title
To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept a donation of certain services, including but not limited to the design of an AI proof of concept and a survey, valued at approximately $268,209.02 from Ernst & Young LLP and, in connection therewith, to execute a Donation of Services and Data Sharing Agreement between the City of Richmond and Ernst & Young LLP, all for the purpose of enhancing the City’s certificate of occupancy processes.
body
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 a donation of services, including but not limited to the design of an AI proof of concept and a survey, valued at approximately $268,209.02 from Ernst & Young LLP for the purpose of enhancing the City’s certificate of occupancy processes.
§ 2. That the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, is hereby authorized to execute a Donation of Services and Data Sharing Agreement between the City of Richmond and Ernst & Young LLP in connection with the acceptance of the gift authorized by section 1 of this ordinance; provided that such Donation of Services and Data Sharing Agreement must first be approved as to form by the City Attorney and must be substantially in the form of the document attached to this ordinance.
§ 3. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
DATE: June 18, 2026
TO: The Honorable Members of City Council
THROUGH: The Honorable Dr. Danny Avula, Mayor
THROUGH: Odie Donald, II, Chief Administrative Officer
THROUGH: Tanikia Jackson, DCAO for Finance and Administration
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown, Director of Budget a Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Sharon Ebert, DCAO for Planning and Economic Development
FROM: Kevin Vonck, Director of Planning and Development Review
RE: Authorize acceptance of a donation of services from Ernst & Young LLP and signature of a Donation of Services and Data Sharing Agreement between the City and Ernst & Young LLP
ORD. OR RES. No.:
PURPOSE: To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept a donation of services from Ernst & Young LLP valued at approximately $268,209.02, and, in connection therewith, execute a Donation of Services and Data Sharing Agreement between the City of Richmond and Ernst & Young LLP, for the purposes of preparing and producing a survey designed to elicit feedback on the City of Richmond’s building permitting processes and an AI proof of concept solution to help the City of Richmond enhance its certificate of occupancy processes.
BACKGROUND: The Department of Planning and Development Review is excited to partner with Ernst & Young LLP to (1) conduct a survey that will help inform process improvements to improve the user experience for applicants applying for building licenses from the City and to make the building license application process more efficient overall and (2) producing an AI proof of concept solution to help the City of Richmond enhance its certificate of occupancy processes.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: NA
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Mayoral Action Plan, Pillar One (A Thriving City Hall); Goal E: Provide White Glove Service for all Constituents
FISCAL IMPACT: The total value of the donated services is approximately $268,209.02.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon Adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: July 27, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: September 14, 2026
REQUESTED AGENDA: Consent Agenda
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee
AFFECTED AGENCIES: PDR, DIT, Budget, Finance
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A: Donation of Services and Data Sharing Agreement
STAFF: Kevin Vonck, Director of PDR, Charles Todd, Director of DIT