Chesapeake City Council Meeting – June 9, 2026

The City Council met on June 9, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chamber. The meeting included a presentation, public hearings, consent and regular agenda items, and extensive public comments on data centers, a proposed public hunting area, and utility line safety. A closed meeting had been held earlier at 4:30 PM to interview candidates for the Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority. The council approved a cost‑of‑living salary increase for itself by a 5‑4 vote, several election‑related ordinances, a lease for the Mobile Integrated Health Program, and a $30,000 appropriation for the School Resource Officer Program.

Consent Calendar

• Resignation: Lori Williams from the Citizen Advisory Committee was accepted.
• City Attorney Item 1 (ordinance eliminating service charges for tax payments made by credit/debit cards or electronic funds transfers as a temporary measure due to the cessation of penny production) was withdrawn prior to the meeting.
• City Attorney Item 2 (ordinance granting the City Treasurer sole authority to direct how payments will be applied to delinquent accounts) was removed from the Consent Agenda and considered separately under the Regular Agenda, where it was approved 9‑0 after a brief explanation from the City Attorney.

Public Hearings

• Ordinance #26‑O‑041 – Increasing salaries of the Mayor and City Council members by an annual cost‑of‑living adjustment effective July 1, 2027. Approved 5‑4 (Councilmembers Newins, Ritter, Ward, and Whitaker voted no). One citizen, Vic Nichols, spoke in opposition, arguing the raise was undeserved and citing research that higher pay does not improve governance.
• Ordinance #26‑O‑042 – Relocating the polling place for Precinct 0036 from Great Bridge Baptist Church to Great Bridge Middle School for the August 4, 2026 primary election due to the church’s unavailability. Approved 9‑0.
• Ordinance #26‑O‑043 – Designating certain public facilities as early voting satellite locations for the November 3, 2026 general election. Approved 9‑0.
• Ordinance #26‑O‑044 – Authorizing the Electoral Board and General Registrar to re‑apply to the Department of Elections for a waiver to administer a split precinct in Precinct 0054 (Pughsville). Approved as an emergency 9‑0.
  • Discussion clarified that the split precinct is required annually because there are not enough voters (fewer than 500) to form a new precinct, and the location (YMCA) is unchanged. Councilmember Smith and Vice Mayor Ritter asked about voter confusion regarding boundaries with Suffolk; the City Attorney noted a public hearing in July to finalize a boundary resolution.

Citizens’ Comments on Agenda Items

• Vic Nichols (self) spoke on City Attorney Item 2, expressing concerns about the Treasurer’s office responsiveness and delays in processing payments, and questioned whether oversight is adequate.

Regular Agenda

• City Manager Item 1 (#26‑R‑034) – Resolution authorizing a lease with 1025 Associates, LLC for 3,120 square feet of office/warehouse space at 1025 Executive Boulevard, Suite 109, to operate a central supply for the Mobile Integrated Health Program (Fire Department). Approved 9‑0. Councilmember Newins disclosed that her husband is a city fire department employee but affirmed she could participate objectively.
• City Manager Item 2 (#26‑O‑046) – Appropriating $30,000 to the FY 2026 School Resource Officer Program grant to cover a shortfall due to public safety pay plan salary increases. The funds come from the school board. Approved as an emergency 9‑0.

Citizens’ Comments on Non‑Agenda Items (12 speakers, 3 minutes each)

• Proposed Public Hunting Area at Cartwright Farm (Ballahack and Douglas Roads): Multiple speakers (John Morse, Keith Williams, Brian Stonecypher) opposed the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ plan to convert approximately 1,200 acres of agricultural land into a public firearms hunting area adjacent to residential properties, citing safety concerns and noting that existing public hunting areas (Cavalier WMA, Bear Garden WMA) are already available. Some speakers noted that the state had already indicated the decision was final.
• Data Centers: Several speakers (Virginia Renick, Amanda Dowdy, Susan Sherbo, Linda Tyndall, Jeff Staples, Jennifer Economy) urged the council to maintain a ban or impose a moratorium on data center development. They described health and environmental impacts from other communities, criticized the Chesapeake Alliance’s promotional efforts, and requested citizen representation on the stakeholder committee. Councilmember Bunn asked for clarification on the committee’s selection process; staff confirmed it is a group advising the planning department, not the council.
• Mr. Rogers Windows Warehouse Signage: Brandon O’Hose alleged that the warehouse at 2100 Scenic Parkway violates the 2021 Planned Unit Development by operating an electric monument sign that runs advertisements 24/7 and by using box trucks with large advertising, contrary to prohibitions on outdoor advertising except identification signs. He stated he is working through internal city processes.
• Utility Line Clearance on Farms: Antonio Taylor and Brian Stonecypher (Chesapeake Farm Bureau) described multiple incidents where farm equipment (13 ft tall) became entangled in power and utility lines that are supposed to be at least 18 ft above ground. They asked the city to press Dominion Energy and other utilities to raise the lines. The City Manager agreed to raise the issue with utility companies.

Unfinished Business

• Councilmember Whitaker noted that the Cartwright track had previously been designated archery‑only at the city’s request due to heavy trail use, suggesting that designation could alleviate safety concerns.
• Councilmember Smith requested an update on Chesapeake Connects (the city’s fiber optic ring). The City Manager and Vice Mayor Ritter reported the city’s portion is nearly complete and on‑time/on‑budget; the regional ring managed by the Southside Network Authority is pending but Chesapeake is the first city to finish its segment.
• Councilmember Bunn asked about the data center stakeholder committee, and the City Manager clarified it is a staff‑led advisory group. Councilmember Ward requested a list of members and rationale.
• Councilmember King asked staff to follow up on funding for the basketball program at the Cuffe Center.
• Councilmember Ward requested the City Manager to expedite water utility connections at the historical village (Northwest River Park) to meet the June 12 deadline for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

Key Outcomes

| Item | Vote | Notes | |------|------|-------| | Approval of Agenda (with exception of City Attorney Item 1) | 9‑0 | City Attorney Item 1 (credit card fee elimination) withdrawn. | | Salary COLA for Mayor and Council (Ordinance #26‑O‑041) | 5‑4 | Newins, Ritter, Ward, Whitaker opposed. Effective July 1, 2027. | | Polling Place Relocation (Ordinance #26‑O‑042) | 9‑0 | For August 4, 2026 primary only. | | Early Voting Satellite Locations (Ordinance #26‑O‑043) | 9‑0 | For November 3, 2026 general election. | | Split Precinct Waiver Re‑application (Ordinance #26‑O‑044) | 9‑0 | Approved as emergency, annual renewal. | | Consent Agenda (resignation only) | 9‑0 | City Attorney Item 1 withdrawn; Item 2 removed and later approved separately. | | City Attorney Item 2 – Treasurer’s Authority on Delinquent Accounts | 9‑0 | Aligns local code with state code. | | Lease for Mobile Integrated Health Program Central Supply (#26‑R‑034) | 9‑0 | 3,120 sq ft at 1025 Executive Blvd. | | SRO Grant Appropriation (#26‑O‑046) | 9‑0 | $30,000 additional, approved as emergency. | | Closed Meeting – June 16, 2026 at 4:00 PM | 9‑0 | To discuss appointment of City Auditor. |

Next Steps

• Staff will report back on the Cartwright Farm hunting area, the Mr. Rogers Windows signage issues, and utility line clearance with Dominion Energy.
• The data center stakeholder committee’s membership will be provided to council.
• The City Manager will follow up on the Cuffe Center basketball program and the historical village water connection.