AFSCME workers get 3% raises

Union workers in Richmond’s parks, sanitary and street departments will receive 3% non-compounding pay increases the next three years.

The raises are part of the new three-year contract between the city and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1791. The Richmond Board of Public Works and Safety approved the contract during its Dec. 11 meeting.

The contract runs Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028, and discussions on the next contract will begin Feb. 1, 2027. Kenyatta Cox, the city’s human resources director, said differences in the new contract mostly were updates and clarifications.

Parks plan

MKSK of Indianapolis will develop an improvement plan for Glen Miller Park after the board’s contract approval.

Richmond’s Redevelopment Commission provided $40,000 to pay the consultant to identify Glen Miller Park’s needs for planning and prioritizing.

“We intend to include the community in this plan,” said Denise Retz, the city’s parks superintendent.

Retz estimated the project should take about eight months.

Structure demolitions

The board approved five contracts totaling $147,254 for structure demolitions.

The contracts are:

• Mikesell Excavating, $26,280 for 29 N. 12th St.
• Mikesell Excavating, $24,970 for 25 N. 12th St.
• Cox Excavating, $14,450 for 101 N.W. G St.
• Jarrett Excavating, $45,589 for 64 N.W. G St., 215 N.W. K St., 423 N.W. E St., 911 Boyer St. and 1704 N. J St.
• Jarrett Excavating, $35,965 for 218 N. 20th St. and 1024 Sheridan St.

Other actions

• Countryside Auto was added to the city’s towing rotation by a 3-0 vote.
• A $6,922.03 contract with Safety Systems to install a K-9 transport box and safety equipment into a Richmond Police Department vehicle was unanimously approved.
• A resolution passed 3-0 that enables retiring RPD officers to purchase their duty weapons for $1.