Hampton City Council Work Session - October 22, 2025

This work session focused on strategic community partnerships and operational updates from city departments. Council members heard presentations from Christopher Newport University (CNU) regarding a new K-16 pipeline program with Hampton City Schools, followed by detailed reports from the Public Works and Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services departments highlighting past accomplishments and future placemaking projects.

Consent Calendar

• Routine approvals and unanimous actions were not separately listed during the work session segment; the meeting proceeded directly to public presentations and discussion items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Councilmember Harper: Expressed concern regarding citizens' reports of dangerous road conditions and vehicle damage caused by repairs following waterworks and utility projects (specifically citing Chapel Street and Apple Street). Councilmember Harper sought assurance that these issues were being addressed. Interim Public Works Director Michael Bowery confirmed that the city holds utility companies accountable for repaving entire streets when damage exceeds a certain percentage of the roadway and assured that specific affected areas would be repaired.
• Councilmember Bowman: Raised questions about recruitment opportunities within Public Works, specifically noting the successful in-house CDL training program.
• Vice Mayor Brown: Asked about potential upgrades to tennis courts and sports fields at Briarfield Park, as well as the preservation of historic integrity at the Virginia State School park project.

Discussion Items

• Christopher Newport University Partnership (Hampton Captains Program)

  • President William G. Kelly (CNU): Presented CNU's five-year strategic plan, emphasizing a 70% graduation rate in business and STEM fields and the upcoming 83,000-square-foot science and engineering research center. President Kelly highlighted a 50% increase in Hampton City high school seniors attending CNU and thanked Dr. Raymond Haynes (Hampton City Schools Superintendent and CNU alum) for his partnership. He stated CNU's goal is to be the most inclusive university in Virginia and ensure financial barriers do not prevent students from attending.
  • Brandon Jones (Senior Director of School Partnerships, CNU): Described the "Hampton Captains Program" as an evolution of the Lead Ambassador program. He detailed three prongs of the partnership: the "Biz Talk" event, the student leadership program, and a K-16 task force to build a "cradle to career" pipeline. He clarified that the program does not directly recruit for CNU but prepares students for their "next step," which may include college, work, or the military.
  • Shemika Pollard (Chief of Secondary Education, Hampton City Schools): Confirmed CNU's status as a "fully immersed partner" in the division's engagement framework. She emphasized the goal of aligning with economic outcomes and fostering a collaborative K-16+ pathway. She noted the program's focus on elevating student voice and that the partnership is based on the needs of the students.
  • Councilmember Theraby: Expressed excitement based on her background as a CNU liberal arts graduate and former NASA employee, emphasizing the need to bring people back to the region to live, work, and play. She asked about participation targets.
  • Q&A Summary:
    • Scholarships: President Kelly and Brandon Jones indicated that while no formal CNU-specific scholarship tied to the program was active at the time, a "PIV grant" exists to provide funding for Hampton City school students attending CNU. The university's mindset is to eliminate financial struggles for interested students.
    • Dual Enrollment: Jones stated no official seamless transfer process for dual enrollment credits currently exists, though Virginia public universities generally accept credits earned through community colleges. CNU plans to build such processes based on student needs as the partnership grows.
    • Targets: The program expanded to K-12, with high school students serving as lead ambassadors (50 initially, plus 20 younger "buddies") to guide younger peers. The goal is to create a scalable model where student leaders guide their own communities.

• Public Works Department Update (Interim Director Michael Bowery)

  • Presented a review of projects falling under strategic priorities: Excellence in Government, Living with Water, Safe and Clean, and Placemaking.
  • Key Stats/Projects: Completed 3,600+ work lists, upgraded 1,400+ lighting fixtures to LED (saving ~$35,000/year), replaced 150,000 sq. ft. of flooring, and purchased 6 ambulances ($2.3M). Waste-to-energy reduced landfill waste by 70%. Conducted 7,600 volunteer hours in community cleanup. Replaced over 380,000 feet of pavement markings and performed trenchless wastewater pipe rehabilitation.
  • Staffing: Recruiting for facility superintendents, wastewater positions, infrastructure inspectors, and equipment operators; offering an in-house CDL training program with a 100% success rate.

• Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Services Update (Director Darrell Crennum)

  • Highlighted placemaking efforts and special events, including the Blackbeard Pirate Festival (approx. 12,000 attendees) and new events like the Veterans Day Parade.
  • Projects: Completed renovations at Buck Road Beach Playground and Darling Stadium. Replaced units at Sandy Bottom. Ongoing projects include senior center renovations (exterior complete, interior/parking upcoming) and playground replacements at Mary T. Christian Elementary and Peak Elementary (focusing on ADA compliance).
  • Future Plans: Discussing sports turf and field realignment at Briarfield Park to attract tournaments. Addressed concerns about tennis court lighting at Briarfield (paving scheduled in 2-3 weeks). Confirmed the department will engage stakeholders to preserve the historic integrity of the Virginia State School park.

Key Outcomes

• Partnership Formalization: Christopher Newport University and Hampton City Schools solidified their "fully immersed" partnership through the "Hampton Captains" program, aiming to create a cradle-to-career pipeline and elevate student voice in K-12 schools.
• Recruitment & Retention: CNU committed to exploring scholarship pathways and credit transfer improvements for Hampton City students, while the Public Works department opened recruitment for specific technical roles and CDL training.
• Infrastructure Accountability: The city reaffirmed its policy to hold utilities accountable for roadway damage, with specific repaving commitments made for neighborhoods affected by over-limit utility work.
• Capital Planning: The council received updates on ongoing and conceptual placemaking projects (Briarfield, Virginia State School, senior center) which will require future manager review and council vote before formal community implementation.
• Meeting Procedural Action: The council voted unanimously (6-0) to convene an executive (closed) session to discuss real property acquisitions in the Greater With area, disposition of public funds/investment in the LaSalle Quarter, and appointments/performance of a local border commission appointee.