Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission to hold Spring Retreat

The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission will hold a Spring Retreat.

RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall - 900 E. Broad Street, Suite 200 - Richmond, Virginia 23219 www.council.richmondva.gov

COUNCIL PUBLIC INFORMATION NEWS ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, 21 April 2010

Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission to hold Spring Retreat

Full agenda includes many planning topics

WHAT The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission will hold a Spring Retreat.

WHEN Thursday, April 22 – Friday, April 23, 2010

AGENDA Richmond Slave Trail Commission - Spring Retreat TENTATIVE AGENDA

Thurs. - April 22, 2010

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Welcome
Overview of Agenda
Update on current projects – Jeannie Welliver,
Review of the Museum Ad Hoc Comm. – Rev. Turner
What will it take to get us to the next level? What role will you play?
Friday - April 23, 2010

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Welcome
Teambuilding Workshop
Darius Swinton, Facilitator
How can we work together to advance our common mission? What inhibits or will help that to happen?
11:00 AM - 11:10 AM
Break

Structure and Operations
Darius Swinton, Facilitator
How is the RSTC structured? How can its structure be improved?
11:10 AM - NOON

Contemplating the RSTC Mission Statement
Darius Swinton, Facilitator
Are we all that we should be?
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
12:40 PM – 1:40 PM
Communication and Public Image
What is the message of the RSTC? How is it communicated?
1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

Forward Planning
What is the status of the RSTC’s current projects? What are the commission’s priorities moving forward?
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Recap and Wrap-Up

Topics for Exploration

COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC IMAGE
o Evaluating and defining the RSTC, its mission and its message
o Develop protocol (we all wear more than one hat around issues that the
Commission are addressing).
o Communication within the RSTC and with the public
o Evaluate relationships and partnerships

Structure and Operations
o Order of meetings - Robert's Rules, elections, etc.
o Committee structure
o Transparency
Implementing a decision-making process
o Examine RSTC membership and plan to fill vacancies

FORWARD PLANNING AND Current Issues
o Moving forward with the foundation and the National Slavery Museum
o Where does the RSTC stand on Confederate History Month and the African

Burial Ground Who do we represent (the community, city hall, etc.)?
o Active participation of the Slave Trail Commission in the Shockoe Area

Economic Development & Planning Study
o Richmond Heritage District
o Smithsonian Companion Facility concept
WHERE Dominion Power - Riverside Building
120 Tredegar Street, Richmond, Virginia

WHO The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn, Delegate, Virginia House of Delegates 70th District, Chairman, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission

CONTACT For more information, please contact Beverly Crawford, at 804.698.1070, or deldmcquinn@house.virginia.gov

BACKGROUND _______________________________________________________________________
Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission
The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is a government entity that was established by Richmond City Council in 1998 by Resolution Number 98-R 102-107, as amended by Resolution Number 2004-R125-131. The Commission includes 17 members that are appointed by Council to serve for three year terms. Membership includes at least one member of Council (who is given first option of serving as Chairman) and three members of the Hope in the Cities of Richmond organization.

Since its creation, the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission has worked to help preserve the history of slavery in Richmond. Over the years, Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission projects have included:

2003 Acquisition of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue

2006 Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment

2007 Richmond International Unveiling of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue, erected in 2007 at 15th and E. Main Streets. Included design and construction of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statute plaza and erection of the statue.

2008 – 2009 Phase II Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment: which included engineering and storm water engineering

2008 Discovery of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail historic foundation and architectural artifacts.

2009 Development of the Richmond Slave Trail Marker Program, Signage and Commemorative Site: Lumpkin’s Slave Jail

2009 Development of the conceptual Richmond National Slavery Museum

Richmond City Council provides annual staff assistance and financial support for the Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission. Council staff support includes providing fiscal management, public information, writing, publication creation, graphic design, special event and project management, promotions and fundraising. Additional staff support is provided by the Richmond City Administration through the Richmond Department of Economic Development, which includes project engineering and management.

Council financial support is provided through appropriations in the Richmond City Budget. This includes appropriations in the Richmond City Budget Capital Improvement Plan, Non-Departmental budgets and Departmental budgets. Funding is predicated on requests made by the Commission and as determined by Council.

Examples of Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission financial investment support, per Fiscal Year (FY), include:

FY 2003 - $119,000
For acquisition (purchase) of Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue and freight from the United Kingdom

FY 2006 - $35,000
For Richmond Slave Trail Brochure Creation/Printing Phase I of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment

FY 2007 - $511,000
For general Commission support ($11,000) and design and construction of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statute plaza; erection of the statue; and, the International Unveiling of the Richmond Slavery Reconciliation Statue

FY 2008 - $370,000
For general Commission support ($30,000 - spent $7,748) and for Phase II of Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Archaeological Assessment, which included $155,000 for earthmoving and $35,000 for engineering and stormwater engineering (floodplain and proximity to I-95 berm) and $150,000 for archaeological services to hire a vendor.

FY 2009 - $75,000
For general Commission support ($30,000 - spent $5,124) and for development of the Richmond Slave Trail Marker Program; signage and commemorative site; Lumpkin’s Slave Jail; development of conceptual National Slavery Museum; and, paid sponsorship for Symposium at the University of Richmond for the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

FY 2010- $6,000
For general Commission support

Additional financial, staff and archeological support has also been provided by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Alliance to Conserve Old Richmond Neighborhoods, and a number of corporate, nonprofit and individual financial sponsors.

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______________________________________
Steven R. Skinner, APR
Council Public Information Manager
Office of the Chief of Staff
RICHMOND CITY COUNCIL
Richmond City Hall
900 E. Broad Street, Suite 305
Richmond, Virginia 23219
804.646.6052 (office)
804.335.4054 (mobile)
804.937.1386 (home/mobile)
804.646.5468 (fax)
skinnesr@ci.richmond.va.us (email)
www.council.richmondva.gov(website)
______________________________________

MISSION The mission of Richmond City Council
is to represent citizens in creating and amending
local laws, providing government policy and
oversight, and approving the city budget.

VISION Richmond City Council is committed to
creating a vibrant community that is a great place
to live, work, learn, play, visit and raise a family.