OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Chesapeake City Council Meeting - February 27, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, February 27, 2024
BodyChesapeake, Virginia
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 27, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

I want to welcome everyone to our work session.

0:04

Today, February the 27th, Mr.

0:06

Manager, we had a lot of sunshine, nice weather.

0:10

So I know you're going to continue that mood and introduce some really good topics to us.

0:15

Thank you.

0:15

Well, it is raining now, but we do.

0:19

Not here.

0:20

We do have three excellent topics.

0:22

We have an update of Deep Creek Bridge project.

0:25

I know that's high on people's mind.

0:27

We have a sidewalk prioritization update.

0:30

If you recall a few months ago, Councilmember Ritter asked us if we could brief council on how we prioritize the many, many, many uh sidewalk needs out there.

0:40

And then planning department's going to give an update on the trails and connectivity plan.

0:45

And so we'll start uh with uh director of public works, Earl Sorry and his team with the Deep Creek Bridge update.

0:51

Uh thank you, Mr.

0:53

Manager.

0:53

Uh we appreciate the opportunity to address council tonight.

0:57

I know that each of you have received numerous uh inquiries about the traffic associated with the Army Corps of Engineers replacement of the Deep Creek Bridge project.

1:08

And so we wanted to share with you a little bit about what we've done to date to help mitigate traffic, uh what we are doing, and also share some uh potential future uh initiatives with you.

1:20

Uh so uh what you can see on this slide is an overview of what the finished product will look like.

1:25

Uh so again, the project is owned and being managed by the U.S.

1:29

Army Corps of Engineers.

1:30

Uh but the benefits are uh when it is done, it will provide additional uh you know pavement for moving traffic.

1:37

It will also signalize uh the intersection of George Washington Highway South at Moses Grandy Trail, and then the additional capacity will allow us to uh to to implement more efficient traffic signal timings.

1:52

So uh you see numerous uh phases throughout the construction here, so it's broken down into uh seven distinct phases.

2:00

Uh I won't go into all of those.

2:02

Uh we will invite uh the Army Corps back to uh address you and give you a construction update, really.

2:08

We wanted to talk about traffic tonight, but uh I share just this with you just to let you know that it is complex, there's a lot of uh moot moving parts uh on this.

2:17

Uh the the first phase of construction kicked off in September of 2023, and based on uh the Corps uh currently published schedule, uh the project would be fully completed in early 2027.

2:32

So to go over some of the uh actions to date, uh you know, in advance of the project, we did install new traffic signal equipment of this intersection to give us uh as much you know capabilities and flexibility uh as possible.

2:47

Uh we do routinely monitor from our traffic uh management center uh traffic flow uh through the corridor.

2:54

You know, what one thing that is is a fairly new development is uh we we do have a CCTV camera at the intersection that is available for access through VDOTS 511 system, you know, so that that is there uh today.

3:09

Uh we have implemented additional turn restrictions to address traffic in the immediate vicinity of the bridge to include a no-left turn restriction uh uh coming up from the south on George Watson Highway at Moses Grandy Trail.

3:23

Um and we have installed additional advanced warning signs, you know, well in advance of the construction area, kind of at those key decision points to alert motorists to expect delays and to consider alternate routes.

3:36

Uh so one of the things on the horizon is you can see uh in the picture, that is a portable CCTV camera system.

3:45

And our our plan is to purchase four of those.

3:48

So uh one for each approach that will give us the capability to uh you know see see the end of of the traffic queue.

3:57

Uh we don't have that capability now.

3:59

We just really see uh at the intersection, uh but again we plan to publicly share that information through VDOT's 511 system.

4:08

Uh we've also suspended all non-emergency uh roadway work in the area.

4:13

Now, with that said, there's still work going on.

4:15

You know, HRSD uh still has some work to do.

4:18

Uh but for those projects that were in the queue that that we can afford for them to move to the right, we we we've delayed those projects uh to assist with traffic mitigation in this area.

4:30

Uh and you know that's something that our staffs are meeting regularly on.

4:34

So, you know, we are regularly deconflicting our our public projects with the franchise utility projects with the and the HRSD you know projects, and we also have a uh increased police uh presence in the area uh for selective enforcement.

4:50

So uh do want to go through some of the construction impacts and and really you know that this was an area you know where it's kind of the missing link in the entire transportation network.

5:01

So council is where well aware of all the funds that have been expended to build the network around you know this one little area.

5:08

So what was already somewhat painful during peak hours is is more difficult today.

5:14

And it really, you know, if if you look, we've reduced seven lanes from this intersection.

5:19

So you know, for northbound, it's from three to two, and then southbound is from four to two, and so on.

5:25

So when you take those additional lanes out, obviously that there is going to be uh additional congestion.

5:32

Kind of the the critical impact here is that westbound movement.

5:36

So traffic kind of leaving Great Bridge, going into Deep Creek, crossing uh this bridge, and then uh turning right to go up to the interstate.

5:44

That's uh uh there's a what we would refer to as a right turn slip lane.

5:48

You know, when there's not much traffic, it works wonderful.

5:51

You know, traffic is just fully flowing in the finished condition, that traffic will continue to flow.

5:56

Today, though, when traffic is stopped at the signal and they're trying to go either through or right, it backs up and it blocks that lane.

6:03

So that's one of the things that is causing particular concerns.

6:07

So with that said, uh, we wanted to share a potential detour with you.

6:12

And emphasis on potential, because you know, this is something that a lot of citizens have brought to our attention, something uh that that we have looked at that there are pros and cons really it addresses that issue with the the westbound right turns uh being shut off.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation███████████████████19%
Procedural█████████████████17%
Public Engagement█████████████13%
Public Safety███████████11%
Transportation Safety██████████10%
Historic Preservation████████8%
Education███3%
Sidewalk Management██2%
Active Transportation██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Chesapeake City Council Meeting - February 27, 2024

The Chesapeake City Council held a work session at 5:00 p.m. and a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on February 27, 2024, in the City Hall Council Chamber. The council discussed the Deep Creek Bridge construction impacts, sidewalk prioritization, and the Trails and Connectivity Plan, and took action on several public hearing items, consent agenda items, and regular agenda items. All nine council members were present.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the proposed agenda and minutes from January 9, 16, and 23, 2024, unanimously (9-0).
  • Approved the Consent Agenda, which included:
    • Acceptance of the resignation of Tracy Jones-Schoenfeld from the Chesapeake Bicycle/Trails Advisory Committee.
    • Authority to apply for a Virginia Emergency Shelter Upgrade Assistance Grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
    • Acceptance of an additional $8,000 for the FY 2023 State Homeland Security Special Ops Incident Management Team Grant.
    • Acceptance of an additional $193,833 for the FY 2023 Urban Area Security Initiative Hampton Roads Incident Management Team Grant.
    • Council Member Newins disclosed that her spouse is a City Fire Department employee, but was advised she could participate.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Lease for McNeil Park Community Center: Antonio Person, representing the Southside Civic League, spoke in support of the lease renewal, highlighting the league's community services, including food giveaways and scholarships.
  • Farmland Lease at Ballahack Road: One speaker, Vic Nicholls, made comments (though the minutes note no speakers; transcript indicates a speaker). The minutes state no speakers, but the transcript shows Vic Nicholls spoke.
  • Appeal for 1334 Seaboard Avenue: N. Carlson Teke, representing Different Streams LLC, appealed the HARB denial of a certificate of appropriateness for a roof change, noting a family was homeless and the cost of corrective work was about $22,000.
  • Appeal for 1214 Chesapeake Avenue: N. Carlson Teke, representing Evergreen Homes LLC, appealed the HARB denial, questioning why a historically approved paint color was being required to be stripped.
  • Non-Agenda Speakers:
    • Vic Nicholls spoke on several issues, including a proposed Israel proclamation (thanking the Mayor), commercial foreclosures (up 97% over last year), railroad safety, and recycling.
    • Jon Rolfes requested city sewer connection for his neighborhood, citing septic system failure.
    • Pastor Cecil Wicker raised concerns about handicapped parking enforcement.
    • Adam Amick requested reinstatement of curbside recycling.

Discussion Items

  • Deep Creek Bridge Project Update (Work Session): Public Works Director Earl Sorey and staff provided an update on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project. The project began September 2023 and is expected to be completed early 2027. Current mitigations include new traffic signals, CCTV cameras (four portable cameras to be purchased), turn restrictions, and enhanced police presence. A potential detour was discussed that would require all westbound traffic to turn right onto George Washington Highway, saving an estimated 20 minutes for some commuters, but adding traffic to narrow roads like Galberry and Old Mill Roads. VDOT's recent improvements to the High Rise Bridge are expected to reduce through traffic in Deep Creek.
  • Sidewalk Prioritization (Work Session): Troy Eisenberger presented a new ranking methodology for sidewalk projects, based on four weighted categories: roadway traffic volume, pedestrian generators, pedestrian crash history, and public support. The pilot analyzed 147 arterial/collector segments, ranking the top 10. The plan includes tier two evaluations for residential streets. Council Member Ward noted the need to communicate that existing projects (e.g., Poindexter) are not on the list because they already have funding.
  • Trails and Connectivity Plan (Work Session): Planning staff and consultant Alta Planning and Design provided an update on the citywide trails plan, which will update the 2016 2050 Trails Plan. Public engagement included 550 survey respondents, two community meetings (30 and 60 attendees), and over 40,000 Facebook reach. The draft network is available for input, and a final plan is expected in late summer 2024.
  • Public Hearing – Lease with JM Jarvis Farms, Inc.: Council Member Newins moved to amend the resolution to award the lease to Head of River Farms, LLC, the highest bidder incorporated in Chesapeake, at $177 per acre. She expressed a position that Chesapeake farmers should be prioritized in future land lease bids. The council approved the amended resolution 9-0.
  • Public Hearing – Appeals on Certificates of Appropriateness:
    • For 1334 Seaboard Avenue, Council Member Whitaker moved to uphold the HARB decision (deny the appeal); the motion passed 7-2 (Ike and Ward voting no).
    • For 1214 Chesapeake Avenue, after discussion clarifying the paint color violation and the applicant's failure to follow process, Council Member Ritter made a substitute motion to remand the appeal back to HARB for reconsideration. The motion passed 7-2 (Mayor West and Whitaker voting no).

Key Outcomes

  • Approved lease renewal with Southside Civic League for McNeil Park Community Center (9-0).
  • Approved lease for 427 acres of farmland at Ballahack Road to Head of River Farms, LLC, as amended (9-0).
  • Uphheld HARB decision on 1334 Seaboard Avenue appeal (7-2).
  • Remanded the 1214 Chesapeake Avenue appeal to HARB for reconsideration (7-2).
  • Approved intergovernmental agreement with VDACS for $165,400 in state matching funds for the Open Space and Agriculture Preservation (OSAP) Program (9-0).
  • Appropriated $165,400 in grant proceeds to the OSAP capital improvement project (9-0).
  • Amended the FY 2024 CIP and appropriated $20,832,262 for the Crestwood Intermediate Replacement/Modernization and Conversion to K-5 project (9-0).
  • Made appointments to several boards and commissions, including the Public Art Committee (7 members) and the Stormwater Committee (partial).
  • Directed staff to contact Pastor Wicker regarding handicapped parking concerns.
  • Council Member Newins requested a draft of rules and procedures addressing indefinite continuances and decorum.
  • Council Member Ritter requested clearer, more concise communication regarding water utility billing updates and charges.
  • Council Member Ward requested a commendation for Bishop Ken Brown for his 33 years of community service.
  • Council Member Newins requested multiple options for the Greenbrier Mall redevelopment plan.

Note: The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:51 p.m. according to the transcript.

Meeting Transcript

I want to welcome everyone to our work session. Today, February the 27th, Mr. Manager, we had a lot of sunshine, nice weather. So I know you're going to continue that mood and introduce some really good topics to us. Thank you. Well, it is raining now, but we do. Not here. We do have three excellent topics. We have an update of Deep Creek Bridge project. I know that's high on people's mind. We have a sidewalk prioritization update. If you recall a few months ago, Councilmember Ritter asked us if we could brief council on how we prioritize the many, many, many uh sidewalk needs out there. And then planning department's going to give an update on the trails and connectivity plan. And so we'll start uh with uh director of public works, Earl Sorry and his team with the Deep Creek Bridge update. Uh thank you, Mr. Manager. Uh we appreciate the opportunity to address council tonight. I know that each of you have received numerous uh inquiries about the traffic associated with the Army Corps of Engineers replacement of the Deep Creek Bridge project. And so we wanted to share with you a little bit about what we've done to date to help mitigate traffic, uh what we are doing, and also share some uh potential future uh initiatives with you. Uh so uh what you can see on this slide is an overview of what the finished product will look like. Uh so again, the project is owned and being managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Uh but the benefits are uh when it is done, it will provide additional uh you know pavement for moving traffic. It will also signalize uh the intersection of George Washington Highway South at Moses Grandy Trail, and then the additional capacity will allow us to uh to to implement more efficient traffic signal timings. So uh you see numerous uh phases throughout the construction here, so it's broken down into uh seven distinct phases. Uh I won't go into all of those. Uh we will invite uh the Army Corps back to uh address you and give you a construction update, really. We wanted to talk about traffic tonight, but uh I share just this with you just to let you know that it is complex, there's a lot of uh moot moving parts uh on this. Uh the the first phase of construction kicked off in September of 2023, and based on uh the Corps uh currently published schedule, uh the project would be fully completed in early 2027. So to go over some of the uh actions to date, uh you know, in advance of the project, we did install new traffic signal equipment of this intersection to give us uh as much you know capabilities and flexibility uh as possible. Uh we do routinely monitor from our traffic uh management center uh traffic flow uh through the corridor. You know, what one thing that is is a fairly new development is uh we we do have a CCTV camera at the intersection that is available for access through VDOTS 511 system, you know, so that that is there uh today. Uh we have implemented additional turn restrictions to address traffic in the immediate vicinity of the bridge to include a no-left turn restriction uh uh coming up from the south on George Watson Highway at Moses Grandy Trail. Um and we have installed additional advanced warning signs, you know, well in advance of the construction area, kind of at those key decision points to alert motorists to expect delays and to consider alternate routes. Uh so one of the things on the horizon is you can see uh in the picture, that is a portable CCTV camera system. And our our plan is to purchase four of those. So uh one for each approach that will give us the capability to uh you know see see the end of of the traffic queue. Uh we don't have that capability now. We just really see uh at the intersection, uh but again we plan to publicly share that information through VDOT's 511 system. Uh we've also suspended all non-emergency uh roadway work in the area. Now, with that said, there's still work going on. You know, HRSD uh still has some work to do. Uh but for those projects that were in the queue that that we can afford for them to move to the right, we we we've delayed those projects uh to assist with traffic mitigation in this area. Uh and you know that's something that our staffs are meeting regularly on. So, you know, we are regularly deconflicting our our public projects with the franchise utility projects with the and the HRSD you know projects, and we also have a uh increased police uh presence in the area uh for selective enforcement. So uh do want to go through some of the construction impacts and and really you know that this was an area you know where it's kind of the missing link in the entire transportation network. So council is where well aware of all the funds that have been expended to build the network around you know this one little area. So what was already somewhat painful during peak hours is is more difficult today. And it really, you know, if if you look, we've reduced seven lanes from this intersection. So you know, for northbound, it's from three to two, and then southbound is from four to two, and so on.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com