Chesapeake City Council Meeting and Work Session Summary - July 23, 2024
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Chesapeake City Council Meeting and Work Session Summary - July 23, 2024
The Chesapeake City Council held a work session at 4:45 p.m. and a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on July 23, 2024, in the City Hall Council Chamber, 306 Cedar Road. The work session featured presentations from Norfolk International Airport, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) on the High-Capacity Transit Study, and the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Master Plan. The regular meeting included presentations of certificates, citizen comments, consent agenda approvals, a development rights easement purchase, and appointments to boards and commissions.
Work Session Highlights
Norfolk International Airport
- Mark Perryman, President and CEO, presented an overview. He noted the airport is an independent subdivision of the Commonwealth, self-sufficient with no local subsidies. Economic impact in 2019 was $2.2 billion and over 17,000 jobs, with expectations to double or triple.
- Passenger growth: from under 4 million when he arrived, to 4.5 million, and projected 5 million this year. June 2024 was a record month, and July is expected to surpass half a million passengers in one month.
- New routes: San Diego (Breeze), Phoenix (Breeze, starting fall), Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Juan (Frontier), and restored Boston, Minneapolis (Delta), Boston, Cincinnati, St. Pete (Allegiant). The airport serves over 45 direct cities.
- A nearly $1 billion redevelopment program over 5-7 years includes runway reconstruction, moving sidewalk replacement, restroom renovations, a new cell phone lot, gate expansion, a new international arrivals facility (FIS), a Courtyard by Marriott hotel, a consolidated rental car facility, a new fuel farm, and terminal redevelopment.
- For international service, Perryman emphasized the need for a regional effort, including revenue guarantees, as used by Tampa. Council Member Carey expressed excitement and asked how the city could assist; Perryman suggested organizations like the Hampton Roads Alliance.
- Council Member Ward noted Delta Airlines advertising for Cornland School, thanking the airport.
HRT High-Capacity Transit Study
- Sherri Dawson, HRT Director of Transit Development, presented. The study is halfway through, with 16 alternatives narrowed to 4: SPDN1, SPDN2, MCDN1, and MCDN3. The study area includes Greenbrier, South Norfolk, and Indian River, connecting to Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
- Engagement: over 130,000 social media impressions, 6,000 website visits, nearly 1,200 surveys, and almost 20 pop-up events. Businesses engaged include Dollar Tree, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, and community groups.
- The alternatives are being evaluated on quality of life, supporting growth, and improving connectivity. Next steps include ridership forecasting, environmental review, maintenance facility needs, traffic impacts, and flooding/resiliency.
- Council Member Ritter thanked the team; Vice Mayor de Triquet expressed appreciation. No action was required.
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Master Plan
- Michael Barber, Director, reported the city ranked 50th in ParkScore (up from 63 last year), surpassing Virginia Beach (53) and Norfolk (58). The plan is being updated with consultant Interface Studios; public survey to launch late July, first public meeting September 12.
- July is Parks and Recreation Month with theme "Where You Belong." Recent events included the Cornland School opening, July 3rd celebration, and July 4th parade.
- Future projects: Blue Heron Landing Park completion in September, Chesapeake Arboretum farmhouse renovation (early 2025), Northwest River Park Ranger Station renovation (starting August, completion fall 2025), and Cuffy Pool public meeting August 18.
- Council Member Ritter asked about the superintendent's house at the historic village; Barber explained delays due to endangered bats and Army Corps of Engineers turnover, and it won't be renovated before the rest of the village.
- Council Member Ward expressed hope for earlier completion of the visitor center; Barber said bids will provide timeline, with some delays due to DEQ on well/septic.
- Council Member Ritter also asked about outdoor classroom presentations; Barber said they've started with Chris Lowy and refuge folks.
Regular Meeting: Presentations
- Freedom, Sacrifice and Service Month Certificates were presented to American Legion Great Bridge Post 280 and Chesapeake Detachment 853 Marine Corps League, each with a flag box. Commander Jay Krail and Mr. David Weber spoke.
- Exemplary Citizenship Certificate was presented to Shelton "Jae" Murphy, a Deep Creek High School (Class of 2007) and Howard University (Class of 2012) graduate, recognized for his career as a DJ, producer, songwriter, and actor.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (9-0):
- Refund to Thermal Spray Solutions Inc. for $21,945.84.
- Resignations from five boards/commissions.
- Authority to apply for Bureau of Justice Assistance FY24 Law Enforcement Training Grant.
- Authority to apply for Virginia Tourism Corporation Social Media Advertising Cooperative Program.
Regular Agenda: Development Rights Easement
- Resolution #24-R-043 was approved unanimously (9-0) to authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement for a development rights easement on approximately 28.352 acres owned by Darren W. Clark and Vicki Clark on Sanderson Road for $590,000.
Citizens' Comments
On Agenda Items:
- Vic Nicholls: Suggested Malia (Huddle) for the Fine Arts Commission, noted over 1,000 people saw a request to appoint Brennen Waters to the Stormwater Committee, and expressed that new business item A (minor subdivisions) was unclear.
On Non-Agenda Items (Affairs of the City):
- Vic Nicholls: Criticized the city for unresolved issues including street pruning, handicapped parking, and traffic; questioned priorities and lack of recognition for new businesses.
- Thomas Banford: Expressed concern about a divisive letter signed by council members; accused the council of participating in attacks on Councilman Don Carey by signing letters. He asked for unity.
- Clifton Randolph: Expressed that the majority council does not respect citizens' intelligence and is spending resources on frivolous lawsuits; defended Councilman Carey's integrity.
- Dr. George Reed (Representing New Chesapeake Men for Progress): Read the state law regarding transition of elections, stating that no term should be shortened; said the charter should be updated to conform, and criticized the council for not understanding the law.
- Malia Huddle: Urged the council to focus on quality-of-life issues rather than internal disputes; called for honesty, integrity, and unity in campaigns.
- Dr. Charlotte Worley: Supported Councilman Carey serving until December 31st; called the charter "tainted" and the writ of mandamus a "done deal" with lack of transparency.
- Lessie Smith, Jr.: Supported Councilman Carey, saying he is being penalized for oversight; asked the council to let the voters decide.
- Reagan Davis: Urged the council to drop the writ of mandamus, update the charter, and allow Councilman Carey to complete his term ending December 31st.
- David Washington: Called the situation "political" and noted that in Virginia Beach, council members running for mayor are not forced off; urged letting the process play out.
- Nancy Pettigrew: Expressed opposition to the writ of mandamus, stating it silences voters and hampers council work; believed it politically motivated.
- Rue Willis: Urged the council not to seek legal action against Councilman Carey, stating the charter should reflect the law.
- Blaizen Bloom: Reported that Chesapeake contributes approximately $2.5 million annually to Hampton Roads Transit; warned that a lawsuit could cost more ($4 million in Virginia Beach) and is a waste of taxpayer money; argued that city charter cannot supersede state law in a Dillon's rule state.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions
- Fine Arts Commission: Reappointed Adrianna Rivera; appointed Chad Clark, Todd Holcomb, Joshua Sadler, and Courtney Triplett.
- Human Services Advisory Board: Appointed Yolanda Williams.
- Local Emergency Planning Committee: Appointed Dawn Shy (Fire Department), Brian Smith (Industry), and Maurice Taylor (Industry).
- Stormwater Committee: Appointed Brennen Waters (Alternate).
- Tidewater Youth Services Commission: Appointed Juanita Parker.
- Utility Review Board: Appointed Robert Bricker and Tabatha Mamorno.
- All appointments were by unanimous consent.
New Business
- Initiating Resolution on Minor Subdivisions: Approved unanimously (9-0) to request the Planning Commission to consider amendments to Chapter 70 and Article 3 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow minor subdivisions in multiple phases under certain conditions.
- Zoning for Rural Parcels: Council Member Whitaker requested an initiating resolution to allow rezoning of certain non-residential parcels in the rural overlay district for residential use if they were lawfully created before the overlay, are at least one acre, and cannot be used residentially. No objections; referred to the City Manager.
Unfinished Business (Old Business)
- Council Member Ritter thanked Chesapeake Regional Health Care for the mobile health van and noted the Rotary Club's $128,000 contribution.
- Council Member Newins asked for an update on recycling drop-off sites. City Manager Price reported plans to add a site at Edinburgh community, expand Russell Memorial Library and City Hall complex bins, and possibly relocate the South Norfolk location. Initial startup costs about $50,000, with annual ongoing costs over $100,000.
Key Outcomes
- All agenda items were approved unanimously (9-0).
- The council did not take action on the writ of mandamus against Councilman Don Carey; it was discussed during public comments but not on the agenda.
- A new business item on rural overlay rezoning was referred to the City Manager.
- The meeting adjourned after a benediction.
Meeting Transcript
I want to welcome everyone to our work session, July 23, 2024. Mr. Manager, we have several uh three very interesting topics. I just like to make a quick comment. Uh Ms. Newins and I were at a conference together with uh the airport direct executive director, Mr. Perryman. We saw his report on the state of the airport, and we're very excited about what he had to say. So thank you for getting here tonight, and certainly want to be very happy to have our Mr. Harrell back and in transit and looking forward to our uh parks and recreation reports. So thank you. Looking forward to tonight's uh work session. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Lots of friends in the region, uh, some really good quality of life initiatives that are happening, both in the transportation uh space, but also right here locally with with Parks Rec and Tourism. So we're gonna hear a lot of different things tonight. And up first I will turn it over to Mr. Perryman. Thank you very much, and it's uh pleasure to be here today. Um it's great to get out to uh Chesapeake as one of our communities that we serve uh so much. And uh I'll try to get through this presentation pretty quickly so I can take some QA from you at the end. But uh this is my traveling road show, so some of you may have seen or parts of it or pieces of it before, and I apologize for that, but uh a lot of good new information as well along the way. So I always like to start a little bit about who we are, uh, because I think there's a misunderstanding about who we are. Uh the airport is a uh the airport north the Norfolk Airport Authority is an independent subdivision of the state of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Uh we are governed by a board of directors that are supported by the Norfolk City Council, but other any other way we are truly independent uh from the City of Norfolk. Uh really no other municipal bound body uh do we report to. We are really a city within a city, just like Chesapeake is. We have over 240 employees now. Uh and we have every department that a city would have. Uh in fact, we have two of the three powers that constitutes a municipality. We have the power to condemn, and we have the uh and we have police power. The only thing we can't do is tax. I wish I had that power, but I don't have that by the by our charter right now. Um in many ways, we're really a business, not even a municipality. Uh we operate as a business, we have profits, we have losses, we have revenues. Uh we we earn all of our revenues to make ourselves a self-sufficient operation. And we do that through a variety of uh sources. And uh the listed up here is parking and rental car services, really is about sixty percent of our revenue stream that we get. Uh leases and airline fees and concession commissions round out their other 40 percent. Um key thing to note is we don't receive any subsidies from any local municipality. We are truly self-sufficient uh from an operational uh perspective. We do get some federal and state grants uh similar to uh you do that you do as a as a municipality uh for construction projects, but those are only for construction. Our operations are all very self-uh funded and self-sustaining. From an economic impact standpoint, uh you know a lot of uh companies and businesses and entities like to do this. This this is a bit dated. We're in the process of updating it right now with ODU. Uh but back in 2019, they uh there was a economic impact study that was done where we contributed two point two billion dollars in over 17,000 jobs to the local economy. We anticipate uh through uh this update that we're gonna see that number c double or triple in terms of our overall economic impact just because of the amount of growth and activity that we are seeing at the airport these days. Uh little bit about commercial uh our commercial aviation market, because this is what's core to us. We fly people, we fly planes in and out of the airport.
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