Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Hampton City Council meeting.

Clerk to call the roll, please.

Councilman Bowman.

Present.

Vice Mayor Brown.

Here.

Councilwoman Campbell.

Present.

Councilwoman Fairby.

Present.

Councilwoman Harper.

Present.

Councilwoman Mudgler.

Present.

And Mayor Gray.

Present.

The next item is to the pleasure of allegiance and the invocation.

And the invocation will be led by Vice Mayor Brown.

So please stand and join us for the uh invocation and pleasure believe.

Let's bow here some prayer.

Father, we give you praise.

We thank you, Lord, for this day.

You said this is the you made we are commanded to rejoice in it and to be glad.

We pray tonight, God, as we deliberate in this chamber.

We pray for civility.

We pray tonight, God, that you would look over our citizens of Hampshire, each and every one of them.

Uh as we approach the holiday season, I pray, God, for peace.

I pray for uh unity.

I pray for uh strength among those who are weak among us, those who are homeless, those who need healing in their bodies.

I pray God that you would answer their prayers.

Also pray for those who are referred to responders, those who are in harm's way, those who've served in military service, and you're giving the ultimate sacrifice of their lives.

As we approach tomorrow, uh September the eleventh, what a horrible day for the world and for the nation.

But I pray for those families who are still grieving many, many years after that tragic event in New York and around the world.

I pray now as we do our business tonight, God give us wisdom, give us the courage to make decisions that not only affect the few but all of us.

And so we give you a name the praise, we give you the glory, and we give you honor.

All of God's people say it together, amen.

The uh Day of Care in 2025 is sponsored by the United Way of Virginia Peninsula, and this year it takes place on September twelfth.

And this event brings together hundreds of volunteers from across the peninsula to create a positive impact for nonprofits and human services providers.

At the city count at the City Council and the city manager's office in Hampton, we have been collecting healthy snacks to share with the young people from the Boys and Girls Club and the Food Bank.

And tonight we are pleased to present them to Shaw Delaware, president and CEO of the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, and so I ask I'll be able to come up front.

I'm asking my council members to come down and present the gifts.

Uh and we have quite a few more in the back, so I don't know how we arranged to get those to you, but uh we want to thank all of our employees for making the donations.

Thank you all very much for your support this year.

Yes.

All right, everybody's here.

I want to ask the clerk to read the protocol for the consent agenda.

The consent agendas can consist of routine, non-controversial items requiring council approval.

These items are typically adopted with one motion and without discussion.

Tonight, your consent agenda approves the city's participation in the proposed settlements of several opioid related claims, authorizes the use of construction management contracting for the construction of sanitary sewer forcing replacement, approves the Hampton Uber News Community Services Board FY2526 contract amendments.

Amends the 2025 Council approved budget to accept and appropriate approximately $300,000 in additional state funds to the general fund school operating budget.

It amends the 2026 council approved budget to accept and appropriate approximately five million in additional federal and state funds to the general fund school operating budget, and it approves the minutes of four city council meetings.

Need a motion and approval for the consent agenda.

Mr.

Mayor, I move approval of the consent agenda.

Second.

Councilman Bowman.

Aye.

Vice Mayor Brown.

Aye.

Councilwoman Campbell.

Aye.

Councilwoman Faraby.

Aye.

Councilwoman Harper.

Aye.

Councilwoman Mugler.

Aye.

Mayor Gray.

Aye.

All right.

Here and uh make sure I got the next item.

Okay, so uh presentations, proclamations, and award next on the agenda, and uh tonight I have several uh proclamations.

And the uh first one of those uh goes to a city employee.

Sometimes we recognize uh city employees for exemplary service, and sometimes we recognize them for exemplary exemplary service and length of service because we have some who just uh give to the city and the community for many, many, many years.

And um this evening I want to acknowledge uh one of our employees who has done just that.

So I would like to ask uh Tom Crispell if he will come up and stand right here at the uh in front of us here in the well if you do that, and he's looking around trying to see what in the world is going on.

So come on up, Tom.

And say while he is on the way up, I'm gonna read this proclamation and then ask my council members to uh join me in going down on this uh presentation uh in recognition of Thomas W.

Tom Crispell in the city of Hampton, Virginia, and whereas Tom Crispell has served the citizens of Hampton for a total of 57 years.

Wow.

Wow.

And whereas Tom Crispell currently serves the uh as technical services manager in the Department of Public Works Engineering Division, and whereas during his tenure, he has provided first class surveying, drafting project development service, and continues to perform highly in those areas.

And whereas Tom Crispell has played a key role in a number of successful projects that make Hampton unique, including the iconic Hampton Coliseum, the Buckrow Beach Boardwalk, City Hall, the Hampton Roads Convention Center, and the Hampton, Virginia Aquaplex.

And whereas he is a meticulous record keeper, is known for his ability to recall decades of historical events in Hampton and has a wealth of knowledge that benefits those who often seek his guidance.

And whereas Tom Crispell cares for his fellow co-workers and has demonstrated through his hard work and kind and gentle spirit, and whereas his devotion to the city of Hampton is evident by the accomplishments he has achieved that are recognized by so many.

Now, therefore, I, James A.

Gray Jr., mayor of the City of Hampton, Virginia, uh, do hereby recognize Thomas W.

Tom Crispell for many years of service, dedicated service, and he has provided that he has provided to the City of Hampton.

And witness whereof, I've hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Hampton, Virginia, to be affixed this 10th day of September, 2025, signed James A.

Gray.

Tom, thank you for a job.

Well done.

And whereas the National Alliance on Mental Health recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Month.

And whereas in 2023, Virginia experienced 1230 deaths by suicide, making suicide the third leading cause of death in the Commonwealth and in the City of Hampton, where 18 we had 18 deaths by suicide.

And whereas suicide is second leading cause of death amongst young ages 10 to 14 and young adults 25 to 34, and the third leading cause of death among young people ages 15 to 24.

And whereas the Hampton Newton News Suicide Prevention Task Force unites key community partners to coordinate efforts to educate the community on the warning signs that someone may be thinking of suicide, promote safety planning, and the development of skills to be of support to others.

And whereas Suicide Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness, spread hope, and spark action about the urgent mental health issue.

And whereas the Suicide Prevention Month is a time to remember that talking about suicide is not harmful and that a simple conversation can be the turning point in an individual's life.

And whereas Suicide Prevention Month is a time to remember that, I'm sorry, whereas suicide shows that people who have thoughts of suicide and feel the relief when someone asks them about them and are demonstrating that they're caring in a certain way.

And whereas the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline is available to the Virginia to Virginians 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to provide free and confidential emotional support and crisis intervention.

And I want to say that the 988 number is the suicide prevention number.

And whereas it is vital that we join forces to focus attention upon the problem of suicide in the city of Hampton and the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation.

Now, therefore, I, James A.

Gray Jr., mayor on behalf of the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Month in the City of Hampton, Virginia, and call upon all citizens to join me in observing this month, acknowledging the importance of suicide prevention and supporting our fellow citizens during their time of need.

And witness whereof I've hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Hampton, Virginia, to be affixed the 10th day of September 2025, signed James A.

Gray, mayor of the City of Hampton.

And I'd like to ask Dr.

Daphne Cunningham, who is the uh director, executive director of our uh community service board, Hampton News Community Service Board, I'd like uh her to come forward and receive this proclamation.

So, Dr.

Cunningham.

Thank you.

And ask my council member to go down with me one more time.

Well, the next time, the next time we're taking men down.

All right, and the next final proclamation recognizing September 2025 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Hampton, Virginia.

And whereas September 2025 has been declared National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and whereas prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in men across the nation, and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths amongst men.

And whereas we recognize that men of African descent and men of those fathers or brothers who have been diagnosed are at higher risk of developing prostate cancer and require more aggressive early detection guidelines compared with men of average risk.

And whereas it is known that almost one-third of prostate cancer occurs in men under age 65 during their prime years of work and at any age, prostate cancer devastates families throughout uh Hampton and the community with loss of income, partnership, and support.

And whereas prostate cancer leaves too many parents, women, children, and other family members without men that they love, and the African American families are disproportionately affected due to African American men having higher rates of prostate cancer diagnosis and deaths than men of other racial or ethnic groups in the United States.

And whereas research suggests that men could reduce their risk of prostate cancer mortality by following recommended prostate cancer early detection screening guidelines, including prostate-specific antigen, also known as the PSA blood test, and the digital rectal exams, as well as increase awareness activities.

Now, therefore, I James A.

Gray, mayor, on behalf of the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, do hereby recognize the month of September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Hampton, Virginia, and I urge all citizens to be aware of the importance of early detection and witness whereof I've hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the City of Hampton, Virginia to be affixed this 10th day of September 2025.

Signed James A.

Gray Jr.

Prostate Cancer, you know, you all know we have the Hampton University Prostate Cancer Treatment Center right here in the City of Hampton that are saving many lives with uh you know some groundbreaking treatment that uh can treat by prostate cancer in an early stage.

But the key is treating it in an early stage.

The problem is that many men in our community do not get their regular screenings, do not have uh relationships with primary care physicians and uh where they get lab tests regularly to uh to detect the uh to check the PSA test, which can then you know provide an indication of prostate cancer.

So I want to encourage all of the men, including my fellow councilmen who are sitting here with me today, that you get a prostate screening, and if you haven't done one, take advantage of the month of September to contact your doctor and get uh a prostate screening.

While uh it may not always be the most comfortable thing to do, but I know many men who right now are being treated at the prostate cancer treatment center.

I know many have gone through the treatment there, and that may not necessarily be the treatment that's right for you should you be detected with early detection, but the key is detecting that prostate cancer in an early stage can certainly reduce the uh risk of losing many, many lives if men would just do that.

So let's take better care of our health, let's get the prostate screening and uh use this month to share uh awareness and education with our friends and fellow uh family members, uh neighbors to encourage them to go out and get a prostate screening, especially during this month of September where we're recognized prostate cancer.

So with that, that concludes all of my presentations uh this this evening, and uh so I am going to ask the uh clerk to read the protocol for public hearings.

The city council is committed to fair and respectful hearings.

The following guidelines help ensure an orderly process.

Individuals wishing to speak must sign up in the city hall lobby, starting one hour before the meeting and ending when the meeting begins.

Speakers will be called in the order they signed up.

Speakers shall address council from the center podium.

Each speaker is allowed three minutes.

The timer has a green light, which will turn yellow with one minute remaining, then red when the time is up.

All comments must be addressed to the council, and speakers may not yield their time to others.

After all the speakers are heard, the mayor will close the public hearing and invite council discussion and action.

You have one public hearing this evening, Mayor, and that is on item number seven, 25 0238.

It's a resolution approving a lease for approximately 10,598 square feet of city owned land at 715 Eaton Street and about 11,037 square feet of city owned land at 732 North King Street to Adams Outdoor Advertising Limited Partnership for two existing billboards and a public service agreement and authorizing the execution of SAME.

Okay, we don't have a presentation, but I would ask Deputy City Manager Brian DeProfio, who's sitting in for our city manager uh who is out of town.

I failed to mention that after the uh roll call, but uh uh deputy city manager you have any comments regarding this item.

Yes, sir.

Um, as the uh clerk read, this is a lease agreement with Adams Outdoor Advertising for two existing billboards that council owns on King Street and Eton Street.

Um the Adams will pay the city as part of the lease a hundred thousand dollars a year, and that amount will escalate at three percent per year.

They will also provide on other billboards that they have in the city of Hampton from I 64 near Power Plant Parkway to Settlers Landing Road, some space for Hampton to be able to advertise public service announcements as part of the uh as part of the agreement.

Um this is uh uh renewal of an agreement that we've had in place for for a number of years.

Um it's a five year term for the agreement.

Um the only other thing that I should also know is that um because uh the with the interstate project that's currently going on there they're erecting sound walls.

Um one of the other things that Adams will be doing in the in the short term is raising the height of the billboard so that they the they can still be visible from the interstate.

Um that's not necessarily part of this agreement, but I wanted to note it for for the benefit of the public.

Um with that um I I don't have anything else unless there's questions.

Okay, thank you.

Uh and again, this item does require public hearing, so we're gonna open the uh public hearing.

There are no speakers signed up to speak on this item, so we'll close the public hearing and call for a vote.

Is there a motion?

Uh Mr.

Mayor, I move approval of uh resolution 25-0238, approving lease of 10,598 square feet.

Second motion is delayed and seconded.

Councilman Bowman.

Aye.

Vice Mayor Brown.

Aye.

Councilwoman Campbell.

Aye.

Councilwoman Faraby.

Aye.

Councilwoman Harper.

Aye.

Councilwoman Muggler.

Aye.

Mayor Gray.

Aye.

The motion carries.

Okay.

All right.

The next item uh it is time for public comment, so I'm asked the clerk to read the protocol for public comment period.

Council meetings are for conducting city business.

Public comment is allowed on matters within the council's authority and follows public hearing items.

Speakers must follow the citizen participation protocol.

Speakers may sign up in the lobby one hour before the meeting and until it begins.

Speakers shall address counsel from the center podium.

Each speaker is allowed three minutes.

The timer has a green light, which will turn yellow with one minute remaining, then red when the time is up.

Please speak respectfully and avoid personal attacks, focus on topics within council's jurisdiction.

Do not use the platform for political campaign speeches.

Comments must be directed to the council and yielding time is not allowed.

Audience must remain respectful and refrain from interruptions.

Council typically listens without engaging in discussion.

Responses may be provided by the city manager, city attorney, or council members after public comment.

Failure to follow the protocol may result in removal from the podium or meeting after fair warning.

Thank you.

Okay.

And the lights on the timer are now located up here for those who hadn't been to public comment for a while, and so you can better see them.

And so uh tonight we have a brand new podium, and uh the first person to get to try out the new podium is Latoya Fleming.

Hello, everyone.

Good evening, everyone.

Hello, everyone.

You guys look so great.

All right.

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Honorable Council members, and the city staff.

My name is Latoya Fleming.

I'm here tonight as a resident who loves the city and cares deeply about his people.

Sidebar.

I just emailed over the proposal.

I meant to email it earlier and I got distracted.

Sorry.

All right.

Excuse me.

First, I want to acknowledge the work that you all are all are already doing to address the homelessness.

I'm grateful for your efforts, and they are truly appreciated.

It takes dedication and to tackle an issue this complex, and your commitment does not go unnoticed.

Homelessness is not just a statistic.

It's our neighbors, families, and veterans who need dignity and stability.

We have shelters and support programs, but they're overextended.

And too many residents are slipping through the cracks.

That's why I prepared a detailed proposal, which I've already shared with you by email.

I outlined the plan for creating a homeless task force to unify seed and leaders, nonprofits, churches, and residents, launching a pilot program for transitional housing and support services.

Identifying areas where we can reduce strain on emergency services while helping people back on their feet.

Tonight, I'm not here to read every detail.

This collaboration would be key.

And I see this as an opportunity for those who have much to say about what is being done to step up and be active and effective to turn words into action and to make a tangible difference in people's lives.

So my ask is this let's form the task force and commit to reviewing this pilot proposal as a step toward lasting change.

Thank you all for your time for your dedicated dedication and for considering the lives that will be directly impacted by this proposal.

You guys just got the email, so I'll give you time to review it.

But I think you'll be impressed.

Thank you all and have a great day.

All right, thank you, Miss Fleming.

Next speaker is Whitley Richards.

Good evening, City Council.

Oh, this is a good microphone.

All right, my name is Whitley Richards, and I'm currently a resident of Northampton.

Um I am here to request a little bit of help.

I have been trying to get the uh courts in Northampton when you first come in.

There's like some tennis courts there and some basketball courts.

Um I've been trying to get some tennis nets over there so that I can enjoy the tennis courts.

Um, the basketball courts are missing rims, and they don't have like the actual backboard, so you can't actually play on the courts.

Um there's two that are kind of working, but then it just it really needs some love and it really needs some care.

And I really took this on maybe about two or three years ago, and I was trying to just kind of get it updated, you know, do your part in the community.

I remember growing up as a kid, and my dad was a USMC veteran, and we spent a lot of time bonding on those playgrounds, and not the ones here in Hampton because I was actually in California at the time, but the memories still beautiful nonetheless, and now I have children.

I have high school children, I have elementary children, I have friends and people who come and visit, and we want a place to play.

Um, we love pickleball, so we've been doing pickleball.

We've picked that up, and we are having a great time doing it.

The kids love it, the adults love it, my mom can play, mom's playing with grandbaby.

It is absolutely beautiful, but I want to do it in my community.

I want to play in my neighborhood.

Um, and I just haven't been successful in doing it on my own.

So I'm actually here to ask you for your help.

If you could help me, I would really love that, and I would really love to know that I was able to be a part of making our community better and kind of taking it on as my own responsibility.

I want to, I kind of want to lead this myself and say I contributed to my community because it matters to me.

So if any of you are willing, I would really appreciate it if you would partner with me in this and help me, even if nothing else, just to get the the nets up.

We will use it.

We will play on the area.

I know other children will play on the area, and we will truly enjoy it.

Please help.

Thank you.

Okay, thank you, Miss Richards.

And uh Deputy City Manager, I'm sure recorded your your comments about the nets and uh both the basketball and tennis courts, and it will share that with parks and record the uh parks and recreation directors.

So thank you for bringing that to our attention.

Final speaker is Pamela Ward.

Good evening.

You all are a bunch of a great looking bunch.

I really hate to come behind them because they had such great things to say.

Biden's is not as great.

Um my name is Pamela Ward, and I am here on behalf of two of my grandchildren.

Um I reported a CPS case, and I don't want to go into too much of it, but um there's no help.

I've been just trying to get help over and over calling everywhere.

I'm paying five hundred dollars a week for a hotel, and the CPS worker has not tried to assist at all.

So I am actually here to see if you all have a number or anywhere that I can just get some help for my two grandchildren.

Um he told me to take them back to the house that they were abused at, and I just it's just you know, there's no way I can do that.

You know, cheer children today should not be beaten with extension cards and shoes.

So I'm not going to do that.

I don't know what I what else I need to do to get the help from him or the supervisor, but it I just don't know what else to do.

He wouldn't even assist with getting a bus from the hotel.

Um, nothing about I know you can get a referral if you need like a shelter or something, nothing at all.

And $500 a week is quite a lot when you get social security, because that's what I get.

But I'm I've you know, I had some savings, so I managed to pay it.

I don't know what is light y'all talking about at, but I keep trying to look for it.

Oh, okay.

Yours is still green.

So thank you.

So uh that's what I'm here for.

I'm just trying to get to help.

And even though my grandson is in this hotel, this is the first time a teacher ever called and say he was doing good.

And that's all I wanted to say.

If y'all know of any way of any numbers or anything, I would appreciate trying to get to help.

Thank you.

Right.

Um, thank you.

All right.

Um thank you, Mayor.

Uh Ms.

Ward, uh, one of our assistant city managers, Quasi O'Bang is in the back row.

Um, he works with our human services department, so so he can uh he can help you get connected to the right people to address your issue.

So thank you.

All right, that concludes all of our public comment speakers.

Uh I'm gonna ask the clerk to read the motion required for appointments.

The motion on your appointments this evening is on the economic development authority, appoint Robert Pompeii to a term ending on September 30, 2029, and to defer action indefinitely with an appointment on the Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Sir Motion Mr.

Mayor move that we defer that to date uncertain and to appoint Mr.

Pompeii.

Oh, I'm sorry, I missed that, and to point Mr.

Pompeii to the economic development authority.

Second councilman Bowman.

All right, Vice Mayor Brown.

Aye, Councilwoman Campbell.

Aye, Councilwoman Faraby.

Aye, Councilwoman Harper.

Aye, Councilwoman Mugler.

Aye, Mayor Gray.

Aye.

Okay, so that concludes appointments.

Uh, are there any reports by the city managers, city council, staff, or committees?

Um, are there any items or new business?

All right, there being none, then this meeting is adjourned.