Hampton City Council Legislative Session – May 14, 2025

The Hampton City Council met on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers for a Legislative Session focused on the second reading and final approval of the FY26 Manager's Recommended Budget. Mayor Jimmy Gray presided, with all seven council members present. The meeting adjourned at 7:54 PM.

Consent Calendar

• 25-0137 – Resolution to amend the FY2025 budget to accept a National Fish and Wildlife Federation National Coastal Resilience Fund grant for the Back River Estuary project. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0140 – Resolution to amend the FY2025 budget to accept a Stormwater Local Assistance Fund grant for the Mill Point Living Shoreline project. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0141 – Resolution to amend the FY2025 budget to accept a 2024 Stormwater Local Assistance Fund grant for the Pembroke Pond Retrofit project. Approved 7-0.
• 25-0132 – Approval of meeting minutes from work sessions on February 26, 2025, and March 26, 2025. Approved 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brenda Marks urged the council to reduce the real estate tax rate to $1.13 per $100 assessed value, stating that a reduction of two cents would still leave a residential increase of 5.7% due to a 7.7% assessment increase. She also criticized the council's prior vote to nearly double its salary and raised concerns about downtown paver maintenance.
• Aaron Weaver asked council members to respond to an email from Pastor Kenny regarding the Bridge Builders, requesting direct communication with each council member rather than only the mayor. He echoed Ms. Marks’ comments about the salary increase.
• Ray Miles, representing Frontline Millionaires University (FMU), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Hampton, described the organization’s five pillars (education, health and wellness, workforce development, financial literacy, and reentry/justice-impacted) and highlighted a successful 90-day after-school program with Hampton City Schools serving about 100 students, as well as a construction trades program for grades 5–9 at the Grey Goose building. He sought continued support and partnership.
• Joshua Eley, a mentee at FMU, shared a personal testimonial: he was shot seven times on February 8, 2024, and credited FMU with helping him secure jobs, therapy, and stability.
• City Manager Mary Bunting responded: she complimented Mr. Eley, noted an Assistant City Manager would reach out to FMU, and directed Economic Development Director Leonard Sledge to follow up. She addressed the budget adoption, stating that additional revenue from supplemental assessments and a Hampton City Schools reimbursement enabled a 4% salary increase for city employees but was insufficient to lower the real estate tax rate another penny. She defended the council salary increase as a cost-of-living adjustment set by the state after roughly 20 years of no change, noting it would affect the newly seated council, not the one that voted on it.

Discussion Items

• Rezoning & Use Permits

  • 25-0101 (OBT Virginia Investors LLC): Rezone 0.96 acres at 1263 W Queen Street from R-11 and M-2 to R-11 to allow three single-family lots. Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval with 12 proffered conditions. No public speakers. Approved 7-0.
  • 25-0010 & 25-0011 (Franklin Johnston Group): Rezone 16.9 acres at 1616, 1616B, and 1612 N Armistead Avenue from R-11 to MD-4 and grant a use permit for a multifamily development (maximum 215 units). Deferred from April. New proffers included elevators in four-story buildings and enhanced stormwater standards designed for future flooding. Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval with 13 proffered conditions for the rezoning and 8 conditions for the use permit. The applicant’s attorney, Timothy O. Trantt, II, expressed appreciation for collaborative work with staff. No public speakers. Rezoning approved 7-0; Use permit approved 7-0.
  • 25-0103 (Copeland Investment Properties): Use permit to allow a funeral home/mortuary at 611 Rotary St in an existing building in the M-2 district, including a crematory not accessible to the general public. Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval with 7 conditions. No public speakers. Approved 7-0.

• General Item – Electric Easement Bid

  • 25-0134 – Invitation for bids for a non-exclusive easement to provide electric service to 187 Hall Road. One bid received from Dominion Energy Virginia, offering $1 for the easement. The bid was opened and announced. A public hearing on whether to accept the bid will be held on May 28, 2025.

• Tax and Fee Ordinances

  • 25-0042 – Real estate tax rate for FY2026: $1.14 per $100 assessed value. Approved 6-1 (Councilwoman Campbell voted nay).
  • 25-0038 through 25-0127 – Service district taxes, tangible personal property tax rates, sewer use charges, stormwater management fees, and courthouse security fees. Approved 7-0.

• Budget Ordinances (Second Reading and Final Approval)

  • 25-0045 – General Fund (City and Schools) FY2026 budget, amended to incorporate supplemental property tax revenue ($749,924), transfer from other funds ($60,000 decrease in non-departmental operating, $44,116 decrease in contingency reserve), and expenditures for youth violence programs ($486,000) and the 4% salary increase. Approved 6-1 (Councilwoman Campbell nay).
  • 25-0046 – Capital Budget (Projects) Fund. Approved 6-1 (Councilwoman Campbell nay).
  • 25-0047 through 25-0061 – Budgets for the Coliseum/Arts Commission/Aquaplex Fund, Convention Center Fund, two golf course funds, Fleet Services funds, IT Fund, Risk Management Fund, Solid Waste Fund, Steam Plant Fund, Wastewater Fund, Stormwater Fund, CDBG/HOME Fund, and Economic Development Fund. All approved 7-0.
  • 25-0062 – Grant Fund, amended to reallocate $2.5 million in SAFER grant revenues (vetoed by the Governor) from community violence reduction programs to miscellaneous grants, and corresponding expenditure adjustments. Total fund remains $48,767,277. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• FY2026 Budget Adopted: The council adopted the full suite of budget ordinances for FY2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). The General Fund budget was amended to fund a 4% salary increase for employees and replace vetoed SAFER grant funding for youth violence prevention programs.
• Real Estate Tax Rate Set at $1.14: The rate was approved 6-1; Councilwoman Campbell voted no.
• Rezonings and Use Permits Approved: Three development proposals were approved, including a three-lot subdivision, a 215-unit multifamily complex, and a funeral home/mortuary use permit.
• Electric Easement Bid Opened: Dominion Energy’s $1 bid for a non-exclusive easement at 187 Hall Road was received; a public hearing is scheduled for May 28, 2025.
• Appointments Confirmed: Jason Mitchell (reappointed) and Michael Bowery (appointed as alternate) to the Virginia Peninsula Public Service Authority through May 31, 2028; Remi Travis Wright and Cassandra Townsley (reappointed) to the Hampton Senior Citizens Advisory Committee through May 30, 2029; and Marcy Wright (appointed) as the Transitions Family Violence Services representative on the Community Policy and Management Team. All appointments approved 7-0.
• Public Engagement: Council committed to follow up with FMU and asked staff to contact the organization regarding partnerships.