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To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $50,000.00 from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and to amend the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities entitled “Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund Special Fund,” and appropriating the increase to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ “Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund Special Fund” by $50,000.00 for the purpose of funding the permanent protection and preservation of Barton Heights Cemetery through a dedication as open space.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, is hereby authorized to accept funds in the amount of $50,000.00 from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation for the purpose of funding the permanent protection and preservation of Barton Heights Cemetery through a dedication as open space.
§ 2. That Article I, Section 2 of Ordinance No. 2026-0063, adopted May 11, 2026, which adopted a Special Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, and made appropriations thereto, be and is hereby amended by creating a new special fund for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities entitled “Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund Special Fund” for the purpose of funding the permanent protection and preservation of Barton Heights Cemetery through a dedication as open space.
§ 3. That the funds received from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation are hereby appropriated to the Special Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027, by increasing estimated revenues by $50,000.00, increasing the amount appropriated for expenditures by $50,000.00, and allotting to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ “Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund Special Fund” the sum of $50,000.00 for the purpose of funding the permanent protection and preservation of Barton Heights Cemetery.
§ 4. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: September 28, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Tanikia Jackson, DCAO - Finance & Administration
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown, Director of Budget and Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Al Wiggins, Jr., DCAO - Operations
FROM: Christopher E. Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
RE: Acceptance and appropriation of $50,000.00 from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation for the purpose of funding the preservation and permanent protection of Barton Heights Cemetery through a dedication as open space.
ORD. OR RES. No.
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $50,000.00 from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and to amend the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities called the “Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund Special Fund,” and appropriating the increase to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ “Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund Special Fund” by $50,000.00 for the purpose of funding the permanent protection and preservation of Barton Heights Cemetery through a dedication as open space.
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Outdoors Foundation’s Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund Program supports projects that permanently protect open space and culturally significant landscapes throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities was awarded $50,000.00 for the Barton Heights Cemeteries Historic Land Protection project.
Barton Heights Cemetery consists of approximately 13 acres of historic cemetery landscape owned by the City of Richmond. Grant funds will support activities necessary to permanently protect the property as open space, preserve its historic and cultural resources, and support long-term stewardship of the site. The project will help ensure the cemetery remains protected and available for education, reflection, and respectful public access for future generations. No local match is required.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Barton Heights Cemetery has benefited from ongoing stewardship efforts involving descendants, volunteers, preservation advocates, and community members. The grant application reflects the community's commitment to preserving the cemetery as a historic and cultural landscape and will support continued engagement through stewardship, education, and respectful public access.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Mayoral Action Plan: Thriving Neighborhoods, A Thriving and Sustainable Built Environment, A City That Tells Its Stories
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: Budget, Finance
FISCAL IMPACT / COST: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Special Fund revenues will increase by $50,000.00. A new special fund titled "Open Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund Special Fund" will be created. No local match is required.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: November 9, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: December 14, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee
AFFECTED AGENCIES: PRCF, Budget, Finance
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None.
ATTACHMENTS: Award Letter, Grant Agreement
STAFF: Christopher Frelke, Director, PRCF
Shamar Young, Deputy Director, PRCF
Kimberly Jackson, Cemeteries Community Engagement Manager, PRCF
Priscilla Wright, Volunteer Program Coordinator & Grant Writer, PRCF