduction.
Awards
Of the many duties performed by Richmond City Council on behalf of the community, one of the most rewarding is the
recognition and honoring of individuals, businesses and organizations who, by their demonstrated commitment and
example, inspire others and help to make Richmond an even better place to live, work, learn, play, visit, and raise
a family.
Structure
Richmond, Virginia is divided into nine council districts. Citizens in each of the nine districts elect one Council
representative to serve a two-year term.
The mission of Richmond City Council is to represent citizens in creating and amending local laws, providing
government policy and oversight, and approving the city budget.
Richmond City Council elects from among its members one person to serve as Council President and one to serve as
Council Vice President. The Council President is responsible for leading the Council sessions, acting as a liaison
between Council and administration, the City's executive branch, and for providing overall direction and leadership
for the legislative body.
Richmond City Council works through public hearings and a standing committee structure to gather and organize the
relevant data necessary to create policies that advance its priorities. The standing committees are Finance; Public S
afety; Land Use, Housing and Transportation; Health and Human Services; Governmental Operations; and Organizational
Development. Each standing committee meets once a month in City Hall.
Richmond City Council meets in regular session on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6 pm in the Richmond
City Council Chambers, 2nd floor, Richmond City Hall, 900 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219. For more
information, please call (804)646-7955.
