This transcript covers a dual-session of the Chesapeake City Council, beginning with a Works Session focused on FY26 Legislative Priorities for the Virginia General Assembly and Federal levels, followed by a Regular Monthly Meeting addressing ordinances, bond authorities, consent agendas, board appointments, and public testimony. During the Works Session, Legislative Affairs Director David Westcott presented four primary legislative initiatives, several supportive initiatives, and requests for funding, while Council members engaged in discussion regarding land use tools, public safety protections, and transportation funding gaps.
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our uh works session tonight, which is uh on our legislative priorities, Mr. Manager. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, it's that time of year uh where we're talking about our legislative priorities both at the um state and federal level, and so I'll turn it over to our legislative affairs director, David Westcott. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Manager, and I know this is everybody's favorite time of the year to hear my once a year legislative priorities for the city of Chesapeake. Uh Mayor West, Vice Mayor Ritter, and members of council, it's a privilege to speak with you tonight as we introduce the FY26 legislative package. This presentation also marks a personal milestone in my life. It is my five-year anniversary with the City of Chesapeake in my sixth General Assembly session representing our community. I'm truly thankful for the opportunity to serve the city and for all that we have accomplished over the years together. In a period of five years, we have won five Virginia Municipal League Innovation Awards, had almost 20 pieces of legislation that have been signed into law, received almost 47 million dollars through federal earmarks and state budget request, with five point six million dollars awaiting congressional approval for FY25. With the help of our Chesapeake delegation and your direction, we have positioned this community to grow and succeed. These actions continue to strengthen service, support economic opportunities, and ensure Chesapeake is an exceptional place to live, work, farm, and play. Their work is critical when I am in Richmond reviewing and tracking more than 3,000 bills and attending 24 full Senate and House committees, accompanied by 64 subcommittees, many of which have legislation assigned to them that affects either the local government or things that uh could it possibly affect the city of Chesapeake. We are fortunate to have a city manager who understands Richmond's political landscape and policies that it produces, which has been an essential in advancing our priorities. And the last day of session, which is the best day of session of the well, it's the best day of the year because it's March 14th and that's my birthday. So our legislative package formulations. So we've got a couple new members on council since I presented this legislative pack or the legislative package last year. But it's always good to go over exactly how this all comes together. First and foremost, we seek the input of council in our city departments. We also seek the city council's direction. Most importantly, we also work with members of our General Assembly. We listen to different items and different concerns that they have, but also we participate in our city memberships, such as Virginia Municipal League, Virginia Association of Counties, which they also come out with their own legislative packages that deals with local government. So that's really helpful to us. Just to really know like where they're coming from. Also participating in VA focused groups, committees, subcommittees that meet throughout the year. So even when we're not in session, I'm usually in Richmond about two to three days a week throughout the entire year. So there's always something going on. If there's a bill that's been passed by or it's been killed or it's been referred to a committee or a study, usually I'm there 99% of the time, unless I'm sick, hopefully I'm not sick, but usually I'm there. And a lot of those pieces of legislation that get referred to those committees and subcommittees often become bills next year. Last but not least, but working with our other legislative directors. There's 12 of us in the entire state. They're either in Northern Virginia or in Hampton Roads. So we work together as a cohesive team to figure out exactly what legislative items, you know, they're hearing in their neck of the woods and what things they think that members of their delegation are going to be bring forward the following session. So here's our partners kind of already discussed this, but many of y'all are very familiar with Hampton Roads Planet District Commission, HRTPO, HR TAC, VML, VACO, Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance. We work with them, we look at their legislative packages both at a state level and at a federal level and see where we can work together on shared initiatives. So our top legislative priorities. So this year we have four legislative priorities. Unauthorized entry of emergency vehicles, and that's a really interesting one. And then also conveyance of easement via plat. Chesapeake, hold on, let me just go back. Okay. Currently, agencies across Virginia are facing critical staffing shortages, especially in specialized civilian and technical positions. Hold on, let me get, I thought I clicked it. Many retired retired officers have the skills and institutional knowledge we need, but current law discourages their return. What this initiative does is it allows retired sworn officers to work in civilian non-sworn positions. An example, fingerprint examiners, forensic specialist, background investigators, retirees keep their VRS retirement benefits while working in these roles.