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To provide for the nomination of Odie Donald II, Nicole Jones, and Ellen F. Robertson as the City of Richmond’s three Directors and the election of the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Transit Company for the period commencing upon election and qualification of these nominees as Directors and terminating on the date of the 2027 annual meeting of shareholders upon the election and qualification of the successors to these Directors.
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WHEREAS, the City of Richmond and the County of Chesterfield each own one-half of all outstanding shares of the common stock of Greater Richmond Transit Company; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond has the right to nominate three citizens of the City of
Richmond as Directors of the Greater Richmond Transit Company and the obligation to vote its shares of common stock for these three nominees, the three nominees of the County of Chesterfield, and the three nominees of the County of Henrico; and
WHEREAS, the County of Chesterfield and the County of Henrico have nominated their nominees to serve on the Board of Directors during the current year, and an annual meeting of shareholders has been scheduled for the purpose of electing the nine nominees to the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Richmond as the governing body of the City is the holder of the common stock issued to the City of Richmond and is entitled to appoint and nominate the City of Richmond’s three Directors of the Greater Richmond Transit Company and to vote its shares of stock for its three nominees, the three nominees of the County of Chesterfield, and the three nominees of the County of Henrico; and
WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Richmond desires to nominate Odie Donald II, Nicole Jones, and Ellen F. Robertson to serve as Directors of the Greater Richmond Transit Company;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND:
That Odie Donald II, Nicole Jones, and Ellen F. Robertson are hereby nominated and appointed to serve as members of the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Transit Company.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:
That the President of the Council, Cynthia I. Newbille, or her designee, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, is hereby authorized to vote each of the five shares of common stock of the Greater Richmond Transit Company issued to the City of Richmond and to take such other steps as may be requisite to effectuate the election of the hereinafter named persons as members of the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Transit Company for a period commencing upon the election and qualification of these nominees as Directors and continuing through the date of the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders and the election and qualification of the successors to these Directors: Odie Donald II, Nicole Jones, and Ellen F. Robertson, the three nominees of the County of Chesterfield, and the three nominees of the County of Henrico.
DATE: Sepember 14, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: RJ Warren, Council Chief of Staff
THROUGH: Will Perkins, Senior Legislative Services Manager
Sophie McGinley, Council Policy Analyst
FROM: The Honorable Cynthia Newbille, Councilmember 7th District
RE: To nominate Nicole Jones, Ellen Robertson, Odie Donald II to the Board of
Directors of the Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC).
CNL-2026-0071
PURPOSE: To nominate Council Members Nicole Jones, Ellen Robertson, and Chief
Administrative Officer Odie Donald II for election to the Board of Directors of GRTC at its 2026 annual meeting.
BACKGROUND: GRTC provides public transportation in the City and metro region. The
company’s stock is owned by the City of Richmond and the County of Chesterfield. The governing bodies of the jurisdictions owning GRTC, and Henrico County have authority to nominate persons for election to its Board of Directors. With this legislation, the Richmond City Council will nominate City Chief Administrative Officer Donald and Council Members Jones and Robertson for election to GRTC’s Board of Directors.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: These nominations provide representation from City Council and the City Administration on the GRTC Board of Directors. Council Member Robertson currently serves as City Council's representative on the Richmond Planning Commission, bringing experience in long-range planning, land use, and transportation planning. Council Member Jones serves as Chair of the Land Use, Housing, and Transportation Standing Committee, providing Council leadership on transportation, mobility, housing, and land use policy. Chief Administrative Officer Donald provides executive leadership over City operations and regional coordination. Collectively, these appointments support continued coordination between City Council, City Administration, and GRTC on issues affecting residents and transit users throughout Richmond.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: These appointments support implementation of the City's Master Plan (Richmond 300) by ensuring City representation on the governing board of the region's public transit provider.
The nominations support Richmond 300's goals to:
• Expand access to reliable, safe, and convenient transportation choices for residents.
• Coordinate transportation and land use planning to support connected, walkable neighborhoods and activity centers.
• Strengthen regional partnerships to improve mobility, economic opportunity, and equitable access to jobs, housing, education, and services.
• Advance implementation of multimodal transportation investments consistent with the City's adopted transportation and land use policies.
These appointments also facilitate continued coordination between City Council, the City Administration, and GRTC on transportation planning and policy.
FISCAL IMPACT: None.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption.
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: September 14, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: September 28, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Government Operations Standing Committee
AFFECTED AGENCIES: Office of Chief Administrative Officer,
City Council
Greater Richmond Transit Company
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
STAFF: Sophie McGinley, Council Policy Analyst, 804-646-5826