Richmond officially has a new comprehensive plan.
Common Council unanimously approved a resolution adopting the plan prepared by HWC Engineering to update the city’s 2019 comprehensive plan. Richmond Advisory Plan Commission had previously recommended approval with a 7-0 vote.
“Your comprehensive plan is really your long-range guide for growth in your community,” said Jennifer Barclay of HWC when presenting the plan to council. “It’s what guides your plan commission in their decisions on rezoning, different developments, things like that.”
The overall outline from the 2019 plan is the same; however, HWC updated its goals and strategies based on the city’s accomplishments since 2019. Rachel Christenson of HWC said the city checked off many strategies from that plan.
Goals for quality of life and economic development replaced goals about community identity and economic and workforce development. Council member Justin Burkhardt asked about measuring progress toward the goals.
“In my opinion, in order to achieve the goals, you have to measure them,” he said.
Barclay said all of city leadership should monitor progress, but each goal has measurables detailed in the plan.
Larry Parker, council’s president, asked about the plan’s expansion of mixed-use zoning along the North West Fifth Street corridor. Barclay said the city requested that change.
“For several years, we’ve talked about upgrading the corridor, recognizing it’s the gateway to the city, particularly for Earlham-associated folk,” council member Gary Turner said, “so this is a step in the direction of trying to find some particular things we can do to make that happen.”
Catering spat
Council member Jerry Purcell asked Mayor Ron Oler if he was prepared to provide Purcell with details about the city’s use of caterers. Purcell said he first asked for the details more than a year ago.
Oler said information in the report “would be embarrassing to the former fire chief,” meaning Purcell, having to do with his 2022 demotion from chief. Oler said Purcell has conspiracy theories that are unfounded. He said he would present the catering information if all of council makes that request, not just Purcell.
Parker said he would poll council members about whether to make that request. Purcell requested an executive session to discuss the catering information because the mayor indicated it involves personnel information. A.J. Sickmann, the city’s attorney, said he would research whether an executive session, which isn’t open to the public, would be permitted for that discussion.
Salary ordinances
Council unanimously approved four of five ordinances on second reading related to establishing 2026 wages.
They approved the overall salary ordinance for city employees, plus specific ordinances related to elected officials, Richmond Sanitary District employees and Richmond Fire Department members. The Richmond Police Department-related ordinance was held until contract negotiations with the police union conclude.
Police vests
An ordinance that would permit RPD to apply for a grant from the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership was referred to council’s finance committee.
RPD would apply for $7,125, which is half the cost of 15 bulletproof vests. RPD’s share would come from its 2026 budget.
A version of this article appeared in the November 26 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.