Chesapeake City Council Meeting – August 8, 2023

The Chesapeake City Council met on August 8, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chamber. The agenda included business recognitions, consent items, a resolution related to Perdue Agribusiness, public comments on an advisory referendum for agriculture and open space funding, and a vote to table that referendum. The meeting also featured a closed session on legal matters and a scheduled closed session for August 15. All votes were unanimous except for the referendum tabling, which passed 8–1.

Presentations

• Chesapeake Small Business of the Year – Cross Underground Development LLC: Owner John E. Cross Jr. was recognized for being selected by the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. The company, founded in 2018, grew from 2 to 35 employees and specializes in utility line installation.
• Chesapeake Business of the Year – Prism Maritime LLC: President Ron Lee accepted the award. Prism Maritime, with about 360 employees, recently completed a $4 million expansion with two 12,000 sq. ft. facilities in Greenbrier North Commerce Park. The company performs defense-related technology integration.
• Golf Tournament Proceeds: Economic Development Director Steven Wright announced that the 23rd Annual Chesapeake Business Appreciation Golf Classic raised $11,910 for the Jared Cotton Career Scholars Award, administered by the Chesapeake Public Schools Educational Foundation. The mock check was presented to Chief Academic Officer Diane Edwards.

Consent Calendar

• Refund: Chesapeake Senior LP – $23,384.79.
• Police items: Appropriation of $12,500 from Virginia State Police for a catalytic converter marking program; acceptance of $175,597 from FEMA for the Urban Area Security Initiative Grant; resolution approving six certificates of public convenience and necessity to WHC NVA LLC (ZTRIP Black and White Cabs).
• Human Resources: Appropriation of $289,907 for employee wellness initiatives. All consent items were approved unanimously (9–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

On Agenda Items (Referendum):

• Vic Nicholls (self): Expressed distrust, questioned how funds would be spent, whether this constitutes a new tax, and noted prior unfulfilled promises (e.g., solar farm contributions, road upgrades). He opposed the resolution without more transparency.
• Christina Teeuwen (self, Agricultural Advisory Commission member): Supported putting the referendum on the November ballot, stating it would help preserve open space and assist retiring farmers.
• Jeff Staples (Save the Dismal): Supported the measure, asked about estimated revenue, land-use constraints, and potential resale restrictions. He looked forward to voting for it.
• Markiella Moore (self, Chesapeake residents): Supported the idea but asked for details: approximate revenue from half-cent tax, potential offset (tax increase or spending cuts), responsibility for voter education, and suggested a five-year review by the Agricultural Advisory Commission.
• Donald Roberts (Agricultural Advisory Commission): Spoke in favor, thanking council for considering the item and asking that citizens be allowed to decide.
• John Pierce (Chesapeake Farm Bureau): Supported the referendum, noting Chesapeake’s unique agricultural resources (e.g., Sunbelt Farmer of the Year winner Heath Cutrell) and the need to balance growth with preservation.

On Non-Agenda Items (Services, Policies, Affairs of the City):

• Vic Nicholls (self): Raised concerns about water rate adjustments, COLA increases (2.7% projected for 2024 vs. 8.7% in 2023), city spending outpacing pension increases, housing affordability, and lack of enforcement of traffic fines.
• Roy Interrante (self): Described a July 25, 2023 shooting incident on Eric Court where two people were shot, bullets struck his home, and no arrests have been made. He asked for police action and community safety.
• Alexander Thompson (self): Requested sidewalks in the Portlock area south of Portlock Road for safe pedestrian access, especially for his daughter to walk to school. He also advocated for accessory dwelling units to address housing affordability and praised the city’s adoption of the Skillbridge program for transitioning military personnel.

Discussion Items

Regular Agenda – Perdue Agribusiness Grant (Items 5A, 5B, 5C):

• City Manager Christopher Price presented three related items: a resolution authorizing a Governor’s Agriculture & Forestry Industries Development Fund (AFID) Performance Agreement with Perdue Agribusiness, LLC; acceptance of $450,000 from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and appropriation of $112,500 to the Economic Development FY2024 operating budget to fully fund the grant payment. All were approved unanimously (9–0).

New Business – Advisory Referendum on Agriculture and Open Space Preservation (Item 12A):

• Council Member Debbie Ritter moved approval of a resolution to petition the Circuit Court for an advisory referendum asking voters: “Should City Council adopt an ordinance dedicating the equivalent of the revenue generated by one half-cent ($0.005) of the real estate tax, in total, each fiscal year to agriculture and open space preservation?”
• Discussion included:
  • City Manager Price noted that the Agricultural Advisory Commission had recommended a dedicated funding source, but not specifically a referendum. He indicated staff would present a full evaluation of the Open Space & Agricultural Preservation (OSAP) program and other recommendations in October 2023.
  • Council Member Ritter asked about the current OSAP funding ($600,000 line item, average $700,000–$800,000 annually) and the value of a half-cent ($1.6 million). She noted that a recent OSAP round received 27 applications with costs exceeding $20 million, and the program currently has about $3.5 million unspent.
  • Council Member Bunn asked about the OSAP fund balance ($3.5 million).
  • Council Member Amanda Newins questioned whether the referendum was specifically recommended by the commission and what the impact would be on taxes, programs, or personnel. She expressed concern about leading citizens without full information and noted the OSAP program spent about $1 million over the last six years.
  • Council Member Newins made a substitute motion to table the item until the city manager provides additional information on the impact on the city, including potential tax increases or program cuts. Vice Mayor de Triquet seconded. Council Member Carey clarified that tabling, under Robert’s Rules, means no action and no automatic return.
  • Mayor West expressed conflict but noted that referring many issues to referendum could become unwieldy.
• The substitute motion to table passed 8–1 (Council Member Ritter voted no).

Other New Business:

• Council Member Newins thanked City Manager Price for transparency and support in the public safety pay plan, noting the city is now competitive in the top three.
• Council Member Ward thanked Congressman Bobby Scott for a $3 million federal grant for the city’s first aquatics center at the Cuffee Community Center, matching state funds.
• Mayor West directed the City Manager to schedule a work session on the Sister Cities Program, with an eye toward economic development benefits.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (9–0).
• Regular Agenda (Perdue items): Three items approved unanimously (9–0 each).
• Appointment: Patsy Foster (Interim Treasurer) appointed to the Chesapeake OPEB Finance Board (9–0).
• Advisory Referendum Resolution: Tabled by substitute motion (8–1) until additional information from the City Manager is available. The item will not be on the November 2023 ballot.
• Closed Meetings: A closed meeting was held from 3:30–5:45 p.m. (certified 8–0, with Council Member Ike abstaining). A second closed meeting was scheduled for August 15, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss candidates for City Auditor (approved 9–0).
• Staff Direction: City Manager to follow up with Alexander Thompson on sidewalk requests; police to continue investigation of the shooting incident reported by Roy Interrante; City Manager to prepare a work session on Sister Cities.