Chesapeake City Council Regular Meeting - February 10, 2026

The Chesapeake City Council met on February 10, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chamber. All eight members present (Council Member Smith excused) unanimously approved a consent agenda (with one item removed), several resolutions and ordinances, and conducted a closed meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

Proclamation

• Career and Technical Education Month – Mayor West proclaimed February 1–28, 2026, as Career and Technical Education Month. Superintendent Dr. Jared Cotton accepted and highlighted recent CTE initiatives including Smith Tech, Major Clarity assessments, and the upcoming Future Pathways event.

Citizens’ Comments on Agenda Items

• Vic Nicholls (self) expressed support for the Stillwater rezoning proposal (noting food truck areas and brownstones) and questioned the transfer of funds from the Greenbrier Site/Infrastructure project, criticizing Dollar Tree’s lack of community investment.

Consent Agenda (Approved 8-0, except Item 2 removed)

• Acknowledgement of Rezoning Application – PLN-REZ-2025-017 (Stillwater); tentatively scheduled for Planning Commission March 11 and City Council at a future meeting.
• Resignation – Jakayla Byrd from STOP, Inc.
• Capital Budget Transfer – $264,185 from “Park Program Improvement II” to “Northwest River Park Improvements.”
• Capital Improvement Appropriation – $3,015,000 for Belaire Avenue Extension and $380,000 for Oak Grove Park Phase II.

Regular Agenda Items (All Approved 8-0)

• Police Fleet Replacement (removed from consent) – Request to transfer $1,050,000 within the General Fund to the Police Department and increase the Central Fleet Fund by $1,050,000 for aging vehicle replacements. City Manager Price explained the need due to pandemic delays and rising costs; Vice Mayor Ritter commended the cost-saving approach.
• MARCUS Alert Regional Cost Share – Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with area Community Service Boards for FY26 MARCUS Alert regional cost share, requested by Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Healthcare.
• Opioid Settlement Grant – Acceptance and appropriation of $377,164 from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority for opioid abatement efforts. City Manager Price noted the city receives both direct allocations and competitive grants, totaling over $5 million. Vice Mayor Ritter praised staff grant writing.
• Capital Project Transfer – $2,811,800 from “Greenbrier Site/Infrastructure” to “Belaire Avenue Extension” for public works.
• Fiber Optic Co-Build Agreement – Ordinance authorizing a co-build agreement with the Southside Network Authority for conduit installation along a parallel route. City Manager Price explained it will save $1.7 million and advance Chesapeake Connects, the city’s fiber ring. Vice Mayor Ritter noted Chesapeake was the first of five cities to complete its portion.

Citizens’ Comments (Non-Agenda)

• Vic Nicholls criticized speed cameras as revenue-generating, opposed proposed redistricting that may harm Chesapeake, expressed concerns about immigration enforcement, and urged the city to reaffirm Second Amendment sanctuary status. He also questioned affordable housing in the Stillwater project.
• Tommy Hart alleged police misconduct in the Alan Forehand murder investigation, claiming evidence tampering and that the police lieutenant committed the crime. He stated he would testify to the case’s falsehoods.
• Melinda Wilson requested the city end cooperation with ICE, arguing it undermines public safety trust, constitutional rights, and diverts local resources.
• Sam Baraki (Civil Engineering and Construction Services) requested concurrent advertising for PLN-REZ-2025-017 (Stillwater) due to contractual hardship. Council approved concurrent advertising 8-0; item will go to Planning Commission March 11 and City Council March 17.

New Business

• Emergency Declaration Confirmation (Jan 23–28, 2026) – Resolution confirming the emergency due to severe winter weather; adopted 8-0.
• Emergency Declaration Confirmation (Jan 29–Feb 3, 2026) – Resolution confirming the emergency due to severe winter weather; adopted 8-0.
• Council Member Newins thanked staff for storm response and noted potholes can be reported via (757) 382-CITY.
• Vice Mayor Ritter requested naming recognitions: (1) Margaret “Peggy” Forehand Stalnaker for library contributions, and (2) Claire Askew for parks contributions. Council Member Ward supported. Council Member Bunn asked about the Western Branch Trail renaming for the late Vice Mayor Dr. John deTriquet; Director Barber said approval expected within a month. Council Member Newins requested chronological prioritization of naming requests.

Closed Meeting

• Council convened a closed meeting at 7:31 p.m. to discuss real property acquisition/conveyance in Southern Chesapeake and investment of public funds for an economic development opportunity. Reconvened at 7:52 p.m. and certified the closed meeting (8-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved (except Item 2) 8-0.
• Police fleet funding ($1,050,000 transfer) approved 8-0.
• MARCUS Alert MOU approved 8-0.
• Opioid settlement grant ($377,164) approved 8-0.
• Capital transfer ($2,811,800) to Belaire Avenue Extension approved 8-0.
• Fiber optic co-build agreement approved 8-0.
• Concurrent advertising for Stillwater rezoning approved 8-0.
• Two emergency resolutions approved 8-0.
• Naming recognitions directed for Stalnaker and Askew; Western Branch Trail renaming update expected within a month.