Chesapeake City Council Meeting - September 22, 2026

The Chesapeake City Council met on September 22, 2026, at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chamber. Mayor Rick West was excused. The meeting began with certification of the closed session held earlier (4:30–5:45 PM) and approval of the agenda and minutes from August 11 and 18, 2026. All votes were 8-0 unless noted. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Request to Accept and Appropriate $7,000 from Virginia Department of Fire Programs to Conference and Education Grant-Fire – Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vic Nichols (self) – On City Manager Item 2: Questioned whether procedures for checking fire hydrant pump lines had been changed after a freeze caused a pump failure. On Item 3: Asked if the agreement with Mercy Chefs was competitively bid or if there were conflict-of-interest concerns.
• Linda Tyndale (self, 1045 West Road) – Opposed the $34,112 airport repair, arguing for cheaper alternatives (e.g., using SJ Lewis equipment or dry hydrants). Criticized the airport subsidy and described damage from the West Road waterline project (dust, noise, vehicle wear). Requested compensation.
• Vanessa Butler (self, 1021 West Road) – Described 26 weeks of dangerous and noisy construction on West Road, dust, and property damage. Requested a two-year real estate tax credit as compensation.
• Marquilla Moore (self) – Urged council to prioritize the city’s hazard mitigation plan update (required every five years), noting 67 repetitive flood-loss areas. Requested adequate time for council review and public outreach similar to the bikes and trails plan.
• Ozan Duran (self, 1125 Lilac Avenue) – Criticized council’s October 2024 rule change reducing speaker time when many citizens sign up. Argued for a four-minute minimum. Also asked about affordability programs like Charlottesville’s CHAPTER program and raised concerns about lack of communication on flooding and repaving.
• James Talia Farrow (self) – Publicly apologized for a 2018 incident where he endangered a state senator’s life. Described his mental health journey and volunteer work with NAMI. Requested information on serving on the commission for people with disabilities.
• James Leftwich (Chesapeake Concrete) – Requested that an agenda item scheduled for October 20, 2026 be continued to allow completion of a traffic engineering study and community discussions. The City Manager indicated the item would not be scheduled until ripe.

Discussion Items

• Fire Department Work Week Transition – Councilmember Newins asked about moving from a 56-hour work week to a 48- or 42-hour model. Fire Chief Sam confirmed the department is studying a four-shift model, with a work group developing a plan. City Manager Price said budget capacity is being reserved and a plan will be presented later this year.
• Northwest River Park Ranger Station Ribbon Cutting – Councilmembers praised the new facility, noting it transforms the park experience.
• Water Billing Tiers for Master Water Meters – Councilmember Newins raised inequity for residents on master meters (HOAs) who pay higher tier rates due to the tier structure. She asked staff to investigate ordinance amendments. Councilmember Ward asked about city authority over HOA assessments. City Manager said the new utilities director will take a fresh look.
• Public Nuisance Policy – Councilmember Smith requested a policy for establishments that become public nuisances.
• Crestwood Community Voting Rights – Councilmember Smith asked for a resolution supporting Crestwood’s efforts to regain voting rights as a single community. The City Attorney suggested seeing the community’s draft first.
• Park Inspection Schedule – Councilmember Jeffries reported disrepair at Battery Park in Deep Creek and asked about the inspection schedule.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda – Approved 8-0.
• Regular Agenda Item 2 – Appropriation of $34,112 from High Priority One-Time Account to Chesapeake Regional Airport Authority FY27 operating budget (pump repair for fire suppression) – Approved 8-0.
• Regular Agenda Item 3 – Resolution authorizing City Manager to execute MOU with Mercy Chefs for food in shelters during emergencies (activated five days post-landfall) – Approved 8-0.
• Appointments and Nominations – Approved the slate 8-0. Specific appointments: Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee (Christina Halverson reappointed, Douglas Bruno and Clifford Magill appointed, two vacancies continued); Commission on Health and Well Being (Ana Ruby Iglesia, Allie Montross, Kelvin Tseh); Citizen Advisory Committee (Pamela Brandy, Glenda Maynard, Richard Scott, Abram Waller Moon, Megan White, Corey Williams); Natural Event Mitigation Advisory Committee (Catherine Filipowski); Public Art Committee (Chad Clark); SE Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (La’Toya Hines); Towing Advisory Board (Christopher Jancewicz, Brandon Viera); Utility Review Board (Denise Brinkley and Lakela Lofton reappointed, Michael Stites appointed). Nominations for Hospital Authority, Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Planning Commission, and South Norfolk Revitalization Commission were accepted; interviews will be held before October 13 and 20 work sessions, with appointments on October 27.
• New Business – Initiating resolution to request Planning Commission to recommend zoning amendments for businesses licensed by the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority – Approved 8-0.
• Closed Meeting – Motion passed to conduct a closed meeting on October 13, 2026 at 4 PM to interview candidates for boards and commissions.