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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 $69,920.00 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ African American Cemetery and Graves Fund and to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities called the “Historic African American Cemeteries Special Fund,” and appropriating the increase to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ “Historic African American Cemeteries Special Fund” by $69,920.00 for the purpose of providing funding for preservation, maintenance, and stewardship activities at historically African American cemeteries.
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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 $69,920.00 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ African American Cemetery and Graves Fund for the purpose of providing funding for preservation, maintenance, and stewardship activities at historically African American cemeteries.
§ 2. That Article I, Section 2 of Ordinance No. 2025-057, adopted May 12, 2025, which adopted a Special Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, and made appropriations thereto, be and is hereby amended by creating a new special fund for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities called the “Historic African American Cemeteries Special Fund” for the purpose of providing funding for preservation, maintenance, and stewardship activities at historically African American cemeteries.
§ 3. That the funds received from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ African American Cemetery and Graves Fund are hereby appropriated to the Special Fund Budget for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026, by increasing estimated revenues by $69,920.00, increasing the amount appropriated for expenditures by $69,920.00, and allotting to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ “Historic African American Cemeteries Special Fund” the sum of $69,920.00 for the purpose of providing funding for preservation, maintenance, and stewardship activities at historically African American cemeteries.
§ 4. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.
City of Richmond
Intracity Correspondence
DATE: April 16, 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 and Administration
THROUGH: Letitia Shelton, Director of Finance
THROUGH: Meghan Brown, Director of Budget and Strategic Planning
THROUGH: Amy Popovich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer - Human Services
FROM: Christopher E. Frelke, Director of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
RE: To accept funds in the amount of $69,920.00 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ African American Cemetery and Graves Fund for the purpose of funding preservation, maintenance, and stewardship activities at historically African American cemeteries.
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 $69,920.00 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ African American Cemetery and Graves Fund and to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities called the “Historic African American Cemeteries Special Fund,” and appropriating the increase to the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities’ “Historic African American Cemeteries Special Fund” by $69,920.00 for the purpose of providing funding for preservation, maintenance, and stewardship activities at historically African American cemeteries.
BACKGROUND: The Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ African American Cemeteries and Graves Fund provides grants to support maintenance and care of cemeteries established prior to 1948 for the interment of African Americans. Eligible graves include those of individuals born before 1900 and those born after 1900 but interred before 1948. Verification may include headstone inscriptions, vital records, church records, and historical documentation. The grant funds will support the preservation activities at the following City-owned cemeteries:
• Mt. Olivet Cemetery - $23,575.00
• Barton Heights Cemeteries - $8,060.00
• Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground - $38,285.00
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: After introduction, the proposed ordinance will be referred to Finance and Economic Development Standing Committee meeting for discussion, where the public is encouraged to attend to provide comments. After the committee’s recommendation to the City Council, 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 2025-2026 Special Fund revenues will increase by $69,920.00. A new special fund called the “Historic African American Cemeteries Special Fund” will be created.
DESIRED EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon adoption
REQUESTED INTRODUCTION DATE: May 26, 2026
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING DATE: June 8, 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: Exhibit A - Grant Agreement
STAFF: Christopher Frelke, Director, PRCF
Shamar Young, Deputy Director, PRCF
Kimberly Jackson, Cemeteries Community Engagement Manager, PRCF