Good evening and welcome to the Hampton City Council Legislative Session.

Madam Clerk, will you call the roll, please?

Councilman Bowman.

Present.

Vice Mayor Brown.

Here.

Councilwoman Campbell.

Present.

Councilwoman Theraby.

Present.

Councilwoman Harper, present.

Councilwoman Mudler.

President.

And Mayor Greg.

President.

The invitation this evening will be led by Councilmember Hope Harper, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

So would you join, Stan, and please join us for the prayer and indication.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you as acknowledgement of your power.

Thank you for this day of which we have never seen.

We appreciate our great city and the opportunity to serve and that we represent you and represent the city with honor and integrity.

We pray for every citizen and every community within our city.

Please bless those who are on furlough right now and affected by the government shutdown.

Let them lack for nothing.

Continue to give us grace to face unique challenges and keep our first responders and public safety in your care.

All these things we ask in your name.

Amen.

So any Hampton University Pirates out there, raise their hand.

All right.

Okay.

So this weekend we celebrate Hampton University's homecoming.

It is a cherished tradition that brings alumni from across the country back to our home by the sea.

Hampton University stands as a pillar of excellence, shaping leaders and advancing opportunities for generations.

Homecoming is more than just a reunion, it's a reaffirmation of pride, purpose, and partnership between the university and the city of Hampton.

And so we honor Hampton University's enduring legacy and the vital role that it continues to play in the life of our community.

Today we join communities across the nation in celebrating Medical Assistance Recognition Day.

And I want to take just a moment to thank all of those dedicated medical assistants that uh help in our community who work tirelessly to keep our health care system running smoothly.

You are often the first face that patients see and the steady hand that support our physicians, nurses, and health care teams.

And your compassion, professionalism, and attention to detail make a real difference in the lives of countless individuals every day.

So on behalf of our city, I extend a heartfelt appreciation to you for your service, your skill, and your unwavering commitment to patient care.

And thank you for all that you do in helping us uh keep our community safe and strong.

And over the last uh several months, um, I've had the occasion of being in the meeting many of the health care assistants or the medical assistants in our community, both at uh the hospitals, the doctor's offices, the cancer treatment facilities, and they you know really make a huge difference in helping you, you know, navigate the system and really bring some level of comfort to whatever medical issues that we're all dealing with.

So uh, on behalf of myself and my family, I want to thank all the medical assistants in our community for the work that they do.

And then lastly, uh last night I held uh our final your say with Mayor Gray listening session, uh, focusing on our seven strategic priorities, and that one was at Mary Jackson Community Center, and these sessions have really provided some valuable opportunities to hear directly from our residents about their experiences, ideas, and priorities for our city.

And many people share that they aren't always aware of the great events, uh the facilities and amenities right here in Hampton, but it's a report and reminder of why we need to keep our community connected and informed.

And so with this final round of listening sessions where we've gathered input to help shape our strategic priorities in the future beginning uh next year.

Uh you'll say with Mayor Gray will uh really kind of re-uh will we'll focus more on a transition to a quarterly uh format held across the city so that we'll just continue to bring the people uh bring together people in our community to talk about their concerns, uh challenges and uh ideas that they have to keep our community great.

So thanks for all who participated at uh Mary Jackson last night.

We had uh a packed house and uh some really good discussion, so we appreciate all of them.

So uh with that, uh excuse me, Mayor.

I know Vice Mayor Brown.

This is totally totally out of protocol.

We normally don't do this uh until the end of our session.

But there's someone here very special tonight that I think the citizens will want to hear, uh, particularly as it relates to you.

So I'm gonna have Steve Cook, the chief innovation officer for the uh workforce to come up tonight and say some few words to you.

Uh in a short video.

Thank you.

We're gonna do the video first.

Uh yes, let's roll that.

I'm sorry, let's roll it.

Thank you.

Um especially proud of the uh academies in Hampton in our high schools, uh, which is a national model for uh educated kids to be, you know, college and career ready when they leave high school.

The one that I'm most proud of is the Academy of the Advanced College Experience, uh, which is uh based at Fevus High School.

And uh within that uh academy, uh our students are able to uh enroll in college classes at the Virginia Peninsula Community College.

They take those classes in high school because the teachers are certified to uh to teach the classes there.

And so far we've had uh over 200 students that have graduated from high school with uh an associate's degree before they graduate from high school with their high school diploma.

And uh, we're pretty proud of that.

Uh we celebrate that every year at our council meeting.

We bring all of those kids in, and it's it's grown so much now that we packed it, the city council chambers between parents and students and all.

A second program that I'm especially proud of that uh we're we're in our second year now, and that's our uh college internship program.

We started uh two years ago with eight interns.

Uh last year we funded 20 interns, and uh uh you know, the young people in our community who come from colleges uh in the Hampton Rose area are able to come in and get some real world experience, some hands-on uh experience in various careers.

You know, we think that government, uh local government has you know many different career options that sometimes young people don't consider.

Like, you know, we have engineers, we have lawyers, we have uh planners, um, and uh, and of course, city management uh is one that a lot of people are interested in.

So that program uh has taken off.

Uh I think we had you know nearly 200 applications for the 20 positions uh uh earlier this year, and we've completed this year's program.

And I'm happy to say that some of those young people have actually been hired by uh by the city of Hampton after they graduate this past year or so.

And then lastly, I want to uh say that uh you know we have established a new program which will uh connect the residents in our community with uh career training and hopes of uh moving them uh into uh careers and credentials that can uh allow them to earn an affordable wage.

This is our poverty initiative, but more importantly, it's a workforce initiative, but it's it's connecting people in the community with the uh training and opportunities that exist so that they can fill many of the in-demand jobs within the Hampton Rhodes region.

I'm just extremely proud to be honored and uh recognized for my support and advocacy for workforce development in the Hampton Rhodes uh uh region and the uh the workforce council is doing an amazing job.

I've been uh extremely grateful to be a part of it, and I really appreciate this recognition, but it's really a testament to the work that I've done in partnership with others.

Thank you, Mayor Gray.

Much deserved, and uh he has been just such a champion of workforce development, not only for the city of Hampton, but for the region.

One of the things that we did not mention in that video that uh Mayor Gray was an integral member of the team of the group that really allowed us to merge two workforce development boards in this region, make it one workforce development board, which has been such a great, great thing for the region.

It's allowed us to get more money, it's allowed us to do a lot of things outside of the box, and uh Mayor Gray was right there uh from the get-go to make that happen.

Um we wish you could have been here last week, but you were celebrating something far more important, and um uh my condolences and prayers to you and your family.

But this is uh this is a great honor.

We don't give away a lot of these.

We do this, uh we've been doing it for 10 years, and uh I couldn't think of a person more deserving than Mayor Gray uh for his outstanding service to the workforce board.

I want to say Jimmy, but I know I'm gonna come back.

And Mayor, you have the mic to say a few words if you like.

Well, well, first of all, I want to say when he reached over and said, excuse me, Mayor, it reminded me reminding me of my role in the uh presentation at the All-American State uh uh All America City uh program when uh Audron came up and interrupted me, you know, as part of the script.

Excuse me, Mayor, unless you had something to say, but thank you for doing that.

And thanks to uh Steve Cook for coming over to present the award and Leonard, I think you filled in for me at the event because I wasn't able to be there, but you know, workforce training is just extremely important.

And I I just you know, I reflect back on when I was uh uh you know came into the fire service back in 1977.

Uh the program that got me into fire service uh was the CETA program, comprehensive education and training act program.

It was a workforce training program that funded a lot of different positions and Chesapeake was uh hiring uh 30 new firefighters to establish a new shift, and they I guess used the grant funds.

I remember it was grant funded for the first year because I did not get my uh VRS contribution.

I was not a VRS employee, so I had to hope that the city would pick us up full time at the end of the uh first year, and they did.

And uh so I was uh you know, it was really a great opportunity for me and and kind of how I got my career in public service started was through a workforce development training program for firefighters.

And uh so you know we have a lot of in-demand positions in this uh in this community region.

Uh, you know, it's a strong region, shipbuilding, maritime, uh, health care services and and uh hospitality and many more, and we need some of the best employees to to keep giving people a great experience and uh when they come to this community.

So I'm I'm just grateful for the opportunity I had to work around the workforce uh council, uh you know, all of the business leaders in the community who are part of it, they do a wonderful job, and then Sean Avery and Steve and the whole staff at the workforce council just amazing.

They do some great work.

So thank you all for what you do in the community.

I really appreciate it.

So I know I'm supporting you from a different role now, but you know, you you you're still in my heart, and the work that you do is still important to me, and so uh, you know, let me know how I continue to support you all too.

Thank you.

All right, so I'm gonna ask the clerk to read the protocol for the consent agenda.

The consent agenda consists of routine non-controversial items requiring council approval.

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

Tonight, your consent agenda amends the FY2026 City Council approved budget to appropriate approximately $31,000 from the Capitol Projects Fund balance to the Capital Fund Capital Projects Fund for transportation initiatives and amends the FY2026 City Council approved budget to accept and appropriate approximately 578,000 in additional smart scale funding from VDOT to be appropriated to the Capitol Fund Capital Projects Fund for the West Queen Street Quarter Improvements Project.

It requests that VDOP program seven state of good repair projects into its six-year improvement plan and amends the FY2026 council approved budget to incorporate each of those projects and approximat and appropriate approximately 3.2 million of the VDOP funds to the Capital Project Fund for each of those projects, as well as authorizing the city manager or her designee to execute any necessary agreements.

It approves an encroachment agreement between the city and members of the Thomas family to allow encroachments within four city easements and a city right-of-way, and it approves the minutes from two city council meetings.

So move.

Second.

Councilwoman Campbell.

Aye.

Councilwoman Faraby.

Aye.

Councilwoman Harper.

Aye.

Councilwoman Muggler.

Aye.

Mayor Gray.

Aye.

And uh now I'll ask the clerk to read a 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 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 time is up.

All comments must be addressed to the council.

Speakers may not yield their time to others.

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

Your first and only public hearing this evening is item number six on the agenda 25-0305.

It's consider revocation of the use permit issued to Chances Restaurant and Lounge for a restaurant three in the downtown business DT 1 district at 555 Settlers Landing Road, Suite M and N, portion of LRSN 2002960 due to violations of conditions contained in the use permit.

Okay.

Mr.

Mayor and Council members.

Are you not doing it?

I had to come my call.

We'll be done by a deputy director of community development, Stephen Lynch.

Thank you, City Manager.

Mayor, Vice Mayor, members of council, city manager, city attorney.

Good evening.

Tonight we're before you put to prevent present the proposed revocation of use permit number 24-0026.

This use permit is associated with Chancellor's restaurant located at 555 settlers landing roads suites M and N.

Revoking a use permit may be a use permit rate may be revoked for any violation of a term or condition of the permit.

Procedures to do so are the same as approving a use permit.

This is the location map that shows the general area of the business.

It's indicated by the star.

More specifically, this is the location of the operating business right off of Settlers Landing Road.

Some background in history.

The application for the use permit to change uses from restaurant two to restaurant three was submitted on in July 7, 2023.

The use permit for restaurant three use with live entertainment and on premises alcohol sales was approved March 23, 2024.

The business opened in October of 2024 with the hours that you see exhibited on the screen.

I'm going to comment on some specific use permit uh conditions that we will speak to throughout this presentation.

Condition number seven security.

Security staffing must be sufficient to monitor and control patron behavior inside as well as upon exiting the building.

All criminal activity must be reported to the Hampton Police Department.

Staff must cooperate with the Hampton Police Division in their investigation of any and all criminal activity.

Use permit condition number nine, ABC license.

The permit holder must comply with all restrictions or requirements imposed by the Virginia Accol Hall Bureau.

Use permit condition number 10, compliance.

Use permit may be terminated for any violation of federal, state, and or local law.

Use permit may be terminated if permit holder is no longer registered to transact business in Virginia or allows its corporate existence to lapse.

Good evening, Council.

My name is Officer Zminkowski.

I'm the consolidated enforcement officer for the Hampton Police Division.

I'm here to speak to you today in reference since that we've had chances.

Um you're going to see a series of still images.

I want to direct your attention to that because each of these still images will be uh camera footage captured by our real-time information center right before these incidents occur.

As staff had mentioned, the lounge began operating in October of 2024.

Since opening, there have been consistent reports of fight at the business, which have escalated into firearms offenses, which we'll be covering tonight.

I'll only be diving into the firearms related offenses due to the public safety ramifications that they represent, but this is not an all-encompassing analysis of the calls for service that we've received or HPD's involvement.

These are just some highlight incidents that I wanted to speak to you today about.

Again, this still image is going to be directly before this occurred.

You'll notice in each of these still images, there's going to be a group loitering outside, which we'll speak to later.

The second image that I want to speak to you about the second incident is going to be May 1st, 2025 at approximately 11 o'clock.

Individual with a gun complaint is received by HBD.

Officers respond to check the area and were unable to locate a suspect.

In review of the Arctic cameras in the area revealed that the suspect walked out of chances to the nearby parking garage.

Several moments later, the suspect returned and can be seen attempting to conceal a rifle in his pants.

That suspect then takes the rifle out in plain view of security and the individual standing outside, looking towards the front door of chances.

The suspect remained seated with the rifle in his hands for several minutes before walking away.

It's unclear based on the information that we have who his intended target was or what would have happened if that intended target stepped out of the business at that time.

The third firearms related incident that I wanted to cover is May 5th, which was a homicide.

At around 10 30 at night on May 5th, HPD responded to a call for a fight in front of chances, which was quickly upgraded to a shooting.

Officers and medics responded, performing life-saving efforts for the victim who had later succumbed to his injuries.

The investigation revealed that the security team had observed several fights inside of the business and they had ejected the involved parties.

Once outside of the lounge, these parties continued to fight.

During the fight, an individual produced a firearm and shot the victim before fleeing the scene.

Finally, I want to speak to the most recent most concerning incident that we had, which occurred on September 20th, 2025.

At around 1 30 in the morning on September 20th, officers in the area heard multiple shots coming from chances and responded to the business.

Upon arrival, the security team provided minimal information, which is ultimately found to be false during the course of the investigation.

It would be later revealed that two unrelated shooters began independently firing their weapons in the air, causing mass panic and for the crowd to take cover.

Unbeknownst to the officers, because no one from the security team informed them, one of the suspects actually remained on scene, and the responding officer checked on this suspect, not realizing he was the suspect to make sure that he was alright.

Security did not inform him at any point that he was talking to the individual who had begun firing shots into the air.

It would later be determined that security on scene drew their firearms and pointed them at the suspect as well as unrelated patrons who were just fleeing the area.

In addition to the shots that were fired, one of the security team members blocked the front door to prevent anybody from seeking shelter inside of the business.

HBD's investigation that revealed that the shooter was later identified as a patron who was celebrating their birthday that night, had gone out to the parking lot, retrieved their firearm, and began shooting into the air.

That individual was charged accordingly and has been arrested.

In addition to the shots fired, we had to divert multiple resources to fights behind uh chances, which occur on old or near the Hampton History Museum.

During these fights, one of the individuals became irate and punched out a glass door outside of the Hampton History Museum.

Before we go back to Steve, I again want to point out that in each of these instances we speak about the security's response, and in two of them, security did not notify us, which Steve covered earlier in the use permit conditions that it is a requirement to notify the Hampton Police Division for all violations of law.

And I'll turn this back over to Steve Lynch.

Continuing the presentation, on May 8, 2025, the Virginia ABC summarily suspended the license due to the permit holder's failure to take reasonable measures to prevent an act of violence.

A reference to the May 5 homicide that was just reviewed.

On May 21, 2025, the ABC reinstates the license subject to additional security conditions.

October 1, 2025, the ABC revokes permit holders' license for violating the May 21 security conditions, citing incidents on September the 6th, 13th, and the 20th.

Other incidents that occurred that notices of violations were served for on the 15th.

A notice of violation was served to the permit holder for allowing patrons to smoke indoors in violation of the Virginia Indoor Clean Air Act.

On May 6, 2025, the city issued another notice of violation to the permit holder for applying a window treatment that impedes visibility into the premises.

So before we speak to the calls of service, I want to briefly show you two videos.

I warn everybody in the audience there is audio on these videos.

You are going to hear gunshots, and again, that's not for shock value, but I want to be able to give you a clear representation of what I'm talking about tonight.

Again, this is going to be from the most recent incident that we had, which would be September 20th, 2025.

The first video is going to be our suspect.

He's going to be right where my mouse cursor is there next to the BW.

So again, this is an individual who is celebrating their birthday at the club, decide to come outside, retrieve their firearm, begin shooting uh shots into the air.

While that's going on, I'm going to show you a different angle.

This is the front of chances.

I ask you to pay attention to the two security guards up front, the one in the black hoodie with the white lettering, as well as the female with the black t-shirt.

Additionally, the um other the manager or owner of the security company is seated where my cursor is in the red hoodie.

When I refer to security pulling the firearm on the patrons as well as the suspect, he will be the one in this video that you'll see do so.

Duck for cover, attempt to get out of the area.

This was the mass panic that we were talking about on the September 20th incident.

Just for reference, the shooter that you'd seen in the previous videos uh to the right of your frame across the street.

And you'll see that people are fleeing the area.

Security will point their firearm toward that suspect flagging multiple people in the process.

So again, in the beginning of our presentation, I made note to I apologize if I closed it.

We're gonna go and open it up.

Um here.

Thank you.

Um, so again, I I make reference to the theme of uh large groups of individuals lawyering outside the business.

That's become common during our HPD responses, and we've had to adjust to that.

Briefly, I want to cover the cost for service at chances.

You'll see there were 25 calls for services for service.

Um, triple five settlers is a bit of a unique building where we had to piece out cost service related to chances versus call service related to the bar next door, still our tavern and the parking garage, all the other businesses that are along that way, right?

Because they all share the same address.

We had to take instances where either chances was directly mentioned or we can prove that it occurred at chances through the use of our Arctic cameras.

In that case, it revealed 25 calls for service in 2025, as well as three calls for service for fights, or three calls of service of those were for fights.

Um again, I talked about crowd management concerns and the lack of security oversight.

Um we have spoken to security on multiple occasions about what our expectations are for the business as well as what we can provide for them.

Um there has been public concern brought to us related to the fights and the firearms-related offenses.

So we talk about the HPD resources that we've used.

I've made mention several times of the real-time information center camera, which is posted across the street.

That still image is taken from our camera that provides 24-7 monitoring and gives us a good idea of what's going on at the business.

Um, our operations units have had to use more than 500 hours to spend on keep checks and directed patrols in the area.

This again takes them away from any proactive work they could be doing or answering calls for service while they're making sure that the patrons are leaving safely.

I'm using here, who's standing in the back today.

Chesapeake Bid Officer's primary role is to patrol the downtown area as a result of the gun violence that's occurred here.

We also begin deploying a light tower in the parking lot to encourage people to leave the business once they've uh exited chances, leave the area at the end of the night.

I'll turn it back over to Stephen Lynch.

Council Nell, I'll speak to specifically the grounds for the revocation recommendation.

A pattern of violent incidents and ineffective ineffectiveness of permit holders' responses indicates security staffing is not sufficient to monitor and control patron behavior.

That is condition number seven in the use permit.

Continued violence indicates that the permit holder does not fully report all criminal activity or cooperate with HPD investigations.

Again, that referenced in use permit condition number seven.

Multiple VABC violations document that permit holder does not comply with all restrictions or requirements imposed by the VABC.

That is referenced in condition number nine.

October one revocation of the VABC license indicate permits holder failure to obtain and maintain all applicable license to conduct the business.

Again, that is referenced in use permit condition number nine.

The grounds for revocation that are continued here.

The city's May 15th notice of violation regarding indoor smoking indicates the permit holders violation of state law.

May 6 notice of validate violation regarding window treatments that indicates permit holders violation of condition number four because it impeding the transparency of the windows.

The permit holders status of the state corporation commission's pending inactivity, which if not corrected will cause its legal existence to lap.

And that is referenced in use permit condition number 10.

One of his questions was the impact to the future, his future ability to have a business locate in this facility.

So this information speaks to that.

Use permits for ABC licenses are specific to the applicant or the permit holder and cannot be transferred to a new owner or manager.

This is addressed with conditions number one and number nine.

Subsequent tenants, owners of the premises are required to seek a use permit to engage in a regulated use at the site.

And because of this revoking of the permit holders use permit will not impact future business opportunities at the site.

At the conclusion of that, uh the action that is represent uh recommended by staff and the plan and commission is revocation of use permit application number 24-0028.

And we will address any questions that you have at this time.

Questions, comments from council members.

Okay.

Uh thank you, uh Stephen.

Uh thank you, Mayor.

This is a public hearing, and so we will open the public hearing.

There are no speakers signed up to uh speak during the public hearing, so we will close the public hearing and uh ask Mr.

Mayor.

I think we need to see if the applicant is present and wants to address council.

I'm not sure if they are or the permit holder, not sure if they permit holder.

Um staff members is the permit holder, any representative permit holder here this evening that wants to speak.

Okay.

All right.

So with that, uh we need a motion uh for chances uh revocation.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to revoke the use permit of 24-0028 chances restaurant and allowance with faith to comply with the conditions of this use permit.

Second.

So we'll have a motion a second.

Uh is there any further discussion?

Uh there being none, madam clerk.

We call the road.

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.

That I'm going to uh ask the clerk to read the uh protocol for public comment.

Council meetings are for conducting city business.

Public comment is allowed on matters within the council's authority and follow 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.

Speaker 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.

It's not allowed.

The 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.

All right.

We have three people signed up to uh speak uh during the public comment.

Uh first speaker is uh Mr.

William Moore.

Sir, the uh timing light is up here.

Uh you have three minutes to speak.

When the light turns yellow, you have uh one minute left and red, then we'll you're done.

So uh floor is yours.

Thank you.

Uh after city council, that's uh honor to be here.

Uh I believe you may have already read an email from me and from some of my students concerning operations at the Hampton Aquaplex.

Uh I started a company, and uh currently Terry Vennett is denying me a rental lane for the purposes of teaching swim classes.

I've already explained that my curriculum is different from American Red Cross.

Uh I have several families where I'm teaching the entirety of them.

I specialize in kids with fear of water.

I've already taught full-grown adults who for the first time are now learning how to swim.

Um prior last year when I first set this up, I was required to insure the city on my insurance plan, and it is still active today.

And uh I'm currently uh running out of options here because um I have in writing that there may have been a potential violation of law in denying me a rental.

But it's first and primarily that I am not asking for anything free.

I'm just asking for a single lane to rent so that I may teach people.

I am sourcing people in the community and elsewhere.

I'm teaching people to be prepared them for the Navy, for competitive swimming, anything they might do.

You can ask um, I think Miss Kanak, one of my students, I try to get her to join that swim team.

You can ask K2 Diving, who currently rents the facility.

I'm trying to feel I've already fielded one of my students to their location too.

Um the cup one man, I've gotten from brand new beginner to qualifying for merchant mariner in just two hours.

And this is a facility that's local to me.

I don't have a car, so I'm able to easily walk to and from there.

And if this isn't the point of this facility, why was it built?

I'm finding other people, getting them in there, and telling them, hey, look, this is a great place to swim.

They have two different pools you can sign up for memberships here.

And well, this is just uh this is one of my last options here.

And so um, I just hope that you guys uh find it in your positions to do things about it.

I can give you the full email chain, I can give you the proof of insurance, I can give you my business license, I can give you my registry with the state corporation commission.

All right, my name is William Moore.

The company names Blue Flamel LLC.

All right.

Thank you very much for your talking.

Thank you, Mr.

Moore.

Uh next speaker is Dennis Green.

My name is Dennis Green, and I own the property adjacent to the Big Bethel Blue Way project at 519 Big Beffle Road, located right at the beginning of the trailhead.

And I'd like to explore a partnership with our city to provide services at the trailhead, which is currently zoned R11.

So I envision providing food and refreshments, but I'm open to ideas for a win-win with the public at large and to do the right thing for the city.

So I just request to be put in contact with the right people to explore those part to explore those possibilities.

My phone number is on the back of the cover sheet, and I've attached some pictures of the project at 519 Big Bethel.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Green.

Uh next speaker is Chris Bowman.

Good evening.

I'm Chris Bowman.

Good evening, Mayor, Council Members, City Manager, City Attorney, and Council Clerk.

I'm here tonight to comment on accessory dwelling units.

The proposal to develop these is 800 square feet, in my opinion, only affords two bedrooms, one bath, a living area, and a kitchen.

I'm recommending 1,100 square feet, which will afford three bedrooms, two baths, a living area, and a kitchen.

This can accommodate a college student coming home for the summer, family visiting and emergencies.

The 1,100 square foot feat accommodates a family of four.

Lastly, how is a storage shed or garage factored into the square footage?

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Bowman.

Um, City Manager, would you care to address any of the uh items uh brought up by people speaking?

Do you want to cut public comment?

Well, in reverse order, um Mr.

Bowman suggests something for you all to consider.

It's not really something for me to comment on.

I mean, we can share that recommendation with the staff and the stakeholder committee that has been looking at it, but ultimately that will be a decision for for council to make.

Uh Mr.

Green, we'll certainly follow up with you.

I believe I still have your phone number and connect you with the people who would be appropriate to explore ideas with.

We appreciate you coming forward and wanting to uh have a partnership.

Um just as an aside, we're always looking for co-creators to help enhance the vibrancy of our community.

So I thank you for coming forward and one of my staff members will directly follow up with you.

Um Mr.

Moore, uh, we did receive your emails as well as those who contacted you in reviewing the rental policies with the city attorney's office and our procurement team.

Uh Ms.

Vanderventon is adhering to the current city policy.

And so if unless the council wanted to change the policy of opening rentals of any of our facilities to anyone who wants to rent, um, we are executing in accordance with the current policies.

Um I understand why that might be frustrating, but even though it's a public building, it doesn't mean that anybody can rent space anytime they want in any of the spaces.

We have to make sure that we have a full complement of services and that we are not creating um you know adverse situations to programming the facilities.

Um and so there are reasons behind our policies.

Um they are in accordance with the law, both the procurement law as well as the general state of fair play, and we don't believe that we are out of compliance.

Um it ultimately comes down to whether or not council wants to direct staff to change policy.

All right, thank you.

Uh Madam Clerk, would you read a protocol for uh require for appointments?

The motion required for your appointments this evening is on the clean city commission, appoint Gail Mooney to a first term which will expire on October 31, 2029.

On the Hampton Economic Development Authority, reappoint Balda Claiborne to a second term until September 30, 2029.

On the Board of Zoning Appeals, recommend the following reappointment of Joy Kirch Kelling to her first full term until December 31 2030.

Appoint appointment of Alicia Miller, who is currently serving as an alternate to fill the unexpired portion of a term until December 31, 2028.

The appointment of Romeo Toro to fill the alternate vacancy of Miss Miller until October 31, 2027.

On the wetlands board, reappoint Stephen Hughes to a second term expiring on December 30, 2030.

On the Grievance Board, appoint Tiffany Knott to fill the unexpired portion of a term until March 30, 2026.

And on the Citizens Police Advisory Group, move Dr.

Ray DeWitt from an at-large position to the Hampton University representative expiring June 30, 2028.

Appoint Scott Keller to fill the at-large position expiring on October 30, 2029.

Appoint appoint Saudia White to fill the nonprofit position expiring October 30, 2029, and reappoint Ann Cherry as a civil rights organization representative to another term expiring on December 30, 2029.

All right, need a motion a second.

Second.

Councilman Bowman.

Aye.

Vice Mayor Brown.

Aye.

Councilwoman Campbell.

Aye.

Councilwoman Faraby.

Aye.

Councilwoman Harper.

Aye.

Councilwoman Muggler.

Aye.

Mayor Gray.

Aye.

All right.

So now are there any reports by the city manager?

City Council members.

Any committees?

All right.

Uh there are any items for new business.

All right.

It being none, we are adjourned.