City Council started its regular session meeting Wednesday night paying tribute to one of the city’s biggest advocates.

Mary Richardson, the first black woman to serve on the Board of Commissioners for the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, was posthumously recognized by Council for her years of service to the city.

On top of serving on the SRHA’s Board of Commissioners for more than two decades, Richardson also served as the Pughsville Civic League President – constantly seeking improvements to the North Suffolk community.

In the audience, more than a dozen of Richardson’s family members were in attendance to watch as Richardson’s husband, Charlie, accepted a resolution passed unanimously by Council honoring Mary’s work.

Mayor Linda T. Johnson and Councilman Leroy Bennett presented the resolution to Charlie Richardson.

Bennett called Mary “a dear friend” who worked tirelessly to better her Pughsville community as well as the city.

“She was a devoted citizen. She was a dedicated person to the community. She was dedicated to her church, and she was dedicated to her family,” he said.

Johnson thanked both Charlie, and Mary’s family in attendance, for “sharing” Mary with the city of Suffolk for so many years.

Charlie Richardson thanked Council for the honor and for remembering his wife’s work.

“We all know Mary was a real fighter,” he said. “And, she fought all the way to the end.”

Mary Richardson passed away Aug. 1 of this year. She was 66.

Also at Council Wednesday night:

Council voted unanimously to accept and appropriate funds for the City of Suffolk Litter Prevention and Recycling Program.

Council voted unanimously to accept and appropriate funds for the Suffolk Police Department Animal Shelter and Management.

Council voted unanimously to approve the conveyance of city property located at 310 East Washington St.

Council voted unanimously to create a Youth Advisory Council for the City of Suffolk.

Council voted unanimously to accept a resolution authorizing City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn to execute a development agreement with Battlefield Industrial Park Associates and to allocate funding from the Unappropriated Fund Balance of the Route 17 Special Taxing District for the Burbage Drive Extended Project.