City Council update – Jones in as interim 9th District representative, Nye elected president

From Richmond City Council:

Today, newly appointed Interim Richmond City Council Member Nicole Jones, was administered their oath of office during the scheduled special Richmond City Council Special Organizational Meeting. Councilmember Nicole Jones’ interim role as Councilmember of the Richmond City Council – Richmond South Central 9th Voter District begins immediately.

During the meeting, Council elected Vice President Kristen M. Nye, Councilmember, Richmond Southwest 4th Voter District, to serve as Council President to replace outgoing President Councilmember Michael J. Jones. Council also elected Ann-Frances Lambert, Councilmember, Richmond Northside 3rd Voter District, to replace Councilmember Nye in serving as Council Vice President. The newly elected leadership will serve for the remaining year of those 2-year terms, which end December 31, 2024.

The role of Council President is to serve as the presiding officer of Richmond City Council in performing such duties as consistent with the Richmond City Council Rules of Procedure, which includes presiding over Council Formal Meetings. The Council Vice President serves in the absence, disability, or by the request of, the Council President.

Richmond City Council appointed interim Councilmember Nicole Jones by voice vote at its Formal Meeting on December 11, 2023.

Councilmember Nicole Jones replaced Councilmember Michael J. Jones in representing the Richmond South Central 9th Voter District due to his election in November 7, 2023 to serve as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates.

With the oath of office administered, Councilmember Nicole Jones shall hold that office the same as an elected person and shall exercise all powers and responsibilities of that elected office. They may also run for election in 2024 for that position’s upcoming 2025-2028 term.

The selection and appointment of this position required that a candidate be a qualified voter of the Richmond South Central 9th Voter District and followed an open public application and interview process, which included candidates addressing the Richmond City Council Organizational Development Standing Committee meeting on Monday, December 4, 2023.

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The position was vacated by Councilmember, Michael J. Jones, Richmond City Council – Richmond South Central 9th Voter District, due to his election on November 7, 2023 as a member of the Virginia General Assembly, representing the Virginia House of Delegates – 77th Voter District. The current Council term began January 1, 2021 and runs through December 31, 2024. There is one year remaining in that term.