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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 $7,900.00 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation 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 “VA250 Marketing Leverage Program Special Fund,” and appropriating the increase to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ “VA250 Marketing Leverage Program Special Fund” by $7,900.00 for the purpose of funding the Reclaiming Our History: Barton Heights Cemeteries Heritage Trail project.
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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 $7,900.00 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation for the purpose of funding the Reclaiming Our History: Barton Heights Cemeteries Heritage Trail project.
§ 2. That Article I, Section 2 of Ordinance No. 2026-063, 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 “VA250 Marketing Leverage Program Special Fund” for the purpose of funding the Reclaiming Our History: Barton Heights Cemeteries Heritage Trail project.
§ 3. That the funds received from the Virginia Tourism Corporation 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 $7,900.00, increasing the amount appropriated for expenditures by $7,900.00, and allotting to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ “VA250 Marketing Leverage Program Special Fund ” the sum of $7,900.00 for the purpose of funding the Reclaiming Our History: Barton Heights Cemeteries Heritage Trail project.
§ 4. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: July 2, 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: Alfred Wiggins, Jr., DCAO - Operations
FROM: Christopher E. Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
RE: Acceptance and appropriation of $7,900.00 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s VA250 Marketing Leverage Program for the Reclaiming Our History: Barton Heights Cemeteries Heritage Trail project.
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 $7,900.00 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation 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 “VA250 Marketing Leverage Program Special Fund,” and appropriating the increase to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ “VA250 Marketing Leverage Program Special Fund” by $7,900.00 for the purpose of funding the Reclaiming Our History: Barton Heights Cemeteries Heritage Trail project.
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Tourism Corporation’s VA250 Marketing Leverage Program supports tourism marketing initiatives and public engagement activities associated with Virginia’s commemoration of 250 years of American history and democracy. The City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities was awarded $7,900.00 for the Reclaiming Our History: Barton Heights Cemeteries Heritage Trail project.
The project supports the development of permanent interpretive signage and related marketing activities designed to increase public awareness, heritage tourism, and respectful visitation at Barton Heights Cemeteries. Eligible activities include interpretive signage for tourism and public education, QR-linked digital storytelling content, print collateral, and promotional outreach that highlights the historical and cultural significance of Barton Heights Cemeteries within the broader context of Virginia's VA250 commemoration.
The grant is reimbursement-based and requires a 1:1 cash match, satisfied through eligible City-funded marketing and promotional expenditures associated with the approved project scope.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: After introduction, the proposed ordinance will be referred to the Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee meeting for discussion, where the public is encouraged to attend and provide comments. After the committee's recommendation to the City Council, the Council will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed ordinance.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AND OTHER GOVERNMENTAL: Mayoral Action Plan: Thriving Neighborhoods, A Thriving and Sustainable Built Environment
CONSIDERATION BY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES: Budget, Finance
FISCAL IMPACT / COST: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Special Fund revenues will increase by $7,900. A new special fund titled "VA250 Marketing Leverage Program Special Fund” will be created. The grant requires a 1:1 cash match, satisfied through eligible City-funded marketing and promotional expenditures.
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: Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee
AFFECTED AGENCIES: PRCF, Budget, Finance
RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING ORD. OR RES.: None.
ATTACHMENTS: Award Notification Letter
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