OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Chesapeake City Council Meeting - September 9, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, September 9, 2025
BodyChesapeake, Virginia
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 9, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 8:00:00

Transcript — Verbatim
2:41

Can we write it?

2:41

Okay, do we have burning?

3:47

Can we report it?

5:16

I want to thank everyone for being here.

5:21

We're going to begin our work session here.

5:25

We have two really exciting topics tonight.

5:28

Can't wait to get into this franchise renewal thing.

5:31

So looking forward to our topics, Mr.

5:34

Manager.

5:34

Thank you, Mr.

5:35

Manager.

5:35

I'm glad you're excited.

5:36

We also are excited.

5:38

I'll welcome up our friends from HRT first.

5:40

You've heard from HRT a few times this year about possibilities for um uh modernizing and and uh bringing some new service and critical corridors today is about optimizing the existing system.

5:51

So I'll turn it over to um uh William and his team.

5:56

Thank you so much, Mr.

5:57

Manager, Mr.

5:58

Mayor, members of council staff, and members of the public.

6:01

We're pleased to be before you.

6:04

And uh as the city manager has indicated, we really are focusing on the efficiency of the organization, and this is a strategic topic that we believe will position us well for the future.

6:16

Um Mr.

6:17

Riamaruso, our chief of planning and development will provide an update.

6:22

Mr.

6:22

Amaruso.

6:26

Thank you, Mr.

6:26

Harrell, and good evening, Mayor West, members of council and manager price.

6:31

We're very happy to be here to talk about our system optimization plan.

6:36

I'd like to recognize that we also have one of our TDCHR commissioners here, Mr.

6:40

Tony Goodwin in the audience as well.

6:42

He's he follows us around at every city council briefing.

6:46

We were in City Council Portsmouth last night, briefing them at the work session, and I admire Tony for doing that since he emanates from Portsmouth, but he goes and visits these foreign lands called Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and North.

7:00

So uh just wanted to say hello.

7:02

And I'm really excited today to talk about the system optimization plan.

7:05

It is a key initiative for Hampton Roads Transit as your regional transit service provider.

7:10

Um and we face some challenges that I'd like to share with you.

7:13

This is a study that's been underway for some time now, and we're at a point to share some information with you.

7:18

Uh we've been working diligently with your staff, so they've seen most of these recommendations.

7:23

But I'm here to talk about the system optimization plan purpose.

7:27

Um in its very essence, it's its core need is exploring how HRT can put its limited resources to its best use by reducing low ridership bus service and reinvesting those savings and routes with high ridership demand.

7:44

And what do I mean by that?

7:46

So there are two types of resources.

7:47

The one we're always familiar with is financial resources.

7:50

Um you all have seen us often enough to know how we fund services here and our complex compact that created Hampton Roads Transit.

7:58

We get federal and state operating assistance that helps pay the some of the costs.

8:03

You you get revenues from the fare box, and then what's left over the cities pay at the margin.

8:08

So collectively among the six member cities, after the allocation of federal operating assistance, state operating assistance, and fair box more or less is about 40 percent that each member city contributes to pay for the cost of the services in their cities.

8:23

We live in challenging times.

8:33

State operating assistance, while we've had some heady years in the past few years, we're being told uh that it might be more challenging.

8:41

Uh agencies that do well have effective and efficient routes in terms of carrying productivity of additional passengers on their routes.

8:50

So you get awarded based on how well your routes do in terms of carrying passengers.

8:55

Hence the need to look at our system.

8:59

We have a system um that has sixty-eight bus routes in total among the six cities.

9:05

Uh we haven't looked at that in a cohesive manner in quite some time in terms of how well does every route perform, how many people you're carrying per trip, how many people you're carrying per hour of service, how many people you're carrying per mile of service.

9:18

That's what we're measured against.

9:20

Increasing ridership is germane to our mission because we want to put service where it's most needed, where we connect to businesses, employment sites.

9:31

We are in the bottom quartile when we look at our peers in terms of mid to large transit agencies of passengers that we carry per revenue hour of service.

9:41

Uh we have another challenge that's not unique to HRT, but is it being experienced by every transit property in the country?

9:47

We're short bus operators.

9:49

It's an effect of the pandemic.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural██████████████████████████████30%
Public Safety███████████████15%
Transportation Safety████████8%
Agricultural Conservation██████6%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Technology and Innovation████4%
Cable Television Franchise████4%
Economic Development████4%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Chesapeake City Council Meeting - September 9, 2025

The Chesapeake City Council met on September 9, 2025, for a work session from 5:15 p.m. to 6:01 p.m., followed by a regular meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 10:19 p.m. (including a closed meeting from 7:40 p.m. to 10:19 p.m.). The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, several regular agenda items, and an initiating resolution to begin the process of adopting the Chesapeake 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Two nominations were announced to fill the vacant council seat.

Consent Calendar

  • Rezoning Acknowledgment: Two rezoning applications were acknowledged for future hearings: Sykes Landing (43 acres, conditional reclassification to R-10s) and 960 Bells Mill Road (4 acres, reclassification to R-10s and C-1).
  • Refunds: Alston Construction Company, Inc. ($25,786.51), Bogey Free LLC ($41,552.60), Flexdrive Services LLC ($10,511.09).
  • Resignations: Cody Butler (Stormwater Committee), Micah Hall (Airport Authority), Dominique Moody (Transportation Toll Facility Advisory Committee).
  • City Manager Items: Acceptance and appropriation of grants: $25,000 from VDCRJS (Witness Protection Grant-Sheriff); authorization to apply for two Urban Areas Security Initiative grants (Police); $200,000 from VDEM (FY26 Call Handling Equipment Grant); $195,368 from VDEM (FY26 NG 9-1-1 Additional Funding Grant); $33,235 from VCIT Coalition (CIBH Crisis Intervention Team Program Support Grant); resolution for FY26-FY27 Community Services Performance Contract with DBHDS (CIBH); $6,250 from VTC (Meta Co-op Grant) with $18,750 match; $6,250 from VTC (Google Ads Co-op Grant) with $18,750 match; $250,000 from Juvenile Services Fund for Building Security Technology Upgrades (Human Services); $122,966 from traffic proffers for Right Turn Lanes: Deep Creek Area (Public Works).
  • City Attorney Items: Annual submission of delinquent and uncollectible tax lists; two resolutions authorizing participation in opioid-related settlements (Purdue Pharma/Sackler family and Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Idivior, Mylan, Sun, Zydus).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Agenda Items: Vic Nicholls (speaking on various agenda items, including concerns about Google Ads co-op grant, traffic, and the comprehensive plan).
  • Non-Agenda Speakers:
    • Vic Nicholls (rec center membership, Medicaid, local match for microtransit, lawsuit costs, Greenbrier traffic).
    • Carolyn White, representing Pughsville Civic League, Suffolk (boundary line issues with Suffolk, criticized council for voting without full knowledge).
    • Andrea Bolden (urged council to select Councilwoman Ella P. Ward as Vice Mayor, citing her 19 years of service and accomplishments).
    • Elizabeth Goodwin, Executive Director, Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation (provided updates on museum expansion, exhibits, and upcoming events including the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Great Bridge).
    • Pamela Brandy, representing Pughsville Civic League (criticized city for backing Suffolk in boundary dispute, demanded return of tax money, raised concerns about drainage, sidewalks, and traffic safety).
    • Tommy Hart (alleged misconduct by former police officer George Pappas, called for oversight commission).
    • Dr. Janelle St. Louis (expressed support for Councilwoman Ward as Vice Mayor, highlighting her educational and community service background).

Discussion Items

  • Work Session: HRT System Optimization Plan: Hampton Roads Transit presented a draft plan to optimize bus routes, recommending elimination of Route 6 (downtown Norfolk to South Norfolk) with microtransit replacement, frequency improvements on Route 13 (to 30 minutes) and Route 24 (to 30 minutes), no changes to Routes 14, 57, 58, and introduction of three microtransit zones in Chesapeake. The plan aims to reduce operator shortages, improve reliability, and increase ridership on high-frequency routes. Council members asked about microtransit coverage for the Stepping Stone shelter area.
  • Work Session: Cable Franchise Agreement Review: Staff presented the renewal of cable franchises with Cox Communications and Verizon South. Key changes include an increase in the monthly PEG (public, education, government) fee from 22 cents to 50 cents per subscriber (first increase ever), refined right-of-way definitions, and improved restoration requirements (Verizon: 14-day timeline; Cox: prompt restoration with city option to repair and charge). The renewals will be voted on at the September 23 meeting.
  • Regular Agenda Item 12 (MOU with Briggs Funeral Home): Resolution authorizing the city manager to enter into an MOU for removal, storage, and limited cremation of deceased individuals during routine and mass casualty incidents when morgue capacity is exceeded. Unanimously approved.
  • Regular Agenda Item 13 (Emergency Communications Center): Establishment of a new capital improvement project and appropriation of $1,500,000 for replacement and upgrades. Unanimously approved.
  • Regular Agenda Item 14 (Fire Vehicle Replacement): Appropriation of $360,000 from the High Priority One-Time Account for purchase of two fire engines and one medic unit. Councilmember Newins disclosed her husband's employment in the Fire Department. Councilmember Ritter inquired about using EMS proffer funds for the medic unit, but Fire Chief Gulisano noted proffers are restricted to capital expenditures and cannot replace existing apparatus. Unanimously approved.
  • Regular Agenda Item 15 (American Legion Lease Amendment): Resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a first amendment to lease of Oak Grove Center with American Legion Great Bridge Post 280, allowing sublets to individuals, clarifying termite service agreement, and adjusting insurance requirements. Unanimously approved.
  • Regular Agenda Item 16 (Navy Water Main Grant): Request for authority to apply for a Navy Defense Community Infrastructure Program Grant for a water main to Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Northwest Annex. City Manager Price noted the grant program has $100M nationwide, with Chesapeake receiving $12M. The Navy seeks to exit the utilities business due to health and safety concerns. Councilmember Ritter emphasized the health issue. Unanimously approved.
  • New Business Item A (Comprehensive Plan): Initiating Resolution requesting the Planning Commission to consider amendments to repeal the 2035 Chesapeake Comprehensive Plan and adopt the 2045 plan. Unanimously approved.
  • Councilmember Whitaker's Request: Asked staff to investigate stormwater flooding in the Portlock area.
  • Mayor West's Request: Requested an initiating resolution directing staff and Planning Commission to consider amendments allowing City Council to approve modifications to billboard setbacks and design requirements as part of conditional use permits.
  • Vacancy Announcement: Mayor West announced two nominees for the unexpired term of John M. deTriquet: E.R. “Jeff” Jefferies (nominated by Councilmember Bunn) and Dwight M. Parker (nominated by Councilmember Smith). Both will be interviewed in closed session on September 16, 2025.

Key Outcomes

  • All votes on the consent agenda and regular agenda items were unanimous (8-0).
  • Gregg Kruer and Roberto Ortiz were appointed to the Economic Development Authority; the third vacancy was continued until the end of December at the request of the Economic Development Department for Kevin Cosgrove to continue service.
  • The initiating resolution to begin the process of adopting the Chesapeake 2045 Comprehensive Plan was approved.
  • The council approved a closed meeting to discuss candidates for Vice Mayor and two prospective new businesses. The closed meeting was certified as compliant with Virginia law.
  • The next regular meeting will include a vote on the cable franchise renewals (September 23, 2025).

Meeting Transcript

Can we write it? Okay, do we have burning? Can we report it? I want to thank everyone for being here. We're going to begin our work session here. We have two really exciting topics tonight. Can't wait to get into this franchise renewal thing. So looking forward to our topics, Mr. Manager. Thank you, Mr. Manager. I'm glad you're excited. We also are excited. I'll welcome up our friends from HRT first. You've heard from HRT a few times this year about possibilities for um uh modernizing and and uh bringing some new service and critical corridors today is about optimizing the existing system. So I'll turn it over to um uh William and his team. Thank you so much, Mr. Manager, Mr. Mayor, members of council staff, and members of the public. We're pleased to be before you. And uh as the city manager has indicated, we really are focusing on the efficiency of the organization, and this is a strategic topic that we believe will position us well for the future. Um Mr. Riamaruso, our chief of planning and development will provide an update. Mr. Amaruso. Thank you, Mr. Harrell, and good evening, Mayor West, members of council and manager price. We're very happy to be here to talk about our system optimization plan. I'd like to recognize that we also have one of our TDCHR commissioners here, Mr. Tony Goodwin in the audience as well. He's he follows us around at every city council briefing. We were in City Council Portsmouth last night, briefing them at the work session, and I admire Tony for doing that since he emanates from Portsmouth, but he goes and visits these foreign lands called Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and North. So uh just wanted to say hello. And I'm really excited today to talk about the system optimization plan. It is a key initiative for Hampton Roads Transit as your regional transit service provider. Um and we face some challenges that I'd like to share with you. This is a study that's been underway for some time now, and we're at a point to share some information with you. Uh we've been working diligently with your staff, so they've seen most of these recommendations. But I'm here to talk about the system optimization plan purpose. Um in its very essence, it's its core need is exploring how HRT can put its limited resources to its best use by reducing low ridership bus service and reinvesting those savings and routes with high ridership demand. And what do I mean by that? So there are two types of resources. The one we're always familiar with is financial resources. Um you all have seen us often enough to know how we fund services here and our complex compact that created Hampton Roads Transit. We get federal and state operating assistance that helps pay the some of the costs. You you get revenues from the fare box, and then what's left over the cities pay at the margin. So collectively among the six member cities, after the allocation of federal operating assistance, state operating assistance, and fair box more or less is about 40 percent that each member city contributes to pay for the cost of the services in their cities. We live in challenging times. State operating assistance, while we've had some heady years in the past few years, we're being told uh that it might be more challenging. Uh agencies that do well have effective and efficient routes in terms of carrying productivity of additional passengers on their routes.

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