Hampton City Council Meeting Summary for December 10, 2025
Hampton City Council Meeting - December 10, 2025
The Hampton City Council convened for a full legislative session featuring a full house of members, public recognitions for local businesses and student artists, and extensive deliberation on zoning, voter access, and public safety issues. The meeting concluded late into the evening after a contentious public hearing regarding the revocation of a nightclub's use permit and subsequent appointments to various advisory boards.
Consent Calendar
- The Council unanimously approved the Fiscal Year 2025 year-end budget adjustments to appropriate funds for general operating budgets, capital projects, and outside agency contributions.
- Approval of the assignment of a Commonwealth Development Opportunity Fund Performance Agreement from HII Technical Solutions Corporation to Huntington Ingalls Incorporated.
- Adoption of the "Safe Streets and Roads for All Hampton Safety Action Plan" utilizing U.S. Department of Transportation grant funds.
- Approval of an encroachment agreement with Teleport Communications America LLC for fiber optic installation at 925 Old Buck Road.
- Correction of the 2026 Council meeting schedule to rectify October dates.
- Approval of minutes from two previous Council meetings.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Belma Gauss Price: Expressed concerns regarding confusing signage and lane partitioning at the William Harvey Way and Settlers Landing intersection near Hampton University, noting potential safety hazards for drivers unfamiliar with the area.
- Aaron Weaver: Argued that the rapid expansion of vapor smoke shops across Hampton has outpaced city zoning planning, urging the Council to establish density limits to prevent future community burdens.
- William Moore: Alleged that City policies preventing individuals from renting pool facilities violate the Virginia Antitrust Act (Code 59.1-5 and 59.1-9.6) and expressed grievances regarding swim lesson competition restrictions.
- Rita Taylor: Raised concerns about rental property maintenance standards in the Sussex neighborhood, specifically citing debris and clutter in front yards as a blight issue affecting community safety and aesthetics.
- Teresa Roundy: Expressed frustration with the City's response to disturbances at Barnes Cemetery, alleging dismissive attitudes from staff and the potential for legal liability if hazards are not addressed.
- Craig Knopp: voiced concerns regarding potential government targeting of specific demographics, gun registration security risks, and the use of doxxing data, urging caution on state-level legislative matters.
- Dr. Richard Mason: Spoke in support of the new polling precinct proposal, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement for students and the city's commitment to its young leaders.
- Delegate Juan Ward: Urged Council to approve the new precinct to correct historical inequities, noting that the East Hampton Precinct is currently the only precinct where the polling location lies outside its borders.
- Lance Jones (Hampton NACP): Expressed strong support for the new precinct, framing it as a vital step toward voter empowerment and inclusivity.
- President Darrell K. Williams: Offered support from the Office of Hampton University President, highlighting the negative impact of distance and transportation barriers on student voter participation.
- Dr. Richard Mason: Reiterated the importance of the precinct as an investment in civic empowerment, noting over 900 alumni have signed a petition in support.
- Kevin Jones: Represented over 200 student signatures and 25 letters supporting the on-campus precinct, emphasizing the economic and civic benefits of accessibility.
- Aaron Weaver: Spoke about the personal burden of transporting classmates to distant polling locations and the need for direct access to exercise basic democratic rights.
- Stephanie Durard: Shared her experience from election day with a 114% turnout despite long lines, arguing an on-campus precinct would smooth the process and reduce wait times for students.
- Malachi Townsley: Highlighted issues of education and accessibility for both students and the larger community, noting the lack of voice for those not present at the hearing.
- Natalie Kidd: Compared Hampton University's current challenges to Virginia Tech's success with multiple campus precincts, citing higher voter registration and turnout rates when polling is on-campus.
- Courtney Johnson: Framed the request as a fight for civil rights and a tool for building social justice, urging Council to recognize the power of the Black vote.
- Tamara Williams: Expressed support from the perspective of a 18-year professor at Hampton University, applauding the students for attending during finals.
Discussion Items
- New Polling Precinct (25-0343): Council discussed establishing a new Hampton University Precinct by carving boundaries from the East Hampton Precinct. Deputy City Attorney Angela King detailed the legal requirements (500-5,000 voters, compact boundaries, polling place within the precinct). Staff presentation confirmed the proposal aligns with state code and will be implemented after Attorney General certification.
- Annual Action Plan Amendment (25-0336): The City Manager introduced amendments to the 2024-2025 CDBG and HOME investment plans. This involved reallocating funds to increase housing programs for weatherization and first-time homebuyer assistance, noting that new construction activities were paused due to rising costs. Council approved the amendment to assist low-to-moderate income households.
- Rezoning 1700 East Pembroke Ave (25-0322): Council deferred a request to rezone a parcel from C2 to R9 to allow for a single-family home. Councilmember Bowman moved to defer the item to the January 28th meeting to allow the applicant to hold a community meeting with interpreters, as a language barrier prevented the initial meeting. Vice Mayor Brown voted against approval due to the lack of community engagement.
- Southern Comfort Restaurant & Lounge (25-0285): Council deliberated on a use permit for extended hours (until 2 a.m.) and alcohol sales. Staff recommended strict security conditions (9 guards, 2 HPD officers). The applicant argued the mandates were financially unfeasible and proposed an "as needed" security basis. After a recess for Council, Department of Public Safety, and Development staff to negotiate, City staff offered a reduced security mandate (5 interior guards, 2 parking lot guards, and 2 HPD officers on late hours, active only for the last 4 hours). The applicant requested further reductions. Council voted to approve the permit with the revised staff conditions (14 conditions total, with modified security requirements).
- Revocation of Karma Restaurant/ Lounge Permit (25-0323): Staff recommended revocation of the use permit (Restaurant 3) due to 13 assaults, 6 firearm-related calls, a homicide in 2025, security failures (missing radios, capacity counter tampering), and inactive legal entity status. Council heard from the applicant and numerous supporters emphasizing the business's community contributions and hiring of felons. Despite a request for continuance by the applicant's attorney and requests for a "reset" strategy from Council members, Mayor Gray moved to revoke the permit to enforce compliance with safety standards. Council agreed that while the business provides value, the safety issues in the parking lot and security failures were untenable.
Key Outcomes
- Polling Precinct Ordinance (25-0343): Motion to approve the ordinance establishing the new Hampton University Precinct carried unanimously (7-0). The ordinance will take effect upon issuance of a certificate of no objection from the Virginia Office of the Attorney General.
- Annual Action Plan Amendment: Approved unanimously (7-0) to reallocate CDBG and HOME funds to housing programs.
- Rezoning (25-0322): Deferred to January 28, 2026, to facilitate a community meeting with interpreters for the applicant.
- Southern Comfort Use Permit (25-0285): Approved unanimously (7-0) with revised conditions regarding security staff and hours (reduced security requirements as negotiated).
- Karma Use Permit Revocation (25-0323): Motion to revoke Use Permit #24-0489 carried unanimously (7-0). This removes the ability to operate as a Restaurant 3 (late night alcohol/entertainment); the business must transition to a lower classification or cease late-night operations. The applicant has been informed they may apply for a Restaurant 1 or 2, though re-applying for a Restaurant 3 would require waiting a year if denied.
- Administrative Appointments:
- Approved appointments for the Hampton Animal Response Team (Amanda Roten), Coliseum Advisory Committee (Linda Curtis reappointment, Anne Cherry new appointment), Planning Commission (Keisha Samuels), and Towing Advisory Board (George Sawyers).
- Deferred Citizens' Police Advisory Group appointments to January 28, 2026.
- Approved reappointments for the Virginia Air and Space Science Center board (Ross Mugler, Ann Bain, Melvin Farabee Jr., Michael Haymore, Gayleen Kenoyton, Stephen Miller, Dr. Chandra Oakes Garcia, John Ishin, Brian DeProfio). Councilwoman Faraby and Councilwoman Muggler abstained due to spousal conflicts of interest regarding their own reappointments on the board.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody, and welcome to the uh Hampton City Council legislative session. Uh we have a full house this evening with a number of items on the agenda, and so we're gonna try to make the best use of uh your time and ours to uh get through the agenda in an efficient manner and uh taking all the comments that we need to take before making any decisions on uh what's on the agenda for this evening. So with that, I'm gonna ask Clerk, please call the roll councilman Bowman, present, Vice Mayor Brown. Here, Councilwoman Campbell, present, Councilwoman Fairby, present, Councilwoman Harper, present, Councilwoman Lugler, present, Mayor Gray. Present. And uh the invocation this evening will be given by Vice Mayor Stephen Brown, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. So would you please stand and we do both? This is Bower Hits in prayer. Father, we give you praise. We thank you, Lord, for this night. We thank you, God, for this season of celebration, season of gift giving season where we make memories with family with friends. We pray, God, that for those who may not have friends during the season or gifts or family or food. We pray for them tonight, God. We pray God that uh somehow and somehow you will provide and meet their needs. We thank you tonight, God, for this council. We pray tonight as we deliberate in this chamber, hear the issues of the people and do the business, people uh do the business of the people tonight. I pray God that we'll be civil, we will be respectful, and God, we will make the best decision that we can make as a city council. Thank you for those who've gathered, thank you for those who've come, and thank you for our great city of Hampton. We pray for those who are in harm's way tonight, our first responders. We also look to those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, where they laid their lives down for this country, that we can enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy. And so whether we celebrate Christmas, whether we celebrate Hanukkah, whether we celebrate Kwanzaa, or whether we celebrate it all, let us be respectful and kind and love one another. In Christ's name we pray, all of God's children say it together. Amen. How many people out there have eaten at Mango Mango? Yeah, just look at that. And uh so um Lakeisha Brown Renfro, Tunisia Willis and Inzinga Talule Hakima started, uh also known as Dr. T. Started out with a 10-year business plan, and after a decade of feeding us and hosting us, they're sticking to that plan and bringing an end to the chapter of uh Mango Mango. And uh, but don't worry because they're not going away. Uh the Simply Panache mango ladies have always had a vision that was too ambitious to be contained within four walls in the storefront, and that vision has been for the whole community through dining. The Simply Phoenach brand is instantly recognizable around Phoebus as a symbol of high quality, positive energy, and community engagement, and that's something that's not going to change at the end of the year. Uh one more uh bit of good news is that the mango ladies promise that they'll do pop-ups where they can to uh allow you to continue to purchase some of their delicious food. And so this evening I want to uh recognize Letitia, Tanisia, and Nzinga uh for a decade of work uh on the Mellon Street with Mango Manual and wish them can continue success with their panache business uh ventures. And you know, uh for 10 years, and I mean if you've been to Fevers lately, you just know that the that the vibe in Phoebus has changed over the years. It's just a thriving area, and Mango Mango has been a part of that. They've actually contributed to bringing that vibrant to Feebus. And so we wanted to uh at least uh say a special thank you from you know Hampton City Council and everybody in the city of Hampton for your investment in our community and uh you know, really uh giving people a place to go and enjoy. And you know, I've talked to friends on the South Side, they've all come over and enjoy Mango Mango, so your restaurant is known not only here in Hampton, but all around the region, and we want to thank you for your 10 years of service there. So uh I'm gonna come down here. We've got a couple of presentations. We want you to come over, and I'm inviting council members to come down so we can get a photo uh with you and uh again uh show our appreciation for your commitment to our community. Thank you. All right. All right, so we don't mess this up. We're gonna start with this camera right here, this camera right here, this camera. All right. Ready? All right. Thank you. Good evening, everyone.
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