Chesapeake City Council Meeting – May 27, 2025

The Chesapeake City Council met on May 27, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chamber. All nine council members were present. The meeting covered a consent agenda, public hearings, multiple ordinances and resolutions, board appointments, and citizen comments. Key actions included adoption of a consolidated fireworks ordinance, authorization for a lease and property acquisitions, and approval of an initiating resolution to study density changes in the Urban Overlay District.

Consent Calendar

• Resignations accepted: Vicki Josue (South Norfolk Revitalization Commission) and Lena Fuller (Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority).
• Resolution #25-R-043: Authorized the city manager to apply for Virginia Department of Transportation Revenue Sharing Program funds for the Freeman Avenue Railroad Overpass Bridge Project.
• Appropriation of $130,100 from surplus property sale at Oriole Drive to the Advanced Right-of-Way Acquisition Program II capital improvement project.
• Appropriation of $55,000 from Columbia Gas to the Repair and Replacement of Roads and Bridges Phase V capital improvement project.
• Transfer of $668,000 within the FY 2025 operating budget of Central Fleet Management to cover increased costs and vendor repairs.
• All consent agenda items were approved unanimously (9-0) with the exception of Item 4 (asset forfeiture), which was removed for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vic Nicholls (self-represented): During the public hearing on Item 7A (lease with J. Chris Slabaugh), he suggested adjusting the acreage to an even 5,000 instead of the listed 7,292 (likely a miscue; the lease is for 111.773 acres including 72.2 farmable acres) and expressed support for showing appreciation to farmers. On agenda items, he spoke against the fireworks ordinance (Item 9), questioning liability if fireworks land on a property owner’s land, and asked about potential cost changes from the Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare (CIBH) reorganization.
• Tommy Hart (self-represented): During non-agenda citizen comments, he detailed allegations of police misconduct in a murder investigation, claiming evidence was mishandled and that a detective threatened him. He requested that the council appoint a commission to oversee the Chesapeake Police Department.
• Markiella Moore (self-represented): She noted that the $6 million proposed for the old school administration building renovation was pulled from the agenda and suggested redirecting those funds to the fire department for one-time expenses and capital projects, as the city had previously considered a real estate tax increase for fire department needs. City Manager Price clarified that the $6 million was not currently available cash and would be part of a future year-end true-up process.

Discussion Items

• Asset Forfeiture Funds (Item 4): Council Member Ritter requested that moving forward, an accurate accounting of how asset forfeiture funds are allocated and spent be provided. The item was approved unanimously.
• Freeman Avenue Railroad Overpass Bridge (Item 7): A resolution requesting approval from the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board and VDOT for breaks in the limited access restriction on U.S. Route 17 (Dominion Boulevard) approximately 1,000 linear feet northeast of its intersection with Eaglet Parkway. Approved unanimously.
• Snipe Signs Agreement (Item 8): A resolution authorizing a revocable license to Chesapeake Regional Healthcare to install snipe signs on city property. Council Member Newins confirmed that all signage must be consistent with the city’s core values, sponsorship protocols, and policies. Approved unanimously.
• Fireworks Ordinance (Item 9): An ordinance consolidating and amending city code sections 34-5 and 50-21 to improve enforcement of fireworks possession and discharge. Discussion included notification to the community, liability of property owners/occupants, and enforcement priorities (education, warnings, confiscation rather than arrests). City Attorney Lindley noted the ordinance covers any person responsible or in control of the property. Approved unanimously.
• CIBH Reorganization (City Attorney Items 1A and 1B): Two ordinances to designate Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare as a city department and to designate its board as a policy-advisory community service board. Council Member Ritter verified that the board was aware of the change. Both approved unanimously.
• Initiating Resolution on Urban Overlay Density (New Business Item A): A resolution requesting the Planning Commission to consider amendments to Article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance to increase permitted density in the Urban Overlay District to allow single-family development consistent with historically established patterns (e.g., 5,000 sq. ft. lots in South Norfolk). Council Member Ritter requested a work session with the Planning Commission to ensure the goal of neighborhood stabilization is maintained. Council Member Newins asked for analysis of ancillary effects in other areas of the Urban Overlay. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Public Hearings Approved:
  • Lease with J. Chris Slabaugh for 111.773 acres (72.2 farmable acres) at Mount Pleasant Road and Bedford Street – approved 9-0.
  • Authorization for property acquisition (fee simple, leasehold, easements) for the Freeman Avenue Railroad Overpass Bridge Project – approved 9-0.
• Consent Agenda Approved (9-0) with exception of Item 4.
• Regular Agenda Items Approved Unanimously: Asset forfeiture appropriation, Route 17 limited access breaks, snipe sign license, fireworks ordinance, CIBH ordinances, and Urban Overlay density initiating resolution.
• Appointments to Boards and Commissions:
  • South Norfolk Revitalization Commission: T.C. Gray (7 votes) and Lateef Shaheer (appointed by unanimous consent).
  • Chesapeake Commission on Health and Well Being: Claudia Tate.
  • Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare Board: James Mills.
  • Citizen Advisory Committee: Anthony Kelly (Western Branch), George Yakis (Indian River, 7 votes), Jodie Love (Great Bridge, 8 votes).
  • Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization: Mayor Rick West and City Manager Christopher Price.
  • Human Services Advisory Board: Chloe Hale and Gustavo Marcano Soto.
  • Local Emergency Planning Committee: Marie Balak and Lawrence Mason.
  • Natural Event Mitigation Advisory Committee: Andi Kerley.
  • Tidewater Community College Board: Peggy Layne (5 votes) over Dwight Parker (4 votes).
• Unfinished Business: Council Member King requested clarification on ownership of the former school administration building; City Manager noted the land is city-owned, building appears city-owned but listed as school board asset, so the item was pulled to clarify. Council Member Ritter requested a future council retreat to detail the grant evaluation process and to involve the agricultural community (farmers, Farm Bureau) in preservation initiatives.
• New Business – Farmers Market: Council Member Smith proposed staff explore bringing a farmers market to South Norfolk, working with redevelopment and housing authority and Healthy Chesapeake.
• Closed Meeting: The council entered a closed meeting at 7:31 p.m. to evaluate the city attorney and city manager, as permitted by Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(1).