Chesapeake City Council Regular Meeting: September 24, 2024
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Chesapeake City Council Regular Meeting: September 24, 2024
The Chesapeake City Council met on September 24, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chamber, Vice Mayor John M. de Triquet presiding. Council members present: Bunn, Carey, Ike, Newins, Ritter, Whitaker; absent: Ward and West (excused). The meeting included public hearings, consent agenda, regular agenda items, citizen comments, board appointments, and new business. All votes were 7-0 except the closed meeting motion (6-1). The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Presentations
- Arbor Day Proclamation: September 28, 2024 was designated as "Chesapeake Celebrates Trees, Arbor Day Event." The city has been a Tree City USA for 38 years, with over 4,000 trees planted during past celebrations.
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Berkley Arie 795: Recognized for raising approximately $36,000 (exceeding a $20,000 goal) to support 2-year-old Fallon Crist, who needs a kidney transplant. During the meeting, it was announced that Fallon's mother is a kidney match, and a transplant is scheduled between mid-October and end of 2024.
- Luke Bryan Concert at Heritage Park: Several department heads (Parks, Police, Fire, Public Works, EMS, Communications) were recognized for a successful concert held on Sunday (postponed from Friday) with no complaints about traffic or logistics. Councilmember Newins noted that Bayer presented a significant check to local farmers as part of the event.
Public Hearings
- Item A (24-O-106): Ordinance authorizing conveyance of city-owned surplus property at 3703 Bainbridge Boulevard in the South Norfolk TIF District to the Chesapeake Land Bank Authority. No public speakers. Motion to approve by Whitaker, seconded by Bunn. Passed 7-0.
- Item B (24-O-107): Ordinance amending City Code to create Service Districts No. 16 and 17 for sewer services on Herrington Lane and Creef Lane. Speaker Keith Moore was available for questions only. Motion by Whitaker, seconded by Ritter. Passed 7-0.
Consent Calendar
All items approved unanimously (7-0) without discussion:
- Refund of $94,178.06 to 1516 Volvo Pkwy LLC.
- Resignations: Ervin Cullipher (Agricultural Advisory Commission) and Kristi Wooten (Chesapeake Hospital Authority, effective Sept. 13, 2024).
- Appropriation of $900,000 to Public Utilities Unserved Areas/Cost Participation III project for sewer on Creef Lane and Herrington Lane.
- Resolution donating a 1999 Boston Whaler police boat to Mathews County Volunteer Fire Department.
- Acceptance and transfer of $500,000 from Bureau of Justice Assistance to FY2024 Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grant.
- Appropriation of $5,200 in HOME Investment Partnership Program income to Call Chesapeake Home Program.
- Approval of FY2024/2025 (Program Year 50) Community Development Block Grant/HOME Program Final Statement of Objectives/Action Plan.
- Ordinance amending Fire Prevention and Protection Code to clarify references to current Virginia Board of Housing and Community Development code.
Regular Agenda
- Item 7 (24-O-111): Increase Fire Department complement by 1 full-time lieutenant and 1 part-time paramedic, and appropriate $779,923 from General Fund Fund Balance One-Time High Priority Account for the EMS Pharmacy Program. City Manager Price explained this responds to new unfunded federal and state mandates. Motion by Ritter, seconded by Bunn. Passed 7-0.
- Item 8: Expansion of Hampton Roads Sanitation District service area to the Chesapeake Public Safety Training Academy. Motion by Ike, seconded by Newins. Passed 7-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Vic Nicholls (self): Expressed concerns about traffic light timing on Taylor Road, small business burdens from city processes, lack of accident data for red light cameras, need for road funding versus other projects ($279 million sewer loop, $81 million for FTW land), and zoning issues affecting townhome access. Also urged recognition of senior program staff (Christie, Savannah, Gracie).
- Jennett Moyler (representing 757 Colts Virginia Youth Football League): Urged council to allow the team to continue using the Boston Manor field, disputing complaints. Noted the program serves 100–300 children, provides mentoring, mental health support, and has secured 17 college scholarship offers for one player. Opposed relocating to Camelot due to violence. Councilmember Ritter said the city manager was already addressing the issue.
- Tommy Hart (self): Detailed a burglary at his property; he pursued the suspect and obtained a phone number, but responding police officers refused to search nearby woods, citing not wanting to get shoes dirty. A later detective said the information was passed to Currituck Sheriff's Department, who thanked Hart for aiding arrests in Carolina. Hart criticized the police response.
Appointments to Boards and Commissions
All appointments made unanimously:
- Animal Services Advisory Board: David Barlow (Animal Control Supervisor, non-voting).
- Chesapeake Board of Historic and Architectural Review: Scott Grinels (expertise in 50+ year old structures).
- Chesapeake Commission on Health and Well-Being: Kim Bogan (Health Department representative).
- Chesapeake Land Bank Authority: Michael Kos (Financial/Banking representative).
- Eastern Virginia Regional Industrial Facility Authority: Reappointed Debbie Ritter (Council Member), Rick West (Mayor), Steven Wright (Economic Development Director); appointed Kevin Cosgrove (EDA representative).
- STOP, Inc.: Jakayla Byrd.
- Stormwater Committee: Casey Magruder (Public Works representative, non-voting).
New Business
- Item A (24-R-053): Initiating Resolution requesting the Chesapeake Planning Commission to consider amendments to Article 15 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding expansion or change of lawful nonconforming uses. City Attorney Lindley explained the goal is to clarify enforcement mechanisms under state law. Motion by Whitaker, seconded by Bunn. Passed 7-0.
- Item B: Consideration of adoption and incorporation of City Employees’ Code of Ethics into Council’s Rules of Order. Removed to October 8, 2024 Work Session.
- Councilmember Whitaker directed staff to send letters to property owners with temporary signage violations going back one month, and requested temporary no parking signage on Bartell Drive near Cedar Road due to near-accidents.
- Councilmember Ike congratulated Councilmember Carey on being named to the 2024 Top 40 Under 40 list by Inside Business.
Key Outcomes
- All items on consent and regular agendas approved (7-0).
- Public hearing ordinances approved (7-0).
- Appointments to boards and commissions approved.
- Directive to staff regarding temporary signage enforcement and traffic signage on Bartell Drive.
- Closed Meeting scheduled for October 8, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall Executive Conference Room to consult with City Attorney on legal matters concerning the Office of the Sheriff. Motion approved 6-1 (Councilmember Ritter voted no).
- Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Mr. Vice Mayor, we have a quorum. Thank you, Councilmember Ike. Ladies and gentlemen, uh, welcome to the uh September 24th City Council meeting. I'll recognize uh command uh Councilmember Newens at this time for invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you, Sir Vice Mayor. Please join me in prayer. Heavenly Father, we gather here today with grateful heart, seeking your presence and guidance as we navigate the challenges that life presents us. As we recently honored Mental Health Awareness Week, we acknowledge that in our weaknesses, your strength is magnified, and it is through our trials and tribulations that we discover the depths of your grace and your love. As we come together in this meeting, we ask for your wisdom to fill our minds, your peace to cover our spirits, help us embrace our struggles, knowing that they are opportunities for growth and transformation. Lord, inspire us to support one another, lifting each other up in encouragement and understanding. Let our conversations be filled with grace, and may we leave this gathering strengthened in faith and renewed in purpose. Thank you for your unwavering presence in our lives and the promise that through you we can overcome any challenge. In Jesus' name we pray, amen. Please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the fire of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, justice for all. Thank you, Councilmember Newens. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilmember Bunn. Here. Councilmember Carey. Here. Councilmember Ike. Councilmember Newens here. Councilmember Ritter. Councilmember Ward is excused. Councilmember Whitaker. Present. Vice Mayor Dietrich. Here. And Mayor West is excused with his permission. He would like you to know that he was recently diagnosed with COVID. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh the next is the approval of the proposed agenda. Are there any changes to the proposed agenda? Councilmember Ike is recognized. Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. I move that we approve the uh the agenda with the exception of new business item twelve B, and ask that that be placed on the October 10th work session for discussion. Thank you. Thank you. Excuse me, that would be October 8th. Members of the Council, the motion has been made with the one exception. I'll accept a second. Second. Seconded by Councilmember Kerry. Please prepare to vote. Please vote, and Madam Clerk record. Motion to approve the agenda as amended is adopted by a 7-0 vote.
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