Richmond’s small businesses and a re-entry service for the formerly incarcerated were the focus of a special City Council meeting Monday afternoon, where members approved funding for a new grant program and the Help Me Help You Foundation.

The small business grant program was approved through a cooperative agreement between the City of Richmond and its Economic Development Authority. The EDA will issue grants and loans for businesses approved by the Office of Minority Business Development for working capital, equipment, staffing, cash flow improvements and other needs.

These details were shared during the meeting by OMBD Director Pat Foster, who said about $500,000 will be used for grants as part of the program, with an additional $1 million for small loans, using money previously allocated from the city’s general funds.

Businesses will be limited to $100,000 in funds, though Foster expects the average grant will be between $10,000 to $50,000. Information on the application process is still being finalized.

While the discussion and unanimous vote for the grant program was relatively smooth, the HMHY ordinance was much more contentious. The ordinance accepts and transfers $125,000 in state general funds from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice to the Department of Justice Services’ new “Help Me Help You Special Fund.”

The Special Fund will support HMHY in its operations helping citizens returning from incarceration rebuild their lives through a variety of programs, including transitional housing, education, recidivism reduction and job placement services.

This will be the second year the city has helped fund HMHY, according to its founder, executive director and former city council member Michelle Mosby, and is meant to address a previous reduction in funding.

The ordinance had previously been forwarded and recommended for approval during a Finance & Economic Development Standing Committee Meeting Thursday, Nov. 21.

“That is what this $125,000 is - to make us whole,” Mosby said, joined in the council chambers by HMHY volunteers and those who have benefited from the service in voicing support of the ordinance. “These people have to be hired and they have to be paid to stay at our housing.”

There was criticism of the ordinance, however, from within City Council and community members in attendance. Bridgette Whitaker of Blessing Warriors RVA spoke against its adoption during the public comment period, questioning the group’s selection, the funding process and lack of public input.

Councilmember Reva M. Trammell also raised questions about what she saw as a lack of information provided to City Council prior to the ordinance and a need for transparency.

Other council members commended HMHY’s work.

“We’re getting all this information today, instead of having it a week ago or two weeks ago,” Trammell said.

The back and forth between Trammell and Mosby over the group and its operations became heated, eventually leading City Council President Kristen Nye to call the vote on the ordinance in an effort to end the discussion.

The ordinance passed with seven council members approving and Trammell abstaining.

Council members will return for their last City Council meeting of the year on Monday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.