Hampton City Council Legislative Session - October 23, 2024

The Hampton City Council held a legislative session on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. All seven council members were present. The meeting included a consent agenda, a public hearing, public comment period, and a general ordinance item. All votes were unanimous (7-0).

Consent Calendar

• Resolution 24-0448: Requesting VDOT program the Pine Chapel Corridor Improvements Project into its Six-Year Improvement Plan. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution 24-0450: Authorizing an advance of $11,864,171 from the City's General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance to the FY25 Capital Budget for maintenance of Hampton City Schools properties, public properties, and parks, recreation, and leisure services. Approved unanimously.
• 24-0428: Correcting David Kelley-Riddick's appointment term to the Citizens' Unity Commission from September 30, 2028, to September 30, 2027. Approved unanimously.

Public Hearings

• Resolution 24-0451: Authorizing a Use Agreement between the City and the Fox Hill Neighborhood Center Non-Stock Corporation for the Fox Hill Neighborhood Center (65 Hall Road). The agreement, similar to other neighborhood center agreements, has an initial term of two years with a renewal option for three additional years. The public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. The resolution was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Teresa Roundy (resident and business owner): Raised ongoing concerns about Barnes Cemetery, including potential hazards from arsenic, copper, and mercury. She referenced a third ground-penetrating radar review, a title search, and argued that the cemetery's property ownership does not include burial plots already sold to individuals, citing a 2005 deposition. She noted that cemetery board regulations from 1998 should not apply to a cemetery dating to the 1880s.
• Franklin Chambers (resident, property owner on Shell Road): Opposed the proposed blocking of Shell Road, Charles, and Vaughan Avenue. He expressed concern that a cul-de-sac would route traffic through his circular driveway, increasing risks for emergency vehicles and heavy trucks. He suggested alternatives like rumble strips or speed bumps and asked council to reconsider the plan.
• Charlene Thompson (Greenbrier Avenue resident): Reported that four-way stop signs at Shell and Greenbrier are not working, with vehicles speeding through at up to 60 mph. She requested a traffic signal instead of speed bumps, noting her house has been hit twice. She also referenced prior discussions about photo-enforcement, which Virginia law currently restricts to school districts.
• Craig Knopp: Asked for stricter enforcement and fines for repeat offenders regarding campaign signs, noting that current rules (100-day pre-election allowance plus 30-day notice for removal) allow residents to exploit the system. He inquired whether council could strengthen penalties or if action is needed from the General Assembly.
• Aaron Weaver: Opposed the closure of Shell Road, stating that council did not listen to his prior warnings about Pine Chapel closures. He criticized the notification process (only one day's notice) and suggested using online polls to gather neighborhood input. He urged council to act in partnership with citizens.
• Joan Weaver (Catalpa Avenue resident, 67-year resident): Strongly opposed the street closures, linking them to the North Point Phoenix Commerce Center development. She accused council, except Councilman Steven Brown, of causing generational detriment and called the development a "Hell's Gate." She asked council not to close the streets.
• Jeannie Belgrave: Raised two issues: (1) a lowland area at Ridgeway Bark Park that stays muddy after rain, asking for fill; (2) the downtown carousel lacking an ATM, suggesting installation for visitors without cash.

Discussion Items

• City Manager Mary Bunting responded to public comments:
  • On the Shell Road/Greenbrier pilot: Stressed it was a pilot, not a permanent closure. She clarified that emergency vehicles, waste trucks, and school buses would still have access (vehicular barricades leave pedestrian walk spaces). She noted that at the afternoon work session, Public Works Director Jason Mitchell presented multiple options. The proposed pilot (30, 60, or 90 days) aims to test assumptions about cut-through traffic reduction. Council indicated they want neighborhood feedback before proceeding.
  • On Ridgeway Bark Park: She will check with staff about the muddy area.
  • On the carousel ATM: She noted that several banks are within walking distance and will ask staff about frequency of need. The city has not received such a request before.
  • On campaign signs: She will follow up with the City Attorney, but noted that zoning violations typically require a 30-day notice set by state code, meaning any change may require General Assembly action.
• Ordinance 24-0449 (All-Terrain Vehicles and Off-Road Motorcycles): City Manager Bunting summarized that between 2022 and 2023, the Hampton Police Division saw a 140% increase in calls for service related to ATVs and dirt bikes operating recklessly. Although calls are down in 2024, over 60 calls for speeding/reckless driving had been received as of early October. Unregistered vehicles hinder investigative efforts, and pursuits increase risk. Traffic tickets have not been a deterrent. The 2024 General Assembly enacted legislation enabling cities to ordinally seize, impound, and dispose of unlawfully operated ATVs/off-road motorcycles. The ordinance creates Article XI in Chapter 21 of the City Code. Police Chief Wideman was available for questions. The ordinance was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All consent agenda items, the Fox Hill Use Agreement resolution, and the ATV/off-road motorcycle ordinance were approved by a 7-0 vote.
• Council heard extensive public testimony regarding traffic concerns on Shell Road/Greenbrier Avenue and the proposed pilot closure. No formal vote was taken on the pilot; discussion indicated a need for further neighborhood input and a potential pilot with specific duration.
• City Manager Bunting will investigate the Ridgeway Bark Park muddy area and carousel ATM request, and will follow up on campaign sign enforcement options.
• Councilmember Hobbs announced a benefit event for the Hampton Education Foundation on November 2 at The Vanguard, featuring Mayor Tuck (guitar), Vice Mayor Gray (bass), and School Board Member Tina Banks Gray (performer).

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:04 PM.