Want to welcome everyone to our April twenty eighth, twenty twenty six city council work session.

Mr.

Manager.

Thank you, Ms.

Mayor.

We want to close out the uh budget uh discussions uh today.

Um, want to go through the available funding.

So as you recall, um, City Manager's budget was presented about a month ago.

Um, we've had a series of work sessions to go through some different alternatives and to address some issues raised by uh members of council.

So we want to talk about after all of those amendments to the city manager's proposed budget what's the available funding left on the bottom line.

Some pending issues and requests that still remain unaddressed.

I try to get some straw polls so we can see if we can have concurrence there.

If you recall last uh meeting, Councilmember Whitaker asked about some scenarios for possible reductions on personal property tax rate.

Um so we've run some numbers there.

Um then we have some final recommendations and then certainly um discussion of questions, all towards um hopefully being able to resolve outstanding issues today so that we're prepared on the first meeting in May to have a budget that's ready for adoption.

So our current balance if you take the city manager's proposed budget and all of the things council through straw polls has has agreed to, what we're left at is um with an available balance of 234, um677 dollars.

And so you'll see on this chart um kind of what's happened on on the bottom line of the budget.

We left council about a half a million dollars capacity.

And if you recall, we left a reserve for impacts of the General Assembly that were unknown at the time of preparing the budget, so a million dollars to address um uh those issues.

And then over the course of the last several um uh meetings, work sessions, um, council members have requested that we add some things back in.

So um first up was some shift safety officers.

We had um uh one in the proposed budget.

There are three shifts.

So funding this would allow us to have a shift safety officer for all three shifts in the fire department.

Um additional support for Stepping Stone.

The number one requested the team for Stepping Stone was an additional staff member to help serve as the liaison between the team, the the facility, and um uh Castanabolis, the folks that are um staffing up the facility overnight.

Um Councilmember Um Smith uh requested um the Fun Fridays events, so things to do, especially during the summertime for youth in the community.

We talked a little bit about um um council members uh Smith and um Whittaker had uh discussed an idea about um redevelopment in and around the lanes, and we talked about some of the public safety issues there, some of the redevelopment opportunities.

Um we had put an additional cost of 200,000 on that to take a look at some development scenarios.

Council did ask us to meet with some potential developers that have already expressed interest and to drive that number down a little bit so we have the capacity to to do that, but we do recommend um proceeding with that project.

The summer youth employment program, um 100,000 could certainly accommodate the 20 youth that we think would be good to start that program with, and um we are compiling um information for council.

This is a small supplement to a larger thing that's out there that that a variety of groups do with youth employment.

Um then if you recall um we had um an item in the budget to shift uh responsibility for the cost of radios to user departments.

So parks, um the public works, our different operational departments.

Schools is a big user of those radios, and so to shift those costs right now, the city is paying for all of them.

Some departments like parks have decided to turn their radios in.

They're they're not gonna use them.

Um schools is still considering their options, and so given that they had a short amount of time to consider their options, we're recommending um delaying that decision by a year.

And so again, that leaves an available balance of almost 235,000.

Before I get into the straw poll, I just want to give you another update on collective bargaining.

So as we uh discussed at the last meeting, the um the governor had uh um rejected uh many elements of the General Assembly's proposal.

The governor's umendments were favorable to local governments.

The General Assembly at this point seems disinclined to consider the governor's amendments and has sent that back to the governor.

So uh long story short, we do not know what's going to happen with this.

And so we still probably need to keep some capacity reserve to be able to address short-term impacts will be staffing on things like legal services and labor relations.

Long term, this will be a you know very considerable impact to the city's budget.

We just don't know when that will hit.

So we will continue to monitor, but our request is that um as you know, every year in June, we bring you what we call technical amendments and then final amendments based on the the adopted state budget.

So we recommend addressing this with the June amendments.

I do want to say something about the June amendments.

Normally we are implementing the state budget.

So we get the state budget and we're making the final changes to school funding, city funding.

We are unlikely to know the outcomes of the state budget by the time you all are required to act in June.

So we're going to still be making assumptions into June, and I suspect we will have many amendments we will have to make to the budget based on that after the beginning of the fiscal year.

But all jurisdictions are in the same boat with that.

We talked about this over the past um couple of meetings, but Councilmember Smith asked that I put this back up for consideration.

The Chesapeake Care Clinic, this is one of the uh it is funded through the human services grants, but they do not apply for the grants.

There was a specific set aside that was done for fiscal year 23 for the Chesapeake Care Clinic.

As the overall human grants, human services grant program has declined over the years, their proportion of that grant has correspondingly declined.

Councilmember Smith has asked that we consider increasing the funding to Chesapeake Care Clinic.

And if you were to do that, there's two ways we could accomplish it.

Number one, we could add additional funding to the clinic.

Number two, we could increase their portion of the existing human services grant without increasing the overall expenditure in the human services grant.

And Councilmember Smith, did I capture everything correctly?

So I'll turn it over to Council for thoughts on the Chesapeake Care Clinics.

Anyone want to make a comment?

Ms.

Nois?

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

I wouldn't have any objection if we increase the amount they receive within the grant, I guess the amount of money that's in the grant program now.

I think you gave us some numbers.

Do you recall off the top of your head how much of a percentage of the care clinic the participants are Chesapeake residents?

I want to say it was maybe 80-ish.

It's about 72 percent.

But the recipients of the human services grants are required to demonstrate that the even if they serve regionally, they are only using our funds to serve city clients.

Okay.

So if we did increase the funding, they would have to show us that they are only using it for Chesapeake residents.

Yes, ma'am.

Okay.

I wouldn't have any objection to increasing it from the already existing funding.

But what would be the request, I guess, for how much?

Do you have a recommendation?

There was no dollar request, so I would turn that over to Councilmember Smith.

Mr.

Smith?

Yes, thank you.

I don't have a set amount.

So what I was just trying to get someone to do is to check with the authorities there to see what their financial need is, and based it on that.

I mean, we can have a round amount a round amount max, whatever that may be, 200,000 give or take.

But one thing I could suggest maybe is right now they do not submit for the competitive grant because they are a direct recipient.

Perhaps we continue to give them the direct um the direct money and also allow them to submit a competitive application.

That that might uh and then we would know what their what their needs and their requests would be appreciated.

Good idea.

Do we have that of the question?

Well, I think we could determine the amount from their needs.

Mr.

Bond.

Thank you, Mayor West.

Um, do you do you know how much money they get from us now?

Is just under $60,000.

Okay.

And then also um Ms.

Newens um asked a question about the Chesapeake residents versus outside um residents.

Appreciate our doing that.

And then also you talked about it would take away um funding, I guess the grant fund overall.

So that means um I guess other organizations wouldn't have the opportunity or have if you directed that they got additional funds, it that would take away from other organizations if you put them in, if you give them the same direct allocation but allow them to compete, that gives them access to other funds.

There is no guarantee, but they would right now they're not eligible for the competitive mix, and now they would be able to submit a request and we could evaluate against the other request.

If after that process it's still not meeting councils in the community's needs, we can come back with an agenda item to see if you would like to do something different.

That's fine.

This is what I was going to ask, but we got the $60,000.

So if you had an idea about how much they get now.

So I'm good with that.

Yes, thank feed funding.

Everybody in agreement?

I think we are all liking that idea.

And I'm sorry, I skipped over straw poll for collective bargaining.

Everyone's good still continuing to monitor.

We might have to address, you know, in June or later, but I just don't have enough information to say if we should start incurring costs now.

Yep.

Um Chesapeake Airport Authority, if you recall they made a request for a million dollars over the five-year CIP, 162,000 in year one, that was for um a vehicle and some safety equipment that they want to do on site.

Staff concurs uh that the um that the items are needed.

If council chooses to advance this, it won't have an effect on money available for other services because we would recommend, since it's a one-time expenditure using the high priority one-time account.

Ms.

Millis.

Is it were we required to commit to the 1 million over five years, or can we just give them the $162,000 for year one and then re-evaluate on how they utilize that money and their status and consider giving them additional funds the next year?

Yes, ma'am, that's my recommendation.

The $162 this year, we will continue to work with them on a longer-term CIP plan and well before the budget, we will bring that to council and work session like we did with the operational uh budget last year to find out how they are tracking on progress.

Excellent.

Thank you.

Any disagreement on that?

All good.

Next.

Next up, Councilmember Bunn asked us to look into unfunded requests from the police department.

Um these were requests.

Um they're not they're mostly administrative requests.

So they had a request for um an accounting specialist and a request for a central records clerk, working with police, finance, city manager's office, and deploying technology.

We think we are going to be able to accommodate these administrative requests without the need for additional personnel.

Um, but but we will continue to track to make sure needs are met.

Um so we don't recommend uh moving forward on those.

Um the police did request an uh a wellness app.

Um so I believe Newport News is using it right now, and it is an enhancement to the existing suite of mental health services and support services that council authorized a few years ago.

So if you recall, we stood that program up in the budget, I believe not last year, but the year before and augmented it last year.

It's working really well, but this is something that we would like to pilot.

The only reason it didn't make the budget is because we want to look, work with police and fire and possibly sheriff to see if it is something that we can deploy across the entire sworn service.

Um I think this is something we will see in the future, um, but not ready for prime time yet.

So those were the three requests from uh police department.

Mayor West, I have a question.

Mr.

Bottom, thank you.

So that program is just for sworn officers.

Could it be incorporated with regular city general employees?

So that is exactly how the existing um mental health program that we have started.

We we uh it was uh it was conversations we were having with police and fire, um, you know, but we have traumatic incidents sometimes in the in in the regular workforce, so we did expand it to the entire workforce.

I do suspect that although the initial pilots and in in other places were public safety, it is something that we might deploy for the entire team.

So I appreciate you asking that question.

Um but we will bring this back some at some point uh um later this year to to um uh see what works for us.

Next.

Next up, Councilmember Whittaker asked us to look at some scenarios for uh possibly reducing the personal property tax rate.

Um I believe the scenarios we asked for were two, four, six, and eight cent reduction.

Um lot of numbers on this chart, but uh on the left-hand side you could see the scenario, what what what a potential reduction would be.

The available funding is how much council has on the bottom line right now.

So that doesn't change with any of the um scenarios.

The foregone revenue would be how much that a two cent reduction, four cent reduction, that is how much that equates in terms of uh uh revenue that we wouldn't realize.

Now there is a savings because as you recall, we take 12 percent of our general fund revenue and put it into our reserve fund, our reserve funds.

So that would be so for example, on a two cent rate reduction, it would be $212,000 of foregone revenue, but we wouldn't have to put 45,000 into the reserve fund.

Okay, so you see how that works.

Um so if we did a two cent reduction and we're starting with a balance of 235,000, our available balance would go down to 67,533 uncommitted in the budget.

So you can see at 4 cents, we would be at a negative about 100,000 and moving down from that.

Um we believe we can achieve a three cent reduction that that puts us in the negative by about $30,000, but we we believe we can we can solve that through the um the um final amendments in in June.

So we have the capacity if that is something council wants to consider in this year's budget without significant cuts to do the three percent rate reduction.

On the school side, this is what that would equate to.

Um schools has an available balance today on the bottom line of about 1.45 million.

You might ask, you know, why is their available balance so much more than the cities?

It's because um when the schools prepares their budget, there's still a lot of unknowns.

And and we're still getting um preliminary resident revenue estimates then.

We have final revenue estimates now.

Um so this is how much the schools had on the bottom line in each scenario, so at a three per three cent rate reduction, schools would still have 1.36 million dollars available on their bottom line.

So our recommendations, we all of the things in the proposed city manager's budget can be funded with a reduction of three cents.

All of the things in the city manager's proposed budget plus the things council has added through your series of straw polls, can be accomplished with the three per three cent reduction on the personal property tax rate.

Um that assumes no additional funding for the Chesapeake CARES clinic.

We're going to accomplish that through existing funding in the human services grant, so no net increase.

Um if this is council's desire, when we bring you the budget ordinance on May 12th, um, we'll include recommendations to uh eliminate that that um imbalance of about $30,000.

Any rate reduction beyond three cents will require cuts.

Um Councilmember Newens requested that we come up with a series of of potential cuts if that's something that you want to do, so I'll list those shortly.

I do want to say, as you know, that our um when we reduce our tax rates, that those become the ceiling for the next year's budget, right?

So I just want you to be mindful when you're making these choices that there are massive unknowns on the horizon, largely coming out of Richmond.

And a lot of things that council in the community wants us to do, and we will be tying our hands with an ability to do those things if we take too dramatic of a of a reduction.

So it's something I tell you every year, but I would be remiss if I didn't say that.

It certainly may impact our ability to fund future capital projects.

So we have a more aggressive capital improvement program now than perhaps any point in the city's history.

Between the Public Safety Academy, which is the single biggest uh uh expense, single most expensive building we will have ever done, to the South Norfolk Municipal Building, the Cuffy Pool, all the fire stations and police stations that we have on the horizon, uh huge capital improvement uh program.

Um and then again, we're not leaving ourselves to address capacity from collective bargaining and paid family medical leave.

Paid family medical leave we know is coming and we know what that expense looks like, still not sure about collective bargaining.

Um then fuel.

Fuel is is um very volatile right now.

We of course expect things to normalize, but um if they don't, we'll have to in we'll have to come back with a budget amendment during the fiscal year to address um address rising fuel costs.

So potential cuts.

Um one of the things we could do if you recall that we had $200,000 earmarked for the campus Stella study.

Um some council members asked if there was a way to reduce that number.

Um, you know, and we are talking to members of the development community, you could choose if you know to reduce that in half.

So go down to 100,000 for the study.

I'm not sure we could accomplish the goal for 100,000.

I do have the authority to transfer some into the project if if that becomes necessary.

So but leaving 100,000 minimally, I think that we could at least, you know, um get engaged in that project.

Um development of permits requested a code compliance inspector.

We have a significantly increasing number of code compliance calls.

So there they are they are citizen or business request about things that they're seeing in the in the neighborhood.

So property maintenance issues, you know, grass issues, things like that.

Um this position would help facilitate addressing those things, you know, being the city that cares and trying to address those things more quickly than we're able to today.

Um but that was one of the newer positions added to the budget, so it's it's something that that we could consider not doing.

Um parks recreation and tourism requested um two additional staff members and some equipment to do enhanced trail maintenance.

So at some of our trails, we are having a significant problem with invasive species, and in some cases, they're overtaking uh the trails faster than we can we can clear out the invasive species, the invasive species.

It's not good for the trails, it's certainly not good for the environment.

So this would allow us to be more proactive about addressing those and keeping the trails open for community use, but certainly as a newer expenditure, it's something that we could take a look at cutting.

And then lastly, every for the past several years, we've maintained funding to uh to do road paving on 87.2 miles of road, I believe that's correct, Jonathan.

82.7 that's very close.

82.7 miles of road.

Um so to uh so every year to do 82.7 miles of road, that cost increases.

Um we have an increase of $2 million this year, that's what it would take to continue to do 82.7 miles of road.

We could choose to reduce that um amount by a little bit, but you know, our road paving program is really important.

It's something that to be honest with you, I'd like to have more money, you know, even than we've committed to it.

Um but it uh it's a very large new expenditure at $2 million a year, so certainly something um council could consider.

Um so with that, uh today we're seeking final um decisions.

We've got a decision on collective bargaining, we've got a decision on the um CARES clinic, we've got a decision on on the airport, we've got a decision on the police funding, and so unless I'm mistaken, the only outstanding decision that's on the table so far is the uh personal property tax rate.

With that, I'll turn it over to you, Mr.

Mayor.

Any discussion on this one?

Uh Dr.

Ward?

Just a question, Mr.

Manager, um, with respect to uh road the paving to uh so maintain current laying mouth, uh because they're um you mentioned that that's 200,000.

Um there are a lot of you know, just a lot of construction going on, and um some of um roads that we frequent, you know, including George Washington Highway, and you know it's necessary because you even though the the decrease bridge is supposed to be federally funded, but because of the heavy weight of all of that, you know, the traffic, um, yeah, the roads are really, really bad in this heavily, yeah.

So when you say that um to maintain, I'm just wondering about 200,000, is it really enough because it's gonna be going and here there are others too.

But I mean, but this one is still going to be going on for another year.

And um, so that's that's an excellent point.

The uh the addition to the budget this year is two million.

So what I was suggesting is if you needed to if you wanted to make a cut in that area, you could cut 200,000 out of the two million.

So the program itself is way, way I'm not sure what the total is, but it's a very significant program.

Though the the money I have requested in the budget this year is an additional two million.

So if you took this cut, that would mean the additional money, the new money is 1.8 million.

Oh, wow.

I don't recommend we do that, but it's a it is a huge program.

Yeah, I mean, um that was not going to be a recommendation for me to cut 200,000.

You know, if anything need to add uh because it's pretty bad, and they're so heavily found.

I know there are more on it, but um, yeah, I I'm thinking even going up on the interest state.

And I really want to thank uh I guess um uh sorry and uh that really have to get that done, just getting a turn lane coming on so many accidents that are carried there, and because the road also was torn up, but I really appreciate that for if you of us live in Western branch, but uh just traffic in general, whether they're going to the mid peninsula stuff or whatever, uh it is really yeah, but that's that actually costs a lot to get that turn lane.

It does.

So I wouldn't suggest cutting.

I would mean if anything, adding to that budget.

Yeah, anyway, I just want to make sure you know I don't want to cut it, but possible.

Because we need road maintenance badly.

Thank you, Dr.

Ward.

Uh Mr.

Bedaker.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

So uh uh, Mr.

Manager, for the sake of clarity, you feel confident that we can facilitate a three cent cut or three cent reduction without any cuts, is that correct?

In the year we're in right now.

The uh in in in FY27, yes.

Okay.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

Mr.

Ellis?

Um, Mr.

Reenager, what is the impact of a three cent reduction on the average citizen?

Do we know that?

Like a guesstimate.

If we could get to additional questions and we'll have staff calculate.

Yeah, give us give us just a minute.

Okay.

And then I guess is it feasible for us to consider a refund or a credit versus a reduction at this stage because we have a lot of unknowns with the General Assembly and we have a lot of funds that are allocated to those unknowns.

So say the collective bargaining does not pass, that frees up a lot more money that we could then potentially offer uh credit or a refund, not necessarily a full reduction, and then that doesn't bind us for future years.

Like maybe we can give it more heavy of a refund than we could a reduction.

So if you were to do it instead of a rate cut, if you were to do it as so say three cents as a credit instead of a rate cut, um we would apply that to their bill.

So they would be able to see what the bill would have been and then the reduction, you know, with the three cent the the for next year, then it would go back to the original rate, $4.08.

But to your point, if some of these things don't materialize, like the collective bargain or something, you would certainly have the ability to continue to consider that again.

You would you would be giving yourself the choice.

What's the feasibility of doing that right now with the personal property taxes due June 5th?

Yeah, no ability to effectuate that.

Okay, so it would be on the next bill.

Correct.

It would be for FY27, which is the issue.

So is there a rush for us to put this forth right now?

Should we not wait to see if we can offer citizens a higher level of uh credit?

So the budget will be based on whatever revenues we expect to receive, you can't have an imbalanced budget.

So your expenditures and revenues will match.

So if you leave it at $4.08, that's what the budget will be based on, and we will be executing spending based on $4.08.

So I would recommend that you set it.

Um but to your point is as the year, and some of these things might go through the year.

Some of these conversations might continue through the year.

But if it looks like um if it looks like during the course of the year that these big expenses aren't going to materialize, um there are things we can do during the year with active credits or um uh or changing exemption thresholds, or there's things we could do because those tax bills don't go out, you know, for like a year from now.

Or um it would be the starting point for next year's budget to say we have capacity for something even deeper or or more permanent.

Okay.

Are there any other taxes that you may recommend that are I guess simpler to reduce or offer credit for that don't necessarily impact the bottom line of our budget?

Like any fees or things of that nature?

Not really because if you think of stormwater and um and utilities, those are enterprise funds, so they fully fund that individual business line.

Things like sales tax, meals tax, cigarette tax are collected by the vendor.

We don't know who the individual um consumer is, and then real estate for every for every penny on real estate, that's a massive amount of funding.

So we selected personal property because it applies to the broadest base of um of um our our residents.

Um, you know, but it it is it is a very complicated one because of the the nature of when it's collected, it's at the very tail end of the fiscal year.

And by that point we will have become reliant on that revenue.

Okay.

I like I'm I'm supportive of it.

Obviously, reducing it to offering a credit, I think is most appropriate given the uncertainty of our budget, and then reevaluating it when we have some more answers and seeing if there's additional things we could offer that maybe not be a cent reduction, but uh a credit, changing the threshold so it gives people puts them in a lower threshold so they'll have a lower tax burden.

If you could just bring forth future options, um and then I guess Jonathan, did you get that number by chance?

We did.

And whenever we're talking about impacts like this, I almost like to give a menu of a variety of assessment values, um because understanding the average is obviously the middle, so there's people above people below.

But if we did the three cent on the average value, which is about 11,000, it would be a $3 uh savings to the taxpayer.

Total?

Yes.

$3.

And that's why I like to that's why whenever I am doing impacts, I do like to give you a menu.

If somebody's got a $100,000 vehicle, obviously their savings is a lot more substantial than the eleven thousand dollar vehicle, but that is the uh impact.

Mr.

Letter, up to your place.

Thank you.

Mr.

Mr.

But you uh Mr.

Mayor.

Well, the crime changes I just paid my personal property tax today.

But uh but anyway.

Now that being said, um so uh once again for the sake of clarity, so this is personal property.

This is not business property or does not affect business property, correct?

Correct.

So we when we did this analysis, what this is showing you is only the personal property tax on vehicles.

There are other categories of personal property tax that this excludes.

We only looked at it from the perspective of vehicles.

Now, uh my understanding from the Commissioner of the Revenues Office is if it is a business vehicle and it has a VIN, so it's not a piece of equipment, it has a VIN, it is included in the this assessment base.

So it could be a business vehicle if it is if it has a VIN, it would be included in this.

That's my understanding from the Commissioner's office.

Okay.

Thank you.

So you know, uh what really started me with this was a gentleman that said that uh his retirement or inflation was outpacing his retirement.

And uh, you know, to be a good steward of taxpayer money, I think it is important that we give breaks where we can without rocking the boat too much.

And so uh I'm very much in favor of a three cent reduction.

I would like to see a 10 cent, but you know, I don't think that's in the cards for right now based on how the budget works.

Um I think it is important that we do uh uh try to give relief where we can when everything is just costing so much more from fuel to bills to electricity across the board.

I mean, we we get emails about it all the time.

So uh yeah, I'm very much in favor of doing this if we can do it without rocking the boat too much.

Thank you.

Uh any other comments, Dr.

Ward?

Since we are talking about taxes and reductions, I have gotten um several calls about real estate uh taxes and this threshold, because we do have a large number of senior citizens in this, and of course it came from senior citizens.

And we I know it came up uh a couple of years ago about increasing the um well, it's a certain age.

Um do we have anything that um you can age, get an age reduction based on your age and personal property?

I mean, no.

Real estate, because I remember we increased that like age and 350,000 to 400,000, I think.

Councilman News mentioned that a couple of years ago.

So do we have something like that in place?

And is that could you um because I have no idea exactly, but I remember that the threshold for the real estate, we increased it from 350 to 400,000 dollars.

And this is for the age machine reduction.

That's exactly right.

So a few years ago, the um Commissioner of the Revenue brought forward a proposal to um change the thresholds, uh uh income thresholds where people would or value thresholds where people would qualify and expand the um the categories so that more people could qualify for for different tiers.

Um and council approved that a few years ago.

Um so that definitely is placed, and it's very competitive with what other jurisdictions are doing.

Um, and I I know a lot of people benefited from that.

All right, so there's no uh thought about possibility of increasing that threshold.

In other words, if your value is more than 400,000, then considering many of the properties in Chesapeake now are 400,000.

So that person may be 85, but is his whole you know uh property values, I'm talking about real estate, is 400,000, they don't get any account reduction.

But now most of the houses cost more than 400.

You are value that I won't say cost value for that 400,000 plus.

So is that anything that could be considered?

And I'm not sure now what that threshold is, but we do have a lot of senior citizens who are concerned about similar to some of what um Councilman Pedaker said, that as they age and get older, and we have quite a few, then they are having difficulty paying their real estate taxes.

And I just got mad, but anyway.

Um it is definitely certain something certainly something council can consider.

It for this budget coming up, we're probably be at we're probably beyond our ability to do that.

The other thing to keep in mind is as Councilmember Whitaker said, when you do exemption programs like that, everyone else that doesn't qualify for that program is paying for it.

And so that was sort of count, and if you recall council weighed that very carefully when you made that change a few years ago.

Um but if if you'd like us to look for look at that, you know, for future budgets, it's some it's certainly um something we could take a look at.

Yeah, certainly not this one.

Yeah, but the the cost of um, you know, how the values have gone up so much in the last couple of years.

Thank you.

I appreciate it.

Not for this one, in the future.

Because I won't be Mr.

Smith.

Yes, thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Uh what I would like to ask is why is the reduction just for one year for 2027?

So the proposal I think that is on the table is a one-year credit, but you would be able to make choices every year based on what we know at that time about what you would like to do.

Okay.

And secondly, is in reference to the reduction.

I can see the 2 percent, but not the 3 percent, because we shouldn't have no negative balances.

And this is showing a negative balance.

If we do it 30.

3 percent.

Yeah, I'm I'm very confident that between now and the final amendments in June that we will be able to close that $30,000 gap.

We will continue to get refined revenue estimates.

Um I I I do think we can close that gap, but I I certainly appreciate your concerns.

I want to just uh add my opinion before we go, I'll call you uh, Mr.

Jeffries.

You know, I I think we've got to be sort of honest here.

We have the lowest tax rate, overall taxes in in Hampton Roads.

The cost of living for everybody in this country is going crazy.

And for us to um think that we are helping the situation by giving somebody $3 a year off is is is ludicrous.

So for me, I I think it's a it's a it's it's almost like a plan of gain.

So my opinion is we leave things as they are.

We we have got a lot coming up.

We need to find out what the State is going to be doing, and we just need to just stay the course that we are heading right now.

That is my opinion.

Mr.

Jeffries.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Uh similar uh feelings to the mayor.

But I do want to point of clarification that if we did offer the potential for a credit or a refund versus the reduction, uh, that would allow for two possibilities.

One, a potential greater return or relief to the citizens based on the outcomes of the unknowns.

And it would also allow the city a position to pivot based on the outcome of the unknowns, such as collective bargaining.

So I don't want to commit to being able in the in FY27, which is the budget you are voting on, I don't want to commit to being able to change the the tax rate mid mid-year, right?

So depending upon the time where that decision is made, we might be on our ability, beyond our ability to accom accommodate that.

So if you're thinking about conditions warranting a change, it's likely you would be talking about FY28, that we would have better information for that.

So that's the benefit of doing the credit versus the permanent reduction.

But I just want to be clear for fiscal year 27, we would start on July 1st expending funds, issuing contracts, you know, binding ourselves to expenditures based on these revenues.

And I and it's an incredibly complicated thing to change that midstream and the likelihood of um of getting it wrong increases significantly.

So if you recall several years ago, the Treasurer sent a bill that was the wrong rate.

And so the city had to intervene to correct it.

And even though the city wasn't involved in the mistaken bills, we were, of course, the ones that were you know on the receiving end of the criticism.

So for for, you know, we're we're a very um well-recognized jurisdiction in our financial stability, in our you know, ability for people to predict and plan, and for us to pay our obligations.

So is it possible mid-year?

Yes, I would not if you know recommend we do that.

I would recommend whatever we do is what we do, and then we keep our eye towards the next year.

Any other we are ready to take a poll?

May I make a quick comment?

Go ahead.

No matter what council's decision is, can you in the coming year earmark monies that are not utilized that you have set off aside?

So, for example, collective bargaining, if that falls through and we have that additional monies available, instead of pivoting that back to the general fund and utilizing it for something else, can we earmark a a separate fund for tax reduction in the coming future budget?

Great question.

So if you look on this this chart, we are spending that reserve to do the things council has asked for.

So we left you 500,000 on the bottom line to make choices.

You have made choices in excess of the $500,000, so we're now going to the million-dollar reserve that at the beginning of the budget.

So when we prepared this in January, February, we thought we might need it.

If you were there was everything from collective bargaining to our science weapon program to prevailing wage, paid family medical leave.

So we left a million so you could address it.

The millions not no longer necessary to address those, but we have spent those with the choices that that we have made.

If you don't do the personal property tax reduction, there's still 235,000 left on the bottom line.

But with that reduction, you have now spent the entire um uh reserve.

So basically what you're telling us is it if I just want to make sure we all understand because of the General Assembly's actions, it's taking away our ability to put money back in the citizens' pockets.

Yes, you could have done a greater, you could have done greater tax relief this year if we didn't have so many unknowns hanging out there.

And as much as an impact as it is this year, it will be a tremendous impact in coming year.

So most of the impacts aren't actually not being felt in this in this current year.

They will really be felt in FY28 and beyond.

So Mr.

Manager, why don't you pose the question that would help you understand what we want?

So let's let's just take it at sort of in order on the personal property tax rate.

Um thumbs up if you'd like to leave the rate the same, that the three dollars isn't worth how many uncommitted needs we have out there.

So you'd like to leave the rate the same.

So that's six.

So that is the answer.

Did you get six?

Yes.

Okay.

We count again just to make sure.

I don't I don't want to.

No, I didn't say I was looking to everyone to do it again.

Everyone that said yes.

Yeah.

Okay.

All right.

Very good.

And that is the last decision point.

Okay.

Yeah, go ahead.

Um Mr.

Manager, I just had a general budget question.

And um I don't necessarily need the answer right now.

If you don't just mind providing counsel some clarification.

I noticed in the budget under the ordinance changes, there was one that removed the quarterly reports requirement to the council.

There was um years ago, I think when I first went on council, I requested quarterly reports to council at the end of each quarter of with the spending where we are in the budget.

I didn't see that in this budget again.

So if you all don't mind just looking into that, and if that is a proposal, bringing forth maybe what the reasoning is behind that.

So to my knowledge, since I've been here, and I I want to make sure I'm clear on what you are asking.

There was never a provision in the ordinance for quarterly reports on expenditures.

There was a provision that required quarterly reporting of transfers.

Yes.

Okay.

Yes.

So that was removed and that was removed a couple of years ago.

Is that what you are referring to?

I thought it was just removed this year.

I didn't see it.

I thought I saw in the previous budget, but not this budget.

I want to s oh gosh.

They they all start to run together to me because we're talking about 27 right now.

Uh so it may have only been like a year ago, but we were preparing that budget two years ago.

Uh so we'll check.

But yes, that provision was taken out.

Can we just provide some explanation as to why I think notification to council?

I mean, more notification and transparency is always good.

And then I just had another question.

There was one about transfer, I think it was section eighteen, transferring funds up to a million dollars, giving the city manager authority to transfer funds up to a million dollars.

I think it was 250 previously.

No, so the 250 provision is still there.

Okay.

Uh it's in an earlier section.

Section 18 is actually the legislative reserve.

So we had that million dollars set aside.

Um, and depending on what council's final decisions are, since we've now spent that, that provision will go away when we bring you the final ordinance.

But that one million dollars was just in case we get part of the way through the year and we decide we need to hire or or spend some contractual money uh through the city attorney's office that gave the city manager the ability to take that money out of nondepartmental and transfer it to the city attorney's office.

But the the $250,000 provision is still there.

The million was specific to that legislative reserve.

So the intent is not, and respectfully, I trust your judgment, um, Mr.

Price, but I think as a council, we have to answer to the taxpayers.

So a million dollars is a significant amount of money to remove um with one person's authority.

So I think as a council, that's the reason why I'm asking.

I certainly trust your judgment.

So I wanted to be clear that it wasn't giving authority that for spending up to a million dollars without council input.

Okay, you're gonna be able to do that.

Thank you.

So that's a wrap.

We will begin our meeting at 6 30.

And then we'll have to do it.

Hello.

Council is now in session.

I'd like to call on Councilmember Ward at this time for the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.

Dear God, we ask a special blessing on this city council meeting tonight as we make decisions that will be in the best interest of our great city and our more than two hundred fifty thousand citizens.

As we prepare for our two hundred and fifty years of freedom, we must also remember that there are those who are not completely free.

As we continue to tackle the city's budget, let us be mindful of the fact that there are some in the city who still need help.

We want to make sure that there's kindness with place in the business business.

And as we get near to Mother's Day, we want to make sure that all of our mothers are blessed, and Mother Figures are blessed.

Bless and protect all those who continue to serve your people with dignity, respect, understanding, honesty, and love.

And remember that faith and hope and love last on these three, but the greatest of these is love.

I'd like to recognize the Weeblow Scout Pact 259 of Churches of St.

Teresa.

They are led by Leader Director Jason Packett and Cubmaster James Clark.

They are here tonight to gain firsthand experience in how local government works and how decisions are made that shape their community.

Thank you, fellas, for being here.

Would you stay in, please?

Next is uh certification of the uh meeting held today at 4 o'clock.

Uh Ms.

Lenley, would you please provide the language?

A motion is certified that to the best of each member's knowledge, only public business matters lawfully exempted from closed meeting requirement or open meeting requirements were discussed, and only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard discussed or considered.

Motion please.

Move approval of the closed meeting.

Thank you, Dr.

Ward.

Second.

Thank you, Mr.

Whitaker.

Please prepare to vote.

Please vote and record.

Madam Clark.

Motion to certify the closed meeting is adopted by an 8-0 vote.

Next is the approval of the proposed agenda.

Are there any changes that council members have to the proposed agenda?

Your light.

Seeing none, motion, please.

Move approval.

Thank you, Dr.

Ward.

Mr.

Jefferson?

Second.

Thank you, sir.

Please prepare to vote.

Please vote and record.

Motion to approve the agenda as presented is adopted by an 8-0 vote.

Next is the approval of the minutes from the meetings of March the 10th, 17th, and 24th, 2026.

They are presented for approval and without objection, if there are no changes, the minutes are approved as presented.

Citizens' comments on public hearing items.

City Council's meeting is a limited public forum, so public comments must relate to tonight's agenda items.

When speaking, please focus your remarks on the merits of the items that you are speaking on.

Doing so helps this hearing fulfill the purpose of gathering relevant information for the voting body.

Additionally, to balance order with the public's right to speak, and as outlined in City's council's rules of order and procedure.

Any speaker who delays, interrupts, or disrupts a meeting through disorderly insolent or disturbing action, speech or conduct will be declared out of order.

Madam Clerk, would you are there any speakers who wish to speak uh prior to the presentation?

The public hearing items.

No, sir.

Thank you.

Next is Council's considerations of public uh public hearing items.

Madam Clerk.

Item A, an ordinance imposing and levying a tax within the City of Chesapeake, Virginia on all taxable property for the maintenance and operation of the city for the retirement of bonded debt and for the paying of interest thereon for the period from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

Requested by budget.

This hearing is for public comment only.

No action will be taken.

Thank you.

And do we have any speakers?

Yes, sir.

We have one speaker, Vic Nichols, representing self.

Looking over some of this, especially at the proposed budget presentation.

When you look at economic prosperity, you're looking at business prosperity, not an economic prosperity from your regular taxpayer point of view.

Because what's in it for us for the taxpayer resident?

And what are you doing for small business?

So you mentioned ED, but ED is here to deal with medium and large businesses who can very well afford a lot better to pay the taxes and things that small businesses really can't.

So I'm kind of wondering why it's phrased that way.

On the slide announced accountability, are you putting the budget out in exactly what you spent and what you didn't?

You know, you got um some Excel files or something, because I've challenged that every year, and y'all are afraid to put out what exactly is spent and what is not.

And my question is why?

You expect us to be accountable if we wanted to have an extension on our taxes or something for a couple of weeks for another paycheck.

You'd want to know why, but yet you don't do the same thing to us.

It's not accountability.

Collective bargaining was was mentioned quite a bit.

Well, let me ask you something.

Why don't y'all just say no?

I mean, Biden did it, the president did it for student loans, he ignored SCOTUS.

The current governor and the General Assembly have certainly ignored the Constitutions and the rule of law.

They don't seem to have a problem with it.

They're standing up for their ideals.

When are you going to stand up for us?

It's something I brought up before.

When are you standing up for Chesapeake?

And one last question.

Um one of the last couple of questions I have is the Chesapeake Care Clinic was talked about.

You know, if you're going to fund them, what happened to Buffalo family and friends?

I mean, I'm sorry, they've been here a long time.

They do regular stuff for regular people.

But yet we don't want to fund them, and we're funding other things.

Do we still have those two chefs from Healthy Chesapeake on staff?

I mean, we took over Healthy Chesapeake when apparently they violated IRS rules, took them under their wing, kept the chefs, but we can't help out in a shell.

I mean, they they do everything for Chesapeake.

It's all about Chesapeake.

And how many taxpayers got a three and a half percent raise?

I'd like to know because I sure did.

I got a 79-year-old that I met in Western Branch.

They're still working.

They can't afford to retire.

I got a, wait a minute, they'll be 66 this year.

They're working three jobs, full-time, part-time, and another part-time just to survive.

One of the nice things about Dwight Parker is that he understood what it was like to not have a lot of money and on teacher's salary.

How about we go and ask him what this budget does for him, especially as a retiree?

I'm sure Chesapeake's Teddy Bear would appreciate it.

Thank you.

Thank you.

That's all the speakers with that.

Yes, I think.

Thank you.

Next item, please.

An ordinance making appropriations for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026 and ending June 30th, 2027, to prescribe the terms and payment and repeal all ordinances wholly in conflict with this ordinance requested by budget.

This hearing is for public content comment only.

No action will be taken.

And do we have any speakers?

We have nine speakers.

The first ballot.

A couple of items, and I will stick to just Greenbrier.

On page 13, is it talks about infrastructure and site improvements within the TIFF district?

The project is intended to encourage investment within the TIFF district, with funds also included for implementation of the newly adopted Greenbrier Area Plan.

Well, considering you sat there and have talked about moving development credits from Great Bridge to Greenbrier, it's not like what do they need an incentive for?

You know, I I'm still trying to figure out why.

Somebody explain that one to me.

The SIP also includes funding for the development of a multi-year strategic plan for the economic development department.

This plan will ensure the department's recruitment strategies are aligned with the guiding principles as adopted a part of the Chesapeake Comprehensive Plan.

The department will contract with a consulting firm to perform an analysis of current additions and identify strengths and opportunities, allowing the department to set long-term goals for sustainable progress toward the desired outcome of economic prosperity.

Do you guys actually do anything with your ED?

We got a lot of competent people over there.

They could do this work flat out.

And I think I'd probably trust them than I would somebody from out of town or wherever it is we're paying.

Why aren't we using them?

Because that's kind of to me what this says.

On page 58 or 65, depending on how you look at it, all revenue received by the two TIFF funds that are not budgeted for use will be contributed to the fund balance of the fund to finance future capital projects or maybe declared surplus.

For FY27, $8 million is being declared surplus at the end of FY26 to support General City operations, while an additional $2 million is being declared surplus to support enhanced public safety.

So where does that lead Green buyer and Sono?

I mean, Sono is one thing.

They're getting some investments.

But we desperately need roads and stuff, and I don't mean the destruction of Eden Way North in Greenborough.

So we keep getting millions taking out every year from Greenborough.

We're footing the bill for everything else.

But we still have that problem at Greenbrier and Eden Way.

That's not getting fixed.

A cop showing up one day does not fix that problem.

But we can't throw any money to it because we're siphoning money millions off every year to sit there and pay for other things.

Other things need to be budgeted for that.

Green buyer needs some help, especially when we get our pipes busting and everything because we're building vertically instead of horizontally.

And the amount of traffic is flat out the complaints that I hear on next door, because none of that is getting resolved.

And the question is, why aren't you resolving it?

Thank you.

Melissa Howerton.

Followed by Dr.

Sabrina Watson.

Yeah, pressed to talk, got it.

All right.

Let me start over.

Okay.

Good evening, Mr.

Mayor and members of council.

My name is Melissa Howerton, and I work in the film and television industry.

And I am a commissioner for the Fine Arts Commission, and I would like to comment on our upcoming budget with my main focus with our new film grant.

Before I get started, a little trivia on the film industry.

Overall, the industry supports two million jobs in America, both in front and behind the camera, which pays out an estimated $200 billion in total wages throughout the nation.

These are huge numbers, yes, as we look at the global picture.

And this is why this film grant is so important to the city as it widens the playing field for Chesapeake to be a part of this economic drive.

Hence the purpose of the City of Chesapeake Film Grant to bring business to the city and jobs to the citizens.

After receiving two film grant applications with asking funds estimated to be $20,000 in the apparent, it is apparent that Chesapeake has sparked interest within the film industry, and we are just getting started.

Chesapeake's film grant program is designed to support the city's film production industry while making the filming experience in Chesapeake an economical and efficient as possible.

To be eligible for this grant, the production company must make a best faith effort to shoot at least 50% of the principal photography in Chesapeake, and every project must contain a filmed in the city of Chesapeake, Virginia credit along with the city's logo.

Today, the stories that define our lives and shape our world are brought to life by creative community.

The city must consider fostering this economic and cultural enterprise by recognizing the power of our stories, allowing filmmakers to produce creative content, audiences love in the city, we love.

Nicole Davis.

Dr.

Sabrina Watson.

Is she here?

Nicole Davis.

Good evening, Mayor, Council members, and city staff.

My name is Nicole Davis, and I'm the executive director of the Independent Center.

And we serve Chesapeake residents with disabilities.

I'm here tonight to thank you for your continued partnership with the impact of the Chesapeake Thrive Initiative and its partnership with the Independent Center and the value that it brings to the community.

Through the Chesapeake Thrive Initiative, the city partners with organizations like the Independent Center to connect residents with disabilities to coordinated resources and opportunities that support independence, strengthen financial stability, and enhance the overall well-being while people keep by keeping people engaged in the communities that they love.

Over the past three years, more than 750 Chesapeake residents have accessed information, referrals, and support through the Independent Center.

And during that same time, we've worked directly and closely with 177 individuals through more intensive individualized services.

At any given time, we're working alongside residents as they set and achieve their own independent living goals.

This work is producing measured and defined outcomes.

More than half of the needs we address are directly related to housing and accessibility.

By that I mean home modifications.

Through this work, over 60 residents have remained safely in their home, maintaining independence and avoiding institutional care because they received a home modification.

We also serve as a key access point for residents navigating complex systems, helping individuals understand and access housing, employment, transportation, and public benefits.

We often say that our benefits and services are much like spaghetti.

If you pick up one end of the noodle, you'll never know where it's going to take you.

And having someone to support you through that is huge.

In our recent quarter, nearly 60 percent of our participants achieved their independent living goals, including safer housing, that means home modifications, improved financial stability, and continued employment.

One example of this impact is a Chesapeake resident who, following a medical procedure, was at risk of losing her independence due to the safety concerns in her home.

With support from our team, she was able to secure a home modification that allowed her to remain safely in her home and avoid a potential move to an institution.

No one ever wants to feel that their home is something that they cannot access.

Bathing, cooking, dressing, no one wants to feel like that is not something that they can truly live and thrive in.

These outcomes mean stronger housing stability, reduced barriers to services, and more residents able to remain active and engaged in the community.

This work is made possible through the Chesapeake Thrive Initiative, which allows the city to deliver services efficiently through trusted community partners like the Independent Center.

We are proud to be a part of that work and appreciate your continued commitment to strengthening this Chesapeake Community and Thrive project.

Thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Thank you for what you do for our citizens.

Next speaker, please.

Homer Babbitt.

Followed by John Barry.

Good evening, Council, Mayor and Council.

My name is Homer Babbitt.

I've been living in Chesapeake most of my life.

In fact, uh Mayor West was my principal at one point and wrote my uh wrote my only disciplinary referral of my entire grade school career.

I'm sure you deserved it.

Yeah.

Put me on the screen there, yeah.

Um anyway, I'm here to talk about funding for uh the uh Fine Arts Commission, specifically our grant program tonight.

Um about 10, 15 years ago, I used to have this joke that if you needed to know how to get somewhere in Hampton Roads, ask someone from Chesapeake, because if we were going to do anything, we had to leave the city to get there, right?

In fact, about 15 years ago, we were nominated the third most boring city in the entire country, right?

Um that's starting to change.

I never told that joke anymore.

Um that change is actually a problem for the Fine Arts Commission.

Um this year, I'm really excited.

We had an amazing problem in that we had six additional grants that were added to our RQ.

All of them were Chesapeake specific.

We had our very first two ever film grants that we were able to award to.

Um we had one new brick and mortar um uh art studio that opened that's also a nonprofit.

That's the Future U network opened in Deep Creek on uh Military Highway.

Um we had two um programs that were youth-centered, um, not uh uh after school program and a weekend program.

And we had one documentary pro uh project that we also funded on Justin Holland, who was um the first African American guitar virtuoso in the United States, and he grew up in Deep Creek and was part of the Maroon community there.

So really cool uh programs that we got to fund.

Um the problem is is we also had 20, we are a normal 20 other grants that we give out to organizations that over a hundred thousand Chesapeake citizens use.

Um these include free concerts that anyone can go to plus some of the you know the the usual you know suspects in the arts community that do a lot for our citizens.

They hire um our citizens as artists.

And it was really painful this year because in order to fund those six new Chesapeake Centric programs, we had to make deep cuts to many of our existing programs that um we fund and our citizens use.

Um, additionally, the funding requests from our existing 20 grantees went up by $90,000 because of uh, you know, just changes in the economy and uh other funding sources.

Um obviously we weren't able to, we had to make cuts instead of actually helping them out more by increasing their funding.

So the good news for you guys is I'm not talking about millions of dollars, um just tens of thousands of dollars.

Um, and we're asking for a sixty thousand dollar, sixty thousand twenty-five dollar increase uh to the um grant program for the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission so that we can continue to both um fund our existing grantees but also try to encourage new arts uh to come into the city um and and create and cultivate an arts community.

So it'd be a total of 150,000 for um the Chesapeake Fine Arts Committee grant program.

Um I also don't want to close the door on public art.

I know they have some uh programs um that are coming and we'll need some money for that uh so that we can bring um additional art into the city.

Um if we don't get this increase, I don't know how we can make these decisions going forward, right?

Um I look forward to getting to know all of you.

Um this is my first year um as chair, and um so that'd be some feedback I would want from you if we don't weren't able to get the increase, but I'm probably gonna come talk to you anyway.

Um so um, but thank you.

So I just feel like asking everyone to stand up who might uh who would support this who wasn't isn't up here speaking.

All right, all right, thank you.

I yield the rest of my time.

Appreciate it, appreciate it.

Thank you.

John Barry.

John Barry.

Hannah Zacharoyah.

Oh, there's John, sorry Well, I guess it's a good thing I didn't write all my comments down because Homer just basically said most of the things that I wanted to say, but I do want to bring up a few points.

First of all, for those of you who don't know me, my name is John Barry.

Um I am the director of the Chesapeake Spring Arts Festival, which we just finished up this weekend and we had a great weekend, and I appreciate all of y'all who came out to that.

Um I am also, like Homer, on the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission.

I am also on the public art commission.

And uh, as most of you know, I'm also a past president of the Chesapeake Rotary, which is involved in supporting all of these things that I do as well.

Um Homer did a good job of talking about the the Fine Arts Commission budget.

I do want to point out that it's been, I've been on that commission, I think for four years.

I think I've been through four grant cycles, and in those four years, there's never been an increase in our funding.

So we all know what's happened with inflation over the last four years.

Everything's more expensive.

So effectively what we're getting is cuts every year because not only we're not, I mean, we're not even keeping up with inflation, and all of these arts groups that are coming to us, they need more money because all the things that they do are costing them more money.

So what we are asking for is just to at least let us help some more arts organizations and bring more art to Chesapeake.

Uh Homer didn't talk about public art too much.

Public art was formed, it took years to get the public art committee stood up with the bylaws and all the legal stuff and everything.

And I think they've been up and operational for about 18 months now.

Last year, uh Parks and Rec requested 100,000 in the budget to go toward public art.

Uh they got zero.

So we've got a public art committee that has no funding, and as you know, you can't do anything without anything.

So, in addition to the $60,000 that Parks has requested for the Fine Arts Commission to be increased, they've requested 100,000 for public art.

Both of those, as I understand it, have been removed from the budget that was presented to you by the city manager.

And so what we're requesting is that some or all of that get put back because we really need to be able to do more.

We have to, for the most part, import the arts to Chesapeake.

We have to go outside of our city, deal with organizations that are mostly based in Norfolk of Virginia Beach, and have them come here to do performances.

One that stands out in my mind, and I don't know if there's a timer warning here because I can go on forever.

Um but Tidewater Arts Outreach is a great example of a group that we support in the Fine Arts Commission that they bring arts performers into elder care situations.

So those among us who are stuck for the most part in a facility don't get out much.

These folks bring people to them to sing or to dance or to do an art class or something like that.

Um we would just like to see that funding put back.

That that is our request.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Hannah Zachariah.

I'm sorry, folks.

Could we hold all the clapping, please?

We need to move along here.

Thank you.

Hannah.

Followed by Joy Knike.

Good evening.

I am Commissioner Hannah Sahari of the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission, and I reside at 116 Whitehurst Road.

I come to you this evening to speak about the lack of funding in the arts in our community.

I was appointed to the Fine Arts Commission in February and was able to experience firsthand the spring art show this past weekend.

The artists and visitors were full of excitement, talent, appreciation, and shared a true love for the fine arts.

Um is considered one of the best by artists and is ranked eighth in the nation.

That right there should motivate our city to continue their financial commitment and to share the arts throughout our community.

However, our city has chosen to minimally fund the arts.

We currently receive $94,000 for grants that allows us to fund 26 grants.

What better way to bring the community together than through a concert or an art show?

In today's economy, families are always looking for ways to spend time together without spending a lot of money.

Our neighboring cities spend a much larger amount of money funding the arts than our city does.

As an aspiring artist, I wonder if I will truly be able to make it in this profession, or does it merely become a hobby while I pursue another career path?

As a high school senior and the youngest fine arts commissioner, I am encouraged that the grants available will fund real artists who are trying to make a difference and show their talents.

Many people in today's society rely on generative AI because of its convenience and affordability, despite its disastrous impacts on our environment.

They use AI rather than paying a real artist or actor for their talented work.

I aspire to become an accomplished artist through my own hard work, just like those who apply through just like those who apply for our grants.

An additional $60,000 would allow us to fund more grants and provide more opportunities for others to experience art, music, and dance.

Thank you.

Joy Nike.

Followed by Deanna Stevens.

All right.

Good evening, Mayor West and members of City Council.

My name is Joy Nike.

I'm a mom of four.

I still can't believe it.

My oldest is 20, my youngest is nine.

So big time arts in our family.

My arts background is dance.

I started off at the Dance Theater of Harlem when my family moved up there into my youth.

And here in Chesapeake, Virginia, I grew up at the Academy des Ballet off of Oak Grove Road.

So that's where I spent most of my entire childhood after that point from moving from New York.

And I'm a big supporter of the out of the arts.

So this is my second term as a commissioner with the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission.

And just like John, um I've I've witnessed where we've been for the last four to five years.

Um again, we've not um grant funding being increased, and where we are now has been incredible, especially with the um artists that have come to us for funding for their projects.

Um as they begin, again, thank you for allowing me to have the opportunity to speak with you all tonight.

Um I'm here on behalf of CFAC, I love calling us that, um, to ask for your support and increasing our budget so we can continue reinvesting directly into our community through grants.

Over the past few years, we've seen a clear and exciting trend.

More local artists, nonprofits, and creative organizations are stepping forward with ideas that bring people together, activate public spaces, and tell Chesapeake's story.

Whether that's through ceramics, glass design, paintings, photography, culinary arts, dance, voice, or film.

The challenge is no longer a lack of vision, it's a lack of resources to meet that momentum, because it's picking up speed.

Every dollar allocated to our grants program goes right back into supporting Chesapeake and her citizens.

It funds community events, supports local talent, and creates accessible art experiences for residents of all ages.

These aren't abstract benefits.

These are visible, tangible, and they strengthen both our culture and our economy.

We are showing up to ribbon cutting ceremonies, press releases, opening nights with organizations such as Mocha, WHRO, Virginia Stage Company, Virginia Arts Festival, Virginia Symphony, and the Virginia Opera.

All organizations that we want to keep a relationship with.

But that could lay in the balance as we try and see how we can allocate our current funding to support them, as well as those citizens that you've heard about that are laying the groundwork in our city to bring keep the arts here.

Cuts had to be made this past grant season, and my hope is that after tonight, we can give them assurances that we will be able to provide better support next year.

And so by increasing our grant funding to $150,000, you're not just funding the arts.

You're supporting relationships new and old, and more importantly, our investing in community pride, local growth, and the creative heartbeat of our city.

Thank you for your time and your continued support.

Thank you.

Deanna Stevens.

Greetings, Mr.

Mayor and members of the City Council.

It's an honor to be here.

My name's Deanna Stevens.

I've been part of Chesapeake since 1974.

Um I am very proud of the city of Chesapeake.

And so I come on behalf of the Arts Council, Fine Arts Council.

Um others have gone over the overall economic impact and growth that the arts can have on a city on a community, even on a family, I'd like to say.

So I'll cut that part out and I'll say please allow the arts to be a bigger integral part of Chesapeake's economic growth and transformation.

But I'd like to touch on something else.

A lot of times we think of health as dealing with diet and exercise, but we now have proof of the impact that the arts overall can have on a community's health.

And so a quote from Shantethackey from a collaborative effort between Women's Health Magazine and Men's Health Magazine states we talk a lot about health, but if we could add art to that mix, it would be so much more dynamic.

The arts are really foundational to how we think about ourselves, to who we are as an embodied person and who we are as a community.

The brain and emotional health, creativity, creative activity recruits large-scale brain networks involved in attention, emotional regulation, memory, motor planning, and self-referential processing, says Dr.

Asa Alsap, who is an MD, PhD, an artist, a neuroscientist, and a psychiatrist.

At the physiological level, engaging in art can shift autonomic nervous system, put it in balance, often reducing the sympathetic stress responses and increasing parasympathetic activity.

I don't know if you've noticed our nation, our state, our city is dealing with high levels of stress and anxiety.

The arts can help solve this problem in reality.

Please do seriously consider the increased funding requested of the Arts Commission of the City of Chesapeake.

My heart's desire is to see it one day be a million dollars.

It would be well used, and there would be a great impact.

And so let's go for the win of making Chesapeake the most well-adjusted city in the state of Virginia, and dare we even say even America, because we choose to invest in the arts in our communities and our city.

Thank you so much for your time.

Thank you.

That concludes the speakers.

Thank you, and I want to thank you all each of you for being here tonight and speaking up for the arts and congratulations for a very successful art uh show this past weekend.

I think you had 200 artists or more and a great turnout, so it really was nice.

Appreciate all that you're doing.

I hope that we can help you in the future.

Next item, Madam Clark.

Item C an ordinance making appropriations for capital improvement purchases.

Sorry.

That's all right.

We need to go ahead.

For purchases purposes for fiscal year July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, requested by budget.

This hearing is for public comment only.

No action is required.

And speakers, please.

Vic Nichols, representing self.

Well, my usual to hit a bunch of different pages in the SIP.

On page eight, it talks about things being based on our values, our vision, our budget guiding principles.

But it doesn't say the people's values, the people's vision, and the people's budget guiding principles.

Kind of wondering.

Put the tree figures out of what's been and what's not.

We can deal with it.

Why not?

On page nine, you talk about increasing the non-residential tax base.

Can you specifically show examples in the last five, seven, or ten years where you lessen the tax burden on the homeowners and shifted it to other groups, for example, big business that you give tax breaks to?

Page 14.

While showing the debt, are you showing how much the taxpayer pays an interest to those buying that debt?

On page 24, you talk about station 14 getting replaced, but where is the library going to be, or is Greenborough going to have no library?

Okay.

Because you might be funding that, but remember the library and the fire station sit right there.

Second, Eden Way is already screwed up because all of the traffic.

Because I live literally down the street and point one of a mile away from there.

And it's blocked a lot of the time.

So how are you going to manage that there?

Nobody's been able to describe that one.

So if we're going to throw millions of dollars around, we need to have a plan of some sort to deal with all of those things.

Okay, on page 20, you talk about economic development being able to pursue companies in Chesapeake and giving them an extra four and a half million dollars in funding for site readiness in the investment program.

Okay, but the thing is, where are Chesapeake hires and what kind of tax dollars are we getting in return for that?

So you don't describe that.

It's just here's what we're doing.

We're throwing money there, but how many Chesapeake residents are getting hired?

How long is it before we recoup our tax dollars?

None of that is there.

Um page 27, for example, you talk about adding budget to the stormwater, but yet you raise stormwater rates.

I mean, you know, I voted for that because yeah, do we need those things?

Yes, but if we're putting more money in, okay, did we not raise it enough or what?

You know, it's it's hard to tell.

And when they're talking about on that same page about extending Eden Way and stuff, why don't you toll it?

Because I guarantee you, you're gonna find out there exactly what happens is people want to shortcut it, which means that's all gonna be a mess.

Volvo is then gonna be, which is a main artery and supposed to be with no houses or anything on it.

You got over a thousand houses on the juncture from in the the green bar.

So what are you expecting to do there?

I mean, like I said, I'm I'm not seeing anything of we're putting money towards a couple of things, but when it comes to the actual plan, nobody can tell me what's there.

And I've lived there for what, over 25 years.

No, since 97.

So I've lived there and nobody can sit here and tell me what goes on.

I know what goes on there every day.

Um the city's high priority one-time account.

Boy, that thing went in 10 years from 34.3 million to 191.3 million.

We're sucking the money away there, aren't we?

We can't use that to give us a break.

Um we come back again to the TIFF districts and where the money is, it's it's not going towards us.

That's that's a little bit disturbing.

Um, and and I speak mostly of the Greenbrier TIFF because most of the money is taken out of there.

So no, at least is getting stuff with things built there.

It is very different when it comes to Greenbrier.

Now, with the conference center renovation, you know what that needs?

Parking.

I have never heard anyone complain about the conference center.

Really haven't.

The only thing they complain about is the parking.

That's it.

And if you're going to put on page 160 a multipurpose community center in Greenbrier, I'd love to know where.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is citizens' comments on agenda items only.

Madam Clerk, do we have any speakers?

We have two.

The first is Vic Nichols representing self.

On City Attorney Item 1, I did a poll of people who said, Do you think that confirming the existence of a local disaster from 14 days to 45 days, which is a month and a half, is appropriate.

I understand you have to conform to code, but basically, less than 10 percent of people said yes.

Everybody else said no.

So it kind of, you know, if you're sitting here going like, let's take longer than two weeks, probably not a good idea because it loses a whole lot in terms of what people are expecting from you as an emergency.

Second, the $340,000 that was spent on the general registrars on the special election deal.

I know there's there's nothing we could do for that.

However, I think it would actually do the localities a lot of good because up during the testimony at the General Assembly when the comments were brought up about what it would cost and everything like that.

Is the um the delegate responded, well, everything we put in regards to relations is an unfunded mandate.

They didn't care.

This is where we need you to start standing up for us.

Thus $340,000.

These people could have had $60,000.

You could have given that the fine arts.

You could have given $60 grand to Buffalo family and friends.

But instead, we're blowing it on garbage that the Supreme Court now put everything on hold.

And for those of you that haven't seen the voter rolls yet, of some funny stuff that went on.

Uh that's all I'll say.

There was some funny stuff that went on.

And we pay for that.

I don't care what your party or anything else is to stand up for us and going, we we can't sit here and keep knocking 340,000 and everything else for these types of things.

Thank you.

Amanda Walker, representing Land of Grace Farm for questions only.

Thank you.

City Manager Item One, a resolution authorizing the City of Chesapeake to participate in the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Certified Crime Prevention Community Program requested by police.

Item two, a resolution authorizing the acceptance and appropriation of $30,248 from the Virginia Crisis Intervention Team Coalition and to the Chesapeake Crisis Intervention Team Program Support Grant requested by Chesapeake Integrated Behavioral Health Care.

City Attorney Item 1, an ordinance amending Chapter 2, Article 6 of the Chesapeake City Code entitled Emergency Management Agency, Sections 2-623 and 624 thereof to update the title of the emergency management coordinator in the absence of the emergency management director to extend the period for City Council to confirm the existence of a local disaster from 14 days to 45 days in order to conform to Virginia Code 44 146.21 and to make textual corrections.

That concludes the consent agenda, Mayor.

Thank you.

Councilmember Jeffries is recognized at this time.

Yes, sir, Mr.

Mayor.

I'm an employee of the city and a member of its police department.

I am disclosing this personal interest because City Manager Item 1 could benefit police department employees.

Since the police department includes three or more people who may be affected, the city attorney has advised that I can participate if this disclosure is made.

I do not have a conflict that prevents me from participating, and I hereby affirm I can participate fairly, objectively, and in the public's best interest.

Thank you, sir.

Are there any items council members would like to have removed for discussion in the regular agenda?

Seeing none, a motion is in order to move approval.

Thank you.

Dr.

Ward.

Second.

Thank you.

Councilman Newens.

Please prepare to vote.

Please vote and record.

Motion to approve the consent agenda as presented is adopted by an 8-0 vote.

The next part of our agenda is our regular agenda.

Mr.

Price, would you please present your items?

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Item 3 is a request to transfer $340,000 from within the general fund for expenses related to the special election on April 21st, 2026.

Requested by the General Registrar.

Thank you, sir.

Motion is in order.

Move approval.

Thank you, Dr.

Ward.

Yep.

Mr.

Jeffries.

Second.

Thank you, sir.

Any discussion?

Ms.

Newans.

I just briefly want to take a moment to recognize our general registrar that's here, Mary Lynn Pinkerman.

I know this was a difficult election for you, but you did a fantastic job and we appreciate your service.

Thank you, Ms.

Newans, for that.

That was indeed a challenge.

We do have a motion and second.

Any other discussion?

Seeing none, please prepare to vote.

Please vote and record.

Motion to approve the request as presented is adopted by an 8-0 vote.

Item 4 is a resolution requesting authority to apply for funding through the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for the Agricultural and Forestry Industries Development Infrastructure Grant requested by Agriculture Department.

Thank you.

Motion, please.

Mr.

Jeffries.

Move to approve.

Thank you, sir.

Second, please.

Second, please.

Anybody can push a button.

Actually, I apologize, Mr.

Mayor.

I have a comment and a substitute motion.

Oh, okay.

Go ahead.

We'll just subtract that motion and start over.

Yes, sir.

I think it is important to have public participation in awarding city funds.

So I move to continue this item to allow for public bid in the fall grant period.

Okay.

We have a motion for continuous.

Dr.

King?

Second.

Thank you.

Any discussion.

Seeing none.

Mr.

Bunn, I see you.

I know that the young the company or the farm that's um brought this to our attention is in the audience.

Can we give afford her the opportunity if she would like to say a few words to come forward?

That wouldn't be appropriate to have a speaker at this time.

Speaking time was earlier.

She she was um Do you have a question for you?

May I call her forward and ask if sure.

Yeah, I do have a question.

Thank you.

Ms.

Dean, thank you for coming tonight.

Could you um could you fill in like about the grant and like how you found the grant and what the grant was going to be used for?

Sure, absolutely.

So the grant is um is publicized and advertised by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

So I found the grant just like anybody else would find the grant on the VDAX website.

Anyone that is in farming works closely with with VDAX because they ensure that we're following proper procedure and the handling, especially when it comes to the handling and safety of the produce.

So that's how I I I found the grant.

Um I did bring the grant to the city's attention because I wanted to know what was the process for going through it because it does require a city match.

So therefore, even though it is a state grant, there's a city match portion required.

So I could not apply for it on my on my own.

The application had to come from the locality.

So I reached out to the city in in the fall and they they said thanks for bringing this to our attention.

It's something that we'd have to look look to in the in the spring.

So spring rolled around, and of course I followed up and said, Hey, I'm back.

Um, how do we how do we go about this?

Um, for those of you that don't know, um, my farm is the only uh USDA certified organic farm in all of Hampton Roads.

Um and it is here in Chesapeake.

And so this the funds for this grant are going to ensure that the market that supports our farm would be accessible to the public year-round.

A lot of the markets that you see are very seasonal, and I think it's important that we are providing healthy alternatives to our community on a year-round basis, and that's what the funds would be used for.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Any other discussion?

Calvin Newens.

Thank you, Ms.

Mayor.

I just want to say I really appreciate the work that Land of Grace is doing in Ms.

Walker's farm.

I think it's important that we do offer funding if it is available to our farmers.

But my concern is, I think what Councilmember Jeffries brought up is that when we're awarding city funding, um, we most times more than not, I think our process is we put it out for public bid.

So if there's other farmers that are interested in city funding, so taxpayer dollars, that they have the opportunity for it as well.

Um and that's I guess my concern is I think I'm gonna support the motion to continue because I'd like for land of grace to have the opportunity to have the money.

Um but if there's other folks who are interested and want to apply for it, and then staff recommends the best project for it, I think that's the most appropriate way.

But I do applaud um Ms.

Walker for bringing this forward.

I think that's important, and I think the work you're doing in Atlanta Grace is fantastic.

So I look forward to hopefully awarding this in the fall if that is council's uh prerogative.

And uh Mr.

Price, this is uh a bit of a first time the way we've presented the uh this has been presented to us as a council.

So it's it's uh I appreciate the the motion to continue so we can have some time to sort of sort through it and uh figure out what our best course of action is before we commit to spending taxpayers' money.

So thank you, Councilman Jeffries.

Mr.

Bond, did you have some LC?

I was going to ask the um question to the manager like so I know we talked talked a little bit earlier, so when is the deadline for anybody interested in applying for this?

When is going to be the deadline?

How would you advertise it to the public?

We'll work with the agriculture department um to uh that they're taking the lead on this to figure out what's the fall deadline and spring deadline next year if it's something we're interested in, we might be able to line up multiple applicants to apply for um uh this every time the grant period is open.

So um we'll we'll we'll begin start working immediately with agriculture to figure out what what kind of um notification we can give to the agriculture community about this opportunity, uh maybe solicit some um some uh applications and then work with agriculture to figure out which of those applications we can bring forward to council.

Thank you.

Any other discussion?

We do have a motion to continue this item.

Uh no other discussion.

Please prepare to vote.

Please vote and record.

Madam Clerk.

Motion to continue the item to the fall of 2026 as presented is adopted by an 8.0 vote.

Thank you.

Next item.

Item five is request to appropriate 652,986 in state revenue and transfer 385,974 from the general fund non-departmental to interagency consortium's pool fund in the FY26 operating budget requested by human services.

A motion, please.

Mr.

Smith, move to approve.

Thank you, sir.

Dr.

Ward.

Thank you.

Any discussion on this item.

Please prepare to vote.

Please vote.

And Madam Clerk, please record.

Motion to approve the request as presented is adopted by an 8-0 vote.

Next is citizens' comments on services, policies, and affairs for the city, non-agenda speakers.

Do we have any speakers?

Madam Clerk.

We have one speaker, Vic Nichols.

I'm just going to hit two items tonight.

Um first, in the state budget, HB 29, it had in there about getting rid of Code of Virginia provisions.

And that was 24.2-304.04, and that it would that code would not be applicable to any congressional district established by the General Assembly between 1125 and 1031 2030, pursuant to Article 2, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia.

Do you know what that did?

That got rid of basically us following the voting rights act of 65.

So that meant that those who voted yes on the referendum agreed to remove majority minority voting districts.

And I quite frankly would have expected us as the city of Chesapeake to respect federal law and to respect the um history of minority voting, and that we would come out and actually stand up against that.

And I'm kind of upset that we didn't.

One other the second item I want to discuss was the Sanctuary City that was voted on.

I was waiting to see what would happen for that, but I was kind of a little bit disturbed.

And I'll explain why.

While it's great that everyone passed it, that was a tremendous opportunity that was missed by City Council because I know you know the different parties have different feelings on guns.

And I want to give you an example, just a few sentences so that you understand the true impact of what you did.

I don't know if you probably haven't heard about look the Camilla massacre in September 19th of 1868.

What happened was the original 33 African American members of the General Assembly were booted out.

And Philip Joyner, who was one of them, led a march of men from Albany to Camilla, and this is in Georgia to attend a political rally.

Well, the Sheriff and Citizens Committee said, no, African Americans, uh-uh.

You're going to be met with violence.

They had guns to protect themselves, and they were told to give them up, even though it was legal and customary for them to have them.

Well, the marchers rightfully said no, went back to the square and they got fired upon.

They were retreated to the swamps.

The sheriff and crew chased them, and they murdered nine to fifteen of them, and then wounded 30 to 40 of them.

During the next two weeks, they would beat up any African American male who went to vote.

The General Assembly's response was to put gunk control on, and just a few years ago it was stopped.

I want to appreciate those of you who actually voted for that two-way sanctuary city.

Because when you did, you know what?

You honored these guys.

You honored these patriots.

You honored these heroes who stood up for their constitutional rights.

And that's one of the things, though, that is not talked about.

We could have done so much with that.

Because you know what?

The Camilla massacre isn't talked about.

Because if you do, then it shows what gun control is and what it is done and used by by governments.

By you standing up for our rights, for our constitutional rights, that means something.

And it means a lot to regular people.

But most especially when the current political climate isn't always for that.

Doing this is a huge deal.

And it also would give us a chance to tell people so that they understand what exactly goes on when these things are not told about, when they're hidden because of an agenda.

I would hope that we would actually work together on items like this so that we publish things like this and we know what our history is, so that we don't repeat these mistakes, and that we learn to work together for the common good.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next is appointments of boards and commissions.

Madam Clerk.

The first is Chesapeake Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee, Lawrence L.

Barber.

Item B, Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization, reappoint Councilmember Ella P.

Ward as an alternate, Human Services Advisory Board, Miriam Gorganius, Natural Event Medication Advisory Committee, Wendy Tabler representing development and permits, and Transportation District, excuse me, Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, Councilmember Les Smith, and Primary Alternate Earl Sorry.

That concludes the slate of appointees.

Thank you.

Can we have a motion, please, to approve the slate of office presented?

Move approval of the state of office.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Ms.

Newens.

Second.

Thank you.

Any discussion?

Please prepare to vote.

Please vote and record.

Motion to approve the slate as presented is adopted by an 8-0 vote.

Next is unfinished business, and the council members have any unfitnessed business they'd like to bring up at this time.

This Councilman Newens.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

We kind of whispered about this.

The mayor and councilmember King and I, but I think we all would like to see some additional funding go to our fine arts commission.

I know the budget's really tight this year.

We were already talking about a deficit with some of the things that we were looking or wanting to do.

Can we look at in future budgets trying to allocate additional funding to some of the grants they have there?

Or even if there's grant overlap, maybe there's additional grants that folks who are applying for these grants could qualify for, trying to bring some resources forward to them as well.

And then the grants that we just continued.

Does can staff affirmatively reach out to Land of Grace when we have the timeline so they're aware they don't need to follow up with the city staff?

I think she mentioned she had to go to city multiple times.

Can staff affirmatively reach out to her once we have the timeline on what that looks like in the process for reapplying for that grant moving forward?

Thank you.

Any other unfinished business, Dr.

Ward?

Uh no, Mr.

Mayor, but I just want to thank you and thank you, Councilman Millens, for bringing that up.

Um because I was really trying to just say something with respect to the Fin Arts Commission and the work that they have done.

And I wanted to say it before Mr.

Jennifer uh Barry left.

He's left, but please let him know that the Finance Commission uh is just near and dear to our city, and they've done so many great things, including uh supporting the great arts festival that we had on Saturday and Sunday, even though it was cold out there Sunday.

But I just wanted to make sure that you knew uh how much I appreciate what you have done in the past and what you continue to do, and I do hope that we can uh find uh the fine arts commission and please let John Barry know that we appreciate all that he did and uh to also let the um community and council know that um the Chesapeake Arts Festival that was held this weekend, this was the fourth, but the first three received the national award as being the best arts program and festival in this country, and we are hopeful that uh even though it was called on Sunday, uh everybody seemed to have a great time.

It's such a great art, and I'm hoping that we can win again.

But it put us on the national uh spotlight for having the best arts festival in the country, and I just thank all of you for what you do.

I didn't get to say it.

I almost got it out.

I thought we stopped.

I'm glad that you stayed to the end because I really wanted to make sure that you heard that and how much we appreciate what you do.

Uh I still have very, very special in our city and in our country and our brother.

We certainly need that what you do, and you do a great job.

Thank you.

Thank you, Dr.

Ward.

Dr.

King.

And I would just like to ditto the comments that have been made by my colleagues.

You guys do a phenomenal job.

Um, and I didn't realize that it had been four years since you um had gotten an increase.

And I think you are due an increase.

And as a mother of two professional performers, I have a great deal of respect for the arts.

Um and as one of you stated, we know that it's good for mental health.

And in today's climate, that's really, really important.

So I will definitely be supporting uh an increase for you.

And thank you for everything you do.

Thank you, Dr.

King.

Councilman Bond.

Thank you, Mayor West.

Um, I guess echoing my colleagues on council, um, great job tonight.

Appreciate your support.

I actually had the opportunity to attend your art show on Saturday.

It was amazing.

And if you go upstairs, you'll see the artwork that I um purchase and also the artwork that I actually did and won.

So I think I won like four or five items.

So I'm super excited about that.

But um, congratulations on doing a great job and we appreciate the arts.

Thank you, Mayor West.

Would you be willing to sell one at half price?

Yes, no.

Okay, good.

Any other comments?

Dr.

Ward?

No, I'm just saying yes, it has beautiful work.

I says the mayor is asking to buy one for half price, uh, just in case you decide to do that.

Because there's some amazing art you have in your office, and I would love to be it on one of them.

We'll fight it out, Mayor.

Thank you all very much.

Next is uh new business.

Any council members have new business items they like to bring?

Councilmember Newins.

I'll just be very brief.

Um, Mr.

Manager, we often host a lot of uh meetings in uh our chambers, and I've noticed recently that with our new um equipment set up, our podium is not able to be turned around, um which creates kind of awkward situation for those who use our chambers.

I think our chambers is kind of like the entrance way.

Welcome to City of Chesapeake.

This is our our business chambers and our poor podium can't turn around anymore for folks to utilize in um ceremony.

So is there a way we can look into a way to potentially fix that issue?

Um then second, um just well, several of us this weekend had the opportunity to celebrate um Captain Don Sherr uh and the sacrifice of his family, his wife, uh Mrs.

Franchair and his daughter Jennifer Share Knight.

And today is actually Mrs.

Franch Share's 86th birthday.

So I just wanted to from the council wish her a very happy birthday, and thank you for the sacrifice that she and her family made.

Uh, her husband, Captain Don Sherr was uh held captive in um Iran during the Iranian um hostage crisis, and we honored them this weekend.

So a very happy birthday to Mrs.

Franch Share.

Thank you.

Any other new business items.

Thank you.

Next is uh closed meeting, and I would like to call on our attorney for uh the language.

A motion to conduct a closed meeting just to consult with the city attorney and staff regarding actual litigation where consultation in an open meeting would adversely affect the litigating posture of the city council, specifically regarding fishing point healthcare LC versus City of Chespeak, as permitted by section two point two dash thirty seven eleven A seven of the code of Virginia.

Motion, please.

Move approval.

Thank you, Dr.

Ward.

Second.

Dr.

King, thank you.

Please prepare to vote.

Please vote and record motion to conduct a closed meeting is adopted by an eight oh vote.

It is seven thirty-eight.

Council will now go into closed session.

Um god, this is this is on maybe.

City Attorney Linley.

Would you please provide the language for the certification of the closed meeting?

A motion to certify that to the best of each member's knowledge.

Only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements were discussed.

And only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the closed meeting were heard discussed or considered.

Please vote and record.

Dr.

Ward, would you please provide our benediction?

Yes.

We asked in dear press your questions and holy name.

Sing along with me.

The song is filled with happiness and joy.

And love take your wrap with me.

The sun is out through stars are everywhere.

And you will see so much magic in the air out there.

It's so good when I'm with you.

Reflecting out the beauty that's in you reflecting me.

So much magic in the air.